September 2019

Winner of Multiple Awards fromo Our college. Our news. Our voice. Naugatuck Valley Community College September 1, 2019 Waterbury, Connecticut Vol. 64, Iss. 1 January 20, 2009, Mitch McConnell, Republican Senate Minority Leader; John Boehner, Republican House Minority Leader, and approximately 20 other top Republicans met at a D.C. steakhouse to dis- For a Better America cuss how to obstruct Obama’s presidency. They Nicole Hayes and Richard Bosco planned to make him a one-term president by say- Editor’s Note: Bosco’s recollections italicized. and Brown immigrants are on the rise nation- people from diff erent backgrounds to discuss ing no to everything he wanted to accomplish. Most Racism, bigotry, and prejudice have been a wide. More horrifying is President Trump’s the consequences of being barred from true of these Republican “luminaries” may have been serpentine plague on American culture since rhetoric, which gives violent radical groups interaction perpetuates an “us versus them” there because of political or philosophical diff erences before the founding of our republic. America’s encouragement. White Supremist/Nationalists narrative. This breeds more fear and distrust with the new president; however, it would be naïve negative relationship with racial minorities in America believe, based on his words and amongst people of diff erent races. How does to dismiss the likelihood some were there because of dates to the fi rst enslaved Africans who arrived actions, they have this president’s approval and this impact individuals? What about society? racism and hate. in 1526 with a group of Spanish colonists led support. Trump’s tacit approval—clear after Our nation has missed many opportunities Republicans have moved away from dis- by Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon. American chattel the horrifying August 2017 Charlottesville, to learn about each other and thus establish a cussing race—instead, harboring racist ide- slavery lasted until 1865 when the enactment Virginia incident when he blamed “both sides,” more perfect union. ology. In 2018, The Washington Post reported of the 13th Amendment outlawed slavery and claiming even white Nationalists and Neo- A white male, born in the mid-50s, I grew up that, in 2006, people identifying as mem- involuntary servitude. Nazis had “very fi ne people” among them— in the 60s, came of age in the 70s. During my life, bers of either party agreed using the n-word Newly freed Black Americans then experi- has given rise to more violence. I’ve witnessed a great deal, some truly beautiful and is offensive. In 2018, a declining number of enced a new form of slavery as Black code laws For instance, just recently in El Paso, Texas, magniﬁ cent moments, and others as ugly, horrible, Republicans considered the n-word off ensive. were created. Black codes, enforced throughout 22 people (many immigrants of color) were and grotesque as can be imagined. The ugliest, most Democrats, meanwhile, showed an increase the South, forced Black people into indentured gunned down by a man who made clear he horrible things I’ve witnessed are racism, bigotry, in opposition to its use. Just 33% of those who servitude (sharecropping) and ensured mass was targeting Latino/a immigrants. These inci- and hate. Fortunately, I’ve not had the misfortune voted for Trump said it was racist for whites disfranchisement as these new laws made it dents are as disturbing to witness as the violent to experience this hate, nor could I as a white man. to use the n-word, meaning 67% of Trump impossible for Black men to vote unless they police brutality in Birmingham, AL on May 3, I do not want anyone in this country to ever expe- voters—presumably Republicans—find the owned property. 1963, when the racist, segregationist, hate-fi lled rience the hate and suff ering racism, bigotry, or any n-word acceptable. Hmmm. These codes guaranteed Black Americans Birmingham Police Department turned dogs kind of prejudice brings to this world. All this brings us to today. According to remained second-class citizens, their constitu- and firehoses on peaceful Civil Rights dem- As a young man, I really believed our nation a 2018 survey conducted by the Cooperative tionally given rights denied. Black codes laid onstrators—some just children. There was a would overcome hate and prejudice. Well, here we Congressional Election Study and reported in the foundation for the Jim Crow era. It is clear great fear historically, and there is a great fear are in 2019, and what the hell happened, America? The Washington Post, an overwhelming 53% of separate and unequal based on race is a found- remaining, of the races mixing. As I reached adulthood in the 70s, I became some- White Americans underestimate the discrim- ing principle of this nation, but that certainly During