These Things I Believe: A Response to the Tragedy in Newtown on 12/14/12.

            Just because someone is against homosexual marriage does not mean they “hate” homosexuals.

            Just because someone believes the government should recognize homosexual marriage does not mean their intent is to destroy the institution of marriage.

            Just because someone is against abortion does not mean they simply want to strip away women’s rights.

            Just because someone is pro-choice does not mean that they think human life is less important than anyone else.

            Just because someone is against Obama-Care does not mean that they do not care about the health care needs of the poor.

            Just because someone is for Obama-Care does not mean that they hate the wealthy.

Just because someone is a Christian does not mean that they are making judgments of those who are not.

Just because someone is Islamic does not mean that they want to bring Sharia law to America.

Just because someone is atheist does not mean they want to trample on others freedom to practice religion.

Just because someone is against gun control does not mean that they are any less saddened and sick when someone dies of gun violence.

Just because someone is for gun control does not mean that their intent is to bring us closer to a police state.

It is well past the time that we started acting as a nation united, although with different values and opinions, and not as a nation of enemies. Our leaders need to set that example and STOP painting their political opposites as villains and scoundrels. We, the common folk, need to stop doing this in our personal lives. We need to debate with love and respect. We need to demand our leaders do the same. We need to send a message to our leaders that we expect them to act as adults in their debating and campaigning. We need to let our leaders know we expect the best of them at all times.  

 It would be foolish to say that if we were able to accomplish this, then tragedies like the one yesterday would never happen. But, I believe, that if we could change our culture to be one of loving and respecting our ideological opposites, then that positive vibe will trickle down to those who are filled with such rage and they may choose to get help rather than hurt the innocent.

Nigger

I don’t give myself enough credit. People tell me this, and my therapist tells me this. It is very gratifying to read some of my work from my past and be pleased with it. I am very proud of my worked entitled “Nigger.”

As people who know me personally would tell you, I love controversy. I wrote this paper for my composition class and got an A. I enjoyed writing it, and I enjoyed reading it just now.

I further hope that even you do not enjoy reading it; it at least makes you think.

Please leave feedback, positive or negative.

Nigger

By Noel Reichel

Nigger.

How do you feel?

Nigger.

Are you angry? Perhaps you are wondering what my race is and will decide how you feel based on that. Perhaps you are offended no matter what my race is. Maybe, and this is unfortunate, you are glad to read the word nigger and you are hoping that I am going to write that White people are superior to African Americans. There is no other word in the English language that can elicit such strong emotion like the word nigger.

“There’s like a civil war going on right now with black people and there’s two sides: black people and niggers.”

–Chris Rock

In the Chris Rock routine “Niggas vs. Black People” Chris Rock attempts explaining the differences between niggers and African Americans and also explains that not all African Americans are niggers. The meanings of words are constantly being reinvented. The word “decimate” originally meant to reduce by one tenth. Now it means to utterly destroy. But can the meaning of such a controversial word ever be changed? Should it be changed? Should anyone ever use the word “nigger?” Is it only African Americans that can use it, or can people of other races as well? We are going to look at these questions in this paper.

            The word “nigger” is a derivative of the word “niger” which is from the Latin and means “black.” In 1679 John Ralph used the word “negar” to describe African slaves. It is uncertain if he meant it as a derogatory term however. As the word nigger came to form it was not always used as a pejorative. In the writings of Charles Dickens the word is clearly used without ill intent. By the 1800’s the word had clearly become one filled with vile and contempt. (Kennedy, 2004)

            In A Treatise on the Intellectual Character and Civil and Political Condition of the Colored People of the United States: and the Prejudice Exercised Toward Them (1837) it was written by Hosea Easton the that word nigger

is an opprobrious term, employed to impose contempt upon [blacks] as an inferior race… The term in itself would be perfectly harmless were it used only to distinguish one class of society from another; but it is not used with that intent…[I]t flows from the fountain of purpose to injure. (Easton, 1837, pp.40-41)

            History has not recorded how precisely the word “niger” became the word “nigger.” It has also not recorded how a simple and well-meaning word morphed into the most controversial word in the English language. However, there is no denying the fact that it did. Not only is the definition controversial, but the subject of who may use that word is mired in controversy.

“Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor can say nigger. Why? Because ther’re niggers.” –George Carlin

            The word nigger is used in many different contexts. One only has to listen to rap music to know that every time it is used it is not used to hurt. It is not uncommon for an African American to call his or her close friend his or her "niggers”. One almost never hears a White person say this.

George Carlin makes the point that African Americans can use it freely because it is clear when they are trying to use it to hurt. Carlin makes the further point that motivation is what is important when using any word. The word is not bad in and of itself, even a word like “nigger”, but the motivation and feelings behind that particular usage of the word may be bad.

This is certainly a fair point but it discounts the feelings of those that have been hurt by this word. Sure a White person can say it without malice but should an African American that over hears it give the benefit of the doubt? It would seem that nobody needs to say this word. It may be convenient, as when using it in the positive sense it is part of the vernacular of some social groups.

One only needs to listen to the latest hip-hop singles to know that nigger is used often. Pioneering hip-hop group N.W.A., which stands for Nigga’s With Attitude, show where they stand on the issue by their very name. Furthermore in the song “Always into Something” it is said “Yo, cuz I'm a nigga for life And I really don't give a fuck (N.W.A., 1991).”  In this case, as with some of hip-hop music, the intention of using the derivative of nigger, nigga, is not an attempt to put positive connotations on the word but simply enforce its negative connotations. It is used as a self-description of a person who puts themselves above others and will do as he wants without caring about retribution from the law, or anybody for that matter.

            This seems in line with what Rock is trying to say in his stand-up routine. Whereas Rock is making the point that being a nigger is negative thing N.W.A. portrays being a nigga as a positive thing. This is an interesting development with the word indeed! People are now describing themselves as niggas because of the negative meanings. How then can it have a positive meaning that is largely accepted? Some say it cannot and that nigger should die.

            There was an organized attempt to bury the word nigger. On July 9, 2007 the NAACP held a funeral for the word nigger. It was held in Detroit and was part of the 9th Annual Convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. A horse drawn carriage with a pinewood coffin adorned with the word “nigga” was led from Cobo Hall to Hart Plaza. (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 2007)

            An obituary for the word nigger was read and it was made clear that many were glad nigger was dead.

            Today, we will lay the word nigger to rest. We will no longer make “nigger” familiar or a part of our family. We will bury its offensive usage among people of all races, including African Americans… We promise to be more creative in our rap lyrics, more respectful to our ancestors, more diligent in our fight for freedom…. Nigger has terrorized us, but he has not beaten us, we have overcome him and we celebrate the end of his existence in our community. We officially declare him DEAD! We will not revive, resurrect, or recover him! We will rebuke, resist, and revoke him in the name of pride and progress…Ashes to Ashes Dust to Dust If God won’t have him The Devil Must. (Lanier, McLaughlin, & Palmer, 2007)

            People may wish nigger was dead, but nigger is very much alive. The rumors of Nigger’s death have been greatly exaggerated. One can still find music with nigger, movies with nigger, and video games with nigger. Nigger seemed not to know that he should be dead. People may love nigger, people may hate nigger, but nigger is here to stay.

            So what are we to do now? Should use of the word nigger cease altogether? Or should it only be used to describe one who has low expectations and lives a life of sponging off of the system with little effort? In this way it can be used for any race. Or can it be used as a term of endearment?

            It is my belief that nigger should continue to be used. Furthermore, it should be used with positive connotations. The use of the word nigger will never cease. Even it every person who is not a racist stopped using it the racists still would, and then the racists will win. The word then would only be used to hurt. But if people can use the word in a familiar way, “What’s up my nigger?”, a playfully chiding way with no ill intent, “Nigger please!”, or like in the title to Richard Pryor’s album to express how funny one is, “That Niggers Crazy” then the racists have lost their greatest weapon. No longer can a six letter word cause so much controversy and hurt feelings. The racists will not be able to sit back and call people niggers while people debate about its definition. Once their weapon is in the hands of common people of every race in America the use of the word to hurt will hurt less. In time it may even be as corny to call a African American “nigger” as to call a White “cracker” As a White person I must admit, however, that I do not have the courage to start using nigger in these terms.  

