Race – Page 2 – Hamp's Corner of America

My Country, Tears for Thee

I am an avid fan of Joy Reid. She burst on the scene in the mold of Rachel Maddow, both excellent political commentators are on MSNBC. So here I am going through my Saturday (8-12-2017) morning ritual of cleaning out my email while watching Ms. Reid during her 7:00am-9:00am show.
A little over a half hour into the show as Ms. Reid was reporting on Alt Right’s march on Friday night, came “Breaking News” as they say. Filmed as it was happening Saturday morning, pictured were thugs for lack of a better word holding white shields with a black X painted on them. They were shown attacking counter demonstrators while protecting their own space in the street. Bottles were being thrown from in back of the protestor’s line. Some of the shields had KKK printed on them. There was no sign of a police officer, National Guard, or any crowd controlling authority.
It was like watching a gang fight that would die down for a minute. Words were shouted, and someone would be pulled in the demilitarized center. One or two of the shield welding group of white nationalist or KKK would proceed to strike the victim with whatever they had in their hand. Eventually, they would pull back into their group feeling good about their personal conquest. Someone would start right back up when confronted with someone who was an enemy in their mind. The only bodies missing were anybody in authority. Later on that afternoon, a pair from one of the white supremacy groups ran down a bunch of counter-protesters on the sidewalk with an automobile. This act resulted in one death and numerous injuries. Twenty-year-old James Alex Fields has been arrested and charged with murder in the case.
The Donald came out hours later on Saturday and made a comment that many sides were involved. After two days passed, he was goaded into making a public statement prepared by his handlers. By Tuesday afternoon, the real Donald Trump came out in force. In the words of the late Maya Angelou, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Millions of Americans already knew who the Donald was by his actions over the years. In spite of all the evidence that came out during the campaign. A large enough of voters in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania disregarded the evidence and voted for him. They helped get elected. It has yet to be reported if all those people are members of the White Nationalist Party or KKK. It is highly unlikely. There are all types of races and creeds in that voting bloc. If they were unsure of before, they now should know who and what Donald Trump is and stands for.
Now, what is the question we all should ask ourselves? Where do we go from here? The President of the United States has outed himself. White Nationalist, KKK, Trump, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and their supporters are not to be trusted with our country. Their interest is clearly about some subverted view of the United States of America. They clearly are not entirely aware of the Constitution, wars and undeclared wars, or the core values of the US. They all seem to subscribe to the notion that this country is their personal piggy bank, stomping grounds, or have the sole responsibility for guided its direction or redirection.
Today, August 16 is my birthdate. At my age, I can actually say I’ve seen a lot of change in this country. Most have been for the better and some for the worst. I’ve experienced racism up close and personal. For that matter, every now and then I still run into a racist during my daily travels. Yet, I’m acutely aware of what this country stands for, and I subscribe to those ideals. I love American History with all its flaws and inconsistencies. In the end, I understand what a vast majority of people in this country want America to be. That is not the vision of the white nationalist, Alt Right, KKK or Trump and similar politicians.
We all were put here by God almighty. Some choose not to acknowledge it by having faith in the same. I want to follow and pray every day. Can you imagine not being a Christian? The beauty of this country is you can practice any denomination of religion. You are free to pursue any occupation you choose. You can live anywhere you want, love anybody you like, raise a family and teach them to aspire to be whatever. Compared to other countries an assortment of freedoms is at your disposal.
I am not so naïve that I believe everyone can benefit from or practice these freedoms. There are many reasons why someone can’t enjoy a particular freedom this country promises. But there are also legal ways and means for a person to force another to capitulate. So the promise is still here more so than any other place on earth. And that is where we would like to keep it.
We want to avoid the thoughts of people like Trump. Our country is not for rent, sell, or loan to any one group or individual. To the dictators and one man rulers around the world, our democracy may be just over a couple of hundreds of years in years. But don’t bother trying to influence political figures or maneuver our elections to your liking. We may be slow to respond, but when we do, history has proven that you don’t want the people of the United States as your enemies. If anything America is resilient and is a foe, you would rather not confront.
As long as we fight for our core values individually, in concert and by our votes, we can determine our future. So thanks to the Donald, he may have finally awakened some people with his assertions. But most of us already knew the America our ancestors built and died for. We unlike some others of privilege have served in the military. Some of us saw or know of the death of young men and women who fought and died for the rights these racist groups now enjoy when marching in protest. We prefer that America other than the one that minority of racist, hoodlums, and self-interested politicians think we will become because of their actions.

