Project: WAKE UP

Confessions of a 61 year old Dope Fiend

2009-01-13T17:41:00.000-08:00

I won’t sugar coat it…I’m a slave to the rock. No matter how hard I want to shake it, I can’t and quite frankly, deep down inside, I don’t really want to. When I hit that pipe, I enter my sanctuary, where all is well and I find stability and peace. You see, I know what to expect when I’m high. It’s when I am sober that I find life complicated and full of bull sh*t. I’ve been a fiend, officially for almost thirty years. I never thought it could happen to me. I never thought I could even be addicted. It took me years to realize or accept that I was even an addict. I realized denial was not a river in Egypt. I smoked a little reefer back in my teenage days. Who didn’t? Even when I went to Vietnam and tried heroin, I still had a sense of control(I thought). I had ambitions, dreams and drive. It was when I can home, and life truly smacked me on my ass that I found my escape also known as my excuse. I left America a boy and came back a man, husband and father. Not only that, but I returned to a new world of liberated black people screaming Black Power, a sexual revolution and had no clue on how I would fit into it. How can I grow up and take advantage of this new world but also be mindful of my current situation? I tried, I swear I did. I was going to be The Man! I had jobs lined up like you wouldn’t believe. I could write my own ticket. Success was at my footsteps. All I had to do was grab it. But to be honest I was scared. Call it self-sabotage…that’s what I do. At the time though I didn’t realize it. You see, when I got my first hit of the rock it was like…..man…I just can’t even describe it. But I can say is it lit up my life. But see its power is that it makes you believe, if only for a little bit, that you have control. I felt I could juggle my work, family and habit. But as success and pressure continued to chase me, the more I continued to chase drugs. Before long I was Mr. Unreliable. First to go was my business partner. He couldn’t take it and I can’t blame him for that. To think back now about what him and I could’ve become is shameful. Next to go was my family. I really wanted to be there for them. I wanted to be the man they wanted me to be. But sh*t, I was scared. Too much pressure. Being high was easier. My women kicked my out. Couldn’t handle my inconsistencies. At least my children didn’t know what I was in the beginning. Now that they are adults, they see me for who I am…a fiend. They still love me, this I tell myself is true, but I know they don’t respect me. How could they when I don’t respect myself. I have realized that they have never met their father. They have only met this shell of a man. They hear stories of this intelligent, charming, wise, and once handsome gentleman who everyone loved and who had enormous potential. At least that legacy lives on. However now and forever I will be that old, wrinkled, dope fiend. People say, “Sober up if not for you then for your kids”. How can I do that if I don’t want to? I know what I am doing is wrong, but I am a creature of habit and that habit is the rock. I believe in my heart I will always be a fiend. I have been for so long that I don’t know how to be anything else. I thank God that I at least picked strong women to raise my kids. I think about them all the time. I wish I could’ve been that father to them, but I don’t even know who I am. So I stand before you half man, half fiend, all real. I can’t wake up. This crack haze is too deep, too cloudy and too comforting. You’d be surprised how many there are like me. You can never envision the old crackhead. You think we either straighten up or die off. In many case we do. But this is my profession. This is what I do. I don’t know how many my tries I have left. My cat lives are running out. At least you will know that my intentions are as genuine as I am. Know that I never stole, never manipulated, never physically hurt another to feed my beast. I have and will continue to lay many emotional scars. These will be felt for many generations in my family. I have left an ever-lasting impact in the lives of my friends and family. But I know that the day I lay to rest will be they day I wake up. God will be my salvation. God will touch and save my soul. But since these earthy ties bind me today, I must return back to my sanctuary. So when you see that shadow lurking in an alley or street corner…..when you see that soul-less creature staring aimlessly on the street….when you hear of that father-less home…you hear about me. But this year will be different. I won’t be that 61-year old dope fiend any more …..I’ll be 62.

The "They Should've Never Gave You N*ggas Money" Disease

2008-12-12T13:27:00.000-08:00

There is an epidemic spreading across the land. From the east to the west, people are falling victim to this disease. It’s not contagious, but it is lethal. The disease that I am speaking of is the “They should’ve never gave you n*gga’s money”(TSNGYNM) Disease. Do not mistake this disease for the “Smelling yourself” Syndrome, because the two are alike in many ways. In 2008, there were many outbreaks of this illness. Left and right, our heroes were put to shame, embarrassing themselves and making their fans ashamed to support them. Before I go further, a disclaimer…..I know that these people are only human and as humans we make mistakes, however, since they are in the public eye, I will talk about them publicly. Maybe if they didn’t suffer from this illness, they might not have the issues that they do. Now, back to business…..

