Looking Back Forward

Corona got me chronicling,
After knocking me way down.
George Floyd had me crying
And all was not well with the world.
Post-COVID took its own toll,
Adding to a haunting sadness.

As twenty twenty draw nigh,
Ten long, long days to go,
Can’t wait to say goodbye.
To a year of gloom and doom.
But let me pause and take a moment
Must count the blessings too.

I kept my job and salary
Honed in on writing skill.
Saw family every week
And friends also on Zoom.
Cook more, spend less, save money
Read more, made vision board.

Made home my sanctuary.
Forced to spend more time in it.
Decorating for the season,
Not done in twenty years.
Looking forward to the new year

And all the goodness it will bring.

The Almost 74 Million

Now that the GSA woman has ascertained the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice President Elect, let me have a go at the 73+ million.

Hillary Clinton, in 2016 called Donald Trump’s supporters “deplorables” and walked it back.  Well...

There may be a minute number among you who are innocent and ignorant because Fox News is your only source of information.  And there may be another small number who are deathly fearful of family members if you vote otherwise.  Suffer the fools and wounded.  You are the .1%.

And then there are those of you who fear that the liberal Democrats will stack the courts, destroying your conservative values that trump everything: pro-life, anti gay marriage, anti rights of immigrants, and the big one, Christianiy and morals, all while your leader has none.  You are so blinded by your conservatism that you can't look outside of it.

How do you hide behind your church and vote for Trump?  For the love of God, please tell me, show me one, just one redeeming quality of Donald Trump.  Just one, I beg.  One god-like quality.  One.  One that goes along with the good book that you preach and teach.  It’s the immorality withn you that allowed you to look past his racism, his misogyny, his xenophobia, homophobia, hate for Muslims, his lack of regard for the disabled, his disrespect for women, his lack of morals, the words he use publicly which are heard by children and grannies.  Which is your preferred word or term? - pussies, shit hole, sons of bitches...?  Which  image is seared in your memory? - babies in cages, body bags in refrigerated trucks or maybe it was the photo op of the Bible held upside down in front of a church?  I am still waiting for that one redeeming quality.  One.

And you the immigrant, the woman, the Black man who voted for him in numbers.  Some of you within the immigrant community were scared of socialism, but not the dictatorship and facism he breathes.  White women, his grabbing women by their genitals and the number of women accusing him of inappropriate and unwanted sexual contact don't disgust you?   His walking in front of his wife and not helping her down stairs don't give you pause?   You, the Black man, I can't even fathom your reasoning.  I heard the only Black man in the senate talk about going from the cotton field to congress.  Neither Trump nor his Make America Great Again, did that for him.  And then there is the D.A. in Kentucy who tells us he is Black, like we don't see it, like we don't see his TOMfoolery.  Trump hates you and you love him.  That's self-hatred.   

So, you are a hardline Republcan and have to vote the party.  How on God’s earth, did you, do you choose him as your leader?  What is it about him that enamor him to you?  Is it his philandering ways?  Is it the constant lies?  What about his tax cheating?  Is it his hatred of Black people, especially the first Black President whose name he calls out every moment he gets?  Is it his friendship with the Putins and Kim Jung-uns of the world?  Is it the fact that he caused the death of over 250,000 people with the Trump virus?  Or the fact that nothing sticks - teflon Don?  Have you noticed that those around him fall one after the other, and he just steps over them and walks away unscathed?  Is that who you look up to?

The economy, stupid, you say.  He made America great again.  So, what you are saying is you don’t care, it’s the means to the end.  Whatever it takes to line your pockets.  It was the economy 400 years ago which drove the slave trade, and the great America today which makes its rich richer and keeps its poor downtrodden.  Make America Great Again.  Really!  

There are those of you who are on the low end of the 99%.  He boasts in his rallies that he is rich.  And you are among the throngs of people worshipping him.  He tried to take away your health care, yes Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act that many of you use.  He told you not to wear masks.  Be free.  And you are there in the crowd, maskless, with many of you contracting the disease and dying.  He says he had COVID and received special medication and treatment.  What about you?  You continue to fawn because his hateful message reaches your heart, even if it sickens your body or kills you.

Oh, it’s the numbers of people he brought to the party.  What people - the hate mongers, white supremacists, nativists, neo nazis, proud boys?  All these “fine” people are a part of your party and you are ok with it, so ok that you stood and stand with him?  What does it say about you?  What does it say about those of you in leadership roles in the Senate, those of you on his team gawking at and bowing to him?  To me it says you are one and the same.  You are those "fine" people - hoods in the dark and suits in the light.  But then again, you no longer even have to hide.  Trump has made it cool to be hateful.

