A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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How Do You Deal With Bigots in Your Life When You Can't Disown Them?
Cliven Bundy's bigoted comments on "The Negro" are so infuriating, so absurd, so painful, and so downright hateful and stupid there's no question this guy needs to be shunned by anyone with two brain cells to rub together. Other than enjoying the ridicule being lobbed his way, I'm fortunate that I don't have to deal with people like him if I choose not to. In fact, I'm exceedingly fortunate that I'm not in a position right now to have to personally deal with any bigots or racists at all if I don't want to. I can tell them off, walk away, or just point and laugh.
I recognize this for the white privilege it is. It's also one of the benefits of being a self-employed adult who no longer has to work side-by-side with odious people. It wasn't always like this-- I used to work in hospitals next to perfectly awful people, like that John Bircher surgeon who damn near pinned the wrong ankle he was so busy holding forth with right-wing blather that would sound mild on today's Fox "News." Back then I had to swallow my retorts and rejoinders or lose my job. Ridicule was not an option, which may be one reason I enjoy it so much now.
Avoiding bigots isn't always possible, though...especially when they're in your own family and you're not in a position to disown them. You may even love them. Then what do you do?
Mom was a caring person who was also deeply prejudiced. There's just no sugar-coating it. She was raised by prejudiced people and repeated racist words, phrases and ideas without actually thinking them through. And she got increasing push-back from me from the time I was a teenager. As I grew older and she grew to respect me she tried to rein it in, and stopped referring to little black girls with bows in their hair as "those cute little pickaninnies" in public because I'd holler "MOM! You can't say that!" at the top of my voice and people would turn and stare at her. "What's wrong with saying they're cute," she'd hiss back at me, and I'd try to explain why. Historical explanations didn't work, but "Because it makes you look backwards" did. We fought over her racist language...a lot. But at least she knew if she dropped the N-word in my presence there'd be an outcry. The child scolding the mother just drove her public prejudice underground without altering it.
And though my parents had close Jewish friends she didn't hesitate to voice stereotypes about them as well. I won't repeat one of her favorite cringe-worthy jokes.
When I was trying to wrap my mind around the fact that my country had dropped not one but two nuclear bombs that obliterated two Japanese cities, I asked her how such an act could possibly have been justified. "Because it saved lives," she said, unthinkingly repeating what she'd been told. When I pointed out the number of lives that were vaporized she was unfazed, because what she meant, of course, was that it saved American lives. "They don't care about life the same way we do," she explained to my howl of protest.
At times there was just no penetrating her fog of preconceptions. When her oldest adored grand-daughter Sam wanted to bring her girlfriend to the big Christmas Eve party, Mom refused. "But you've always let us bring whoever we're dating home for Christmas," I said. "I don't care," she said stubbornly. "It's just not right. If I let her bring Cindy she'll think I approve, and I don't." I pointed out that her disapproval would never change who Sam was and would only drive her away, but Mom would not relent. Sam did not come for Christmas that year. The following Christmas Sam was dating a man, who she later married and had several kids with, and Mom felt entirely vindicated. This was how I learned about confirmation bias.
I loved Mom and fought with her outmoded and ridiculous beliefs. I like to think that had Mom lived long enough to see a black man elected President she might have had to admit that times had changed, that maybe she was wrong in her belief that white people were inherently superior to everyone else. But I have to admit that she would likely only have come as far around enough to reluctantly admit that the black guy with the funny name was "one of the good ones."
I believe that humanity is a deeply flawed and inherently racist species. Fear of those different "others" is hard-wired into us along with the very human desire to feel superior. I know I have prejudices of my own. How could I not, when I was raised by someone whose every spoken and unspoken assumption firmly put white folks at the apex of the human pyramid? But I also believe that we can examine our unconscious assumptions and root out the ridiculous ones, particularly when they're reflected back to us in the distorted mirror of a Cliven Bundy, an absurd figure who the media first lapped up and then recoiled in horror from when he said aloud what everyone had to know he was thinking all along. When you see a man like that thinking he himself represents the pinnacle of mankind...well. You've got to laugh.
