Freedom Riders: Where are They Now?

In a moving article in the New York Times, Maurice Berger tells us about the lives of Freedom Riders, as portrayed by the journalist and photographer Eric Etheridge. These men and women courageously went to the south in the 60's to try to force those states to adhere to federal anti-segregation laws. Mug shots of the young activists are paired with pictures of them now.

These portraits serve as inspirations for those of us still working to break down hierarchies of many types.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/15/lens/50-years-after-mug-shots-portraits-of-mississippi-freedom-riders.html

UN Vote: Other Countries Can See Through Trump

In a humiliating blow for Donald Trump,  the United Nations General Assembly voted by 128 to nine to declare his decision to recognize Jerusalem at the capital of Israel as "null and void."

In a move so typical of someone on top of a hierarchy who believes he can do whatever he pleases with no accountability at all, the Trump administration issued a threat to "take names" of countries who did not support his move, and he will cut off humanitarian aid funding.

As an indication that she is little more than a Trump surrogate, US’s ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley wrote to most of the 193 UN members states warning of possible retaliation.

Richard Gowan, a UN expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told The Independent  the vote is still a “win for Trump in a perverse way.” He also said it is not a “win” for Ms Haley in his estimation. ”She looks diplomatically isolated and a little inept, and has undone” the work she has put in to build relationships with diplomats.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/un-jerusalem-trump-vote-result-decision-general-assembly-null-void-a8123106.html

Diversity at the Royal Wedding

At the wedding of Prince Harry and mixed-race Meghan Markle, the mother of the bride wore dreads, and tennis great Serena Williams had cornrows. Black singing, and a black minister gave the sermon.

For those of us who are living in the United States with Trump/Pence and their swamp trying to nullify the diversity of the United States in favor of those on top of our hierarchies, we are happy to see the opposite here today in Britain.

http://www.bbc.com/news/video_and_audio/headlines/44184065/royal-wedding-2018-highlights-from-harry-and-meghan-s-wedding

Texas Republicans - Most NRA Money

Texas Republicans have received the most money from the NRA since 1998, according to the Texas Monthly. The state where the latest mass shooting at Sante Fe High School occurred has a history of being a "thoughts and prayers" state, as the Republicans in charge refuse to address gun violence in a meaningful way.

Violence and the treat of violence have been used for centuries to keep the top of our hierarchies in power, so it is no surprise that every person shown here is a white male.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/18/1765295/-Texas-thoughts-and-prayers-Republicans-cash-more-NRA-checks-than-anyone-else

One for the Environment: Returnable Beer Bottles in Oregon

Seven Oregon craft beer producers will start selling beer in reusable glass bottle in July, starting the country's first statewide refillable beer bottle program. 

Oregon’s Widmer Brothers, Buoy Beer, Double Mountain, GoodLife, Gigantic, Wild Ride and Rock Bottom breweries will be pioneering the program with some of their beers. Other breweries may join the program later.

The bottles can be reused up to 40 times, and will be specially marked.

https://www.opb.org/news/article/oregon-craft-beer-refillable-bottles/

Europe - With Trump as Your "Friend," Who Needs Enemies?

Trump and his supporters on top of our countries hierarchies are obvious to other people not in their groups, such as the people in Europe. They can see what a self-centered disaster Trump and his swamp are.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/05/16/e-u-leader-lights-into-trump-with-friends-like-that-who-needs-enemies/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.9dae57e01271