Woodrow Wilson didn't deliver but 21st Century can re-enact- Silent Parade

Centennial Anniversary:

In the year 1917, there were several strange events: (a) Russian Revolution; (b) American entered World War I- The Great War; and (c) for Marian mystics, it was also the year of the Fatima apparitions.

But, Google reminded us, in a Google Doodle, about another event, the Silent Parade of July 28, 1917. 

It happened a century ago, on this July 28th, 1917, but the event is hardly ever mentioned.

This impressive visual could be re-enacted all across America today. It's certainly visually powerful and, in the 21st century, it could easily be a multi-racial and peaceful parade.  

LOUDER THAN WORDS

What was the Silent Parade of 1917? 

100th anniversary of civil rights march marked by Google Doodle – all you need to know

African Americans marched silently through New York in one of the first mass protests against anti-black violence in the US-
By David Hughes

What was the background to the Silent Parade of 1917?

The Silent Parade reflected the heightened anger of black Americans following a recent outbreak of vicious race-related violence.

Between May and July 1917 brutal riots in East St. Louis, a city in Illinois, between 40 and 250 black people were killed by white mobs.

Authorities were blamed for failing to protect innocent lives, with a chilling contemporary report describing how police were “either indifferent or encouraged the barbarities”.

The bloody scenes in East St. Louis sparked fury among black people across a nation already simmering with racial tension as African Americans migrated from the south to predominantly white industrial centres. (A northern immigration.)

Such violence was by no means uncommon – a lynching of a black farmer the previous year had attracted a gruesome crowd of 10,000 white Texans, according to the academic Chad Williams.
What happened during the Silent Parade?

On July 28, between 8,000 and 10,000 African American men, women and children marched silently down Fifth Avenue, New York City, in condemnation of the riots.

Women and children, all dressed in white, led the group, with the men following behind in dark suits, creating a poignant visual spectacle.

Placards held by the protesters expressed messages of peace and unity, as well as highlighting the contributions of African Americans to the nation and calling for justice over racial violence.

As well as a response to the shocking recent events in Illinois, the marchers demanded that President Woodrow Wilson delivered on campaign promises to protect black Americans.

His promised anti-lynching legislation never materialized – indeed, little was done to improve discrimination against African Americans during Wilson’s presidency.

However, as one of the first mass protests against anti-black violence in the US, the Silent Parade marks a significant landmark in the civil rights movement.

In my opinion, this is one of Google Doodle's best moments and it should be an annual traditional post.

"Looking into Putin's soul"- Neocons alert:

President George Bush saw President Vladimir Putin's soul.  

So, where did it go?

Somebody please call President George Bush and ask him to look into Russian President Putin's soul, again.  Please?

Crooks and Liars blog reports:

Conservatives have been bashing President Obama for telling Vladimir Putin to stay out of the Ukraine or consequences would follow. Funny how quiet they were when George Bush had a man-crush on him.

Now that President Putin is ambitiously invading any country he chooses to own, it appears he has finally lost the soul seen by President Bush. He's clearly exhibiting delusions of the old Czarist Russia. 

Perhaps Putin sold his soul to get enough money to build up Sochi for his elaborate winter 2014 Olympic Games.  

A showcase for the face of a new Russia was touted at Sochi, but in fact, Putin's vision is regressive rather than progressive. 

Rather, Putin is resurrecting the old Russia. Unfortunately, many among his adoring population are buying this scheme. They're like pre-World War II Germany, when many fell hook line and sinker (Jews notwithstanding, of course) for Hitler's delusional world dominance plan. Putin is acting like Napoleon and Hitler rolled into one dictator. Indeed, they're a trifecta of ambitious leaders. It's unlikely even George Bush can find one soul in the trio.

Apparently, Putin lost his soul somewhere and maybe President George Bush is the person who can find it.  

This "soul rescue" must happen fast, because Putin has abandoned any moral compass he may have had, at one time. He's simply taking on the world, regardless of the consequences to his people.

Consequences will be catastrophic if Russia consumes the Ukraine. This urgent response won't necessarily be as a result of world outrage. Instead, the catastrophe will be a revolution from among the dissident groups now building within Russia.

Putin's behavior is building a Russian revolution that may dwarf the 1917 massacre. These groups are: nationalist Ukrainians, exiled Syrians, Volgograd terrorists, Georgians, political prisoners in Siberia and marginalized Muslims in places like Dagestan, to name some.  

In fact, terrorist activities in Russia have increased since 1992, but I submit the Russians have been in a terrorism mode since 1917.

Russia's terrorism threats from within were temporarily interrupted by World War II and the Cold War, but the country's ethnic and political turmoil has been like smoldering volcanoes ready to erupt without notice.

Putin clearly wants to re-create the Russian empire of the Czarist era. If his delusions continue, he'll find himself, along with some of the temporarily euphoric Russians, in the same situation as the tragic House of Romanovs, in 1917.  All dead.

Neocons should demand for President Bush to locate Putin's soul as fast as he can, before it's forever lost and takes the Russian people into another political abyss, reminiscent of 1917.