Monthly Archives: December 2021

Racism study has the wrong people smiling.

Something As Simple As Smiling Can Help Curb Racial Bias, Study Suggests

Three hundred college students, mostly white, were divided into two groups. The first group watched videos in which a white person acted cordially toward a black person, e.g. smiling. The second group watched videos in which a white person snubbed a black person. After watching the videos, students in the first group showed relatively more positive attitudes towards blacks. Students in the second group showed relatively more negative attitudes toward blacks.

All this really tells me is that some white folk adopt the attitudes other white folk model.

I’m ready to regard the study itself as racist.
Continue reading Racism study has the wrong people smiling.

“Don’t believe her defenders. Amy Schumer’s jokes are racist.”

Bookmarks:
Stacey Patton, David J. LeonardCamping at the cafeHonest conversations about race?
Continue reading “Don’t believe her defenders. Amy Schumer’s jokes are racist.”

Choosing to feel good is not a no-brainer

A few days ago, in the “smoke pit” awaiting entry to the homeless shelter where I stay, I sat facing a choice of whether to feel good or feel bad.  I allowed myself to stay in that state for some time so as to examine it.  As I’ve observed many times in the past, it proved to be, apparently, a completely arbitrary choice.

This really puzzled, and puzzles me.  Choosing to feel good creates light.  Choosing to feel bad creates darkness.  There is so much “darkness” in the world, and I want to understand how it comes about.  Can it really be as simple as a wholly arbitrary choice? Continue reading Choosing to feel good is not a no-brainer

Podcast — Saint and sinner

We’re each both, at all times.

Saint and sinner

Related:  The Way of Peace, chapter 17:  “About organized religion”
Related: The Way of Peace, chapter 19: “Sacrifice”

Music:  Don Henley, “The Heart of the Matter”

Continue reading Podcast — Saint and sinner