All American Girl vs Injustice

Friday, July 24, 2020

Chapter 13:

Chapter 13:

I had to take a mental health break. I am heartbroken that we are no farther today than before. We are not learning from our mistakes and continue to hurt each other. I keep seeing “Christians” posting about revenge, calling others names because they disagree with them, and condoning the systemic racism of this country. I just had to step away.

While I was resting, so to speak, a Bible verse came to me over and over, so I think it meant that I share this. I’m not going to explain it or analyze it for you, as I think if you read it closely, I think you will get it. Bottom line—we have to love each other, even our enemies, in order to overcome evil.

Romans 12: 9-21 Marks of the True Christian

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope; be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer, contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, lie peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be overcome evil with good.

That’s it today. Oh . . . Breona Taylor’s murder is no longer trending and her murders have not been apprehended. #justiceforBreona Also—one of George Floyd’s murderers was just charged with tax evasion. Irony? He was stopping George Floyd for an alleged counterfit 20, but he himself is not paying taxes? Perfect example of the passage above . . . “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” #justiceforGeorge

#vote #blacklivesmatter #JesusSaves #nojusticenopeace #wecandobetter #askthequestions #learntheanswers #stopthemadness #wedontwanttodieyet #educatethemasses #Icantbelievewearestilldoingthis #Education #Compassion #Justice #reallocatenotdefund #timeforachange #tryharder #notanopinion #sayhername #justiceforVanessa #justiceforBreona #justiceforGeorge

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Chapter 12:

All American Girl vs Injustice

Chapter 12:

I’ve been struggling to write this one because it relates to my child. I did ask permission before writing and he said yes. So here goes.

My son keeps asking me to find him a therapist and for one reason or another, it keeps getting delayed. Currently hard to get a new patient in during #COVID-19, but also the insurance has changed how to do it. I know it isn’t hard, but it’s hard for me. Anyway, one of the big reasons he wants to see a therapist is because he is anxious and depressed, a lot, due to all the nonsense going on in the world. For all his bravado, my son is a very kind, caring, and empathetic person. He’s also scared. Scared something will happen to his friends (POC and/or gay), his family (POC and/or allies), himself (POC-gay-drag queen), and he’s terrified that Mom or Grandma will contract COVID-19 and leave him alone in this world.

He said he started watching the news and it just makes him cry. He has always been sensitive to the news. When he was a baby, I would have the news on and he would just cry and cry and cry. As soon as I changed the channel or turned it off, he was fine… and this kid was not one who cried a lot as a baby. He was very even tempered and slept through the night very early on. #bestbabyever I told him I don’t like to watch the news myself and I try to educate myself in different ways, research, talking to like-minded (reasonable) people, etc. We are starting to have more open conversations now.

He related some stories to me that happened to him and his friends and Momma Kat’s claws came out. Stories about people yelling at them from their cars, calling them names, people approaching them trying to start trouble. You can imagine the names and threats. He and his friends never go anywhere alone – there are always at least two of them—so that they can back each other up and/or call for help. Now—I gotta tell you. Drag queens are not to be messed with. While they may look female, they are all male, testosterone and all. I know my son can kick butt if he isn’t outnumbered and I know his friends can too. I mean seriously, you have these kids who are minorities to begin with, many who came from poor homes, and they are gay and drag queens? Come on . . . you learn how to fight back. But why should they have to?

Once again, I digress—back on topic. Much of the anxiety and depression comes from the way people treat each other, the way people will not acknowledge that this country needs help, the way that people won’t acknowledge how this country was “founded” and built up. My son is a descendent of slaves, both black and Native American, and the slave owners who raped them. He gets the whole “tear down the confederate statues” issue. He gets the whole “Independence Day wasn’t for my people.” He has done his research and is disgusted by it all. His words, “It’s disgusting. I just hate it.” SIDEBAR: and before you start in that he is also white . . . duh. That isn’t the point.

So again, before you come at me with all lives matter, remember that all lives don’t matter until ALL lives matter . . . minorities, women, LGBTQ+, disabled, unborn babies, elderly, immigrants, and on and on . . . EVERY. SINGLE. LIFE. HAS. TO. MATTER. BEFORE. ALL. LIVES. CAN. MATTER. Can you honestly stand behind #alllivesmatter if you don’t stand up for every life?

And by the way . . . Breona Taylor’s murderers have not yet been charged. Oh and . . . Vanessa Guillen, was murdered for speaking out against her rapist, a woman who was serving her country, and has not been given justice. #justiceforVanessa How can you say all lives matter?

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Chapter 11:

All American Girl vs Injustice

Chapter 11:

I’ve been away for a few days for a mental health break. Some of the things I’ve seen posted have just brought me down. I’m trying to wrap my head around the thought that this is an “either or” world. It isn’t. This is an inclusive world and we have to start acting that way. It’s not us vs. them, it’s us vs. us. Seriously, when will we learn? So I took a break and now I’m back. Too bad POC can take a break when this racist nonsense gets them down. (SERIOUSLY READ THE SARCASM IN THAT LAST STATEMENT!)

