Every day is a new day and with that, a new opportunity.
EVERYONE is welcome and please join us each morning at 7:30 AM PACIFIC
to tell us what you're working on, share your show & tell, vent, whatever you want...
...this is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.
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(Reminder: SIX Kossack meet-ups happening TODAY)
What was the first racial profiling you ever saw or experienced?
President Obama has made me recall an enigmatic event I witnessed as a child. Yesterday he spoke both eloquently and emotionally of the ways he himself has experienced racial profiling. As he did so he summoned the image in my mind of the first racial profiling I had ever seen. I was only seven at the time.
There are very few African American men in this country who haven't had the experience of being followed when they were shopping in a department store. That includes me. There are very few African American men who haven't had the experience of walking across the street and hearing the locks click on the doors of cars. That happens to me -- at least before I was a senator. There are very few African Americans who haven't had the experience of getting on an elevator and a woman clutching her purse nervously and holding her breath until she had a chance to get off. That happens often.
(emphasis added)
The photo below shows Rev. Maurice Dawkins (who at the time lived across the street from me) organizing with MLK Jr.
July 9, 1960: MLK Jr. & Rev. Maurice Dawkins (my neighbor) in Los Angeles for a civil rights rally & the Democratic National Convention.
In 1957 my family bought a house on South Westchester Place in LA while my mom was still carrying me inside her. In the first discusison she ever had with anyone on the block, a nervous neighbor whispered a warning to her, "There's a N-N-N-Negro family just moved onto this street, but at least they're on the OTHER side of the street." She didn't know that for
my mom having a Black family on the street was a plus.
My mom used to tell that story with relish because she felt it accurately protrayed the stupidity and small-mindedness of racists. Any division, even if only a matter of fifteen feet, assumes importance in the racist mindset.
Los Angeles did not have the outright de jure segregation (separation by law) like the South, but it did have racial restrictive covenants which prevented blacks and Hispanics from renting and buying in certain areas, even long after the courts ruled them illegal in 1948.
Rev. Dawkin's church was used as a cover for smashing through the color barrier on my street. Others took the lead in desegregating other parts of the hood. Eventually I was the only
white kid on my baseball team (but only profiled as the one leftie on a team of righties).
The indignancy of some of the more vocal neighbors was a matter that mostly went right over my seven year-old head. We kids played together on the street like everything was normal. I went to Elementary school with the Dawkins' family. We did birthday parties together. We were in the Cub & Boy Scouts together. The son tried (in vain) to teach me the Pledge of Allegiance, while his father was out on the street with MLK Jr. to make it something more than just a myth.
The California Christian Ministers Conference protest at Woolworths with the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Rev. Maurice Dawkins, 1960.
Photo by Charles Williams.
Then in 1965 the Watts Riots broke out in Los Angeles. I only recall the riots (which never reached anywhere near my street) because that was the day no one was out on the street playing and I was extremely bored. I kept looking out the window for signs of any friends playing outside. When I looked out and saw Mr. Turphy emerge from his house menacingly pumping a shotgun, I yelled out for my mom to come into the living room. She explained patiently to me why this bizarre sight of a man guarding his house with a shotgun was taking place. The only thing from that conversation that has stayed in mind was the phrase, "He's a Republican."
MLK's
telegram to LBJ recommending Rev. Dawkins for VISTA Director.
What I am sure my mom didn't point out to her seven year-old is that Mr. Turphy wasn't facing in the direction of Watts. He was standing face-forward in the exact opposite direction...towards the Rev. Dawkins' house (with whom he had been living on the same street with for seven years). Waiting as though he expected the reverend or his children to break out into rioting on the street. Maybe just waiting for any excuse....
From an obituary -
Rev. Maurice A. Dawkins, 80, Black activist, and an ordained Baptist minister. A lifelong organizer for black causes, including the 1963 March on Washington and re-establishing the Opportunities Industrialization Center in Broward County. He became president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People chapter and was active in the Urban League, the Congress of Racial Equality, and served as the western regional organizer for the March on Washington, D.C.
The only thing that I really understood at the time about that day was that no one was going to be stepping out onto the street to play while Mr. Turphy was locked and loaded as a one-man neighborhood watch. I am glad no one did. I am glad that Mr. Turphy's day as a Zimmerman came and went without the murder of anyone on our street. What I am not glad about, and what tears at my heart, is that five decades later Black children still face racial profiling. They are the children and grandchildren of friends, family and neighbors who put their bodies on the line to fight for racial equality...so damn long ago. And now their own kids are on the front line.
SIX (6!!!!) Kossack meet-ups happening TODAY
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Below the New Day sunrise cloud
:: COMMUNITY BUILDING UPDATES ::
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Let's build communities!
SIX (6!!!!) KOSSACK MEET-UPS HAPPENING TODAY
Every region needs a meatspace community like SFKossacks.
We take care of each other in real life.
I urge YOU to take the lead and organize one in your region.
Please tell us about it if you do and we're here for advice.
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THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
>>>Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
NEW GROUPS IN THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING:
Send a Kosmail to the organizers and ask for an invitation to the group.
