I don't know how long our local newspaper has been doing a feature on Black History Month, but I can only imagine it's been a longtime because it's been around since 1926. We used to see a few letters -to -the- editor complaining, but that's as far as it went. The complaints are much more visible, now that we have an online forum.
It's usually the same suspects who will try to make this a racial issue, saying “we are all Americans" but those people are usually the ones who have made remarks with racial overtones and put up blogs similar in nature. They certainly can't lead by example. A recent letter writer said we should only honor respected black heroes. That letter reminded me of an old timer I used to work with, who told a fellow black worker that he was one of the good ones. We looked at each and burst out laughing but the old timer had good intentions, even though he was stuck in generational racism. He probably went to his grave thinking that his accident of birth gave him superiority over someone who was not Caucasian.
We are all Americans but unless you live in a superficial world, we all recognize that we come from different cultures and in some cases, we're often stereotyped. I'm glad I was born in Victoria because it's such a diverse city and except for a few, we embrace that. I can remember when Victoria first integrated. I was in junior high school at the time. We elected one of the students who transferred from Gross, to be our class president. At the high school level one of the transferees was elected to be the drum major at Victoria High. It wasn't long (a couple of years) after that when an old friend, Raymond Douglas Grant, became a starter as a freshman on the VSH team of 1961. I can remember the whole student body shouting “Raymond, Raymond, Raymond" in unison at the pep rallies. It's just a hunch, but I think the ones complaining about Black History Month are not from Victoria. I could go on and on by naming a local policeman “Willy Hill" everyone loved, a City Councilman and everyone's education hero, Harold Cade but my fella Victorians understand where I'm coming from.
I like the feature called Black History Month because that's a part of history that I was not taught way back then. I would be just as interested in reading about Bohemian, German, Italian, and Middle Eastern heroes and I wouldn't think twice about it being preferential treatment. That doesn't make me morally superior, it just makes me a product of my hometown and how it handled diversity.
One last thing about the recent controversy involving the White House and the Catholic Church. The last few days I've been reading the first amendment, especially the freedom of religion and free exercise thereof. I'm not a lawyer, and I didn't want to bother my brother-in- law for his interpretation, but as luck would have it, I found my answer last night. MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell had a constitutional lawyer David Boies as his guest. David Boies, argued Bush v Gore because Supreme Court and was instrumental in California's proposition 8 been overturned by an appeals court.Mr. Boies said that the recent conflict between the Catholic Church and the government has already been defeated in the courts. He cited the New York case. He said that the first amendment means that the government cannot force us to follow a religious belief. The government in the free exercise cannot restrict a person's free will to follow his religion. This case is about the subjecting an employer to follow the same rules as anyone else. He said that the church had every right to persuade their flock in not buying contraceptives. Several Catholic charities, hospitals, and colleges are already abiding by the new healthcare law. Republican legislators are already introducing legislation to stop Human Health Services at the Federal level. It will be a political wedge issue in the 2012 political season.
35 comments:
You write, "He said that the first amendment means that the government cannot force us to follow a religious belief. The government in the free exercise cannot restrict a person's free will to follow his religion."
At the risk of sounding really tacky here, what part of this do you think folks just don't get?
Nevermind. I know they twist the words to make it fit theit thoughts.
I have no problem with Black History Month. I have no problem with Cinco de Mayo. I have no problem with St. Patrick's Day. I have no problem with the Czech Heritage Festival. I have a hige problem with the ongoing Ignorance is Bliss Festival that never ends in this town!
Mike, I will try to disagree here with one small point without being disagreeable, although the spirit of your blog I find no fault with.
Victoria has to be one of the LEAST diverse places I have ever been in. I will say that the smaller towns around here are even worse. Victoria is mostly Mexican and white. THAT IS NOT DIVERSITY. I have an Indian friend from Houston who comes to visit occasionally, and the first time we went to Victoria, we were looking for someplace to eat. Mind you, he is fairly flexible when it comes to restaurants and a very easy-going guy. He asked if there was an Indian restaurant. Uh....no, I replied. Middle-Eastern? Hmmmm.....not really. Chinese? Duh, millions of 'em. So we go for Chinese now every time he comes down. But it got me to thinking, there ARE quite a few Indians and Pakistanis in Victoria (although not many), so why ISN'T there more ethnic restaurants to be found? Not everyone likes Chinese or Mexican all the time. No soul food kitchens, no Middle Eastern cuisine, no South American eateries. Just a very small gripe of mine. I know that Victoria is a very small town, and they can't accomodate every type of food establishment, but even if they could, I don't believe the UNDIVERSE population around these parts would support something so new and unfamiliar. Victoria is far from cosmopolitan, and it is no wonder minds are so closed to other cultures, and that trickles right down to Black History Month.
