Other Writings By Joe English
To the Editors/11-25-18
To the Editors/11-25-18
In Voice of the People, November 25, Kenneth L. Woodward takes the Tribune to task for your November 17 editorial, "The Bishops Duck and Cover": "The most outrageous statement in your editorial is the casual reference to 'child abuse scandals that perennially soil the church'. Perennially? The Catholic Church is 2,000 years old, and child abuse surfaced as a scandal only 16 years ago." Surely Mr. Woodward knows better. Sexual abuse of children has been an integral part of Catholicism since its earliest days. As Alex Wilhelm writes (Huff Post, July 5, 2010, "The Long Scandal: A History of Abuse"), "By the Council (or Synod) of Elvira in 309, the problem of child abuse had become large enough for special punishments to be put in place. One particularly strong proclamation was as follows: 'Those who sexually abuse boys may not commune, even when death approaches.' Wilhelm continues, "Leaving the earliest days of the Church, we move to St. Peter Damian and his view of the very Church by which he was later sainted. St. Peter described the Clergy of the Church at the time to be a veritable cesspool. He was so outraged by the Men of the Cloth that in the year 1049 he wrote the 'Book of Gomorrah'. . .In the tome, he railed against the Priesthood of his time, specifically condemning sodomy against both children and young priests. . . .By the year 1600, a familiar system had been developed: the quiet moving or promoting of priests out of locations where they had been abusing the local children. This system continues to this very day." Surely this despicable record over the centuries more than justifies the Tribune's use of word perennially. In the last 50 years alone some 30,000 people in 25 countries have reported abuse, including 28 dioceses in the United States as well as in dioceses in at least 26 other countries.
In Voice of the People, November 25, Kenneth L. Woodward takes the Tribune to task for your November 17 editorial, "The Bishops Duck and Cover": "The most outrageous statement in your editorial is the casual reference to 'child abuse scandals that perennially soil the church'. Perennially? The Catholic Church is 2,000 years old, and child abuse surfaced as a scandal only 16 years ago." Surely Mr. Woodward knows better. Sexual abuse of children has been an integral part of Catholicism since its earliest days. As Alex Wilhelm writes (Huff Post, July 5, 2010, "The Long Scandal: A History of Abuse"), "By the Council (or Synod) of Elvira in 309, the problem of child abuse had become large enough for special punishments to be put in place. One particularly strong proclamation was as follows: 'Those who sexually abuse boys may not commune, even when death approaches.' Wilhelm continues, "Leaving the earliest days of the Church, we move to St. Peter Damian and his view of the very Church by which he was later sainted. St. Peter described the Clergy of the Church at the time to be a veritable cesspool. He was so outraged by the Men of the Cloth that in the year 1049 he wrote the 'Book of Gomorrah'. . .In the tome, he railed against the Priesthood of his time, specifically condemning sodomy against both children and young priests. . . .By the year 1600, a familiar system had been developed: the quiet moving or promoting of priests out of locations where they had been abusing the local children. This system continues to this very day." Surely this despicable record over the centuries more than justifies the Tribune's use of word perennially. In the last 50 years alone some 30,000 people in 25 countries have reported abuse, including 28 dioceses in the United States as well as in dioceses in at least 26 other countries.
Conferences and study groups are not the solution. So long as the Catholic Church insists on the unnatural imposition of celibacy on and the misogynistic exclusion of women from its priesthood, its two millennia history of child abuse will continue--perennially.
Conferences and study groups are not the solution. So long as the Catholic Church insists on the unnatural imposition of celibacy on and the misogynistic exclusion of women from its priesthood, its two millennia history of child abuse will continue--perennially.
To the Editors/11-8-18
To the Editors/11-8-18
The people spoke. They deplored his uglification of political discourse, his mendacity and thuggery, his jingoism and xenophobia, but they voted for him. He was intolerant. He was crude. He told the big lie. He vilified the press. His angry words turned them against themselves, but they voted for him. It was 1930. He would make Germany great again.