• Northern Indiana Area: Kosmail Tim Delaney
• Long Island: Kosmail grannycarol
• Northern Michigan: Kosmail JillS
• Nebraska: Kosmail Nebraska68847Dem
• Westburbia Chicago Kossacks: Kosmail Majordomo
• New York Hudson Valley Kossacks: Kosmail boran2
• North Carolina Triangle Kossacks: Kosmail highacidity
• Caprock Kossacks (Panhandle/Caprock/Lubbock/Amarillo area) : Kosmail shesaid
• West Texas Kossacks (including Big Bend Region and El Paso) : Kosmail Yo Bubba
Note to the above new leaders: Feel free to leave a comment any day reminding readers about your new group. Also, tell us about your progress in gathering members. Kosmail me when you've chosen a good name for your group and have created a the group. Then I'll move you to the NEW GROUPS LIST. When you've planned a date for your first event I'll make a banner for you to highlight your event in our diaries and your diaries.
These are the groups that have started since * NEW DAY * began. Please Kosmail navajo if you have started a group before that.
NEW GROUPS LIST:
• California Central Valley Kossacks - Formed: Jul 29, 2012, Organizer: tgypsy
• New England Kossacks - Formed: Aug 6, 2012, Organizers:
Clytemnestra for Lower New England (Conneticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island)
nhox42 for Upper New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont)
• Houston Area Kossacks - Formed: Aug 7, 2012, Organizer: Chrislove
• Kossacks in India - Formed: Aug 14, 2012, Organizer: chandu
• CenTex Kossacks - Formed: Sep 9, 2012, Organizer: papa monzano
• Central Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Sep 26, 2012, Organizer: VetGrl
• Kansas City Kossacks - Formed Oct 15, 2012, Organizer: [Founder stepped down]
• Phoenix Kossacks - Formed Oct 16, 2012, Organizer: arizonablue
• Chicago Kossacks - Formed: Oct 31, 2012, Organizer: figbash
• Koscadia the Pacific Northwest coast from Northern California to Alaska
- Formed Oct 17, 2012, Oganizer: Horace Boothroyd III based in Portland, OR
• Boston Kossacks - Formed: Nov 7, 2012, Organizer: GreyHawk
• Motor City Kossacks South East Michigan (Detroit) Area - Formed: Nov 10, 2012, Organizer: peregrine kate
• Pittsburgh Area Kossacks - Formed: Nov 12, 2012, Organizer: dweb8231
• Salt Lake City Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: War on Error
• Twin Cities Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: imonlylurking
• Dallas Kossacks North Texas - Formed: Nov 21, 2012, Admins: Catte Nappe and dalfireplug. Please contact them to join the group. An Event Organizer needed.
• The Southern California Inland Empire Kossacks - Formed: Dec 3, 2012, Organizer: SoCaliana
• Los Angeles Kossacks - Formed: Dec 17, 2012, Organizer: Dave in Northridge
• Northeast Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Jan 16, 2013, Organizer: GenXangster
• Kansas & Missouri Kossacks - Formed: Jan 17, 2013, Organizer: tmservo433
• I-77 Carolina Kossacks who live from Columbia, SC to north of Winston-Salem, NC. - Formed: Jan 30, 2013, Organizers: gulfgal98 and eeff
• Indianapolis Kossacks - Formed: Feb 6, 2013, Organizer: CityLightsLover
• Southwest Ohio Kossacks - Formed: May 10, 2013, Organizer: Dr Erich Bloodaxe RN
• Northern Arizona Kossacks - Formed: Jul 5, 2013, Organizer: Sam Sara
ESTABLISHED GROUPS LIST: (List will grow as we discover them)
• SFKossacks Founded by navajo, Formed: May 2, 2005
• Maryland Kos Founded by timmyc, Formed: Feb 23, 2011. Contact: JamieG from Md for a group invite.
• New York City Founded by Eddie C - Contact the group organizer for meet-up events: sidnora
• Baja Arizona Kossacks, Event Organizer: Azazello
• Three Star Kossacks Tennessee, Founded by maryKK, Formed: Apr 8, 2011
• Nashville KosKats, Founded by ZenTrainer Formed: Jan 30, 2012
• Virginia Kos Founded by JamieG from Md, Formed: May 3, 2011
• Kos Georgia Founded by pat208, Formed: Feb 13, 2011
• Colorado COmmunity Founded by Leftcandid, Formed: Feb 13, 2011
• New Mexico Kossaks Founded by claude
• Philly Kos Founded by mconvente Formed: Aug 29, 2011
• DKos Florida Founded by ThirstyGator, Formed: Feb 14, 2011, Currently organizing: Kosmail Vetwife to be included in next event.
• Oklahoma Roundup Founded by BigOkie, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, Currently organizing: Kosmail peacearena to be included.
