Beautifully Human

As far as "reality" shows go I find TI and Tiny's show to be very positive. There was however one problem child. Shicanna- Tinys hairstylist, she seemed to have no ability to behave professionally, so Tiny suggested they go to an etiquette class. The one standout, powerful point for me was when she was addressing the B word and said her mother had been calling her a bitch since she was four so it didn't phase her.

It didn't phase her. Wow, wow.Wow!!!! You guys know I have very SERIOUS problems with the B word. I don't like it. I don't appreciate it and I don't care what kind of way you try to twist it into a term of endearment, It's a derogatory word, that I don't tolerate. When that word comes out of your mouth to me, I am your enemy. That's how I feel. This woman said that she had been called such since she was 4. Can you imagine how a child feels being called this? A baby. What the hell is wrong in your sick mind that you would look at a child that you carried  in your womb and think that is okay? The saddest part for me is that even at her age she didn't realize that it did phase her. IT DID PHASE HER!!!!. She carried the stigma of Bitch practically her whole life. At some point she had to know that the definition of the word is a female dog, My mother is calling me a dog, my mother thinks I am no better than a dog. How am I to think any more of myself? How am I  to learn to behave in a professional setting and use tact and decorum when I have been led to believe that I am nothing more than a BITCH?How do you process this as a child? I can't process it as an adult.

I immediately understood why she behaved the way she did. I knew this was all she knew and although her behavior was/is obnoxious and over the top, I realized that her bad behavior was a defense mechanism that she had built over the years, she's had to be on defense since she was 4. Her mother was a women in need of counsel and she had probably only done to her child what was done to her. I have heard people call their kids little bastards and muthas and thank GOD for the household that I grew up in. Don't get me wrong, we got cursed out, but not belittled, it wasn't personalized. It was the collective, foot in your asses and smacking the hell out of you type thing. People don't realize they are in charge of molding lives. They were given this blessing from God and they continue to drop the ball.  I pray for this young woman. I pray that she realizes that she can change the pattern, she doesn't have to keep this mentality. She is a beautiful woman, plenty of sass. She just doesn't know and when you don't know how can you do better?  Perhaps, she will see the episode and begin to understand that she needs help as well. I couldn't get into the rest of the episode because those words resonated within my soul. I couldn't imagine my mother calling me that. Even at her angriest.

We have to do better. We have to get this together. We are supposed to be above the animals, the beast  the fowl in the air  and the snake that slithers on its belly. We are supposed to be human. Beautifully....

Imagine

Barack Obama, President. My President. The President of the entire United States of America. It is so sickening that people cannot accept that. As I listen to and read certain comments it is becoming more and more clear that these united states have definitely become so divided in the past four years and I no longer question why. I wanted to believe for a very long time that this was not about his race. I wanted to believe that people were truly at odds with his views on healthcare reform, ( beats me why people would so hate this idea but have no problem having to have CAR insurance) his foreign policy, economics, his leadership or basically anything  but his race.But since his re-election bigotry has reared its ugly head in ways that I have not witnessed before. These people are not willing to compromise on any level . They damn near slap the olive branch out of your hand when extended. How can we heal as a nation when you are unwilling to compromise? When you are so consumed with hatred that you would rather see the whole shit blow up  before you give an inch. Where does that kind of thinking come from?

Ignorance?  Upbringing? Superiority complex? Entitlement? Let's talk about that for a moment. Romney's statement about the 47%... you know the one. I believe he got it wrong, lower/ middle class are not the ones who feel like the are entitled , clearly, White men are the ones who feel they are entitled to something. They are coming up with every excuse they can think of as to why they lost except the obvious. People would rather vote for someone who at least seems like they give a rat's ass about your well-being. Romney did not come across as being a person I think would understand my needs. He couldn't understand the struggles of the average american. He has not had to struggle for anything.  He also had some other issues , that let me know wholeheartedly that I would have never voted for him. But had he won....  Yeah , I would have been   heartbroken,and I would have been angry but I would have also had to accept the fact that he was the President. My President.  The President of these United States.I would have adapted.

How do we move forward? How do we begin to heal? Do we continue on this path of destructive thinking or do we come together and rebuild this nation. He is after all, going to be President for the next four years. My President. Your President, of these United States. Imagine if we all worked together as one.

