this is… The Neighborhood
the Story within the Story
DEATH TO THE ETERNAL OPTIMIST
cover photo: Domination by Chris Sabor
An optimist sees beauty in everything,
a pessimistic calls it fake news.
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Canadian Composer Renan Javier’s Epoch
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“He only tried to bring beauty into an ugly
world, and they killed him for it.” – Tombstone
DEATH TO THE INTERNAL OPTIMIST
by Kendall F. Person
Death to the eternal optimist, I say.
Death by unanimous decision, made by town decree.
Only one option you are given,
change course or listen, as the last words are spoken.
“Here ye, Here ye, death to the eternal optimist on this day”
Death to the belief, that words inspire peace
or there exist such a thing as common ground.
Death to the happy endings and curses to the ever after,
and be damned eternal optimist, for believing in dreams.
Death to the belief,
that respect is all we need to give
and in equal parts it will be returned.
Death to the notion,
of not being too heavy for my brother,
and death in believing we can all win.
Death to nobility, bonding & honor
and to being a man of our word.
“But why should words with meanings so stoic,
die by the sword, at this very moment?” You ask
“For shattering so easily.” I say
Death to the thought, your closest compatriot
would not use the dagger on you.
And death in believing, there needs to be a reason.
As you lay bleeding, gasping “Whyyyy??” is futile,
so save your breathe, as you will need it.
Death to the notion of big cities that love you
and hometowns, that adore you,
and the meaning of words that run like this “I got your back”,
and that love needs a reason to disappear.
And death to any day, that is filled with total happy.
A trap I say! so our fall can be a maximum disaster.
And death to the belief,
that tomorrow will bring relief
and that anything will ever be okay.
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With the eternal optimist having been read his last rights, and as the executioner moves into place, an acceptance trickles down, that pessimism is sound; it was the optimist that made the mistake. There is no struggle, for the optimist truly believed the war had been lost and peace was all a dream.
But then we hear them. The soldiers of peace.
“We can never give up. Not even if we want to.”
So we shake away the anger; end the pity party early, then breathe. For deep inside, we knew the optimist was all right, since there is no such thing as death to anything, that springs eternal.
this is… The Neighborhood
Recommended Reading:
The Plight of the Powerless Consciousness
THE 5 REASONS HOW WE DEFEAT OURSELVES
“An excuse is the most expensive brand
of self defeat you will ever purchase.”
― Johnnie Dent Jr.
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Lonely Spider
by Cullahmity
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The 5 Reasons
of How We Defeat Ourselves
by Kendall F. Person
5. Always the Victim
When Monica Seles was stabbed in the back, while playing a championship match on a sold out center court – and not by her own – but her opponent’s stalker, it is plain to see why it took her two years to recover. But more importantly, she played absolutely no role in what would become her swan song as the world’s greatest. And while there exist times in our lives, where we have no control, we cannot sum up those times into the whole of our lives.
When disappointments arrive, and they always will, the first person we should look at, is the man in the mirror. Blame emits from angry emotion, while self-inventory comes from the cleansing of the mind, allowing us to move forward, while blame just leaves us mad. So the next time we fall down, let us first check to assure our shoes are tied, before attaching blame to whomever tripped us, even though we know, there was no one around.
4. Refusing to Change
I knew the answer, but I asked more for confirmation, when I queried my 16-year-old Nephew, if he knew of a world without smartphones or the internet. The “No.” was expected, but the strange look on his face was not. He belongs to Generation Y also known as the Millennials. He was born into a techno-savvy world, all his friends have phones and all his schools have wifi, so to him, I must have sounded like a caveman. a world without smartphones, come on Uncle, he must have thought.
The world evolves. We can either take charge of the evolution or be a part in accepting change or we can stand our ground and remain defiant, about doing things the way we always have (even though the result has been the same) but it makes no difference, because the world evolves either way.
