Underrepresented Maybe, Certainly Not a Minority

Les and Moore Speak
by
Aris Winger
www.dcsouth.com

Les and Moore went for a walk
Les thought “It’s time for that important talk.”
He knows that now is the time
To express the pressing issue on his mind.

“When in all the history of this society
Has the victory gone to the minority?
Never! Certainly not here in this country
Where all is dictated by the majority.”

“So when the majority gets to choose
It seems the minority is destined to lose.”
Les tried to contain his sadness
But that emotion was tempered by a subtle hint of madness.

“Please Brother Moore tell me I’m paranoid
that all of my suspicions are really null and void
that when you view me as a minority
that it’s not some helpless bum that you see.”

Moore was taken a bit by surprise
But knew Les was serious by the look in his eyes.
Moore then told his brother what he thought was fair.
All the while showing that he really cared.

“Minority is just a term referring to a number.
In no way does it mean that you are dumber.
I don’t say “minority” to hurt your pride.
I love you because of what’s inside.”

Les breathed easier and felt proud
That he could say how he felt to his brother out loud.
Given this, there was one last simple task.
To reveal the question he always wanted to ask.

“Moore could you do me a favor, please?
Could you stop referring to me with the term ‘minorities?’
I know my pain is not your intention
But as I just explained, I find the term offensive.

This is not just a numbers game
Of whose greater, fewer, or the same.
It’s really about the percent.
It’s so low that we have little chance to represent.

We certainly are not a high percentage of success.
Have you taken the latest inventory of Congress?
You may see us in the latest video
But would find it difficult to find us as a CEO.

So please Moore, know that I am underrepresented.”
Upon hearing this, Moore understood and relented.
“I am sorry,” he said and he meant it.
The brothers hugged, feeling content with it.

This can happen if we really talk
About the things that usually make us balk
The discussion may be hard and bring a tear.
But the road to progress starts with being sincere.

Working Class Blacks Work It Out

Understanding the power, privilege, and difference that is afforded to white citizens and workers in the United States is essential to grasping the frustration and suspicion of Black citizens and workers. It is impossible to comprehend the impact of capitalism without acknowledging how racism informs our economic system. Yet, for some of us working class Blacks economics, social status, and even race do not define who we are or how we live.
Analyzing the Black working-class removes the anomalies of those too few Blacks who truly fit into the socioeconomic middle and upper middle class or the even rarer wealthy Blacks. It also takes out of the equation those Blacks who due to myriad reasons are no longer working or seeking to work. Limiting our discussion in this manner allows a more focused analysis than to take a monolithic approach or a multifaceted study.
As a Black woman nearing the half century mark, I have been exposed to Blacks in various socioeconomic statuses; however, I myself have never lived beyond the bounds of the Black working-class. Yet, it has always fascinated me that those studying the social patterns of people often do not realize that it is misleading to apply the same labels or class identifiers to all people. Often the Black working-class considers themselves middle class and indeed they live like it. The difference for this group than whites in the same economic status is the formal and informal social support systems developed to sustain their families and communities.
I have a large extended-community family, which results in innumerable resources. While I was a child we shared in poverty together: housing, food, clothing, and care were shared. As each of us were educated and took occupations we shared our talents, treasure, and time with one another in much the same way that our parents shared houses and cars. While some of us obtained more professional positions than others, we all had excellent pediatric care for our children as one of our "play cousins" became a pediatrician. She treated all the younger "play cousins" regardless of insurance coverage. Those with no insurance coverage bartered with her for services she needed personally or professionally.
Similarly, a few "play cousins" became barbers or stylists and even those of us working minimum wage never went to work looking unkempt. Many Blacks I know share similar histories. Indeed, I know of families who have legally given custody of children to an adult with benefits while retaining physical custody of their children. In this way the children were able to obtain benefits or college aid while providing financial assistance to a family member in a higher tax bracket.
The Black working-class as a group is characterized as industrious and innovative, many of the Black working-class leave wage-earning jobs after their shifts to continue working in self-operated service business. Many of these entrepreneurs operate service businesses that are similar to the services performed by slaves and later domestics and handymen. However, the significant difference is that now these people determine how and when they will work and for what price.
In my experience it is the Black working-class that works in the labor industry, their homes, and their communities. It is because of their determination to work to obtain a better life for their family that they are drawn into movements to end economic disparity, racial inequality, and labor discrimination. Too often the Black-working class has not been seen as essential, intelligent, and qualified to lead or even to work as equals.

I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman

I had no model, being born in Babylon, both non-white and a woman.What did I see to be except myself? So I made it up, right here on a bridgebetween star shine and clay, my one hand holding the other. Oh, come andcelebrate with me, that everyday something has tried to kill me …but it has failed. (Lucille Clifton)

Black women have and continue to provide evolutionary as well revolutionary visions for themselves. Ours is an overlooked, under-considered, and undefined position - yet it is always a position below, a step behind, a dollar short, and marginalized.

I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.

When I consider the expectations for women of color and then observe the women who excelled beyond race and gender, I realize there are no barriers unless I set them.

I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.

Reading the powerful and provocative words of women who were not supposed to read or write. These women whose voices were regarded as valueless, I am inspired to learn more that I might speak with understanding.

I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.

Feeling the spirit and awe in the sculptures, sketches, and paintings of women regarded as barbaric births creative appreciation in my spirit as I see my innermost twinges depicted before me.

I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.

Watching scientific sisters ready themselves for space, surgery, and safari, I am gratified that knowledge is neither race nor gender based.

I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.

Sitting in the home of Black wives and mothers who create the refuge and sanctuary from a society that is so cruel, I am hopeful that we will continue to achieve what others doubted we even dreamed.


I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.

I so love the camaraderie, the complexion, the conversation, and the consciousness that comes from being a Black woman…living life, learning and loving the challenges that come to me because I am a Black woman. Challenges that cause me to rise and overcome without example or expectation and knowing when I do my sisters from the ancient of days through all eternity will celebrate.

I find strength and hope in my position as a Black woman.

What Happened to Neighborhood Stores?

Between 1950 and 1980, the corner shops sold groceries, did dry cleaning, was barber & beauty salons, laundromats and restaurants. Someone in the neighborhood worked on houses, fixed cars, planned weddings, and sold fish dinners. The children sold cookies, lemonade, newspapers, did shoe shines, etc. All of these things kept the money within our community and prepared the next generation to do the same. What happened? Well here are some thoughts: it was easier for someone else to do it, we lost belief in the ability to do for ourselves, and we lost our opportunities when they were staring us straight in the face.

We have been complaining for some time now about store owners disrespecting us in our own communities and being displaced when there is urban renewal. But, this does not have to continue. Consider trying just a few things to reclaim those corner stores:

• Start a side business or just take that existing hussle and grow it. Who knows, your sales may require you to go into a store front or office.


• If you stay home-based, make sure you are taking advantage of those additional tax deductions.


• No business ideas? Consider a multi-level marketing way to start. There are so many options now


• Take advantage of the FREE business training offered by the government and non-profits. I have used these services for many years. Find your local Small Business Development Center- as a start.


• Have your children be creative and earn the spending money for things they want. Instead of buying them that designer jacket, tennis shoe or electronic gadget, they can buy it themselves and develop some business skills at the same time. Need some ideas, look up the local Kidpreneur program or get your local business community to start one.


• Buy your house instead of renting. The market has slowed down, what a perfect time to see if you can own something for the same amount as your rent payment.
  Let's maintain our strength in the community. Communities must recycle. Put off gentrification, as much as possible.


