Eracism...well, maybe not quite yet.

In a recent CNN.com article by Leonard Pitts Jr, we read that many Americans are divided on just how much progress the land of the free and home of the brave has made on the issue of racism. And how are we divided? You guessed it - along racial lines.

"Psychology professor Richard Eibach was reported last year in the
Washington Post as having found that in judging racial progress, white people
and black ones tend to use different yardsticks. Whites use the yardstick of how
far we have come from the nation we used to be. Blacks use the yardstick of how
far we have yet to go to be the nation we ought to be.

The most complete picture, of course, requires both
measures. But who can be surprised that blacks and whites each tend to gravitate
toward the measure that is most forgiving of their individual groups, that
shoves the onus for change off on the other? The black yardstick, after all,
leaves black people no obligation other than to demand justice and equality from
white people. The white yardstick requires of white people only that they exhort
black people to become more self-reliant and take more responsibility for their
own problems."

Come on people! Can't we even agree on how we measure our disagreement?!?!

I have a yard stick...and it's a creamy, buffy, khaki, wheatish, tan thing...

...much like this one. Neither black nor white.

But there was some good news. Apparently, according to Pitts, the Government can't do everything...

"African-Americans do not, after all, need its policy suggestions to
fix many of their most intractable problems. We do not need a government program to turn off the TV, realizing it's hardly coincidental that people who watch more television per capita have poorer academic performance. We do not need federal monies to tell our children to wait until they are married or, at the
very least, in stable, long-term relationships, before they bring babies into
the world. We do not need Washington's input to know we must quit allowing our
community to be defined by a coarse popular culture whose words and images are
indistinguishable from the Ku Klux Klan's."

But what about the Obama factor? I, along with a few million others, was justifiably proud of our nation for voting in #44. Still - we all knew the problem of racism wouldn't be solved after the party was over on Jan 20th. Candidate Obama had to have security earlier than any other candidate in history and faced multiple racist threats along the way. In addition, I think we all fully expect the righties to come down hard on affirmative action policies as soon as they finish forgetting how they got us into our financial crisis.

The real question is when will we come to realize what affects one... will affect the other. Progress for any group means progress for the entire group. Struggles for even the smallest of minorities produces transferable challenges for all. We are truly woven together no matter where the tracks run thru a community.

So, how about a better apparatus for measuring....something like this?

Or, instead of something linear....a Mosaic. Where we recognize that each unique piece is needed to make the entire picture comprehendable. It's the scope and breath of a larger work we all participate in...no matter what particular color adorns our personal tile.

Ivan L

Shutting Up

Let's face it, we all like to moralise from time to time, and reflect upon how we're better than others. I personally indulge in a good daily commentary, and sometimes I like to go out to a local dive or eatery with the wifey or friends and neighbors where we pass a few parsimonious reflections on the actions and lives of others. Self-righteous moralising can be a fun, and healthy activity, and it doesn't harm anyone. Right? (You're doing it right now - aren't you!)

I may have even ranted about you, reading this blog, as was passed and exchanged the hospitable "Hi-Ho." Or maybe you as in the generic, all encompasssing "You" who represents some irritating portion of society. Nothing personal. Besides, you've done it. You do it. You'll do it tomorrow before the cock crows that third time. But what sort of effect could moralising have on other people if done in excess...and even more - to their face?

Those of us wearing the high ranking parent badge need to learn that the cumulative effect of our lectures and homilies on the offspring could be particularly devastating.

Imagine for a moment a being of momentous stature with complete physical and emotional control over your every whim. It blocks out the sun with a giant wagging phalangeal and a nasty smirk. This sinister mouthaholic is somewhere between 10 and 20 feet tall, weighing half a ton and can't find a cork large enough to stop the overflow of guilt, criticism, and toxic whinning which responds to various acts of genuine misbehavior or honest accident...either will do.

If children had any real legal rights....well, I suppose they do actually have a quite a few justly deserved provisions on the books. What I mean to say is... if they knew how to use them in front of a magistrate...they would file numerous complaints and restraining orders against their very own Maw and Paw for the threatening and humiliating mistreatment received over a simple irritational act or slothful response.

