The People Who Made America: The Most Arrested Rabbi in America

The People Who Made America:
The Most Arrested Rabbi in America

Continuing something I started in 2009, but extending it beyond its designed month, I would like to share another story that needs to be heard. Continuing my series, “The People Who Made America”, formally titled “Whites in Black History”, I ask you to join me in exploring the contributions and sacrifices made by Rabbi Israel Si Dresner.

Rabbi Dresner was dubbed “the most arrested Rabbi in America,” by some. The outspoken Rabbi participated in the June 13-16 Interfaith Freedom Ride from Washington, DC to Tallahassee, FL. The son of a Brooklyn delicatessen owner, he graduated from the University of Chicago in 1950 and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Theology.

After successfully completing the Freedom Ride to Tallahassee, the Interfaith Riders had planned to fly home. First, however, they decided to test whether or not the group would be served in the segregated airport restaurant. As a result 10 Freedom Riders, later known as the Tallahassee Ten, were arrested for unlawful assembly and taken to the city jail. They were convicted and sentenced later that same month; legal appeal of the airport arrests continued for years. Dresner returned along with 9 of the original riders to serve brief jail terms in August 1964 – and ate triumphantly in the same airport restaurant that had earlier refused them service.

Dresner continued his civil rights activism and advocacy throughout his career as a reform Jewish rabbi in northern New Jersey, participating in the 1962 Albany campaign to desegregate municipal facilities and in the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march. He retired in 1996.

I share this very brief story to continue making the point the series attempts to suggest and offer to all with a mind and heart open enough to receive its message. Do not be deceived by those who will have you believe that Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asians and Arabs can not get along with Jews or vice versa. This is nonsense and simply a ploy to keep people apart with divisionary tactics based on fear.

Rabbi Dresner might have been dubbed the most arrested Rabbi in America, but understand the characterization. He was the most arrested, not the only arrested. So many stories are never told about the friendships, alliances and coalitions between our race and faith that offers great examples of more than what we are, but who we can be.

So I conclude by offering my appreciation towards Rabbi Dresner and his many contributions towards truth, freedom and equality. If it wasn’t for him and many others, I would likely face an overwhelmingly different audience and reception to my openness and motivations behind many of the things I write and say. I also want to show appreciation to my Jewish friends, because I know that we do not walk alone on this journey. Sometimes the static consciousness of many people may be burdensome when you seek truth, freedom and equality, but like Rabbi Dresner we must realize that we are not alone.

The People Who Made America: Private Felix Longoria

Private Felix Longoria was a Mexican American who made a difference. So as we begin our political debates regarding immigration, I want not only those who use the issue of immigration as a proxy for discrimination, but those who accept an ambivalent position as well to remember the names, faces, stories and significance of those they speak against and consider the contributions to freedom and equality made. Private Longoria is just one out of many.

When the body of Private Felix Longoria returned home to Three Rivers, Texas after World War II, the local funeral parlor refused to hold a wake, claiming “the whites would not like it.” Longoria, a war hero was killed in the Philippines, died fighting for the freedom and interest of his country.

Like Black Americans, Mexican Americans could only be buried in the separate Mexican section of the cemetery.To be born of a race other than White in American during this time meant you were taught that you were different in such a way that made many internalize and unfortunately accept the idea that they were somehow unequal. So when you were freed from the evils of racism, you were dealt a final indignity by having your remains buried in segregated cemeteries.

Side-Note: Too bad segregation itself won’t die, so we can issue it the same indignity as it has issued upon others by discarding its remains found in our behaviors, language and perceptions today in a tomb of its own, ever to be opened again by anyone.

But what was significant about Private Longoria was not only his contribution, but the will and efforts of his wife, Beatrice and mother who went to Hector Garcia, founder of the American G.I. Forum about this injustice and indignity of a fallen soldier. Dr. Garcia contacted several congressmen including a Texas Senator by the name of Lyndon B. Johnson.

In true political correctness and fashion, he denouncing the obvious prejudice, but Sen. Johnson said he had no authority over private funeral homes, but he could arrange for a burial for Private Longoria with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral took place a month later at Arlington, with Johnson in attendance.

Unfortunately, the story isn’t laid to rest here, because today it continues to be disputed to where a recent move to honor the soldier’s memory renewed a 55-year-old quarrel and set the town on edge.

“You cannot imagine the stir this has caused,” said Patty Reagan, a resident and Kennedy family friend. “All the old wounds have been reopened.”

At the center of the dispute was the Rice Funeral Home. Its chapel was open to whites, but its availability to the town’s Latinos – such as the Longorias – was unclear.

Denial is a tall mountain for many to overcome, but out of the mountain of despair still remains a stone of hope. A hope that the efforts of one may be enough to transform the jangling discords of racial discrimination and bias so many unconsciously sing and implicitly play by the melody of their words and action into a beautiful symphony of true freedom and equality.

Today we act as if this story is isolated to our distant past, but if you surveyed your city’s funeral homes and cemeteries you would not see much change. You wouldn’t see much overt racism in the same fashion Mrs. Beatrice Longoria and family experience, but you will find that we still carry the remnants of those divisive traditions ever so subtly to our graves.

We must understand that racism, discrimination, bigotry and its relatives are not members of one racial classification, but is found within us all. When we are silent and sit long enough to see the image of beauty in others, perhaps we will recognize that we all can defeat what continues to defeat us; racism.

Thank you Private Felix Longoria for your sacrifice and may you continue to rest in peace.

