Of late, we've heard a great deal about systemic discrimination and racism in the US. Via the Black Lives Matter movement, we've been sensitized to systemic discrimination in police departments and other agencies of the criminal justice systems. But many have alleged there's systemic discrimination and institutional racism in corporations, universities, and religious institutions as well. I've written many blogs about discrimination, and one recent example is here. But I haven't written … [Read more...]
White Privilege and BLM (Black Lives Matter) – explained.
White privilege and BLM collided a couple of days ago. President Donald Trump's home and signature building, Trump Tower, got tagged. None other than Democrat Mayor of New York City, Bill deBlasio (tall guy in blue shirt below), helped paint Black Lives Matter on the street in front of Trump's home. Republicans thought the tag job was bush league, but Democrats felt it wonderful that what started in Washington, D.C. a while back had made it to Trump's … [Read more...]
“Just Mercy” author addresses issues raised by George Floyd’s death.
In my last blog, I passed along a progressive black man's take on the massive George Floyd protests. It was written by a Harvard Law grad who is a proponent of nonviolence. I'm giving time in today's blog to a moderate black man's take on the issue of racism raised by the protests. Attorney Bryan Stevenson, also a Harvard Law grad, is having a bit of a moment. The movie of his book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption has just been released. It stars Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx, … [Read more...]
Do you know 10 key things about whiteness?
This quiz testing your knowledge of key things about whiteness gives you the answers. So, don't cheat. I'm posting this because my recent blog about privilege and whiteness showed there's a lot of interest in the topic. Since Aussie Luke Pearson and Sophie Verass put the following post together, you'll encounter some Down-Under spelling and examples. What's interesting is that Australia, as well as many other countries, wrestles with the same issues and problems as the US … [Read more...]
White supremacy increasing. Need civil rights activist heroes.
Calling the civil rights activist — wherever you may be. We need you now. Why" To combat the rise in hate crimes experienced worldwide. Data from multiple sources suggest this is so, not just info from news accounts about egregious crimes. The latest being the terror attacks on two New Zealand mosques, killing 50 and injuring 50. We need the likes of Martin Luther King, Jr. and many of the men and women in his orbit. We know a lot about the civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, for … [Read more...]
Honoring Martin Luther King, Painting, and Writing.
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his holiday in the U.S., I've added paintings I did of '60s & '70s American heroes to my gallery. Most all of these heroes were assertive, yet nonviolent, agents for change and justice. The possible exception is Dag Hammarskjold whose United Nations peacekeepers around the world had to defend themselves, sadly, with armed force on occasion. I painted these and other works at an artists' commune in a warehouse, which is featured in the book I'm … [Read more...]
‘Seven Deadly Sins’ paintings: Blow-ups & Interpretations.
Deadly sins in some faiths today refer to behavior outside the norm, acts that estrange people from "being right with God." (Catholics also call these less serious transgressions "cardinal" or "capital" sins, the latter because they engender other sins or vices. "Mortal" sins, by contrast, are much more serious and include such acts as murder and other felony crimes.) Paintings — Bad people, according to some Faiths. The Deadly Sins series. A Public Relations message about a recent … [Read more...]