i love and miss you tremendously...

Dr. Muhammad i love and miss you tremendously.

i honor you, standing on your shoulders, taking my blessings for granted not.


it is you and honorable men like you---those fully committed to the truth and fearless with their sharing of it; that strengthen me and my resolve daily.


my understanding of what black manhood is supposed to look like:



loves, appreciates, and dies for the well-being of black women and children


dominant

strong

unapologetic

courageous

determined

focused

intentional

loving

protective- places nothing over the best interests of black women and children

honorable

of strong character


a partial list for sure.


one that i know as a result of being blessed by you and your journey. i have seen authentic black men therefore counterfeit ones are unacceptable. i love you more than these words can convey.


i have faith that there are more black men like you here even now...i will not give up on us.








when your voice goes silent Dr. Muhammad, the tears fall. i love you. i will always honor you because you honored me and always addressed me, respectfully, as a black woman in your balanced teachings. thank you. it was you and those like you that taught me the importance of...


...SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

black folks will do better...when black folks DO better

i am personally loving this political season. actually, the pathetic absurdity notwithstanding, there is an upside...there always is…...

quite a few black men have been able to ignore the fact that white women benefited and still do mightily from slavery and white skin privilege; while simultaneously belly aching long and hard about white women’s sons/brothers/husbands. it is really cracking me up to watch hrc do her entitled, shrill, lying, teary-eyed, rules don’t apply to her white woman routine to the fullest for the whole world to witness. she knows her place...first there is the white man and then there is her, the white woman second. wth!!! is obama thinking? hillaryous!

ever notice how white women will claim the benefits of their husbands' experiences at all OTHER times besides slavery and on-going white skin privilege? this is a deliberate tactic and it works time after time. i have witnessed it again and again as black men foolishly fall in, buy in, marry into the nonsense.

many black men have been able to ignore the fact that it has been well recorded that man-less white woman enslavers were required by law, in fear of revolt; to employ horseman security to assist them to ensure the brutal enslavement of black men, women, and children. otherwise, they were perfectly capable by themselves of managing their enslaved humans. furthermore, i have not yet met a white woman whose men folk had not taught her how to use a gun. granted, i am from the south and have had quite a few run-ins with southern belles, steel magnolias, wanna be scarlett o'haras, and proud daughters of the confederacy. these experiences have taught me to look for the smile to reach the eyes and to closely watch behavior. thoughts/feelings of superiority have a distinct vibration and energy i have learned; i don’t fight the feeling as a result. when white supremacy rears its ugly head i act respectfully, boldly, and swiftly to take it right off. i have been labeled often as “intimidating” as a result. fortunately, i care as much about white folks’ labels for me as they do mine for them---not at all.

quite a few black men will readily write off sisters that try to remind them of all the historical and present reasons why, if they are going to do the heavy lifting of committed love, it should be with a black woman. this wisdom gets written off as insecurity and you guessed it--- jealousy. harry potter over at http://whitewomensuck.blogspot.com/ is spilling the beans that most white men won’t in “polite” company. white men’s self respect and murderous desire to remain in the dominant position makes them speak anonymously, if at all…additionally, if they stood and discussed this front and center trust me, there would be reprisals. this is why they don’t speak candidly publicly. white men (all other men in fact) understand the importance of protecting their women at all costs. black men routinely get up and want to advocate for “women” despite the unique suffering and lack of protection (historically and presently) of black women. trust, those prominent brothers that have done this have heard from me. i have said it repeatedly, black folks emulate all the wrong things.

now, compare and contrast that behavior with the black men that cannot seem to wait to say something terrible publicly in jest and seriously about black women. the black men that don’t openly denigrate black women appear to stand in silent agreement. these same silent black men will be offended when word goes out that black men don’t know how to treat their women. these same silent black men that have such visible platforms don’t use them to shut down those other black males that are damaging the collective. so if black men are not concerned with the position and survival of black people and can’t see themselves in their wives, sisters, and daughters (i do not mean only the ones that are personally related to you brothers!)…it is pretty much an exercise in futility for black women to continue be overly concerned. i cannot in good faith advise my sisters to keep waiting…quite a few brothers have moved out and on. black women putting everything and everyone above ourselves has long been the destructive norm. i don’t give half a whit about the norm when it is self defeating.

the only thing i would ask after watching this hillaryous yet pathetic political spectacle is:

brothers, any questions?

of course, i know there will probably be none.

brothers will philosophize, swear they can’t help who they love while refusing to love those that look like them and need them the most, continue to kill each other in record numbers, continue to prey on and take from the women and children they should protect and provide for, despite knowing full well that white men (historically and presently) can’t stand the thought of free genetically dominant black men; and have consistently demonstrated no problem with unevenly applying the law to eliminate the perceived threat, brothers will continue to do those things to foolishly jeopardize their freedom---mind you not honorable imprisonment like fighting for freedom, really stupid embarrassing stuff that support the racist stereotypes, and make yet more excuses while continuing the dogged pursuit of...white women and any other woman at this point---asian, hispanic, racially ambiguous, oh God ANYONE anyone that doesn't look like him.

to quote a peculiar looking little loud-mouth black male with an international platform and high visibility---black wives are a “handicap”. clearly, by the behavior quite a few black men believe this way…

why?

i am now granting myself permission to speak freely---grown talk for grown folks.

why? because black men and women, collectively, have not been able to figure out the simplest things. collectively black folks have continued to measure themselves against white standards/definitions. collectively blacks continue to foolishly see whites as their “competition” rather than acknowledging the historical and present undisputable fact that whites have declared and waged open war against black men, women and children for centuries! there has been nothing, nothing at all that would indicate intent to cease and desist with this “tradition” anytime soon. all signs are to the contrary in fact.

whites (male and female) understand the importance of disrupting the natural balance/dynamics of black male and female relationships. for this reason they have been careful to do it century after century. using everything that they can. today their greatest weapon is the media, imagery, and so called education. we are being turned against each other. used consistently to hurt and disrespect one another. we are allowing our historical enemies to define who we are (try criminals and whores), what we should consider desirable and beautiful (anything but black! ½ black is as black as it can be!!!) and the direction we will go as a people (no where but down). despite being shown time after time the nature of the beast, collectively blacks have sought to negotiate with the proud descendents of sociopathic liars that have demonstrated that treaties, promises, laws and agreements are made to be broken. despite good logic or reason blacks have sought to forget our history rather than embrace, learn and honor our history, ancestors, and ourselves.

adding to this and multiplying the problem, black men demonstrate collectively, a selfishness and cowardice that one would be hard pressed to find in a child of either sex. even children are known by what they...DO. or in the case of black men, refuse to do. like stand up, protect, and provide for their women and children; this should be the norm not the exception my brothers. black men should busy themselves immediately with setting and upholding community standards that provide for and benefit the community---you know the men, women, and children--- not just black men. brothers need to stop, immediately, begging white folks to bestow upon them freedom and equality. there is no way to have great self esteem without doing esteemable things. brothers would do well to realize, finally, one must assert their equality and seize their freedom. but then we come back to figuring things out and courage. speaking of figuring things out…ever ask yourselves, black men, why if black women are so ugly and undesirable are white men so obsessed with us? always have been---even when declaring us “animals” and are the same way now. it is kindda like white folks convincing black folks that africa is bad bad bad while you can’t keep white folks out of rich, fertile, mother of humanity africa. it is called trickery my brothers. whenever you are ready you can stop falling for it.

without fail, when faced with a situation of either disrespecting/betraying his black woman or upsetting a white woman, most black men choose---i will let you take a guess. in doing so, know that you confirm that not only is the white woman supreme and superior but her man is as well-his word is supreme and since he said the white woman is better than your black woman you agree. think about it. you know, fanon’s black skin white masks should really be a cautionary tale not an excuse as some pseudo intellectuals have made it. i have been a dark skinned, gloriously woolly, nappy haired black woman all of my life. i speak from experience. this is also how i know that white men tend to be obsessive about our skin, natural hair, and being in close proximity to us.

so, it was the Ford obama article that i posted that got me to really thinking about this. in it he said "White men, the recipients of the most unearned privilege, wealth and power over the four centuries of English-speaking settlement (theft) in North American"...Read more...

there are other books, written by black men as well, i have read that routinely excuse/omit white women from their rightful places next to their men as enslavers and white supremacists. it is the white woman who has benefitted the most from slavery and white supremacy. let me say that again. ready? it is the white woman that has benefitted the most from slavery and white supremacy. she fights relentlessly to maintain white supremacy. straight hrc gangsta with it in case you didn’t know. understand that because of white supremacy and white domination the white woman gets to be comfortable, protected, well provided for, supreme, the epitome of femininity, virtuous, brazenly slutty and sitting at the top with her white supremacist man---when she chooses. all privileges based on lies, brutality and the continued destruction and exploitation of black people and other people of color world-wide.

despite how history is re-written when the movie gets made by white folks, white women have not been overcome with compassion for the humanity of black folks. when white women like harriet beecher stowe ,who gave birth to uncle tom and his cabin, did challenge the system it was to save the souls of white folks. she was not really trying to stop exploiting the black men and women that made her life so comfortable. the white woman to this day can and does routinely the most gold digging slutty things of all time; while white men keep lying about her being the epitome of virtue, femininity and beauty. black men keep gobbling up the okey doke and self terminating. black women, too, for that matter, but that’s a different post. let me be clear, wherever the black man goes the black woman follows. this has always been the case, from wearing conks/relaxed hair in days of old to what we are witnessing today…

so since black men aren’t figuring this out quickly enough and seem determined to help external de-population efforts by cooperatively internally de-populating---let me help you figure this out. white men and white women share white skin privilege. white men and white women have worked together and continue to work together to enslave black men and black women all over the world. understand that as you scream and shout about the white supremacy and racism of white men while in record numbers dating, procreating, and marrying white women that the joke is on you. it really is a joke at this point. a bad bad bad joke. think about it. the white woman’s value is established/maintained by the same source that in no uncertain terms dehumanizes you and your women routinely. instead of standing and fighting against this declaration of war in large numbers you instead support the nonsense wholeheartedly, disrespectfully, vehemently, loudly in words and deeds. respect is earned my brothers.

the fact that quite a few brothers, lebron james included, can’t see the problem with the revival of king kong makes me want to throw up both my hands. this “classic” has re-emerged around the same time the love of nooses and black-face reappeared. history is repeating itself and quite a few black men have chosen not to be bothered with something as crucial as survival and self preservation. instead, they are busy procreating out and not paying attention. where is the honor, heart, esteem and courage in that? “history does not forgive those that lose their way” Lerone Bennett spoke with great insight and wisdom. it would be in the best interest of all to heed his words immediately.

in closing, let me share this true story. i met a really smart older gentleman recently. he and his blue eyed black wife started a black film festival. how are her blue eyes relevant, you ask? i am glad you did. his wife had the same superiority complex that you will find in quite a few really fair complexioned black people. she consistently made statements that would have not been permissible had she in fact been a white woman. statements that attributed improper planning, disorganization and substandard performance at her film festival to “blackness”, “inferiority”, and “colored folks” rather than her improper planning, disorganization and under performance. since she was in charge that buck would have stopped with her; obviously that fact escaped her. black black me pointing it out did not go over very well either.

her husband is as black as they make them. i have noticed and am not afraid to say that quite a few pro-black, dashiki wearing, power to the people; fist raised black nationalists love love love really white looking black women. unless, they just refuse to pretend and go straight for…white, asian, hispanic, or other women. this brother and i had very interesting conversations. he always told me books to read. one of the books he suggested i read that we were to discuss was black power by stokely carmichael. i needed to re-read it to prepare for our discussion. before we could discuss the priniciples of the book, i learned that this man that can spot a white man conspiracy a mile away---employed an incompetent, entitled white woman to be in charge of the films in his black film festival! “black power” principles notwithstanding! not answering phones, for maintenance, or assisting the person in charge of the films. she was in charge of the films at the black film festival! needless to say, we never discussed the book. the conversation would have been a hollow waste of time. what good are sound principles if they are not applied?

