Saturday, July 7, 2018
Friday, July 6, 2018
Saving Us From Ourselves
An excerpt from the Washington Post -
Rebel developers are trying to cure our smartphone addiction — with an app
By William Wan
To understand why it’s so hard to pry yourself free from your phone, Facebook account and Twitter, you need to know about B.F. Skinner’s pigeons.
In the 1950s, Skinner began putting the birds in a box and training them to peck on a piece of plastic whenever they wanted food. Then the Harvard psychology researcher rigged the system so that not every peck would yield a tasty treat. It became random — a reward every three pecks, then five pecks, then two pecks.
The pigeons went crazy and began pecking compulsively for hours on end.
Fast forward six decades. We have become the pigeons pecking at our iPhones, scrolling through news feeds, swiping left/right on Tinder for hours, the uncertainty of what we might find keeping us obsessed by design.
In the modern economy of tablets and apps, our attention has become the most valuable commodity. Tech companies have armies of behavioral researchers whose sole job is to apply principles like Skinner’s variable rewards to grab and hold our focus as often and long as possible.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/rebel-developers-are-trying-to-cure-our-smartphone-addiction--with-an-app/2018/06/17/153e2282-6a81-11e8-bea7-c8eb28bc52b1_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.8fe002b2ec79
Rebel developers are trying to cure our smartphone addiction — with an app
By William Wan
To understand why it’s so hard to pry yourself free from your phone, Facebook account and Twitter, you need to know about B.F. Skinner’s pigeons.
In the 1950s, Skinner began putting the birds in a box and training them to peck on a piece of plastic whenever they wanted food. Then the Harvard psychology researcher rigged the system so that not every peck would yield a tasty treat. It became random — a reward every three pecks, then five pecks, then two pecks.
The pigeons went crazy and began pecking compulsively for hours on end.
Fast forward six decades. We have become the pigeons pecking at our iPhones, scrolling through news feeds, swiping left/right on Tinder for hours, the uncertainty of what we might find keeping us obsessed by design.
In the modern economy of tablets and apps, our attention has become the most valuable commodity. Tech companies have armies of behavioral researchers whose sole job is to apply principles like Skinner’s variable rewards to grab and hold our focus as often and long as possible.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/rebel-developers-are-trying-to-cure-our-smartphone-addiction--with-an-app/2018/06/17/153e2282-6a81-11e8-bea7-c8eb28bc52b1_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.8fe002b2ec79
Thursday, July 5, 2018
A Revised Pledge
I pledge allegiance to the PEOPLE of the United States of America, and to the democracy for which we demand, one diverse nation, part of one incredible world, with liberty and justice for all!— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 5, 2018
Goodnight, America. A happier birthday next year! https://t.co/OYnakPU5rw
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Again and Again and Again
An excerpt from the Huffington Post -
Black State Rep. Says Someone Called Cops On Her While Canvassing
The constituent alerted police as Rep. Janelle Bynum was knocking on doors and spending lots of time on her phone.
By Willa Frej
An Oregon state representative called on her community to be better to one another after a constituent mistook her behavior as suspicious and called the police while she was canvassing.
“Big shout out to Officer Campbell who responded professionally to someone who said that I was going door to door and spending a lot of time typing on my cell phone after each house—- aka canvassing and keeping account of what my community cares about!” Rep. Janelle Bynum (D) wrote Tuesday on Facebook.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-state-rep-cops-canvassing_us_5b3cadb1e4b09e4a8b28faaf
Black State Rep. Says Someone Called Cops On Her While Canvassing
The constituent alerted police as Rep. Janelle Bynum was knocking on doors and spending lots of time on her phone.
By Willa Frej
An Oregon state representative called on her community to be better to one another after a constituent mistook her behavior as suspicious and called the police while she was canvassing.
