Seattle’s Goodwill?

Notice: To those who only want to argue for no logical or just for selfish reasons but to disagree, I suggest this to you. If you do not understand the intricacies of what is unconscious racism/discrimination, then don’t make yourself look ignorant by making an uninformed comment. This is for people who know what they’re talking about, not zealots of any form in matters of discrimination, racism, intolerance and bias. If you read what I’ve said and watch the video clips you will find that I hold all in this video that was in close proximity of this incident accountable, regardless of their race, gender or occupation.

Issue:
The lack of comprehension and adherence to the intricacies of unconscious racism also referred to as unconscious discrimination. Also, the lack of adherence to the trappings of racial profiling and guilty by association.

Incident:
Seattle, WA Police Detective Shandy Cobane did what so many have and will do when racism is not adequately addressed. See Video Below

Now Detective Cobane is not the only police officer at fault, because the female officer is just as guilty for participating by kicking him, when he wasn’t making any threatening gestures. In addition to the officer that I’m assuming was Black for not saying anything to his fellow officers, both Det. Cobane for his words and actions and the female officer for unprovoked aggression against the man. The female officer should have recognized what she was doing, but if this other officer was Black, I know he knows that what Detective Cobane said and did was unnecessary.

This goes to prove previous repeated arguments I’ve made that explains why racism isn’t racist, because anyone can be one. Also why the privileged routinely do not realize its privilege until it’s challenged or questioned. But this is not entirely the best venue for a cultural awareness course, but I would suggest one or just read up on the subject.

Reaction:

Around one minute into the video above, Mr. Roberto Maestas; a Seattle Police Chief Search Committee Member says what most Latinos, Blacks and many others members of present day ethic minority groups would say. “Profoundly disqusted, but not profoundly surprised.” What is typically missed is the agreement of those who would have agreed with the follow-up question the reporter asked. “Why aren’t you surprised?” That right there is the problem and what divides us. That is what goes unexplained.

Solution:

I agree with the actions of the Seattle Police Department to remove the officer, but believe they should also make the other two officers mentioned and others not seen in the video that was close enough to have controlled their fellow officer’s actions. They may not have said anything, but silence, inaction and voyeurism can be just as deadly as violence.

Det. Cobane may be wrong, but what everyone should consider is that he’s actually taking responsibility for his actions. This is an indicator that he is redeemable and more importantly, teachable.

When I ask people to consider others beyond themselves, I extend it to everyone. This includes the perpetrator and the victim.

So even if Detective Cobane was deliberately being racist, this is the time and optimal opportunity to redeem him. We can not be more willing to accuse and not forgive. What is challenging is figuring out how best to help people understand what they don’t understand. Racism, discrimination and intolerance can be understood and fixed. We must be willing to sincerely consider others first beyond the knowledge of our own experiences and circumstances.

To overcome racism and you must first have a keen understanding of racism in all of its guises. Don’t be so quick to call someone a racist until you know what it truly is, because it’s not always as it appears.

References & Inspirations
National Turk – May 10, 2010 “Seattle Police Officer Apologizes for Racism& Kick to Innocent Victim”

Momma, Daddy is the Papa

Meredith Vieira talks to actress Mackenzie Phillips about her long-standing incestuous relationship with her father, her struggle with drug addiction and other details revealed in her new memoir, “High on Arrival.”

After watching this interview with Meredith I want ask a question which you will see below, but this interview may put the question in better context.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/32999699#32999699

I’ve included a clip from her interview on Oprah, but urge you to watch the interview with Meredith Vieira.

Incest; could this be an acceptable reason for getting an abortion?

Now don’t get upset with me for asking the question, I’m just pointing out one of the 800 lbs Gorilla’s in the room of this story. I’m not suggesting or advocating my morals onto anyone by asking, but I am interesting in knowing what you think now that you’ve listened to the interview.

Unfortunately I’ve had the opportunity to have conversations with victims of rape and incest. The over arching affects that sexual abuse has on the mind of the one being abuse can make a long lasting impression in so many areas of a persons life. I raise the question about abortion to make a point, but as I’ve said in previous conversations on this blog is that you have to consider others, because you never know what or why someone decides to do what they do. Sometimes its not so clear cut as right or wrong as we can conclude in this case. This is why I will continue to advocate the simple strategy of Considering Others. Even if I am criticized in the process and/or misunderstood. The meaning is within the message.

Share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions about this.

Cheney: Using Lies as Alibis

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Just the beginning of the GOP Cat being let out of the bag, by Dick Cheney. Keep Talking Dick, help the prosecution build its case for sending you and others to jail.

So Mr. Cheney, you want give us your poker move and try to make people believe that there’s some unreleased memo that will vindicate your knowledge and approval for torture. Well why not declassify the ENTIRE memo instead of bits and pieces. Why torture us, let us see it all.

According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment adopted into force on June 26, 1987 that the U.S. Government is legally obligated by the U.N. to investigate allegations of torture and prosecuting those who order, authorize or carry out torture. (Source)

So all the flack I received year after year of “Not Supporting the Troops” and being “Unpatriotic” from Republicans, I am waiting to hear what you have to say about this. You can’t say I’m not open-minded enough to listen and consider your positions, unlike many are to mine.

One of the many things that I find absurd is the repeated warnings and documented advice you had from well respected and highly knowledgeable individuals and organizations on the use of torture and you ignored it. Who’s not supporting the troops now? Who’s unpatriotic now?

