Greece, Tunisia, Belarus, and Libya are just a few countries within the recent and current months that have had political protests against the government and their leaders.
When watching the news this morning I was shocked to see thousands of people protesting in Athens, Greece. Many people, including myself, have thought that the recent protests have only occurred in third world countries and Arab countries. However, clearly Greece is a place that someone would not think of as a third world country.
In this report about Greece, the news reporter actually had a mask on to protect himself against the tier gas that was in the air. As he reported you could hear shots in the background, possible gunshots. They showed men hit armored police and in return getting beaten with night sticks.
This protest in particular, like many others, are about the government's policy on spending, cutting expenses and budget cuts.
Wait....isn't the same thing happening here?
Governor Corbot, as well as Gov. Christi, have been cutting state budgets to save the decificit. However, by cutting budgets they are taking money away from expenses that have used and needed the same money for years. Our federal government is in the same pardiciment very often as well. Trying to figure out what to do with our budgets, where to cut so we can save money, but too often is the cutting hurting the little people such the elderly with their social security and the small business owner.
These issues are very high concerns for US citizens and President Obama who I believe has tried his best to address some of these issues.
But my question is, with one wrong step and/or vote in the wrong way, are we just one step away from Greece? Is it possible that we could see such protest in this country. Aren't we dealing with the same sentiments as these other countries? With us helping other countries when they're dealing with simple protests, are other countries going to send in their troops to help us?
Honestly, some of the politicians in Washington have absolutely no concern for the small business owner. With people such as Mitt Romney, who has more than enough money to fund his own political campaign without any fundraisering, could these politicians really understand the hardships and interest of everyday people.
President Barack Obama is a person that clearly understand what it means to be a working class citizen and I believe when he went into his first presidential campaign he had their interest in mind. However, with the power and opposing views that he faces in Washington I think he lost sight of that.
Obama needs to get back to the basics. His healthcare bill was definately something that looked out for the little people. However, one bill is not enough. I don't except Obama to change the US completely. However, wasn't the whole ideal of his campaign 'change.' I now must question, how much change was he talking about?
However, at the end of the day I'd rather go with the interest of the little people and helping change things for them, even it's one thing, over someone who has no idea what it means to be a single mother raising two kids at a minimum wage job...over someone who has no idea what it means to have thousands and thousands of dollars in educational debt that they have no way to pay back...over someone who doesn't understand how important social security is for older people...Those are just my thoughts...
I challenge you to watch the news today. Just watch at least one hour of news. And from there, I want you to decide, what you're going to do about it. That's what the people in Greece did. That's what the people in Tunisia did. That's what the people in Belarus did. That's what the people in Libya did.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Will Women Ever be Equal to Men?
I read some startling statistics today about the worst and most dangerous countries for women to live in. When I first started reading the article I was thinking, "I know I'm privledge living in this country as a women. I know women in other countries have it bad."
But after reading everything, I grew a greater appreciation and understanding of what I already thought I knew.
Here is what I read:
* An estimated 87 percent of Afghan women are illiterate.
(One of the greatest privleges of being a women in America is that we can get an equal education with men)
* An estimated 1,152 women are raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo each day.
(This is just sad. Shows that the men in this country have absolutely no respect for a woman in any type of way. It's sad that being raped in this country is probably just a norm for them.)
* In Pakistan women earn a staggering 82 percent less than men.
(Ya know women earning less than men is also still a problem here. Studies show that women without children make 90 cents to a man's dollar, married mothers make 72 cents, and single mothers only make 60 cents to a man's dollar.)
*An estimated 44.5 percent of Indian women are married before the age of 18.
(I know this is how their culture is. But I just can't imagine spending my life with a man that I didn't choose to be with. Although, the people in their country do stay in marriages longer than people in the US)
*In Somalia, 95 percent of women face genital mutilation between the ages of 4 and 11.
(Once again this is apart of their culture. But I just don't understand how any one could perceived this as okay??!?)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/16/most-dangerous-countries-women-_n_877706.html#s292685&title=Somalia__5
It's startling to know that women in other countries are suffering in these ways while we've got women like Paris Hilton who have no respect for themselves, have enough money to save the lives of thousands of people, and just dont appreciate the freedoms that they have.
However, when looking back at the statistic in regards to how much money women make compared to men, it's a reminder that although women have great freedoms and privleges in this country compared to others, in America we've still got a ways to go until women will be completely equal to men.
Honestly, the song that says "I can do anything you can do better, I can do anything better than you," is so true when it comes to men and women. I'm not a feminist in any type of way, but there are many things that women are better at than men, and I'm not just talking about taking care of the house and the kids.
There was a study that found that many of the jobs in which men would be thought to be better at, women are infact the better.
1. Police officers: A 2004 study on police brutality and corruption conducted at the University of Maribor in Slovenia found that female police officers were less tolerant of immoral behavior than their male counterparts. Additionally, out of the $66.3 million that Los Angeles had to pay in settlements for police-brutality lawsuits, nearly 96 percent were due to the actions of male officers.
