White Supremacists do not know who they are

I have seen a lot of stuff on Social Media about Charlottesville, about protests for and against White Supremacists, about Trumps failure to condemn them, and then later belatedly condemning them, about pictures of Supremacists who had jobs and then lost them because of those pictures going viral, of the heroes who saved their loved one lives by pushing them out of the way when the car ran over people in the crowd... notably, the hero and fiance were a mixed race couple... and many of the White Supremacists last names seemed to be Eastern European, perhaps Polish, a country from whom some of my ancestors came from, and whose people were on the list of people Hitler wanted to exterminate.


At the same time that was happening I was at a Cape Verdean Festival, a group of people that has been a mixed group of many races for 500 years or so.

I have been writing an article about the History of Cape Verdeans and also have a book in front of me called "The "Other" Americans" by Marcel Gomes Balla, whom I interviewed for the Cape Verde News Network.


At the end of the interview, Marcelino talked about some of the Cape Verdean on Cape Veredean crime in the communities in Dorchester and Brockton, and how cousins are killing each other... probably because they don't even know who they are, their history, and how valuable their ancestors contributions were to the society we live in.


African Americans also preach something similar and much is said about how "Black people should do this" or "that" or whatever it is to get ahead.


I have to say that I was so confused why the White Supremacists were Nazis. Or how pro Confederate people would be Nazi, or why exactly you would become a confederate (because I seriously doubt that all of these people were descendants of Confederates especially with Polish last names) what exactly they were protesting.. and also I was confused that the anti protesters and people watching, seeing all this extremely violent type of chest beating, would be surprised by a violent action.



I would say that these White Supremacists do not know who they are either.

First of all, Confederates and Nazis are LITERALLY losers. They lost. And they both lost a long time ago. Nor was what they were fighting for good for any of the people marching with tiki torches.


You can be PRO WHITE without being ANTI BLACK. Or I guess the main group they were chanting against were Jewish people, who are white, whiter than the Asians friends marching , which makes things even more confusing (I mean would Dave Chapelle's skit work where you could have a blind White Supremacist who was actually black? Would they accept that?)


I'm just saying of ALL the propaganda that white Americans have going for them, pretty much every Hollywood movie from the past and most of them from now, why would you decide to tie yourself to groups that lost?


If you want to know what the descendant of a Confederate looks like, look at my face. Because as I heard it, part of our family was from the South, owned slaves, and fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. (though I found a letter that might suggest otherwise.. so somewhat confusing, but I did here this from an Uncle who had passed and that in my mother's family history book, it mentions that part of the family was Union and the other part Confederate.)


When the South lost however, this ancestor recognized almost immediately the losing side, and moved to Philadelphia.

(I would also point out that the bad guy in Schindler's list has a grandaughter who discovered her past and wrote a book about having a famous Nazi ancestor... oh yeah, she's black. Or mixed at any rate. )

Now we are not the most successful of people in our family. We have high earners as well as low income people. But it's not like we're all doctors, lawyers, IT people, or the owners of Google or Facebook. So I'm not saying we have the right to say "this is how you are supposed to do it." like we are models for success.

I'm not sure of the socio-economics of the people marching with tiki torches, but they did not "look" poor and obviously some of them lost  a job for being there, which means they had a job at some point.

When I say they do not look poor, I say that many of them had some fat on them and looked healthy. They did not look like they hadn't eaten in days. They do not seem to be motivated by money. They were not paid to be there, they seem to have normal lives and jobs.

The protests seems to be some sort of bizarre hobby (I guess similar to my Lion Dancing and going to festivals that celebrate the greatness of a culture, whether it is Chinese, or Dominican, or Cape Verdean or Caribbean, Italian, or Wake Up the Earth) accept their hobby is about hate, seems to be mostly angry dudes, no hot women wearing feathers and little else, I don't think there was any music, no great food no games...

You really are not selling anyone on the "greatness" of your "culture" here.

And again, you picked two groups, Confederates and Nazis, that are total and utter losers. Also Robert E. Lee was personally against slavery, or so I have heard. He CONCEDED, so he knows he lost, why protest his statue being removed? To follow in his footsteps what you would really do is not join this groups which you are not really a part of, and move on by trying to make money.

I mean white people have a lot going for them. You have all this written history and films that are propaganda that you can watch to boost your confidence. With all the effort and organization it took to make that protest, imagine if you were doing something that made you some extra money?
And if you did do that, or held some sort of event that said, "White People are awesome, by this ticket and you can be like us!" and a ton of non whites bought tickets because they were Anglo files of some sort, are you telling me you would want those non whites  to "Go Home"? and not pay for your event/product?