Peace, stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II
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We are in a continuing effort to publicize my book, Gracie Hall-Hampton, the Arkansas Years 1917-1953. It examines an era of Jim Crow that many in our society may have forgotten occurred against people of color. Meanwhile, we celebrate the publication of my latest and fifth book, Misguided Intentions. Click on the publisher-Authors page at https://outskirtspress.com/MisguidedIntentions
Get any of my books by visiting my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html.

Misguided Intentions, the Book

From birth through our teens we experience quite a bit of life that is out of our control. One could say we are not in command of our lives during that period. The responsibility for our overall well-being lies with our parents or other adults.
Once we have reached the legal age of self-responsibility, we have more control over who we are. How our life turns out is now in our personal care. The one constant during these episodes, peaks, and valleys in our life is change. Most changes are for the better, others could be harmful to our growth. But make no mistake about it, no matter where we are in our life cycle, over time everything must and will change. How our guardians or we facilitate, those changes are the key to a productive and happy life.
Misguided Intentions provides a great read of how its central character and others meet, interact, accept or even reject change. They all are wrestling with obstacles thrown their way every day. Each deals with it in their own way. The unthinkable, the unimaginable, subtle and not so subtle shifts in personalities are clear for the reader to consume. You can judge if that is the right or wrong way to go in your emotional involvement. Faith, hope, and love are traits most characters lean on in their development. You get to examine the life and family relationships during the mid-sixties through the mid-seventies. Civil Rights, The Viet Nam War, Drugs, Sex, Rock and Roll, Rhythm & Blues all while involved in free love were the topics of the day. It’s an era where the younger generation of Blacks looked to effect change in society. While the older more conservative colored folk wanted to retain the American way of life or status quo if you will. “Don’t rock the boat,” they advised. “I got a good job and am doing a hell of a lot better than my parents who grew up in the South. Don’t draw attention to yourself,” they warned.
The central character, Annie Lee Holmes may seem like an enigma to us. She like us all has that bag full of life experiences weighing her down. You know…the one we keep adding to as we live our life. Her bags filled with mean spirited treatment from an assortment of people that would drive a less stronger person crazy.
Society, neighbors and family members expect her to be and act a certain way. They all have their opinion of how a mother, girlfriend, widow, or friend should behave and treat others. But they have not experienced the kind of treatment she has gone through at a young age.
Now she has children and wonders what next. One husband has walked out on her and his children. Another has suddenly died after a year, leaving behind another child. Because of past experiences, she is not really sure how to be a human being much less a single parent. She certainly would not categorize herself as having the mental fortitude to deal with life. Her environment seems like she is playing a televised part in a murder mystery. It’s truly like a psychoanalytical, Days of Our Lives or Soap Opera production. The difference is most of these characters is from the other side of the track. The reasons why something happens or don’t go as planned is somewhat muddled. Yet, she is allowed to survive; although stumbling on from day to day.

Misguided Intentions paints a story of Annie Lee’s life journey and its effects on her ever-changing personality. The motto is keeping your eyes on where you are going, not necessarily where you are at any given time. There is always a better lifestyle around the corner. Be aware the twist and turns along the way never actually cease, various obstacles place by friend and foe calls for proceeding cautiously. Our job is to maneuver around and sometimes through the barriers. As the George Benson song says…”Everything must change, nothing stays the same.”

Peace, yet stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

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Purchase Misguided Intentions at the following link, https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_rsis_3_3?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=misguided+intentions+by+codis+hampton+ii&sprefix=mis%2Caps%2C222

Get any of my books by visiting my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070 http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html .

