"Autobiographies of great nations are written in three manuscripts – a book of deeds, a book of words, and a book of art. Of the three, I would choose the latter as truest testimony." - Sir Kenneth Smith, Great Civilisations

"I must write each day without fail, not so much for the success of the work, as in order not to get out of my routine." - Leo Tolstoy

I have never believed that one should wait until one is inspired because I think the pleasures of not writing are so great that if you ever start indulging them you will never write again. - John Updike

"The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it." - J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Poetry is the shadow cast by our streetlight imaginations." - Lawrence Ferlinghetti


[Note - If any article requires updating or correction please notate this in the comment section. Thank you. - res]


Tuesday, May 12, 2020

R.E. Slater - Meditations




MEDITATIONS

by R.E. Slater


Around me lie hearts wrecked by words,
Flunged houses of anxious flesh,
Torn asunder by worthless men,
Ruthless their arts of war.

Around lie worlds of noxious fears,
Each neighbor contentious the other,
Benighted by day, sleepless the night,
Led by mockers of wicked heart.

Crying anger, shouting injustice,
Very imposters purveying the same,
Slanders first, divisive always,
Bereft the ways of peace.

Tongues filling with darkest hells,
Angry mouths fiercer than lions,
Feet running tormented paths,
Hands daily given to insurrections.

Bleating lost sheep rallying their masters,
To voices spewing ridicule and scorn,
O'er paths of ruin, pastures most bitter,
Joyless testimonies to each evil day.

All who follow, will follow ruin,
All who strive, so strife will meet,
Abandoning wisdom, fools embraced,
Lands once plenty, now plenteous ruined.


R.E. Slater
May 12, 2020
Rev. May 14 & 21, 2020


@copyright R.E. Slater Publications
all rights reserved


* * * * * * * * * * * * *


Remarks


I was meditating on contentiousness this morning... here's what I learned from reading bible verses on the subject:

"If you ever have listened to a contentious person their mouths follow their hearts rapidly speaking slander and destruction.
"They do not dwell on any one divisive soliloquy but move quickly from topic to topic sowing discontent.
"They argue without listening, stirring up new troubles every day.
"Their hearts are befouled, their lips speak war.
"They are unwise; whose paths lead to destruction; and all who follow will meet their ends."

Thus this morning's poem as a tribute lying heavy upon my heart knowing but harm comes from the hearts of the wicked.

R.E. Slater
May 12, 2020

* * * * * * * * * * * * *






Verses on the Contentious Spirit
Here's what the Bible says to those who follow in the ways of strife


Psalm 120:7 - I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.

Psalm 140:2 - ...Who devise evil things in their hearts; They continually stir up wars.

Proverbs 13:10 - Through insolence comes nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those who receive counsel.

Proverbs 15:18 - A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute.

Proverbs 17:19 - He who loves transgression loves strife; He who raises his door seeks destruction.

Proverbs 18:6 - A fool’s lips bring strife, and his mouth calls for blows.

Proverbs 21:18 - The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous [stands] in the place of the upright.

Proverbs 21:19 - It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and vexing [man or] woman.

Proverbs 21:20 - There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

Proverbs 25:24 - It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a contentious [man or] woman.

Proverbs 26:21 - Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Habakkuk 1:3 - Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.

Galatians 5:15 - But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.



* * * * * * * * * * * * *






8 Qualities of Shepherd-Leaders

by Dr. John B. MacDonald
February 12, 2016


Can we improve on servant-leadership? I propose shepherd-leadership.

One author points out that, in the Bible,

“the shepherd image is one of the few that is applied exclusively to leaders.”

No fewer than eight times in the Old Testament, God is portrayed as the shepherd of his people. In the Gospels, Jesus Christ is described as the good shepherd. There are no better teachers or models of leadership. 

What can we learn from a shepherd about becoming better leaders?

Here are at least eight qualities of true leaders we can learn from the good shepherd in John 10. Take a moment to become familiar with John 10:1-18:

John 10:1-18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Parable of the Good Shepherd
10 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.
7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and [a]have it abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
Footnotes:John 10:10 Or have abundance

1. Boundaries. As I’ve written before, every relationship is defined and preserved by boundaries (See: “Leaders, Fools and Impostors”). Stepping over those boundaries damages or destroys the relationship.

A true leader will establish and maintain boundaries. For the shepherd there is a sheep pen within which only his sheep may gather (10:1-2).

For leaders in every area of life, there are appropriate ethical and moral boundaries that leaders need to establish and maintain for the benefit of those they lead.


2. Example. The shepherd “goes on ahead of [the sheep], and his sheep follow him” (10:3-4). 

Any true leader will lead by example. It is not a case of “do as I say, not as I do.” They are to be worthy models to follow. 


3. Trustworthy. Sheep follow the good shepherd “because they know his voice” (10:4). This was learned over time from the consistent and caring treatment of the shepherd toward the sheep.