~RELATED ARTICLES~

> Valentine, Timothy. “Divided In Death”. http://timvalentine.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/divided-in-death/, July 24, 2009. > Cobas, José. “Racially Segregated Cemetery in Texas”. http://www.racismreview.com/blog/2008/07/07/racially-segregated-cemetery-in-texas/, July 7, 2008.

Rev.James Joseph Reeb: “More Than a Witness to Truth”

Whites in Black History Series:

Rev. James Joseph Reeb

 

Reverend James Reeb received his Masters of Divinity at the Princeton Theological Seminary in 1953. He was one of others in that class who put truth to practice by adhering to the call of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Like many ministers fresh out of Seminary he sought the opportunity to serve and make a difference. Although I can only assume based off my own experiences with ministers, I’m sure the same would be true for Rev. Reeb as well.

 

Some of the issues experienced in many churches today can be attributed to ministers who want to serve, but true calling was not to be a minister. It is often a thankless, unappreciative and difficult position to purposely want to be in. When you are called to be a witness to truth there isn’t any amount of reluctance or even disobedience that will keep you away from it.

 

Rev. Reeb was a compassionate man who served as a Presbyterian Chaplain in a hospital in Philadelphia before becoming an Assistant Pastor for a Unitarian Universalist Church in Washington D.C.

 

He worked helping people with low income in Boston before he found his way to Selma, Alabama during the late winter of 1965 to help in a voting rights campaign. He hadn’t been in the state for a day before people who believed they were patriots acting out of their own ignorance, fear and what they’ve been taught to believe as true, attacked Rev. Reeb while walked from a diner.

 

Rev. Reeb died March 11, 1965 resulting from that attack at the same age I am today writing this, 38. His attackers were all arrested and brought to trail where an all White jury set them free. Some believed that was justice, but maybe it’s just us who justice doesn’t see because this scenario repeated itself thousands of times in courtrooms throughout the U.S. The value of a person’s life often hinges on the life the person lead in the consciousness of those who is responsible for taking the life and those who are responsible for assuring redemption for the taking of life.

 

Rev. Reeb’s murder was untimely and unwarranted. Dr. King delivered his eulogy where he said that James Joseph Reeb was a witness to truth. Although I agree I would also say that he was more than a witness to truth, he was a follower, servant and advocate for truth. His only crime was that he dared to subscribe to what is true and live by it.

 

“And if he should die, take his body, and cut it into little stars. He will make the face of Heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night.” – Shakespeare

 

Rev. James Reeb was more than a witness to truth, but a follower and servant of truth because he knew he could not just be concerned about justice for Blacks in the South. He lived in Roxbury, MA, at the time a Black community.

 

He was not concerned about the narrow-minded opinions of Whites and Blacks who would be suspicious of him and his family because of where he had chosen to live and what motivated him throughout his life. Truth was his livelihood and concern for others was the wages he freely paid.

 

There is so much that I can say and for us to learn about James Reeb, but as I conclude I must end this opportunity with these words of Dr. King spoke at the funeral of Rev. James Reeb.

 

“The world is aroused over the murder of James Reeb for he symbolizes the forces of good will in our nation. He demonstrated the conscience of the nation. He was an attorney for the defense of the innocent in the court of world opinion. He was a witness to the truth that men of different races and classes might live, eat and work together as brothers.

 

Again, we must ask the question: Why must good men die for doing good? O Jerusalem, why did you murder the prophets and persecute those who come to preach your salvation? So the Reverend James Reeb has something to say to all of us in his death.”

– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

My final words are in regards to James Reeb, Dr. King and all of the people who served and was a witness to truth, both notable and those who has not been recognized. Thank you. I mean that sincerely. Thank you. I understand the importance of what you and so many others did. Regardless of race, regardless of religious preferences, regardless of gender and regardless of sexual preferences COUNTLESS… people were beaten, suffered economically and socially, struggled and even killed on my behalf so that I could one day be just one voice willing to speak/write with the completeness in recognition of history’s heroes.

 

Our fight is not over, but I know how important it is that I do all that I can do and encourage others to keep fighting for truth so that we can be a witness like Rev. James Joseph Reeb.

 

Thank You.

 

 

 

—

Motivation & Inspiration:

For those who may ask or wonder the reason for such a post I offer my reasons here. Two years ago on this blog I published a post titled “Whites in Black History”. I did it to emphasize the positive role White people people played in Black History. Often we will begin hearing the calls for the end of the celebration or governors, politicians and organizations interestingly choosing to celebrate Confederate History as if that is the whole of the history of White Americans. The list goes on for days with the reasons given by those who have not taken the time to consider their role in Black History. It is not just a history of a people, but all of us. This is the point.

 

So often in schools only one perspective of history is taught with a brief mentioning of a few others. This plays into the ignorance of a culture. We are so willing to take a line and run with it without considering the sentence or the paragraph. We can not continue to have such a narrow-minded view and perception of history if we are to consider ourselves moving forward.

 

My motives behind this is not to exclude the contributions of Blacks, Jews, Hispanics and many others who made significant contributions to the history of Black people in America. It is to highlight how rich the history truly is and sharing it with others. I have personally written and mentioned many people beyond the notable names of Dr. King or Malcolm X. Not to diminish their works and ultimate sacrifices, but as I’m sure they would and did say, there’s more to a people than what you see. All I’m doing is trying to help you see it for yourself.

