there is a new post that is nagging me.
unfortunately, i don't post incomplete nor rushed thoughts. so...i will come again when i have the time to really put my thoughts down in a way that fully represent what i feel led to say.
i must adhere to this standard that i have set for myself. my adherence allows me to post and not delete posts even when my position has changed, as it has, since i began this blog. each post is representative of where i was in the time that i published my thoughts for all to see...
i have relinquished all pressure that i impose on myself to post regularly. i am not in a season that allows or affords me such a luxury. pouring out my thoughts in leisure is just that...a luxury.
bear with me. i shall return...
self love~self respect~self acceptance
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
they don't really care about us
with all that is being said in the news about Michael Jackson, it has caused me to reflect.
i have a friend that admonishes me to stick with the micro. it has been my position and continues to be that the micro and the macro are connected and very much related. life seems to me, to be a collage of sorts. every little seemingly unrelated detail serves its intricate purpose in the bigger picture.
in truth, prior to his death, i had long ceased to give any thought to Michael Jackson. in fact, i found him to be an embarressment. his appearance was grotesque. i found it very difficult to look at him. this, despite, thinking him very handsome back when he still had the features and hue of a black man.
his obsession with whiteness bothered me more than i liked his music. his marriages struck me as typical. his wanting children that possessed nothing of him...well...that was extreme and further served as proof of his obsession with whiteness. it wasn't really typical though. i would describe it as bizarrely sick and truly self-hating. (i don't think that non bw that hate bw are necessarily "self-hating", but that's a whole other post.)
somewhere i read that Michael only wanted to do ten shows for his" this is it" tour. that he felt pressured to do the tours because his advisors warned him that he was insolvent. that he even shared with fans his anger by the fifty shows that were expected of him, shortly before he died. as i read, all i could think was, "dance negro! dance!".
which brings me to my favorite Michael Jackson song.
"they don't really care about us"
unfortunately, i cannot find the original lyrics. i remember them though. i remember this song and the controversy that surrounded it. you know, it is funny, i can remember certain times and events that i knew as i witnessed them that the person(s) involved would shortly be having a very different experience. lol! like when Arsenio Hall sat there talking to Minister Farrakhan on his show, nodding in agreement (gasp) and when Michael Jackson sang about "jew me, screw me" and "jew me, sue me". if you listen closely, it seems that this version still holds some of the original lyrics where MJ sings about "kick me, kike me". i take it he was VERY angry with a few jews during this time.
i remember his apology, his re-writing the lyrics, and re-shooting the video. not too long after that i remember the child molestation accusations first beginning to surface. it does not pay to offend the jews. this fact may explain why no prominent powerful one speaks against the terrorism and human rights violations that israel perpetuates against the palestinians on the regular. anyhoo, back to Michael Jackson...
i feel tremendously sad for Michael Jackson's mother and family. i pray that Michael Jackson will now know peace.
on a different note, if lyrics can be changed despite artistic expression and freedom of speech when it offends the jews; it is difficult to pretend that the offense and disrespect heaped on black women, in the name of entertainment is anything other than deliberate and with the purpose of destroying us.
self love~self acceptance~self respect
i have a friend that admonishes me to stick with the micro. it has been my position and continues to be that the micro and the macro are connected and very much related. life seems to me, to be a collage of sorts. every little seemingly unrelated detail serves its intricate purpose in the bigger picture.
in truth, prior to his death, i had long ceased to give any thought to Michael Jackson. in fact, i found him to be an embarressment. his appearance was grotesque. i found it very difficult to look at him. this, despite, thinking him very handsome back when he still had the features and hue of a black man.
his obsession with whiteness bothered me more than i liked his music. his marriages struck me as typical. his wanting children that possessed nothing of him...well...that was extreme and further served as proof of his obsession with whiteness. it wasn't really typical though. i would describe it as bizarrely sick and truly self-hating. (i don't think that non bw that hate bw are necessarily "self-hating", but that's a whole other post.)
somewhere i read that Michael only wanted to do ten shows for his" this is it" tour. that he felt pressured to do the tours because his advisors warned him that he was insolvent. that he even shared with fans his anger by the fifty shows that were expected of him, shortly before he died. as i read, all i could think was, "dance negro! dance!".
which brings me to my favorite Michael Jackson song.