A leader needs to cultivate a deep sense of trust from those he or she leads. This is a quality where one’s voice speaks volumes about the character and care of a leader. 


4. Provision. A shepherd provides good pasture (10:9). A sheep says of the shepherd (Psalm 23):

“I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.”

True leaders provide for the needs of those they lead. For instance, they do not grind down their employees in unhealthy environments at less than livable wages. They do not fire them without caring about what happens to them. When it comes to a leadership choice, a person is more important than a profit.

A leader acts in a way that gives “life” to those he or she leads (10:10).


5. Sacrificial. Five times Jesus speaks about laying down his life for the sheep (10: 11, 15, 17-18). This shepherd chose personal sacrifice for the welfare of his sheep. 

So it is with true leaders. They willingly experience personal sacrifice for the benefit of those they lead. It’s not about the leader; it’s about those they lead. 


6. Invested. The shepherd has a personal stake in the well-being of the sheep. A hired hand will abandon them when the going gets tough or dangerous – for him, it’s only a job. The shepherd is invested in the sheep and sticks with them through thick and thin (10:12). 

So it is with true leaders. They are personally invested in those they lead. 


7. Relational. “I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (10:14). 

The true leader takes the time and energy to build solid and genuine relationships with those he or she leads. Those led are not viewed as mere employees, servants, or objects; each is known and treated as an “image of God.” 


8. Visionary. Jesus moved toward increasing the size of his flock – those who would become his genuine followers (10:16). 

True leaders have a vision for the future and move toward it.

These are a few qualities we can learn from a shepherd to become better leaders.

What can you add?



Sunday, May 10, 2020

Say Their Names. Make This Stop.



Georgia lawyer says he leaked Ahmaud Arbery shooting video to ...



“To be a negro in this country and to be relatively conscious
is to be in a rage almost all the time.” - James Baldwin



Say Their Names. Make This Stop.
Author Unknown
February 23, 2020


Black people are so tired

We can’t go jogging (#AmaudArbery).

We can’t relax in the comfort of our own homes (#BothemSean and #AtatianaJefferson). 

We can't ask for help after being in a car crash (#JonathanFerrell and #RenishaMcBride).

We can't have a cellphone (#StephonClark). 

We can't leave a party to get to safety (#JordanEdwards). 

We can't play loud music (#JordanDavis).

We can’t sell CD's (#AltonSterling).

We can’t sleep (#AiyanaJones)

We can’t walk from the corner store (#MikeBrown).

We can’t play cops and robbers (#TamirRice).

We can’t go to church (#Charleston9).

We can’t walk home with Skittles (#TrayvonMartin).

We can’t hold a hair brush while leaving our own bachelor party (#SeanBell).

We can’t party on New Years (#OscarGrant).

We can’t get a normal traffic ticket (#SandraBland).

We can’t lawfully carry a weapon (#PhilandoCastile).

We can't break down on a public road with car problems (#CoreyJones).

We can’t shop at Walmart (#JohnCrawford) .

We can’t have a disabled vehicle (#TerrenceCrutcher).

We can’t read a book in our own car (#KeithScott).

We can’t be a 10yr old walking with our grandfather (#CliffordGlover).

We can’t decorate for a party (#ClaudeReese).

We can’t ask a cop a question (#RandyEvans).

We can’t cash our check in peace (#YvonneSmallwood).

We can’t take out our wallet (#AmadouDiallo).

We can’t run (#WalterScott).

We can’t breathe (#EricGarner).

We can’t live (#FreddieGray).

We’re tired. 

Tired of making hashtags.

Tired of trying to convince you that our #BlackLivesMatter too. 

Tired of dying.

Tired.

Tired.

Tired.

So very tired.

- Author Unknown

* * * * * * * * * * * * *


Investigators Call Evidence in the Ahmaud Arbery Shooting ...

White lives matter most. 
Author Unknown


White fear matters most.

White explanations matter most.

White commands shouted matter most.

White complaints matter most.

White communities matter most.

White lies told to each other matter most.

White narratives about America matter most.

White myths of purity matter most.

White recollections before a jury matter most.

White explanations to nonwhite people matter most.

White fear of being called or seen as white matter most.

White anger about diversity matters most.

White fragility about being truly seen matters most.

White children matter most.

White athletes matter most.

White breath matters most.

White misunderstandings of history and the present matters most.

White disbelief at what has always been America matters most.

White demands to be shocked at regular shootings of black people matter most.

White trust in police instead of statistics displaying patterns of violence matter most.

White freedom to shoot guns matters most.

White apologies for preventable tragedies matters most.

White anger at not being the center of attention when a black man is killed matters most.

White property being worth more than black life matters most.

White ideas of what matters most matters most.

One day, we will matter more. For now, as always, they matter most. 

How much longer must we hold their right to fear? 

