Disqus - Latest Comments for VParlant

Re: Library Chronicles: Museum experience

VParlant — Thu, 28 May 2015 00:36:07 -0000

Cracked me up with Jackie. :-)

Re: Real ‘resilience’ requires a City Hall unafraid of public participation and tough questions

VParlant — Tue, 26 May 2015 21:53:19 -0000

This is exactly what I've been saying in my petition objecting to some plans for the National Slave Ship Museum -- a $170 million project. The planning has been insular as far as varying perspectives and public dialogue goes. Call in more people, throw more light on it, and be willing to toss out an idea that doesn't make sense to most people no matter how much it may be somebody's baby. And now that that museum's board is dissembling while a council woman sits next to them smiling - no - make that sits next to them smiling while they're blatantly lying about what anyone can prove with a council video, I'm even more concerned. -- Nordette N. Adams

Re: Understanding Raven-Symoné: Why I Don’t want to be Called “African-American” Either

VParlant — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 08:00:40 -0000

Co-sign. This article/essay causes me to seriously question whether Sarah Lawrence is worth the tuition. The writer does not seem able to accurately articulate how the term African American came to be nor does she seem to grasp the evolution of African-American identity. I am particularly dismayed at her reductive logic concerning the musicality of "Say it loud, "I'm Black and I'm Proud," whittling the struggle down to a preference for what sounds catchy rather than what has substance. I use both "Black" and "African American" based on mood and context. Both have political power, but the latter and later term reflects a maturity of collective thought, reminding America and each other of our journey, our losses, and our gains. But she can do as she pleases as can we all. -- Nordette Adams

Re: My old improv buddy has died. RIP Robin Williams.

VParlant — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 21:09:38 -0000

Just earlier this year people were hearing his voice multiple times a day in the Apple commercial. I envy you that you knew him, but I suspect that makes it all much more painful for you. My condolences to you, to everyone else, and myself. The news shook me up. @Nordette_Verite

Re: The Blue Period: An Origin Story

VParlant — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 14:04:57 -0000

Co-sign!

Re: Video: Kendrick Lamar & Imagine Dragons – m.A.A.d. City / Radioactive (Live At 56th Annual Grammy Awards)

VParlant — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 17:05:56 -0000

Maybe they'll get an Emmy for this performance. Loved it.

Re: Million Vet March Organizers: We Were ‘Hijacked for Political Gain’

VParlant — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 13:39:36 -0000

So they say when considering their nonprofit status may be in jeopardy. Nonprofits are supposed to be apolitical or at least neutral regarding particular parties and candidates. But to protest closed memorials during a shutdown and not expect some kind of political statement to emerge would be naive. Do you believe they are that naive?

Re: Media hypocrisy and the n-word: Was Paula Deen fired for her sins or ours?

VParlant — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 18:02:04 -0000

I'm curious. Did you even bother to read the complaint against Deen in the Linda T. Jackson (a white woman) lawsuit or did you simply honor Deen's privilege as a likeable white Southerner and assume she answered honestly in her down-homey way? If you had read the complaint, you may have been less inclined to appear to condone Deen's speech. If what Lisa Jackson alleges is true, then Deen not only perpetuates racism in the workplace and upholds discriminatory practices in her company but she also furthers anti-Semitism and sexism and is far more aware of how to manipulate the media and by extension her supporters than you assume. If the allegations are true, then Deen is not a scapegoat as the word scapegoat implies that a person is not actually guilty of anything horrible, but she is an incompetent business owner who should rightfully lose money and stature based on how she's run her empire. It's unfortunate that anyone writing for the Lens would appear to defend her without knowing more about the accusations against her, and it's sad that a writer of such nuance would be complicit in reducing this case to discussions about the N-word. If this case were merely about Paula Deen's use of offensive language, I wouldn't even bother to comment. It's kind of par for the course for more people than I care to engage. But for the record, I think proof that white privilege exists is that so many white people who are supposedly educated about American history and racism persist in looking for excuses to use the word, especially seeking an excuse to use the word in the business environment. I mean, really?

Re: Gun, drug texts feature in new Trayvon Martin shooting evidence

VParlant — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:28:19 -0000

So, in a country where Congress won't even pass legislation that requires more background checks for gun buyers and owner registration, we have a defense team painting Trayvon Martin as dangerous because he had a picture of a gun on his cell phone when he was murdered and talked "like a gangsta"? That is warped.

Re: 13+ Amazing Uses for WD-40

VParlant — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:24:06 -0000

Because you included the old myth that WD-40 helps relieve arthritis pain, I have no idea what on the rest of the list is a joke or serious, false or true.

Re: MidLifeBloggers: Defining the Brand

VParlant — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:51:39 -0000

WOW! I've been experiencing this feeling for at least five years. Great post.

Re: Hope & Change 2.0 in Full Effect; But, "It Begins With Us!"