“Big shout out to Officer Campbell who responded professionally to someone who said that I was going door to door and spending a lot of time typing on my cell phone after each house—- aka canvassing and keeping account of what my community cares about!” Rep. Janelle Bynum (D) wrote Tuesday on Facebook.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-state-rep-cops-canvassing_us_5b3cadb1e4b09e4a8b28faaf
History Repeating Itself
I was reminded of an incident involving my oldest son, that happened twenty-three years ago.
Sometimes progress is hard to measure.
~~~~~~~~~~
First the current article:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rochester-school-wont-allow-its-first-black-valedictorian-to-speak-so-mayor-does_us_5b3d2326e4b05127cceebf06
Now the article from 1995:
https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/24/opinion/in-america-the-valedictorian-s-un-graduation.html
Sometimes progress is hard to measure.
~~~~~~~~~~
First the current article:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rochester-school-wont-allow-its-first-black-valedictorian-to-speak-so-mayor-does_us_5b3d2326e4b05127cceebf06
Now the article from 1995:
https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/24/opinion/in-america-the-valedictorian-s-un-graduation.html
That's Hot!
An excerpt from the Washington Post -
Red-hot planet: All-time heat records have been set all over the world during the past week
By Jason Samenow
From the normally mild summer climes of Ireland, Scotland and Canada to the scorching Middle East, numerous locations in the Northern Hemisphere have witnessed their hottest weather ever recorded over the past week.
Large areas of heat pressure or heat domes scattered around the hemisphere led to the sweltering temperatures.
No single record, in isolation, can be attributed to global warming. But collectively, these heat records are consistent with the kind of extremes we expect to see increase in a warming world.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/07/03/hot-planet-all-time-heat-records-have-been-set-all-over-the-world-in-last-week/?utm_term=.47a9e0763dde&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
Red-hot planet: All-time heat records have been set all over the world during the past week
By Jason Samenow
From the normally mild summer climes of Ireland, Scotland and Canada to the scorching Middle East, numerous locations in the Northern Hemisphere have witnessed their hottest weather ever recorded over the past week.
Large areas of heat pressure or heat domes scattered around the hemisphere led to the sweltering temperatures.
No single record, in isolation, can be attributed to global warming. But collectively, these heat records are consistent with the kind of extremes we expect to see increase in a warming world.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2018/07/03/hot-planet-all-time-heat-records-have-been-set-all-over-the-world-in-last-week/?utm_term=.47a9e0763dde&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
Quote
An excerpt from Salon -
Frederick Douglass and Donald Trump: Faint hope endures this Fourth of July
The former slave imagined a better America than this. Too many white people want to go backward: But there’s hope
By CHAUNCEY DEVEGA
What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour. - Frederick Douglass
https://www.salon.com/2018/07/04/frederick-douglass-and-donald-trump-faint-hope-endures-this-fourth-of-july/
Frederick Douglass and Donald Trump: Faint hope endures this Fourth of July
The former slave imagined a better America than this. Too many white people want to go backward: But there’s hope
By CHAUNCEY DEVEGA
What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy — a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour. - Frederick Douglass
https://www.salon.com/2018/07/04/frederick-douglass-and-donald-trump-faint-hope-endures-this-fourth-of-july/
Sound Advice
An excerpt from the Huffington Post -
Barack Obama Said This Is How You Know You’ve Found ‘The One’
He has some great experience from his relationship with Michelle Obama to pull from.
headshot
By Brittany Wong
“Is she someone you find interesting?” Obama said, according to Pfeiffer. “You will spend more time with this person than anyone else for the rest of your life, and there is nothing more important than always wanting to hear what she has to say about things.”
Questions one and two were just as weighty, though they required less explanation.
“Does she make you laugh?” Obama reportedly asked Pfeiffer.
Then, the conversation turned to kids.