No, it's none of that, you say, it's just that you bleed red and could never vote for Biden.   Trust me, he was not the first choice for many of us.  But Biden is no Trump.  You, though, were able to cover your nose, eyes, ears, feelings to the stench that is Donald Trump.  There were those in your party for whom the stench was too much to bear and they chose to walk away from Trump, not the party.  You could have done the same, voted red, down ballot.  Why didn't you take their lead?

What about you Dems who crossed over?  You thought a Donald Trump was your best choice?  Say what?  For you, amplify all I said above. 

Trump is not just a narcisist.  He is a wanna be despot, a demagogue.  He is evil.  Period.

So almost 74 million, who and what are you really?

This Win

This is a win for “sleepy Joe.” 

It’s a win for the “monster” "Kam'la Kam'la Kam'la." 

It is a win for Barack Hussein Obama, whose birthright he questions.

It is a win for President Barack Obama, whose every mandate he tries to dismantle.

A win for all the women whose “pussy” he grabbed. 

It is for "nasty" women all over.

This is a win for Colin Kaepernick and all the Black sons whose mothers are “bitches.”

It is a win for all those from “shithole” countries.

And a win for all those “thieves and rapists” from Mexico.

It’s a win for John McCain and all prisoners of war who he doesn’t like because they were “captured.”

It’s a win for the "Bring back the death penalty" exonarated Central Park 5, Anton McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Kharey Wise..

It’s a win for "What the hell do you have to lose" Blacks, who have lost a lot. 

This win is for all the caged children, all the missing children and all the parents who are wailing.

It is a win for Serge Kovaleski, the disabled reporter he mocked. 

A win for Muslims who were “shutdown.”  ”Islam hate us." 

It is for the "Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came" Squad on Capitol Hill, Ayana Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib.

It is for the late Heather Heyer who was on the right side of the "good people on both sides."

This win is for the over 240,000 dead from COVID and ten million infected because it’s “going away” and “it is what it is.” 

It is for the late, great John Lewis who will surely show up for President Joseph Biden's and Vice-President Kamala Harris' inauguration.

This win is for you, Donald Trump, and all the “good people” racists and deplorables within your circle, including hard line evangelicals like Franklin Graham and Paula White, whose religion and politics are one and the same.  Stand back and stand down. YOU ARE FIRED. 

A Child's Kindness

Brooklynn Sanchez, 6 Years Old

Written on 3/30/2020

From Brooklynn Sanchez to people at yellow house.

Are you ok?  Do you need anything like food and water?  Oh, let me introduce myself.  Hi, my name is Brooklynn and I live in the red house right by you.  I am sending this note to you because I want to help people in the community. Like I said, if you need anything, send a note and tell us what you need and we will come over and deliver the stuff to you.

Kindness works always,

Love and Peace

 

Written on 6/22/2020

Dear Mommy

Have a nice day at work.  I will pray for you from now on.  I love you always.  I wish you didn't have to go.  

Let us pray.

Dear Lord, I pray that my family, I pray that my mommy will not get sick.  I pray that I have a good day. Amen.

 

Feeling Sad

Guest Author: Simone Infantry

Ten days ago I learned a pharmacy delivery contract that I had for almost three years would be ending on 10/30. My first thought was wow 2020 you had to snatch some money from me before you exit huh?! Even though it was supplementary income, it is definitely not the money that I will miss - the daily interaction with my senior customers ages ranging from 65 to 90+. I spent my last week letting them know that after Friday they wouldn't see me anymore especially the ones who are used to seeing me at least three times a week plus even though I had a 6hr window for their deliveries (noon - 6p), they all got their packages by 2p. I also wanted them to be aware that delivery times was changing to 4p thru 9p.

A lot of my favorites were visually upset and were on the ready to call the pharmacy to complain which really touched me. I didn't just deliver their packages. Precovid until my last day...for my less mobile customers, I would clear their mailboxes, bring in any heavy packages that were already at their doors, some would ask me to open their packages for them because arthritis made it difficult or invert the cap because sometimes Rx forgot to. For the more active ones who were sometimes out n about, we had a designated hiding spots for their package.

Days when time availed, I would spend a few extra mins with my faves especially if they lived alone.

They looked out for me as well thru the years. Many times I would be greeted with a ziploc bag containing an ice cold/gatorade water with fruit or fresh baked cookies or a money to buy myself lunch. I will surely miss the welcoming smiles and hugs from fave lil ole ladies.

On my last day I know it was no coincidence that my last two delivery stops were to the senior apartment complex where I had 15 steady customers as well as to the home of my customer who is a double amputee. At the apartment complex when I was headed out, many of my customers happened to be in the common area so I received a whole lotta air hugs and kisses and the comments like, "We are sure gonna miss you roun' here baby" and "We will always pray for your safety on those roads" Needless to say I was crying all the way to my truck.

