9 minute read
many moons ago
from The Sun 06.03.2020
by The Sun
Rage is a rational response to oppression.
Reading the news following the murder of George Floyd is heartbreaking. The devastating images of burning buildings lead many to ask, “Isn’t looting just making a bad situation worse?”
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I hope you will join me and consider the root causes of this unrest. In our mostly-white communities, we usually assume laws are just and fairly enforced. We might take for granted our right to personal freedom and due process. This is not the case for many black people.
Historically, our laws and norms have deliberately oppressed black people. The Civil Rights movement improved this problem, but effects of historic oppression remain, especially in criminal justice. Today, black people represent 14% of the population, but 37% of the prison population. Black men receive prison sentences that average
THE POSTSCRIPT
19.1% longer than white men for committing the same crimes.
Additionally, black men are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than white men. Police useof-force is the sixth-leading cause of death for young black men. As I write this, tear gas, mace and rubber bullets are used freely by police during the George Floyd protests, while a group of heavily armed white protestors were greeted by police and permitted to enter the Michigan capitol last month.
The pandemic is also disproportionately affecting black people, who experience a COVID mortality rate 2.4 times higher than White people thanks to systemic inequity.
Meanwhile, the super-wealthy are enjoying a tax break from the COVID relief package, avoiding $82 billion in tax liability. Of this, Senator Whitehouse of Rhode Island said, “It’s a scandal... to loot American taxpayers in the midst of an economic and human trage
Biscuits and gravy
Alana Cuellar St. Croix Falls
This has been going on for a while, I guess, but I never saw them in my neighborhood. Now, however, someone has more time on their hands, or a desire to reach out, or has lost their mind in isolation—whatever the reason—and little painted stones are appearing everywhere.
All of a sudden, there are painted rocks along my path.
When I saw the fi rst one, I didn’t think much of it. I think it was a Star Trek logo (I won’t swear to that). It was black and gold and looked kind of space age. Then I saw a rainbow. Then it registered. “Oh. Someone is leaving painted rocks!”
Then I saw a watermelon and several fl owers and a few inspirational sayings. When I got home, I googled it. Yup. People were painting rocks. It’s a thing.
One website reminded rock painters, “This activity is about gifting and not expecting to fi nd a rock or get recognition when yours is found.”
I like that. You paint a rock, you
Columnist
Carrie Classon
dy.” Why is looting only worthy of our outrage if it can be depicted by a photograph of a burning building?
These statistics are not a secret. But data does not have the same emotional effect as a video of a black man being murdered by a white police offi cer. That footage shows us what black people have always known: Those in power are a threat to the lives of black people.
The media coverage fi xates on property damage without addressing deeper issues of racism that led us to this moment. Black people are fi ghting for survival. Rage is a rational response to oppression. George Floyd was murdered by someone whose job was to “serve and protect,” and no amount of rebuilding will bring him back.
never know what it will do, how many people will see it, where it will end up. Once it’s out of your hands, it has a life of its own.
Right now, there is someone out there who painted a small, rectangular rock with fl owers in two shades of blue and a bright green center. It’s a very nice rock. I should know. I put it in my pocket, took it home, and I’m looking at it (and writing about it) right now. I’m guessing the person who painted it did not expect there would be a newspaper column written about it and that’s exactly why I like the idea so much.
Because I never know how what I do or say will affect another person. Social media has made it a lot easier to have a lot bigger effect on a lot more people in a lot less time. This is frequently not a good thing.
Yesterday, this was brought home to me when I made a less-than-complimentary comment about someone’s photo of biscuits and gravy.
I immediately regretted it. In no time fl at, there was a spirited discussion about the merits of biscuits and gravy going on that I never intended. I did not want to be the Great Enemy of Biscuits and Gravy. I didn’t want to go to battle against all the Biscuit and Gravy Champions. I stood zero chance of ever persuading anyone that biscuits and gravy might not be the Very Best Thing in the Whole World and probably, as a result of my thoughtless comment, half a dozen folks were cooking up biscuits and gravy that night because they’d forgotten how much they liked them. (Can we at least admit that biscuits and gravy are not the most photogenic food? Okay, never mind.)
So now I’m thinking, instead of trying to set anyone straight on biscuits and gravy ever again, I’m going to try to leave the equivalent of a painted rock. I try to say “hello” when I meet someone. I always compliment everyone’s dog because I fi gure no one can be told too many times they have a beautiful dog. (And, for the record, all dogs are beautiful.)
I try to leave behind something positive and try not to worry where my painted rock ends up. I’m going to hope that someone will fi nd it—like I found this one— and think, “Wow! I really like two shades of blue with a bright green center!”
And I’m keeping my opinion on biscuits and gravy to myself.
Till next time, Carrie
Carrie Classon’s memoir is called, “Blue Yarn.” Learn more at CarrieClasson.com.
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10 years ago June 2, 2010
• Rep. Ann Hraychuck and other state offi cials plan to hold a community-wide hearing in Osceola about the departure of Polaris. • Osceola’s Dairy Queen franchise opened this weekend after new owner John Lindstrom fi nalized a purchase of the business and property on Thrusday. • The Mainstreeter Cafe in downtown Osceola has closed for business. • The Osceola boys track team exploded for a huge regional win at Amery and followed that with a fourth place fi nish at the 36-team sectional. The girls fi nished third at the regional and sectional. • The Osceola boys golf team ran away with the regional in Durand. They had a 20-stroke lead over runner-up Somerset. • Jackson Bean, Makinzie Miller, Jason Neidermire and Nik Schrantz competed at the Special Olympics in Eau Claire.
20 years ago May 31, 2000
• Plans are far from fi nalized, but if things go according to plan, Dresser will have a daycare center. The Village of Dresser and Judy Qualle are currently working on the details. • Osceola Medical Center received two sizable grants and plan to add a CT scanner to its list of medical technology. • The St. Croix ArtBarn planned to present, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!” • A Memorial Day ceremony was conducted Monday in Osceola’s Mill Pond Park to remember those who gave their life for the cause of freedom. • Kelsey Nyberg of Dresser graduated from the Polk County Special Education School in Balsam Lake. • Eric Randall of Osceola received a $400 scholarship for the 2000-2001 school year. He
30 years ago May 30, 1990
• Charlene and Richard Berg of Pleasant Lake Inn will welcome visitors to their bed and breakfast in rural Osceola beginning in mid-June. • Dairy Day on Saturday will start with a free pancake breakfast and will include a full day of activities. • Andrea Greene, an Osceola High School graduate and student at Hamline University, was inducted into Sigma Tau Delta, a national English honor society and Phi Beta Kappa, a national honorary scholastic society. • Milda Gustafson placed fi rst in Best of Breed with her New Zealand White rabbit. She received the award during the Indianhead Breeders Association Convention in St. Croix Falls on May 26. • St. Croix Falls track advanced four to the WIAA State track meet. They include Terri Maassen, Sherri Erickson, Tuuka Makinen and Greg Barstow.
50 years ago June 4, 1970
• Dr. Richard P. Bailey, President of Hamline University, was the guest speaker at the Osceola High School graduation. • Bill Thiel, Tom Stelling, Glen Dehmer, Dale Selzer, Tom Hinz, Dave Pettis, Brad Renspe and Paul Kremser from the Osceola High School track team qualifi ed for the sectional track meet. • Mr. and Mrs. Diane Thompson and family spent the weekend at the McCloud Lake Lodge near Cable. • Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Holm held an open house in honor of their son, Randy’s, graduation Thursday evening. • Showing at the Auditorium Theatre, “How the West Was Won.”
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