****
Jacqueline OBoomer
Ieshia Evans on the Bayou
The ones who were afraid in Baton Rouge
Were the ones carrying the “red sticks”
Not the warrior queen who visited from the north
On behalf of her five-year old son
So she might invest in
His having a better life.
A better life
Than the sons of other mothers
She had gone there to mourn with
And stand proudly for.
She repelled the “red sticks”
Who were few in number
But seemed to grow into
A wall before her
As she stood her ground
Quietly in front of them.
She was a nurse who cared for others
Who said she was now “a vessel”
Doing God’s work.
The young queen arrived in regal garb
Regal in that it adorned her presence
Regal in that it could almost be said
To adorn ours.
She dressed for the moment
So that – standing in the hot sun
Of righteousness and pride –
She could feel as though
She were floating
In God’s air
In Baton Rouge.
The “red sticks” took her away
Took her away from her son
Took her away from her duties
Took her away from the cameras
And the tributes.
But the imprint she left
In the hearts and minds and souls
Of all of us
Remains
As though someone had gone out
And built a statue
Of a modern-day goddess
In every town in America.
The young queen
In the flowing garb
With diamonds in her closed eyes
With grief in her open heart
Sharing the secret:
How to be a woman
How to be a mother
How to be the vessel
How to show us the way
To Baton Rouge.
She stood silently on the gravel
She never spoke
But when we close our eyes
We can almost hear her say
“Ain’t I a woman?”
So that someday her son may say
“I am a man.”
****
The Obama Diary 
Awesome JO’B. Well done.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is an incredibly beautiful powerful poem, Jaqueline OBoomer! Please send it to President Obama at the White House!!
Jacqueline, sorry for misspelling your first name. Haste makes me careless. While I’m at it, Congratulations to Jackie for getting here first.
❤
❤️🌹❤️🌹❤️
❤
❤️ JO’B ❤️ 🙏🏻🖖🏻👏🏼👊🏻✊🏻
❤
Wow J’OB, that poem SOARS! I hope you send a copy to Ms. Evans. I’m sure she’d love it, as I do.
You have such a gift. Thank you for sharing it with us! 😘
❤
Disgusting.
Yet…he’s a Republican and votes for those that feel this is acceptable…
This really hurts, I feel for him because he is a black man. But I’ll be damned, he’s going to continue to vote in lockstep with a party that thinks shit like this is okay. I guarantee you that when this guy is alone with his thoughts in he middle of the night he feels a pain, a deep anger that says “I’m a fucking United States Senator and I have to put up with this shit.” Then he goes to sleep wakes up and goes down to the Capital and smile as if everything is okay. But deep down inside his soul is on fire.
Too bad tim that it’s your party that built this.
Beautiful Eartha Kitt…I love her…since the early Batman days…she fascinated me..or rather, mesmerized me:)
J’OB…my opinion, but I think that this is the best one yet…gifted one:)
❤
❤
Thank you, (((JO’B ))).
NerdyW for this and all other posts covering all time zones, all-the-time. So grateful for coverage of actual news and reflections on important events of the day (unlike MSM who appear to be enchanted by Pokémon Go, judging by my twitter feed).
Congrats, J4O on first place! Hope this summer hasn’t been too hot in AZ — aside from the heat wave we had for most of February and again the first week in June, we’ve had spectacular weather in SoCal (as you can see with @VP’s trip to San Diego… he’s on his way to LA now).
So grateful to Jonathan Bachman for his skill in capturing this iconic moment in such a spectacular fashion. Mentioned before that I love how Lesha’s dress is both form-fitting and flowing — if I were 15 years old, I’d want a dress like that NOW.
And the Louisiana State Police look ridiculous, in this Photo of the Year — wish it would get more MSM attention — deserted street, cops barely able to move because of the weapons of war on their backs — all that equipment to arrest a statuesque yet wisp of a woman.
Anyone whose eyes aren’t blinded by bigotry must think to themselves WTH???
Thank you.
