Sticky Wickets & Feathers

“The capture of the Alamo, in spite of its attendant disasters…gave us a prodigious moral prestige.”

-Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Addressing his fellow citizens about 

His battles, including the Alamo, 

And his capture at San Jacinto

Less than two months later.

May 10, 1837

Sam Houston Monument, Houston, Texas. R.Baker 2017

A Feather In His Cap

Once again, the Confederate statue confabulation has presented itself after a  confluence of recent racial social events and issues. It is the result, as it usually is, of particular groups emoting rather than cerebrating over a cause that certainly deserves serious consideration. 

Clearly there are many Confederate statues that should not have a platform of presenting the subjects as heroes, and should be removed and placed in an educational setting. Others, such as the Sam Houston statue in Houston’s Hermann Park represent mixed messages about legacy, and should possibly be preserved. Protestors-turned-rioters in Philadelphia even attacked the statue of abolitionist Matthias Baldwin, who fought for black voting rights and helped establish a school for African-American Children in Philadelphia in the 1830’s. He paid the teachers’ salaries out of his own pocket for many years after, during the horrors of slavery years. Presumably, that statue was attacked because Baldwin was white. 

What is lacking in all this hoo-haw of muddled anger is actual dialogue, debate, and critical thinking. 

As stated by former American Civil War Museum CEO Christy Coleman in a 2017 USA Today interview, “It’s a sticky wicket. I’m a public educator, and, like ’em or not, these things have a story to tell.″⁣

Let’s briefly consider just a few of these events.  

The statue of John C. Calhoun, Vice President of the US 1825 - 1832, was removed this week in Charleston, South Carolina after the unanimous vote by city officials. 

Before you Confederate flag wavers blow your “can’t erase history” gaskets, let me presume this:  NONE of you know diddly-squat about John C. Calhoun. He was a staunch slavery promoter his entire life and insisted that one of his escaped slaves who was captured be imprisoned and tortured with 30 lashes. 

Calhoun’s philosophy was summed-up in his Senate floor speech of Feb.6,1837:  

“I hold that in the present state of civilization, where two races of different origin, and distinguished by color, and other physical differences, as well as intellectual, are brought together, the relation now existing in the slaveholding States between the two, is, instead of an evil, a good—a positive good…”

Calhoun’s philosophy holds undertones of Hitler’s “master race” thinking, that we heard during the 20th Century. 

John C. Calhoun was not a decent man.  He was no hero. He did not deserve a statue. His racist, hateful legacy should be taught in all history courses in all schools.  That should satisfy all those who are clamoring to save our history. 

Anyone who disagrees with the notion that the Calhoun statue should have been preserved to “teach” history is just plain wrong. Period.  May you all be reminded that the entire world - THE ENTIRE WORLD - knows all about the history of Adolf Hitler, yet there isn’t even one statue of him in Germany. 

Then, there’s good ‘ol Sam Houston. 

 Sam Houston Statue, R. Baker 2017

The history of the namesake of our country’s 4th largest city is interesting as it is confusing. The day before I shot the photos of the Sam Houston statue in Houston’s Hermann park in 2017, protestors were demanding that the monument be torn down. 

I dare say that would spark a second civil war, or at least another Texas revolution, should it ever come to pass.  Texans are a funny breed.  They’ve been up in arms over the expansion and renovations proposed for the Alamo for several years, changes that I personally think would greatly enhance the Alamo experience. But that’s another discussion. As for tearing down the statue of the 1st President of the Texas Republic _ just wipe that notion out of your cerebrum post haste!  

Sam Houston was an enigma of sorts. He championed Native American rights, was made an honorary Cherokee, fought and ultimately set free Mexican General Santa Anna after the Battle of San Jacinto at the close of theTexas Revolution, became the first president of the new country, and voted against the expansion of slavery into new territories while serving in the US senate.  He was also an alcoholic and slave owner. 

Houston did not shrink from his nasty drinking habit and considered it his own misfortune.  In James L. Haley’s book, “Sam Houston”, Sam was described as a “…man of action, one who would ride to battle with a feather in his cap,” alluding to the idea of a warrior adding a new feather to his headwear after a successful battle or achievement. Houston did not make excuses for his flaws. 