Jim Crow, many states made it what hopeful American racial hatred was coming to ination Black people still experience, under- does not make it acceptable. Unfortunately, illegal for White and Black people to inter- an end. Unfortunately, it just went underground. scoring the diffi culty in eradicating prejudice this cultural plague continues—not content to act socially in public spaces. In Birmingham, When Barack Obama was elected President in and racial discrimination when we cannot even slither beneath the surface, but regularly rear- the law in 1930 read, “It shall be unlawful for 2008 with 53% of the popular vote, I truly thought agree they exist or the degree to which they ing its ugly head. a negro and white person to play together America had ﬁ nally made it, that we’d turned a cor- exist. The only cure for what perpetually lurks Racism, white nationalism, prejudice, and or in company with each other in any game ner to a more accepting, compassionate society. I am below, ailing this country, is exposure. For, as violence against people of color (POC), the of cards or dice, dominoes or checkers” as sorry to say I was very, very wrong. Justice Louis Brandeis wrote, “sunlight is the LGBTQI+ community, Muslims, Jews, and Black noted in the Smithsonian. The inability of The night of President Obama’s inauguration, best disinfectant.” and strengthened with each new publica- what could be more powerful than words tion. Gracias, Ms. Morrison, for being a part from the author, the national treasure, her- In Memoriam of my life. self? Morrison’s wisdom is so expansive, so quotable, it would be impossible to choose Tamarack Sta “She is a friend of my mind. She gather me, man. The pieces I am, she gather them a single, defi nitive statement. Here are four: Morrison’s legacy extends well beyond her and give them back to me in all the right On writing, Morrison stated, “If there’s a Sula own monumental work: books, including, , order. It’s good, you know, when you got book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been Love The Bluest Eye Song of Solomon Paradise , , , , a woman who is a friend of your mind.” ~ written yet, then you must write it.” Jazz A Mercy Tar Baby God Help the Child Home , , , , , from Morrison’s Beloved. ~Alfred A. Knopf, On social responsibility: “…if you are Beloved and, of course, . She was, after all, instru- 1987. free, you need to free somebody else. If mental, as a Random House editor, in bringing Let us all take a moment today to remi- you have some power, then your job is to the works of other Black women to the reading nisce about when we fi rst made her acquain- empower somebody else.” public. Her work, in its many forms, presented tance, and to celebrate what was a life worth From Morrison’s 1993 Nobel Lecture, the Black American experience, in all its beauty living and a literary legacy to be treasured “Make up a story... For our sake and yours and unfl inching ugliness, with never a ques- for centuries to come. forget your name in the street; tell us what tion as to whether these lives matter. the world has been to you in the dark places As author Rion Amilcar Scott, winner of the In solidarity with our collective mourning, and in the light. Don’t tell us what to believe, Photo Courtesy of Oprah Magazine PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Insurrections, NVCC President what to fear. Show us belief’s wide skirt and states, “So much of black literature, starting Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. the stitch that unravels fear’s caul.” with the slave narratives, are written for and to And fi nally, these words fromThe Nation, white people. Toni Morrison made it clear that President Barack Obama, who presented written in 2015, now more relevant than she was writing for black people. An ongoing Morrison with the Presidential Medal of ever: “I know the world is bruised love letter. That’s the perspective a lot Freedom in 2012, writes, “Toni Morrison was a and bleeding, and though it is of us have now and it’s a Morrisonian national treasure, as good a storyteller, as important not to ignore its pain, innovation.” captivating, in person as she was on the it is also critical to refuse to Morrison’s passing has left an page. Her writing was a beauti- succumb to its malevolence. unfillable hole, not just in the world ful, meaningful challenge to Like failure, of literature, but in the hearts of so our conscience and our chaos Photo Courtesy of Lisbeth Darsh many. The following tribute, from NVCC moral imagination. President De Filippis, was shared Tuesday, What a gift to con- It is ironic words are so inadequate upon the August 6th, the day Morrison’s passing was breathe the Photo Courtesy of tains loss of a woman of letters, a woman announced.

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