This morning during my meditation, a lot of concerns washed over me. I started to think of all of the things going on in this country , and it hit me that the biggest problems facing the black community are not the ones in the media eye. But the ones that no one (not even Blacks) want to address. So today I would like to take a moment to speak on these issues as I see them.
We as a people need to stand up and start taking responsibility for the things in our communities that are not right or below the standard of which is acceptable. Just because I live in the projects does not mean that my neighborhood has to be dilapidated. Nor does this mean that I have to accept a lesser standard of life, or accept an impoverished mentality. We need to stop letting our surroundings dictate who and what we are.
We need to take charge of our families again and start to instill those values that our grand-parents and great grand-parents tried to instill into us. We need to accept the fact and embody the belief that more money will not make us any better or even make us equal to whites. We need to understand and set the example for our children, that hard work and a sense of accomplishment in itself is a reward. Knowing that you have done something outside of yourself for others does not mean that you have been played, or that you are a sucker. Reaffirming the belief that our community is and will always be our greatest asset. Just think back to the Harlem renaissance. Harlem thrived because the people worked as a whole to make their community work and we benefited from this growth.
But more than anything else we need to become financially aware and learn that all that glitters is not gold. The example that television and we set for our children is abhorrible. I see children walking around with polished metal jewelery on trying to impersonate the ballers, and we as parents, aunts, uncles, and grand-parents accept it and allow it. Just think when was the last time you saw a picture of Bill Gates wearing a 80 ct. diamond ring. ( The rich stay rich by not spending what they have.) We need to teach our children that these status symbols do nothing more than hold us back. We work and work in order to run out and blow the check on the latest must have accessory. Whether it be a diamond encrusted watch, chain, or ring. The hottest or most popular car. We are killing ourselves and driving ourselves into situations where all the industry has to do is to get their latest item on some popular black person and we make them rich for the rest of their life.
We need to learn to control our wealth and to empower our communities and once this is done then our voices will be heard and people will start to fear us politically and respect us as a people.
Love, Peace, and Nappiness
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Monday, May 01, 2006
My feet hurt, and I am losing my voice
Good Monday World,
This weekend was a very busy weekend for the protesters and marchers of the U.S. This weekend in our Nations Capitol there where hundreds of people out showing their support for the issues currently going on in Darfur. Several friends of mine joined in on this protest and gave heartily of their time. While on the West Coast many people where out showing their support for the issues going on in Uganda. I for one am happy to see so many Americans taking part in worldly affairs and Humanitarian concerns. I guess we as Americans aren't as self centered and heartless as we have been perceived.
Now that I have the disclaimer out of the way, I have a few points of my own that I would like to make. Where in the hoot where all of these socially aware people when the U.S. Government was passing the Patriot Act. Where were they during the Anti War Marches ( in case you didn't know there was one this weekend in New York). And why did they not speak up in protest during the Katrina Aftermath. It has always been my policy to stay out of other peoples affairs if my house is not in order, and as I look out of my window today I see a lot of trash in my backyard.
My only wish is that these people would unite and come together in order to help mend the wounds of the U.S. and to help us rid ourselves of the beasts that are quickly bringing us to our knees. People lets show some unity and protest and march with the same vigor that the illegal immigrants had, and try to force our government to bring the price of Gas back down to an acceptable level. Lets get out there and March and Protest and make our voices heard in order to get the PREZ out of office. Lets get out there and try to fix the problems with our education system, because no child left behind is turning out to be a bigger mistake than desegregation of schools. Lets shake the rafters and get our Troops out of Iraq so that we do not loose anymore of our young men for no reason. We need to stand up and make noise about the trash in our own back yard and once that is done then by all means lets pass our judgment on the rest of the world, in the name of humanity.
There is nothing wrong with Marching and Protesting but honestly when was the last time it actually worked?
This weekend was a very busy weekend for the protesters and marchers of the U.S. This weekend in our Nations Capitol there where hundreds of people out showing their support for the issues currently going on in Darfur. Several friends of mine joined in on this protest and gave heartily of their time. While on the West Coast many people where out showing their support for the issues going on in Uganda. I for one am happy to see so many Americans taking part in worldly affairs and Humanitarian concerns. I guess we as Americans aren't as self centered and heartless as we have been perceived.
Now that I have the disclaimer out of the way, I have a few points of my own that I would like to make. Where in the hoot where all of these socially aware people when the U.S. Government was passing the Patriot Act. Where were they during the Anti War Marches ( in case you didn't know there was one this weekend in New York). And why did they not speak up in protest during the Katrina Aftermath. It has always been my policy to stay out of other peoples affairs if my house is not in order, and as I look out of my window today I see a lot of trash in my backyard.
My only wish is that these people would unite and come together in order to help mend the wounds of the U.S. and to help us rid ourselves of the beasts that are quickly bringing us to our knees. People lets show some unity and protest and march with the same vigor that the illegal immigrants had, and try to force our government to bring the price of Gas back down to an acceptable level. Lets get out there and March and Protest and make our voices heard in order to get the PREZ out of office. Lets get out there and try to fix the problems with our education system, because no child left behind is turning out to be a bigger mistake than desegregation of schools. Lets shake the rafters and get our Troops out of Iraq so that we do not loose anymore of our young men for no reason. We need to stand up and make noise about the trash in our own back yard and once that is done then by all means lets pass our judgment on the rest of the world, in the name of humanity.
There is nothing wrong with Marching and Protesting but honestly when was the last time it actually worked?
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