Wednesday, April 21, 2021

The Verdict

"A jury in Minneapolis did the right thing,” former President Barack Obama said in a joint statement with former First Lady Michelle Obama. President Joe Biden referred to that guilty verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin as "a step forward."

In case you missed the news, former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd, the jury finding Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The judge revoked his bail and remanded him to the custody of the sheriff, with sentencing to come eight weeks from now.

It was an emotional moment. I was livestreaming the announcement, not realizing how hard the news would effect me. My voice cracked, and with tears in my eyes, I was momentarily unable to speak. It is a step forward, but there needs to be many more steps. We need to be involved and not forget.

The word "justice" was used by many last night, but even though we certainly agree with the jury's decision, this probably isn't the best word.  In fact, Keith Ellison, the Attorney General of Minnesota spoke to that saying "I would not call today's verdict justice, however, because justice implies true restoration. But it is accountability, which is the first step toward justice."

So much more to do, especially with news from Columbus, OH just moments before the Chauvin verdict was read. A 16-year-old Black girl was shot by police there.

Monday, April 19, 2021

Stop the Violence

More violence.  More shootings.  It seems to be happening every day.

The whole purpose of this blog is to talk about the good around us.  I want to show you our heroes.  I want to write about people making a positive difference.  The mass shootings cannot be ignored though and something must be done.  

I'll begin by saying that I don't have all the answers, but perhaps we need to look outside our country at what others are doing.  Nowhere in the world do mas shootings take place day after day after day.  We seem to be outraged for a few days, and then we forget all about it.

Two years ago Congress allocated $25 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health in order to study gun violence. Have they found anything helpful yet? Yesterday on CNN, Dr. Anthony Fauci was asked if gun violence is a public health issue. "I mean, in this last month, it's just been horrifying," he replied. "How can you say that's not a public health issue?"  What's going to be done though?

This isn't new by any means.  The COVID-19 pandemic did slow the violence last year, but it didn't stop.  Now it seems to be increasing.  Let me ask you for your opinions.  What should be done?  Let us hear from you.

 

Friday, April 9, 2021

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, has died

PHILIP DEAD AT 99

Official statement from Buckingham Palace: "It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Prince Philip "helped to steer the Royal Family and the monarchy so that it remains an institution indisputably vital to the balance and happiness of our national life." Johnson went on to say "He was an environmentalist, and a champion of the natural world long before it was fashionable.

Prince Philip will not lie in state. His body instead will lie at rest in Windsor Castle ahead of a funeral in Saint George's Chapel. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many details are being revised.

Tributes are coming in from all over the world and there will be much said, especially in the eight days of mourning ahead. Although a sad moment in time, this is a significant piece of history. The royal website at https://www.royal.uk/ has already been updates with much information.

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Story of a doctor and the racism he has faced

Those of you who read this regularly know that on occasion I have shared stories I "found" and have no idea who the author is.  Today I am sharing one of those.  I did search to find who wrote it, but didn't locate the writer.  I have no idea of the city or any additional information.  The point is, this man was the victim of hate.  I'm glad he shared his story and I hope you will all read it and then do everything you can to put an end to hate.  Nobody should have to experience a confrontation like this.  Please read on -

I’m a black man. I’m about 6’2″, average build. Nothing too fancy. I think I look normal, not intimidating in the slightest. I grew up in a middle-class neighborhood. My parents were blue collar workers, but provided for me and my sister. We were taught manners, said our pleasantries. I got detention once in fifth grade because I was late to class because I spilled paint in my Art class and had to clean it up. But that’s it, that’s the worst trouble I’ve ever been in in my life.

I am a surgical resident at a hospital you’ve probably heard of. I was educated in a Top 10 university and went to medical school at a pseudo-Ivy League institution. I have had a great life. I’ve made sure of it. So have my parents.

Of course, I have noticed racism throughout my life. I have been pulled over and the officer has never given me a clear answer. Sometimes, they will straight up lie and tell me that I was speeding when I know I wasn’t. Once, I was stopped and frisked. The officer apologized and told me that I matched the description of a criminal-on-the-run in the area. The only description was “black man, average build.” I never reported this, but I always remember it.