Not trying to stir up a hornets' nest here, just my view as an objective "outsider". I do hope it gets better, but with the kind of mentality around here, I don't believe it ever will. I don't mean to step on toes here, certainly. "Ignorance is bliss festival" is right, Edith Ann.
EA
That's the reason I like Lawrence O'Donnell, he's not superficial and he doesn't pull any punches. He said it can't be about contraceptives because that has to be a man-made law, since they didn't come into existence until the early 1960s.
Most of our politicians are lawyers and they're well aware of what the first amendment states but they are also opportunists, who like to play on people's fears ... Senator Marco Rubio comes to mind... This is right up Rick Santorum's alley because I just saw an old clip of him saying that he would like the Federal government to ban birth control pills.
I'm not much on festivals these days.
Sugar
In my scenario, I lumped everyone into different ethnicties instead of the standard white black and brown. When I worked at the highway department, we enjoyed the Bohemian weddings, the Czech festivals (even in our church) where the mass was given in Czech and of course Cinco de Mayo. I wrote about our city integrating without rioting. Our city was no different than other cities in the nation prior to the Civil Rights legislation but we did not make the evening news because of racial discrimination back then.
It was a different era which cannot be compared to today. I'm sure it was not perfect.
I was at the highway department when and we hired our first African- American, I have to admit it was a little uncomfortable for some older workers but nothing came of it.
The city kept the Hispanic culture and all the people that I grew up with or had business dealings with, embraced it as they do in San Antonio. They didn't try to change it by changing the name of streets, buildings, or areas. At work we always had tamales at Christmas parties, workers brought tacos to work and we're always interested in finding places that had ethnic foods. We also embraced the Czech customs, food and language.
I agree with you that Victoria is not sophisticated enough for a thriving Middle Eastern or Asian Food restaurant. I have a bias because I spent a year in South Korea and I didn't like their food but that's just me. I think that's more of a business decision than anything else.
Victoria has grown a lot since the days I was describing and I won't pretend that I know how diverse it is today. I'm saying if I had grown up and worked in an environment of racial hostility, I might have a different opinion. At the same time racism works both ways, so it was helpful that Victoria was not a hotbed for racial activists. I'm also saying that peaceful integration in our schools and in the workplace helped in accepting diversity.
I'm not pretending to be a goody- two- shoes because as most (IMO) I've participated and laughed at ethnic jokes and told some of my own. I gave as much as I took but I wouldn't do that in the general public, among strangers. I'm also sensitive to those that have been discriminated against or uncomfortable talking about racial issues. Most of all, I don't want to be portrayed as someone who is obsessed with racial issues.
BTW Always feel free to state your mind because I certainly don’t think I have all the answers. It may seem that way sometimes..:-)
See I told you so..Create and take advantage is what Marco Rubio is all about...I know these guys.
Legislation introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) to reverse the Obama administration’s birth control rule would effectively permit any employer to deny contraception coverage in their employee health plans, critics note.
“Any employer could deny birth control coverage under Rubio’s bill and all the employer would have to do is say it’s for a religious reason,” said Jessica Arons, Director of the Women’s Health and Rights Program at the liberal Center for American Progress. “There is no test to prove eligibility. It’s a loophole you could drive a truck through.”
http://tinyurl.com/72guykw
I hear ya, Mike. I do understand the point you were trying to make. I don't consider Czech and German to be diversity, but then again, I suppose there are other ways of looking at that. I will freely admit that I did become a little "cultured" when we moved down here. We had no idea what a kolache or poppy seed ANYTHING was until some fine Bohemians showed us. And thank goodness for them! I will say that without exception, every Czech and German I have had the privelege to get to know down here are GOOD PEOPLE. I'm glad you took my post in the spirit intended.
As for the birth control thing, I will leave the politics to you. But I have never been able to understand why insurance companies (and the government) are determined it's cheaper for a woman to have a baby and have that child put on insurance (or CHIPS, or MEDICAID, as a majority are these days) than to pay for birth control. People, THINK!!!! The heck with moral and religious stances, think of it logically with a cost-effective perspective!
I would love for an Indian restaurant to open up here.
Rebecca
What ingredients go into Indian foods,is it spicer than Mexican food with picante?
What type of meat is normally used?
Don't tell me it tastes like chicken .....:-)
I wish we still had the food fairs because I usually start with bite size samples.