 

Now there will be those who simply choose to ignore all of this and remain in the state of consciousness they are familiar with. Some will be more willing to settle for the “I’m OK, if You’re OK” position and see this effort and others made as just a nice tribute to history. I accept this reality and understand that I can not change the mind of everyone. Some people are just not unwilling, but that’s alright. It should not be a factor in what others may receive from this effort. So I submit this edition of my collection titled “Whites in Black History” regarding Rev. James J. Reeb.

 

Thank you for your time and reading

White’s in Black History: Rev. Robert & Mrs. Jeannie Graetz

Story Credit: By Jannell McGrew; Montgomery Advertiser

 

When asked about what the boycott meant to the world, The Rev. Robert Graetz jokes: “Do I have an hour?”

 

It’s just so much to tell, so much to share with others. The struggle. The joy and the pain.

 

“The bus boycott, you have to remember, was the beginning of the modern civil rights movement,” he said. “Once the boycott started here, it spread to other cities. It encouraged people to get involved in other ways in dealing with other aspects of segregation and discrimination.”

 

He can’t help but get emotional when he thinks about all he and his family endured being among a small number of white supporters of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

 

Graetz’s voice breaks a little every time he speaks about his experiences. He spoke about the attempts made on his life for being a white preacher trying to help black people get rid of Jim Crow laws.

 

His family shared in those experiences. They were ostracized by the white community, he said. Their car tires were slashed. Their home was bombed three times.

 

Only two of the bombs went off.

 

“The one that did not go off had 11 sticks of dynamite and a container of TNT, so it would have killed all of us and probably a number of our neighbors,” Graetz said. “The Lord didn’t let that one go off.”

 

Vandals put sugar in their car tanks to keep them from helping bus boycotters get to work.

 

“People either loved us or hated us. Few showed indifference,” Graetz said almost five decades later in recalling the tragedies of the time. “People often said we had courage. There were times when I was scared to death.”

 

Always by his side is his wife, Jeannie. She sits listening to her husband, often nodding her head in agreement. Her eyes, too, begin to well up with tears.

 

“We felt that the Lord would take care of us through it all,” she said. “After the second bombing, when we were in the house, I didn’t believe that the Lord was going to let that happen. So I had to start all over in my knowing that he was going to take care of us.”

 

Graetz never shies away from speaking about his often perilous civil rights journey alongside pioneers such as Martin Luther King Jr., Ralph Abernathy and Rosa Parks. His book, “A White Preacher’s Memoir,” chronicles in startling detail the Montgomery Bus Boycott and his role.

 

The Lutheran minister led an all-black congregation – Trinity Lutheran Church – during the days of the movement.

 

Like King, he preached integration from the pulpit and told followers to trust in God and boycott segregated city buses in 1955.

 

“This was a movement of the church, the Christian church in the black community,” he has described it on many occasions.

 

And the power of faith and love helped break down the walls of segregation in Montgomery.

 

“Once we had made that commitment, then it was easy to keep on going,” he said. “The first step was making that commitment, and we had to know that God was going to take care of us. Even if we did die, it was all in Gods hands.”

 

—

 

A White Preacher’s Message on Race And Reconciliation: Based on His Experiences Beginning With the Montgomery Bus Boycott
By: Rev. Robert S. Graetz, Jr.

Fare vs Fair

Back in 1955 Montgomery, AL approximately 40,000 Blacks rode the city buses, this compared to approximately 12,000 Whites. During this time in America, specifically the South, segregation laws (Jim Crow) were enforced. In this instance of the public transit system, the first 10 seats of every bus were reserved for White riders and the last 26 available to Blacks.

 

Now there are those who will argue that this was fair, while unconsciously ignoring the obvious problem of segregation. Today they tend to remain silent on posts like this so we likely will not have to worry about listening to such chatter.

 

The other question that is raised is what happens when there back 26 sets are taken and the front 10 are empty?

 

Blacks had to stand.

 

The other question that is raised is what happens when the front 10 were full regardless of the back 26?

 

Blacks had to stand.

 

The bus driver had the power to expand the White section and shrink the Black section by ordering Blacks to give up their seats to Whites. So as White passengers boarded the bus and dropping their fares, they took a seat in the front.

 

The other part that raises the insanity of Jim Crow laws and the logic behind separate, but equal practices is that during this time Black passengers were not allowed to walk past the White section or passengers. They had to get off the bus and enter through the rear.

 

You had some drivers who would accept their fares, but drive off before the Black passenger was able to reenter the bus through the rear. But this is what is ignored by those who are on behalf of segregation of any sophistication.

 

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was just one of our national examples of the psychologically maliciousness of racism, both unconscious and overt. Many people say they are not racist today because being seen as one is socially unacceptable, while ignoring the evidence of implicit bias and unconscious discrimination that fail to acknowledge, because it isn’t happening to them or they do not recognize it. You only have to observe how they respond to issues regarding race.

 

 

Side-Note: I ask that you consider what you say or may do. Only reveal what you know, because this is just the first post in a line of posts regarding our American history as it relates to its Black people. Just giving you a hint without revealing too much

 

Post Racial or Post Racist? (NC Racial Justice Act)

I have had many conversations with individuals who say they’re not racist whenever I write about the various issues that surround race. Often they say it as an attempt to deflect any responsibility or accountability. I’m OK if you’re OK, can’t we all get along type of ideology.

I write about the things I do with the passion I strive to put forth, because I want people understand that they have the ability to right the wrong and do better.

So this will begin a series of posts that I will ask periodically regarding race.

I want to ask those who believe that we’re in a post-racial society, not for there reasons why they believe that, because there is enough evidence to prove that notion is not realized. But why is it that so many people who are accused and convicted of crimes and later, usually after many years, discovered that they were innocent happens to be overwhelmingly Black men?

