Thursday, May 14, 2015

Will trade a Benjamin for five Tubmans












When I saw this article I was a little surprised but mostly disappointed that some people seem to find the negative angle in everything. WHY WE SHOULD KEEP HARRIET TUBMAN AND ROSA PARKS OFF THE $20 BILL



More negative reaction to idea of Harriet Tubman on $20 bills.  Keep Harriet Tubman – and all women – off the $20


Yet another think piecer who doesn't see the wisdom in putting Harriet Tubman on US currency - HARRIET TUBMAN ON THE $20 BILL IS CHUMP CHANGE




So we only want people on $ bills who were pro slavery, anti woman, members of ruling class? No matter how much has changed & how much change we're still striving for, we want to cling to the ugly past and not acknowledge those who fought for a greater America?




As for me, I can think of no one more worthy than Harriet Tubman for the honor. Her legacy IS America. She should be on $1, $5, $10, $20...









Women were 2nd class citizens in the US way too long. Still not caught up. Imagine Hillary in the White House & Harriet on the $20. Go on, do it.










Most of the impact will not be immediate. Changing mindsets takes time. Some of what we do today is meant to make tomorrow better.



















Monday, May 11, 2015

A reading from Patches of Grey




How do I stand up against the other Author Excerpt entrants at Buzz Bookstore's contest?

My entry is lucky # 22.  Happy reading/listening.

Don't be shy.  Let me know what you thought.  Maybe, just maybe, you will propel my excerpt to victory.

Perhaps one day I'll get around to recording a reading of the entire novel, at which point I'll be able to offer Patches of Grey as an audio book.  Until then, the print edition and Kindle edition will have to do.  You can enter the contest at Goodreads before May 20th for a chance to win a copy of the former.  As for the latter, it will be available for free at Amazon 5/21 - 5/23.

Your votes for Patches of Grey in the #BlerdBookClub poll would also be greatly appreciated.





Goodreads Book Giveaway

Patches Of Grey by Roy L. Pickering Jr.

Patches Of Grey

by Roy L. Pickering Jr.

Giveaway ends May 20, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to Win


 https://www.goodreads.com/mplwdscribe




Sunday, May 3, 2015

Murders and Riots and Misdemeanors


I was pleased when Marilyn Mosby chose to file charges against the six police officers who appear to be responsible for injuries that led to the death of Freddie Gray. But when people on social media suggested that this is an example of JUSTICE brought about by RIOTS, this struck me as taking matters too far. There will be no peace without justice. But disruption of peace is not what brings justice about.  It's nothing more or less than a vivid demonstration of our frustration, the "language of the unheard".  We don't need rioting.  What we need is rehabilitation of a very imperfect system.  R.I.P. Freddie Gray.







                                                          THE DIRTY HALF DOZEN



We immediately assumed white cops needlessly assaulted black victim. One look at the picture above says all you really need to know.  Everything in life is not a simple black & white matter.





































Kid got half a million dollars bail after turning himself in (by parental demand) for breaking a police car window.  Did Mookie from Do the Right Thing set the Wrong Example? Shouldn't bail for alleged killers be higher than that earned for an act of heated vandalism?  SMDH.





But at least people are making all kinds of new unlikely friends. People seeing each other as people rather than foreigners or enemies is the only true path to justice consistently being served.