Pres. Obama … The rest of us could use a beer also - August 14, 2009
As I understood from your pre-election speeches, you are a President for all United States citizens – rich, poor, famous and ordinary. On July 16, 2009, Louis Gates was arrested like an ordinary black man.
Because of this incident, you’ve invited Gates to the White House with the arresting officer, John Connelly, to share a beer with you - to help resolve what may have caused the arrest. It’s obvious, both men approached the situation with their prejudices; both were wrong in certain aspects. However, Gates has more prominence than the ordinary US citizen - his injustice makes the headlines and a disciplinary commentary from you.
Here is the thing – this kind of injustice is an everyday possibility for many ordinary US citizens. Every day, somewhere in America, at least eight blacks, four gays or lesbians, two Jews, two whites and one Latino become hate crime victims. (Source:
Teaching Tolerance)
Most in that statistic are poor and ordinary. Why can’t we all get the preferential treatment like Louis Gates? Please don’t forget to invite the rest of us for a beer to help resolve our injustices.
Sincerely,
Judine Slaughter
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Pres Obama ... Please wear those jeans to the park again - July 27, 2009
Before I could see your choice of fashion for a day at the ballpark, the web headlines caught my attention - Frumpy, Mom's jeans. I quickly pulled up the picture. There you were, throwing out the first pitch, in a pair of comfortable jeans.
Were the jeans so baggy I could see your underwear? No. Could the public see any bottom parts of your body? No. I think the stir is we couldn't see the brand name. We don't know the retail price, and we can't judge you for spending $500 or more, while playing in the dirt.
In my opinion, your baggy attire proved to be the best thing you could do for our nation's young men. You made it cool to be loose, with a secure belt around your waist, not around your hips; relaxed, without letting everyone know what only Michelle should know about the colors underneath; and above all, being a positive fashion statement, without worrying about what other people will think. You indirectly told our young girls, your daughters included, don't look at a man's apparel; judge him for his personality, his future goals and vision, and how he treats other people.
You sport a uniformed suit almost seven days a week. You needed a break. With so many things to think about, such as health care, the recession, or bailouts, you put your ego to the side for a few hours to show us how many working men dress for a game at the park.
There's so much competition for expensive brand name clothes in our schools. Thanks for being a fashion role model – wearing what works best for you, not what works best for others.
Hold your head up, don't apologize, and wear those jeans to the park again.
Sincerely,
Judine Slaughter
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Pres. Obama … Christopher Columbus would be proud of you - August 24, 2009
It’s sometimes questionable about who discovered America. Countless history books teach young students that King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain financed a sea expedition, from which Christopher Columbus eventually landed on what we know as the soil of North America. That’s why we have a national holiday to celebrate his birthday every year ... right?
Despite the fact America is named after Amerigo Vespucci, there are scores of people who landed on North America’s shores before Christopher Columbus. While the term ‘discover’ sounds politically incorrect, historians have confirmed that in 1493, Columbus took sail with a Spanish crew on the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, where they explored several Caribbean islands to include Puerto Rico. All of the places Columbus traveled had inhabitants. It’s wasn’t like Neil Armstrong landing on the moon, even if for numerous centuries, the Columbus voyages were treated like the first moon walk.
With the confirmation of our first Latina Supreme Court Justice, you have not only set a historic milestone for the United States, but also for the Columbus legacy. Although not recognized until 1917 as a US territory, Puerto Rico is undisputed as one stop along the Columbus expeditions. He would be proud of you; Sonia Sotomayor’s ancestors descend from one of his first excursions.
Yes, Christopher Columbus uncovered America for European colonization, and we should recognize Puerto Rico as the original first colony. Gracias Presidente Obama
Sincerely,
Judine Slaughter