2017 Update of Gracie Hall-Hampton, the Book.

Gracie Hall-Hampton, the Arkansas Years, 1917-1953. Over the last several Arkansas , Gracie Hall-Hampton had become somewhat callous in her mannerisms. Friends, family, as well as a foe, say dealing with her could be a difficult task. Some say she’d gone from a sweet innocent young girl to a mean quick-tempered old woman. She always had her shotgun near, with a four- inch all-purpose pocket knife in the lone pocket of her trademark full-bodied specialty made homemakers apron. I guess over the years; she felt the need to defend her family, property, or self could come at any moment. She just wanted to be ready.
One can understand how a single mother must be the rock in the family, especially in the rural areas of a segregated South. Given where she and her family lived, one can also why she had to be tough to fend for herself and those she loved. In some ways, she took on the personality of a frontier woman blazing a trail for others to follow.
Raising five children, after her husband died was a tough assignment. She had to be a teacher after school was out, a mother when one of own was physically or emotionally hurt, a strong, kind, or stern disciplinarian whenever a situation calls for it. She had to provide the voice of wisdom and experience to young folks who thought they had the answers to all problems. But most of all, she had to be the protector of her family when it came to dealing with people, especially the local white folk of Banks, Arkansas.
She, maybe a little grudgingly, took on all those and other roles. As time went on, she realized that she could not be hesitant in making decisions. She had to convince some by proving that she was neither weak nor reluctant to do whatever was necessary for her and family to survive. Those who dared to challenge her authority found they’d better properly arm themselves. Whatever their choice of weapon, mental or otherwise, it would be a fight to the death.
To some, she was a sweet old lady who made the best tea cakes and other sweet treats. She was just as enjoyable as she had to be to get her way. A testament to her character all depended on who were providing the information. There was one common fact in all the conversations and inquiries. One did not cross this little five-foot mother of five, or there would be consequences.
For me, little Codis, a young, wide-eyed five-year-old kid, she was just Grandma. I was sent south because my father and mother, who were still living in Milwaukee, were going through a separation period which finally ended in divorce. I stayed with my grandma and her youngest daughter almost a couple of years.
She maintained her gruff personality even after moving to Milwaukee. She told me the story of a visit to the county hospital clinic. She was there for a physical checkup but quickly became annoyed while taking the exam. She told me, “I told that doctor to stop poking me all over and he would not, so I chased him out of the room with my pocket knife.” As I recall, there were no charges; they only told her she was in excellent health and could go back home now. I never did find out if she had the same doctor the following year.
Being brought up in the city, with all of its conveniences of indoor plumbing, electricity, modern medicine, yearly evolving personal and public transportation, along with open communication tools, i.e., Telegram and telephones, we took those things for granted.
Think about those who came before us in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Most were brought into this world by a midwife working under a kerosene lamp, using boiling well water and the determination of the expectant mother to deliver her baby as tools of the midwives trade.
I wrote this book so that my family and others could get to know Gracie Hall-Hampton, who was born in 1904 and died in 1985, eighty-one years later. I wanted my sons, daughter, and their sons or daughters to understand her. They should know how this five-foot woman survived in a segregated South. Limited to an eighth-grade education, living in the dark woods, nestled up to a tree line of timber. A tree line where black bears, wolves, coyotes, and an occasional mountain lion roamed, see how she rose above the circumstances and survived.
I wanted people to understand just who, and where this quiet little woman, until somebody got her stirred up, carved out her life. What motivated her to keep going? Readers get an understanding of what it was like to live in a place where a black person could disappear never to be found again in Jim Crow’s back yard.
After finishing the book, while lying in bed early one morning, I was thinking about what I tried to accomplish as a writer. I suddenly remembered how surreal I felt while proofing the section I wrote about the birth of my grandmother’s first child, who happened to be my future father. Thoughts of did I do it justice? Was I respectful enough to the moment? Was I detailed sufficiently for a reader to feel how it could have been? My answer to those questions and others were I wrote what I emotionally felt like as a member of the Hampton family. I carved out a storyline using a few fictitious characters and events to depict what it must have been like to live in those days. I wove stories told me by my uncles, aunts, cousins, father, and mother into each chapter. You and my family will judge my results as the book’s author.
I hope this book’s read by all people, especially black people and others of color. African-Americans can compare stories they’ve heard from their elders with those in this book. They will reach the same conclusion as did I. We come from a “family tree” of heroes who suffered in countless ways, survived and procreate, eventually paving the way for us to enjoy the freedom of being free from slavery in a country they helped to build. We should never forget that the struggle to remain free of racism is a never-ending job. No other race of people has been mentally or physically challenged throughout their entire world history up through today, for simply being on earth as have black people. The closest that come to this type of degradation and stereotyping is the Hitler Regime on the Jewish people during World War II. Keep in mind; I am not comparing slavery to the attempt at the extermination of the Jewish people by the Nazis.
As Americans, regardless of color, we have the chance and obligation to be the shining light that America is supposed to stand for these days. If we do that, this country will be truly recognized as the ideal society in which to make a life for you and our children.
Grandma Gracie had an abundance of common sense and loved her family. She always took the time to listen to me, as a kid and man, while offering advice where needed. I hope that she is standing at God’s side and are aware of this book’s publication dedicated to her memory. Love you, Grandma.

