Featured image of post Don’t tell me what to do, and I’ll promise you the same (Viewpoint)

Don’t tell me what to do, and I’ll promise you the same (Viewpoint)

Don’t tell me what to do, and I’ll promise you the same (Viewpoint)

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I believe it is reasonable to say that all of us enjoy a certain amount of power or control. To what extent varies, and the same to where we might value control. It can be as harmless, as keeping the remote in your hand when on the couch with someone else, or wanting your dog to stop barking or sit when commanded to. For many, the desire for power pertains to their children listening, with the hopes of keeping them safe and preparing them properly for adulthood.

Power can be wanted over others and power can be wanted for ourselves. I, as you, believe in making choices and decisions that I see fit for myself. Some guidance or suggestions can be welcomed from trusted sources, but ultimately, we as law-abiding citizens deserve the respect to decide for ourselves. Each day we assess risk and act accordingly. If the street looks too busy to cross, that is recognized, and the half-jog trot is held off until there is a greater break between vehicles.

This might not be a new phenomenon, but it seems as if in 2022 we live in a society where everyone has an idea of how you should go about your business better than you might. My old friend Ronald Reagan famously said: “Will you confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capital can plan our lives for us better than we can plan ourselves. We are told increasingly that we need to choose between a left and a right, but I’d like to suggest that there is no left or right. There is only an up or down. And those trading freedom for security have embarked down this downward course.” Earlier in this speech Ron spoke of the importance for each of us Americans to have a conversation with someone who came here from another country, as they viewed America as an escape and are thankful for it.

The Editorial Board: Politicians twist King’s words in a whitewashing of America’s racial past

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While King preached nonviolence, which put him at odds with some other civil rights leaders, he very much stood for peaceful resistance and unrest. He became an advocate for social and economic justice, as well as racial equity. In 1968, King was working on the Poor People’s Campaign and he was in Memphis to support a strike by sanitation workers. King was shot to death at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968.

For a broader understanding of King’s work, find one of his speeches, such as his address at the Riverside Church in New York City in April 1967, when King spoke out against the Vietnam War.

Explaining why he joined the anti-war movement, King said he had “walked among the desperate, rejected and angry young men, I have told them that Molotov cocktails and rifles would not solve their problems.”

Those young men “ask – and rightly so – what about Vietnam? They ask if our own nation wasn’t using massive doses of violence to solve its problems.”

King was a man of peace, but in many ways a radical. For anyone to twist his principles or try to whitewash his legacy is to dishonor the preeminent civil rights leader of the 20th century.

• • •

What’s your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.

Eddie Rye, Jr. Adds A “Touch Of King” To Everything He Can In Seattle

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By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium

What motivates African Americans to continue to fight for their rights and to promote the legacies and contributions of their most prominent of leaders.

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s holiday approaches, The Seattle Medium sat down with longtime community activist Eddie Rye, Jr., a local civil rights leader who has been fighting for justice and equality in the state of Washington since the 1960s, to talk about his years of advocacy.

When it comes to preserving the legacy of Dr. King, Rye has been in the center of or played a role in every effort to honor Dr. King in the state. From the naming of a Seattle Public School, which was the first monumental thing to be named after Dr. King in the state, to the naming of a street, the naming of a park, to having Dr. King’s image be part of the official logo of King County, Rye has successfully played the role of agitator, initiator, negotiator, protestor, connector and diplomat in the quest to properly honor Dr. King and instill his principles of freedom, justice and equality into the fiber of Seattle’s culture.

As a symbol of Black consciousness, struggle and triumph, Rye’s name and image seem to be a perfect fit to represent the mindset and goals of African Americans in Seattle and King County. But the success of his efforts did not come without a fight, or the help of others.

When asked about his legacy of activism, Rye says that his life experiences — especially at a young age growing up in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he saw racism and segregation “up close and personal” — are what fuels his passion for change.

“Having the experiences of only being able to drink out of a colored water fountain, discrimination in the military and on the job here in Seattle, and seeing Dr. King at Garfield in 1961 inspired me to overcome obstacles in my activism,” says Rye. “Overcoming racial injustices in America is all that the descendants of Africans have had to do.”

Over the years, Rye was instrumental — along with other Black leaders like Dr. Samuel McKinney, former pastor of the Mt Zion Baptist Church; civil rights activist Charlie James; former King County Councilmember Larry Gossett; Freddie Mae Gautier, civil rights activist, and local Black Media outlets like The Seattle Medium and it’s publisher Chris H. Bennett — in making sure that this part of the country was well aware of the contributions and intentions of the iconic civil rights leader.

Born in Louisiana, Rye’s family migrated to the Pacific Northwest when he was 10. After graduating from high school, Rye went into the military where he became one of the first and youngest Black men to be promoted to the Officer’s Candidate School in Texas.

Rye recalls a couple of experiences that fueled his desire to wake up every morning to speak up for and fight for the dignity and freedom of Black folks.

“[One day while stationed in Texas] I had on my military uniform, and I went up to pay for the movie,” recalls Rye. “As I attempted to pay for the movie, the attendant told me, ‘Hey boy, that uniform don’t make you white and told me to go to the negro window to pay.”

The incident prompted Rye to leave the South. But, even after moving back to Seattle, Rye found himself moved to action due to the insensitivity of America toward Black America’s fallen martyrs.

“I was offered a supervisor in production position during the time of segregation at Boeing,” says Rye. “Even there, after I left the South, I continued to experience racism. The day that Dr. King was murdered a co-worker stated and I quote, ‘M.L. Coon got what he deserved.’ And it took everything I had in me not to come across the desk.”

