I didn't take a knee

I didn't take a knee during the National Anthem Saturday as I expected I would have.

I stood, hand over heart, singing along, while listing all the reasons I couldn't/shouldn't kneel.

Each of them the exact reasons why I should have taken a knee.

The Detroit Lions kneel and join arms in protest during the anthem before a game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 at Ford Field in Detroit.  Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

I remain committed to supporting those who take a knee. What happened to me Saturday reminds me that I am not perfect in my efforts no matter how sincere my intentions. I won't stop trying. Firsts sometimes take time. The first effort to volunteer, speak out or rally, any first public action to back up a belief can be intimidating if one thinks about it for too long. And that's what I did.

I was at a county fair ground for an antiques sale in predominantly white and wealthy northern Oakland County, Michigan. As I looked around those who stopped shopping to participate in the National Anthem, I saw the back of only one African American among a crowd of hundreds. That is enough of a reason to have taken a knee. Where better to raise consciousness than in an all-white crowd?

I was with one of my dearest friends who is also the state's executive director of the American Legion Auxiliary. I'd already seen her bite her lip in response to one of my statements about the knee issue --- because of the position that the action disrespects the military. Yet, I have heard one member of the military point out that he believed he fought to protect U.S. freedoms, among them the freedoms to peaceably protest and of speech.

Colin Kaepernick on the cover of Time Magazine, October 3, 2016.  He said he had no choice but to kneel.

  I might have become a FB posting by people I didn't know who would interrupt their  tribute to the anthem just to take pictures and criticize me publicly. Of course, that's exactly what needs to happen. Some one person like Colin Kaepernick, doing it to start the conversation and others, like me, doing it to keep the conversation going until the issue --- the U.S. keeping its promise of equal treatment, powers and privileges for all citizens --- is solved.

And finally, the practical elements. It had poured rain all night long and the grounds were puddled and pond thick with mud. Did I really want to kneel in the mud? I could move to a stone drive. Ouch. I could kneel on my purse. Damage? One reality after another that couldn't defend me. Even the fear of not being able to get back up after I got down there (there's no grace in aging), couldn't justify standing. I have friends who would have rescued me.

Which brings me back to rescuing my fellow Americans who have not been protected and privileged by their own nation as I have.

It's interesting to me that the issue has become a question of disrespect for the flag and the anthem, when these are just symbols of this nation. They are visual and audio cues that remind us all what this nation proclaims loudly to the world --- freedom and equality for all its citizens --- the kinds of things many immigrants have only dreamed of as they seek entrance here. 

I am proud of Kaepernick for starting this discussion (anyone who knows him please be sure to tell him I’m proud of him). And I’m proud of all of those who have followed his lead and exercised their right to free speech. I’m even proud of the team owners who have backed their players in this peaceful protest. (Although the cynic in me thinks they checked out public sentiment in relationship to ticket sales first.)

I just hope it stays on track: Equality in rights and protections for all our citizens, not just the white ones.

The promises were made generations ago. Our government officials travel the world boasting about how free and great we are while their own constituents are neglected, abused, jailed and murdered because of their race. (Please read “The New Jim Crow”.) There is no time like the present to press our representatives to honor the promises America has made to its people. Government has not been willing to do this on its own so we must continue to holler, “Do Your Job” at them so they know we are watching and perhaps rethinking our votes until they do their job.

I’ll get down there but until then I have no problems hollering. Join me for what’s right.

New book for children focuses on manners

Our young antagonist needs to learn a lesson about manners. Wonder if he does?

 Buy Now: $12.95

I Knew You'd Understand

 

Authored by Donna Ullrich
Designed by Shekinah Shazaam
Illustrated by Jacqulyn Leary
Edition: 1

An adventurous child can't figure out why his behavior leaves him out in the cold when everyone else goes off to a party. Through poetry, bright illustrations and actions all his own, our child figures out behaviors that win him favors and friends. This is a perfect etiquette book for the beginning reader and family.

EXCERPT:
You ask me "please" to clean my room.
But I'm just too tired to lift a broom.
...I knew you'd understand.

My candy, my toys you tell me to share!
Them first, I say. It's only fair.
...I knew you'd understand.

Eat with my mouth closed, you beg!
Hey, slurping and smacking still gets me fed.
...I knew you'd understand.

I know there are times that I shouldn't run and shout.
But it's not my fault this behavior just sneaks out.
...I knew you'd understand.

So, I hurt your feelings with the fun that I was poking.
Geez, don't be so sensitive, I was only joking.
...I knew you'd understand.

Hey! Where's everyone going? Why are they so excited?
Wait! What about me? Why wasn't I invited?
I don't understand!