“They Should’ve Never Gave You N*gga’s Money” Symptoms include:
- An oversized Ego and/or speaking of yourself in the 3rd person
- Giving yourself a nickname
- Your first purchase is a chain
- Feeling you are above the law
- Detachment from reality
- Known by first name at the Strip Clubs
- Smelling yourself
- Addiction(optional)
- Own an illegal firearm
- Having the world in your hands and pissing it off because you feel superior
- Most important…Having money( or the appearance of)

The Victims
Flavor Flav- The most famous hype man of the greatest politically and socially conscience rap group ever, Public Enemy, our boy Flav has had a history of showing his ass. From being arrested on weed charges to reviving the Steppin Fetchit character on TV, our boy is a clear example of why they should’ve never gave him money.

Gary Coleman- Gary Coleman, Gary Coleman, Gary Coleman. Where do I begin? Saying he has a Napoleon Complex is an understatement. I don’t know if a decade has gone by without hearing about Gary Coleman attacking a fan of his, one of a few he has left. He is the poster child of drama and seems quite content in that role. Most recently he just ended up on Divorce Court with the woman he had been married to for a few months. Our boy went from an 80’s icon to a security guard to a reality star to advertising payday advance companies and now pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge. Diagnosis….Positive

Sean Kingston- New to the scene which shows how fast the disease spreads. After have a few hit singles Sean Kingston fell victim. First he went on few radio shows and said he had won the role of the Biggie in the upcoming Notorious film. LIE! Next sends his $500,000 chain (symptom) by Fed-ex to his sister with only $500 insurance and it came up missing. Its not that he just suffers from stupidity, it’s just that TSNGYNM.

Plaxico Burress- The whole incident sounds like a sketch from a comedy show. You hear that the brotha went into the club in sweatpants, had an illegal gun tucked in his pants and accidently shot himself?? Naw…he can’t be that stupid. Now because of this incident, he is looking at 3 yrs in jail, lost his signing bonus and may have jeopardized his NFL career. Prime example of how the disease will clout your sense of judgment.

Repeat Offenders
Michael Vick- Where do I begin…Ron Mexico and Herpes?? The water bottle with the hollow insides full of weed at the airport or the multimillion dollar contract he pissed off because of illegal dog fighting. Mike Vick is a sad example because he has so much potential as a professional athlete. He constantly made stupid mistakes it seems he felt that because of his stature and wealth, he could get away with anything. And time after time he kept getting caught. You want to blame it on stupidity. I blame it on the money and that they should’ve never gave that N*gga Money.

Honorable Mention: Marcus Vick (Michael’s Younger Brother) for ruining his chances of going pro by suspensions and drunk driving. He suffers from Second-hand TSNGYNM.

Michael Jackson- I think Chris Rock said it best…. “Another Kid?? Another Kid??” And that is just the beginning. We have all had the chance of watching Michael grow and change in front of our eyes. We saw this talented little black boy become a confused white woman. Michael Jackson is a testament of how fame and money can corrupt your soul and alter your essence. I wonder what Michael Jackson the 1st grade teacher, ok maybe not a teacher, but Michael Jackson, the used car salesman or business executive would be like? But what do I know, he may be very happy. What I do know is They should’ve never gave that n*gga money.

Now…My Personal Favorite……

Orenthal James Simpson- Doesn’t O.J. feel like apart of the family now. Like that uncle you always have to give a disclaimer about before you introduce him to people?? Our boy, YES OUR BOY, O.J. got acquitted of murder…of two white people no less…IN CALIFORNIA. Now whether you believe he did it or not is up to you to decide. All I know was that he proved that with the right amount of money, you can accomplish the unbelievable. This should be the beginning and end of this chapter. Money worked on his side. However….The media, Goldman’s, and Law Enforcement kept after P.J. trying to find anything to pin him on. You would think he wouldn’t slip up knowing this. But after his trial, a symptom hit….smelling himself. OJ got greedy, thought he could get away with being normal. It’s sad that he got arrested trying to reclaim his property that would have ended up going to the Goldman’s anyhow, but the manner he did it in. See, OJ was still spoiled by the invincibly that money gave him and that led to his demise. He will now spend almost the rest of his life behind bars because of his stupidity.

Honorable Mention:
Sean Combs- For killing Hip Hop
Terrell Owens- For Continuous Bitching
Kanye West- He is not a victim yet but has potential written all over him. Give him a few years.
The Cincinnati Bengals- Nuff Said
Katt Williams- Pressure bust pipes
Lionel Richie- Nicole Richie…nuff said

I write this not just in jest, but as a record of how fame and power and money can corrupt your sense of good judgment. Many of us would leap at the chance of having a piece of the success that these individuals have had. So it is disconcerting when you hear about someone blowing such an opportunity. The situations that these individuals have faced are not isolated, but the magnitude of what they have or face to lose is. No, money should not be sustenance to life, but unfortunately in today’s world it is. TSNGYNM is real. And in a way we are all to blame. We build celebrity up and make them into false idols. We adorn them with riches and give them exclusivity to everything. We allow them to believe they are better than us because in some ways we feel they are. So when you are constantly given the world and idolized, it in only natural to actually believe you deserve it. It always amazes me though that these celebrities forget that they were once normal people too. These will not be the last cases, TSNGYNM will continue to spread. This is just a PSA warning you of the epidemic. My recommendation is to prescribe a dose of “WAKE UP” and tell them to call me in the morning.

