The next generation. Trayvon Martin February 5, 1995 – February 26, 2012
For some reason I thought I posted this message. But now it’s been a few days, and has given me time to think a bit, though still shaken. Below are some quotes I collected during my more anxious moments. The one that is sticking with me now is in the 2nd quote: “Trayvon was a victim of Florida’s bad laws.” Florida was the first to pass a “justifiable homicide” or Stand Your Ground law. Some version of it is in 30 other states (Washington Post). This needs to be addressed in addition to what’s expressed below.
In the state of Florida, the season on African-Americans now runs year round. Come one, come all. And bring a handgun. The legislators are fine with this blood on their hands. The governor, too. One man accosted another and when it became a fist fight, one man — and one man only — had a firearm. The rest is racial rationalization and dishonorable commentary.
Trayvon Martin wasn’t just a victim of a trigger-happy George Zimmerman. Trayvon was a victim of Florida’s bad laws. He was a victim of a society that criminalizes dark skin, criminalizes poverty, and criminalizes youth.
– Taquiena Boston, Director, Multicultural Growth & Witness
Unitarian Universalist Association
(read the complete post)
It is the Zimmerman mindset that must be found guilty–far more than the man himself. It is a mindset that views black men and boys as nothing but a threat, good for nothing, up to no good no matter who they are or what they are doing. It is the Zimmerman mindset that has birthed a penal system unprecedented in world history, and relegated millions to a permanent undercaste.
– Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow
Much is made of the fact that the jury was following the law. “Legally” is normally a positive word. But when it refers to a bad law that inevitably will result in injustices if used in courtroom defenses, we should put it in quotes.
NAACP petition to the Department of Justice. Here’s the link.
Marissa Alexander Marissa Alexander, an African American woman who “stood her ground” by firing a warning shot at her physically abusive husband (and got 20 years in prison for that) should GO SCOTT FREE!!!
– me
I had no signage personal or affiliated at the One Nation rally for “Jobs, Justice, and Education for all.” I joined the multitudes with the Split This Rock Poetry Festival headed by Sarah Browning. Sarah offered a poem to passers by. I said, “How Bob Dylan of you.”
Though I was “signless” and “poemless,” I took time to write down the many messages floating around the rainbow of gatherers. Taking a note from Bob Dylan.
“5 Day Wrong Way” (Letter Carriers Union against the proposed 5-day mail delivery
Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!
One Nation Working Together
End the Wars Now: Bring Our Money Home
Mothers of Lost children
Please Stop the Violation of Human Rights
55 Cents Is Not Enough
Affordable Housing Victories
Stop the War on Workers
America Needs Good Jobs Now
Forward
We March for Hope Not Hate
I Am Voting
Hey Dems Honor Your Base
Green Jobs for All
Healthcare Not Warfare
Billions for Jobs Not Occupation
Stop FBI Attacks Against Anti War and Union Activists Freaked/Out/Xtremists
I know I missed quite a many. The loyal opposition has posted their favorites on their own sites and blogs. Search for them if you may. Digital and cyber infiltration is the price of 21st century free speech.
The anti-war movement made their presence known. And some people are still carrying the torch from the 2008 election with Obama campaign baseball caps and t-shirts. Fortunately, the organizers of the rally, the NAACP, labor unions and their partners stayed on message: Jobs, Justice, Education for all. LGBT participants added “Equality.” We said the pledge of allegiance followed by the singing of the national anthem by a most capable soloist. The poets moved on to the Free Speech area and I went to find the Unitarians near their “Standing on the Side of Love” banner. This has been the closest I’ve ever been to the Lincoln Memorial for a rally.
Will this rally voters for the mid term elections in November? That’s the task out-of-towners were asked to take up when they get home. Does it build momentum for Jon Stewart’s “Rally for Sanity” on the same spot. That’s where my enthusiasm gap seems to be expanding — especially with 28 days between the two rallies. Standing in the shadow of the Lincoln Memorial, I realized I never come to this spot except for some serious purpose or reason. The only recreational moments I’ve had at Lincoln’s feet were with visitors who wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial (because of its historical significance), the anniversary concert by Denyce Graves to honor Marian Anderson, and after the 2008 election.
So why will I be here October 30th? I really don’t know at this point. Maybe I’ll feel less torn if someone tells me “It’s just a free outdoor comedy show on the cheap because it’s public space.” Trick or Treat!?
