Category Archives: world

First mistake

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I’ve been gone for a minute, but now I’m back. At least with this post.

I know we’ve probably all heard and read enough about the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case, but I feel I must say something.

The prosecution was selected and hired by the governor. Is it just me that feels herein lies the first issue? With a state like Florida and a government as it is, with its biases and all, how could Trayvon Martin have a fair trial when the government (who continuously fails minorities) selected the representation?

Initially when I heard the verdict I was shocked, but at the same time, not surprised. The law is inherently biased as well as how jurors interpret the law and all its nuances. As my anger subsided, I thought more about the comments of the prosecution during the press statement following the verdict. The lady (forgive me I do not have her name) was first to speak and her words only incited rage within me. She seemed too complacent with the result. The gentleman lawyer, I was happy, showed emotion and spoke of this as a tragedy. The lady’s complacency made me think. Was this the verdict she hoped for? Why wasn’t the prosecution more focused on the events leading up to the altercation detailing how a young individual, who was being tailed, felt threatened by being followed by an adult? For me, this was the key – the ticket to justification of his violent actions toward GZ. Wouldn’t you react in a similar fashion?

I am walking on a dark rainy night, hood up, realizing I am being followed. For blocks. I believe I have evaded the perp, but no – he reappears. My emotions are all over the place. Why am I being followed – I only went to the store. I am tapped on the shoulder (tho this wasn’t the case let’s imagine this as the initial gesture by GZ) I turn around and on reflex, punch the person dead in the face. He falls, I get on top in a ground and pound stance. I felt my life threatened as I am followed while walking home carelessly from a quick run to the store. I acted in defense of my life. I am shot, in the chest at point blank range and die on that cold rainy night.

My act of violence brought my death – or so defense lawyers for GZ would have you believe. I should not have acted in a violent manner. GZ would not have felt threatened. I would have lived. (or would I?)

The first mistake by the prosecution was failing to prove Trayvon reacted (first, second, third -does not matter) in defense of himself. Defense of being followed and not knowing the outcome. An outcome unknown because black men in America have been shot and killed without cause and with no justice. (Sean Bell – does that ring a bell??? just to name ONE).

nojustmythoughts

Human Life Amendment

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The Republicans want to ban abortion. This is from a draft of the proposal posted on Yahoo! News “The Ticket”.

“..the GOP will voice its support for a “human life amendment” to the Constitution.

“Faithful to the ‘self-evident’ truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed,” the draft platform states. “We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children.”

This is Section 1 of the 14th Amendment – I’ve bolded for emphasis: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

The amendment makes clear BORN or NATURALIZED – therefore it is not “self evident” that this would apply to the unborn. In fact unborn is the direct opposite of born. Furthermore, Stand Your Ground and Stop & Frisk DIRECTLY go against your 14th amendment rights. However, most people who come across these tactics cannot afford a lawyer that has enough care/time to fight their case based on this constitutional infringement of rights.

Just wanted to point this out there… notjustmythoughts

Rodney King

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Rest In Peace Rodney King.

Through brutal tragedy you changed the world. Some people never have the pleasure to leave a legacy behind. You have. You changed our society in many ways. There are still great strides to be made, but you assisted in bringing so much to light. Thank you.

notjustmythoughts

“Jungle Land”

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I was really impressed with this article. It is a rebuttle to an article published by NY Time Magazine. There is a large focus on something near to my heart: structural racism. People say it doesn’t exist, but I tend to think those are the same people that benefit from it. Check it out…

Notjustmythoughts

http://www.blacknews.com/news/jenga_mwando_ninth_ward_new_orleans_jungleland101.shtml

Restaurant Racism

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“Dining While Black,” a recent article posted on the NY Daily News website, (link to article: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/tableside-racism-a-real-study-shows-waitstaff-give-african-americans-poorer-service-article-1.1067157) discusses “table side racism.” What is “table side racism?” Well, simply it’s being racially stereotyped and restaurant servers acting on those stereotypes by providing poorer service to African-Americans. While the study was done on a small-scale (200 servers interviewed in 18 N.Carolina restaurants) broader insights can be garnered.

