Viola Davis: "...Dream Big and Dream Fierce."

I am rooting for Viola Davis to win as many awards as possible.

Central Falls is the smallest city in Rhode Island, possibly in the whole US. One square mile.

Jessica Ahlquist Has Won Her Lawsuit!

Jessica Ahlquist Has Won Her Lawsuit!

This makes me happy !
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
The Rhode Island news reaching national attention does not always give me joy, but this certainly does.

It's a small state, I have faith (oops, yes, I do!) that I will meet this young woman some day, and let her know I'm grateful for her courage and clarity.

Here's a link with a few details....

John Medeiros is from Rhode Island !

If you visit the internets, which, of course, you do or you would not be here, then you may well have seen this Apology published first in a Minnesota paper.

Yes, John Medeiros lives in Minnesota and directs his apology to one local politician (or ex-politician? ).

John is from Rhode Island!

I can say that through his work at the International Institute of RI & mine at John Hope Settlement House, we became friends.

He is a wonderful person & I am happy this letter is receiving acclaim.

John is truly a mensch & his brother is a gentleman, too.

One Gift of the Occupy -- Empathy among Rivals (or teenagers in RI have heart).

The game was not close. By half-time there were 20 points separating the teams, or nearly that. It was played passionately by both sides and all players had their moments.

When it ended, there were the customary hand shakes (opposing players and coaches form a receiving line of sorts) and the kids gather their belongings and catch their breaths. The coaches take some time to give their closing lessons to the players.

My affection is for all of these boys, not solely my son. It is an honor to be trusted by them, their siblings, and cousins and parents. Basketball is the force which unites us, more than many others. There are two practices a week, sometimes more; the games began in September and will continue until February. I have no idea when the play-offs are. My son's team is making a habit of winning, so I have hopes of finding out!

One boy said to me,

" I felt really bad -- I elbowed this other kid in the face... I didn't mean to. I hope he isn't hurt."

The elbower told me that he had apologized during and after the game to the victim.

They don't know each others' names and may not play against each other again.

Then again, in Rhode Island, they might end up classmates or teammates or regular rivals, and of course, brothers-in-law....

I missed that moment in the game, though I saw many stumbles and tumbles and bumps and whistles blown (fouls) and there were foul shots taken by both teams.
There was a tense moment early in the game, but I am saving that for another post.
The two teams are part of a Catholic Athletic League.

I am seeing reflections of the Occupy Wall Street Movement.
The Gifts of the Occupy are vast and yes, vague, and far from fully determined.
Empathy and activism are nothing new, and still I celebrate.

I see people, who thought they had little in common, finding powerful and intricate kinships. I see people who are truly from foreign places, finding moments of concern, over the elbows and the heads getting bumped.

"If this means, I'm soft," said the athlete, "well, then I'm soft."

One collision in one game may mean nothing.

The space we Occupy is awkward and caring.

“Wouldn’t you wish that everyone be equally blessed?” -- Equal Rights for Rhode Islanders

I have been friends first with Nancy and now John Green for many years. When my son was an infant, they watched him on more than one occasion when he couldn't accompany me ...

He has shared on kmareka his testimony at the Rhode Island State House this week.

Today, let us be mindful of the many things we often take for granted. I’m asking all of you here, for whom this applies–to just consider for a moment– your material comforts, your health care, education– all the rights, privileges and protections under the laws you enjoy by simple virtue of the fact that you live in a great state–within an even greater country. I would ask that you give thanks for being married to someone you love and for having that union and family legally sanctioned everywhere by the powers that be. If all this applies to you, the only question I have is–“Wouldn’t you wish that everyone be equally blessed?”

My answer is yes–because there isn’t anything good and fine in my life that I wouldn’t want everybody to have. So I am here today, happy to lend support in favor of marriage equality. I came of age down South in the sixties. And for better and for worse, that experience imprinted me with an indelible awareness of boundaries. Racism, like all forms of bigotry, has a way of doing that–to its victims and benefactors alike, by purposely creating an unequal and unjust caste system of ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’. I share with gay people– firsthand experience –of what it means and how it feels– to be on the outside looking in.

