PART IV: When you see me, what do you see ? - Kyrie, Ye & Lee: Also a new Speaker named Scalise?
46) How it all comes together
“I’m bad and that’s good” - Ralph Wreck it Ralph
This is the final part of a 4 part series by Josh off the Press. Discussions on the intersection of celebrity, politics and race. This last part is more of a synopsis of the three prior articles, as well as a brief look ahead.
As for the caption/photo of this post. I think Ralph from Wreck it Ralph, sums it up best. We all have a little bad in us, and sometimes it’s not always so bad. Some of these public figures I discussed, I find more sympathetic than others. But, either way - even if you have not personally shared it with me, I would imagine you as the reader might have your own personal opinions on some of these people mentioned.
PART I - Discussed the paradox of Kyrie Irving, and made passing mention to someone who used to be considered such an artistic genius, but now just dresses up as a Mummy and goes by the name Ye! In writing my Kyrie piece, this one has been on my site the longest, and has had the widest range and mix of thoughts and emotions. I want to clarify some things from this piece.
Since I wrote that post, I had people say Kyrie is still selfish like every other rich celebrity/sports star. While there might be some truth to this statement, it’s not in the way a non-sports fan would think. Apparently, some people only know of Kyrie’s charitable giving over the last month or so. I also have seen some vicious attacks on Kyrie’s character as if he deserves to be put in prison or something. Even if people claim to make those comparisons with humor in mind, it’s actually incredibly insensitive. Some people’s vicious remarks on social media are actually setting the exact same example for everyone else that you are being critical of Kyrie Irving for.
It’s not my goal to defend Kyrie and say he’s a model citizen. But, at the same time, I think people’s reactions to the harm he has caused is a bit extreme. While people of all races and religions were disappointed by the fact that he did not initially apologize for the tweet, Kyrie did delete/remove it from his twitter page. And Kyrie still suffered some major fallout from it, being suspended for multiple games, as well as some very prestigious corporations severing their business ties with him.
While Kyrie’s name recognition is now much higher than it was before (and obviously not for good reasons), the initial tweet promoting the movie mentioned is still available on Amazon, but few people are calling for Jeff Bezos head. I have more of an issue with the fact that Jeff Bezos made more money during the pandemic than any other American and everyone was okay with that. Meanwhile Bezos’ Amazon company has had a litany of complaints about workplace mistreatment. I also have an issue with the largest Jewish lobbying group in America backing election denying candidates. But, somehow Kyrie’s tweet is the event that shook civilization? We as people are so easily manipulated into picking convenient scapegoats.
PART II- Was about the spectacle of the Georgia US Senate race, and how Herschel Walker was an entertaining, yet fatally flawed candidate. (His name isn’t in the title of this piece, as it would have messed up my rhyme). Also discussed was our country’s troubled race-relations, and how nobody (AND I MEAN NOBODY) is immune from it. If you are born in this country, it is in your bloodstream. If you move to this country, you inevitably see it, if not live through it, too. Heck, capitalism is so present throughout the world, that unless you live outside civilization as we know it, you are somehow affected by it.
PART III - Is about how NY was proven to be decisive in swinging the House of Representatives back to the Republicans. Kudos to Lee Zeldin for a strong showing for Governor, but overall I’m happy he lost. I made some interesting connections between NY politics compared to Michigan politics as well as the politics of other States, and how we New Yorkers need to be careful, and more vigilant so as to not allow the politics of extremism to win the day.
While it's starting to look like the House Republicans will coalesce around Kevin McCarthy, all the experts are predicting his time as Speaker will be a short stay. However, the Congressman from Louisiana named Steve Scalise (who is most famous for surviving a gun-shot wound during a pick-up congressional softball game), is waiting in the wings to be the next Speaker once McCarthy falters. It’s not even a matter of “if” but “when”.
UPDATE: And as this initial article was published on January 02, 2023; One day later - there is still no Speaker, although today January 03, 2023 was supposed to be the first official day of the new Congress!
As for my final thoughts on this anthology of pieces, I realize that shortly after the 2022 Midterm election, my writing went on a bit of a break. I can’t say that won’t happen again any time in 2023. But, just know I’m so appreciative of you as my loyal readers, no matter what your political/religious thoughts are, or what your affiliation is or isn’t or even how well you personally know me. I just needed to get these final thoughts out before people choose to forget about 2022 and we are so deeply immersed in 2023.
Happy New Year, Everyone!
-JPJ
Happy New Year Josh! Know that your writing is thought provoking and appreciated. I hope your students appreciate you. MJ