In a continuing effort to publicize Gracie Hall-Hampton, the Arkansas Years 1917-1953, I will join LitFires Publishing exhibit at this year’s ALA (American Library Association, June 22-27, 2017) Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago. Go to http://exhibitors.ala.org/ for the full details. It’s my effort to expose the book to libraries and librarian personnel throughout the world. Thanks and I will see you in Chicago.

You can order this 356 page through my publishers, Author House, Bookstore website at http://www.authorhouse.com , through online stores like Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble (bn.com). You can also call our Book Order Hotline, at 1-888-280-7715. You can order by title, ISBN number listed below or my name as the author.

Published by Author House 11/20/2013
ISBN: 978-1-4918-3113-7 (sc)= Soft Cover
ISBN: 978-1-4918-3112-0 (hc)= Hard Cover
ISBN: 978-1-4918-3111-3 (e) = E-Book Format
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013919268
Peace, Blessings, and Keep it real,
Codis Hampton II
Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo
Join us for the live broadcast of our bimonthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica
Meanwhile look for my fifth book, Misguided Intentions to be published this August. Thanks and see you in Chicago. Get any of my books by visiting my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html.

Has Common Sense Left The Building?

I’ve told my wife and friends several times in the recent past. I no longer have my cool stroll. Some, not me, would call it a pimp walk. But most dudes from my era (the sixties) had the stroll walk. For that matter, it goes beyond the sixties. A perfect example of that was the Obama Stroll. Yes, the president had his version. Well today, my stroll is more like a penguin’s walk. The reason is I’ve got arthritic knees. It’s also a case of both knee joints not having much cartilage.

Yeah, it’s a trip growing older, but then the alternative, hold your breath…is death. My wife uses a cane to help her walk, for she has the same problem. Socially, our knees hamper us both from climbing steps, dancing as we once did, or participating during the fellowship period after church services.

With age, as anyone over fifty will tell you, come wisdom. I use to tell my kids as they reached the teenage years. Always, keep in mind that someone twice your age has learned by accident more than you know right now.

This morning I watch a football player on Sportscenter using his cell phone to film a live selfie of himself. The problem, this was at the same time his coach was giving a short speech and instructions after the team had won a playoff game. He posted the live film on Facebook.

Old school people would look at that as disrespecting the game and coach. They would think that player is exhibiting a selfish attitude. It’s a practice that is the exact opposite of teamwork. Most people around his age, especially boys or young men, would ask where is the problem. We leave women out because they mature faster than young men.

As far back as high school, friends would categorize me as a serious dude. “Man you need to relax.” My answer then and now is it’s a serious world. When I partied, which was often, they said I relaxed too much. Well, unapologetic I am my daddy’s child. As he did, I love, work and play hard. But I never, ever forget who I am, or from whence I came.

I heard Pharrell “Happy” Williams complain during a recent interview that old people and traditions are insignificant. I’m sure he doesn’t mean any and everything as in all subject matter. It does show that a lot of people in his age group are insensitive and uneducated about certain society issues. I love the song “Happy” as does everyone. But being Happy 24-7 is an unrealistic goal for most adults. Being content 24-7, a few steps lower than happy is possible.

In fact, I can tell you that my wife and I are content. We are comfortable with ourselves, life and most of our family and friends. Oh, now and then something always come up, family members who think they been disrespected. Some younger, a few older folks don’t like something I’ve done at some time or the other. In that respect, I always feel if we can’t talk it out, then they have the problem, not me.

