By My Sense of Times Intertwined Deep with the Great Blacks

Making communities of color visible

I wanted to be white for three weeks in 4th grade (1965)because I was being rejected, being the only black kid in class in my elementary school in Bel Air. After three weeks I realized, wait, there’s nothing wrong with me, it’s them.  My home training countered the non-lessons I was getting: Slaves were smart. Slaves resisted every step of the way. We were the slaves that taught ourselves to read, when it was a death sentence.  Continue reading 

PLEASE IGNORE MY PRIVATE $2 BILLION FOUNDATION

PLEASE IGNORE MY PRIVATE $2 BILLION FOUNDATION On Aug. 21 The New York Times reported the Clinton Foundation has raised about $2 billion since 1997.  Apparently “truth” bends in the direction of money, a shiny pot of gold that just happens to have the Clinton Foundation address at rainbow’s end. Most Americans are not convinced this “amazing coincidence” isn’t a conflict of interest. Continue reading 

We’ll bend a knee with Colin Kaepernick

• We’ll bend a knee with Colin Kaepernick, the San Francisco 49ers quarterback stirring up the conservative sports world with his visual statement against racism in America. He’s kneeling, not standing for the “Star Spangled Banner” and taking frightening flak for it. Bravo to his coach Chip Kelly, well known to Eugeneans, who affirmed free speech in America, as did President Obama and some other sports stars like Megan Rapinoe, the great soccer player. Makes no sense, but we were pleased to see the 49ers win last Thursday. Continue reading 

INSPIRING STORY

INSPIRING STORY What a great article on a great man, someone I’ve never met but long admired [“Citizen Terry,” 8/25]. Someday when I am done working I will show up on his doorstep offering to help. Truly inspiring. Made my day, and these can be disheartening days.  Thanks, Rick Levin! Amy Isler Gibson, Eugene   NOT SO THRIFTY  Continue reading 

It’s the season for senior photos

• It’s the season for senior photos. South Eugene High School senior Jillian Henry headed over to Mount Pisgah for some shots of her in the wild. She got more than she bargained for when a naked man and his dog photobombed her shots. She posted them on Twitter with the comment “Love my senior pics.” The images have been retweeted more then 25,000 times and gotten more than 70,000 likes, and the story has been picked up at Jezebel, Buzzfeed, The Oregonian and in the UK. Way to start your senior year with a bang!  Continue reading 

My Date with Kate

Or how I influenced the course of Oregon history

When the Oregon legislative session of 2015 opened, Eugene Weekly embarked upon the bold experiment of establishing a delivery route in Salem. Each Thursday I traveled there, my first stop was the Capitol, where crowds in costumes and uniforms campaigned colorfully for their causes. The Salem experience was thoroughly enjoyable. As the final month began, I wondered how I could top the fun, and decided to meet Kate Brown. Continue reading 

Letters to the Editor 8-25-2016

DIG THAT HOLE

DIG THAT HOLE John Zerzan is pointing out that voting for Clinton is a vote for “no change.” Yup, we’ve got a world of problems that won’t be addressed. “When you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you do is stop digging.”   Trump will bring change, no doubt, like setting off dynamite in that hole you dug while fixing your leach field. Gregg Ferry, Corvallis    WILEY GRIFFON  Continue reading