Colorlines.com never fails me… please check this artilce out. It is worth the read. Essentially this is another day in the life of systematic racism in the form of government policy… think, Jim Crow. It seems he’s been resurrected (and not just in the incarcerated sense like the 2010 book THE NEW JIM CROW, by Michelle Alexander)…
http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/03/voter_id_card.html
I just don’t understand (although sadly I do) how this can happen in 2012….
notjustmythoughts
This is a copy and paste from a newletter I subscribe to. In times when much of society can get you down, I figured I share a little something to uplift. As you will read, there is power in numbers and we must continue to “fight” for our rights. I use quotes around fight because it should not be with force or arms but rather force in numbers and educated rallies. I feel as though the time has come in our society for a new age Million Man March… This can be done… Occupy in many ways, is trying…
Ned Sublette Newsletter:
[Nedslist] 03/06/12: Occupy Wall Street: Facing Global Protest, G8 Retreats
We barely had a winter this year. Spring will be heating up soon . . . http://occupywallst.org/article/facing-mass-protest-obama-hides-g8-camp-david/
Facing Global Protest, G8 Retreats
Posted 5 hours ago on March 6, 2012, 4:48 a.m. EST by OccupyWallSt
The Group of 8 Summit, a meeting of the governments of the world’s eight largest economies, was supposed to convene in Chicago this May. For months, Occupy Chicago, international anti-war groups, Anonymous, and hundreds of allies have publicly planned to shut it down. Now, only two months before the meeting is scheduled to begin, U.S. President Barack Obama is moving the assembly of over 7,000 leaders from the world’s wealthiest governments to the Camp David presidential compound, located in rural Maryland near Washington, DC, one of the most secure facilities in the world. The Chicago Tribune reports that summit organizers are “stunned” by the news.
Occupiers and allies celebrated the decision with a victory party last night. The Coalition Against NATO/G8 War & Poverty Agenda (CANG8) and Occupy Chicago issued the following statement:
The G8 moving to Camp David represents a major victory for the people of Chicago. The leaders of the 1% are moving because of the overwhelming resistance to the NATO/G8 war and poverty agenda in Chicago. Our city is filled with tens of thousands of people who are struggling to keep their heads above water, fighting against the effects of the economic crisis caused by the leaders who would have been gathering here. The communities of Chicago are fighting to save their schools, keep healthcare available, and to defend their jobs from cutbacks that are a hallmark of the governments of the G8.
The city has carried out a campaign to intimidate and vilify protesters, claiming that protests lead to violence. In fact, the main source of violence in the world today is the wars being waged by NATO and the US. “We will march on May 19th to deliver our message: Jobs, Housing, Healthcare, Education, Our Pensions, the Environment: Not War! We and tens of thousands will be in the streets that day for a family friendly rally and march, with cries so loud they will be heard in Camp David and across the globe. We will be in the streets that day to fight for our future, and speak out against the wars and their cutbacks are designed to benefit the 1% at the expense of the 99% of the world.”
While officials claim the decision to move the G8 was not related to fear of protesters, Chicago police have admitted to expecting tens of thousands to show up in Chicago this May, and have been stocking up on “less lethal” weapons to use against protesters. Following Occupy Chicago’s Call of Action and Adbuster’s call for 50,000 people to come to Chicago, the City Council granted Chicago Mayor Emanuel extraordinary powers to make security decisions and suppress free speech during the NATO and G8 summits. The city also tried to spread fear by warning downtown businesses to ramp up their security in anticipation of conflicts between riot police and protesters.
Chicago will still host NATO allies and partners on May 20 and 21 to discuss the war in Afghanistan and other topics, and will remain a focal point for the Occupy movement this spring and beyond. Everyone is still encouraged to go to Chicago this May for a major mobilization, or organize actions locally! Occupy DC and Occupiers in Maryland have also begun to consider their response to the moving of the G8 to their area.
Coinciding with the G8 and NATO summits in the U.S., the Occupy movement, trade unions, organizations of migrant workers and the unemployed, environmentalists, youth, and anti-war protesters throughout Europe have also called for days of action from May 17th to 19th centered in Frankfurt, Germany against “the crisis dictatorship of the European Union:”
We resist the disaster that is applied to Greece and other countries, against the impoverishment and denial of rights of millions of people and the practical abolition of democratic procedures resulting from the decisions of the Troika consisting of ECB, EU and IMF. The days of protest in Frankfurt directly succeed to the International Action Day on May 12th and the anniversary of the first assembly in Madrid on May 15th. We are therefore sending a visible sign of solidarity to those people in Europe who have been and are resisting against the debtocracy of the Troika and the attacks on their livelihood and their future. Simultaneously, protests are being organised in the US against the G8 Summit in Chicago.
The choice of Frankfurt for the protests results from the role that the city has as headquarters of the European Central Bank (ECB) and of powerful German and international banks and corporations. On May 17, we will occupy parks and main squares of the city to create spaces for discussion and exchange. On May 18, we will block the running business of banks in Frankfurt and turn our anger about the Troika’s policies into action. We will gather for a large demonstration on May 19 and visualise the broad base of the protests. From many countries and regions of the world people will travel to Frankfurt and participate in the days of protest.
The decision to move the G8 is a victory; it shows that the political and economic powers-that-be are scared by the power of the 99% when we awaken and join together. We must continue to use our collective strength to fight the greedy agenda of the G8 governments, who only serve the interests of the global 1%. Occupy Chicago and their allies continue to mobilize. Stay involved in organizing against the G8 at Camp David and NATO in Chicago! Follow #OccupyCampDavid, #CANG8, #GTFOG8, @OccupyTheG8, and @OccupyChicago on Twitter.