Justice for #ahmaudarbery and all black lives that still dont matter in #America.

#BeLove #JusticeInformed #BlackLivesMatter

 - Author Unknown



Racial justice is justice for all | ACLU Massachusetts


* * * * * * * * * * * * *

MY AMERICA AS A BLACK HISPANIC
https://adriansthoughts.home.blog/2020/05/09/america-as-a-black-hispanic/

by Adrian
May 9, 2020

Those of you who know me personally know that I come from Cuban and Mexican descent. Having my father’s family immigrate from the communist and informally segregated country of Cuba in order to get a better life has influenced who I am today. Having a mother from Mexico, our neighboring country that is very misunderstood, has also influenced my view of other cultures. I do not claim to be representative of all Hispanics or black people or politically correct with some terminology. However, I know many people share my views and experiences. And I think we, as a nation, need to understand each other and change our language and attitudes if we are ever going to get past the current division in the nation.

I grew up being a black Hispanic going to a primarily white private school and lived in decent neighborhoods. I did not grow up the most oppressed or the most privileged. But no matter how rich or poor, a person of color can never escape the racism in today’s world.

Growing up I didn’t recognize racism. I remember certain comments bothering me but not really knowing why, failing to recognize microaggressions. So many times, I have heard comments like “you’re so white” or being called literate without finishing with “for a black person.” As if my education, knowledge, or proper language only was associated with white people. I would often ask myself “what do they expect me to talk like?” I remember people I consider friends saying negative comments about African American blacks, then saying “oh but not you. You speak Spanish.” As if that made me more valued.

Racism for black Hispanics is being too black for some Hispanics and too Hispanic for some blacks. Racism to me is also referring to black people as ‘black people’ but white people simply as ‘people’. Racism to me is hearing the term “big black dudes” when telling stories about encounters, as if them being black adds to the scariness of their encounter. Racism to me is being in stores with my friends and being followed around and stared at by employees.

I have seen the racism towards my family subtle and explicit. Having relatives falsely imprisoned for 10+ years when the verdict comes down to a black man’s word vs theirs; Having my own father dramatically pulled over and stopped with 20+ guns aiming in his direction for simply matching a description; having family and relatives feel their hair is ugly, constantly straightening their hair to finally feel beautiful and match a standard are all forms of racism.

Recently, I dedicated a year of my life to be a missionary teacher in a 3rd world country. Being heavily influenced by Korea and other parts of Asia, my students had a flawed idea of what was beautiful. I remember going to the beach with students for them to stay under the shade and tell me it was in fear of becoming as dark as me.

Racism is an issue throughout the entire world. In America, people do not understand the effect of America’s history of slavery. Slavery has become something forgotten in the textbooks about an unfortunate history of America. This is the slavery in which African people were forcefully brought to the Americas, whether the United States or Cuba, Jamaica, etc. This is the slavery in which people of color had to do everything and anything a white man said. This is the slavery in which people of color were overworked, tortured, and murdered, being treated with less respect than modern people would give their pets. Colored people in the Americas endured four centuries of slavery to build this country and it only ended 200 years ago. Since then, they have been expected to lift themselves by their bootstraps without being given bootstraps. They have been expected to catch up and be successful when only 70 years ago there were Jim Crow Laws. These laws prevented many of YOUR colored friend’s parents and grandparents from living a normal life, not allowing them the right to speak up against corruption or even sit on a bus. The mindset that created those laws did not disappear in 70 years. It remains dug in bureaucracy and institutions.

In today’s world I see the large majority of Covid-19 patients being black/brown. In Michigan, where I live and am, blacks are 6 times more likely to die from coronavirus than whites. But even in a world without coronavirus, job applications with ‘black names’ are 50% less likely than ‘white names’ to get a call back. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) in 2013 black males accounted for 37% of the total male prison population, white males 32%, and Hispanic males 22%. One might say white and black numbers are close because the percentages are close, but keep in mind that whites compose 72% of our population, Hispanics 16%, and blacks only 12%. Then there are also the numerous police shootings which I need no further explanation.

People do not commit crimes because they are enjoyable. People are put in situations and become desperate. Thanks to my father, I was raised learning carpentry and have always seen it as a backup plan. But someone who might not have a father, is not receiving calls back, and is jobless may see selling drugs and stealing as the only way to catch up when bills are due. I am not saying I condone this behavior, but I am saying we need to assess the psychology and causes of their actions. By addressing these problems, we can fix why people would feel desperate enough to do things they do.

The majority of my close friends whom I grew up with are black Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Mexican mixes. So I grew up around a mostly mixed Hispanic community and consider myself lucky to have been considerably shielded from racism growing up. And yet, racism was not something I could escape. I truly can’t imagine how much more those raised in African American communities have faced. Keep in mind there is also racism among Hispanics and African Americans.

