Woke Versus Noke

Florida Gov. Ron De Sanitizer wants to cleanse the state's schoolbooks of all things wokish. That includes math and history books. The New York Times recently reports any history books that dare to include the story of Rosa Parks cannot mention that Parks was the victim of racial prejudice. Instead of noting that Parks refused to sit in the back of a racially segregated bus, Florida's students will only read: "She was told to move to a different seat." And, according to a rewrite submitted for the textbook review process, a reference to "African American men" has been changed to "men of certain groups."

If the MAGA-tribes can "own the Libs" by invoking the pejorative word "Woke," it's only fair that liberals respond by condemning right-and-wrong-doers who dismiss tolerance and acceptance as NOT OK—"Noke" for short. -more-

Writing and self-publishing have become a common route for the ordinary, sometimes unpublished writer who needs to express oneself. This is because automated book manufacturing and publishing can be done cheaply with the new technology, and this can bring in a few dollars as well.

It seems that many people who have mental illnesses would really love to be writers, which they are--as I am, and it is a way to channel one's energies into something positive, when it seems that life lacks prospects of anything better.

I can write a book in about five months with no expenses, and I can publish it on lulu.com for free except that I have to buy a proof copy, which costs under ten dollars. It costs more than that to get a copyright certificate, usually 65 dollars. Yet you should not skip this step, because people can rip off your work, or they can accuse you of ripping off theirs.

Society has normalized mentally ill adults being homeless and/or incarcerated. This is a grave disservice. Now WE can normalize becoming writers and putting our message out to the world. This is a way that we can finally be heard.

In the old school of writing, existing authors and publishers have striven to keep publishing exclusive--to them. This is rapidly coming to an end. The technology of Print on Demand has made it economical to publish something on your own. Millions are doing this.

In the past, we had the vanity presses, and people would pay several thousand dollars to publish a book, one that won't have significant sales. If you're good with computers and if your English is good, often helped by the automated proofreading in Word, you have most of the tools you need, to publish. -more-

Worth Noting:

City Council Spring Recess is from March 22 – April 10, 2023.

All City Council and City Council Committee, the Zoning Adjustment Board and the Rent Board meetings are in the hybrid format: in-person and online via zoom. While all other City Commission meetings have returned to in-person only with no ZOOM option.



If you are missing meetings you wish to attend, because ZOOM is no longer available send a request for the city to provide hybrid meetings to your councilmember, the City Council at council@cityofberkeley.info, the City Clerk at clerk@cityofberkeley.info and the Open Government Commission at FCPC@cityofberkeley.info.

To find your councilmember go to https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-district-lookup

• Monday:
  • The 10:30 am hybrid format City Council Public Safety Committee (Kesarwani, Taplin, Wengraf) has one agenda item the Surveillance Ordinance.
  • The 6 pm hybrid format full City Council Special Meeting has one agenda item formerly billed as the Berkeley Marina Area Specific Plan now titled as Waterfront Specific Plan for the City of Berkeley Tidelands.
• Tuesday:
  • The 4 pm hybrid Council Special meeting is on Civic Arts Grants and the Civic Center Plan including the Maudelle Shirek Building (old city hall), the Veterans Building and Civic Center Park.
  • At 6 pm in the hybrid format is the City Council regular meeting.
• Wednesday:
  • The Disaster and Fire Safety Commission meets in-person at 7 pm.
  • South Berkeley Town Hall from 6:30 pm to 8 pm
• Thursday: The Community Health Commission usually meets the fourth Thursday at 6:30 pm. There is no agenda or meeting announcement posted. Check after Monday.