Friday, September 11, 2020

Stories to Remember.

  

Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris is right to say that it is outrageous that Trump knew about the seriousness of the virus, but he downplayed it intentionally. Doing that shows that Trump lacks a concern with the health and well being of Americans. Right now, almost 200,000 Americans alone are dead by the virus. Trump knew the viciousness of the illness by February 7, 2020 when he had a conversation with Chinese President  Xi Xingping. Woodward wrote about this information in his new book called Rage. Woodward was the person (along with Bernstein) who exposed the Watergate conspiracy that led to Richard Nixon to resign from office back in August of 1974. Trump is not the only person responsible for this crisis. It is also the aides and those around his administration who supported his policies that are additionally complicit in the disaster that we are experiencing in the world. Trump is more concerned with Wall Street banking interests than ordinary citizens. That is why one whistle-blower said that the Trump team wanted him to suppress reports of the growing threat of terrorism among white supremacists. We know that hate crimes have increased in America since 2016.

 

As many have talked about, Bob Woodward's new book is called Rage. It is about the failed Presidency of Donald Trump. Woodward recorded on tape Trump's real thoughts. The major revelation is that Trump on tape privately admitted in February 2020 that the coronavirus was very serious, worst that the flu, but he intentionally downplayed the seriousness of the virus in public months ago. Trump and his administration downplaying a deadly virus is the height of an abrogation of their responsibilities in saving lives. Trump also told Woodward that he denied the existence of white privilege, he hated Barack Obama (calling him "Barack Hussein"), and said that Obama wasn't a great speech maker. Trump said the lie that Barack Obama isn't smart. Barack Obama was a constitutional professor at an university, he wrote many books, and he understands tons of complicated issues. Therefore, Obama is a very intelligent person. The shutdown in America was in mid-March 2020, and we didn't have to be in this place now if Trump truly responded to the health crisis in a comprehensive, radical fashion. The policies of hate, fear, and lies from Trump has resulted in the ruination of numerous lives. That is why we have a clear choice. There is no ambiguity here. Even Trump's former administration officials consider Trump unfit, dangerous (Mattis told Coats that Trump is unfit and dangerous. Mattis also prayed at the National Cathedral for the fate of America), and just plain wrong. Trump lying to the American people is certainly disgraceful. Him demonizing low income people and claiming that they will invade the suburbs is evil, and this is why Trump must be voted out of office.

 

Days ago was the Birthday of one of the greatest lyricists and MCs in history. He influenced Jay Z, Big L, and other hip hop artists. He is Brother Antonio Hardy, aka Big Daddy Kane. Kane was born in Brooklyn, NYC. He is now 52 years old. He is a wordsmith of the Golden Age of Hip hop which lasted from 1986 to 1994. By 1984, he was a friend to Biz Markie, and co-wrote many of Biz Markie's rhymes. Kane joined the Queens based Juice Crew (which was headed by the producer Marley Marl). He used fast rhyming and rhythm. Hip Hop is the harmony of great rhyming and soul. His debut album was Long live the Kane in 1988. He was on the famous The Symphony back in 1988 that had Craig G, Masta Ace, and Kool G Rap. He made records in the 1990's and the 21st century. He worked in R&B beats too, he was in the film Posse back in 1993 (that mentioned the often ignored black American experience in the West), and he was the Meteor Man film. He was on the 1996 song with Tupac called Where Ever U R. Kane worked with Jay Z too. He did songs with Tribe, Jurassic 5, Little Brother, and DJ Babu of the Beat Junkies. Kane was so great that every rapper of the 21st century is influenced by him directly or indirectly.  In fact, he is one of the 5 greatest MCs of all time in my opinion. He loves his wife and child.

 

Recently, Kevin Zeese passed away. He promoted peace and justice for long decades. His partner was Margaret Flowers, and his friend was Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo. Zeese worked at the Occupy Movement in September of 2011. He worked with Occupy DC, Hands Up Don't Shoot, Justice Mondays, and other movements. He also was one of the many people who came out to try to stop the descreation of Moses African Cemetry in Bethesda, Maryland. One of his last momenets on this Earth was his protest for the Bethesda African Cemetry Coalition (BACC). He always believed in nonviolent action in achieving legitimate social change. When life is over, the judgement is what did you do in moments of crisis and controversy. Kevin Zeese never resisted the cause to make good trouble in bettering the lives of fellow human beings. Like the ancestors of old, he fully wanted to eliminate the system of white racism and make a system of justice for all. A force against poverty and injustice represent his legacy. RIP Kevin Zeese. 

 

The common myth is that sports and politics should always remain separate. I heard this argument all of the time from Trump supporters and many conservatives. This argument is wrong, because of many issues. First, anytime of history shows the need of human beings to stand up for justice. Silence is not an option as we have a serious problem of not only police brutality but of racism, sexism, xenophobia, and other evils in the world. The solution is never about separating sports from athletics. It is about courageously standing up and speaking up about these issues and making solutions to the problems. Muhammad Ali is a perfect example of a person who didn't separate sports from politics. Ali inspired many black people to love their gGod-given Black African features. He also publicly opposed the Vietnam War, because it was a civil war that has nothing to do with nending oppression in America. Also, the Vietnam War was an unjust war that could have been resolved easily by a negotiated settlement. Colin Kaepernick, Lebron James, Renee Montgomery, and other athleties of the younger generation have taken their time to speak up and invest in programs to address sysmetica racism. Also, sports will ntot die when people take a stand for equality. In fact, many a stand will enchance sports and make people more conscious about the truth. We have the free speech right to speak our minds on many issues. 

 

By Timothy

 

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