I’ll admit to more than a bit of bias here about Sam:  I’m a Texan, born and raised. My opinion is that his legacy isn’t equivalent to that of men such as John C. Calhoun. This is where those notions of dialogue, debate, discussion, and critical thinking should come together in our body politic. 

One last point for discussion is that of Stone Mountain in Georgia.  This massive bas-relief of Confederate soldiers Jeff Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson has been a source of controversy for many years. 

Stone Mountain, Georgia.  R. Baker, 2017

Prepping for my 2017 exhibit, “The Architecture of Grief & Redemption”, I visited Stone Mountain in April of that year.  It was interesting and perplexing to witness hundreds of visitors gathering in the open space facing the carvings, while they waited for the nightly laser show. It was a quintessential American scene of a community gathering for a festive event. 

The compelling and striking aspect of this scene was the racial/ethnic/religious composition of the hundreds of people gathered:  Caucasian, African-American, Naive American, Indian, Asian, European, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, and I assume atheists.  

There were mixed-race couples with their children walking the grounds, throwing frisbees, eating vendor candy, ice cream and popcorn before the event. No one was arguing, protesting or complaining - just people living and enjoying life on a calm, warm evening together. 

What are we to make of that? 

That dialogue and discussion is far more complex than the discussion about Sam Houston. After all, Stone Mountain was commissioned to be carved by a sculptor who was associated with the KKK.  

The questions surrounding the blasting away of this massive Stone Mountain carving isn’t as obvious as it might seem to those who emote rather than cerebrate.

What leaves this discussion open to interpretation and debate, then, is exactly the way Ms Colman described it in the quote above:  “…Like ‘em or not, these things have a story to tell.”

How we choose to tell those stories should preclude the wholesale toppling of every monument, Confederate or otherwise.   

Another perspective was posited in 2015 by the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP president, Richard Rose:  “It is time for Georgia and other Southern states to end the glorification of slavery and white supremacy paid for and maintained with the taxes of all its citizens…The heritage we should be celebrating is the US heritage. We’re not a separate nation.”

On might argue that the obvious flaw in Mr. Rose’s statement is that the commission of , displaying of, and meanings behind these monuments are also part of all citizens in the US.  Whether we like it or not. 

The larger question going forward, if we are to move forward, is perhaps found in the words of General Santa Anna.  What, indeed, will offer all of us a sense of prodigious moral prestige?  That, is truly the “sticky wicket.”  

The challenge for all of us going forward is to approach these national issues as a nation, collectively, with feather’s in ALL our hats. 

Rick Burnett Baker

June 26, 2020

Rochester, NY 

©Rick Burnett Baker 

White Privilege & Blackouts

White Privilege And Blackouts: 

Social Discourse In The Dark

[DISCLAIMER:  If anyone, left or right of the socio-political spectrum are tempted to believe I’m advocating against wealth, or advocating FOR the redistribution of wealth as some kind of socialist agenda, DON’T.  Shut that thought down pronto. That isn’t what this screed is about.]

It seems that it's becoming an ethnic or racial fashion statement to admit to having ‘white privilege.’ June 2, 2020 was deemed by Atlantic Record executives Brianna Agyemang and Jamila Thomas as “Blackouttuesday” and given its own (un)social media hashtag badge. Social media users are encourage to make a post with a blacked-out  square, if you will.  One Facebook user declared, that among other things she was “…bathed in life-long privilege…. I will admit how little I really know…and need to be uncomfortable with this.”  In order to fit in, as it were, there will no doubt be myriad social media users who will display throughout the day (and probably ongoing) this statement of nothingness.

Self-depreciation, is yet another method of abdicating responsibility for actually getting involved and taking action(s) that might make a difference in others’ lives, regardless of circumstances, events, or race.  Let’s be real, folks:  Being “woke” isn’t a thing, it’s a soundbite.  Taking action(s) to right a wrong, or assisting others with their journeys through life is what matters, whether it’s through community service, charity work, or small private assistance to those or someone who needs it. Part of taking action is learning and re-learning our history as white people, and how we've been shaped by it, openly and even subliminally.  