black folks will do better when black folks DO better. it really is that simple.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

talking out of both sides of the mouth...an art form

so, the speech is still on my nerves, folks.

in fact, it strikes me as nothing short of evil.

most seem determined to not look deeply into the heart of what is at stake in the 2008 elections.

what is at stake is the continuation of this parasitic, white supremacist, racist system. world white supremacy/domination and one world government is at stake. the very foundation of america is one of exploitation and genocide. now there is an opportunity to have a figurehead with a seemingly kinder, gentler, black face.

progress? uh, no.

i don't think anyone would argue that it has been well demonstrated that black folks have no problem killing other black folks. but then, this is america where being brain dead is considered "patriotic" so it wouldn't surprise me to hear argument. historical facts don't sway the brain dead i have learned.

so, i happened upon someone that said exactly how i feel. in no uncertain terms. i like no uncertain terms. black folks don't need a lullaby. black folks need wake up salts.

black folks need to wake up now! in our sleeping we are falling victim to mentacide, genocide, homicide---pick a cide---black folks worldwide are targets of it! anyone telling you otherwise is lying. black folks must know, speak courageously, and act on the truth---this will make us free.

i realized that Rev. Wright was being villified for telling the truth. the black folks that call Wright's views "hatred" are out of their f#%king gourds! far be it from me not to call it. i don't suffer fools gladly. i don't have time.

because it has all been done before, i particularly enjoyed the Douglass reference. we are in the same battle centuries later and a whole lot of black folks are wandering around acting like they have arrived. WTF!!!

all the sleeping lost black folks would do well to heed the wise words of Lerone Bennett:

"history does not forgive those that lose their way"

...clues are not that hard to get folks. they are in fact harder to miss.

check out the article. click the link, racial diplomacy i think, within the article as well. as i said...clues are harder to miss than get! thank you Glen Ford! i love the picture. i stand in solidarity and salute you.

share your thoughts if you feel compelled...they are always welcome.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

Barack Obama Runs A Crooked Game

by BAR executive editor Glen Ford

Barack Obama specializes in rigging political games so that African Americans can’t win – that is, unless the African American is named Obama. So intent is Obama to retain his huge support among white males, the Senator constantly admonishes Blacks to avoid upsetting white men or their peculiar notions of American history. Obama calls for a “dialogue” between Blacks and whites, and then removes from discussion all items that might cause stress or loss of privilege to living whites. From Obama’s point of view, the worst conduct imaginable for a Black man is to exaggerate the effects of slavery on the captive Africans or the society that enslaved them. Should the one million Black prison inmates be subjects of Black-white dialogue. Nope – too upsetting to white folks. Read more...

???

does anyone else ever wonder who decided that the democrats served the best interest(s) of black folks?

why do blacks feel like they must support the democratic party?

who decided there was a difference (in action) between democrats and republicans? my efforts to have bush impeached has demonstrated that they work together; without question, against the interests of americans; especially black americans.

so, why is it so hard for the masses to see that the dixiecrats and the republicans work together to maintain our white supremacist/racist american traditions? i really don't get it...

what sense does it make to follow rules that will only lead to your destruction?

ever notice the shot callers refuse to follow their own rules?

think about it! think.


SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

character problems? or good politicking?

not sure how long this will be around. thought i would share it...




i think the political system is corrupt and needs to be dismantled. the decent folk that want to make a difference are frozen out of the process. time after time. year after year. election after election. nevertheless, most americans feel compelled to play along. why?

it comes as no surprise to me that hrc has character problems. i have met quite a few that seem clueless to this fact...

what do you think?


SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

...the poverty of philosophy...

i could not have better presented my thoughts... if i tried:-)

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

The Dunbar Village Atrocity

Open Letter 3/28/2008 Update: A New Underground Railroad is Born

Subject: The Dunbar Village Atrocity

Synopsis:

In the past week, a rapidly-moving viral email campaign was launched, and thousands of concerned black citizens spread the word about a shocking crime against a Black woman and her 12 year old son, in which crimes against nature were committed. (read more details of the crime here)

This email, entitled “Stop Al Sharpton and the NAACP from endangering Black Women,” described a stunning betrayal in which the NAACP and Al Sharpton held a press conference and demanded bail consideration for three suspects in custody for the crime. (source1) (source2)

Concerned Black citizens all around the country were outraged by the actions of the NAACP and Al Sharpton, and many vowed to withdraw volunteering and financial support from these agencies “until they make the safety of Black women and children a priority.”

On March 24, 2008 an NAACP memo that attempted to defend this betrayal was sent to Beverly Neal, who is the Director of the NAACP’s Florida State Conference. The memo claims that the NAACP was brought into this fray by Rev. Al Sharpton. Moreover, the memo was written by Maude Ford Lee, who is President of the West Palm Beach Branch of the NAACP. (read the memo here)

On March 27,2008, activist Al Sharpton went on the air to clarify his position on the treatment of the Dunbar Village Suspects. He invited writer Tonyaa Weathersbee and blogger Arlene Fenton to his show, to discuss the matter. Rev. Sharpton claimed that he never said that the Dunbar Village suspects were being treated unfairly, and that he did not want bail for the suspects in question.

Ms Weathersbee and Ms Fenton said that their research indicated otherwise, as indicated by video footage, eyewitness accounts, and the reporting from the Florida Sun Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post.

At the end of the radio show, Al Sharpton strongly condemned any activity that would promote bail consideration for the suspects in question. Rev. Sharpton admitted that “if the suspects were white, he would have been there sooner.” He stated that this is a problem with many black civil rights organizations. He apologized and vowed to uphold his prior promise to advocate for the residents of Dunbar Village. He also challenged all activists, bloggers, and writers to be accountable to each other.

To date, the NAACP has not made an official statement denouncing the Dunbar Village Atrocity, nor have they officially expressed regret to the victim. The NAACP also has not officially retracted their statement requesting bail consideration for the alleged rapists/torturers. To our understanding, neither agency has contributed to the Victim’s Assistance Fund or created a reward program geared toward the apprehension of the remaining rapists/torturers.

Conclusion

WE ARE SATISFIED with Al Sharpton’s qualifying statements that he made on his radio show on 3/27/2008. We will watch to see if he fulfills his promise to advocate for the residents of Dunbar Village, and we are willing to assist any effort that promotes safer black neighborhoods in West Palm Beach, FL.

WE ARE NOT CONTENT with the reckless, irresponsible actions of the NAACP (West Palm Beach chapter). We continue to urge all black people, women especially, to refrain from volunteering or giving financially to this organization until they take our safety seriously.

WHAT WE WANT

We want law enforcement to make a concerted, sustained effort to apprehend the remaining suspects. We want to see a genuine reward system in place to encourage members of the community to come forward with the knowledge of the whereabouts of the remaining suspects.

We want the NAACP (West Palm Beach chapter) to reverse their position that the alleged rapists/torturers of this case should be considered for bail.

We want both the NAACP and the National Action Network to cease downgrading the gang rape/torture/atrocity of the Dunbar Village by comparing it to an unrelated gang rape, in which guns, maiming, and forced incest were not involved.

We want to see genuine victim advocacy in the form of financial support for the relocation, medical expenses, and mental therapy for the true victims in this case.



The Dunbar Village Victim Assistance Fund

Individuals who would like to donate money to the victims can go to any Wachovia Bank and donate to the St. Ann’s Victim’s Assistance Fund. Donations will go directly to the mother and her son.

St. Ann’s Catholic Church will also accept donations. Checks can be made payable to the "Dunbar Village Victim Assistance Fund - St. Ann’s".

Donations can be mailed to: St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 310 N. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

If you would like to post this Open Letter on your blog, you can copy the HTML here:

(Blogger HTML) A New Underground Railroad is Born
(General HTML) A New Underground Railroad is Born


For more information about this Dunbar Village Campaign, you can visit any of the following blogs:

http://www.dunbarvillage.blogspot.com/
http://adifferentstory.wordpress.com/
http://anonymissblog.blogspot.com/
http://auntjemimasrevenge.blogspot.com/
http://blackfirewhitefire.blogspot.com/
http://blackwomenvote.blogspot.com/
http://charactercorner.blogspot.com/
http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/
http://episcopalienne.blogspot.com/
http://essentialpresence.blogspot.com/
http://focusedpurpose.blogspot.com/
http://h-essays.blogspot.com/
http://lareinacobre.blogspot.com/
http://mynewblogravenelvenlady.blogspot.com/
http://politicalseason.blogspot.com/
http://privyconcepts.blogspot.com/
http://thesowingcircle.blogspot.com/
http://tributetoblackwomen.com/news
http://web.mac.com/roslynholcomb/iWeb/Site/Blog/Blog.html
http://whataboutourdaughters.com/
http://whattamisaid.blogspot.com/
http://www.blacksapience.blogspot.com/
http://yanmommasaid.blogspot.com/
http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog

know yourself...

if "you know your enemy and know yourself," he wrote, "you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." ---the art of war

do you know who you are?

or do you see yourself through the eyes of your enemies?


here is what you are not taught:

• Africa is the home of early man.
  
• Africa is the cradle of modern man.
  
• Africa is the cradle of civilization.
  
• Africa once held a position as world teacher including the teacher for the western world.
  
• There was and there still is a continental wide unity in Africa and in the African communities around the world.
  
• The first time Africans left the continent was not on slave ships.
  
• Africa and African people all over the world have been under siege for nearly 2000 years and only recently by European slavery and colonization.
  
• There is an African Diaspora all over the world today.
  
• African people have resisted domination on the continent and all over the world.
  
• Even under slavery, colonization, segregation, apartheid, African people have made monumental contributions to arts, science and politics.

we are not a people that just lies down and accepts oppression. there is nothing in our history to suggest such a course. any suggestion of this "giving up"screams the fact that we are not in touch with who we are as a people.

we are lost and must get back to basics.

...as i searched for a way to share the message, all roads lead back to history. it has all been said/done before. Malcolm X taught the lesson in a way that said it all...

please note that white has been added by me. i don't think that white men are THE man. they are simply white men...words are powerful...let us not defeat ourselves with them...

"You Can’t Hate The Roots
by Malcolm X
1965

Why should the Black man in America concern himself, since we’ve been away from the African continent for 400 years, for 300 – 400 years, why should we concern ourselves? What impact does what happen to them have upon us?

Number one; first you have to realize that up until 1959, Africa was dominated by the colonial powers. And by the colonial powers of Europe having complete control over Africa, they projected the image of Africa negatively. They projected Africa always in a negative light; jungles, savages, cannibals--nothing civilized.

And why then naturally it was so negative, it was negative to you and me. And you and I began to hate it. We didn’t want anybody to tell us anything about Africa much less calling us an African. And in hating Africa, and in hating the African, we ended up even hating ourselves, without even realizing it. Because you can’t hate the roots of a tree and not hate the tree. You can’t hate your origin and not end up hating yourself. You can’t hate Africa and not hate yourself.

And you show me one of these people over here who has been thoroughly brainwashed, who has a negative attitude towards Africa and I will show you one that has a negative attitude towards himself. You can’t have a positive attitude towards yourself and a negative attitude towards Africa at the same time.

