April 9, 2003 - National styles of pulling down statues.

War stories Toppled National styles of pulling down statues.

By Fred Kaplan Posted Wednesday, April 9, 2003, 

http://www.slate.com/id/2081309/ 

As I write this, 100 or so Iraqis are gathered in Baghdad's Firdos Square, trying to tear down an enormous statue of Saddam Hussein…

[…]

I am reminded of 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed and the Baltic nations took their own hammers to their most prominent statues of Lenin. Much could be discerned about national style from the effort. In Lithuania, the most emotional of the republics, the crowd just went at it, using all tools at hand, bringing down Vladimir Ilyich with great gusto. In Latvia, some engineers assumed the task, judging the statue's material, pulling up a crane, and taking it down very systematically. In Estonia, the town leaders coolly hired a Finnish firm to do the job.

Read more here: http://www.slate.com/id/2081309/

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2020/07/06/april-9-2003-national-styles-of-pulling-down-statues/

https://ccnaacp7014.blogspot.com/2020/07/april-9-2003-national-styles-of-pulling.html

https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2020/07/april-9-2003-national-styles-of-pulling.html

Sept. 17, 2013: Westminster celebrates diversity at TriStreet block party

Sept. 17, 2013: Westminster celebrates diversity at TriStreet block party

By Kevin Dayhoff, 3:45 p.m. EDT, September 17, 2013

July 5, 2020 – I am cleaning some of my old Google Drive files (because I am about to run out of storage capacity.) And I ran across this old article from September 17, 2013 about working with my friend Dr. Darcel Harris. The links still work but it does not provide a preview of the pictures...

https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/10220056374893244

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-tristreet-block-party-20130917,0,934631.story

Fully equipped with a spatula, sunglasses, hat and an apron, Darcel Harris was all smiles Sept. 15 as she answered questions, cooked hamburgers, and hot dogs and helped coordinate activities for over 300 folks who attended the 11th annual Pennsylvania Avenue – TriStreet Association block party in Dutterer Family Park in Westminster.

The event included multi-cultural food dishes made by residents, local fruits and vegetables donated by local farmers, dancing, pie eating contests, and educational activities for children provided by the Westminster Police Department, the Carroll County NAACP and GROW Mission (God’s Regeneration of Westminster) – one of the many local grassroots community organizations in which Harris participates.

According to Harris, the March 2013 recipient of the of the 21st annual Carroll County Human Relations Commission achievement award, the neighborhood get together was the brainchild of former Westminster City Councilwoman, 1991-1995, Rebecca Orenstein.

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/westminster/ph-tristreet-block-party-20130917,0,934631.story

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2013/09/westminster-celebrates-diversity-at_26.html

Labels: Annual PA Ave Block Party, Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Diversity, Diversity Hispanic, History, Westminster File PA Ave, Westminster File PA Ave Block Party, Westminster Police - See more at: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2013/09/westminster-celebrates-diversity-at_26.html#sthash.Bnrjh8DC.dpuf  

For pictures go to: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/62355185981/westminster-celebrates-diversity-at-tristreet

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2020/07/05/sept-17-2013-westminster-celebrates-diversity-at-tristreet-block-party/

First Thursdays film series takes on issue of voter suppression

First Thursdays film series takes on issue of voter suppression

You may also find this information here: CC CAACP website

https://ccnaacp7014.blogspot.com/2020/07/first-thursdays-film-series-takes-on.html

Facebook: Carroll County NAACP

“Our democracy hangs in the balance. This is not an overstatement.” — Michelle Alexander in the NY Times, June 8, 2020

Attempts to interfere in our election by Russia and other foreign players have received much deserved attention since 2016. But an even more insidious threat to our democracy may be homegrown: voter suppression.

“In a close election the rules matter,” says Rick Hasen of UC Irvine and author of Election Meltdown, “and if the rules can be manipulated it can affect the outcome of elections.”