I hope they do better with this “Disney Princess” than they did with the Black one. She spent most of the movie as a frog and her ball gown was the cast off dress of the white “friend” and her only aspiration was to own a New Orleans restaurant (still serving). That movie was a racist mess. They said that it had been pre-screened and approved, but I think the only Black person in that group was Whoopi (who despite the dreads and the look sometimes needs to have her lack care revoked; yeah, I said it).
Should be: “…have her Black card revoked.”
From MaddowBlog…
There’s more than one kind of gun death: “In the past three months, America experienced the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, with 49 people killed in Orlando, and new data showed that suicide rates have reached a three-decade high. Although mass shootings get most of the attention, experts say that the growing suicide rate reveals the much bigger effect of widespread firearm availability in the United States – and claim thousands more lives.”
The shear availability of guns makes this possible. This should never be acceptable. To anyone. Pro life, my ass.
Good evening TOD. After watching the Dallas video again today (and weeping throughout) I must admit I am ready to let PBO, Michelle, Joe and Jill go on to the next phases of their lives without sorrow. After watching again and paying more attention to all of them, the devastation exhibited by all four of these incredible people is heartbreaking. I haven’t seen Joe and Jill both look so defeated since Beau died last year. They both just look devastated. And Michelle just seems to be holding PBO up. I know he has a spine of steel but he too looks absolutely heartbroken. There is only so much grief these wonderful leaders can take on behalf of the American people without it breaking their souls, and I think they are at that point. I have no doubt that each of them will contribute for many years to come but they need time to heal. It has just been too much. Now I only pray that somehow we can get through the next 6 months without any further tragedies. I read yesterday that PBO wants to work on our nuclear arsenal in the last six months, and after this week on race I hope he can focus on that–anything that asks much less of him emotionally. They have given their all and it is time for them to find some peace and heal.
‘I am ready to let PBO, Michelle, Joe and Jill go on to the next phases of their lives without sorrow.’
I have been standing at this spot for a couple of years now, FirefTX, so it feels nice to have your company. Welcome!
In fact, for me it’s not only ‘without sorrow’, it’s with a sense that they’ve given enough and done so in the face of continued ungratefulness on the part of too many. These four outstanding and dedicated leaders have given their all, and then some! Their families have given as much! I totally agree that ‘It has just been too much’. Like you, I have no doubt that each of them will contribute for many years to come but they need time to heal’, time away from the 24/7 battle to recharge themselves, and honestly, though I love them all and contrary to popular opinion, I’ve been feeling that the change over can’t come too soon for me.
99ts replied to my response to Dudette on the previous thread… here’s more about this Trump-wannabe (UK dysfunction is almost as stunning and spectacular as the US’s this year, i.e., certifiably unhinged narcissist as leader of one of our major political parties):
BJ has a thread up with the suggested reaction from Scotland and Northern Ireland – this could split the UK as the referendum did not do.
https://www.balloon-juice.com/2016/07/13/open-thread-1937/
” I suggest Boris work on protocols for his first meeting with the ambassadors from Scotland and newly reunited Ireland.”
Britian has really f**ked itself; this could be us if we lie down and let Trump in and the repubs who are up for re-election stay in office. This year has been an awful one; each week some new fresh hell. Every sane person needs to do everything (that is lawful) that they can so that this person does not even come close to the White House. It is unbelievable that we have gone so far down the tubes.
GE CEB.
Agree with you this year has been awful. So many legends of our lifetime have passed this year, the number of people killed by guns every day (not just the “mass shootings” but so many children killed “accidentally” by guns.
And the GOP just dig in their heels and vow never to limit ammunition (like Joe Biden said yesterday, there is absolutely NO reason that armor-piercing bullets should be easily accessible to anyone who wants them) or assault rifles. These weapons of war are not used in bucolic hunting safaris, and should not be on our streets and in our homes.
Also drives me nuts that MSM basically #BlameObama for the numbers of deaths by guns (higher than any other President), but no push back or disclosure that the assault rifle ban expired on GWBush’s watch.
MSM is simply a salesman for disinformation and treat their audiences with disrespect by “reporting” this year’s election campaigns as another episode of Reality TV.
Wow! Wow! Wow!
Unbeatable!
Excellent Poem, J’OB!
