RIP George Floyd

 "Millions have seen how you were killed by the reckless police action in Minneapolis and have protested your death throughout this country and around the world. You suffered greatly, your family suffered and untold thousands have suffered greatly. Your brother has stood up and represented you, the family, community and world well. I am touched by the Peaceful protesters and dismayed at the Anarchists. We all seek justice for your family and they are all in my prayers. May you rest in Peace, You are on the hearts of millions of people.” Gary native Bill Pelke, founder of Journey of Hope . . .From Violence to healing

 Bill Pelke

William Jackson speaks at Portage demonstration

A peaceful vigil in remembrance of George Floyd took place in Portage, Indiana. Hundreds participated.  Clergymen spoke and the Portage police cooperated, closing off a main thoroughfare and interacting with people in the crowd.  Meanwhile, our unhinged president threatened to call out the army and blamed disturbances on radical elements and overly timid local and state officials. After peaceful protestors were attacked with tear gas and rubber bullets, he strode to nearby St. John’s church and posed with a Bible in his hand.  Hoping like Richard Nixon in 1968 to benefit from the chaos, Trump proclaimed himself to be the “Law ‘n’ Order” president.  Shameful and beyond disgusting. Janet Bayer wrote: “Jesus would have been among those trampled by horses, stung by the gases released and wounded by the "rubber" bullets to make way for a false god to make his way to a Church Bible upside down and no minister to greet him.”  Reverend Mariann Budde said: 

   The President just used a Bible and one of the churches of my diocese as a backdrop for a message antithetical to the teachings of Jesus and everything that our church stands for. To do so, he sanctioned the use of tear gas by police officers in riot gear to clear the church yard.

    I am outraged.  The President did not pray when he came to St. John’s; nor did he acknowledge the agony and sacred worth of people of color in our nation who rightfully demand an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our country.

    The President did not pray when he came to St. John’s; nor did he acknowledge the agony and sacred worth of people of color in our nation who rightfully demand an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our country.The President did not pray when he came to St. John’s; nor did he acknowledge the agony and sacred worth of people of color in our nation who rightfully demand an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our country.

    We in the Diocese of Washington follow Jesus in His Way of Love.  We aspire to be people of peace and advocates of justice. In no way do we support the President’s incendiary response to a wounded, grieving nation.  In faithfulness to our savior who led a life of non-violence and sacrificial love, we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others through the sacred act of peaceful protest. 

We in the Diocese of Washington follow Jesus in His Way of Love. We aspire to be people of peace and advocates of justice. In no way do we support the President’s incendiary response to a wounded, grieving nation. In faithfulness to our Savior who lived a life of non-violence and sacrificial love, we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others through the sacred act of peaceful protest.

The President did not pray when he came to St. John’s; nor did he acknowledge the agony and sacred worth of people of color in our nation who rightfully demand an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our country.

We in the Diocese of Washington follow Jesus in His Way of Love. We aspire to be people of peace and advocates of justice. In no way do we support the President’s incendiary response to a wounded, grieving nation. In faithfulness to our Savior who lived a life of non-violence and sacrificial love, we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others through the sacred act of peaceful protest.

The President did not pray when he came to St. John’s; nor did he acknowledge the agony and sacred worth of people of color in our nation who rightfully demand an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our country.

We in the Diocese of Washington follow Jesus in His Way of Love. We aspire to be people of peace and advocates of justice. In no way do we support the President’s incendiary response to a wounded, grieving nation. In faithfulness to our Savior who lived a life of non-violence and sacrificial love, we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others through the sacred act of peaceful protest.

The President did not pray when he came to St. John’s; nor did he acknowledge the agony and sacred worth of people of color in our nation who rightfully demand an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our country.

We in the Diocese of Washington follow Jesus in His Way of Love. We aspire to be people of peace and advocates of justice. In no way do we support the President’s incendiary response to a wounded, grieving nation. In faithfulness to our Savior who lived a life of non-violence and sacrificial love, we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others through the sacred act of peaceful protest.

The President did not pray when he came to St. John’s; nor did he acknowledge the agony and sacred worth of people of color in our nation who rightfully demand an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our country.

We in the Diocese of Washington follow Jesus in His Way of Love. We aspire to be people of peace and advocates of justice. In no way do we support the President’s incendiary response to a wounded, grieving nation. In faithfulness to our Savior who lived a life of non-violence and sacrificial love, we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others through the sacred act of peaceful protest.

The President did not pray when he came to St. John’s; nor did he acknowledge the agony and sacred worth of people of color in our nation who rightfully demand an end to 400 years of systemic racism and white supremacy in our country.

