Day: July 9, 2010

The Intermittent Rigamarole of My Life

The Intermittent Rigamarole of My Life

by Ranada ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Yes, rigamarole is a real word.

From dictionary.com:

rig·a·ma·role (rĭg’ə-mə-rōl’) 
n. Variant of rigmarole.

rig·ma·role (rĭg’mə-rōl’) 
n.

  1. Confused, rambling, or incoherent discourse; nonsense.
  2. A complicated, petty set of procedures.

When things that seem to make all the sense in the world become confusing and chaotic, what do you do?  I am looking forward to clearing my mind with some hot yoga in the morning.  I know that all things work out the way they’re supposed to, but it’s sometimes difficult for me to shift to find the new perspective.  Oh, I will shift.  Without a doubt.  But there’s a delayed reaction. Maybe (hopefully) it’s just for a little while.  And by little while, I mean a quick moment.  Lofty, but possible, right?  It’s just hard being vulnerable and not in control.  But ever the risk taker, I can’t help but try, even if it ends in failure. I bump my head and get back up after as soon as I’m no longer dizzy.

So until I make that shift that facilitates my ability to have a positive perspective, this is for me and anyone else there that is having some trouble sorting stuff out.

Be still, young heart, and never will you fall apart.
Be wise, my dear, you must learn to just be still
Until you really really know.
Show me your eye, shine your light, I wonder when will i know.

Injustice – Once Again

Injustice – Once Again

by Ranada ♥ 3 Comments

The verdict of the Johannes Mehserle trial came in.  He was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.  Guilty – yes.  Involuntary manslaughter – no.

For those of you who may not know, Johannes Mehserle is a former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer who shot Oscar Grant in the back while lying face-down on the Oakland subway platform.  How is that involuntary?  Where is the justice?  Did the jury really believe this trained police officer’s story that he thought he had pulled his taser?  Even if it was a mistake (which I don’t buy), why would he have even needed a taser?

At some point, police brutality and misconduct needs to be addressed.  I firmly believe that police officers should live in the communities they protect and serve.  They should be community stakeholders and invested in the wellbeing of the communities.  They should not be people who react and respond out of malice or even fear because they aren’t in tune with those areas.

Now I don’t know all the circumstances surrounding Mehserle and his employment with BART.  I do know, however, that it’s a downright shame that a police officer can be caught on video shooting an unarmed man who is lying face-down on the floor in the back and not be charged or convicted of murder. This crime was indeed NOT involuntary.  It was reckless, unnecessary, and senseless.

I hope that in the aftermath of the Mehserle verdict, the riots cease and that community leaders, along with community members, start really considering strategic implementation of efforts to prevent such travesties.  We have to protect, not destroy, our communities. Reactionary, unproductive violence is definitely not the answer.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21