“I don’t know if you want kids, but if you do, do you think she will be a good mom?” Pfeiffer recalled the president asking. “Life is long. These are the things that really matter over the long term.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/barack-obama-found-the-one_us_5b3bb3aae4b05127cced0eb0
Barack Obama Said This Is How You Know You’ve Found ‘The One’
He has some great experience from his relationship with Michelle Obama to pull from.
headshot
By Brittany Wong
“Is she someone you find interesting?” Obama said, according to Pfeiffer. “You will spend more time with this person than anyone else for the rest of your life, and there is nothing more important than always wanting to hear what she has to say about things.”
Questions one and two were just as weighty, though they required less explanation.
“Does she make you laugh?” Obama reportedly asked Pfeiffer.
Then, the conversation turned to kids.
“I don’t know if you want kids, but if you do, do you think she will be a good mom?” Pfeiffer recalled the president asking. “Life is long. These are the things that really matter over the long term.”
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/barack-obama-found-the-one_us_5b3bb3aae4b05127cced0eb0
Big Goals. Big Beliefs.
It has been a while since I've posted something personal. I spend most of my time here gathering and sharing things I think are interesting.
Today is different.
As principal of Martin Luther King K-8 School in Sacramento, California, I'm fortunate to be leading the charge in educating hundreds of students. I am proud to say that my kids are some of the brightest, talented, and most engaged students I've had the pleasure of knowing.
They bring an energy and excitement that is contagious.
Are the naughty? Yes, sometimes. Do they have to be redirected? Yes, often. But I wouldn't change a single one as each one brings something special to the table.
I've been the principal since November 2017, so just over seven months, and in that time we've made great strides in being the best that we can be.
One of my jobs is managing our resources, human and otherwise. To that end, we took a serious look at the tools at our disposal to prepare our students for the global challenges they will face when they leave us.
The area that we are most lacking is in our computer supply. We currently have 120 for 450 students. We are masters of scheduling the computer carts assignment so that each class has them for a limited time.
This works, but it is not the best.
Our goal is to have a dedicated computer for each student; a cart in each class with a set of computers that the class has access to every day, all day.
We can do this with your help.
Our goal is a big one, but our belief is even bigger that we can achieve this.
Please consider contributing to the success of our students, knowing that you are investing in our future. You're a few clicks a way from making a positive impact. Here's the link: https://www.gofundme.com/mlk-k8-pta-school-computer-drive. It is also on the top right side of the blog.
We can't all do everything, but each of us can do something.
A million thanks!
Faye
Today is different.
As principal of Martin Luther King K-8 School in Sacramento, California, I'm fortunate to be leading the charge in educating hundreds of students. I am proud to say that my kids are some of the brightest, talented, and most engaged students I've had the pleasure of knowing.
They bring an energy and excitement that is contagious.
Are the naughty? Yes, sometimes. Do they have to be redirected? Yes, often. But I wouldn't change a single one as each one brings something special to the table.
I've been the principal since November 2017, so just over seven months, and in that time we've made great strides in being the best that we can be.
One of my jobs is managing our resources, human and otherwise. To that end, we took a serious look at the tools at our disposal to prepare our students for the global challenges they will face when they leave us.
The area that we are most lacking is in our computer supply. We currently have 120 for 450 students. We are masters of scheduling the computer carts assignment so that each class has them for a limited time.
This works, but it is not the best.
Our goal is to have a dedicated computer for each student; a cart in each class with a set of computers that the class has access to every day, all day.
We can do this with your help.
Our goal is a big one, but our belief is even bigger that we can achieve this.
Please consider contributing to the success of our students, knowing that you are investing in our future. You're a few clicks a way from making a positive impact. Here's the link: https://www.gofundme.com/mlk-k8-pta-school-computer-drive. It is also on the top right side of the blog.
We can't all do everything, but each of us can do something.
A million thanks!
Faye
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Quote
From Axios -
"People talk about 'these are such dark times', but what if we shift the paradigm? Because I see it differently,” she asserts. “I see, 'Isn't this remarkable that we're waking up?' For years, women have endured craziness. This is what's happening to people. They're allowing themselves to not just become corroded, but to become hysterical. You've got to lean to the happiness."
