A message from Clive McFarland

A message from Clive McFarland

Written by Clive McFarland

Remember, You Are Still Unemployed.

When one door is closed another is opened.

I am not speaking of the privilege afforded the politically connected, those who can leave one job voluntarily or involuntarily and get another without a break in their employment status.

I am speaking of the attitude I embraced when after 27 years working for Worcester Telegram & Gazette, I was deemed expendable.

It was a wonderful job, and not just because I cherished the media’s role in protecting our constitutional republic, but because I was also fascinated by the stories of regular people who through their life experiences constantly affirmed our capacity to live heroic lives.

I still cling to those stories. They continue to counteract the crassness of the times and reaffirm our capacity to be better than we are at the moment.

The stories I wrote about ordinary people overcoming personal and physical challenges, people dedicating a lifetime to community service; people fighting unrelentingly on behalf the most vulnerable among us; people putting their lives on the line to protect our democracy kept at bay my creeping cynicism about who we are as a country and a community.

And if there is a recurring theme in all those stories, it is that life’s setbacks are potential opportunities for physical and mental growth, and even a new awakening. But that growth and awakening require reflection and for most laid-off American workers, particularly older workers, three is seldom time for that.

To continue making ends meet, the laid off worker must find a job first and reflect later.

Older workers are not exempted from this work grind. Many are being forced to work well beyond traditional retirement years.

This was why my adventurous side’s attitude that “when one door is closed another is opened” was quickly challenged by my practical side.

“Sure,” it said.

“Another door might be opened, but you need to find it fast. Remember, you’ve got to think about getting medical coverage, or you might be paying a healthcare fee at the end of year.

“Remember you still have your children tuition and other bills to pay. And you know you will have to fork up some serious dough, if you intend to keep your life insurance plan.”

I really had no time to manage the psychological impact of transitioning from the workforce to the unemployment line, according to my practical side, no time for the simple pleasures I had always enjoyed.

Every time I picked up a book or my guitar, thought about visiting my local watering hole, watching a movie or going to the park, my practical side would whisper in my ear, “Remember, you are still unemployed.”

But that was the side of me that had worked some 38-plus continuous years being unaccustomed and uncomfortable with my laid-off status. So I tuned it out, took time to reflect, and in the end decided that doing what I have been doing all these years– telling my community’s stories–was the most practical path forward.

So, here I am.

Hello again, friends.

Clive

Clive can be found at Woostachat.com 

--

Edward G.  Robinson

Worcester Unit, NAACP

4 East Central St., #484

Worcester, MA  01613

www.worcesternaacp.org

naacpworcester2058@gmail.com

(508) 756-6639

BLACK HERITAGE TRAIL IN WORCESTER MASSACHUSETTS

BLACK HERITAGE TRAIL IN WORCESTER MASSACHUSETTS

Written by Dr. Thomas Doughton

Worcester Black History Trail Priority Sites
City Properties; Additional Priority Sites to Be Marked With Assistance of Community Partners

The Worcester Fire Department: Main South Station
424 Park Ave., Worcester 01610

City property: Occupies the site between Park Ave. and Westfield St., location of Hemenway homestead

https://www.google.com/maps/place/424+Park+Ave,+Worcester,+MA+01610/@42.256517,-71.8263987,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e4069c802bcd31:0x9a2ed8e6cc1571e5!8m2!3d42.256517!4d-71.82421

Beaver Brook Park
300 Chandler St., Worcester
City Property: At the southeastern end of the park, at what would be the corner of Mayfield & Parker Streets, on private property now fenced off, was 69 Parker St., for a quarter of a century location of the Home for Aged Colored; marker for the home and the Beaver Brook community
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=108m3xs8qbmA0bFEFV24GclnqNAk&ll=42.27176145332702%2C-71.83404258823248&z=12
On Beaver Brook community: https://flashbak.com/american-community-color-beaver-brook-massachusetts-1897-1917-396444/