To the same degree that your attitude, that your understanding of and attitude toward Africa becomes positive, you’ll find that your understanding of and your attitude towards yourself becomes positive. And this is what the white man knows. So they very skillfully made you and me hate our African identity, our African characteristics. You know yourself. And we have been a people that hated our African characteristics. We hated our hair; we hated the shape of our nose. We wanted one of those long dog-like noses. We hated the color of our skin. We hated the blood of Africa that was in our veins and in hating our features and our skin and our blood, why we had to end up hating ourselves. And we hated ourselves.

Our color became to us a chain. We felt that it was holding us back; our color became to us like a prison which we felt was keeping us confined, not letting us go this way or that way and we felt that all of this restriction was based solely on our color and the psychological reaction to that would have had to be, that so long as we felt imprisoned or chained or trapped by black skin, black features and black blood; that skin and those features and blood that was holding us back automatically had to become hateful to us. And it became hateful to us. It made us feel inferior, it made us feel inadequate, it made us feel helpless, and when we fell victim to this feeling of inadequacy, or inferiority, or helplessness, we turned to somebody else to show us the way.

We didn’t have confidence in another Black man to show us the way or Black people to show us the way. In those days, we didn’t. We didn’t think a Black man could do anything, but play some horn and some sound and make you happy with some songs. But in serious things, where our food, clothing, and our shelter was concerned, and our education was concerned, we turned to the (white) man. We never thought in terms of bringing these things in existence for ourselves. We never thought in terms of doing things for ourselves. Because we felt helpless. And what made us helpless was our hatred for ourselves.

One of the things that made the Black Muslim Movement grow was its emphasis upon things African; this was the secret to the growth of the Black Muslim Movement. African blood, African origin, African cultures, African ties; and you’d be surprised. We discovered that deep within the subconscious of the Black man in this country, he’s still more African then he’s American. He thinks that he’s more American than he’s African because the (white) man is jiving him; the (white) man is brainwashing him everyday, telling him ‘you’re an American, you’re an American.’

Man how can you think that you’re an American when you have never had an American tree here? You have never, never…Ten men are sitting at a table eating; you know dining and I can come and sit down where they’re dining. They are dining. I’ve got a plate in front of me but nothing is on it. Because all of us are sitting at the same table are all of us diners?

I’m not a diner until you let me dine. Then I become a diner. Just being on the table with others who are dining doesn’t make me a diner. And that’s why you got to get in your head here in this country. Just because you’re in this country doesn’t make you an American. No; you got to go further than that. Before you can become an American, you’ve got to enjoy the fruits of Americanism and you haven’t enjoyed those fruits. You’ve enjoyed the thorns; you have enjoyed the thistles; but you have not enjoyed the fruits. No sir.

So I point these things out brothers and sisters so that you and I will know the importance, in 1965, of being in complete unity with each other, in harmony with each other, and not letting the (white) man maneuver us into fighting one another. I say again that I’m not a racist. I don’t believe in any form of segregation or anything like that. I’m for the brotherhood of everybody. But I don’t believe in forcing brotherhood upon people who don’t want it. So long as we practice brotherhood among ourselves and then others want to practice brotherhood with us,we’ll practice it with them also; we’ll work for that. But I don’t think we should run around trying to love somebody who doesn’t love us."

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

know your enemy...

the ancient chinese warrior Sun Tzu taught his men to "know your enemy" before going into battle.

for if "you know your enemy and know yourself," he wrote, "you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."

but, Sun Tzu warned, "if you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat."---the art of war




"yes, i know my enemies
they're the teachers who taught me to fight me
compromise
conformity
assimilation
submission
ignorance
hypocrisy
brutality
the elite
all of which are american dreams
all of which are american dreams
all of which are american dreams
all of which are american dreams
all of which are american dreams
all of which are american dreams
all of which are american dreams
all of which are american dreams"


SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

working from within?

will someone please help me understand all the black folks that want to "work from within" all communities, organizations and parties... that are NOT BLACK?

i am not trying to be funny!!!

black folks want to work within everything BUT the black community...

might it be a lack of...


SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT?

i say...yes...yes...yes!...wake up...yes!... stop it already!!!

1964..the ballot or the bullet?...the more things change folks...the more they stay the same...wake up!

for those of you that have elected yourselves to the board of "make sure white folks are not offended" please note that "cracker" is a historical reference. it is a term used to describe the white person, that wielded a whip and cracked it mercilessly on the backs of black men, women, and children, in an effort to brutally beat them into oppression.

additionally, please be advised that "cracker" children today are diligently about their fathers' (and mothers') business. trust.

be notified that keeping white folks unoffended and comfortable is the new jim crow law---i don't abide in it. be offended and angry if you must. be respectful as you voice your differences.

i.understand.slave.conditioning.

however, i must and i will be free. i don't seek nor need anyone else's permission. don't be mad--- if you have the heart, come join me!

coming out of last week---recovering from the effects of obama's speech and the gleeful reactions to it from black folks---most white folks were mad; they expect all or nothing and obama didn't give it all in his meally mouth, intermediary, buckdancing, distance himself from "tom" wright's performance. still, i say, wtf!

black folks, sadly; still have no self love, self acceptance, self respect, or standards. as a result, black folks accept pretty much any old thing---as such, most black folks were happier than pigs in sh%t following the buckdancing performance.

i must confess, i felt horrified, dismayed, and very tired watching it all go down.

i tried to think of what i could say.

i spent a couple of days thinking about it. while black folks dressed up and celebrated with the bunny that lays eggs.

i had to come back to the fact/conclusion that it has all been said before. so while we continue to pretend, move out, date out, marry out, and procreate out---feverishly---black male and black female---the battle is still the same. intermarriage did not save the jews from the holocaust and it will not save us. bank on it...we must come back to basics. and all roads lead back to...

...SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

Stop Al Sharpton and the NAACP from endangering Black Women!

DEAR READERS:

This mass open letter is a call to action for all black people who care about the safety and welfare of black women and children in America. If you are concerned about the recent developments about Dunbar Village, please copy the post below, and email it to all of your friends and coworkers.

WE WILL NO LONGER BE SILENT ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK WOMEN.

Copy and email below, and title your email: Stop Al Sharpton and the NAACP from endangering Black Women!

Let us know in the comments section if you are supporting the movement to protect black women from black on black violence.


Stop Al Sharpton and the NAACP from endangering Black Women!

Right-thinking black people everywhere are stunned by the recent betrayal of Al Sharpton and the NAACP in a situation that is just too outrageous to ignore.

This is a painful story to tell, but it’s important for the moral, law-abiding majority of black Americans to understand exactly why Al Sharpton and the NAACP must be immediately stopped.

On June 18, 2007, a black woman was gang raped by 10 youths and forced at gunpoint to have sex with her own 12 year old son in a housing complex called Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach, Florida. The young men not only viciously punched, kicked and sliced this sister and her son with glass objects, but they also blinded her boy by pouring nail polish remover into his eyes.

The young men forced this sister and son to lay naked in a bathtub together, and attempted to set them on fire (they could not find matches). The youths boldly took cell phone pictures so that they could enjoy their violent, immoral and sadistic acts at a later time. The violence continued for more than three hours, and although this sister’s neighbors heard her screams, no one called the police or came to her aid.

This sister and her son had to walk a mile to the hospital, because the assailants stole her car, and threatened to kill her and her family if she told the authorities.

Only four of the young men have been apprehended, while the remaining six are on the loose, doing Lord knows what in our communities. There is no manhunt for the remaining suspects.

As devastating as this story is, what the NAACP and Al Sharpton have done about it will simply take your breath away:

Not only did the NAACP ignore hundreds of requests to assist this woman because it was 'outside the scope of their mission', but they joined forces with Al Sharpton, and sent their lawyers to speak out IN SUPPORT OF THE RAPISTS.

You heard me right.

Even though there is conclusive DNA evidence and signed confessions, the NAACP and Al Sharpton are saying that it is 'unfair' to not offer bail to these four alleged rapists. They even had a press release about it.

IT IS TIME FOR SENSIBLE BLACK PEOPLE TO STOP THIS KIND OF NONSENSE ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Al Sharpton and the NAACP are banking on the belief that you and I will be just like this black woman’s neighbors. Join me by saying NOT THIS TIME. We will not turn a deaf ear to when we hear calls for help from one of our sisters and brothers who are being victimized.

Stop the NAACP and Al Sharpton’s National Action Network from committing this disgrace in our community. Just this once, let’s stand up and be counted by saying that we demand safe neighborhoods for our women and children.

Here is what you can do:

1. Spread the word. Forward this email if your conscience and concern have been raised. Send it to every concerned black citizen that you know.

2. Demand an explanation from your local NAACP chapter about this case. Cancel your membership to these organizations, and write a letter explaining that you will return when they prioritize the public safety needs of black women and children.

3. If you do not belong to these organizations, call and write them to tell them of your outrage and displeasure:

NAACP National Headquarters
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore MD 21215
Toll Free: (877) NAACP-98
Local: (410) 580-5777

National Action Network
Rev. Al Sharpton
106 W. 145th Street
Harlem, New York 10039
212-690-3070
877-NAN-HOJ1

4. If you know an African American reporter or a black radio talk show host, forward this story them and ask them to follow up on it.

Each Friday at 9:00am, visit any of the websites below, which will give you an update on the status of this situation. DO NOT LET THIS GO. Let us start working for safer neighborhoods in black communities.

Read the history of the Dunbar Village problem here:http://www.dunbarvillage2008.blogspot.com/


ON FRIDAYS, CHECK THE NETWORK OF A NEW GENERATION OF BLACK ACTIVISTS:

http://blackwomenvote.blogspot.com/
http://adifferentstory.wordpress.com/
http://anonymissblog.blogspot.com/
http://auntjemimasrevenge.blogspot.com/
http://blackfirewhitefire.blogspot.com/
http://charactercorner.blogspot.com/
http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/
http://episcopalienne.blogspot.com/
http://essentialpresence.blogspot.com/
http://focusedpurpose.blogspot.com/
http://h-essays.blogspot.com/
http://lareinacobre.blogspot.com/
http://mynewblogravenelvenlady.blogspot.com/
http://politicalseason.blogspot.com/
http://privyconcepts.blogspot.com/
http://thesowingcircle.blogspot.com/
http://web.mac.com/roslynholcomb/iWeb/Site/Blog/Blog.html
http://whataboutourdaughters.com/
http://whattamisaid.blogspot.com/
http://www.blacksapience.blogspot.com/
http://yanmommasaid.blogspot.com/
http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog

aaahhh...truth

"If you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there!"

--African Proverb

one love...now...

i wasn't going to post today.

there has been so much going on...

...i thought i would take a break. yet, i feel compelled to share. i suggested that people should search out zeitgeist. i want to make it easier to get the information. so here it is in part...



















so... it is really up to us, no? one love has a whole new meaning now, doesn't it? we can no longer afford to be divided and distracted.


SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

media whore

i have been trying to find humor in what i see so clearly around me. it is a challenge i must confess, i like challenges, though:-) that's the upside; there is always one.

so, this week i have been dealing with being ignored and given the run around by the naacp---i have changed their initials to mean the national association of the advancement of criminal people. that made me laugh and feel better.

so, i am still waiting on return phone calls from the naacp and nan. i will not hold my breath. i got the message loud and clear. my commitment to the The Black Women's Agenda allows me to focus and remain purposeful.

"dunbar village, what's that?" if i had a penny for every time i heard that, i would be...

...oprah's very loaded, conscious neighbor.

supporting the Dunbar Village RAPISTS! will help get all up to speed. there is no shame in not knowing. there is shame in knowing and doing nothing.

the following episodes reminded me of al media whore opportunist sharpton; among many many many other things...

...it is all related. only child-like fools believe otherwise. ignorance is not bliss---it is lethal.

wake up...wake up...wake up...my people wake up...please...

