MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry claims the phrase "hard worker" should be reserved to those who work in the fields.
I want us to be super careful when we use the language, 'hard worker', because - I actually keep an image of folks working in cotton fields on my office wall because it is a reminder about what hard work looks like; so I feel you that he's a hard worker... but in the context of relative privilege.
"I hope no one uses the term illegal immigrants here today. Our citizens are not — the people in this country are not illegal. They are are out of status. They are new Americans that are immigrants."
relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) claimed that five killer whales at the San Diego SeaWorld are treated like slaves because they are forced to live in tanks and perform daily.
But a federal judge yesterday dismissed the lawsuit saying the 13th amendment - which outlaws slavery and involuntary servitude - applies only to humans.
Sea World's attorney Theodore Shaw called the lawsuit a waste of the court's time and resources.
For some reason, on December 29, 2011, Verizon thought it would be a good idea to start charging a fee to pay your bill online if you don't sign up for their auto-payment plan.
Verizon Wireless offers customers numerous free and simple payment options and we encourage customers to use those options. Starting January 15, a new $2 payment convenience fee will be instituted for customers who make single bill payments online or by telephone... The fee will help allow us to continue to support these single bill payment options in these channels and is designed to address costs incurred by us for only those customers who choose to make single bill payments in alternate payment channels (online, mobile, telephone). It is waived for those who pay by electronic check or enroll in AutoPay...
Personally, I don't like auto-pay because if I have an issue with a bill, I'd rather not pay until I get it resolved. But the issue here is that Verizon is claiming this new fee will help them "address costs incurred" to support it. I'm sorry, but I'm already paying you $100 a month. You need another $2/mo just to take that payment? It's absurd, and insulting this is their excuse.
The next day, December 30, they sent out a new press release, reneging the fee.
Verizon Wireless has decided it will not institute the fee for online or telephone single payments that was announced earlier this week.
The company made the decision in response to customer feedback about the plan, which was designed to improve the efficiency of those transactions. The company continues to encourage customers to take advantage of the numerous simple and convenient payment methods it provides.
“At Verizon, we take great care to listen to our customers. Based on their input, we believe the best path forward is to encourage customers to take advantage of the best and most efficient options, eliminating the need to institute the fee at this time,” said Dan Mead, president and chief executive officer of Verizon Wireless.
Uh huh. Sure.
About 50 people gathered Monday in Burlington City Hall’s Contois Auditorium to mark the anniversary of the civil rights leader’s birthday, and to offer reflections about the importance of King’s legacy. Later, about a dozen people moved to a nearby bank to protest that it was open on the holiday.
The marchers briefly gathered in front of the bank, then tried to enter. Patrick Brown, director of the Burlington Multicultural Resource Center, said he would hand leaflets to bank tellers protesting the bank’s MLK hours. The leaflet read: "Dear TD Bank, you are defying the King holiday. Shame, Shame, Shame. This is a racist act. Shame, Shame, Shame."
So, staying open on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is an act of racism? I'll tell you what: Start protesting establishments that remain open on the 4th of July because of their "lack of patriotism" and maybe I'll be more inclined to side with your calls for justice.