Elm Park Community School
23 N. Ashland St., Worcester 01609
City property: This extensive parcel of land bounded by N. Ashland St., John St., West St., & Ormond was a significant enclave of people of color dating from the 1850s; suggested kiosks on West or N. Ashland Sts. Starting in the 1850s southern blacks began moving to Worcester and settled at North Ashland Street, off Highland Street, then an edge of the city’s residential development. Property west of stream running from Institute Park towards Beaver Brooks, as bounded by Pleasant and Highland Streets, was undeveloped land part of the sizeable Lincoln estate, only later in the century a residential district. But here at the edge of town formed a “clustered” community of African Americans on Worcester’s West Side. Several residents owned their homes and operated successful businesses. By the late 1880s the city’s fourth black congregation, Mt. Olivet, later John Street Baptist Church organized in this area.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir//42.2690426,-71.8073823/@42.2690193,-71.8774175,12z

Worcester Housing Authority
40 Belmont St., Worcester 01605
City property: This is the site of Worcester A.M.E. Zion Church, located at this country for 50 years before its demolition in 1959, also the hub of the African American community located in the Laurel Clayton area demolished for 290

In 1889 Congregationalists living in the neighborhood east of Lincoln Square began organizing for creation of a church in their neighborhood. Initially they formed a Sunday school with 28 members. In June 1889 Rev. Albert Bryant resigned as superintendent of the City Missionary Society to serve as pastor of the new enterprise. On July 14, 1889 a lot was purchased at the corner of Belmont and Hanover Streets and ground broke for the church. The structure was completed in 1890 with seating for 500 worshipers. A vestry, kitchen and function rooms were provided for in the basement. The congregation, however, been dwindling. In 1902 it became the third home of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, which by the turn of the century had become surrounded by industrial building at its location near the corner of Union and Exchange Street. While a ‘cluster’ of African American families had begun living in the Exchange Street area near their church, another community began forming near Zion, located at the corner of Belmont and Hanover, later Clayton, Street. Between World War I and its destruction in 1959 as part of urban renewal, Zion Church was an important factor in the lives of the several hundred families of color living in the Laurel Clayton neighborhood."
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worcester+Housing+Authority/@42.2714157,-71.7979563,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e406449c079179:0xae533b652f07b79e!8m2!3d42.2714157!4d-71.7957676

Pleasant Street [Newton Square], farmstead of Rejoice Newton
City Park

Isaac Mason, (1822-1898) who was born in Kent County, Maryland, was a fugitive slave. In 1893, he published his life story, Life of Isaac Mason as a Slave, detailing the harsh conditions of enslavement, his escape, and his search for a safe home. He lived in several places before an Anti-Slavery Society agent sent him to Worcester in 1850. He was supplied with letters of introduction to William Brown, an African-American. After staying with Mr. Brown and his Nipmuc Indian wife the first night, Isaac Mason secured permanent lodging in the home of Ebenezer Hemenway, a Nipmuc Indian whose wife was African-American. Mason found employment as a farmhand for Rejoice Newton, a prominent local attorney and gentleman farmer. Mason and his wife enjoyed only a brief peace before Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Law. In his words, that led to hunting slave fever. Following the advice of Anti-Slavery agents, he fled to Canada for about a year, then returned to Worcester where he remained for the rest of his life.” Worcester Historical Museum  Isaac Mason explained that he found work with “Maj. Newton” on Pleasant Street, Rejoice Newton, [1782-1868] who owned all of the Newton hill area, now part of Elm Park and site of Doherty Memorial High School, between Pleasant and Highland Streets in Worcester, his farmhouse, and barn near the contemporary Newton Square, a mill he operated located at Beaver Brook. He was married to Rebecca Lincoln, a daughter of Levi Lincoln Sr. An attorney in practice with his brother-in-law William Lincoln, Newton had been Worcester County District Attorney, state representative and state senator. He also sold land for the first Catholic burial ground at Worcester. The sizeable estate inherited by his only surviving child Hester Newton and her husband John Wetherell. In 1886, for example, Wetherell’s farm consisted of about 160-170 acres at that time, remaining from the estate of Rejoice Newton. 

