Sunday, September 18, 2016

The “Basket Of Adorables”….?? *

First of all, besides rhyming with deplorable, the adjective, adorable, according to the dictionary, means “Inspiring great Affection”. This imaginary basket holds the likes of people who have fought for the rights we take so much for granted. I think a significant part of our nation has forgotten what it took, how many years trudging forward, passing laws by a majority, not authority, and finally reaching success, one by one. The names below are a reminder that nothing can be accomplished quickly when a majority has to bring ideas and beliefs to fruition. 
But, it could take a very short time to undo all that they have accomplished. This could happen if we elect a candidate who demonstrates his belief in a strong authoritarian Leader such as Putin. Trump has definitely, over and over again, complimented Putin’s strength, when we definitely know Putin’s control goes far beyond strength of character but more like a Dictator. The names listed below go past political parties; they represent the growth of our Democracy.  Each climbed, in my opinion, a “Mountain of Negatives”, but never gave up!
Susan B Anthony- 1820/1906   Co-founded the first Women’s Temperance Movement with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, aiming to expand the right to vote in the US to explicitly include women. Traveled across the United States and Europe, averaging 75 and 100 speeches annually, at a time when Trains or Horse & Buggy were predominantly the common means of transportation. Let us not forget!
Abraham Lincoln- 1809/1865 President Lincoln created and signed the Emancipation Proclamation-A president in progress, first to save the Union during the Civil War, and then to go on to Free the Slaves. “All Men are Created Equal”…An idea we are still grappling with today. He is truly known to be the greatest American President. Let us not forget!
Woodrow Wilson- 1856/1924   The 19th Amendment was ratified during his Presidential administration, allowing the right for women to vote. Although women were allowed to vote in some states earlier, this was universal so that all women throughout the USA could vote in elections. Let us not forget!
Harriet Tubman 1822/1913   She was born to enslaved parents, saw her sisters being chained and dragged through the streets to be sold as slaves, was lucky to escape her bondage and work her way through the south, safe house to safe house, ending up in the North. She is considered to be the “Moses” of her people. Her sacrifice was beyond the call of duty. She escaped and went back to help others escape and became known as the “Conductor” of the Underground Railroad. Her deeds continue to resonate through history. Let us not forget!
Eleanor Roosevelt-1884/1962   She fought for Equal Rights for all. A delegate to the General Assembly under President Truman, Eleanor continued her fight for Human Rights. Her time spent in a boarding school in London after she became an orphan at 10 years of age, was the beginning of her role as a Woman of the future. She continued her efforts until her death at the age of 78. She had to get through the hurt of her husband’s, Franklin D. Roosevelt, indiscretions, not unlike Hillary Clinton. Her choice was to stay on as First Lady to save her marriage and ability to carry on her Political Goals, helping raise awareness for Human Rights. On a lighter note, tell me the name of any First Lady who packed her bags to leave the White House? Let us not forget!
Lyndon B Johnson- 1908/1973  The 36th President of the USA, known for the “Great Society” legislation, upholding CIVIL RIGHTS, public broadcasting, Medicare, Medicaid, aid to education, the arts, urban and rural development, public services, and his WAR ON POVERTY, helping millions of Americans rise above the poverty level. The VOTING RIGHTS ACT banned certain requirements in southern states used to disenfranchise AFRICAN AMERICANS. The passage of the IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT of 1965, not so long ago, reformed the Nation’s Immigration System by removing Racial Origin Quotas. As you can see, so many changes were made to make our society more equal for all people, including IMMIGRANTS. Let us not forget!
Rosa Parks-1913/2005   A Civil Rights Activist who refused to surrender her bus seat to a white passenger, spurring the Montgomery boycott and other efforts to end segregation. This action galvanized the Civil Rights Movement in the USA. She was truly, while a young Martin Luther King was starting his journey, the hallmark of this Revolution. Rosa Parks was honored by the NAACP as well as the President.
Cesar Chavez- 1927-1993    He was a Mexican-American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist. He worked to get better working conditions for farm workers who were routinely exploited. Chavez organized them into the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. Because of his continuing work for these issues he was recognized with the highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Let us not forget!
Martin Luther King- 1929/1968   He was a leader in American Civil Rights for 13 years, working through nonviolent actions. He helped promote racial equality in the USA from December 1955 until his assassination on April 4, 1968. The Center for Nonviolent Social Change was dedicated in his memory by his wife, Coretta Scott King., to continue his work of addressing social ills around the world. King’s teaching, a combination of the Bible and Mahatma Gandhi, are studied by scholars and students around the world. Somehow, I think if he were running for President, Donald Trump would ask him to show his Birth Certificate! We now celebrate Martin Luther King Day as a National Holiday in the USA.  Let us not forget!
