I know its been a few days. But I've really been digesting what Mark Cuban said in regards to judging individuals based on appearance.
In case you missed it, Cuban told Inc. Magazine: "If I see a black kid in a hoodie and it’s late at night, I’m walking to the other side of the street. And if on that side of the street, there’s a guy that has tattoos all over his face--white guy, bald head, tattoos everywhere--I’m walking back to the other side of the street. ... I know that I’m not perfect. While we all have our prejudices and bigotries, we have to learn that it’s an issue that we have to control"
Who hasn't made judgments based solely on the appearance of another person? Tall? Must play basketball. Wearing a suit? Must be a professional. Dressed poorly? Must be unsuccessful. Covered in tattoos and dressed like a biker? Must be dangerous.
We've all had these thoughts. Its extremely important to be honest and acknowledge the thoughts. Why? Because by acknowledging the thoughts exist; we can work to try and overcome them. Ignoring them or pretending they don't exist do exactly the opposite.
Some attacked Cuban, claiming his remarks are racist. They're anything but. Cuban gives an example of each race. Furthermore the very people crying racism are those who usually profit from alleged racism. Cuban's comments aren't racism. They're just honest. Refreshingly honest. And...right on the money.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Friday, January 18, 2013
Vicco Media Attention
Because I'm the Attorney for the small city of Vicco; I was tasked with the job of handling all media requests. So far, the interest has been incredible. Below, there is a list of links and stories that was sent to me. This list is not exhaustive and it doesn't include the New York Times who interviewed us for two days. Also keep in mind, some of these links may be niche publications that are interested in a different agenda.
The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/29/us/vicco-kentucky-passes-ban-on-gay-bias.html?pagewanted=all
Maddow Blog: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/29/16757625-letter-from-vicco-kentucky-we-want-everyone-to-be-treated-fair-and-just
Maddow Blog: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/15/16527862-vicco-kentucky-wants-a-future?lite
Maddow Blog: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/24/16682264-lessons-for-the-small-blue-dot-fair-is-popular?lite
Hazard Herald (Letter to the Editor): http://hazard-herald.com/view/full_story/21553670/article-LETTERS--Equality-in-Vicco-a-beautiful-thing?
LA Times - http://articles.latimes.com/2013/feb/09/nation/la-na-gay-ky-mayor-20130210
NY Times (letter to editor) - http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/opinion/gay-identity-in-new-york.html?_r=0
Hazard Herald Editorial: http://www.hazard-herald.com/view/full_story/21414476/article-Encouraging-signs-in-Vicco?
Rachel Maddow Blog: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/15/16527862-vicco-kentucky-wants-a-future?lite
WYMT/WKYT TV: http://www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Vicco-approves-LGBT-anti-discrimination-law-186895192.html
Courier-Journal “Sunday Exclusive” Teaser: http://www.courier-journal.com/article/99999999/BILLBOARD/301140063/?odyssey=mod|breaking|img|Home
Courier-Journal Fairness Coalition Oped: http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130118/OPINION04/301180059/1016/OPINION/Fairness-coming-s-just-matter-time
Courier-Journal Editorial Cartoon: http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130117/OPINION03/301170005/1016/OPINION/Marc-Murphy-Small-town-values
Courier-Journal “Faith & Works” Blog: http://blogs.courier-journal.com/faith/2013/01/15/vicco-kentucky-called-smallest-town-in-america-with-gay-rights-protections/
Lexington Herald-Leader Editorial: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/01/18/2480818/vicco-takes-stand-for-fairness.html
Lexington Herald-Leader: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/01/14/2476343/tiny-eastern-kentucky-town-becomes.html
Towleroad: http://www.towleroad.com/2013/01/tiny-appalachian-city-of-vicco-is-fourth-in-kentucky-to-pass-and-lgbt-non-discrimination-ordinance.html
Hazard Herald: http://www.hazard-herald.com/view/full_story/21408952/article-Vicco-city-commission-votes-%E2%80%98yes%E2%80%99-on-fairness-ordinance
WKYT/WYMT: http://www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Tiny-Appalachian-city-enacts-gay-rights-ordinance-186844032.html
Daily KOS: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/15/1179206/-Progress-Very-small-Kentucky-town-of-Vicco-passes-LGBT-non-discrimination-ordinance
WBKO TV: http://www.wbko.com/news/headlines/Tiny-Appalachian-City-Enacts-Gay-Rights-Ordinance-186843492.html
Herald Dispatch (Huntington): http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x2130794773/Tiny-Appalachian-city-enacts-gay-rights-ordinance
News Channel 5 (Nashville): http://www.newschannel5.com/story/20583734/tiny-appalachian-city-enacts-gay-rights-ordinance
Washington Blade (DC): http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/01/17/small-kentucky-village-bars-job-bias/
WXKQ (Whitesburg): http://www.1039thebulldog.com/news
ACLU National Blog: http://www.aclu.org/blog/lgbt-rights-religion-belief-wrights-racial-justice/aclu-kentucky-celebrates-victory-vicco River City News (Covington): http://rcnky.com/articles/2013/01/15/kentucky-human-rights-commission-reacts-viccos-fairness-ordinance
WFPL Louisville Public Radio: http://wfpl.org/post/eastern-kentucky-town-vicco-pop-334-passes-fairness-ordinance
Floyd County KY Times: http://www.floydcountytimes.com/view/full_story/21416918/article-Vicco-city-commission-votes-%E2%80%98yes%E2%80%99-on-fairness-ordinance
The Advocate: http://www.advocate.com/society/law/2013/01/15/vicco-ky-smallest-us-city-lgbt-rights-lawThe New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/29/us/vicco-kentucky-passes-ban-on-gay-bias.html?pagewanted=all
Maddow Blog: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/29/16757625-letter-from-vicco-kentucky-we-want-everyone-to-be-treated-fair-and-just
Maddow Blog: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/15/16527862-vicco-kentucky-wants-a-future?lite
Maddow Blog: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/24/16682264-lessons-for-the-small-blue-dot-fair-is-popular?lite
Hazard Herald (Letter to the Editor): http://hazard-herald.com/view/full_story/21553670/article-LETTERS--Equality-in-Vicco-a-beautiful-thing?
