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Thank you for subscribing to the Civil Rights Newsletter published by BellaOnline´s Civil Rights area (the well-known corner of the web where EVERYONE can discuss civil rights civilly, where EVERYONE can find resources and links to articles and sites that deal with cutting edge civil rights issues in many areas of daily living, and where EVERYONE is a member of a family where (wo)men can discuss hot topics of the day without having to worry that it is “off limits” in polite company)!

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What‘s New?

We are revisiting the topic of “Martin Luther King,” but are doing so by checking in on folks who took the day “on” instead of “off.” In Martin Luther King, Jr. Day – Taking The Day ON! we come face to face with some folks who really live out what Dr. King stood for, fought for, and died for. Additionally, we also take a look at the parenting aspect of discrimination. Asking the question whether or not discrimination of any kind is a learned process, the article Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes. Teaching Kids About Discrimination appears to show us that indeed this behavior is learned, and like so many adopted traits is hard to shake once ingrained in one‘s value system.

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This Month In Civil Rights History

On January 28, we remembered Julia Ward Howe who not only penned the unforgettable "Battle Hymn of the Republic," but was also a driving force in the fight for women's rights, prison reform, and sex education!

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Civil Rights Trivia Game

Last time we asked the question: Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the actual draft of the Declaration of Independence. Why?
The Answer: He was from Virginia, and it was thought that this would give him, and his document, a certain status of sincerity, thus making the Declaration appear more serious.
Unfortunately, we do not have a winner. Don’t despair, there is always this time!

Rules:
If you know the answer, please e-mail me. All who answer correctly, will see their names published in the next newsletter. (Sorry, no other tangible prizes yet!)

Here goes: There was one member of congress who refused to sign the Declaration of Independence. What was his name? Why did he refuse to sign it?

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Civil Rights News You Can Use

The First Amendment is a beautiful thing, and we all like the notion of freedom of speech. Yet what this has to do with some subway riders who decide on an annual basis to drop their pants in mid-ride is beyond me. Read and be amazed ...“New York police halt pranksters' annual "No Pants Subway Ride"“.

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Featured Book Of The Week

FROM THE PUBLISHER: "... In this book, James Carville and Paul Begala show Democrats how they can take it back. They offer a clear-eyed critique of their party´s failures and make specific, concrete recommendations on how Democrats can avoid losing elections on divisive issues such as abortion, gun control, gay rights, and moral values and start winning them on health care, political reform, energy, the environment, tax reform, and more...."

Take It Back: Our Party, Our Country, Our Future

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Musing Of The Week

I consider myself an average man, except in the fact that I consider myself an average man. (Michel Eyquem De Montaigne 1533-1592, French Philosopher)

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I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either on the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

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Sylvia Cochran, Civil Rights Editor
https://civilrights.bellaonline.com