Love Thy Neighbor, Yeah Right?

I guess for some who claim to be Christian, Matthew 22:37-39 is one of those conditional commandments that only apply to other Christians and not to everyone.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:37-39

It has been my understanding that love thy neighbor applies to everyone, not just your Christian neighbor.

This is what I believe many of my fellow Christians continue to misrepresent Christ, because they often use God, Jesus and the Bible to either damn people to a living hell of torment while using God, Jesus or the Bible as a proxy for their discrimination, bigotry and intolerance towards others.

Jesus did not waste his time discerning ethnicity, culture or religious beliefs in his ministry. He loved everyone the same, even when they did not love or demonstrate that love to or for him. As I know there are some who will point out an instance of Matthew 15:23 as a counter argument, but I look at their motives in making this argument while ignoring the counter arguments to their counter argument. This is often where we both get side tracked and entangled in conversations based on individual biases and preferences. So we miss the point.

Why Do I Care About Muslims?

I take this point up not to agitate or to apologize to anyone. I take this point up, because underneath the surface of this debate is an unconscious undertone of religious bigotry at work against the Islamic Center.

Some may ask the question, “As a Christian, why do I or should I care about Muslims, Islam or a building?”

I care because it is my understanding and belief as a Christian that I am to love my neighbor as I love myself. I care because I still have not found a logical or spiritual reason why I should discriminate against someone.

Unfortunately many who claims to practice Christianity as are those who claims to practice Islam has perverted the faith by distorting what is true. This is the case within any spiritual belief. There will always be some faction who may claim to be fundamentalist of the tradition, but fail to practice the fundamentals of the tradition. That is essential mutual respect of one another.

Why should I care?

I care because I know when you have had the opportunity to interact with many persons who practice Islam on an ongoing basis that interaction develops into a friendship and friendship into a kinship. That only occurs when both practice mutual respect towards each other. That’s why I care. Why don’t you should be the question?

Walk By Faith

What motivates me to speak as a Christian in defense of Muslims is first my adherence to my faith in where I sincerely strive to practice it in truth, not in perception of it or having truth. This puts another meaning to II Corinthians 5:7, because if you walk by faith and not by sight you are not concerned about being perceived to be right, true or spiritual, because it will be seen in your actions. What you defend, what you cherish, what you practice. In essence, whether you walk by faith or just concerned by being seen as walking by faith.

The Beloved Community?

Another reason why the opposition to the Islamic Center of Murfressboro attracted by attention is has nothing to do with the proxy of zoning issues that are waged, but the undertone of religious intolerance at work.

I’m not saying one side’s opinion is infallible and the other’s opinion is fallible, because both sides should be heard, but if this was a Christian organization seeking the same property in the same manner there may be similar zoning related questions or obstacles to be accounted for, but the public opposition would not be comparable if any at all. I’m sure some may not be honest enough to admit that probability, but this is why I harp on being considerate of others beyond your own understanding.

There’s a history of religious intolerance directed towards the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. January of this year the sign that read “Future Home of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro” was vandalized with the words, “Not Welcomed”. That’s a fine example of the “Love Thy Neighbor.”

So the sudden opposition demonstrated by some should not be a big surprise, nor should the claims of zoning or legalities should be considered without suspicion of bias.

Conclusion

If America is ever going to be true to its words, then we must adhere to those words we claim to cherish. We the people may be the beginning of the preamble of the constitution of the United States, but when that statement was first written and the document was complete, ‘We’ did not included ‘Me’. The same continues to be true each time we don’t consider others and fall into the comforts of only thinking about me.

Many people who say they love America only want to focus on the good of America. We cling to our guns and religion like a 2^nd Amendment militias. If we are to celebrate our religious freedoms, then stop opposing the right to religious freedom. Just because someone doesn’t believe what you believe doesn’t give you the right to oppose them for wanting to lawfully and respectfully practice what they believe.

References & Inspirations

WSMV: Nashville – 18 January 2010 “Murfreesboro Islamic Center Sign Vandalized”

Daily News Journal – 18 June 2010 “Mosque’s Approval Draws Residents’ Ire”

Daily News Journal – 17 June 2010 “Mosque Faces Challenge”

Daily News Journal – 17 June 2010 “Letter to Editor: Debate Needed on Islamic Center”

Religious Tolerance “Thomas Jefferson’s 1777 Draft of a Bill for Religious Freedom”

Religious Tolerance “An Act for Establishing Religious Freedom in Virginia 1786”

The Holy Bible (NIV) “Matthew 22” Specifically verses 23 until the end of the chapter

Islamic Center of Murfreesboro “Official Website”

Human Rights First – “2008 Hate Crime Survey Results: Violence Against Muslims”

Justice is Color Blind

Didn’t we just discuss this for two weeks?

http://timvalentine.wordpress.com/2009/10/09/racistconversation5/
http://timvalentine.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/racistconversation6/

Oh I forgot, “I’m not a racist because I have Black friends” defense.

Can someone say it with me? UNCONSCIOUS RACISM

You should always be aware of the person who says, “I’m not a racist”. If you’re not a racist you don’t have to say it. Your actions will speak for you.

Summary

OK, so this is the story. A few days ago a Judge in New Orleans denied an interracial couple a marriage license on the grounds of his belief the marriage would not work, he does not believe in “the mixing of the races” and his lack of self-acknowledgement that he would be one of the people who would discriminate against any children they may have.