2. World leaders: The results of a survey on essential leadership skills conducted by the Pew Research Center overwhelmingly favored women. In the survey, 2,250 participants "ranked men or women as superior in eight different categories of political aptitude deemed 'very important or absolutely essential' to leadership.' The results? Women came out on top in five of the eight categories, and tied men in two.
3. Newscasters: A 2008 study in Switzerland, in which subjects watched real newscasts and then filled out questionnaires on what they'd seen, showed that people perceived the news as more credible when it was read by a woman. That may have something to do with the fact that women now account for 64 percent of newscasters in Switzerland. In the U.S, more than 50 percent of newscasters are now women, compared to just 13 percent 30 years ago.
4. Doctors: A 2010 study by the American Medical Association found that male doctors were twice as likely to be sued as female doctors. Another study on medical performance by the British government found that out of all the doctors and dentists investigated for medical misconduct, only 20 percent of those required to go through a more thorough investigation were women.
Also... "They also make better students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, for every 100 men that graduate college, 185 women do. According to The National Survey of Student Engagement, a study conducted in 2005, this is due to the fact that women are less likely to skip class and turn in assignments late than men are, and they're also less likely to drop out."
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2011/06/16/why-women-make-better-cops-doctors-and-world-leaders/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl8%7Csec1_lnk2%7C71183
I'm not trying to start a whole movement, or bash men at all, because there are many men who treat women as their equals and respect them greatly, but it's important people realize that this is what is happening in our world today.
I love being a women, and infact being a women has many advantages in life as well, but I also want to point out that I love, honor, respect and cherish some of the men in my life. But at the end of the day, just as much as I feel for them and pay respect etc. to them, I expect the exact back.
The fact that America, as one of the leading nations in this world, is still struggling with equality amongst the genders makes me question is it possible that men and women will ever be equal?
Today, I'm going to embrace being a woman on every level and I encourage every women to use today as their "Woman Empowerment Day." And men, let the women in your life know that you respect them and cherish everything they endure.
On a sidenote: Women this is just an article that I found that I thought was pretty interesting... http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2011/06/13/secrets-for-working-women-only/
Also, if you haven't watched "For Colored Girls," I encourage everyone to watch it!
But after reading everything, I grew a greater appreciation and understanding of what I already thought I knew.
Here is what I read:
* An estimated 87 percent of Afghan women are illiterate.
(One of the greatest privleges of being a women in America is that we can get an equal education with men)
* An estimated 1,152 women are raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo each day.
(This is just sad. Shows that the men in this country have absolutely no respect for a woman in any type of way. It's sad that being raped in this country is probably just a norm for them.)
* In Pakistan women earn a staggering 82 percent less than men.
(Ya know women earning less than men is also still a problem here. Studies show that women without children make 90 cents to a man's dollar, married mothers make 72 cents, and single mothers only make 60 cents to a man's dollar.)
*An estimated 44.5 percent of Indian women are married before the age of 18.
(I know this is how their culture is. But I just can't imagine spending my life with a man that I didn't choose to be with. Although, the people in their country do stay in marriages longer than people in the US)
*In Somalia, 95 percent of women face genital mutilation between the ages of 4 and 11.
(Once again this is apart of their culture. But I just don't understand how any one could perceived this as okay??!?)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/16/most-dangerous-countries-women-_n_877706.html#s292685&title=Somalia__5
It's startling to know that women in other countries are suffering in these ways while we've got women like Paris Hilton who have no respect for themselves, have enough money to save the lives of thousands of people, and just dont appreciate the freedoms that they have.
However, when looking back at the statistic in regards to how much money women make compared to men, it's a reminder that although women have great freedoms and privleges in this country compared to others, in America we've still got a ways to go until women will be completely equal to men.
Honestly, the song that says "I can do anything you can do better, I can do anything better than you," is so true when it comes to men and women. I'm not a feminist in any type of way, but there are many things that women are better at than men, and I'm not just talking about taking care of the house and the kids.
There was a study that found that many of the jobs in which men would be thought to be better at, women are infact the better.
1. Police officers: A 2004 study on police brutality and corruption conducted at the University of Maribor in Slovenia found that female police officers were less tolerant of immoral behavior than their male counterparts. Additionally, out of the $66.3 million that Los Angeles had to pay in settlements for police-brutality lawsuits, nearly 96 percent were due to the actions of male officers.
2. World leaders: The results of a survey on essential leadership skills conducted by the Pew Research Center overwhelmingly favored women. In the survey, 2,250 participants "ranked men or women as superior in eight different categories of political aptitude deemed 'very important or absolutely essential' to leadership.' The results? Women came out on top in five of the eight categories, and tied men in two.
3. Newscasters: A 2008 study in Switzerland, in which subjects watched real newscasts and then filled out questionnaires on what they'd seen, showed that people perceived the news as more credible when it was read by a woman. That may have something to do with the fact that women now account for 64 percent of newscasters in Switzerland. In the U.S, more than 50 percent of newscasters are now women, compared to just 13 percent 30 years ago.
4. Doctors: A 2010 study by the American Medical Association found that male doctors were twice as likely to be sued as female doctors. Another study on medical performance by the British government found that out of all the doctors and dentists investigated for medical misconduct, only 20 percent of those required to go through a more thorough investigation were women.
Also... "They also make better students. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, for every 100 men that graduate college, 185 women do. According to The National Survey of Student Engagement, a study conducted in 2005, this is due to the fact that women are less likely to skip class and turn in assignments late than men are, and they're also less likely to drop out."
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2011/06/16/why-women-make-better-cops-doctors-and-world-leaders/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl8%7Csec1_lnk2%7C71183
I'm not trying to start a whole movement, or bash men at all, because there are many men who treat women as their equals and respect them greatly, but it's important people realize that this is what is happening in our world today.
I love being a women, and infact being a women has many advantages in life as well, but I also want to point out that I love, honor, respect and cherish some of the men in my life. But at the end of the day, just as much as I feel for them and pay respect etc. to them, I expect the exact back.
The fact that America, as one of the leading nations in this world, is still struggling with equality amongst the genders makes me question is it possible that men and women will ever be equal?
Today, I'm going to embrace being a woman on every level and I encourage every women to use today as their "Woman Empowerment Day." And men, let the women in your life know that you respect them and cherish everything they endure.
On a sidenote: Women this is just an article that I found that I thought was pretty interesting... http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2011/06/13/secrets-for-working-women-only/
Also, if you haven't watched "For Colored Girls," I encourage everyone to watch it!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Talk about Delusional
Before you continue to read check this site out first.... http://theybf.com/2011/06/15/girl-stop-lil-mama-says-nicki-minaj-bit-her-style
With that in mind, I must say that Lil Mama is completely delusional! How the heck does she figure that anybody would want to be like her, besides maybe the lil NY girls from around the way.
I'm not going to sit up here and say that Nicky Minaj is a completely original person, because clearly Lil Kim has done much of what she is doing first, but come on Mama. Your one and only hit was out in 2007 and Nicky has made how much money in the very few years she has been out.
There is absolutely no reason that Nicky Minaj would want to bit off Lil Mama. There is absolutely no reason that anyone would want to bit off Lil Mama, not her style, not her lyrics, not her beats, nothing! However, I will give her kudos for making Mac lipgloss poppin.
Lil Mama clearly is going with the new trend of trying to be different and trying to be futuristic like, and all she is doing is being like everyone else except she just looks crazy doing it.
It frustrates me that anyone is even giving this girl anytime in their day, including myself. Why are we consuming such garbage and unnecessary information. I'm sure everyone in this world has better things to do with their life than see what Lil Mama is doing. With that said, I've given her too much of my time and I'm sorry to you for making you endure such ridiculous news.
With that in mind, I must say that Lil Mama is completely delusional! How the heck does she figure that anybody would want to be like her, besides maybe the lil NY girls from around the way.
I'm not going to sit up here and say that Nicky Minaj is a completely original person, because clearly Lil Kim has done much of what she is doing first, but come on Mama. Your one and only hit was out in 2007 and Nicky has made how much money in the very few years she has been out.
There is absolutely no reason that Nicky Minaj would want to bit off Lil Mama. There is absolutely no reason that anyone would want to bit off Lil Mama, not her style, not her lyrics, not her beats, nothing! However, I will give her kudos for making Mac lipgloss poppin.
Lil Mama clearly is going with the new trend of trying to be different and trying to be futuristic like, and all she is doing is being like everyone else except she just looks crazy doing it.
It frustrates me that anyone is even giving this girl anytime in their day, including myself. Why are we consuming such garbage and unnecessary information. I'm sure everyone in this world has better things to do with their life than see what Lil Mama is doing. With that said, I've given her too much of my time and I'm sorry to you for making you endure such ridiculous news.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
I Dare You
I have a confession.
If you don't know me very well this may be some shocking news. And even if you do know me, this may still be shocking.
*Deep breath*
I...I...I like...well I like...I like the Spice Girls!!!! Actually, I love the Spice Girls.
Okay, who am I kidding, everyone that knows me probably would not find this shocking news at all.
I know this is random, but it's not that random considering this day in 1998 the Spice Girls started their first North America.
I've always been a huge fan of them, even though they haven't been together in years. But it's not just them that I'm obsessed with. My boyfriend has brought to my attention that its all mid-late 90's and early 2000's pop music that I love with all my heart and soul, especially my favorite group of all time, the legendary Backstreet Boys! (just thinking about them puts a smile on my face!!!!)
I say all this for a reason. I have never been ashamed to say I like the Backstreet Boys or Spice Girls, that I didn't know anything about any Black music or artist until I was probably about 13 when I got into Lil Bow Wow and B2K. I have never been ashamed to say what I like and what I don't like.
For this I've got some slack and have had some people look at me like I'm crazy, but I've never cared. What I like is what I like, and if you don't like it then so be it.