One thing I believe that sets America favorably apart in the eyes of the world–is the spirit of our laws, which over time not only champions the individual and recognizes our diversity, but does not overlook and wisely safeguards the legal and civil rights of minorities too. One’s sexual orientation, like the color of one’s skin, is not something over which any of us has a choice. I don’t believe it’s fair or reasonable to exclude anyone on this basis. I am also disheartened whenever I see otherwise bright, well meaning people– misusing religion and science to justify bigotry and the denial of rights to others–which is, after all, the real issue here.

I have 5 sisters and 3 brothers. Many summers ago when I was a boy, we were out playing when our Dad unexpectedly showed up. He asked, “Who wants ice cream?” Of course we all said we did. So Dad was off to the store. Upon his return, we eagerly crowded about him as he led us inside to the kitchen table. As he reached into the bag, he told us there were only 2 half-gallons left in the whole store. We were dumbfounded when we realized Dad had only brought back 1 carton. Reading our faces, he simply smiled and told us that, “On a hot day like this, I figured somebody else might want some too.” I remember feeling a little chagrined, then I smiled, thinking to myself about somebody out there we didn’t even know, who like us, was benefitting from Dad’s thoughtful gesture and from the importance he placed on sharing. And isn’t that what inclusion is all about?

It’s always the right time– to stop behaving as if compassion, fairness, and equality are finite natural resources, to be doled out bit by bit and then– only to those of a select status. Our state’s motto is HOPE. I choose to believe– that this expectation is meant to apply equally to every soul living within its boundaries.

Thank you, John Green, and everyone who testified on behalf of civil rights.
Thank you, kmareka.

Senator Whitehouse, Please Think This Over, Please Do Not Ignore Human Rights' Violations

I have written letters to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation (with the exception of Representative Cicilline who has just arrived) questioning the United States' unquestioning financial and military support of Israel and I have blogged about this.

The responses I have received have been very brief, clearly formulaic, and essentially flimsy.

I am sorry to share this letter signed by seven Senators, including Rhode Island's Sheldon Whitehouse.
February 1, 2011

Dear Chairman Rogers and Chairman Ryan:



We write in light of recent statements that demonstrate the intent of certain Senators to eliminate foreign aid funding to the nation of Israel. Recently, Republican Senator Rand Paul suggested that the United States should “halt all foreign aid including its financial aid to Israel.” These remarks are alarming and aim to weaken the decades-long bipartisan consensus on U.S. support for Israel. Both Republicans and Democrats are committed to reining in the federal deficit, but assistance to Israel is not a matter of “pork barrel spending” - rather U.S. foreign aid to Israel demonstrates America’s rock-solid commitment to ensuring Israel’s right to exist.



Israel is the only democratic nation in the Middle East and one of our most trusted allies. A stable and secure Israel is strongly in our national security interest and has been a cornerstone of our foreign policy for over half-a-century. Using Congress’s bipartisan commitment to reining in government spending as a reason to abandon Israel is unacceptable and should be immediately rejected.



At a time when U.S. foreign aid is being utilized to strengthen our partnerships around the world, particularly in the Middle East where our relationships are more important than ever, we urge you to commit to maintain full foreign aid funding to Israel. As members of the United States Senate, we will work aggressively to prevent any attempts to abandon one of our most trusted allies. We look forward to your response.



Sincerely,



Senator Stabenow

Senator Nelson

Senator Menendez

Senator Cardin

Senator Brown

Senator Casey

Senator Whitehouse

This text is copied from the Democratic Senators' website.

What exactly is U.S. military support for Israel accomplishing?

If part of a country is democratic, but a very large part of the population does not have the right to travel or work or have access to health care and education, is that country democratic ?

Happy Birthday, Langston Hughes !

I am impressed by the detail of the wikipedia entry on Langston Hughes.

In the Further Reading section, there is a link to a "stub" about the Langston Hughes Society which was founded, of course, by George Houston Bass who with Rhett S. Jones, founded my beloved Rites And Reason Theatre.

If you are in or near New York City, and I understand the Snow and Sleet, etc, are not that bad there at the moment, there is a Long Community Langston Hughes Reading today at The Schomburg Center.

