Manns Medium

  The very nature of this species called “man” is one where we can be easily influenced and with an unchecked amount of influence can be easily corrupted.   This corruption can come in many different forms and often we focus on a simple type while ignoring or refusing to see the others. I contend that the filibuster is one form of corruption wielded by those who care less about the majority and more about the group of which they, themselves, are a member.   As a species, we find comfort in aligning ourselves with like-minded individuals and because of that we convince ourselves that what we envision is always the correct path for a town, a city, a community, and a nation.   To view it any other way would mean we would have to force ourselves to consider another’s truth and their opinions even if they differ from our own. As many of you well know, a filibuster is a parliamentary procedure used to prevent a measure from being brought to a vote. It occurs because on...

  No other adage can be counted upon to be proven true than the adage which says that history repeats itself.   This is abundantly evident with the newest moves from the Georgia State GOP.   According to the Associated Press dot com, in an article titled “ Georgia House passes GOP bill rolling back voting access ”, it is reported that “Republican lawmakers in Georgia muscled legislation through the state House on Monday that would roll back voting access, over the objection of Democrats and civil rights groups gathered at the Capitol to protest.   The bill comes after record turnout led to Democratic wins in Georgia’s presidential election and two U.S. Senate runoffs. House Bill 531 passed the lower legislative chamber by a vote of 97-72. It now goes to the state Senate for more debate. The far-reaching bill would require a photo ID for absentee voting, limit the amount of time voters have to request an absentee ballot, restrict where ballot drop boxes could be loc...

  To say that I was surprised to be directed toward an article titled “Evanston, Illinois to begin distribution of up to $25K in reparations to Black residents” written by DeMicia Inman for Yahoo News dated March 4, 2021 would be an understatement.   I guess my surprise came when I realized that this action, while maybe of good intentions, would clearly do more harm than good in the long run.   The article reported that “the midwestern city is the first in the country to establish reparations with a commitment of $10M over the next decade.  In Evanston, Illinois, eligible Black residents will receive reparations up to $25K as part of a commitment from the city. ABC News reported that the city, north of Chicago, will begin issuing payments this year. 5th Ward Alderman Robin Rue Simmons pushed for the legislation. She was inspired to work on closing the racial wealth gap through her own experience growing up Black in Evanston and still living there t...