We in the Diocese of Washington follow Jesus in His Way of Love. We aspire to be people of peace and advocates of justice. In no way do we support the President’s incendiary response to a wounded, grieving nation. In faithfulness to our Savior who lived a life of non-violence and sacrificial love, we align ourselves with those seeking justice for the death of George Floyd and countless others through the sacred act of peaceful protest.

Jim Madison posted an episode of “Uncle Dan’s Story Hour” on an Indianapolis PBS radio station of Will Higgins interviewing Dan Wakefield.  In the novel “Going All the Way” Wakefield wrote about two veterans returning from Korea who go on a road trip and visit Region strip clubs in Calumet City – I reprinted an excerpt in Steel Shavings magazine. 

An Indianapolis Shortridge graduate born in 1932, Wakefield once worked for the Grand Rapids Press and covered the 1954 trial of the two men who murdered 14-year-old Emmet Till for The Nation.  Rosa Parks, whose refusal to sit in the back of the bus ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott, claimed she was motivated in large part by the not guilty verdict in the Emmet Till case. In words that resonate in our own perilous time, Wakefield told Higgins, “Black people are a symbol to some who want to take out their frustrations.”  Now the tables are turned and, fairly or unfairly, police have become such a symbol to some oppressed people. Recalling his friendship with James Baldwin, he quoted words the black essayist wrote in “Notes of a Native Son”: “I want to be an honest man and a good writer.”  That’s my goal as well.

 

Chesterton Town Council member Bob Allison resigned after posting asinine statements on Facebook.  Chesterton Tribune correspondent Kevin Nevers wrote:

    The comments which Allison posted on Facebook, as protestors converged peacefully in Hammond to denounce police brutality and racism and in particular a police officer’s murder in Minneapolis of George Floyd: “Get the snowplows out!” followed by “Straight blade ‘em!”  Those comments provoked hundreds of shares and scores of outraged replies, and Allison subsequently apologized for them.  Allison texted his resignation, effective immediately, to a Chesterton Tribune reporter at 2:14 p.m. Sunday, seven minutes after Clerk-Treasurer Courtney Udvare released a statement from his colleagues on the Town Council urging him to resign.

One hopes that Bob Allison emerges from this a better person.  The following day he claimed to be praying for the family of George Floyd and his fellow citizens and for forgiveness from those hurt by his statements.  Let Allison’s subsequent actions be an opportunity for him to demonstrate his sincerity, and I, for one, will not judge his character solely by those stupid remarks.

Black Lives Matter

"We all need to learn.  We all need to listen.  We all need to be a part of the solution.  We can do it peacefully together.” Tony Dungy

 

Those who disparage the slogan “Black Lives Matter” and counter with the argument that “All Lives Matter” don’t comprehend the necessity of making dramatic the point that the toll of African-American victims of police violence - and murder even – has become totally unacceptable.  Of course, all lives matter but until these killings cease the message of “Black Lives Matter” needs to be heard loud and clear.  As veteran Post-Tribune reporter John Mutka has written, in America all citizens are supposed to be created equal, but “unfortunately some are created more equal than others, especially where civil rights are concerned.”

Denzel Smith

On Facebook son Dave performed the Buffalo Springfield protest song “For What It’s Worth,” written by Stephen Stills, and dedicated it to Denzel Smith, a thoughtful, intelligent East Chicago Central grad now attending Bethune-Cookman University who has been grievously affected by the murder in Minneapolis of “gentle giant” George Floyd.  Calling Denzel a “brother from a different mother,” Dave introduced the song with these words: “It’s time to love each other, it’s time to listen to each other.  I stand with the young people in the streets.  Denzel Smith, I love you.”  “For What It’s Worth” begins with the line, “There’s something happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear.” Another couplet goes, “A thousand people in the street, singing songs and carrying signs.”  And this verse:

There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
Young people speaking their minds
Getting so much resistance from behind

 

Granddaughter Alissa called, conflicted about attending a peaceful rally in Grand Rapids scheduled to begin at 7 P.M.  In Valparaiso an 11 A.M. rally went peacefully, but both Toni and I counseled against being part of something at near dusk, when agitators on both the right and left were likely to foment trouble.  We called a few hours later and, finding nobody at home, left a message hoping to hear from her.  She called soon afterwards, having venture downtown with Josh and witnessed the rally from a distance. Next day, we learned that the protest had turned ugly with looting and the torching of police vehicles.  We were happy she was not caught up in it. Alissa posted this message:

    Don't be silent about the murder of George Floyd (and countless other black/brown people) and outraged at property damage. Be outraged at a justice system that has failed so many times that it makes people feel like rioting is the only choice. Be outraged at the silence from so many who should use their privilege for good.  I was proud to stand in solidarity with my city yesterday (from a social distance) and inspired to see all the protests around the country. Please everyone be safe (COVID is still here) and we need each other more than ever. Also, don't let the news coverage on the damage distract you - yesterday was a 99.9% peaceful gathering of people coming out in solidarity

After a couple days of uncertainty, authorities in Minneapolis and elsewhere are cracking down on protests, which continue to take place all over the nation. Even so, in many communities, officers have taken a knee to show solidarity with those mourning Floyd’s unnecessary death.  Locally, peaceful vigil took place in several other locations, but demonstrations that continued into the evening hours sometimes got ugly.  In Hobart stores got looted at Southlake Mall and demonstrators surged onto Route 30, stopping traffic.