Don't you wonder if he learned his lesson?
  Buy Now: $12.95
 

Publication Date:

Feb 06 2017

ISBN/EAN13:

0692818006 / 9780692818008

Page Count:

58

Binding Type:

US Trade Paper

Trim Size:

8.5" x 8.5"

Language:

English

Color:

Full Color with Bleed

Related Categories:

Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / Manners & Etiquette

 Buy Now: $12.95

 

Someone called me a sheep

Someone called me a sheep the other day.

Million Women's March, Wash., DC, Jan. 21, 2017

I know who that someone is: A very kind, good guy and childhood classmate. He offered his respect for my intentions yet called me a sheep nonetheless.

I in turn respectfully disagreed. We can do that. Agree to disagree. Bring our differing opinions to the Marketplace of Ideas in this country (although we might want to hurry up ;-), listen to others and refine our own. It’s called protected free speech. (Even the president does it --- just without the respect thing. He doesn’t seem to get the respect thing) --- But of course as I tell my students, you must practice it to perfect it and yes, that means you do have to try it first…but I digress…

According to my friend, I was a just another pink sheep among 5 million worldwide who marched in response to Trump's misogyny. Many, like my friend, confused the day thinking that since women in the U.S. are no longer the property of their husbands, can own property, “earned” the “right” to vote, can pursue an education, are “allowed” to work for 20% less pay than men, and are no longer shunned for being independent…including of a man to stand five paces behind, there isn’t anything else to protest. Just wasted energy from a bunch of second class citizens.

Our president has discounted and degraded women as well as many other people and populations. Saturday wasn't just about women though. Yes, many did march in response to his disreputable (if not criminal) actions and threats against women. However, they also marched in response to his attacks on so many people by gender, race, religion, orientation, ethnicity, and immigrant status. Why? Because Trump’s targets are their family members. What the critics didn’t pay attention to was that these targets and their families and friends were there January 21 worldwide --- men, women, transgender and children.

What the critics didn’t see was the breadth of the other organized protests out there: Social Security, the environment, the Affordable Care Act, education, racism, homophobia, Xenophobia, First Amendment protections, the integrity of the 2016 presidential election, clean water, the Dakota Access Pipeline, housing, and so many more concerns close to those standing tall, peacefully, civilly as is their right. Yes, Trump’s an issue, but what the critics missed were the real issues of We the People that are getting lost in Trump’s demand for attention and power. Issues that even impact them.

 

All of our futures

Sure, many wanted to send a clear message to Trump that women will not stand by and take his verbal or other groping. Nor will they or their family and friends allow him to threaten loved ones or others known or unknown to them whom the U.S. has promised to protect as foreign nationals to our country --- even illegally.  Five million people (across countries, genders and in groups of family and friends --- In my case from a 61-year-old grandmother to a 2-year-old granddaughter and loved ones in between) who clearly stood up to Trump and his hate gang.

No sheep here

These are the people who declared by their action that they won't sit on the sidelines and let others solve their problems for them.

This was a demonstration of power that Trump is going to have to reckon with worldwide.

This is what democracy really looks like in the U.S.

This is our First Amendment in action.

These were not the sheep.

The sheep stayed home and watched FOX. 

Open Letter to Senator John McCai

Dear Senator McCain,

I think of you as a man with great integrity, honesty, and with the interest of We the People at the forefront of your actions. I am asking you to seek the support of your congressional colleagues to prevent this administration from setting a dangerous precedent of confirming the many presidential nominees who have yet to meet the requirements to be considered for an appointment.

I am immediately concerned with reports that many of the nominees have not completed their ethics reports or have not properly divested themselves of holdings that may raise conflicts of interest issues as they are required to do under the law.

Please reach across the aisle to seek bipartisan oversight of this situation to ensure that nominees are properly vetted and have met all the requirements before confirmation.

Please do not allow this administration to open the door for these and future appointees to profit personally or to act in the best interests of those to whom they are beholding at the expense of We the People.

My respect for you dates back to your 2000 run for the presidency when many of us learned for the first time about your military service and sacrifice on behalf of We the People. It continued to grow as you worked with Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) to successfully sponsor the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act  of 2002. And while I am a tad more liberal on some issues than you, my mind and my heart nearly exploded when you gently assured a woman who expressed her fear of candidate Barack Obama that he “is a good man.”

I believe you are a very good man so I am reaching across political labels to you. I believe there is no time like the present to ask all of our representatives to act on behalf of all of the citizens, and all of the documented and undocumented immigrants (“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” --- Statue of Liberty). Now is the time to act to ensure that everyone in this nation is protected as our Constitution and laws have promised them they would be.

Please help us protect the integrity of the process to ensure that these nominees are confirmed with the best interests of We the People at the forefront of their minds and agendas.

Respectfully,

Donna L. Ullrich

Just one of the brilliant rainbow of We the People from across this nation.