Evaluate Your Life Language

Toni Morrison once said that all paradises, all utopias are designed by who is not there, by the people who are not allowed in. In my life’s walk with Christ I have found this statement to be true. More importantly, I have found that when I have purged my life of the impure and tainted spirits of others I have been able to live more freely and receive more abundantly the blessings of life. We all have wants and needs that go beyond just physical and tangible possessions. In fact, we also have wants and needs as it relates to the presence of others in our life. Sometimes we find that this presence is in opposition to the necessities of our success. We want the abusive lover or friend—a person who will keep us from discerning our purpose and label us dysfunctional and abused. We want the popularity with little self esteem—bringing others down in an attempt to lift ourselves up; a failed attempt. We want the relatives who are afraid to tell us the truth—sugar coating our existence with high fructose corn syrup; an unhealthy choice of acquaintances to say the least.

To be truly successful it is important to be reflective about the people in our lives at all times. It is equally important to be reflective about ones own impact on his or her life—after all “you are your own best thing” or worst thing for that matter. No outside entity can complete you, fill your voids, or give meaning to your life which is empty due to your own self neglect. Know and love you before you allow others to do the same. You may develop a circle of friends in life, but you are that first link to you. In this way if all of the other links someday are broken you have you to start over with; you are the unbroken chain. Affirmations of the self are essential. Always tread nearer to confidence and further from that of arrogance—the line between the two is ever so thin. Life so far has taught me many things but beyond all I have learned I know there is much more information to gather. Knowledge is the only thing that can validate the truth and discredit those who seek to speak ills about you, your people, and your worth. Let your knowledge of yourself and the world around you be the affirmation for your future.

Some people think that the possibility of the future rests in the realities of the past. To the contrary, the possibilities of tomorrow rest solely in the individuals who assume autonomy over their own fate; those who tell sorrow and disappointment NO. Those who say yes to victory and NO to defeat; allot of what we accomplish in life is a direct result of and exodus from an ideology of despair. The mentality of such and ideology however, is always a choice. As I always say, choose to have a good day—a good life—it’s just that simple. You make that choice by speaking authoritatively in your own favor. By telling yourself yes I can do this—I will do this—I was made to do this! I once reached a point in my life where I found not much was going right. Things I wanted for myself were not happening; the people in my life were negative, dragging me down along with them. I finally decided I would cut the leash they had on my life and I would do so by creating a voice for myself.

The creation of this voice required that I consider my ways and my language. After careful consideration,I changed my life language in order to chart a more clearer path for where I was destined to go. Not only did this inspire others around me but it also was a way to leave a trail for myself just in case I ever get lost and need to find my way back to me. Now the metaphorical life language I use radiates through my spirit and speaks life into my hopes and aspirations. Even greater than becoming great, is the belief that you can-- the audacity to foresee a better you.

Speaking Truth to Fear and Hatred: Examining the Islamic Mosque Controversy in Relation to 9/11…

You know, it is truly disappointing that even amid the historical strides we’ve made as a country toward equality we still lack the most basic and fundamental necessities of livelihood. That is, we lack common sense—moreover, common courtesy. We have a problem with seeing an African American President. Alas, we criticize and scrutinize his every move and motive in such a way that we’ve done no other President in United States history. Every chance our media gets we refer to him as Mr. Obama rather than in the traditional and respectful way of including his title before him. We display the vilest hatred for gays, transgendered persons, and lesbians, failing to embrace the humanity which we all undoubtedly share. We crucify the Muslims; we persecute the Buddhist—considering their religions lowly and inferior to the so-called Christian values our country was founded on…

It is truly beyond me—how can a country which hails from a history of enslavement and mass suicide at the hands of its governing structure even begin to wave its bible over the heads of others. If as this country suggests in its founding and governing doctrine all men are created equal. If, without reason we should all live the freedom bestowed upon us by virtue of our American citizenship then how can we not be moved, rather charged to act. Protesters of the Islamic Mosque near the site of where the 9/11 tragedy took place should realize one thing, Islam is a religion, not a terror ideology. Islamic people as do Christians, Catholics, Buddhists, and all other persons with and without a religiously based faith commit acts of violence and crime.

As a Christian woman and a journalist, my job is to both glorify the God I serve and to tell an unbiased story. As a human being who believes in civility and freedom of thought, I must go a step further and declare that in order to dispel hatred we must insert love and understanding. The citizens of this country too often function with dictatorship values—subjecting others to their beliefs and personal convictions. The people of this country should remember the words of the Christian to whom we have dedicated our country. At a dinner of his peers, Christ called unto them to break bread together and not to be separated by their differences—with conviction; Christ said “do this in remembrance of me.” Have our ears gone death to His voice?

As people stand in protest claiming to want to protect American values they should remember that the Christian principles so iconic to this nation do not reflect hatred. Rather, to be very clear, they suggest that everything we do should be in remembrance of sacrifice. I’ve always considered 9/11 a rather ironic event; one that should cause Americans regardless of race, social class, sexual preference, or religion to come together. The massacre of thousands of people on American soil should remind us just how precious life is and how deserving we all are of freedom and justice. As such, in remembrance of the hate it took to enact 9/11 and in remembrance of every life lost we should insert love and acceptance into the Islamic Mosque debate. Americans should open their hearts to an informed and unbiased dialogue, keeping in mind that we have had many 9/11's throughout the world. Americans should understand that by approaching this situation without caution, we could potentially prompt many more...

Have Some Coffee With Your Tea?

