Speak Out!
The State of Black America
Thu, 05/14/2009 - 20:24 | Civil Rights
Recently, ESSENCE.com ran an interview with National Urban League President Marc Morial, in which he addresses a new attitude about race:
ESSENCE.com: How have organizations like the National Urban League reinforced this new attitude about race?
MORIAL: I really believe a great deal has to do with President Obama. To have that kind of effect and impact means that people are willing to move forward and they believe and hope that things are getting better.
How much progress has there been in race relations?
Keeping the Faith
Comments
Driving While Black
Donte Stallworth gets 30 days, instead of 15 years, for killing pedestrian while DUI. Why not call a spade a spade? It was Driving While Black.
Mr Smiley, real progress
Mr Smiley, real progress comes when we finally realize that we should not be trying to gain favor, respect or recognition by appeasing and/or trying to prove ourselves too another ethnic group. The progress of racial relationships (in this country) is a hard thing to measure and I think that we should stop trying
State of TheBlack Union - LAConventention Center, Los Angeles, C
This was the most empowering and powerful event I have ever attended, and I attend many political, educational and cultural events. It was magnificent to experience and to be blessed to see great African American intellects at its best.
The intense conversations, forethoughts, dialogues, conversations, impressions, and emotions of the entire afternoon, (I stayed from 8:00AM until 4:30PM) are one the most paramount refreshing topics of sincere depth and substance revisited.
The topics and dialogues are a necessity in life, to exchange, encourage, promote, orchestrate, develop, nurture, and inspire others to become a part of the bigger picture, not just, as a spectator, sitting on the sidelines of the canvas, but to become involved in the painting itself of history, our history, as part of this great nation of the United States of America.
To spring forth, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically to rise above all adversity and controversy of racism in our life experiences, to achieve the dream of all Americans to be truly FREE.
To use our powerful voices to promote change, real change, and social justice with our voices, to unite an entire nation, and our powerful.
To lift up others who have fallen down and carry them to the next level and encourage others in strength to move forward and stand on their own when they are too afraid and weak to speak and to stand on their own.
This inner Spirit starts within all of us, and we all were given the power from birth by God himself.
The Voting Rights Act
Tavis, While visiting Atlanta where our kids live, we visited your "America I Am" exhibit. As a political activist and elected official of the last 25 years, my family and I talked during the tour. One of the topics of discussion were the Voting Rights. My grands wanted to know if Black Americans will be disenfranchised if ever "The Act" was not passed. This leads to a question that I feel is essential to put forth at this time and that is, why the Obama administration has not addressed making "The Act" a law by amending the constitution. This is certainly an important concern for me and my grands as well as the rest of "Black America."
Finally, your work and contributions are applauded. This is the time to really see where White America stands with its representatives in Washington at this time on this issue. Furthermore, it will show Black America where we stand as a people with this administration.
Your comments are hereby requested and as a student of Political Science and Public Administration, I will certainly welcome your perspective as we continue to monitor the state of Black America.
Rev. Henry L. Mathis, Jr. Albany, GA
Growing Leaders in our Communities and the World
Please check our blog for a way out of this madness. Black America- that means Black Americans need to transform ourselves into the "Greatness" that we have the ability to be. Here is a project that will help toward that goal.
The problem with Black America is that those Black that can help have been co-opted and think they are "not the problem". The Black community collectively have money in the entertainment, music, sports, TV talk shows and now the President of the US. What is wrong with us...is that we have lost our way and integrity as a PEOPLE.
Go to www.thehrm.wordpress.com and see what can and needs to be done. It is time to put your money where your complaints are. Like Michael Jackson said.....the man in the mirror.
Self Racism
Watch this: 10 year old speaks out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMyp8y8SkUM
I just want to test this
I just want to test this comment to see what would've happened to my other one that i lost
The State of Black America
Good morning Mr. Smiley, In response to The State of Black America, may I first say I have a problem with the term "Black this" and "Black that". But for the sake of getting my message addressed, I'll play the game. In an article posted by Scott Ott on January 26, 2009 @ 9:54am on ScrappleFace, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was quoted as saying "Poor people are a luxury we just can't afford. They cost us a lot of money to maintain; what with food stamps, housing and health care. So if we can rapidly reduce the number of poor people through contraception and abortion, that's a net gain for federal and state budgets, and a fast track to economic recovery. Every poor baby prevented is like money in the bank." Mrs. Pelosi's assertion is confirmed by a spokesman for Planned Parenthood, the world leading abortion sales chain, and one of the largest (if not the largest) supporter of President elect Obama with the following, noting that "even if the stimulus bill helps harvest only the low-hanging fruit by reducing live births among blacks and hispanics, that would be a major boost, since minorities comprise nearly 50% of those on Medicaid."
