KC needs its own Racism Museum

A few days ago, I wrote of a new museum in Michigan that is a "Racism Museum." My opinion then and now is that, like a museum on the Jewish Holocaust of World War II, it was a great, if somewhat possibly disturbing idea. I can't think of a better way to bring racism and its existence and persistence in our society and all its ugliness out into the light. People need to see both what used to exist and be tolerated and then, what still exists. If Kansas City is anything, to this day, it is still a very deeply divided city, racially, and far too many of us don't know our past. They could show the clauses in the JC Nichols housing and mortgage contracts that said the houses in whatever development couldn't be sold to African-Americans, along with a great deal more of much worse things.It really would be an eye-opener and good education. I've decided where it should be, too, for best effect. It should be on 47th street, coming out of the Plaza, right at Troost. No other street in this town divides this city any more than that one and this way it could be close to the very successful Country Club Plaza and Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, etc. It would be a great idea and it is, frankly, long overdue. (One problem with it is that, likely, the wrong people wouldn't go to see it. Links: http://moravings.blogspot.com/2012/04/great-idea-new-museum-on-racism-in.html; http://news.yahoo.com/newest-michigan-museum-showcases-racist-artifacts-070835385.html

Great idea: New museum on racism in Michigan

There is a new museum in Big Rapids, Michigan. It is the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia and it showcases exactly that--artifacts of racism in America. Truly, what a great idea. Phenomenal. Americans have, for far too long--and still do--pretend that either racism doesn't exist or was never that bad or just turn their heads from it, time and again. For hundreds of years, we pretend it doesn't exist. This should help dispel such notions: BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — "The objects displayed in Michigan's newest museum range from the ordinary, such as simple ashtrays and fishing lures, to the grotesque — a full-size replica of a lynching tree. But all are united by a common theme: They are steeped in racism so intense that it makes visitors cringe."

"That's the idea behind the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, which says it has amassed the nation's largest public collection of artifacts spanning the segregation era, from Reconstruction until the civil rights movement, and beyond...The displays are startling. The n-word is prevalent throughout, and many items portray black men as lazy, violent or inarticulate. Black women are shown as kerchief-wearing mammies, sexually-charged Jezebels or other stereotypes. The shocking images exact an emotional cost. 'There's parts in that room — the main room — where it's quite gut-wrenching,' said Nancy Mettlach, a student conduct specialist at Ferris. "And the thought that was going through my mind was: 'How can one human being do this to another human being?'" Great question. And it needs to be asked time and again. If we have museums on the Holocaust, shouldn't we also have one on racism? Link: http://news.yahoo.com/newest-michigan-museum-showcases-racist-artifacts-070835385.html

White people, "tired of calls of racism"

I keep running in to people, most frequently on Facebook, white people, specifically, who complain (whine?) about "repeated calls of racism." And wow. It blows me away. And what gets me is that, first, they don't realize how ironic that is and second, how hypocritical. It's just stunning. Here's an idea: if you are one of the seemingly many people who are "tired of calls of racism", then do something about it. Help end it. If someone you're with makes some negative comment about a person, based on that 2nd person's race, speak up. Or if they say something negative about a race of people--and after all, what better example of racism is there than that?--say something. Help stop it where it is. Let's put an end to it. That's a great way to start. Do the whole, "man in the mirror" thing. Get it out of your own life and then make clear to family, friends, acquaintances and, yes, even strangers, that racism is wrong. Then maybe it'll stop. Then, maybe, we won't have to hear it any longer. Then people won't be exposed to it and complaints of its existence will end. We should be so lucky.

These guys crack me up

The truth hurts, doesn't it, America?

Disgusting headlines in the news today

Calif. Republican allegedly sent offensive Obama email


Extremely wealthy see their federal taxes drop dramatically


Excuse me.  I'm going to go somewhere to be ill.

An update!

Remember my entry a couple days ago about the racist email I got?

Well, I just learned that a Republican Committeewoman in Florida sent 'round the same email and she was relieved of her job!

Yay!

Can you say "justice"?

Kind of proves my point about these things, don't you think?