— Oprah on Vogue UK on #MeToo
https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-pm-3cb3ee4e-9374-47d0-bdad-f45789738a8b.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiospm&stream=top
"People talk about 'these are such dark times', but what if we shift the paradigm? Because I see it differently,” she asserts. “I see, 'Isn't this remarkable that we're waking up?' For years, women have endured craziness. This is what's happening to people. They're allowing themselves to not just become corroded, but to become hysterical. You've got to lean to the happiness."
— Oprah on Vogue UK on #MeToo
https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-pm-3cb3ee4e-9374-47d0-bdad-f45789738a8b.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter_axiospm&stream=top
Standing Her Ground
From the Huffington Post -
Ocasio-Cortez Blasts Conservative TV Host Who Questioned Her Bronx Upbringing
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/oscasio-cortez-owns-conservative-critics_us_5b3a5f05e4b0e0e7bc427392?8p
Ocasio-Cortez Blasts Conservative TV Host Who Questioned Her Bronx Upbringing
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/oscasio-cortez-owns-conservative-critics_us_5b3a5f05e4b0e0e7bc427392?8p
Rock N Roll N Racism
An excerpt from Vice -
The Grim Story of Hells Angels Killing a Black Teen at a Rolling Stones Concert
The unhinged free show put a lid on the freewheeling 60s, but the racial dimension to the bloodshed is inescapable.
By Seth Ferranti
On December 6, 1969, Meredith Hunter, an 18-year-old African American man, was stabbed to death at what was billed as "Woodstock West," a free Rolling Stones concert at the Altamont Speedway in Northern California. Ever since, Altamont has served as the symbolic end of the freewheeling 60s—a wake-up call that optimism and idealism weren't going to be enough. That being young, passionate, and idealistic could only take you so far. That young people ready to take over could not somehow wipe out the story of race in America.
For those who felt the counterculture was a revolution in the making, Altamont was a reminder of the racial injustice and turbulence that still plague our nation today.
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bj39dm/the-grim-story-of-hells-angels-killing-a-black-teen-at-a-rolling-stones-concert
The Grim Story of Hells Angels Killing a Black Teen at a Rolling Stones Concert
The unhinged free show put a lid on the freewheeling 60s, but the racial dimension to the bloodshed is inescapable.
By Seth Ferranti
On December 6, 1969, Meredith Hunter, an 18-year-old African American man, was stabbed to death at what was billed as "Woodstock West," a free Rolling Stones concert at the Altamont Speedway in Northern California. Ever since, Altamont has served as the symbolic end of the freewheeling 60s—a wake-up call that optimism and idealism weren't going to be enough. That being young, passionate, and idealistic could only take you so far. That young people ready to take over could not somehow wipe out the story of race in America.
For those who felt the counterculture was a revolution in the making, Altamont was a reminder of the racial injustice and turbulence that still plague our nation today.
https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/bj39dm/the-grim-story-of-hells-angels-killing-a-black-teen-at-a-rolling-stones-concert
Monday, July 2, 2018
This Time It Happened in Church
An excerpt from the Root -
#MourningWhileBlack: Priest Calls Cops on Black Funeral-Goers, Tells Them to 'Get the Hell Out' of Church
By Michael Harriot
“There will be no funeral, no repast, everyone get the hell out of my church,” Briese reportedly told the family. According to Fox 5, Briese then kicked the family out of the place of worship, telling them to remove the body of the woman who wished to be laid to rest in the church where she was baptized.
https://www.theroot.com/mourningwhileblack-priest-calls-cops-on-black-funeral-1827284231?utm_source=theroot_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2018-07-02
#MourningWhileBlack: Priest Calls Cops on Black Funeral-Goers, Tells Them to 'Get the Hell Out' of Church
By Michael Harriot
“There will be no funeral, no repast, everyone get the hell out of my church,” Briese reportedly told the family. According to Fox 5, Briese then kicked the family out of the place of worship, telling them to remove the body of the woman who wished to be laid to rest in the church where she was baptized.
https://www.theroot.com/mourningwhileblack-priest-calls-cops-on-black-funeral-1827284231?utm_source=theroot_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2018-07-02
Go Pam! Go FAMU!
