Bone Broth - Truth About the New Craze

For centuries, bone broth has been used throughout the Eastern hemisphere for its medicinal values. So, the benefits of the broth's components have long been known ages ago. Halle Berry's statement that the broth is a cause for her ageless beauty seems to have triggered a new craze by the majority population who now consider bone broth as the next best thing to sliced bread. They have jumped on the bone broth bandwagon as they consistently have done for any beauty claims made by "celebrities". Big box stores and others have quickly cashed in on selling the broth to those who think that they too can maintain younger looking skin simply by consuming the natural product. Berry is aging gracefully at 50 something years old. But, those who believe bone broth has some magical reaction to Berry's youthful appearance should also realize that she is blessed with genes from her Black heritage where aging does not show as severely as with the other side of her family. Also, Berry is financially able to maintain expensive exercise and spa routines that produce a polished, fit body at all times as expected with those other wealthy persons who rely on looking good in public to maintain their high profile careers. So, certainly bone broth is not the only factor that contributes to Berry's ageless beauty. Bone broth is a healthy liquid - yes; helps to prevent aging - don't think so.

"The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro" ~ Frederick Douglass

"What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour." ~ Frederick Douglass

Immigrant Experiences vs. Trumped Up Perceptions

Interacting with immigrants who have enrolled in classes to learn English has led to positive experiences. These immigrants are certainly in contrast to the trumped up vicious statements that are constantly tweeted out against them to rile up the anger of supporters who selfishly do not believe that Blacks, Latinos, and other minority immigrants should be welcomed into the United States as their own White immigrant ancestors. The English as a Second Language classes taught over the past 15 years have been attended by legal immigrants and sometimes those who have set foot on U.S. soil as refugees or otherwise. Contrary to the statement which gives an impression that only the uneducated and criminals travel the arduous journey through the isolated routes along the borders of Texas, Arizona, and California,  a number of students have shared with the class their experiences of taking the unforgettable chance of traveling the dangerous journey to cross the U.S. borders. In-class discussions bring awareness that border crossers are not only the stereotyped natives from Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador, but some people have traveled from other Central and South American countries and the Caribbean. Some enter the country as professionals with careers in their countries as  medical doctors, nurses, attorneys, physicists, professors, managers, and many other highly regarded professions that a number of Americans who criticize immigrants could not possibly attain. They must put aside these qualifications that are not recognized in the U.S. and start from scratch by learning English. They are smart and a number of them from Haiti speak not only Haitian Creole and French but are fluent in Spanish and are quick in their abilities to learn English.  They arrive for classes by 8:00 AM after working the evening shift and getting off at 12:00 AM or even later from jobs that Americans never consider suitable for themselves but often complain that immigrants are taking their jobs. So, some arrive home during the wee hours of the morning but still get to school on time. Most immigrants must take whatever job is offered to them so that they may survive and help their families. The tiredness in their eyes in the classroom is evident, but they remain eager and willing to learn English. It is not only important to teach them how to speak, write, read, and develop listening skills in English, but topics are often introduced to make them able to adapt to the difficulties that lie ahead of them in the U.S.  Topics include the importance of building good credit, developing job skills, budgeting, etc. But class discussions also include racial profiling cases, the criminal justice system's inconsistencies for people of color,  the First Amendment, and other social issues that will impact their lives one way or another. Many continue their education aspirations by transitioning to  community colleges and then universities. Their hard work often passes down to their children who excel in school as a result of the values instilled in them by their parents who serves as their role models. These hard-working immigrants are known and respected.