Category Archives: usa

Jan20

“what’s going on” – on mlk day.

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Gem/Redfern – Getty Images

January 20, 1971

Marvin Gaye releases hit single, “What’s Going On.”

In early 1971, on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement and in the midst of the Vietnam War, soul singer Marvin Gaye first crooned the words “Mother, mother, there’s far too many of you crying / Brother, brother, brother, there’s far too many of you dying” — heartbreaking lines that would resonate with millions of listeners, then and now. ​ The powerful protest ballad “What’s Going On” skyrocketed to No. 2 on the Billboard charts, the first tune of Gaye’s to overtly tackle political themes and a far cry from his earlier love songs. Produced by the singer himself, the track paved the way for other Motown artists to claim more agency in their careers and helped reinforce the genre’s potential to be a mouthpiece for social justice issues. Listen to the song and learn more about its making.​

January  1960 – Washington D.C., U.S. – Reverend MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. preaching at an event; Photo © Keystone/Zuma

 

Aug6

primary reason.

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today i’ll be working at the polls for our primary

please make sure to vote

with your heart and your mind

if you haven’t already

it can make all the difference

primaries matter.

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‘nobody will ever deprive the american people of the right to vote except the american people themselves

and the only way they could do that is by not voting.’

-franklin d. roosevelt

 

 

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art credit: shepard fairey

 

Jun19

on juneteenth.

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“to deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”

-nelson mandela

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image credit: princeton university, african american studies

Jul14

the french connection.

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Washington and Lafayette at Mt. Vernon

 

In honor of the anniversary of Bastille Day-

 The Marquis de Lafayette, 19, arrived in the new world to join America’s revolutionary cause in 1777. Right off the bat, he made a powerful friend: George Washington instantly took a liking to the Frenchman and within a month, Lafayette had effectively become the general’s adopted son. Their affection was mutual; when the younger man had a son of his own in 1779, he named him Georges Washington de Lafayette.

The day after the storming of the Bastille, the Marquis de Lafayette became the commander of the Paris National Guard. In the aftermath of the Bastille siege, he was given the key to the building. As a thank-you—and to symbolize the new revolution—Lafayette sent it to Washington’s Mount Vernon home, where the relic still resides today.

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“Rien.”

(nothing)

-Diary entry of Louis XVI on Bastille Day

 

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Bonne fête nationale! 

 

 

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Source credits: Mark Mancini, Mental Floss, Google Images

Jan6

january 6th remembered.

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memorial at u.s. capitol 

 

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“great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”

-albert einstein

 

 

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photo credit: reuters, carlos barria

Jul28

“there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – maya angelou

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dried human tears (Smithsonianmag.com)

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watching the january 6th capitol hill hearing

 the most compelling, wrenching, and heartfelt testimony

i have ever witnessed

 raw pain

anger

hurt

 disappointment

honesty

trauma

bravery

humanity

shock

duty

courage

heroism

scars

strength

loyalty

overwhelming emotions

unanswered questions

not one person immune from tears

i could not take my eyes off of them

and I am forever changed

 questions must be answered and justice served

never to happen again.

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“that’s the thing about pain, it demands to be felt.” – john green

Sep30

’tis the season.

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 turned in my ballot 

watched the first debate

went to sleep hopeful

’tis the season of change

i feel it in the air. 

 

 

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“you are not just for the right or left, but for what is right over the wrong.”

– suzy kassem, the writings of suzy kassem

Aug21

aloha.

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herbert smith lived in hawaii in the 1890s

120+ years ago he took pictures of this bay surrounded by palm trees and small shipping huts

here is the bay many years later

–

on this date in 1959, hawaii became a state

i have yet to visit

but plan to spend time

in a hut

under a palm tree

in hawaii

on a bay

one day.

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“coming to Hawaii is like going from black and white to color.”
-john richard stephens

 

 

 

 

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Image credits: Bonhams/BNPS, IPTCDaily Mail, Matt Hunter, Herbert Smith

Aug28

what is a hero?

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President Richard M. Nixon honors John McCain at the State Department

after McCain was released by the North Vietnamese in 1973

after more than five years as a prisoner of war.

(U.S. Navy)

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RIP Senator John McCain

a maverick in the truest sense of the word

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“I’ve tried to serve our country honorably. I’ve made mistakes, but I hope my love for America will be weighed favorably against them. I’ve often observed that I am the luckiest person on Earth. I feel that way even now, as I prepare for the end of my life. I’ve loved my life, all of it. I’ve had experiences, adventures, friendships, enough for 10 satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life in good or bad times for the best day of anybody else’s.”

-John McCain – from a letter he left to be read upon his death

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“a hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom.” bob dylan

 

 

 

 

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image credit: washington post

Aug7

voice.

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your vote is your voice.