EvilJulie.com

Fifty years ago today, American history changed when one woman refused to give up her seat to a white man. Sometimes I wonder what that white man, who obviously felt entitled to the seat, thought when it happened. Probably rage. How dare this black woman take away something that was his right? He probably felt more rage later on when the right to that seat belonged to whoever got it first, regardless of skin color, but there was nothing he could do about it. The world changed when Rosa Parks said she wasn’t going to get up.

All those rights that we take for granted today came to us because somewhere, someone stood up for it (or refused to stand up for it, as the case may be). Someone fought to get that right. They fought, suffered, and sometimes died to make the world a little better so that their children and their children’s children wouldn’t have to. And many times we forget all the struggle that came before us. We take for granted that everyone gets an equal opportunity at a bus seat, or a vote, or a job.

New York City and other large cities have declared today Rosa Parks day so that we will be reminded. The seat behind the driver is reserved for Rosa on all city busses today, and the motto of the day is “No business as usual” to remind us that we can make a difference by a simple action.

I wonder today which white men with entitlement issues I could shake up by telling them that no, I’m not going to stand for their bullshit any longer. President Asshat comes to mind. But no, today is a day for simple actions, not grand gestures. What can I do to make a difference? Ask yourselves that, too. Let’s get the bus moving, people.

Pastoral. Lake George, NY.

It’s November 11, the great unmentioned holiday in New York City. I kid you not, this city takes Columbus Day off but Veteran’s Day goes by with barely a mention. This pisses me off to no end.

Where I grew up, we had the day off school for Veteran’s Day. Those of us in the band would go to various places around the county and play in a Veteran’s Day parade, and our band director would tell us each year about how at the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the Armistice was signed, and how we were damned sure going to observe a moment of silence at that minute, no matter where in the parade we were. And at 11:11, we would always stop playing and marching and observe that moment of silence, in respect for those who had served and sometimes died for freedom.

Men like my father, my uncle, and my grandfather, all of whom served in World War II and came home afterwards. Men like my father’s college roommate, Dick Drury, who didn’t get to come home alive – he’s buried in Arlington. There are those who served honorably during peacetime, like my boyfriend and Vince. And there are those who didn’t get to serve in a “good war,” but have put their lives on the line like my cousin Matt, who served in Iraq, and like Lori’s brother Ryan, who is on his way over there right now.

At some point today, whether your town comes to a standstill for Veteran’s Day or barely acknowledges it, take some time to think about all of these people. People you know or may not know, who have served to keep us safe. No matter what you think of the current war (and we all know what I think), the men and women over there are putting their lives on the line daily. That takes a kind of courage most of us will never have.

And if you see a Veteran today, thank them.

This is me asking for money for a good cause. In a few weeks, I’m going to be doing AIDS Walk New York, a massive fund-raising walk benefitting the Gay Mens’ Health Clinic. This organization helps men, women, and children who are living with AIDS. Despite the fact that we don’t see a lot in the media about AIDS anymore, it’s still a huge problem. There have been some medicines developed that can help those living with AIDS, but there is still no cure for the disease. The money raised will be used to help those living with AIDS, and be used to do more research for a cure. So…I’m asking anyone who wants to help to click here, which will take you to my homepage where you can make a donation. Thanks in advance!