I’ve said almost all my life. You don’t have to be brilliant to understand life, but you do have to be living in a world of reality. Lying to one’s self doesn’t help you mature; it only confuses your judgment. Think about it. There is enough confusion pushed by people from all walks and corners of society. It’s hard enough keeping an honest perspective from what’s shown on television, propaganda pushed by certain political groups in this country without adding personal misjudgments or lies to the equation. One has to stay in the world of society’s reality, not one you’ve created for yourself. You know the kind, where you are always right, and everybody else is wrong. So your attempt to hang with people who believe as you do is not conducive or contributing to your growth as a person.

Common sense must accompany maturity and growth. It always seems to boil down to I am living free, being me and having fun. I’m here to tell you that both are possible, but it requires personal sacrifice. It requires hard work, accepting responsibility, determination and being honest with you and yours. The question, how bad do you want it? Or is it too tough a road for you to travel to reach that particular goal?

That is what separates the OG’s, so to speak from the younger ones. The OG has learned from actually participating in life. The youngster only dreams of what could be and has yet to see that dream become a reality. Instead of taking steps to make it a reality they talk about it. They put it in songs; they write poems about it. They get high and think an idea realized at that time is original. When they find someone else has thought of it, they think the person stole their idea. They interpret it as something that is needed in society but never puts in the work to make it happen. If only I would have, etc., etc. Yes, that is when you wonder what if I had? Well, youngster, you can, but you have to get off your behind and do it, not just talk about it. That is where the saying talks the talk and walks the walk take place.

Education is a must, but common sense is a place where we all need to reside. With both, the sky is the limit. If you have to choose, basic education and good common sense are great ingredients for happiness and contentment. A person’s word is all they have to give you. If you can’t count on that, well, shame on them. Respect your fellow human beings need to be themselves. Your expectations of who a person is or can don’t count unless it’s a politician. They work for us. A lesson in how to live is available from those who have already lived a longer life. However, that older individual must be the teller of truth. Common sense should be a priority in any politician’s character.

And yes there is a higher power for man did got here by walking from the sea evolving into an ape, etc., etc. Your answer to life, peace, and happiness is within you. No human can make your day. It starts and ends with you. If you cannot understand that, then you, my friend will have a problem until you do.

Peace, yet stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-fK

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“In my latest book, Remember Moz, Gracie & John Hampton’s First-Born, I wanted to tell the world about a unique individual. Not because he happened to be my father but to explain who he was, where he came from, and how he evolved into the man he became up until his death. In doing so, I wrote of his ancestor’s roots back to and through the Civil War. The inclusion of his birth and upbringing in the heart of Arkansas, or Jim Crow country, add southern reluctance to learn why our country involved itself in a bloodthirsty four-year exercise in the first place? Then you begin to understand why our parents behaved the way that they did. See if I captured the essence of this paragraph.” Get the book via the Authors Page at http://outskirtspress.com/webPage/isbn/9781478766056

Or visit my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html .

It’s Much Deeper Than The Donald’s Audio Tape

Wow! It took an audio tape where the Donald was clearly heard talking about grouping women in general and one woman in particular. A tape where he actually used the P word when referring to a woman’s gentiles. That’s where numerous elected Republicans, some who are running for office on this year’s ballot draw the line? Never mind all those things he reportedly said that was degrading to and about women, minorities, and anyone else that he disagreed with in the first place. Never mind his so-called principles on law and order.

The fact that he refuses to recognize a confession with DNA results collaborating the real rapist identity of a white woman jogger in New York. He still thinks these teenagers in 1989, who served some time in jail before being exonerated, are still guilty because they confessed after a long ordeal with New York Police. One could say he was advocating lynching these young boys. And to this day, still, think they are guilty? He also wants to bring back the previously ruled unconstitutional Stop and Frisk law.

He lies and pretty much says whatever he wants on a daily basis. Mrs. Clinton was kind in her description of his part in their October ninth debate. She said Trump delivered an ‘avalanche of falsehoods.’ The rhetoric directed at her and her husband, Bill Clinton along with the Obama administration. Yet, he is the Republican nominee for President of the United States. Most forward thinking people look at Donald Trump and ask ourselves, how did this man become the Republican nominee? He is clearly unqualified for that or any political office in this country.