What helped me to survive being the person that I am, the sometimes outlandish thinking individual who wears, says and thinks what she wants, is the fact that God made me who I am and there are individuals who love me and enjoy my company for me. It has also helped to know that the people that I call friends are just as weird and crazy thinking as me, some more than others.
The reason why so many people in the US suffer from low self-esteem is because they're not comfortable with who they are and the life that they live. To live a truly happy life you need to embrace who you are and your situation. Your situation is for you and sometimes you need to make the best of it. Even though it's hard at times, you must learn from every experience that you have and embrace what you've gone through and what got you there.
I've gone through some really tough times in my life. I've experienced some things that many people couldn't imagine going through or don't understand how I let certain negative situations end up being a kind of positive in my life. But at the end of the day, I've grown and I'm still me. And I do what I want, I think like I want, I dress the way that I want, and I want to be me.
Learn from your past and move on with your future. Dare to be different. Dare to be you. And when you get a crazy thought in your head, don't dismiss it, sometimes it's best to act on it, rather it calls for a real action or just speaking on something. As Nike says, 'Just do it.'
So today, I dare you to say every crazy thought that comes into your mind. Watch, you'll feel so relieved to know that you didn't hold anything back.
Shout to the following people that I know don't care what people think about what they think and/or say.
Leann, Daria, Ehime,
Kimmy, Isiah, Brit Irons,
Kiara, Anthony F., Josh, Khadeem
Whitney, Kyra, Monica,
Dexter, Nandi, Rienne,
Elvis, Alyssa, Rufus, Maria
Khendall, La'rhonda, Rae, TO
Adam, Spoony G, Vince
Ace, Alley, Arielle
If you don't know me very well this may be some shocking news. And even if you do know me, this may still be shocking.
*Deep breath*
I...I...I like...well I like...I like the Spice Girls!!!! Actually, I love the Spice Girls.
Okay, who am I kidding, everyone that knows me probably would not find this shocking news at all.
I know this is random, but it's not that random considering this day in 1998 the Spice Girls started their first North America.
I've always been a huge fan of them, even though they haven't been together in years. But it's not just them that I'm obsessed with. My boyfriend has brought to my attention that its all mid-late 90's and early 2000's pop music that I love with all my heart and soul, especially my favorite group of all time, the legendary Backstreet Boys! (just thinking about them puts a smile on my face!!!!)
I say all this for a reason. I have never been ashamed to say I like the Backstreet Boys or Spice Girls, that I didn't know anything about any Black music or artist until I was probably about 13 when I got into Lil Bow Wow and B2K. I have never been ashamed to say what I like and what I don't like.
For this I've got some slack and have had some people look at me like I'm crazy, but I've never cared. What I like is what I like, and if you don't like it then so be it.
What helped me to survive being the person that I am, the sometimes outlandish thinking individual who wears, says and thinks what she wants, is the fact that God made me who I am and there are individuals who love me and enjoy my company for me. It has also helped to know that the people that I call friends are just as weird and crazy thinking as me, some more than others.
The reason why so many people in the US suffer from low self-esteem is because they're not comfortable with who they are and the life that they live. To live a truly happy life you need to embrace who you are and your situation. Your situation is for you and sometimes you need to make the best of it. Even though it's hard at times, you must learn from every experience that you have and embrace what you've gone through and what got you there.
I've gone through some really tough times in my life. I've experienced some things that many people couldn't imagine going through or don't understand how I let certain negative situations end up being a kind of positive in my life. But at the end of the day, I've grown and I'm still me. And I do what I want, I think like I want, I dress the way that I want, and I want to be me.
Learn from your past and move on with your future. Dare to be different. Dare to be you. And when you get a crazy thought in your head, don't dismiss it, sometimes it's best to act on it, rather it calls for a real action or just speaking on something. As Nike says, 'Just do it.'
So today, I dare you to say every crazy thought that comes into your mind. Watch, you'll feel so relieved to know that you didn't hold anything back.
Shout to the following people that I know don't care what people think about what they think and/or say.
Leann, Daria, Ehime,
Kimmy, Isiah, Brit Irons,
Kiara, Anthony F., Josh, Khadeem
Whitney, Kyra, Monica,
Dexter, Nandi, Rienne,
Elvis, Alyssa, Rufus, Maria
Khendall, La'rhonda, Rae, TO
Adam, Spoony G, Vince
Ace, Alley, Arielle
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Still Here and Making Great Strides
June 14, 1939 -- "The Ethel Waters Show" appeared on NBC. Ethel Waters, along side co-stars Fredi Washington and Georgette Harvey, became the first Black women to appear on television.
June 14, 1921 -- Georgianna R. Simpson became the first black woman to receive her Ph.D. She received her Ph.D in German from the University of Chicago.
June 14, 1970 -- Cheryl Adrienne Brown won the Miss Iowa pagaent and became the first African American women to compete in the Miss America pageant.
When looking at these facts, its empowering to recognize the achievements from those who came before us. To think of the criticism they probably received, yet how they overpowered the odds, it causes feelings of inspiration.
