Carole Simpson

George Floyd did not Cause his own Death

Apr 14, 2021 | Black Lives Matter, Racism, Something. To. Say. | 0 comments

George Floyd did not Cause his own Death

Hello Everybody:

I have something to say about the George Floyd murder trial. The prosecutors show again and again the awful images of Floyd’s face contorted in pain, the sound of his voice calling, “I can’t breathe.” The knee of a white cop cutting off his air supply. It is almost more than I can bear and I’m sure I’m not alone.  White cop kills black suspect is a recurrent theme in America.

I have covered police brutality ever since I started my news career in Chicago in 1965. One of the first stories I covered involved a black teenager, shot in the back and killed by a white police officer, who chased the boy because he had been throwing rocks. Chicago police were famous for using drop guns at crime scenes, just dropping a gun and telling the lie that the black guy was threatening him. He claims he had to shoot to protect himself. And the policeman got away with murder.

Over 50 years the problem has only gotten worse. More blacks killed by white cops. And many, many more police walked away from killing black people. Is it any wonder that the public has taken up the mantra—Black Lives Matter?

In the trial, the ex-policeman’s defense is that George Floyd’s death was his fault because he was on drugs. But George Floyd’s horrific death captured on a mobile phone galvanized the planet. The whole world is watching. If Derek  Chauvin goes free, there will be hell to pay.

Zoom Cocktails

Mar 19, 2021 | Coronavirus, Something. To. Say. | 0 comments

Zoom Cocktails

Hello Everybody!

Add one more innovation created by the confluence of Zoom and the pandemic. It’s called Zoom Cocktails.  In my high rise condo in downtown Boston, the managers have come up with an activity to keep the quarantined residents occupied. Mixing exotic cocktails. The ingredients are distributed to the condo dwellers, who join a Zoom call and watch an instructor demonstrate how to make elaborate cocktails. It’s become the most popular activity for the home-bound in my condo. It’s not only fun, but everybody ends up with something wild to drink.

Gimme My Shot!

Feb 19, 2021 | Coronavirus, Health, Something. To. Say. | 0 comments

Gimme My Shot!

Hello everybody:

I have something to say about shots.

In the great musical, “Hamilton,” Alexander sings during the Revolution that he wants to have his shot. I’ve been singing about shots, too. My reason, not so bold. I just want a Covid-19 shot. Gimme my shot.

It took a few frustrating days of going to websites and making telephone calls, before I finally got an appointment at a local hospital.Look at me leaning away from the nurse’s imposing needle, but there was nothing to it. Scarcely felt a thing.

Afterwards I had to go to the waiting room for 15 minutes to make sure I didn’t have a bad reaction. So, I’m sitting there and I look around and I see all of these old people, really old people. And then It came to me, these people are my contemporaries, the over 75’s. I had just never appreciated until then how really old I must look.

But I have a question. Why are the states making it so hard for people to get Covid vaccinations, especially old people? They are short of vaccine and  have haphazard programs. The least they can do is get it together… and give us our shots.

Reflections on Becoming 80

Dec 6, 2020 | Health, Something. To. Say. | 0 comments

Reflections on Becoming 80

Hello Everybody:

    I never expected to live this long. I thought I would die in my 50’s.  All because, when I was 9-years-old my friend looked at my palm and said, “Oh, no. You have a short lifeline. You’re going to die young.”

   But the years kept passing. And here I am, 80 years old on Pearl Harbor Day. I don’t feel 80 and I sure work hard not to look 80.

    I asked my two grandsons, one 15, the other 13, what came to their minds when they thought of an 80-year-old. They both said, independently, that they thought of an old guy with gray hair, wearing glasses and hearing aids, and walking with a limp, hunched over on a cane.

     “Whoa, fellas, I’m 80.” They said I was different. I didn’t look or act like I was that old. ( Teaching moment.) “Right. Not everyone fits the stereotype. So, don’t just dismiss 80-year-olds as pretty much useless.”

      How did I live this long? I suppose genetics played a part.  But I believe it’s because of love. I married the love of my life. I did the work that I loved doing for fifty years. I had two loving children who made me proud.  And I love having a faith.

      I have also tried to do good and be a role model for young minority women and men. I enjoyed the company of good friends and family. I stay active—not exercising—but traveling, reading, and trying to keep my mind sharp by learning new things. Don’t get me wrong, I have my share of aches and pains, but I have been blessed.

      Now that I’m in the twilight of my life, I won’t be waiting around for dementia, debilitation and death. No, I’m going to keep on keeping on as long as I am able. And for any of you fearing old age, listen to this wise old woman:  what will be, will be…but like me, try to make the best of it…anyway you can.

Happy 80th birthday, Carole.

Too Many Dead Americans

Nov 21, 2020 | Coronavirus, Health, Something. To. Say. | 0 comments

Too Many Dead Americans

Hello Everybody:

I have something to say about the more than a quarter of a million Americans who have died after contracting Covid-19. Just think of that. More than 250-thousand people, who were alive in February, are dead and gone in November. Not only lives, but families and dreams and careers, destroyed.