But hold on, the fact that Donald Trump is the Republican Parties Presidential Nominee goes much deeper than a gross audiotape. Remember when he was leading Hillary Clinton in a lot of national and state polls? He, along with his surrogates, the entire Republican Party, and millions of ultra and Alt-Right Conservatives, think Hillary Clinton is the Anti-Christ. They thought that they could sneak an unqualified bigot by the American voters as long as he ran against Mrs. Clinton.

They didn’t say much when he is shouting dangerous rhetoric at his rallies. Phrases like, “they wouldn’t do that in the old days. I like to punch them out.” It was a reference to demonstrators at his rallies.

Oh yes, we look at Donald Trump and ask ourselves, how did this man become the Republican nominee? Well, have you been to the movies lately? Watched TV, listen to some of the songs on the radio? It’s a laboratory demonstration on how to kill and maim with weapons made for killing people. Not for hunting as the NRA likes to tell you. The story lines are brutal and filled with deadly violence. The characters, including the heroes’, are suspect and untrustworthy. All this, while treating their fellow man as if they are our competition or the enemy rather than our next door neighbor. In real life, since when does it take approximately eight to nine supposedly well trained San Francisco Police Officers with weapons drawn to shoot down a man with a knife, killing him? Killing him (December of 2015) because they felt threaten. Does that make sense to you… or anybody?

There is an entire genre of music (Gangster and some mainstream rap) where the lyrics used will turn your stomach. They advocate pimping, calling woman degrading names and suggest the only way to the American Dream is to do whatever you have to do to get paid. Our kids (white, black and all) know the words to these songs before they can recite their ABC’s. Society has changed from the sixties style of “We wish you love and peace” to ‘F_ _ _ you, I got mine, now get outta my face son, while I pig out on what’s mine and cash.’ They are just a minority of rappers and entertainers. But, they are so loud and sell a lot of tapes over and underground. Sometimes you hear them blasting from their cars at the stop light. Their ways and actions are hypnotic to our young folks. Especially to those who don’t have good role models or a loving home life. A great example would be households where babies are raising babies if you get my drift.

If not Donald Trump for president, it would have been someone else with the same type of personality and beliefs. Remember the establishment Republicans tried to tone down their man. They tried to tell him to use the code words, dummy. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell advised him to use a teleprompter and don’t go off message. Now, the same man who was part of the meeting that took place after the first election of Barack Obama electing not to cooperate with the new president in any way shape of form. Now this two-faced American politician says “Don’t ask me about Trump.” Their narrative is still Hillary Clinton is the Anti-Crist. Talk about her, and we will help you get elected. They were all about the Republican majority in the House and Senate.

Remember the first rebranding of Trump begins with his newly selected campaign spokesperson Kellyanne Conway. She was everywhere explaining what the Donald really meant when he slipped back into his real personality. You couldn’t turn on the TV without seeing Rudy Giuliani or Chris Christie explaining what the Donald meant when he went off message. Just like Maya Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them; the first time.”

Some may say, by now I am stating the obvious. A post on forwarded to me by my youngest son from Occupy Democrats pretty much starts the conversation. It says “The worst part about Trump isn’t that he’s a racist, sexist, ignorant bigot. It’s that his supporters know that and don’t care.” It only confirms that most people in spite of the narrative you may get in various media outlets know what is going on in these United States today.

Beginning with G Dubya’s eight years, there has been an erosion of race relations in this country. It was more of a quite storm then suddenly becoming louder and louder during the last almost eight years of the Obama administration. Various acts, circumstances have aided the continued change in attitudes or even tolerance by a lot of white people toward Blacks, Hispanics, and Muslim and in the last year or so, a closing of their rank and file. It’s that adage of discussion among them that starts with ‘You’re either with us or against us.

Now this is not meant to group a lot of progressive thinking people into a mob. Nor a recruitment for some far right wing skinheads living in the woods of Iowa or wherever. Because you have to keep in mind those people are in the minority of the US population. But, they are a very loud and shrewd minority. They know how to stroke the fires depending upon the latest threat, as they would call it, to white power. We just have to admit that it is there and not shy away from those who would take us back to the Thirties, Forties, and Fifties.

