I’m struggling.  I’m finding myself on the couch fearful, upset, and unmotivated.  As a Black man, seeing the President of the United States openly encourage racists has messed me up.

I have Republican friends and I have friends that will vote for Donald Trump.  After seeing the President of the United States fail to condemn white supremacy again, I’m left struggling and questioning those friendships.

I’m not talking about a handful of my Facebook “friends” whose applications to the Proud Boys were returned with a bottle of Xanax and a note saying “dude, fucking relax!”  Knowing these guys is one of the perks of being raised in Elmhurst, I suppose.

I’m talking about the people whose homes I’ve been in and who have been in mine.  My friends.  The people who are part of my village.

This isn’t about political party anymore.  I have voted for many Republicans.  I have neither wanted nor allowed politics to invade my friendships.  I want my friends to have different opinions enabling me to see the world from different perspectives which provides an opportunity to learn something.

This election is different.  This particular president has made it different for me. For me, the issue no longer about tax policy; the issue no longer is about Wall Street; the issue is no longer about the Supreme Court; the issue is no longer about marriage equality, foreign policy, war abroad or terrorism at home.

The issue is white supremacy.

It’s 2020 and we’re seriously talking about whether white supremacy is OK in a presidential election.

This is no longer about Democrats vs. Republicans.  From my perspective as a Black man, it is about right and wrong.  From my perspective as an American, it’s about whether the Constitution applies to all of us or just some of us.

Do you support a man for President of the United States that does not condemn white supremacists?

Do you support a man for President of the United States that encourages white supremacists?

If you care more about your brokerage accounts than white supremacy, how comfortable should I be about having you in my home?

If it took this last debate for you to notice that this president won’t condemn white supremacists, then you haven’t been watching.  Did the leader of our country speak out when a Black man in Georgia was murdered for jogging in a white neighborhood?  Did the leader of our country speak out against an epidemic of white people calling the police on their black neighbors for simply being around that particular white person?  The name “Karen” was entered into the national lexicon, yet the leader of our country won’t speak out against white people calling the police on Black people for birdwatching in Central Park?

(and don’t get me going on this president and Central Park.  Please google “Donald Trump Central Park Five” if you aren’t aware of bigoted (racist?) statements he made in the past about five Black and Latino men accused and convicted of the rape of a white woman jogger who were ultimately proven innocent).

Do I feel comfortable ending relationships with people that vote for Donald Trump in this election?  Is that fair?  I can, have, and will continue to disagree with friends on political issues.   My state representative (Democrat) can vouch for me yelling in his ear about Illinois tax policy.  A few years ago, Illinois Democrats told us they had to temporarily raise income taxes to get out of a hole.  Now that temporary tax is permanent AND they seek a Constitutional amendment so they can raise my taxes again?!? All while the lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, extorts Illinois voters saying if the amendment doesn’t pass everyone’s tax bill will increase 20%?!!  Don’t get me started on Illinois Democrats’ fiscal irresponsibility.

But we can disagree on issues like taxes and remain friends.  Not racism.

What America do I want to live in?

I know what American I want to live in.  A better question is what America do YOU want to live in?

Do you want to live in an America where All Men Are Created Equal?  Or one where white men are maybe a little more equal than their black and brown counterparts?

Do you want to live in an America where our president can’t condemn racism and racists?

Do you want to live in an America where the President of the United States tells white supremacists, on national television, one month before an election to stand by?

Is that the America YOU want to live in?

Is that OK with you?

I know the one that I want to live in.  I’d like to live in the America where our chief executive doesn’t need to be prepped by aides on whether white supremacists are “fine people”.

After Kamala Harris was chosen as Joe Biden’s running mate, I had a civil conversation over a drink with a man that supports the president.  I like this man; I have been on vacation with this man and his family.  We had a civil conversation about Kamala Harris and how she could come around to support Joe Biden after the things she said abut him when she was running for President.

I now want to ask that man, whom I consider a friend, this: do you support a man for president who has repeatedly failed to condemn white supremacy?  Do you support a man for president who has consistently encouraged white supremacists?

Do you support a man who has deputized white supremacists by telling them to “stand by?”

If your answer is yes—why?  Are you saying that your pocketbook is more important than fighting white supremacy in the United States?

If your answer is yes, then I need to ask myself: is this someone that should be in my life?  Do I value people who care more about (insert issue here) than fighting white supremacy?  Is that a person that should be in my home?  If I want to live in integrity with my beliefs, shouldn’t I have people who are against racism standing with me?

We’re not talking about tax increases.  We’re talking about racism and white supremacy.

It is sick that I have to go through my friendships and do his calculus.  But as a Black man, who has pretty successfully fought against bias and racism (and is frankly exhausted by it), how can I have someone in my home that cares more about his money than they do about my rights as an African American?  How can I pour a drink for someone that values their money more than my Constitutional rights?

