News on early November 2018

It has been over 100 years after WWI. A lot of things have changed with society having a more  service economy and dealing with information technology now than back then. Yet, some issues remain even after one century. Trump didn't want to go to one cemetery because of the rain which is disrespectful in my eyes. Also, while Trump praised nationalism, WWI existed in part because of nationalism, militarism, alliances, and capitalist markets competing against each other. WWI occurred because imperial powers wanted to lust after resources in Europe, Asia, Africa, and other places of the world. Marcon talked about patriotism being antithetical to nationalism, but Marcon also praised the pro-Nazi enemy named Petain. Also, Marcon said racist comments about Africa. You can Google this too. Therefore, Trump is no hero and doesn't deserve respect. Likewise, we have to look at the bigger picture about how xenophobia is throughout both Europe and America. Hate crimes against immigrants including black people exist in Germany, Italy, and other places of the world. Trump's radical nationalism is only permitting more trade wars and agitation that doesn't equate into international peace. Because of Trump's actions, we have Marcon saying that he wants the EU to have an army to try to act as a buffer against Russia, China, and even America. Trump questions elections, hates the press that disagrees with him, and abhors the rule of law. So, we must be firm to defend democratic rights even when Trump is an enemy of democracy. We have to be abreast of domestic and international affairs, so our minds are comprehensively grown.

Lupita is our conscience. She speaks eloquently on the real meaning of beauty and creativity. Beauty is never about superficiality and excessive materialism. Beauty is the awakening of the soul in making sure that our diversity and our human distinctiveness are cherished because we are worthy of dignity and respect. Also, Lupita is the living refutation of colorism, and her words of wisdom will always live onward forevermore.  A long career in helping others describes her life. She is multifaceted in her gifts while being humble in her walk. Still, on the move, she is an actress, dancer, singer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Her name is Sister Monique Coleman, and it was her birthday yesterday. Now, she is 38 years old, and she was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Her alma mater is DePaul University. As a young person, she performed theater in Columbia, Carolina. She was on television too. She was part of the movie Mother of the River. She was in the 2005 movie called the Reading Room. She was on the show High School Musical. She expressed dancing constantly. She was on the Dancing With the Stars show too. Coleman promotes activism in everyday life. She believes in inspiring the youth to create ideas in helping their communities. Monique Coleman has worked in international anti-poverty efforts as well. She married Walter Jordan, and she continues to do her part in making the world better. I wish Sister Monique Coleman more blessings.


We have learned many lessons from the 2018 midterm elections. These elections show the world that Trump is never all powerful. He can be defeated politically. Also, with the new progressives in Congress, these elections present the fact that you can't have to be middle of the road or compromising to win an election. Many candidates ran on unapologetically progressive platforms and won races in states nationwide. New Governors reside in Illinois, Wisconsin, etc. Most of the voters wanted left politics. More voter turnout was historic, especially among young voters. Young voters have been stereotyped as being apathetic and not willing to vote, but in 2018, young voters turned out in the millions to allow their voices to be heard. We have a long way to go. Voter suppression, racism from candidates like from the candidate from Mississippi talking about a hanging offensively, and xenophobia is still in existence in America. These elections show that mobilization among the people along with social activism can work wonders in establishing the beloved community. We will continue to work for our rights.

It is essential always to have hope. You being born during this time is a miracle. The reason is that we are all made up of DNA including millions of cells with specific functions. Also, many of our ancestors experienced societies a whole lot harsher than our time. We are blessed enough to witness advanced technological developments and other improvements in our standards of living regarding ways to increase life expectancy. Industrialization caused more urbanization, and it inspired the labor rights movement to fight for the legitimate reforms of collective bargaining and higher wages. The Industrial Revolution also had a price with massive pollution during the 20th century. Tons of New Yorkers and Londoners died as a product of air pollution during the 1950's which is why environmental regulations existed to improve air quality. Likewise, we have other issues or problems from economic inequality to outright poverty. That is why we have to maintain the faith in our souls. Faith without works is dead. So, we can have faith and get out to work in favor of the principle of justice too. Life merits our participation, therefore, we will humbly be part of the solution. We know the problems of our world are. It is also essential to develop solutions since we have imaginative minds as human beings. We can form abstract thoughts, we can invent, and we have the capacity to self-reflect.

Part of the solution is a working-class coalition with the poor including other oppressed communities in fighting for living wages, universal health care, a stronger infrastructure, better education, the protection of our civil liberties, a stronger environment, compassion to the poor, and other progressive aims that represent the best of our ideologies. Yes, this requires a radical redistribution of political and economic power as the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has said and written before. Not to mention that we must always continue to confront police brutality. We have to embrace the truth that progress is more than about individual pursuits. Progress deals with the collective benefit of communities as a whole. In order words, we must confront systematic oppression and other evils for us to build up society. That means that inanimate objects, which are used to kill, are not superior in value to human life. There is nothing wrong with our individuality, but we also need to embrace the collective power found within us to establish a better civilization.



By Timothy