Come one, come all to this non-stop, five-hour community read-in honoring the poet laureate of Harlem, Langston Hughes on his birthday! Groups and individuals are invited to sign-up to read selections from Langston’s works in the Schomburg’s atrium that bears his name.

Contact schomburged@nypl.org or (212) 491-2234.

I recommend visiting the websites for the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture ... which is part of The New York Public Library ....

This blogger loves libraries.

Rhode Islanders will celebrate Langston Hughes this Sunday thanks to Isis Storm and RISD, starting at 1:00 P.M.

If the snow, sleet and rain continue, I hope there is consideration for rescheduling, however.


Why is George Houston Bass' name not mentioned in the History of the Langston Hughes Society ?


"Let the rain kiss you.
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.
Let the rain sing you a lullaby."

~~ Langston Hughes

Sometimes she lives in Boston -- A Rhode Island Blogger, nonetheless.

I don't know Lydia Walshin or even which community in RI she lives in. Her blog looks yummy, and I have long been thinking that this one really needs more Food, recipes, and photos of such things.

Also we (haha, usually I !) have a fondness for promoting local Blogs,

Also, Grace Paley is famous for her baking. . .

Here is her post, Recipe for Coffee Cake with Espresso-Cocoa Swirl.

N.B. I added the capitals (capitols?).

Little Rhode Island Ranks 5th (Tied With Kansas, apparently)

In the midst of some searches for Gene Debs and Rhode Island, I found a sweet ranking for Rhode Island.

Although not in first place, we are very well ranked for Library Visits.

Education Statistics > Public Libraries > Library Visits per Capita (most recent) by state
VIEW DATA: Totals
Definition Source Printable version
Bar Graph Map Correlations

Showing latest available data.
Rank States Amount
# 1 Ohio: 6.9
# 2 Colorado: 6.3
= 3 Indiana: 6.1
= 3 Connecticut: 6.1
= 5 Kansas: 5.9
= 5 Rhode Island: 5.9
# 7 Wyoming: 5.8
# 8 Wisconsin: 5.7

South Dakota, New York and Illinois are all ranked 9th !


I am not familiar with this site, and rarely concerned with rankings (except in matters of baseball), but I Love Libraries, and think that library visits are a good thing.

How exactly a visit is defined, and how reputable these numbers are, I have no idea.

The Providence Community Library has a facebook page, and there is no requirement that you live in Providence or any part of RI for you to "like" it.

The Library Reform Group link is below.

Alas, the Providence Public Library is not handing over the buildings to the Providence Community Library, nor is it making vital repairs.

When buildings are closed due to heat ( no air conditioning ), falling roof, et al., our library visits per capita decrease.

Perhaps the RI Nonviolence Institute will mediate this conflict.

It's Valerie Tutson's Birthday! (January 29)

Happy Birthday, Valerie!

Rhode Islanders reading this blog will probably know who Valerie Tutson is.
And Valerie is known nationally and internationally as well...

Here is an excerpt from the biography on her site:

Valerie Tutson was graduated from Brown University with a Masters Degree in
Theatre Arts and a degree in a self-designed major—Storytelling As A
Communications Art. Valerie has been telling stories in schools, churches, libraries,
festivals and conferences since 1991. She draws her stories from around the world
with an emphasis on African traditions. Her repertoire includes stories and songs she
learned in her travels to South Africa, her experiences in West Africa, stories from
African American history. In addition, she is gaining quite a reputation for her
exciting retelling of age-old Bible stories. She not only delights listeners with her
tale-telling, she also teaches workshops and classes to students of all ages, and
hosts CULTURAL TAPESTRY, an award-winning show for COX 3 celebrating the
diverse cultures around us. Valerie has most recently served as the co Director of the
National Black Storytelling Festival in Providence, RI

Her website is:
http://www.valerietutson.com/

And if you use facebook, you can follow it on NetworkedBlogs.

I cannot even remember when I first saw Valerie perform at Rites & Reason Theatre...but she was phenomenal.

We know that Valerie hails from Connecticut, but We Claim Valerie as a Rhode Islander, thank you very much.

Wherever you are, Valerie, I hope that you have a Joyful day and know how Grateful we are for your many Gifts.

Somewhere Marsha Z. West smiles.

Matt Jerzyk's New Blog!