From the Tallahassee Democrat -
FAMU's Pam Oliver wins Gracie Award for Best On-Air Talent
Rory Sharrock
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/famu/2018/06/29/famus-pam-oliver-wins-gracie-award/726254002/
FAMU's Pam Oliver wins Gracie Award for Best On-Air Talent
Rory Sharrock
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/sports/college/famu/2018/06/29/famus-pam-oliver-wins-gracie-award/726254002/
We're Doing a Lot of That Lately
From the Huffington Post -
‘We’ll Fix This’: Some Americans Celebrated Canada Day By Apologizing For Trump
“If you build a polite privacy hedge along the border, we’ll totally understand.”
headshot
By Ed Mazza
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/canada-day-apology_us_5b39d603e4b0f3c221a23150
‘We’ll Fix This’: Some Americans Celebrated Canada Day By Apologizing For Trump
“If you build a polite privacy hedge along the border, we’ll totally understand.”
headshot
By Ed Mazza
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/canada-day-apology_us_5b39d603e4b0f3c221a23150
Parents Who Had Kids Over 35 Can Relate
From Buzzfeed -
27 Jokes That Are Too Real For Anyone Who Had Kids After 35
"My 9-year-old described Celine Dion as 'old pretty.' Celine is a year younger than me."
By Ali Velez
https://www.buzzfeed.com/alivelez/tweets-jokes-older-parents?utm_term=.xnMw8bEY9#.fv0AJYmRE
27 Jokes That Are Too Real For Anyone Who Had Kids After 35
"My 9-year-old described Celine Dion as 'old pretty.' Celine is a year younger than me."
By Ali Velez
https://www.buzzfeed.com/alivelez/tweets-jokes-older-parents?utm_term=.xnMw8bEY9#.fv0AJYmRE
His Plan To Fix the Internet
An excerpt from Vanity Fair -
“I WAS DEVASTATED”: TIM BERNERS-LEE, THE MAN WHO CREATED THE WORLD WIDE WEB, HAS SOME REGRETS
Berners-Lee has seen his creation debased by everything from fake news to mass surveillance. But he’s got a plan to fix it.
BY KATRINA BROOKE
“For people who want to make sure the Web serves humanity, we have to concern ourselves with what people are building on top of it,” Tim Berners-Lee told me one morning in downtown Washington, D.C., about a half-mile from the White House. Berners-Lee was speaking about the future of the Internet, as he does often and fervently and with great animation at a remarkable cadence. With an Oxonian wisp of hair framing his chiseled face, Berners-Lee appears the consummate academic—communicating rapidly, in a clipped London accent, occasionally skipping over words and eliding sentences as he stammers to convey a thought. His soliloquy was a mixture of excitement with traces of melancholy. Nearly three decades earlier, Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. On this morning, he had come to Washington as part of his mission to save it.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/07/the-man-who-created-the-world-wide-web-has-some-regrets
“I WAS DEVASTATED”: TIM BERNERS-LEE, THE MAN WHO CREATED THE WORLD WIDE WEB, HAS SOME REGRETS
Berners-Lee has seen his creation debased by everything from fake news to mass surveillance. But he’s got a plan to fix it.
BY KATRINA BROOKE
“For people who want to make sure the Web serves humanity, we have to concern ourselves with what people are building on top of it,” Tim Berners-Lee told me one morning in downtown Washington, D.C., about a half-mile from the White House. Berners-Lee was speaking about the future of the Internet, as he does often and fervently and with great animation at a remarkable cadence. With an Oxonian wisp of hair framing his chiseled face, Berners-Lee appears the consummate academic—communicating rapidly, in a clipped London accent, occasionally skipping over words and eliding sentences as he stammers to convey a thought. His soliloquy was a mixture of excitement with traces of melancholy. Nearly three decades earlier, Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. On this morning, he had come to Washington as part of his mission to save it.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/07/the-man-who-created-the-world-wide-web-has-some-regrets
We Will Not Forget
An excerpt from the Capital Gazette Editorial -
Our Say: Thank you. We will not forget.
