Don't Ask, Don't Tell

I learned much of my social tolerances from my own kids. They would chide me for sometimes making improper references to unpleasant people or situations. In our conversations I explained my concerns and they voiced their opinions quite well. Reality hit me in the face one day. I wasn't the loving, compassionate human that I professed to be. But today things are much different. Life experiences have taught me to love better, as I find myself in everyone I meet.

So as I hear that Obama has plans to abolish the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, I wonder to what end this action will take. Imagine the young gay serviceman who's kept his sexual orientation to himself. Because of the negative attention he might get if otherwise admitting to being gay, secrecy seems the better choice. No one could ask him about his nature and therefore life in the military could be more tolerable. I know there are other possible negatives that the Don't Ask policy affects ... like, if such repression of sexual orientation causes more stress. Yes, but bare with me. On the other hand, if the policy is lifted, I imagine that life on a military base would not be what you call pleasant. Although I love and respect our soldiers, there are a lot of jerks who serve our country. As a Black Woman I can sympathize with the men affected by this rule, having been the brunt of intolerance and hate on many occasions throughout my lifetime.

I hope this situation can be resolved to benefit everyone involved. Mostly, I just wish that people would start addressing their own humanity to man. Love has no boundaries.

Earth is Singing

People are rejoicing all over the world!

I decided at the eleventh hour to attend a remote viewing of the inauguration ceremony in an auditorium that boasted large screens, lots of happy faces, and an enormous amount of positive energy. The decision to leave the comfort of my own sofa and TV came as I thought about how much I would be missing! The spirit of this momentous occasion was just so overwhelming. And to deprive myself of some of that collective love, gotten from the shouts, screams and cries of thankful and hopeful people,would have been an inadvertent blunder. I'm thankful to have witnessed, not just the ceremony, but the spiritual energy that transcended beyond earth in voices heard all over the world ... in one accord ... at the same time.

The experience brought tears even to my son's eyes. He told me later that this was probably the first time in the history of the planet that the heavens were privy to such homage. I like to think about it even now, just to bathe in the idea.

So, for those of us who believe in the power of the spirit, the world has taken a big step into greater consciousness. These are new beginnings.

The world sat glued to the today's Inauguration ceremony. I was lucking enough to see it on a large stadium screen along with crowds of Obama supporters.

Cold Blooded Murder?

Oscar Grant, a young black father, was killed at an Oakland Bart station some days ago. He'd been fighting on the train and was then shot by the police. My first thought was, "Sh_ t!!! These violent kids are turning the streets into a living hell." When I heard that he was innocent, I got mad, as if his life had been taken away from me and my family. Then again, with the conviction that we are all universally bound to a single God, where I see my own children in the eyes of everyone I meet, that young man was family.

The TV finally showed his photo. It was the picture of a guy who worked in the meat department of a store that I visit quite frequently. How amazing! I knew him, not by name, but from my encounters in the store. It was surreal, a gut aching moment, staring into his face on screen.

Reports say that he was fighting with others when police arrived at the station. Officers had him lying on his stomach when one of them shot him in the back. There was nothing to provoke the shooting since the kid had no weapon and was virtually helpless. By all indications, it seemed like cold blooded murder. But the officer said it was a mistake, that he mistook his gun for a taser.

A mistake! Nobody wants to hear that but I do. I'd rather it be a mistake than intentional. Instead, folks want retribution for what seems like murder, with no intention of allowing police to get away with more injustices to minorities. Police do all they can to keep fellow officers out of trouble, including covering-up murders, so this case seems no different ... police brutality and cold blooded murder.

So they rioted. I can't condone it but if that's what it takes to get everyone's attention, then so be it. But the result was just asinine. They marched ... good. They destroyed random cars along the way. What? They busted storefront windows and looted. Retribution or revenge, to me, would be to cause harm to those who've harmed you. But this was something different. This was an act of anger unrelated to the shooting because the cars and businesses damaged in all of this were none other than those of hard working, regular people, and not police or representatives of "The System". It's like burning down your own house to revenge a crime against yourself. It's crazy! But people, especially Blacks and Hispanics, are so tired, angry, broke-down and abused that it doesn't take much to provoke them. These are volatile times.

But the rioting did get attention, and the fact that a man died at the hands of a police officer is not going away. It's ignited the country, reminiscent of other cases of civil injustices that burn heavy on the hearts of an angry nation.

The officer said it was a mistake but why would he have reason to point even a taser into someone's back? Either something happened that's not yet been disclosed, which provoked him to pull out a weapon, or he fully intended to inflict pain on this kid. But if it was an unintentional act, it sure would be a travesty to try him as if he committed cold blooded murder. I pray to God that they find the truth, that justice is served, and angers tempered.