Here is the State of "Black America", we have a modern day Margaret Sanger sitting in our midst and we do nothing! We don't even flinch! Have we become that apathetic! Here is an individual who speaks out openly and in our faces with ending one of America's biggest problems by attacking our "Black" mothers womb.
Are we so blind that we can not see everything that Margaret Sanger stood and continues to stand for is happening more aggressively. Why are the fathers not crying out for their babies? Why is it that the baby can no longer find shelter under the mother's wings. Why haven't our "Black" mega churches with their pastors stood up to fight for LIFE!?!? Why isn't "Black" America Marching For Life?
I make no apologies Mr. Smiley. We have been apologizing far too long and look where it has gotten us. I use to think highly of my people. I use to think we were blest because we truly cared for our own. We were the village and we cared for not only our own, but our neighbor's as well. I know you know what I'm speaking of and I guess that's why it hurt so much. We have gone to the big universities and received our degrees and now we make a little more money than Frank and Kwami and forget where we came from.
Who will stand up and take back our families from te Margaret Sangers and Nancy Pelosi'. And why is an unplanned pregnancy called a punishment (president elect Obama said he would not punish his daughters with an pregnancy). The Bible calls a child a gift (expectantly or unexpectantly), but the individual in charge at 1600 Pennsyvania Avenue calls it a punishment. He too has fallen for the lies.
Mr. Smiley I guess all I want is for someone else to be as outraged as I am. I want the State of "Black America" to change! I want us to be more than what we are. I want "The State of Black America" to remember who she once was and become MORE!
The State of Black America
Well said Sister Cheryl.
President Obama
1. Race Relations has been one of the greatest challenges in the United States. It’s not because we can’t change the demonic cycle, but there are still too many old heads that gravel over embracing mean-spirited attitudes and the old way of doing things. Race Relations in America will change as the bible says’ “Everything changes but the word of God”. President Obama was not a mistake. This was Predestined as the good book would have it... I found it very interesting to see President Obama spoke of in the bible. Now before you run off to the left- notice that many names are spelled differently but mean the same. For example my name is Lisa but can be spelled Leesa, Lysa, Lesa etc... get the picture. Now let us Take a look at these scriptures : 2. Judges 4:6 (Whole Chapter) And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? 3. Judges 4:8 (Whole Chapter) And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. 4. Judges 4:9 (Whole Chapter) And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. 5. Judges 4:10 (Whole Chapter) And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him. 6. Judges 4:12 (Whole Chapter) And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. 7. Judges 4:14 (Whole Chapter) And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. 8. Judges 4:15 (Whole Chapter) And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. 9. Judges 4:16 (Whole Chapter) But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left. 10. Judges 4:22 (Whole Chapter) And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. 11. Judges 5:1 (Whole Chapter) Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, 12. Judges 5:12 (Whole Chapter) Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. 13. Judges 5:15 (Whole Chapter) And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. 14. Hebrews 11:32 (Whole Chapter) And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets Again no coincident we are headed in the right direction with all mistakes included!
The State of Black America
When I listen, read and observe the different conversations and the non-response/responses of some I know that we have deeper issues that are unresolved. I love dialogue but we are missing action, strategy, and the global vision to act locally in our communities, schools and even in the homes. I believe in the "village" concept but how can the "village" bring healing if the village is sick? We need to be healed and delivered from a poisoned subconscious that has been hypnotized with lies of the past and present.
We lack love and the desire to be servant-leaders. We are so consumed by the idea of being served that we wait on others to do for us what we can do for ourselves. When we stop desiring to be significant and treat others like they are we will start the healing process. Too many chiefs, big ballers and shot callers and not enough Indians to get the job(s) done.
We need everybody to make a significant difference and when we decide to get serious about the issues, then we will see change. We need to be solution oriented, passionate and determine to bring about change for the "greater good" of all. Someone will need to initiate, someone to organize, someone to be strategical, someone to train and nurture in-order for us to move forward together. We need a revelation that will wake us from our slumber and my prayer is that it will come soon.
Thanks for the opportunity!