Sugar
You've been on the forum longer than I have but since I joined I have never seen you make any derogatory remarks,so I took your opinion as you intended.
I really wish everyone would take abortion out of national politics.
We are in agreement on your last statement there, Mike.
Most Indian food is largely vegetarian, as are many Indians (Hindu). Some Indians also eat chicken, and some will eat fish or seafood. My friend will eat chicken, but is allergic to seafood. It is quite spicy, but in a different kind of way than Mexican. I suppose you could call it a "slow burn". It's quite flavorful, as curry powders, cardamom, fennel, etc. are commonly used. It is usually very fresh and simply prepared, mostly healthy as they do not tend to fry very much. There are some excellent restaurants in Houston next time you go if you want to try it; Bombay Brasserie is a good one, as is Indika.
The WH will offer a compromise to the Catholic church this afternoon but it won't be a sure thing because after listening to Cardinal Donald Wuerl ,freedom is an issue that can't be compromised.....He doesn't really care that 14% of women take birth control pills for health reasons other than avoiding pregnancy.
It's interesting,on the day before 9/11 Republican Olympia Snowe introduced a bill which 5 of her GOP colleagues supported and 15 republicans in the house followed insisting that contraception should be part of any insurance plan. Under George W. Bush....no outcry,in fact that's what Georgia has....Georgetown U (catholic college) has 2 plans one with contraceptives and one without....It's a shame,women already pay 68% more than men for health insurance.
Thanks for the info Sugar,I'll keep it in mind
Interesting!
I can understand how the administration wants to get this issue out the way because of possible political implications but they have the winning hand..I know time is of an essence.
"“One thing I think is crystal clear — there is no First Amendment violation by this law,” Adam Winkler, a constitutional law professor at UCLA, told TPM. “The Supreme Court was very clear in a case called Employment Division v. Smith, written by none other than Antonin Scalia, that religious believers and institutions are not entitled to an exemption from generally applicable laws.”
http://tinyurl.com/76bvwqr
I don't know much about Indian food, but I love curry and I love variety! I just made some greens (it's hard for me to get them down but we are trying to eat more of them) and I cooked them in olive oil and chicken broth and added curry and turmeric. This has been the best batch so far! I'm going to start adding curry from now on.
Now that sounds really good.
I've seen it time and time again where the uninformed go on a rampage and blame the president and liberals for trampling on the constitution... Then you show proof where the most conservative Supreme Court Justice we've ever had, ruled against them... The board goes blank... At least respond with "in this case Justice Scalia is wrong"... But then you have to consider on one hand, you have a poster with no law experience and on the other, you have a supreme court judge.
The other option was to admit that they were wrong but they're not the type to do that.
Me, Myself and I just don't see why this has been blown up to such proportions,both topics.
On the contraceptive thing, yeah Catholic leaders have traditional promoted the rhythm method, only have relations when the chances are lowest of pregnancy, kind of flies in the face of the "The outcome of procreation" don't ya think?
Other than birth control the Catholic church is mute on other medical treatments, unlike Christian Scientists who think prayer cures all, wonder what they think about it?
Medical treatment has to do with the body right? Spiritual beliefs have to do with the soul right? Both sides IMO are interfering in a persons own decision. If you don't want to take birth control or have a abortion...THEN DON'T!
Easy enough?
On the Black History month subject, every single ethnic group in America has some sort of celebration be it a day, days, week or month, every year.
I enjoy the diversity.
A sensible answer Legion...We need people like you in Washington.....I don't know why EA hasn't tried to recruit you to run for city council....You would get my vote.
I know you have a lot better things to do.
I wish there was a big meeting of VICAD bloggers and commenters. I really want to see the ingornate people in person.
Second, Sugar is right there are not thst many blacks in Victoria and the Crossraod area. Which explains why you have a one-sided views,(which I hate) being expressed on VIcAD. If this area or even VICAD blogsphere was diverse than none of the nonsense from the likes of John Henderson and Justamom wouldn't happen.
If my comment is "stirring the pot", I could care less. Someone has to say something and I guess it has to be me.
Justin, can you just once, make an attempt at spelling ignorant, correctly? And on the subject of wishing there was a meeting of victoria advocado "bloggers and commenters" so you could see the "ingorante" people in person. Fat chance, unless you use binoculars and maybe with night vision....you challenged someone to a public debate a while back as I recall, and the challenge was accepted, giving you the chance to see the "ingorante" people. Your reply? The best crawfishing act in recent memory, and a quick befriending of the one who called your bluff, likely to make sure that debate thingy didn't happen again.
