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OK so what a week it has been, while it may seem that I became so consumed with the Moore's Ford Mission Project that I had forgotten about politics you couldn't be more wrong. As a matter of fact I was that much more in tune with politics and changes on city, state, and national levels attracted media attention. My president called for the firing of the CEO of GM (good move sir), the Baltimore City Council proposed a bill that will practically disable the local venues and party promoters in the city maliciously, and so much more - Mexico, the President of Brazil, Iran...take your pick.
I will be getting around to writing more in depth about a few of these, but not sure just when. What I do know is this - I doubt that God (or Jesus - however you look at Him) was Brazilian, GM had bigger issues than my president firing their CEO, and this bill while it is intended to LOOK like it is to help the community is flawed because it negates the fact that these entrepreneurs, business owners, and promoters are also a member of the community. There has to be a better way, we must get this first bill as it stands quashed and come to the table as a collective and figure out one that satisfies the needs of the concerned citizens and those of the businesses and business people that it will effect.
Until I get more time to elaborate that is all. Hope everyone continues to follow the poems for the Moore's Ford Mission Project and other things such as the Byrd's Nest on Examiner.com and my weekly appearances on The Reporter's Roundtable.
On July 25, 1946 not far from the foot of the bridge at Moore's Ford, just 60 some miles outside of Atlanta, Georgia 10-15 unmasked assailants kidnapped and murdered two young black couples. George & Mae Murray Dorsey and Roger & Dorothy Malcolm were in the vehicle of white farmer Loy Harrison, who was giving the couples a ride home across town at the time that the incident occurred. Some 63 years later, after national outrage and actions taken by previous presidents...to this day still - no one has been tried or convicted for these four slayings.
Committed during a time of tense race relations and accepted bigotry especially in the southern region, this crime went on without punishment being sentenced - though there was never any doubt as to who had committed the murders. Fear of retaliation by both white and black members of the community stifled cooperation with law enforcement. That climate has not changed much in the 63 years since I am sad to say. However, the voice of the people and the tolerance of such intolerance is not - and justice can be served for these families.
In the days and weeks ahead this blog, the main Catalina Byrd website, and various pages on other social networking sites will feature more information on this case and what can be done now to help insure that justice and peace are achieved for the families of the Malcolm's and the Dorsey's. Though when (Lord willing) the surviving members of the lynch mob are tried it will only be for 4 lives, know also that Mrs. Dorsey was 8 months pregnant, so really 5 lives were lost that day. I've agreed to lend my voice and my pen to the other organizations in Georgia and throughout the U.S. in asking that those still left living step up and speak the truth and relieve themselves the burden of the secrets weight. Allow the rest of us to make such a fuss that justice is served, no matter how late and be those that take the weight of the pain from the shoulders of the surviving family....and give their mind rest as we do their loved one's spirits.
As I do every night I was watching Larry King, his first guest of the night was Meghan McCain - I knew who she was but didn't know why she would be on there. I hadn't heard about comments made about her by Anne Coulter and Laura Ingrham and I do not watch The View, but I always am willing to listen to someone and hear what they have to say. I did that last night and am SO happy that I did!
I've since emailed her through her blog site to ask that she be a contributing writer for CatalinaByrd.com Let's all pray that she accepts the invitation. She is a positive young voice in the Republican party, which has been in turmoil since the election. It too is the party of my father though I did not register as a Republican when I came of age to vote. If ever I considered changing affiliations - last night was that night.
You can read more about Meghan and her views in case you missed Larry King last night by going to her blog with the link provided below. Keep this phenomenal young woman in your prayers please.
