Friday, August 25, 2017
Who Decides?
An excerpt from the Daily Good -
The Killings Of Black Men Are More Likely To Be Labelled ‘Justifiable’
Who gets to decide which murders are reasonable?
by Tasbeeh Herwees
A new report by the Marshall Project published this month, which examines FBI data about 400,000 civilian homicides, finds that cases are far more likely to be determined “justifiable homicides” when the killer is white and the victim is black. In fact, while justifiable homicides only constituted 2% of all cases, that percentage swelled to 17% when the cases involved a white civilian killing a black civilian. According to the authors of the Marshall Project report:
“The vast majority of killings of whites are committed by other whites, contrary to some folk wisdom, and the overwhelming majority of killings of blacks is by other blacks. … But killings of black males by white people are labeled justifiable more than eight times as often as others. This racial disparity has persisted for decades and is hard to explain based solely on the circumstances reported by the police data.”
https://www.good.is/features/justifiable-homicides-overwhelming-cases-of-black-victims?utm_source=thedailygood&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailygood
The Killings Of Black Men Are More Likely To Be Labelled ‘Justifiable’
Who gets to decide which murders are reasonable?
by Tasbeeh Herwees
A new report by the Marshall Project published this month, which examines FBI data about 400,000 civilian homicides, finds that cases are far more likely to be determined “justifiable homicides” when the killer is white and the victim is black. In fact, while justifiable homicides only constituted 2% of all cases, that percentage swelled to 17% when the cases involved a white civilian killing a black civilian. According to the authors of the Marshall Project report:
“The vast majority of killings of whites are committed by other whites, contrary to some folk wisdom, and the overwhelming majority of killings of blacks is by other blacks. … But killings of black males by white people are labeled justifiable more than eight times as often as others. This racial disparity has persisted for decades and is hard to explain based solely on the circumstances reported by the police data.”
https://www.good.is/features/justifiable-homicides-overwhelming-cases-of-black-victims?utm_source=thedailygood&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailygood
Should Be Shocked
An excerpt from the Huffington Post -
Florida Executes White Man For Killing Black Victim For First Time Ever
By contrast, at least 18 black men have been executed for killing white victims in the last four decades.
By David Moye
The state of Florida did something on Thursday it hasn’t done since reinstating the death penalty in 1976: Execute a white man for killing a black man.
By contrast, at least 18 black men have been executed for killing white men in the last four decades, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mark-asay-executed-florida_us_599f2403e4b05710aa5ad65b
Florida Executes White Man For Killing Black Victim For First Time Ever
By contrast, at least 18 black men have been executed for killing white victims in the last four decades.
By David Moye
The state of Florida did something on Thursday it hasn’t done since reinstating the death penalty in 1976: Execute a white man for killing a black man.
By contrast, at least 18 black men have been executed for killing white men in the last four decades, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mark-asay-executed-florida_us_599f2403e4b05710aa5ad65b
These Women Rule
An excerpt from the NY Times -
The Wonder Women of Botswana Safari
At one of Africa’s most progressive safari destinations, all-female guides are a success with guests from around the world.
By HILLARY RICHARD
The decision to employ exclusively women grew organically out of something very practical: the bottom line. Back when the guide team was coed, the managers quickly noticed a pattern: Vehicles driven by women used less gas, required fewer repairs and lasted longer over time. Simply put, the women were better drivers. They were saving the company money.
It all started around 2004, when the Botswana Wildlife Training Institute, the government-regulated college that provides safari guide certification, asked Chobe Game Lodge whether it had room for two young women guides. Guiding in Botswana is a prestigious career. Applicants must complete a standardized course that includes a placement at a safari camp, plus tests to evaluate English skills and scholastic aptitude. When both women performed extremely well at Chobe, the managers asked the institute to send over future female graduates. At that time, there were fewer than 10 women guides in Botswana. Today, there are around 50. With 17 guides, Chobe employs roughly one-third. The others are spread across the country at various safari camps.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/22/travel/botswana-safari-women-chobe.html?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_li_20170824&nl=nyt-living&nl_art=2&nlid=38867499&ref=img&te=1&_r=1
The Wonder Women of Botswana Safari
At one of Africa’s most progressive safari destinations, all-female guides are a success with guests from around the world.
