1. American history is complex, messy, and not always a feel-good story. Lots of bloodshed and violence.
2. Christianity is complex, messy, and not always a feel good story. Lots of bloodshed and violence.
I think we need to be real that neither institution is absent of conflict and pain and heartache. I am still a Christian because I know Jesus is worth following. Likewise, I am still American for various reasons.
Transgender Day of Remembrance, is observed annually from its inception on November 20, 1999, to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia.
As a CIS gender white male, I choose to remember the injustice and violence against people who are seeking the universal values of life, liberty and happiness. I have never been the victim of violence of a transgender person. My life has been enriched by knowing transgender people.
They are often scapegoats of problems that they are not the cause of. Too many transgender people have lost their lives. It’s not right, they should be treated like fellow human beings who desire to live authentically in their own bodies free from fear.
In August, we went to Montana to visit family who live on the Flathead Reservation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The Pend d’Oreilles also call this land their home. It heightened my awareness of the Native American culture and contributions to the nation. November is Native American Heritage Month. It is a right and just thing to recognize this special time of recognizing and celebrating the ancient and proud peoples that called this land home well before Europeans. They have sacrificed much past and present, and their history is an important part of world history.
On Sun, Nov 2, 2025 don’t forget to set your clocks back to standard time. I hate moving the clocks back and forward, but in this case “gaining an extra hour of sleep” is not a bad thing.
The month of November has arrived. May we all come together in these days of uncertainty and struggle for many. Let’s hope for better days ahead. Peace and comfort to you all good people.
Sometimes the only thing you can blog about is what is in your heart, and that is sometimes influenced by what is going on around you. It’s all good to be authentic and to react to what you are feeling about stuff. I like posts like that and bloggers who tell the story they want to tell. With everything going on, it’s time to speak up and speak out. Our blogs are our platform.
The Tony Burgess Blog 