I have been wrestling over the reason why 75 million Americans mostly white, would vote for a person like Donald Trump. To me, it is incomprehensible. Can somebody please help me understand?
And why is the Presidential race even close?
I’m standing up for Joe Biden. I think it’s outrageous for anybody not to consider the amazing job that Joe Biden has been doing for the last several months. His schedule can only be described as grueling. What this senior citizen guy has demonstrated over the last several months is remarkable. I challenge any 35-year-old to do what Joe has done without being tapped out. His trips overseas to commemorate the D-Day invasion and attend the G-8 summit alone were spectacular. Next, he traveled to HBCU Howard and gave the commencement speech. Then he went to Philadelphia, California, and across the country like a hurricane, rallying the troops. This man’s stamina, work ethic, and intensity to get the job done cannot be denied, regardless of age. What I am quite frankly amazed and saddened by is our general lack of respect and appreciation for a man who has made great sacrifices for our country and the world. Have we no shame? As an old guy myself, older than Donald Trump, I know Joe must be exhausted and might even be sick traveling around the world in this COVID-mired environment. Show Joe some real love and loyalty because we all know he is trying to save us from the Devil.
I regret I only have a few physical photos of my grandma born Fannie Mae Young Posey born on July 9th, 1898, but I have many beautiful pictures of her in my heart. She was the rock and true foundation of our family. Although she passed many years ago, she had a profound influence on my life. And on this Mother’s Day, I honor her and all other wonderful mothers and grandmothers raising black kids in America.
Dr. Rosco Shields
Today, I shed several tears about the departure of Sharon Seven Day Adventist church Pastor Rosco Shields. Not just because he was the Chair of our NAACP Religious Affairs committee but because I recognized an unmistakable pattern of black professional talent leaving Portland in what seems like droves. We have experienced, for some time, a defacto African American brain drain. Dr. Rosco Shields and his family are the latest. My point is that these people are not only valuable assets to our community in a general sense, but they also are our best hope for solving critical problems and creating an ecosystem essential for developing black prosperity and healing. If we are ever to change the negative black community paradigms, we must stop the unfettered exit of our best and brightest.
Several other recent losses:
Biko Taylor Chief Procurement Officer-City of Portland
Latrica Tillman Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer in Washington Co.
Dr. Markisha Smith Director of Equity and Human Rights City of Portland
Danielle Outlaw Portland Police Chief
Thank God the Billy Webb Elks Lodge is on the mend. Finally, it seems they are beginning to handle the business of getting this beloved building and its programs back up and running. Some know that this is one of the few black-owned and operated buildings in Portland and Oregon.
They are not home yet, but thanks to the efforts of folks like Deborah Roache, Lou Mclemore, and Debora Hutchins things are beginning to move. There are others involved but these are the key people and they need your help. This is where community support means something.
Reportedly the building caught fire by transit homeless people smoking on the back entrance during the height of COVID. Black people again feeling the devastating consequences of COVID.
The original restoration started back in 2008:
https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2008/08/historic_elks_lodge_gets_paint.html
Byron Allen at the Grio talking about closing the achievement gap
Join us at the NAACP to demand canceling student loans and closing the Achievement GAP. pdxnaacp.org
If you are not registered yet it is almost too late!!!!!!! Get busy and register everybody and their mother.
I woke up this morning the sun was shining knowing that today was my birthday. I was thinking if anyone wanted to give me a gift, I would ask them to JOIN our Portland Branch of the NAACP 1120-B (pdxnaacp.org). This is not too much to ask because God knows the fight against racism, discrimination, and hate is a battle we cannot afford to lose. I am reminded that at 78 we need every weapon on the battlefield including us old folks.
Check out our Mission:
https://studio.youtube.com/video/5bwCfhLCS14/edit
