Let's be honest. When some people say, "Make America great again," they're being nostalgic, which by its very definition means, "a sentimental or wistful affection for a past period with happy personal associations." Yeah. It's those "personal happy associations" we have to watch out for. Many people never had them. For example, the vintage photo above is from the article, "Ten Outrageous Reasons Black People Were Lynched in America." They include things like "skipping a rock across a lake," and being "unpopular in the community." Now, there's a history lesson we were never taught in public school. Today, lynchings have been replaced by police brutality in poorer Black neighborhoods. (I … [Read more...]
The Tiny Little Thief That Will Suck Out Your Life (An Important Read)
I'm sharing this post on behalf of one of the greatest millennial minds in the USA, and I implore you to read what she's written, below my initial note here. I have known this 23 year old, Columbia University graduate from the time of her birth. Her aunt is like a sister to me and her parents are two of the most extraordinary people you could ever meet. They raised their two bright and eager children to be hardworking and ambitious, while at the same time to be compassionate and to give back to the world. For her to have to write this makes my heart feel like there is a giant fist around it, crushing it, and if I feel this way, I can only imagine what those closest and dearest to her must … [Read more...]
Happy Father’s Day to The World’s Best (Misunderstood) Dad
On Father’s Day weekend here in the USA, the media loves to trot out the truly exceptional father and/or the truly revolting one. We’ll either get a story about the hero-of-epic-proportions dad who gave up both his kidneys to his twins who each needed one, or the horrid-Hannie-Lecter-psycho dad who sells his twins for their kidneys. You and I both know that most dads fall somewhere in the center of that bell curve, and they average from pretty darn good dads to not bad dads to dads who’ve helped you make your therapist rich. But the dad I wish to discuss today is the “Misunderstood Dad,” because he never gets any press, and that’s a shame, since my bet is that he’s the most common and the … [Read more...]
“M” is for May, and “May” is for Mental Health
The month of May is a month of celebration and a month of remembrance: May Day, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and more. But May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, and mental health is not something we like to discuss or even think about. It's for this reason that those suffering from mental illness are given a double whammy---not only do they have to deal with what can be a debilitating condition, they are taught to be secretive about it, for fear of turning off potential friends, lovers, employers. They're judged by it, as though they brought it upon themselves. As a result of that, they learn to be ashamed of it, too. Think about it: We can call in sick to work if we have the flu, but if … [Read more...]
Your Opinion Means More Than You Think. But Not in a Good Way.
Opinion (NOUN) 1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty. 2.a personal view, attitude, or appraisal. The first thing I try to remember: My cultural, social, and financial environments formulate my view of the world. My age, sex, race, where I was born, who raised me, and who my inner circle is, formulate my view of the world. My education, my exposure to new and different things, or lack thereof, formulate my view of the world. My view of the world formulates my opinions. But, if there's a missing piece from my world view, I can't have an informed, intelligent opinion on it. So, for example, if I've never experienced the … [Read more...]
Your Unconditional Love is Not Accepted
When you offer unconditional love and it's not accepted, please don't be hurt. Please don't take it personally. There's nothing wrong with your love. It's a gift, given freely. But, sometimes, the person to whom you wish to give this gift just doesn't feel worthy of it. You know the person I mean---the one who pushes your love aside, while clinging desperately to those who dismiss and demean her (or him.) Why do they do that? It's because that's what she thinks of herself, that's who she truly thinks she deserves. And it's heart crushing, isn't it, to see the person you love be treated this way, while you stand by, waiting to be acknowledged? So, don't do it. Don't torture yourself, … [Read more...]
“That’s the Way I Was Brought Up”
Sometimes, I can't help but get frustrated when people say, "That's the way I was brought up," as an excuse for the most blinkered, unproductive way of thinking and acting. As though being raised a certain way makes that way set in holy stone. As though following the edicts of our upbringing is the only absolutely right, just, and pure way to live one's life. And to question that way, or---heaven forbid---defy that way, makes us either evil or insane. But what if the way we were raised is wrong? What if, say, we were raised by chimpanzees, but we didn't realize that while we were children? Now that we're adults, should we still be flinging poop, because "that's the way we were brought up?" … [Read more...]
Five New Year “Don’ts”
Every January 1, we see it: the word, “resolutions.” And we start the fresh year off with a depressing list of our failures hanging over our head thus far. What if instead of New Year “Dos” we tried some New Year "Don’ts”? Don’t put yourself down. Ever, for anything. So the number on the scale is higher than you want it to be? Are you saying that makes you unlovable? Wouldn’t you be the same person you are now, even if you were thinner? Do you really want a new friend or lover who likes you only when you're looking your best? Don’t put others down. Social media is wonderful, but it can also be a negative, sometimes. The things people say to each other—often … [Read more...]
15 Things I Learned About 2015 from USA Social Media and Mainstream News
As this year comes to a close, here for your edification is a recapitulation of the major events that took place in 2015, according to USA social media and mainstream news sources: 1. Horrible sh*t is happening in Syria. The USA wants to help, but it has its hands full trying to successfully navigate the civil war escalating between Nicki Minaj and Miley Cyrus. 2. Greece becomes the first advanced economy to miss a payment to the International Monetary Fund in history of the IMF, prompting the Greek Prime Minister to call for some strict austerity measures, which included the mandatory removal of the gold fillings from the teeth of all its citizens. 3. Pandemonium ensued in … [Read more...]
Who is Sheldon Adelson and Why is He a Sleazebag?
For me the verdict is in, folks, that every last politician in Congress should be wearing thigh high red boots and walking towards sailors. But I apologize for the comparison to streetwalkers because those people are honest about what they do for a living. NOT our politicians though, and if you need any more proof that they're all greedy, self-serving wharf rats, (again, apologies to wharf rats) then read on: For nearly a week, the media and political worlds have been wondering who paid $140 million to purchase Nevada’s largest daily newspaper, The Las Vegas Review-Journal. The primary buyer had taken great pains to remain anonymous, but it was finally revealed to be Sheldon … [Read more...]
“Bad Witches are Ugly”
Some posts about politicians we love to hate are as morally ambiguous as the politicians themselves: Let's not criticize... Posted by Patricia V. Davis on Monday, October 26, 2015 … [Read more...]
Let’s Just Keep Talking About the Guns
The subject again and will always focus on US gun laws. Lots of folks making lots of money talking "pro" or "anti," getting elected to power-filled offices, or writing books and appearing on talk shows on this platform. Here's what never gets discussed: the culpability of the American Medical Association and the drug companies. To see a qualified psychiatrist in the USA, the cost is anywhere from 100 to 350 dollars per hour. If said psychiatrist prescribes medication--anti-psychotics, anti-depressants, etc-- that medication costs hundreds of dollars per month. Medical insurance should cover it, you say? Most insurance companies will only pay for a very limited number of sessions, enough to … [Read more...]
On Menstruation, Immigrants, and the Guy with the Signature Hairdo
Before I start, I think it’s important to mention that this is written by someone who, when she first read about Donald Trump in the 1980s, found him to be impressive. I know that statement will appall many of those who read my work regularly, but please let me explain myself: It was because of the skating rink. The Wollman Rink in Central Park was one of New York City’s treasures, created with monies donated by philanthropist Kate Wollman. It’s a magnificent rink, and as a native New Yorker living there at the time, I was dismayed by the city’s mismanagement of it. The rink was closed in 1980 for what was supposed to be two years of renovations, but six years later, the work was … [Read more...]