President Biden gave a speech at Tulsa, Oklahoma in talking about his effort to end the racial wealth gap in American society. For generations, black people like (like me) have exposed this wealth gap in housing, job opportunities, education, and other factors. We know many of the statistics. The Tulsa Massacre in 1921 was about white terrorists who used guns and planes to slaughter innocent black men, black women, and black children in cold blood. Black churches, business, and homes were burned to the ground, and mass graves haven't been totally found to this day. Now, even Tulsa has gentrification and other anti-black disinvestment policies. The problem now is that far right forces and systematic racism still exist that harm the lives of many black Americans and other people of color. A solution is beyond just saying people of color. We have to use policies that deal with reparations specifically for black Americans. When reparations were sent to Jewish victims of the Holocaust (or the Shoah), we black folks agree with this. When reparations came to Japanese people who were the victims of U.S. internment camps, we cheered. When reparations existed for some Native American tribes in America, we agreed as black people. Now, it's our turn. It's our time. Other groups of people can have executive orders and laws specifically established for them for years (and I have no problems with this), and we have the right for new laws to specifically address the needs of black Americans period. The January 6, 2021 insurrection involved terrorists who waved Neo-Nazi and Confederate flags to try to end the 2020 election as we know it. They failed, but these fascists still are among us in America. Biden wants to fight to get federal voting rights legislation passed. Change is beyond just bandages. We need total reconstruction of society, especially when far right extremists like that traitor Mike Flynn want a military coup in America (until Flynn backtracked).
The recent news of the tennis player Naomi Osaka temporarily not playing tennis now over mental health issues represents an important conversation. Naomi is possibly the 2nd greatest woman tennis player of this generation. Naomi has publicly said that she didn't want to do lengthy interviews after the French Open matches, because she has anxiety issues. The French Open officials fined her in a callous way that not only disregards her emotions, but they trivialized the important issue of mental health. It is fine for anyone to say that they have bad days, they have depression, or they are not alright at times. We are humans. Sometimes, we display multiple emotions. Osaka shouldn't be punished because of her feelings or her need for peace and addressing situations. The public in large measure has supported her right to be free to outline her real emotions. Her fellow tennis players like Serena Williams have expressed great solidarity and support for Osaka 100 percent. Naomi has the right to her privacy in that regard.
I agree with those who have condemned some of the people harassed NBA Players and disrupting various games. This is the time in the United States of America where more human beings are coming into the stands after being restricted in their homes for over 1 year. Many players have been spit on, thrown bottles at, a family of one player was called slurs, and one person ran on the court. Therefore, we are clear that places opening up is not an excuse for abhorrent behavior. People can have fun at sporting events without the unnecessary drama. There is always the elephant in the room. We know what that elephant is. I don't have to say anything. It is what it is. I don't believe that strict barriers are needed as the vast majority of the people in the stands are peaceful, upright people. Yet, such actions should end. The NBA Playoffs, the WNBA games, the NHL, the MLB, track events, and all athletic events represent human expression in the maximum ability. These events should be cherished in the right way.
The Democrats in Texas have left a meeting to temporarily halt the voting suppression bill in Texas. As we know, Texas has proposed one of the worst voter suppression legislation in American history. Some policies in the bill even restrict Sunday voting. We have a serious threat against democracy done by extremists who don't care about minorities or any other human right to vote. That is why voting is important. If voting never mattered, why are GOP extremists constantly proposing legislation to suppress voting rights (in dealing with the time to vote, what type of ID to vote, and other methods of voting)? Why are some of the GOP having a hatred of the 2020 election results? The reason is that they are made that their racist, sexist leader Donald Trump lost the election. Trump is the leader of a Republican cult plainly speaking. That cult uses fear, lies, and paranoia in order to stir people up in the most negative ways possible. The truth is real, and we have every right to defend human democracy at every juncture.
Yesterday was the Birthday of Brother Morgan Freeman, and he is 84 years old. He has been one of the greatest actors of all time. He is also a well known narrator, director, and commentator. For years, he has portrayed himself in many film genres with a distinctive, deep voice. He won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Memphis, Tennessee is the place of his birth. DNA tests prove that he is related to the Songhai and Tuareg people of Niger. His ancestors came from North Carolina. He lived in Mississippi and then in Chicago. He acted since he was a child. He was in the Air Force back in the 1950's. Morgan Freeman constantly acted in Los Angeles, California. He played in theater too like in the 1968 all black version of Hello, Dolly! featuring Cab Calloway and Pearl Bailey. He was in the PBS kids's show of The Electric Company. He starred in movies like Glory, Street Smart, the controversial Driving Miss Daisy, Lean on Me, and Unforgiven. Freeman played Red in the movie of The Shawshank Redemption. Morgan Freeman played many roles that outlined the multidimensional nature of human beings. He isn't afraid to tackle roles from a researcher to a detective. Documentaries being narrated by him deal with nature, spirituality, and the purpose of life. He loves his four children. I wish Brother Morgan Freeman more Blessings.
By Timothy
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