.
It was Not a peaceful protest. But it was a Riot. Our Constitution allows anyone to assemble and speak freely. The law does not allow the blocking of traffic, or obstructing a sidewalk, or destroying public or private property, or assaulting anyone. So, last nights burning of Baltimore was a riot, It was never intended to peaceful. That was evidenced when a pile of rocks and blocks not native to the area mysteriously showed up and were hurled at the cops. Those rock were brought in to assault the police.
It was not about Race, But it was racist. Black racism. That was evidenced because they used the trump card to incite the riot accusing the cops of killing yet another innocent Black, yet the cops were also Black. The Black Mayor admitted she allowed and encouraged the rioters to damage the city, claiming that was necessary to cause change.
He does not unite. But He is a radical racist himself and does divide. Obama injected himself into yet another incident involving a Black. It was no surprise to see a repeat of His past where he sided with the Black while condemning the cop. Surely you remember his role in supporting his Black professor, over a White cop responding to a break in. If not, maybe you recall his role in Trayvon Martin, the St. Louis incident, or the NYPD incident. Maybe you even recall his association with other Black racists, like his preacher, or Al Sharpton.
It was Not about the lack of opportunities for Blacks. It is about a generation of Blacks demanding something for nothing. As one Black, masked and dressed like a Muslim terrorist, stated on TV, "I want what you all have, and I'm going to take it," It's about generations of welfare and handouts causing little motivation to get a job and become productive. Yet, this country wants to give them more. It's not about a lack of education as some claim. School is free, yet they drop out at age 14 to sell dope, and rape, rob or take whatever they can. They can only desire to be a Rap music or sports star. And if they can't they pray on others and ultimately die or end up in prisons. And it is about the lack of active and effective parenting.
It's not about Blacks getting assaulted. It is about cops getting assaulted. Everyone in our country has a right to defend himself against unlawful aggression. Yes, even the cops. Yet they are expected to stand down. And No One should be expected to defend themselves with only their shields against rocks the size of potatoes.
Not in my world. In my world, someone would have been shot. And it would not be me.
.
.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Growing
.
Married at 16 changed my life. With a baby on the way, I had to change. No longer could I hang with my friends, play high school football, or go to cruise the boulevard on Friday nights. But that was the life that I chose. I accepted that and soon came to love it.
We filled our home with used furniture and hand-me-down clothing. Sears was the only business to take the risk of granting us a revolving credit program and to this day, I'm still very loyal to them. We bought at B&W portable TV and paid it off within 6 months, establishing a worthiness credit history. Outstanding credit became a major tool for success.
Seemed like I always had a job, and sometimes two. Our firstborn came sooner that I ever thought. Her water broke during the wee hours one morning, As she stood draining in the shower, I reviewed the pamphlet given by her doctor before realizing it was time to head to the hospital, a usual 20 minute drive that I made in 15. And 35 minutes after we arrived, I was a father. Whew!
Not being able to afford the usual 3-day stay, I obtained a release them the following morning.
My family was the pride of my life and were the only ones that I ever felt an alliance with. We played alone and prayed alone, and we matured together, alone. A high school equivalency degree (GED), opened some doors to better jobs. And soon I became the youngest foreman at a local aircraft manufacturing company. And with those medical benefits, and the purchase of a new house, our daughter's sister was born.
.
And we were climbing.
.
Married at 16 changed my life. With a baby on the way, I had to change. No longer could I hang with my friends, play high school football, or go to cruise the boulevard on Friday nights. But that was the life that I chose. I accepted that and soon came to love it.
We filled our home with used furniture and hand-me-down clothing. Sears was the only business to take the risk of granting us a revolving credit program and to this day, I'm still very loyal to them. We bought at B&W portable TV and paid it off within 6 months, establishing a worthiness credit history. Outstanding credit became a major tool for success.
Seemed like I always had a job, and sometimes two. Our firstborn came sooner that I ever thought. Her water broke during the wee hours one morning, As she stood draining in the shower, I reviewed the pamphlet given by her doctor before realizing it was time to head to the hospital, a usual 20 minute drive that I made in 15. And 35 minutes after we arrived, I was a father. Whew!