 Today, I was leaving after a 26-hour shift at the hospital. I’m in my fourth year of residency and the hours get longer and longer, but I’m almost done. Today was particularly grueling, because I found out that a patient I have worked with since the start of my residency is now deemed ‘terminal’ and will be moved to hospice care. It sucked, it broke my heart. It was like four years’ worth of work had been erased.

As I was walking across the parking lot, a young man—younger than me, maybe twenty-five—leaned out of his car and called me the n-word. It was loud enough so people could hear. People stared, most in shock. Others picked up the pace to get away from the earth-shattering embarrassment unfolding.

I stopped and looked at him.The man didn’t get out of his car, but he made sure I saw him. The sneer on his face, it grew into a piercing grin. He started mimicking the sounds of a monkey. He called me the N-word again. People continued to stare. My mouth fell open. The guy mocked my expression; he feigned behavior like one of my patients suffering from severe mental retardation. He was trying to show me how he saw me.

A lot of things were on my mind in the forty-five odd seconds I was standing there. I wanted to walk up to the man and list off all my accomplishments. I wanted to tell him how, in eleventh grade, I won a science fair by creating a more efficient way for our school’s agriculture club to conserve energy. It took me to a national conference.

I wanted to tell him about the first time I fell in love. I wanted to tell him about the guy who made my heart beat so fast that I thought it would explode. This guy, he was tall, his smile was dopey and his eyes were light. Just the thought of him took away the painful feelings that this man was bringing to me. I wanted to tell him that I’m a good person; that I volunteer, I save lives, I work so people like you get a chance to survive and carry on being the hateful people you are.

But instead, I walked to my car. The man called me the N-word about five more times, laughing so hard I thought it was certain he would lose consciousness.

I sat behind the wheel for a very long time, maybe ten minutes, processing. I was angry at the man, but also at the people that didn’t say anything. I was angry at myself for not saying anything.

Sometimes, I just feel alone. Who I am, simply the color of my skin, makes me the target of hate from people that I will never even know. I truly try to love and understand everyone, so when one person returns that with malice and ill-will, it’s a lot to take in.

I don’t think anyone will read this, but I just wanted to tell you all about my day. I want to put this out into the world. I want to let the Internet know that black people are good. Black people are strong, capable, smart. Black people are resilient. I’m proud of my Blackness. I’m proud of my coarse hair and thick lips. I’m proud of my body that is subject to ridicule. I am proud of who I am, what I have been through. I am proud of my ancestors who were slaves and now I am their wildest dream. Black people can be bad, too. Black people can be murderers and thieves and rapists. Black people can be everything—except human, apparently. I just want to be acknowledged as a human. I want to be seen as a human. I want to be known.

I love my black body. I’m tired of having to explain that pride in my black body is not hatred for any other race. I’m tired of worrying that I may be shot driving to work.

I don’t hate police. I don’t hate White people. I don’t hate anyone.

But, God, I love me. And I want that to be enough.

I say it is enough and I hope all of you agree. Again, I didn't write this, it's something I discovered and am grateful that the writer posted it.  I hope people will be moved by it and I invite you again to share it with others. 

Friday, April 2, 2021

abundance

There has been so much bad news lately including the many hate crimes, mass killings, and the COVID-19 pandemic.  There has certainly been an abundance of negativity.  Fortunately there has also been an abundance of good.

It might seem silly, but rather than go into specifics about the abundance of bad or good, I decided to write about abundance today.  How many of you really grab the concept. Think of a lot, or oodles, or a barrel, or maybe a basketful (especially if that basket is a cornucopia), or maybe a boatload, or a bucket. Get the picture? An abundance is a bunch, scads, a bundle, a carload, a whole mess, gobs, heaps, loads, a slew, or maybe even a truckload.

So many ways of saying it! Abundance comes in many forms. We all have an abundance of good in our lives, regardless of what we call it. Be ‪grateful‬ for all the fruits of your life, by whatever name you refer to them!  With spring in the air and Easter celebrations this weekend, I'm sure there are oodles of ways to spell out abundance.
 
(Can you think of more ways of saying abundance?  I'd love to hear some of the ones I left out.  Do add to our live down in the comments section below).