And you've got to fight those hateful dangerous thoughts; all the more so when they're coming from the mouths of people you love and can't disown.
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Can Be Found Below the Orange Group Hug.
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by joanbrooker ♥ for New York City
The NYC Kossacks rolled out the red carpet for the visiting Chacounne and also had the bonus of another last minute visitor, 714day!
Here's one photo:
L-R: Sidnora, Chacounne & 714day
Please visit joanbrooker's diary for many MORE photos plus food pr0n! Enjoy! You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to sidnora.
by EagleOfFreedom ♥ for Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks
EagleOfFreedom has resuscitated the Seattle Kossacks. Many groups have been started there but with the support of this series I think we've got Seattle going again. This is the second meet-up EagleOfFreedom has successfully completed. His diary was really fantastic. Their special guest was Ojibwa. If you read the diary and the comments you can see they are all ready to work together on things like GOTV!
Here's one group photo:
L-R: mlharges, bleeding blue, Ojibwa, Ms. bleeding blue, ReasonableGunsPlz, John Crapper's Girl, EagleOfFreedom, John Crapper, RickEagle, Momomia, N in Seattle
Please visit EagleOfFreedom's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can join Seattle and Puget Sound Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to John Crapper, the new leader of Seattle Kossacks.
by peregrine kate ♥ for Motor City Kossacks
The Motor City Kossacks rolled out the red carpet for visiting Dave in Northridge from Los Angeles. peregrine kate details interesting information about Detroit, the upcoming host town of NN14, and describes a delicious dinner in famous Greek Town. Prepping all of us NN14 attendees for our July visit soon!
Here's one group photo:
L-R: peregrine kate, Dave in Northridge, Mr. ICanDoThis, Amber6541. Amber's sister, ICanDoThis, ProvokingMeaning, toneilda
Please visit peregrine kate's diary for many MORE photos plus food pr0n! Enjoy! You can join Motor City Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to peregrine kate.
by Azazello ♥ for Baja Arizona Kossacks
The Baja Kossacks just had their 4th Annual Picnic at the home of Mr. and Mrs. sneakers563. The group is shepherded by Azazello, an official member of DKos since 2009. From his diary and about his state:
More and better Democrats is always a popular subject for debate here in Baja AZ, especially in an election year. Against the charge that Arizona is an incurably red state I often point out that 5 of our 9 US Reps are Democrats. This is true but it doesn't tell the whole story. While we in Tucson are justifiably proud of Raúl Grijalva (Wikipedia HERE) whose first elected office was board member for Tucson Unified School District #1, most of Tucson and all of Cochise County are now represented by Ron Barber (Wikipedia HERE) who is a very Blue Dog indeed. For an example of this Blue Doggedness see this article at Alternet ☛ 5 Million Dirty Reasons for Record Deportations.
He's on top of it and thanks to him for gathering Kossacks together to become stronger.
Here's the group photo:
L-R: Back row: pwoodford, DaNang65, Azazello, itzadryheat, rasbobbo
Front row: ItsAMathJoke, drnatrl, sneakers563, chloris creator, Desert Rose
Please visit Azazello's diary for many MORE photos including food pr0n! Enjoy! You can join Baja Arizona Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Azazello.
by Dave in Northridge ♥ for Los Angeles Kossacks
The LAKossacks welcome shanikka to their fair city. Many people attend. Here are few photos:
L-R: moore musings and shanikka
L-R: Former Chicagoan Now Angeleno and bruinkid
Please visit Dave in Northridge's diary for many MORE photos plus Food Pr0n! Enjoy! You can join Los Angeles Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Dave in Northridge.
by mimi ♥ for Virginia Kos
The DC and Maryland Kossacks welcomed Chaucounne on her visit to attend a conference in DC. It was a last minute meet-up pulled of by mimi.
Here's one photo:
L-R: mimi, kim (wife of olliegarkey), olliegarkey, webgenie and Chacounne
Please visit mimi's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy!
You can join Maryland Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to JamieG from Md.
