Mr. Boseman

 He left us yesterday.  He left behind memories of him in the portrayals of positive black male images. Images that as a child growing up in the 1960s I never saw.  Through his movie roles he gave us stories about black super heroes.  The early struggles of black sports figures.  Black entertainers.  Those involved in the legal struggle for the human rights of black people.  I enjoyed the movies of Chadwick Bozeman.  Several of them are in my DVD collection.  We thank God for giving him to us for the time he was with us.  He fulfilled his purpose.  God has called him Home.  We don't always leave this life in a "peaceful" manner.  For whatever reason we leave after a period of suffering.  It is as though this suffering is necessary to escape from this world.  Thank you Mr. Boseman for your body of work through the movies you made.  Thank you for giving black and other minority youth an image they could relate to in the made up world of "super heroes".  Your work included us as being special also.  I waited some 50 plus years to see my black super hero on the movie screen.  It was worth the wait.  Our condolences to your family as they grieve his loss from this world.  Rejoice in knowing he has moved onward to the next level, the final destination we should all aspire to.

Six Months Into Covid - My Report

 I first must thank God that my wife and I have to date not been infected by Covid 19.  My spouse and I had traveled to New Orleans in mid February just as Mardi Gras was starting up.  We then departed New Orleans for a 7 night cruise during the height of Mardi Gras.  As we boarded the cruise ship, the concerns at that time were only for those people who had traveled to China in the past few months.  We still religiously washed our hands while on the ship and practiced extensive safe hygiene.  After we returned home from the cruise reports started to come in that Covid 19 was rampant in New Orleans due to the close crowd contacts during Mardi Gras.

In early March the virus began it's spread throughout the United States.  As it spread more our normal activity of eating out in restaurants came to a halt in the second week of March.  I experienced my first view of a grocery store nearly being empty of food during my first shopping spree during the initial hoarding and panic by those with a selfish nature. Unlike the present, grocery stores had not prepared a policy on limiting the amount of items customers could by during pandemic conditions.  There  were shortages of many common household items normally found in stores.

Normal activities of going to the store, a restaurant, movie theater, retail stores, became a hazard as the virus was spreading through human contact.  People were finally advised to stay at home and then to wear a mask if you had to go out.

During the past months my wife and I have been allowed to stay Covid free.  The impacts of Covid on our lives has mostly been in the area of reduced ability to eat inside restaurants and to participate in entertainment adventures we had become accustomed to.  We did not lose a job, nor have we faced any economic losses. Unlike the 170,000 people who have died from Covid related illnesses, we have been very fortunate to have prospered somewhat during Covid.

Although I had already been lead by God to plan on just saving money this year and reducing travel and entertainment expenses, Covid definitely helped to ensure I could not travel anywhere for entertainment this year! The money I would have spent on travel and entertainment went towards the purchase of property in the state of Florida, a state I have visited over 40 times in the past 30 years.  During Covid I was able to direct funds into purchase of the new property and at the same time pay off debts I had incurred in the past months.  That resulted in all of my credit cards being at zero balance by the time we closed on the new property.

The primary negative event during Covid was the death of my mother at age 89.  She had suffered from the ravages of Alzheimer's for 3 years.  I was able to see her for the last time just before Covid ramped up.  To show you how God is there when you especially need him, my back and forth battle with the Veterans Affairs over benefits she had deserved to get since 2018 was settled during Covid at the exact time when the funds were needed to help pay for 24 hour homecare for her.  She received a $15,000 retroactive payment a month before she passed away.  Those funds were instrumental in allowing her to have quality care during her last month of life.

I continue to practice safe habits during this Covid season.  I wear a mask whenever I go out to stores and when I am around people in general.  I do not understand the refusal of some people to wear a mask.  It just shows respect for humanity and the fact that we are fragile.  I do wonder if the people refusing to wear a mask even believe in God?  Their behavior to me does not reflect a fear of God or a respect for the people God created.

I only flew on an airplane once during Covid.  That was to attend the funeral of my mother.  It was an eerie experience.  One plane was only half full and the airports were  nearly deserted.  Most of our human entertainment/idolization activities have come to a halt.  Cruise ships, sporting events, movies, museums,  concerts.  All of our monuments to our self and our care free behaviors have been put on hold.  We have been given the opportunity to redirect our activities elsewhere.  I have used my free time for getting more into the Word of God and focusing on improving my spirituality and seeking a life after this life.  There is eternal life through God.  The pleasures of this world are truly temporary.  All the fun activities I experienced before Covid were great, but they are gone and are now just memories.

