What's up, guys? So what's on my mind today? Sugarcoating, okay, guys, let's get into this.

One of the definitions for sugarcoating is to make something superficially attractive, or acceptable or to make something else considered unpleasant or disagreeable seem palatable.

In this country's history, a long line of people, that don't look like me, were willing to write and swallow a narrative of this country that is simply full of lies or lacks the complete story. Plenty of reading and seeking people more knowledgeable than myself have helped me get to U.S. history's raw truth.

A more authentic story of the United States of America is often difficult to listen to, but having all the facts grounds us in reality and will help us avoid past mistakes. I fully understand the fear of some people, and that letting go of their privilege will relegate them to some form of a second-class citizen. These fear tactics have worked effectively in the past, and politicians from the right still use the same playbook today.  

The recent decision by Ron DeSantis, Florida's governor, to drop African-American AP courses signals that some people still need to learn important lessons here. Oh, and it's not a silent whistle when the right uses the word woke. We know what you mean.

Okay, guys, that's what's been on my mind today; peace out.

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The AAVE meaning of the word woke differs from what most conservative-minded people think. The AAVE meaning of the word woke simply means to pay attention. Pay attention to your surroundings, what you are being taught, and especially to information not given to you. Maybe it's me, but whenever I hear a conservative person say woke, it always gives me pause, if you know what I mean.

Jefferson Franklin Long was a politician that was woke and understood simple common sense logic. My interpretation of what he was saying is, "Don't let these snakes back in the chicken coop."  Yet the U.S. government failed to follow common sense and instead traveled down a road that would ultimately lead to disaster again.

In 1988 the movie School Daze premiered. At the movie's end, a young Laurence Fishburne broke the fourth wall and told the audience to Wake Up! I submit that they want you asleep (not paying attention), and you should, please, wake up.

In 1869 Jefferson Franklin Long was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In
addition to being the first Black person elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
from the state of Georgia, he was also the second Black person elected to the U.S.
Congress. Long served the shortest term of an African American member, just three
months. But, when he spoke on the House of Representatives floor on February 1, 1871, he became the first African American to do.

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It doesn't give the energy the person that is saying it believes it does. I had a conversation about it.

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Capitalism is a powerful economic system that has brought unprecedented wealth and prosperity to the world, but when applied to healthcare, the results can be problematic. Capitalism in healthcare has the potential to promote greed
and inequality, leading to an inequitable distribution of resources and a disconnect between those who can afford quality medical care and those who cannot. This has a profound impact on individuals, families, and communities, and it is important to explore this issue in order to develop solutions that can promote health equity. I will examine how capitalism in healthcare has led to greed and inequality, how it has impacted individuals, and how we can work to create more equitable systems.

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Make America great again is an absolutely sh!t piece of "slogan." For me, it's a dog whistle calling racist people to unite. I know there are people out there saying I'm not racist. But you are, if you voted for, supported, or agree with that slogan, people running for office under that slogan, in any way, form, or fashion. You need to ask yourself, make America great again for who? For everyone? Well, we know that hasn't ever happened in this country. There is not one period in this country that America hasn't shown her ass to be racist. Pick any era of time, and I will show you where the marginalized people have had to fight against this country's racist ways. In this country, the vast majority of white men and white women have reaped the benefits and promoted racist actions and racist views. If you feel comfortable, then you probably should ask yourself if you are the problem.

Okay, guys, let's get into this.

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What's up, guys? So, what's on my mind today? Remember me? This is something that I deal with daily and probably something that will get worse. I am sure of it.  Maybe it's time for Ginkgo biloba.  The kid won't know about that drug.  I think this is poem number 213 of my Project 365.  Okay, guys, .let's get into this.

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What's up, guys? So, what's on my mind today? Hate.
It's 2013, and it's day 42 of my Project 365. The word hate had been nagging at me for days by this point. What do I want to write about hate? Over and over, I think, what do I want to write about hate? Then it hits me. So I took pen to paper, and I came up with this. A simple story, but I think it hits all the points.

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What's up, guys? So, what's on my mind today? Disappear into the crowd. 

In the middle of my 365 Project in 2013, I was sitting around, pen in hand; the words 'disappear into the crowd' popped into my head. I wish I could show you my writing pad around this poem. I remember many erase marks and reaching for the right combination of words to express the desperate mood I thought this poem needed. I was left with this.

Okay, guys, let's get into this.

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What's up, guys? So what's on my mind today? A Weapon to Wheel. So on my quest to 365 poems in 2013, I have run into a wall titled write's block. So I sit, and a word comes to mind, relationships. There are so many angles from which to write. Pick one...breakups. I have been through a few of those. Okay, from whose point of view...well, take a listen.

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What's up, guys? So, what's on my mind today? Are you the 'safe' space? It may be challenging to stand up to racist people, especially if they are close 'friends,' family, or coworkers. But being silent provides the racist person a green flag to continue. Or perhaps worse, they think that you approve of them. Florida's government has passed a bill into law to shield people's feelings. And why it does not explicitly list that it is safeguarding white people's emotions, a clause in the new law more than delivers the true intentions - An individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, does not bear responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex. An individual should not be made to feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race." Name another group of people that would be ashamed of their ancestors' past, other than white people?

Holding a person today for the unethical actions of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or any enslaver is wrongfooted. But not teaching how the laws, the justice system, and the United States government put in place a system that has benefited white people for hundreds of years and has been oppressive to black people and people of color is just as or even more wrongfooted.

Besides, I don't presume anyone is condemning people for their ancestors' sins, lack of a moral compass, or their failure to follow the teachings of their bible. Condemnation comes from people's actions today and how they mirror their ancestors' actions. This willful ignorance and dismissal of some people to reject their history will be more destructive to them, no us, in the future.

Being afraid to learn our history because it may cause hurt feelings among a group of people is the wrong approach. History can be painful, but the propagandizing of history for a glorious ideal of fantasy, you want to believe, is more dangerous to everyone. Embracing the pain, reflecting on how and why things happen, followed by a reasonable faith effort to correct past mistakes, will put us on solid ground to make tomorrow a brighter promise for everyone.

Okay, guys, let's get into this.

@quinnster from tiktok video

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