Details

In New Orleans, Louisiana a justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.

My Comment: It’s always about sex isn’t it.

Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

“I’m not a racist. I just don’t believe in mixing the races that way,” Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday.

My Comment: Of course not, you just have issues with race.

“I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else.”

My Comment: WHAT! You’re kidding me, right?

Bardwell said he asks everyone who calls about marriage if they are a mixed race couple. If they are, he does not marry them, he said.

My Comment: Oh, well then. That’s not racist. Just because you refuse to do your job, because of race doesn’t mean you’re racist. Come on now.
Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

My Comment: Oh, so you talked about with Black people. So that doesn’t make you racist. Seriously, don’t validate your argument on the myth that Black people can’t be racist, because they can. Racism isn’t racist, because anyone can be one.

“There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage,” Bardwell said. “I think those children suffer and I won’t help put them through it.”

My Comment: This is a lie. It’s only a problem among racist.

If he did an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.

“I try to treat everyone equally.”

My Comment: OK, I’m trying not to laugh at this one. How in the Hell do you say that with a straight face? As my sister would say, For Real Dude? You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m being Punk’d right now, right? OK. You try to treat everyone equally, so you demonstrate your non-racist attitude by marrying people who are of the same race, but not marrying people who are not. I bet you do this on a Bible too. Besides disobeying the law, you’re going against the word of God. Unless your Bible reads “God is a respecter of persons”.

You’ve got to read the rest of this story for yourself. No one is forcing you to get married to someone because of social perceptions, but you shouldn’t be denied the right to get married to someone because of social perceptions.

http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=articles/news/the_state_of_black_america_news/13496

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/15/interracial-couple-denied_n_322784.html

*An eyebrow should be raised, but I’ll let you think about this before I get into it any further. But it’s coming. So don’t asking me, because I’m not telling.  Just keep reading.

The sad thing is that I have run across people just like this on this very blog. No matter how much you try to explain it to them, they still don’t get it.

3 Young Men In A Car Driving South

Mississippi, September 15, 1964

Do Something Before It’s Too Late

One of the most scariest images is an ideologically confused, unsocialized person with a gun in one hand and the Bible and Constitution in the other. What is more scary are the people who enables them.

For weeks I’ve been writing about race, rage, religion and the right. Some has attributed all of this to one bloggers obsession with race and republicans. And your assumption would be wrong. Many people who are silent on these issues are so because they either sees the truth in what has been illustrated and/or they’re simply uncomfortable speaking with authority about any of these subjects.

As I’ve illustrated last week is that it’s not always about race, it’s not always republicans, but it is about race and the role republicans are playing in the rage against this President. Many choose not to accept the reality of that truth, but what other logical conclusion can you draw if it isn’t about race? Politics is just the proxy, not the problem.

I give up on the realistic relevance of the Republican Party these days. It doesn’t want anyone who will question its authority. It doesn’t want anyone who will demand discussion. It doesn’t want anyone who is progressive, moderate, Black, Latino, Muslim, Young or even female. If you’re White, Male and Southern you’re welcomed. As a southerner I know that’s not a fair assessment, but many polls are trending in that direction when it comes to the GOP. It’s trending higher to those groups. The Democratic Party is not infallible, but at least I’m welcomed.

The fringes of society, whether it is the Birthers, the Deathers, the outrageous 2nd Amendment folks and the Racists they are not ruining the GOP, they have ruined the GOP. Who’s talking about bringing guns, Hitler, Nazis and the socialists. It’s not all Republicans, but it is a Republican problem and an American issue.

I’m surprised about the silence of those Republicans who has previous criticized me on various issues. What is worse is the timid tendencies of Democrats confronting them. It’s not all Republicans, it’s not all Democrats, but when will we finally have a Conservative who will talk down the paranoia of Republicans to Republicans? When will we finally have Democrats speak critically towards the timidness of the Democrats to Democrats?

I have restrained myself from saying this for many months, but I simply give up any possibility of having a reasonable conversation with most Republicans on many of these issues. I will continue to push Democrats to speak up, but their time is coming too if they don’t start doing what needs to be done.

Comment, criticize if you please. I give up. Let the M.F. Burn. (Reference to a previous post)

If what happened in November of 1963, February of 1965 or April of 1968 happens in today I will be sad, but I would feel sorry for those who helped caused it, because the blood would be on their hands. The outrage of the right could not match the rage that would come from the left and in the unexpected corners of society. I don’t want any of this to happen and urge people to do something more than nod in agreement or disagreement, do something before something happens. Before it’s too late.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy – (Teddy)

Mr. Kennedy worked on his remarks before a Patient's Bill of Rights rally at the Capitol in 2001. Born to one of the wealthiest American families, Mr. Kennedy often spoke for the downtrodden in his public life. Photo: Stephen Crowley/The New York Times

It was he who said that “the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die.” So it remains true that I must say something in remembrance of Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) in this time of mourning for his family, friends, constituents and those who have been inspired by him throughout his long public career.

Born in 1932 to one of the most wealthiest and influential families in America, Sen. Ted Kennedy spoke for “the least of these” and a true advocate for the poor and downtrodden.

Just as Strom Thurmond and Ronald Reagan are revered among republicans for their adherence to conservative values, so is Ted Kennedy for his observance to liberal principles while often crossing the partisan and ideological divide to help enact important legislation across a broad spectrum of social policy. Although he was a leading spokesman for liberal issues and a favorite target of conservative fund-raising appeals and paper political patriots, he had the ability to find Republican allies to get bills passed; a miracle all of its own.