Southlake Mall photo by Marc Chase

 In Hammond, Indiana, county police were on hand to prevent protestors from blocking the Frank Borman expressway (80/94). Former IUN colleague Linda Anderson reported:

Since this morning things have been other-worldly here.  From my window I have watched as police showed up to block access from Illinois into Hammond. Lots of police cruisers! Then an hour later came the big yellow road building equipment to block the road, and shortly after, they began placing large concrete barricades across the road. Then, arrived the National Guard. I could whistle and get their attention if needed, but other than assuming my sleep tonight will be punctuated with more sirens and the flashing red and blue lights through my windows, right here things seem calm, with an occasional driver honking in annoyance when they discover their route is blocked. My kids have offered I can come stay with them, but actually I feel fine being here. This morning there was rioting and looting at a shopping mall near here in Illinois so this is our city's response. Yesterday, tear gas/pepper spray was directed at a peaceful protest march in town. Very disappointing. I am hoping things cool down but not optimistic. I am in support of the protests and speaking out. Yet, as every newscast reports this is a systemic problem that must be solved I hear no real solutions and with the pandemic, unemployment sky high and a political stage that presents as a nightmare, it is going to take more effort and listening than this country has ever had to collect. Sadly, I am not sure we are up to the task. Too many politicians, religious leaders and educators unfortunately must have majored in "talk".

Hammond photos by Kyle Telechan

Trump continues to tweet incendiary comments about shooting looters and unleashing vicious dogs on citizens.  While he claimed to have talked to George Floyd’s family, a brother said the President never let them get a word in, whereas Joe Biden’s call lasted more than 30 minutes and was a true interchange. Floyd had worked as a bouncer at a conga Latin club and several people described him as a “gentle giant.”  The owner of the store where Floyd bought a pack of cigarettes with a counterfeit bill, not on the premises at the time, told reporters that Floyd was a regular customer who was unfailingly friendly and never gave anyone a hard time.  Vice President Mike Pence claims to believe in peaceful protest, drawing this retort from Ayo Edebiri: “Remember, Pence, when Colin Kaepernick peacefully protested and you stood your ass up and walked out of the stadium?”  Many have pointed out this hypocrisy and compared the NFL quarterback subsequently blackballed by NFL owners taking a knee to the Minneapolis cop killing George Floyd with his.

 

Evan Davis toured his neighborhood in the Fort Wayne area with a “Black Lives Matter” sign and reported:

  The Maplecrest walk with my Black Lives Matter sign went well. A former newspaper colleague and I walked for about half an hour and got no responses on the first half, but several on the way back, when we were facing oncoming traffic more directly. We got what we interpreted as three or four friendly beeps, plus a plea for All Lives Matter, a muttered reference to bovine feces and a long, loud beep accompanied by the middle-finger salute. If I do this again, I need to make a sturdier sign, but, otherwise, I figure at least a hundred people got to see two somewhat elderly (masked) white folks walking for racial justice in the heart of St. Joe Township. I hope we gave them something to talk about. ... Meanwhile, I think a couple of my Aboite Township friends were doing a neighborhood walk near their home. I'm looking forward to their report.

 

Brittany Schoel filed this report from Flint, Michigan:

    We weren't sure what to expect. With everything we have been seeing on the news, it wasn't clear what would happen but as we were walking, it was beautiful to see people of every race, age, demographic come together and unite.

    When we reached the police station, the officers were lined up and everyone immediately took a knee.

    The Sheriff asked one question...

    “We are mad, too! What can we do?"

     And the crowd responded, "Join us.’”

 

WLS news team, Coleman on left

 We’ve had ideal weather over the weekend, sunny, low humidity, and in the low 70s – perfect for getting out of the house and joining a Black Lives Matter demonstration.  As legendary ABC Chicago meteorologist John Coleman would say, “Today was one of the ten best weather days of the year.” During the 1970s the Channel 7 news team of Fahey Flynn, John Drury, Joel Daly, and sportscaster Bill Frink (plus my favorite Mark Giangreco) was number one, even surpassed the Channel 2 team of Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson. They had so much rapport that some accuse them with popularizing a news "happy talk" format. After playing a major role in launching the Weather Channel, Coleman was chief meteorologist on ABC’s “Good Morning America” before ending his career at a San Diego station. Coleman is credited with creating the first chroma key weather map. He died in 2018 at age 83.