You can join DC Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to NinthElegy.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Friday, April 25th
NYC Kossacks Welcome Scottie Thomaston, aka indiemcemopants
TIME: 6:45 PM
LOCATION: Trattoria Trecolori
254 W 47th St. • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send sidnora a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. sidnora
2. Scottie Thomaston, aka indiemcemopants
3. followyourbliss
4. mattc129
5. Design the Future
6. Son of Broccoli
7. Miscweant
8. Mangala
9. Tool
Maybees:
Its the Supreme Court Stupid
Rosalie907
Mets102
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cohenzee
MBNYC
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Latest diary: NYC Meetup this Friday, 4/25: Important Update!!
Saturday, April 26th
DC Kossacks Protest XL Pipeline
near the White House
A group of ranchers, farmers and tribal communities from along the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline route, called the Cowboy Indian Alliance, will set up camp near the White House to tell President Obama to reject the pipeline.
DEMONSTRATION:
TIME: 11:00 AM
LOCATION: National Mall
Meet between 7th & 9th Streets • Washington DC
Look for the Daily Kos Connect! Unite! Banner!
Welcome Meet-Up for Peregrine Kate:
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Mitsitam Cafe
4th St & Independence Ave SW • Inside the National Museum of the American Indian, Washington DC
ORGANIZER: Send mimi a kosmail to attend.
peregrine kate is visiting from Detroit to attend this protest!
RSVPs:
1. mimi
2. peregrine kate
3. tool
4. SouthernLiberalinMD
5. Olliegarkey
6. Edward Adams
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Maybees:
a gilas girl
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Latest diary: Pres. Carter in Cahoots with Indians and Cowboys - Update on April 26 NoKXL March
Saturday April 26th
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speaker:
David Kanuth, US Congress candidate
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Dave in Northridge
2. Shockwave
3. jakedog42
4. 714Day
5. Brecht
6. Zwenkau
7. Joe Bacon
8. Ducktape
9. gmats
10. lordpet8
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Maybees:
Just Saying
Just Saying's friend
Just Saying's son
susans
otoelbc
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Latest diary: LA Kossacks - Meetup, April 26, 2:00 PM - It's Political Season!
LA Kossacks meet David Kanuth
Saturday, May 24th
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speaker:
Marianne Williamson, US Congress candidate
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Saturday, May 31st
LA Kossacks Meet-up with Guest Speakers:
Matt Miller, US Congress candidate for CA-33 and Sandra Fluke, California Senate candidate for the CA-05 Senate district. CA-05 Senate and CA-33 US Congress overlap 50%. Both candidates agreed to speak at the same meeting.
TIME: 2:00 PM
LOCATION: Casey's Irish Pub
613 S Grand Ave. • Los Angeles
ORGANIZER: Send Dave in Northridge a kosmail to attend.
Latest diary: CA-33; a record breaking and highly visible district
Saturday, May 3rd
DKos Asheville 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. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Gordon20024
5. SteelerGrrl
6. SteelerGuy
7. GulfGal 98
8. Otteray Scribe
9. flwrightman
10. people power granny
11. eternallyvigilant
12. gulfgal98
13. cultjake
14. Nic Goodman
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Maybees:
Audri
Mr Audri
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville - Weekly Open Thread
Sunday, May 4th
Koscadia Meet-up
TIME: 1:30 PM
LOCATION: TBD
TBD • Portland
ORGANIZER: Send llbear a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. llbear
2. Sara R
3. winglion
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Spring haz sprung & so haz I - can u Koscadia?
Saturday, May 10th
Boston Kossacks Attend
Singing for the Planet Concert
Tickets are $25; $20 students/seniors, proceeds benefit www.350MA.org
TIME: 7:00 PM
LOCATION: Emmanuel Church
15 Newbury Street • Boston
ORGANIZER: Send GreyHawk a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. GreyHawk
2. HawkWife
3. WarrenS
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Next BosKos Meetup - Sat 12 Apr at the Cafe Barada
Tuesday, May 13th
SFKossacks Roll Out the Red Carpet
for LeftOfYou & Expat Okie
TIME: 11:00 AM, Early lunch!
