Race Identity

Today, on National Public Radio (NPR 90.1 Philadelphia) I heard a riveting show about race in America. In particular, the debate focused on Barack Obama's race identity. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the portion of the show that I heard. If nothing else, I think President-Elect Obama's racial identity has sparked a long overdue conversation in America. In recent years race has been the "elephant in the room." We all see it, but few acknowledge that America is still fraught with racial problems. These problems are so engrained in our society that people often (and I believe genuinely - in some cases) don't understand their part or that of other's in perpetuating hostility toward people of color (whether overt or covert).

Some people say that race doesn't matter. I believe that is inherently true. However, race has been made to be important in American society. Other than identifying someone by their skin color or ethnic features to separate and treat them differently, I fail to understand the significance or usefulness of one's race.

According to our birth certificates: In 1933 when my mother was born, she was "colored". In 1955 when my brother was born, he was "negro." In 1961 when I was born, I was "black". And, in 1995 my youngest daughter was "African-American," which in her case is accurate being the daughter of my second husband, who is from Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa and I being from the United States. It seems to me that the need for naming or labeling comes from outside of ourselves. In this country (America) if others can't categorize you, they dont know how they should treat you...as though treating everyone fairly and the same would be a bad thing. This is illustrated by the "colored" people who used to pass as white and were treated well in society but, when discovered to be black were treated horrifically.

The questions on today's show about why Obama does not self-identify as "mixed" or "bi-racial" is clear to me. In this society, if you have the appearance of being "black" or "African-American" that is how you are treated. Fair-skinned, straight hair, thin lips, etc. do not trump the long held prejudices people have about what it means to be "black" or "African-American." It's not so much how you see or identify yourself, its how others categorize you and ultimately treat you.

Politics Shouldn't Be This Funny... But, I'm Glad It Is

I have been glued to the TV during this presidential race. This is history in the making. I just wish we all had a full appreciation for the magnitude of these happenings.

I was listening to Public Radio today and heard a Republican man say that he won't even watch Sen. Barack Obama's commercials. To me, when you tell yourself (or someone else tells you) not to watch, read or expose yourself to new ideas, people, and things... you're sending a message that you don't believe in what you say you do. If you are so threatened by learning something new that you have to avoid it, that says a lot. I for one watched all of the debates and both the Democratic and Republican conventions. How can you possibly make an informed decision unless you consider all of the options available to you?

I have a difficult time understanding voters who either haven't made up their mind or have decided to vote for a candidate based solely on rhetoric and verbally superficial slight of hand (so to speak).

I'm glad that at least along with the intensity of the election and all the craziness, we can still take out some time to laugh.

Informed Consent

When a doctor hands you a piece of paper telling you to sign it, do you? Why? What are you signing? If you are sick or hurt and the doctor has to do some kind of surgery or procedure that is not a part of regular care, he/she must get your consent. Any procedure that is not a part of regular care (non-routine) that means the doctor has to go inside your body (invasive, cutting, inserting a tool, etc.) needs your consent. Informed consent means that your doctor has explained what is wrong with you (diagnosis). The doctor then explains what can be done to fix the problem (your options). The doctor will also tell you what would happen if you decided not to do anything to fix the problem (no treatment). During this talk and after, you can ask questions about what the doctor has said to be sure that you understand. Once the doctor has explained everything and you are sure that you know what he/she has said, then and only then should you sign the form that says you understand what the doctor has told you and you agree with what needs to be done. Signing the piece of paper is not the "informed consent". The informed consent is being told what is wrong, what can be done or not done, and having time to ask questions.

If your doctor asks you to sign forms and you are not sure what they are for or you can't understand what the doctor says, you can ask for help. Unless you are in an emergency, you need to always take time to know what you are signing. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be afraid to go to another doctor. It's your body. It's your choice.

Who Makes A Good Friend?

I think a good friend is someone who introduces you to new and intereresting things, like music. Keeping in mind, a lot of people can introduce you to all kinds of crazy stuff, like drugs, violence, and all kinds of weird @#%^. But someone who ehances your world and shows you things you may never have seen before, to me that's someone who makes a good friend. So... thanks VK. Radiohead IS cool! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxpblnsJEWM

Be open to new things. You might actually enjoy it.

Heaven in Paris

Heaven

I was there
There is here
You won't find it where you're looking
What you seek is not lost
It is here where it has always been
If you wait... wait to find it
You will miss what you are seeking
You'll be there where it is not
Starting over to try again
Heaven is here
I was there
There is here

by Theresa E. Berger ~ 2000

What Defines You?

When you introduce yourself to someone, how do you define yourself? Hi... I'm his wife or her husband. I'm a lawyer, a bus driver, a teacher. I'm a mother, a father. I'm single. I'm an artist, a musician. I'm so stupid. I can't do anything. "I" What is that? Who is that? What about all that stuff you have, is that you? You car, your house or apartment is that you? Do you even know who you are aside from what you do, your relationship and what you own? I dare say you don't. If you think I'm wrong. Describe yourself and consider the description you use. You don't know who you are any more than I know who you are.

Maybe it's time to start taking time to think about who you are. Quiet time. Alone time. Just time. What if you lost everything. Would you lose yourself? http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/david_hoffman_on_losing_everything.html

I Love TED

I discovered a site that is like virtual crack to me. I am utterly and completely hooked. There are people from all aspects of life: technology, entertainment, and design... Did you notice? What do you mean notice what.... Look! Technology, Entertainment and Design... TED. Some of the greatest minds around are given 18 minutes to present there ideas and in some cases their life's work. It's fascinating. I hope you will check it out and enjoy! http://www.ted.com/