The people spoke. They deplored his uglification of political discourse, his mendacity and thuggery, his jingoism and xenophobia, but they voted for him. He was intolerant. He was crude. He told the big lie. He vilified the press. His angry words turned them against themselves, but they voted for him. It was 1930. He would make Germany great again.
Dereliction Of Duty/To The Editors 10-29-18
Dereliction Of Duty/To The Editors 10-29-18
The Republicans control all three branches of government. It has been clear for some time that current law which welcomes any and all to enter our country legally seeking asylum and to remain while their pleas are considered must be changed. Asylum seekers must be required to apply for asylum status in United States' consulates and embassies in their own, or other foreign, countries. The Republicans prefer to wave the bloody flag of black and brown criminals pouring into our country. To the extent that the threat is real, it is the Republicans' fault. They have the power to pass corrective legislation. Instead, they put their electoral interest above that of the country's. For shame.
The Republicans control all three branches of government. It has been clear for some time that current law which welcomes any and all to enter our country legally seeking asylum and to remain while their pleas are considered must be changed. Asylum seekers must be required to apply for asylum status in United States' consulates and embassies in their own, or other foreign, countries. The Republicans prefer to wave the bloody flag of black and brown criminals pouring into our country. To the extent that the threat is real, it is the Republicans' fault. They have the power to pass corrective legislation. Instead, they put their electoral interest above that of the country's. For shame.
To the Editors/10-28-18
To the Editors/10-28-18
Nowhere in your coverage of Bruce Rauner's opposition to the legalization of marijuana is there discussion of what gives the government the right to prohibit an activity that is self-regarding conduct, conduct which does not directly affect others. We know that white sugar, alcohol, television, red meat, salt, and talk radio have, in various degrees and at various times, deleterious effects on mind and body. Criminalizing marijuana codifies the tyranny of the majority: I may pursue happiness on Via Viagra; you may not take the Highway Hashish. Of the nation's fifteen million users of illegal drugs, fewer than one million are incarcerated at a given time. This, the concomitant corrosiveness of selective enforcement, eviscerates respect for the law. Athletes who snort cocaine and movie stars who syringe are saluted, their brave struggles against addiction celebrated on tabloid tv as they enter their fourth spa treatment. The War on Drugs, which we have been losing for decades and whose end is nowhere in sight, is fought, as all wars are, on the backs of the poor. One may as well attempt to sweep back the sea. We need laws to protect us from the conduct of others, not laws seeking to control our private lives. If citizens choose to smoke marijuana, that is their business, not ours.
Nowhere in your coverage of Bruce Rauner's opposition to the legalization of marijuana is there discussion of what gives the government the right to prohibit an activity that is self-regarding conduct, conduct which does not directly affect others. We know that white sugar, alcohol, television, red meat, salt, and talk radio have, in various degrees and at various times, deleterious effects on mind and body. Criminalizing marijuana codifies the tyranny of the majority: I may pursue happiness on Via Viagra; you may not take the Highway Hashish. Of the nation's fifteen million users of illegal drugs, fewer than one million are incarcerated at a given time. This, the concomitant corrosiveness of selective enforcement, eviscerates respect for the law. Athletes who snort cocaine and movie stars who syringe are saluted, their brave struggles against addiction celebrated on tabloid tv as they enter their fourth spa treatment. The War on Drugs, which we have been losing for decades and whose end is nowhere in sight, is fought, as all wars are, on the backs of the poor. One may as well attempt to sweep back the sea. We need laws to protect us from the conduct of others, not laws seeking to control our private lives. If citizens choose to smoke marijuana, that is their business, not ours.