I have decided to seek a future after my worldly death.  So I try to abide by the principles expressed in the bible regarding what our human behavior should be like while we are on this earth.  The human goals of wealth, fun, and "nothing should be kept from me" I no longer believe in.  Their are limits set by God on our behavior.  Abide by those rules and have everlasting life.  Do not abide by the rules and live your "heaven on earth" will have dire and negative consequences.

I can not explain why each of the 170,000 people who have died from Covid 19 had to leave life via the impacts of Covid.  I pause out of respect for the pain family members experienced in losing a loved one.  I only know that Covid did modify my behaviors.  It kept me out of places I did not belong in, and focused me in a direction that provides potential for long term positive results.  It has sharpened my spirituality and ironically brought financial blessings and better health to my life.

There is no promise that I will escape the ravages of Covid 19.  This I know. For now I do have a peace and understanding of life that I truly did not have before Covid 19.  Stay safe and seek God during these times.

The Truth Being Kept out of Public Libraries

Unfortunately I only became aware over the past two years that libraries in European American communities are selective in presenting information to the serviced community. Basically these libraries are dedicated to gathering book collections that present European Americans as being the thoughtful, kind, honest, and best race that has ever lived on the planet Earth.

You will be surprised at what books by other races, some award winning books, can not be found in the holdings of libraries in European American communities.

It is a form of reverse censorship.  Keep from the people written information that you do not want them to know.  Hiding the racist, genocidal background of the United States of America is a path that many institutions, under the names of public libraries, have conspired to support.

Here are  sample of books that present the truth about the ugly side of America.  If you do not find these books in your local library, then the truth is being kept from you.

"Before the Mayflower" by Lerone Bennett Jr..
"Native American Testimony"  by Peter Nabokov
"The New Indians" by Stan Steiner
"The Earth Shall Week: A history of Native America by James Wilson
"The Day Freedom Died:  The Colfax Massacre,  The Supreme Court and the Betrayal of Reconstruction" by Charles Lane.

You will find this same strategy in our educational system.  The truth on how European Americans systematically annihilated the Native American culture has not been taught in schools in the United States. The fact that European Americans were too lazy to manage and develop the land stolen from Native Americans will never be taught in schools in the United States.  That laziness lead to the American institution of slavery and the kidnapping of thousands of human beings to do the work European Americans were too lazy to do themselves.

European American libraries are where European American fantasies come true.  They are monuments similar to the ones now being taken down across the country.  If you live in a European American community, look for a book that has an opinion contrary to the belief that European Americans can do no wrong.  How many can you find?

#StandAndPray - Elevate Your Concerns for Justice

If these words have wisdom and insight, I obtained them from God.  If they are the selfish ramblings of a human being, they come from me.

Let us first examine the contrasting images.  The first image.  The image of athletes of all ages and in various sports taking a knee in protest against social injustices.  Then there is the second image.  The horrific image of the Minneapolis police officer taking a knee on the neck of George Floyd resulting in Mr. Floyd’s death. 

First, what is the meaning of taking a knee?  In football it is an action taken by the quarterback to run out the clock.  Taking a knee is supposed to force the opposing team to take a timeout, if they have any left, for them to stop the clock.  Is that all we want as we react to social injustices?  Yes, taking a knee does cause a life timeout for reflection.  But then the life clock restarts and the same injustices continue.  Taking a knee is also considered to be an act of victory.  Football players also take a knee when another player is injured.  It is a respectful way to acknowledge concern for the player’s health and well-being.  Respect, humility, and allegiance have also been tied to the act of taking a knee.

 

Some have taken the action of taking a knee as being disrespectful to the symbol of the nation’s flag.  Or that it is disrespectful to those who have given their lives to support the symbols and idealistic meaning the flag is supposed to have.  The message and intent of taking a knee was hijacked.  The video of George Floyd being murdered by a knee to the neck was a powerful message of evil.  What evil can do was visualized via video for over 8 minutes.  It displayed how the police system allowed a policeman and his cohorts to kill a man.  It was simply evilness in action.  An unlawful action by the police where if a private citizen had intervened would have likely resulted in the prosecution of any person(s) who might have saved Mr. Floyd’s life.

Colin Kaepernick’s act of taking a knee during the national anthem was a silent protest.  It was a protest against the social conditions where black men and women were being killed by the police, or private citizens when the circumstances did not warrant deadly action.  Colin was advised to take a knee by a former veteran after first having remained seated during the playing of the national anthem.  That action of sitting was also seen as disrespectful.

