Apparently We Have A Long Way To Go

In my previous post, I pondered how we were going to move forward. We have a person of color in the White House. We are hopeful about our future, we appear to be behaving in a unified manner not seen since the days of the quest for Civil Rights. And yet, with people being what they are, I suppose we will always have folks like Ted Kefalinos, creator of the "Drunken Negro Head" cookie.

I am not kidding.

In my previous post, I reflected on what Dr. King would think of what lies ahead. In looking at the picture, I see now that he knew all along; you see it in his expression and his body language. As long as there are people like Mr. Kefalinos, the road we travel to become the best we can be is going to be a very long one. The part of me that practices mindful compassion will send out a request to the Universe that Mr. Kefalinos will coe to understand just how wrong this is. The part of me that grew up in the hood agrees with the commenter on Gawker.com (where this appears) who said:

"How wonderful it would be if Mr. Kefalinos got a visit from, oh, about a dozen big-ass brothers from uptown who didn't do anything, just stood there for the scariest fifteen minutes or so in his recent memory."

Peace out.

"Where Do We Go From Here?..."

I've been wondering what Dr. King is feeling about tomorrow's inauguration. Surely he is pleased. I also believe that Dr. King is quietly reminding us to be mindful; that the work to heal our country (and ourselves) is not over. Mostly I like to think that he goes about, quietly whispering our ears..."Hold on to the way it felt when Sen. Obama spoke in Chicago. Hold on to the feeling that we finally were able to address each other with joy and without agenda or preconceived notions."

I have this picture on the wall above my desk, just looking at it calms me when I'm worked up about people, things, the world. And when I am worried about what comes next, I am reminded that Dr. King knew what was coming next...and he never wavered from his path. I'm hopeful that in the coming years, we will do the same.

So in the spirit of today, in honor of Dr. King, here's your homework assignment: Give an unexpected hug today. Express kindness in response to anger. Hold the door for someone (I find people tend to be really shocked by that, for some reason). Tell a stranger how lovely they look. Mean it.

Dr. King asks, at the 10th Annual Southern Christian Leadership Conference, "Where Do We Go From Here?" I like his chosen path.

"...Darkness cannot put out darkness; only light can do that.

And I say to you, I have also decided to stick with love, for I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems. And I'm going to talk about it everywhere I go. I know it isn't popular to talk about it in some circles today. And I'm not talking about emotional bosh when I talk about love; I'm talking about a strong, demanding love. For I have seen too much hate. I've seen too much hate on the faces of sheriffs in the South. I've seen hate on the faces of too many Klansmen and too many White Citizens Councilors in the South to want to hate, myself, because every time I see it, I know that it does something to their faces and their personalities, and I say to myself that hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love. If you are seeking the highest good, I think you can find it through love. And the beautiful thing is that we aren't moving wrong when we do it, because John was right, God is love. He who hates does not know God, but he who loves has the key that unlocks the door to the meaning of ultimate reality.

And so I say to you today, my friends, that you may be able to speak with the tongues of men and angels; you may have the eloquence of articulate speech; but if you have not love, it means nothing. Yes, you may have the gift of prophecy; you may have the gift of scientific prediction and understand the behavior of molecules; you may break into the storehouse of nature and bring forth many new insights; yes, you may ascend to the heights of academic achievement so that you have all knowledge; and you may boast of your great institutions of learning and the boundless extent of your degrees; but if you have not love, all of these mean absolutely nothing. You may even give your goods to feed the poor; you may bestow great gifts to charity; and you may tower high in philanthropy; but if you have not love, your charity means nothing."

Doing The Right Thing

I have always told my kids that doing the right thing may not always feel like the right thing; it may not be recognized as the right thing, and it may make enemies. But in the end, what matters most is that you stepped up, and that you did so, knowing that it might cost you - but you did it anyway. Such is the case with Gen. Eric K. Shinseki.

Gen. Shinseki put his career on the line by telling the truth about the Iraq war; about what it would take to engage effectively, and what it would cost us. His reward was to have the White House version of the Cone of Silence lowered onto his head. In February, 2003 while testifying before Congress, shortly before the beginning of what we now know as The Long War, he stated that “several hundred thousand soldiers” would be needed to stabilize Iraq after an invasion." That our troops would encounter “ethnic tensions that could lead to other problems,” adding, “and so it takes a significant ground force presence to maintain a safe and secure environment.” Rumsfeld scoffed. Wolfowitz dismissed him and his testimony as "wildly off the mark." Gen. Shenseki's predictions were right on the money, and though he was eventually vindicated by the passage of time, it wasn't soon enough (for me anyway). He quietly retired from the Army in 2007.

I also believe that when you do the right thing, it does not go unnoticed. President Elect Obama noticed and has chosen him as the 7th President Elect Obama noticed and has chosen him as the 7th United States Secretary of of Veterans Affairs. A better, and more symbolic choice can't be found. He cared at the beginning, and he will now bring that thoughtfulness and kindness to the overburdened, injured, traumatized band of brothers and sisters he was charged with leading. At the outset his goal was to deploy an army that would fulfill their duties in the safest way possible. Given that the Bush Administration has so soundly failed them, it comforts me to know that he'll be able to make sure they're cared for now that they're home.
Hooah!

"Stifling an urge to dance is bad for your health ...

...it rusts your spirit and your hips. " So said Adabella Radici. I think there is truth in that.

Years ago, TFMR and I had a friend who had a Ford LTD...you know, the car. We nicknamed it the "Love To Dance." That totally worked for me, because I loved to dance; ironically I married someone who did not. Over the years, I learned to suppress the need (and the ability) to express myself through dance...it was only my major in college; but I always appreciated a man who could throw down on the dance floor. Now this fella, Judson Laipply is a force of nature. Judson's first video, "The Evolution of Dance" is one of the most viewed videos of all time. I'm happy to say that he has blessed us with with "Evolution of Dance 2". So come on and "slide" with me...it would make me smile like I haven't in years!

Oh Yes...You CAN Be Replaced...

I think we've all run into at least one...if not all...of these gentlemen from time to time. I know I have. But count on Finesse Mitchell, formerly of SNL and wicked funny, to put it all in perspective for you.

And the cop? That one takes me places I'd really rather not revisit.

Who's Crazy, Who's Not

Yet Another For The "WTF" File

Not a day goes by that I don't raise my eyes to the sky and ask (whomever may be listening): WTF is wrong with people?!

Call me silly, but I could swear that the purpose of divorce is to remove the person from your life; not create more anger and drama in your life. I cannot imagine hating someone that I once loved so much that I would actually lose my mind. I also can't imagine being so insane that I would forget that my kids are a part of the equation.

This man wants his money back. When he loved his wife, he loved her enough to donate a kidney to her. Now he hates her and wants his money back? He has three children who are well past the age of reason, and justice would be served if they never spoke to his crazy ass again. Knowing that your dad made the national news because he is such a petty tool; well...that's just sad.

Again, I say....WTF is wrong with people?!