Quiet Bridge It was so peaceful when I ran this morning. I stopped and snapped this photo. As I headed under the bridge, I was reminded of another place and time. Sugar Land and Selma As I jogged in my suburban neighborhood outside of Houston, I was reminded of Selma, Alabama. The Pettus Bridge was eerily quiet, when we visited 8 years ago. It was sobering on that day, to remember 1965, when the civil rights protestors were attacked as they crossed. Today, I thought of the current marches and protests. March for George Floyd in Houston Yesterday, over 60,000 gathered in Houston to march peacefully, in the city where George Floyd grew up. There were no reports of clashes, until much later. I wasn't brave enough to be in that crowd, but I am supportive. If we weren't in the middle of a pandemic, would I? Maybe not. I'm hesitant about crowds period, even without tear gas or looting or virus worries. January 2017 Three years ago I was a little hesitant, but I did join a crowd at the Women's March in downtown Houston. It was a very different gathering, but it was one that was brought on by anger and worry, just like today. In 2017, there were marches all over the country. It felt good to be a part of something that could lead to positive change. A huge part of me wants to be downtown Houston, today. I hate it, that I'm doing nothing. I want to do more than sit at home and post my #blackouttuesday on Instagram. It felt too easy when I did it yesterday. Now I'm learning how that hashtag, has become a symbol of white guilt. I'm feeling confused. I want to understand more, so that I can feel confident about speaking out. 1968 "Poor People's Campaign" in Tallahassee I want to go back 50+ years and be that innocent, 11-year-old kid again, sitting with my sister at the top of the steps. I didn't totally understand the "campaign" that Dr. King had started, months before he was killed. But I knew that it was important, that blacks and whites were coming together, with concerns about poverty. I wasn't afraid to ask questions then. We were new to the south, so I had lots. I asked my parents why people said "colored" instead of negro. What did people mean when they called someone a n_____? Why didn't Mildred, our black housekeeper, know how to read? Why were the 2 black children in my classroom ignored and seated in the back?
Honestly I see this photo and worry that I'm still that timid, little girl. I was good at asking questions and listening. But, I wasn't that confident about speaking up and speaking out. At age 63, is it too late? It shouldn't be. I think I'll start by addressing a racial comment I saw on Facebook. Baby steps.
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Not-So-Happy List
Cancer, Covid & Coronary... I started this complaining list/blog, in May 2016. I posted 200 gripes about my breast CANCER and then I was done. On March 13, 2020, I started venting all over again, when another disease (starting with a C) interfered with my life. This time it was the invasion of COVID and it affected every person. I ranted for a year, until I got my COVID vaccine in March 2021. CORONARY Artery Disease was the reason I restarted this blog on September 26, 2021. This time it was my hubby Don, who was dealing with a worry that started with the letter "C". Coronavirus and Cancer, Coronary Artery Disease! All are evil, but none can totally get me down... if I vent! I usually end up feeling a little more positive at the end of each post! Navigating This Mess! The most recent post is at the top, from coronary posts in 2022, back to cancer posts in 2016. To find past posts, look below the "Archives" section, to find "Categories". Archives
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