Be Blessed peeps!!!

So This Is Christmas

We made it through another year. There was a time when I thought we would never make it. The first year I didn't feel like celebrating anything, but we did because that's the way my mother raised us.We honor her, everyday by continuing to live our lives. By pushing ourselves to go on even when we think we can't. The pain of losing her still and probably always will hurt, but we are few but resilient people. We are from very strong stock. Even my father was able to smile this year, be genuinely happy, and he needs that more than any of us. So we made it, we laughed, we cooked, we danced, joked, remembered, we celebrated. The blessing of knowing we had a great lady in our lives but also that she left a great group of us behind. I may be a little biased, but I am so happy that I belong to this family. I hope each of you have the chance to feel the joy I feel with your families. Not only at Christmas...everyday. Be Blessed!

AT LAST !!!!

Whether you voted for him or not, this day is profound for everyone. This day is proof that any one of us can overcome any obstacle. Whatever you are feeling right now at this moment in time, know that you have witnessed history. You have watched an America that you and I have only dreamed about, come to fruition. If only for today, when this man, Barack Obama's character was more important than the color of his skin. You can't help but feel emotional, as I witnessed our 44th president take his oath, with his wife by his side, with millions of people, young, old, black, white, rich and poor weathering the cold. Smiling like they were in the middle of the most tropical island. I was filled with so much pride and adoration. He addressed the nation in his cool manner that only he has. He was firm, strong, eloquent and gave Americans, all of us, a sense of hope. A sense that a new day has dawned. Lift every voice and sing!

The days ahead will be long. He will be over analyzed, criticized. He is but one man.

Pray for him
Pray for his family
Pray for this country

Yes we can, Yes we did! Congratulations Mr. President

Lift Every Voice

And Sing....

President(elect) and First Lady Obama and their children

When I See You

I did the early voting today. I have to admit I am proud of myself. Three hours in line. I was a trooper for mine. I was happy in fact to see so many people in line. So many YOUNG people. So many people who were voting for the first time in there lives. It was beautiful thang.

On my way back as I was jamming to EWF and feeling pretty good. I passed a cotton field. Several in fact. You have to understand coming from NY I have never seen one, never saw one in Charlotte either. I was in a little town called Raeford NC and they had a few. I pulled over on the side of the field and was humbled for a minute. As far as the eye could see, the field went on and on. I thought of those before me.Those who had to pick this, those who had no rights, no choices. Those people who were treated less than human.Those who fought and gave up their lives in the struggle. I had to touch it guys. I hope the owners didn't think I was trying to steal it. I wasn't, trust and believe me. I have never seen a cotton plant/tree or whatever it's called,and there I was staring at a whole field of it. Surprise, surprise it felt like...cotton.

I gathered myself and got back in my car. I heard this is "Klan" county and I need not be out there too long alone. As I passed the field I felt triumphant. I felt that all those before me were proud because I voted today...for a black man with my bad black self.Sorry, I had a power to the people moment.. And before you haters start, I would have voted for BOZO the clown over McCain. I'm just saying look how far we've come...

Please VOTE!!!, Pray and Stay Blessed!

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Tonight we will witness history. When Barack Obama accepts the party nomination for the President of the United States. On the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther Kings' " I have a Dream" speech.

I'm bursting with pride. Yet, I can't help but think of the struggle of those before him. Those who took the beatings and endured, in your face racism that we couldn't even imagine today. Those who hung in their because the conviction, their courage wouldn't let them be turned away. Their pride in themselves wouldn't allow them to settle for being second class citizens. Their determination and their faith guiding them while they shaped our futures.

These are the qualities we need now more than ever. We still have a fight ahead of us! So get as many people in your communities registered. Get them involved! Talk to them about what this( election) means. Not only for Democrats, not only for Blacks for us all. We need change!We must have more from our government than we have in the the past eight years. Not a Democrat?, cool get the conversations flowing anyway, you may convert a few.


Today, I hope our youth take notice. I hope they see what a little hard work can do. What having goals and self worth can do. That although, it won't be easy. ( What in life worthwhile is.) The sky is the limit! They can become anything their hearts desire.