Entitlements

The nerve of those presumptuous uppity colored folks, not only do these people expect to vote they want it to be free of obstruction. What’s wrong with these people are they completely unaware of the 3/5 Compromise? Apparently this is the thinking of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia because according to him the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA) contributes to the “perpetuation of racial entitlement.” Someone needs to explain to the Justice that voting for all citizens is a right and not an entitlement. Or maybe it’s just that a person of racist ideals would assume that White people allowing people of color to vote qualifies as an entitlement. The question before the court is whether states with a long history of racial discrimination must still get permission from the Justice Department before changing their voting laws as required by the VRA. The whole reason for the Voting Rights Act was that these states were exercising White entitlements to control and suppress the voting process and it was enacted to ensure these state governments would no longer continue such practices. The questionable tactics used in the recent election such as limiting voter accessibility makes evident the flaw in Scalia's statement.

Is it possible that this idiot thinks that post emancipation everything was suddenly all honky-dory for Black folk. Justice Scalia, apparently suffering from selective amnesia should be reminded of our nations historical racism and of all those who were washed down the streets with fire hoses, subjected to beatings and lynching, attacked by dogs and jailed just to secure the right to vote. It really wasn’t that long ago and quite honestly when it comes to voting rights not a lot has changed. You should be able to cast your ballot at your local church, school gymnasium or the neighborhood You Buy We Fry (50% off your order when you vote) without fear of intimidation or restriction and without having to conquer logistical hurdles placed in your path. Too bad it’s not that simple. The very states who insist that discrimination is a thing of the past and are fighting to eliminate the VRA are the very ones with the most obstacles. Both Texas and Louisiana have been cited for violating the VRA recently when attempting to redistrict. In fact, the case before the Supreme Court to overturn the act comes from Alabama of all places…two words, George Wallace.

So we’ve now twice successfully elected an African-American President and contemptuous legislators and jurist such as Scalia cynically assert that we have overcome. Of course we haven’t and voters are still in need of protection. The VRA was created to ensure the blatantly racist states of the segregated South would no longer be able to overtly deny African-Americans the right to vote. Detractors who wish to eliminate the VRA advocate that the law is outdated and no longer necessary as these states have eliminated voter deterrents. Even if this were true, just because you haven’t had any robberies at your home since you installed an alarm system doesn’t mean you should disable it. At any rate, long voting lines and insufficient voting machines in areas populated by minorities would suggest otherwise. Jim Crow laws such as poll taxes and literacy test requirements are being replaced by calls for voter I.D. cards, registration restrictions and early voting cuts to discourage minority voting. Unfortunately disenfranchisement is alive and well and safeguards continue to be necessary in order to ensure that discriminatory laws are defeated before they are implemented, which is the sole purpose of the Voting Rights Act. So, yes Mr. Scalia, minorities do feel entitled to vote for one simple reason, they are entitled to vote.

Down The Up Staircase

So I fell up the staircase on the way in to work today. I don’t know if you’ve ever fallen up a flight of stairs before but it’s not an easily managed task and a lot more complicated than simply falling down. My morning had started out quite promising. I had one of those rare occasions where I finished my workout with time to spare and I knew I would be arriving to work a little early so I could use the extra time to grab a cup of coffee from Starbucks. I showered quickly and donned my favorite bright blue & gray pinstriped shirt, navy blue slacks and slipped into my freshly shined black lace up Kenneth Coles…your boy was looking sharp. To say I was in a good mood would belittle how I was actually feeling. I even engaged the barista (I’ve been dying to use that word) at Starbucks in conversation inquiring about the music playing which turned out to be something I already have in my collection, yep feeling good.

My morning drive is early enough so that I don’t normally run into traffic on the road and today was no exception. Thank God it didn’t rain as predicted because when it rains here in Southern California drivers lose their minds like it’s the coming of the apocalypse. So as anticipated I arrived at work with time to spare. I even sat for an extra minute to finish listening to Steve Harvey and his ridiculous rant with a caller arguing whether it was Carfax or Carfox as he insisted…its Carfax dumb ass. As I headed towards the office I had my coffee in one hand and the phone I had just placed on vibrate along with my keycard for access to the building in the other…my hands were full. Still feeling good I actually had a spring in my step, hell I may have even been whistling. I looked ahead and I could see a co-worker was holding the door open for me. Now you know how you take that little skip trot so that you can advance the stairs two at a time. Well I miscalculated the landing on the first step and down I went but I didn’t fall quickly, at least not in my mind. I swear I fell for what seemed like ten minutes.

