By guest blogger Erik Eagle, Brownsville Area High School student
This year as the president of the newly formed Brownsville Area High School Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)*, I have had the honor of being the student organizer for the Day of Silence. I managed to bring the Day of Silence to my school despite opposition from the administration, which tried to infringe upon our rights by forbidding us from using the school’s PA system to explain the event and wearing T-shirts with messages about the Day of Silence. If it were not for the help of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, their efforts to block us might have been successful.
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| Brownsville Area High School students (from left) Daniel Boger Jr., Erik Eagle , Marissa Calvaresi, Katherine Diamond and Kimberly Kennedy. Photo courtesy of John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.com |
Although the school made assurances that they would allow the Day of Silence, when I sought pre-approval for these activities from the administration, all of my requests were denied. At the same time the school allowed another student organization to do the exact same things for another event. It was only after receiving a letter from the ACLU-PA explaining our rights that the administration allowed us to proceed.
The Day of Silence, recognized on April 20 this year, is a student-led action that began 17 years ago at the University of Virginia. On that day, students take a vow of silence to bring attention to the silence faced by LGBTQ youth who are bullied; the students' silence is meant to echo that silence. With 90% of LGBTQ students reporting being harassed and 30% of LGBTQ students being physically accosted at school, this is a cause that is intended to make schools a safer place for those students.
I personally have encountered students who have made remarks such as "Why remain silent? Shouldn't you speak out against the bullying?" or "Being silent never accomplished anything, the Day of Silence is pointless." I respect these opinions, but at the same time I feel that it is paramount to understand that the Day of Silence is not expected to make immediate change. The point of the Day of Silence is to get people's attention and to make them think about why the day of silence is necessary. By grabbing people's attention in such a strange way, it piques their interest to the point that someone who would brush off the subject of anti-LGBTQ bullying will now want to engage you in a conversation about it. I have been told by everyone who participated in our district that they saw this effect almost immediately.
*Note: The GSA itself was only recognized as a student organization and allowed to meet on school grounds after the intervention of the ACLU of PA.
Breaking the Silence
Yesterday afternoon the Department of State released a statement in which Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele claimed that the "soft rollout"- a dipping of the toes into the pool, if you will- on voter ID "seemed to work well."
Around the same time that the department released its statement, I was at a polling place in Cumberland County that had this sign posted.
A volunteer who was working the polls for a candidate said that at least four people walked up to the sign and nearly turned around until the volunteer explained that they don't need ID to vote in this election. We also heard that another polling place in Cumberland County had a similar sign posted, and that at least one Republican voter didn't vote yesterday because of the sign.
Meanwhile, four blocks from Secretary Aichele's Harrisburg office at a polling place at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, this sign was posted.
I saw the same sign at another polling place in Dauphin County. If you can't read the text on the white paper, it says, "BE PREPARED TO SHOW PHOTO IDENTIFICATION." Elsewhere, we heard anecdotes of some poll workers insisting on seeing ID.
This is what the Department of State means by "seemed to work well." In other news, war is peace, ignorance is strength, and slavery is freedom.
This is what voter suppression and intimidation looks like. In an election in which voters were not required to show ID, polling places were telling voters that ID was "required" and that they better "be prepared" to show ID.
Now, the voter ID supporters have insisted that no one will be turned away on Election Day because the law includes a provision that allows voters without ID to vote by provisional ballot. They then have to show the county a copy of their ID within six days. That's a soft form of disenfranchisement and is incredibly cumbersome.
But signs that tell voters that ID is "required" contradict that awful part of the law. The ACLU of Pennsylvania did not actively blanket the state to watch how voter ID was implemented yesterday. These anecdotes fell into our laps. What kind of signs should we expect to see in November when the law is scheduled to go into effect? Perhaps something like this?
Finally, Secretary Aichele's statement included this concluding sentence:
"Any voter who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID can get one at any PennDOT driver license center free of charge."