In retrospect though, I need to ask, where are our first today? What are our young black women striving for today?
When I began to think about this question I felt somewhat saddened. I thought about some of the images that are portrayed of our black women today. I thought about all the mess that is seen in the newspapers, on television, in movies, on tv in the music videos and tv shows.
Images of Royce shaking her ass in one of the first episodes of Basketball Wives flashes through my mind. The lyrics to Rihanna's new song S&M rings in my ears. Remembering how every girl went wild on Saturday at this party when the Travis Porter song Bring it Back came on with the first line in the song being "Run and hit that pussy like a crash dummy" and the last line in the 1st verse being "Pop that pussy, I just wanna fuck you, If you ain't with it, you cute but shawty fuck you."
These thoughts bring such sadness to my heart. But then I soon remember all the great black women that I have met in the past few years. I think of the positivity that many Black woman are doing in this world, and I soon get a feeling of hope.
Yes there are terrible images of the Black woman that are being portayed in the media. However, there are many Black women in the media who are doing great things. There are also many amazing "everyday" Black women that you may encounter on the street.
Michelle Obama -- The first African American first lady. She not only stands by her man, but she is also an advocate against childhood obesity and has her own platforms.
Oprah Winfrey -- One of the richest people in the world. Retiring one of the longest running talk shows in television history, she now owns her OWN (pun intended) network in which she calls all the shots!
Ursula Burns -- The president of Xerox. Under her leadership the company grew by 20% in 2007.
Susan Chapman -- The global head of operations for Citigroup Realty. She manages the day-to-day operations of Citigroup Realty in 96 countries.
Andrea Taylor -- The director of North America community affairs for the Microsoft Corporation.
Bonita Stewart -- Managing director for US sales for Google Inc.
Cathy Hughes -- Founder of Radio One.
Sandra Long -- One of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalist.
Melissa Magee -- The darkest woman of color (and very beautiful might I add) to be the weather newscaster for ABC Philadelphia.
Erika Roberson -- One year after graduating from Lincoln University she is the assistant to the VP of CBS News in NY.
And Nicole Lockley -- ....... Well we'll see. The sky is the limit.
So people, when you think of Black women today, please don't be blinded by the negative images that are being portrayed. Open your eyes and remember that us smart, intelligent, independent Black women are still here and making great strides.
June 14, 1921 -- Georgianna R. Simpson became the first black woman to receive her Ph.D. She received her Ph.D in German from the University of Chicago.
June 14, 1970 -- Cheryl Adrienne Brown won the Miss Iowa pagaent and became the first African American women to compete in the Miss America pageant.
When looking at these facts, its empowering to recognize the achievements from those who came before us. To think of the criticism they probably received, yet how they overpowered the odds, it causes feelings of inspiration.
In retrospect though, I need to ask, where are our first today? What are our young black women striving for today?
When I began to think about this question I felt somewhat saddened. I thought about some of the images that are portrayed of our black women today. I thought about all the mess that is seen in the newspapers, on television, in movies, on tv in the music videos and tv shows.
Images of Royce shaking her ass in one of the first episodes of Basketball Wives flashes through my mind. The lyrics to Rihanna's new song S&M rings in my ears. Remembering how every girl went wild on Saturday at this party when the Travis Porter song Bring it Back came on with the first line in the song being "Run and hit that pussy like a crash dummy" and the last line in the 1st verse being "Pop that pussy, I just wanna fuck you, If you ain't with it, you cute but shawty fuck you."
These thoughts bring such sadness to my heart. But then I soon remember all the great black women that I have met in the past few years. I think of the positivity that many Black woman are doing in this world, and I soon get a feeling of hope.
Yes there are terrible images of the Black woman that are being portayed in the media. However, there are many Black women in the media who are doing great things. There are also many amazing "everyday" Black women that you may encounter on the street.
Michelle Obama -- The first African American first lady. She not only stands by her man, but she is also an advocate against childhood obesity and has her own platforms.
Oprah Winfrey -- One of the richest people in the world. Retiring one of the longest running talk shows in television history, she now owns her OWN (pun intended) network in which she calls all the shots!
Ursula Burns -- The president of Xerox. Under her leadership the company grew by 20% in 2007.
Susan Chapman -- The global head of operations for Citigroup Realty. She manages the day-to-day operations of Citigroup Realty in 96 countries.
Andrea Taylor -- The director of North America community affairs for the Microsoft Corporation.
Bonita Stewart -- Managing director for US sales for Google Inc.
Cathy Hughes -- Founder of Radio One.
Sandra Long -- One of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalist.
Melissa Magee -- The darkest woman of color (and very beautiful might I add) to be the weather newscaster for ABC Philadelphia.
Erika Roberson -- One year after graduating from Lincoln University she is the assistant to the VP of CBS News in NY.
And Nicole Lockley -- ....... Well we'll see. The sky is the limit.
So people, when you think of Black women today, please don't be blinded by the negative images that are being portrayed. Open your eyes and remember that us smart, intelligent, independent Black women are still here and making great strides.