3. Pretending We Know Everything
My 12th grade physics teacher, Ms. Chilcott, also taught geometry, chemistry, Algebra II and Calculus all in the same day. One morning, she passed back our test papers, and we noticed the red ink, that she had corrected the English errors made. She was a pilot and a scholar and knew each and everyone one of her students, and not just by name. So amazed where we, we asked her a serious question: Is there anything you don’t know? Her response, “Even I, am still learning.”
2. Narcissism/Self-Centered
Each action has a reaction, sometimes good sometimes not, and it is those ‘nots’ that feed into our narcissistic thinking. We may sneak out, an hour early from work, 100 straights days and never get caught. But think about the chain reaction, when we roll the dice and on that 101st try, it finally lands on craps. We lose our job, our marriages or relationships become strained, are bills are overdue and our kids feel it too, and all because we thought of no one but ourselves.
If the real life story exists, I have not heard it, where one man or one woman has lived and prospered and traveled and raised a family and made their contribution, all by themselves. To believe, our wants and desires are more important than everyone and everything, is a destructive trait that benefits no one, not even the person at the center of self, because sooner or later, we find ourselves living in a lonely world.
1. Self-Sabotage
The sounds of the city echo through our ears. The constant barking of the dog keeps us up all night. We hear a few words, whispered in the cubicle next to ours, and since we missed a play or two, we watch the Golden State Warriors defeat the Cavaliers, even though the outcome has been determined. But when the phone rings, we are so preoccupied listening to the noises around us, we failed to listen when opportunity knocked. And the caller we rushed off the line, was the person your cousin told you about, the one that could help you in locating an option, to finally buy your family a house.
Opportunity – sometimes – is delivered on a silver platter, but even then, we find ways to sabotage our own success and free ourselves of guilt, by blaming it on someone else (back to start). But most people who get ahead or achieve their goals or live their dreams out loud, have their eyes locked in on the prize and they will run, then dive to catch it, before the window of opportunity closes, leaving us without an exit.
this is… The Neighborhood
It only works if we believe,
Release Your Butterfly
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY’S BEAUTIFULLY UGLY INTERNAL STRUGGLE PART 2: TUG OF WAR
Part 1: Will Not End in a Draw
“Don’t wear roller skates
to a tug-of-war.” – Larry Wall
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The Neighborhood’s 2015 Song of the Year
Losing Faith by J.P. Kallio
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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY’S Beautifully Ugly
Internal Struggle Part 2: Tug of War
by Kendall F. Person
In the 1940s, a Detroit housing developer had designs on a plot of land, to build a neighborhood specifically for White people. But there was a slight problem; a self built Black Neighborhood already existed east of the property to be developed. The developer knew that the future residence would need assistance from the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to secure their mortgages, and there was no way they would agree to such a thing with that black neighborhood in eyesight. Literally trapped inside a red line district the FHA had created to assure Black home ownership was kept to a minimum, but the developer was driven and imagined a way to use institutional racism to his advantage, and soon found a way out. His plan was a smash hit with the FHA and paid off big time for himself, and allowed White Detroiters to continue their pursuit of the idea of the American Dream.
When the one foot thick, six feet high and a half a mile long wall¹ was completed, not only did it shut down the dreams of the Black Detroiters, but the humiliation – I imagine – was crippling. With government approval, White America built a wall to separate those people from new arrivals, in the neighborhood that was already their home.
Time does heal some wounds, but since 1619 Black Americans have been locked in a game of tug of war, with perceived and literal walls to break down or climb over at every single turn. And these walls have affected the perception and mentality, on both sides. Like this….
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Brennan Wright, 14 and Jeffrey Ziegler 53 both of Detroit Michigan and citizens of the USA
Detroit April 12, 2018
It made no sense, when the woman of the house started screaming “Why are you trying to break into our house?” Otherwise, he would have backed up slowly and started running then. When the husband stormed onto the scene, he was still trying to explain himself, “I was trying to explain to her that I was trying to get directions to Rochester High and she kept yelling at me.”