By HILLARY RICHARD
The decision to employ exclusively women grew organically out of something very practical: the bottom line. Back when the guide team was coed, the managers quickly noticed a pattern: Vehicles driven by women used less gas, required fewer repairs and lasted longer over time. Simply put, the women were better drivers. They were saving the company money.
It all started around 2004, when the Botswana Wildlife Training Institute, the government-regulated college that provides safari guide certification, asked Chobe Game Lodge whether it had room for two young women guides. Guiding in Botswana is a prestigious career. Applicants must complete a standardized course that includes a placement at a safari camp, plus tests to evaluate English skills and scholastic aptitude. When both women performed extremely well at Chobe, the managers asked the institute to send over future female graduates. At that time, there were fewer than 10 women guides in Botswana. Today, there are around 50. With 17 guides, Chobe employs roughly one-third. The others are spread across the country at various safari camps.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/22/travel/botswana-safari-women-chobe.html?em_pos=medium&emc=edit_li_20170824&nl=nyt-living&nl_art=2&nlid=38867499&ref=img&te=1&_r=1
Bars to Boycott NFL
From BlackAmericaWeb -
Two Chicago Bars Will Boycott The NFL
By Diannah Watson
If you’re in Chicago hoping to catch a few football games this season, then don’t expect these two bars to entertain you.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, The Velvet Lounge and Bureau Bar will not be playing any NFL games this season in support of Colin Kaepernick.
https://blackamericaweb.com/2017/08/25/two-chicago-bars-will-boycott-the-nfl/
Two Chicago Bars Will Boycott The NFL
By Diannah Watson
If you’re in Chicago hoping to catch a few football games this season, then don’t expect these two bars to entertain you.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, The Velvet Lounge and Bureau Bar will not be playing any NFL games this season in support of Colin Kaepernick.
https://blackamericaweb.com/2017/08/25/two-chicago-bars-will-boycott-the-nfl/
Schizophrenic
An excerpt from the Washington Post -
Trump’s rhetorical schizophrenia is easy to see through
By Michael Gerson
The gap between Trump extemporaneous and Trump scripted is canyon-like. The normal role of a speechwriter is to find, refine and elevate the voice of a leader. The greatest professional victory comes when a president thinks: This is the way I would sound if I had more time to write and more talent with language. In these circumstances, speechwriting is not deception; it is amplification.
But what about speechwriting that is designed to give a leader a different voice? Here moral issues begin to lurk. Is it ethical to make a cynical leader appear principled? A violent leader seem pacific? A cruel leader seem compassionate? This calculation is difficult, because most of us have an incongruous mix of such traits. Or maybe a speechwriter can hope a president will eventually rise to the level of his teleprompter.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-rhetorical-schizophrenia-is-easy-to-see-through/2017/08/24/2163ab42-88f3-11e7-a50f-e0d4e6ec070a_story.html?utm_term=.331a5bddc2c8
Trump’s rhetorical schizophrenia is easy to see through
By Michael Gerson
The gap between Trump extemporaneous and Trump scripted is canyon-like. The normal role of a speechwriter is to find, refine and elevate the voice of a leader. The greatest professional victory comes when a president thinks: This is the way I would sound if I had more time to write and more talent with language. In these circumstances, speechwriting is not deception; it is amplification.
