Colbert Nembhard

Friday November 25th New York Times wrote about a Bronx librarian, Colbert Nembhard, a librarian, whose mission it is to help homeless children develop a love of books. How can that happen when these same children do not even have a home?. At the Crotona Inn Homeless shelter, he has opened a library, so books can be a constant in these young children's lives. In eight years he has signed on countless children and parents for library cards. The children love him and--as far as I am concerned--this is the meaning of the word, hero.

When There is a Will, There is a Way

Are domestic responsibilities at odds with being a great writer? I am not certain, since I write; I love to write; I have been writing my whole life, but I am not regarded as a great writer. My children never stopped me; in fact, they enhanced me, since I realized how precious time was, and this made me get down to business when they napped or when they went to school. There was no room for procrastination. In the NYT Book Review, two writers, both of whom have children--Siddhartha Deb (a single father) and Dana Stevens, discuss that there are some people who do whatever work possible in whatever circumstances they find themselves in. Dana Stevens finds herself able to write with an unknown but truly impressive quantity of rainbow sequins scattered across the floor. When my children were little, I hated the clutter, but it did not derail me from getting my work done. There is a cliche--when there is a will, there is a way. I always had the will, so I always found the way!

Taking Words Seriously

As a writer, I feel like whatever I say and use in my text matters. It is not like I have misused words (and sentiments), but I try not to. I try to keep meanness to a minimum, though I am sometimes guilty of not succeeding.

This is one--among many reasons--Donald Trump's presidency presents too many problems. He has said he would give his business to his children to operate, and he is already using the presidential platform as a means to enhance his millions (God knows how much he owns, since this is one area he has remained mute). He says he is against climate change one minute, and the next minute admits there is a possibility it is real. When his golf course in Florida floods, he might feel differently. He also says overturning Roe Vs. Wade is not a problem-handing it over to the states, since women can easily go to another state to have an abortion. Easily? Does he understand a poor, pregnant woman does not have the means to take a plane to NYC to take care of medical matters, particularly if she lives in the middle of the country?

What you say matters, Mr. Trump. Unless you are so far removed from reality, you need to get that there are some people out there who will listen to your words, and try to make sense of them.

I, for one, am not one of them. Once you ignited fire at your rallies by using divisive and dismissive words; once you made fun of a disabled reporter; once you said derogatory words about women, immigrants, Blacks and Latinos, I realized I could never take your words seriously, ever.

You are living proof that not everyone takes WORDS as seriously as I do. You can call yourself president, but sorry, the Emperor is way more naked than anyone who has come before him.

Great News From Fortify Rights!

Great News! In a news release given by Fortify Rights on November 25th, 2016, two environmental defenders, who were previously charged trespassing on an open-pit gold mine, were acquitted of all charges. Because of insufficient evidence that Tungkum Limited possessed the land at the time of the incident, charges had to be dropped. For more information on this decision, please visit http://www.fortifyrights.org/publication-20161125.html

Standing Up For What is Right

I want to feel positive. I want to wake up feeling better. I want to believe maybe Trump will not be as bad as we imagine. But then Trump selects his cabinet: "A man associated with white supremacy and misogyny as the White House strategist; a man rejected for a judgeship because of alleged racism will be attorney general and an Islamophobe who has taken money from Moscow as a national security advisor." (Kristof, 11, NYT, 10/20). Not encouraging.

I have signed up for the Muslim Registry in the event they decide to deport and question Muslims in this country, many of whom are my students and friends. I went to a Muslim wedding just the other week. And I said, when people questioned me, I understand the Civil Rights movement, how people were willing to go to jail for a cause, and yes, I am not Black, but does it matter? How many Whites marched to Birmingham alongside Martin Luther King; how many Jews ended up in jail, since once upon a time, Jews stood up for human rights, since they understood them intimately; they had suffered the elimination of six million relatives in the Holocaust.

The older I get, the less frightened I become. I am becoming that little girl told by her father (mine) that I could do and be anything; that the world was my oyster, that-according to Franklin D. Roosevelt, "The only thing to fear is fear itself."

I feel fearless in the face of social injustice, since what do I have but my voice? If that sends me to jail, so be it, though I still believe that would never happen. As an only child, I have many brothers and sisters in the world to defend, and defend them I will, and I can only pray some kind God up there will defend and commend me for standing up for what I believe in!

South Carolina by Jacqueline Woodson

This piece in the Sunday magazine section of the New York Times brought me to tears, how Jacqueline Woodson, famed author of the National Book Award winner BROWN GIRL DREAMING, among other significant children's books, talked about waking up and the grief of her son's down-cast form when he heard the result of the election. He is eight. He has only known a Black president. His response, "This wasn't supposed to happen."

And what does his Mama say to him? "It was time to tell him the deeper truths of our country. It would be time to tell him what I saw this year: the Confederate flags in my own childhood home of South Carolina and in Alabama, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, Virginia, Georgia-even in his home state of New York. It would soon be time to tell him that this country's earliest history is one of unkindness. That the blood of his ancestors was expendable, priced along with stocks of cotton and gold. Will they really build a wall? he asked. Will they really send my friends away?" But then she concludes with the positive-you have always made a way out of no way. We'll get through this."

I pray!

A Message from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

November 20, 2016

A Message from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Dear Students:

After the harsh and ugly rhetoric of the campaign, many of you are concerned about what might happen next.

Let me be clear: This is the State of New York, not a state of fear. We will not tolerate hate or racism.

We have been and always will be a place where people of many backgrounds have come to seek freedom and opportunity. Almost all who live here can trace their roots to someplace else.

We cherish our diversity. We find strength in our differences. Whether you are gay or straight, Muslim or Christian or Jewish or Buddhist, rich or poor, black or white or Latino or Asian, man or woman, cisgender or transgender, we respect all people in the State of New York.

The Statue of Liberty is a proud symbol of American values, and she stands in our harbor. We feel a special responsibility to make her offer of refuge and hope a reality every day.

As long as you are here, you are New Yorkers. You are members of our community, and we will stand up for you.

The State of New York has strict laws against hate crimes and discrimination and we fully and firmly enforce them. It is illegal in this state to target, harass or discriminate against a person because of his or her race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation. We are a tolerant people, and cannot and will not let our freedoms be undermined. ​

New York State has a toll-free hotline where people can report incidents of bias and discrimination. Our responsibility is to protect all who are here, whether native-born or immigrant, whether documented or not. The hotline strengthens our efforts. Contacting us will not affect your immigration status.

New Yorkers who have experienced bias or discrimination should call the toll-free hotline at (888) 392-3644 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

If you want to report a crime or fear for your safety, call 911 immediately.

New Yorkers feel a particular affection for young immigrants. For centuries, our state has thrived on the energy and ambition of the young people seeking to build their lives here. Your intelligence, your creativity, your idealism enriches us all. You are welcome here.

Sincerely,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo