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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Medford School District budget funds new student success programs RCC President Angstadt retires Rogue jet boat tour company eyes TouVelle for permanent home Prefontaine-style running trail proposed in south Medford Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Medford police identify woman found dead in field Emergency services, May 18 Body found in southeast Medford field Emergency services, May 17 Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 Politics and Elections Jackson County district election turnout under 17 percent Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Education Medford School District budget funds new student success programs RCC President Angstadt retires Four South Medford seniors build soccer lockers SOU student's project tells story of devastating Weed fire South Medford, Ashland high schools earn national honors Environment Rogue jet boat tour company eyes TouVelle for permanent home Why is Bear Creek so muddy? Blame Emigrant silt and winter storm Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Jackson County declares drought disaster Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection State News Senate panel passes medical pot rules Oregon wildlife officials eye phased-in hunting, fishing fee increases Wyden's gambit on trade deal pays off Panel sends Jackson, Josephine drought declarations to governor Court overturns $85 million award for Oregon soldiers Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Clarence Allen (Al) Swearingen George Frederick Christensen Henry Daw Patricia Anne Staniforth Karen Ann Sharp Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories Record Round San Diego committee unveils plans for $1.1 billion stadium Spoilers lurk as American Pharoah seeks history NFL owners have key meetings this week George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Varsity 541 College Sports Oregon track sweeps at Pac-12s Hovinga stars on mound as Ducks advance Duck men, women lead in Pac-12 track meet Wu falls just short of advancing to NCAAs Beavers continue hot streak, trip Cardinal Pro Sports San Diego committee unveils plans for $1.1 billion stadium Spoilers lurk as American Pharoah seeks history NFL owners have key meetings this week Leroux, Wambach lift U.S. past Mexico Allred finishes in 16th at BMW Charity Pro-Am Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Business Latest Stories Two Crown Markets planned for Talent Cars We Remember: 1955 and 1956 Plymouth memories Blog: L is For... Blog: Cash deals for homes inches toward normal levels Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house People In Business People in Business Transportation Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house Opinion Latest Granlund cartoon: Memorial Day and Uncle Sam George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Lloyd Garver: The Apple Watch - good birth control? Letters to the Editor, May 18 Kathleen Parker: Jeb Bush's unfortunate honesty Editorials Our View: Kicking state government down the road Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Our view: Legislature should fix both marijuana laws Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead Our View: E-cigarette bill is half right, half wrong Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 18 Letters to the Editor, May 17 Letters to the Editor, May 15 Letters to the Editor, May 14 Letters to the Editor, May 13 Columns George Barnes: We need to help free Tom Brady Kathleen Parker: Jeb Bush's unfortunate honesty George Will: Santorum — The return of the GOP's runner-up Dana Milbank: The domain of 'dot-sucks' Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories Kitchen Call: Cakes — not just for birthdays Sid McKeen: A bumper crop of idle observations Cars We Remember: 1955 and 1956 Plymouth memories Home Help: Keep a man cave top of mind when choosing a new home Outdoors photos from readers Food Kitchen Call: Cakes — not just for birthdays Community blog: Rhubarb's sour stalks have surprising savory side 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Season Stepp: Use pink lemonade in recipes Quick, easy, versatile Home and Garden Home Help: Keep a man cave top of mind when choosing a new home Learning to be a water watcher in these dry times Betty Montgomery: Longleaf pines making a comeback Pergola, arbor, gazebo: Learn the differences Dear Monty: Five tips for companies to reduce relocation costs Health Community blog: Little Free Libraries Community blog: Fasting out of Cancer Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Health Watch: Easy tips to drink more water throughout the day Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 15 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Milestones and Achievements Prefontaine-style running trail proposed in south Medford Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs 5 picks for live entertainment Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Theater OSF commissioned plays tour throughout country 'Cuckoo's Nest' is a big play, well presented 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Music Live Music in Local Clubs Blues great B.B. King dead at 89 Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Victor D. Infante: If loving bad pop songs is wrong ... The Farr Side: Contest open for singer-songwriters Community Events Third Friday: 'Into the Woods' is a must-see 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie review: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ will leave your inner 12-year-old giggling