My final stop was Ms Linda...my double amputee who lives alone. I know for sure I will see her on occasion because in 2019 once I learned thru a convo that she had relatives blocks away but were not reliable. I had her lock my number in and told her she could call me if she ever needed me to run an errand, not to hesitate to call me.

Today feels a lil different knowing that the love I received and truly cherished on a daily is no more.

Breathe Again

In New York, north of New York City, there are no post-Covid-19 care clinics or programs dedicated to the care of those of us suffering with post-Covid symptoms.  I finally got an appointment with Mt. Sinai, the earliest date, March 19, 2021.  I told them I will be cured or dead by then. 

I went to a pulmonologist this past Wednesday and he asked all of the questions - all.  He went through my medical history, my parents and family.  He said he has been seeing more people with worsening acid reflux and new breathing problems.  Yes, yes, that's me. Then, he took a closer look at my scans and saw small scarring on both lungs, which he says suggest bronchitis.  I have never had bronchitis, which means Covid mimicked bronchitis on my lungs.  I breathed a sigh of relief, not because it meant I was cured or will be cured, but because I had a possible answer, finally, after all these months. 

I have been knowingly suffering with breathing issues since I went back to work, late May/early June (had Covid in March).  It didn't bother me much before then because I was home and not wearing a mask.  Some well-meaning people in my life thought it was anxiety, or in my head, or that it was because of the kind of mask I was wearing.  I didn't fault them for thinking or suggesting so.  How would they know if the doctor's didn't and neither did the hospitals.  

There are those who are suffering with symptoms much worse than mine.  I found the ignorance and nonchalance glaring among health professionals, especially here in New York, where hospitals are no longer overrun with urgent and emergency care for Covid patients.  It blows my mind that they don't seem to be educating themselves and doing something about it, when, if not treated, we, post-Covid sufferers, are going to become a drain on the society and healthcare.  There needs to be a sense of urgency as the anticipated new wave looms.  If we are on the back burner (actually no burner) now, who will care then?

I got tired talking about it, but continued because I wanted someone to listen, I wanted someone to validate that I wasn't as crazy as some thought I was.  I wanted people to know about those of us with post-Covid conditions.  I wanted someone to do something about it.  

And yes, I wanted to breathe again, on my own, normally and not through my mouth.  What I didn't tell anyone and what I am confessing now is that I worried I would need a nasal cannula/mask/tank for oxygen the duration of my life and I thought that my life would be limited by when I could no longer breathe, even with the oxygen.

Thankfully, I saw a doctor who had seen enough to know that something strange was happening with post-Covid sufferers.  Here's hoping that the steroid inhaler prescribed will let me breathe again.

Edit:  Found out today,10/22/2020 that there is a Post Covid Care Program at Westchester Medical Center.  They are the best kept secret. I spoke at length with Kalterina who answered the phone - very pleasant, patient and provided me with valuable information.   She says the hospital is trying to get the word out.  They set you up with an internists who perform physical exams, orders tests and refers you to specialists.  They accept most insurance plans.

It Doesn't Go Away

I have been begging Covid-19 to leave me alone the better part of six months (9/15 will be six months since it appeared in my life). Six damn months and that beast of a disease will not leave me entirely alone. Covid-19 is insidious. It is unrelenting. It is a sadist. It is masochistic. It will bring you on a high and knock you down so hard and so fast. I have had bursts of energy and then none hours after. I have had great days, even a full great month in May where I threw myself a 64th virtual birthday party and danced the night away, joyful. I have written over 50 articles for a blog I started after surviving Covid-19, with my head and creativity working overtime, producing article after article.

Lately things have changed or become more noticeable. I can no longer overlook or keep quiet about the unrelenting and new symptoms which are affecting the quality of my living. I am not alone. There is even a name for us - Long Haulers. I hate the name. There is a Facebook page, Survivor Corps, https://www.facebook.com/groups/669615740453955/, which has over 100,000 members. There are almost 98 symptoms (see charts below) that survivors list as continuous and/or new. There are horrifying stories and I must admit that mine are not as bad, in comparison. But... for me as I experience the ones I have, they are bad FOR ME. And I want them gone. I want to be whole again.

During the throes of COVID-19, I had no breathing issues. I noticed that I was breathing differently after my fever left, however, I didn't acknowledge it, because I was over Covid-19 (or so I thought), and I thought that if I gave it no attention, it would go away. (Please don't ask me to explain my rationality or irrationality). It was not until I went back to work, that I noticed that I struggled to breathe while wearing a mask indoors for any extended period. Many days, I would work from home or work a shift by myself so I could be alone without a mask. Thankfully, I had that option. An EKG revealed a double breath; a stress test and Echocardiogram - fluid around my heart. When my heart started beating overtime one day for more than two hours and I was not wearing a mask, a visit to the doctor, another EKG, a CT Scan on my lungs and blood tests turned up nothing. Well, it did reveal that everything is ok with my heart and lungs and there are no blood clots, things to be oh so thankful for, and I am. But what is it?