LA Times - http://articles.latimes.com/2013/feb/09/nation/la-na-gay-ky-mayor-20130210
NY Times (letter to editor) - http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/06/opinion/gay-identity-in-new-york.html?_r=0
Vicco...a small town with BIG plans...
As many now know, Vicco, the small city of 334 people, recently enacted city ordinances that made it illegal to discriminate against ANYONE based on their sexual orientation. The ordinances protect BOTH heterosexual and homosexual individuals. The ordinances simply mean everyone will be treated equally, no matter how they choose to live their life.
What people may NOT know, is the passing of these ordinances is only one of many positive changes in Vicco in recent months. Previously, Vicco was a financially struggling small town in rural eastern Kentucky. The water and sewer infrastructure was old, and getting older. The service, which was the only form of income for the city had become a financial liability. Lay-offs were levied. Grant funding had dried up. The city was in danger of having to dissolve its incorporation.
Today the city is running on a profit; mainly due to the infrastructure improvements. The water loss is now only 1%; down from 47%. Grant funding is flowing. The city has acquired a parcel of land to build a park and community center. Now, the city can afford a police officer to aid in local law enforcement. There is now plans to revitalize and improve the cities sewage treatment plant. There was also a curfew enacted in an attempt to ensure public safety. All of these ordinances/plans were also part of the same meeting which passed the equality ordinances.
Although we believe the fairness ordinances are good; we believe they are only one good thing in a litany of good things going on in the city of Vicco.
What people may NOT know, is the passing of these ordinances is only one of many positive changes in Vicco in recent months. Previously, Vicco was a financially struggling small town in rural eastern Kentucky. The water and sewer infrastructure was old, and getting older. The service, which was the only form of income for the city had become a financial liability. Lay-offs were levied. Grant funding had dried up. The city was in danger of having to dissolve its incorporation.
Today the city is running on a profit; mainly due to the infrastructure improvements. The water loss is now only 1%; down from 47%. Grant funding is flowing. The city has acquired a parcel of land to build a park and community center. Now, the city can afford a police officer to aid in local law enforcement. There is now plans to revitalize and improve the cities sewage treatment plant. There was also a curfew enacted in an attempt to ensure public safety. All of these ordinances/plans were also part of the same meeting which passed the equality ordinances.
Although we believe the fairness ordinances are good; we believe they are only one good thing in a litany of good things going on in the city of Vicco.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Gun Control? We Need People Control
Due to the recent outbreak of violence, there is a renewed cry for "gun control". Proposals would limit the way ammo could be purchased, put in additional wait time, add mental health evaluations, and/or banning the sale of guns altogether. But....these proposals fail to address the obvious question: would these additional restrictions do anything to curb the recent violent trend?
These new proposals/restrictions would do nothing to solve the problem of violence. Here's why:
1) If there’s one thing we know about criminals: THEY DON'T FOLLOW THE LAW. This alone destroys any logic that gun or ammo control will stop violence. We know this, because there are already laws that prevent these violent acts: murder and/or assault. Those laws aren't stopping these acts; and neither would new restrictions.
2) This recent trends of mass violence have more to do with society than with guns. Guns have been available since the nation was settled. However, the trend of mass violence has only been around the last few years. What changed? Guns didn't change. People changed. More specifically: society changed. But what about society changed? THAT'S the question. And the subject of a future entry.
These new proposals/restrictions would do nothing to solve the problem of violence. Here's why:
1) If there’s one thing we know about criminals: THEY DON'T FOLLOW THE LAW. This alone destroys any logic that gun or ammo control will stop violence. We know this, because there are already laws that prevent these violent acts: murder and/or assault. Those laws aren't stopping these acts; and neither would new restrictions.
2) This recent trends of mass violence have more to do with society than with guns. Guns have been available since the nation was settled. However, the trend of mass violence has only been around the last few years. What changed? Guns didn't change. People changed. More specifically: society changed. But what about society changed? THAT'S the question. And the subject of a future entry.
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