Studies have shown that:

- Nine out of ten children whose parent/s have passed judgement or made pious reflections, at length, in the home or in public, have turned into sanctimonious bigots....and Mom and Pop look daft in the process.

- 66 per cent, or two thirds, of adults who currently experience depression or other mental illnesses, do so as a result of an early encounter with a parent or guardian with a sermonising habit.

Now is the time! Let us wash our hands of this useless acquired pattern of behavior. They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem...

...Hi, my name's Ivan (Hi Ivan), and I'm a sermonizer.

Ivan L

Let It Fly!

Flipping thru some virtual pages I found a great post by Adbusters. If you don't know about Adbusters, you should. They are the self proclaimed "Culture Jamming Journal of the Mental Environment." It already sounds fun, doesn't it?!

The 'busters have once again kidney punched us right in the norm of our stereo-typical societal boundaries by running a One Flag Competition - The Flag for the United Earth.

It may sound a bit Sci-Fi for our planet to have it's own flag, but in a world so ridden with degredating resource competition, waring religious factions, catastrophic famine, and corporate gluttony....maybe an artsy dose of "Hey - Aren't we really all in this together?" isn't such a bad idea. Besides, we need a global flag to fly at the next Intergallactic Olympics - right?!

32 finalists original flags were chosen and the winner voted on by the likes of you and me. Take a look at the entire group - some wonderful concepts. Although I don't particularly like the winning flag - you really can't go wrong when lots of creative people from various contexts get together to create a global symbol of unity.

My first place vote went to:
Horizon by Craig Burstom - UK

Craig says, "My flag is a two colour representation of the horizon. Dividing the flag into one third green for land and two thirds sky blue, my flag is symbolic of optimism, progression and forward thinking."

As many agreed - the simplicity and earth like tones make for a gentle and easily recognizable representation of the planet...and one just about any 3 year old in any location could paint.

The actual winner was: Marc Arroyo Ortiga - Berlin, Germany

Marc says..."First I thought that a flag can’t achieve this project. It has too much symbolism in itself. It shouldn’t be a flag. But maybe, it should be a flag that doesn’t need to be a flag. It needs to be a kind of spirit that people all over the world know and understand in their own way."

So, it's basically the un-flag flag. I get it and it works, just not from the stands of a Davis Cup match on another planet.

Ivan L

How Shopping Should Be

The Consequence of Stupidity

It was quite amusing to read that our most recently unemployed president was protested at his very first public speech after moving out of his Pennsylvania Ave residence.

It seems a few hundred pissed off Canadians in downtown Calgary barated our 43rd with....

....Blowing whistles and chanting "war criminal," demonstrators carried signs and shouted "shame on you" at people attending the event at a cost of 400 Canadian dollars (about 310 U.S. dollars) each.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/18/content_11030580.htmm


I swell with pride for our maple-leafed northern neighbors. This is Canada for pucks sake!
If they can manage this kinda crowd, just think who might show up at some of the other brilliant stops W's PR folks must have in the works?!

- Maybe a social at the next Hugo Chavez political fundraiser?

- A front row seat at the upcoming George Clooney/Brad Pitt film premiere?

- Perhaps mohito's and the mamba with Raul in Havanna?

- I know, Bush as the keynote speaker for the National Council of English Teachers! He could do some real good talkin' for them folk.

But it gets funnier. It is reported Bush was scheduled to speak "on eight momentous years in the Oval Office." A befuddling speech text considering he set a new presidential record by spending at least 500 days on vacation while in, or should I say, out of the office.

Ivan L

Don't say I didn't warn you.

As intriguing as it may be to read clear, concise, articulate and inspiring musings from a complete stranger...I must be up front from day one: This may be an experiment that ends up on the top shelf of the closet - right next to board games with missing pieces and the gifts you should have returned but misplaced the receipts. I offer no radical or egocentric promises of skillfully crafted prose and pledge to not stalk you if you never call after the first date. Truth be told - this costs you nothing and my self esteem is pretty cheap already.

Perhaps it will be funny, insightful, honest, or just sound nice as you read it out loud in your head. If not, we'll try and make it long and arduous so you can use it as a conversation piece when the topics of weather and sports leave you little to complain about.

But let's think positively...shall we?

Ivan L