We were not supposed to win.

These reports ranged from stating that Negroes couldn’t compete in swimming because their bones were too dense; then when black swimmers placed competitively , the “science” said black bodies were naturally buoyant and possessed unfair advantage due to porosity of their hair. Smh.

She loved going to the library on 42nd street and looking up latest “scientific “ findings on Negroes.

She grew up in Tennessee and Chicago. Born in 1917 so you can imagine. She always wanted to go to college. She belonged for a time to the American Negro Theatre. Her stories abt theatre were fascinating.

Then we discovered her breathing difficulties were due to emphysema. She was a lifelong smoker.

When we moved to NYC she secured a job as a clerk and didn’t need 2 other jobs.

Every time I take a hot shower I feel spoiled ( comfort isn’t promised to any of us.) I grew up in challenging ( very poor) circumstance but I was never hungry. My mother went without if she had to and we were never unhoused. She worked 3 jobs. Denver was a mess.

I don’t want to be one of those who has to be resilient in murderous times.

But we all have to be .

About 15 years ago on a bright spring day I was walking up 5th Ave on 10th street and I passed a trio of young girls in swirly pastel sheaths and the voice of one of them floated back to me “I never wound have gotten married if I knew it meant I would be a wife.”

Trump pardoned his criminal co conspirators. I’m 100% behind Biden pardoning his son.

People should run not walk to see Seed of the Sacred Fig. Iranian film abt a newly promoted inspector ( wanna be judge) who becomes convinced his family is undermining him.

Indictment of regime, religious conformity and atrocities , and the patriarchy.

Very stirring. Cannot recommend enough.