• Buy the building that you currently run your business out of. No-one can displace you, in fact, if you or your business needs a break, you can rent to someone else. I am moving to Philly shortly from DC and am surprised at the opportunities to purchase there

I say, reclaim those corner stores! What do you think?

Prophet or Perpetrator?

An Open Letter to Bishop James David Manning

Bishop James David Manning in his space and his own words...

The Great Palace of WorshipMission Statement: Almighty God has called and destined Pastor James David Manning to stand on this magnificent stage to reach the leaders of this world. This palace with its ornate beauty, splendor, and presence of God will attract leaders in the field of ministry, politics, education, and worship to seek a Word from the Lord. The Great Palace of Worship inspired by the power of Almighty God working through the teachings of Pastor James David Manning, will be the platform used to preach the healing and cleansing power in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ to the nations of the world.

An Open Letter to Bishop James David Manning:

I write out of concern about the many viral, poisonous, and provocative videos posted on your website as well as youtube.com. After prayerfully reviewing the clips sent to me by others, I reviewed the website maintained by your organization and was disturbed by the level of toxicity and venom from which few are spared. What I did notice lacking was any biblical basis for your vicious videos. For example, the attack on Bishop TD Jakes and other men who dance in the Holy Spirit misrepresents the presence and power of the Holy Ghost. Your position is that there is no basis for men to dance in such a way; however, we lack visual documentation of ancient praise and worship services and fellowships so this is your personal determination which lacks biblical support.

• 2 Samuel 6 - David leaped and danced with such joy until he came out of his clothes. King David was a man who praised God without pretense and God rewarded King David for his unabashed love and public displays of joy in the Lord.

Multiple presentations deride Senator Barack Obama and personally attack him. This sir is a breach of Christian conduct. Jesus provides us with barometers to examine our attitudes, behaviors, and conversations to determine if we are abiding with Him or aiding and abetting the enemy. The simplest of these is found 1 John 3:14 - We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.
You must understand sir, that irregardless of how any Christian feels about Barack Obama...to attack his parentage or any other personal trait without basis is a reflection of our spiritual immaturity. Barack Obama has confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as his LORD and Savior and none of us is able to judge him as anything less than a servant of Christ.

NOTE: Jesus Christ selected the twelve disciples and prior to Judas revealing himself as the ultimate betrayer he was known as a thief - yet there is no biblical indication that Jesus nor the other disciples disparaed the man, his mother, or his motive in other matters in such a vicious and vile manner as you have done to Senator Obama. (John 12:4-6).

I am in no means insinuating or implying that Senator Obama lacks integrity; however, I am sharing this scripture to demonstrate that even when a believer is wrong there is a way to correct without castigating.

Ignorance is not bliss. Arrogance is in opposition with love and grace. Ignorance and arrogance are a dangerous combination; when these evil elements are mixed and vehemently spewed from behind a pulpit they become toxic seeds that breed dissension, distrust, and deep rooted poison veiled as prophetic preaching.

The Bible teaches to avoid the imbecelic rantings that mark the immature Christian and miniature intellectuctual. However, there is a time when we must stand and rebuke those who transgress so that others will not follow the moronic message. This is especially true when the one engaging in this viral lunacy misrepresents himself as minister of the Christian gospel.After reviewing the video clips, studying the Word, and praying...I am fully persuaded now is the time to present this corrective communication.

I publicly present this letter because you have engaged in a public tirade disguised as preaching and teaching. Sadly, I must disavow the videos provide any beneficial content or exposition. Indeed, it appears to be a most selfish indulgence of personal pettiness and public attention-seeking veiled with the pageantry and venacular of religious tradition. Sadly, many look at these clips and fault Christ and the Body of Christ - if I must - I shall be the voice of reason seeking to restore you and reconcile you, if that if your desire.

Work hard so God can approve you. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid godless, foolish discussions that lead to more and more ungodliness. 2 Timothy 2:15 - 16

1. dereliction of duty - the key responsibility of one called to preach is teach and preach the uncompromised gospel to the glory of God and edification of the people of God. Preaching is a privilege and responsibility that requires prayerful and purposeful interaction with God. Preachers must sacrifice preferences and prejudices to immerse themselves in the Word of God and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal unto them the will of God. Your attacks on Obama have not been supported by scripture and do not reveal the love of Christ of fruit of the Holy Spirit.



2. distracton of the Body of Christ - the Body of Christ is called to work to fulfill the will of God. Review Ephesians 4:17-32, and pray for the Holy Spirit to teach you and give you and understanding of this passage. Be especially mindful of Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. When you speak those things which do not glorify God or edify the people of God you do the Body a disservice. Time spent carrying out the Great Commission now must be spent clarifying the confusion and chaos you have presented. Before you engage in mental masturbation from the pulpit to satisfy your own need for attention ask yourself how you strayed so far from the ministry of Christ...so far from the will and love of God? No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12; If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1 John 4:20



3. and sowing discord among the brethren - this is one of the seven listed things which the Lord hates, review Proverbs 6:16-19. God created us in His image, we ought to bear some resembalance and carry some traits of our Father in heaven. In days like these we need to come together not to cause division - see Hebrews 10:23-25. Now is the time to provoke one another to good works.

Mr. Manning, it is my prayer that you receive this communication in the concern and Christian love in which it is written. I understand that ministers have a heart to see the people turn to God - redemption and salvation in Jesus Christ is essentially and eternally important. However, the message of ministers must be that God is pure and righteous; otherwise, we are not preachers of the gospel but pundits or gossips.

My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father-that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me. John 17:21

Let us be about the ministry of reconciliation and equipping the believers to do the work of the church. As leaders we should lead the way in living according to the Word of God. As preachers we have a higher calling...let us live so God can use us and people can follow us as we follow Christ.

Moreover, preachers will be held accountable for misleading the sheep of God's pasture if we fail to feed them adequately or lead them appropriately.

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Jeremiah 23:1

Like all believers we will give an account for what we say.

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36

Be careful not to be given to or overtaken by The Spirit Of Diotrephes.
How can you, Brother Manning and others identify this spirit?

• Those overtaken by this spirit engage in malicious gossip


• Overzealous and self-appointed leaders castigate those believers with whom they differ?


• The insatiable desire for preeminence that prompts leaders to reject biblical teachings concerning brotherly relations and to engage in malicious gossip, salacious attacks, and attention-seeking public escapades
  

Brother Manning there are many other confirmations that the spirit of Diotrephes is working through you...I have observed these three. However, the Holy Spirit is greater and you can yet be delivered by repenting in the name of Jesus Christ.

There is no need to respond to me, Mr. Manning. My prayer is that you examine yourself and line yourself up with the Word of God asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you what you should do restore yourself. I shall be in prayer for you, as I am for all believers. We are all one Body and we are only whole when each part is whole. May the power of the Holy Spirit rest, rule, and revive you.

Respectfully,
Pastor Kelly Oglesby
Peace and power are in Jesus Christ alone!

"Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart. You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don't pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles. A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. Matthew 7:15-20 NLT

"I come to this with a lot of interesting talents..."Mrs. Michelle Robinson Obama

"The double jeopardy of being black and female in a racist and sexist society may well make one less afraid of the sanctions against success. A non-subservient black woman is by definition a transgressive- she is the ultimate outsider." Mamphele Ramphele

Michelle Robsison Obama is leading the way in demonstrating how we, citizens of the United States, can best advocate and support Barack Obama's pursuit of the presidency. She has no example or role model to which she can look or cull wisdom borne of their own experience.


