Last week the Republicans nominated Donald Trump to be their candidate for President. It was a frightening moment and quite unbelievable that the "Grand Old Party" would make a hack, a reality TV star, and a bigot their standard bearer.Understandably, many Americans like me are worried about the prospect of a Trump presidency and what it will mean for those who are the "other" or in the minority.
This past weekend Nicholas and I went to Starbucks. When I parked, I told him to be careful opening its door because we were parked close to another car. I got out of the car and headed to the Starbucks. When I looked behind for Nicholas, I saw that the woman in the car next to us had gotten out of her car. She looked at me and scowled, "He banged his door into my car." I stopped and apologized to her. Nicholas was taken aback and appeared quite upset.
As we made our way to the Starbucks from the parking lot, I unloaded on Nicholas. I reminded him that I had warned him to be careful. I told him that the car next to us belonged to someone else and that he had made her very angry by being careless. What I didn't tell him was that I was worried that this white woman and white people in general would react to experiences like that to develop negative opinions about people who look like us.
After we got our drinks, we knocked on the woman's window. I apologized to her and asked Nicholas to do the same. She also apologized for "flying off the handle" and said that she had been on a very important phone call and was surprised to hear her our car door hit hers. We left on good terms, and I felt better knowing that we had not alienated this woman.
Whether Trump wins or loses, I do feel as though people of color like me need to always put their best face forward to avoid alienating strangers. It only takes one bad experience to create a stereotype, and I do not want to give people that misperception.
That night during bedtime stories, I explained to Nicholas why I was so upset and what I was worried about. He said he understood. However, in many ways, I hope this sweet, eleven year-old boy, who has never experienced, racism does not understand. I hope Nicholas grows up in a city, a country, and a world where he is judged by the content of his character and not the color of his skin as Dr. King hoped for.
Here's to our future America. Do not screw this up!
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Thursday, July 21, 2016
DEMAGOGUE
Demagogue- noun. A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.
If there is one word that captures Donald J. Trump, it is demagogue.
Tonight, the Demagogue's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention capped off the end to an inglorious Republican primary campaign. During the past year, the Demagogue insulted and offended countless groups of people and individuals, sowed bitter discontent, and appealed to the worst in humankind. Thus, his hate-filled speech was a fitting end to one of the most mean-spirited and nasty primary campaigns I have seen in my lifetime.
The Demagogue claims that we are a country in decline that is overrun by "the other." By "the other," he means minorities, illegal immigrants, and poor people trying to game the system. Who is at fault for this? The mainstream political establishment on both the left and right. Who can save us? Only the Demagogue, of course.
We have heard this speech before on the campaign trail this year. We have also heard it in Nazi Germany, McCarthy era America, and in Communist and contemporary Russia. This line of "inspiration" appeals to our fears and our insecurities. It offers scapegoats and simplistic explanations for all that ails those who have been left behind in this 21st century.
For many, especially those who feel disenfranchised in our increasingly diverse nation and global economy, these words are like a salve. However, rather than a poultice, these words are as likely to heal or fix our wounds as sulfuric acid. My only hope is that more Americans are repulsed by his message than those who would swallow his empty promises.
I am not a religious man. If I were, I would pray for our country to do the right thing to reject the hate and dark cloud that the Demagogue would invite upon us. There has never been a more important election in our nation's history, and I do not look forward to the bumpy ride for the next three and a half months.
May we prove him wrong and show the world what America really stands for.
If there is one word that captures Donald J. Trump, it is demagogue.
Tonight, the Demagogue's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention capped off the end to an inglorious Republican primary campaign. During the past year, the Demagogue insulted and offended countless groups of people and individuals, sowed bitter discontent, and appealed to the worst in humankind. Thus, his hate-filled speech was a fitting end to one of the most mean-spirited and nasty primary campaigns I have seen in my lifetime.
The Demagogue claims that we are a country in decline that is overrun by "the other." By "the other," he means minorities, illegal immigrants, and poor people trying to game the system. Who is at fault for this? The mainstream political establishment on both the left and right. Who can save us? Only the Demagogue, of course.
We have heard this speech before on the campaign trail this year. We have also heard it in Nazi Germany, McCarthy era America, and in Communist and contemporary Russia. This line of "inspiration" appeals to our fears and our insecurities. It offers scapegoats and simplistic explanations for all that ails those who have been left behind in this 21st century.
For many, especially those who feel disenfranchised in our increasingly diverse nation and global economy, these words are like a salve. However, rather than a poultice, these words are as likely to heal or fix our wounds as sulfuric acid. My only hope is that more Americans are repulsed by his message than those who would swallow his empty promises.