While Rye was offended by the comment, he was not deterred and chose more meaningful pathways to funnel his energies towards progress and change.

Rye would go on to work with the Central Area Motivation Program, and the Black Student Unions of the local universities and colleges to implement the Great Society Programs initiated by former President Lyndon B. Johnson, that were designed to elevate the Black community. However, former U.S. President Ronald Reagan defunded these initiatives during his administration in a move that once again re-ignited Rye’s passion for activism.

Coinciding with national efforts to make Dr. King’s birthday a national holiday, Rye set his sights on changing the name of Empire Way in Seattle to Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Despite many challenges, Rye and his colleagues were able to prevail after a two-year battle that included two lawsuits, numerous protests, demonstrations and countless life-threatening phone calls. Finally in 1983, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that the City of Seattle had the authority to change the name of the street, which paved the way for the official renaming of the street to Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.

A few years later, the King County council approved a motion to rename the county in honor of Dr. King. However, this was not a formal name change and Rye, motivated by former King County councilmembers Ron Sims and Larry Gossett, began forging ahead on formally changing the name of the County, which would take an act of legislation from the State. The journey took six years, but their grassroots efforts finally resulted in Gov. Christine Gregoire signing legislation to formally change the county’s name in honor of Dr. King.

After making headway with naming of the street, Rye and local leaders thought it would be a good idea to have a park named in honor of Dr. King. And in Rye’s mind it would only be appropriate to rename a park located on the same street that carries Dr. King’s name.

“A park should be named after him on the street named after him,” Rye recalls discussing with other community leaders. “With the leadership of Charlie James, other Black leaders as well as advocacy by Morris Alhadeff, Longacres Racetrack former General Manager and Chairman of the Board, the grassy null on the corner of MLK Jr. Way S. and S. Walker St. was transformed into a memorial park in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”

While he is adamant about acknowledging the contributions of others, Rye is that sturdy branch of our cultural tree that is deeply rooted in the community. His ongoing efforts in producing tangible results that help make Seattle a better place for everyone is something that he can’t shy away from.

So, what’s next on the agenda for this tireless Civil Rights warrior?

“Voting rights,” proclaims Rye. “If there is going to be a means in which we continue the legacy of Dr. King, not only through memorializing his name, but through action, today’s fight for voting rights is at the top of the priority list.”

“Without voting rights there is no democracy,” continued Rye. “Without voting rights we do not have a voice. The right to vote is the most important legacy left to us by Dr. King.”

Boozy Houston breakfast joint whips up first Austin-area cafes

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Sometimes it’s a good thing to end up with egg on your face, especially if you’re the kind of breakfast enthusiast that takes your omelette with a side of booze. And Houston’’s cult-favorite breakfast eatery The Toasted Yolk Cafe is certainly willing to egg Austinites on in that regard with a move into the Capital City.

Toasted Yolk, which specializes in a variety of breakfast, brunch, lunch, and cocktail offerings, has signed an area development agreement to bring the eatery to Austin.

Franchisees Ron and Val Claypool will open the first local restaurant at 14105 Ronald Reagan Blvd. in Cedar Park this summer. And the company’s website notes another Austin location will be coming soon.

It’s all part of an expansion plan that has the eatery growing across Texas and the South. According to company’s website, The Toasted Yolk currently has 16 locations in the works, adding to its already significant presence of 20 locations in Texas and beyond.

Locals will likely be drawn to Toasted Yolk’s made-from-scratch and farm-to-table menu items. Breakfast and brunch fan favorites include churro doughnuts; Nutella banana berry crepes; the Cowboy Scramble (two split buttermilk biscuits covered with bacon, sausage, ham, onions, and three scrambled eggs topped with country sausage gravy); the West Coast Arnold (a Benedict-style sammie with Canadian bacon, two poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce); pancakes and waffles galore; and just about any kind of omelette or egg specialty you could dream up.

Lunch offerings include loads of sandwiches, salads, and soups, as well as dirty-in-the-best-way Junkyard Fries, which come topped with house-made chili, queso, and jalapeños.

And with the keen understanding that “it’s never too early to get toasted,” the restaurant also offers some seriously alluring morning cocktails all day long, including classic mimosas; frozen Bellinis; Bloody Marys; a Rise ’N’ Shine Punch (Bombay Sapphire Gin, pineapple juice, orange juice, passion fruit syrup, and a strawberry slice); Jackie’s Morning Rita (exactly the dreamy drink it sounds like); and a tempting concoction known as the Breakfast Nogg (Evan Williams Bourbon, vanilla syrup, whole milk, Angostura Bitters, and nutmeg), among many other boozy sips.

“There’s no doubt that The Toasted Yolk’s friendly atmosphere and amazing food are going to be a big hit in the Austin area,” says Ron Claypool via a release, noting that the couple was sold on joining The Toasted Yolk family because of the quality food, atmosphere, executive team, and the brand’s profitable business plan.

“We’re especially excited to be able to connect with the community on a day-to-day basis, sharing wonderful food that will make their day a little brighter. We can’t wait to show Austinites what The Toasted Yolk is all about when we join the Cedar Park community this year.”

Follow The Toasted Yolk on Instagram for updates about the local expansion and to get acquainted with your new favorite breakfast specials.

‘Freedom,’ ‘choice’ are selective terms in Florida | Letters

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I want to thank you for the amazing editorial (”DeSantis pushes for freedom from reality of COVID,” Jan. 12). They are words that need to be read by all Floridians and even by the rest of the country. There are way too many people in power that have a voice and are using it to destroy anyone that disagrees with them. Unfortunately it’s their voices that seem to be heard above all the ones with common-sense advice.

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