A 14 year old kid named Brennan Wright, who was not playing hooky, but after he missed his bus, was trying to navigate the 4 miles to his high school on foot; and whose mother was not home to take him, because she worked the graveyard shift; and his father was only absent because he is deployed in Syria, no less. In the nick of time, Young Brennan realized, that the man was holding a gun, and the gun was aimed at him, and had flight or fight not kicked in, the bullets from the gun were going to kill him. So he threw his arms in the air, to demonstrate he had no weapons and was not a threat, then he turned and fled.
But when he heard the gunshot sound, I can only imagine how that 14 year old kid felt, when reality knocked him over the head, that he was no longer walking to school, but was running for his life, since a 53 year old man, whom he held no beefs or debt, because they had never met, wanted him dead.
And the butterflies, were overwhelmed and all vanished from Detroit on that day, but the search is underway.
By Király-Seth – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
When you hear Young Brennan tell the story, one may tend to believe, that he is handling it like a champ. But since – unlike so many others – this one was not fatal, the worse part is still to come in the nightmares he is not even aware, will take over his sleep. And they will unfairly taunt him for quite some time, just like the Florida kids. But damage is not limited to him nor his mother, who lives with the daily stress of her husband serving inside one of the world’s present day great war zones.
Jeffrey Ziegler has troubles, there is little doubt. A past gun conviction and according to a neighbor, sheriff cars run deep, all sent to his house. But whatever they are, they are his burden to bare and he had no right to try and take them out on a lost 14 year old kid.
But the wall you see, may physically be only a half mile long, but it proved a terribly high price to pay, forced on an American city by the FHA. The divisions have permeated so deep into the fabric of Detroit Michigan, that as of 2017 – Motown – has captured the shameful Jim Crow era-like crown, as the most segregated city in the United States of America.²
Accepting hate speech matters. Finding good and bad on both sides, when on the other side are not run-of-the-mill-garden-variety-bigots, but Nazis. When Evangelicals turn a blind eye, then justify by contorting the word of God; When an entire political party accepts vicious tirades and personal attacks to hold up a man, that would never do the same for them; When a young 17 year old kid, just a month removed from surviving a massacre at his school, along with his mates, makes more progress than any other so called gun control movement, is tarred and feather by people his grand parents age, it matters. It matters if he is not backed up, and the adults are not put into their proper place. And when Young Hogg steps out of line or goes too far – and he will since he is only 17 years old -he has parents and school mates, that should check him at the gate. Then release him back because he is making progress. He is a leader, but he can be stripped of his esteem. And the big loser is not him, but whatever group he would have led to victory.
Or when the relationship between law enforcement and young black men goes from toxic to epidemic, all the while a SOS is being screamed out from the hood. Not only leaves grieving families in their wake, but in 2017 both of these demographics suffered from the worse cases of depression and suicide in the nation, yet still we turn a blind eye and almost always blame the victim. Which in its entirety led to this….
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Philadelphia StarbucksI
Philadelphia April 12, 2018
In beautiful Rittenhouse Square a wealthy neighborhood inside the world class city known as Philadelphia (I cannot refer to its moniker, for the moment is lies in tatters), and with a population that is nearly 40% African American, who could ever imagine, that this could still happen. Two black men walked into Starbucks and asked to use the restroom. Denied admission since they did not make an order, so they took a seat and waited for the 3rd person in their party to arrive.
The Starbucks employees, did not find these particularly gentlemen worthy of doing what is essentially a past time, that has led to the Seattle based corporation’s obliteration of the competition. As of 2015, Starbucks had 8,768 more locations than the next 9³ coffee conglomerates… combined. They were asked to leave, and I hope with an incredulous indignation (the video does capture the interaction between them) they said “No.” and sat down. So Starbucks raced to the line and dialed 911 and law enforcement soon arrived
Six deep they rolled in as if the color of their skin was enough to take them down by force. Before the men peacefully surrender – since they were of the peaceful kind, you see – and the arrival of the 3rd member of their party – a very perplexed and stunned White man – who could not understand why they would not arrest him as well. The officers cleared the area by laying down all the tables chairs in close surround, and with an audible White female voice stating in the background “They didn’t do anything. I saw the whole thing.” only God and the Blue code knows, how far they were willing to go.