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

don't worry....check out part 2

zeitgeist...search it...see it

AMEN SISTER!!!

all i can say is amen! Cynthia McKinney said it so well. read. think about it. what are our politicians up to...really? or are we just happy to see black skin?

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT


Cynthia McKinney
A Discussion of Race Worth Having
March 18, 2008

Much has been made around the edges of this campaign about the issue of race. Sadly, nothing has been made of the public policy exigencies that arise because of the urgent racial disparities that continue to exist in our country. Just last week, the United Nations criticized the United States, again, for its failure to address the issues arising from the rights, particularly the right of return, of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita survivors. Author Bill Quigley writes in "The Cleansing of New Orleans," that half of the working poor, elderly, and disabled of New Orleans have not been able to return. Two weeks ago, United Nations experts on housing and minority rights called for an immediate end of public housing demolitions in New Orleans. Now, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, ratified by the U.S. in 1994, further observes that the U.S. must do more to protect and support the African American community. In 2006, the United Nations Human Rights Commission "noted its concern that while African Americans constitute just 12% of the population, they represent 50% of homeless people, and the government is required to take 'adequate and adequately implemented' measures to remedy this human rights violation." In short, the United Nations has issued reports squarely calling for the United States to do more to eliminate racial discrimination— and this discrimination is a human rights violation.

I am deeply offended that in the middle of a Presidential campaign, remarks--be they from a pastor or a communications mogul, or a former Vice Presidential nominee--are the cause of a focus on race, and not the deep racial disparities that communities are forced to endure on a daily basis in this country.

Myriad reports and studies that have been done all come up with the same basic conclusion: in order to resolve deep and persisting racial disparities in this country, a public policy initiative is urgently needed. A real discussion of race, in the context of a Presidential election, ought to include a discussion of the various public policy initiatives offered by the various candidates to eliminate all forms and vestiges of racial discrimination, including the racial disparities that cloud the hopes, dreams, and futures of millions of Americans.

For example, every year on the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. United for a Fair Economy publishes a study of the true state of people of color in America called the "State of the Dream Report." And it was their 2004 report that noted that without public policy intervention, it would take 1,664 years to close the racial gap in home ownership in this country. And that on some indices, for example, infant mortality, the racial disparities were worse at the time of the report than at the time of the murder of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In their 2005 report, entitled, "Disowned," United for a Fair Economy explored the disparate impact of Bush's "Ownership Society" economic program that saw Black and Latino lives shattered as unemployment, income, home ownership, business ownership, and stock ownership plummeted even in the face of Administration economists trumpeting the phenomenal "growth" of the U.S. economy as a result of their policies.

In 2006, United for a Fair Economy focused on the devastating and embarrassing effect of government inaction before, during, and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They focused on something as simple as car ownership and the relationship between vehicle ownership and race. In the case of New Orleans, car ownership literally meant the difference between losing or saving one's life.

In 2007, United for a Fair Economy explored the Black voters' attachment to the Democratic Party, and in a piece entitled, "Voting Blue, but Staying in the Red," they explored goals that the Democratic Party should have put at the top of its agenda for its first 100 hours in the majority. While noting that the Democrats didn't even mention Katrina in their agenda, United for a Fair Economy concluded that Blacks and Latinos voted in the November 2006 elections in the blue, but due to a failure of public policy that pays attention to their needs, they continue to live in the red.

In their 2008 report, United for a Fair Economy explores the sub-prime mortgage crisis and note that the largest loss of wealth in U.S. history is being experienced by the Black and Latino communities with an estimated $92 billion being lost by Blacks and an estimated $98 billion being lost by Latinos. And while families are losing their life savings and the only major investment that they own, policy makers are asking them to tighten their belts. But the predator banks' CEOs are walking away with record remuneration. And our policy makers are notable for their inaction: first on the predatory lending that disproportionately affects Blacks and Latinos, and then on offering relief so that homeowners remain homeowners, including in the midst of this crisis.

Sadly, United for a Fair Economy isn't the only research organization to find glaring and intolerable disparities in our society by race and no appropriate public policies enacted to address them. Hull House did a study that found that it would take 200 years to close the gap in the quality of life experienced by black Chicagoans and white Chicagoans. There has been no public policy initiative taken up by the mayor or the governor of Illinois to begin closing that gap.

Several years ago, the New York Times published a finding that nearly half the men between the ages of 16 and 64 in New York City were unemployed. There was no initiative by the mayor or the governor of New York to begin addressing such pain.

Every year, the National Urban League publishes a study, "The State of Black America," in which the ills and disparities that persist in this country are catalogued. Every year, the story is basically the same. The United States has a way to go that only public policy can address. However, when Harvard University/The Kaiser Family Foundation did a study on White attitudes about race several years ago, it found that Whites have little appreciation for the reality of Black life in America, from police harassment and intimidation, to imprisonment, to family income, unemployment, housing, and health care. But without an appreciation of the reality faced by many of our fellow Americans, the necessary public policy initiatives to change those realities will find difficulty gaining acceptance in the public discourse.

Additionally, compounding the problem, there is little public discourse because the corporate press refuse to cover the deep implications of the results of all these studies. I am convinced that if the American people knew the truth of the conditions, change would surely follow. I believe that to be the case because of the impact of the images of "Bloody Sunday" on the passage of the Voting Rights Act. I believe that to be the case because of the impact of the images of the Vietnam War on the turn of the tide of public opinion against that War.

This moment sheds light on a much-needed discussion: on race and the legacies of race and slavery and the continuing problems associated with our failure to treat racism as a curable American disease.

I am glad that candidate Obama mentioned the existing racial disparities in education, income, wealth, jobs, government services, imprisonment, and opportunity. Now it is time to address the public policies necessary to resolve these disparities. Now it is time to have the discussion on how we are going to come together and put policies in effect that will provide real hope and real opportunity to all in this country.

To narrow the gap between the ideals of our founding fathers and the realities faced by too many in our country today: That must be the role of public policy at this critical moment in our country today.

I welcome a real discussion of race in this country and a resolve to end the long-standing disparities that continue to spoil the greatness of our country. I welcome a real discussion of all the issues that face our country today and the real public policy options that exist to resolve them. That must be the measure of this campaign season. For many voters, this important discussion has been too vague or completely non-existent. Now is the time to talk about the concrete measures that will move our country forward: on race, war, climate change, the economy, health care, and education. Our votes and our political engagement must be about ensuring that fairness truly for all is embodied in "liberty and justice for all."

the high road

it is always good to take the high road...

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

get the feeling we are expected to just...shut up?

i don't agree with it all.

the "christian culture with morality" junk sent steam out of my ears. for the record, i don't think all jews are degenerates either. let me be real clear.

i found http://www.iamthewitness.com/ to be interesting to say the least. i will have to read more before i know what i think. their disclaimer in part..."thinking, writing, and speaking about a broad range of Zionist issues. We are not racist, xenophobic, homophobic, or prejudiced against any race, creed, or national origin. We are prejudiced only against criminals." helped my fear that they were simply hateful and trying to lay blame for the giant world wide mess we see at the feet of the jews. this seems to be the popular theme of white supremacists that refuse to acknowledge the participation of whites in the creation of the mess.

i haven't yet met anyone that i do agree with all they have to say. so take what you need...leave the rest.

i get the distinct impression that in order for the plan to work, we all must...shut up.

uh, thanks but no...let's talk about it. with respect, love, and the desire to make it better. it is up to us. we owe it to our ancestors, our children, and ourselves.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

spitzer...from a different perspective...this time using the brain!

this info was shared with me. i thought i would share it with you.

Greg Palast is a journalist that grew up in the san fernando valley. after he reported a story that angered the gov't he had to leave this country. he does a program in england on the bbc similar to nightline here.. truth telling means you have to move; in order to keep freely telling it! freedom of speech my...

i salute his courage and support him in his efforts.

so...let's stop focusing on the ho/whore/prostitute/hofessional/hooker/call girl/escort/pretty woman. please.

it is smart to practice using the whole brain. or at the very least substantially more than average.

let's dig in and focus on what makes the most sense with which to be concerned. more black men, women, and children are headed into poverty and homelessness. i have met, personally, quite a few hispanics and whites as well; fighting desperately to keep their homes. this is serious business and we need to get serious about handling business. these are hard working people that are diligently trying to succeed within the system. think. focus. purpose. action=civic duty.

the blue in the article is me talking. thought i would point that out; don't want anyone to be confused:-)

read. dig deeper. think. share your thoughts if you feel inclined. they are always welcome.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

The $200 billion bail-out for predator banks and Spitzer charges are intimately linked

By Greg Palast Reporting for Air America Radio’s Clout

March 14th, 2008

[To hear it, click on the link below…]

While New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was paying an ‘escort’ $4,300 in a hotel room in Washington, just down the road, George Bush’s new Federal Reserve Board Chairman, Ben Bernanke, was secretly handing over $200 billion in a tryst with mortgage bank industry speculators.

Both acts were wanton, wicked and lewd. But there’s a BIG difference. The Governor was using his own checkbook. Bush’s man Bernanke was using ours.

This week, Bernanke’s Fed, for the first time in its history, loaned a selected coterie of banks one-fifth of a trillion dollars to guarantee these banks’ mortgage-backed junk bonds. The deluge of public loot was an eye-popping windfall to the very banking predators who have brought two million families to the brink of foreclosure.

Up until Wednesday, there was one single, lonely politician who stood in the way of this creepy little assignation at the bankers’ bordello: Eliot Spitzer. coincidence? try no!

Who are they kidding? Spitzer’s lynching and the bankers’ enriching are intimately tied.
How? Follow the money. always a good practice. practice it. especially in politics...

The press has swallowed Wall Street’s line that millions of US families are about to lose their homes because they bought homes they couldn’t afford or took loans too big for their wallets. Ba-LON-ey. That’s blaming the victim.

Here’s what happened. Since the Bush regime came to power, a new species of loan became the norm, the ‘sub-prime’ mortgage and its variants including loans with teeny “introductory” interest rates. From out of nowhere, a company called ‘Countrywide’ became America’s top mortgage lender, accounting for one in five home loans, a large chunk of these ‘sub-prime.’

Here’s how it worked: The Grinning Family, with US average household income, gets a $200,000 mortgage at 4% for two years. Their $955 monthly payment is 25% of their income. No problem. Their banker promises them a new mortgage, again at the cheap rate, in two years. But in two years, the promise ain’t worth a can of spam and the Grinnings are told to scram - because their house is now worth less than the mortgage. Now, the mortgage hits 9% or $1,609 plus fees to recover the “discount” they had for two years. Suddenly, payments equal 42% to 50% of pre-tax income. The Grinnings move into their Toyota.

Now, what kind of American is ‘sub-prime.’ Guess. No peeking.

