Hot Topic #30: Thoughts on The Murder of George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, White Privilege, and Being An Ally

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Image Credit: Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami

George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, 2020.

Black Lives Matter.

If there’s one thing that I understand completely, it’s that I have white privilege.

I’m committed to being a better ally.

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Over the last week and a half, I’ve asked a lot of questions. Shout-out to my wonderful husband for being my main sounding board!

Here are a few snapshots of my recent thoughts.

At the end of this post, I’ve included a long list of resources, ways you can help, ways you can educate yourself and others, and other sources that I’ve found helpful.

Thanks for reading.

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Monday, June 1st

I’m having trouble concentrating. I’m so angry about so many things. I’m personally not brave enough to join any of the Black Lives Matter protests, but I am committed to listening. I’ve been carefully observing my…

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How to Help

Commentary #103: “The Elegance of Kindness”

I sang a duet of “The Rainbow Connection” at a friend’s wedding, so I loved this blog post at first glance. But, what Laura Beth says is so true, especially right now – we need the “Elegance of Kindness.”

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Image Credit: Found on Gratitude and Trust

This post started with an email and a YouTube link. Thanks, Momma V.!

Al’s mom sent this link to me, asking if I’d seen it: Story Behind the Song: The Rainbow Connection

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I hadn’t, so I clicked on it. It’s a bit dated now – It was posted in October 2016. However, what I clicked on and witnessed was nearly 12 minutes of magic and appreciation. It was an interview where Paul Williams discusses how “The Rainbow Connection” came to be. In the middle, Williams mentioned his website, Gratitude and Trust, along a post he wrote called “The Elegance of Kindness” about Jim Henson. I paused the video, grabbed a Post-It note, scribbled that down, and continued the video.

Visiting the website a little while later, I noticed that Paul posted it in September 2013. But, dates don’t matter.

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As I started…

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Three tips for managing the anxiety of an empty diary

Love Uncommon

Over the last two weeks, lots of my clients have been telling me that they are having trouble with the change of pace that has been forced on every one that isn’t an ‘essential’ worker. For many people, this means moving from a 9-5 routine to having enormous amounts of free time, but no activities available outside the home. Of course, most people have lots of things that they have been dreaming about doing for years. Whether that is writing a book, getting on with a sewing or art project, cleaning the cupboard or connecting more with loved ones. Yet with all this time opening up, somehow those things still aren’t happening, and that seems to be causing lots of distress.

Lots of people are having more trouble than usual switching between tasks and even getting started with doing things that they really want to do. Some of these folks…

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Remembering Bob Andelman

RIP. 😥

claytoonz

I lost a great friend this week. He was a friend I had never met in person and who I had only know for a couple of years. But during that time, we became friends and even entered a business relationship.

Bob Andelman was only 59. From the St. Petersburg Catalyst Obituary:

Journalist and author Bob Andelman, a longtime presence in St. Petersburg media, died Monday after a short battle with a rare form of cancer. He was 59.

A former music and culture writer for the Tampa Bay Times (when it was called the St. Petersburg Times) and the now-defunct Tampa Tribune, Andelman also covered area music for Tampa Bay Weekly, Pulse and Players. His byline appeared in Newsweek and Business Week.

He was the author or co-author of 16 books spanning a range of topics including sports, business, entertainment and even self-help.

Andelman was known internationally for his Mr. Media interviews with writers, musicians, celebrities and others…

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Being Able To Buy Two Of My Books at Loganberry Books? Priceless.

B.W. Ginsburg

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Random Questions – Post #2

If you’re new to our “weird/random/oversharing” corner of the Internet, or if you need a refresher, check out Random Questions – Post #1.  For the veterans, welcome home.  Make yourself comfortable!  Random Question #2: How do you address reading a series, especially one that went through “fanatical hype” before you picked it up?  Say, a…

NOS4A2 Book Review*

I think this is a great post with which to start a New Year! Taking on what seemed like a challenge, only to discover a new favorite book. I’m all about finding new favorites. 🙂

B.W. Ginsburg

NOS4A2 is my new favorite book. No doubt about it.

I first decided to read Joe Hill’s NOS4A2 after seeing season one of the tv show and absolutely loving it. I was slightly hesitant to read the novel for two reasons: (1) I had heard that the book was confusing and (2) the length of the novel seemed a bit daunting. However, I decided to give it a chance. Man, am I happy I did.

For starters, I’ve never read a book that contains better writing. The metaphors, the similes, the pure brilliance of the author’s writing is phenomenal. Then we have the characters, which are both realistic and well thought out. I couldn’t get enough of Vic or Manx. I really can’t put into words how much I love this story. It’s just fantastic – plain and simple.

If you’re looking for an outstanding horror read with memorable characters…

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“FX Presents – A Christmas Carol” – A Review

I found myself watching “FX Presents A Christmas Carol” & I could not stop texting my best friend – let’s call her “L.”  She has the patience of a saint, because I had a lot to say.  Coming from someone who always has a lot to say, I’m sure she was overwhelmed. The first thing…