Closing Argument: a blog on truth, justice, the law (and the politics in between)

Matt emailed a "heads up" to me and other RI bloggers:

i have started a new blog called "Closing Argument" that is going to focus on our three branches of government in RI, MA and the US as well as the politics that play out in between.

i intend Closing Argument to be more legal-based, intellectual and objective than my previous endeavor.

Matt is famous for founding the RIFuture website, for playing a pivotal role in organizing the Roger Williams Law School students, and (are you reading this?) for sharing a birthday with Marguerite Vigliani, Elizabeth(Betsy) Scharf and me.

Mazel Tov, Matt!

Remembering the Station Nightclub Fire

On this day in 2003, RI experienced a terrible tragedy. I remember waking up early that morning and watching the story unfold on tv.

The number "100" is the official toll of victims, but I think that not accurate.

There is a facebook group in memory of all who perished.

Rhode Island Children Deserve Certified School Nurse-Teachers

The following is the text of a letter my son brought home:

February 12, 2009

Dear Parents & Guardians,

The Providence School Board is scheduled to layoff [sic]certified school nurse-teachers in anticipation of the passage of Article 23 in the Governor's supplemental budget proposal.

The Governor has proposed lowering the educational standards and requirements for school nurses. Nurses are now required to have a four year college degree, be registered by the state and in addition, certification by the Rhode Island Department of Education. On going [sic] education is required to renew school certification. Nurses must have years of nursing practice before being considered for a position.

Lowering the educational requirements could affect the health and well being of your school age students. Please take the time to contact members of your school board and request that the educational requirements for school nurses not be lowered.