R.I.P Racism: The Death of the Race Card???

2008-11-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

November 4th, 2008, America elected its First Black President. History has been made. Many never thought they would see this day. Others marveled at the idea of how progressive America is and what this historic election means to the country’s future. However, another issue continues to linger: racism. Since President Elect Obama has won, I have heard reports that finally the ugly chapter on race has closed for this country. I have heard such reports that blacks feel vindicated for the years of injustice they have received and that blacks are now playing on an equal playing field. But how true or realistic are those statements. Are they insinuating that in the matter of 2 weeks, all of the racial prejudices and undertones have miraculously disappeared? Slavery is forgiven and forgotton?? And who are these people speaking on behalf of ALL Black People? One of my good friends made a great analogy about changing people and their perceptions on race. His analogy was this: Cows have been a commodity for humans for thousands of years. We view cows as farm animals that create milk and are used for food. Imagine that one day a law decrees that cows where equal to humans. How quickly could you change your perception of the cow from food to human? And not only that, would you instantly be able to respect that cow and offer it the same rights you do to your fellow man? I know that it is insulting to compare Black people to cows but for hundreds of years blacks were not viewed as human, they weren’t even viewed as a full being. How quick can you expect one’s view to change if it has taken 300 years for this country to elect a Black person for the nation’s highest position?? Now Women, Indians and Latinos are all serious candidates for any and all elections and positions in this country. Yes history and progress has been made, but you still have to scratch your head at the idea that it took so long for something that seems so normal. Instead of saying that Obama’s presidency has closed the book on racism in America and replaces our 40 acres and a mule, first, let’s not underestimate the importance of his election, and second, underestimate that racism is an ideology and that the two are independent. Some states are now looking to abolish affirmative action because they deem it unnecessary. Pump your brakes people! We are not there yet!. What I hope Obama’s presidency does is help erase stereotypes of Blacks and show that People of Color are normal and are able to manage and hold positions of power. The Obamas acting as first family will give the nation and inside view to something that it has been ignoring or overlooking: a positive black family. This racist ideology is not limited to whites. Many Blacks are racist towards one themselves and feel like they are unable to live outside their boxes. Obama represents what every man, black, white or indifferent is able to accomplish and leaves no room for excuses. This is a gift and a curse. A gift because it gives hope to a people who were disadvantaged and disenfranchised. These people felt like they were limited because if their race and the circumstances and conditions that come along with their race. Now there is no excuse and President Obama serves as an example for how men should conduct themselves and as a role model for young boys to look up to. It is a curse because it removes all excuses that People of Color have used in regards to being held back. Yes there are still boundaries; President Obama has not knocked them all down. But he did raise the bar and because of that, more is and will be expected from Black people. Will racial profiling still exist?? Probably. Will somebody not get a job or house because of the color of their skin?? Still Likely. But will the perception of race and the stereotypes that accompany it start to fade?? Yes…Eventually. So as we enter this new era and essentially a new identity, know that things have changed, but things are still the same. Racism is alive and will be for a while, however the expiration date on your race card is approaching fast. You will be held at a higher standard. NO excuses now, its time to step your game up. But do not mistake this as a concession. America still has a lot of work to do in regards to how it treats the Blacks and the oppressed. So let’s take President Obama’s win as an opening for an apology from this country and not forget that actions speak louder than words. Also…keep your card handy…just in case.

"Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate, than that these people are to be free; nor is it less certain that the two races, equally free, cannot live in the same government. Nature, habit, opinion have drawn indelible lines of distinction between them."