But what about speechwriting that is designed to give a leader a different voice? Here moral issues begin to lurk. Is it ethical to make a cynical leader appear principled? A violent leader seem pacific? A cruel leader seem compassionate? This calculation is difficult, because most of us have an incongruous mix of such traits. Or maybe a speechwriter can hope a president will eventually rise to the level of his teleprompter.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trumps-rhetorical-schizophrenia-is-easy-to-see-through/2017/08/24/2163ab42-88f3-11e7-a50f-e0d4e6ec070a_story.html?utm_term=.331a5bddc2c8
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
How We Travel
Fascinating article
From the Washington Post -
How the world gets around
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/opinions/transit-around-the-world/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-c%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.a6b8a6f969a1
From the Washington Post -
How the world gets around
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/opinions/transit-around-the-world/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-c%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.a6b8a6f969a1
Rare Prince Film
From Rolling Stone -
Rare Prince Concert Film 'Sign o' the Times' to Air on Showtime
Companion piece to album shot at Paisley Park Studios and on tour in the Netherlands and Belgium
By Kory Grow
Prince's 1987 concert film Sign o' the Times, which has been out of print in the U.S. since 1991, will be available to watch once again this summer. Showtime has acquired the right to the film and will debut it on September 16th at 9 p.m. EST.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rare-prince-concert-film-sign-o-the-times-to-air-on-showtime-w499200
Rare Prince Concert Film 'Sign o' the Times' to Air on Showtime
Companion piece to album shot at Paisley Park Studios and on tour in the Netherlands and Belgium
By Kory Grow
Prince's 1987 concert film Sign o' the Times, which has been out of print in the U.S. since 1991, will be available to watch once again this summer. Showtime has acquired the right to the film and will debut it on September 16th at 9 p.m. EST.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rare-prince-concert-film-sign-o-the-times-to-air-on-showtime-w499200
Dancing Boy Detained
From Salon -
Boy detained in Saudi Arabia after dancing the Macarena
After being filmed performing the dance in a crosswalk, a 14-year-old has run afoul of authorities
By GABRIEL BELL
http://www.salon.com/2017/08/23/boy-detained-in-saudi-arabia-after-dancing-the-macarena/?source=newsletter
Boy detained in Saudi Arabia after dancing the Macarena
After being filmed performing the dance in a crosswalk, a 14-year-old has run afoul of authorities
By GABRIEL BELL
Jeddah boy dancing in the middle of Tahlia Street is the hero we need pic.twitter.com/fui9v2UuDF— Ahmed Al Omran (@ahmed) August 19, 2017
http://www.salon.com/2017/08/23/boy-detained-in-saudi-arabia-after-dancing-the-macarena/?source=newsletter
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
A Priest Repents
An excerpt from the Arlington Catholic Herald -
Moving from hate to love with God’s grace
By Fr. William Aitcheson
In the course of one’s life, there are seminal moments that humble us and, in some cases, even bring shame. For the past several decades, I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve as a Catholic priest. Originally ordained for the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas, I transferred to my home area here in the Diocese of Arlington.
What most people do not know about me is that as an impressionable young man, I was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. It’s public information but it rarely comes up. My actions were despicable. When I think back on burning crosses, a threatening letter, and so on, I feel as though I am speaking of somebody else. It’s hard to believe that was me.
http://catholicherald.com/News/Local_News/Moving_from_hate_to_love_with_God_s_grace/
Moving from hate to love with God’s grace
By Fr. William Aitcheson
In the course of one’s life, there are seminal moments that humble us and, in some cases, even bring shame. For the past several decades, I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve as a Catholic priest. Originally ordained for the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas, I transferred to my home area here in the Diocese of Arlington.
What most people do not know about me is that as an impressionable young man, I was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. It’s public information but it rarely comes up. My actions were despicable. When I think back on burning crosses, a threatening letter, and so on, I feel as though I am speaking of somebody else. It’s hard to believe that was me.
http://catholicherald.com/News/Local_News/Moving_from_hate_to_love_with_God_s_grace/
Hoover vs. Gregory
An excerpt from the Washington Post -
J. Edgar Hoover saw Dick Gregory as a threat. So he schemed to have the Mafia ‘neutralize’ the comic.
By Kyle Swenson
Gregory’s caustic style, marrying humor and hard truths about race and politics, was the main theme of the tributes that popped up in the wake of the news of his death over the weekend at age 84. But during the chaotic summer feeding into the 1968 election, Gregory’s strong critique drilled to the heart of the political system.
“I feel that the two party system is obsolete,” he said in another 1968 interview. “The two party system is so corrupt and immoral, they cannot solve the problems confronting the masses of the people in this country.”
Gregory’s radical criticism was also putting him in a dangerous spot. As he campaigned, the comic fell into the paranoid crosshairs of J. Edgar Hoover, and the FBI director concocted a strange plan to potentially “neutralize” Gregory with the help of the Mafia.
The scheme would not emerge publicly until 10 years later, when files related to the bureau’s controversial surveillance activities on black radical and civil rights groups were first released.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/22/j-edgar-hoover-saw-dick-gregory-as-a-threat-so-he-schemed-to-have-the-mafia-neutralize-the-comic/?utm_term=.6df95915450f
J. Edgar Hoover saw Dick Gregory as a threat. So he schemed to have the Mafia ‘neutralize’ the comic.
By Kyle Swenson
Gregory’s caustic style, marrying humor and hard truths about race and politics, was the main theme of the tributes that popped up in the wake of the news of his death over the weekend at age 84. But during the chaotic summer feeding into the 1968 election, Gregory’s strong critique drilled to the heart of the political system.