Minorities have a sense of looking out for one another. For my family, this looked like allowing someone to move into our house for a year after their husband was deported to Mexico. I think other minorities will know what I mean by this. There is almost a respect and sense of looking out for one of our own among the minority communities because of similar lifestyles and struggles. I was neither the most privileged nor most oppressed. But I could see very clearly the gap between white America and the rest. It is visible to all minorities. I am also not saying that all minorities have it rough. I would say I lived a very comfortable life. However, my comfort did not keep me from seeing the inequality in the United States. It did not keep me from seeing the majority of my church community and neighborhoods working long hours and, in some cases, multiple jobs just to get by.

Relating to politics, Obama was a change for America. He addressed the injustices in America, problems that the minorities faced, and the vast gaps in the incomes of racial groups. Seeing a black president who was near perfect, charismatic, and patient was inspiring. He understood the struggle and was a symbol for all minorities.

He made policies that directly affected all low-income Americans. The Affordable Care Act decreased prices of health care and expanded its coverage, and teen birth rates fell 50%, the Obama Phone program allowed struggling low-income citizens free cellphones, texting, and calling. People who were uninsured were able to afford insurance. Minimum wages were increased, and tax credits were given to low income families. DACA allowed 800,000 young people to enter the country and go to school legally in order to gain citizenship. Family friends of mine have entered through DACA and are now enjoying the United States as Americans. These are what minorities see as important. Hopefully we can all see this as important. The DACA immigrants, and low-income citizens are often our friends.

There is this idea that programs like ‘Obama Care’ and EBT are just programs for people to be “lazy at home and getting paid.” The reality is that they are NOT at home doing nothing. Too many people I grew up with work multiple jobs for long hours and still barely get by. They understand they need to work hard and do.

When it comes to politics, Hispanics are often uninformed. Many watch the news, but that is the full extent. That is also something that needs to change. To them, there is an appeal in the word ‘democrat’, a belief that all are included. Supporting the Democratic party has come to be understood as something you do as a minority—an expectation meant to empower the minorities. The majority of blacks in the U.S. are democrats even though they widely range as conservatives, liberals, and moderates. This shows it is not about labels, economy, or trade. This is because of their values and previously stated social issues. They find strength when they are united in the Democratic Party—the party that has actually addressed the divide in the nation and the desire to provide opportunities for low income families such as healthcare, and social programs. Again, I do not speak for the entire minority population, but many share my views.

I acknowledge the good that Trump has done such as bringing jobs back to the U.S., but he has done it while completely ignoring the social problems in America such as racism, poverty, and immigration—the problems that matter to us. He has emboldened white nationalists and given them a gentle tap on the hand when they act out, raising fear that we could eventually be victims of these movements.

Unfortunately, Republicans are seen by many people I know as selfish and racist. I understand that Republicans aren’t racist or maybe even selfish. But when people go waving the MAGA flags and hats, we don’t see people promoting economic policies or economic growth, we see the comments about Hispanic alienation, building the wall, and tax cuts for the rich while poorer people struggle to provide. If you didn’t know, the median income for a white person is $68,000, $40,000 for blacks, and $50,000 for Latinos.

We don’t care about the china tax wars, Iran or Korea deals, or corporate tax cuts since many of us aren’t in corporate positions. People are not concerned with the stock market if they don’t have any money left over to invest. What minorities care about is DACA, ACA, EBT, etc. People desire to feel safe and to achieve basic needs like healthcare and a livable income. Even successful minorities want other minorities and Americans to share the success. Until then, no other proposed policies will take precedence.

My mother’s family used to live on the border. A family member of mine was taken last year by the cartel for trying to help refugees and hasn’t been heard of since. People simply want a life better than what they have, so they want to come to the United States. I hear people say, “I don’t have a problem with immigrants, they just need to do it legally.” The reality is that the system is broken. Some people end up waiting decades while some wait a few years.

I personally knew people who have crossed the Arizona desert and others who rode sandwiched in the back of a truck for 12 hours to enter this country. I am not condoning illegal immigration. I am pointing out that people desperately want to immigrate here and have found a way when no path was provided. Do you think people want to immigrate “illegally”? Either the immigration process needs to be reformed or the reason people are immigrating by the thousands needs to be looked into. What is going on in other countries that is making people want to leave?

I have grown to avoid being friends with Trump supporters or even Republicans because of their acceptance for Trump’s behaviors and ideas towards immigrants and lack of acknowledging so many issues. I’ve grown to avoid speaking to white citizens who are over the age of 60 scared that I will have to deal with ugly looks or comments. Many people I know share the same feeling that I do. This is my experience as well as some of my fellow young minorities.

