This was Rodney King’s plea in 1992, when he was physically assaulted by the LA cops during that year’s race riots. Thirty-two...
Racism
Terror or Guilt: A Day at the Pool
GUEST POST by BARBARA BENGELS I was swimming at the local pool, relaxing and trying not to think about politics. To my dismay, I overheard two gentlemen swimming next to me, saying sotto voce, “Soon the whites will be in the minority. We already are in some parts of the country.” It was clear from their voices that this was an appalling [...]
Pat TaubHow White Rage Has Defined Our Nation
As I compulsively followed news stories of record numbers of Americans taking to the streets to protest the racist cop murder of George Floyd, I kept asking myself, “Why is America still so racist in 2020?” In search of answers, I spent the weekend reading Carol Anderson’s “White Rage,” an historical account of how white rage against [...]
Pat TaubHope Sightings to Raise Your Spirits
Many of us, including yours truly, are a bundle of nerves as we await the results of the midterm elections. Trump’s hate-filled rhetoric has spilled over to state campaigns, where Republicans running for office mimic Trump in their racist speeches. The Trump-inspired armed militias are moving to the border to halt the migrant caravan. [...]
Pat TaubReporting from the Las Vegas Women’s March
January 2017’s women’s marches were largely celebratory as pink-hatted women across the country turned out in record numbers to protest the Trump presidency. A year later women have learned it’s not enough to gather in solidarity. We need an action plan. This past Sunday’s Las Vegas Women’s March rose to the challenge with the theme, [...]
Pat TaubNew Year’s Resolutions for Soulful Living
Many of us toasted 2018 with resolutions for improving our everyday lives, focusing on losing weight, eating healthier, and strengthening our close relationships. But what if we departed from the standard pledges and instead made New Year’s resolutions that cater to the soul? Think about it, if we all made just one soulful promise and kept [...]
Pat TaubEngaging with Fear
The Trump wrecking machine is getting crazier by the day, leaving a frightened populace in its wake. Our increasingly unhinged president raises the ante through his racist speeches, threats to bomb the country du jour, attacks on the environment, ICE’s immigration raids, and railings against anyone who doesn’t agree with him. While [...]
Pat TaubWhite Privilege: Me?
Like the vast majority of white Americans I’ve been numb to my white privilege for most of my life. As a progressive thinker and activist, I never thought of myself as racist—that is until the Black Lives Matter Movement challenged whites to examine their privilege, publishing article after article highlighting our bubble. It’s impossible [...]
Pat Taub