Mainly, I believe the broader insight is that RACISM EXISTS (daily)! So many times I have had debates with people and they say to me, racism isn’t prevalent except in the most extreme cases. I continually argue, racism is most prevalent in everyday life and it is only in the most extreme cases that other people notice it too. I am not African-American, but I am a young Hispanic woman. I have noticed (outside of a predominately Hispanic area) I get treated differently, at restaurants, on the street by random people, and in many of the situations the racism is like “table side racism” (being ignored, having to wait longer than everyone else, getting over looked, etc). And this isn’t only in WHITE areas. Which says something too. Perhaps another post as I would digress too far, but a lot has to do with stereotypes. Another insight, which is touched upon by Sarah Rusche Ph.D is that most people aren’t truthful about their racist actions or those of others since racism’s existence is taboo in society. The stats from the study are high enough (over 1/3 of the sample) has acted on racist stereotypes and provided poorer service to black patrons – so I could only imagine if this was done on a larger scale.

I wanted to bring this article to your attention, but mostly to the attention of all the non-believers. Racism has not gone anywhere – just from time to time it wears a little disguise.

notjustmythoughts

Say It Ain’t So

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In a recent article from Colorlines it appears that many people in Sanford, FL have had mishandled cases by the police department. This comes to light in the aftermath of the Trayvon murder and scandal of an uncharged man. For those of you who may live in a bubble of seclusion, Trayvon was followed by a 240lb man on a dark rainy night. To which, Trayvon defended himself from attack and that man shot him, point-blank, in the chest. Said man claims self-defense. I’ve eliminated the racial identities of both Trayvon and his killer because honestly, as much as this may be racially fueled, this is more a matter of wrong and right. You cannot follow someone, approach them, and then claim self-defense when THEY were defending themselves against you – a stranger who pursued them on a rainy night. Anyway, in light of this tragedy, many others are stepping forward with claims of injustice in their cases. The Justice Department is stepping in to review the police department in Sanford. (article: http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/03/sanford_city_manager_asks_justice_department_to_investigate_entire_police_department.html)
An old adage says, “in every bad comes a good.” Maybe this is the good to come from Trayvon’s untimely and unjustified death. I personally support the national sensation surrounding this tragedy. I believe that some of the good coming out of this is 1. Sanford, Fl is being publicly put on display as on overtly racist town and community 2. racial injustices are being brought to the forefront of discussions and 3. people are FINALLY taking notice to much of what I’ve said all along – racism exists in systematic policy, government, and law. I’ve been hearing a lot of people say things like, “the way this world is going” or “how things have changed” BUT I disagree to those statements. Nothing has changed in our world and it is going the same place it always has been. This country was founded on systematic racism, discrimination, and injustice. The change is the internet and social media. People are finally becoming aware to the MULTITUDE of racial injustices of our country. Social media is allowing for the likely breezed-over story (of Trayvon and so many others) to come to light with force and magnitude.

A revolution needs to happen.
notjustmythoughts

Slavery’s Last Stronghold

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“Slavery’s Last Stronghold” by John D Sutter (pictures/video by Edythe McNamee)

Please read this article from CNN. This story was so moving. I believe slavery exists in this world in many forms, but even I did not believe that it still existed to this degree. While the world is screaming outrage for KONY2012 and other online articles make its way virally, let’s spread this reality like wildfire and spawn change.

link: http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/03/world/mauritania.slaverys.last.stronghold/index.html?on.cnn=1

you’re welcome,
notjustmythoughts

Caste System

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When you think of the Caste System largely you think of India, but today, think of Mexico.