In terms of being against mixing of races.... if you are limiting yourself to people with in your race, then you are limiting your chance of success in finding love/sex/whatever.

That goes for friendship and networking and selling stuff.

And so to the anti supremacist protesters I ask what are these people (the White Supremacists) motivated by? If you aim is to stop them, you should know your enemy.

I would look at what the what supremacists are doing as similar to some sort of pagan ritual. A blood lusting angry procession where in the past they would hang someone from a tree. That is no longer legal (or allowed by those enforcing the law who would simply turn a blind eye), so if you just ignore them, they will most likely create a straw man and burn that person in effigy.

Before the Civil War they burned Lincoln in effigy.

Nowadays I would assume the scapegoat to be Obama, even though he is no longer in office...so what are they mad about again? The Robert E. Lee Statue? and who do they blame for it? Not clear but maybe they would burn that person in effigy.

Then they will get bored because honestly their parade sucks.

Maybe they will try to loot houses, rape, pillage, start a pogrom, but most likely not because if that were the goal they would have lead with that.

(btw I am assuming that rioting is what Trump is referring to when he said "on both sides" ie riots that happened after the Rodney King trial and many riots more covered by news sites that indeed had real footage of rioting but these sites would be considered fake news. Don't start yelling at me just for bringing it up! There was indeed rioting that took place at the same time there was peaceful protest. Of course this rioting often happens within the same neighborhood where the African Americans live, and a target of these riots are often the minority group who own a store... ie, Koreans. That doesn't mean that this is a "both sides"  type of "war" That would be assuming some sort of rational and organized action on the part of the rioters.... wait I guess you could say they were sort of orchestrated. Anyway I don't agree with Trumps statement, but to those who were completely lost... I think that's what he is talking about.)

So back to a potential riot by White Supremacists following an angry protest that is more marching and shouting than burning and looting...

So the key is not to meet them there and make their event look more relevant and bigger (because who sees signs) and don't waste YOUR time in this non money making endeavor)

Go home, lock the door, ARM YOURSELVES, or perhaps congregate elsewhere and do positive things for your community. Be ready to defend yourselves (because seriously those people are a threat... but think strategically) and I know many would disagree with me... but I do feel that a protest against a thing, gives voice to that thing.


What should I personally do?


I have long talked about doing lectures or something that explains white culture in terms of ritual and all that to non whites. Because I feel that I understand white culture more than fully white people, because I can see it with insider outsider eyes. I can see the stuff that is awesome.. and the origins of some savagery.

The cool stuff, like Christmas Trees and various sports, have been adopted by the world or at least the country. And people complain about inventions that were made by black people and we never learn about those inventors. We should... but this proves a point that there is no shortage of white propaganda in the mainstream. So go with that. Don't suddenly tie yourself to white losers (Nazis and Confederates)

Or if you must be Confederate, do those Civil War reenactments... but don't be racist. In that if not whites want to go and watch and support your show, maybe even pay tickets let them.

I mean Kung Fu is a Chinese art with some origins that are violent... but you don't see people doing a Tai Ping Procession. Anything old that was from losers is kind of re adapted and also everyone is welcome to join in for the most part. I mean most of the people that keep the economic engine of Kung Fu and Lion Dance running in this country are non Asian. How can you survive if you are only trying to sell to a minority group. You want to sell to whoever will buy.

And since Kung Fu does not win against guns... the selling point becomes spirituality, health, self defense, that sort of thing.

So my thing is, what if I lectured these white people, motivational speaker style and taught them the benefits of interacting with other races. Would they pay for it? I'm saying maybe I can actually make the world a better place and make money at the same time.

And the thing to start with is showing them their history... the positive aspects too. Like speeches that tell them that White people are awesome (but that does not inherently mean that non whites aren't) how to organize better events, and turn their lives around. I mean despite some of these people having careers... there is obviously something wrong. The pictures of guys wearing American Veteran gear and doing a Nazi salute says it all.

I mean all these super white events exist in a way but they don't speak to them somehow.

And since I know people think I am crazy, it is obvious that nobody else is going to do something like this. But it could actually be the answer.

Was it done in the past?

Yes Huey Newton actually talked to people like this and had these type of organizations working WITH the black panthers...

White Supremacist leaders had reached out to Malcom X about touring and speaking together. (Malcom X declined for obvious reasons)

But being mixed, I am not about that separation. I say mix, mix mix, which still pisses a lot of people off of all colors. Many are simply not comfortable with it.


What would I name this?


