| Published on 6/19/2020 |
This is a Wake Up call for all of my brothers & sisters in America... Happy Juneteenth! (June 19th) Say what? This is a date few of us are aware of because it isn't taught in public schools... We weren't taught about the social injustices of our country, but instead taught to memorize & recite the, “Pledge of Allegiance” each morning before class, without any clue that didn't apply to all of us...
I was born & raised in the most segregated city in the country, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the state that some of my diverse friends call, Wississippi... Why? Because that's where racism is hidden... One would expect it if talked about in Mississippi, not in Wisconsin! I grew up in that conservative atmosphere, never realizing what the true definition of conservatism meant until I moved away, when slowly I began to see the difference... I was taught in Sunday school, if you were a Christian you believed in the teachings of the Bible... I discovered Conservatives teach what they want you to believe... It has nothing to do with the teachings of Christ...
In appreciation of all my friends & followers:
Contributed by my friends,
Microdac - Video
Leslie Butler - Music
I quit school at 15, after 10th grade but I never called myself a dropout because I never stopped learning... I realized the power of an education... I carefully chose the subjects I wanted to learn because by making these choices I knew these subjects would hold my interest... My plan worked... Though my journey is almost complete, my education is still not finished... Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee was a huge eye opener for me... I'm still studying those same subjects at age 81, though not much has changed about racial attitudes...
So appropriate for Juneteenth
Microdac - Video
Leslie Butler - Music
I thank God on a daily basis for my incredible thirst for knowledge... You see, I'm a recovering alcoholic who hasn't had a drink in over 30 years... I drank because I hated the way I was living but I lacked the courage to change... I owe much of my success to AA because, while I already had a firm belief in God, they taught me all about the “God of My Understanding” & suddenly He became very personal to me... Finally, my life started to make sense... I discovered, there isn't enough alcohol in the world to quench my insatiable thirst for knowledge! One of the most difficult lessons I learned was Acceptance... The Serenity Prayer became something I literally had to learn by heart, not just memorize like the Pledge of Allegiance...
I have used that prayer so many times, if I had a penny for all the times I recited that prayer I'd be wealthy... Instead, it gave me a wealth of another kind, Peace of Mind... Today, I have true friends, who, if I were to stumble, would help me to get back up instead of talking about me & belittling me behind my back... I lost everything that I thought I couldn't live without in 2008 but with the strength I received through God & the program of AA. it never once occurred to me to escape that mess by taking a drink... Another strong reason for my Gratitude...
I now practice Gratitude in my life & display “Extraordinary Happyness” on a daily basis... I'm one of those people who when people look at me & see my smile they think, “What's she got to be so happy about? I have friends of many colors & each of them is precious to me for a variety of reasons... I've learned so much from each of them... Rather than, talk about their shortcomings behind their backs, I like to reveal their strengths in themselves... I know from experience that we're not always aware of our strengths...
These people are Americans!
This is what America looks like!
I am a strong supporter of not only, “Black Lives Matter”, but “All Lives Matter” because I want people to realize that My Life Matters, also... I'm a writer... I will become an activist, maybe not in person but wherever I'm able to spread the word... We must do all in our power to get out the vote in November... Please help me by sharing this article...
Remember. “American Ends with, “I CAN!”
Comments
I did French at school Linda and was always a bit of a Francophile. Holidayed there often then lived there for six years. So my French is not too bad ... n'est-ce pas?
Linda it's great to see you in the SE community. Your post caught my attention and I enjoyed reading it and the videos you shared as well. You keep on rocking with your writing and I'll keep on reading.
Thank you, Terri, for your kind words... I'm enjoying your site, seeing some of my old friends again... I've found a new home... :D
Nice to see you around Linda. Nothing dated about your enthusiasm and joie de vivre! Enjoy a fun weekend.
Question... What does joie de vivre mean? All my life I was told I was Italian/German because I was adopted... I joined one of those ancestry sites & discivered I'm Frend/German... I might like to learn a little French, though I don't know anyone who speaks it... Just a thought... Nice seeing you again... :D
joiw de vivre (/ˌʒwɑː də ˈviːv(rə)/ ZHWAH də VEEV(-rə), French: [ʒwa d(ə) vivʁ] is a French phrase often used in English to express a cheerful enjoyment of life, an exultation of spirit. It "can be a joy of conversation, joy of eating, joy of anything one might do…
You speak French, Terri? CREOLE! I guess you would if my thinking is right! Used in English to express a cheerful enjoyment of life! I think that pretty much describes me... I'm really enjoying my freedom & independence & I'll hold onto it as long as I can...
I'm sending you the link for the banner I won... Thank you, Terri... I was at the right place at the right time...
https://www.12secondcommute.com/rep/almwhite.html
https://www.12secondcommute.com/resources/affiliate/affbanner/6/728...
Thank you again for helping to show me the way...
Linda
My grandmother taught me a few words and she spoke it well. My father could speak a little, but was a bit rusty from not speaking it regularly. I loved hearing how it sounded to me and didn't know what she was saying until she taught me some of it. Sadly I only remember a little of it now.
Okay I will add your banner to the site today. Congrats again Linda.
Thank you, Terri, for your support... You are a treasured friend... :D
I'm happy to help you and the feeling is mutual. I cherish our friendship.