To the Editors/10-25-18
To the Editors/10-25-18
Michael Hoffman, as a youth, endured protracted sexual abuse by a priest. Nonetheless, he chooses to remain in the Catholic Church, believing that "the Church can take a leadership role" against the horrors he suffered. In 1992, for example, the Archdiocese of Chicago established "The Office for the Protection of Children and Youth" to spearhead "prevention efforts." Whatever those efforts may have been, clearly they have failed. They have been window dressing and nothing more. Spanning centuries and continents, child sexual abuse by Catholic priests has been pervasive. It is the norm, not the exception. There are two underlying root causes. First, the Catholic Church refuses to change its policy against married priests, enforcing, instead, the unnatural state of celibacy. It does so for economic, not theological reasons: some of Jesus' disciples were married, including Peter, the rock upon whom Jesus built his church. Permitting its clergy to marry would expose the Church to the costly ramifications of divorce. If priests could marry, they could divorce or be divorced. Secondly, the Catholic Church, as a business enterprise, institutionalizes gender discrimination; all its management positions, by policy, are reserved for men. By refusing to change its policies of celibacy and gender discrimination, the Catholic Church shows that it is not serious about instituting true prevention efforts against sexual abuse. It is a criminal enterprise preying on our young. It must deal with the root causes or take ownership of its complicity.
Michael Hoffman, as a youth, endured protracted sexual abuse by a priest. Nonetheless, he chooses to remain in the Catholic Church, believing that "the Church can take a leadership role" against the horrors he suffered. In 1992, for example, the Archdiocese of Chicago established "The Office for the Protection of Children and Youth" to spearhead "prevention efforts." Whatever those efforts may have been, clearly they have failed. They have been window dressing and nothing more. Spanning centuries and continents, child sexual abuse by Catholic priests has been pervasive. It is the norm, not the exception. There are two underlying root causes. First, the Catholic Church refuses to change its policy against married priests, enforcing, instead, the unnatural state of celibacy. It does so for economic, not theological reasons: some of Jesus' disciples were married, including Peter, the rock upon whom Jesus built his church. Permitting its clergy to marry would expose the Church to the costly ramifications of divorce. If priests could marry, they could divorce or be divorced. Secondly, the Catholic Church, as a business enterprise, institutionalizes gender discrimination; all its management positions, by policy, are reserved for men. By refusing to change its policies of celibacy and gender discrimination, the Catholic Church shows that it is not serious about instituting true prevention efforts against sexual abuse. It is a criminal enterprise preying on our young. It must deal with the root causes or take ownership of its complicity.
Self-Interest/10-15-18
Self-Interest/10-15-18
To the Editors:
To the Editors:
Dahleen Glanton writes, "The disappointment and anger some Chicago police officers have expressed over the murder conviction of one of their own is understandable." No, it is not. Glanton does a disservice to the overwhelming majority of our city's cops who day in and day out do an impossible job with respect, forbearance, and courage. When "one of their own" goes over to the other side, throwing in his lot with murderers, police officers feel doubly betrayed. Policemen and policewomen put their lives on the line day in and day out to uphold the rule of law. To claim that they are "disappointed and angry" that a murderer was brought to justice and to say that, if such were true, their disappointment and anger would be "understandable," disrespects our brothers and sisters in blue. Every time a police officer commits willful murder, the lives of policemen and women are placed at increased risk.
Dahleen Glanton writes, "The disappointment and anger some Chicago police officers have expressed over the murder conviction of one of their own is understandable." No, it is not. Glanton does a disservice to the overwhelming majority of our city's cops who day in and day out do an impossible job with respect, forbearance, and courage. When "one of their own" goes over to the other side, throwing in his lot with murderers, police officers feel doubly betrayed. Policemen and policewomen put their lives on the line day in and day out to uphold the rule of law. To claim that they are "disappointed and angry" that a murderer was brought to justice and to say that, if such were true, their disappointment and anger would be "understandable," disrespects our brothers and sisters in blue. Every time a police officer commits willful murder, the lives of policemen and women are placed at increased risk.