Minimum requirements for nurses caring for your children should not be acceptable in the Providence Schools. There is nothing more important them the health and safety of your children. Please contact the: Providence School Board Members as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
~~~~ ~~~~~~~ R. N.
School Nurse

Here is a link to the RI Certified School Nurse-Teachers.

I am not always a believer in the need for certifications; but this method of saving money is penny wise and pounds foolish.

Hudson Street Market To Leave Providence's West End

Hudson Street Market has been part of my life since 1989. It's been part of Providence's West End for a much longer period. It has been owned and operated by various. The sandwiches attract people from all over the state, and probably from Massachusetts and Connecticut.

It has been a haven to dogs and their companions, and to young people (including the very, very young) and their elders...

The Hudson Street Market has been a safe place in the neighborhood where people could congregate and it's hard to imagine that area without it.

Yesterday Khym (Kim?) told me that the woman who bought the building has other plans for that space. She will be auctioning off memorabilia very soon and its last day will be February 20 (?).

K. said that she's moving the business to Richmond Street to Jerky's.
It will be called "Hudson Market at Jerky's"...

One Alabama-Rhode Island Connection and One Question

Dr. Lawrence Davenport is the new Executive Director and Academic Dean at Times Squared Academy in Providence. It's my son's school and I'm committed to supporting it and its mission.

I am a member of the PTO. Alas I miss more meetings than I attend, and I rely on conversations with parents, faculty, students and even Board members for information on the inner workings of the school.

OK, the Alabama connection is: Dr. Lawrence Davenport of Times2 was and is a candidate for a university presidency [thank you Anonymous!] in Alabama.

"A & M Prospect has other job"

I don't care if "presidentship" is not a word; it's staying in this post until someone sends me something better. [Feb. 5, 2009 about 20 to 1: I have changed my above sentence to include an existing word, "presidency"]

I've blogged about this on the Times2 Academy Blog

Friends(dang, I feel like John McCain for a moment), What do you think about this?

Visit a new Blog: Signs of the Times

Nezua has founded a new blog.

I am one of thirteen authors, but there's plenty of room...

Here's my humble post:

potholes in providence
31 January


The potholes in the roads of Providence, Rhode Island are something Fierce. My grandmother used to say, “well, it gives people work”…

RI has a 10% unemployment rate. That’s the official rate.

Nezua, thanks for starting this

Why Didn't Reps. Kennedy and Langevin Sign This?

61 Members of Congress joined Congressman John W. Olver in calling on the Administration to address overwhelming humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza.

Where are the names of Patrick Kennedy and James Langevin?

If there is a stronger, clearer letter they are shepherding around the hill, well I haven't heard or seen anything about it.

January 30th Update: There are now 63 signers to the letter. I have sent a short email to Congressmen Langevin and Kennedy asking them to sign it and/or to send me their current positions on this Crisis. I had read online their statements from the recent Event at Temple Emanuel. If I receive any interesting emails, I will share them here...

Let's Recall Rhode Island's Governor ! -- Productive Monday Here We Come!

Pat Crowley has written about this on RI Future, and there is a facebook group," Recall Don Carcieri" which now has 450 members. I just learned about the facebook group this morning. Hmm...
Here's a small quote from that page.

Rhode Island Governor Don Carcieri has had 5 years to prove he can lead Rhode Island, he hasn't done it. During his re-election, he painted a rosy budget picture. It wasn't true. He has scapegoated working people, poor people, and everyone who doesn't agree with his way.

There is another facebook group, "Let's Cut Don Carcieri's Salary and Benefits in Half". I say why not offer this idea to Non-Rhode Island States?

We know you harbor secret Ocean State Envies!

Rhode Island Braces For Impending Snow Storm.

The Providence Schools will be closed tomorrow. ! The Providence Libraries will be closed. ( Well, on Fridays they are not open until after Noon...)

See the RI Future post on this topic.
http://www.rifuture.org/showDiary.do?diaryId=4952

Rowena R. Stewart's Letter to Rhett Jones

Rhett,

I am so sorry I can not be here tonight for you. But in
all honesty, I
doubt if you would have wanted to attend any such event
yourself - being as
anti-sociable as you were. Parties were your least
favorite thing to do and George's
parties were what you dreaded most! I can hear you
now, protesting
attending. I also recall that three people, myself, Rowena
Stewart, George Bass,
and you, Rhett Jones, the most visionary, started out
wanting to make sure
that citizens understood the contributions of those
Africans who arrived on the
shores of this nation, first as free blacks and later as
enslaved laborers
and craftsman. We wanted all people to know and understand
the significance of
what Africans and African Americans contributed to the
development of the
nation. Each of us in our own unique way made lasting
contributions to the
academy. I am particularly aware of four of your major
contributions
1) You initiated the research and scholarship of African
American history in
the region, forming the New England Coalition of Scholars
to assist the
museum in interpreting
African American history. You exposed an incredible array
of scholars to the
Rhode Island Black Heritage Society including Robert
Cottrell, J. Coultry,
Moses Wilson, Alice
Myrtle Glascoe, Gary Puckrin, and Jim Deetz. Your
outstanding scholarship
shone in the exhibits like the award winning Creative
Survival exhibition.
2) You began a network of scholars that you encouraged to
become involved in
the African American Museum movement. I think the world
needs to know that
the organization was formed right here, at Brown
University in Churchill house
in September of 1978.
3) You began the research for performance technique. Under
your guidance
Rights and Reasons Theater used scholars research as the
basis for the creation
plays by famous playwrights like P. J. Gibson. These
plays based on the
scholarly research brought ordinary people into the
theater, thirsty to learn
their own communities history, leaving satisfied after
attending these
gratifying and historically accurate productions. You
helped scholars and museum
people understanding that through theatre we
could use history and bring it to people who would
otherwise be unaware of
this important history and uninterested in theater.
I am thinking of history based theatrical productions such
as Providence
Garden Blues (Providence citizens surviving segregation in
a northern city) and
Free to Die (black solders in the revolutionary war)
4) You, perhaps as your most lasting contribution, helped
African American
Museums
directors to understand that they should not fear research
by non-African
Americans in the field of History and to understand that
it made our cause
more solid.

Rhett, I must chuckle picturing you here with us. But
alas, you must
attend the biggest social event of your life, joining
George and your beloved wife
at the event we will shall all eventually attend. On the
we attend that
event of our lifetimes, each of us will be recognized for
the accomplishments we
have left behind. This night we humbly do attempt to let
the world know
what a forward thinking warrior in the fight for the
recognition of the
accomplishments of the people of African descent in this
nation you truly were.

Sincerely,
Rowena R. Stewart

Thank you, Dear Rowena Stewart for this tremendous, wonderful letter.