So yesterday I was out holding my sign. Like every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, my new connection David drove by. As he passed I yelled out "I have something for you". He took a break, stopped by, and I gave him a copy of my "raised fist" posting, and we talked about why I couldn't. … Continue reading A Raised Fist (Part 2)
Month: June 2020
Who the fuck is David (first installment)?
I was a bit offended today. I stood on a corner, holding my sign that includes #BLM. There was a woman, in her 70's, seemed lost, confused. Later I flagged down a police officer, said please look, this woman may need help. Then we talked, for almost an hour. The takeaway? He is as disgusted … Continue reading Who the fuck is David (first installment)?
A Raised Fist
I can't. I can't do it. I can't raise my fist. See, for me, a raised fist, it comes from The Black Panther Party and is a symbol of Black Power. When I'm out holding my, or signs, I have a lot: "I Can't Breathe #BLM""I Will Not Turn the Other Cheek #BLM""Police Matter. So … Continue reading A Raised Fist
Racism, Words
Not words. One word. I am white. Male. 59 years old. Want to break down racism to a simple term? There is NO word that can be used to denigrate, to hurt, to belittle me like that word. You know the one. Simple thing: racism is about power and control. Anyone, not black/AA, is there … Continue reading Racism, Words
Dear White People
(Yes, I stole the title from a movie, get over it - oh, and the movie? It is worth watching) I was listening to a story on NPR this morning. They talked to a man who said he wouldn't give his name because he "was afraid he would sound racist". Think about that. If he, … Continue reading Dear White People
Sorry
David is angry. Live with it. If it bothers you? Unfollow. If you are too? Ask a friend to join, to add to my list, to share. And.... I am an angry white man. Old, fucking, I feel old. Ask yourself this: why did I hold a sign today that said "I will not turn … Continue reading Sorry
AntiFa: An Addendum
I am AntiFa. @realDonaldTrump, do you even know what I am, what AntiFa is? We are not an organization. I don't need to send in three cereal box tops and $5 to join. There is no membership. There could be a website. I don't know. There's no leadership, no central authority, no mailing list. Because … Continue reading AntiFa: An Addendum
I Am AntiFa
@realDonaldTrump? I am AntiFa. And I am not alone. Feel free. Unleash your minions. Call the FBI, the CIA. Whomever. Tell them. David Valade, 38 Goss Ave, Melrose, MA is AntiFa. Ask me. What is AntiFa? We are the thousands who crossed Omaha Beach to fight Nazism. We are the ones who crossed from Africa … Continue reading I Am AntiFa
I Will Not Turn the Other Cheek
For more than 150 years, first Negroes, then Blacks, then African Americans have been told the same thing: just wait, it will get better. The Massachusetts 54th, the first African American regiment, fought not just to end slavery, but also for the promise of a better life. Freed slaves were promised "40 acres and a … Continue reading I Will Not Turn the Other Cheek
The Whole World is Watching?
I've been to protests where that was the chant: "The whole world is watching". But this time? That's not right. The whole world is joining. Paris. London. Cape Town. Hong Kong. Kolkata. Jerusalem. Berlin. Athens. Last night, in Bristol England, protestors tore down a statue of a slave trader and threw it in the river. … Continue reading The Whole World is Watching?