• DKos Asheville Founded by davehouck, Formed: Feb 13, 2011 - Organizing Assist by: randallt
:: Events Currently on the Books for ALL Kossacks ::
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Saturday, July 20th
Los Angeles Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:30 PM
LOCATION: Rush Street
9546 Washington/Culver Boulevard • Culver City
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Dave in Northridge
2. Shockwave
3. jakedog42
4. joemarkowitz
5. susans
6. otoelbc
7. 714day
8. BruinKid
9. otoelbc's brother
10. poopdogcomedy
11. gmats
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Maybees:
pico
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Latest diary: LA Kossacks, July 20 Meetup: Culver City, Here We Come - Reminder!
Saturday, July 20th
Houston Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Pasha Restaurant
2325 University Boulevard • Houston
ORGANIZER: Send Chrislove a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Chrislove
2. doraphasia
3. mister mustardhead
4. suesue
5. Mr. suesue
6. Bree Davis
7. jmbar2
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8. MarciaJ720
9. Libby Shaw
10. Mary
11. Alan
Maybees:
Mr. Libby Shaw
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Latest diary: Houston Area Kossacks: Meet-Up Scheduled for Saturday, July 20!
Saturday, July 20th
Motor City Kossacks Meet-up to welcome tgypsy
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Brighton Bar and Grill
400 W. Main St. • Brighton
ORGANIZER: Send peregrine kate a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. peregrine kate
2. tgypsy
3. mideedah
4. Provoking Meaning
5. gregsullmich
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Maybees:
dkmich
BFSkinner
dov12348
christinebarry
GwenM
sydneyluv
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Latest diary: Motor City Kossacks Meet-up Sat 7/20, Brighton Bar & Grill, 12-3 PM (plus teaser for next one)
Saturday, July 20th
Southern California Inland Empire
Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 11:00 AM (Tour museum then lunch there)
LOCATION: Palm Springs Air Museum
745 North Gene Autry Trail • Palm Springs
ORGANIZER: Send SoCaliana a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. SoCaliana
2.
3.
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Maybees:
Susan from 29
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Latest diary: SCIEK: Summer Meetup Location
Saturday, July 20th
SFKossacks Welcome angelajean & Family to Elkhorn Slough, there will be otters!
TIME: 10:00 AM at the visitors center
LOCATION: Elkhorn Slough
[map] • Moss Landing
ORGANIZER: Send lineatus a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. lineatus
2. angelajean
3. Glen The Plumber
4. remembrance
5. TLO™
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Maybees:
Laughing Planet
D Bunn
D Bunn's friend
KenBee
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Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, July 20th
Dkos Asheville, North Carolina Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Bywater
796 Riverside Dr. • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Randallt
2. Gordon20024
3. davehouck
4. Joieau
5. SteelerGrrl
6. SteelerGuy
7. Captain Sham
8. Smiley7
9. DawnN
10.
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11. LamontCranston
12. Christian Dem in NC
13. gulfgal98
14.
Maybees:
eeff
Audri
PearlJamSteelworker
Amy
marshstars
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville Open Thread 5/18/13: Frogs and tomatoes and snakes, oh my!
Sunday, July, 21st
Northern Arizona Kossacks Meet-up with navajo
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano
Tlaquepaque Village
336 State Route 179 • Sedona
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. savano66
3. MissLove (navajo's daughter)
4. sed (navajo's SIL)
5. Nick (navajo's grandguy)
6. Sequoia (navajo's grandguy)
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7. mangolind (navajo's daughter)
8. Shaun (mangolind's BF)
9.
Maybees:
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Sunday, August 4th
SFKossacks Meet BeadLady and the Okiciyap Quilt!
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Saul's Restaurant & Delicatessen
1475 Shattuck Ave (at Vine) • Berkeley
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. BeadLady
2. navajo
3. Catilinus
4. dharmasyd
5. norm
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Maybees: |
Sunday, August 4th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send Sidnora a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. joanbrooker
2. mconvente
3. belinda ridgewood
4. Yasuragi
5. sidnora
6. Its the Supreme Court Stupid
7. blue jersey mom
8. kathny
9. ask
10. rubyr
11. plf515
12. thankgodforairamerica
13. No Exit
14. gchaucer2
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15. MBNYC
16. andgarden
Maybees:
Ollie Garkey
Ian Reifowitz
wader
nyceve
aoeu
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Latest diary: NYC Meetup 8/4: Beat the Dog Days!
Saturday, November 2nd
SFKossacks BBQ in the Wine Country
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Andrew McGuire's home in the Wine Country
Address to be given privately to RSVPs • Windsor
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
Andrew McGuire is Executive Director of California One Care
RSVPs:
1. Andrew McGuire
2. navajo
3. Shockwave
4. Hunter
5. elfing
6. Hunter/elfling offspring
7. smileycreek
8. paradise50
9. dharmasyd
10. maggiejean
11. norm
12. Lusty
13. dksbook
14. Mr. dksbook
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15. kimoconnor
16. jpmassar
17. side pocket
18. Mrs. side pocket
Maybees:
Glen The Plumber
remembrance
TLO™
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Send navajo a kosmail if you post a diary about an event so we can update our round-up.
Okay. Floor's open.
Tell us what you are doing on this NEW DAY?