Here’s a hint: 73% of HIGH INCOME Black and Hispanic borrowers were given sub-prime loans versus 17% of similar-income Whites. Dark-skinned borrowers aren’t stupid – they had no choice. They were ‘steered’ as it’s Continue reading ‘Eliot’s Mess’ Tag: PodcastsPodcasts

Listen Now:
Elliot Spizter Gets Nailed Pt 1: Hide Player Play in Popup Download

Elliot Spizter Gets Nailed Pt 2: Play Now Play in Popup Download

so please---no! i am not colorblind and i will say as well that no one else is either!

americans need to stop lying and tell the truth. starting with ourselves first. it is the only way we have a snowball's chance in hell. think about it.

truth+accountability=patriotic

feel free to play the song while you read:-) rage against the machine performs to the same level that i feel as i write. i am heated right now. especially, with the images of suffering iraqi women and girls seared into my memory. black women and girls have not and continue to not fare any better, in this country and abroad. standing against injustice is the only thing to do. that is, if you want to claim inclusion in the human circle; that is my humble, strong, unapologetic position.

the u.s. corporate owned media doesn't want us to know or see.

i think we all have the right to know and act from an informed place. don't you?

want information you won't find in mainstream media?

check out:

THE REAL NEWS!!! ---this source is also on my blogroll. support them. they have no strings, no corporate owners and behave like journalists (not the tabloid variety:-).

the iraq veterans against the war (ivaw) are holding a winter soldier's conference, presenting vets', iraqi, and afghan workers' testimony of u.s. imperialism's war atrocities. it is modeled after the testimony of u.s. war crimes in vietnam presented by vietnam veterans against the war (vvaw) in 1971.

the more things change, the more they stay the same. no?

the white supremacy/racism/corruption starts at the top and trickles down...it is the american way...most americans without thought act as though the world is inhabited by lesser humans.

asking the u.s. gov't why? only ensures more gov't lies! true education is an individual pursuit. pursue knowledge. seek and ye shall find.

i salute these brave men and women that have decided to shine light in the dark places. it takes courage and i stand in solidarity. tell the truth and shame the devil! sociopaths are big on appearances, being worshipped and respected. it seems public humiliation is the only thing that puts them on the righteous path.

so we know where mccain stands. he supports torture and makes no bones about it. i can respect his candor. clinton has made it abundantly clear that she wants power and control even if she has to ruin her political party to get it. trust her with the world, do you? obama is as slick as snot, as such so many are missing the obvious... so let's examine fun facts...

...did you know?

both obama and clinton support the democrat carter doctrine: using military force to guarantee u.s. access to, control of, and profit from persian gulf oil.

though obama pretends to be the "out-of- iraq" peace candidate don't believe it! arch imperialist paul volcker's endorsement of obama should have been a great indicator. yes, that paul volcker---chief economist at chase bank, director of the rockefeller led trilateral commission, federal reserve chairman who put millions out of work by jacking up interests rates to 20% to bail out bankers in the '80s volcker.

this brazen soul went on record saying, he hopes obama's "leadership...can restore confidence in our vision, our strength, and our purposes right around the world." (wall street journal, 1/31/08) uh, sinister, anyone? anyone?

for those that don't know---harvard's kennedy school is a top imperialist policy factory, in my opinion. recently, obama fired foreign campaign advisor, samantha power (kennedy school guru! coincidence- no!) who specializes in disguising military invasions as "humanitarian interventions". on march 6th a bbc reporter asked her: "so what the american public thinks is a commitment to get combat forces out in sixteen (16) months isn't a commitment?" power's answer: "you can't make a commitment in march '08 about what circumstances will be like in january '09."

obama says he's "open" to keeping troops in iraq for years, if necessary. while the ny times reports the number of civilians killed in afghanistan is "alarmingly high". the u.s media doesn't count the death toll of non-americans. (history mandates as a black person that i don't ever forget that the powers that be don't count me and mine either! to forget is to be caught by surprise)

obama promises to redeploy more u.s. troops to afghanistan. the recently announced increase in u.s. covert operations in pakistan will continue, no matter who is president. bank on it.

don't believe, it is to your detriment to do so---the problem is just bush, the neo-cons, and mccain. capitalism is ruthless and inhumane. as evidenced by u.s. imperialism in its drive to control oil supplies, other resources, and as well as maintain profits. all signs indicate that ww3 will be a battle of capitalist rivals protecting their economic interests. the working class will suffer and die in large numbers as a result. we are expendable!

possible solutions? let's come up with them based on truth. i don't believe in trying to conform. i believe we need to come outside of the corrupt system, unite, and make this government truly of the people, for the people and by the people. though americans are not a monolith; i think we all want to live free and well!

talk to me...we are killing in the name of...let's rage against the machine!


SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

do something!

Iraq Fax-in: Let's Show Congress How We Feel

March 19 marks the 5th Anniversary of Bush's disastrous invasion and occupation of Iraq - yet there is no end in sight.

The costs so far are staggering: 4,000 young Americans killed, tens of thousands maimed... 1 million Iraqis killed, millions maimed... $562 billion in tax dollars stolen from our children... $3 trillion cost to our economy through veterans care, weapons replacement, higher oil prices, and the collapsing dollar. All that in just 5 years!

We elected a Democratic Congress in 2006 to bring our troops home, but they keep giving Bush blank checks. Incredibly, Congress will soon vote on another $102 billion blank check.

On this 5th Anniversary, it is time for everyone who hates this occupation to do something about it. And we're making it as simple and effective as we can.

We're calling it the Iraq Fax-In. It's like a sit-in, only you can do it from home. http://iraqfaxin.com/

1. Fax an image to Congress that visually expresses how you feel about the invasion and occupation of Iraq. We've posted a few ideas, but we welcome all of yours! http://iraqfaxin.com/

2. Email your Representatives by signing our "Out of Iraq" petition on the right side here:http://iraqfaxin.com/

Let's each do our part to make the world a better place.

Resist in March

On March 19, peace and justice organizations will hold actions around the country and in Washington, DC to demand an end to the funding of the occupation, along with the impeachment of the president and vice president who launched it. For the full range of activities, see http://resistinmarch.org/

_______
MARCH 19, 2008 (Wednesday) Nonviolent Civil Resistance in All 435 Congressional Districts and in the Nation's Capital on the Fifth Anniversary of the Occupation of Iraq

Locations in each congressional district, to be determined locally, will include congressional offices (Congress Members and Senators will be in their districts on this day), federal buildings, military recruiters, weapons makers, war profiteers, or corporate media outlets. In Washington, with Congress out of town, the focus will be on war profiteers in the military industrial disaster-capitalism complex. Events will include roles for people not wanting to risk arrest.
http://www.5yearstoomany.org/

LOCAL EVENTS: Post Yours! Update it.
FIND LOCAL EVENTS AT http://5yearstoomany.org/ AND IN A SEPARATE LIST AT http://worldagainstwar.org/
WASHINGTON DC EVENTS: Join us!
Resources for nonviolent activism: HERE.Resources for promoting your event in the media: HERE.Flyers and posters with room for local info: HERE.Ideas for local actions: HERE.

"injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"



SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

the power of tears

in pulling information for my post on the 5th year of the iraqi war, i came across images that reflect the suffering of women and girls in war torn lands.

i must say that i chose not to include these images, sobbing recounts from those tenacious enough to survive, and perpetrators brazen enough to brag about their participation in crimes against humanity.

on a certain level i felt the images too graphic. additionally, it felt as if my posting them would further dehumanize the unfortunate women pictured. i would never want that done to me or my family---so i did not do it to another woman and her family.

i must say this though. my viewing these images wounded my soul. they haunted my dreams last night. in the comfort of my home, safe, surrounded by my family and everything i need; my life was impacted.

my love, respect and immense empathy prompted me to re-visit the topic today. i love my sisters and their suffering affects me. my sisters motivate me to continue to tell the truth, do my best to shine the light of understanding in the dark places; and let the chips fall where they may. i honor them and will stand in solidarity with them against violence and sexual assault.

all americans don't believe that other lands are inhabited by lesser humans. some of us understand that during times of war, the men and boys die and the women and girls die a thousand times. i will not even pretend that rape is not a weapon of oppression and war. i won't bury my head and mute my voice because it is so ugly and unpopular to discuss such things. i wish there was no need to discuss such things.

additionally, i am tuned into the fact that the poor women and children displaced by hurricane katrina are still suffering; although it is no longer on the news. where i live, i see funds for schools being slashed, while the police departments are being bulked up. i get an e-mail everyday wanting to know if i want to be a police officer. the stage is being set...

it is time to wake up! Malcolm X said it best with, "the greatest mistake of the movement has been trying to organize a sleeping people. you have to wake them up to their humanity, their own worth, to their heritage, then you'll get action." it is time to wake up!

i will relax when i see progress being made. even then, only a little. ever mindful that if this is the plight of non-black women, it will be double time for us. nowhere have i been able to find an indication of otherwise.

my tears cleanse me. my tears heal my soul. my tears release my anger. when things beat me down, i will get up. i will come back in multiples of ten. this is who we are, my sisters. my tears have been dried and my face washed; i will now return to my assignment. it is time for everyone to wake up.

thanks to my mother for the image. i love you.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

follow up to do something...where you are...now

so...the march today was...amazing!!!

it was beautiful to be surrounded by all the different hues of humanity. everyone united in the desire to resist the "new world order", and the assault on the working class---also known as the masses. worldwide.

i saw blacks, asians, indigenous, hispanic, arab, indian and white people. all in harmony, lifting their voices- in different languages to stand against oppression, white supremacy, and imperialism. we stood in agreement that the masses need to set aside petty differences and unite. a unified people are a powerful people. we cannot afford to succumb to distractions.

my favorite sign today read: REAL EYES* REALIZE* REAL LIES

today's experience reminded me of a song that i heard recently. in fact, it reminded me of several. i will share a couple with you. listen. think. share your thoughts. they are always welcomed.




hard hitting images i know. for this reason the corporate media will not allow you to see what we are really up to around the world. you would want to stop it, right? i think most people would. the powers that be know this... check out how it all began...five (5) years ago...that's a lot of suffering, destruction, and inhumanity.



it is up to each of us to do something...where ever we are...now. all signs indicate that venezuela, among other nations, is next http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/ver/256.0/popup/index.php?cl=6988736.


SELF LOVE~ SELF ACCEPTANCE~ SELF RESPECT

Letter to NAN

this is the letter that i sent to NAN today @ revalmedia@yahoo.com. i will also call every naacp office on monday in the general vicinity of my residence. there are exactly four.

i won't continue to kick myself that i was too busy friday to get it done:-) i will just get it done.

feel free to join the efforts. thanks Shecodes for making it so easy to make a difference!


My name is focusedpurpose, and I host a blog entitled "focusedpurpose". I am part of blogging ring of black women, and our collective readership reaches several thousand women and men of color every day. Our readers have avidly followed the Dunbar Village incident.

Our readers are aware of the extreme reluctance that many black activists have displayed when asked to advocate for the apprehension of the remaining suspects. They are also highly incensed by Rev. Sharpton's recent statements that the few suspects that were apprehended are 'being treated unfairly'. Many people, including myself, are appalled at Rev. Sharpton's new stance, and are prepared to mobilize concerning this if Rev. Sharpton continues in this vein.

I am writing this email a good faith attempt to forestall an embarrassing backlash for Al Sharpton and the National Action Network. I am asking Rev. Sharpton to reverse his present direction, and to renounce all statements that might cause the authorities to believe that black people want these suspects released on bail.

I am appealing to you as a woman, as a black person, and as a fellow activist in the struggle, to exert pressure for the apprehension of the remaining suspects, and a speedy trial for all detainees involved.

Please give a long overdue show of concern for the safety of black women in West Palm Beach, FL.

In the Struggle,
focusedpurpose

do something...where you are...now

On Saturday, March 15th, - the 5th Anniversary of the U.S. War on Iraq
Join Thousands in Protest - Gather at Hollywood and Vine at 12 noon

End the War Now!

Bring the troops home - U.S. out of Iraq and Afghanistan Immediately and Unconditionally!!

Money for Housing, Jobs, Schools and Healthcare - not Imperialist Wars!

End U.S. Support for Sixty Years of Occupation in Palestine! U.S. troops and bases out of Latin America, Africa, and Haiti, Hands off Iran and Venezuela!

Wage a War Against Home Foreclosures, A War Against Racism, and a War Against Layoffs!

Stop Attacks on Immigrant Workers! Tear Down the Walls from the West Bank to Mexico!

Come to Hollywood and Vine on Saturday and march with thousands who demand an end to the corporate campaign of militarism, racism, and attacks on workers! Look for the International Action Center banner!