As I began falling I could see the reaction on my co-worker’s face as he was still holding the door. You know that look, he wasn’t sure if he should laugh or feign concern…how about a little help buddy. I didn’t know if I should lunge for the door he was still holding or flip him off. Now when you start to plummet your natural instinct is to attempt to break your fall but of course as I said before my hands were full so when I reached out gravity took over and away went my coffee….all over the staircase. (Mental note to self, don’t f**K with gravity) I tried to regain my balance as I was already into the second step but I slipped in the coffee and continued my descent, this time flipping around backwards. As I plunged to what I assumed to be certain death as I was sure I’d break my neck or something else vital I began to think of things that had absolutely nothing to do with my falling. Did I remember to let Pepper back in after she went out to pee this morning? Was my boss’s car parked out front? Why doesn't McDonald's sell hotdogs? Finally after what seemed an eternity I hit bottom. Luckily I landed butt first but the remainder of my coffee spilled all over my shirt which instantly changed to blue & brown pinstriped.

As I regained my composure and attempted to collect what little dignity I still possessed I sheepishly took a look around to see who may have witnessed my extended over the top pre-workday tumble and found myself surrounded by co-workers…most of them snickering. When I stood up I received applause. What could I do, I took a bow and limped up the stairs to my office. Yep, feeling good.

Justin Carr Wants World Peace

This past weekend I attended the funeral of my aforementioned friend’s young son Justin. Let me first say that I’m not a funeral person. I would happily volunteer to have a grand piano dropped on my head to avoid one. I’d agree to be the person holding the board at a dart contest for blind people rather than attend a funeral. I’d prefer discussing LGBT politics and the theory of evolution with a born-again evangelical Republican creationist…ok you get the idea. I’m happy to say that unlike the usual drawn out, cry your eyes red, throw yourself on the casket screaming “take me, take me” typical dreary funeral affair it was a beautiful & joyous ceremony. A true celebration of the short but extremely eventful life of a young man taken much too soon. Justin was active in theater, sports, peer counseling, school and community clubs and organizations you name it and he did it. His list of accomplishments at 16 read like someone twice his age. The ceremony included participation from his fellow choir members and several people spoke, including his elementary school teacher, one of his high school teachers and both of his parents. All gave loving tributes and all left the crowd of an estimated 1,700 (seriously 1,700, the ceremony required traffic control) feeling as though they knew him intimately. But what touched me most was when his father spoke.

He shared several stories including the one of his son at five years old eagerly and joyfully embracing his first chance to bless the table for a family meal. His father said he meticulously took the time to bless every single person he had ever met which went on for some time and at the end he asked for World Peace…at five years old. At such a young age his world view already included the need for peace. What a weight to carry at such an age. At five years old I was more concerned about whether or not I would receive that little red wagon I requested of Santa for Christmas…I got it, something to be said for being nice and not naughty. His father stated that he always felt his son was destined for greatness and when he reflected on the occasion of this story he thought perhaps this was somehow to be his legacy. So he had a request for the funeral attendees. He asked that we aid in fulfilling Justin’s legacy by posting signs, sending emails and texts, contacting our legislatures or anything to get the word out with this simple statement, Justin Carr Wants World Peace. That’s it, no more, five simple words.

So what were his Father’s expectations? Did he think this would somehow change the world? Did he think if we all posted signs wars would cease to exists? No, I think what he saw was an opportunity to make a powerful statement which embraced the memory of his son. Now I’m not a big chain mail person, in fact when someone sends me one I usually delete it without opening…believe me when I say I don’t need to send your friggin’ email to everyone in my contact list to receive my blessings for the day. However, I felt just this one time I’d conform. To be clear I’m not even asking that you forward this, that’s your decision. Quite simply I just thought it to be a beautiful sentiment and a profound declaration from the mouth of a child and I just wanted to put it out there… Justin Carr Wants World Peace.