When the POTUS vows to end ‘Obamacare’ and DACA protections, this does not sit well with many people I know. The term “America first” seems like a lie when the problems and infrastructure of minority communities are ignored. It seems less like “America first” and more like “white America first.” Saying “Yeah Trump sucks as a person but…” or “he doesn’t mean those things he says” shows me that the problems in the U.S. aren’t an issue to you. Those are our friends he is talking about. I have spent lots of time angry or upset at people who say these things. But how can I be upset when you have never been exposed to the problems minorities face? This is the reason I am writing this. White privilege is real. I am not saying whites are the issue. But as 72% of our population, they have the power in the U.S. They have the power to make the rest of America great.

The idea of a trickle-down economy has done nothing for those who feel oppressed. Tax cuts often end up with companies like Amazon and Berkshire Hathaway paying themselves (through stock buybacks and such). While it can be effective if done right, you are putting the effectiveness of it in the hands of other white run corporations. That money could be put directly in the hands of those low-income citizens. Let me emphasize that low income citizens don’t expect the government to do it all for them. They understand the need to work hard. But they are at a disadvantage monetarily, with infrastructure, and communities. I understand that the wealthy tax cuts that people promote could be the difference between making $110k to $120k for example. Who doesn’t want to make more money? But that same money could be the difference between disadvantaged minorities having health care for their families and not. With a slight change in priorities, all American citizens can have a decent shot at life. We need to reevaluate our priorities and think of what is best for ALL America.

Racism to me is seeing trends of the previously stated black and Hispanic struggle and not looking into it. Racism is being a child and having your friend’s dad lose his job for being black, no lawyers wanting to take the case, the statute of limitations playing in, and eventually them having to move to another state to find a job. We often think about the racist people. What if they are employers or police officers? My friends, the black American youth, and I have had “The Talk” with our parents about police encounters: Keep your hands on the steering wheel at all times, do not make any sudden movements, and do everything the officer asks. Interactions with law enforcement are not just unpleasant, they can be scary. Knowing that a police officer could say anything about me or plant drugs in my vehicle if he wants and get away with it is scary. White privilege is REAL.

The police shootings brought about a movement—Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter is not about politics. This is about bringing awareness and finding strength in others who have all been through the same struggle. Seeing people call black lives matter protestors thugs or crybabies shows me people have not listened at all to what they are protesting. Black people are called thugs when they protest in the street, and unamerican and disrespectful when they protest during the national anthem. That was the only way they were heard, but then the point was instantly missed. People created a protest to protest against black lives matter. That to me showed that black lives never mattered. Colored people do not want other races to be oppressed. They want for themselves to not be oppressed. They want to feel safe when their child is playing with toy guns out front, safe jogging in any neighborhood they want, feeling represented in the media, and feeling safe that they won’t be harassed by law enforcement. Black people want simply to LIVE. Hispanics simply want to LIVE. Asians want to LIVE. Whites want to LIVE. We all, as Americans, want to live at peace knowing we won’t be treated differently because of how we look.

With regards to the recent event of Ahmaud Arbery, this event seemingly was an open act of racism and hate crime. But let’s say it wasn’t. Let’s say the killers weren’t individually racist and had a valid reason to shoot, which would be a pretty ignorant view. But, let’s just say. Some people would be quick to say “See! Not an act of racism.” The question is why was there no information or investigation? Why was it brushed under a rug? Why is his mother still looking for answers 2 months later? That is the racism we need to fight. Racism is not just the words or emotions toward someone of color. Racism is a system that we, people of color, have to live with every day.

There is a James Baldwin quote: “To be a negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.” And it is true. To be even slightly aware of the systemic racism is enough to be angry. After all the police shootings, hate crimes, Black Lives Matter protests, and NFL protests, it took the killing of Ahmaud Arbery to reach a Nationwide awareness of blatant racism in today’s world. The reality is Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and Ahmaud Arbery were fighting for their lives long before they died.

After all my experiences, I am very happy to be a black Hispanic. Being labeled as black while having Hispanic culture has made me aware of multiple cultures and perspectives of America’s reality. People of color are the most resilient people I know, having endured slavery, segregation, and racism, all in 200 years. I am proud of my heritage and culture. I want to be proud as a nation, not just as an individual; and it starts by thinking of what is best for ALL of our citizens. Do not tolerate racist behavior simply because you don’t feel or see its effects. Don’t be ‘not racist’, be anti-racist. People like me see its effects in our lives and community. Try to be mindful of your subconscious biases and micro-aggressions such as “for a black person” or “acting white.” Because whether you realize it or not, these ideas shape your actions and thoughts which keep people at a disadvantage. We should be acknowledging each other’s cultures, successes, and struggles if we are ever to understand each other and solve the division in America. That way everyone can have a decent shot at life. Not as white America, black America, Latino America, or Asian America, but as the United States of America.


Thursday, May 7, 2020

Homophones, Homonyms, and Homographs for Adults


Witty Scribble: The world is a play of words - Part II : know ...



