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Rescooped by Sharla Shults from Upsetment onto Awakenings: America & Beyond |
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If we fail to summon the courage necessary to identify racial animus where it exists, and to in turn adjust our approach to policy-making accordingly, all Americans will pay a price, not just those who are the typical targets of racial animus.
This is a thought-provoking article regardless of party affiliation or voter preference in the presidential election.
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"All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." —Winston Churchill (1874–1965) 
Marilyn Armstrong's curator insight,
January 15, 8:49 AM
Poetry, quotation ... America as she could be and ought to be. Delete the scoop?
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Mother's Day is not chocolate and roses for all mothers. For our military sons, daughters and mothers, the miles of separation are great indeed. The sons and daughters have mothers back home celebrating without their presence. Mothers have children left behind that will be celebrating with family and friends. Time away from home can be hard emotionally and psychologically and especially so on Mother's Day.
Sharla Shults's insight:
In celebration of Mother's Day, let us remember all sons, daughters and mothers near and far. Delete the scoop?
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At a benefit supporting military vets, actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Hector took to the stage to bring awareness to the healing power of the arts.
On Wednesday night, dozens of U.S. military veterans pinned red poppies to their lapels as they entered the Words of War fundraiser at the Frank Gehry–designed IAC building in New York. Several hundred people attended the event to see actors perform theatrical readings of poetry and prose related to the experience of war to benefit nonprofit organizations supporting comprehensive mental health care for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sharla Shults's insight:
“We’re simply presenting a really dramatic and powerful ancient play and asking [veterans] to reflect upon what they see of themselves in that,” said Doerries. “And I think what I’ve seen is that when individuals see their own private struggles reflected in an ancient story, they immediately know they’re not alone.” Delete the scoop?
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We want to hear from you! Chime in and let us know which state you think deserves to be called, “The Most Spirited State in America.” Our top 10 list below comprises the most-searched-for states on TravelChannel.com, but don’t let that stop you from suggesting a state that might not be listed.
Just choose a state and type it in the comment section at the bottom of our list. Feel free to tell us why you chose a particular state as your favorite and why you think its locals have the most spirit. We created the list, now you make the call!
Sharla Shults's insight:
Awaken your senses: Get into the spirit! Upload and share photos of your favorite state(s) on Travel Channel's Rate My State community. Delete the scoop?
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Why should teacher appreciation be celebrated only one week out of the year? Why should it ever end? Teacher appreciation should span the time from the first day of school preparation to the first day of summer vacation!
Sharla Shults's insight:
Teacher Appreciation Week 2013 began on Monday, May 6 with today,Tuesday, May 7 being NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY 2013!
Why should teacher appreciation be celebrated only one week out of the year? Why should it ever end? Teacher appreciation should span the time from the first day of school preparation to the first day of summer vacation! "When you see a teacher today, or any day for that matter, thank them for everything they do." They don't give up on your children so why shouldnt you support them! Delete the scoop?
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World Laughter Day: May 5, 2013
The Who, What, When, Where and How!
Every day is special in one way of another. Just awakening to a new day is indeed special enough, whether filled with sunshine or raining cats and dogs! Of course, storms are not our choices of best days but there is no way to avoid them. Regardless of your location or the conditions of the weather, today is World Laughter Day! But how did this day become a global day where laughter is the predominant emotion? Let's take a look at Who, What, When, Where and How it all began.
Sharla Shults's insight:
What are you waiting for? LAUGH! Delete the scoop?
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At the heart of Awakenings are historical accounts that embrace the past, empower the present and enrich the future. Even though the first day of May has already come and gone and with it the celebration of May Day, this day is shrouded in poignant history.
Sharla Shults's insight:
Heartfelt thanks are extended to author Micki Peluso who has graciously accepted my invitation to share one of her articles on Awakenings.
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"A fundamental right on its own, freedom of expression also provides the conditions for protecting and promoting all other human rights. But its exercise does not happen automatically; it requires a safe environment for dialogue, where all can speak freely and openly, without fear of reprisal." ~UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova
Sharla Shults's insight:
What if you could NOT: Think. Speak. Tweet. Like. Share. FREELY? Delete the scoop?
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After being in the ER with my husband from 3AM to 5AM this morning, I find myself in rare form. Ever been so tired you become 'punchy'? Everything you see, everything you say seems funny & you laugh at the silliest things almost to the point of hysteria like running on high from too much caffeine. That's me today and would you believe it led to the conversation topic - chicken.
Sharla Shults's insight:
I know what you are thinking...why chicken? I say, Why not chicken? buck,buck,,,,, buck,,, buckAHHHH; brrk, brroock, broock, brk-ooock; bwwaaaaaaaaaaaakkkkk and bock,bock,bock,bock,bock,begowwwwk! Just a bit of humor from Awakenings! Delete the scoop?
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From the ancient glaciers to slavery, Carl Ballenas knows Queens. Born in Brooklyn, Ballenas moved to Queens as a toddler in 1965 and never left. “Everything in Queens fascinated me,” he says. A history teacher at the Immaculate Conception School in Jamaica Estates, he has written several books on local history, even involving his students in the research and fact-finding.