This no-longer-a-subtle change of attitude was aided by the rise of the Tea Party. Who, by the way, was adopted by the Republican Party. So much so, most establish Republicans added in getting them elected and toning down those who ran for office to be presentable politicians. Do you remember when the Tea Party had placards depicting President Obama as Hitler? They had him dressed in the Nazi’s Army Gear, mustache and hair style. I’d never seen a sitting president disrespected in such a grotesque manner. We almost know by heart and hear the new Jim Crow code words on a daily basis. They are in the print, broadcast, and internet media. They normally have a large picture of the perpetrator with the broadcast of the story. Use the code words boys, folks will know what you are talking about, they urge with a wink. You’ve heard them, Law and Order, Only criminals will have the guns, Illegal Immigrants, Good American, Liberal Politicians, Obamacare, and many others too numerous to mention here. The most popular today is, “Make America Great Again.” That’s right boys when you are for the right things and against the things most Good, and Law Abiding Americans don’t like, you’ve got the ticket. They try to wrap themselves in our United States Flag. They do this as if they are the only Americans in this country.

I am still and always will be a man who loves God, Family, Country and all Gods people. As Americans, we have to understand that these divisions in race relations could and do threaten our very Democracy. My summation to these shifting racial attitudes is the outstanding poem turned into a Documentary from Maya Angelou, “And Still I Rise.”

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

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European Tourist, Black Churches and Race

A few weeks ago a friend and business colleague of mine posted pictures on his Facebook site of European tourist standing in line to enter black churches. My colleague was enjoying a vacation in New York while sending back photos of interest. The churches, doubling as tourist attractions are located in New York City (NYC). My mind, being what it is, first thought was…this a wonderful idea. As long as church members didn’t mind, why not accommodate the visitors?

Obviously, I wasn’t the only one who had not heard of this practice. By the time I saw his post, my vacationing friend had dozens of comments. They ranged from surprised, befuddlement, and suspicion with most in agreement to let the visitors see and learn.

It immediately sent me into research mode. Well…how long has this been going on you ask? If you are not familiar or heard of the practice, it seems to have caught a few national journalist attentions in 2012. The actual practice began in early 1980 and has become part of NYC Tour Company’s itinerary. Some of which are selling tickets at charges up to $55 per person, and providing most participating churches a cut of the profit. Plus you can be sure each church goes through their donation process to take advantage of all these visitors. Naturally it brings about several questions, problems, and issues. What are the pros and cons? What do the church members think? How about the Pastor and Deacons? What do they think about this practice? Do the financial gains outweigh members or church officials concerns? Oh yes…there is that word again, finance. In other words is everybody concerned getting their fair share of the cash flow?

After taking a look at the NYC European tourist history and current practice, for me, there is a deeper issue. It is centered on how we as a people are portrayed in today’s media. Better yet, how much time should we give in an attempt to balance out the tendency of our white owned-managed national and local media? Those tendencies are targeted to an overwhelming majority of white readers or electronic viewers. It reminding me of another recent headline, that went something like, is it the black folks responsibility to educate white people about race issues?

And…taking into account the past Memorial Day, it brought back another old memory for me. Back in the sixties, I took a Greyhound bus ride home from a US Army post (Fort Carson, Colorado). I could have taken a plane, but the bus ride wasn’t a long trip to Milwaukee. I was just getting out of basic training and wanted to save a little bit more spending money. After all, I was looking forward to a little R&R with assorted partying on the side.

Anybody who has been on a bus knows that it stopped at every little nook and cranny town and corner bus terminal on its way to Chicago ending up in Milwaukee. One of our stops was in some little godforsaken spot south of the boonies. I got out and went into the little bit larger than a bathroom sized terminal to get a candy bar. We had already been told by the bus driver that lunch could be bought further on up the road.

The moment I walked into the little outlet, all eyes were on me including somebody’s dog that started barking. Since I was still a little groggy from just waking up, it finally dawns on me what was going on. I was a dark black man in a full US Army dress uniform, shining metal coat buttons, and spit-shined shoes. Keeping in mind I was also the only black person on the bus and certainly in the little bus stop.