SYMPOSIUM: Cuba in the World: Literature, Politics, Performance
Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Ariel Fernandez at the Future of Music Policy Summit. Ariel’s working on a new documentary “Hip-Hop in Cuba: a Revolution Within the Revolution.” He sent me an email to let me know that he’s in DC this week for a very interesting event at George Washington University presented by the department of English. Ariel will present his project on Friday. Check it out!
Cuba in the World: Literature, Politics, Performance
October 8 and 9, 2009
George Washington University
Thursday, October 8, 8 p.m.: Reading and Discussion with Novelist Mayra Montero
Marvin Center, 3rd-Floor Amphitheater, 21st Street N.W. between H and Eye Streets
Mayra Montero, an award-winning novelist and renowned journalist, is the author of Dancing to “Almendra,” The Last Night I Spent with You, and many other works.
Moderator: H.G. Carrillo, George Washington University
Friday, October 9: Symposium
Marvin Center, Room 405, 21st Street N.W. between H and Eye Streets
10:30 a.m. to noon: Political Presents
“‘Justice and Humanity Before the Nation’: Is a Post-Bellum and Post-National Cuban Republic Possible?” José Buscaglia-Salgado, SUNY-Buffalo
“Pánfilo, Ojama: Reflexiones Sobre Raza y Nación en la Cuba Contemporanea/Reflections on Race and Nation in Contemporary Cuba.” Yesenia Selier, Writer and Performer, NYC
“Washington and Havana: Prospects for Normal Relations in the Obama/Raúl Era.” Peter Kornbluh, National Security Archive
Moderator: Antonio López, George Washington University
1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Cultural Conditions
“Staging the Racial Past.” Jill Lane, New York University
“Hip-Hop in Cuba: A Revolution Within the Revolution.” Ariel Fernández, Writer and Producer, NYC
“Love in the Temporarily of Diaspora: The Post-Cuban Mode in Cristina García’s A Handbook to Luck.” Ricardo Ortiz, Georgetown University
Moderator: José Esteban Muñoz, New York University, and Wang Visiting Professor in Contemporary English Literature, George Washington University
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Documentary Screening, La Lupe: Queen of Latin Soul (Filmmaker Ela Troyano Present for Discussion)
Ela Troyano is a Cuban-American filmmaker and documentary artist living in New York.
SO YOU KNOW YOU CAN DANCE? MAURICE HINES IN TOWN FOR WORKSHOPS AND AUDITIONS
Dancer, choreographer, and Broadway legend Maurice Hines is in DC next week to give two master classes and hold open auditions for the Arena Stage production of Duke Ellington’s “Sophisticated Ladies” (opening in April 2010).
The master classes are for advanced dancers with background in jazz, hip-hop and tap. The classes are FREE and will be in two locations on Tuesday, October 13: 12:15 to 1:30pm – Howard University (2455 Sixth Street, NW); 3:30 to 4:45pm – the Duke Ellington School for the Arts (3500 R Street, NW).
The OPEN dance audition for “Sophisticated Ladies” is Wednesday, October 14 at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U Street, NW). Men and women of all ethnicities with strong jazz, ballet and tap background are welcomed to audition. Registration for men begins at noon with auditions from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, and registration for women starts at 2:00p.m. followed by auditions from 3:00 to 5:00pm. Individuals interested in pre-registration may e-mail résumé and headshot Jamil Jude at jjude@arenastage.org or call (202) 554-9066, ext. 284. [Serious] Walk-ins welcome. (Note: I added “serious.”)
THE DAY AFTER COLUMBUS DAY AT THE WHITE HOUSE – FIESTA LATINA
I’m sure it’s no accident that Columbus Day falls within Hispanic Heritage month. Without Columbus, let’s face it, there would be no Hispanic Heritage. Afterall, he was on an errand for Spain. How you interpret the outcomes depends on where you are now 500+ years after the encounter.
WETA is taping a special concert at the White House Tuesday, “Fiesta Latina” for “In Performance at the White House.” Another quick turn-around for WETA as the concert will air nationally on PBS October 15. Guest artists include George Lopez, Gloria Estefan, Los Lobos, Jimmy Smits, Sheila E, Marc Anthony, and others. There’s also a guest chef: Maricel Presilla who specializes in Latin American foods. Her restaurants, Zafra and Cucharamama are located in Hoboken, NJ. Love the music on her restaurant sites. For an historical assessment of how the Columbus’ voyage changed the way we encounter and are encountered by our environment including food, a good book is The Columbian Exchange by Alfred W. Cosby originally published in 1972.