Monday, June 13, 2011
What's up with America?
America- The land of the free and home of the brave. A place to live out your dreams. Where you can be who you are and not worry about the government or other agencies taking your rights away as a human. A great nation of intellectuals. Or is it?
I don't want to come off as a communist or someone that hates their country. I love the freedoms that I have and the opportunites that are provided for me in this nation, especially compared to other nations. However, we must never forget that even though this nation has some great things about it, we got our issues too.
I read a story today about this woman from Chester, Pa. She's originally from Guatemala and came to this country at 14 years old. She was following her mother who left their country in search of a better life, this is when she was 5. Now at 27 years old, pregnant with her second child, she is being deported back to Guatemala.
I understand she was here illegally, but when are the lines ever drawn between the legal boundries and morality.
This woman came to this country following the directions of parents. Sure when she was old enough to do what she wants, she could have said I'm in this country illegally so I'm going to go back to my less fortunate country, where kidnapping and human trafficing are apart of everyday culture. And this is where I'm going to raise my children. Or I'm going to turn myself into the authorities, even though I've graduated from high school and took junior ROTC to serve in the military for this country. Sure that makes lots of since! (*sarcasm*)
We as Americans and everyone else do need to follow the laws of the land. However, I ask again, when are the lines drawn between right and wrong lawfully and right and wrong morally.
Now having to leave her 5-year-old daughter, who was born here so therefore is a legal citizen, with her mother, who in 2008 was exempt from immigration and can stay here, to go back to a country that she hasn't been to for half of her life. She must return to a country where kidnappers will assume that because she's coming from America, home of the wealthy, that they can kidnap her and hold her life for ransom.
If something happens to this woman when she gets back to Guatemala, my question is how will the immigration authorities feel then? Probably nothing. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110613_Chester_woman__illegally_brought_to_U_S__as_child__faces_foreign_homeland.html
It's stories like these that make me realize that this country still has a long way to go. There's still many battles to be won in this country. And sadly, when observing some of our youth day, I fear for our future.
With possible republican presidential candidates saying things like "America was a great country before 1965," (the year that the voting rates act was based that allowed Blacks to vote, and the year after the civil rights act of 1964 that called for equal rights of Blacks), I realize that this country is not far removed from the barberic views of the past. http://www.phillytrib.com/tribune/newsheadlines/19811-santorum-gop-savior-or-party-liability-.html
Considering the number one cause of death for Black men today, is due to murder by other Black men, I question are the younger generation of Blacks, especially men, ready to lead this country to be successful and save for our children and grandchildren. It's sad and doesn't make any sense that "some have speculated that more Blacks are killed by other Black men today than were ever killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan during the pinnacle of the Jim Crow era." http://www.phillytrib.com/tribune/phillynewsheadlines/19767-group-invokes-kkk-in-hopes-of-saving-young-black-lives.html
And it's mind boggling to me that even though we do have some great freedoms in this country, but there's still a lot of crap that we as American's deal with that the government could easily help, that people still enlist in the armed forces. To save the lives of idiots who find it funny to post signs in McDonalds claiming that Blacks need to pay an extra charge on food because of recent robberies. http://mediatakeout.com/49117/id.html#.TfXClpWf9U0;facebook
Then when they come back home fighting for this country, witnessing people's heads litterally being blown off, and then the government doesn't even take care of them mentally like they should be. Sure we have VA hospitals, but why is it that "more U.S. servicemen committed suicide than were killed in combat last year in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some 468 servicemen took their own lives and 462 were killed in action." What programs are set in place to help the veterans to make sure they are completely mentally stable to return to society? What programs are set up to make sure that when these men and women return that they will always have some place to turn to for mental and emotional help?http://www.phillytrib.com/tribune/newsheadlines/19812-trauma-ptsd-rates-especially-high-for-black-vets.html
Ok my America got issue's rant is over, for now...
On two other unrelated sidenotes: If you haven't noticed yet, but Facebook has this creeply new feature that recognizes people's faces once you upload pictures. At first I thought it was kind of cool, but then after thinking about it, it's really freaking weird. When will FB and this Mark guy, draw the line with these invasive applications and features. If someone wants to be tagged or wants to tag someone, they'll do it themselves. When will people, including myself, get fed up with FB and their tactics of trying to track everyone and everything? Will it happen after FB is able to see through walls and read your mind to update your status for you? Here's a link to deactive this weird feature... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/08/disable-facebook-facial-recognition-photo-feature_n_873018.html
And finally, Sylvester Stallon was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame along with real boxer Mike Tyson. The event drew the biggest crowd the induction has seen since Sugar Ray Lenoard was inducted with between 7 and 8 thousand spectators. http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/tech/Rocky-Inducted-into-Hall-of-Fame-123737164.html Now that you can be honored in a sport without actually being in the sport, maybe I can get an Billboard award or MTV music award for singing in my car.
I don't want to come off as a communist or someone that hates their country. I love the freedoms that I have and the opportunites that are provided for me in this nation, especially compared to other nations. However, we must never forget that even though this nation has some great things about it, we got our issues too.