To volunteer with the IAC (international action center) on Saturday call 310 677-6407---check for a local branch near you. what can you do to be a part of the solution?

injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. this injustice is on our shores already. in due time it will be each of our personal turn. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/terrorist_surveillance don't be fooled. freedom has not ever come without a fight historically. there is nothing new under the sun.

i wanted to use a peace sign with this entry. instead, i will point anyone that cares to know in the direction of why we must check the history of everything before we just accept it. people are perishing for lack of knowledge. www.jesus-is-savior.com/.../peace_sign.htm take what you need, leave the rest.


SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

...imagine...

i would like to, in no uncertain terms, make it clear that i do not advocate the use of "nigga" or "nigger" as a term of endearment. in fact i strongly oppose such a practice.

yet, i respect that everyone's message won't be like mine or conveyed my way.

i fully support free creative expression. i have abandoned mainstream "music" and "entertainment". i don't find it very musical or entertaining anymore. quite the contrary actually.

at any rate, i appreciate this brother's message. i hope you do as well. i welcome your thoughts.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

my history love affair

my wise and generous elder Bill, sent this to me today. ( you insist, yet it still feels weird to call you by your first name, i am a southern girl at heart:-) i appreciate and love you. i know that i am blessed because of the people like you in my life. thank you for the generosity with which you share your wisdom.

when i received this it resonated as confirmation.

i love history. it guides me. my history and my ancestors caution me; i feel their whispers in my spirit to go left, now make a right and just ahead will be truth, wisdom, understanding.

history cautions me to take information and flip it that i may have clarity. we are in a backwards world. i am abundantly blessed. we all are. we must stand and claim our blessings. they are our birthright.

today i read a quote by Frantz Fanon:

"each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it."

fulfilling our mission must be the purpose as i see it. resisting oppression, all oppression is the mission. we must be focused and diligent where ever we are. each of us.

i know i have been preaching the importance of knowing, appreciating, respecting our history and ancestors. enjoy Dr. Milton's voice. apply the principles and live freely...powerfully...committed to be the much needed change.

Understanding Wisdom And FOREVER Appreciating The Past
Dr. Alice Tyler Milton
~ Associate Dean of Business and Information Technologies Division ~
~ Acting Director of the Small Business Center ~

Wisdom may be defined as a practical outlook to the problems of life. Wise men and women of our past and present made many sacrifices and used their life experiences to help strengthened our confidence and abilities in ourselves. Their life experiences have always been placed into words to conform our thoughts as we present ourselves to the future generation. Adhering and understanding the words help us to progress with greater opportunities to success. Words of wisdom have always had the capacity to motivate, expound, and discipline the minds of listeners. Thurman Arnold stated “Unhappy is a people that has run out of words to describe what is going on.”

Moreover, wisdom is a flourishing fountain of virtue, respect, self-assurance, and self-respect. Cultural understanding helps to nourish and keep the vision alive—no matter what generation. History has shown that the most successful leaders are those who have learned to draw upon our heritage of thought and experience. Booker T. Washington believed that the story of his life was a typical American success story, and he redefined "success" to make it so. Because of the many wonderful accomplishments of the past that made our present and future brighter, we must NEVER forget our history.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

it's a trend...remain focused and purposeful!

so... i had to step away for a moment. haste makes waste and i tend to be more radical than most it seems. especially, during this space in history. i am clear though as to the reasons.

al sharpton gave the world a glimpse of his foolish ass awhile back. some brothers made excuses for him.

yesterday, he showed the whole, big, rotten, disgusting, ridiculous, amoral, for sale-as long as there is a video camera, shameless, criminally misguided thing. in doing so he made it impossible for the mentally slow, aforementioned brothers, to say anything in integrity aside from WTF! there is always an upside:-)

had i been surprised i may have fallen down. *movie reference-starring michael douglas:-)*

instead, i decided to go racing, spend time with my family, and recruit others to join the battle.

in case you haven't noticed folks...we are at war! domestically and abroad. literally and figuratively. the truth and degree of the matter you will never see on the news. most have been trained to not tell the truth. it is rude, unlady-like, a downer, and a "national security risk". not to mention, if you acknowledged what's really going on and what's wrong---it would be human nature to want to fix it. this is why deception, lies and inhumanity go hand in hand.

despite feeling like i am whispering in the wind. i feel led to keep doing it. i will. with purpose. and laser-like focus.

i will stop, as best as i can, reminding those within my circle of influence when those things come to pass that i have called previously. i will not feel annoyed when others tell me what i have been saying all along; as if it should be a newsflash to me. i will instead re-direct that annoyance to buoyancy with the fact that i have company in the light of understanding. i will continue to pace myself and remind myself that what other people think of me is not my business. i will re-post my first official blog, periodically, to re-focus myself. those that invite me to focus on all of mankind, i will consistently ignore and pray they gain perspective. in addition to the common sense that would inform them that all giant projects are best broken down into manageable ones. i will keep my eyes fixed firmly on the prize. i will remain focused. i have the power.

i will, instead of getting angry, belly laugh at this this conk wearing preacher clown; that has volunteered his services to be the agent of inhumanity. i will give praise for the wisdom that informs my knowledge that we will see a lot of this fool and those like him. what he is fighting for-the right of males to rape indiscriminately at young ages; and to be dealt with leniently regardless of race- has quietly become the national past time. look. see. accept the truth. this evil knows no racial bounds. all of humanity faces the same enemy.

for awhile now rape has become a part of the "entertainment" scene. it has become frequently included in the titillating gratuitous sex scenes. actors of all ages have signed up to add the visual to the atrocity. what we see now is of course the natural progression. my refusal to support the "entertainment" industry has in part been because of this very reason. that and the erasing of the black woman image in any type of positive light. that and the refusal to couple black men and women (unless she looks white-like which promotes colorism) in meaningful, healthy, non stereotypical relationships.

so...i will not allow my focus to be shifted. i will continue to register my disdain and release it:-) i am NO saint; and this fool makes me want to take his head OFF! discussions at this point seem like a game of patty cake. i don't love traitors into turning back. traitors should be swiftly dropped where they stand. victorious people historically get this basic principle. they don't risk victory by trying to compromise and err on the side of caution.

i will use what we see to assist black women and girls to empower themselves to not only survive...but to live abundantly, powerfully and freely. human rights are claimed, not given. freedom is seized not requested. cease and desist orders are commands not mere suggestions.

the alleged predator you see above is eighteen and charged with several friends of sexually assaulting a sixteen year old special education student. you may read more @ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080312/ap_on_re_us/teen_sex_assault .

if you are interested to know more about the sharpton shenanigans the following bloggers do an amazing job keeping the record up to date:

Black Women Vote!

Essential Presence

black sapience

Aunt Jemima's Revenge

of course this is a partial listing of great bloggers out there. my favorites are of course on my blog roll:-)

SELF LOVE~ SELF ACCEPTANCE~ SELF RESPECT

special black women vote! cross post!!!

this was posted at black women vote! today when i went for my daily dose. Shecodes said it all.

Al Sharpton defends the Dunbar Village rape suspects, throws black women and children under the bus

Please excuse any typos, etc. I've got the 'flu and need to rest to get my strength up.

Queens, it is my time to start drawing lines in the sand with black organizations and black activist groups. After hearing some disturbing news last night, I decided to officially withdraw my membership, financial support, and volunteering time from any organizations that do not prioritize the needs of black women, as outlined in The Black Women's Agenda. I can no longer in good conscience support the efforts of many of these organizations -- not because I do not believe in some of their causes, but because many of them have made it abundantly clear that they believe that black women are not considered worthy of the same protections, rights, and support that they enjoy from us.

There was a response in my comments section a few weeks ago that has shaken me to the core, although I didn't respond to it. It came from PioneerValleyWoman, from the blog, Episcopalienne.

I had just finished writing this comment:

I am ready to go to war too. I will not be terrorized in my own home, myown neighborhood, or by my own culture.Yes I am all for education andprevention. However, once someone has made up their mind to be a domesticterrorist, they will be treated as such by me.I remember in college, I had a group of black guys who I considered very good friends. We studied together, ate together, laughed and the same jokes and everything. Then one day, my girls and I showed up at a dorm room party, and the young brothers starting shouting and chanting gleefully, "Hooray! the hoes are here! the hoes are here!"

I will never forget two things:

1) My level of shock and betrayal at the "brothers" who I literally CARRIED through statistics and economics class, who I always treated with dignity and respect, and who I loudly defended against racist white students who complained about affirmative action.

2) The humbled cowardice of my female friends. They nervously smiled and walked into the party.

From then on in our circles, the term for black women became "jokingly andlovingly" b*tch or hoe. "It must be hard for a hoe in this school, etc". "Why are you so mad? It's just a joke". I felt like a voice crying in the wilderness. Sometime after I graduated, the 'joking nature' of b*tch gave way to genuine terminology, spoken with a straight face.

I'll never forget Wade Stevens (yes I am calling you out by name, you jerk), Mr. Black Sensitivity and Consciousness, who physically restrained me fromcalling the police when a black girl was being beaten senseless in broad daylight on campus, claiming that 'she probably deserved it'. Like I said, this is a real war, not a metaphorical one. We have genuine casualities, and we need to wake up to the fact that nobody is going to protect us but ourselves. .

PioneerValleyWoman responded with this comment, which has been reverberating within me ever since:

"Shecodes, there is something that occurred to me in light of the story you told about what happened at that party--the use of the pejorative "ho". Of course, there are the obvious sexual connotations about being a "ho,"but it might very well be deeper than that. It has occurred to me that there areways in which black women see themselves as working on behalf of community uplift and the ways in which black men might see that community activistwork. Think of the recent use of "pimping" being applied to Chelsea Clinton, and a Snoop Dogg videotape I once saw, in which he described his lawyer, a blackwoman who was working on some case on his behalf, as "riding for her pimp."Many black women, working on community uplift, see themselves as working on behalf of the entire community, thus we see nothing wrong when we work on behalf of black men's interests. In our mind, everyone benefits. But some black men may not see it that way. They might not beworking as hard on community uplift as the women do, and if anything, work on behalf of their interests exclusively. Yet, they are quite glad to be the beneficiaries of the women's efforts. At the same time, the women might not be getting any reciprocity from the men whom they are working so hard to help. In the men's eyes, they might not be asking for any, and the men are not giving it. The women presume racial solidarity and respect might result from their efforts. The men see instead that they have an army of "hos" who are pimping themselves on the men's behalf, servicing them, bringing all their hard-earned resources home to the men, but not getting anything in return. This very well ties into the message of this blog, black women working on behalf of their own interests exclusively. The message couldn't be clearer. Perhaps some black men see black women's dedication to their interests as"hoing" themselves...Time to cut the apron string...." [emphasis added]

PioneerValleyWoman's comment struck deep in my soul -- I knew that I had the answer to the question that I have been asking my entire adult life about the millions of 'missing in action' people in the fight to free Black women from violence and oppression.

The ugly truth is this: Although these men and women are black, THEY ARE NOT ON OUR SIDE. They are not interested in equality for all people -- they are only interested, deep down inside, in black male supremacy. As women, we are the firewood to fuel their activist engines.
Case in point:

Black female bloggers have been screaming ourselves hoarse about the atrocity in Dunbar Village for months now. We have often complained of the deep, complicit silence of all of these so-called 'civil rights' organizations. Don't we have a civil right to be protected from violence?
There are six gang rapists on the loose, who are likely to continue attacking other black women as we speak with complete impugnity. Not one word of support, one dime of assistance, or even one drop of concern from the NAACP, The Urban League, the National Action Network, 100 Black Men, 100 Black women, any major traditionally black churches, any historically black colleges, any major black activists, or any traditionally black fraternities or sororities. Of course, their excuse, as usual, is that they have 'other' concerns to worry about. And those 'other' concerns are absolutely, positively NEVER in defense of black female victims of black on black crime. And no, a 50 person march and a few half hearted, watered down statements about 'general violence in our communities' without targeting the perpetrators of those crimes, don't count.