“Serious concerns regarding the legality with some of these techniques could be construed as TORTURE, as that crime is defined by 18 U.S.C. 2340.” – U.S. Air Force Memo to Joint Staff, 11/01/02 (Source)

“The significant legal, policy and practical concerns of Category III Techniques violate the President’s Order on Human Treatment and various U.S. Code and Military Justice articles.” – U.S. Army Memo to Joint Staff (Source)

“Several of the Category II and III Techniques arguably violate federal law and would expose our service members to possible prosecution.” - U.S Marine Corp. Memo to Joint Staff, 11/04/02 (Source)

Hold up there’s this from the U.S. Army CITF Chief Legal Advisor Major Sam McMahon’s Memo to CITF Commander. On the recommendation of torture it may subject service members to punitive articles of the United States Code for Military Justice CITF Personnel who are aware of the use or abuse of certain techniques may be exposed to liability under the UCMJ for failing to intercede or report incidents.”

So what’s next?

How do you reconcile the growing evidence of torture? Will you continue to deny, deny, deny and stand with them on this sinking Bush/Cheney tugboat of lies? Will you take the Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck approach and say to the world, “Are you going to believe me or your lying eyes?”

Listen, I’ve made it easy for those who still refuse to acknowledge the truth. Many of you have seen the pictures from GITMO and other places. Now I ask you to simply read Article 3 of the Geneva Convention’s treatment of Prisoners of War and tell me if you can still take the Republican position on torture.

Mr. Cheney, if this is your attempt to position yourself for an “I Told You So” in the case of another attack on the U.S. then I will leave my contempt for you and your position silent out of respect for those who may read this and allow others to offer theirs. If this is true, then my silence would only amount to a whisper to the deafening silence of the supporters and apologist for the position taken by Dick Cheney.

References & Inspirations

Amnesty International USA – “War on Terror”

International Humanitarian Law – “Article 3: Treatment of P.O.W. Geneva, August 12, 1949”

U.S. Senator Levin – “The Origins of Aggressive Interrogation Techniques Report”

U.S. Senate – “Senate Detainee Report”

Learn To Love (Part 4)

***IN CONTINUATION OF LEARN TO LOVE***

There’s not much I can really say from experience on abusive relationships with any measure of authority. I’ve never physically or emotionally abused anyone and no one spiritually to my knowledge. I’ve never used anyone financially, but have made financial mistakes myself. The thing with financially abusive relationships is that if you don’t recognize the mistake and work to correct the mistake you’re destined to make the same mistake again and again. All the while eating away at the confidence and trust in that area of your relationship.

Now the mistakes I’ve made were pretty common, like not abiding by my budget and not demonstrating patience. Fortunately, I’m a quick learner and have made the necessary corrections and beginning to see brighter days ahead instead of the financial dungeon I was in.

The advice that I try to give those who ask is to talk openly about finances. If you have bad credit, say my credit score is a -24. Seriously, just be honest about money. What you have, your responsibilities, your strengths and weaknesses with money. I complain about paying car registration fees each year. I find it ridiculous that I have to pay so much for a sticker to put on my license plate for a year, but I pay it.

Showing that you love someone is more than just emotional, it’s financial too. It’s not the sexiest part of the relationship, but make sure you can handle the business of love, before jumping into any commitments. Show the person you’re with that you love them by paying the bills on time. Speak openly and honestly about what you have to bring to the table. If you make more than the other person, don’t throw that in there face like you’re better than them. You may make more a year, but have more debt in your name, so who’s really better off?

If you don’t mind allow me to say this to the men who are guilty of this. Yes, I know ‘you’re the man’, ‘You’re the king of the castle’, whatever dude. Stop acting like you run things, before you find yourself running back to your Momma crying like some B…aby. Cook breakfast and dinner. Clean-up the kitchen, wash clothes, dust, something. You can’t just come home and turn on ESPN or The Golf Channel and ask “what’s for dinner?” You’re a “grown-ass-man”, if you’re “Da Man” or the “King of your Castle” tell your loved one what you’re preparing to eat or which restaurant we’re going to. After you finish paying the mortgage, phone or electric bill send a little email to your loved one saying “We just paid the mortgage or whatever the bill is.”

Now I understand that some financial abuse stems from unfair practices and predatory products marketed to lure and entice you in. Credit card companies, certain mortgage companies, payday or quick loan sharks are just a few. I understand and sympathize; I’ve been there, done that and got the t-shirt for signing up for the credit card. It’s not worth it. I urge you to resist the temptation and exercise restraint by saying NO.

To quote those three great urban musical philosophers, Bell Biv DeVoe, “you can’t trust a big butt and a smile”, credit cards are “Poison”.

Anyway, let me make my final points and move towards my conclusion. (Some of you are saying, “Thank God”.)

If I am to always to seek love, truth, consensus I must accept that the fact that I may never completely achieve it. The position I strive to gain is one that seeks the truth, bare witness to the facts and work towards reconciliation. The goal is to never tear down, derogate or enable anyone.

How are we supposed to learn to love in the deepest sense?

Justice, truth, fairness & equality have been discredited by our need to be seen as good, righteous, value oriented and popular, even when our actions are examined they prove otherwise.

When you love you have difficulties remaining silent when people are treated unfairly. It should bother you to witness injustice carried out against innocents. It should convict you to rightly protest against inequality when you honestly learn to love.

Love isn’t accepting any whim or doctrine marketed towards you for temporary social and/or political expediency. Regardless how you’ve experienced it, love is eternal or long lasting.

***BUT YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW TO READ THE NEXT PART***