When my breathing issues go (they do take a break), here comes acid reflux, when acid reflux goes here comes lower back pain and when lower back pain goes, here comes... and then we do it all over again, some of them doubling or tripling up. Throw in stomach issues, no taste, itching, chills, sadness, lack of motivation, anxiety, malaise, crying uncontrollably… Some of these issues aren't new for me. I have acid reflux, lower back pain and stomach issues as recurring conditions. However, they are now different and/or worse. And how about vertigo (I have had one episode) and itching under my armpit (lasted about two weeks). I have read posts on Survivor Corps where both symptoms are mentioned as post Covid-19 symptoms for some people. Thinking back, there was the painful, crusted and cracked back of my hands which I thought was caused by an allergic reaction to hand sanitizers or by too much hand washing. But at that time I was not using hand sanitizer or doing the birthday song washing of the hands. This happened shortly after Covid-19 when I was home and hadn't been outdoors. Another is my lost appetite during Covid-19 and my loss of taste after Covid-19. What looked like bruising (a medical condition where fat leaches into the skin) on my legs pre Covid-19, tripled its size and darkness post Covid-19, and is no longer splotches developed over 10 years, but one big blotch, almost half-way around the circumference of the bottom portion of my right leg. I no longer expose my legs; leggings or pants covered my legs this summer, no matter how hot it was.  Say goodbye to beaches and bathing suits, dresses without dark pantyhose or leggings.  I can live with that, but not the unknowing.

Covid-19 has and is impacting my living. I am not a hypochondriac. I am not looking for sympathy. I am not exaggerating my symptoms. They are not in my head. They are real. I worry for me and the long term effects. I worry for those who are in my shoes. I worry for those who don’t even know they are still being impacted and may be home suffering and thinking it's just happening to them (which is what I thought at first).

The sad part is the doctors don't know. They don't know what they are looking for when we show up with symptoms that defy all tests. Locally, there is one clinic that I know of in New York City at Mount Sinai that's treating people with post Covid-19 symptoms. I haven’t made it there as yet. City traveling is a stressor I don't need at this time.  Where are the local clinics? They need to go up and go up fast. Where is the publicity? What are the hospitals doing? What is the government doing? Where are the regulations for health insurance coverage and companies? What about the copay each time one has to go to the doctor which is a deterrent and will prevent folks from seeking medical care.

The sadder part is that there are people who still believe that this virus is a hoax and so Covid-19 will continue to spread to much more than the 6.5 million positive cases; more people will die than the current 194,000 and more and more people will end up as long haulers, numbers unknown.

The saddest part is if nothing is done, we, long haulers, will become a drain on the health care system. We will become liabilities to our families. We may lose our jobs because employers may be ignorant and not understand the long lasting effects of Covid-19; some employers will not care because of the bottom line. Some of us will end up on disability as our conditions worsen. Some will become isolated. People will reject us, fearing we are still infected and they may catch whatever we have. Some of us will die. It is no different than troops dying years after from Agent Orange or people being sickened and dying years after from the devastating effect of 9/11.

I am shouting from the mountain top to any and every one who can hear me and any and every one who will listen.

Do something! Now. Please. Now.

Charts above were taken from the Survivor Corps Facebook page

Brooklynn In Character

7 Year Old Brooklynn Sanchez

During these uncertain times and times of stress, illness, depression, isolation, loneliness, tears and malaise, we need to take a break and smile.  Here's Brooklynn to help you do it as she mimics her family and nails it for each.  You can see that Brooklynn is a character herself.  Trevor Noah, move over.

Mommy Roni

Daddy Tony

 Sister Laila

Aunt Val

Mama Eze

Emancipendence Celebration, August 1, 2020

Ambassador Rattray and Mayor  Roach 

Ambassador Courtenay Rattray

As the August sun blazed down on the much smaller than usual, mask-wearing crowd gathered in all their regalia of the black, green and gold at the Renaissance Plaza on August 1, 2020, Jamaican Ambassador to the United Nations, the Honorable Courtenay Rattray, jokingly lamented that he did not get the memo for the casual attire, as he was dapper in suit and tie for the Jamaica Emancipendence Flag Raising in the City of White Plains. He had company in the as formally dressed mayor of the city, the Honorable Thomas Roach. Ambassador Rattray was the keynote speaker for the more subdued second annual Flag Raising, due to the pandemic and social distancing. He greeted the crowd with "Wha a gwan." His message was far from subdued as he talked passionately about Jamaica, its history and accomplishments. He called on the names of our ancestors and those who led the way. He educated us on the slave trade and reverse reparations, where the United Kingdom admitted that the UK Treasury had borrowed money to compensate slave owners after Emancipation and were still paying back on that loan. Reparations were paid to slave owners, not the other way around! This means that hundreds of thousands of descendants of the enslaved, including Jamaicans, who migrated to the UK, have paid and are still paying back this loan through their taxes. Descendants of the enslaved paid reparations! What a travesty!! And what an education that was for many of us!! 