Traitor, Sadist, Butcher, Racist/10-13-18
Traitor, Sadist, Butcher, Racist/10-13-18
To the Editors:
To the Editors:
As Adam Serwer writes in The Atlantic (June 14, 2017), "The strangest part about the continued personality cult of Robert E. Lee is how few of the qualities his admirers profess to see in him he actually possessed." Lee was a notoriously severe slaveowner, who did not shrink from having his slaves tied to the whipping post and whipped mercilessly, seeing to it that their broken bodies were, post whipping, bathed in brine to intensify their suffering and pain. As a general, he was guilty of war crimes: "During his invasion of Pennsylvania, Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia enslaved free blacks and brought them back to the South as property. . . evidence links virtually every infantry and cavalry unit in Lee’s army with the abduction of free black Americans. . . Soldiers under Lee’s command at the Battle of the Crater in 1864 massacred black Union soldiers who tried to surrender." As a strategist, Lee had little interest in minimizing the deaths of his soldiers; he stands as the most sanguinary of generals in American history. His campaign at Antietam was the bloodiest in our nation's history. Over the strenuous objections of his officers, Lee ordered Pickett's suicidal charge into the direct center of Union forces at Gettysburg. After the war, "Lee argued against the enfranchisement of blacks, and raged against Republican efforts to enforce racial equality on the South." Robert E. Lee: traitor, sadist, butcher, racist. This the man whose praises are sung by the 45th president of the United States
As Adam Serwer writes in The Atlantic (June 14, 2017), "The strangest part about the continued personality cult of Robert E. Lee is how few of the qualities his admirers profess to see in him he actually possessed." Lee was a notoriously severe slaveowner, who did not shrink from having his slaves tied to the whipping post and whipped mercilessly, seeing to it that their broken bodies were, post whipping, bathed in brine to intensify their suffering and pain. As a general, he was guilty of war crimes: "During his invasion of Pennsylvania, Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia enslaved free blacks and brought them back to the South as property. . . evidence links virtually every infantry and cavalry unit in Lee’s army with the abduction of free black Americans. . . Soldiers under Lee’s command at the Battle of the Crater in 1864 massacred black Union soldiers who tried to surrender." As a strategist, Lee had little interest in minimizing the deaths of his soldiers; he stands as the most sanguinary of generals in American history. His campaign at Antietam was the bloodiest in our nation's history. Over the strenuous objections of his officers, Lee ordered Pickett's suicidal charge into the direct center of Union forces at Gettysburg. After the war, "Lee argued against the enfranchisement of blacks, and raged against Republican efforts to enforce racial equality on the South." Robert E. Lee: traitor, sadist, butcher, racist. This the man whose praises are sung by the 45th president of the United States
JOBS AND RED INK/10-10-18
JOBS AND RED INK/10-10-18
To the Editors:
To the Editors:
The Tribune continues to beat the drum that the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" passed by the Republicans in 2017 is not only fiscally responsible but also accounts for what the Tribune insists is robust job growth. Nonsense and nonsense again. In the first 20 months of Trump's presidency, job growth has decreased when compared with the final 20 months of his predecessor's term. "In the final 20 months of Obama's presidency, the average monthly job increase was 208,000. Under Trump the monthly average over the [first] 20 months of his term has been 190,000." [RSS@DailyKos.com, October 5, 2018]. That this decrease has not been even worse is accounted for, primarily, by the fact that the Republicans have, as they always do once in power, exploded the federal deficit. Borrow, borrow, borrow. Under the last two years of Obama's presidency, the deficit averaged $513 billion. Under the first two years of Trump, it has averaged $780 billion--a 52% increase. To urge voters to support incumbents responsible for this irresponsibility, i. e., voting for the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017," more properly labeled the "Red Ink and Corporate Greed Act of 2017," is give up all pretense to a concern for fiscal responsibility as well as for factual reporting. What part of decreased job growth doesn't the Tribune understand? What part of fiscal responsibility? What part of truth?