In our 20th and 21st Century pop culture Atlantic Records has long been a major music player with signed artists from the sappy, milky white ABBA to lesser known artists such as Don Q, who profits off lyrics such as those in his song “I told you”: 

“…don’t front a nigga that you know…” 

“…I’m drippin’ my jewelry is fountained up

I choose bitches I get them and pile ‘em up.” 

One might question Ms Agyemang, and Ms Thomas as to whether those lyrics and thousands like them or worse, are yet another form of “privilege”  with its own hashtag. But that's not the subject of this essay. As for my previous comment about taking action(s), businesses that are also  participating in this so-called event have reportedly been encouraged to not buy or sell their products on June 2nd in a show of economic strength and solidarity. I can't quite fathom how that actually works, but never mind.  Spotify and other companies have announced that there would be an 8-minute and 46-second moment of silence on some podcasts and playlists during the day. (8min.,46sec. has been decided as the exact amount of time murdered citizen George Floyd had a knee on his neck by a Minneapolis cop.).  I assume Don Q’s and others’ rarified lyrics can be aired throughout the day, however, privilege notwithstanding. It’s unfortunate that the lyrics of thousands of Rap songs can’t be blacked-out as well.  

In an essay by Cory Collins, titled “What Is White Privilege, Really?” [Issue 60, Fall 2018. Tolerance.org], an attempt is made to define the term ‘white privilege’ by saying that having it isn’t racist, but that it exists  “…because of historic, enduring racism and biases.”  On the surface, one cannot dismiss this, but there is a flaw, in my estimation, to the premise, in that a defining, key component for historic racism (systemic), is absent as an important qualifier:  “Power”.  

Being white today or any day isn’t the problem.  The problem is in the fact that there were white Europeans who colluded with African tribes in the human trafficking trade for centuries, spreading slavery throughout the New World and elsewhere. Power, wealth and resources, including human resources, were, and to a high degree still are today, under the purview and control of what I'm calling Power Elites, most of whom, if not all, happen to be white. 

Without delving into a dissertation about ethnic disparities that have been leveled on every ethnic group to have come to the New World over centuries, suffice it to say that the general citizenry for hundreds of years has been indoctrinated into group think narratives pitting one group against another, creating divisions and tensions that serve to strengthen and perpetuate the progeny of those original Power Elites.  

In a nutshell, this ingrained, systemic racism, if you will, from whites - wealthy and not so wealthy - has stunted the intellectual development of society’s white plebeians, creating this seemingly never-ending ethnic divide that has caused this country hundreds of years of bitterness, grief, wars, riots, and hatred. 

Additionally, there is no privilege in having been intellectually subjugated by the same Power Elites who have subjugated US ethnicities from around the world, and throughout the world. This isn’t an excuse for white on Black, Hispanic, or Asian animosity and violence. It’s not an excuse for supremacists, anarchists, or any other group seeking to cause trouble. 

In short, wealth and power are key elements to applying indoctrination and control, be it social, religious, or political in nature. The vast majority of we Earth citizens have little of that wealth and power, but are systematically and continually indoctrinated in believing that we do hold power, at least here in the United States.  Fewer still  non-white citizens in this country have that wealth and power, and have been endlessly harassed by the  ‘privileged’ whites who, believing  they've been granted some kind of power,  don’t realized how they too, have been used by the Power Elites to do those Elites’ dirty work of ongoing social division and tension.  Social division and tension is one key to their holding power. Therefore, don’t be duped into doing their dirty work with this social division and tension.  Social division and tension keeps them in control of EVERYONE, regardless of ethnicity, and preserves their wealth and power.  These labels are but one tool being used in this overall preservation of power. 

The first action that white Americans should take in combating these ongoing ethnic divides is to recognize that what they’ve been taught as their history and past isn’t always true. Gasp!  Remember, white folks, learning and re-learning isn’t a bad thing, but denying the truth of our historicity is. Realizing that some truth has been twisted or withheld isn’t something to be ashamed of, but rather something that should awaken all citizens, especially whites, to seek solutions to an ugly problem we have in our society today.  