Through Arcadia Publishing’s “Images In America” series, Ballenas has published books on the adjacent Southeast Queens neighborhoods of Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens (and its famed cemetery, Maple Grove), Jamaica and Jamaica Estates. Although these places now look very different—Kew Gardens is mostly co-ops and high rises, while Jamaica Estates is home to large, Victorian mansions—they were originally part of one community, Jamaica. The process of how land was acquired from local Native American tribes and then parceled out to various developers is something Ballenas and his students in the Thomas Aquinas Honor Society explore in their books on Jamaica and Jamaica Estates.
I caught up with Ballenas after he visited York College this month for a lecture. I asked him about the Richmond Hill and Jamaica history that hides in plain view–in Queens’ topography, its architecture and the names we use everyday. —
OC: What was the first historical project you researched? CB: The first project was about the history of St. Benedict Joseph Church in Richmond Hill. I was told it was the only parish with that name. While researching, I kept coming across “Morris Park.” I was like why? This is Richmond Hill. I found out there were other towns—like Morris Park—that eventually got absorbed by Richmond Hill.
OC: Let’s start way back. What do geologists tell us about this area? CB: The hills that make up the backbone of Long Island, north of Hillside Avenue–hence named–were created 10,000 years ago by a glacier, which moved huge boulders and large amounts of soil. When it eventually stopped, it deposited all those things. So from Hillside Avenue south to Jamaica Bay is level, because those things flattened everything out. In the 1870s, when people started settling in this area, the ocean breezes and cooling temperatures in the flat area were part of the area’s attraction.
OC: What is the most interesting architectural find in this area? CB: We’ve found the Lefferts Farmhouse. The Lefferts family sold their farm to Mr. Albon Platt Man, the founder of Richmond Hill. The farmhouse may date all the way back to the 1830s, and it wasn’t in the same location–that was one of the most amazing things we found–people used to move houses! And we also found the Captain Briggs farmhouse. Briggs was a veteran of the War of 1812, who retired to Richmond Hill to become a gentleman farmer. He won many awards for his pear orchards. You find these little remnants of the past poking out at you. Via Marilyn Armstrong
Marilyn Armstrong's curator insight,
April 28, 9:18 PM
Everything you never really wanted to know about Queens, New York. I knew about the glaciers, but I just love the gallows by Beaver Pond ... adjacent to Jamaica High School, my alma mater. They sure did pick the el primo location for the school, eh? Delete the scoop?
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What has happened to our sense of community? Is being a good neighbor out of style, gone with the wind, incognito? Has technology completely engulfed communication to the point that face-to-face, person-to-person, is slowly becoming a thing of the past? Instead of talking across a fence in one's own backyard, the sounds of conversation have become "tweet, tweet, tweets" and they are not coming from the birds!
Sharla Shults's insight:
Neighbor Day may have passed officially but is there really any reason why every day shouldn't be a good neighbor day? Delete the scoop?
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Awakenings Shoutout!
50500 pageviews
Sharla Shults's insight:
In a little over two years, Awakenings (catnipoflife's sister site) has provided writings, author spotlights, and highlights of America. Awakenings is your journey through time and provides insights into the book Awakenings from Then 'til Now. It is about America, of America, for America...Your land, My land!
May we all continue to Embrace her past, Empower the present, Enrich her future! God Bless America! Delete the scoop?
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Awesome rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner!
Sharla Shults's insight:
Thank you, Madison Rising, not only for your great music but for your love of America, your land, my land! Delete the scoop?
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Motherhood — the Oldest Profession
This Sunday mother's throughout the country will be honored in many and various ways. Toddlers and preschool children will cheerfully drag their mothers to their favorite fast food places and older children will escort them, with great decorum, to restaurants with actual dinnerware. The majority of children will serve their mothers breakfast in bed, a calamitous tradition that refuses to die. Adult children with children of their own will have greater reverence for their mothers, graced with understanding and empathy. Mothers will righteously accept the presents, cards, flowers and candy, and promises of exemplary behavior in the future. She has always and will continue to deserve the esteem bestowed upon her by her family on this one honored day of each year.
Sharla Shults's insight:
Awakenings is honored to again feature the prolific writings of Micki Peluso, author of "...And the Whippoorwill Sang." Delete the scoop?
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Do you have a current or recall a former teacher that you will never forget? Is that remembrance comforting, filled with encouragement, or possibly totally humorous? Perhaps, even one that reflects a teacher who may not necessarily be classified a favorite but as you reflect, realize what a great impact that person has, or had, on your life? Could there be more than just a single teacher who in one way or another left an everlasting impression? Have you taken the time to let them know how much they are truly appreciated?
Sharla Shults's insight:
"The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate "apparently ordinary" people into unusual effort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners: it is in making winners out of ordinary people." ~K. Patricia Cross Delete the scoop?
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So much history to celebrate on this day but at the top of the list is V-E Day: the final defeat of the Nazi war machine! German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms.