 

If you do happen to go to a sports event at any level; grade school, high school, college, or professional level, where the national anthem is played, just join hands with your partner/family/friends and stand and pray during the national anthem.  #StandAndPray.  It’s time to elevate our concerns to a higher source rather than lowering our concerns to ground level. 

During those moments when the symbolic national anthems are played before sporting events, let’s not kneel to protest, or stand simply to support a symbol.  Let’s stand, join hands if you desire, but let’s stand and pray.  #StandAndPray.  Pray for action against the social injustices in these United States and in the world.  Pray for those who have lost loved ones due to Covid-19, or other diseases.  Pray for those just grieving over the natural cause death of loved ones.  Simply just #StandAndPray for whatever is on your mind.  It is your moment of quiet and clarity before you move into a full “sports fan” mode.  It doesn’t matter what religious faith you are.  Pray in the manner that reflects your faith.  Standing and Praying is not a mandatory act.  It is voluntary.  If you just want to stand and sing the national anthem with your hand over your heart, do so.  But, also respect the person next to you who has chosen to #StandAndPray.

The Stand and Pray Challenge

With the number of Covid-19 cases starting to decline, many people will soon return to attending whatever sports events become available to spectators.

If you decide to attend a post Covid -19 sports event, please accept the following challenge.  At the sports event you attend, when the announcement comes to please stand for the national anthem, stand and pray.

Pray with thanks that God showed you Grace to allow you to survive Covid-19.  Pray for the families of the 100,000 plus in the United States and those around the world who died from Covid-19. Use the time to pray for help with the personal challenges you are facing in this world. Make your prayer personal.

Standing for the national anthem was a long time ritual meant to support patriotism during wartime.  But now we find ourselves in a different type of war.  Please use the private time you have before your sports event starts to simply StandAndPray.  Then enjoy the distraction of the sports event for the next few hours before returning to the realities of life.

Ridiculous Covid catch words/phrases!

"Unprecedented times", "we're all in this together", "uncertain time" this are the words and phrases I see in the emails, commercials, and other Covid propaganda being sent out these days.  My general reaction has been, "well that's a stupid comment!"  Especially the "We're all in this together".  Now people, you know that is a bunch of non sense.  Those in customer service jobs are the ones who are "in this all together".  They were the ones providing services to the more economically well off.

Unprecedented times?  Really?  Doesn't anyone study or look back at the history of this world?  There have been many pandemics and health crises throughout life on planet Earth.  "Uncertain times"?  All time is uncertain.  Again, look back through history.

Some marketing "genius" was paid big $$$ for creating and regurgitating those terms at us.  Of course everyone copied the terms and used them in relation to their business or service.  Now when I hear a commercial or an email with those terms I just say, "Shut up!"

We know we are all going through a personal trial, major trial, or even a life changing or ending event.  We don't need your stupid phrases and comments on us all being together.  What's next, the slogan "air is good"?

IHG Hotel Inconsistencies

Last week I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express for 3 nights in the Mesquite, Texas area. This week I am staying in another Holiday Inn Express in the Port Charlotte, Florida area. I have noted inconsistencies in the IHG brand and reported those issues.

In Mesquite, the stairwell is painted all gray to include the stairs and the landing. It is difficult to ascertain if you are stepping on a step or a landing requiring the person to slowly walk down to ensure you are on level footing. It is an accident waiting to happen.

In Port Charlotte, the stairs are painted red which helps to clearly show you are on a stair versus the landing.

In both locations housekeeping was not wearing masks during this Covid virus season. This is unacceptable for both the workers and the guests. Can't IHG afford to purchase and require housekeeping wear masks for the safety or the workers and of the guests?? The same for gloves. I don't believe I saw any of the housekeepers wearing gloves. IHG can and should do better. Workers such as housekeeping are among the first line people who deal directly with people. Just because these are typically low level jobs does not mean the workers should be given low level treatment. Do better or you will lose my business. Respect your employees more than you are.

Lastly, at Mesquite the breakfast buffet was still in effect and was well done. In Port Charlotte the buffet was stopped. Guests are given small packaged muffins, and can get milk or juice (while available) from a gallon jug and pour it into a cup. Gallon size baggies are available for putting the fruit, muffin, and cold cereal packages into.

I understand each community has different levels of Covid rules, but IHG should have consistent policies on housekeeping attire, and on breakfast buffets. Is anyone addressing these inconsistencies? What is being doing to correct the situations? Especially in the area of personal protective equipment for your housekeepers? Is is every person for themselves with IHG?