Michelle Obama has opened her marriage, family, and life to America; for the future of our nation she has put aside her immediate life: career, volunteerism, and personal interests to invest herself in the democracy of our nation and future of the global community. While maintaining a loving supportive partnership with her husband in parenting and politics she has enthusiastically greeted supporters, staunchly listened to and graciously responded to critics, and managed to maintain a smile that reveals a sense of peace that comes from being grounded in faith.


Michelle Obama has refused to ignore the challenges that come with gender and racial bias; she like her husband have broached the topics that divide us in an endeavor to unite us. Political foes have called the Obamas delusional race baiters and others have ridiculed them for having delusions of unity in the midst of diversity. Yet, Michelle Obama has risen day after day to continue teaching us that we must dialogue even when others dismiss our ideas and ideals.

We really are 15 countries, and it's remarkable that each of us thinks we represent the real America. The Midwesterner in Kansas, the black American in Durham - both are certain they are the real American. Maya Angelou

Michelle Obama has endured the skewering of her pastor and husband. Pundits assert only neglectful or worse parents would have exposed their children to the remarks of their pastor and the reaction of some of the congregants. Yet, Michelle Obama has stood with her husband and continued their efforts to win the nomination of the Democratic Party with integrity. The continued strenth of character exhibited by Barack Obama is the result of a loving, prayerful, compassionate, and intelligent wife who not only shares his vision but has the gifts and talents to support the vision of Barack while working to manifest her dream of an America that will see her daughters more clearly than it has ever seen their dear mother or our brave foremothers.



Michelle Obama understands that to be an advocate for women does not mean she is an enemy of men. Likewise, to share her perspective on the reality of racial and gender relations in America is not refusing to acknowlede and honor the racial and gender equities that have been achieved by persons uniting into movements to create a more perfect union. She has taken this season of politics to give us eudcation on what has been, what is, and more importantly what can be America. If it is beautiful, is up to us.

Anything that is as old as racism is in the blood line of the nation. It's not any superficial thing--that attitude is in the blood and we have to educate about it. Nannie Burroughs

Michelle Obama epitomizes the greatness of America. In this nation that is a union of fifty states, comprised of innummerable ethnicities, multiple socioeconomic conditions there is the beauty of potential. Opportunity is not always equal, life is not always fair...and yet in this young nation that has changed so much and often by resistance, revolution, protest, movements, and people banding together to overcome the shortcomings. While our nation was created with documents that were based on the Magna Carta those documents marginalized women and minorities; through amendments, legislation, and other tools of modification we have dared to envision a more perfect union throughout our history.


Let us be mindful to protect the freedom of speech, including Michelle Obama's right to freedom of speech. We are the land of the free and home of the brave...America can withstand self-examination, questions, critiques, doubts, fears, lamentations. Michelle Obama is but one shining example of the possibility of our citizens to move from marginality to marvelous.

The fact that the adult American Negro female emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence. It is seldom accepted as an inevitable outcome of the struggle won by survivors, and deserves respect if not enthusiastic acceptance. - Maya Angelou

Michelle Obama...I can only speak for myself; I am a Black woman, I am educated, I am a mother of sons and daughters, I am a Christian, I am a registered voter, I am a wife, I am a sister, and much more. With all that is within me as an American, I say to you "asante sana!".

Women and Black Hair Stylists

It is currently 7:40pm and I am sitting under a hair dryer. I have been at the hair salon since 4:00pm today. The longer I sit here, the longer I begin to ponder the question: "How long should you really spend getting your hair done?" I thought about all of the other things I do in life and the amount of time it takes to complete them. Working out - 90 minutes. I'm talking about a full body workout which includes cardio. Eating out- I can go to a restaurant and (even with a wait) be in and out in less than two hours. Church - I get a sermon, songs, and a prayer in 2 hours or less. (If I go to my Episcopal Church, they also throw in communion each Sunday and we're out in about an hour) Get R Done! A trip to the doctor for my annual physical - now docs aren't always on schedule, but once you get back in a room most of the attention is focused on you. I'll give it 90 minutes max. Still, nothing mentioned is close to four hours!

So, is it me? Is my hair that messed up? The last time I looked in the mirror I didn't think I had the nappiest 'do around. I mean, I don't have a lot of Indian in my family, but my hair does have potential. I don't get color, a weave or micro braids. Why? Why? Why? My hair isn't even thick so you can't blame it on the dryer. I will give some time to the fact that I got a relaxer. However, the other women I work with get their hair done during the workday. Most go to the salon downstairs. It is so amazing. They go downstairs at 10:00am and by 10:30am they are back upstairs looking fabulous. I didn't know 30 minutes and hair could be used in the same sentence!

Well, I looked at the color of my skin and compared it to my co-workers. I realized I was much darker than them. Is this a racist thing? Is there a conspiracy going around to keep black women in one area for an extended amount of time? Did black men plan this is order to have extended peace and quiet at home? I just don't know the answer. I asked some of my friends their thoughts. Some said they think black beauty salons take so long because folks are gossiping and you go in knowing you'll be there all day. Some said it's the speed of the stylist. Others think it's the price you pay for your service and that if you're willing to pay more, your wait will be less. I still had no clear answer so I asked my stylist her thoughts. She said that part of the reason it takes us longer is that our hair texture is different than our counterparts so most styles require us to sit under the dryer. She also said our counterparts can also take lengthy times getting a new do if they get color or some other process and usually when they are in/out quickly it's because of a quick hair cut or style. What she said made sense, but I don't know. I mean, I love my hair when I leave the salon and my stylist keeps it in great condition. But there has to be a solution. My hair is precious, but at the same time so is my time. I shouldn't have to spend a 1/2 day of work just to look presentable to the world!!

What will we be doing forty-five years later...August 28, 2008?

"If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves and allow those responsible to salve their conscience by believing that they have our acceptance and concurrence. We should, therefore, protest openly everything ... that smacks of discrimination or slander."

Mary McLeod Bethune

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

Racial discrimination is alive and permeating the global community. As an Black citizen in the United States of America, I am concerned with how this nation is upholding, advocating, and supporting racial equality and eradicating racial injustice within our socioecnomic sytem.
A review of the United Nations assessment on America's progress in this area reveals that this nation is not yet brave enough to take the steps necessary to create a nation that is truly the land of the free. Read and review for yourself at United Nations web site.

Racism in America is not resolved because we as a nation refuse to come to the table and look at the historic development and present sustainment of racism. An honest dialogue cannot be had when the terms are pre-defined and the outcome pre-determined. We must be willing to remove all vestiges and verbage of discrimination.

We cannot hold ancient documents more precious than human dignity. America needs to form a Racial Repentance and Resolution Forurm. This body would begin the endeavor of creating a more perfect union by having founding documents of colonialism and racism removed and call for the drafting of documents that create a society that is not built on racism or patriarchy.

The uplift of women is, next to the problem of the color line and the peace movement, our greatest modern cause. When, now, two of these movements-woman and color-- combine in one, the combination has deep meaning.
WEB DuBois

Continuing to add to documents that were wretchedly and patently discriminatory in their creation does not transform those documents to egalitarian. We cannot recreate using the same pathetically flawed reason and expected to reach conclusions that will be reasonable and right.
In America in the new millenium Blacks experience disparity is social and physical ills. Our generations suffer from Post Traumatic Slavery Syndrome, and Racism Denial Disorder to the point that even some Blacks have begun to believe the delusions fed to them by mainstream media and society. Sadly, some of us have become so desensitized to the vernacular of racist code that we do not recognize or translate the meaning. For example, the encouragement for Blacks and other minorities to adopt and adapt to 'American Values' = Assimilate.