----Thomas Jefferson

Reality Check: Gay Marriage and Proposition 8

2008-11-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

California currently has a Proposition on this November’s ballot title Proposition 8. For those that are unaware, Prop 8 ELIMINATES RIGHTS of same sex couples to marry. Essentially what this means is that if this proposition passes, California will alter its Constitution to recognize marriage as a legal union between ONLY a man and woman. Now I know that this is a sticky situation for many people, and I will cross that bridge in a minute. I am a heterosexual female, so this does not affect me, but I do have many gay friends, including some that are legally married. But my issue isn’t being gay or straight. If you are religious and see homosexuality as a sin, so be it. My goal is not to change your views. However, my goal IS to change your logic. ELIMINATE RIGHTS?? Who do you think you are?? It is amazing! We are on the heels of the First Black President of the United States. This is something that was a dream, fantasy, unreal accomplishment, and we are 3 days away from it. 400 years of oppression and discrimination and CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS stating that black people weren’t even a full man, just 3/5ths and yet some of you would truly consider, if not already, taking away the rights of someone. They justify it with religious rhetoric or that same sex marriage will be taught in school. Once again, I must call bullsh*t! Parents buy their kids violent video games, purchase Britney Spears albums, allow them to know who Paris Hilton is, even go to schools where Creationism is taught and yet you are frightened that same sex marriage will be taught to your children as if A. Marriage is even taught in school, and B. that teaching same –sex marriage will then turn your child gay. Right…because all those other gay people roaming the state must’ve received that lesson is school or else why would they be gay?? It’s just ridiculous to me. It is equivalent to when the United States banned the marriage of interracial couples. It is just amazing to me how one can justify eliminating someone’s right based on THEIR beliefs. Ok, if you choose to justify your decision with religious beliefs, I ask you this. Would you eliminate the right of a woman to have a child because she is unmarried?? Sex before marriage is a sin, an equal sin, yet I hear no elimination of those rights because it is ridiculous. How would you feel if after Barack Obama wins, a Constitutional Amendment was passed barring blacks or anyone else of color to run for high office?? The founder of the Mormon religion believed that black skin was a curse from God and that white-skinned people were superior to black people and he believed this because God told him so. I say this because people would allow their beliefs whether you feel they are true or not to dictate their actions, many time very unreasonably. I really feel passionate about this and have to hold back emotion when talking with people who are voting for this oppressive proposition. People very close to me have voted for this proposition and I am sure many of my friends might disagree with my opinion, and we will have to agree to disagree. Evolve in your thinking! How will you truly be affected?? So you marriage license does not say man and wife…does that mean you’re not still man and wife?? And then to throw out the suggestion of “well if they call it something other than marriage I will be ok with that”….sounds a little like Separate but Equal laws to me and I am sure many of you Civil Rights babies can agree that it may have been separate but it definitely wasn’t equal. Allowing same-sex marriages will not cause the world to blow up, as a matter of fact, voting no for prop 8 will not be your death ticket into hell. But voting yes creates judgment and gives you power you are not entitled to have. You are telling our future generations that discrimination is ok. This is just the beginning. How long will it be before you are discriminated against?? So I ask that you calm down, move forward and WAKE UP. And PLEASE VOTE NO on PROPOSITION 8!!!!!

“The worst government is the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very tolerant and humane. But when fanatics are on top there is no limit to oppression.”
----Henry Louis Mencken

Did You Know??? Interracial Marriage became legal in the United States after the Supreme Court ruling of Loving v. Virginia on June 12th, 1967

November 5th...The Day after

2008-10-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

Its 1:30 am EST and after a night of uncertainty, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, ABC, CBS and every other major news outlet has called the election winner as John McCain. Somehow he pulled a miracle and not only won the swing states but won Pennsylvania as well. John McCain has 282 Electoral votes to Barack Obama’s 266. The country is shocked, anger is rising. Polls stated that Obama would win, without a doubt. The validity of polling doesn’t come into question, instead the validity of people’s true feelings about race and power have come into light. Tensions that have been boiling since Obama’s announcement of his running for President and the FIRST assassination plot against him are beginning to rise. For 20 months, voters, particularly of color, have had to witness the attempt of a political assassination of Obama’s character, family and intentions. The first brick is thrown through a window. The first innocent white bystander is attacked. Tears flow and fired begins to burn down buildings. Silently, whites celebrate and breathe a sigh of relief that Obama has not won the presidency. Now…how to contain the beast that was been let loose? This is the exact reason why we can’t have him in office, his people are unstable. John McCain is President…what next??