Sen. Kennedy leaves a strong and positive legacy on legislation concerning civil rights, health care, education, voting rights and labor. More than just a senator from Massachusetts, he was a presence of his own. Through the triumphs and tragedies that have found its way to Ted Kennedy few will be able to say with honesty that Sen. Kennedy wasn’t a true “lion”.

So as we will hear some Republicans and Conservatives continue their attacks on Sen. Kennedy during this time I ask that you not participate. It is these who will be left behind. “We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe all of us will live on the future we make.” – Ted Kennedy

As Democrats now have more reason to pass legitimate reform for healthcare as Sen. Kennedy would have it, I admire Sen. Kennedy for going out like a lion.

Thank you and may you rest in peace Sen. Ted Kennedy.

References & Inspirations

The White House – 08/26/09 “One of the Most Accomplished Americans Ever to Serve our Democracy”

New York Times – 08/26/09 “Edward Kennedy, Senate Stalwart, Dies”

USA Today – 08/26/09 “Ted Kennedy: A lifetime of public service”

The Boston Globe – 08/26/09 “Gov. Deval Patrick Supports Kennedy Request for Change in Succession Rules”

We Think Just Like Everybody Else

a2a_linkname=”We Think Just Like Everybody Else”;a2a_linkurl=”http://timvalentine.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/everybodyelse/”;
Manny Miranda, the chairman of the Third Branch Conference and the author of a letter that has asked Senate Republicans to consider a “Democratic filibuster” against Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, just spoke at the Heritage Foundation luncheon for conservative bloggers.

“Hispanic polls, Hispanic surveys, indicate that Hispanics think just like everyone else. We’re not like African-Americans. We think just like everybody else. When I was on the leader’s staff, someone called me once and asked me: ‘What’s Senator Frist’s Hispanic agenda?’ I said, ‘low taxes, better education, more jobs … what are you talking about?’ And that’s how Hispanics are. This is an opportunity to educate them on all of our issues and they will resonate in the way that they resonate with everyone else.” – Manny Miranda

OH REALLY. And you wonder why… You know what’s the use. Simply Amazing.

Now I would personally like to hear Republicans, especially Black Republicans thoughts about this one.

You tell my Latino and Hispanic friends, “We like you. You’re not like those African-Americans over there” Oh we’re not meaning you Michael Steele, Juan Williams, Secretary Rice, Gen. Powell and the list of other accomplished or notable Black Republicans.

Where are the people who are so quick to tell me that the Republican Party is the party of Emancipation, the party of Lincoln? Where’s the emancipation of rhetoric?

Now before you get on your spill how the Democrats have done this or that, I want to give you the opportunity to explain this statement by your fellow Republican.

For months I’ve consistently warned people against this type of thinking over and over and over again, but I’m the crazy one and don’t know what I’m talking about? I have something against the GOP, but I would love to hear how you answer for this type of language. What I have against the GOP is the same that I have against the DNC and any other organization or individual who adopts this sort of ideology.

Listen to what he’s saying. “Hispanics think like everyone else. We’re not like African-Americans.” So how would you know how Black people think if your only experience with Blacks is the few that work near you or you see when you’re out? That’s right; one of your best friends is Black. I forgot that’s excuses it.

Next point, “We’re not like African-Americans.” What the Hell is that suppose to mean? Better question, what does that statement say about the person who said it? Once again, this is just another example of someone with limited social experience with Blacks. Seriously, if you stop looking down at people and start looking at people as equal, just maybe you’ll recognize that not all Black people think alike. I would love to have a conversation with him. But why not have a conversation with the few Black Republicans left. This really makes them feel welcomed and proud to be a Republican.

As a Democrat who is Black I am confident and secure enough with who I am and what I believe to clearly understand and recognize that there are some very intelligent people who can school you on the eclectic culture that is labeled Black or African-American and be Republican at the same time. I personally admire Joseph Watkins, J.C. Watts and Colin Powell to name a few notables. Get out of your segregated way of thinking. Then you wouldn’t make DUMB ASS COMMENTS like this.

What the Hell am I suppose to think?

This is the problem I keep hammering away at, despite the negative criticism, confusion and reluctance of honesty some have towards open discussion on the issue of race relations. You have further alienation of a party who already has a serious problem recruiting anyone who isn’t a White Male. Keep talking like this and see what happens to the credibility of your arguments to recruit any minority.

White Men or people are not the problem; it’s the thinking as if White men or people in general are the standard upon which we all should be measured upon. It’s the false sense of security of believing one is superior or inferior. The world is made up of more people than one race. You, me, we are just another part of the collective value of man. The days of acting, assuming and accepting White Men as the standard of measurement for the world is over.

While I’m at it I should just go there and say it.

Black people quit accepting and/or subscribing to any suggestion that you’re less than anyone else. You are just as valuable as anyone else. Start acting like it. When we see racism or discrimination we tend to address it. We must all be diligent in continuing this when we see it in our own community, family, and friends or even within ourselves. This means stop discriminating and blaming White people or anyone else for our own mistakes, failures or problems. Not all of the obstructions that prevent us from success as rapidly as someone else is caused by someone else. We can do, because it’s been done. I know it isn’t always fair or equal, but look at how far we’ve come. There’s not excuse to turn around now. We just can’t give up.