Sharla Shults's insight:
Keep the memory alive of all who fought and sacrificed to maintain America's freedom! Support America's veterans! Only a few surviving veterans have a crystal clear memory of the moments...sights, sounds, smells...of WWII. Let NOT their sacrifices ever be forgotten. "There is still something remarkable about these old soldiers -- the warriors who humbly and bravely saved the world." ~ABC News Dean Reynolds, World News Tonight, May 9, 2005 Delete the scoop?
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There are thousands of great teachers across the country that can use extra support in their classrooms. Teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org, and you can give any amount to the project that most inspires you. Continue to bit.ly
Sharla Shults's insight:
DonorsChoose.org provides insight into what great teachers need for their students. Areas covered include Art, Science, Books, Field Trips, Math, etc. and a way to match offers as well as identification of projects in your area. Most of the schools are located in high poverty areas and are very much in need of basic supplies along with special projects needs. Delete the scoop?
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This week America celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week, five days chock-full of poems, gift cards, and discounts for K-12 educators all across the country, and today is also National Teacher Appreciation Day.
Sharla Shults's insight:
"I appreciate getting a free burrito at Chipotle and homages to Taylor Mali, writer of "What Teachers Make," as much as the next educator, but the current tenor of our national conversation about education also reminds me of the dire straits our profession is in."
Support education! Support the teachers! Theirs is a demanding job that goes way beyond a nine-to-five workday! Dedication extends well into the night, on weekends and during holidays!
Teachers should be appreciated every day, every week of every year for all they do! They are our heroes and the future of all tomorrows to come. Without the teachers, there would be no education; without education, there would be no motivation; without motivation, there would be no innovation; without innovation, we would be without all of the amenities and technology that rule our society today...
Can you imagine NO indoor plumbing, NO television, NO cellphone (in fact, NO phone period), NO electrical appliances, NO central heat or air conditioning, NO automobiles, NO airlines, NO motorcycles...and the list goes on and on even to include personal items, such as, NO deodorant, NO toothbrushes or toothpaste, NO hair styling products. Surely you get my point! "When you see a teacher today, or any day for that matter, thank them for everything they do." Delete the scoop?
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Is a hearty chuckle every day worth a few wrinkles around the mouth? Don't make me LAUGH! Get on your giggle and check out our roundup of the many potential benefits of laughter, from head to toe!
Sharla Shults's insight:
May 5th is World Laughter Day! Go ahead...Laugh your head off! If something isn't funny, laugh anyway! Delete the scoop?
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LIFE.com presents some of the greatest pictures made by LIFE photographers during the Second World War — searing, memorable images from the streets of Blitz-ravaged London to the sands and jungles of Saipan, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.
Sharla Shults's insight:
Seven decades have passed since the war ended, but the power of these pictures (several of which were never published in LIFE) has barely faded: confronting them today, we’re still dumbstruck by the destruction; we still flinch at the scale of the suffering; and we marvel at the courage of the men and women whose unity of purpose kept the flame of hope alive in the darkest of hours. Read more: http://life.time.com/history/world-war-ii-classic-photos-from-life-magazine/#ixzz2SGJrHhSs Delete the scoop?
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2013 Theme:
Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media World Press Freedom Day celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2013. The Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day. It is an opportunity to: celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom;assess the state of press freedom throughout the world;defend the media from attacks on their independence;pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
Sharla Shults's insight:
"A fundamental right on its own, freedom of expression also provides the conditions for protecting and promoting all other human rights. But its exercise does not happen automatically; it requires a safe environment for dialogue, where all can speak freely and openly, without fear of reprisal."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Delete the scoop?
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Meet Miss Mendon: Classic Diner of Distinction by Marilyn Armstrong
Sharla Shults's insight:
Some say the American diners are coming back...I say they never left! Visit one today and enjoy its American history! Delete the scoop?
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A classic of classics, like baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet...that's the all-American diner! Often epitomized with an exterior of stainless steel, the diner is unique in its architecture. Then, of course, there is the interior: a casual atmosphere, a counter, stools and service area along a back wall.
Sharla Shults's insight:
Embrace the past, empower the present, enrich the future of the all-American diner! Delete the scoop?
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Awakenings honors our soldiers, past, present and future...without them, America would not be the America as we know it today. Next time you see a soldier, shake his/her hand and express how much you appreciate the services performed and sacrifices endured by each and every one. They are the life's blood of American freedom!
Sharla Shults's insight:
Honor, respect and support the United States of America military! 
Sharla Shults's curator insight,
April 25, 7:52 PM
Honor, respect and support the United States of America military! Delete the scoop?
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Each year, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 marking the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. This was during a time when protest was of the highest order, especially as war raged in Vietnam. Earth Day, however, did shift conscious awareness away from the war opposition and more toward environmental concerns. The photos of the first Earth Day are courtesy of National Geographic Daily News.
Sharla Shults's insight:
The immediate aftermath of the first Earth Day celebration resulted in people looking hung over and litter-filled parks which partly negated the previous day's environmental message.
"The crowds again are often people looking for something to do or an axe to grind on some other issue. People should practice what they preach." Delete the scoop?
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This is an important analysis. Even if you don't agree with it, and I do, it is something you should read and think about.
For all those who keep saying that "race didn't have anything to do with it," yes. It did. It had everything to do with both the 2008 and 2012 elections.