OR

Its 10:30pm and every major news outlet has called the election winner as Barack Obama. He has won the election 349 electoral votes to John McCain’s 189. History has been made. Barack Obama is the first Black President of the United States. Gun shots are being fired in celebration. People drink and a few excited folk go out at vandalize in celebration. This is a riot of victory. Some blacks feel victory over white people. It is OJ all over again…”We’ve won!!” Fast forward to 6:00am the next morning. The news reports that several burning crosses have been placed on the lawns of black residents and churches. The south is outraged and a race war ensues. Nationwide, people of color are defending the new president and his motives. 5 more attempted assassination plots are foiled. Tensions continue to build as the monster created at past political rallies takes to the streets and neighbors become enemies. One lone soul, out on a mission, makes a daring attempt on Obama’s life. The gun goes off……
I can hear you while you read this….”How Assumptive”, “What a play on stereotypes”, or “Those are exaggerated hypotheses”. However these are the only two hypotheses that I have heard and both infuriate me. Call me an optimist; call me unrealistic, it’s just that I am tired of people placing this whole thing in a box. Placing themselves, their race, and their futures in these boxes based on stereotypes and assumptions. If this race has taught us anything, it is that everything is possible. By believing in the stereotypes, by staying within the box, we as a people will never move forward. Why do you think that racism still exists?? Because people refuse to believe outside of their perceptions, regardless of what truths may be right in front of them. Also, people allow certain stereotypes to exist about them. We take offense when we hear that black people will riot whether Obama wins or loses, but we say it too!! Saying it just helps keep the stereotype alive and creates situations where it does come true because it is expected. “Well they knew something was going to happen, you know how WE do!” I guess my point is that people need to stop with the negative assumptions. “He’s going to be assassinated” , “The blacks will riot regardless” “White people will attack blacks” “Blacks will attack whites”, “I think the Bradley effect will cause Obama not to win”, etc etc. Now I am not naïve enough to believe that none of these probabilities are not possible. Just this morning the AFT foiled another assassination plot against Barack Obama and Emmitt Till’s murder site has been vandalized. I am very aware of the ignorance in this country. However, why accept that as the norm and why is no one outrage that is considered the norm?? Why is underlined racism ok?? And with that said, Why let these few ruin the moment for many?? We are living in history and we are so focused on what ifs?? Whatever that is going to happen will happen. We as a country will have to deal with it because on November 5th, one of these men will be named President. But it is up to us to control our thoughts, assumptions, and intuitions, and also attempt to influence those that may be stuck in that box. Once you free yourself you are able to see the entire picture, 360 degrees. Free yourself….wake up!

“What has also been lost is the idea that in this American story, each of us has a role to play. Each of us has a responsibility to work hard and look after ourselves and our families, and each of us has a responsibility to our fellow citizens. That's what's been lost these last eight years – our sense of common purpose; of higher purpose. And that's what we need to restore right now.”
----Barack Obama

The Big Black Elephant in the room

2008-10-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last week the McCain Campaign decided to switch its focus. After trailing in the polls, the candidate decided to go negative. Attack Obama’s character…that should work. He and his vice-presidential candidate tied Obama to terrorist and began an aggressive fear campaign designed to scare Americans from voting for Barack. They incited anger in their supporters by lying about Obama and his connections to terrorist organizations. Even though our country is progressive enough to elect a Black man as a presidential candidate, there is still and undertone of racism. When polled, some white people have admitted that they would not vote for Obama just because he was black. There is even a group of Blacks called “Blacks against Barack”, who are campaigning against him. So even though it is being sweep under the rug, the elephant is still in the living room staring us all in the face. Race is a HUGE issue. The only difference between the past racism and today’s racism is that words like “nigger” have been replaced by “terrorist” or “un-fit” or “that one”. Racism is not as obvious as it once was, which actually makes it worse. If a percentage of white voters actually admitted to not wanting to vote for Obama for being black, imagine those who have chosen to stay quiet. Now at McCain rallies, jeers of “Terrorist”, “Liar”, “Criminal”, “Kill him”, and “Off with his head” have been shouted when McCain mentions Barack Obama. This is very reminiscent to a lynch mob. All that is missing are torches, burning crosses, and white sheets. Racist epithets have even been screamed at black news crew workers who were covering McCain’s rallies. When deciding to go negative, McCain and Palin failed to realize that there is already an underline, unspoken fear of the Black Man. Barack Obama is running for, and is very close to obtaining the most powerful position in America. That is scary to some, whether they admit it or not. Now McCain and Palin have added fuel to a fire and they cannot put out so easily. recently, McCain was booed at his own rally for calling Obama a “decent man”. Decent!!! Now he cannot control his own supporters and now even his words fall flat. There is not enough damage control that can be done to control this mob, at least not by election time. McCain needs to humble himself and apologize for his words and actions. At least then he can concede with dignity. I commend Obama for (a) not playing the race card, and (b) acting with class. This man receives numerous death threats everyday and manages to walk out fearless and still go for the prize regardless of what he may face. It is almost a good thing that this box has been open because it shows to American that unsupported racism still exists and that it will take a Black President to help the country move one step forward.

Update: Congressman John Lewis called McCain and Palin out on their fear antics by saying "What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. [Sarah] Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse…George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama,". After hearing these comments, McCain had the nerve to say that he and Palin’s characters were being attacked and demanded that Obama repudiate Lewis’ comments. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? Am I the only one who feels like they are in The Matrix or the Twilight Zone?? McCain even has his conservative backers endorsing Obama due to his erratic behavior. Lewis couldn’t be any more correct and McCain must fess up to being the cause of this. And this is only the beginning of the foolishness. They are already attacking Acorn and while I cannot say that Acorn did some dishonest deeds, you better believe that voter fraud claims will be flying around. What is funny is that that would be the first time in the history of America, that anything had been rigged to favor the black guy!!! Anyhow…THANK YOU Congressman Lewis for stating the obvious. Maybe the majority will wake up and get it!