REV. PETER MORALES, FIRST HISPANIC PRESIDENT OF THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION
Sunday, October 11 Rev. Peter Morales will be in the pulpit at All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, DC (16th & Harvard Streets, NW). Rev. Morales is the first Hispanic president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Unitarian Universalism combines two denominations–Unitarianism and Universalism–with a history that goes back several hundreds years in Europe and its emergence in the U.S. in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Rev. Morales will join the National Equality March with UUA congregations and the Standing On the Side of Love campaign. You can read Rev. Morales’ endorsement of the march here.
BEN ALI, Founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl No true blue Washingtonian doesn’t know about Ben’s Chili Bowl or hasn’t met one of the Ali’s. The now world-famous carryout restaurant’s founder, namesake and owner Ben Ali joined the ancestors last night. He died of natural causes in his home. He was 82. Ben’s Chili Bowl was founded in 1958 by Ben and Virginia Ali in a former silent movie theater. Ben immigrated to the U.S. from Trinidad and attended Howard University.
The Chili Bowl is known for it’s famous chili dog and half smoke. It also had a reputation for being a gathering place for local punditry from all walks of life and as an after-hours spot for musicians and Howard University students. I don’t think they would take offense in being called a “neighborhood joint.” Ben’s Chili Bowl survived when U Street went into urban decline from white and black flight to the suburbs and after the 1968 riots. When the lights of “Black Broadway” went out, Ben’s were still bright and the chili dogs and fries were still being served up. Ben Ali was a constant neighbor and made the Chili Bowl community space. His most famous customer and friend is comedian Bill Cosby who started frequenting Ben’s while courting a young DC woman named Camille. Though this year a President Elect’s visit may have topped a Cosby siting.
Since Ben Ali’s illness, Ben’s Chili Bowl has been managed by his family including his wife Virginia, and sons Kamal and Nizam. They recently opened a sit down restaurant next door, simply called, “Next Door.” This blogger extends sympathies to the entire Ali family –our good neighbors.
Two weeks ago I was in Boston, MA not quite by choice, but by my sister’s persuasive and persistent argument that it was time I took a break from 24/7 work. She was in the city on business. In other words, the price was right for everyone to get out of town including my mother. This was one of the few times I actually played the part of “tourist” without embarassment.
This year, I rejoined the All Souls Church, Unitarian (DC). Boston is definitely a “mecca” of sorts for Unitarianism as the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) main office is located right across from the Commons on Beacon Street, and just a few strides from the Massachusetts State House. Since my sister works for the UUA, she often travels to Boston for meetings. For this trip there were a number of farewell parties including one for the out-going UUA President Rev. William G. Sinkford elected in 2001. Sinkford is the first African American President of the UUA. A new President will be elected at the UUA’s General Assembly next week.
The Universalist Church of America was founded by 1793, and the American Unitarian Association by 1825. In 1961, these denominations consolidated to form the new religion of Unitarian Universalism.
Source: UUA
I’m still learning and re-learning the history, principles (there are 7) and philosophies of Unitarianism, Universalism. Unitarians don’t talk about their religion too much or tele-evangelize. UUism isn’t a secret waiting for Oprah or a DVD release either. The denomination can boast an impressive roll call of American luminaries including four U.S. Presidents (John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Thomas Jefferson, William Howard Taft). This probably lets people know up front Unitarian Universalism isn’t a fringe element of the American spiritual landscape.
The UUA Walking Tour “Unitarian and Universalist in Boston is a start. I’m linking this post to the PDF here.
ON BOSTON
I was told, by a Unitarian minister, that the official religion of Boston is sports. I suppose the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins are the patron saints.
THE FEDERALISTS I’ve learned to like federalist architecture. I like the smooth red brick houses on Beacon Hill. Charles Bulfinch (a Unitarian) designed the Massachusetts State House (pictured). Paul Revere, another Unitarian, installed the first dome made of copper. Bulfinch also designed the U.S. Capitol.
Since we were staying right behind the state house, I got to see all angles of it. I also got to see the line of news crews out front as the story broke that retired state house speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi was being indicted on corruption charges stemming from kickbacks delivered through contracts with a computer software firm. What is it with local government and software firms? I understand, this behavior isn’t new to the commonwealth. But there’s no escaping the bean counters who appear to be very dedicated fiscal watch dogs waiting for a fresh opportunity to pounce on state officials. Both DiMasi and the software firm have pleaded not-guilty.