The mayor proclaimed August 1st, 2020 Jamaican Heritage Day in the City of White Plains. The Deputy County Executive proclaimed that August 6th will be Jamaican Heritage Day in the County of Westchester and it will be so declared on the Jumbo Tron at the Westchester County Center on August 6th, the date of Jamaica’s Independence. 

The Honorable Nadine Hunt-Robinson was introduced as this year's honoree by committee member, Donnovan Beckford. Because of the pandemic and the small crowd witnessing her recognition, Nadine will also be the 2021 honoree. Nadine talked about the pride of being a Maroon, standing up and not backing down, the "We can tek dem" traits of her Jamaican and maroon heritage. Nadine was chosen as the honoree because she is a daughter of Jamaica, with many accomplishments in her professional, political, civic and personal life.

Heather Miller read her three original poems, Oh My Jamaica, which gave 2500 years of history of Jamaica, Ode to Saltfish and Wedded Bliss. Poems can be found on the blog www.heathersdawning.com, dated July 11th.

The flag was raised to the melodious voice of Christine Chanel as she sang the Jamaican National Anthem. Prior to that she sang the American National Anthem, rivaling any famous singer at U.S. sporting events. 

In addition to the ambassador, mayor and honoree, dignitaries in attendance were: Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Deputy County Executive Kenneth Jenkins and, City of Mount Vernon Councilwoman Delia Farquharson and City of Yonkers Councilwoman Shanae Williams (both of Jamaican heritage). 

The event was organized by the Jamaica Emancipendence Committee: Donnovan Beckford, Wayne Chin, Maxine Chuck, Heather Miller and Rev. Leroy Richards. Wayne Chin served at the emcee. Pastor Richards delivered the opening prayer and Maxine Chuck gave the welcome address. 

The event was videotaped by the White Plains Community Media for broadcast and can be viewed at http://www.wpcommunitymedia.org/search?search%5Bglobal%5D=jamaica+flagraising. 

Photography by Christopher Richards @im914Photography.

Honoree, Hon. Nadine Hunt-Robinson

Nadine with Ambassador Rattray, elected officials and committee members

The flag is raised

Councilwomen Delia Farquharson (c) and Shanae Williams (r).  
Shanae's sister is pictured left.

Committee Members Wayne, Maxine, Heather, Ambassador Rattray

Ambassador Rattray with Donnovan Beckford

Ambassador Rattray with Pastor Richards

Ambassador Courtenay Rattray

Family of singer.  

Donnovan with Wayne Bass, WP Commissioner of Recreation

The flag is being raised

Attendees

Attendees

Wayne, Christine, David, Maureen, Maxine

Maxine (r) with Maureen Spence-Campbell

The honoree and family

The honoree and Heather

The honoree and Councilwoman Williams

Nadine with Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Kenneth Jenkins

White Plains finest

New York Senate Majority Leader, Hon, Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Friends Cece Rollins, Val Nichols and Sheran Lyons enjoy the festivities

Songstress, Christine Chanel with Emcee Wayne Chin

Mayor in conversation with young attendee and father

Attendee Kyle Miller

Heather and Maxine

Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins

Jumbo tron at the Westchester County Center, 8/6/2020

 (cellphone photo)

Flag still flying high 8/6/2020 (cellphone photo)

Eze Hayes with grandchildren, Laila and Brooklynn
Photographer:  Cece Rollins

Colorism

Guest Author:  Savannah Williams, recent high school graduate

How do you define the word colorism? I don’t think there’s truly a relevant definition, but here’s what Google told me: "Colorism is a form of prejudice or discrimination in which people who are usually members of the same race are treated differently based on the social implications which come with the cultural meanings which are attached to skin color."  Don’t you think that was super confusing, they could have just said colorism is prejudice or discrimination especially within a racial or ethnic group favoring people with lighter skin over those with darker skin. See plain, simple and straight to it.

Growing up with darker toned skin the TV’s, commercials, even music videos could have you convinced that dark skins are considered ugly.  Oh how I hate to use that word, but how do you say that nicely.  Never seeing a lot of dark skinned girls in ads, or TV shows could make any girl or boy grow up hating his or her own skin but that’s just the beginning because that’s what the media does to you. You’re forced to watch what society only considered beautiful and that’s light-skinned girls. It is the belief that someone with any degree of lighter complexion is considered more beautiful or valuable than someone with dark skin. Imagine growing and having to remind your son or daughter they're handsome or beautiful every day because you know when they go outside someone might tell them different.