Thank you.
Thank you for the outpouring of sympathy for the terrible tragedy that took place Thursday in our Annapolis office.
We will never forget Rob Hiaasen, Gerald Fischman, Wendi Winters, John McNamara or Rebecca Smith, our five co-workers who were gunned down in a senseless attack.
~~~~~~~~~~
Here’s what else we won’t forget: Death threats and emails from people we don’t know celebrating our loss, or the people who called for one of our reporters to get fired because she got angry and cursed on national television after witnessing her friends getting shot.
Victims of Capital Gazette shooting in Annapolis
We won’t forget being called an enemy of the people.
No, we won’t forget that. Because exposing evil, shining light on wrongs and fighting injustice is what we do.
http://www.capitalgazette.com/opinion/our_say/ac-ce-our-say-20180630-story.html
Our Say: Thank you. We will not forget.
Thank you.
Thank you for the outpouring of sympathy for the terrible tragedy that took place Thursday in our Annapolis office.
We will never forget Rob Hiaasen, Gerald Fischman, Wendi Winters, John McNamara or Rebecca Smith, our five co-workers who were gunned down in a senseless attack.
~~~~~~~~~~
Here’s what else we won’t forget: Death threats and emails from people we don’t know celebrating our loss, or the people who called for one of our reporters to get fired because she got angry and cursed on national television after witnessing her friends getting shot.
Victims of Capital Gazette shooting in Annapolis
We won’t forget being called an enemy of the people.
No, we won’t forget that. Because exposing evil, shining light on wrongs and fighting injustice is what we do.
http://www.capitalgazette.com/opinion/our_say/ac-ce-our-say-20180630-story.html
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Hashtag history
From the BBC Ideas -
https://www.bbc.com/ideas/videos/the-hidden-history-of-the-hashtag/p067zndc
https://www.bbc.com/ideas/videos/the-hidden-history-of-the-hashtag/p067zndc
Abandoned African-American Cemeteries
An excerpt from ProPublica Illinois -
I Went in Search of Abandoned African-American Cemeteries
I found a couple, and some fascinating history, too.
My interest in abandoned African-American cemeteries started in graduate school, when I was assigned to write a story about a black woman named Rose Sturdivant Young, who was leading the charge to restore an abandoned cemetery in North Carolina. Her father, mother and other ancestors are buried there.
African-American cemeteries across the country have largely been neglected, their powerful histories obscured by weeds, debris and, as much as anything, the passage of time. Few people know their locations. Fewer still know the stories of the people buried there.
When I came to ProPublica Illinois as a reporting fellow, I saw a chance to look into this issue. I focused on two cemeteries in St. Clair County, a few miles southeast of St. Louis across the Mississippi River: St. George and Booker T. Washington Cemetery. I spent time hiking the grounds with folks who are trying to unearth and preserve the histories of the cemeteries, as well as trying to keep up the cemeteries themselves.
https://www.propublica.org/article/abandoned-african-american-cemeteries-illinois-jerrel-floyd
I Went in Search of Abandoned African-American Cemeteries
I found a couple, and some fascinating history, too.
By Jerrel Floyd, Reporting Fellow at ProPublica Illinois.
My interest in abandoned African-American cemeteries started in graduate school, when I was assigned to write a story about a black woman named Rose Sturdivant Young, who was leading the charge to restore an abandoned cemetery in North Carolina. Her father, mother and other ancestors are buried there.
African-American cemeteries across the country have largely been neglected, their powerful histories obscured by weeds, debris and, as much as anything, the passage of time. Few people know their locations. Fewer still know the stories of the people buried there.