I read a story today about this woman from Chester, Pa. She's originally from Guatemala and came to this country at 14 years old. She was following her mother who left their country in search of a better life, this is when she was 5. Now at 27 years old, pregnant with her second child, she is being deported back to Guatemala.
I understand she was here illegally, but when are the lines ever drawn between the legal boundries and morality.
This woman came to this country following the directions of parents. Sure when she was old enough to do what she wants, she could have said I'm in this country illegally so I'm going to go back to my less fortunate country, where kidnapping and human trafficing are apart of everyday culture. And this is where I'm going to raise my children. Or I'm going to turn myself into the authorities, even though I've graduated from high school and took junior ROTC to serve in the military for this country. Sure that makes lots of since! (*sarcasm*)
We as Americans and everyone else do need to follow the laws of the land. However, I ask again, when are the lines drawn between right and wrong lawfully and right and wrong morally.
Now having to leave her 5-year-old daughter, who was born here so therefore is a legal citizen, with her mother, who in 2008 was exempt from immigration and can stay here, to go back to a country that she hasn't been to for half of her life. She must return to a country where kidnappers will assume that because she's coming from America, home of the wealthy, that they can kidnap her and hold her life for ransom.
If something happens to this woman when she gets back to Guatemala, my question is how will the immigration authorities feel then? Probably nothing. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20110613_Chester_woman__illegally_brought_to_U_S__as_child__faces_foreign_homeland.html
It's stories like these that make me realize that this country still has a long way to go. There's still many battles to be won in this country. And sadly, when observing some of our youth day, I fear for our future.
With possible republican presidential candidates saying things like "America was a great country before 1965," (the year that the voting rates act was based that allowed Blacks to vote, and the year after the civil rights act of 1964 that called for equal rights of Blacks), I realize that this country is not far removed from the barberic views of the past. http://www.phillytrib.com/tribune/newsheadlines/19811-santorum-gop-savior-or-party-liability-.html
Considering the number one cause of death for Black men today, is due to murder by other Black men, I question are the younger generation of Blacks, especially men, ready to lead this country to be successful and save for our children and grandchildren. It's sad and doesn't make any sense that "some have speculated that more Blacks are killed by other Black men today than were ever killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan during the pinnacle of the Jim Crow era." http://www.phillytrib.com/tribune/phillynewsheadlines/19767-group-invokes-kkk-in-hopes-of-saving-young-black-lives.html
And it's mind boggling to me that even though we do have some great freedoms in this country, but there's still a lot of crap that we as American's deal with that the government could easily help, that people still enlist in the armed forces. To save the lives of idiots who find it funny to post signs in McDonalds claiming that Blacks need to pay an extra charge on food because of recent robberies. http://mediatakeout.com/49117/id.html#.TfXClpWf9U0;facebook
Then when they come back home fighting for this country, witnessing people's heads litterally being blown off, and then the government doesn't even take care of them mentally like they should be. Sure we have VA hospitals, but why is it that "more U.S. servicemen committed suicide than were killed in combat last year in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some 468 servicemen took their own lives and 462 were killed in action." What programs are set in place to help the veterans to make sure they are completely mentally stable to return to society? What programs are set up to make sure that when these men and women return that they will always have some place to turn to for mental and emotional help?http://www.phillytrib.com/tribune/newsheadlines/19812-trauma-ptsd-rates-especially-high-for-black-vets.html
Ok my America got issue's rant is over, for now...
On two other unrelated sidenotes: If you haven't noticed yet, but Facebook has this creeply new feature that recognizes people's faces once you upload pictures. At first I thought it was kind of cool, but then after thinking about it, it's really freaking weird. When will FB and this Mark guy, draw the line with these invasive applications and features. If someone wants to be tagged or wants to tag someone, they'll do it themselves. When will people, including myself, get fed up with FB and their tactics of trying to track everyone and everything? Will it happen after FB is able to see through walls and read your mind to update your status for you? Here's a link to deactive this weird feature... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/08/disable-facebook-facial-recognition-photo-feature_n_873018.html
And finally, Sylvester Stallon was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame along with real boxer Mike Tyson. The event drew the biggest crowd the induction has seen since Sugar Ray Lenoard was inducted with between 7 and 8 thousand spectators. http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/tech/Rocky-Inducted-into-Hall-of-Fame-123737164.html Now that you can be honored in a sport without actually being in the sport, maybe I can get an Billboard award or MTV music award for singing in my car.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Couple's Appreciation Day
So apparently today is Couples Appreciation Day.
Normally I wouldn't give two cents and a can of paint about such a day, but considering I've just entered a new relationship, I care for some strange reason.
I don't want my blogs to be all mushy gushy talking about my love life, although my love life and very often sex life can be very entertaning. However, I do want to take this time out to talk about the appreciation of being in a relationship.
Often times when I've been in a relationship I say I care about that person and I enjoy the time I get to spend with them, but very rarely do I actually think about how much I truly appreciate what I have with that person.