Perception, access to equal education, the right to live your life, and the pursuit of the idea of the American Dream matters to both side. When one side is denied, it stings both, because the hatred felt is not the victory hoped. But in a near majority Black metropolitan city, 5th largest in the USA and as famous as any in the whole wide world; in broad daylight, at one of the most mellow, no worries companies, that still thrives in brick & mortar, the employees felt threatened or held hatred so deep, that 911 was their remedy to customers who they saw as heathens. Awaiting a business real estate developer to discuss real estate or perhaps employment, as well. Yet they were walked out in handcuffs, and it was heartbreaking. I live on the other side of the world’s 3rd largest nation, by land mass and population and it brought me to tears and I am a 51 year old realist, who still believes peace is out there… somewhere.
But the butterflies did not fly away. In the end, the Peace Officers who were not, did not enforce any laws, as the DA refused to file charges and the men were released hours armed with an attorney. So get paid for what they did to you, because it was wrong and we cannot accept it any other way. It matters that we remind one another, that we still belong to the human race.
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Syria April 12, 2018
Brennan’s father is serving his nation in the armed forces. According to his mother, Lisa Wright, he is currently deployed in Syria, to fight for the greater good of mankind. I am so grateful, that his son was not injured or killed for that would be too much pain to place upon one individuals shoulders, a hero or not.
But what about him and the other soldiers, are their communities prepared for their return? Will there be counselors to deal with PTSD and will the Veterans Affairs be fully funded with all due services, or will we be too occupied with a 400 year old mission to break your brothers down¼? After Baltimore and Ferguson and Trayvon, and since Minneapolis and Baton Rouge and Sacramento (May God rest his soul Stephon Clark) and yet we are still not ready to fully acknowledge, that black lives matter, without the taint of words of hate, which they are not. If it is too difficult to say the words even now, then perhaps for Black men in America, the search for the butterfly is futile. But then what?
But I do not believe that, since a butterfly is at my window right now.
this is… The Neighborhood and the Story within the Story
from Sacramento California
H-Y Loco w/ Super Freak
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American Democracy’s Beautifully Ugly Internal Struggle; April 2018. An editorial in numbers, by thepublicblogger (chart below)
click image to enlarge
Recommended Reading: Class & Race
¹Daily Detroit – The Detroit Wall: A Tale of How Federal Policy Helped Divide A City
²24/7 Wall St. – 16 Most Segregated Cities in America
³Statista: Leading coffee house chains by number of stores worldwide 2015
¼The Neighborhood: The Righteous Juxtaposition of the Pusillanimous Kind
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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY’S BEAUTIFULLY UGLY INTERNAL STRUGGLE, WILL NOT END IN A DRAW PART 1
cover images Butterfly by ROverhate
Green 49B by verdewell
“The beautiful has but one type,
the ugly has a thousand.” – Victor Hugo
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After The Fall
by Purple Planet Music
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AMERICAN DEMOCRACY’S
Beautifully Ugly Internal Struggle
Will Not End in a Draw
by Kendall F. Person
April 1, 2018 USA
Purple Mountains by GDJ
I imagine it has happened in years past, but I cannot recall Easter Sunday ever crashing into April Fools Day. Polar opposites to say the least. Of all the traditions, holidays and celebrations, only Halloween could have made a more preposterous pairing with Resurrection Day. Without exception, every single person I came in direct contact with, I greeted the same way, “Happy Easter and Happy April Fools Day.” Stunned, questioning and even nervous laughter were the responses, which did not vary much at all.
My brother inquired first thing that crazy morning,
“So… has April Fools Day been cancelled?” he inquired.
“No. Moving forward with both. Crazy, huh?” I responded.
“Yeah, crazy.” And he is not necessarily of the religious kind.
One young lady at the local market, was so undone by the dueling meanings, she had decided to not acknowledge either.
“It’s way too much too think about. How could this happen? It somehow has tainted Easter, instead of the other way around.” She spoke to the people in the check-out line, but her eyes gazed slightly upward, as if she wanted to assure, her words reached her Higher Power.