There is also a faction of Blacks refusing to assimilate who are just as toxic because they want to hold the community of Blacks hostage to the past and demand that we as a race stagnate. These confused souls want us to hold on to the dear and departed leaders and their practices as if there is no possibility of new generations bringing forth dynamic, intelligent, and focused leaders for the present. We honor the past; however, we must embrace, uplift, support, and respect those rising from our communities to lead our community beyond the point that Medgar, Malcolm, and Martin left off -- far too early.


Our children are more likely to experience incarceration than education, our health is impeded by capitalistic system that denies health insurance by sending our jobs overseas or refusing to create jobs with living wages and benefits in our own nation. Our communities suffer economically and ecologically as businesses flee the urban core leaving huge plants and waste in our neighborhoods and our people unemployed.


The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place in Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963. What will we be doing forty-five years later...August 28, 2008?

The revolution is at hand, and we must free ourselves of the chains of political and economic slavery. The nonviolent revolution is saying, "We will not wait for the courts to act, for we have been waiting hundreds of years. We will not wait for the President, nor the Justice Department, nor Congress, but we will take matters into our own hands, and create a great source of power, outside of any national structure that could and would assure us victory." For those who have said, "Be patient and wait!" we must say, "Patience is a dirty and nasty word." We cannot be patient, we do not want to be free gradually, we want our freedom, and we want it now. We cannot depend on any political party, for the Democrats and the Republicans have betrayed the basic principles of the Declaration of Independence.
Martin Luther King 8-28-63

In Her Shoes

My mother passed away from Ovarian Cancer on May 23, 2006.  It was exactly five years to the date that she was diagnosed at Stage Four.  She was very involved with the community and was one of those women that left a lasting impact on your life if you all came in contact.  Late last summer, I received a phone call from The Center For Women and Families.  They wanted to honor my mother at their annual “Women of Distinction” banquet and wanted me to accept the award in her memory.  I instantly agreed.  For the next several months I collected various artifacts, pictures and footage of my mother for the video they would compose.  At times it was stressful to think about what she would have wanted said/shown about her for the award.

I didn’t honestly realize the magnitude of the award until a couple of weeks before the presentation.  In the 20 years of the award, my mother was the first woman to be honored posthumously.  If only it were that simple. With talks of her and the wonderful contributions she gave to our society, ALSO came this talk about this fantastic daughter that she has who is following in her footsteps and giving back to the community in her own ways.  During those weeks, with each mention of my mother’s award came words about me and the similar characteristics she and I share.

My uncle drove down from Michigan to be my official escort for the program. I knew I in some way wanted to physically represent my mother at the banquet.  So, I put on a pair of her gold shoes and matched it with her gold earrings.  I was literally in her shoes.  If you know me, you know I’m not one to easily tear up and get emotional.  However, as I stood in front of the thousand seated guests and Denise Troutman-Vasquez made comments about my mother (and then me) I realized that this was the official passing of the torch between my mother and I.  It was an emotional and spiritual moment.  I came close to breaking down in route to the front, but I held my head high with the dignity and grace my mother always showed.  

The banquet was beautiful and many of my mother’s closest friends were able to attend.  The video they made of my mother included an interview she recorded less than a month before she died.  I wasn’t sad while watching it, I smiled with pride.  I favorite moment of the video was the footage they showed of she and I doing the electric slide.  Her memory lives on and my life continues.  I would say that I have large shoes to fill, but actually they are just the right size!!!

Click here to watch the video that was composed.

Senator Obama and Pastor Wright

As a pastor of the Christian gospel and a black woman, I feel uniquely qualified to offer a perspective on the current conversation. Particularly, since I have purchased and listened to tapes of Pastor Wright at length and repeatedly as well as read some of the church publications. Indeed at one point in time my husband, who is also an ordained minister and pastor considered joining the denomination.

Pastor Wright is an experienced and learned man of the gospel and the world. Jesus never calls anyone to serve for their perfection but for their willingness to humbly serve. Pastor Wright has demonstrated he mourns for the "least of these" in sermon and service. The call of a pastor is not make the world more comfortable.

Pastors, all pastors chosen of God, are called to persuade, compel, and cause humanity to recognize their preferences may indeed be prejudices when aligned with the principles of God. Moreover, pastors must awaken their generation from apathy and contentment that they might pursue purposes greater than their present need and beyond their personal greed.

Lastly, in America there is a historical and contemporary issue of race that permeates the culture which includes the religious life. Christians do not measure their relationship with God on religious traditions, trends, or talk but on the truth of the word of God. We recognize that the vessels chosen by God bring their experiences and emotions with them; pastors are working out their own salvation as they are leading us in the God-given vision. We can accept a pastor who is not 100% of what we believe because our faith is in Jesus Christ and Christianity is based on a deep and abiding personal relationship with the Lord. Barack Obama cannot leave his church-home or pastor until God directs him to do so.

For all we know God has Senator Obama there to show Pastor Wright a more excellent way.

Are you a slave to debt?

Are you a slave to debt?

If you do not know what is on your credit report, then you do not know if you are debt slave or not. Harriett Tubman knew it was impossible to free slaves who were not aware that they were indeed slaves...

Far too many in our community ignore the cost of debt and the calls of debt collectors. Money management or money mismangement is the legacy we hand to the next generation. Our children learn their fiscal habits from us. They are aware of our habits of shuffling cards, ignoring and blocking calls, and stacking mail we have no idea of how to or intention of learning to deal with so we can live in peace.

Many of us assume since we do not make a lot of money there is nothing that we can do. That is not true. We can to small but regular steps to establish money management skills that will improve our sense of physical well being and our fiscal health.

One suggestion I make to kin and friend is to check their credit reports each year as they prepare their tax returns. Thanks to legislation we are able to obtain one report that is aggregated from all three major reporting agencies annually. Apply tax refund, job bonuses, or raises towards paying off lingering debt. If you find errors invest the time to contact the credit reporting agency and the creditor and identify the error with as much detail as possible and ask for a correction. This annual check up is a good basic step. Click here: AnnualCreditReport . Once we have our debt diminished we can become investors and savers which empowers us to become independent in pursuing our dreams and helping others.

Know what is on your report. Know where your money is being spent. Know where your money is invested. Knowledge is power. Know who to turn to for help and knowledge as you learn to become a money master rather than living as a debt slave!

I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves." - Harriet Tubman

African American Women as Political Participants

African American Women as Political Participants

African American women are challenged by the intersections of race and gender when seeking to participate in the American political process. Throughout the history of the United States of America race and gender have been political issues since the founding fathers drafted the constitution crafting the document in patriarchal terms and defining African Americans as three fifths of a person. Politics is the process whereby we as citizens interact to shape our society and institutions to operate in ways that allow access to national resources, maintain civil rights, and protect national interests.

African American women have engaged individually and collectively in political endeavors to advance the rights of all people and especially African Americans. Nonetheless, African American women have remained marginalized in the political process by African American men as well as others in the American political process. Indeed, we are marginalized by other African American women who for whatever reasons are complicit in sustaining patriarchy and silencing women. Political parity for African Americans with Caucasians demands that African American men embrace the cause of eradicating gender discrimination as intensely and intentionally as African American women have embraced and continue to embrace the cause of eradicating racial discrimination.

Historic endeavors of African American women toiling in political coalitions are often untold because few organizations, if any, allow women to serve in leadership. Sadly, this lack of cooperation and support from African American men in the cause of African American women was noted by WEB DuBois early in the twentieth century and now early in the twenty first century his words resonate with honesty yet remain unfulfilled.

In his 1920 essay titled, “The Damnation of Women,” DuBois wrote: “The uplift of women is, next to the problem of the color line and the peace movement, our greatest modern cause. When, now, two of these movements – women and color – combine in one, the combination has great meaning.” (Edney, 2006).

