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Blog archive

September 2026

August 2026

Triumph Over Tragedy
08/31/2026

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained/Lost
08/30/2026

A Gallery of Neighbors: The Village Art Group’s Group Show
08/28/2026

A New and Improved Way to Stay Safer Online
08/28/2026

A Trip to The Geffen Galleries
08/28/2026

Barrier Free Living - A Path to Living a More Independent Lifestyle
08/28/2026

Conversations with Art
08/28/2026

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
08/28/2026

Member Connections with Music Conductor Bill Bing
08/28/2026

Pasadena Heritage Walking Tour
08/28/2026

In Their Hands
08/23/2026

Ease of Being: Managing the stuff of everyday life
08/20/2026

A Tribute to Fire Debris Remediators and Their Super-Sized Dump Trucks
08/18/2026

Really Irene?
08/15/2026

There Is A Risk
08/09/2026

2026 Year in Review
08/03/2026

A Message From Your Newly Elected President
08/03/2026

Neighborhoods Within the Village
08/03/2026

Reflection from PUSD Intern Isabella "Izzy" Roberts
08/03/2026

Reflection on Service & Joy from 2025/26 President Dick Myers
08/03/2026

The Villager Engagement Team Welcomed 54 New Villagers
08/03/2026

Treasurer’s Report
08/03/2026

What Activity! The Cultural Activities Team Report
08/03/2026

An Even Exchange
08/01/2026

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January 2026

An Example of Inherent Racism

By Lora Harrington-Pride
Posted: 07/14/2024
Tags: lora harrington pride

The son who is a building engineer, whom I wrote about before in the “slapping incident” at a civic center, is still experiencing racism on his job, which he has worked for 30+ years, only now he is 64 instead of 40. 

This time he was in the parking facility of the center, seated in a machine called a “Boom Lift”.  The lower part of the machine supports an extensive ladder-like apparatus which in turn holds a basketed platform, created to hold one man as he is lifted to building tops and lighting posts which loom into the sky; a very daunting piece of equipment.

My son, turned to find a white woman in her senior years, same as he, who excused herself and said, “This may sound silly, but my 15-year-old granddaughter wants to know if you know how to operate this machine you’re seated on.  Have you been trained, and are you licensed to do so?”  I told her that I didn’t know but I’d find out for her.  Are you?”

My son lowered his chin to his chest, smiled wearily and said, “Ma’am, we can’t go near a machine of this kind unless we are licensed to do so.  Do you know the liability this center would face if anything happened with the handling of this machine?  Do you know that insurance would not cover the unlicensed handling of this machine by anyone?  Ma’am, tell your 15-year-old granddaughter that she needn’t worry, I have been trained, licensed, and insured.  The center protects itself like that.”

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