A Tribute To Diversity - Dr Martin Luther King Day

Today is Dr Martin Luther King day here in the USA. It's a day to remember the greatness of the man, the courage he showed, and his message that all people, all races and religious beliefs, could live together in harmony, helping each other to greatness. The dream hasn't been fully realized yet, but it's come a long way since the day he died in 1968. 

Dr Martin Luther King, photographed on his 
balcony shortly before he was shot, was a strong 
voice for equality. Although James Earl Ray was 
arrested and convicted of his death, I doubt it 
was that cut and dried. For more information on 
a possible conspiracy in government, check 
out this link. 
https://www.history.com/news/who-killed-martin-luther-king-james-earl-ray-mlk-assassination

I was in my teenage years when Dr King was preaching, I remember clearly when he was assassinated and the fear prevalent that cities would go up in flame. That they didn't was testament to his words - he would not have supported the destruction of everything he was working toward - harmony and equality. Have we achieved it yet, some 54 years later? I'm ashamed to admit that we haven't. Cities are still divided. People of color are still segregated into pockets in every city. Are there exceptions? Absolutely. It's not quite as bad as it was in the 70's when a black person moving into a suburban neighborhood would immediately see "For Sale" signs on properties in the immediate area. 

In those days, throughout the nation, suburbia was a 
white enclave which, although it didn't have physical 
walls, was still determined to keep people of color 
out. Unfortunately, it hasn't changed as much as I 
wish. Suburbia is more integrated now, but the suburbs 
are still heavily white in population. 

But it's not good yet. There is more understanding and more integration. There is less use of side glances just because of skin color. But despite the fact that there is less, it is still there. So have we learned anything at all? 

When I look at a photo like this, I see a lot of very 
beautiful women. I'm not picking and choosing because 
of their skin tone. Other people, unfortunately, will 
do that, though. They will pick and choose between these 
lovely women, and some of what they choose will 
be based on the color of the model's skin. 

Our hope lies with the younger generation - that they can, and often do, look at skin tones as just one more aspect of beauty for any person. They aren't perfect either - there were plenty of young people storming the Capitol building in the January 6th riots. Most, if not all, of them were not people of color. Maybe those people of color who watched on their computers and TV's like the rest of us were much wiser than the rioters. It's to be hoped that they keep that wisdom during the next few elections when "The Donald" will probably hope to run for Presidential office one more time. 

I remember when Dr King spoke these words in 
Washington DC. They still resonate today, more 
than 50 years later. We haven't achieved this dream 
yet, but most not stop working towards making 
it a reality for everyone in this nation. 

On that rather depressing note, I apologize. I rarely speak politics, and humbly beg your pardon. But Dr King had a dream, and I share that dream. I'm seeing small sparkles in the darkness, but I do think that more must be accomplished before that dream becomes reality. Try to further that dream as you interact with others today. Equality, justice, and over all ... love and acceptance. Peace, I'll be back tomorrow. 

Fashion and Gender Stereotypes

I'm at a loss today. I wanted to share fashion from NY Fashion Week, but ick! Lots of really unwearable styles that only a Kardashian could or would wear, street slouch without much appeal, and it seems that the bra has become the new everyday top. Well, maybe in New York if you're very skinny and under 25, but not here in the Midwest when you're fighting to keep a reasonable weight and are over 60. Bah humbug! I want someone out there who will design for a real person - the working girl of 30-50 years of age, the overweight person who can't find fashion anywhere, or the girl who doesn't go clubbing the moment she steps out of her job in the Financial District. Who buys these fashions anyway?

Here are some selections from Alexander Wang. Note - if you're not less than
115 pounds and under thirty years of age, you won't look good in these! 

Women get down and dirty. They're cops, cowboys and firefighters. They're all of those jobs that were usually illustrated by males in the storybooks I read as a child. Sure, women are nurses, teachers and mothers. But they're also garbage haulers, miners, and astronauts. I can't think of many, if any, jobs that are traditionally performed by men that cannot and are not also being worked by women.

Blend these together and you have a real person of any sex. All people can
be hurt emotionally, can weep in grief, can be analytical and can be nurturing. 

Fortunately there's cross-over the other way too. There are Mannies, not jut Nannies. There are male bank tellers, food waiters, teachers, nurses and receptionists. Motherhood isn't restricted to women; although men haven't managed to actually give birth, motherhood or the act of mothering is an important aspect of parenthood. Those sexual stereotypical lines drawn in the sand when I was a child have blurred and are disappearing. Thank goodness!

Gender stereotypical advertising like this was common when I was
growing up. Women were at home (although some had outside jobs) and
they were also responsible for all of the housework and child-rearing. 

There are still geographical or religious pockets where men's jobs are men's and women's jobs are women's, even in this country of job equality. Those barriers are breaking down and crumbling more and more every day. Still, although I want job equality, I also know that men are usually stronger, often taller, and also often faster than women in many situations. So, if given my choice, and while I'll still envy the ease with which the guys swim in the lane next to me, I'll be happy to have more males than females in the fire department and police department, and I'll leave most of the armed forces in active combat positions to men. However, I want to see women in all of those positions too.

Do I really care about who is wearing the uniform? Hell no! I want someone
wearing it who can perform the job. Man or woman - no difference. If my house
is on fire, I want someone putting that fire out who knows how to do it best. 

So here's to sexual diversity - male, female, and the many stages in between the extremes and stereotypes. Let's celebrate our differences and emphasize our similarities. Let's admit that we're all people who deserve equal respect and opportunity.

Face Off is on tonight, so I'm a happy person. Have a wonderful Tuesday, and remember to spread some kindness today.