I listened in disbelief as President Biden spoke about Emmett Till. Till was a 12 year old black kid, he was accused of whistling at a white woman. Emmett was tortured, maimed, and murdered for the alleged transgression. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley insisted the casket be open at the funeral, “let the people see what I have seen”. The brutality of this act and others like it over our past should not be forgotten or rewritten by those who fear the truth. There is no place in our country for hate, violence, and racism. Ida B.Wells a former sharecropper became a prominent investigative black journalist and founder of the NAACP, she wrote, “The way to right wrongs is to shed the light of truth on them.” History should not be erased but it is a way for us to learn what we should know. Biden expressed optimism that progress can continue in our efforts to build a more perfect union. He also admonished each of us to speak up, “silence is complicity.”
George Orwell, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein made history with their thoughts, actions, and leadership. In his book, 1984, Orwell raises the idea that “history is mutable or changeable, that truth is what the Party deems it to be, and that the truths found in history are the principles of the future.” In the preface to Animal Farm, Orwell says “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” It is very interesting as he described the true division not between conservatives and revolutionaries but between authoritarians and libertarians. This seems to pretty well sum up the current state of the state in our country.
In WWII, Churchill said, “in wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies.” In the same era, Einstein believed “Unthinking respect for authority, is the greatest enemy of truth.” “Truth is revealed when authority is questioned.” I am uncertain if our twice impeached, often indicted, 45th President can recall what is true and what he made up. I am delighted to see him get his day in multiple courts. Not everyone has said it but they should, this despicable person cannot hold elected office ever again.
There is often a Jeopardy category titled Portmanteau. The definition is two fold; a large trunk or suitcase that opens into two equal parts or a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others. Brunch is breakfast and lunch. I tell you this so I can update the list with -phubbing, a portmanteau of phone and snubbing. The New York Times Article goes on discuss the potential feelings of distrust and ostracism. If your spouse is guilty you may choose to follow suit, starting a ripple effect of annoyance. Can you think of anyone who always has their phone close or in hand or goes to the screen constantly. Indeed, too many of us are guilty. Give your friends a break-no phubbing.
Enjoy a beautiful summer week end. Mike