Racial debates heat up yet again as our Country watches and weighs in on the Sherrod case. Latest reports say that Sherrod plans to sue blogger Andrew Breitbart for falsely representing her personal opinions towards a white man who she says treated her as if she was unqualified to serve him in the capacity of her position over 24 years ago. This comes just days after Sherrod publically opened up about the murder of her father, gunned down by a white man on his own property who was never acquitted of the crime. What does all of this say about the so-called state of a “post-racial” America?

Among many other things, it says that “post-racial” America is non-existent. It is time for Americans to have a more serious and more focused conversation about RACE. One that is not diluted with convenience and overshadowed by politics; one that is for lack of better word—REAL! Moreover, it is time for all parties involved in this conversation to understand the complex difference between historicized racial hatred which yields the oppression of specific minority groups and reactionary biases or preferences that have as a result developed out of fear. Simply put, too much pressure applied to anything usually results in an eruption-- this is how I would describe Sherrod’s sentiments and those of Black’s all across this nation who has either silently or publically expressed their internal torment with the color of their skin.

I am going to ask and age old question that, well to be honest—No one has ever answered. What if American slavery never existed? To answer this question I must begin by stating the painfully obvious: there would be no America. Unfortunately, but ironically fortunate enough for us this country benefited tremendously from the institution of slavery. From the production of good ole’ “king cotton” and the buying and selling of human cargo in order to sustain the lifestyle’s of the Southern elite-- American slavery, despite its faultiness, was the foundation for the success of this capital intensive nation. The effects of the racial tension which developed in the presence of the exploitation of a specific group of people and then continued in the form of Jim Crow laws and other unwritten rules discriminatory against minorities in this country have manifested themselves into institutionalized racism.

As such, most African-Americans being those disproportionately negatively impacted by the institution—have what one might consider a bitter-sweet sense of camaraderie for the States. They may raise their hands across their hearts and solemnly swear to hold an affinity to America, but deep down inside any seemingly conscious person of color has a sense of resentment; one that can only truly be eradicated from the spirit should they use their experiences as a catalyst for change. In my opinion, this describes Sherrod’s experiences with race in America. She recognized that the historicized racial hatred of her ancestors coupled with the senseless death of her father had built a barrier around her human heart—that barrier was Black.

While holding and affinity to one’s race is undoubtedly a powerful source of motivation, it can also prevent them from being able to appreciate other commonalities that they may share with other individuals and that may be necessary to recognize in times of turmoil. Yes, being able to join forces to make change alongside those who share you beliefs, preferences, and identities sometimes involves breaking the racial barrier. When Black and white wives are beat and abused—should they march separately? When Asian democrats and Black democrats vote—should they had to separate polls? When gays are beaten and then left for dead—should they only attend the vigils of the victims whose skin color matches theirs? And when white Muslims and Black Muslims are treated like terrorists in their won home—should they stand apart?

I have always believed that the time for change, the time for healing—is always right now! Learning to choose our words wisely is something that we can all learn to do better. As such, racial hatred is a learned behavior-- one that is often embedded into our pysche at a very young age. When children sit around dinner tables where parents discuss their disgust or resentment of other people based on biases that their parents most likely had this cycle continues. In order for America to truly overcome its racial burden the responsibility must fall on the shoulders of everyone. People must be able to express their torment and move past it--sometimes publically. This sort of healing can have a ripple effect. Organizations of separatism must not necessarily dissolve but must indefinitely recognize the importance of a unifying umbrella. Thus we can still have the Tea Party, but just not without the coffee!

"Still On The Back Of The Bus"

I guess you truly don't have to be out of sight to be out of mind; at least that's what the latest Emmy nominations reflect. Only four minorities were nominated for this years Emmy Awards. According to Variety, since 1986, non-white actors have received only 53 nominations out of nearly 1000 in the top four acting categories for drama and comedy. Only eight have ever won!

What do we think about this folks?

With a 6 Season phenomenal series like The Wire airing on a major network (HBO) and not a single nomination, I have to say that it doesn't sit too well with me. As much as minorities may want to stray in the realm of "post-racial" we must face the reality that if we are, it is only in our dreams. If we are what we consume,and the Emmy's is supposed to reflect the best of that consumption-I guess we would all just be 25-49 year old white guys with a hankering for adventure. Or, we are young with "Glee" replicating scenes from high school musical as we go through our day to day routine. Moreover, there are a few people we wouldn't be:

We would never be the only African-American lead for a series currently on air (Hawthorne). Or, the hilariously funny voice of Hispanic Americans (George Lopez). We would never be the reality of Baltimore streets ripe with crime and ready for salvation (The Wire). We would never be the underdog, a trailblazer in his own right; hilarious and "very funny" packing two series on a major network and still without a paddle they sink into the sea of images left out of the discourse and labeled as less than worthy of recognition( Tyler Perry: House of Payne and Meet The Browns).

When I look at cable TV, I don't see me; and if I do my depiction is far less than flattering. How can I be expected to continue to watch something that is without the mere resemblance of who I am and where I am coming from? One things for sure, if the Cable business wants to stay afloat it'd better start making more programming that looks like the ever changing diverse landscape of American viewership. Simply put, if we want America to watch we have got to show America to itself! The networks neglect to reflect the range and depth of the Black Diaspora. Our talent gleams from behind the scenes to in-front of the camera and yet, according to the so-called "credible TV obsessives" that shinning light has begun to dull.





http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/07/08/2010-07-08_emmy_nominations_2010_tony_shalhoub_leads_only_four_minorities_nominated_in_majo.html