 White Awesomeness
(and the hidden benefits of diversity.)


I don't know something like that.

Has anyone else made a reasonable and valid suggestion for a solution yet?

Because an Anti protest at the same time makes them look more valid.

I remember hearing about a big Nazi parade in the United States and they had chosen a specific town where most of the residents were holocaust survivors.

Basically the town just ignored them. And the Neo Nazis realized that their demonstration was not getting a rise out of anyone.

Now I guess they do this stuff, and they are getting a ton of media attention.

Basically, a lot of people are playing right into their hands.

Or I should say the hands of whoever their organizers are. Because I really don't see what the individuals get out of it.

Cycles of the sun

The drums can move your heart
Stirring passions if the soul
Blood filled feelings that pump
To the rhythm of the ground.

When I was young and bold
I felt this tidal pull
And didn't even know
From which direction it came.

The thirst the hunger for
Adventure, difference, belonging
And purpose.

The desire to run out into the night
Under full moon
Not fully human
More demon than animal

Howling and grunting
Like the beast.

The civilized way is to put on a mask
And dance around in daylight
Hiding in plain site.

That you are a good beast
A friendly beast
A cultural beast.

And not the underlying beast
The actual heart of darkness.
A darkness that is not evil.
For why should the absence of light be That?
But that frightening darkness if unknown.
The unknown that we call impossible.
Yet we know it is actually right there.

Out there.
Within reach but out of sight.
Calling to us like
Singing sirens on the shore.

Do they steer us to destruction or enlightenment?

Are those one in the same?

Can it be that only
Crashing on the rocks
Steering toward the sheer cliffsisbthe answer?

Or do we call upon our men to the us to the mast and plug our ears, and ignore us
Deaf to desperate and violent pleading
So that we may hear only what no men live to hear

But survive the wretched rocks.

The sun cycles.
The earth turns and moves around it.
We grow older and supposedly wiser
And yet not really.
The drum beckons.
Night comes
As we turn to the darkness of space
And our blood drives us mad
Pumping adrenaline, coaxing flight, fight and all manner of ardor
Out into the unknown.

The gift of lazy leisure

It seems I am always "easing back into
My kung fu.

But I would say what I like most about having done basics and then a form and the some freestyle followed by a little meinleu him Tai Chi, is that I feel like I'm done.

I mean u didn't really do much.
I could do more. But since I went so long without practicing everyday necessarily,
I have no desperate urge to do more.


In a way, practicing first thing in the morning gives me an excuse to be lazy, (and not to get sweaty later in the day.)

I used to ruin many dress clothes trying to fit in some training while my kids played in the playground.

But for now I'm good with the little bit that I did.

At least until this practice has become my normal standard for a month or so.

A strange relationship

I have recently called
in the night
desperate.

Haunted by thoughts of anger
On a night of a full moon
unable to sleep.

Speaking out loud
I was more clearly able to hear
The absurdity of it all.

"You are Sifu

You are so Centered

You are one of the strongest people I know"

But all of that
Can dissipate without
Maintenance and discipline.

"Don't you meditate and do Kung Fu?"

And I realized that I hadn't really been doing that.

I had been teaching yes.

And now even less so.

I had been staring at Lion Heads and drums
Which served no immediate purpose.
Their last battle having been a week or so ago.

Do I require so much that a week or so can feel like ages?

Yes.

Travelling around the city I am about to leave
Looking for and having little adventures
As I did before I started Kung Fu

Loneliness begins to seep in.

Nothing is more Lonely than exchanging looks and smiles with strangers and knowing
that it can go no further than that.

Maybe as much as a chess game.

But a conversation?

To be all by oneself,
while in a crowd of people...

It is okay when you are on stage,
or teaching,
but just watching?
It becomes too much.

This was how I was before Kung Fu I realize.

And so I began the long crawl back to constant practice.

Meditation

Basics

Forms....

Not a cathartic mess where I could injure myself.

But a little bit at at a time.

Not for a class or for anyone else.

But for myself.

My writing  and studies too

and hopefully soon, all of my actions.

Not for my kids

Not to "teach" them

But just to do it.

Do it first and then see what comes from there.

Ica

Sad shao

So apparently Noah is sad. At first we thought it might be bullying but Noah wouldn't talk about it. I realize that I am perhaps a strange parent because when I found out that Noah was not saying what happened my first reaction was to punish him and even interrogate him to find out what happened and plot revenge. But I cannot think of what upset him so much unless it is more than bulkyubg or... gambling. And talking to Grace she realuzed that he probably lost a good Pokemon card to a smaller child. Which is not the same as bullying. But it's the only thing I can think of that could give him nightmares and which he would not be forthcoming about.