Thanks for a new Post, NW.
Congrats, J4O on your Golden ⭐
BBL
Everything I wanted to say – so I endorse your comment. 🙂
looks like theresa is gonna be maggie 2.0. not the improved version, but the windows 7 version.
Fantastic poem Jacqeline!!! Thank you for ‘front paging’ it, NW.
In case any of you missed it …
Also, a minor point in the face of such gorgeous poetry – it’s Leshia not Lesha.
back to work ….
I think maybe it’s an “I” [‘eye’] not an “L” – as in eye-ee-shi-a??? Ieshia. Of course, I’m only speculating.
I think you are correct VC!!!
I hope so. 🙂 Like many here, I feel it would be good if Ms Evans could read JO’B’s poem in her honour so I directed the post to her via twitter (at the tweet address you shared, Sir Bobfr).
Do RT – Who knows, it may just catch her eyes, or the eyes of a friend.
I didn’t notice this before – thanks so much!
Beautiful poem, Jacqueline. I have been reading the posts backwards, trying to catch up on all the posts I missed the last couple of days.
Thanks so much, sugar. I’ve missed many posts – no matter how I try to catch up!
Jacqueline, my sister from another mother, you GET IT! Please copyright and publish — would love to gift your book to my family and friends!
Yes, J’OB! You REALLY MUST publish. Just do it!
❤
I ❤️ Pete!
A news agency linked to so-called Islamic State has confirmed the death of key leader Omar Shishani, who the US said it killed in March.
The Amaq news agency said Shishani was killed in combat in the town of Shirqat, south of Mosul in Iraq.
The Pentagon said in March he had died from injuries sustained in a US air strike in north-eastern Syria.
Shishani’s real name was Tarkhan Batirashvili but he was also known as Omar the Chechen.
The red-bearded jihadist was said to be a close military adviser to Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The confirmation came on the Amaq website, which IS regularly uses to issue news and which had denied the Pentagon’s claims in March.
Amaq said he died trying to repel forces campaigning to retake the city of Mosul.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36789635
J’OB what a masterpiece! Your talent should not be hidden,it needs to be shown to the universe.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
❤
Bee-yoouu-ti-ful, Ms O’Boomer, just beautiful and moving, as befitting Ms Evans proud stance! She is indeed showing us a way!
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Jacqueline O’, this made me gasp. Publish it, print it, share it far and wide! So good.
❤
Compile all your poems in a book I will buy it.
Don’t have food/drink in your mouth. Check out the new header:) Perfect:)
https://twitter.com/thebaxterbean
LOL!
🙂 crazy..probably true. I think that’s part of the reason he overcompensates:)
If ‘polls’ show donald dreck ‘catching up’, run harder to the polling booth in nov.
If ‘polls’ show hillary leading, run still harder to the polling booth in nov.
“In an exclusive video for Mic, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Common, Chris Rock, Taraji P. Henson and others describe the mundane actions that cost black Americans their lives. Watch below: Philando Castile was not a martyr. He was an ordinary 32-year-old black man who fed children for a living and hoped to make it home after work on Wednesday. He didn’t. That’s what I kept thinking last Thursday when I woke up and logged onto Facebook, where a Facebook Live video showing Castile dying in the driver’s seat of a car had started going viral. Castile was with his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, and her 4-year-old daughter when Minnesota police officers stopped them. According to Reynolds’ gripping, livestreamed account, Castile told the officer, later identified as Jeronimo Yanez, that he was a licensed gun owner and had a firearm in the car. Then Castile reached for his wallet. The officer — out of fear, confusion, nerves — pumped four shots into him. That’s when Reynolds’ began filming. Castile later died in the emergency room. What struck me most about Castile’s death was not the spectacle of it. It was not the bright red blood staining his white t-shirt. It was not Reynolds’ frantic shouting that Castile had done nothing wrong. It was not even Reynolds’ daughter sitting with her handcuffed mother in the back of a police car, assuring her that everything would be alright. What struck me was that this was just the beginning. Castile’s name would become a hashtag. His image would appear on posters. His story would be picked apart, his family paraded in front of cameras. His loved ones would be forced to make the case in public that Castile should not have been murdered. I decided to compile a list of all the seemingly mundane interactions with police that have led to high-profile black deaths….