The Tribune continues to beat the drum that the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" passed by the Republicans in 2017 is not only fiscally responsible but also accounts for what the Tribune insists is robust job growth. Nonsense and nonsense again. In the first 20 months of Trump's presidency, job growth has decreased when compared with the final 20 months of his predecessor's term. "In the final 20 months of Obama's presidency, the average monthly job increase was 208,000. Under Trump the monthly average over the [first] 20 months of his term has been 190,000." [RSS@DailyKos.com, October 5, 2018]. That this decrease has not been even worse is accounted for, primarily, by the fact that the Republicans have, as they always do once in power, exploded the federal deficit. Borrow, borrow, borrow. Under the last two years of Obama's presidency, the deficit averaged $513 billion. Under the first two years of Trump, it has averaged $780 billion--a 52% increase. To urge voters to support incumbents responsible for this irresponsibility, i. e., voting for the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017," more properly labeled the "Red Ink and Corporate Greed Act of 2017," is give up all pretense to a concern for fiscal responsibility as well as for factual reporting. What part of decreased job growth doesn't the Tribune understand? What part of fiscal responsibility? What part of truth?
Before The Storm/10-6-18
Before The Storm/10-6-18
Lurking in plain sight is the weakness of our economy. Despite politicians and pundits telling us that happy days are here again, underlying economic data are grim. Pay no attention to the “unemployment rate.” It does not count millions of Americans who do not have jobs. A more accurate indicator of actual conditions is the labor force participation rate, the percentage of adult Americans able to work who are in fact employed. It decreased from 62.9 percent in June and July to 62.7 percent in September. In the Alice-in-Wonderland of officialdom, however, we are expected to believe nonetheless that “unemployment” has decreased. Yes, and Chicago has a tropical climate if one omits the months of December, January, February and March from the calculations. Further, although nobody is talking about it, the federal deficit is exploding. It increased 20 percent from fiscal year 2017 ($666 billion) to fiscal year 2018 ($833 billion) and is projected to increase an additional 16 percent in fiscal year 2019 ($985 billion). To this menacing mix must be added the fact that the Federal Reserve is increasing interest rates; interest payments on the out-of control deficit will skyrocket. We are in the calm before the storm, and like October 1929 and September 2008, it will be a monster.
Lurking in plain sight is the weakness of our economy. Despite politicians and pundits telling us that happy days are here again, underlying economic data are grim. Pay no attention to the “unemployment rate.” It does not count millions of Americans who do not have jobs. A more accurate indicator of actual conditions is the labor force participation rate, the percentage of adult Americans able to work who are in fact employed. It decreased from 62.9 percent in June and July to 62.7 percent in September. In the Alice-in-Wonderland of officialdom, however, we are expected to believe nonetheless that “unemployment” has decreased. Yes, and Chicago has a tropical climate if one omits the months of December, January, February and March from the calculations. Further, although nobody is talking about it, the federal deficit is exploding. It increased 20 percent from fiscal year 2017 ($666 billion) to fiscal year 2018 ($833 billion) and is projected to increase an additional 16 percent in fiscal year 2019 ($985 billion). To this menacing mix must be added the fact that the Federal Reserve is increasing interest rates; interest payments on the out-of control deficit will skyrocket. We are in the calm before the storm, and like October 1929 and September 2008, it will be a monster.
—Joe English, Chicago
—Joe English, Chicago
John McCain/8-25-18
John McCain/8-25-18
John McCain's service to his country should be without question. McCain was not averse to admitting when he was wrong. In 1983 Representative McCain voted against creating a federal holiday honoring Martin Luther KIng, Jr., a vote he came to understand, and, more importantly, admit was a mistake. In 2011 Senator McCain--unsuccessfully--led the fight against allowing gays to serve openly in the military. This September marks the seventh anniversary of the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." The intervening years have disproven fears that service equality would diminish "unit cohesion," weaken morale, and be, in McCain's words of seven years ago, a potentially deadly distraction from the military's mission. Service equality has stood the test of time. John McCain can perform again, as he has so many times, great service to our country by stepping onto the right side of history. Let us hear from him that he is heartened that what he feared has not come to pass, that service equality is another step forward on our nation's long road to freedom.