Okay folks, what say we set a time and a place for a meeting of Vicad bloggers, past, present, and possibly some future ones - on the fence waiting for Cobler to fall from his perch before jumping in? What would be a good weekend date for all? Where would be a convenient place to get as many attendees as possible to turn out? I say maybe Yoakum, or Halletsville, at the coffeeshop or down-home restaurant that would be willing to accomodate us for a couple of hours. Lord knows we would not lack for talking points. I say let Mike and Edith Ann chair and moderate the meeting. For those who think I am kidding or bluffing, hide and watch. I am sure there will be at least one other invitee doing the same. We did it once before in 2005, at Hastings in Vic, and it was fun. CJ was absent, but Kellie Rhea, Rusty, Tim Delany, Chelsey, Tim Oi, and a few that escape me at the moment showed their voices and faces. We vowed to do it again - I am getting the seven year itch - lets do it again, citizen reporters.
On the subject of Black History month, I think an entire month of any sort of ethnic celebration is a bit on the longish side, though I will say that if you break it down by black or dark skinned folks, you are talking about a lot of different ethnicities who share that distinction, and the majority of them are not descendants of victims of slavery and as such, maybe a month isn't so long after all. But you'd need to breal the month into like two or three day segments, to honor Indians, Jamaicans, Caribbean and South Sea Islanders, etc......and let's not forget Native Americans.
But back to the Vicad bloggers alumni gathering....who's in? Heck, I'll organize it and find a spot central to all in the Crossroads area (which I consider Katy to be in the northern burbs of).
BigJ
I've always wondered what some of these trolls look like, they write like they are all 6'and5" and 350 pounds..:-)
I don't know who John Henderson is but again diversity to me means something else. I'm glad it's not that many who make stupid comments but it's usually the same ones.
I bet most of time the pot has already been stirred and waiting to boil over by the time you get to it.
You're absolutely right there are only about 4,000 black people living in Victoria but a high percentage of successful sons,daughters and grandchildren have come from them. We have about 4 or 5 professional football players and one and professional baseball player that came from this area, several lawyers, a playwright for a Hollywood Fox studio, several business persons but they like to be compensated for the fruits of their labor, so they don't come back to Victoria.
Pilot
A meeting of fellow bloggers is an interesting concept but I don't have a vendetta. If that's the criteria; I wouldn't be interested. I'm confident that I could be friends with people that have mischaracterized me.
I don't like to give maybes, if I agree to go, I will circle the date on my calendar and I will be there but I have to know more details. After the month of May any date would be agreeable with me, before that, I would have to check my schedule.
As I've said before, I picture you as being a " what you see is what you get" person who's not a bit superficial. I'm a little older than you are but your mannerisms are very similar to people I have grown up with and shared a life history with in Victoria. Mind you, my opinion comes from reading your old blogs and postings.
Mike, I am not 6'-5", 350lbs, even though I may write as such at times - or at least comment that way. I am more like 5'-9", and a portly 200....give or take.
I don't have a vendetta either. After the experience of the first blogger gathering at Hastings, I would dearly love to have another one, and I would welcome Tim, Chris, and Advocate staffers who felt compelled to show. This could be a lot of fun, and maybe even a galvanizing event, and in truth I honestly think that if one of you survivors announced the event on the Vicad site, everything considered, there would be a maximum of about 15-30 show up, with 75% of us sporting greying manes. I could see some benefit to finally meeting Justin and clearing the air. Probably do him some good to find out we don't bite and we aren't set on destroying the planet. I really doubt Justin would show up, but I'd welcome him. I hope that some of the other bloggers will at least toss the idea around. BTW - age - I was born in '50. Easy math.
MA
Maybe I need to revamp the Edith Ann Spectacular? Do you think they would come, really? I don't! Hell, most of them are too skeered to show up anonymously on our blogs over here!
We need the University to organize something as a social experiment. Now, that could be interesting. Maybe.
Pilot.
You talked, yet ceased to think. Do not be mistaken; there is a difference between befriending someone and joining an alliance with someone. That person-or should I say persons- have been victims of an unfair media hit pieces and was attacked by the same group of folks I considered a problem.
I highly doubt you don’t have a vendetta especially with the preferences about myself.
Mike.
The pot was stirred up long before “mommy met daddy”. The comments and letters about this issue is based on fear and ignorance, if you want my opinion. My question is fear of who and of what? If black people are honoring and celebrating history that’s been historically ignored in school books then what’s the problem? The sole purpose for Black history month was to bring awareness of history that was treated as an afterthought and ignored in “mainstream” history studies. It is not to proclaim victim hood or racial superiority which some on the Vicad suggest. I remember a black history parade was organized up in here. It was great and that a Miss Teen who is a white blond was one of the major contributors.