It is imperative for African Americans to gain and maintain political momentum to unite the causes of African American men and women so the community will experience political growth and viability in its entirety any other formation is less than acceptable.

*Edney, H. T. (2006, July 19). Black Women Leaders Still Pushed to the Back of the Bus. Washington , DC, USA.

My Private Concert

I've lived the majority of my life in the small city of Louisville, KY. Although you can usually find something to do here, it is rare to get quality African American performance groups in the area. I grew up a competition gymnast, cheerleader and semi-pro dancer so I have deep commitment and love for the arts.

Recently I went to visit my college roommate, DeShawn. She’s currently an OB-GYN in the Baltimore area. Several days before my expected arrival, she called asking if I wanted to go see the Alvin Ailey dancers. OF COURSE! As a minority child growing up doing physical activities, I dreamed of one day being as graceful as the Alvin Ailey dancers. Now my moment was coming to view them live. I became excited just at the thought.

We arrived at the infamous Kennedy Center and walked in with several hundred people. As others asked the usher to help them to their seat, DeShawn just walked passed them and said, “I know where we’re going”. We continued to walk closer and closer to the front of the theatre. As we got to the front row, DeShawn said these were our seats. Are you serious? As I sat down in my front row seat, I turned my back and saw four tiers of thousands of people. I was surprised by the size of the theatre and the rows of people that flowed behind me. I viewed the fabulous crystal chandelier piece that hung from the ceiling. I thought of all the historic events that had taken place here. I then faced forward in my seat and touched the stage. It was right there in front of me. Wow!

As the curtain raised, I was mesmerized by what I saw. There were beautiful African American dancers of all shades gracefully dancing across the stage. Their costumes were delicately put together and I sat in awe as they swayed to the rhythm of the beat. I felt as if it were my own private concert. I was so close to the dancers that I could tell you the color of their eye shadow, hear their breathing patterns and describe the muscular lines as they changed movements. As the music changed from jazz to negro spirituals I started to really ponder the magnitude of what I was viewing. The Alvin Ailey performers represent some of the most talented African American dancers in the nation. Both historically and today, they have been able to show an appreciation for the arts that millions have flocked to see. Their style and charisma were simply breath taking and their passion toward preserving African American traditions through song and dance will be a memory that will stay close to my heart.

Women's Month

It is not the intelligent woman v. the ignorant woman; nor the white woman v. the black, the brown, and the red, it is not even the cause of woman v. man. Nay, tis womans strongest vindication for speaking that the world needs to hear her voice. – Anna Julia Cooper

March is Women’s Month, set aside to reflect on the historical contributions of women, applaud the present endeavors of women, and celebrate the future of women. March 8 is International Women’s Day, the one day when women around the world focus on the global commonalities that prevent women from engaging uninhibited in culture, economics, government, politics, and religion which are the pillars of all society.

It is important for all humankind to recognize that the oppression and repression of women impairs men as well as women. When greater than one half of the human race is crippled by rape, domestic violence, and patriarchal subjugation that is perpetuated by economic and political systems, all of society is cheated of the opportunity to reach its fullest potential.

Women bring extraordinary perspectives to the table. Moreover, the woman’s voice speaks to circumstances in ways which no man can do likewise. Even the silence of the woman is a message that no man can communicate on her behalf.

The voice of the woman speaks in a roar that resounds with the rage and fury of having her space and body disturbed and violated.

She wails in plaintive and lamenting tones of one who has been stripped of her loved ones and homes in political insurrections and wars in which she had no voice.

Her silent tears tell of an anger so intense she dare not speak of the atrocities she has endured while seeking to contribute to a world that neither sees nor hears her.

From within her spirit she sings of the hope that she cherishes for herself, her sisters, her daughters, and her world…one day the world will welcome women to lead, teach, speak, and accept women as partners in the global community.

The global community must unite to end trafficking of women as sex slaves, domestic violence, economic and political discrimination, and the marginalization of women in culture, labor, religion, education and every segment of society.

"Not the boys less, but the girls more." – Anna Julia Cooper

Taking it back Black

Devin Robinson is "Taking it back Black", with a cooperative economics movement in the hair care industry. Spearheading the "100 stores in 100 days" movement under the Black Beauty Supply Association, he illustrates the very nature of Dubois' plea for black wealth sustained and cultivated not on the backs of blacks but to the benefit them. To create the fight for this however Robinson had to run into a rather unsettling experience.

While shopping in yet another Asian owned beauty store for his own salon, the Korean owner threatened him with a golf club and threw him out without any explanation. Still, Robinson utilized the experience to create change.

There had always been an entrepreneur in him; before the incident Robinson had been writing self help books and opened a salon in the interest of his friend. He like many in the Black community recognized the need for black owned and run businesses in the inner city and had already started to make efforts to combat our situation. Still, when thrown out of the beauty store Robinson sprang into action!

"I'm not trying to cast out the Asian influence in our communities I am trying to increase black ownership instead of just employees," said Robinson. And he has, by taking an active role in changing the dynamics of black business in our society and recently releasing his new book, "Taking it back: How to become a Successful Black Beauty Supply Store Owner."

The book is an instruction guide for blacks who want to regain control of an industry that has been stripped from their hands. He stands as an example for all business men and women to go into their communities and cultivate strength and economic solidarity with one another. Eighteen months after he opened his first store he had three more opened in inner city communities.

Cooperative Economics is based on successful blacks going back to their communities and giving back by creating examples for the youth to do more than just what the music videos imply, as well as nurturing black influence on our national economy by increasing the value in our neighborhoods and lives in general.

"The common denominator in our communities is education," said Robinson. We tend to find less equipped schools and institutions here. The kids are blinded by the media portraying people that made it to the limelight without an education. But what they don't understand is many of those people have innate business skills, and an enterprise sense about them enabling them to have their own clothing line or record label.

Robinson's books do well to instruct aspiring Blacks to accrue a better business sense about them selves. He's starting a movement that is bigger than his name and the hair care industry combined.

"It's not about me. It's very important for me not to be selfish. Oprah could loose it tomorrow. If you go through life thinking its all you, you're causing more harm to the community than help," He stated. "You want to have a community that will take care of you and to do that you have to take care of your community. We must start now and pass the knowledge. Many people think you loose something in sharing knowledge but we can't think like that. We can all benefit on a larger level. It is about predecessors." Creating black money and black self-value on a level that isn't purely aesthetic like in a video or painted on acrylic nails, Robinson has taken a truly abstract approach in that he started with the beauty industry, ironically flipping the scene on the values of the black community during"bling-bling blindness." He notes that we can not continue to believe life is a lotto ticket true wealth is not created and cultivated that way, but it takes discipline.

You can find information and works about and by Devin Robinson at his website Devinrobinson.com.