           

References

Easton, H. (1837). A Treatise on the Intellectual Character and Civil and Political Condition of the Colored People of the United States: and the Prejudice Exercised Toward Them. 40-41.

Kennedy, Randall (2004) Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word. Vintage.

Lanier, V., McLaughlin, E., & Palmer, A. (2007) Obituary for the N-Word.

N.W.A. (1991) Always Into Something. On Niggaz4Life [CD]. Ruthless/Priority.

Rock, Chris (1998) Niggas vs. White People, Bring the pain.

Memories that will Never be

 

Memories that will Never be

 

By

 

Noel Reichel

            Noel woke up at about 08:37 and checked his phone. No one had called or left a message. He was a little surprised but glad. There was always the chance that there would be a message from his dad saying they had to cancel because his mom was “sick”. But apparently not this morning.

            This was Christmas morning, 2011, and Noel had to wake up at 09:00 to go to his parents’ house to celebrate. When Noel was younger he was like most little kids and had problems sleeping on Christmas Eve, but he never seemed to outgrow this. He certainly slept better now, on Christmas Eve, but if he had to get up to go the bathroom getting back to sleep on this night was a chore. He put his head back down on the pillow knowing he would not sleep anymore but there was no way he would get out of bed before he had to.

            This was Noel’s first Christmas he had off work in the last six years. In addition, because of his mother being “sick”, sometimes Christmas was not celebrated with his parents. Today was special because it would be like old times.

            At 09:00 Noel drug himself out of bed and put on some clothes, brushed his teeth, grabbed his parents’ gifts and left.

            When he arrived at his parents’ house his mother was in the middle of making breakfast. “Hi Guy!” his mom exclaimed the way she had when Noel came home ever since he was in kindergarten, and probably even before. It never got old and he loved hearing it. His dad was turning on the fireplace (it was gas). Above his dad hung filled stockings, one for Judy, one for Charlie, one for Noel, and one for the cats. The Christmas tree sparkled and shined with lights and tinsel and candy canes. There were presents under the tree, put there by Santa Claus, no matter what anyone said. Noel gave his Christmas list to his mother by Thanksgiving each year and she must then forward it to Santa as there were gifts from him.

            “Merry Christmas. Hey, can you fix the TV? The cats got behind there and knocked the cords out again.” his father asked as Noel put his parent’s cards on the tree and presents underneath. The cats were kittens, less than a year old. Noel called them Gut Ripper and Disemboweler. Of course these were not the names that his parents called them, but too bad.

            When the television cords were in their proper place and the fire was going everyone sat down to breakfast. There was sausage, eggs, toast, and homemade blueberry waffles. There was flavored cream for the coffee. There was fresh squeezed orange juice. This was the Christmas breakfast since before Noel had graduated. As his sister moved out and his mom got “sick” Noel did not get to have it every Christmas but he loved it when he did.

            His father prayed and then they ate. His father was sober and his mother spoke without slurring. His parents spoke reasonably and Noel took everything to the extreme in order the make a joke. His mother asked if they could just have one adult conversation. It was a wonderful breakfast.

            When breakfast was over they cleared the table. Noel got a cup of coffee with French Vanilla creamer. Everyone made their way to the family room.

            The structure of the unwrapping of the gifts was a tradition that also dated back to when Noel was still in school. First was the stockings, and the first stocking was the cats’ stocking. Sharing Christmas with the cats was something that was always done in the Reichel household. Noel got down the cats stocking and took each item out separately to show it to the cats. Toys were thrown and catnip was sprinkled. The cats got good and hyper and were given plenty of treats. 

            Noel then give his parents their stockings and took his and sat on the chair next to the TV table and emptied it. He got candy. He got a video game magazine with Link on the cover and an article about the Skyward Sword. He got some high grade catnip for his own cat. He got a book of Sudoku puzzles. The emptying of the stockings continued at a leisurely pace and then it was time to open the presents.

            Noel got down under the tree to find a present for his dad. His dad opened it and everyone watched. He got a bag of good quality, expensive, socks. Next was his mom. She got a super comfortable pair of slippers she had wanted. She must have a dozen pair now. Then it was Noel’s turn. He liked to guess what was in present before opening it. This one was easy. It was a box of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans.