 

 Walt Whitman

Ray Boomhower passed on this advice from poet Walt Whitman:

  This is what you shall do; Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body.

The Prince

“There you see what it is to serve a prince!  We should be wary of their vacillations of temper.” George Cavendish to Thomas Cardinal Wolsey referring to King Henry VIII in Hilary Mantel, “Wolf Hall” (p.45)

 

Like King Henry VIII, would-be autocrat Trump is loyal to no one but himself and his immediate family but demands total obedience from others.  Still, he has no compunction about jettisoning them if expedient.  Who doubts that his lapdog vice president will be replaced if DT believed another running mate would help him be re-elected?  Ditto even his most obsequious cabinet members. “Prince” Donald Junior (whose half-brother, I kid you not, is named Baron) is his political hatchet man, spreading the most egregious lies and conspiracy theories about political rivals and critical commentators, while palpably unqualified son-in-law Jared Kushner is put in charge of a “shadow” coronavirus task force and the Mideast peace process. In “The Prince” Niccolo Machiavelli wrote that “the first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the people he has around him.”  By that standard our leader fails badly.

 

Machiavelli also said: “It is much safer to be feared than loved because ...love is preserved by the link of obligation which, owing to the baseness of men, is broken at every opportunity for their advantage; but fear preserves you by a dread of punishment which never fails.”  So far this tactic seems to have allowed Trump to stifle dissent within Republican ranks.  Senator Mitt Romney stands virtually alone in calling out Trump’s outrageous lies and attacks that harken back to the rancid days of Joe McCarthy. He deserves a "Profiles in Courage" award. This from Ray Boomhower: “I do not want to see the Republican party ride to political victory on the Four Horsemen of Calumny—fear, ignorance, bigotry and smear.” Margaret Chase Smith, who died on this day in 1995

 

George Floyd

Minneapolis is under the microscope since the killing of George Floyd at the hands of police, one of whom pinned the victim’s neck with his knee for nearly ten minutes while the handcuffed black man, allegedly suspected of cashing a counterfeit $20-bill, pleaded for his life and repeated, “I can’t breathe.”  As usual, Trump has weighed in, calling the mayor a radical leftist and unruly protestors thugs.  It is dismaying to see a small minority looting stores and setting fire to cars and buildings, but incendiary rhetoric by the president is the last thing Minneapolis needs at this time.  I couldn’t help thinking of the late Twin City icon Prince’s song “Purple Rain” (“I know times are changing/ It’s time we all reached out”) and how his music championed the diversity of America.  To see his city in flames makes one weep.  Gary native Ben Clement wrote “Mourning Sickness” to express his grief:

Here we go again.

Waking to nightmares that aren’t dreams.

They’re real. Too real. Surreal.

You saw what I saw.

Not through lying eyes

But, dying eyes. His...dying...eyes.

And his final pleas, “Please!”

Your ears did not deceive. They didn’t lie.

You heard the man. Clearly.

Plaintiff wail. Begging. Pleading. Praying.

Unanswered prayers.

That’s what makes me sick.

The man cried for his mama!

Doesn’t that bother you?

Aren’t you bothered?

Aren’t you disturbed?

Aren’t you sick?

I am.

Every morning when I wake and George Floyd is still dead.

 Coincidentally, the Mayor of Gary is named Prince.  Born in 1964, Jerome Prince graduated from Lew Wallace in 1982 and enlisted in the marine corps.  After a career selling insurance and real estate, Prince unseated 40-year Fifth District Gary council veteran Cleo Wesson. After two terms he was elected to the Lake County Council and later Lake County assessor.  He defeated incumbent mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson by emphasizing the need for economic development.  One of his first appointments was Indiana National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Richard Ligon as the city’s new police chief.  When the current pandemic abates, I hope to interview Prince as part of an effort to update “Gary’s First Hundred Years.”

 

John Fraire shared brother Gabriel’s poem “The Perfect Flour Tortilla”:

Less than four years old

Standing on a chair

Tiny tummy leaning

into the counter

hands on pin

rolling dough balls

into flour tortillas

It is all black and white

Grandma by my side

With her faded flower apron

Short greying hair, eye glasses

Scowl on her face

She snapped orders

For the few things she did not do herself

Never once did she say,

“I love you.”

But I felt it in those hands

That cupped mine

As she showed me how

To knead

and roll

The perfect flour tortilla