Jury Duty

On Monday I was selected for Jury duty and participated as a juror in a two day trial, which ended today, Wednesday. I have a lot to say about it but I am still processing it. So I won't be sharing it just yet even though I am allowed to talk about it now. The truth is my conscious is bothering me. I set a man free who I believe to be guilty. At the same time I suppose would be bothered if the opposite was true.

Mostly it has highlighted the many problems with our entire system (not just the court system) as a whole. And the solution is actually something I would go back to from my College days when I studied criminal justice and took a class, "When Cultures Clash" which dealt with the intersection of Native American and Anglo law.

Not to say that all the tribes laws were the same or that they didn't also have to adapt to modern times. But the principal of finding a solution that mends the community makes more sense than over punishing or simply letting someone go free even when faced with a massive amount of evidence indicating guilt... but not going beyond a "reasonable" doubt.


Although jurists are not supposed to consider sentencing in that instance at all, the truth is that it was definitely a factor in the case even making it to trial in the first place.

We pride ourselves in having roots in the common law of Middle Aged England, and having updated our laws in the 80's before the internet was as developed as it now is. I suppose we can consider it a part of our history and culture.

But what I learned mostly is... never assume you have no chance, because I would have assumed this guy had no chance and in the end I voted Not Guilty, against my conscience. I can only hope that he does not go out and resume crime... and that he especially doesn't do so in Chinatown, which is not where the crime was committed but where he was picked up. And that he does not rob anyone Chinese indeed the person who was robbed or who had an incident happen to was not Chinese but was also a small business owner who had troubles with the English Language. The case became about putting HIM on trial.


I learned that truly there is nothing in our laws and court systems to prevent one from going around robbing people so long as those people are of a certain type. They must have problems with English, and they must be foreign. This is a rule that I have known since childhood, as my father and all of his friends were constantly robbed every time they visited us in the high rises in Castle Square.

I learned that the City has changed because in the past these cases would not even go to court.

I learned that the city has changed because its residents no longer all know the tricks of the trade of robbery. How to discard a knife, how to walk calmly after running briefly when encountering people, or how to size someone up in a glance and know how they would move and thus be able to identify them from a distance or on camera by those movements.


I suppose these are good things.


And indeed whoever did the robbing, showed restraint, as he did not kill the old man, as many many Chinese have been killed while being robbed in Chinatown and again whose cases never went to court.


Unless of course the cutting of pants was meant to be the old robbers trick of stabbing one in the inner thigh, which has major arteries but also in a court of law is difficult to prove intent to murder.

The worse Karma would be if I were robbed and stabbed by this man I had set free, but I was against 11 other jurors. And indeed I had doubts because the prosecution failed to show certain evidence that they had lost or simply forgotten to provide through proper questioning. (given the nature of the case, I would assume this was for practice and the ADAs were most likely extremely green.)

  The best case scenario is that the man has learned his lesson with this close shave with jail, and will instead.

I also learned that though I said that having worked for the DA's office I could still be impartial, if I was  defense attorney I would NEVER allow someone from the DA's office on the jury. It is not that that work clouds ones judgement. The problem is that between that, and my experience growing up in the projects and doing Crime Watch in Chinatown and teaching Kung Fu in the inner city where I make contacts with many people on both sides of the law, that I am able to see through bullshit.

But the defense still won.

My logic is that to call my doubts unreasonable while 11 others seem to think the doubts were reasonable is to say that 11 other seemingly reasonable people were anything but. I find more and more that my perspective is in the minority. I was surprised because I was sure I was going to be the only juror who had doubts at all...


Mostly I realize that it is really not the law that governs what people do. If one were to take a knife and rob people who did not have a strong command over the English language, one can do so with impunity. You will not get caught, and if you do, you will not get convicted, no matter what type of evidence there is.

There is also simply no point in even bothering to call the police unless someone dies.

The most well meaning police really can do nothing to help you. They cannot prevent the crime, and upon catching the perpetrators, they will b unable to prove anything or the prosecutors will inevitably mess up a little which to jurors used to television will seem so incredibly unprofessional that they will acquit.

And yes I was part of that today even though I know better.

But sure I was relying on the testimony of the victim. And my doubts.... expanded to be just reasonable enough when seeing that eleven other jurors seemed to be so filled with doubt.

I think it will be difficult to sleep tonight, in fact I see that I have already been writing into the next morning.

I hope this guy takes his second chance and use it for good. That is the only thing that will enable me to sleep.