            And it continued on in this way. Noel got an autobiography of a wrestler. Noel thought he should have gotten The Satanic Bible as that was the first thing on his list but it seemed he never would get that particular book for Christmas. He got the Watchman Ultimate edition on Blu-ray. He did not have a Blu-ray player, but someday he would. He finally got the Jesus Freak two disc set that his mom had told him was on order and she would pick it up after Christmas. That was three or four years ago. Her being “sick” had probably stopped her from picking it up earlier.

            Noel balled up wrapping paper and threw it at the cats. Not to the cats, at the cats. Noel loved that. The cats seemed to as well as they jumped around and batted the never ending supply of paper.

            Nicki and Noel always knew the “big” gift was from Mom and Dad, not Santa, and to open that last. For some reason that Noel did not understand it was always important to him that he be the last to open a gift, but it was. Now it was time. It looked to be a DVD but Noel could not guess which one. The only movie on his list was the Watchmen. He opened it and to his amazement it was not a DVD but a used copy of Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker! He had bought a used GameCube for himself for Christmas but could not find any of the only three games he wanted to play on it. And this was the game he wanted to play the most. He did not know where they had found it. He did not know how his parents knew to get it. He had just bought the GameCube in December so the game was not even on his list. Perhaps his sister had read his facebook and told them.

            Noel would rather get many inexpensive gifts from Santa than one expensive gift. And while the value of all his gifts was not worth a whole lot the process and tradition of Christmas morning was worth way more to him. Everyone was in their right mind and happy. There was no indication of his mother’s “sickness”. It seemed as if the unspoken monster was perhaps not real and that maybe when his mother was “sick” she really was sick. Everything seemed right.

            But, of course, this would never be. Noel’s mother had died almost two months ago. He would never hear her say “Hi Guy!” again. There would never be a Christmas breakfast where his mom would ask him to have an adult conversation again. There would be no more filled stockings or presents under the tree to distribute. The old times were gone and they were never coming back. There would be no more fooling oneself that the monster did not exist. Addiction had killed his mother.

FIN

Novissime diebus Judith

Novissime diebus Judith

By

Noel Reichel

As Noel walked into his parents house he knew his mom was pissed. Really pissed. She had said as much when she left him the voice message. That was two days ago and Noel had not called her back.

            “Hello” he said in a sing song voice trying to give the impression nothing was troubling him.
            “How dare you?”
            “How dare I what?” he asked, although he knew what she meant.
            “How dare you go to my Doctor and threaten him with losing his license. You have no right to do that.”
            “That’s not an accurate statement.”           
            “You called Doctor Shukala and told him that if he continued giving me my medications you would have his license pulled.”
            “I did not do that.” Noel learned how to argue and debate from his mother. She was a master. He knew that when being attacked in a debate to say as little as possible. That would leave the other person to ask the questions giving the impression they really did not know what was going on. It also left the other person to do most of the talking. This then leaves a greater chance of the other person saying something you can use against them later in the debate.