"Racism's still alive...they just be concealing it"
-Kanye West

Did you know??? A crowd of nearly 2,000 people gathered in Georgia in 1899 to witness the lynching of Sam Holt, an African American farm laborer charged with killing his white employer. A newspaper described the scene:

Sam Holt...was burned at the stake in a public road.... Before the torch was applied to the pyre, the Negro was deprived of his ears, fingers, and other portions of his body.... Before the body was cool, it was cut to pieces, the bones were crushed into small bits, and even the tree upon which the wretch met his fate were torn up and disposed of as souvenirs. The Negro's heart was cut in small pieces, as was also his liver. Those unable to obtain the ghastly relics directly paid more fortunate possessors extravagant sums for them. Small pieces of bone went for 25 cents and a bit of liver, crisply cooked, for 10 cents.

In the Land of Gobbility Gook.....

2008-10-03T17:39:00.000-07:00

I had a conversation today with a 50+ year old black woman, a woman from my mother’s generation. The conversation turned to politics which I was hesitant to discuss because friends can turn into enemies based on political views. I assumed, which was my fault, that being black, being raised in the Civil Rights era that this woman would emphatically stand behind the Obama-Biden ticket, but yet I heard her trying to justify to me the wonders of “Superwoman” aka. Mrs. Sarah Palin. After watching the debates last night, we discussed the outcome and to my conclusion, found out we were not watching the same debate. Sarah Palin is a ball of smoke, thrown in a corner to distract the viewer from what’s REALLY going on. And this woman, these women, is mesmerized by this distraction called a candidate. I asked her, would you rather have a Vice-President who looked good and has funny quirks rather than have someone that was knowledgeable and experienced especially given the state our country is in right now? Her response was that Palin was experience because of “all those things she did in Alaska and how she went up against her party and ended corruption.” That is when the conversation ended because she refused to believe outside of what she had been told and not what she knew. I can smell Fox News propaganda a mile away and it was obvious that this woman had been brain washed by that channel and I called her on it, not knowing she really did watch the channel. She went on to tell me how un-biased Fox News is and how hard the media has been on Palin…so I after I jumped back in my skin, I told her she needs to broaden her horizon on where she gets her political information. It amazes me that just because they call themselves “Fair and Balanced “that it is suppose to be true. Fox News is biased. But so is MSNBC. I don’t know if I am stating the obvious, but they are subliminally biased based off their color schemes. Fox News is red and MSNBC is blue. It’s that simple. But it doesn’t stop there because many media outlets are giving biased views on this election. The reason I mentioned the initial story was because it showed me that there are people easily persuaded by smoke and mirrors and will believe whatever they are told. It goes back to the Milgram Experiement which was an experiment proving obedience to authority. A Yale professor conducted an experiment to see if people would perform acts that go against their personal conscience and beliefs. Look it up: http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/ucce50/ag-labor/7article/article35.htm . What the experiment discovered was that people are willing to take orders or will believe what you say when the order comes from someone of authority. They will do so because the responsibility is not on them, it is on the “authority figure” that gave them the order. This is why politics, businesses, and the media are so corrupt. It is up to YOU, YOU, to find out the truth. If you believe what you are being told, you are a lemming. I have never 100% trust what is told to me by these people because of their track records i.e.: Tuskegee Experiment, Weapons of Mass Destruction, COINTELPRO. But it was up to me to inform myself from various sides on what the true story is. I am a Fox News viewer, as well as a viewer of many other news outlets, but that is because (a) I know how to read between Fox News’ lines, and (b) You always need to know what your opponent is talking about. And this goes deeper than this election, which is one of the most historic things I have experience. No, we must find out the truths. Go and find out if YOUR state is one of those states that will not allow you to wear campaign propaganda to the polls. Stop sending the emails and mis-information or else you are just as much a part of the problem as they are. You want to do something?? You want to change people views, then get the facts and spread the word. That is my motive right now. And on November 4th, I will be volunteering to take the elderly and disabled and whoever needs a ride to the polls. NO EXCUSES!!! This is my one step toward making change. What are you going to do?? Stop talking about…be about!! This is our time. Acknowledge this moment for what it is. These days, theses years, this decade starting with “Y2K”, has been one for the books. What story will you tell?? How will your history be remembered?? Remember the last one standing decides how history will be written. WAKE UP!!!!!

“The good teacher discovers the natural gifts of his pupils and liberates them by the stimulating influence of the inspiration that he can impart. The true leader makes his followers twice the men they were before.”
-Stephen Neill

Did You Know??? Ralph J. Bunche was the first African-American to win the Nobel Peace prize in 1950 for mediating the Arab-Israeli truce.