When I came to ProPublica Illinois as a reporting fellow, I saw a chance to look into this issue. I focused on two cemeteries in St. Clair County, a few miles southeast of St. Louis across the Mississippi River: St. George and Booker T. Washington Cemetery. I spent time hiking the grounds with folks who are trying to unearth and preserve the histories of the cemeteries, as well as trying to keep up the cemeteries themselves.
https://www.propublica.org/article/abandoned-african-american-cemeteries-illinois-jerrel-floyd
Canadian Bonnie and Clyde Yakety Sax
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/canadian-convenience-store-video-escape-attempt-yakety-sax.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=traffic&utm_content=TheSlatest&utm_source=newsletter&sid=554654ea10defb39638b510d
Hall of Fame Hockey Player
An excerpt from the Undefeated -
Willie O’Ree, the first black hockey player in the NHL, tabbed for Hockey Hall of Fame
O’Ree will go in as a builder and join Grant Fuhr as only the second black NHL player to be inducted into the Hall
BY RHIANNON WALKER
Sixty years ago, O’Ree broke the color barrier in the NHL when he suited up for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 18, 1958, at the Montreal Forum. That made hockey the last of the major four sports to integrate.
On Tuesday, O’Ree became only the third black player chosen for the Hockey Hall of Fame, joining 2003 inductee Grant Fuhr and 2010 inductee Angela James. While Fuhr was inducted as a player, O’Ree’s inclusion is based on the work he’s done after his 45 games (two in 1958 and 43 during the 1960-61 season) in the league. O’Ree totaled four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in his career, but over the past 20 years, O’Ree has been responsible for motivating and inspiring hundreds of black players to join the sport.
http://theundefeated.com/features/willie-oree-the-first-black-hockey-player-in-the-nhl-hockey-hall-of-fame/
Willie O’Ree, the first black hockey player in the NHL, tabbed for Hockey Hall of Fame
O’Ree will go in as a builder and join Grant Fuhr as only the second black NHL player to be inducted into the Hall
BY RHIANNON WALKER
Sixty years ago, O’Ree broke the color barrier in the NHL when he suited up for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 18, 1958, at the Montreal Forum. That made hockey the last of the major four sports to integrate.
On Tuesday, O’Ree became only the third black player chosen for the Hockey Hall of Fame, joining 2003 inductee Grant Fuhr and 2010 inductee Angela James. While Fuhr was inducted as a player, O’Ree’s inclusion is based on the work he’s done after his 45 games (two in 1958 and 43 during the 1960-61 season) in the league. O’Ree totaled four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in his career, but over the past 20 years, O’Ree has been responsible for motivating and inspiring hundreds of black players to join the sport.
http://theundefeated.com/features/willie-oree-the-first-black-hockey-player-in-the-nhl-hockey-hall-of-fame/
Golfer Renee Powell
An excerpt from the Undefeated -
Golfer Renee Powell recalls the discrimination she faced on tour
While white competitors worried about making par, she had to think about staying alive
By The Undefeated
In 1967, Renee Powell became just the second African-American player to join the LPGA tour. In this video interview produced by the Morgan State University School of Global Journalism and Communication, Powell discusses the discrimination she encountered growing up as a junior golfer and the threats of violence she received on the professional tour.
http://theundefeated.com/videos/golfer-renee-powell-recalls-the-discrimination-she-faced-on-tour/?ex_cid=ForTheCulture
Golfer Renee Powell recalls the discrimination she faced on tour
While white competitors worried about making par, she had to think about staying alive
By The Undefeated
In 1967, Renee Powell became just the second African-American player to join the LPGA tour. In this video interview produced by the Morgan State University School of Global Journalism and Communication, Powell discusses the discrimination she encountered growing up as a junior golfer and the threats of violence she received on the professional tour.