Mexico has long been considered to be a non diverse country. Meaning, people there consider themselves to be of largely the same background, mostly of mixed race of European and Natives. However, this isn’t exactly truth. Yes, a lot of Mexicans are of mixed race, but there is still a large number of indigenous people. There are also blacks. Mexico was not sheltered and they experienced their own waves of immigration into the country which brought slaves and different European backgrounds. In a docu-series Black in Latin America, there was an episode exposing the truths of blacks in Mexico. While I knew there had to be (simply because I believe every country has their share of black, native, and European mix) I didn’t really know anything about it. While watching this episode on blacks in Mexico, I was surprised at the discrimination. I am not sure why I was even surprised. If you think about the Black community here there is an onslaught of discrimination against them and they American. So American in fact, that they helped build this wonderful country. Though much of it was through slavery under unfortunate circumstances, if it wasn’t for the Black community our country wouldn’t have made the progress it did early on (think about the cotton/textile industry, the tobacco industry, etc.). I am not praising slavery AT ALL. I am simply saying, that African Americans helped shape America and they are discriminated. So why did the discrimination of Black Mexicans surprise me? I am not sure. I guess maybe because I just like to hope things are better than they really are, which I am continually reminded of the fact that no, things are not better…they are just as I believe them to be (discriminatory, harsh, unforgiving, destructive, racist, etc).

I’ve digressed from the point of this post… the point is that there are unofficial caste systems all around the world (even here in America). And I wanted to shed light on one of them – Mexico. Check out the link below. It is from globalpost.com and and talks about some of the injustices in Mexico faced by the black and indigenous community. The article specifically highlights 3 YouTube videos that have gone viral showcasing the upper “white” class of Mexicans berating other Mexicans. It seems that with money, people believe they can treat others without it anyway they want. The sad reality is, this is mostly true. The saying Money, Power, Respect isn’t just a moniker used in rap songs. This is tried and tested in the workings of government and policy. Money buys you the power (over people, power to buy government [hello, this is EXACTLY what lobbyists are]). Money buys you the respect (albeit respect garnered in fear of repercussions). Money is the highest caste system of all.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/mexico/120309/social-gaps-on-youtube

notjustmythoughts

Power of Voice

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I support the KONY2012 movement that as been sweeping the internet and the nation these last few days. Below I’ve copied my email response to a friend who has been sending me information on the criticisms about the movement. While I do hear and understand a lot of the critique, for me this represents a bigger picture of the POWER OF VOICE.

Me: They may have left Uganda 6 years ago but the fight isn’t over. they still exist, just have been in hiding and not as active. That doesn’t mean he should go without having justice brought against him. And i think that Kony represents a bigger picture of the power of the people and the internet to spread the word to troubling things that happen in other countries. at least that is what i see from this. Nothing is perfect. No revolution is sought and found without first being met with resistance. These people (the critics) are resisting the positive effects that come along with this KONY2012. I agree that they should’ve said made him infamous rather than famous and they should’ve added something to the KONY2012 posters to not seem like he is running for election, but the posters as they are, will get people to look it up and they will find that he’s not running for anything. I stand by this 100%. I am prepared to hear criticisms and down right opposition to the movement. But I still support this because of the meaning behind this. I see the bigger picture in showing the nation/world, that people can stand up for what they believe and that many people feel the same way. Voices are being heard and 26yrs after this man ravaged the country he is FINALLY coming close to his doom and justice. He may be in hiding for 6 years, but look at Osama…he was hiding since 2001.

notjustmythoughts

KONY 2012

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Join the cause. If you have never stood for anything now is your chance to take an important stand. History is YOURstory to make.

www.kony2012.com
To buy action kit/bracelets: http://invisiblechildrenstore.myshopify.com/
To make a donation: http://bit.ly/yp5Ffv
To sign the pledge: http://www.causes.com/causes/227-invisible-children
To watch the film: http://vimeo.com/37119711

I look forward to seeing you there.

notjustmythoughts