One of the issues I want to address at this point, is the “new” item going around saying: “People demand the Police get new training. How about training your children to act like they got some damn common sense <sic>” My first response was, you mean when they are walking home minding their own business, or jogging minding their own business, or SLEEPING AFTER A LONG SHIFT AS AN EMT? Then I take it farther.

Let me explain. The police are not judge, jury, and executioner. The job of the police is to protect and serve. Even if the person in custody has actually committed a crime, the police DO NOT GET TO MURDER that person. They are to take the person into custody and let the justice system do its job. Even if the person is screaming obscenities at the police, they DO NOT GET TO KILL THEM. Will there be times that a suspect is killed by the police and is possibly justified? Yes? Maybe the person has an assault weapon and is trying to kill innocent people or even shooting at the cops. Most likely that person is going to be killed and most likely, that person is actually on a suicide mission. *PSA--It is not ok to shoot innocent people or police just because you can.

I’m watching too many videos of simple things escalating because of hot headed cops. *Please remember that I am not anti-police, just anti-bad police. A simple traffic stop of a couple with their two small children ended up with 12 cops on the scene. The 4 year old child allegedly stole a doll from the Dollar Store (or some equivalent). The cops were yelling obscenities at the couple to get out of the car and the couple were afraid. The commands were contradictory, e.g., keep your hands up, but then get out of the car. At one point a cop ran up into the woman’s face screaming at her to “get her f’g hands up.!” She had 1 hand up and was holding her small child in the other. The cop was screaming at her to put the baby on the ground. WHAT?! Come on now what is up with that?

So, the moral of the story is, that everyone deserves their day in court if they have allegedly committed a crime—not to die. Everyone deserves to be able to do their every day thing, running, walking, eating at a restaurant, driving home, SLEEPING. Hhow can you “train them up to have some common sense” when they haven’t (1) had a jury of their peers and/or (2) haven’t done anything?

Think about this. Do you really want to be the person that tells Breonna Taylor’s family that she “should have had common sense?” #sayhername

Friday, June 19, 2020

Chapter 10:

All American Girl vs Injustice

Chapter 10:

You may have noticed that I changed the title of these essays from All American Girl vs Racism in America to All American Girl vs Injustice. I’ve decided to make this change, because I have to address all the ‘isms’ not just racism. Not that racism could ever be “just” racism. (Two ways you could read that sentence—choose the right one.)

So, here’s what we’re going to talk about:

1. Racism
2. Sexism
3. Homophobia
4. Immigration
5. DACA/Dreamers
6. Bullying
7. Homelessness
8. Starving children in the world
9. Poverty

I’m not going to stop talking about #blacklivesmatter until they actually do. But, I’m also going to spotlight the other 8 topics because it’s got to be done. We’ve got to stop hating on each other. We’ve got to do something to help each other. We’ve got to do better. I don’t know how to keep saying this. Everyday, before I even open my eyes, I pray to God, “please make it be better today.” And everyday, I get gut punched because people, with their free will, have killed another innocent person. The side in favor of the innocent person protests only to be met with violence. The side in favor of injustice, finds a way to blame the victim and tries to destroy those who are fighting for justice.

I’m going to be writing these essays 2 – 5 times a week. I’m going to make you uncomfortable. I’m going to keep fighting for justice for my family and friends. I’m going to keep fighting to make this world a better place.

I welcome comments and debate and difference of opinion. What I will not welcome and do not tolerate is hatred. I’ve touched on this before—your personal feelings do not equal an opinion. You can have an opinion on your favorite tv show or book, or what you want to eat for dinner tonight. You do not have an opinion when you are oppressing people of other races, ethnicities, religions, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or social status. That, my friends in not opinion but oppression.

Chapter 9:

All American Girl vs Injustice

Chapter 9:

I am struggling today to write anything without blowing my top, using foul language, and just plain calling people out. I want to point out injustice and teach people, and that’s not going to happen if I lose my cool. I also realize that the people who need to hear these things are not listening, but hopefully others, who have been listening, will hear and understand or at least know they are not alone.

So, today I just need to point some things out. I’ve been “unfollowing” people on Facebook because I just can’t keep reading the insane things that they are posting. Believe me, you are entitled to your opinion, but you don’t get to have an opinion about (1) race, (2) religion, (3) sexual orientation and (4) how 1 – 3 are treated. Race and sexual orientation are not a choice. Stop acting like they are. Religion is a personal relationship with God and no one can judge that relationship or beliefs. Just because Christian beliefs differ from Muslim or Hindu or Jewish of Buddhist, doesn’t mean you get to judge. In fact, so-called Christians passing judgement on others is very un-Christian. I’m not judging you, but I am trying to educate you.

