upsetting morning...for some reason...

listened to a conservative talk show on the radio around 8:30. They asked callers to give their opinion of the resolve of the Pantaleo case. The callers were angry, the two hosts, one of whom also writes theater gossip were convinced a wrong decision was made. Could not believe it, or the defense of the callers, or the statements by the hosts that if the decision was made for the policeman  there would have been rioting in the streets. Rediculous! Protests and actions and marches definitely, but no riots. Were there riots after the four policeman were acquitted of the death of Diallo. Marches, yes, protests, yes, but they were totally peaceful and within the realm of the law. Those two hosts to me are despicable.
  Next I listened to the the NPR radio channel in the city, where the talk was of the gaps that white Americans have in understanding the true impact of slavery from the beginning of the importing of slaves until now. A completely different perspective---last was a talk about the "empathy" gap and how that prevented people from completely experiencing or identifying the pain of slavery. Sounded good but also frustrating. Empathy cannot be learned, it is either natural to one or not possible. Would love to participate in more discussions about this---on Thursday evening will (I hope) go to Starr Bar for an evening of actiivism around anti-gentrification feeling. Looking forward to it.
  Today, another action outside 227 Duffield to protect the underground railway house that is in danger of being destroyed to make way for eleven luxury (what other kind are there) apartments. Must be stopped! 
  But before that, I will probably go to Metrograph to see a movie I have not seen since my 10th grade experience at Bronx Science. Tea and Sympathy, the movie based on the play by Robert Anderson and being shown as part of a (brief) Vincente Minelli retrospective. What does this movie have to do with the other two issues that I have brought up. Very separate, as if I was entering a different world---no racial issues in that world. The contrast is strange, I must admit. Anyway, that is the plan, will report tomorrow.