Research has found extensive evidence of discrimination based on skin color in criminal justice, business, the economy, housing, health care, media, and politics in the United States and Europe. Skin-color favoritism affects perceptions and interactions in ways that are at once overnice and heartfelt. Since Kenneth and Mamie Clark’s famous doll study of the 1950s, researchers have known that young people of color are greatly aware of our nation’s derision for all that is dark. Color-conscious banter between students reflects unconscious and unspoken biases—otherwise called implicit biases—that favor lighter skin.

 

Bibliography:

Google

Meriam Webster

www.urban.org

Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks

                                             Guest Author:  Shelton Registe, high school rising senior

Everyone knows of the well-known icon of the Civil Rights Movement, Rosa Parks, and how she contributed to starting the movement by refusing to give her seat to a white man.  What if I told you, a 15 year old did the same thing nine months before her and barely anyone knows the story.  This is the story of Claudette Colvin.

On March 2, 1955, Claudette was riding the bus home from school, and a white man asked for the seat.  Normally, she would've given him the seat but something came over her, she says in an interview for NPR.  "My head was just too full of black history, you know, the oppression that we went through.  It felt like Sojourner Truth was on one side pushing me down and Harriet Tubman was on the other side of me pushing me down.  I couldn't get up,"  So the driver called the police and they handcuffed her and drove her to the police station then to jail, not giving her a chance to call anyone or to explain herself in the station.  Claudette's friends ran to her mother and explained what happened and her mother and the pastor Reverend Johnson drove up to the jailhouse and bailed Claudette out.  That night her father stayed up with a shotgun in case some angry white people came to lynch her.

December 1, 1955, a couple months after Claudette Colvin got arrested on that bus, Rosa Parks boarded the same one and also refused to give her seat to a white man.  This is the famous act that started the Montgomery Bus Boycott and ignited the Civil Rights Movement.  This is also the act that put Rosa Parks in history books and won her numerous awards.  She is known as the mothere of the freedom movement.

So many ask since Claudette Colvin did the same thing a couple months before Rosa Pards, why was Parks receiving all the credit?  The NAACP wanted the right figure to represent the movement when it started.  They believed it would appeal to the sympathetic white folks.  Also Claudette was pregnant a couple months after the incident to a much older married man which would be a bad look.  Parks was also middle class, the secretary of the NAACP and 42 years old, much older and experienced than a 15 year old.  Some may argue to have used Colvin as the icon, since she was the first to defy that law in such a way and since she was 15 to show the injustice to younger kids and women.  Rosa Parks, however, was the best candidate to start the revolution.  To conclude, we may not have been where we are without Claudette Colvin's bravery.

My very good friend Savannah believes that it was smart to use Rosa Parks for publicity seeing as people probably wouldn't have paid attention if Claudette was the face of this problem.  Savannah believes in giving credit when it's due.  She says Rosa shouldn't have even felt comfortable taking so much credit in something she only partook in starting.  In her opinion, taking all the glory from Claudette was messed up.  Claudette definitely didn't take it that way because in the end she is getting justice for her people, like she knows the part she played, but to Savannah, it just won't sit right that Claudette was okay with this.  But she understands why she just sat back because Claudette probably knew this sad truth as well.  In conclusion, Savannah says she's proud of Claudette because even though it took until now for her to truly be recognized, she can still go home and say to herself, "I started this, I was a part of the small steps in this big problem."

I, personally, would use Rosa Parks as the icon for the movement.  You have one chance to get this revolution right and  a kid who had a pregnancy at such a young age from a much older married man might shift how people perceive the movement and what morals it stands for.  

Also although the skin color of the icon might be wrong, it is a strategic way to sway the opinion of white folks so they can see a colored person that almost looks like them.  Rosa is the middle of the black and white people.  She is light skinned and middle class, so the perfect tie in both worlds.

Source:  https://www.npr.org/2009/03/15/101719889/before-rosa-parks-there-was-claudette-colvin

              http://www.core-online.org/History/colvin.htm

Giving Thanks - Celebrating Family and Friends

Guest Author, Beverley Picart

Since COVID-19, I have spent some quiet moments with myself.  I have come to realize that there are so many things to be grateful for.  I begin to appreciate with deep, heartfelt gratitude my family and friends.

I feel such joy in my heart when I stop to recognize how good things really are, focusing on what I have, rather than on what I don't.  I feel secure knowing that I have family and friends who I can always depend on.  

I begin to look at the things that make life worth living, that I sometimes take for granted...good health, a career, loving family and friends, a swim in the pool, a hot cup of tea, a full moon, blooming poinciana, a hello from my neighbor, a telephone call from my daughter, a message from my granddaughter.

Today, I am using this medium to celebrate my family and friends, especially my generous children, Shari and Randy, my precious granddaughter, Imani, and my loving siblings.

I want you all to know how much you are appreciated and how grateful I am to have you all in my life.