John McCain's service to his country should be without question. McCain was not averse to admitting when he was wrong. In 1983 Representative McCain voted against creating a federal holiday honoring Martin Luther KIng, Jr., a vote he came to understand, and, more importantly, admit was a mistake. In 2011 Senator McCain--unsuccessfully--led the fight against allowing gays to serve openly in the military. This September marks the seventh anniversary of the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." The intervening years have disproven fears that service equality would diminish "unit cohesion," weaken morale, and be, in McCain's words of seven years ago, a potentially deadly distraction from the military's mission. Service equality has stood the test of time. John McCain can perform again, as he has so many times, great service to our country by stepping onto the right side of history. Let us hear from him that he is heartened that what he feared has not come to pass, that service equality is another step forward on our nation's long road to freedom.
To the Editors/The Obama Center/8-10-18
To the Editors/The Obama Center/8-10-18
Those who question sacrificing public parkland for the construction of the Obama Center have only to read its annual report to understand that the elite class who knows it knows better is clueless when it comes to helping the left out and left behind. According to the report, in the past year, "the Obama Foundation raised nearly $233 million mostly from private donors and spent $1.5 million of that on local businesses including Chicago public relations, marketing and consulting firms, caterers, printers, contractors and other local businesses." [Chicago Tribune, Lolly Bowean, August 10, 2018, Section 1, p. 4]. How many public relations firms are located in Woodlawn? South Shore? Englewood? How many marketing and consulting firms? A handful of caterers and contractors received a few crumbs. It is good that everyone knows their place.
Those who question sacrificing public parkland for the construction of the Obama Center have only to read its annual report to understand that the elite class who knows it knows better is clueless when it comes to helping the left out and left behind. According to the report, in the past year, "the Obama Foundation raised nearly $233 million mostly from private donors and spent $1.5 million of that on local businesses including Chicago public relations, marketing and consulting firms, caterers, printers, contractors and other local businesses." [Chicago Tribune, Lolly Bowean, August 10, 2018, Section 1, p. 4]. How many public relations firms are located in Woodlawn? South Shore? Englewood? How many marketing and consulting firms? A handful of caterers and contractors received a few crumbs. It is good that everyone knows their place.
$1.5 million divided by $233 million is .006 percent. "The majority of the financial gifts made to the foundation during the year were not earmarked for a specific purpose, so the foundation can spend the funds as it sees fit," Ms. Bowen reports. It saw fit to spend .006% on local businesses. In a letter accompanying the report, Foundation Director David Sima writes, "The report is a story about how the foundation is inspiring and empowering people around the world to re-imagine their civic responsibilities." This is how these people speak. This is how these people think. This is why public parkland must be taken and why the children and grandchildren of generations of working class and poor folk who once played there must re-imagine their civic responsbilities to find green elsewhere. The Obama Center will provide them the "tools, resources, and networks to bring about change." Indeed.
$1.5 million divided by $233 million is .006 percent. "The majority of the financial gifts made to the foundation during the year were not earmarked for a specific purpose, so the foundation can spend the funds as it sees fit," Ms. Bowen reports. It saw fit to spend .006% on local businesses. In a letter accompanying the report, Foundation Director David Sima writes, "The report is a story about how the foundation is inspiring and empowering people around the world to re-imagine their civic responsibilities." This is how these people speak. This is how these people think. This is why public parkland must be taken and why the children and grandchildren of generations of working class and poor folk who once played there must re-imagine their civic responsbilities to find green elsewhere. The Obama Center will provide them the "tools, resources, and networks to bring about change." Indeed.
Also on page four the Tribune reports that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is investigating mayoral candidate Willie Wilson for recent giveaways of his own money. The elite know how to take care of their own. Willie Wilson should not have reached into his own pockets, but, like the Obama Foundation, into ours, by securing tax reducing contributions from the gilded class. He should have set up a "foundation" in his name. He should have dispensed .006% of the bounty raised so that people around the world might be inspired and empowered to re-imagine their civic responsibilities. Feeding the hungry is do déclassé when one could be inspiring! Empowering! Re-imagining!