VParlant — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:22:36 -0000

Almost funny. I've got a problem with the character of the people the GOP promotes to high places. Who in her or his right mind could vote for a historical revisionist such as Haley Barbour for instance? People like Barbour and Michelle Bachman, for instance, (and let's not go to Sarah Palin) who tell bold-faced lies to themselves and the world about a past within living memory and the political party that indulges those kinds of liars won't get my vote. The GOP indulges a kind of intellectual shucksterism that flies in the face of democratic ideals and threatens the freedom of marginalized people in this nation.

Re: Hope & Change 2.0 in Full Effect; But, "It Begins With Us!"

VParlant — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:05:20 -0000

I agree, but staying at home is also a problem. If people disappointed in Obama stay home, then the Republicans could win by default. :-(

Re: Hope & Change 2.0 in Full Effect; But, "It Begins With Us!"

VParlant — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:31:32 -0000

I know some people are disappointed in Obama's performance, but I hope they think long and hard before abandoning ship to vote for any of the Republican hopefuls.

Re: Jailed Akron Mom, Kelley Williams-Bolar Released By Judge Patricia Cosgrove

VParlant — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:54:08 -0000

The whole thing makes me so mad. Felony charges? Really? Somebody making decisions in the prosecutor's office should go to hell over this one.

Re: THE INTERSECTION | MADNESS & REALITY: Scott Sisters Kidney Transplant Violates Laws: What If Sisters Aren't a Match?

VParlant — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 14:45:56 -0000

I think that ABC story was excellent. Barbour should have known better to put Gladys's freedom in that context, especially since she volunteered in January 2010 to donate a kidney and was told by the prison system she couldn't b/c she was an inmate.

BTW, I interviewed Evelyn Rasco, the mother of Jamie and Gladys, and she talked about the poor medical treatment Jamie received in Mississippi prison system. That interview is here: http://bigsole.blogspot.com...

And sometime later today, my essay should go live at BlogHer in which I talk about Barbour's move to review all the prisoners who are on dialysis to see if they can be released so the cost of treating them can be spread across all of America, he says. I don't mind people being released from prison to get better care, but this idea is not good coming from a man who's against health care reform and pro States Rights and big on reducing the federal defict. If the Republicans run him for president, they will prove they've lost the rest of their minds.

Re: Arizona Bans Affirmative Action: One Step Closer to Whitopia

VParlant — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 01:00:37 -0000

I've been hiding under a stack of books and what do you know, Arizona leaders remain as stupid as ever.

Re: Kentucky Tea Party Anthem: "If You Don't Give A Damn, We Don't Give A F@%k!"

VParlant — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:04:27 -0000

I just heard this story and went and looked at the video. If there had not been the other guy there with common sense who told Tim Profitt to stop, he may have kept his foot on the woman's head. This is not surprising when you think about it. Anyone who follows Rand Paul probably doesn't think things through that carefully.

Re: Negrophobia: What if Shirley Sherrod was Colorblind? Would We be Talking about Her?

VParlant — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:34:49 -0000

The whole "color blind" thing has been bothering me for years.

http://writingjunkie.net/co...

Re: Black USDA Official Shirley Sherrod Resigns After Bigoted Remarks at NAACP Banquet

VParlant — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:21:34 -0000

The video was doctored. The NAACP didn't even bother to check facts and had to reverse itself twice today on Sherrod. Agri Sec Vilsack and his assistant Cook are idiots. If the WH really wanted her dismissed, then so are they.

http://www.washingtonpost.c...

And yes it's like ACORN because a Briebart flunky doctored that video too. You'd think the NAACP and the Dept. of Agriculture would have checked out the full story before they said a word to Sherrod, but noooo, even though Obama himself has boycotted Fox in the past, they still believed FOX fakery. As one person suggested at Field, too bad for Sherrod she's not a Harvard professor.

So, yes. Fox/Briebart score.

Re: Guest Blogger: Aren't Black Women Worth Fighting For? [By MsLadyDeborah]

VParlant — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:02:06 -0000

When I researched this case to write about it at BlogHer after you let me know of this injustice, Deborah, I got the feeling as well that sexism may be a factor in their not getting the same treatment as Troy Davis or some other incarcerated males.

Re: Up Close & Personal With A Wing-Nut: Glenn Beck For President 2012!

VParlant — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:57:51 -0000

I was going to say something really mean, but I changed my mind.

Re: Slave Catcher Of The Week: Whoopi Goldberg Defending Mel Gibson's Racism

VParlant — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:54:09 -0000

Then what would make him say he hopes his wife gets raped by a gang of "n*gg*rs"? Being raped is bad in and of itself, but Mel seems to think a gang of black men as opposed to some other men would be worse. That's pretty hard to take. I can't believe she would defend him at all, a man who is hoping his estranged wife gets raped is no one to defend.

Re: Dear Sarah Palin, "refudiate" is not a word...

VParlant — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:47:10 -0000

I had to listen to the video to see if she said "refudiate." Damned if she didn't. She's speaking true Bushian.

Re: 32 Candles - Ernessa T. Carter

VParlant — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:38:55 -0000

This book sounds fascinating as you describe it and it must be if you ignored Twitter. :-) I'm passing this on.