Building a star quilt. We have all the messages in for Common Sense Mainer's quilt now -- time to sew!
Dee Oliver-Velez...activist, educator, defender of the marginalized and oppressed, woman of great intellect, heart, grace, and beauty. She has walked her talk her
whole life. And now, her voice is more important than ever for we are living in interesting times (to put it mildly). If ever our country is to heal its awful, soul-sickening problems with race, voices like Dee's are critical. Indispensable.
She works so hard. If you've ever visited her wonderful front page Sunday diaries or the porch of Black Kos, you know the effort that has gone into the thoughtful, well-researched, elegantly written pieces that Dee posts regularly. She not only writes them, she remains in the comment threads with warm welcome and helpful, considerate replies to any questions. She is there for any and all of us, always.
I don't have to tell you that America's ugly racist undercurrent has been very active and very much in the news. It is a deadly serious situation, with violence against black people in churches, in public and private places, and in jails -- and all too often perpetrated by the very ones who are sworn to protect all the people, the police. As is so often the case when needed change is coming, rhetoric gets really heated. Dee is in the front lines getting the brunt of that heat, all while educating people and advocating for what is right and just. She deserves a medal.
Not having any medals on hand, we are going to give her something even better -- a quilt, full of words of love and admiration from her friends here on Daily Kos. It was her birthday recently and this effort is a present from all of us, something that will be a keepsake to let her know, each and every day, just how beloved and valued she is. Well, maybe such a quilt is a sort of medal, after all!
WisePiper's quilt, being tested for comfort by Callie
The idea for this quilt is the brainchild of three Kossacks, joedemocrat, Yasuragi, and Onomastic. Each has written a testimonial in tribute to Dee so you will know where this is coming from -- and learn a little more about the incredible woman who is our Dee.
I consider Denise to be one of my friends on Daily Kos.
When I came to Daily Kos in July 2006, I was into economic class issues but not much else. Why? That was the world I knew. For me, it is natural to see the world through a class lens.
One day I ran across a pie fight on Daily Kos. I followed it into Black Kos. I decided I liked Black Kos. Why? The people really stuck up for each other.Also, I was feeling alienated due to the "no public option, no deal" sentiment. I decided I would try to join them. I would just follow and learn. I was welcomed into Black Kos and for the first time I began to feel part of a Daily Kos community.
I've learned so much from Denise and others. When I first came to Black Kos, I had never heard the word "white privilege." I didn't know about systemic racism.I didn't know about the war on drugs, mass incarceration, or police brutality. At the time, if someone had asked me if I was pro-choice I would have paused and said either "yes" because that was the official Democratic Party position or I would have said "I don't know."
My friendship with Denise and my being welcomed into Black Kos has made me a much better and broader progressive.
Denise puts a lot of work into both Black Kos and her Sunday diaries. She tips almost every comment. She replies to kosmails. She adds a lot to Daily Kos. I don't like it when she feels sad about the tone. I thought she was sounding that way, so I began to brainstorm about what we could do to lift her spirits. I thought of a quilt. I ran it by Yasuragi who ran it by Onomastic. I was then sworn to secrecy. I wonder if that was to make it so she couldn't say no?
I think many people on Daily Kos are grateful to Denise for all she contributes to Daily Kos.
I hope she enjoys her quilt!
joedemocrat
Gordon20024's quilt
I literally joined Daily Kos because of Denise.
I'd been reading for several years, but only signed up because of her posts. In particular, I joined because of her description of a raid by the FBI, an experience not unfamiliar in my own family.
The more I read, the more I saw that we had in common... uncommonly in common. While she was involved with the Black Panthers and the Young Lords, I'd been active in both organizations -- and in the same neighborhood, at the same time. As we got to know each other better, we found more and more striking commonalities, from the very significant to the amusingly trivial -- such as having the same favorite Cuban-Chinese restaurant on the 95th and Broadway. After we met at NN12 in Providence, our friendship deepened, and we now talk on the phone regularly -- and regularly discover more and more bizarre coincidences in our lives, right down to having people in common with no logical connection to any of our activities: just sheer coincidence... like her having bought her house from a guy I used to work with back in the early '80s.
My life is much richer for having joined DKos and finding friends and community here, but even further enriched by my friendship with Denise, with whom I share aspects of my upbringing, political past, and activism that virtually no one else can relate to.
Every Sunday on the front page, and every week in Black Kos, Dee brings her formidable background and insights to all our histories and our causes. And every week, every post, is a treasure.
She is an inspiration, and the dearest of friends. When I grow up, I want to be just like Denise.
Yasuragi
Celtic Lassie's quilt
"Madam Cuz," " Miss Denise," "Twinnie," "Sis Dee." Our friend, mentor, role model, sister of the heart. She's an activist, artist, writer, film maker, Professor, grand-daughter, daughter, sister, wife, god mother, friend. And that does not begin to encompass Denise Oliver Velez. She's a music lover, Rosarian, two fingered typist, ancestor tracker, social scientist, chocolate lover, porch dweller, researcher, spirit sister. But even all that does not begin to embody Denise Oliver Velez. You have to go deeper than that.
I was sitting on the porch after a busy day after a long night, wondering what words of mine could ever do Justice to someone who has never given up on Justice, in spite of the far too many reasons for doing just that.
I was sitting in the rocking chair looking at the last thunder storm leaving the sky to sunset's first colors, thinking about a friend who never surrenders to cynicism or despair. I was moving to the familiar back and forth of the rocker, thinking about a heart that never gives up, even on those who treat her so badly. I've seen her do it - welcome with open arms those who for far too long had seen her only as a thing, something to disparage, to envy, to even hate. Then one day something happened. Something made them begin to see. They saw her inviting them in.
Her courage and grace takes my breath away.
She carries hope like a carefully sheltered candle in a cross ways wind. The wind never gets the best of her. The light always burns. She carries that light to each of us, a hope to kindle our own hearts and determination. She never gives up on us. She never stops believing that, together, we can move mountains. That is our "Madam Cuz," "Miss Denise," "Twinnie," "Sis Dee." Our Denise Oliver Velez.
Onomastic
True Blue Majority's quilt -- Callie would not stay off of or out of this one -- it felt good to her!
It takes time and material to make one of these quilts -- and it is a living for me and my sister. If, in addition to leaving a message, you would like to contribute toward the cost of making Dee's quilt here is a PayPal link -- or message me for an address should you prefer a check. $20/message is suggested -- but don't shy away from leaving a message if you can't afford that. Many people give more to cover for those who can't give money, only loving words -- and this is a crowdfunded thing that always works out. Trust in that!
ruleoflaw's quilt
See also these three posts about the community quilt project:
KosAbility: A Virtual Quilt for Sara and Ann, from Community Quilt recipients
We Have Something to Say to YOU, Sara R and winglion!
Community Quilt FlashMob Brightens up NN13
Community Quilt Testimonial Videos
remembrance
ramara
paradise50
shanikka
cskendrick
peregrine kate
Mrs Badger's quilt
Yasuragi's quilt, detail
Cedwyn's quilt
PAYPAL LINK FOR DENISE OLIVER-VELEZ' QUILT - THANK YOU!
From the comfort of Yasuragi's quilt, Boots says, "Thank you for supporting community quilts!"
Namaste.