Blog archive
March 2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Fury and Faith by Amanda Gorman
By Richard MyersPosted: 06/28/2022
I recently heard on the radio Amanda Gorman reading a poem which I found very moving. It stimulated a great deal of thought and reflection about the world we live in. Shortly thereafter, the Supreme Court announced its stunning but not surprising decision that for the first time in anyone's memory the court took away rights that had existed for over 50 years. The reasoning behind the decision was such that it undermines the basis for great many other rights that have been established over the last hundred years. This is an assault on the social infrastructure of this country. In my mind it is akin to the opening salvo of artillery of Russia against Ukraine, clearly intended to lay waste to that country. This decision of the Supreme Court will law waste to our social infrastructure in a similar fashion. There are hard years ahead of us.
Amanda Gorman, is an American poet and activist. Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization, as well as the African diaspora. Gorman was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. She published the poetry book, " The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough," in 2015. In 2021, she delivered her poem "The Hill We Climb," at the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden.
Her inauguration poem generated international acclaim.
In March 2021, Amanda was interviewed by a local KPCC/LAist journalist, Julia Barajas.
Amanda's poem is available below and there is a YouTube video available where you can hear the poem
read by Amanda Gorman.
Fury and Faith
You will be told that this is not a problem,
Not your problem.
You will be told that now is not the time for change to begin;
Told that we cannot win.
But the point of protest isn't winning —
It's holding fast to the promise of freedom,
Even when fast victory is not promised,
Meaning we cannot stand up to police
If we cannot cease policing our own imagination,
Convincing our communities that this won't work
Before the work has even begun,
That this can wait,
When we've already waited out a thousand suns.
By now, we understand white supremacy
and the despair it demands
Are as destructive as any disease.
So when you're told that your rage is reactionary,
Remember that rage is our right.
It teaches us it is time to fight
in the face of injustice.
Not only is anger natural but necessary
Because it helps carry us to our destination.
Our goal has never been revenge, just restoration;