You are right. The Black community in Victoria had produced such great talent , but the issue no one is talking about is none of them are returning or have an economic base from them.
J - You failed to address the Vicad bloggers and commenters meeting that you wished for and that we are now planning. May we count on your presence at this event? We will set a date, but you are welcome to advise us of any dates that you have blacked out and aren't able to appear on, so we might be able to be sure that you will be there.
Pilot
I think it's apparent that BigJ can stand up for himself but I have a different opinion of what transpired on the day he was supposed to have a dual of words with Matt Ocker. As I recall both were known for talking trash. I think BigJ was speaking metaphorically when the he issued the initial challenge but when that challenge was answered, BigJ played along until the final day. I think he’s still speaking metaphorically, meaning that the trash talking posters are pretty brave behind their keyboards... I think we’ve all said or have thought that, at one time or another. I could be wrong but as I stated, he is not bashful, so he can speak for himself. It’s just my opinion.
BSspotter, Matt Ocker's BFF, volunteered to be the moderator and he said that in order to make it fair, that I could be a co- moderator.... I saw it for what it was and immediately stated that I wanted nothing to do with a childish debate that would prove nothing. I saw it as a setup to embarrass BigJ publicly...... I remember Spotter’s first day as a blogger/poster... Within his first day or two, he challenged me to an online debate about the pros and cons of National Healthcare... I immediately declined because I don't participate in abstract debates. It wasn't the only time that I have been challenged... I also remember a new poster calling himself Ed Post (Todd Jett) challenging me to a debate over Barack Obama's book “Audacity of Hope."I guess he thought I was too poor to buy the book because the offered to purchase a copy and leave it at Hastings for me to pick up. I declined but then he became a constant pest. Whenever I submitted a blog, he would post irreverent material about Barack Obama in an attempt to change the topic of the blog. I kept deleting his post but it didn't really stop him. Todd would later offer me $100 to leave the VA, again am I destitute? He made that offer some months back but it's still available for you to see on this site.
Why is all this important? Spotter, Matt, and Todd are all friends outside the forum and all are Ron Paulites.
BTW I was all for a reunion but I don't really like to be in the same county with Todd Jett, so count me out. I'm not a pretentious person and I believe we're always better off if honesty is considered the best policy.
Sorry meant to say " irrelevant."
Well, we'll have a get together of some sort, somewhere. In my mind, it will be a social exchange of ideas. There will with any luck, be folks there I'll get a hug from, along with those I'll meet for the first time. Who won't be there are the ones who are only confrontational and whose bravado is shielded by anonymity, and would dissolve like that of the great OZ, were their curtain pulled back to expose them. I'm good with that. I really don't want to have to have any one on one contact with anyone who is too cowardly to look me in the eyes, and call me a narrow minded old man after meeting me and talking to my heart.
Pilot.
Let me clear something up with you. Mike has a better memory than you and he is more honest about the incident than you are. Mike is 90% right, but what you and Mike, fail to mention was that I was BANNED by PEACH COBLER and an old rival who works in Vicad during the whole issue. That person shall remain nameless.
I didn’t fail to address the issue. It was already address when I first made that statement a month ago. However, with your intervention, would it make sense for me or anyone for that matter to attend a meeting when there is no confirmed location or time? On top of that, I only trust those who are the closest to me.
Mike.
I would like to see the young politico and bloggers being invited as well. People like Mrs Janak the leader of the local Occupy movement, Chelle Nickerson, Kat, and others.
Pilot
An informal get together with a small group is something that could probably be worked out.
It's typical to be called a name, I've done it a few times, and I can see where it's common to assume that anonymous posters are cowards by not willing to meet people they are belittling. I don't hold that opinion because words said in anger or retaliation is just part par for the course sometimes.
BigJ
I never paid much attention to your banishment because you really weren't out that long. It does debunk the notion that you were given preferential treatment.
I think inviting the young bloggers ia an excellent idea and you are the ideal person to set that up.
Mike.
I was banned on Oct 6th 2009 when I was talking to a person name Kat and talking about the President‘s Nobel Peace Prize. I returned Mid January 2010 full time after being banned during Christmas ’09 by the VICAD Nazi who I believe was my college rival and Peach Cobler.
I find it interesting that Pilot (Mike Austin) didn’t bother to respond to your post or that of mine. He should retire the Wizard of Oz routine and find someone else to bother. I mean Gary White is around. Someone once told me “ it easier getting into trouble then getting out of it” and Pilot (& Big Horn) should follow that advice.
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