That hasn't been our experience. See my colleague Ngani Ndimbie's account of her recent experience at PennDOT in Pittsburgh. Now we've even heard that PennDOT is not issuing free IDs to people with outstanding fines or to people who had an ID that expired within the last year. Where in the law does it say that you can't get an ID to vote because you didn't pay a parking ticket?
Voter ID's "soft rollout" did not "work well"
"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. As you consider your own philanthropic opportunities, I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.
Here on the prairie, we experience extreme weather variations ( with the exception of this winter) during each of the four seasons. Our Spring this year is glorious, and we know that with the strong possibility of a blazing hot summer, we want to grab every opportunity to enjoy our time outside now! Everything is greening up nicely, and although the Plumbago is still small and the Day Lilies have yet to open, my potted Geraniums and the Knockout Roses are putting on a lovely show of reds and pinks. I am not a gifted gardener, but I do love a wonderful display of color in my flower beds. With that in mind, yesterday I set a table on the back porch for luncheon with friends. The day was perfect!
Come on outside and see what's waiting for your enjoyment...
We'll settle in the shade of the big ole tree, and we'll soak up that magnificent clear blue sky. We might still be sitting here come supper time.
Happily returning, yet again, to my cherished blues, I layered the patio table with the Williams Sonoma, "Light Blue Linen Hemstitched" Tablecloth, an eBay purchase. These are such lovely tablecloths. They are machine washable, and I usually lay them out to dry across one of the patio tables. They iron up nicely and easily. eBay Tip: These tablecloths can be listed for a pretty penny on eBay. Once again, take your time! Keep watching by saving items of interest to your My eBay page. You'll start to see a range of prices appear, and you'll quickly learn to recognize when someone lists one for a "good price for the particular item." Pay attention to the ending time for the auction and plan to bid during the last 30 seconds or so...depending on the speed of your computer and server. I prefer to bid with 20 seconds left in the auction, and I bid the highest price that I would be willing to pay. I rarely actually pay that price; it's usually just a dollar or so above the current high bid. By bidding my high bid and bidding late, the other bidder rarely has time to come back and bid against me.
My centerpiece was a no brainer...I used the blue and white pot filled with Geraniums that sits on this table throughout the summer....
...flanked by a pair of Hobby Lobby small blue and white footed bowls holding battery operated pillar candles...
...and a pair of Coalport Decanters, another inexpensive eBay find. Today the decanters were filled with water and wine which prevented frequent trips to the kitchen for refills.
The featured player for today's table is the Ridgways, "Lynton, Blue". You can also find it in a wonderful brown. For years, I've been searching for Ridgways, "Portland Basket", to no avail. When I came across the Lynton pattern on eBay, I decided that I could achieve much the same design effect. The Portland Basket remains on "the list." If I ever happen to find it, I'll give this pattern to my children...maybe.
I used the Wedgwood, "Queens Plain" 'Large' Dinner plate as a charger. I bought these from Replacements for a better price than I could find on eBay. The small Cream Reticulated Plate was one of twelve that I picked up at the tail end of an estate sale for $10.00. They are not marked, and I don't think that they are particularly valuable...except to me. I really like them. The flatware is the L'Argent, "Sophia" in the 'gold'...
...I chose the "Sophia" gold because they nicely punctuated the yellow roses in the plate's floral garland.
The blue and white gingham napkin is the napkin most used by Sweet Mister and me. We've had them since 1985...I'd say that they've proven their value.
The sun was so crisp and bright that I knew that clear crystal goblets would be dancing in the light...
The larger Godinger, "Sutton Place" goblet was another eBay acquisition, purchased a few at a time for $5.00 each or less. The last time that I checked, the price was higher. The wine goblet is Tiffin, "Elyse", found at the end of an estate sale for a scandalously low price. Tip: Have you ever tried to find someone to identify a crystal goblet design for you. Most replacement places will help you. I thought that it was interesting to learn that when you send them a photo, they are most interested in the stem of the goblet...more than the bowl. Evidently, it is the stem that is usually peculiar to a specific manufacturer...pretty cool little tidbit.
