Author: Reggie Jackson

Just like for the construction of the Panama Canal, non-white lives are expendable again

Just like for the construction of the Panama Canal, non-white lives are expendable again

Posted by | May 23, 2020 |

“A finer body of men has never been gathered by any nation than the men who have done the work of building the Panama Canal; the conditions under which they have lived and have done their work have been better than in any similar work ever undertaken in the tropics; they have all felt an eager pride in their work; and they have made not only America but the whole world their debtors by what they have accomplished.” – Theodore Roosevelt The arrogance of progress is expressed clearly by President Theodore Roosevelt in this quote. After thousands of men,...

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The Myth of Anti-Whiteness: When telling the truth is mischaracterized as attacking whites

The Myth of Anti-Whiteness: When telling the truth is mischaracterized as attacking whites

Posted by | May 18, 2020 |

“Institutional racism insidiously cloaks racial discrimination in the innocence of the accidental.” – Robert B. Baker, PhD “I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” – James Baldwin “From that moment on, I was no longer a liberal, a believer in the self-correcting character of American democracy. I was a radical, believing that something fundamental was wrong in this country–not just the existence of poverty amidst great wealth, not just the horrible treatment of black people, but something rotten at the root.”...

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An open letter from the Novel Coronavirus to Humanity: Thank You!

An open letter from the Novel Coronavirus to Humanity: Thank You!

Posted by | May 16, 2020 |

Dear humans, I must thank you on behalf of all coronaviruses around the world. You have made it so easy for us to do what we do. Although we are not living organisms by your definitions we can sure act with more concerted, complicity with our peers than you can. You are an easy target and your response to our attack upon you shows us that you are not a worthy adversary at this point. You have been warned of our coming for decades but you were too busy ignoring the messages to prepare for us. You’ve been more...

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Reggie Jackson: From “Service workers” to “Essential workers” and the sad irony for poorly paid Americans

Reggie Jackson: From “Service workers” to “Essential workers” and the sad irony for poorly paid Americans

Posted by | May 14, 2020 |

“Senator Mitt Romney proposed a hazard pay raise of up to $12 an hour for essential workers such as health-care and grocery store employees facing greater risks during the coronavirus pandemic.” “15 gifts to give essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic” – USA Today As I see ads on TV celebrating our “essential workers” I’m somewhat amused. Amused not because they are funny, but amused because four months ago these workers were for the most part hidden in plain sight. They are the masses that keep our economy churning, many of them for poverty wages. In a way it...

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Why Black America does not trust that justice will prevail in the Ahmaud Arbery murder

Why Black America does not trust that justice will prevail in the Ahmaud Arbery murder

Posted by | May 12, 2020 |

“I don’t think I’ll ever reach the mental capacity to ever watch the video. I saw my son come into the world and seeing him leave the world is not something… that I’d want to see ever.” – Aubery’s mother Wanda Cooper When George Zimmerman killed 17 year-old Trayvon Martin on February 26, 2012 in Sanford, Florida the black community there was outraged. The killing did not make the national news right away. It was not until the story spread on social media that blacks around the country heard about the story. Eventually the story became a huge driver...

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Reggie Jackson: The lost generation of our elders who fell victim to COVID-19 at their place of care

Reggie Jackson: The lost generation of our elders who fell victim to COVID-19 at their place of care

Posted by | May 11, 2020 |

“A village without the elderly is like a well without water.” – African Proverb “I wish I would have listened, when I was a kid, to my elders or people who had my best interests at heart, and then I wish I would have been more conscious at that age also.” – Metta World Peace (formerly Ron Artest) As we see the devastation being wrought across the world due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the greatest tragedy is the loss of our elders. Nursing homes and other centers of life for our elders have become breeding grounds for the...

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Knezelism of the Week