“I feel that the two party system is obsolete,” he said in another 1968 interview. “The two party system is so corrupt and immoral, they cannot solve the problems confronting the masses of the people in this country.”
Gregory’s radical criticism was also putting him in a dangerous spot. As he campaigned, the comic fell into the paranoid crosshairs of J. Edgar Hoover, and the FBI director concocted a strange plan to potentially “neutralize” Gregory with the help of the Mafia.
The scheme would not emerge publicly until 10 years later, when files related to the bureau’s controversial surveillance activities on black radical and civil rights groups were first released.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/08/22/j-edgar-hoover-saw-dick-gregory-as-a-threat-so-he-schemed-to-have-the-mafia-neutralize-the-comic/?utm_term=.6df95915450f
Best Bay Area Cookie
From KQED Food -
Crispety, Crunchety, Ooey, Gooey, Chewy: My Search for a Better Bay Area Cookie
By Mark Taylor
https://ww2.kqed.org/bayareabites/2017/08/21/crispety-crunchety-ooey-gooey-chewy-my-search-for-a-better-bay-area-cookie/
Crispety, Crunchety, Ooey, Gooey, Chewy: My Search for a Better Bay Area Cookie
By Mark Taylor
https://ww2.kqed.org/bayareabites/2017/08/21/crispety-crunchety-ooey-gooey-chewy-my-search-for-a-better-bay-area-cookie/
Monday, August 21, 2017
Learning to Stand in Solidarity
An excerpt from the Huffington Post -
Progressive, White Athletes Must Learn How To Stand In Solidarity
White athletes entering the conversation on race have tremendous responsibility and little time to learn, but their competency is crucial.
By P.L. Thomas, Contributor
P.L. Thomas , professor of education (Furman University, Greenville, SC), is author of Beware the Roadbuilders and Trumplandia (Garn Press).
The uncomfortable history of professional athletes being activists is often whitewashed itself, in part through the sort of revisionism that conservatives seem to reject. Think of how Muhammad Ali was mistreated while the greatest athlete on the planet in the 1960s, and then how he was praised in the decline of his life.
Because of ostracized Colin Kaepernick, the current focus on athletes as activists is the NFL, and we must ask how this monstrosity has become the focal point of moral urgency and debate.
The NFL coddles violence in its playing as well as violence outside the lines by the players who are deemed essential. The NFL coddles and embraces a white ownership and white elite players who are directly partisan in their politics, but christens black activism as too political.
~~~~~~~~~~
Where we need change the most and where that change has the best chance of making a difference is among whites who consider themselves good people, much like the few white NFL players standing in solidarity with black players.
Whites must consider the following before resisting black resistance:
(Please follow the link to access the list) - Faye
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/resistance-in-black-and-white-on-white-proximity-and_us_599acf78e4b02eb2fda32181?section=us_contributor
Progressive, White Athletes Must Learn How To Stand In Solidarity
White athletes entering the conversation on race have tremendous responsibility and little time to learn, but their competency is crucial.
By P.L. Thomas, Contributor
P.L. Thomas , professor of education (Furman University, Greenville, SC), is author of Beware the Roadbuilders and Trumplandia (Garn Press).
The uncomfortable history of professional athletes being activists is often whitewashed itself, in part through the sort of revisionism that conservatives seem to reject. Think of how Muhammad Ali was mistreated while the greatest athlete on the planet in the 1960s, and then how he was praised in the decline of his life.
Because of ostracized Colin Kaepernick, the current focus on athletes as activists is the NFL, and we must ask how this monstrosity has become the focal point of moral urgency and debate.
The NFL coddles violence in its playing as well as violence outside the lines by the players who are deemed essential. The NFL coddles and embraces a white ownership and white elite players who are directly partisan in their politics, but christens black activism as too political.
~~~~~~~~~~
Where we need change the most and where that change has the best chance of making a difference is among whites who consider themselves good people, much like the few white NFL players standing in solidarity with black players.
Whites must consider the following before resisting black resistance:
(Please follow the link to access the list) - Faye
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/resistance-in-black-and-white-on-white-proximity-and_us_599acf78e4b02eb2fda32181?section=us_contributor
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