FOUND ANCESTOR
When I got home, I confirmed Absalom Boston is one of my ancestors – a brother of a direct ancestor. He was a businessman, whaling captain and mariner from Nantucket. I saw his picture in an exhibit on African American entrepreneurs of Massachusetts in the Abiel Smith School, home of the Boston Museum of African American History (historic landmark along with the adjacent African Meeting House). I couldn’t help but note the ancestor’s two gold hoop earrings in his ears. Bostons definitely dare to be different. Absalom also worked to integrate Nantucket’s public schools. He was buried in a segregated cemetery when he died in 1855. During the visit we met a wonderful Harvard MBA candidate named Antonia from Harlem (NY). She’s planning a basketball tournament night out for July 11th in Harlem, NY (uptown). Stay tuned for Antonia.
STOMPING THE HARVARD YARD AND CAMBRIDGE
On my first visit to Harvard, many, many years ago, the first thing that struck me about the campus was how old it was, older than many of the campuses back at home and of my top choice colleges at the time. [Harvard was established in 1636.] This time when I arrived university was about to start Senior Class Day with Matt Lauer of “The Today Show” as the featured speaker. My mother and I crashed the yard for a few moments to soak up some atmosphere. There were proud parents from around the world, alumni masters of the universe, and lots of others milling about. A few dorms were open for bathroom breaks.
My friend Corinna recommended that I check out Herrell’s ice cream, one of those Massachusetts companies (a lot smaller than Dunkin Donuts). They have a shop in Cambridge across from the building that houses the Harvard Information Center at 15 Dunster Street. They were out of Corinna’s favorite, lemon mousse. I had the Brown Cow, a coffee ice cream with bites of chocolate and almonds swirled in. Nice texture. Good flavor without tasting artificial.
THEY’RE NOT VERY FRIENDLY PEOPLE
My mother is a senior citizen and I refuse to drive in Boston, so we traveled by the public transportation which means encountering strangers including city workers to get around. We got lost a few times. With the exceptoin of one surly cab driver, people appeared more than happy to help us with directions and other suggestions. Hear and there we got a friendly joke. Maybe I mis-interpreted. Maybe our non-Boston advisors meant “people in Boston are not overly friendly?” Where were those unfriendlies that week?
I had no idea Boston had the nation’s first subway – built in 1895. Photo: Mural on the wall of the platform for the Park Street subway station.
Boston’s McDonalds has root beer. I know that’s no big deal, but if you love root beer and can never get it consistently in your fast food joints back home, I say this is a plus for Boston!
THE JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
We only had 90 minutes in the museum before it closed for the day, so we got a discount on the tickets. The JFK museum/library appears to be a collection of the ideas and idealism of John F. Kennedy not just a biographical collection of material objects. This JFK quote stood out for me: The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie — deliberate, contrived and dishonest — but the myth — persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.
The Unitarian Universalist Washington Office for Advocacy’s Olive Branch Peace Offering Partnership is hosting a “Rebirthing King” Celebration! the day before that other event (smile). The celebration will be held at All Souls Church, Unitarian on 1500 Harvard Street, NW in Washington, DC. Here’s the announcement:
“Rebirthing King”- An Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership Event
On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, a new President will be inaugurated and begin to work with a new Congress. The day before, Monday January 19, is Martin Luther King’s Birthday.
The Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership is hosting a celebration of Dr. King’s life and new possibilities in the coming administration. Join us as we discuss the life of Rev. King and the lessons we can learn in our fight against poverty, oppression and militarism.
Members of Olive Branch Interfaith Peace Partnership include: American Muslim Voice, Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Christian Peace Witness for Iraq, Faith Voices for the Common Good, Jewish Voice for Peace, Muslim Peace Fellowship, Pax Christi, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, The Shalom Center, Unitarian Universalist Association, United Methodist Church General Board of Church & Society, and others.
The event will be hosted at 5:30 PM All Souls Church, Unitarian
1500 Harvard St. NW
Washington DC 20009
Speakers are to include:
Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the UUA Marion Wright Edelman, President of the Children’s Defense League Rabbi Arthur Wascow, Chair of the Shalom Center of Philadelphia Rev. Jim Wallace, President and Editor of Sojourner’s Magazine Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock
So why will I be here October 30th? I really don’t know at this point. Maybe I’ll feel less torn if someone tells me “It’s just a free outdoor comedy show on the cheap because it’s public space.” Trick or Treat!?
