We used to teach the Greek trivium and quadrivium in our schools as it was an inoculation of the mind, a means to cleanse and critically think. I suspect it’s precisely why they stopped. Thanks Reagan. And it brings us to today. I used to say the gipper brought us the “it’s ok to be stupid eras.” Now with the T word it’s the ok to be a stupid asshole eras. Love your insights.
There are words that cut my ego to the core, but none that cut my humanity, and I try like a sober junky, to recognize that big white boy privilege every day…..
Mr. Scancella the happiest of New Years to you and your loved ones. I remind all, whenever I have the chance, that you have been one of my staunchest supporters since I began writing. You have never wavered, even though I am almost certain that at some point I have stated something that some may have found upsetting.
Mr. Kenyatta, please know that I have never found your writing upsetting—to me. Some may find that the truth in your writing is upsetting, but isn’t that the point? Mahalo for the kind thoughts.
That is why I exist; and it has taken some time to accept that fact. A fact that I will be speaking on, quite literally, in the next days. It is Mark Twain, one of my favorite writers and thinkers (though quite the white supremacist himself) that said: "The two most important days of your life are the day you are born, and the day you figure out why."
I have, reluctantly, and finally, figured out "why."
To follow with the theme of linguistic erasure by the colonizers.. just create the false reality that they are the true representatives of the very land they stole. Devious and cowardly, as per usual.
Deeds can be more easily definitive than words, unless words conflate the actions taken. How many nations' people have the US "liberated" , when in reality it caused chaos and upheaval for the furtherance of capitalist goals? The words end up negating the deeds actually done.
Or, perhaps, the deeds end up negating the words. For instance "equal rights," "democracy," "liberty and justice for all," etc. are not substantiated by acts based in reality.
“Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in deed and IN TRUTH” (1 John 3:18)
Susan, I don't think Rohn will mind me recommending a book to you. It won a National Book Award a few years back and is called Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. If you read it, prepare to have your mind blown as it details how very differently a 'black' childs experience of America is from that of the 'white' child. Very, very moving. Disturbing, you cannot forget it.
What I hope to accomplish here, with a considerable European-American audience (a fact that I not only do not understand, but struggle with) is for the United States, and the world, to realize how damaged we really are. So much so, that many of us cannot comprehend the damage; it is so vast and sweeping. Realities must be faced. We, will NEVER be "equal" in the United States. That starkness must be dealt with in order for substantive proposals for correction to be considered.
Jo, I take no offense, at all. However, realize that it is not just certain children, or Black Children in the United States, affected. It is all children...it is all people.
The go to for bigots who don't understand the mass cache of actual history that depicts exactly why the fascist south needed to preserve their free labor system. And why most of the north reaaallly didn't want to anger industry..I mean states rights.
We used to teach the Greek trivium and quadrivium in our schools as it was an inoculation of the mind, a means to cleanse and critically think. I suspect it’s precisely why they stopped. Thanks Reagan. And it brings us to today. I used to say the gipper brought us the “it’s ok to be stupid eras.” Now with the T word it’s the ok to be a stupid asshole eras. Love your insights.
More like "N-Sights."
Always looking inward, in words.
You can say that I don’t dare
Thanks for the smile!
A rare treat for me.😎
There are words that cut my ego to the core, but none that cut my humanity, and I try like a sober junky, to recognize that big white boy privilege every day…..
Understood.
Appreciated (as best I can).
Mr. Kenyatta,
No one says it better. I thank you and will share this with my friends whom will appreciate it as much as I. Have a great New Year.
Aloha,
Mr. Scancella the happiest of New Years to you and your loved ones. I remind all, whenever I have the chance, that you have been one of my staunchest supporters since I began writing. You have never wavered, even though I am almost certain that at some point I have stated something that some may have found upsetting.
I'm democratic that way.
Mr. Kenyatta, please know that I have never found your writing upsetting—to me. Some may find that the truth in your writing is upsetting, but isn’t that the point? Mahalo for the kind thoughts.
A Hui Hou.
Indeed, that IS the point and thank you for reminding me of it!
The coming downfall of this "empire" of thievery is going to be quite something.
That process has begun.
"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
Congratulations on the most monumental of achievements.
That is why I exist; and it has taken some time to accept that fact. A fact that I will be speaking on, quite literally, in the next days. It is Mark Twain, one of my favorite writers and thinkers (though quite the white supremacist himself) that said: "The two most important days of your life are the day you are born, and the day you figure out why."
I have, reluctantly, and finally, figured out "why."
Sublime.
LOL.
To follow with the theme of linguistic erasure by the colonizers.. just create the false reality that they are the true representatives of the very land they stole. Devious and cowardly, as per usual.
Deeds can be more easily definitive than words, unless words conflate the actions taken. How many nations' people have the US "liberated" , when in reality it caused chaos and upheaval for the furtherance of capitalist goals? The words end up negating the deeds actually done.
Or, perhaps, the deeds end up negating the words. For instance "equal rights," "democracy," "liberty and justice for all," etc. are not substantiated by acts based in reality.
“Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in deed and IN TRUTH” (1 John 3:18)
Susan, I don't think Rohn will mind me recommending a book to you. It won a National Book Award a few years back and is called Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. If you read it, prepare to have your mind blown as it details how very differently a 'black' childs experience of America is from that of the 'white' child. Very, very moving. Disturbing, you cannot forget it.
What I hope to accomplish here, with a considerable European-American audience (a fact that I not only do not understand, but struggle with) is for the United States, and the world, to realize how damaged we really are. So much so, that many of us cannot comprehend the damage; it is so vast and sweeping. Realities must be faced. We, will NEVER be "equal" in the United States. That starkness must be dealt with in order for substantive proposals for correction to be considered.
Jo, I take no offense, at all. However, realize that it is not just certain children, or Black Children in the United States, affected. It is all children...it is all people.
https://theconversation.com/what-i-learned-when-i-recreated-the-famous-doll-test-that-looked-at-how-black-kids-see-race-153780
The go to for bigots who don't understand the mass cache of actual history that depicts exactly why the fascist south needed to preserve their free labor system. And why most of the north reaaallly didn't want to anger industry..I mean states rights.