For Those Who Demand “Proof” of Racism, But Will Reject It as Such When It’s Presented

Definitely worth a read from a great writer

BROTHA WOLF

I’ve fell into a trick that some people would pull in a thread discussing racism. I’ve mentioned it here (at least once), but I’ve learned it’s a common tactic that does nothing to move the conversation forward. It’s where you’re asked to prove that racism exists. It’s often done by white people and self-proclaimed conservatives. (Most of the time, they’re one in the same.) You bring up any kind of proof you can find. It can be a chart, a graph, a study, an article, a book or two, a news story, personal incidents, anything like the following:

Exposing Bias: Race and Racism in America

The Problem of Whiteness

As Starbucks trains on implicit bias, the author of ‘White Fragility’ gets real

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

Separate and Unequal: The Neighborhood Gap Blacks, Hispanics and Asians in Metropolitan America

The Black Population:…

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Dreamer’s World August 13, 2018 – Relationships And Music

Dreamer’s World August 13, 2018 – Relationships And Music

    I wrote earlier about today being Hal’s birthday, and how we have been together for almost 19 years. Friends have asked us how we manage to stay together and, more importantly, happy through all this time. The answer is simple on the surface, and that is through communication and honesty. There is one other important factor, and that is practice.
    The best way I can describe how important practice is to a relationship is to compare it to playing music. I try to take time to work on my guitar playing and piano playing every day. It makes no sense to expect to get better if I don’t put the time and effort into the endeavor. A relationship is the same way. You cannot take it for granted. It must be addressed every day to improve.
    Some days I focus on the basics. Other days I try something new to expand my horizons. This variety keeps me interested in my learning process, and the same approach keeps our relationship healthy. Because music is essential to me, I put the time and effort and exploration into it. My relationship with Hal is even more critical, so why not use the same approach?

Tags: Hal (Person), Life, Post, Music, Relationships
August 13, 2018 at 01:11PM
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Dreamer’s World August 13, 2018 – A Special Day

Dreamer’s World August 13, 2018 – A Special Day

    Today is Hal’s birthday. He turns 65, but he still looks as handsome and sexy as the day I first met him nearly 19 years ago. I have written about him and our relationship so many times in this blog, but I rarely cover the deep emotional bonds that tie us together.  I wonder if I can accurately describe how I feel about him because words never seem to be enough.
    I met Hal nearly 19 years ago. It was accidental, a case of mistaken identity on a blind date. I mistakenly thought that he was someone else because we had never met before. I wonder at how my life would have changed if I had decided to walk away at that time. I am sure that I would never have found the happiness that I have now. I am also sure that whatever happened on that date would not have lasted for nearly 19 years with anyone else.
    Hal and I bonded very quickly. We were both looking for something long-term and stable. We each had our series of past relationships that had failed for one reason or another. There seemed to be serendipity at work when we met. As enjoyable as any first date can be, there is always the overwhelming chance that it will never lead to anything special. Thankfully, in this case, it did.
    We decided early on that we were going to dedicate our lives to each other and see where that took us. We are still on that journey together after all of these years. Hal is the most critical person in the world to me. I am sure that I would be so much worse off if we hadn’t met. I have to wonder if I would still be around at all if I hadn’t met Hal when I did.
    Today Hal turns 65. Since he is ten years older than I am, I always marvel at how great he still looks. I can only hope that I will look that good when I reach 65. He retired from his regular job years ago, and now he works part-time to stay busy. I don’t think that he will stop that anytime soon because he enjoys his work now. He will go to work this evening. I will take him and pick him up afterward. I gave Hal his gifts last night because I have to work through the day here. I am taking him to a free acupuncture session tomorrow after I finish my day at work, and then we are going to dinner for a belated celebration.
    I am the luckiest man in the world. I am celebrating the birthday of the most remarkable man in the world.

Tags: Hal (Person), Life, Post, Birthday, Relationship, Happiness
August 13, 2018 at 09:23AM
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