Not being able to afford the usual 3-day stay, I obtained a release them the following morning.
My family was the pride of my life and were the only ones that I ever felt an alliance with. We played alone and prayed alone, and we matured together, alone. A high school equivalency degree (GED), opened some doors to better jobs. And soon I became the youngest foreman at a local aircraft manufacturing company. And with those medical benefits, and the purchase of a new house, our daughter's sister was born.
.
And we were climbing.
.
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Obstructions
.
She wore green at our wedding that winter day in 1969. It was a simple church ceremony, with only my immediate family and a high school classmate as a best man. Seems either no one else was invited, or they didn't care to attend; giving clue to the obstacles that I was about to encounter. Then off to Knott's Berry Farm for a honeymoon with the $50 I had saved from my dish washing job. There, at a show, a very smart horse was able to tell the crowd how long we had been married. Never quite figured out how. Maybe my smiling face and that green dress were clues.
Monday morning, while at baseball practice, I was summoned to the school office and was advised that since I was an emancipated adult, I could no longer attend the school, but was offered an enrollment at the continuation school. Needless to say, that didn't work for me because I couldn't see myself associating with "those" kind of students. Actually I was one of those kind to many, but never realized it.
After school, I arrived a bit early for work knowing that I would have new tax forms to complete reporting my filing class. Turned out I didn't need to because I had been fired. I recall the owner strongly encouraging me not to get married, but I never dreamed that he would fire me over it.
She wore that same green dress to church that next Sunday. The entrance to the very small church was blocked by three senior ladies with their arms locked together. One was sobbing as another informed us that we were no longer welcome to attend. Seemed odd that could happen at a church where my father-in-law was a Deacon. We brushed past them and spent our last service at that church. Should have not surprised me as he was not at our wedding either. But it certainly was a clue as to the obstructions we were about to face.
It was easy for an unskilled worker like myself to find a job back then as most my age were off to Vietnam. And I made the most of that by usually working at least two. From washing dishes, to pumping gas, to picking up trash at a construction site, I worked hard where ever I could to work hard to pay the upcoming medical bills. My new wife just graduated from job training and landed her first job. Together we managed to pay the rent of our tiny duplex as I refused to accept any help from anyone.
.
She wore green at our wedding that winter day in 1969. It was a simple church ceremony, with only my immediate family and a high school classmate as a best man. Seems either no one else was invited, or they didn't care to attend; giving clue to the obstacles that I was about to encounter. Then off to Knott's Berry Farm for a honeymoon with the $50 I had saved from my dish washing job. There, at a show, a very smart horse was able to tell the crowd how long we had been married. Never quite figured out how. Maybe my smiling face and that green dress were clues.
Monday morning, while at baseball practice, I was summoned to the school office and was advised that since I was an emancipated adult, I could no longer attend the school, but was offered an enrollment at the continuation school. Needless to say, that didn't work for me because I couldn't see myself associating with "those" kind of students. Actually I was one of those kind to many, but never realized it.
After school, I arrived a bit early for work knowing that I would have new tax forms to complete reporting my filing class. Turned out I didn't need to because I had been fired. I recall the owner strongly encouraging me not to get married, but I never dreamed that he would fire me over it.
She wore that same green dress to church that next Sunday. The entrance to the very small church was blocked by three senior ladies with their arms locked together. One was sobbing as another informed us that we were no longer welcome to attend. Seemed odd that could happen at a church where my father-in-law was a Deacon. We brushed past them and spent our last service at that church. Should have not surprised me as he was not at our wedding either. But it certainly was a clue as to the obstructions we were about to face.
It was easy for an unskilled worker like myself to find a job back then as most my age were off to Vietnam. And I made the most of that by usually working at least two. From washing dishes, to pumping gas, to picking up trash at a construction site, I worked hard where ever I could to work hard to pay the upcoming medical bills. My new wife just graduated from job training and landed her first job. Together we managed to pay the rent of our tiny duplex as I refused to accept any help from anyone.
.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)