Blog archive
May 2024
Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024
No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024
Welcoming Samantha Petersen Gallasch & the Role of Development at Pasadena Village
05/02/2024
An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024
Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024
Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024
The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024
Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024
April 2024
Rumor of Humor #2410
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2411
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2412
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2413
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2414
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2415
04/28/2024
Rumor of Humor #2416
04/28/2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
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
CRT - Wokism Explained
By Richard MyersPosted: 12/02/2023
On December 1st, 2023 Sharon Kyle and Dick Price of the LA Progressive provided a very clear comprehensive and consice definition of the terms Wokism and Critical Race Theory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXzWoFF_Yms
Their presentation my be viewed on our YouTube Channel above.
The slides used in the presentation can be viewed and downloded here.
“Wokism,” or “woke,” traces back to usage to childhood memories in the group as simply meaning to be aware of the reality of the world that we live in. The current media discussion of the term attributes many other characteristics to the concept of Wokism, nearly all of which has no basis in fact.
Critical Race Theory originated at Harvard as an approach for legal scholars to examine and understand the impact that racism has had on our law and culture. It is currently taught in law schools where scholarly work is being done but is no where a part of any public school curriculums as is frequently alleged in the media. The presentation goes into moer depth in elaborating in these simple definitions.
In the discussion that took place during the meeting, many interesting anecdotes were brought up that helped to provide a fuller understanding of how these concepts of Wokism and CRT play out in our current environment:
- · Sharon pointed out that the Statue of Liberty includes ankle manacles and broken chains referring to breaking the chains of slavery and explains how that came to be represented in this way. Few, if any, of the people in the group, were aware of this detail in this famous statue.
- · Thomas Jefferson was a complicated person, very important in the history of this country but with many of the facts about his life deeply shadowed in the history taught in our schools.
- · Mention of the complications in Jefferson’s life led to a discussion of public monuments of which might be appropriate to maintain and others to remove. This is a currently appropriate topic as the removal of confederate monuments around the country is ongoing and raising much public comment.
- This is only a very brief selection of the extended and engaging discussion that took place in this session.
Our next meeting on December 15th at 12 noon Pacific may be a continuation of this discussion but will also have room for other events that may be occurring between now and then that may be of interest to the group. We invite you all to join us for that.
Beginning in January and February of next year, we have some very interesting presentations scheduled. On January 5th at 10am Pacific, Brian Biery will provide another of his historical looks at local history with a discussion of the Tongva experience in this area.
In February, which is Black History Month, we will have Larry Duplechan on February 2nd at 10am Pacific discussing his new book “Movies That Made Me Gay.” On February 16th at noon, Ricky Pickens will talk to us about his work in reducing gang violence in Pasadena.
In March, Helane Rheingold will return on the first Friday, March 1st, at 10am Pacific with another of her very engaging conversations with art where she will talk about "Blacks Portrayed by European ArtistsThrough the Centuries."
This looks to be an exciting series of presentations and we are looking forward to a very interesting year in 2024 and hope that you will join us.