Now I am hearing that Al Sharpton is finally going to have a press statement about Dunbar Village -- but IN SUPPORT OF THE ALLEGED RAPISTS. The 'pompadoured preacha' as Gina likes to put it, doesn't like the way that these vicious, violent boys are being treated. Well, well, well... did I call it, or did I call it?

On February 18th, I wrote the following:

"Now if the police had rounded up these boys, and beaten them with the same lack of mercy that the youths did to this poor woman, or God forbid raped the rapists, all of these organizations would have descended on Dunbar Village like the wrath of God, demanding ‘justice’, and clutching their breasts with overwrought sympathy for these ‘troubled youths’. Certain activists would set their spin machine into 'warp speed overdrive' to transform these vicious batterers and rapists into the image of helpless, heroic victims of society, worthy of our financial support and parental concern."

I AM STARTING A MASS WALKOUT OF BLACK WOMEN TO BLACK ORGANIZATIONS THAT REFUSE TO DEFEND US from the most likely threat to our personal safety -- which is black on black violence. Will you join me?

I CHALLENGE EVERY BLACK WOMAN within the sound of my voice to evaluate the actions of all organizations that claim 'to speak for all black people'. Google them, listen to their past podcasts, radio shows, and flip through their books. If you do not see a commitment to The Black Women's Agenda, then I urge you to consider cutting them off financially. Stop volunteering for their thier causes. Stop attending their galas, award shows and 'party mixers'. If you discover organizations that actually do take the equality and safety of black women seriously, let us know, and black female bloggers will advertise those agencies to the hilt, and encourage our readership to support them. Don't be fooled by talks about 'staying together' for the sake of 'unity' and 'solidarity'. What we have going on here in the black activist world is not 'unity'. It's HUMAN SACRIFICE on the altar of black male supremacy.

But don't just walk out. Tell them WHY you are walking out, and that you'll be back when they stop crying 'The hoes are here! The hoes are here!" when we come to the bargaining table.

Posted by SheCodes at 8:11 AM

**UPDATE***Apparently, the NAACP may have sent lawyers down to defend the Dunbar Village rape suspects. I am awaiting confirmation on this.
March 11, 2008 1:40 PM-SheCodes

during...moment of serious thought?

i hope he is giving serious thought to his next move. i hope as he sits there...enduring the setting of his ridiculous hairdo...he thinks about what a mistake it would be...to look and behave like...a black ass, money grubbing, sell out, publicity chasing clown.

in fact...i do more than hope. i pray for his sake that he just says no...or better yet...pulls another no call---no show in florida. time will tell.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

making black girls "lady-like"

so... i was at Black Women Vote! yesterday. i spend a lot of time there. i think i am totally addicted to this blog. i might have a problem:-) i'm gonna rant and rave for moment and i really don't care about the mush gush factor!

Shecodes, hands down, has attracted some of the most brilliant minds that i have encountered in awhile. i learn so much there. these women indulge my very opinionated, outspoken personality. these women challenge me to see things differently. Shecodes, sharpens my intellect. i meet dissenting voices that broaden my perspective and grow me in patience. i am proud to be a black woman and encouraged to move forward powerfully.

one of the women at Shecodes' house, asked a question that got me to thinking. to paraphrase, the question was something to the effect of:

"do we need to teach black women to get angry?"

i paraphrase because if i go back to the site, i will start re-reading the series that Shecodes wrote and i will get stuck for hours:-) its an addiction i tell you!

we were discussing the deadly propensity of black women to make excuses and support black men (and other predators) even when they consistently demonstrate they are not worthy of our support.

i found one of the articles i read that was so insightful on the subject. i will share parts of it here. i think the following quote sheds a lot of light on the subject.

"Looking at the intersection of race, gender, capitalism and pedagogy, the disciplinary efforts and hidden curriculum are working toward a desired young Black woman — one who does not ask too many questions, accepts the power arrangements in schools and becomes a proper young lady — pink bows and all. Schools since their inception have been focused on the poetics of assimilation and thus are sites of production not only for the ready-made American citizen who does not challenge his government or is a depoliticized consumers, but the “acceptable” Black woman who is docile, domesticated and unchallenging."

the reality of this has been kicking around in my head for awhile.

read the rest of the article at http://blackademics.org/2007/08/23/making-black-girls-ladylike/. i would be interested to know what you think.

p.s. i love this picture. that little girl is SO cute! her kitty looks like my cat truth used to look when she was a kitten.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

...silence...polite...but it's killing us

immortal technique as promised.

couldn't find the lyrics. otherwise, i would have posted them. for those that have trained themselves to miss the point. this is how i view those that practice not listening consciously to lyrics. especially, when historically, for African descendents; seeking freedom was done through song. preparing for war, looked like dance...

rest assured, the message is getting in there whether you know it or not. look around- i think- criminality, sexual depravity, misogyny, irresponsibility, unchecked materialism...yep, it's sticking.

won't hear this on the radio folks. hip hop never went anywhere. the greedy modern day slave catchers get no pass from me. call it what you want...

thanks to my son for hipping me. i love you! (it pays to stay tuned into your children...on so many levels)

can you dig it?

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

one

in my blogosphere travels yesterday; i had occassion to dialogue with someone from the u.k. she cannot for the life of her understand-despite herself living in a white supremacist/racist society- why anyone would focus energies on the issues of race. to paraphase her position, "can't we all just get along?" history...not i, my friend...says no.

"white supremacy/racism, classism, religious persecution, sexual orientation discrimination, etc etc are all mere distractions."

the quote above is the clarification of my position that i offered during our exchange. it occurred to me after our conversation that i have never really stated in my blog house my ultimate goal. i have been very clear that my primary focus is black women and children. i must make it abundantly clear that i can clearly see the threat faced by humanity world wide in general.

the distractions partially listed above keep us from working together. in fact, historically, there have been penalties for the unity of poor people; of all colors. i can understand why the ruling single digit percent would want that. it makes perfect sense.

for the record, let me be real clear. i don't care who you pray to, if you pray, what color you are, who you sleep with (as long as they are not underage and are consenting), what political party affiliation you claim, whether you claim a political affiliation, how much money you have, how much money you don't have, etc. etc.

i care if you respect humanity and the inherent desire of women and men to be free. i care if you hold yourself to a standard that is rooted in integrity, truth, character, responsibility, accountability, and kindness to others.

having said that, i am not at all apologetic for focusing my attentions on black people. i have encountered information that demonstrates that there is an insidious agenda at work around the world---aimed squarely at de-populating the world of black people and people of color. it is my plan to share information. i will point anyone with a desire to learn in the direction of truth, facts and knowledge. what you do when you get there...i suppose your gifts will dictate your course.

i fully accept that we all have different gifts. i fully accept my way is not agreeable to everyone. that is fine with me. i am not seeking popularity. see my focus/purpose/mission This is My First Official Blog!!! . i have made every effort to be clear. i can't do it all, i can do my part according to my gifts.

i am a huge fan of the original hip hop genre. when there was a positive, political, powerful message in the music. there is an underground artist that i love. i will feature some of his music going forward. make no mistake, i see clearly that woman/mankind has been enslaved, all colors. we are for the most part under complete mind control; demonstrating that just being a brick in the wall is ok.

the artist immortal technique states the ultimate goal very well, i don't need to reinvent the wheel:-)

one love

one music

one people

one movement

one heart

one spark

one, one, one, one

one gift

one lift

one stance

one shift

one way

one day

one, one, one, one,

one

we are one people. we are one race. we all hail from mother Africa-mother of mankind, mother of civilization. my focus is black women and children. my interest is in unity and the strength that comes with that. again, i am not sorry.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

thank you my sister Karen!

"Politics of Black Hair...Kinky... The Other "N" Word...Nappy" is the name of Karen's blog. i love it.

check out Karen's latest blog. it resonated in my soul. it encouraged me. i am even more committed to wanting sisters to smile and be gloriously free...

thank you Karen for posting the video. i love what you do. thanks to the brother---Ty Gray-El, that put it all together.

it feels good to know that i have company. i am encouraged.

Karen is listed on my blog roll. you may also check her out @ http://www.karenhalliburton.com/

enjoy!


SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

...we don't need mind control...

we must learn to challenge all that we are taught. all people on the planet must; especially black folks. we must not accept anything at face value. nothing is as it seems. there is always a thing in the thing.

this is true for all people on earth. the focus of my blog is black people; with an emphasis on black women and girls. once we are healed in this country, my focus will then be on black people around the world. anything else strikes me as being out of divine order. for those that disagree with my position, know that i support your right to respectfully disagree. additionally, i urge you to act according to your understanding. one world government is well on its way. i am motivated by my belief that when the world becomes orwellian for all; it will impact the lives of blacks that much more so. i came across a quote that pretty much sums up my position on the subject:

“there’s a time for compromise…it’s called…later” *any questions?*

now the message…

…we must do a better job of protecting our history. we must learn, embrace and honor our history and the experiences of our ancestors. we must learn who we really are.

there is a museum in culver city which is in los angeles county. this museum is amazing. it actually started out as the private collection of an amazing woman named Mayme A. Clayton. when she passed on, her son realized the amazing gift she had left and is working diligently to ensure that the real american history is available to everyone. this museum is called the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum. i love their mission statement: “to collect, preserve; exhibit and celebrate the unique history and cultural heritage of Americans of African descent.” find out more. see what you can do to help. visit their website at http://www.wsbrec.org/. support their efforts people.

additionally, others protect vigilantly against gross distortions that make it seem as if they are imagining , oh say the holocaust or were on "vacation" during those devastating periods of their history. i use the vacation example only because, as taught in my predominantly white schools, one got the distinct impression that "slave quarters" were like hotel suites-granted, not the best, yet nonetheless. lynching and the truth of them just never really "came up" in history classes. any efforts to turn the discussions in that direction were summarily shut down; by students and teachers alike. i hated traditional study as a result of just such repeated instances. it was hard to miss the fact that one was being taught what to think, not how to think. my mother counseled me often about the “power of the pen”; and that i needed to decide if i wanted a certain grade or to teach the class:-). i resented having to make the choice, even then. i decided, that i would exercise the “power of the pen” to the fullest.

armed with my treasure of knowledge from home study; i was amazed, vexed, and disgusted as the history of slavery was taught in such a way; that allowed the descendants of enslavers to leave class with a visible, hard to miss sense of superiority. i will never forget the response of a classmate when i questioned how he seemed to feel so proud, when he should have been ashamed of the inhumanity of his people. his reply, "if we can do it, we will; if others are too weak to fight, then that is their stupid faults." though horrified and angered at the time, i had to reluctantly concede that he had a point. i don’t have any questions. do you?

we must resist the exploitation and disrespect consistently heaped on our collective and individual heads. those of us that refuse to take heed to this truth must be made to feel it by those of us that get it. if mammon, uh, money, is what they worship; let's erase enough of it for them to hear. when faced with disrespect-resist it. don’t worry about being polite. don’t let it slide or take it easy just because the offender looks like you, either. this practice is killing us.

learn to measure your response according to the infraction. with those that have a history of flagrant infractions, don't wait for the next one. anticipate it and cut them off at the pass. be proactive, what a concept? we must be vigilant and diligent in our efforts and teach our children to be the same way. btw, all black children are our children. we are the experts on this and must not listen to lies that inform us otherwise. i am oftentimes amazed that we fool ourselves to believe that white people (or their functionaries) are qualified to set the standard for anything relating to human behavior. the fact that we do indicates strongly that we have not been paying attention to history at all.

in keeping with that last thought, we must learn to challenge what we are taught. question. consider the source. practice flipping the information, this practice will prevent backwards thinking. equally as important, refuse to accept and consistently powerfully rebuke lies. white lies, especially. in this backwards world they are supposed to be "little". flip it-know and accept the truth that "white lies" are enormous and linger for centuries cloaked as "myths" fed to our children generation after generation arresting their spiritual and emotional development. digested lies kill...slowly.

if we were to learn our history, true history, it would be impossible to walk around ashamed of our blackness. doing all that we can daily to disclaim, distance ourselves from, and deny those whose savagely spilt blood allows us to be all that we are today. in fact, if we loved, embraced and respected ourselves and our history---we could/would be so much more. without a doubt, i make the assertion.

we are not a people of lack. we hail from the richest continent on earth. we are an educated, proud, civilized people, family oriented, self sufficient, productive community of loving warm sun people.

despite the vicious lies, there is still a black community and it is not too late to turn this around. we must give ourselves the hope we need instead of waiting for it to come from others. it is not too late, until we have breathed our last breaths; only then can we afford to stop working on it. we owe this much to our ancestors, our children, ourselves, and our futures. revolution is inevitable and born in the hearts of children. the enemy knows this…




our history starts thousands of years before slavery. read...read...read...


SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

internalized oppression = mental shackles

i have said it before, i will say it again. i love quotes. the universe knows this and quotes find me constantly as a result, i believe. the latest one to cross my path is easily one of my favorites---so far. it is by Earl Nightingale and reads as follows:

“whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.”

this particular quote really resonates with me. in great part due to a recent experience that i had.

i, with purpose seek to put myself in all black environments. it causes me no worry or shame to freely admit that at times i feel just plain tired of seeing white folks. they are everywhere. EVERYWHERE! despite being the world minority- one has to try real hard to get away from them. they are on t.v., in the movies, in the white house, in Africa, in the newspaper, and even God is commonly depicted… as a white person. with all of this “integration”, you can even go to a black family reunion, soul food restaurant, poetry reading in the heart of the “hood” and presto!… there they are. usually trying to dominate the situation or tell someone else how they should think, feel, behave, refer to themselves, vote, etc.

i, personally, get tired---real tired--- after awhile. i am not trying to be politically correct here folks, just honest.

sometimes, i just wish they would all just go away; the closet kkkers, the good intentioned ones-puhleeze take your good intentions back to your neighborhood and talk to your people---not me- i get it already---those with well developed superiority complexes, the guilt ridden apologetic ones, the ones that want to touch me or my locks without invitation, wished they were black ones, the always wanted to grow locks how long will it take ones?---really--- all of them.

i get tired of having to help white folks back into regular human place (ever notice the superhuman entitled place most white folks want to occupy?), tired of working over-time to maintain my right to move freely and powerfully without concern for that person feeling “intimidated”, i don’t want to be appointed the spokesperson for all black people-i haven't met all black people, informed by the liars that they don’t see my color and therefore don’t consider me black, etc. etc. etc. i will stop there but i really could go on and on and on with the non-stop silliness that is a regular part of consciously dealing with white folks.

it all strikes me as extra and it quite frankly makes me tired and somewhat irritable. as a result, i am not offended when whites just want to be with themselves. in fact, i find it annoying when blacks are so upset by honest whites that will say it. i am annoyed because we refuse to acknowledge what a total validation of white supremacy it is to constantly beg to be in their presence, included in their institutions, and wishing to have our humanity acknowledged and validated by them; despite centuries of evidence that it is an exercise in futility. think about it. we don’t need white folks. they need us. they need our labor, our flavor, our possessions, our love and our adoration. meditate on this…

…if we kept all of our labor, flavor, possessions, love and adoration for ourselves-worldwide- all people of color would automatically have a different experience. think about it. for those black folks that have appointed yourselves to the committee to ensure fair treatment of white folks, please understand, i am NOT advocating inhumane, ungodly treatment of whites. (for whatever the reason, treating ourselves well resonates and registers as treating whites badly for quite a few black folks)

i know that i am weird. it seems to me that quite a few black people feel that white people are necessary in order for something to be good or “legitimate”. of course these black folks will never admit it in words, however, in deeds they are screaming this belief. just pay attention. look. see.

now that we are are on the same page; yes, i digress, i know. i was saying that i purposefully put myself in all black environments. especially since i don’t see myself in my neighborhood that often. please check out my Thanks to My King post for an explanation and know that we are working on re-locating to a warmer more colorful place really soon. really really soon.

i will spare you the details of what happens most times when i do encounter other blacks in my neighborhood. suffice it to say, they seem to want to be the only black one around and it makes me sad. nevertheless, i feel compelled to stay connected, active, and involved in the black community. in a recent experience, i was in an all black environment in a volunteer capacity.

in this environment, i was surprised and alarmed to notice the non-stop language of oppression. i will flip it in the interest of speaking blessings rather than curses. i believe that words are powerful and that we shall eat by the words of our mouths. for this reason i guard my mouth and am cautious, at all times, to speak blessings not curses.

as such, black people are not irresponsible. all black people are not always late. black people are not inherently disorganized. black people are capable of unity and able to work together to achieve their common goals. in black organizations white people are not necessary. human beings cannot "own" other human beings; they can only inhumanely, viciously, and violently enslave them, white people should definitely not hold key positions of power in black institutions-just as blacks don’t hold key positions of power in white organizations.

we must steadfastly refuse to accept and practice the language of oppression. words are powerful. once they leave our mouths and reside in the universe, the very universe itself shifts to manifest those words. refuse to allow anyone to speak oppression into your existence unchallenged.

we must learn quickly to emulate only those things that make sense and lead to the collective advancement of our people. we must accept that we are only as strong as our weakest link. right now, we are doing the opposite. we emulate quickly, expensively all that will be to our personal and collective detriment. we sell our group out, so a few can be prosperous; as if our blessings don't come from God. this is an enslaved mentality. God has abundant resources and made enough for everyone; despite all the lies to the contrary.

it seems to me that asserting our freedom; rather than waiting for it to be bestowed upon us, as well as insisting that our white brothers and sisters afford us the respect of fellow human beings would be the best course of action. instead of worshipping the violently greedy dominant few with the futile hopes that they will do anything other than niggardly share their criminally, inhumanely acquired wealth. additionally, we must make ourselves economically and politically strong; which will afford us the position to insist that our white sisters and brothers learn to behave humanely and peacefully share the world with the majority people.

our refusal to accept these truths and act accordingly, results in the national community laughing all the way to the bank at our expense and seeing it as corroboration of our historically "scientifically" proven intellectual inferiority.

if one does not respect themselves, no one else will respect them either. those of us that have been blessed with committed, connected, present parents learned this truth as children. those of us that were not, must learn this truth now and be thankful that it is better late than never.

only we can or will free ourselves from our internalized oppression. we must learn to love and trust each other, again. we must get back to being happy to see one another and respectfully addressing one another, working with one another and building our communities. a by-product of our internalized oppression is the violence that we see that we perpetrate against each other, daily. it is up to us to stop it. we must free ourselves from internalized oppression.

how can we bring back black love? what can each of us do daily? we have “relaxed” for forty years. do we agree it is time to take care of business? what can each of do to bring back black love? i make a point of speaking, sharing with, and helping as much as possible all black people that i see. i have trained myself to see me in them. when i get "crazy eyes"- i smile and keep on pushing; understanding that they have not yet been able to see themselves in me. what can/will you do? how will you make a change/difference?

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

...what can i do?

i am very idealistic and optimistic. the glass is perpetually half full for me. at the same time---i am a realist.

i firmly believe that more people would do more...if they knew what to do. so, going forward, i will share opportunities to do something to effect a positive change.

in keeping with the wisdom of "thought without action is empty and action without thought is blind" (i just learned this new quote- it blessed me, thought i would share:-)

let's go to work. there is much to do. yes. let us not be overwhelmed. we are powerful black women with resilient spirits. let us start where we are and take back what was taken and what we have foolishly given away...black love. we must love black. we must accept black. we must respect black. all black. starting with ourselves.

when one gets far off course, it is always wise and recommended to go back to basics. we are a communal people. we don't come from an "every woman/man for herself/himself" history. it really does take a village to raise a child.

i think of how foolish i have been; i know with certainty that it is only God's grace that makes my journey different than so many of my sisters. i encourage all to meet our sisters where they are and encourage them to elevate themselves. let us not throw away a whole generation. when we throw away the mothers, we throw away the children as well. we make so many excuses, and have so much understanding, patience, and love for everyone...else.

i am really digging girl scouts beyond bars. it is a two for one opportunity to be a blessing. you can reach the mothers and daughters in one fell swoop. go to: http://www.girlscouts.org/program/program_opportunities/community/gsbb.asp check it out. remember, we all have different gifts. can you exercise yours in this capacity? if not, it is ok, find something to do to make our collective condition better. now! time is of the essence. if we don't esteem and help ourselves, no one else will.

i have been seeking ways to be of service to others and to make my life more meaningful. the opportunities continue to present themselves. i will share them with you going forward.

additionally, i have found that depression can best be alleviated by helping others. volunteering will take you from depressed to grateful in no time. there is always someone that is less fortunate than you. helping them helps you to gain gratitude and perspective. this has been my experience.



SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

women herstory month

women herstory month should really look like this...

...if we expect to have a fighting chance. black her/history month, too, while we are on the subject. this year and every year going forward.

SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT

mainstream media & hip hop boycott

i have been in a petition signing mood lately. everyone whose e-mail i have can attest to this:-)

please take a few moments and sign this petition Mainstream Media & Hip-Hop Boycott. it is pretty straightforward. every signature counts.

understanding full well that hate is a strong word---those that know me know that i understand full well the power of words; this is the only word that fully expresses my heart---so hear me when i say---i hate that this hijacked art form has been turned into this wicked mess. i hate that this new junk (i have other choice words for it!) is still called "hip hop". i hate that our culture and history of communicating through music is one of the tools being used to destroy our images and us. i hate that so many have decided that for a nominal fee they will go on the global stage and assist in the destruction of black women. i hate that every video reinforces the racist stereotype that black men are mindless, sexually depraved, criminal beasts.

brothers, i am hopeful you will come out in force against this when you realize how it impacts you. i hate that it is "not that bad" or funny (actual responses i have gotten) when it seems only to affect your sisters, daughters, wives and mothers. all black women are someone's sisters, daughters, wives and mothers. i am sure Rev. Coates at Enough is Enough would be more than happy to have your help with taking the Enough is Enough campaign nationwide. if not that, just find something to do to make a difference. now! this is poisoning our children and us. in addition to our global community's assessment of who we really are.

i have other words, however in the interest of self respect i will use "artists"-don't say you can't get a record deal unless you go this route. you could maintain your dignity, autonomy, and more of the profits if you would self distribute. the underground is a profitable place to be. the internet is a profitable place to be. it boils down to complete irresponsibility and greed. you get no pass from me because you are black and "need to feed your family". we all do. there is a responsible, dignified, respectful way to go about it.

it is not about censorship or preventing freedom of speech.

it is about SELF LOVE~SELF ACCEPTANCE~SELF RESPECT and projecting that all around the world.

while you are in petition signing mode please sign my girl Jasmyne's as well CLICK HERE TO READ AND SIGN THE PETITION (http://www.banshirleyqliquor.com/)

i have had enough and accept the truth that "well behaved women rarely make history". together we can change our course. we have the power, tenacity and resilience to make it happen. ain't nothing to it but to do it...let's go to work...