Minutes 09/22/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 22, 2020 an authentic sense of self. Do not let what others perceived you to be to define you. Now I know and knew then I had to realize some of the actions taken by some was merely an attempt to disguise the RACISM that sadly they did not recognize in themselves. How could they? Just as in a family when someone hurts something or someone of value then and only then do you REALLY chose to see. Even then some do not. Question is what do you see? One’s own self- righteousness, pain, or possibly the pain of your brother or sister. The pain of those whose presence you overlook and minimize with the help of your own mindless rationalizations of right and wrong or do you actually face the ugliness buried so deep within you you did not recognize it until there was a STATUE affected. Funny I like many African American saw that STATUE daily as a child when going to work with my mom at New Kirn Building. I can remember her telling me who it was and also telling me Darlene that statue is a reminder to you of who you do not want to be and how you do not want to treat people. I marvel at the reactions of people over a STATUE when there have been many people of darker pigmentation killed. We are talking about cement verses human life, correct? To put it bluntly people were actually hung to die and sold at that very sight. Funny how a cement STATUE can make one’s heart immune to that. I realize there are laws and they should apply to everyone but please do not insult my intelligence and say that the killing and selling of human life at Court Street was many years ago or you had nothing directly to do with that. Principles do not change. That is as if telling someone in your family that the incest, spousal abuse, child abuse, neglect, drug addiction, physical illness, mental illness they experienced many years ago is over. They will tell you the mere mention of any of the above triggers painful memories that they relive and feel again and again. I was never a slave in the truest form of it. But I have felt the violation and the degradation each time my black son a college student with a 3.5GPA has been stopped by the police. Sadly like many African American families we have practiced 10 and 2 also. Black Survival Class 101. Thank God my son came home and we were able to process what happened to him in order to not further demean his sense of self. The only way some of the members on Council will understand what I am saying is asking yourself what have you had to compartmentalize in your thoughts to be able to survive and live daily. We do it daily minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year. In regards to the Hazard Pay I would ask Council to research what criteria was used to determine which nurses qualified for the HAZARD PAY of PDBHS. I was informed all nurses were submitted as candidates of the monies. I submit to you whether it was 20.00 or 1500 it is the principle that matters most to me. It is the standard of hoping and believing that integrity and sense of right and wrongness was used in making this decision. A side bar my mother Ellen Hargrove always told me was, “Darlene do not worry if people like you just conduct yourself in a manner they will respect you which is far more lasting.” Having an internal barometer of what right and wrong is can help one to determine what actually prompts them to do the things they do. Sometimes it is mere selfishness, hatred, and apathy for how they impact the lives of others. You see I grew up during the time when Mr. Armstead then the owner of New Kirn Building sent me birthday cards and money after he moved from the area. I also had the fortunate experience to watch the parades on High Street from the office building windows of New Kirn Building with my mom. My babysitters were the Famous, Woolworths, Grants, New York Delicatessen, and many other stores on High Street. Ms. Bessie Aldridge, the secretary for Mr. Abraham and the founder of the SPCA that was on Fredrick Blvd was my godmother. Therefore I am sure you can see why I find no enjoyment in referring to my city as ‘p-town”. Also being a productive citizen in Portsmouth does not mean everyone will know your name. I am not a HERO. I am Darlene H. Breckenridge, daughter of Calvin and Ellen Hargrove who has made the necessary deposits in my city, my community, and in the people I serve enjoying the service more than a need to be seen. In fact it is better to simply be a worker of the people, for the people, while still being with your people. I do understand as the late John Lewis stated getting involved in politics is very important and needed. In fact it is the laws that are suppose to be for all is where change occurs. If man does not change then society will not either. However service can occur in many forms. Every piece of a puzzle is needed for completion. Even the smallest pieces which are oftentimes overlooked. That is how I feel as a RN whose