            “That’s what Doctor Shukala says. And I believe him before I believe you.” She had left him now to do the talking. His strategy had not worked. But what could he expect; he was up against the Master.
            “I did call, but at no point in the conversation was there any talk about his license. It was never brought up.”
            “You did not have the balls enough to tell me.”
            “You did not ask.”
            “How am I supposed to know to ask? Do I have to ask everyone you talked to? ‘Hey Noel, did you talk to the State Farm today? Hey Noel, did you talk to Uncle Dennis today?’ You should have told me you were going to talk to him.
            “When I talked to him you were still in the hospital. I could not tell you.”
            Noel’s mom had been in the hospital countless times in the past for her addiction. Dr. Shukala would prescribe her Vicodin, Ambien, and Xanax. She did have real conditions that necessitate her using these drugs, but she could not handle these narcotics. She would take too many and run out too soon. Then it was on to alcohol. She would either get so bad that her husband would have to call an ambulance or she would attempt suicide. The time in the hospital that Noel was referring to she had gone days without eating in a prescription induced stupor. She arrived at the hospital looking not like an addict but more like a prisoner of a concentration camp. An awful place of torture and malnutrition of her own addiction that imprisoned her. All she had to do was put in the effort to walk out of her personal Auschwitz, but she could never do it. It was three days before she was able to communicate.
            “Then you should have told me you called him.”
            “Why do you think I called?” Noel’s mom had also taught him to ask questions when the time was right. Ask questions and don’t stop. Control the conversation. Lead the opponent to where YOU wanted them to go.
            “Because you are trying to control my life. You should have never looked at my hospital paperwork on the table. It is none of your business.” The hospital paperwork in question showed that she had been in the hospital, again, for severe intoxication. Noel had run across it while getting his mail. He had brought it up to her and she did not believe him that she had been in the hospital, that is how drunk she was. She did not seem upset at him looking at it then, but now that she was mad at him she would throw whatever she could at him.
            “I was looking for my mail. It was in the pile.”
            “As soon as you saw my name on it you should of put it down. You should not have read any further. It is none of your business!” Noel knew that this was foolish. If the roles were reversed she would have read the paperwork. Anyone would have. He did not think to bring this point up though. For the skill in debate that Noel did posses, he was not real good at thinking on his feet. He was like a chess player that had the opening moves memorized and had endgame strategy down pat, but was not a good enough player to think for himself in the middle of the game.
            “I called because I love you. I won’t sit by and let your abuse your prescriptions if I can stop it.”
            “You are trying to control my life. I was going to tell Dr. Shukala that I did not want Vicodin anymore because Vicodin and I don’t mix well. But now he won’t give me Xanax either. So I have to drink. I can’t get my Xanax so I have to drink alcohol.”
           “You don’t have to, you could go into a rehab.”
           “I called Brighton and am supposed to go in there in January.” This surprised Noel. He has been telling her for years she needed to go in to a rehab and now she was finally going. It should not be so long a wait to get in though? Today was Halloween.
            “Good, I am glad.”
            “You are trying to control my life and I don’t want you in it anymore. I don’t want to see you again. I want you to change your address so your mail does not come here anymore.” Noel was trying to control one aspect of her life and that was her ability to get narcotics. Noel wondered in the back of his mind if what he had done was the right thing to do. He was studying addiction and knew it was logically, but he was like everyone who loved an addict and second guesses themselves when they step in to give consequences for the actions of the addict.
            Judith told Noel on more than one occasion that he was the only reason she was living. She often said she wanted to die. She felt she could not count on anyone anymore but Noel. “You are the only that is always there for me.” she would tell him. Now how would she cope?
           “What are you going to do with my mail?”
           “I don’t know.”
           “You can’t throw my mail away, that’s illegal.”
           "I guess we’ll put it in a big envelope and send it to you. Just change your address and we won’t have to worry about it.” Even though Noel moved out eight years ago he had never formally changed his address.
          “I love you.”
           No reply.
          “You know, sometime in the hopefully distant future, you are going to look down on me from Heaven and think ‘Boy, Noel really did do the right thing to try and help me.’”
           “When I lost your sister I cried and cried. I don’t even need to cry over you.”
            With that Noel gathered his mail. On his way out he bent down to kiss his mother on the head and she lay on the couch.
            “I love you. I will see you later.”
            “I doubt it.”
            “Mom, I am sure we will see each other again at some point.”
            “I wouldn’t count on it.”
            “Goodbye mom, I will see you again.”

Believing that she had lost everyone in the world she could count on, two days later Judith overdosed on alcohol and prescription drugs and died.

FIN

Dishonest Christians

It is my belief that most Christians very much want the government to endorse Christianity. They will say that people are free, and should be free, to practice whatever religion they choose. However, the government should endorse Christianity. They will argue that when this country was founded our forefathers did just that. And, indeed, if one were to study this aspect of the history of out country anyone who is being intellectually honest will have to conclude that our forefathers did give the freedom practice whatever religion one would choose while our government endorsed Christianity. This is a fact. One could make the argument that our government endorsing any religion at all was morally incorrect and this would be a fair argument. But the fact remains they did.