Recognizing that voting rights are civil rights, the July selection for the MD LMP First Thursday film series is a provocative and disturbing documentary that takes a sobering look at the hydra that is voter suppression: Rigged: The Voter Suppression Playbook.

Narrated by Jeffrey Wright, Rigged chronicles how our right to vote is being undercut by a decade of dirty tricks - including the partisan use of gerrymandering and voter purges, and the gutting of the Voting Rights Act by the Supreme Court. The film captures real-time voter purges in North Carolina and voter intimidation in Texas.

We are honored to welcome a distinguished panel to discuss the film:

David Blight, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Frederick Douglass, Prophet of Freedom

Tim Smith, award-winning producer of Rigged

Gilda Daniels, Associate Professor at University of Baltimore School of Law and author of Uncounted: The Crisis of Voter Suppression in America

The cause and course of racial justice in our nation is intimately bound to the outcome of the 2020 election. It’s therefore incumbent upon all of us to understand the grave and imminent threat that voter suppression poses to “free and fair elections” and what we, as citizens, can do to protect the vote and our democracy. 

Please join us on Thursday, July 2, 2020 at 7.00p for an important discussion of the issue and this film. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you then.

When you register, you will receive a link and password allowing you to screen the film on your own for free, in advance of the discussion.  

Attendance at the panel discussion is also free, but you must pre-register here.

https://mdlynchingmemorial.networkforgood.com/events/21517-first-thursday-film-discussion-series

For more information go here: https://www.mdlynchingmemorial.org/

https://www.facebook.com/ccnaacp/posts/3483608811657770?__xts__[0]=68.ARB757yAbFtMNK3-mMdIeVs6ti8B0U5CDR8Ob20-RcZP_3lGy5F0_DdZ2sFafupmDpOZBV8K7KO6ZjWUGUFxXxSTWny4WLCWR-19rOte7B0yW2JSpnkkAF5GaD9Q-3eRi9kSh76pFVFsex5RcYn780c9X7KXiDRTBqpS5Dg2bFKBmB5NdfQVEL9muPJMwA66VqJUw0T3472E6aNiFTNLw7xYiwhDgmt4WBRNJJCaRgQLSdCs2FQIzY8MJgYxa8F-SxWPDMQdDGfLwJ6q7kTNL5XbLBYLQ8IgcfW430Fef_Qv7kPWzybv97Qux--B6KyOSDReoTLxVU5y8lY-MAdEvor9mA&__tn__=-R

NAACP opposes commissioner diversity commission

NAACP opposes commissioner diversity commission

(In full disclosure I am on the board of the Carroll County NAACP)

Carroll County commissioner withdraws diversity commission initiative after NAACP chapter president expresses opposition 

Akira Kyles Carroll County Times |Jun 29, 2020

In the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, Commissioner Eric Bouchat withdrew his initiative to establish a diversity commission after the president of Carroll County’s NAACP chapter expressed her opposition toward it.

[…]

Bouchat previously said he’d like for the commission to look into memorials to lynching victims and Black Americans who served in the Civil War, but Lewis said the NAACP chapter has already been engaged in projects to do both.

She said the chapter has been involved with rededications at Ellsworth Cemetery in Westminster, where Black veterans are buried. And she said the chapter is involved with the Carroll County Coalition of the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project, which began meeting in February to discuss ways to bring awareness and improved understanding of lynching history.

According to Wantz, after Lewis spoke with him, the board took a step back.

Wantz said, “We’re pulling back the reins to allow for the groups that have been putting the sweat and tears into doing all this research and let them do their job.”

Lewis said she was speaking as an individual, but discussed it with the rest of the NAACP board members.

“We met [Thursday] night, and there was total agreement that we do not do this diversity thing that Commissioner Bouchat introduced,” Lewis said.