"they don't really care about us"
unfortunately, i cannot find the original lyrics. i remember them though. i remember this song and the controversy that surrounded it. you know, it is funny, i can remember certain times and events that i knew as i witnessed them that the person(s) involved would shortly be having a very different experience. lol! like when Arsenio Hall sat there talking to Minister Farrakhan on his show, nodding in agreement (gasp) and when Michael Jackson sang about "jew me, screw me" and "jew me, sue me". if you listen closely, it seems that this version still holds some of the original lyrics where MJ sings about "kick me, kike me". i take it he was VERY angry with a few jews during this time.
i remember his apology, his re-writing the lyrics, and re-shooting the video. not too long after that i remember the child molestation accusations first beginning to surface. it does not pay to offend the jews. this fact may explain why no prominent powerful one speaks against the terrorism and human rights violations that israel perpetuates against the palestinians on the regular. anyhoo, back to Michael Jackson...
i feel tremendously sad for Michael Jackson's mother and family. i pray that Michael Jackson will now know peace.
on a different note, if lyrics can be changed despite artistic expression and freedom of speech when it offends the jews; it is difficult to pretend that the offense and disrespect heaped on black women, in the name of entertainment is anything other than deliberate and with the purpose of destroying us.
self love~self acceptance~self respect
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
do something! these folks need our support...
Demand the Release of Rep. Cynthia McKinney, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, all aid workers and supplies NOW!
Last night, Israeli Occupation Forces attacked and boarded the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Noble laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney. The passengers and crew are being forcibly dragged toward Israel.
The seizure of humanitarian supplies and abduction of human rights workers is an act of piracy, a crime under international law. When the boat was attacked, it was not in Israeli waters and was on a human rights mission to Gaza. Israel's deliberate and premeditated attack on an unarmed boat in international waters is a clear violation of international law.
The U.S. government and corporate media has largely ignored or buried this story due to racism against Cynthia McKinney and the people of Palestine. It is up to us to get the word out.
According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released yesterday, the Palestinians living in Gaza are "trapped in despair." Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel's December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel's disruption of medical supplies.
This act of terrorism by the Israeli Occupation Forces against an unarmed vessel is a clear attempt to scare people away from showing solidarity with the people of Gaza. We must take action now! Here's how you can help:
1) Sign the Online Petition - http://www.iacenter.org/palestine/gazashippetition
2) Get the word out - forward this message to your email lists, post in on Facebook & Myspace, etc.
3) Take to the streets! Organize local emergency protests in solidarity with the people of Gaza and demanding the release of all those who were kidnapped by the Israeli Occupation Forces.
In New York City, join us tomorrow, Wednesday July 1, from 4 - 6 pm at the Israeli Mission (43rd St. & 2nd Ave.)
4) Support Aid Caravans to Gaza! In addition to the current project of Free Gaza, another aid caravan, Viva Palestina, will be leaving the U.S. on July 4th headed by British MP George Galloway and Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic and including hundreds of people from the United States.
5) Call the media. The U.S. corporate media has largely ignored or buried this story due to racism against Cynthia McKinney and the people of Palestine. Please call the media - demand that they cover this criminal act by the Israeli Occupation Forces. Start with these numbers:
The New York Times 212-556-5272; Los Angeles Times 800-252-9141; Boston Herald 617-426-3000; Chicago Tribune 800-874-2863; and please call your local newspaper, radio station, or television news program.
The New York Times 212-556-5272; Los Angeles Times 800-252-9141; Boston Herald 617-426-3000; Chicago Tribune 800-874-2863; and please call your local newspaper, radio station, or television news program.
Petition:Sign it online at http://www.iacenter.org/palestine/gazashippetition
To: President President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, Congressional leaders, U.N. General Assembly President d'Escoto-Brockmann, U.N. Secretary General Ban, members of the U.N. Security Council, U.N. member states, and the President, Prime Minister, Cabinet and Opposition leader of Israel
cc: Major media representatives, International Red Cross
RELEASE THE SPIRIT OF HUMANITY AND ALL ITS PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY AND ALLOW ITS HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO GAZA TO PROCEED! END THE SIEGE OF GAZA NOW!
I am outraged at the actions of the Israeli military in attacking and boarding the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, abducting 21 human rights workers from 11 countries, including Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire and former U.S. Congreswoman Cynthia McKinney, dragging passengers and crew forcibly toward Israel. I am further outraged that Israel has confiscated tons of medicine from the ship as well as toys and olive trees.
I demand that the boat, passengers and crew be released immediately and allowed to proceed with its mission of bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.
As former U.S. Congressperson and 2008 Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney said, "This is an outrageous violation of international law. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip. President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey."
