Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Semi-Open Thread: Balancing Smiles and Cries About the Events in Ferguson and Michael Brown by Watching Baby Groot Dance in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'


The events in Ferguson, Missouri are critically important. While we reflect on them, it is also essential to maintain a balance between our smiles and cries.

As such, I will continue to post essays and comments on the murder of Michael Brown by the thug police in Ferguson.

Why?

Something is happening there which is connected to the angst and rage felt and experienced by the young, the Other, and the subaltern around the world. Moreover, I love it when American Exceptionalism is forced to confront how unexceptional it really is because that experience, if channeled properly, can make the United States a better place.

I will be recharging myself this weekend at Chicago's Comic Con. I am able to take that medicinal and sanatorium-like holiday because of the kindness and generosity of the friends of WARN. You have my back whenever I extend my hand; you help to push the sails on this ship forward. I will be going to Comic Con in good style, and not in the cheap seats, because of your positive energy. I thank you very, very, much. 

As promised, I will keep you all informed about my adventure.

Baby Groot, a character in the great movie Guardians of the Galaxy, makes me happy. Groot fills me with smiles. He is my happy pill in the summer of Eric Garner and Michael Brown.

What are you doing to keep yourself balanced and happy? 

The culture of cruelty exhausts those who oppose it. Your and our greatest defense against it, is to maintain a balanced, happy, positive, and focused state of mind in the face of wickedness. 

White supremacy wants to exhaust black and brown folks--and those white folks who have decided to stand with us against it. 

Your positivity and sanity are a direct blow against white supremacy. We are not crazy. It is they who are deranged.

Do treat this as a semi-open thread in which to share information about the events in Ferguson, Missouri relative to the killing of Michael Brown by a cowardly thug police officer. I have one caveat: if you share a news item or other bit of information that is of public concern relative to the events in Ferguson, I also request that you tell us how you are staying positive, happy, and wise in these times.

Smiles and cries folks. Smiles and cries. 


Do please balance them. 

19 comments:

OldPolarBear said...

One thing that has cheered me up and made me smile right now, this minute as I read it, is this post that you are going to ComicCon! I'm not quite sure that I altogether "get" these events, but they sound like fun. A coworker is going with her daughter. I was poking around the website and noticed that there will be one in our city next year an I emailed her about it. She said her daughter had emailed her from work the second the announcement had come out and they are looking forward to not having to travel out of town to get there.

Are you going in costume/character of some kind? Also, I am wondering, is there ever any Babylon 5 things/people there? Or is that too old?

chauncey devega said...

Babylon 5 is a great show. There are folks in all manner of costumes. I am sure a Narn or Vorlon will show up. You should definitely go when it is in your neck of the woods.

KissedByTheSun said...

Baking peanut butter cookies for my little girls.
Anticipating littlebigplanet 3 for ps3. I don't think I'll ever get a ps4. Lbp3 may just be my swan song for hardcore gaming.
MST3K! You don't know what laughing is until you've watched Prince of Space.
Faith that God will right all wrongs.
Watching "Ninja Rap" on YouTube because I love seeing turtles slammin and jammin to the new swing sound. Also I refuse to believe I was that stupid as a kid as to think "Ninja rap" was quality entertainment.

chauncey devega said...

You can't go wrong w. Ninja Rap. To top it off you should take out Battle Frogs for the old snes or play it online. Now that is happiness!

The Sanity Inspector said...

There is still no further mention of Officer Wilson's "orbital blowout" other than on the conservative blogs. Seems like the PD would have gotten this information out in a hurry, complete with hospital photos, if it's true. But, they've bungled so much else of this incident I suppose it's not surprising.

KB723 said...

Wish her a happy b-day and I hope you folks have a memorable time... =)

kokanee said...

Thanks KB. Did I ever tell you that 723 are the first numbers in my Canadian social insurance number? (Eq. of US SS#)

chauncey devega said...

Orbital blowout, as in the door hit his face, or he shot the victim and the gun hit him in the face. Even assuming the worst, that Brown hit him in the face, you don't later then get to shoot dead a person surrendering because you are pissed, humiliated, or suffering from 'roid rage or some other drugs. This whole thing stinks to high heaven.


What do you think transpired that day?

chauncey devega said...

You sound like a great dad! We need more folks you like. I love lemon pound cake. Was it homemade or bought? Any recipes to share?

Myshkin the Idiot said...

I was wondering if you could elaborate on "anti-racist Schadenfreude." I've looked the term up and I know it refers to deriving some sense of pleasure out of others' pain.


Specifically, there's an article by the Onion circulating called "Tips for Being an Unarmed Black Teen." To me this seems to be getting a little bit of a jolly out of racism in America.

Myshkin the Idiot said...

I have seen one video of one person throwing what looks like a molotov. It was in a New York Times video clip.

One.

http://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000003055806/standoff-with-police-in-ferguson.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

kokanee said...

Some cakes should be made with the mix. This is one of them. The recipe's on the box:
1 package Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake Mix
1 package instant lemon pudding
1/3 cup oil
1 cup water
4 eggs

Baking Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Blend ingredients in large mixer bowl.
Beat 2 minutes at medium speed.
Turn into greased 10-inch tube pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 55 minutes or till golden brown.
Cool 25 minutes. Then remove from pan.
Glaze: Blend 1 cup confectioner's sugar with 2 Tbsp. lemon juice. Drizzle over cake.

Enjoy!

Sources: http://www.duncanhines.com/recipes/cakes/LeahNY/lemon-supreme-pound-cake/ http://www.duncanhines.com/recipes/cakes/Duncan%20Hines®/lemon-pound-cake/

DanF said...

Sounds like a great day kokanee! I know we take-in so much joy in raising our daughters - from the celebrations, to the little things that happen each day. Hopefully we are raising bright lights that will make the world a little safer and kinder.

Wild Cat said...

He's a useful idiot for the right. And he knows who is paying his salary.

Courtney H. said...

I am glad that your daughter had a happy birthday! And you made the cake! That is so cool!

KB723 said...

Nope you never told me that, nor did I guess it.... =)

skilletblonde said...

Thanks Myshkin.

chauncey devega said...

Funny how a bunch of incompetents can't even orchestrate a proper cover-up isn't it?

Human Relations 1932 said...

For me this has become the Summer of Disgust.

Disgust with a substantial portion of US citizens (those raising money for this Wilson creep, those defending the police regardless of how brutal they behave,) disgust with the lies and corruption of government institutions, with Gaza and Ukraine, with the ongoing assault on the natural world.

I wonder just how low this society can sink into the pit of utter wrongness.

Meanwhile, I clean the house, work in the yard, take care of my wife and the cat, read some good books, listen to some good music to temper the despair.

I wish that I had the physical and financial resources to do more than that. Unfortunately, at a younger age I didn't play the cards I was dealt in life very well, and so my means are limited today.

Thank you, Sir, for your writing on Ferguson and all the rest. It's very much appreciated.