I'm good to go, and if you check the top right portion of the pic, you'll see that Dickens, my Yorkshire Terrorist, has almost finished his perimeter patrol of the back yard. This has been a really easy process for me because once again, my generous friends are bringing...
...take out!...
...I think that I'll step over to one of my chairs, put my feet up on the ottoman, and catch a wink or two until my dear friends stroll through the door.
Wish that you could join me for fellowship, food, and fun. Let me know if you're going to be passing through my neck of the woods. I'll set a table just for you!
Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday. I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THURSDAY." Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays. You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.
When I think of April, I think of glorious sun-filled skies and meals shared al fresco. How about you? With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAY. Hope to see you there!
When I think of April, I think of glorious sun-filled skies and meals shared al fresco. How about you? With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAY. Hope to see you there!
Tonight is the sixth edition of Cuisine Kathleen's meme, "LET'S DISH". So excited to be a charter member. Pop over (pun intended for the Chef Supreme Kathleen) and join the fun!
You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube. I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen. You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site. The girl can really write! Her latest CD is called "Orchid." It is available on iTunes or through her website. I hope that you'll give her music a chance. I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!
Ridgways "Lynton" Alfresco
Have you ever bullied a PennDOT employee into giving a man the free ID that he deserved? Until Wednesday afternoon I would have said, "No." More on this later.
Wednesday, April 18 was Pittsburgh's voter ID action, held at noon at the Smithfield Street PennDOT Driver's License Center in downtown Pittsburgh. The action was organized by the Protect Our Vote coalition and modeled after the event held in Philadelphia shortly after the voter ID law was signed by the governor.
Driving down to the rally, I wasn’t expecting much other than what we put in the media advisory: a set of people getting free IDs, advocates holding signs, and a press conference. But it has been said that one has be an optimist to do the work of a community organizer. Perhaps that's why I thought that PennDOT would be far more prepared to respond to the demand for free, state-issued, non-driver photo IDs for voting purposes. At the very least I figured, since our coalition of organizations and activists had been aggressively advertising for one and a half weeks, PennDOT would respond by putting their most polite, seasoned, and trained staff to work that day to prove us wrong.
...Did I mention that I'm an optimist?
On the day of the action people seeking free IDs for the purpose of voting each filed into the DMV with an advocate. So why would someone need an advocate to get a free non-driver photo ID? Because more than a month since the law passed, PennDOT employees were not trained, were not courteous, and were not ready.
Here are just a couple examples of misinformation from PennDOT employees:
* Two people were forced to pay for their non-driver IDs because their IDs had not yet been expired for a year. So, while their IDs would be more than a year past expiration on November 6th and thus invalid for voting, they had to pay for IDs on Wednesday, April 18th.
* A couple from Wilkinsburg who had lost their non-driver photo IDs were turned away. These citizens of the commonwealth (both currently unemployed) were told that they could not get a free ID for voting purposes because they had lost their previous IDs.
I personally helped a man who had been turned away for no reason. My conversation with a PennDOT employee went like this:
Me: I'm sorry, could you explain why this gentleman can't get an ID?
PennDOT: The IDs are primarily for people who have never before had an ID in Pennsylvania.
Me: He needs this ID to be able to vote in the November election and he has all of the required documents…
PennDOT: There are a number of other IDs that one can use to vote in the November election. Student ID, state employee ID…
Me: [To the person I'm helping] You're not a student are you? An employee of a college or university? A member of the US armed forces?
Slightly embarrassed, exhausted Pennsylvanian: Um, no.
We went on like this for a little longer before the PennDOT employee finally let the man go through. At this point I was certain that a new PennDOT training manual must include a picture of a dragon guarding a treasure and a caption that says, "When a Pennsylvanian asks you for a free ID for voting, remember that state issued IDs are precious. Always think: WWDD? What would a dragon do?"
