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Greeting, hello fam, friends, allies and kin, Whew, July is almost over. It’s been quite a month. As we were careening into July the entire community was greeted a loosely knotted noose on 07/04 and our community; that is the entire Santa Cruz community, lost a beautiful brother, a photographer, Rick Bell. TRIBUTE:I first met Rick at the MAH at an art mixer event in June of 2022. Rick was in the audience and was asking questions. He identified himself as a photojournalist. He had quite a presence. The next time I saw Rick was at a Black History month at an art installation at Barrios Unidos this past February. On this occasion I spoke with him at length. I was drawn to his photographs and wanted to engage. He was easy to talk with. And from that moment on I kept bumping into this man, on the street riding a bike, enjoying an art exhibit or someplace where there were lots of people gathering. The very last time I saw Rick was at Santa Cruz Black’s June 20th Black Neighborhood Game Night. He came ready to sing karaoke. I learned that performing was a passion of his. It was clear to me that he felt very comfortable on the stage. When Rick left that evening, he asked if this was a weekly event. And then he requested that we present a game night/karaoke monthly, because he’d grace with his presence. So, we did except this time Rick wasn’t there, here on this plane of existence. When people leave this earthly plane of existence in an untimely fashion either due to health reasons or some accident, as was the case for Rick, I often think of a book I read back in high school, The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder. I was struck by this one quote which at one time I had written down. Of course, I had to do a quick google search until I could find the quote. I think this quote fits the loss of Rick Bell, judging from the words shared by those who knew him and shared with heartfelt sentiments. The bridge is a form of connection and a metaphor for love. “[S]oon we shall die and all memory of those five will have left the earth, and we ourselves shall be loved for a while and forgotten. But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love return to the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning.” May your soul be at peace, rest well, Mr. Rick Bell, Sir. The bridge is a form of connection and a metaphor for love. “[S]oon we shall die and all memory of those five will have left the earth, and we ourselves shall be loved for a while and forgotten. But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love return to the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning.” May your soul be at peace, rest well, Mr. Rick Bell, Sir. FREEDOM TO LEARN/ BOOK BANNING, WHAT’S THE WEATHER + MOM’S FOR LIBERTY – THEY DONE LOST THEY MINDSAnd that’s just in North America. Oh goodness, where are you? Let’s start with the great state of Florida and their Board of Education. As we are all aware by now, Florida has been making headlines for the past year after passing restrictive legislation against LGBTQIA+, women’s rights, and school curricula. And their latest attack is on what and how to teach about US foundational exploitative economic system also known as chattel slavery. Talk about changing the narrative or erasure or just plain makin’ up stuff. ‘Florida’s 2023 State Academic Standards for Social Studies outlines new changes (pdf link) in how slavery, the Holocaust, and other historical events will be taught.” Bear in mind that several of the material presented on that list is factual truth. However, what is offensive is this: “benchmark clarification” about how slaves “developed skills” which could be “applied for their personal benefit.” Aimed toward sixth through eighth graders, this new standard will now be included in the Social Studies African American curriculum in schools across the state. Vice President Kamala Harris stated it perfectly for me: “We who share a collective experience in knowing we must honor history in our duty in the context of legacy.” So much is going on as the nation gears up for this next election cycle. The dismantling of Affirmative Action, Double digit temperatures in the waters of Florida Texas deserves a mention as well. YES. Governor Greg Abbott of the unlawful-to-take-water-breaks legislation, during intense heat while working outside on construction sites or in agricultural fields is now placing floating buoys and barbed wire to demarcate a barrier between Texas and Mexico. And refuses to remove them even after being sued by the US DOJ.
Oh, my goodness, another pissing match. This time it’s the Feds vs. States. Will this craziness end? This is why voting, and dispensing public education that is factual and comprehensive is so important. It’s one of the peaceful effective methods to armor up for what’s coming next. Well, that’s my two cents. I have by no means exhausted suggestions, recommendations or advisements about how to do good. However, I do have to stop here for right now. Peace, power, and love, Cheryl M. Williams
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