From being in this new relationship, I've definitely grown to appreciate him whole heartedly because I now see that the crap relationships I was in before were just that...crap!
Being able to not only care about someone, but enjoying every single millisecond you spend with that person is something that is worth appreciating. Being able to not only share common interest with someone, but also knowing that when you go off on a tangent about something they have no concern with that they still listen as if they care, is something that is worth appreciating. Understanding that the other person likes you for you, but also understanding that they've had other people try to deter them from being with you by bringing up your best but they still didn't care, is something that is worth appreciating. Loving the fact that they not only like your family, but they're willing to spend time with your family when you're not around is something worth being appreciated. In addition to trusting someone no matter who they hang out with, but also having them trust you especially after they've seen an ex IM or text you is something worth appreciating.
If you haven't figured it out yet, this is stuff that I've dealt with with the person I'm with now. And I just wanted to take the time out to tell him that I appreciate him.
Beyond relationships, in the last couple of weeks I've grown to realize how much I truly appreciate other people in my life.
I'll be the first to admit that I've had a crazy past, ie my childhood, teenage years and especially college years. But just recently I've been able to sit back and think about all the people that have stuck by me no matter what. Even though I may have acted like a bitch, snapped out a couple of times, did some things that are embarassing and could ruin any one person's reputation, I still had people in my corner that know the real me and stood by me regardless.
You know who you are because I'm sure I've told you before, but I'm going to say it again, I appreciate you.
The reason why many friendships and relationships don't last these days is because people don't take the time to appreciate what they have with someone, or what someone has done for them. Rather its been being there for that person, putting up with that person's crap or providing for them, people dont appreciate. If people were to compare what they've got, to what they once had and to what other people don't have, they would realize that things in their life could be a lot worst without that someone.
So my mission for you today is to randomly choose 5 people in your life.
Go ahead, randomly think of five people, no matter who they are!
Stop reading and choose those people now!
Ok, now I want you to make a list, mentally or physically, of what they've done for you, how they've been there for you, what they've put up for you, what they've given up for you and they're willingness to make sure your happy. Then compare that to some other people in your past that you're no longer friendly with.
Finally, go tell those people that you appreciate them and all that they do. Because without them, you wouldn't be who you are today.
Happy Couple's Appreciation Day!
Normally I wouldn't give two cents and a can of paint about such a day, but considering I've just entered a new relationship, I care for some strange reason.
I don't want my blogs to be all mushy gushy talking about my love life, although my love life and very often sex life can be very entertaning. However, I do want to take this time out to talk about the appreciation of being in a relationship.
Often times when I've been in a relationship I say I care about that person and I enjoy the time I get to spend with them, but very rarely do I actually think about how much I truly appreciate what I have with that person.
From being in this new relationship, I've definitely grown to appreciate him whole heartedly because I now see that the crap relationships I was in before were just that...crap!
Being able to not only care about someone, but enjoying every single millisecond you spend with that person is something that is worth appreciating. Being able to not only share common interest with someone, but also knowing that when you go off on a tangent about something they have no concern with that they still listen as if they care, is something that is worth appreciating. Understanding that the other person likes you for you, but also understanding that they've had other people try to deter them from being with you by bringing up your best but they still didn't care, is something that is worth appreciating. Loving the fact that they not only like your family, but they're willing to spend time with your family when you're not around is something worth being appreciated. In addition to trusting someone no matter who they hang out with, but also having them trust you especially after they've seen an ex IM or text you is something worth appreciating.
If you haven't figured it out yet, this is stuff that I've dealt with with the person I'm with now. And I just wanted to take the time out to tell him that I appreciate him.
Beyond relationships, in the last couple of weeks I've grown to realize how much I truly appreciate other people in my life.
I'll be the first to admit that I've had a crazy past, ie my childhood, teenage years and especially college years. But just recently I've been able to sit back and think about all the people that have stuck by me no matter what. Even though I may have acted like a bitch, snapped out a couple of times, did some things that are embarassing and could ruin any one person's reputation, I still had people in my corner that know the real me and stood by me regardless.
You know who you are because I'm sure I've told you before, but I'm going to say it again, I appreciate you.
The reason why many friendships and relationships don't last these days is because people don't take the time to appreciate what they have with someone, or what someone has done for them. Rather its been being there for that person, putting up with that person's crap or providing for them, people dont appreciate. If people were to compare what they've got, to what they once had and to what other people don't have, they would realize that things in their life could be a lot worst without that someone.
So my mission for you today is to randomly choose 5 people in your life.
Go ahead, randomly think of five people, no matter who they are!
Stop reading and choose those people now!
Ok, now I want you to make a list, mentally or physically, of what they've done for you, how they've been there for you, what they've put up for you, what they've given up for you and they're willingness to make sure your happy. Then compare that to some other people in your past that you're no longer friendly with.
Finally, go tell those people that you appreciate them and all that they do. Because without them, you wouldn't be who you are today.
Happy Couple's Appreciation Day!
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