Exchange St. Worcester 01608
This may be a more challenging option: it is the site of the first African American house of worship in Worcester County, A.M.E. Zion Church
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Exchange+St,+Worcester,+MA+01608/@42.266071,-71.8024642,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e40667e4b467c1:0x119b2e9cb516632d!8m2!3d42.266071!4d-71.8002755

A YEAR OF STRUGGLE

A year of Struggle 2018-2019

Opposition to the Separation of children from parents June 2018 Rally

MEJA at State House Fully Funded Schools July 2018

CLC Press Rally for Ball Park August 2018

Catholic Worker rally against global warming October 2018

Progressive Labor Party anti fascism standout Oct. 2018

WEJA forum fully funded schools Nov. 2018

Progressive Labor Party at Worcester City Council fully funded schools, December 2018

Fair Hiring Advisory 2019

Worcester Human Rights Body Cams Spring 2019

Support Stop and Shop Workers
April 2019




PLP Nay 2019

SunRise Discussion Against Climate Warming June 2019

INSURGENT SCHOOL CANDIDATES

The challenge of the non-incumbents

The Worcester Branch of the NAACP is sponsoring an education meet and greet for non-incumbent school committee candidates. The public is invited to meet the new candidates and ask them one on one questions.

The first part of the meet and greet will be the candidates giving their opinion about fully funded schools (Chapter 70) and disparate discipline enforcement (Chapter 222). The NAACP has met with mayor regarding these issues.

The meet and greet will take place

                                           Monday, July 22, 2019, 6 pm

                                          Centro Community Centr
                                          18 Sycamore St.
                                           Worcester MA 01610
The new candidates are:

Cara Lisa Berg

Chantel Berthea

Laura Clancey

Jernah Kamara

Mariah Martinez

Tracy Novick

Ruth Rodriiguez (write-in candidate)

John Tobaugh

NO IMMAGE 

Hermones McConner

Venezuela, Contras, and Imperialism

Venezuela, Contras, and Imperialism

Background to the contraction of the Venezuelan economy

Venezuela lacks sufficient hard currency. A hard currency is a monetary system that is widely accepted around the world as a form of payment for goods and services. A hard currency is expected to remain relatively stable through a short period of time, and to be highly liquid in the forex or foreign exchange. Examples of hard currencies are dollars, euros, and gold.

It did not matter who was president of Venezuela at the time that the price of oil dropped. There would have been a restriction of hard currency as less money came into the country.

Ninety-five percent (95%) of Venezuela hard currency comes from the sale of oil

Since the price of oil has declined over the last five years, the amount of Venezuela’s hard currency has also declined. There is less money to buy food, medicine, and spare parts. The lack of essential goods has been made worse by the sanctions imposed on Venezuela by the United States and other countries.

With the decline in hard currency Venezuela took out loans (hard currency) from IMF and the World Bank. As the price of oil continued to decline the repayment of the loans became harder, leading to a further contraction of the economy.

Venezuela has tried to renegotiate the loans, but the banks have refused to cooperate citing US and EU sanctions.  Because of these sanctions both the EU and the United States are partially responsible for the humanitarian crisis.

Humanitarian Crisis

  Shortages of essential goods have forced many people in Venezuela to seek relief outside the country.  In effect they have become economic refugees. The EU and USA sanctions are partially responsible. Bad policy decisions by Maduro are also to blame. The underlying system of trade for profit is the main disruptive force.

To a certain extent it does not matter who is the president of Venezuela. The people will suffer. Oil price will fluctuate. The banks will make loans. The imperialist powers will send in their militaries and their proxies. War will make the suffering of the people worse. A reasonable person only has to look at Syria and Yemen to see the suffering of the people. Only the bosses win imperialist wars.

Civil War and the Hope for the People

The recent attempt by Guaido to seize power has for the moment failed. He and his allies tried to preempt the May Day rallies. Many people in Venezuela are a part of neighborhood and village collectives and celebrate May Day.

The Guaido media sources all say that Maduro is supported only by the military. The collectives also support him unfortunately. The people of Venezuela need a government that break the controls of the imperialists and their bank over their lives.