To my Hispanic and Latino family, you are a vital part of this community as anyone else. The obstacles you’re facing today are the same Blacks faced and in some cases still do. We walk this journey together. When some seek to divide us by their rhetoric and political posturing the reality is that we are essentially in the same boat. We’ve been friends & neighbors for decades upon decades and the community continues to made tremendous contributions to our society. It’s going to take you, me and many others to break the psychological chains ignorance, hate and discrimination that continue to bind so many people in terms of race today. But it can be done.

To my Gay and Lesbian friends, keep on. I understand your frustration. The fight for equality didn’t end on a Memphis motel balcony in 1968, but only intensified. Continue to fight for what’s right, fair, equal and just. Through propositions, resolutions and conversation with those who choose to embrace discrimination and/or refuse to reconcile the religion of love against the religions of man, I just urge you to keep on.

Equality is not going to be reached if we continue to segregate ourselves. Segregation even in terms of sexual preference. How can we live in a land half slave and half free. Slave as in terms of a mentality that binds us to an ideology, culture or religion of discrimination.
I can go back to the Lincoln-Douglass Debates for context to this problem we continue to have and take it all the way to another speech made by a politician in Philadelphia during March 2008. How else can you say it? How long will we hear people like Mr. Miranda make such statements?

The same Republican Party that Mr. Lincoln was apart of is not the same party it has morphed into today. The Democratic Party of Lincoln’s day was loosely what we see elements of today in the GOP. The GOP is not inherently evil or exclusionist, but they have lost their way in terms of being racially inclusive or tolerant. What happen?

The Democrats are a little better, but as we can reference a year ago, far from perfect. We too need to work with much more diligence to involve more people of color into the inner workings and decision making. We may have successfully won the argument today, but there’s always tomorrow.

What many do not understand about Blacks, Hispanics, Lesbians, Asians, Whites and Muslims are their similarities.

We may have different life experiences, but I can guarantee that we have something in common. Open yourself to diversity. Open your mind to the inclusive ways of thinking. Consider others not like yourself and their life experiences, before judging them by your standards. Most importantly, we must stop defeating ourselves. I’m just asking you to take the opportunity to know someone better and honestly. You are not superior and nor am I or the next person reading this inferior. You may be surprised with the prejudice you didn’t realize you held and recognize the value of diverse experiences.

Now I’ve grown accustom to always having someone misunderstanding this simple message. So I break it down to an easy sentence for those few. “Understand, respect, consider and appreciation people.”

“We’re not like African-Americans. We think just like everybody else” Amazing. Let’s try considering everybody.

References & Inspirations

The Washington Independent – 06/02/2009 “In Court Fight, Hispanics, Unlike Blacks, Think Like Everybody Else”

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates – 1858 “The Lincoln-Douglas Debates”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – 02/04/1968 “The Drum Major Instinct”

John Howard Griffin – 1959 “Black Like Me”

ABC News – 2001 “A Latina Judge’s Voice”

The Dream Works

DreamWorks has announced a deal this week with the Estate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for a major motion picture about the civil rights icon.  As someone who has read his autobiography, collected as many recording that I can find for purchase and studied his words and actions I was delighted to hear about this, but concerned of the additional skewing of his legacy and place in history.

“The purpose of making a movie about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is to tell a great story which could bridge distances and bring people together. We remain committed to pursuing a film chronicling Martin Luther King’s life provided that there is unity in the family so we can make a film about unity in our nation. We believe this is what Dr. King would have wanted.” – Chip Sullivan; DreamWorks Spokesman

Personally, I carry the tremendous respect that I have for Dr., Mrs.  & Yolanda King to their children and remaining siblings. I haven’t had the privilege of meeting Rev. Bernice King or Mr. Dexter King, but I hope that Martin Luther King III & Bernice King will be able to resolve any conflict and avoid legal action in hopes of negotiating consensus regarding this opportunity.

It may not be much consolation or value, but I truly respect and appreciate the sacrifices your family and hundreds of thousands of other families made so that I can have the opportunity of true equality. Many people of multiple races still have no clue about these sacrifices, the implications and true examples of it. The lesson of love, forgiveness and reconciliation is one that I strive to promote each day. I understand the contempt we can have towards those who fail to consider these lessons, but we still must seek love, forgiveness and reconciliation.

When you’re willing to extend your hand instead of clinching your fist towards someone, you begin to move into the beloved community. Our loyalties must transcend our race, family, class, and our self interests.

The vision of a completely integrated society, a community of love and justice wherein brotherhood would be an actuality in all of social life is possible, only if we strive towards it. To be apart of such a community would be the ideal expression of what Dr. King coined as “The Beloved Community”. So often we get caught up in me and neglect considering he and she. Are your pride and/or prejudice preventing you from entering this community?

References & Inspirations

Salon – 05/20/09 “DreamWorks: King Biopic requires unity from family”

Brown v Board of Education 55 Years Later

On this day, May 16, 1954 the United States Supreme Court decision in Oliver L. Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka (KS) was given. This case is among the most significant judicial turning points in the development of our country. Originally led by Charles H. Houston, and later Thurgood Marshall and a formidable legal team, it dismantled the legal basis for racial segregation in schools and other public facilities.

By declaring that the discriminatory nature of racial segregation “violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees all citizens equal protection of the laws,” Brown v. Board of Education laid the foundation for shaping future national and international policies regarding human rights.

So it amazes me today when people still cling to the ways of what was the discriminatory law of the land. We often here people say that race doesn’t matter, especially when we finally have elected our first Black president. Many people think racism was left in the voting booth on that first Tuesday November 2008, but fail to honestly address all of the issues that surround race that remained after President Obama was declared the winner. Racial discrimination is far from over in any venue, we can look at our educational system today as evidence of that.