As I made my way to the vending machine, one little blond hair girl was staring so long, I could actually see the fear in her eyes. I walked forward toward the machine which was to the right of the ticket window. She began to back up, feeling for her mother’s leg who was transacting business at the ticket agent’s window. Her eyes were wide and fixed on me. I smiled and waved to no avail. For a second, she reacted in kind but evidently thought better of it and decided to take the cautious route. The girl let out a low whimper and turned to grab onto her mother’s leg. The mother was temporarily startled by her daughters’ action. With an annoyed facial expression, while attempting to reassure her daughter, the mother turned around to see what or who caused such a reaction. By then I must have been about six feet away from them. She placed her arm around her daughter and called out her name advising the youngster to “settle down and be quiet.” Looking directly at me, she immediately understood what had almost set off her little girl. She smiled at me and admonished her daughter telling her “that soldier is not going to bother you.” Still fondling her daughters head pressed against her leg she returned to transacting her business with the ticket agent. I bought three candy bars and gave the little girl one of them. Her mother immediately took the candy out of her daughter’s hand and saying “you can have this later.” She nodded to me with a smile and turned back to taking care of her ticket window transaction.

As I settled in my seat, I remember thinking, I was probably the first black person that little girl had ever seen up close and personal. That was why I made the conscious effort of offering her the candy bar. I wanted to reassure her, as did her mother, there was nothing to fear from me.

Back in the early sixties while traveling as a soldier, there were similar incidents. Believe it or not, most odd reactions and staring came from adults rather than kids. At the time, a soldier must be in a full dress uniform when traveling to get a servicemen ticket rate. My family use to tease me. They wondered why the only time they saw me in uniform was when I arrived or was leaving home. I avoided wearing it during my R&R times because…sooner or later somebody in the hood would always want to challenge a uniformed soldier to a fist-fight. Sometimes all they needed was to hear you were in the military. They always wanted to test your toughness. I don’t know, I guess it was just a street thing.

As for the stares and the little girls’ reaction, remember this was the early sixties. Besides Amos and Andy, several appearances by Nat King Cole or Sammy Davis Jr. on the Ed Sullivan Show, blacks on TV were null and void. Where else would white folks come in contact with black people? Not in those small towns and rural areas.

Too much you say. Again, why should we act as educators on race issues? I say, because like it or not, we are ambassadors for our race when we are out and about in public. And frankly, it doesn’t matter if we are in mixed or non-mixed company. Remember Chris Rock’s rant, “I love black people but I hate (you know the word).” We, as do all races, including white people always represent our race-ethnicity in dealing with the public on a daily basis. Why because, every time someone begins talking about an incident they observed, were involved in, or heard about they always mention the person’s race. If they don’t, somebody listening to the story will ask…was they black, white, Hispanic, Asian, etc., etc. It’s because we, especially in this country are obsessed with race. I don’t necessary like it either…but somethings are out of our control. People are going to look at people through a racial microscope, good or bad. We are just trying to project who people of color really are, not somebody’s twisted imagination of who they think we are.

Just as some of you hate reading these race issue articles, I hate writing them. But then, I am compelled, no…not forced, I enjoy acting as a counterpart to the Bill O’Reilly’s, Sarah Palin’s, Rush Limbaugh’s of the world? Add an occasional slip of the tongue by some politician, entire political parties that thrive on creating a hostile “we against them” environment. Or attacks on our voting rights by Republican Governors, there is no shortage of voices needed to combat these forces. These people need to be checked, rebuffed and corrected every time they voice an ignorant opinion. We all need to be involved and aware at all times.

We ought not to display our talents to others as if we are in a zoo, but rather on stage. When someone wants to see us at prayer, play, or exercising our abilities in the Arts, we should accommodate them. We should be glad to education those who have a natural inclination to see who we really are in our natural habitat, so to speak. Anytime that black folks can have a real teachable moment or event that contradicts stereotypes, we should take advantage.

We are a people born with special qualities that some may not possess. That does not mean we are better than any other race. What it does mean is we are and should be responsible caretakers of our heritage and customs. These are very special traits that should be passed on to our young. Our children, who are smarter than we were at their age will have the same responsibility. They will pass it on to their children. If the History of Race in America has taught us anything, it’s that we can never become complacent. That just the way it is my people.

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

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