Rodney's Rambling's

  Black Mamas/Madams, Sexual Oppression and the Truly Determined Today, in recognition of Black History Month, I celebrate my Aunt, Momma Dot. Momma Dot was a business owner, a Madame, and an active church member. Her full name was Dothulia Groce Gaddis. She was the de facto Matriarch of our family, my mother's eldest sister. She was the first to leave Jackson, Mississippi, in the mid 1920s' and venture North. She jokes about having to decide whether to ride in the white or the colored section of the train. Never ashamed of who she was, she decided to ride in the colored sections. Momma Dot was a character. She operated the 38 Club in the strip between "Goose Hill" and East St. Louis. This No-man's land was really just a strip of clubs and bars, aiming to get the attention of the men and their money as they left the "Stock Yards" on their way home. The 38 Club got its name because that was what Momma Dot always carried (a 38 snub-nose revolver)...

  Know Who you are not what you are  File under a little knowledge is a dangerous thing: So many folks think all it takes to be black is to put on some African inspired garb, made in china, spout some notions of Afro-centricity, from folks that have never been to Africa or apparently the hood, and change their name to Kunta Kente. Black is not about form but substance, it is not about externalization but internalization, it is not about perpetrating but representing. Strange our grandparents and their parents knew this, lived this, and essentialized this. Perhaps we need to study them a bit more, and ignore the "black" fad- or is it flavor of the week.. rodney d. coates// Bridges over troubled waters Friends are those that celebrate your victories, enemies ignore them. Friends hold you accountable, enemies encourage you to screw up. Friends are there when things go wrong, enemies plan parties to celebrate. Friends welcome you, enemies forsake you. Friends cry when you mourn...

I)  The original underclass - often mislabeled as white working-class voters by politicians and pollsters          Typically used to define anyone without a four-year degree          describes over a third of the electorate totally ignores differences in geography, ethnicity, and culture 2) label actually a kind of Stock story where they are envisioned as salt-of-the-earth citizens, living and working in wide open spaces between coasts           CONNOTES VIRTUE/INTEGRITY 3.     Actually, it is the less privileged white Americans in crisis     a. social breakdown of families and community, much like that which impacted African Americans decades earlier b) rates of out-of-wedlock births and male joblessness rising sharply. c) rising mortality rates (including suicide) among middle-aged whites d) opioid addiction II) On the Right we find Barely suppressed contempt characterized muc...

 Understanding Asian American Social Movements 1) Starting in the 1960s and 1970s to present -promoting social justice, equality and representation. 2) The Formation of Early Asian American Social movements -characterized by sense of solidarity and unity among different Asian ethnic groups 3) Challenged dominant narratives and stereotypes 4) influenced by concept of "Third World Solidarity" = emphasized shared experiences and struggles of communities of color 5) Key organizations involved -early AA social movements a. the Asian American Political Alliance b. The Asian American Studies Department at San Francisco State U. c. The Yellow Brotherhood d. The Asian American Student Union -played crucial role promoting AA identity and challenging status. Helped create sense of solidarity and community 6) Key Figures involved in Movement a. Yugi Ichioka -historian/activist credited with coining term Asian American. b. Gordon Hirabayashi -sociologists/activists involved in formation o...

  SJS 287: Native American Activism I)                     Occupation of Alcatraz Island nov. 20, 1969 19 months 1.       Group occupied the island with the intent of reclaiming the rock in the name of all American Indians.. 2.       Proclamation stated Alcatraz more suitable for an Indian reservation as determined by white man’s standard a.       It is islolated from modern facilities without adequate means of transportation b.       It has no fresh running water c.       It has inadequate sanitation facilities d.       There are no oil or mineral rights e.       There is no industry and so unemployment is very great f.         There are no health care facilities g.   ...