Black and Gold

This weekend was insane. Traveling to Lexington to participate in the Ms. Black and Gold Pageant at UofK, representing the Eta Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. was pretty intense! But I learned so much.I have a heavy personality I know that, and my message is even heavier, but when I got on the stage it seemed like my mouth was too small to convey a message so large. And I broke under pressure. That morning I prayed for hours on the stairs digging deep into parts of my spirit I thought I had lost and my prayers were so specific that after the competition God's answers were even more readily defined.I prayed for independence then found myself looking in my father's countenance for approval on the stage. I prayed for patience then wished I could go home. I prayed for wisdom then felt like a looser. I prayed for humility but found myself cultivating an image around my resume trying to lick the wounds of a crown elusive to my grasp.But there is a glaze that comes over human eyes wet and dancing toward attention hoping to please or engage others in act or comedy. The occuli well lit and lightened under spotlight float to the top of the human conscious unfocused and frothy like sea foam accumulated in the sockets of the eye; open looking for approval in its peripheral vision. And the smile that spreads thin across the minstrel chin is the only solid anchor found in this sea; and its smiling for the hope that the truest part of them will some how show. It is that smile that stands behind the Black and Gold and that sea that some like me can drift away in or drown their name in.I was weighed down with the circles. Tiny eyes and mouths and fingertips that hold my name and smash it underneath nails or swallow and gnash it with gossip and kind words, circles that drink in my presence beneath eyebrows and judge.And you may ask why did I do the pageant to begin with? People are all worth the same, its sexist and very un-Zen like to judge. But I find something very spiritual in being judged by others. Just as you can find the secret to life in something simple as a fortune cookie or a company logo, utilizing this opportunity for self growth seemed like the perfect thing to do, and it was. I have successfully judged myself and I know where I am and where I'm headed.To others it may just be a simple competition to put on your resume or delight your peers but to me it makes all the difference not what the judges say but how I measure up to this belief system in my Black community. There are things I stand behind and dream to be, this Hugstable dream applied to an African American reality, and there are things I disagree with because of how far they've migrated from Kemetic origin and African tradition. But the important thing to note is that I still believe and I must admit I draw a certain amount of pride in at least feeling like I am at the forefront of black thought as far as cooperative economics, multiracial integrity and a universal state of economic solidarity in peace and understanding.I will carry this message among other strides toward mental freedom and active change now and forever as I grow stronger daily in not breaking under the weight of a divine right order. A man's glance can not break me, a panel of judges can not move me, and a crowd of people can not stir my blood. I will have change in the palms of my hands and ignorance under the souls of my feet as I clear a path for something new, even for change and strength in myself.

Soul Music Gets No Love

I may only be thirty, but I long for the days of the late 80's when Anita Baker and Frankie Beverly were heard way more often on the radio. Indeed, those legends have been reincarnated in the likes of Jill Scott and Will Downing. But we don't hear from them like we used to.
Yes, we understand that radio is useless these days. It's the same songs over and over again. But what do we do to keep soul music relevant? I don't have an answer other than to keep supporting the artists out there: Angie Stone, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, and many others. These are artists who are truly saying something from within and remaining true to their genre.
But this genre gets no love anymore. Just check out All Music Guide (www.allmusic.com). I have over the past few weeks been trying to get them on my radio show (http://dcsouth.com/podcasts.html Weeks 12 and 13 of last year and Week 1 of this year.) and they have refused. My issue with them is with their ratings of soul music. There has not been a soul music album with their highest ranking of 5 stars in the last 25 years. This of course does not include compilations or an album with any rap on it. How is that possible? It's because they are biased against soul music. How do I know? I'll have an article posted on dcsouth.com very shortly about how unlikely it is for their system to be fair and yet no soul album get a 5 star rating. It turns out that it is very unlikely.

So not only is soul music not even being played, it's not even getting the full critical success it deserves. These are sad times indeed. But there is hope. Ironically enough, the hope is embedded in the music itself:

You cannot hate on me
‘Cuz my mind is free
Feel my destiny
So shall it be

-Jill Scott

If we keep passing on the soul music to others then we and all of its recipients will be better for it.


Peace and Love for a lover of soul music.


Dr. Aris Winger
awinger@dcsouth.com
www.dcsouth.com

What About Our Families?

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us. James 1:27 (NLT)

Our children deserve the best. Unfortunately, too often we associate the best with material accumulations rather than with the opportunity to mature in safe, loving, violence and substance free two parent home. Statistically, African American children are less likely than Asians, Hispanics, and Whites to grow up in the home of their biological parents.

Reality in today's society is that our families are fragmented by myriad socioeconomic challenges arising from systemic racism. Additionally, there are crisis and dilemmas created by the irresponsibility of individuals. Both of these scenarios affect the children presently and in time to come.

Our communities destabilize and erode further with each generation. The family is the base of the community and when that base crumbles, the complex concerns reach into each segment of the community. Children without a two-parent family home are served best in a stable and loving environment where they can develop the confidence needed to gain social and academic competence.

Historically, African Americans have embraced and nurtured those in need of family support, especially children. Family was not always defined by bloodlines. Children were admonished, encouraged, hugged, and supported by block parents, church parents, neighborhood aunties, barbershop pops, et al. Today we seem to have decreased in our extended kinship care.

Today, our children languish in foster care at disproportionate rates. We do not adopt at the same rate as Asians, Hispanics, and Whites and our children are hard to place because they are not the most sought after children. When other races do adopt our children, there is a concern that the children will lose a connection with African American culture, history, and the community.

As an adoptive parent and a former foster parent, I can definitively state that there is not a need for one to be wealthy to adopt. In addition to adopting, my husband and I have biological children and opened our hearts and home to various family members over the past twenty-five years. The outcome has been beautiful memories, great experiences, and children who are now compassionate adults.

I highly recommend extending yourself and family to save our community. You may not be able to save the world…start with a child.

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Successful Black Women and Love

I recently went out to dinner with some of my old friends from college. My date, my date's fraternity brother, and the guy's wife were at the table with me. We started talking about home ownership, money and jobs. The conversation then drifted to the role of a woman in a relationship and her financial contributions to the relationships. The married guy said that his wife would never make more money than he. Even if something happened to where she started making more money, he said he would work harder or get a second job just so that he made more. Are you serious? His wife gave him one of those looks. She stated that he should be happy and supportive if she came upon a situation that had her making substantially more money. She said she thinks women today should be independent and strive to reach the highest level possible. Her husband agreed, but then added, "That's fine, as long as you're not making more money than I in the process."

My date was not a boyfriend, but I was curious about his answer. So, I looked his direction for input. He owns his own law firm and stated that he was creating a life where his wife wouldn't have to work. He said that as long as he had the bills paid, then it was his wife's responsibility to manage the house and the kids. I asked him what would happen if for some reason he did meet a woman that made more money than he. He said that wouldn't happen.

I had major gripes with our conversation. First of all, these men were saying that if you are more successful that them, then they are not going to give you a chance because they should be the ultimate breadwinner in the family. What does that have to do with love? They are punishing the female gender for making their mark and overcoming all of the barriers that exist. Shouldn't this be applauded? I know this was only two men's perspectives, but I have found the same attitude in other men.

Last year I met a guy that was not in a good position in his life. For our first date, we watched a movie at my house. He was instantly intimidated by the size of my house and by the brand of car I drove. From the beginnning, he formed the opinion that he could never provide for me or give me the things I wanted in life since I already possessed so many things. I tried over and over again to explain to him that money is not everything and if I can find a man to meet my emotional needs then I have found someone that can win my heart. Although he tried to look past this, he really couldn't get over it and our situation dissolved.

I have found that this male perspective has put me into an ackward position. My career is in education. There is not a great chance that I will ever make large sums of money. However, I am an only child and both of my parents have passed away. When my mother passed away in 2006, I inherited a large amount of money. I am now completely debt free and can retire at any time that I am ready. I have moved into the large house where I grew up. Although I don't brag about the money I have (all of it is invested and I haven't touched any of it yet), many people judge me by my house, car and clothes. These same men don't realize that two years ago I was paying rent for an apartment and driving my wonderful Nissan Sentra. My personality has not changed at all since that time, but I am definitely seen in a different light. Usually when I first meet someone, I try to meet them out instead of having them pick me up. I don't volunteer information that my parents have passed away because I want them to get to know me for the person I am. None of the men I've dated have ever discovered my actual networth, and now I fear that if they knew, some of them would run away as fast as possible and not look back.