with glee Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Dining 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Cool down with a cold one (or two, or three) Nguyen Street Food From rustic to elegant: Wine tasting in Southern Oregon Quick, easy, versatile Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Senate panel passes medical pot rules ... Medford School District budget funds new student success programs ... RCC President Angstadt retires ... Senate panel passes medical pot rules ... Medford School District budget funds new student success programs ... RCC President Angstadt retires ... Dianne Williamson: Showing cards necessary in honest race talks By Dianne Williamson The Telegram & Gazette MailTribune.com By Dianne Williamson The Telegram & Gazette Posted May. 14, 2015 @ 8:38 am By Dianne Williamson The Telegram & Gazette Posted May. 14, 2015 @ 8:38 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> The picture in the Daily Caller is a stock photo of America’s first lady wolfing down a cracker topped with what appears to be caviar, which apparently means she has no business discussing her experience as a black woman. “Luxurious Life As First Lady Takes Toll On Michelle Obama Because She Is Black, She Complains,” reads the headline. The fact that she wasn’t complaining in her powerful commencement speech at Tuskegee University, but rather acknowledging some tough truths about being black in America, has gone over the heads of conservative critics ever eager to accuse any African-American willing to tackle racial issues as “playing the race card” and failing to appreciate the hand they’ve been dealt. These disingenuous hatemongers are throwing a hissy fit because one of the most powerful black women in America gave an honest, heartfelt speech Saturday to a historically black college in Alabama, in which she addressed racial prisms and challenges through her personal experiences. The speech was frank, poignant and inspiring. She warned the graduates that some people would “look right past” them because of their skin color. She talked about the “nagging worries that you’re going to get stopped or pulled over for absolutely no reason” along with “the fear that your job application will be overlooked because of the way your name sounds.” And she spoke candidly of her own rough moments as America’s first black first lady, when she was described as “Obama’s baby mama” and accused of being uppity. “Then there was the first time I was on a magazine cover — it was a cartoon drawing of me with a huge Afro and machine gun. Now, yeah, it was satire, but if I’m really being honest, it knocked me back a bit.” Yet, Obama urged the graduates to never give up hope or use racism as an excuse. Succumbing to anger and despair “only means that in the end, we lose,” she told them. She stressed the need for ambition and hard work. Those are themes that conservatives traditionally embrace, of course, but not when they come from Michelle Obama, who simply cannot win. If she ignores racial issues she’s ignoring reality. If she addresses them, she’s whiny. Listen to her critics, you’d think she railed against the white devil and bemoaned her cruel fate. Rush Limbaugh claimed she was “doubling down” on “playing the race card,” has “a giant chip on (her) shoulder” and complains she’s been treated poorly because people “didn’t fawn enough” over her. Radio host Laura Ingraham called the first lady “angry” and said she delivered “a litany of victimization.” The National Review, meanwhile, accused her of wearing “racialized blinders” and possessing a long-standing sense of grievance. “I fear we are seeing now the tip of the Obama racialist iceberg, and in the remaining 18 months are going to witness far more polarization and alleged grievances against the supposedly culpable so-called majority culture,” Victor Davis Hanson wrote. Oh, for crying out loud. Do some people play the race card? Sure. But at this point in the national conversation, the only game older than playing the race card is falsely accusing someone of playing the race card. Talking honestly about discrimination isn’t playing the race card. Addressing wrongs isn’t playing the race card. Those who claim otherwise are engaged in deceit and attempting to shut down the conversation, in the same way that hypersensitive people and certain activists cry racism to silence opponents. Michelle Obama wasn’t born first lady. She grew up black in Chicago. She has stories to tell, as does her husband. But their critics apparently believe that, because the Obamas have achieved the pinnacle of political success, they should shut up now. Why share their wisdom with young people who could benefit from it the most? Why acknowledge that racism is still a thing? “Our history,” she told the graduates, “… teaches us that when we pull ourselves out of those lowest emotional depths, and we channel our frustrations into studying and organizing and banding together … we can take on those deep-rooted problems, and together - together - we can overcome anything that stands in our way.” I doubt there’s a successful black person in America who hasn’t experienced discrimination in his lifetime. Discussing it is hardly playing the race card. Conservative right pundits know this, but they’re too busy playing their own divisive game to care. Dianne Williamson is a columnist for The Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette. By Dianne Williamson The Telegram & Gazette MailTribune.com By Dianne Williamson The Telegram & Gazette Posted May. 14, 2015 @ 8:38 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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