While Obama may think he can hide world leaders from dissent or shield them from our protest, our message will be heard clearly across the world – including Camp David. Those responsible for the economic crisis, widespread inequality, and manufactured austerity – the G8, NATO, EU, IMF – will be held accountable, wherever they choose to meet. From Chicago to Camp David to Frankfurt, the #GlobalSpring is upon us.
your welcome,
notjustmythoughts
Below is a link to an article I found on Blackdoctor.org. This seems a fitting post when looking at my previous post yesterday. The article is about mental health and how there is little information in regards to mental health treatment and best practices in black communities.
In the article Dr. Carl Bell (CEO and president of the Community Health Council and director of the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois in Chicago) says, “It’s really hard getting mental health services in black communities.These services are a scarcity, because there is no consideration for poor people with mental illnesses…Bell says there is little to no research on how to properly treat blacks suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, drug and substance abuse, and other mental illnesses, mainly because no one has devoted time to understanding the social and cultural issues affecting poor black communities.”
I’ve bolded for emphasis on what stood out to me. Last night I went to my mother’s house for dinner. I was talking about my beliefs in systematic racism and policy, to which she just nodded. Her boyfriend on the other hand laughed. His beliefs and perceptions are polar opposite to mine. But for those that don’t believe, all they have to do it look (which I said to him).
The policies of health and healthcare that affects minorities and underprivileged communities are continuously cut or not even given thought. The communities are under represented in the government and their voices are often not heard. Sadly, many times they don’t even speak up. I know many people might say, that is exactly the problem. But that’s not entirely true. There are scholars and doctors and numerous people who are fighting for these rights and yet they too are unheard. If they (the “respected”) aren’t even heard how are the “lowest” on the totem pole going to be heard? And so, many don’t try. This too I can understand… sometimes after trying and trying and failing and failing there comes a point where there is no fight left in a person. For all of those that feel defeated I am speaking up. THIS MUST CHANGE!
This systematic racism and discrimination MUST stop. The purposeful actions of harm by those with the clout to change discriminatory policies must stop. I read in an unrelated book (Hip Hop Wars by Tricia Rose) a very powerful statement, “profit over people”. This idea of profit over people and rights of ALL people must stop.
What is democracy when only some people have it?
notjustmythoughts
Article on blackdoctor.org: http://blackdoctor.org/news/article/Mental_Health/Why_Black_America_s_Battle_With_Mental_Health_Is_Failing.aspx
UPDATE: this got me thinking… a few years ago someone I know stabbed a 9 year old boy to death over a video game. This person was in and out of the mental health clinics in NYC from a young child. Due to the lack of care in the community, he was continuously released. He is now in prison for committing murder. Prison, he should not be. I don’t believe he should be “free” either (I’ve used quotes around free because truthfully, was he ever free? His whole life he was burdened with mental conflict and instability and the country that promotes freedom and equality failed him by not allowing him proper care). But [instead of prison] he should be in an institution tending to his illness rather than caged. People believe he is a monster and I’ll leave you to your opinions. I have my own and while I don’t think he was right, not by any means, this person is a sick individual and should not have been in a situation to harm anyone. He should have been given a chance at life BEFORE this incident by recieving the mental help he needed and deserved. He is the one punished, when the community and government failed him (and the family he harmed). Where is their [those that cut funding and don’t even care about the mental health in poor communities] punishment?
notjustmythoughts
And so the (mis)treatment continues…
While the president considers having a foriegn leader come into our country for care…this is what happens to those already here.
Please read this article from colorlines.
notjustmythoughts
I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season, whatever your celebrations may include (as long as they are peaceful and don’t infringe on anyone’s rights of course).
I’ve been enjoying my time with family and a week travel in Toronto. It was my first time there and WOW, what a wonderful city. It was one of the most friendly cities I have been to…and clean! New York City could sure use some lessons in that department. But with my vacation I have isolated myself from mass media, propaganda, and other forms of society that gets my blood boiling. I will definitely add some of my thoughts (that are notjustmythoughts) soon.
But the new year has got me thinking, what can we do as a society to change things? I started this blog late in 2011 with the hopes of inciting some kind of change in at least one person. Sadly, you never really know who you inspire, aside from those that comment, but does it inspire them to the point of change?
My plan is to continue this blog thru 2012 (and beyond) with the things regarding society, culture, media, and anything in general that I feel isn’t in line with equality, human rights and respect, which goes hand-and-hand with rights.
Until next time, which will be sooner than later…
XOXO,
notjustmythoughts
Just had my mind blown….
First, let me say that I know meanings of words change over a period of time, but this one… OH HELL NO, this is just ANOTHER racist tactic imbedded in society.
So the word illegal, in the English language, originally refered to inanimate objects and actions… now it [also] refers to a group of humans (illegal immigrants), thus dehumanizing this group of people. When in fact, they are not illegal… their actions, which got them into the country were illegal, but they are not. They are undocumented. How can you be an illegal human… somehow counterfeit or not real?
How did this one slip right by me?! I vow to never use the words illegal and immigrant in relation to one another.
Let’s start a movement and give back the human quality these immigrants possess.
Please tell me, notjustmythoughts.
A Dalit is an “untouchable” in India. As I was reading this article in the NY Times I kept thinking, kind of sounds like the gap between the wealthy and the poor here in America… and then this paragraph:
“Dalits still lag behind the rest of India, but they have experienced gains as the country’s economy has expanded. A recent analysis of government survey data by economists at the University of British Columbia found that the wage gap between other castes and Dalits has decreased to 21 percent, down from 36 percent in 1983, less than the gap between white male and black male workers in the United States. The education gap has been halved.”
I bolded the text to signify what stood out to me.
Read the full article here…http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/22/world/asia/indias-boom-creates-openings-for-untouchables.html?ref=world
notjustmythoughts.
notjustmythoughts 