I think of myself and others as individuals. Not as members of a group.
American popular & political culture insists on dividing people up into groups- then assigning a separate value to different groups.
Political experts have been reaching out to latino, black, Asian American, and women voters. Surely, members of a specific group would think, act & vote as one?
Discrimination is common in 2023. The US federal government is OK with much of it.
Parking pass for federal lands you paid for the same as the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan:
Regular people- $80 annual pass
Military- free
Seniors- $80 lifetime pass & $20 for the annual pass
4th Grade Pass- free
The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series
Selective Service registration for men only.
Scholarships that are awarded only to women.
Women’s colleges
Federal support for Women-Owned Businesses
Alcohol prohibition for adults age 18-20.
Both major political parties are now OK with treating 18-20 year old adults as second-class citizens.
Those who are 18-20 years old are placed in a land of the free holding pattern.
Alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and firearms restrictions are in place for 18-20 year old adults. Is there any state where recreational marijuana laws remove prohibition for adults at age 18?
Doesn’t seem to fit with a society that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking the troops for freedoms, fighting wars for freedoms, staging military jet flyovers at sporting events for freedom, etc.
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
Another of many examples where freedoms may come & go- completely unrelated to military operations in distant lands:
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
1967
Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?
The race issue.
I feel like racial tension is higher today than at anytime in my life.
I did some time in the Marines. One of the best parts of it was living and working with people from all 50 states, some foreign countries and every color under the sun.
Interracial marriage was quite common. People were family oriented and loving their kids.
Head over to the daycare facility at any military base. You will see kids of all colors playing together without any regard for what color they are, or what color their Mom or Dad is.
This good news about loving families will not show up on the TV.
Those Moms and Dads will not be interviewed for a TV news story related to any of this.
Random thoughts:
Did President Obama work on race issues during his time in office?
America now seems very much about identity politics. Do black mayors and chiefs of police have a better record for controlling violence and police abuse in their cities?
Do women who are mayors and chiefs of police have a better record?
Has there ever been any news reporting on this?
News media and law enforcement:
Yahoo News January 5, 2023
“The suspect is described as an African American male in his 20′s with a skinny build, approximately 5′08″ in height.”
WIBW September 21, 2021
“The suspect is described as a African American male with light skin.”
Authorities identify the family heritage of an unknown person?
If a black person is visiting, or has moved to the US from Canada, Jamaica, England, Africa, or Australia, at what point are they considered African American?
January 6, 2023 by wjastore Bracing Views
The Fight Over the Speaker of the House
“Let’s take a quick look at the new House Minority Leader. CNN praised Jeffries as “the first Black lawmaker to lead a party in Congress.” That’s truly what matters, right? Diversity. More Black faces in high places. Or more women at the top. Or more LGBTQ+ and so on.
“But what if “diversity” results in no meaningful policy changes? What if diversity, as my wife puts it, is mainly an optical illusion?”
Possibly of interest:
Some people would consider sports to be a part of the entertainment industry.
Various sports, music concerts, movies, plays, motorsports and comedy clubs sell tickets at different prices for different artists, acts and events.
Separate Sports Leagues, Equal Pay and US Army
People Function As Individuals
Huge Emphasis On Race/What Color People Are
Photo-
Photo- Plt 3049 MCRD SD September, 1979