This fact makes what I have into enough and more, bringing a quiet peace within and comfort to my soul.

Jamaican Poems

Oh! My Jamaica 
Heather Miller 
7/9/2020 

They came first, the Taino Arawaks, ‘bout 300 BC
Xaymaca they named this paradise of God 
In 1494 Christopher Columbus, on orders from Spain
Claimed discovery of what was already there
Plundered, murdered, and brought disease.

Spaniards settled, stole land as its own
Arawaks all dead, no labor force
Who now to work land, tobacco, cotton, coffee?
Work too back breaking, need stronger men
Brought in Africans, their slaves became. 

In 1655 Britain attacked and staked its claim.
Brought in slave ships bearing Africans
Chained, whipped, branded, de-hu-man-ized
Slavery a cash cow, big business for them
Sugar is gold, the economy soared.

Queen Nanny of the Maroons, she wasn’t having it
Revolted and fought and chased them out
From mountains and ridges, and took control
And England begged please, fight us no more
To this day, the Maroons, themselves, they rule.

Sam Sharpe’s uprising to force freedom’s hand
Emancipation August 1st, 1834, but a price to be paid
As poverty reeked among the newly freed
Paul Bogle led rebellion and hung for his efforts
Same fate for George William Gordon.

Sugar no longer the king it once was
Bauxite, coffee, tourism, rum
From the East came Chinese and Indians 
First indentured then claimed their place
With Blacks, with Whites, all Jamaicans, all one.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey called for self-rule
Alexander Bustamante the Labor Party he found 
His cousin Norman Manley, the PNP
Busta, lovingly called, Prime Minister became
August six, 1962, we flew the black, green and gold.

Reggae and Bob, we made the world stage
Joan, Cindy, Lisa, Toni-Ann, Miss World
Jody Ann, the first non-US Spelling Bee champ
Movie “Cool Runnings” ‘bout us in bob sled 
Usain, lightning bolt, world record, 9.58, 1-9-1-9.

Jamaica its share of darkness would bear
Earthquake decimated the world's richest port
Kendall train crash maimed, took many a soul
Hurricane Gilbert with a song of its own
Blew devastation all over the land

Gun violence to come, peace to disrupt
CIA in the country to de-sta-bil-ize
Manley, the son, too close to Castro for them
Dump guns and drugs in rival strong-holds
Brought murder, mayhem and brain drain.

Resilient Jamaica, you will rise again
Great Queen of the isles, God's paradise 
Land of Wood, Water, Out Of Many One
Ackee, saltfish, mahoe, lignum vitae, doctor bird
We cawn figet di patwah, Miss Lou she did it best.

Oh!
Oh! Jamaica!
Oh! My Jamaica!
Oh! My Sweet Jamaica!
Oh! My Sweet, Sweet Jamaica!
I’ll always call you home!

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Ode to Saltfish
Heather Miller
7/11/2020

Di poor codfish nevah stan a chance
Dem tek him an brine him and call him saltfish
Put him wid ackee and call him nashnal dish
Callallo seh him wahn fi him part inna it
Cabbige no wahn lef out, him jine di line to
One pot saltfish mix up wid rice
Soh soh saltfish cook up, bway it nice
Mek wi stamp an goh, saltfish flittahs
Den lawd, mek wi try it inna patty nuh to
Nuttin yuh cawn duh wid di poor saltfish

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Wedded Bliss (Coupling)
Heather Miller
7/11/2020

Bulla court Pear den him marry har
Bun get jealous an jain up wid Cheese
Buttah tell Bread mi wan spread out pan yuh

All Goat wan du is rub up wid Curry
Ackee nuh wan lef out, him hook up wid Saltfish
Oxtail deh wid Braad Bean, but is a sometime ting

Breadfruit nuh pahshall, him goh wid anybaddy.
King Pigstail di cankara, is nuff Red Peas him wan hab
Dem all live tigeddah in pure wedded bliss

 

Thankfulness

My Dear Family:

During our Family Zoom on Sunday, June 21st, daughter Jo-Ann took us through a process of visioning and the Vision Board.  I completed mine after her session and continue to work on it.  Then this past Sunday on July 5th, niece Michelle took us through the Art of Attraction.  I watched one of the video on guided thankfulness and through tears, I cannot believe, I gave thanks for COVID.