“What was going to be the end result? Was this going to be a group that was founded and it would be dropped after an election cycle? Your support would not be there after that? I don’t think it was necessarily heartfelt,” Lewis said.

https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-diversity-commission-opposition-20200629-qly35tzhlrbkvolsl6xm66wjay-story.html

https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/10220004403153983

https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/2020/06/naacp-opposes-commissioner-diversity.html 

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NPR: K-Pop's Digital 'Army' Musters To Meet The Moment, Baggage In Tow

NPR: K-Pop's Digital 'Army' Musters To Meet The Moment, Baggage In Tow

June 24, 20202:00 PM ET Heard on Morning Edition HAERYUN KANG

A week before President Trump held his controversial campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla., was when Viviana Dark, a K-pop fan from Wisconsin (who has requested pseudonymity over concerns of online harassment), first heard of plans to "sabotage" the event. Users on TikTok, the exceptionally popular social-video platform, were urging others to reserve tickets to the rally, with no intention of actually going. "You know how a TikTok challenge happens? It was kind of like that. 'Everybody go do this!' And it spread like wildfire," Dark, 19, tells NPR Music.

She signed up for two seats, received a confirmation email from the Trump campaign — "I'm counting on my loyal supporters like you" — and never showed up to the rally, which drew just a few thousand supporters to the 19,000-seat auditorium on June 20.

It's not clear how much TikTok teens and K-pop fans should be credited for the rally's disappointing turnout; Trump's campaign originally claimed it received more than a million requests for tickets. A stage prepared for overflow was never used.

Dark, who supports the girl groups TWICE and GWSN, is no stranger to political activism in coordination with her K-pop community. She has a Twitter group chat with fellow idol fans from all over the world, where they exchange info about stars, petitions and hashtag movements. To "clog up" the platform, she tweeted #WhiteLivesMatter and #KeepAmericaGreat hashtags, coupled with irrelevant fancams of her favorite stars, as a way of diluting the usefulness and relevance of the tags.

"I'm Black before I'm a K-pop stan," she says. "The main point of why we were fighting was for the Black Lives Matter cause, not to get recognized [as K-pop fans]."

But getting recognized they are, as "maestros of social media," "an unexpected ally," "unlikely heroes." This month, fans of BTS matched the boy band's $1 million Black Lives Matter donation in roughly a day. Others are credited with flooding the iWatch Dallas app with fancams (and sinking its App Store ranking) after the Dallas police asked people to report "illegal activity" from the George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests.

Read much more here: https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882867577/k-pops-digital-army-musters-to-meet-the-moment-baggage-in-tow

Popular and well-respected community leader Thomas B. “TD” Dent has died

Popular and well-respected community leader Thomas B. “TD” Dent has died

Thomas B. “TD” Dent, 69, of Westminster passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 25, 2020 of an apparent heart attack


Thoughts and prayers for Tommy Dent: I am sad at the loss of my childhood friend Tommy Dent who died suddenly this morning, Thursday, June 25, 2020, despite the valiant efforts of several medic crews from the Westminster Fire Dept. who looked after him and tried to save him until the very end. RESPECT.

The picture above is from a recent picture on May 16, 2020. Tommy was one of our neighbors at the Westminster Fire Department John Street fire station and we will miss him. I understand that flowers are already piling-up at the door to his shop at 26 Winter Street in downtown Westminster.

I just stopped to say hi yesterday – Wednesday June 24, 2020. The last thing I remember of my friend was that smile. I watched him wave goodbye in my side view mirror. Never in a million years did I think it would be the last time I would see him.

Tommy and I have been friends since very early in my childhood. I remember Tommy - and Doug Chandler as among my first friends… Tommy and I first met around 1959 at United Used Cars. We were both there to get candy from Pop Wilson. (Kevin Wilson’s grandfather.)

Tommy grew up on Ralph Street and I grew up several blocks away on Green Street behind Samios Food Market at the corner of Washington Road. Tommy and his Ford, Mark Causey and I spent a good bit of time together – especially during the years of Mark’s illness – and through participating in sports together at Westminster High School.