1. Selling CDs outside of a supermarket.
2. Selling cigarettes outside of a corner store.
3. Walking home with a friend.
4. Missing a front license plate.
5. Wearing a hoodie.
6. Riding a commuter train.
7. Holding a fake gun in a park in Ohio.
8. Holding a fake gun in a Walmart in Ohio.
9. Holding a fake gun in Virginia.
10. Holding a fake gun in Washington, D.C.
11. Calling for help after a car accident.
12. Driving with a broken brake light.
13. Attending a Bible study class.
14. Failing to signal a lane change.
15. Walking away from police.
16. Walking toward police.
17. Running to the bathroom in your apartment.
18. Walking up the stairwell of your apartment building.
19. Sitting in your car before your bachelor party.
20. Holding your wallet.
21. Making eye contact.
22. Attending a birthday party.
23. Laughing.
… I did this to prove a point: There is a tax on black life in America, and we are better than thisOn Monday, Alicia Keys organized dozens of America’s highest profile black celebrities to make a powerful statement about black lives and to speak out against the unacceptable normalcy of police brutality. In an original video for Mic based on the piece, “23 Everyday Actions Punishable by Death if You’re Black in America,” Keys, along with Beyoncé, Rihanna, Common, Chris Rock, Taraji P. Henson and so many more each describe a mundane, everyday action that can get you killed if you happen to wake up black in America. Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar created a soundtrack for black liberation in our time. It’s beautiful. It’s powerful. It’s proof that the ordinary is not impossible. That our lives are worth celebrating. That our deaths are worth mourning. That we are better than our worst moments. It’s moving to see that celebrities have taken charge of telling this story. What we’re seeing now are black entertainers — singers, actors, athletes and artists who are deeply in tune with what’s happening in the United States — speaking out, taking action. Too often, the ordinary seems impossible for black folks in America. Violence follows everywhere — driving down the street, or selling CDs, or playing in a park, or sleeping on our grandmothers’ sofa. We become suspects in our own deaths, tried and executed by those sworn and paid to protect us. We must tell the world that our lives matter no matter how controversial that point has become.”
And in the case of Philando Castile…..
24. Having a “wide nose”.
I read somewhere yesterday that the term “Wide Nose” is what they use to describe a Black person. Something to do with fear of discrimination lawsuits. Makes sense.
POWERFUL!!!
Thank you so much LP for sharing this. After all that has happened during the Presidency of Barack Obama, I decided to go back and re -read Professor Derrick Bell’s magnificent book, “FACES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WELL:The Permanence of Racism.” This is a book is a must read for everyone who is interested in understanding the deptth, and the utter irrationality, of racism in the United States. In this epigram, which opens his book, Professor Bell captures both the reality and irrationality of American racism against Black people:
“Black people are the magical faces at the bottom of society’s well. Even the poorest whites, those who must live their lives only a few levels above, gain their self-esteem by gazing down on us. Surely they must know that their deliverance depends on letting down their ropes. Only by working together is escape possible. Over time, many reach out, but most simply watch, mesmerized into maintaining their unspoken commitment to keeping us where we are, at whatever cost to them or to us.”
If you got time, please read Derrick Bell’s book.
GE Dudette.
Awful anniversary of an unnecessary death (have posted here before that IMO the cop was expecting “favors” from Sandra Bland in exchange for not being arrested — idiotic reason for being pulled over, she was not a careless driver — why else would he say “you look agitated” when he first approached her — who ISN’T annoyed when they’re stopped by police, regardless of race [money out of your pocketbook or having to appear in court]).
Based on this tweet, sounds like HRC and Loretta Lynch will see #JusticeForSandra.
Bet not
THAT is going to be one of the ways the GOP shows its TRUE COLORS before the nation, during the convention …
… whereas, the only African Americans at their past conventions were on stage (other than a couple audience members – I used to count ’em during the wide camera angles).