AN  INTRODUCTION



Heteronym (linguistics) - Wikipedia



References & Definitions


HOMOPHONE

Wikipedia - A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same (to varying extent) as another word but differs in meaning. A homophone may also differ in spelling. The two words may be spelled the same, such as rose (flower) and rose (past tense of "rise"), or differently, such as carat, and carrot, or to, two, and too. The term "homophone" may also apply to units longer or shorter than words, such as phrases, letters, or groups of letters which are pronounced the same as another phrase, letter, or group of letters. Any unit with this property is said to be "homophonous". Homophones that are spelled the same are also both homographs and homonyms.

HOMONYM

Wikipedia - In linguistics, homonyms, broadly defined, are words which are homographs (words that share the same spelling, regardless of pronunciation) or homophones (words that share the same pronunciation, regardless of spelling), or both. For example, according to this definition, the words row (propel with oars), row (argument) and row (a linear arrangement) are homonyms, as are the words see (vision) and sea (body of water).

A more restrictive or technical definition sees homonyms as words that are simultaneously homographs and homophones – that is to say they have identical pronunciation and spelling, whilst maintaining different meanings. Examples are the pair stalk (part of a plant) and stalk (follow/harass a person) and the pair left (past tense of leave) and left (opposite of right).

A distinction is sometimes made between true homonyms, which are unrelated in origin, such as skate (glide on ice) and skate (the fish), and polysemous homonyms, or polysemes, which have a shared origin, such as mouth (of a river) and mouth (of an animal).

The relationship between a set of homonyms is called homonymy, and the associated adjective is homonymous.

The adjective "homonymous" can additionally be used wherever two items share the same name, independent of how closely they are or are not related in terms of their meaning or etymology.

HOMOGRAPH

Wikipedia - A homograph (from the Greek: ὁμός, homós, "same" and γράφω, gráphō, "write") is a word that shares the same written form as another word but has a different meaning. However, some dictionaries insist that the words must also sound different, while the Oxford English Dictionary says that the words should also be of "different origin". In this vein, The Oxford Guide to Practical Lexicography lists various types of homographs, including those in which the words are discriminated by being in a different word class, such as hit, the verb to strike, and hit, the noun a blow.

If, when spoken, the meanings may be distinguished by different pronunciations, the words are also heteronyms. Words with the same writing and pronunciation (i.e. are both homographs and homophones) are considered homonyms. However, in a looser sense the term "homonym" may be applied to words with the same writing or pronunciation. Homograph disambiguation is critically important in speech synthesisnatural language processing and other fields. Identically written different senses of what is judged to be fundamentally the same word are called polysemes; for example, wood (substance) and wood (area covered with trees).


R E F E R E N C E S




Example: Write a Poem of Homophones

The Girl And The Frog

Their once was a girl 
Knot two pretty an knot two ugly
Just a normal ordinary girl
She was inn love with the prints,
Butt couldn’t get clothes enough two hymn

Won day she came upon a frog
The frog said, “I’m and enchanted frog,
If ewe kiss me, ewe will become beautiful.”
The girl thought about what the frog had said  
An decided two take the frogs advice

She kissed hymn 
An with a poof
The frog transformed into and enchanted prints

Two her shock, she  was still the same

The enchanted prints had other plans of his own
He was inn love with the prints's sister 
Sew he went two the castle looking four the princess

The girl was left with a broken hart an crying



* * * * * * * * * * * *


An Angry Friend
- Anon

Wear/Where were you yesterday

Who were you meating/meeting?

I saw poor /pour John waiting

Out there in the reign/rain

I know/no you were busy

And had not much time/thyme,

Sow/So now I’m going to give you

A peace/piece of my mind!

Bye/by/buy!



* * * * * * * * * * * *


(downloadable PDF)

ANOTHER LIST OF HOMOPHONES


S A M P L E
Homo & Heterographs,Homophones, Polysemes, Homonyms, Heteronyms ...



S A M P L E
Homo & Heterographs,Homophones, Polysemes, Homonyms, Heteronyms ...



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NATIVE ENGLISH SPAIN: Wise Wednesday Grammar: Homonym



What word has the most homophones?

Suggestion 1

Since (preposition, conjunction, & adverb) in the intervening period between (the time mentioned) and the time under consideration, typically the present; for the reason that.

Sense (noun) a feeling that something is the case.

Scents (noun) a distinctive smell, especially one that is pleasant.

Cents (noun) plural of cent.

Cense (verb) perfume (something) ritually with the odor of burning incense.

I thought a homophone was a word with different spelling and same sound.
[So Rose (past tense) and Rose (flower) would not count as homophones]

I’m seeing online that Since is phonetically | sins | but I would argue that it is most often heard | sens | so I’m including it. Enter dynamic language argument.


Suggestion 2

Without stretching this is the most common homophone I’m aware of carrot, caret, carat, karat. 

They are: A vegetable, a typographical mark, the weight of gems, the fineness of gold.