Tommy was a wonderful friend, a great leader and lived a life of grace. Tommy got it honest. His parents were wonderful and kind people. Tommy was extremely talented. He worked hard at his small business. Westminster is a much better place because of Tommy. He will be greatly missed.

++++++++++++++++++

Thomas B. “TD” Dent, 69, of Westminster passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 25, 2020 of an apparent heart attack. TD was born on May 20, 1951 in Baltimore to the late Thomas Bernard Sr. and Pauline Loretta Brown Dent.

TD was a graduate of the Westminster High School class of 1970. In high school he stood-out as a student leader, a member of the student senate, a great singer, a member of the Key Club, the Varsity Letter Club, and a three-sport athlete. TD - number 32 - was co-captain of the football team, number 30 on the basketball team, and was a record-holder in track and field.

He was a standout singer and performer for high school music teacher Herb Sell. TD performed at Westminster High School with Jester Hairston, and Duke Ellington.

After high school, TD was employed by Black and Decker until it closed. At that time, he opened TOMMY D’S Detailing which he owned and operated for 34 years until his untimely death.

TD is survived by his niece, Krystal Tripp and her husband Kirk of Baltimore, his nephew Chucky Robinson of Westminster, his great-nieces and great-nephews and a host of cousins and friends. He also leaves his cherished friend Michelle Billings.

He attended Strawbridge United Methodist Church in New Windsor. Throughout his life, TD actively participated in various sports. He played football for the semi-pro football team, the Carroll County Chargers, and played on the Jets softball team in Carroll County.

TD was a valued lifetime friend of Dave Johansson and a bouncer for over 30 years at Johannsson’s restaurant in Westminster where he was known by many friends. He was also a fixture at Raphael’s.

He was a great neighbor of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1, and a faithful lifetime friend of the Wilson family at United Used Cars.

TD was a very popular, respected, and admired community and business leader. No one was a stranger to TD. He also always had a smile and kind word for everyone.

He was well-known, all his life, for his immaculate black Ford. He will greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, TD was predeceased by siblings Gerald Brown, Pamela Dent Graham, and Jennifer Dent Robinson.

Visitation will be held for TD on Thursday, July 2, 2020 from 4 to 8 pm at Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel, 412 Washington Road, Westminster and on Friday, July 3rd from 11 am to 12 noon at which time his funeral service will begin. Social distancing measures, face covering, and a 50% capacity level will be in place at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Strawbridge United Methodist Church Cemetery. 

The family welcomes friends to join them for the service via video or telephone. We use Zoom for internet video and telephone conference calling. There is no charge for you to participate. Use the link below or dial the telephone number below to be connected to the event.

Join from PC, Mac, iOS or android: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4034588869
Join by telephone: Dial 1 301 715 8592 or 1 929 205 6099
and enter meeting number 403 458 8869

In lieu of flowers, donations to help defray funeral costs may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.prittsfuneralhome.com

Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel
412 Washington Road
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 848-7533
www.prittsfuneralhome.com

                     
https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/10219991565833058

Let us bow our heads and join in a short prayer.

O god of grace and glory, we remember before you today our brother Tommy Dent. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this very difficult time.

Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear.

May memories of happy times sustain us, the support of family and friends comfort us, and may God's love embrace you and your family and bring you peace.

Rest in paradise my friend. See you again someday. God be merciful to your good soul.

Thinking of you as you find peace during your journey and sending strength to your family as they mourn. I pray that peace will be found for all.

No words can express how much this hurts.

Amen

(A shout out to Blaine Brown, Dale Fletcher, Nikki Heuer, Guy Garheart, and Debbie Soper O’Hara for reaching out to me at a difficult time… THX)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219957861270465&set=a.10203968656950350&type=3&theater

PayPal donation to the Carroll County NAACP Branch #7104

PayPal donation to the Carroll County NAACP Branch #7104

To make a donation to the Carroll County NAACP Branch #7104 scan the QR code with any mobile device. Thank you for your support. (June 23, 2020)