http://theundefeated.com/videos/golfer-renee-powell-recalls-the-discrimination-she-faced-on-tour/?ex_cid=ForTheCulture
Black Girl Magic From Way Back
From the Undefeated -
From all-black clubs to all-stars
A timeline of black women’s participation in basketball, golf, gymnastics and track
BY THE UNDEFEATED
https://theundefeated.com/features/black-women-athletes-participation-in-basketball-golf-gymnastics-track-timelines/?ex_cid=ForTheCulture
From all-black clubs to all-stars
A timeline of black women’s participation in basketball, golf, gymnastics and track
BY THE UNDEFEATED
https://theundefeated.com/features/black-women-athletes-participation-in-basketball-golf-gymnastics-track-timelines/?ex_cid=ForTheCulture
SacTown Love
https://www.eater.com/2018/6/29/17489652/best-arena-food-sacramento-golden-1-video#nws=mcnewsletter
Again
An excerpt from the Washington Post -
Police attacked me for stealing a car. It was my own.
Lawrence Crosby is a PhD graduate in materials engineering.
By Lawrence Crosby
I was face down on the pavement. One police officer was kneeing me in the back, while others pulled or punched. They paid no attention to my screams identifying myself as an engineering PhD student at Northwestern University. They just kept punching. One shouted, “Stop resisting!”
The record is on the dash-cam footage: It’s nighttime. I step out of my car, bewildered at being pulled over and surrounded by police vehicles in the college town I’ve lived in for years. I hold my hands up high, shocked to see several guns pointed at me. It turns out a fellow student had called the police to report that someone was trying to steal a car. That someone was me. The car was my own. I had a key.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/police-attacked-me-for-stealing-a-car-it-was-my-own/2018/06/29/86829292-7658-11e8-b4b7-308400242c2e_story.html?utm_term=.50a24cf133ac&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
Police attacked me for stealing a car. It was my own.
Lawrence Crosby is a PhD graduate in materials engineering.
By Lawrence Crosby
I was face down on the pavement. One police officer was kneeing me in the back, while others pulled or punched. They paid no attention to my screams identifying myself as an engineering PhD student at Northwestern University. They just kept punching. One shouted, “Stop resisting!”
The record is on the dash-cam footage: It’s nighttime. I step out of my car, bewildered at being pulled over and surrounded by police vehicles in the college town I’ve lived in for years. I hold my hands up high, shocked to see several guns pointed at me. It turns out a fellow student had called the police to report that someone was trying to steal a car. That someone was me. The car was my own. I had a key.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/police-attacked-me-for-stealing-a-car-it-was-my-own/2018/06/29/86829292-7658-11e8-b4b7-308400242c2e_story.html?utm_term=.50a24cf133ac&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1
Welcome
An excerpt from the New York Times -
In This House, Everyone’s Welcome
HealHaus, a new wellness studio and cafe that just opened in Brooklyn, is creating space for people of color.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/27/style/healhaus-wellness-bed-stuy-brooklyn.html?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_li_20180628&nl=nyt-living&nl_art=1&nlid=38867499emc%3Dedit_li_20180628&ref=headline&te=1
In This House, Everyone’s Welcome
HealHaus, a new wellness studio and cafe that just opened in Brooklyn, is creating space for people of color.
 | |
| Elisa Shankle and Darian Hall on the back porch of HealHaus, the wellness studio and cafe they founded. CreditAnnie Tritt for The New York Times |
A Taste of Sweden
From the New York Times -
Receiving the Summer Solstice, the Swedish Way
By Malin Fezehai
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/27/nyregion/swedish-midsummer-nyc.html?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_li_20180628&nl=nyt-living&nl_art=3&nlid=38867499emc%3Dedit_li_20180628&ref=headline&te=1
Receiving the Summer Solstice, the Swedish Way
By Malin Fezehai
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/06/27/nyregion/swedish-midsummer-nyc.html?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_li_20180628&nl=nyt-living&nl_art=3&nlid=38867499emc%3Dedit_li_20180628&ref=headline&te=1
Friday, June 29, 2018
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