Brown v. Board of Education was not simply about children and education. The laws and policies struck down by this court decision were products of the human tendencies to prejudge, discriminate against, and stereotype other people by their ethnic, religious, physical, or cultural characteristics. Ending this behavior as a legal practice caused far reaching social and ideological implications, which continue to be felt throughout our country. The Brown decision inspired and galvanized human rights struggles across the country and around the world.

What this legal challenge represents is at the core of United States history and the freedoms we enjoy. The U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown began a critical chapter in the maturation of our democracy. It reaffirmed the sovereign power of the people of the United States in the protection of their natural rights from arbitrary limits and restrictions imposed by state and local governments. These rights are recognized in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

While this case was an important historic milestone, it is often misunderstood and misrepresented. Over the years, the facts pertaining to the Brown case have been overshadowed by myths, falsehoods and mischaracterizations:

• Brown v. Board of Education was not the first challenge to school segregation. As early as 1849, African Americans filed suit against an educational system that mandated racial segregation, in the case of Roberts v. City of Boston.
• Oliver Brown, the case namesake, was just one of the nearly 200 plaintiffs from five states who were part of the NAACP cases brought before the Supreme Court in 1951. The Kansas case was named for Oliver Brown as a legal strategy to have a man head the plaintiff roster.

The Brown decision initiated educational and social reform throughout the United States and was a catalyst in launching the modern Civil Rights Movement. Bringing about change in the years since the Brown case continues to be difficult. But the Brown v. Board of Education victory brought this country one step closer to living up to its democratic ideas.

Today we celebrate the fifty-fifth anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education decision that kick started the enforcing of making American as good as its promise. So today I ask you to examine what you’re doing to promote and incorporate diversity?

References & Inspirations

http://brownvboard.org

http://www.nationalcenter.org/brown.html

A Republican Joke

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After Sen. Specter’s defection to the Democratic Party as a result in part from the perception that the GOP has moved too far right, the GOP responds by placing a moderate as the ranking Republican with a very conservative Southern Republican who represents everything that has driven Specter and other moderate Republicans out of the party.

Sen. Pete Sessions (R-AL) is one of the most conservative senators, taking hard-line positions on issues such as immigration, civil rights, torture and affirmative action.

His nomination as a judge in 1986 ran into trouble when civil rights groups complained that he had pursued politically motivated voter-fraud charges against black leaders as a U.S. attorney in south Alabama. Others came forward to say he had made racially insensitive comments, including calling groups like the NAACP “un-American” and agreeing with someone else’s statement that a white civil rights lawyer was “a disgrace to his race.”

That leads me to begin to understand why he thought this joke was funny.

“I didn’t think the Klu Klux Klan was all that bad, until you learned that some of them smoke marijuana.” – 1986 Judicial Nominee Pete Sessions

Hold on, before you respond just wait it gets better…

In 1986 Joe Biden was a senator from Delaware that was on the Senate Judicial Committee. This is how he immediately responded to Pete Sessions, “Do you not think it was insensitive to say that in front of a Black man, after a Black man had just been brutally beaten and hung?”

So your boy Pete Session responded the way any good ole boy would respond, culturally insensitively, “Senator, my impression of the situation was that it was so ludicrous that anybody would think that I was supporting the Klan that he would not be offended by it.”

“Whatever Mr. Session’s view of the Klan may be today, the remark he made was not made in a joking manner.” – Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Figures (One of the lawyers in Session’s office at the time of the statement)

Seriously, you really think that was funny.

Republicans, is this who you really want to have represent you on matters of justice and civil rights in the senate?

Oh yes, I want to be Republican now. You have a Black man as a chairman, that’s all I need. Why should I consider reason, equality or fairness in judicial matters? The hell with justice, the hell with civil rights, the hell with cultural awareness, just show me a Black person and I’m all for it.

<Insert any number of derogatory adjectives of choice here> PLEASE! You’ve got to be kidding me.

So I ask the question again to Republicans, especially those who have align themselves with the politics of Pete Sessions. Why are you silent? If you want to suggest that you don’t see color how can you sit in silence when one of your own makes such a ridiculously outrageous statement? Unless you agree with it. I would love to hear your response to the question anything else will be deleted. You can not accuse me of being bias on this sort of issue, because I have called out Democrats who have resorted to the same tactics, regardless of their race.

Each time I’ve called on Republicans to speak up on this issue all I get is silence, but let me start talking about taxes or abortion and I can’t shut you up. Well speak up now. The party seems to not be able to validate itself without an enemy or something to protest or be upset about. Well this should upset you, but this is not just about some 23 year old joke, but the works and attitudes of the person who uttered those words since that time.

He’s record of insensitivity and intolerance is too long for me to comment on each instance, but I ask you to check for yourself by going to SourceWatch (a non-partisan project of the Center for Media & Democracy) to learn about Mr. Session. If you’re a Republican this is who your ‘leaders’ selected to represent the Republican Party and what it values in terms of judicial matters in the senate. (CLICK HERE TO VISIT SITE)

I challenge you to come up with a defense for some of his actions. I’m sure some will tip toe away from addressing his position on civil rights and immigration, but I can’t see how you can remain silent over his arresting opposition on torture.

References & Inspirations

Boston Herald – 05/05/09 “GOP’s Sen. Jeff Sessions leads court nomination fight”

SourceWatch – “Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)”

Politico – 05/04/09 “Sessions to Replace Specter on Judicial Committee“