This isn’t an election for school board or village president or state representative (I would argue that we should reject people who won’t condemn and encourage racists for these positions too).  This is the President of the United States; this is the most important position on the planet.  How can we as Americans support a man for that that won’t condemn racists in that office?

The fact that we’re having this conversation proves that racism is alive and well.  For those of you that don’t believe white privilege exists…. US HAVING THIS CONVERSATION PROVES IT DOES.

Do I love Joe Biden?  No.  My hope for the debate was that Joe would not have a fucking stroke.  That Joe Biden has become Bernie from “Weekend at Bernie’s” to earn my vote is a 100% absolutely ridiculous hurdle to earn a vote for President of the United States.

But would I rather have Bernie or a racist?

Does Joe Biden have to “clarify” comments (again!) on whether he supports white supremacy?

Does Joe Biden need to consider whether white supremacists are “fine people”?

The President of the United States sets an example not only for our country but the world.

Aren’t we better as a nation than this?

I’m shocked that in 2020, we’re even having this conversation.  I’m shocked that a man who has continually and constantly failed to condemn racism and encouraged white supremacists enjoys such broad support.  And that’s why I struggle. It’s tough to see a man stoke flames of racial hatred get applause.  Do I have to reevaluate me?  Do I have to reevaluate my position in this society?  Will everything I’ve struggled to earn be taken away from me because of the color of my skin?  What about my children?  I admit these questions seem a little far out, like that would never happen.

Then again, I never thought I’d see the day in my lifetime the President of the United States openly encourage white supremacists on national television and get applause for it.

If you give him your vote, you’re one of the people applauding.

The ancient proverb states; the fish rots from the head down. In reality, however, it is the guts of a fish that stink first, then the head. Regardless, there’s a stench associated with rotting fish, much as there’s a foul odor in our society that’s coming from somewhere. If we only knew the origin, we could get things to a point where maybe we could at least tolerate each other.

It’s unclear how many more body blows society can withstand this year. 2020 has bought us a horrific pandemic along with the economic disaster to follow. We’ve suffered back-breaking conflicts related to race relations which, quite honestly, have been simmering for decades. In these trying times, we take for granted the concept of leadership until which time we have little or none of it, then we experience how bad things can be.

If there has been a more divided time in our country’s history, I don’t believe anyone alive right now has experienced it. Not since the 1860’s has our society been at such odds. Why? Is it the lack of leadership and poor example setting? Or are our leaders simply mirroring the bad behavior of society? I believe most people are followers by nature and it’s apparent to me that our leaders are letting us down. From the national on down to the local level, the seeds of division are being sown. The concept of servant leadership appears to be lost upon those who are “in charge”. So many elected officials seem to think they are our bosses instead of our employees. How often do we hear politicians make references to “my city” or “my district” or say things like “I spent” money on various programs? Hello? This is OUR city / district and you’re charged with spending OUR money. Their part in the play is but a temporary role, or at least it should be. Shouldn’t our leaders represent all of us and not just those who voted for them?

While the current candidates are in a frenzy to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic in order to get elected, the rest of the country is suffering. As a result, we certainly don’t seem to like each other very much. We’re not even pretending to like each other anymore, which could be a pre-curser to something much worse if things don’t change.

With the news of President Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis this morning, for a moment I thought that maybe people would put the daggers down for a minute or two. Then I started reading things about how the Karma bus paid an overnight visit and so on and so on. So much for that.

Dateline: Friday, October 2, 2020. The White House. Washington, D.C. 8:00 am

The president’s staff has been here at work for three hours. Potus is at the residence. That’s not unusual. He’s usually not in his West Wing office until noon. It would be business as usual except Covid-19 has infected the White House. Donald and Melania tested positive. Ronna Romney McDaniels, too. They all got it from Hope Hicks.

What’s different about this day is the Trump children have taken over the Oval Office:

Don Jr: I can’t believe Dad is sick. As the oldest child, this means I’m the new President, right?
Ivanka: That’s not how it works. I’m Dad’s favorite. That means I get the job.
Eric: We should be talking about what’s really important. Dad got it from Hope. Does this mean we’re going to have another sibling? Btw, shouldn’t we be getting Dad some Hydrochloroquine or bleach?
Tiffany: You all are idiots. I’m the only one with a law degree. That means I’m the only one qualified to do this job and handle the fallout from the mess Dad’s left us.
Barron: As my mom would say, ‘Who gives a fuck about what any of you think?’ I’m the only one who lives here. I may be only fourteen years old, but I’m more qualified to run this place than any of you fucking idiots. Now get your asses out of here before I call the fucking Secret Service. Oh…and Eric…make sure my Mom gets some of that bleach.

Dateline: Friday, October 2, 2020. The White House. Washington, D.C. 11:00 am

The president’s staff has been at work for six hours. Everything is normal. It’s just a typical Friday at the White House.