Christians who are upset about our government slowly removing itself from the endorsement of Christianity will argue that as the government did this at the time of our countries founding so should they still do this. This is part of the founding of our country. I say this is a garbage argument as it is a dishonest argument. The dishonesty comes from the fact that Christians do not believe the government should endorse Christianity because the government did so in the past, but because they believe Christianity is the one way to heaven.

Let’s say our country was founded on religious freedom but the government endorsed the religion of Islam. And through the years the government endorsed Islam less and less and separated itself from Islam. Now these Christians would have to say, if they are being honest, that in this situation they would call for the government to endorse Islam once again, after all, our forefathers did this. Of course none would. It is my opinion as a Christian that this argument should not be used by Christians as it is dishonest and intellectually inconsistent.

Christian Standards

As a Jesus Wacko it is frustrating to see other Christians attempting to force others to live up to Christian standards. We all need standards to live by, often called the law, but should these standards be based on what Christians believe is right.

We have to remember what happened when the Jews cried out for government in the book of Kings. God warned the Jews that the government would be corrupted. But the Jews did not listen. God pick a person to be King and of course the story goes that the King was indeed corrupted. We must make note that God DID NOT want the Jews (Gods chosen people) to have a system of government.

In fact, as far as I can tell, there is nowhere in the Bible that suggests Christians should take part in the government of the day. We are to pray for our government. But nowhere does the Bible suggest we should USE government to FORCE people to act like Christians or be punished.

We are told to speak the truth in love. We are told to warn people of the consequences of their actions, be it physical or spiritual, in love. The old testament law was written for the Jews only. Any biblical law that a Christian chooses to follow is written for the Christian only.

There does have to be standards for everyone to follow. But those standards should not be solely based on biblical law.

My gifts 2007

A solid ivory white chocolate Santa from my sister
A box of Morley's white chocolate covered pretzels from my sister
Some candy from my boss Misty
A 16 ounce great white chocolate snowman from Santa Claus
Two packages of snowman peep's from Santa
Some candy eyeballs from Santa
A can of Pringles "Sour Cream and Onion" from Santa
A bag of goldfish crackers from Santa

Ant Works "Illuminated Space Age Habitat for Ants" Ant Farm from Tim
A full Batman bed set with comforter and all the other good stuff from my Mom and Dad
Two cutting boards from Miss Marschner
A set of three kitchen towels from Miss Marschner
A set of four cloth napkins from Miss Marschner
A seven inch Santoku knife from Miss Marschner
Lip Balm from Santa
About 36 flashlights supposedly from Santa, but I think actually my dad got them for me
A 15oz. scented candle Grandmother and Burt


The book "The Dark Tower One: The Gunslinger" by Stephen King from my sister
The book "The Dark Tower Two: The Drawing of the Three" from my sister
The book "The Dark Tower Three: The Wastelands" by Stephen King from my sister
The book "The Dark Tower Four: Wizard and Glass" by Stephen King from my sister
The book "The Dark Tower Five: Wolves of the Calla" by Stephen King from my sister
The book "The Dark Tower Six: Song of Susannah" by Stephen King from my sister
The book "The Dark Tower Seven: The Dark Tower" by Steven King from my sister
The book "The Road to the Dark Tower: Exploring Stephen King's Magnum Opus" by Bev Vincent from my sister
The book "Death: At Death's Door" by Jill Thompson from James
The book "Shake hands with the Devil: The failure of humanity in Rwanda" by Romeo Dallaire from Santa
The Book "Naked Lunch" by William S. Burroughs from Santa

A $10 gift of its McDonald's from my Uncle's family
A $10 gift certificate to Famous Davie from my uncle Dennis
I was supposed to get a $10 gift certificate from my Aunt Sue, but she accidentally threw it away before she could give it to me
A $10 gift card to Kroger from my Grandmother and Burt

See No Evil DVD from James
Santa's Slay DVD from James

Now we are 20 CD by the Dead Milkmen from My Cat Cerberus
Jesus Freak 10th Anniversary release CD by D. C. Talk from My Cat Cerberus

I gave my friend James the Pink Floyd CD Delicate Sound of Thunder. But he had got it from his brother. So we gave it back to me. So in a sense it's kind of a Christmas gift