Reblog: The history of Man by Barbara Lindsay

I'm reading a thoughtful book by the wonderful American historian Heather Cox Richardson titled How the South Won the Civil War. This book takes a look at the history of this country starting with its founding. I'm finding it a challenging read, not because it isn't clearly written, but because back in those days, it was the Republicans who were against slavery (they were the good guys) and Democrats who wanted to perpetuate that institution (the bad guys). I have to keep transposing in my mind who the parties were then with who (whom?) they have become today, when it is Democrats who want to create, for example, affordable health care for all (the good guys) and Republicans who made almost 70 attempts to curb, repeal, and/or modify that plan without offering a better one of their own (the bad guys). It is Democrats who elected the first Black President (the good guys) and Republicans who elected Trump (the bad guys). It is also a challenging book because of how clearly, how glaringly it brings into focus that this country was founded on a broken promise. The Declaration of Independence states "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..." What isn't stated but is a true founding principle of the United States is "And we do mean men. And by that we mean white men. Specifically white men with property. Basically men like us. And no women. Definitely no women." I understand that a lot of countries have been founded on less than ethical terms, through violence or confiscation or the notion of the Divine Right of the few, etc. But in this country, we have this document shouting out our moral superiority and our commitment to equality. And, sadly, the promise of that document wasn't even being kept by those who wrote it, who saw Negroes as only partially men, Native Americans as dispensable savages, and women as baby makers who help men in their pursuit of happiness. We are paying now for the rot at the core of our national birth. We have always been paying for it. Some, of course, pay a higher price than others, but all of us pay as our hypocrisies and cruelties continue to catch up with us. I can't speak to earlier ages except from what I learn from books, but I know about this present time that violence has been encouraged from the highest levels of government and so is blossoming. Too few people have too much, and too many have too little. And those who have will do what they can to keep and increase what they have. For some, no amount of wealth is enough, and damn those who have nothing. Another part of why this is such a sad truth is that it has always been so, from the beginning of time. Those who have power and stuff do what they can, what they must, to hold onto what they have, using violence, twisting laws, breaking promises, organizing armies. It seems to be in the very nature of humankind. Or is it just the nature of mankind? What kind of world might this be if women had had, or been given, equal power, equal say all along? Ah, but if women had power given to them, that power could also be taken away, and to take it for ourselves would probably mean becoming more like the men who take and take and take in any way they feel they need to. I don't know. I guess the only resting place, for me at least, is to acknowledge that the world is as it is, people are as they are, and my job is to do whatever good I can, to be kind, be honest, be aware of others. I suppose that's the only way there can be any sort of balance among people and peoples. Good people must be good, even if we will never be powerful. I don't hold out much hope that my attempts at goodness will solve a single one of the world's problems, nor even my neighborhood's problems, but still, it's what I can do, it's what I have to offer, it's the only way I will be able to live peaceably with myself. Still, can we all just get along? Musings from Granny Owl

Have You Had ENOUGH Yet?

 

Cover photo by Dwight White

I’m asking about the compelling social justice anthology seven other poets and I collaborated to create, ENOUGH “Say Their Names” Messages from Ground Zero to the WORLD. Have you had a chance to read it yourself or to attend one of our reading events?

In early June of 2020, we began writing poems and prose inspired by photography from the Black Lives Matter protests from across the United States. Guided by poet, leadership coach, and photographer  Ronald Montgomery, 147 days later we had a stunning book full of color photographs and consciousness-raising works.

Since then, many of you have attended readings, purchased the book, shared it with family and friends,  and supported us with your positive comments. You have our undying appreciation.

Last week, in honor of Black History Month, we held a well-attended reading, sponsored by my daughter Asila Calhoun of Calhoun Coaching & Consulting. Each of the eight poets presented several poems, followed by group discussion and interaction with attendees. It was just the kind of program we’d envisioned—one which created opportunities for dialog and sharing and prompted the opportunity to look deeper into the social issues facing our country. The session was recorded and can be seen on YouTube.

It occurred to me that lots of folks may not have heard about ENOUGH yet. That’s one reason for this post. So please take a few moments to visit our website, Enough Say Their Names, where we’ve recently added audio samples. Then give yourself the time to watch the recording of our February 24^th Black History Month reading.

Endorsed by Nikki Giovanni, winner of the 2008 American Book Award and seven-time winner of the NAACP Image Award, she writes, “As much as this may make you angry or, in reality, hurt your heart. As much as you may wish your fellow and sister Americans were better people but recognizing they are not. As much as you ask the Lord to forgive you for your hate, this is a book you should read. You will not get ENOUGH of the truth.”

If you or your organization are committed to furthering social justice and would like to book a reading, please contact me by email or on my website at Connections & Conversations.

~ xoA ~

 

Moving Onward - 2021

                    

Photo by Bram Naus on Unsplash

Instead of toasting with champagne or watching the clock strike midnight around the globe, I snored the New Year in. Not that I wasn’t interested! I’ve been hoping for and anticipating 2021 since last March when the world went upside down. But when, as my dad would say, “it’s time to go to SleepyTown,” I have to give in and turn in.

But on awakening this morning I thought about The DayMaker.

I wrote no blog posts in 2020, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t writing. In November of 2019, we lost my sister to cancer. Along with the tears and pain as 2020 began, grief poems and journal entries issued forth by the dozens. Then COVID-19 struck, and in addition to trying to navigate the new parameters and safety protocols, I began a Corona Virus Journal, recording my account of what life looked like for me during this time. And that included several poems as well.

Then the Minneapolis police killed George Floyd, and I began to work on a sheaf of poems around racial justice, equality, and ending police brutality. Along with seven other poets and writers, we put together an anthology inspired by the board-up artwork and photography of the Black Lives Matter protests from around the United States. The title of this stunningly beautiful volume is ENOUGH "Say Their Names..." Messages from Ground Zero to the WORLD. 

Paradoxically, 2020 both hustled along and crawled at a snail’s pace. Travel was curtailed and many activities closed to us, but I look back now and recall my busy-ness and many positive experiences. They begin with the self-care webinar my daughter Asila and I designed and presented several times with my other daughter Amina's assistance. There was the online writing class I began with the encouragement of the North Bend Public Library and continued on my own.

I'm wading through, reading and learning tons about American history and social justice. And, reading contemporary poets whose riveting styles and words illuminate the events of our times.

Through the technology of Zoom, a variety of classes, lectures, readings, and meetings filled my calendar and my need to be “among” people and talk about ideas and feelings. I became more familiar with meditation and learned about and practiced a deeper relaxation Yoga Nidra.

This past week, I had to figure out how to update my website, my hand forced by GoDaddy! But, it’s done and I'm feeling much more competent.

We survived a year like no other, full of challenges and sorrows, joys and blessings, learning, re-learning, and unlearning.  And while many of the stressors are still here, some of the most relentless have gone, or will soon be behind us. We have lots to look forward to and important work to do in 2021.

Starting now, as we embark on this new year,  let’s move onward, together.

~ xoA ~