One my earliest memories shortly after I learned how to read was a plaque on the credenza of our house in Lincoln, Nebraska. It read:
GOD IS FIRST.
OTHERS ARE SECOND.
I AM THIRD.
I seriously believe the aforementioned to be true, because my parents told me it was true, and my parents never lied to me. Plus, as a PK (preacher's kid), it made sense. Unfortunately, I had to go to school, and there I soon learned Christianity and all related religious principles are, at best, conceptual and rarely practiced. I was in the first or second grade (1958 or so) when a White boy at school called me a nigger, because I'd NEVER heard that word before - not at home, not at church, not from Black people that lived in our neighborhood, not when I watched "Little Rascals" or "The Adventures of Superman" or "The Lone Ranger" every morning on television, not when we went shopping at Gold's Department Store in downtown lincoln . . . I had absolutely no clue what a nigger was, and it really, really, really confused me. Then, with sadness on her face, my mother told me.
Being a very linear person, I quickly started doing some research, looking for clarity to explain how and why my "status" at Elliott Elementary School was inherently . . . different than the White students at the same school; students I considered as friends; after all, we attended birthday parties together, summer camp, etc. As a pre-teenager, I began to completely abandon any alignment to Christianity or any religious dogma, because I do not tolerate lies. The perpetual fighting between Israel and the PLO (Gaza) only confirms my dislike of religious hypocrisy. I can work with people who make mistakes, errors, accidents, etc., but to boldly state " . . . all men are created equal" in the face of blatant genocide, slavery, and oppression insults my intelligence. Where am I going with this?
I'm well aware that the "tone" of some of my editorials and film reviews might concern, disturb, or bother some people . . . but such is not my objective. I've been writing prose, poetry, and essays on a wide variety of subjects since 1963, with my first poem, "I Ask You Why?"
Most importantly, I never stopped writing. I literally have thousands of unpublished poems, editorials, etc., and other "work." I've never hidden this aspect of my "persona" from anyone. My expectation is not for people to agree with my . . . "observations," which would be ridiculous, and frankly, I would find disingenuous. So, why do I write? Just like you or anyone else, I have just as much right to convey my assessment of "life." Notably, whatever I write, it's my practice to write with facts to persuasively prompt the reader to make an informed decision. For example, I started writing film reviews because published reviews in trade publications (Variety, Hollywood Reporter, etc.), magazines, and local and national newspapers were – and remain – primarily written by White males and a few White females, and these are overwhelmingly skewed, flawed, one-sided, sexist, and racist – which remains true to this very day! There’s very little “color” in national print and broadcast media, and the “glass ceiling” has not disappeared, which is especially true of organized religion. Where am I going with this?
Due in large part to the instantaneous power of social media and related technologies, the overlooked or unhidden atrocities of the past and present are being released on all multimedia platforms (print, broadcast, internet, radio, etc.). Like it or not, the racial and sexual demographics of the United States of America is changing, with the birth rate and populations of minorities increasing as is the blending of all racial and ethnic groups. Conversely, the White fertility rate continues to decrease as White people become richer, more affluent. History consistently proves what's likely to happen next (as with South Africa), a Civil War. Why? Because, nothing has changed, and there'll be another George Floyd or worse, and a bunch of people are going to be killed, especially wealthy White people and especially wealthy Black people (many who'll be viewed as two-faced Uncle Tom's).
KFAB, Disney, and so many other companies and individuals refuse to acknowledge the big ass "train of cultural change" rolling down the tracks. Will this civil war happen in our lifetime? Probably. There are a lot of pissed off people, and people do not forget being shit on. Oh, you can tell a woman to forget she was raped; but no, that's not going to happen. Likewise, the Republic of Lakotah has endured genocide, racism, oppression, and incarceration for 150+ years: https://youtu.be/8tEuaj4h8dw Where am I going with this?
GOD IS FIRST.
OTHERS ARE SECOND.
I AM THIRD.
I'm agnostic, but like my Dad said, "Trip, you believe in God; you just don't believe anything men say about God!" Well, frankly, I do embrace the idea of "God is first; Others are second; and I am third." Unfortunately, I'm perpetually being exposed to people, places, and events that only validate the evils of humanity. Being a very linear person, with so much evidence of the atrocities committed by men of all racial and/or ethnic groups, why can't "we" (humanity) realize that all men and women, without regard to race or nationality, simply want the best opportunities for our families, children, spouses, etc.? Why is this so difficult to understand? Where am I going with this?
In my linear thirst for knowledge, I recently discovered an excellent four-(4) part, well-researched documentary, "Exterminate All the Brutes," on where, how, and why genocide, slavery, and oppression was and is used against minorities and women. Yes, I've seen several similar documentaries that cover the same ground, but this one is truly one of the best! Here's a link to the trailer: https://youtu.be/qauQELgpaKU CAUTION: This nicely produced documentary is very graphic, with photos, videos, and re-enactments of atrocities that might be uncomfortable for you to watch. It's on HBO and HBOMax.
Again, the racial and sexual demographics of the United States of America is changing; how long before people of color and women jointly say, "We're as mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore!" I predicted Michael Jackson wouldn't live past 50 years of age, and I also predicted Prince wouldn't live past 50 years of age; logical conclusions are easy when you make an objective assessment of the facts. Therefore, based on the facts, what is the likely conclusion? Humans refuse to learn from their own history, so as referenced in the "Thucydides Trap," the perpetual failure to consistently recognize the egalitarian rights of all people will ultimately lead to the ruin of any society. Accordingly, in the event of a civil war, or a class war, or whatever war comes next, please know, you've been warned; because for way too many people . . .
GOD IS NOT FIRST.
OTHERS ARE NOT SECOND.
IN THE "#METOO GENERATION"
IT'S ALL ABOUT "ME,"
GETTING AS MUCH AS "I" CAN,
FROM WHOEVER "I" CAN,
AS LONG AS "I" CAN,
AND YOU CAN JUST
GO TO HELL!
And now you know where I was going with this.
Get it?
I welcome your feedback.
Trip Reynolds
trip.reynolds@yahoo.com
 |
Reynolds' Rap First Amendment to the United States Constitution - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. |