Any further attempt to overthrow Maduro will be heavily depended on military aid from the United States. It seems like Guaido will try next to organize militias from the camps of economic refugees. This would be the beginnings a “Contra” army similar to that group who fought the Sandinistas in Nicaragua and was financed by Reagan in the Iran Contra scandal.

Hopefully I am wrong.

AMAZON, WORCESTER, AND BOSTON

AMAZON, WORCESTER, AND BOSTON 

There are compelling reasons why Worcester should become the Administrative Center of Massachusetts. These reasons have been made more compelling by a confluence of events, natural, artificial, and proposed.

An Administrative Center is a location where the bulk of the Executive Offices are located, such as Department of Labor, Human Resources Division, Office of Attorney General, etc.  Right now the bulk of the Executive Offices are located in Boston.

Let me say that Worcester will never become the Capital of Massachusetts. That issue was decided in the 18^th Century after the defeat of Shay’s rebels.  The State House and Office of the Governor will always remain in Boston. The time of relocations of State Capitals has passed. There will be no more 19^th Century relocations  like Philadelphia to Harrisburg or New Haven to Hartford.

Reason Number 1  (Traffic Congestion)

The most compelling reason for the Administrative Center for Massachusetts being moved to Worcester is its location in the center of the Commonwealth. It is relatively easier for people from all parts of the State to reach and leave Worcester than Boston

The traffic going into and leaving Boston has now created the worst rush hour delays in the entire country. The commute to Boston is at least two hours. When I commuted to Boston I spent at least five hours a day going to and from work. The congestion made trips to Boston for clients a bad experience.

It is easier for clients from most of the State to get to Worcester than to get to downtown Boston. It is an  easier trip for people living in North Shore, South Shore, Gold Coast, Central Mass, Springfield, and the Berkshires. It might even be easier for some Bostonians to get to Worcester than to get to downtown Boston.

The fact that Boston is at the very end of the State means rail and highway systems terminate at Boston’s harbor. Inevitably this has led to traffic congestion. One could guess that several trillion dollars have been spent by the State and Federal governments in an attempt to mitigate the problem.

Many Bostonians are not aware of the fourth ring around Boston that runs through Worcester. That ring consist Routes 146, 290, and 190. It connects Providence, Worcester, and the twin cities of Fitchburg/ Leominster. Traffic, unlike Boston, flows into Worcester from North, South, West, and EAST.

Reason Number 2  (Boston flooding)

The ocean is rising due to climate warming. The effects of climate warming is that   Boston is flooding and its loss of land to the ocean is inevitable. Like with traffic congest trillions of dollars will be spent in the losing efforts to hold back the ocean.

Instead of spending that money in a futile effort, the State should allow the ocean to go and form a new coast. The buildings in the new flood zone should be removed. The businesses and other tenants could find relief in the buildings that the State would make available when it moves its Administrative Center to Worcester.

Already the rents in Boston are unaffordable for most, except the elite. Moving Executive Offices to Worcester will mitigate these high rents. Because of Boston’s history, reputation, and educational institutions, there will be no drop in the desirability of Boston as a business and educational center.

Reason Number 3 (The Amazon Proposal)

The City of Worcester has serendipitously identified a location for a new Administration Center for Massachusetts. It is the same area as that it  proposed for Amazon’s east coast Headquarters (HQ2). That area is Route 20 and Sunderland Road. It was proposed to handle the traffic flow of at least 50,000 people. Amazon is not coming to Worcester. Boston did not want Amazon due to the likelihood of increase traffic and higher rents.

The Worcester location has three means to get on and off of the Mass Turnpike, Route 122, Route 20, and Route 290. The Worcester location is a part of the fourth ring around Boston, Routes 146, 290, and 190

The commuter train runs through it. There is the opportunity to complete the Millbury train station which would be within walking distance of the Administrative Center.

For the reasons above and many other reasons the Administrative Center should be moved to Worcester.  It is easier for the people of Massachusetts. It will be less expensive for the people of the Commonwealth. There is already a proposal to do something very similar. There is no danger that the ocean will flood it.