So Glad to be Broke

2008-09-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

So I am watching the news anxiously awaiting the results of the $700 Billion bail out vote. The headline says it did not pass 185-197. As a result, the Dow Jones dropped 600 points. Now I am not “financial market”-ly literate so if you need me to explain to you this situation, I can’t. But what I can tell you is the sh*t has hit the fan. Credit is frozen, money is so tight, and people, blue collar and white collar alike are panicking. I am worried about the state of this country but also a bit relieved. I am relieved because I am broke. I own no property, no stock, and no real investments. For years I had been kicking myself for not setting up my 401-k, not creating a stock portfolio, not owning real estate. I kept saying, when the time is right I will step my game up. GOD BLESS AMERICA. Its greed has put me and many of my colleagues in a position to take advantage of this market while it is on its knees. Yes a few of my wiser friends have been affected by this mess but we are all young enough and motivated enough to make it out. Now is the time people to learn the system. Get your money together and take advantage. Start working on repairing your credit now while it is unavailable. Start investigating what the real estate market will look like after this mess and see how you can capitalize on it. Buy these stocks while they are low. The market fluctuates. What goes down will eventually go back up. We are at the brink of having a black president. This is the time. Our window of opportunity is available, but be assure it will only be open for a short time. If you were down and depressed about being broke, don’t be. Create a plan of action to capitalize in the future. On Sunday, my pastor spoke of discrimination. He mentioned that discrimination ceases when the playing field is even. If you are hanging off a cliff, you don’t care what color, sexual orientation or religion the person is that is helping you. You accept the help. Well right now, black, brown, white, steel worker, banker, teacher, gay, straight, 20 something's, 50 something’s, all of us alike are struggling together. BROKE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE, UNITE AS ONE AND MAKE IT HAPPEN!!

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!

“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.”
- Jim Rohn

Did you Know??? WGPR-TV of Detroit, MI, the first Black-owned television station in the United States, began brodcasting on September 29th, 1975.

Child Abuse Vs. Department of Child and Family Services

2008-09-16T23:39:00.000-07:00

Child Abuse vs. Department of Children and Family Services

In June of 2008, my heart was pulled by a story of a 5 year old black boy who was viciously abused by his mother(http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jun/15/local/me-abuse15). This innocent little boy was severely malnourished, forced to sit in his urine and feces for days, burned on his hands, chest and genitals, tied around doorknobs and whipped. This happened for over a year. What could this little boy have done? What sparked such an evil side of his mother and her two friends accused of abusing him to do this. And most importantly, how come no one stepped in. There are so many things wrong with this situation. One of the most important is that it is not an isolated situation. All across America, maybe even in your family, there is a child being abused, but the abuse goes unreported. In the case of this 5 year old, friends and family of his mom knew of the abuse, some of them witnessed it, however they did not call the authorities. The reason is because of the assumption that the boy would be worse off being “in the system”. I am guilty of this thinking as well. For years you would hear about abuse and the de-humanizing experiences children faced in orphanages and group homes. It is the assumption, particularly in black communities, that being taken from your parents and entering a group home is the first stage of the “system cycle” which includes welfare and jail. I would also think of which situation I viewed as the lesser of two evils and figure that being with your parents would be the best option. I thought that by reporting child abuse, I would have to be questioned and go to court and become directly involved in something that might jeopardize my family or me and our lives and I could be completely wrong about the situation and had ruin someone else’s life. Unfortunately I have little faith in my government in helping the disadvantaged, particularly for people of color, which feeds into my neglect of doing anything about a situation I find harmful for a child. Just recently I saw a baby boy, maybe around 1 or 2 years old in a stair case with who I assume to be his mom and dad. His parents looked like drug addicts, the boy was filthy, snot nosed, and wailing. His mother made no attempt to comfort him and was holding him in such an awkward position that it looked like that could be one of the many reasons for his tears. I wanted to save him. I wanted to run over and tell her what she was doing wrong. I wanted to call the Department of Social Services and report what I assumed to be child neglect. But I didn’t, and it obviously is something I still think about. I think about his home situation. Did he eat today? Does he have clean diapers? Is he OK?? I didn’t call though because I didn’t know for sure what his situation was and didn’t want to stir the pot if it wasn’t necessary. But as I haunted my mind, and my thought referred back to the 5 year old boy I made a pledge to myself to make a call if I felt it was necessary. I will stay anonymous but I feel a tip wouldn’t hurt. Will I live up to this pledge??? Who knows. I hope I won’t have to be in that situation. What would you do?? Would you call or do you turn your head? What is your logic behind it?? Do you think the system will ever represent itself in a way where you would feel comfortable putting an abused child in it? Which is the lesser of two evils?? What if it was you? Just some food for thought.

"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for (good) people to do nothing."

-- Edmund Burke
Did you know??? 4 children die every day as a result of child abuse. 3 out of 4 of these victims are under the age of 4.

