There/Not there

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of King's March on Washington, here are some thoughts.
Yes, in some ways America has advanced quite a bit. Unbelievable as it was in 2008 ( I had some trouble believing it), a black man getting elected in 1963 would have been even beyond fantasy.
That makes a big difference to one man and a small difference to a great many men (and women), but the real sign of progress is what will make a big difference to many men & women.
It is just as much a sign of progress that blacks are starting to appear as everyday middle class people in our advertisements.
A better sign of progress will be when they appear as everyday middle class people in our real lives.
THAT TIME IS COMING.
I know this because I used to work at a university and I saw young people walking in multicultural, multicolor groups around campus all the time. Young people who have grown up like that will not move away because a person of a different color moves in down the block.
We won't really eliminate or at least marginalize racism til we work together, go to school together, and live together.
Let's see what things are like on the 100th anniversary.

That depends on what you mean by ...

Russia. The Olympics.
Big topics right now. I totally oppose their 'moral' law, but I agree with Pres. Obama and Greg Louganis. We should not punish the athletes by asking them to give up what they have worked so hard for.
Let them go and I deeply hope they do win medals and come home celebrated as they should be.
But while an official, political boycott might not be the best idea, I think a commercial boycott could be.
Countries vie for the Olympics because of the money it brings in - but it doesn't HAVE to. Russia has become one of the most money grubbing nations around. They certainly are hoping to make a bundle off this event. But they don't HAVE to. Let the athletes go and the audience stay home. These days you don't have to be there to see it anyway. And it will keep your money out of the  hands of the human rights violators in Russia.
They don't want our values, fine. They can do without our money too.
Let's see how they like that.

A McWord of advice

Obtuse? Insensitive?
I just don't know how to describe a business that batters us with ads about the great prizes and money we could win if we patronize their establishment at the same time that their employees are striking for a liveable wage.
Hey, McDonalds. If you really want my business take that money and give it to your workers so they can spend more than 0 on heat or $20 on health care each month - or maybe even quit that second job you assume they have to live while working for you.
I mean really!