History.
Every American girl now knows they can get to the White House.
Reminds me of that OTHER historic moment in American history. 😀
Category: things getting better
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
Of many movies and books I’ve recently reviewed trying to become more aware of my white privilege, White Fragility is best.
That surprised me as the author is White writing for a White audience. Writing for me, a privileged white male who believes he’s anti-racist.
Click PLAY or watch DiAngelo on YouTube.
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism is a 2018 book written by Robin DiAngelo about race relations in the United States.
An academic with experience in diversity training, DiAngelo coined the term “white fragility” in 2011 to describe any defensive instincts or reactions that a white person experiences when questioned about race or made to consider their own race.
In White Fragility, DiAngelo views racism in the United States as systemic and often perpetuated unconsciously by individuals….
DiAngelo linked to a study pointing out that children aged 3 upwards believe it better to be White in the USA.
She points out that white, males avowing to be Christian and heterosexual are at consistent advantage. Everyone else at a disadvantage, especially Black Americans.
That’s systemic racism.
The book is popular but has had a fair bit of criticism, as well.
Personally, I learned a lot. On the other hand, it’s not well written: too academic, frequently repeating the same bullet points.
Also, I wouldn’t sign-up for one of DiAngelo‘s lectures nor diversity training workshops. I find her arrogant and too defensive with those who challenge.
And here’s how comedian Ron Hart learned about his white privilege in 1994. As the only White guy in a comedy club.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
John Oliver on Confederate statues & memorials
Compromise – MOVE any controversial statue into a museum.
Laying out the Confederacy’s rationale for seceding from the U.S.
Savannah, Georgia, March 21, 1861
Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens:
“Our new government[‘s] foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man.”
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (2017)
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
20-year old Taylor Wilson wrote the best article I’ve read so far on the 2020 Black Lives Matters protests.
Racism is housing discrimination, food inequity, mass incarceration, underfunded schools, unequal access to sport, over-policing, voter disenfranchisement, the war on drugs, hiring discrimination, unequal access to healthcare, and a flawed criminal justice system that far too often lets officers go unchecked for abusing their power.
I am tired of seeing Black people beaten and murdered by police. I am deeply disturbed by the lack of accountability for police officers who so blatantly cause harm, shielded by a blue wall of silence that seems impenetrable by the justice system. …
Almost 56 years after the Civil Rights Act was signed, and Black people are STILL fighting for equal protection under the law and the genuine right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. …
Enough is enough. “Thoughts and prayers” is no longer a sufficient response …
Denounce racism when it’s not convenient for you. In rooms where there are no Black people. … In every space, especially those in which you hold a position of power or influence, leverage your privilege. Do not stay silent. Be explicitly anti-racist and hold others accountable for their words and actions. …
If reading this made you uncomfortable, good.
Get comfortable being uncomfortable because I promise you, this is just the beginning.
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Lyft or Uber?
Cool kids like Lyft better. But Uber is far more available in far more places.
While both services look identical, there are major differences. Uber is richer in features and available in more cities. Yet Lyft is more transparent in its receipts about the details of a trip …
In terms of ride-summoning features, Uber wins hands down.
The verdict: Lyft wins, in part for greater transparency.
The verdict: Frequent riders will benefit more from Uber’s rewards program, which is more comprehensive and compelling.
What about reputation?
The verdict: Though neither company is innocent, Lyft wins by a long shot.
Where Uber and Lyft are available
Uber has an advantage because of its broad availability worldwide. The company, which has operations in 63 countries, is a behemoth compared with Lyft, which is available in just the United States and Canada.
Uber vs. Lyft: Which Ride-Hailing App Is Better?
Where are LIBRARIES headed?
I spend a lot of time in libraries. They are good. But could be much better.
Eric Klinenberg spent a year researching libraries for his book Palaces for the People.
How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life
Social infrastructure is the glue that binds communities together, and it is just as real as the infrastructure for water, power, or communications, although it’s often harder to see.
But Eric Klinenberg says that when we invest in social infrastructures such as libraries, parks, or schools, we reap all kinds of benefits. We become more likely to interact with people around us, and connected to the broader public. If we neglect social infrastructure, we tend to grow more isolated, which can have serious consequences.
I heard Klinenberg interviewed on the 99% Invisible podcast. His argument was compelling.
I’d love to see libraries expand their programs. Increase the hours they are open.
Libraries are unofficial sanctuaries for street people, at least during daylight. That should be formalized.
Libraries could be much, much better.
Pod room in a hostel
I’ve stayed in a couple of airport pod hotel rooms. An excellent idea. You can rent for 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours or more depending on the amount of time you have between flights.
But in Púcon, Chile I stayed for the first time in a pod room in a hostel.
$15 / night. No breakfast. Shared washrooms and excellent kitchen. You keep your stuff in a locker outside the room.
But here’s the view just outside my door.
This is the French Andes hostel.
Hilton is getting into hostels
I’ve stayed in many hundreds of different hostels around the world. I like them much better than hotels.
Cost in 2018 runs about $15 / night for a bunkbed. $35 / night for a private room.
Most of the best I can recall were in New Zealand. The worst in North America.
One of the new upscale chains is called Clink. I recently tried to book at Clink London but it was booked out for weeks.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Happily we are soon to have more and better hostels. Companies like the Hilton chain are getting into the low end market.
… Private rooms are much more common than they once were and some of the properties are starting to mirror the design-led approach of boutique hotels. …
There’s even a debate about using the word hostel itself with many of those making the most noise preferring to use terms such as “hybrid,” “open house” or poshtel instead. …
Hostels or youth hostels aren’t a new phenomenon. The movement goes back to Richard Schirrmann, a German teacher who founded the first one in 1912. …
“We see a massive demand in America and there is no supply, actually… and this is why we also, absolutely, think it’s the right time to step into the U.S. market,” Spanring said. …
Best of the best for me are bunk beds … but bunk beds that are privacy pods.
Maps.me v Google maps offline?
How did I travel without this awesome technology?
It was no problem to find my way through the narrow labyrinths of souks (bazaars) in the Medina of Marrakesh.
Google maps offline is better, but only provides directions for automobile travel. It’s ideal if you are in a rent-a-car.
Maps.me is better if you are on public transit, bike or on foot.
For any new area I’m traveling I download both while connected to wifi. Then compare results offline.
Maps.me gets the data from community-based OpenStreetMap. It’s not as up-to-date or complete. But it does give you voice turn-by-turn navigation like Google.
I love them both.
The process of downloading an offline map is more complicated in Google. It’s one click on Maps.me.
Click PLAY or watch Maps.me on YouTube.
Rick McCharles 