This Little Piggie Likes Rose Colored Lipstick

2008-09-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

By KYarbrough

Hey y'all,I know I am probably preaching to the choir on two fronts, 1) you're all very smart and 2) you are very likely to be quite familiar with American colloquialisms, but I want to do my part. Below I have links to factual news articles about common and recent uses of "lipstick on a pig" phrase; commentaries on it; and listings of the phrase dated years before this week's headlines. Pass it on... don't, but I urge you to be informed. We cannot base our decisions on scare tactics, propaganda, quips, or great oration. Think and vote.

Article CNN.comhttp://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/10/campaign.lipstick/index.htmlarticle Politico.comhttp://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Obama_Lipstick_on_a_pig.html?showallcommentary “Dallas News”http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/obamas-lipstick-on-a-pig-remar.htmlPhrase origins and references (you’ll notice these are all BEFORE Obama’s use of the phrase on Tuesday)http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=lipstick%20on%20a%20pig http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipstick#cite_note-6

The Daddy Issue

2008-09-10T02:10:00.000-07:00

I have met my father in the flesh. I have had many conversations with him. I can tell you most of his vital information. I could describe him in full detail (at least my last memory of him). And yet, I still have never met my father. The man I met was a shell of the man my mother once adored.This man, once a brilliant, charming, handsome, and educated man, fell victim to the trap and became addicted to drugs.But he was absent before his addiction became apparent. See, he had fooled me into believing that the man that I occasionally saw around the house, this man who resembled my father was indeed him. And when he would disappear and break dates, I believed it was me, not him, who had the problem.There had to be something wrong with me.Why else would he break his promise? So every time he flaked, and every time he gave me a reason, weeks later, as to why he flaked, I planned out my game on how to make sure daddy loved me and would want to be around me. I kept sizing myself up, think something was wrong, and every time forgiving him when he didn’t show, because next time he will get it right.He promised. He is my blood. Blood would never intentionally hurt you. For 22 years I lived by that creed. Allowing this man to walk in my life, get my hopes up, allow me to imagine being daddy’s girls, gave me comfort, and would yank it way as quickly as he came. It wasn't until I graduated college that I could finally let go of the idea of "daddy". However, it wasn’t until a year ago that I realized that I allowed this behavior to effect my relationships with men. #1. I didn’t have relationships for fear of getting too close to someone and being abandoned. There is nothing worse than heartache. #2 the “relationships” I did have were very unhealthy. They lacked any levels of commitment and I allowed myself to be dogged. I allowed the same behavior my father exhibited. I took the bull sh*t and allowed hazardous people in and out and in and out of my life hoping that at some point they would recognize how wonderful I am. I kept waiting and playing myself thinking that by taking this person or these people back in was the right thing because we had a “connection”In the end, I’d be left broken again, feeling like that little girl waiting on her father. I knew I had daddy issues but I didn’t realize they ran so deep. And once I realized that I was able to free myself of the oppressive chains that allowed me to accept the bullsh*t, I was able to see clearer and realize I was the problem because I was undervaluing myself. I'd like to add that I have a wonderful mother who provided for me and was the best mommy and daddy to me. But she was unable to heal the wounds my father left because I didn't tell her they were there. I hid my pain in hopes it would just go away, but it diverted into my sub-conscience and transformed into another beast. I am able to look at the old me now and not be ashamed because I had to be that person in order to grow into who I am now. I am no longer hold the “daddy issue” bag. However, many women in our society do. Single parents are the norm now. What's even more common is the absence of fathers. This absent, especially in the lives of girls, creates a woman with trust issues, with commitment issues, with self-esteem issues, with promiscuity issues… with DADDY ISSUES. They may not have all of them, but they have definitely dealt with a few. And what is even worse is that we, men and women, do not hold those accountable who do not take care of their kids. When CNN did their special, Black in America, there was a panel discussing the black family. Now first let me say that I am tired of these panels because it’s all rhetoric, never any true solutions. But Hill Harper, the author an actor who was on the panel made a good point: Hold these men accountable. If you have a male friend who has a child, ask him: When was the last time you spoke with your child? Saw your child? What type of role do you play in his/her life?If they can’t answer that question,come up with excuses, or say they haven’t, tell them you can’t hang with them until they step up. Yeah it’s not your business what the next man is doing, but the people you hang with are a reflection of you. Their character represents your character and beliefs. Hold your peers accountable. So in a way it IS your business. It takes a village to raise a child, but how can the child benefit if the village turns their back on it. Don’t try and change the cycle. Stop the cycle dead in its tracks. This issue transcends race. This is a universal plea. Don’t allow another child’s heart to break. Don’t allow another tear to be shed. And to the TRUE Fathers out there, whether they are with or not with their child’s mother, I commend you. Serve as an example. Influence those who aren’t as enlightened as you are. It is time for them to wake up!!

“Only the strong go crazy, the weak just go along” –Assata Shakur

Did you know??? Congressman John R Lynch, one of the first blacks elected to the Hpuse of Representatives, presided over the Republican National Convention, September 10th, 1884