Sam Jackson beginners guide to GoT
LMAO
DAMN
I often think what goes through the mind of brothers like this, does the satisfaction of reaching one of the highest offices in the land satiate the hunger of wanting to be thought of as just another Senator and not a black Senator? I wonder what goes through his mind in the middle of the night when he’s alone with his thoughts? Is he conscious of the fact that the Senator that occupies the office next to him will probably fight tooth and nail to stop any advancements for the depressed communities that dot this country? How do you look someone in the eye daily as they plot against the best interest of the people that look like you?
Here you go, Desertf. 🙂
GE VC.
Agree. One of the reasons I love all the states in the 4 corners region (New Mexico is my fav) is their jaw-dropping 360-degree sunsets. Beyond stunning, especially if you’re surrounded by saguaro (Tucson area) or the red cliffs of the Sedona area.
Though I love SoCal, it’s pretty much news when we have cloud formations — usually either cloudless or low cloud overhang (aka “marine layer”).
Really beautiful sunsets here…I have seen those cliffs myself:) Thanks!
Beautiful indeed (but still doubt I’m coming your way any time soon, Df)! It just sounds too, too red for the likes of me. 😀
If you change your mind, the door is open:)
TY, Df. 😀 😀 I will settle for enjoying the thought of an open door. I bet Amk wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that I’m a coward at heart! Plus I can’t swim. 😉
ATLANTA – CBS46 producer fired over racist rants about Black Lives Matter on Facebook
July 13, 2016
FTVLive earlier today posted three Facebook rants by an Emmy-winning CBS46 photographer/producer Charles Beau Menefee in which he insulted the Black Lives Matter movement, calling them “unevolved, uncivilized turds” and wondering if the protesters could be boxed in and bombed.
In fact, he wished death upon members of the group at least twice.
Mark Pimental, general manager at CBS46, said Menefee has been fired, sending me a note informing the staff of his departure with his employee photo included.
Adios to that fool!
Masterpiece J’OB
you speak to the heart of the matter…..Beautiful
❤
I’m proud of them. It touch my heart.
I remember something Chris Webber said a long time ago that stuck with me. In an interview he was asked about speaking at schools in the inner city. Chris said that in poor neighborhoods athletes are the ones to get asked to come and speak. But in rich neighborhoods doctors and lawyers and business people get asked to come and speak.
This is beautiful JO’B. Thank you.
❤
Beautiful poem, J’OB!
❤
uh huh
uh huh
……………………………..
A Propagator of Race Hatred and Violence
By JOSH MARSHALL
Published JULY 13, 2016, 2:26 PM EDT
…………
Trump claimed that people – “somebody” – called for a moment of silence for mass killer Micah Johnson, the now deceased mass shooter who killed five police officers in Dallas on Thursday night. There is no evidence this ever happened. Searches of the web and social media showed no evidence. Even Trump’s campaign co-chair said today that he can’t come up with any evidence that it happened. As in the case of the celebrations over the fall of the twin towers, even to say there’s ‘no evidence’ understates the matter. This didn’t happen. Trump made it up.
The language is important: “When somebody called for a moment of silence to this maniac that shot the five police, you just see what’s going on. It’s a very, very sad situation.”
Then later at the Indiana rally: “The other night you had 11 cities potentially in a blow-up stage. Marches all over the United States—and tough marches. Anger. Hatred. Hatred! Started by a maniac! And some people ask for a moment of silence for him. For the killer!”
A would-be strong man, an authoritarian personality, isn’t just against disorder and violence. They need disorder and violence. That is their raison d’etre, it is the problem that they are purportedly there to solve. The point bears repeating: authoritarian figures require violence and disorder. Look at the language. “11 cities potentially in a blow up stage” .. “Anger. Hatred. Hatred! Started by a maniac!” … “And some people ask for a moment of silence for him. For the killer…”
We’re used to so much nonsense and so many combustible tirades from Trump that we become partly inured to them. We also don’t slow down and look at precisely what he’s saying. What he’s saying here is that millions of African-Americans are on the streets inspired by and protesting on behalf of a mass murderer of white cops… This is not simply false. It is the kind of wild racist incitement that puts whole societies in danger…
GE rikyrah.