The day of resurrection and easter bunnies; little kids screaming in delight, over the discovery of chocolate eggs and colorful candy. Pews at nearly every House of Worship filled to capacity, and the one day of the year, where the cup for tithes & offering, runneth over. A day accustomed to a collective belief of something far greater than ourselves.
Aprils Fools is a longstanding tradition, that traces its origin back to the 16th century. An honorary holiday, which gives a free pass to make up a galliant lie, with the ultimate purpose of making a fool out of anyone, that fell inside our trap. I do not have a deeper meaning – although I scoured the internet in search of its existence – however, I cannot help to shake the notion, that the meaning is out there, somewhere.
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Blue Mountains by GDJ
We have a resistance for every wronged – real and imagined – out of necessity to combat the onslaught of chaos or to cause it. There are marches and rallies, attended by the hundreds of thousands, and at any given time, each demographics need, deserves a solo turn on center stage. But if we do not take notice of the forest for the trees, if we do not unite under one banner of strength, trust and focused energy; if we cease believing our lying eyes are deceiving; if we cannot get from under the spell of a not real omnipotant man; if we are not willing to take notice, that behind the bullpit is a bully, if we are not able to force recall or cast a vote in November against an elected official that cowered; if we do not release the bravado-ish thinking, that American democracy cannot fall, and that this beautifully ugly internal struggle will surrender to a draw; and if the resistances do not become a united driving force, than the idea of the American dream will lie in tatters, and the stain it leaves on humanity, will be the legacy we left behind.
But today, we must release our butterfly.
this is…. The Neighborhood and an editorial of thepublicblogger
created by Kendall F. Person
Up Next: Part 2 TUG OF WAR & BY THE NUMBERS
visit The Search and sign up for The Search (big smile)
Release Your Butterfly
BEHIND A GOOD MAN: THE DEATH OF WINNIE MANDELA
“Behind every great man
is a woman rolling her eyes.”
– Jim Carrey
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He Promised by Anew(Duo)
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BEHIND A GOOD MAN:
THE DEATH OF WINNIE MANDELA
by Kendall F. Person
Behind every good man, there is a good woman; and surrounding the relationship between Nelson and Winnie Mandela, this through the years saying, could have literally been written about them. But there is something more about this famed quote; something not sinister, but jarring. Perhaps in the way it skillfully defines a woman’s role as supporting, even if they are the backbone of civil defiance. There is no debate that President Mandela exemplified the spirit of freedom by peace. And without his larger than life presence, historians can only ponder if South Africa could have managed a peaceful exchange of power.
Through passive resistance Mahatma Gandhi led the struggle to India gaining independence. Martin Luther King taught change could be achieved through nonviolent disobedience. Both men stood at the helm of rallies and marches, living by the words they preached. But in South Africa it was different. For 25 years as civil war seemed imminent, and apartheid became a global resistance and the natives were getting restless and the Afrikaners were of the mind of a fight to the finish, Nelson lived in prison and while he was the name and face and spirit of the peaceful protest, inspired by Mahatma and Martin, it was Winnie that led the revolution… but sometimes by force.
In 1991, her name was nearly destroyed, after being convicted of kidnapping and memorialized by the South African Truth and Reconciliation commission, for her accountability in the violation of civil rights. Ironic indeed, however they were right. But the good – by far- outweighed the bad, and her nation would forgive her. She would accept their goodwill and put it to good use, as she stormed back to prominence in a big political way: By winning a seat in parliament – the Mother of South Africa – also saved her legacy.
She was a great woman, and not in spite of but because she was willing to stand behind. So many others on the front lines of political power and life changing moments, are not quite so humble, acting on interest of self, rather than love for country. As a whole, we do not consider the idea often, although in The Neighborhood it is a driving force; but it takes a mastery of life’s meaning and of our knowing and acceptance of time and place in history, to recognize that our contribution has a greater meaning.
She stood behind for many years, referred to most often as the wife of the great Nelson Mandela, But in the remembrance, her name is Winnie and she stands behind no one else.
this is… The Neighborhood
It only works if we believe that it does.
Release Your Butterfly and share beautiful.
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