Also on page four the Tribune reports that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is investigating mayoral candidate Willie Wilson for recent giveaways of his own money. The elite know how to take care of their own. Willie Wilson should not have reached into his own pockets, but, like the Obama Foundation, into ours, by securing tax reducing contributions from the gilded class. He should have set up a "foundation" in his name. He should have dispensed .006% of the bounty raised so that people around the world might be inspired and empowered to re-imagine their civic responsibilities. Feeding the hungry is do déclassé when one could be inspiring! Empowering! Re-imagining!
The Obama Foundation projects that it will "create 2,500 permanent jobs and deliver $2.5 billion in economic impact to the South Side." Once it's finished, of course, with inspiring and empowering people around the world, many of whom go to bed hungry, have no access to clean drinking water, and live in hovels, to re-imagine their civic responsibilities. From Bangladesh to Haiti. Makes one's head spin. Killing trees is a small price to pay.
The Obama Foundation projects that it will "create 2,500 permanent jobs and deliver $2.5 billion in economic impact to the South Side." Once it's finished, of course, with inspiring and empowering people around the world, many of whom go to bed hungry, have no access to clean drinking water, and live in hovels, to re-imagine their civic responsibilities. From Bangladesh to Haiti. Makes one's head spin. Killing trees is a small price to pay.
To the Editors/The Truth Shall Set Us Free/2-26-18
To the Editors/The Truth Shall Set Us Free/2-26-18
We know of Rosa Parks. We do not know of Claudette Colvin. Claudette Colvin was a teenager who refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus nine months before Rosa Parks. Although Colvin wanted to file suit in federal court, civil rights leaders in Birmingham decided that she lacked maturity and persuaded her attorney not to do so.
We know of Rosa Parks. We do not know of Claudette Colvin. Claudette Colvin was a teenager who refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus nine months before Rosa Parks. Although Colvin wanted to file suit in federal court, civil rights leaders in Birmingham decided that she lacked maturity and persuaded her attorney not to do so.
It is a disservice to the cause to portray Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri, as the victim of a "2014 police shooting of an unarmed teenager." Dahleen Glanton, "Black Lives Matter youths still fighting to have voices heard," Chicago Tribune, Section 1, p. 2]. The only reason Michael Brown was unarmed was that he failed in his attempt to overpower a police officer and take his gun. Shortly before assaulting the police officer, Michael Brown had robbed a convenience store and assaulted its clerk. A dozen witnesses testified that he then attacked a police officer and tried to take his gun.
It is a disservice to the cause to portray Michael Brown of Ferguson, Missouri, as the victim of a "2014 police shooting of an unarmed teenager." Dahleen Glanton, "Black Lives Matter youths still fighting to have voices heard," Chicago Tribune, Section 1, p. 2]. The only reason Michael Brown was unarmed was that he failed in his attempt to overpower a police officer and take his gun. Shortly before assaulting the police officer, Michael Brown had robbed a convenience store and assaulted its clerk. A dozen witnesses testified that he then attacked a police officer and tried to take his gun.
The report commissioned by United States Attorney General Eric Holder concluded that the witness were credible and that, in addition, physical evidence supported their testimony.
The report commissioned by United States Attorney General Eric Holder concluded that the witness were credible and that, in addition, physical evidence supported their testimony.
It is not an easy task to fight the forces of bigotry, those who know deep in their bones that light skin color is inherently superior to dark. It is a long, long walk to freedom. Sometimes the choice is hard. Such is not the case regarding Ferguson, Missouri. We must know the truth and stick to the truth, for it is the truth that will set us free.
It is not an easy task to fight the forces of bigotry, those who know deep in their bones that light skin color is inherently superior to dark. It is a long, long walk to freedom. Sometimes the choice is hard. Such is not the case regarding Ferguson, Missouri. We must know the truth and stick to the truth, for it is the truth that will set us free.