Sheesh.
I left the rally with a stack of intake forms and a furrowed brow. On the drive back I was fuming. Why were they making this so hard? Why weren't they ready? And if that's how I felt, I can guarantee that the people who came down to get voting IDs also felt…taxed. Certainly emotionally, some physically, and for a good number, financially.
- Ngani Ndimbie, ACLU-PA Community Organizer
When I say "ID law" you say "poll tax"
For years, members of my family, as well as my friends and acquaintances, have come to me for help with their run-ins with the police. They know I have represented many victims of racial profiling. They also know that I'm more than just a civil rights attorney — I'm someone who understands what they've gone through.
I may fight racial profiling in the courtroom, but I also live with it in my everyday life. Just last August, I was pulled over twice in the span of 48 hours, when I was driving from Oakland, Calif., to Philadelphia to begin my new job as executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania.
The trip, my first cross-country drive, was amazing. I was able to visit some national parks for the first time, such as Yosemite and Mount Rushmore, and to appreciate the beauty of our country in a way that traveling by plane does not often allow. But I was also wary, as I always am, of being stopped by the police and had been warned by friends to be especially careful in Michigan and Ohio.
Their warnings proved prescient. On the trip, I was pulled over by a Michigan state trooper. I had spotted him in my rear-view mirror and knew that I had been obeying all traffic laws, so I was not sure why he pulled me over. He didn't seem to know why either, because when I asked, he fumbled around for a response that was unintelligible. We both knew he had no reason, so when I shared with him that I had once litigated racial profiling cases for the ACLU, he let me go.
But my triumph was short-lived. A day or two later, while driving in Ohio, I was pulled over again, this time for not coming to a complete stop in the parking lot of a fairly empty shopping center. The officer could barely contain his glee while writing me a ticket, and started asking probing questions about who I was and where I was traveling. I cut him off quickly, accepted the ticket and continued on my way.
Thousands of minor traffic laws are violated every day, and most are ignored by the police. Rarely, however, do Black men receive the benefit of this discretion.
Still, I consider myself relatively lucky to be able to escape those instances with only a sense of fury and a ticket. My cousin, Ron, wasn't so lucky.
One recent afternoon in Wilmington, Del., narcotics officers with the local police approached Ron near his home, ordered him out of his vehicle and slammed him against a truck. They threw him to the ground and two police officers held his hands and used their knees to press on his shoulders. Another officer sat on his legs, while the fourth officer kicked him. They punched him in the face. A canine unit was called to the scene to search his car, without his permission. The officers never bothered to ask Ron his name, hog-tied and arrested him and took him to the police station, where he was strip searched.
No contraband was found in Ron's car. Ron had done nothing wrong, yet he was charged with resisting arrest and failure to stop for police sirens. There were no sirens, and turns out, the narcotics officers simply had the wrong guy, which they admitted later.
Ron, who is now in his mid-twenties, says he has been stopped by the Wilmington police approximately 20 times since he started driving at age 15. In fact, he was stopped again just weeks after this brutal incident allegedly for running a stop sign. He was let go without a ticket. Ron says that in eight of the 20 times he has been pulled over, officers had their guns drawn.
When my family and friends come to me seeking advice about how to respond to their encounters with the police, I am not always optimistic that I can help them. I've litigated these cases for many years, and I know that part of the problem is the very high burden of proof in racial discrimination cases.
That is why Congress needs to pass the End Racial Profiling Act, to make it easier to bring these cases. We have to have a way to fight back against those who have made it their job to target minorities for abuse or mistreatment.
-Reggie Shuford, ACLU-PA Executive Director
*Some details have been altered to protect privacy.
This post originally appeared on the national ACLU Blog of Rights as part of its series on ending racial profiling.