This virus is no respecter of person or status.  It is an equal opportunity killer. Across the whole of the United States the virus has spread its deadly tentacles. The young and old, rich and poor, black and white, urban and rural, have all succumbed to the disease that literally steals your breath away until you die.

What has been the national response? Nothing. Trump hasn’t talked about the dead Americans, nor comforted their survivors. There’s been no flags flying at half-staff. No National Prayer Breakfast.  No day of remembrance. What are we waiting for? Half a million dead?

These folks were our fellow citizens. They were people like you and me. They were victims. They should be mourned by all of us. And most important, all of us should do everything we can to kill the virus and end the dying.

Until next time.

2020 Election Dilemma

Nov 11, 2020 | 2020 Election, Politics, Something. To. Say., Trump | 0 comments

2020 Election Dilemma

Hello, Everybody:

I have something to say about the Presidential Election.

I have personally vilified Donald Trump for his actions, words and deeds, ever since I began this video blog more than a year ago. To me, he was one of the worst things, one of the worst people to ever happen to the United States.

Needless to say, I was overjoyed when Joe Biden was declared president-elect.

Trump may be able to take some comfort in the fact that the race was close, very close.  But that’s what has me stumped. In this election, voter turnout was the highest it has ever been. 75 million votes for Biden, more than 70 million for Trump. How is that possible? Almost half the votes going to Trump?  While everybody I know was celebrating the Biden win—there must have been nearly as many people angry and sad about Trump’s loss.

Who are these people who voted for a president who lied, cheated, was mean and hateful, and incompetent and was INCOMPETENT? Were Trump voters fine with how he handled the pandemic? Please.

The president-elect has one heckuva a job in front of him, bringing the American people together.  All I can say is, “Good luck, Joe. You’re gonna need it.”

See you next time.

Pandemic Fatigue

Oct 31, 2020 | 2020 Election, Coronavirus, Mental Health, Something. To. Say. | 0 comments

Pandemic Fatigue

Hello Everybody. I have something to say about pandemic fatigue. 

I didn’t know that’s what it was. All I know is that a couple of weeks ago, my psyche went into a dark place. I was so sad.  I felt little joy in watching the news or a scary movie on Netflix. I started sinking into a pit of self-pity and depression.

Carole, I said to myself, “Get yourself together.” “But I can’t,” I said to my other self. “Everything is so sad.” The virus is soaring again; there’s sickness and death. People are out of work and hungry. Businesses are folding. And some folks are still refusing to wear masks. Thank you, Donald Trump.

But then I was watching the news and I saw all these people in long lines in different states, waiting to vote early. They had chairs, and food and drink. Thousands and thousands of people waiting for as long as 10 hours to cast their ballots. Last I heard nearly 50 million votes have been cast with less than a couple of weeks to Election.

I was like, “WOW.” I became happy. The American people were energized. Are energized. They are making sacrifices to vote; they finally realize that every vote counts. Those of you who haven’t voted, make sure you do. Cuz, after November 3rd, I feel there may be light on the other side of our tunnels, both pandemic and political.

Until next time.

Feelings – Part 2

Sep 16, 2020 | Coronavirus, Mental Health, Something. To. Say. | 0 comments

Feelings – Part 2

Hello Everybody. Last time, I said I would have something to say about how to maintain our mental health during the pandemic. So, I consulted the medical community and here are some tips.

First: Try to keep up with a daily routine—getting up and going to bed at the same times. Don’t wear your pajamas all day. Get dressed. Eat healthy meals and exercise. You know doctors would tell us that.

Second: Keep up your social contacts. You can’t be with loved ones and friends in the flesh, but you can use the phone, Facetime and Zoom to stay in touch and find out how everybody’s doing.

Third: Limit the alcohol you drink or don’t drink it all. You may think it eases the pain, but it can make you more depressed.

Fourth: Limit your time watching news about the coronavirus and stories about other problems in the country and around the world. It’s not good to dwell on the bad.

But I have some of my own tips. Let me tell you about those.

We take any opportunity to celebrate. Like my cat’s birthday or the first day of fall, or National Elephant Appreciation Day. And yes, there is such a day set aside and it’s in September.  It’s an opportunity to make a special meal or bake a cake or have a toast.

Those Amazon deliveries? I open those boxes pretending they’re Christmas presents. I take out what’s inside and say something like, “Oh, batteries. Just what I needed.” You can have fun.

And color. I surround myself with colors. I don’t wear any drab clothes. I wear something like this. Too much color for you? Oh, I love all the colors.

I’m sure you can come up with your own ideas. It’s just so important that we take care of our mental health as we try to protect our physical health. We need to help ourselves and help each other get through what is probably the worst period of our lifetimes.

See you next time.