I do honestly believe that there are some men out there that will not try to take advantage of the things I possess and will truly be willing to fall in love with me regardless of my circumstances. You always have some men (and women) that think money makes the world go around and that certain gender roles are essential to a successful relationship. One day I hope they'll realize that times are changing and many people are building relationship on partnerships where both man and woman can flourish!

"Next to God we are indebted to women, first for life itself, and then for making it worth living."

"Next to God we are indebted to women, first for life itself, and then for making it worth living." These words of Mary McLeod Bethune resonate with truth yet today.

It is not that I am possessed of an anti-man sentiment; no, it is that I am possessed a driven to recover and reveal the many and mighty ways in which women have and continue to support and sustain our beloved community.

Women were active and activists in every historic event from the Maafa or Middle Passage to Slavery to Reconstruction to the Exoduster Movement to Jim Crow to the Harlem Renaissance to Civil Rights to present day. Unfortunately, the names and contributions of women are often not documented adequately.

History identifies one of the first African American females simply as 'Old Elizabeth'. It is important that we teach the history of our people fully. Women are vital in the survival and success of African Americans. The Women's Club movement included the National Association of Colored Women speaking on their theme Mary Church Terrell expressed purpose and hope for women collectively working for the uplift of our race.

"And so lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go, struggling and striving and hoping that the buds and blossoms of our desires will burst into glorious fruition ere long. With courage born of success achieved in the past, with a keen sense of the responsibility which we must continue to assume we look forward to the future, large with promise and hope. Seeking no favors because of our color or patronage because of our needs, we knock at the bar of justice and ask for an equal chance" (Mary Church Terrell).

African American women have approached societal proablems from different perspectives. There is dimension and depth to the intellectual contemplations of our women even when there is unity of purpose and commonality of crisis.

Upon the founding of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs in 1896, Sarah Dudley Pettey lauded the organization's mission while deploring its use of the word "colored." She attributed its origin to the "softening" of the word "nigger" to "you colored people" in the antebellum South. All people are colored, she argued, "from the fairest blonde to the darkest hue of humanity." Far better to use the term "Afro-American ... as it designates both the races and countries from whence we, the amalgamated race, came." It was typical of her to speak forthrightly of racial mixing; on another occasion, she argued that the word "Negro" was useless because it denoted "one type of the African race without mixture." By clinging to "Afro," she showed her pride in her African heritage; by linking it with "American," she held whites accountable for both slavery and miscegenation. When an African American writer proposed "affirming we are `Americans, pure and simple,'" Dudley Pettey retorted that if "we [were] Americans, pure and simple," there "would be no class legislation against us; there would be no need of separate schools and churches." To Dudley Pettey, race prejudice worked like class prejudice: it created false divisions among worthy human beings (Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore, 1997)

African American women have been advocating and agitating for our beloved community since our arrival in America. Anna Julia Cooper, Ida B. Wells, Violette N. Anderson, Augusta Savage, Norma Sklarek, Leontine T. C. Kelly, and Hazel Winifred Johnson. It is important that as we move into the twenty first century that we embrace, uplift, and appreciate the African American women for their endeavors as leaders, supporters, sustainers, mentors, caretakers, and risk takers.

Today resolve to thank God for all He has done for you and through you. Thank God for the African American women in your life. Thank the African American women in your life. Learn more about African American women and share the knowledge...do your part to continue the role of strong, beautiful, gifted, and committed African American women in the generations to come!

What Becomes of the Colored Girl?

"The Colored Girl"

by Fannie Barrier Williams

"What becomes of the colored girl? The muses of song, poetry and art do not woo and exalt her. She has inspired no novels. Those who write...seldom think of this dark-skinned girl who is persistently breaking through the petty tyrannies of cast into the light of recognition."

As we observe this season of primaries to see who will emerge as US presidential candidates and which of those candidates will eventually become the next president of the United States, I want to know will the conditions experienced by African American women change for the better?

Are the candidates aware of the urgent needs of the most marginalized segment of American society? Do the candidates understand how their decisions inform society on the value of including African American women in decision-making, policy implementation, and positions of significance in commerce, foreign relations, military, and international relations.

We have had symbolic tokens that held no true power other than to be depicted in photo ops. We have had a few women to breakthrough the testerone and ego of patriarchy to achieve positions of power; however, the door did not remain open for others and once in these women still had to struggle against stereotypes and racial traditions.

Perhaps, we will have a female clergy woman from a historically African American religious tradition to pray and lead services for the next president. The choices made by the next president extend beyond governmental positions. Acknowledging the spiritual position of women affirms their authenticity as leaders in the community and for the community they serve.

One of the talented African American fashion designers could be selected to design the inaugral gowns for the next president or first lady? African American women also are professional and enormously talented in event coordination, culinary preparation, speech writing, research, and all areas needed by the next US president.

As we see the stature of African American women rise and the US president pay her homage and respect then we will see all segments of society do the same. Music lyrics will change as will movies and televison depictions along with how corporate America values this underserved but overcharged consumer. Criminal and social justice agencies will unite to help address the issues of crime that plague the communities where too often African American women are single heads of households. The US Health Department will direct resources towards the preventable and treatble illnesses that too often plague these women and kill them too early: AIDS, breast and cervical cancer, hypertensive diseases, and stress related disorders.

What will become of the colored girl?

Dog is back...Who is surprised?

Dog the Bounty Hunter will be back on the air soon. Is this a surprise to anyone? It certainly isn’t to me. After all, what did taking him off the air really accomplish? Did it create a huge gaping hole in his pocket? Most likely not. Did it ruin his credibility in his career as a bounty hunter? Again, it most likely did not.

What it did do, is create controversy around his name. We all know what Dog said. We all know how many times he said it. We all saw him on Larry King pleading his case and professing his regret. And most of us know it was and still is a line of crap. However, it got his name out in front of people who may not have already known who Dog the Bounty Hunter is, or where and what time his show comes on. It went off the air for a time to appease those who called for it, and now it’ll come back because the ratings were good before and without a doubt they will be even higher this time around. Yes some people will avoid the show because of the controversy, but many more will tune in because entertainment has become more of a priority than morals and ethics now.

If you think about it, you can look at plenty of ‘our shows’ and see where we have put mindless entertainment in the forefront of morals, ethics, and just plain enriching entertainment. Flavor of Love is a prime example. This is a television show that is a demonstration of women making a mockery of themselves for notoriety. None of us are watching this show with hopes of seeing Flavor Flav find his ‘true love’. We’re watching these women make fools of themselves on national television for fifteen minutes of fame. Where is the art or talent in this? And we’ll just ignore the fact that he’s already engaged, which means if he wasn’t doing the show before just to make a quick buck and not really find ‘true love’ then he certainly is now.

Dog’s notoriety for his exaggerated use of the ‘n-word’ has done for him what controversy does for everyone else who has found their way into fame for dishonorable reasons; it has put him out in the light to be examined and scrutinized. Whether the people determine him to be another bigot getting away with offending another group of people or a simple man who made a simple mistake and is woefully sorry, at the end of the day, he’s just another celebrity who has succeeded in making a scene to make a couple more bucks

Confession of Love

"I know you're trying to figure out what in the world possessed me to write thisletter, right?  Well I've been sitting around for the past several weeks thinking of a number of things, number one of which has been me.  I guess you could say I've been taking a good hard look at myself.  The surprising thing that I've discovered about myself is that I've been a somewhat destructive individual over the past 29 years.  Destructive in the sense that I've always looked out for (me) - and as a result, I've hurt a number of individuals who have been very dear to me.  I've also discovered that I am in love with you.  I know that latter statement comes as a shock to you.  However, that was the manner in which it was intended.  I know you're wondering why I've chosen this particular method and tell you this- it's quite simple.