Another tweet on same subject, but viewable from cpan (think WaPo limits number of visits to their site):
I wonder why this guy Blocked me. Oh well. I was just going to RT his tweet.
A confirmation from the Senate? Wow!
Took them long enough,,,
JOB, as young folks used to say, “you got skills” ! A beautiful poem, beautiful tribute to her womanhood and strength.
❤
Sounds like a certainty…..
mmmm – I’m wondering which group are more likely to be arrested
Thanks for posting the picture of the Vermilion Cliffs. My husband and grandson are out in that area……on a 18 day trip. Four corners area either tomorrow or the next day. It’s been difficult to have much communication with them. Don’t have a signal much of the time. I know they plan on seeing the Cliffs.
Oh, my goodness, NW – just getting here tonight – thanks so much for sharing the poem. And thanks for the comments, O’friends!
Love all y’all!
🙂
{{{{{{{{{{ jacquelineoboomer }}}}}}}}}} 😘
Is it true that Oprah said that she and Stedman are getting married?
President Barack Obama speaks during a conversation on community policing and criminal justice.
Maybe the conversation on race this country has been dying and not dying to have begun the night Barack Obama was elected President of the United States of American on that cold November night in 2008. I personally believe that racial tensions that once lived just below the surface have come up for air for good, good or bad. Maybe everything that has happened this past week was a continuation of the conversation, maybe death is a part of the conversation. I think we are about to go deeper into the conversation on race than at any other time in the history of this country. Each of us will ultimately have to answer questions that we might not be comfortable answering, let alone talk about.
The changing demographics have played a huge part in the crazy paranoia of many white people. They are losing their long held power and privilege and they are freaking the hell out. Their answer is to stock up on guns and revive the “white pride” of white supremacist groups. They are angry and hostile and refuse to understand what POC in this country have endured for centuries. President Obama catalyzed that fear. Instead of seeing the brilliance of him and the many POC he’s appointed in his administration, they see only encroachment. They co-mingle all this with religion as if their God will guide them to retaliate. Elections heighten all this because it’s their old white racist Congressional guard that maintain their distorted foothold on the direction of our nation. It’s no accident the GOP has chosen the exact opposite of Barack Obama to be their standard bearer. Overtly racist, ignorant, crass and impulsive, he comforts and stokes their angst and sense of entitlement in direct opposition to the strong, steady, compassionate intelligence of POTUS, who infuriates them because he’s so super humanly able and accomplished. I fear it will get worse before it gets better. The next generation of kids are going to have to be ready.
What is even more appalling than trying to pass Donald Trump off as some sort of savior is that they actually tried to pass off Sarah Palin. A person devoid of even common sense, a person that couldn’t put two coherent sentences together to save her life. I will admit that Romney had some sense, his problem was that for whatever reason he couldn’t shake the Thurston Howell III persona. Now couple that with the fact that the last two most popular people running for the Presidency and Vice Presidency were so base, crude, vulgar, devoid of any sense of history and lacking the most common of manners. It is plane to see that they are willing to destroy America to somehow save America.
Excellent, meta !
Here’s a more succinct and better piece that gets to what I’m trying to say:
This is beautiful, JO’B, thank you so much. And thanks to Nerdy for all the great posts, and love & hugs to our Ms Chips!
❤
Outstanding news!
Okay, guys, for fun I sprinkled some ❤ ❤ ❤ around this post – they're figurative rose petals over your heads.
And, no, I haven't had too much wine!!!!!
You’re a treat, Booms!!
The pastry goddess calls me a treat? I’m good. ❤
HHhahahaaa!!
#PoetryMagic J’OB you have a gift.Thank you
❤
New post.
https://theobamadiary.com/2016/07/13/the-presidents-day-104/
JB, finally catching up, not quite yet, probably get behind on reading posts in the next second! Yep, just kidding myself! 🙂 I absolutely love your poem. You captured her stance, her meaning. Hope you don’t mind that I shared it. Especially w/ my son, since he loves to write, & so enjoys reading, loving a beautiful turn of phrase. As I so do. Your poem gave me a sense of pride, peace, and it will be ok. Soon. xox