I have a blackface picture from 1984 also.

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Friday February 01, 2019 · 10:03 PM PST

2019/02/01 · 22:03

I have something in common with Ralph Northam. I have a picture of myself in blackface from 1984 also. I was 11 at the time and was in a 5th grade play where I and several other white students were dressed in blackface and portrayed slaves. I don’t remember what the play was called or what exactly my role was.

The local newspaper ran a story about it and included a picture of me and a couple of others. And the story wasn't a condemnation, it was more of an "aww, look at the cute kids doing a play" kind of story.

There were several actual black children in the play as well and at least one in the picture that the newspaper ran. I found the picture in a box of old stuff a couple of years ago, and was shocked and appalled by it and by the fact that I had completely forgotten it had happened. I don’t recall anybody at all objecting to it at the time, but obviously my memory of then is less than 100%.

I’m not saying this to defend Ralph Northam. He was a grown-ass man in 1984 and he, like my 5th grade teacher and the other adults around, damn well should have known better. It’s just amazing how much racist shit white people in little towns across America were getting up to in the 80s with no negative consequences. It makes me say thank God for the internet and “outrage culture” so that shit like this doesn’t fly anymore. And Northam should resign.

Advice needed for social media project: #MuslimsAreGoodAmericans (MAGA)

bobsc

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Friday February 03, 2017 · 4:08 PM PST

2017/02/03 · 16:08

I have an idea for a project where people seek out Muslim-Americans in their area, interview them, get some pictures, and post the profile on their blogs/Twitter/Facebook/everywhere. Could be someone doing good work in the community or just good people trying to live normal American lives.

Most of the Americans cheering the Muslim ban have probably never seen more than a handful of Muslims except on TV or movies. And most of those depictions were likely negative. If a project like this changed just a few attitudes I feel like it would be worth it, but I have some concerns and things I don't know how to do.

First, I wouldn't want the people profiled to become targets for harassment or worse. Should I change their names or just use a first name or leave it up to them? Also what are the legal ramifications? Guessing they would need to sign a release of some kind?

Second, I'm not sure how to begin such a project:

a. How to find someone to profile. I guess there's probably local Islamic centers where I could find someone that could point me in the direction of potential candidates?

b. Not sure what to ask them in an interview or where to do it. I can probably find a lot of good tips from a Google search on doing interviews, but hoping someone reading has experience with this.

c. Beyond the mechanics, how to get other people around the country to do the same in their area. If it's just me doing it, that doesn't help much. I'd like to see 1000s of these profiles from every corner of the country. I guess I could just start doing it, and hope others follow.

So, good idea / dumb idea? Any advice or suggestions?

Thanks.

Age of Political Awareness (poll)

bobsc

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Wednesday June 29, 2016 · 12:10 AM PDT

2016/06/29 · 00:10

It’s late at night, so mind is wandering. What I’m wondering about right now is at what age people become politically aware. Not necessarily supporting candidates and taking up causes, but maybe doing those things if that’s what you remember as the beginning of your political awareness. What I mean is something like:

Having knowledge of the existence and function of the government and related authorities and knowledge of the existence of a relationship between those entities and oneself.

Is that a normal part of mental and social development that happens for everyone around the same age or is there wide variation based on race/class/gender/other factors?

Poll

31 votes Show Results

When did you become politically aware?

31 votes Vote Now!

When did you become politically aware?

10 or younger

14 votes

0 votes

3 votes

2 votes

4 votes

1 vote

2 votes

1 vote

0 votes

21 or older

2 votes

Occupy the bathrooms

bobsc

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Friday April 22, 2016 · 12:40 PM PDT

2016/04/22 · 12:40

I don't know if this is a good idea or a terrible idea. And I apologize if someone has already suggested this and I just didn't see it.

But I was thinking what might be an effective protest against the NC "bathroom" bill would be if all trans women that are able would travel to Raleigh, NC and basically spend all day in the busiest public men's rooms they can find in the area of the capitol building. Make the men as uncomfortable as possible, get media attention, maybe get to have an over-the-urinal-divider conversation with one of the state congressmen who voted for HB2.

Are there any laws that they would be breaking by taking this action? I'm sure it would be very unpleasant for the people participating in this protest. And it would require some money to be able to take off and go to Raleigh for a few days or weeks or whatever. I think I'd be willing to contribute a little money for that effort though and I'm sure others would.

Any obvious reasons I'm not thinking of that renders this idea unworkable, not helpful, or just stupid?

Poll

5 votes Show Results

This is a

5 votes Vote Now!

This is a

good idea

3 votes

bad idea

2 votes

South Dakota Tribe Votes To Legalize Marijuana

bobsc

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Monday June 15, 2015 · 8:07 PM PDT

2015/06/15 · 20:07

In December of last year the Department of Justice issued a memo which cleared the way for the nation's 566 recognized Indian tribes to legalize hemp or marijuana on their lands. On Thursday, the Santee Sioux tribe in Flandreu, SD became the first tribe to vote in favor of growing and selling marijuana by a vote of 5-1 in their executive committee.

They are hoping to have a facility in place by fall of this year where marijuana can be purchased and consumed. Marijuana will not be allowed to leave the facility.

Of course, the state's Attorney General was quick to assert his authority:

Despite the ordinance's passage, Attorney General Marty Jackley said it is still illegal for non-natives to be under the influence of marijuana. Santee Sioux officials said that tribal membership is not required to purchase and use marijuana.

It's not clear what steps the state will take against non-native marijuana consumption on tribal lands, but I imagine there will be a cordon of state troopers and deputies surrounding them with drug checkpoints and mobile drug testing labs.

But I'm still heartened by the news and if other tribes follow suit, there could soon be legally available marijuana all over the US. If only the federal government would concede to the will of the people and end the destructive and expensive War on Marijuana.

http://www.keloland.com/...

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