The last two books I've read have been set during the civil rights movement of the 60's. (Magic Time; Same Kind of Different As Me) And, if you're like me, that's how you learn your history....through fiction with some historical background thrown in. I was a child in the 60's so I didn't think about civil rights....and I certainly didn't sit still for the evening news.
But the civil rights movement has been on my mind lately....I mean really, they had to go in their own door in the back? And drink out of their own water fountain? And schools were segregated? I wasn't even aware of this as a child. You don't know what you don't know. Whoa....
Today being Martin Luther King Day, makes me think about what a brave man Martin must have been to step out like he did and speak up like he did. He certainly was an eloquent speaker. And although he lost his life to the cause, what a difference he made on this earth while here.
And being on the eve of the swearing in of our next president.......I can't help but think of how far our country has come in the last 40 years. All in my lifetime.
I hope that Martin is looking down from above and watching tomorrow.
Having said that I am thinking of civil rights today....it has to go both ways. Our country's laws should protect and provide civil rights....but each citizen should do their part to be a law abiding, self providing citizen.
Now, you readers may want to stop reading now as you may be offended by what I am going to say next.
A word to our new president........Would you please try to reform the welfare system so that babies aren't being born simply to collect another check? How about we pay for 2 kids and then tie the little mommy's tubes? Okay, 3 and an IUD implanted and an IUD check when they pick up their monthly welfare payment? (as seen on a tshirt ....Make Love, Not Babies)
I'm all for civil rights, but these kids don't stand a chance of climbing out and up.....even with all the opportunities this great country provides....if they keep having babies. And don't even get me started on the babies and their chances.
My heart aches for the babies of babies. I know how hard it is to raise children in a safe, warm home with groceries in the pantry........I can't imagine what it would be like to raise children with little to nothing.
I'm not talking color and the only race I'm referring to is the human race.
See what you can do, Obama.
Very well said and I totally agree! People should not be rewarded for bad behavior!
ReplyDeleteRight there with you sister
ReplyDeleteI just love reading your blog, Julia.
ReplyDeleteWe did have our little small-town-Texas bubble where we treated everyone with respect, I thank God for that. But I remember when MLK was assasinated seeing his mother interviewed and saying how he had cried standing looking through the chain link fence at the children playing in the park and asking his mother why he couldn't go in a play. I was just the right age to be able to completely relate to that and it changed my perspective forever. I'd not ever been exposed to or known about bigotry, only rich and poor but not about race. Even sweet Mrs. Caperton as an adult had not realized in Dime Box, Texas what the signs "whites" and "coloreds" meant at the laundry mat and sorted her laundry accordingly. I still feel so proud that my parents had such good friends who didn't know how to be hateful. You aren't going to piss anyone off as long as your ideas come from love and concern which I know they do. Hey, just listen to Bill Cosby! I love you, Stephanie
ReplyDelete