You see-I fear being rejected, so therefore if I start anew the pain may not be as great as it would if I were to go all out and try to win you over.  During the past several weeks I've been tempted to call you a number of times.  However, I always backed down.  This letter has been in the works for a number of weeks.  However, tonight I decided to go ahead and let you know how I felt.  I've shocked you once so let me do it again.  I would marry you tomorrow if you felt I was worthy of you.  I do not say this jokingly.  If you think back several years ago, I'm sure that you will discern that I never used the words 'love' or 'marriage' in any of our conversations, and in order for me to use these words has taken a great deal of soul searching on my part.  I know I've caused you to begin to think of yourself in the future.  I ask that you also think of me in the process. " Love, Steve

*This is a love letter that I found in my house from my father to my mother written in 1971. They met in college while attending Tuskegee University (class of '64).  They did not date during undergrad.  My mother went back several years after graduation to visit her younger brother who was a student at Tuskegee.  My father was over the dorms where my uncle lived and during a visit my parents became reacquainted and began a long distance relationship.  At the time the letter was written, my parents were not together, but my father realized he almost let a good thing get away!  

Tavis Smiley Response to Barack Obama

Senator Barack Obama and the State of the Black Union 2008
Tom Joyner Morning Show
Thursday, February 14, 2008

By now many, if not most of you, have either read or heard about the letter faxed to me by Senator
Barack Obama yesterday to officially inform me that he would not be attending the State of the
Black Union symposium next Saturday, February 23, in New Orleans, live on C-SPAN. The letter
was apparently made public on the Internet by the Obama campaign.
This morning a few thoughts now about the letter, about Senator Obama and for that matter, about
Michelle Obama.
First, I want to thank Senator Obama for his letter, although I regret his decision. I said on Tuesday
and I reiterate today, that I believe that this is a critical miscalculation and a missed opportunity.
Having said that, I also feel that should Senator McCain or Governor Huckabee, like Mr. Obama,
end up denying our invitation to appear at this annual Black think tank, it would also be for them as
well, in the long run, a critical miscalculation and a missed opportunity.
Particularly for Senator John McCain, who appears to now be the presumptive Republican nominee
and who decided, as you recall, not to appear last year before Black America in Baltimore.
Indeed, I personally expressed that sentiment to Senator McCain earlier this week. Don’t think that
in the general election, should he be the nominee, that he ain’t going to get reminded frequently that
he kept passing on opportunities to speak to Black and Brown audiences. That’s pretty much
Political Science 101. That’s going to happen, trust me.
Two. For the record, with regard to this letter and the statements made therein, my office was never
contacted by the Obama campaign offering Michelle Obama as a proxy speaker. It never happened.
No letter. No fax. No e-mail. No phone call. No document whatsoever from the Obama camp to
my office, ever, regarding Michelle Obama. She was never offered, it was never discussed.
Three. While I have great admiration and affection for Michelle Obama, had she been offered to us
I would have respectfully declined. Just as we would have declined had Hillary Clinton offered Bill
Clinton; had John McCain offered Cindy McCain; had Mike Huckabee suggested Janet Huckabee.

By any measure, by any measure, Michelle Obama’s personal story is empowering and inspiring. I
am moved by her personal story, as I have been, since I first met her. From the South side of
Chicago to Princeton, to Harvard Law, it is a quintessential American story of overcoming.
That said, last year at Howard, live on PBS, we spoke to candidates only. And that’s what we intend
to do next Saturday, February 23, in New Orleans, live on C-SPAN, speak to candidates only, with
all due respect.
And speaking of Howard, point number four. When we invited Senator Obama last year to
Howard, with all of the other announced Democratic candidates at the time, so many people, so
many people, said publicly, that Tavis is stacking the deck in Obama’s favor. Black college. Black
book. Black audience. Black journalists. Black moderator. “Smiley is stacking the deck for
Obama,” they said.
The Washington Post Editorial Board said that to me to my face. “Aren’t you stacking the deck for
Mr. Obama?” Now, eight months later, another simple invitation, along with all the other
remaining viable candidates, and now he’s being boxed in by me?
Respectfully, that dog just won’t hunt. Because by that logic, at this point in the campaign, any
gathering of Black thought-leaders, opinion-makers and influencers who invite Senator Obama to
appear on stage at a nationally televised event, that invitation --- in and of itself, given that logic ---
would be tantamount to “boxing him in.”
This was simply an invitation, nothing more. There has not been, there is not now, nor will there
be, any effort on my part to snap on the Obama campaign, or the McCain campaign or the
Huckabee campaign, if they choose not to attend. It was just an invitation to him and every other
candidate. Accept or reject. An invitation, nothing more, nothing less.
I’ve lost count now of how many debates the Democrats have had to address other issues that, in
fact, do matter to us. But I can tell you exactly how many times they’ve gathered to specifically
address our issues. There is no comparison.
Point number five. Senator Obama is on a mission. As he suggested in his letter, his mission is to
become the next President of the United States. And I ain’t mad at him. As I’ve said before, and I’ll
say it again, I revel in his historic run for the White House. As a Black man, I celebrate his past
accomplishments. I celebrate his future aspirations.
Respectfully, I knew Barack Obama long before most of us learned to pronounce his name
correctly. So long ago, in fact, that years ago Barack Obama was working with the kids in my
Foundation, speaking to them about leadership development way back when.
I have no personal animus toward Barack Obama.
To quote that great philosopher, George Wallace, “I love him and there ain’t nothing he can do
about it!” That said, I love Black people, too. And I have a vocation. I have a calling. I have a
purpose. And since this ain’t just about me, you have a purpose too. You have a calling, you have a
vocation as well.

And I would hope, this morning, that at the center of our collective calling, is an unconditional love
for Black people. His job right now is to get elected. Our job is to do our part to ensure that
whoever gets elected will be held accountable to the issues that matter most to Black people.
And in that regard, all that I have ever tried to do, with the media platforms, including this one, that
I have been blessed to have access to, is to attempt to speak a love language, to ask critical
questions, to engage in sober assessment and to counsel wise enthusiasm.
If Barack Obama is your candidate, I ain’t mad at you! If Hillary Clinton is your candidate, I ain’t
mad at you! I am not personally in the endorsement business. My small part is to engage in
Socratic questioning. As a Black person, a member of the media, I’ve said many times on this
program, my job is to ask questions, raise issues, address topics, and profile people that otherwise
wouldn’t get that kind of air play.
Now, as the old folk used to say, “I done spoke my piece.”
Senator Clinton has decided to join us. Senator Obama has decided not to. Senator McCain and
Governor Huckabee, we shall see.
But once again, it has never, ever been about them. It has always been about us. We cannot
confuse candidates with the cause. The cause of suffering Black people who are catching hell every
day.
So, I personally; I can only speak for Tavis, I personally have no intention, no interest in discussing
this matter beyond this commentary no matter what’s said about me. Except to promote the
Symposium, which I’ve done every year for almost 10 years now.
I’m told by the folk in the Lt. Governor’s office in Louisiana that it looks like we will have the
largest gathering of volunteers for a single day next Friday on our Day of Service, since Katrina hit
back in 2005. That’s what matters. Loving and serving everyday Black people.
Our conversation next Saturday promises to be spirited, soulful and inspiring.
Finally this morning, as I always say...today, more than ever...love wins. Love wins. Love wins.
Happy Valentine’s Day!