Take action. Urge your member of Congress to pass the End Racial Profiling Act, legislation sponsored by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rep. John Conyers, (D-Mich.) which would, among other things, provide training to help police avoid responses based on stereotypes and unreliable assumptions about minorities.
I may fight racial profiling in the courtroom, but I also live with it in my everyday life. Just last August, I was pulled over twice in the span of 48 hours, when I was driving from Oakland, Calif., to Philadelphia to begin my new job as executive director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania.
The trip, my first cross-country drive, was amazing. I was able to visit some national parks for the first time, such as Yosemite and Mount Rushmore, and to appreciate the beauty of our country in a way that traveling by plane does not often allow. But I was also wary, as I always am, of being stopped by the police and had been warned by friends to be especially careful in Michigan and Ohio.
Their warnings proved prescient. On the trip, I was pulled over by a Michigan state trooper. I had spotted him in my rear-view mirror and knew that I had been obeying all traffic laws, so I was not sure why he pulled me over. He didn't seem to know why either, because when I asked, he fumbled around for a response that was unintelligible. We both knew he had no reason, so when I shared with him that I had once litigated racial profiling cases for the ACLU, he let me go.
But my triumph was short-lived. A day or two later, while driving in Ohio, I was pulled over again, this time for not coming to a complete stop in the parking lot of a fairly empty shopping center. The officer could barely contain his glee while writing me a ticket, and started asking probing questions about who I was and where I was traveling. I cut him off quickly, accepted the ticket and continued on my way.
Thousands of minor traffic laws are violated every day, and most are ignored by the police. Rarely, however, do Black men receive the benefit of this discretion.
Still, I consider myself relatively lucky to be able to escape those instances with only a sense of fury and a ticket. My cousin, Ron, wasn't so lucky.
One recent afternoon in Wilmington, Del., narcotics officers with the local police approached Ron near his home, ordered him out of his vehicle and slammed him against a truck. They threw him to the ground and two police officers held his hands and used their knees to press on his shoulders. Another officer sat on his legs, while the fourth officer kicked him. They punched him in the face. A canine unit was called to the scene to search his car, without his permission. The officers never bothered to ask Ron his name, hog-tied and arrested him and took him to the police station, where he was strip searched.
No contraband was found in Ron's car. Ron had done nothing wrong, yet he was charged with resisting arrest and failure to stop for police sirens. There were no sirens, and turns out, the narcotics officers simply had the wrong guy, which they admitted later.
Ron, who is now in his mid-twenties, says he has been stopped by the Wilmington police approximately 20 times since he started driving at age 15. In fact, he was stopped again just weeks after this brutal incident allegedly for running a stop sign. He was let go without a ticket. Ron says that in eight of the 20 times he has been pulled over, officers had their guns drawn.
When my family and friends come to me seeking advice about how to respond to their encounters with the police, I am not always optimistic that I can help them. I've litigated these cases for many years, and I know that part of the problem is the very high burden of proof in racial discrimination cases.
That is why Congress needs to pass the End Racial Profiling Act, to make it easier to bring these cases. We have to have a way to fight back against those who have made it their job to target minorities for abuse or mistreatment.
-Reggie Shuford, ACLU-PA Executive Director
*Some details have been altered to protect privacy.
This post originally appeared on the national ACLU Blog of Rights as part of its series on ending racial profiling.
Take action. Urge your member of Congress to pass the End Racial Profiling Act, legislation sponsored by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Rep. John Conyers, (D-Mich.) which would, among other things, provide training to help police avoid responses based on stereotypes and unreliable assumptions about minorities.
The End Racial Profiling Act: Giving Us a Way to Fight Back
"First things first...We are truly blessed to have the means to set a pretty table and invite our friends to join us for good food and fellowship. I am mindful that many are not so fortunate. My daughter has a passion for the work of the Food Bank. As a singer-songwriter, she has written and recorded a song that is the anthem for the world wide Crop Hunger Walk project. Her song, "Raise Your Voice" is featured in their video. I've included a link in the side margin of my blog. As you consider your own philanthropic opportunities, I hope that it will encourage you to support projects in your community that contribute to the effort to overcome hunger.