I am not a religious man. If I were, I would pray for our country to do the right thing to reject the hate and dark cloud that the Demagogue would invite upon us. There has never been a more important election in our nation's history, and I do not look forward to the bumpy ride for the next three and a half months.
May we prove him wrong and show the world what America really stands for.
THE TRYOUT
Cate has been playing soccer since the age of two. However, she has always played recreational soccer with the exception of her competitive futsal team.
Last spring, many of the girls from her recreational team decided to try out for the competitive team, but Cate said she wanted to stick with rec. All of those girls were accepted to the competitive team, and it was only afterwards that Cate realized that most of the friends from her rec team would not be back.
This must have really been on Cate's mind because one day she announced that she really wanted to try out for the competitive team. We explained to Cate that the tryouts had already passed, but she asked us to see if she could attend practice and try to make the team. Therefore, I contacted the coach.
When contacting him, I described Cate's history and the fact that she always played "up" one year. I left it to him to decide which team she should try out for. After some back and forth, we decided Cate should attend the practice of the team of girls one year older than her. Importantly, most of Cate's friends from her old team were in that age group.
After the practice, it was clear to anyone who had eyes that Cate belonged out there. The coach expressed his enthusiasm and said that she had an understanding of the game and skill that were quite uncommon for a player of his age. He offered her a spot, and Cate nodded her head in gleeful acceptance.
I am glad that this tryout worked out for Cate. It was a good lesson about hard work, focus, and making the most of one's opportunities. I cannot wait to see Cate play with this team and to build soccer and team skills that will last a lifetime.
Last spring, many of the girls from her recreational team decided to try out for the competitive team, but Cate said she wanted to stick with rec. All of those girls were accepted to the competitive team, and it was only afterwards that Cate realized that most of the friends from her rec team would not be back.
This must have really been on Cate's mind because one day she announced that she really wanted to try out for the competitive team. We explained to Cate that the tryouts had already passed, but she asked us to see if she could attend practice and try to make the team. Therefore, I contacted the coach.
When contacting him, I described Cate's history and the fact that she always played "up" one year. I left it to him to decide which team she should try out for. After some back and forth, we decided Cate should attend the practice of the team of girls one year older than her. Importantly, most of Cate's friends from her old team were in that age group.
After the practice, it was clear to anyone who had eyes that Cate belonged out there. The coach expressed his enthusiasm and said that she had an understanding of the game and skill that were quite uncommon for a player of his age. He offered her a spot, and Cate nodded her head in gleeful acceptance.
I am glad that this tryout worked out for Cate. It was a good lesson about hard work, focus, and making the most of one's opportunities. I cannot wait to see Cate play with this team and to build soccer and team skills that will last a lifetime.
US NATIONAL FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Last weekend, we headed to San Jose to watch Cate and her futsal team play in the US National Futsal Championships. The girls had been playing with each other for nearly a year, and they earned their ticket to San Jose by winning a regional tournament in the Winter.
We knew going in that the competition would be tougher here and that the girls might feel overwhelmed by the moment. We were right about the former but dead wrong about the latter.
While we lost our first game, the girls put in a spirited display and never gave up in their 3-1 loss. In the second game, we were better, but several dubious refereeing decisions gave the other team a 4-2 win. Nonetheless, one could see the girls' confidence and comfort levels building.
In our final game, we came out of the gates firing and never let up. Cate was an attacking midfield maestro, and she had an incredible game. She set up one goal and scored two others en route to a 6-3 win. That win gave us third place in our group, which is quite a feat considering that most of the girls on our team were playing up one year in a higher age bracket.
Even more important than finishing third and receiving medals, our girls saw what they were capable of when they worked as a team and gave it their all. San Jose is a tournament I shall not soon forget, and hope our girls feel the same!
We knew going in that the competition would be tougher here and that the girls might feel overwhelmed by the moment. We were right about the former but dead wrong about the latter.
While we lost our first game, the girls put in a spirited display and never gave up in their 3-1 loss. In the second game, we were better, but several dubious refereeing decisions gave the other team a 4-2 win. Nonetheless, one could see the girls' confidence and comfort levels building.
In our final game, we came out of the gates firing and never let up. Cate was an attacking midfield maestro, and she had an incredible game. She set up one goal and scored two others en route to a 6-3 win. That win gave us third place in our group, which is quite a feat considering that most of the girls on our team were playing up one year in a higher age bracket.
Even more important than finishing third and receiving medals, our girls saw what they were capable of when they worked as a team and gave it their all. San Jose is a tournament I shall not soon forget, and hope our girls feel the same!
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