Related Post: Who has been watching Barron Trump this week?

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Whether you own a restaurant, coffee shop or retail store, making sure your customers are comfortable and happy is probably near the top of your priority list. No matter who comes into your establishment, they should feel welcome and taken care of. For many individuals who have physical disabilities or use mobility aids, this isn’t always the reality for every business they enter.

Many businesses design for the masses, not for accessibility, which can leave many people feeling left out. Ensuring your business welcomes people of all ability levels can set you apart. No matter how big or small your establishment is, you can do a few specific things to make your facility easier for everyone to navigate:

1. Accessible Parking Spaces

If your business has public parking, handicap parking spaces are required. To make your handicap parking as accessible as possible, it should be readily available, clearly marked and as close as possible to the business entrance. Additionally, there should be space for cars and vans, and the spaces should be at least 8 feet wide.

Besides these things, there are more technical regulations you should account for. Understanding the needs and rules surrounding handicap parking will help you create an accessible, welcoming space.

2. Ramps and Rails

If your business has inclines of any kind, adding ramps, slopes and handrails should take high priority. People who use mobility aids such as transport chairs and wheelchairs simply can’t go upstairs in them, so even small inclines need a slope as an option. Even people without traditional mobility aids might need some assistance with balance and stability. This is why handrails are so important, too.

3. Accessible Seating

If your business has seating, you should ensure that everyone can take a seat. Having wider spaces around tables and chairs, space to accommodate mobility aids and designated handicap seating are all great ways to make your seating more accessible and comfortable. If you have a small space or more enclosed seating, try designing and designating a few specific seating areas for those who need accommodations.

4. Wide Bathrooms and Stalls

Everyone needs to use the bathroom, and creating restrooms and stalls that work for everyone is a large part of building an accessible business. To provide the necessary space for those who use mobility aids or need assistance, handicap restrooms and stalls must allow for a wheelchair to make a 180-degree turn. Sinks also need to be no more than 24 inches high, and they should leave room for wheelchair and knee space underneath.

If your facility only has one bathroom, making it handicap accessible and comfortable should be a top priority so every customer can use it.

Welcoming Everyone Into Your Establishment

Making your business accessible is the key to ensuring that everyone feels welcome and at home. You want your business to bring everyone together. When you do your best to accommodate everyone, people will be happier, feel taken care of and return time and time again.

Harris County of TX is 1700 square miles with over five million people and yet the GOV. of TX, Wayne Abbott, is per a gubernatorial order eliminating ballot drop-off locations demanding that there be only one per county.  The governor claims it’s due to security concerns but local officials in those counties contradict that claim.

Fortunately, the matter will be decided by the courts, as voting rights groups will sue to insist that the ballot boxes already in place may remain.

What’s amazing is that Abbott who gets around via a wheelchair would completely disregard how his order might affect those with a similar handicap.

So let’s hope the COURTS GO DO GOOD and make it easier for people to vote during a PANDEMIC.  If you want to read more about this, check out the story: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/Voting-rights-groups-sue-Abbott-over-mail-ballot-15615617.php

To use a baseball analogy, it sure feels like we’re in the “dog days” of this pandemic, doesn’t it? The “dog days,” of course, refer to the hottest, longest days of summer. Now, of course, summer is over, but the analogy still feels right to me.

When I’m in those “dog days” of a baseball season, it’s helpful for me to remember the joy and hope that comes with walking up the concrete steps of Wrigley Field, looking up into the clear, blue sky — looking around at the stands and still-change-it-by-hand scoreboard, the ivy starting to grow on the outfield wall, and smelling the freshly-mowed grass and first hints of popcorn, while waiting for my Chicago Cubs to take the field.

But, since I can’t currently do that with everything going on, the next best thing is watching the Field of Dreams, a certified tearjerker for every guy I know, though they likely won’t admit it, especially the final scene where Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) plays catch with his Dad, John Kinsella (Dwier Brown).

(Hold on, I need a tissue.)

So, in the movie, James Earl Jones, who plays reclusive writer, Terrence Mann, gives a famous speech to Ray about the power of baseball to heal a nation and its weary people.

I thought we could all use the speech right about now.

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Contact me at [email protected]. Learn more about my writing, speaking and music at jameswarda.com.

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@2001-2020, James R. Warda. All rights reserved.

MILWAUKEE – This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled an officially licensed bobblehead commemorating the six-time NBA champion Chicago Bulls. The bobblehead, which features beloved mascot “Benny the Bull,” includes replica trophies for each title and a commemorative backing with the championship years. The bobbleheads are being produced exclusively for the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum by FOCO, an official licensee and manufacturer of Chicago Bulls and NBA merchandise.

The limited-edition bobbleheads are individually numbered to only 1,998 to coincide with the Bulls’ last title year. The bobbleheads are $45 each with a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. They are only available through the Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store and are expected to ship in December.