Blacking out your social media page for a day isn’t an action:  It’s an example of abdicating responsibility for learning history, and recognizing certain “leaders” or power elites, as the frauds and con artists that they are and have been for decades.  It’s an example of not paying attention to the process of voting and holding your elected leaders accountable. ALWAYS.  It's an example of paying lip-service, or in this case, "finger-service" to the problems of social justice. It’s an example of how you’ve been bought off with the toys you’re using to proclaim your “wokeness”  while the Power Elites nod their heads with approval. 

It’s an example of doing nothing. 

One final thought. A year or so ago, I heard it said that in any given discussion, debate, or dialogue, leveling the accusation of “white privilege” on someone was an effective and convenient way of shutting down a conversation; it was a method of not having to hear points of view that did not fit the prevailing or desired narrative. At the end of this screed, I’m providing a few of links to opinions/essays, that give other perspectives, and have within them links that one can follow to become more informed, cerebrating rather than emoting.  I realize that not everyone will agree with these ideas and opinions, but that’s irrelevant. 

Just opening the door to more than the prescribed ideology of the Power Elites as suggested above is at least a step in the direction to possibly taking more meaningful action than blacking out your Facebook or other social media pages.  

Thanks for the effort, Atlantic Records, but we’ve had enough blackouts to last a millennium. 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/12/19/privilege-any-kind-shouldnt-used-silence-individuals-column/2330891002/

https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/fall-2018/what-is-white-privilege-really

https://vernamyers.com/the-sugarcoated-language-of-white-fragility/

Rick Burnett Baker 

June 2, 2020

Stupidity: A Right, A Luxury

Photo: Rick Burnett Baker, Rochester NY

The Constitutional Right of Stupidity

"The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls

And tenement halls"

-Paul Simon

And so they are, and they’re graffitied on abandoned water tanks at a park in Rochester, NY.  Artists paint, and other prophets leave their take on whatever’s on their minds. Like a global crisis. 

We have the luxury in the United States of being able to be and remain stupid.  It’s a constitutional right, it seems.  My generation, Boomers, are a borderline generation whereby some of us learned critical thinking skills, (or we were at least made aware of that notion) and others of us are, for whatever reason, simply stupid. Not ignorant, just stupid. Ignorance can be remedied.  Stupidity, much more difficult to remedy if a person doesn’t know what ignorance is. And we in this country have had, and still do have, all the tools of knowledge available to us to NOT be ignorant. When a person chooses to not remedy whatever they’re ignorant about, then they become stupid. There’s just no excuse for that.  

Unfortunately, the generations after us Boomers - Millennials, or X or Z or whatever they’re called this month - are in jeopardy of being stupid, if not more stupid. Our country is seeing this daily on (un)social media, in general media, and in the streets with various protests around the country during this Covid -19 crisis.

 Photo: Sergio Flores/Getty 

Protesters have displayed some of the most moronic sayings on signs that I’ve ever seen. For example, a face mask represents tyranny. Clearly those idiots don’t know the definition of the word, and were sadly (stupidly) absent during history and civics classes in school. (Silly me: I’m assuming that those subjects are still taught in schools) The fact that those mental degenerates are allowed to be on the streets protesting should be their first lesson about the definition of the word ’tyranny’:  If they were living in a tyranny, they would NOT be on the street protesting. Morons.

Photo: Mark Makes/Getty 

More recently, I’ve seen a sign that conflates the issue of reproductive rights with the right to possibly endanger others’ health by not wearing a mask. No, Skippy, it’s not your body, your choice, it’s our bodies depending on your choice. To all these people, let me suggest that they pay attention to the tyranny of having to wear a car seatbelt.  Stop doing that, and if you’re in an accident, try to quickly recite the 1st Amendment  as you are hurled violently through the windshield of the car and flung to injury or death. God bless Amurhaka!  Choice, indeed. 

Finally, to any yuk yuks  who disagree with my assessment I’ll simply say this:  You’re wrong! This is a GLOBAL crisis. Get it? Amurhakins aren’t the only nation of people having to follow rules in this crisis. We are NOT special, nor are we grandfathered into some form of exceptionalism during this crisis. Get the hell over yourselves. Wear a mask. Social distance. Take responsibility for your lives and the lives of others. And stop being stupid:  Stupidity ain’t in the Constitution! 

© Rick Burnett Baker

June 1, 2020