Tonight is Cuisine Kathleen's Earth Day Challenge. I published another post EASTER, SECOND VERSE, yesterday, but I decided that I could do better for Kathleen. When I think of Summer, I'm always excited to put beautiful fresh vegetables on the table for my guests' pleasure. I can hardly wait each year for the amazing home grown tomatoes...and squash...and corn on the cob...and on and on. I love the smell of freshly turned earth in a vegetable garden, especially right after a rain. Those were the thoughts running pell mell through my mind when I created my contribution, "Earth's Summer Bounty."
Come on in...this one's for you...even if you're wearing your overalls, straight from working in your vegetable garden. We'll gather at the games table in the living room.
The inspiration for my Earth Day table was this large ceramic basket filled with an assortment of delightful ceramic vegetables. I found it for $10.00 at an estate sale in Dallas. I was there visiting my kids, and my daughter-in-love and I were able to slip away for a bit to indulge in one of our guilty pleasures...estate sales. Flanking the basket is a pair of Vietri "Cabbage Leaf" candlesticks, an eBay find.
The green and white striped tablecloth reminded me of rows of green sprouts poking their heads up through the earth. It was also an eBay find. The napkins were bought several years ago at an after-Christmas clearance sale from Pier One.
Like a nest of fresh leaves, the Bordallo Pinheiro, "Cabbage Leaf" charger plates cradled the place settings.
Yet another eBay purchase, I collected the Luneville, "Louis XV" plates over a period of time for sometimes less than $5.00 per plate. I checked them recently, and they appear to have increased in price. I chose them because they picked up some of the colors in the basket and they reminded me of baked squash! The Rattan handled flatware was a dirt cheap get from Big Lots several years ago.
More "garden goodness"...the Bordallo Pinheiro, "Leaf Plate" added interesting shape, texture, and colors to put the finishing touch on each place setting. The multi-colored edge again picked up more of the colors in the vegetables in the basket.
After a morning of tending to the garden, it's nice to sit down to a large glass of freshly brewed ice tea and a generous goblet of thirst quenching ice water. I've used the Mikasa, "French Country" and the Lenox, "Red Holiday Gem". I used the red stem because I love that a vegetable garden features a full spectrum of color. I used the clear goblet because although I wanted to feature a variety of color, I didn't want to fall over the cliff into a chasm of color chaos.
Ready to rock and roll....
Go ahead...choose where you'd like to sit. We deserve a relaxing time of good food and fellowship after a busy morning tending to our garden on this Good Earth.
Thank you, yet again, to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting her magical meme, Tablescape Thursday. I'll be linking my post to "TABLESCAPE THIURSDAY." Hop on over and check out the myriad of marvelous tablescape designs, after 10:00 AM on Thursdays. You'll be glad that you made the trip...it's a wonderful adventure.
When I think of April, I think of rainy days that give way to glorious sun-filled skies and the blessed Easter holiday. How about you? With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS. Hope to see you there!
When I think of April, I think of rainy days that give way to glorious sun-filled skies and the blessed Easter holiday. How about you? With thankfulness for her dedication and efforts, I'm joining the multi-talented Tablescaper for her fabulous meme SEASONAL SUNDAYS. Hope to see you there!
You can check out KC's music at www.kcclifford.com, on iTunes, and on YouTube. I hope that you'll take a few minutes and give her a listen. You'll also enjoy reading back through her blog on this site. The girl can really write! Her latest CD is called "Orchid." It is available on iTunes or through her website. I hope that you'll give her music a chance. I know that I have zero objectivity where she is concerned, but I think that you'll fall in love with her music and her!
EARTH'S SUMMER BOUNTY
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