Suggestion 3

In Chinese, my stats, from my mobilephone dictionary, indicate that there are 20902 characters sharing 415 pinyins (1383 pīnyīns considering tones). There are 15 homophones for each pīnyīns averagely. It's said by a Chinese author Li Ao that yì has the most homophones, totalling 205.

They are ( all below are pronounced yì):

亿
.
.
.
* * * * * * * * * * * *


What word has the most homonyms?


Suggestion 1

One can arguably claim that the following words have the same pronunciation (kinda-sorta), different spellings (kinda-sorta), and different meanings (kinda-sorta).

Feel free to reject any for whatever reason you consider rejection-worthy; the remaining set will still be impressively large.

/ɛr/:

aer-, prefix: “air-related”.
air, verb: to publicly discuss. As: to air a grievance.
aire, obsolete spelling of air (noun, a tune or melody).
Aire: river in northern England.
-aire, suffix indicating a person who is or has something (as in millionaire, concessionaire, legionnaire).
are, noun: unit of areal measure, one-hundredth of a hectare.
Ayer, Sir Alfred Jules: English positivist philosopher.
ayre: sea-formed sand-spit.
ear, noun: organ of hearing (dialect pronunciation). Plural: earen.
e’er, contraction of ever.
eare, noun: organ of hearing (dialect pronunciation, obsolete spelling). Plural: earen.
eere, noun: organ of hearing (dialect pronunciation, obsolete spelling). Plural: eeren.
eir, gender-neutral third-person singular possessive adjective like their but singular; belonging to em.
eir, a measure of data rate in packet networks.
ere, adverb, archaic or poetical: before.
err, verb: make a mistake (variant American pronunciation).
eyr, obsolete spelling of air (noun, the gas forming our atmosphere).
eyr, noun: organ of hearing (dialect pronunciation; obsolete spelling). Plural: eyren.
eyre, mediæval-England circuit court.
Eyre, surname of the protagonist of an 1847 novel by “Currer Bell” (Charlotte Brontë).


Suggestion 2


bow - To bend forward at the waist in respect (e.g. "bow down")
bow - the front of the ship (e.g. "bow and stern")
bow - the weapon which shoots arrows (e.g. "bow and arrow")
bow - a kind of tied ribbon (e.g. bow on a present, a bowtie)
bow - to bend outward at the sides (e.g. a "bow-legged" cowboy)
bough - a branch on a tree. (e.g. "when the bough breaks...")
bō - a long staff, usually made of tapered hard wood or bamboo
beau--a male paramour



* * * * * * * * * * * *



by Joe Tessitore and James A. Tweedie

From Joe:

On Seymour’s Weight Gain
There’s more to see of Seymour,
So I see Seymour more.


---


The First Time I Saw Paris
When I got
an eyeful of Eiffel, I ful-
Filled a life-time dream.


---


From James:

Icy Eyes
A frosty Highlands sky
Caught Scots by surprise.
When asked, one man said, “Aye,
“I see icy eyes.”


---


Oui, Oui!
This little piggy went to Paris, and this little piggy went to Rome
I asked them if lattés in Bern
Affected them on their return.
And this little piggy went, “Oui, oui! We wee-ed all the way home!”


---


Susan Jarvis Bryant
September 16, 2019

Oh Yeah!

I saw a bare bear
and a hare without hair
on the stair – did I stare?
Oh yeah!

I spied with shy eye,
sidled by to go buy
underwear for the daring pair.

“Was it dear, deer?” they said
with cheeks blushing red
at the price tag they read –
Oh yeah!

But, I’m a doe in the know
with a dough-splashing beau
who never says no coz he’s fair.

A toad towed them home
in a cart with a groan
from a hoarse horse who waived the fare.

“Cheap! Cheap!” the birds cheeped.
“Bald! Bald!” bawled the beasts.
“Please! Please!” rose my pleas, “Spare a care
for the bare bear and hare without hair!”

Oh yeah!


---


A tale of two tivs
by Joe Spring, September 16, 2019


Barry built a wooden tiv
and Billy bought a tin one,
and each one said he wouldn’t’ve
done what his friend had done.
Then Billy said “Look at my tin tiv!”
Said Barry “It’s pretty good!
If I had money I mightn’t’ve
made this here tiv of wood.”
Said Billy, “Have you thought’f
Trading yours for mine?
For now I think I oughtn’t’ve
gone to the shop and bought a tiv
when p’r’aps your wooden tiv’ll’ve
been really rather fine.”
Then trade they did, a tiv for a tiv
And happy they were to trade:
the one for the tiv the other had bought
And the other the other had made.


---


From the unhumorous side
by Joe Tessitore, September 16, 2019

One nightstand, that and just a bed.
One bare bulb, burning overhead.
Two lie there, nothing to be said,
in the glare of a one-night stand.