One of the questions Jo-Ann asked and on which I pondered was the gift of COVID.  I wrote them down not as gifts but what I gained during the time of COVID.  I did not want to think that that bastardly devil could have brought me "gifts."  The session with Michelle and the prayer of thankfulness changed that.  COVID has brought me so much.  More than anything, it has given me you through Zoom (thanks Annie).  I am so grateful and thankful to see you each week.  You feed me.  Next it gave me nothing but time.  Time for a lot of reflection and action.  I started doing yoga.  Jo-Ann forced me to add workout as a gift on my Board.  I didn't want to because I don't think I have gained the right to do that as yet.  Yes, I now do yoga religiously, but the workout I need to do for wellness hasn't come as yet.  COVID gave me this blog; it awakened and enhanced my writing skills, with the possibility of publishing a book, BOOKS, if my ambition continues; it gave me a voice during this time of Black Lives Matter, and while I was not able to protest, it taught me how to express myself through poetry and performing it.  I have now added courage.  In my fight for Black Equity, I am risking my job as I go after institutions.  AND I DON'T CARE.  There was a time in my life when the fire in my belly would make me protest without care.  Later in life, I became more cautious.  I was worried about losing funding for my place of employment and if truth be told, I was also worried about losing my job.  Now, I can and will walk away.

Another question from Jo-Ann was gifts from our ancestors and I immediately went to my writing gift which comes from both parents through their storytelling (father) and performance (mother).  Today, I began to think more about it and there are so many gifts that I will have to update my Board:

• Fire in my belly from my mother  (Woah, did she have some fire!); 
• Peacefulness and the ability to appreciate quietude and my own company from my father; 
• A caring heart from both (if the Universe ever takes any and all gifts, this is the one I will beg to preserve); 
• Kindness from my mother who gave willingly and my father who knew how to hold on to a penny, but without him spending it, we wouldn't be where we are; 
• Ambition and drive from both (my father left the deep countryside to come to the city, opening a grocery store, purchasing property; my mother left Jamaica to come to the US, leaving behind the security and safety of her own home, where she had someone to do her housework to come to the US to do someone else's, looking for the mythical milk and honey of the US;
• The pursuit of education (they didn't do it for themselves, but they certainly did it for us, my mother finding us the best schools and my father going along with it; his dream for me was to be a school teacher, which I realized);
• Courage from both which goes along with above;
• Doing the best for my child, with the best of what I have and know from both (of course making mistakes along the way);
• Love of family from both. 

I can, and will, keep going and growing this list. 

Family, what are you thankful for?  Look beyond your pain and look to your pain.  You may just find that gift that is staring you in the face.  Face it.  Learn from it.  Turn it around.   Put it to use.

I am thankful for you.

A work in progress

Modern Day Slavery

In 2018, while working with a theater workshop for seniors, one of the seniors started telling the story of how as a child she was a slave.  I thought she had hit her head or was playing with ghosts.  I said to her, "Miss Ruth, slavery ended in the 1800's."  She continued her story to say that her family didn't know.  She said a man came to the house and told her grandmother that slavery had ended.  Ms. Ruthie is in her 70's.  If it happened when she was a child, she thinks she was no more than 10, it means that in the 50's Ms. Ruthie and her family were still enslaved.  Sounds incredulous!

Hear Miss Ruth tell the story, herself, fast forward to 54.30:

http://wpcommunitymedia.org/slater-center-presents/06262018-1833

It does sound more and more incredulous, doesn't it.

It wasn't that long ago, in 2003, that the world was introduced to Mae Miller and her sister Annie on Nightline.  Mae told the story of escaping in the 60's from servitude.   She told of whippings, being raped and working the fields without being paid.  She is quoted as saying that they ate as hogs, not like dogs because dogs had a special place. Read the Nightline story below:

https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=129007&page=1#:~:text=Dec.,for%20no%20money%20at%20all.%22

Antoinette Harrell, the genealogist mentioned in the video above, calls herself the slave detective.  She researches, documents, visits and interviews people who still live on plantations with "masters."  These people are oblivious to the fact that they can leave and are deathly afraid to interview with her.   Please watch the video below.

https://video.vice.co m/en_us/video/vice-the-slavery-detective-of-the-south/5a947b9cf1cdb3764f3eee86

During a 2018 online Memoir Class, a fellow student wrote a paper, titled "The Hunt."  For the class, we had to read and critique other students' works.  In "The Hunt," she told about accompanying a colleague to a fox hunt.  She said her skin prickled when she realized it was being held on a plantation.  She noticed that in addition to herself, there was one other Black person, who sat regally on a steed and she felt proud to see him, among the genteel of the deep south in Charleston, South Carolina.  Her colleague pronounced that the gentleman on the horse and his family had worked the plantation for 200 years and had never left.  She bristled, however, it would worsen when the hunt started and she realized it wasn't a fox that was being hunted, it was the human MAN.  Her colleague explained that they couldn't use an actual fox because it would be immoral and illegal.  I was sickened reading it.  She wasn't writing fiction.  Remember, this was a memoir writing class.

The thousands of miles in the deep south, I am sure, still harbors masters with enslaved people.  Those still holding people in servitude need to be weeded out and brought to justice and labeled terroists along with their kinfolks, one and the same, the KKK, white supremacists and neo Nazis.