LOCATION: Yank Sing
Rincon Center, 101 Spear St. • San Francisco
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. LeftOfYou
3. Expat Okie
4. side pocket
5. Justice Putnam
6. dharmasyd
7. Lorikeet
8. jpmassar
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Maybees:
annieli
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Saturday, May 24th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. bleeding blue
3. wise piper
4. flamingogirl
5. John Crapper's SO
6. Grey Fedora
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: [Waiting for linked diary]
Wednesday, July 16th
Annual Cheers & Jeers Dinner to Kick-Off NN14, Kossacks Only
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: TBD
TDB • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Shockwave
10. a gilas girl
11. susans
12. Sara R
13. belinda ridgewood
14. sidnora
15. Mr. sidnora
16. thankgodforairamerica
17. brillig
18. mik
19. K1
20. loggersbrat
21. Dave in Northridge
22. 714day
23. NormAl1792
24. texasmom
25. texasdad
26. a gilas girl
27. peregrine kate
28. provokingmeaning
29. justiceputnam
30. tmservo433
31. Mark E Andersen
32. Son of Mark E Andersen
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Daily Kos Staff:
1. Markos Moulitsas
2. Susan Gardner
3. Will Rockafellow
4. Meteor Blades
5. Joan McCarter
6. Faith Gardner
7. Laura Clawson
8. Chris Bowers
9. navajo
10.
11.
12.
33. winkk
34. theRoaringGirl
35. shermanesq
36. Doggie269
37. shanikka
38. jakedog42
39. ramara
40. skohayes
41. DebtorsPrison
42. gmats
43. Adam Blomeke
44. LuLu
45. Chicklette
46. PerfectStormer
47. 4Freedom
48. DemSign
Maybees: N in Seattle, Turbonerd
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! ATTN: DC, Tucson & Seattle Meet-up Info! +Q: Roll Call, Are You Attending NN14?
Friday, July 18th
Daily Kos Detroit VA Hospital Service Project
Sara R delivers 65 quilts, hand knit scarves and hats, books, 65 teddy bears, hand made greeting cards, and phone cards from the DK Quilt Guild, WAYWO, the Readers & Book Lovers, IGTNT and individual Kossacks to the nursing home at the Detroit VA Hospital. This is a wonderful project that many people can be involved with even if they don't attend the convention. If you care about veterans in a nursing home this is your project. Please volunteer to help.
DELIVERY TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Volunteer Office of the Detroit VA Hospital
4646 John R St. • Detroit
ORGANIZER: Send Sara R a Kosmail to participate in making the gifts and/or deliver them.
RSVPs to help deliver gifts:
1. Sara R
2. NormAl1792
3. Winifred
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: DK Quilt Guild: What Inspires You?
Plenary Session Tables during the rest of the Convention
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to have a seat reserved for you in the main ballroom of the convention center for the big events. These table will be there so we can all find each other as a group. The seating is not assigned. You can float from table to table. I'm counting to see how many tables I need to reserve.
Cheers & Jeers Table:
1. Common Sense Mainer
2. Bill in Portland Maine
3. brillig
4. mik
5. K1
6. loggersbrat
7. N in Seattle
8.
9.
10.
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Motor City Kossacks:
1. peregrine kate
2. provokingmeaning
3. 4Freedom
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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SFKossacks Table:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. smileycreek
4. paradise50
5. side pocket
6. Mrs. side pocket
7. norm
8. maggiejean
9. Jeff in CA
10. Mrs. Jeff in CA
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SFKossacks Table II:
1. a gilas girl
2. justiceputnam
3. Sara R
4. DebtorsPrison
5. tmservo433
6. shanikka
7. Dragon5616
8.
9.
10.
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Los Angeles Table:
1. Shockwave
2. susans
3. Dave in Northridge
4. gmats
5. 714day
6. jakedog42
7.
8.
9.
10.
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New York Table:
1. sidnora
2. Mr. sidnora
3. belinda ridgewood
4. thankgodforairamerica
5. Dee Oliver-Velez
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
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Maybees:
kjoftherock, angry marmot, boran2, Turbonerd, northerntier, northerntier's SO,
navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.