According to an International Committee of the Red Cross report released on June 29, the Palestinians living in Gaza are "trapped in despair." Thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed earlier during Israel's December/January massacre are still without shelter despite pledges of almost $4.5 billion in aid, because Israel refuses to allow cement and other building material into the Gaza Strip. The report also notes that hospitals are struggling to meet the needs of their patients due to Israel's disruption of medical supplies.
"The aid we were carrying is a symbol of hope for the people of Gaza, hope that the sea route would open for them, and they would be able to transport their own materials to begin to reconstruct the schools, hospitals and thousands of homes destroyed during the onslaught of "Cast Lead". Our mission is a gesture to the people of Gaza that we stand by them and that they are not alone" said fellow passenger Mairead Maguire, winner of a Noble Peace Prize for her work in Northern Ireland.
Just before being kidnapped by Israel, Huwaida Arraf, Free Gaza Movement chairperson and delegation co-coordinator on this voyage, stated that: "No one could possibly believe that our small boat constitutes any sort of threat to Israel. We carry medical and reconstruction supplies, and children's toys. Our passengers include a Nobel peace prize laureate and a former U.S. congressperson. Our boat was searched and received a security clearance by Cypriot Port Authorities before we departed, and at no time did we ever approach Israeli waters."
Arraf continued, "Israel's deliberate and premeditated attack on our unarmed boat is a clear violation of international law and we demand our immediate and unconditional release."
I demand that the Obama Administration take immediate action to protest the violation of international law and obtain the release of the ship and those abducted, listed below, assure the access to Gaza of humanitarian aid and missions like that of the Spirit of Humanity and the upcoming humanitarian aid mission Viva Palestina headed by British MP George Galloway and Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic and including hundreds of people from the United States. The Viva Palestina mission is scheduled to leave New York City on July 4, bound for Gaza.
I further demand the Obama Adminsitration take action to end immediately the brutal siege, blockade and occupation of Gaza.
Release the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY and all of the following human rights workers and crew NOW:
Khalad Abdelkader, Bahrain
Khalad is an engineer representing the Islamic Charitable Association of Bahrain.
Othman Abufalah, Jordan
Othman is a world-renowned journalist with al-Jazeera TV.
Khaled Al-Shenoo, Bahrain
Khaled is a lecturer with the University of Bahrain.
Mansour Al-Abi, Yemen
Mansour is a cameraman with Al-Jazeera TV.
Fatima Al-Attawi, Bahrain
Fatima is a relief worker and community activist from Bahrain.
Juhaina Alqaed, Bahrain
Juhaina is a journalist & human rights activist.
Huwaida Arraf, US
Huwaida is the Chair of the Free Gaza Movement and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.
Ishmahil Blagrove, UK
Ishmahil is a Jamaican-born journalist, documentary film maker and founder of the Rice & Peas film production company. His documentaries focus on international struggles for social justice.
Kaltham Ghloom, Bahrain
Kaltham is a community activist.
Derek Graham, Ireland
Derek Graham is an electrician, Free Gaza organizer, and first mate aboard the Spirit of Humanity.
Alex Harrison, UK
Alex is a solidarity worker from Britain. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Denis Healey, UK
Denis is Captain of the Spirit of Humanity. This will be his fifth voyage to Gaza.
Fathi Jaouadi, UK
Fathi is a British journalist, Free Gaza organizer, and delegation co-coordinator for this voyage.
Mairead Maguire, Ireland
Mairead is a Nobel laureate and renowned peace activist.
Lubna Masarwa, Palestine/Israel
Lubna is a Palestinian human rights activist and Free Gaza organizer.
Theresa McDermott, Scotland
Theresa is a solidarity worker from Scotland. She is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Cynthia McKinney, US
Cynthia McKinney is an outspoken advocate for human rights and social justice issues, as well as a former U.S. congressperson and presidential candidate.
Adnan Mormesh, UK
Adnan is a solidarity worker from Britain. He is traveling to Gaza to do long-term human rights monitoring.
Adam Qvist, Denmark
Adam is a solidarity worker from Denmark. He is traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.
Adam Shapiro, US
Adam is an American documentary film maker and human rights activist.
Kathy Sheetz, US
Kathy is a nurse and film maker, traveling to Gaza to do human rights monitoring.
Sincerely,
Sign the petition online at http://www.iacenter.org/palestine/gazashippetition
self love~self acceptance~self respect
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