James Meredith- 1933/     Is known for being the first black to attend the University of Mississippi. This was one of the earliest important victories against Mississippi. The NAACP fought for him to win the battle to integrate “OLE Miss”. He would accept no monies…paying his own tuition. His savings came from a meager income he made as a member of the US AIR FORCE. After attending many all black schools, the day after President John F. Kennedy was inaugurated, and sent in an application to University of Mississippi which was all white at the time. His actions opened the doors to “OLE MISS” and made strides for desegregation for the future of our country. Every step these young brave people made brought us closer to electing our first African American President, Barack Obama. That is how progress works…it is always a long journey, requiring the MAJORITY to vote in the Laws that further our Countries Freedoms. Let us not forget!
Gloria Steinem- 1934/   Steinem is known for her Feminist Movement. She is an American Feminist Journalist, and social and political activist, who became nationally recognized as a leader and a spokeswoman for the feminist movement in the early 1960”s and early 1970”s. She has been fighting for equality for women of all races, throughout those years, and is still traveling, internationally, as an organizer and lecturer, and is a media spokeswoman on issues of equality. Women’s fight for equality will continue with many other young leaders, thanks to Gloria Steinem and her forward thinking for women. Let us not forget!
Harvey Milk- 1930/1978   Harvey Milk made history when he became one of the first openly gay officials in the United States in 1977, when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. He became a Gay Rights Activist, outspoken, with political connections. Books and Movies have been made to depict all that he did for Gay Rights. For all of his work, facing immense negativity from Anti-Gay Right Activists, Harvey Milk was assassinated. The fight still goes on, but thanks to him, the path was opened. Let us not forget!
Lily Ledbetter- 1938/    Lily opened the door to equal pay for equal work for women. After 20 years with Goodyear, she realized that her pay was thousand less than that of men doing the same job. Her historic discrimination case inspired the Lily Ledbetter Fair Play Restoration Act, for equal rights in the workplace. Certainly, it was a Victory for the Nation. This was President Barack Obama’s first official piece of legislation. She has since become a women’s equality activist. Let us not forget!
John L. Lewis- 1940/     He dedicated his life to protecting human rights, the Champion of Civil Rights. Lewis was born in Alabama, when segregation was still at its highest level. Humiliating segregation in education, public facilities, and were prevented from voting by systematic discrimination and intimidation. For all of his work, Congressman Lewis was given the John F. Kennedy “Profile in Courage” award for lifetime achievement. Let us not forget!
I hope this list of people who have been major contributors for Human Rights gives a picture of a timeline and how much one person can do when they are passionate and involved. There are so many more out there that have opened the doors to the freedoms we are all enjoying. But, along with these trailblazers are those who, unfortunately, still remain Racist, Bigots, Anti-Gay, Anti-Womens Rights, etc. They are truly the “Deplorables” because of their negative social beliefs and practices. The Trump Campaign has given a voice to those who are in this category. His Racist Rhetoric has brought them into the mainstream. It seems to me there is definitely a Political War between the “Adorables  Deplorables”.  If you look at the list above….all of the names except for Abraham Lincoln, are Democrats. It seems that most social changes were fought for by people with more Liberal values. This Presidential Election is so important in light of the Racist and Unstable Behavior of Trump. We need to make sure that Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Candidate, receives the majority Vote.

* A group of friends and I thought that the term “Adorables” …”Inspiring Great Affection”….was the perfect term for those people who contributed so much to our society.

Since writing this piece, Trump has once again blurted out more outrageous remarks! These deep seeded feelings come from his inability to dismiss his opponents while running for President. He tries to discredit them with lies, and somehow his followers and surrogates, either believe what he does, or fall into his trap. He is frothing at the mouth, to say it lightly, to be able to govern our nation in a manner we have never experienced. I am sure he looks in the mirror every night and cannot believe how stupid his constituents are, or at least those who really don't get it!! Just referencing, over and over again, shooting people in public and getting away with it, giving Second Amendment people the thought of doing away with his opponent, taking body guards away from his opponent, shows you where he is leading. As time gets closer and his back is against the wall, just wait and be prepared to more bizarre behavior. Furthermore, Trump's Birther Movement is far from over. His disdain for having to say that Barack Obama was born in this country showed a total lack of sincerity and displayed once again, his need to dismiss anything that comes in his way. In Trumpland, he was always able to make decisions and close the door. He forgot about all the "Adorables", the brave people that are listed above. Their voices will remain on the right side of History. His will only go down in History!!

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