---


Confusion
by Troy Camplin, September 16, 2019

The constant, cruel cacophony can crush
My nerves at times and overwhelm my days —
I long for days when I’d enjoy the hush
Of forest walks that kept me from the glaze
That cataracts my mind when music, voices,
Such overwhelming sounds come from my choices.

The constant tugging, pulling, neediness
Of everyone exhausts me, makes a haze
Through which all light seems blinding bright — I bless
Those moments, ever-rarer, when I gaze
Upon a room of nothingness, where none
Is present, making their demands I run.

The constant pettiness that seems to fill
The days of everyone are like a blaze
Of heat, oppressing me. Do what I will,
Yet going through my days brings on a daze,
Where I cannot collect my thoughts, my self —
I feel a toy forgotten on the shelf.


---


On History
by Troy Camplin, September 16, 2019

The restless river runs deep red
While on the bank the people glance
With love, make children, song, and dance.

They come, enjoy the festive spread—
The river tries to make a trance—
While on the bank the people glance
With love, make children, song, and dance.

While killing, stealing, crimes are read
As history—our only stance
Great criminals or weary chance
The restless river runs deep red.
While on the bank the people glance
With love, make children, song, and dance.


---


Baited Breath
by Susan Jarvis Bryant, September 16, 2019

I hear a soft pause in the pad of her paws
as I pray for the fate of her prey.
Oh, for a flaw as she skulks across floor;
the slam of a door near the pet I adore,
as I weigh up the scene for a way

to give you a tale where the mouse keeps his tail
when I’ve sent Kitty off of the scent;
that ripe rodent reek causing felines to wreak
mayhem for a week; no time to be weak
in this SHOO-WITH-A-SHOE event!




* * * * * * * * * * * *


From Hello P'try: Homonyms


Farmer's best sign of luck
by A.W., April 2018

Pitter-patter;
     pelting peaking the poignant hearing of a peering, personable
     person.

Awakened she walks;
     waiting for water to weaken against the small windows,
     withering away.

Flourishing souls;
     stemming from spring came spitting droplets, refreshing flora.

Drab days;
      dead development dawdled by dreary dates - winter is gone.
    
Joyful cheers!
     Carrot's stones cherished close for colder days.

Winter disappears for departure.
    Spring reappears for resurgence


---


Homonyms
by Alessandra Vargas, Mar 2018

people leave
and
people live
and, often,
these two
can depend
on each other


---


Temptress Pride and all Hubris!
by Dawn of Lighten, Nov 2015

I have two persona with very different duality,
I have too extreme of a personality,
And I have a hard time expressing myself to your factuality.

Only veiled my discreet personal past with thin layers of exclamation,
To diverge, veer, or in discrete my own expression.

To die within my own words to save my honor,
Or to stay translucent to dye my tongue in fake color.

For I have failed myself in becoming true to my belief,
For eye to eye I can't seem to meet any sort of relief,

Are these my real eyes point of view,
Or have I realized I been dreaming of you,
Or were they simply all real lies of my personal skew?

This desire to raise your understanding,
But your voice raze my defense to oblivion,
And heavenly rays depart like the moons with wolf howl with your gaze!

Was there nothing of me that sparkled to your kindred spirit,
Was I that loathing of your presence to lose your smile?

No matter as past are like the whim of a sail,
I Know that happiness has no sale.

Believe me when I say I want you to be happy,
But my hunger to eat this precious apple pie will hurt me more,
Much more than my desire to be fit like those men in commercials.

Sorry possibly good looking ads,
But I must cheat on you for good!

Those eight pies, I ate them with pride and prejudice!
For my temptation was hubris!


---


the corner of page 6
by M. Eastman, Apr 2015

Maybe they'll publish me
one the corner of the
daily
page 6
and sorry ***** black smears
bite they no longer
print any questions about what
or why
the daily exposition celebrity
murders
all bright screens now
farms as far as you can squint


---


My Style Is Poor : Living On Change
MaryJane Doe, May 2014

I'm the prophet in my life
Nothing in my wallet
The only paper that I make
Hold the words of a sonnet
Nothing left but sense
Just the change in my pocket
Safe near my heart
Without a way to lock it
Yeah My style is poor
So who's gonna rob it
When these words
Are all I own

When I can't buy what I want
I learn to live
With what I've got
Cuz happiness
Just can't be bought
It must be found
It must be sought
When I can't buy what I need
I learn I need the change
That's in my pocket
Yeah Change is all I need

I don't buy things on credit
I won't make that promise
My truth is my proof
I'm just trying to be honest
Flying high on life
Blazing tales like comets
You'll never be low
When life has you high on it
My style is poor
But I'm gonna rocket
Cuz the sky is where I fly

When I can't buy what I want
I learn to live
With what I've got
Cuz happiness
Just can't be bought
It must be found
It must be sought
When I can't buy what I need
I learn I need the change
That's in my pocket
Change is all I need