Race:

· All races and ethnicities deserve the same equal rights under the law and to be treated fairly and justly without regard to the color of their skin.

Religion:

· People of all religious beliefs deserve the same equal rights under the law and to be treated fairly and justly without regard to their religion.

Sexual Orientation:

· All LGBTQ+ deserve same equal rights under the law and to be treated fairly and justly without regard to their sexual orientation

Why do they deserve this justice and equality? Because they are human beings! I am disheartened to read posts and comments that say otherwise. I even take exception to my Catholic Bishop leaders who are unhappy about the recent supreme court decision. You don’t actually have to like people of other races, religions, or sexual orientation (although all the major religions actually say you do to get to heaven, but that’s a post for another day), but you do have to treat them fairly under the law. Me? I love everyone. I may not like some, but I love them, because Jesus said to “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR.” I feel like I have to keep repeating myself.

So, where do we go from here? Can we love one another? Can we put our differences aside and become better individuals and communities? Can we make this world a better place for our future generations? I think we can, but we have to #tryharder.

Chapter 8:

All American Girl vs Injustice

Chapter 8:

Today, we go to a story circa 1994, in Van Nuys, California.

As you know by now, my ex-husband is a musician. He would be out at night, usually at the studio recording or creating, and oftentimes didn’t return home until the wee hours of the morning. During the work week, we would see each other in passing—I was headed to work and he was coming home.

In this story, he was coming home “early” (for him) at around 11:00 pm. He had called me from the studio to say he was on his way and should be there in about 20 minutes. (No cell phones yet.) He was driving my car and was about 6 blocks from home when he got pulled over. The police officers made him exit the vehicle and sit on the curb, one with his hand on his gun watching R, the other searching the car. BTW—gave R no reason for pulling him over or for searching the car. R knew the car was clear of any contraband because it’s mine and I would kill him if he had anything in my car. He didn’t argue with the police because he knew it would do no good.

When they were done, the cop told R that he had to stay there (car pulled over on a somewhat busy street) until 6:00 am, when his shift changed. R questioned him, because he didn’t understand what he meant. The cop told him he was to remain in the car, parked on the street until 6:00 am. He could not drive home (6 blocks) or leave the car and walk home until 6:00 am. The cop said he would be cruising by to double check and if he saw that the car was moved or left empty, he would come to the house and lock R up and/or impound MY car.

R waited until 6:05 am to come home and told me what happened. I was pissed! He was too, but I was livid. He didn’t dare fall asleep while sitting there, in case someone tried to jack him or the cops then try to arrest him for something else. I had a sleepless night because he wasn’t home when he said he would be—in those days he was good about letting me know if he was going to be late. I didn’t know if he was dead or in jail or what. My biggest fear in our 25 years together was that he would be killed or jailed and I wouldn’t be able to find out. (I still have that fear for my son, but I have better resources now.)

Keep in mind, at no point during this exchange, did either officer give a reason for (1) pulling him over, (2) searching the car, or (3) forcing him to remain in the car, on the street for 7 hours. We have to do better. No one should live with the fear of being killed or jailed for the color of their skin and their loved ones shouldn’t have to worry that this will happen either. #timeforachange

Chapter 7:

All American Girl vs Injustice

Chapter 7:

What adventures can we talk about today? How about the difference between “defund” and “re-allocation.”

Defund definition (Google search): prevent from continuing to receive funds.

Re-allocation: to apportion or distribute (something) in a new or different way

I touched on this yesterday, but today I have seen and heard so many talking about defunding the police, that I think I need to give this topic its own post.

One of the posts was that defunding the police does not mean eliminate all police funding, and that it means they will be funded, but not overfunded, redistribute the city budget, everyone gets a fair share. Further, it says:

· Police should focus on crimes and criminals

· Police are not mental health counselors

· Police are not social workers

· Police are not medical professionals

· Police are not education specialists

· Police should not be responsible for everything

Well, I hate to tell you this, but police need training of mental health counselors, social workers, medical professionals, and education specialists. They have a dangerous job and without the appropriate training and certification, can have devastating effects. They should not be responsible for everything, but they are responsible for parts of everything.

Think about it. When someone is holding a gun on hostages in a store or bank, you call the police. You need someone who can “reason” with the criminal to protect the lives of those hostages. While there may be a mental health specialist, most of the time it’s the cop on the scene that has to handle this. Are you calling a social worker when a husband is beating the crap out of his wife? No—you call a cop. You get my point (I hope.)

So, instead of saying we need to “defund” the police, how about we re-allocate the funds to the areas of need. Mental health training, social worker training, medical training, education training. We do some of this, but not enough. I really do believe that the “pro-defunders” actually mean reallocate, so let’s get this turned around. Remember, we defunded arts and trade in schools, defunded education, defunded healthcare, defunded other programs. It means THEY HAVE NO MONEY TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. #reallocatenotdefund