Because I said so

During my grandfathers and uncles tour of duty I believe the ship rides back home helped to alleviate some of their stress. The month long voyages home helped to slowly reintroduce them back into a society were they are not constantly in a fight or flight mode. Today’s military personnel are in war zone one minute then the next on a flight route back to the States all within 24hours.


I have genuine concern for the mental health of all actively serving military personnel. I am not quite sure how the military approaches mental health to my understanding it is on a volunteer basis. (If anyone knows differently please let me know). I personally believe that they need at least 3 months of mental health counseling after serving in an active war zone. My brother has been on leave for 18 days his wife just arrived last night and I believe they are both suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We are urging them both to seek the aid of mental health services. In the meantime as the old folks say we can only keep them lifted up before God.

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During the Nationwide Tour with Tavis Smiley I was granted personal time with Tavis Smiley and Jasmine Green of Nationwide.

Tavis’s response to new media at times was flattering and on the other end pointed out the problems with the blogosphere.

New media is phenomenal and I am using it myself I like it because it is a way to get information out instantly, it is a way to talk to a burgeoning group of people who are getting connected. The Obama campaign used the internet remarkably well; in ways I could never imagine ….

I like the new media I like the blogosphere but what I don’t like is there is no fact checking. Everyone has an opinion and because you have a blog you can put your opinion out there. What happens in the world we live in too much of what is opinion ends up taken as fact and that is not the best thing.

We also have to make sure that we are earnest and responsible.

Tavis's response to how to obtain traditional wealth was good common practical sense that too few follow:

Young people have to develop a money philosophy at a young age that is lasting. You cannot spend money you don’t have, stop buying stuff you don’t need to impress folk you don’t like.

Jasmine Green the Vice President Chief Customer Advocate at Nationwide


Jasmine Green response to the hardest aspect of getting minorities to seek financial stability was tempered by the overwhelming financial crunch people are facing. She stated:

Their own personal financial issues with people being out of work they have issues of not being able to afford home or car insurance. One thing I want to stress is it is crucial and vital to get insurance because the last thing you want to do is have a terrible event happen and you are not insured. We as a community may not have the annuities but we need to have the basic coverage. The basics will help us to avoid a crisis.

At the conclusion of the seminar Nationwide provided great breakout sessions to help people learn a starting point comfortable for their current fininical circumstances. The entire event was free in Dallas, Texas provided by Nationwide. Special thanks to Bob Cunningham Public Relations Manager with Nation wide and to Shawn Williams of Dallas South for the name drop.

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This is the third presidential election that I have been of age to vote. I cast my vote for Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Yesterday I was feeling a bit down and perturbed by a comment and literally was so distracted that I almost drove my car through the garage into our second bathroom. Whew, talk about having to get your head straight.

So what do I do? I called my trusty full of wisdom Aunt Wesee (short for Louise), we had a good talk. She reminded me that there are going to be people today, tomorrow, and forever that will always negate your opinion because it does not align with theirs. She also clearly and succinctly reminded me that when you do agree with “them” they then automatically elevate you to “intellectual negro” status. Well, I think we have all seen how the“intellectual negro” is treated and what is thought of the“intellectual negro” when he no longer conforms to the ideals of the dominating culture.

All of the negativity aside today was a great day. I voted for a man I believe can lead this country into a new direction. A direction that will keep our country us as a dominant force. I believe Barack will refocus our energy and troops to where they are critically needed. With Michelle Obama as First Lady and Jill Biden I think public education will really see a change, new pilot programs will be tested for their viability and restructure of “No Child left behind” will actually begin to occur.

Obama and Biden represent a change. A change that frightens and threatens what the dominating culture perceives as their sole right. I enjoy and believe in the Democratic Party’s ideals. I feel very strongly that social programs are an aid and asset when monitored and policed properly. Barack Obama is a man apart neither Black nor White yet Black people like I identity strongly with him. His skin color is but icing that I plan to gleefully lick off of all ten of my fingers on Nov. 4.

For another insight on voting for Barack please visit: Kellybelle
Siditty
Dallas SouthBlack sapience

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Today Mr. Man turned 32 so we went to the museum to see the Tutankhamun exhibit. The DMA did a great job with the set up. They presented a timeline of artifacts right before the boy King ascended to the throne; Culminating in the discovery of his tomb and the subsequent searches for answers to his death. The lighting in some of the rooms I think was a little to dark even if spot lights were aimed at the artifacts for dramatic effect.

I felt the tiny figurines were by far more intriguing because of the level of detail the artisan was able to achieve with the rudimentary tools of the age. The wooden structures exhibited wonderful stability. The craftsmanship of all the artifacts on display truly illustrates the religion of the times: when inanimate objects were meant to follow the deceased into the next world.

We live in a time were planned and perceived obsolescence is built into the use of every product we purchase from expiration dates on food to the latest fashion trends. The artistry and fine detail placed into every piece is evident of a time long ago were beauty and utility functioned as one.

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Yesterday I watched the latest installment of Katie Couric’s interview with Sarah Palin and I had to retract my previous view of Mrs. Palin. A view in which, I had categorized her in the lower educational tier but I had to upgrade her to just plan ole mediocre. Sarah Palin’s mediocrity is what endears her to so many Americans, she is the emerging face of America, the face of mediocrity, a face that does not represent the need to “better” ones self.

Sarah Palin proves to Americans that you can be an average Joe or Jane and reach the Governor’s Mansion and even dare to reach for the highest office in the land. Sarah Palin typifies the problem Americans face in an increasingly globalized world: the sentiment that it is alright to be anti- intelligent. It is a hard pill to swallow but I get it. I thought being dumb or pretending to be less than smart was strictly a black culture phenomenon. The rise of Palin in the Republican Party has quickly disavowed me of that notion. America as a whole has an anti-intelligence problem.

Before I was of age to attend school, my mother was teaching my brothers and I our alphabet, the sounds of vowels, colors, and numbers. There was always an opportunity to learn. She was preparing us to face a world that would not accept anything less than an above average (at times I would find that above average was not even enough) black person living in America. When it came time for college I had to take the SAT twice not because I did not get the average score that was excepted by my college of choice (1200) but because my mother thought I could do better (and she was right).


For those of us that decided to seek knowledge (through traditional means or nontraditional) to be labeled or accused of being uppity or practicing elitism is outright laughable. America has become a culture that is spoon fed with few electing to research and learn. I fear for this country, I fear that our lack of desire and thirst for knowledge, like days of old, will result in our continued lagging educational performance behind developing nations. I fear that America will not be able to regain its once hard fought and earned respect. I fear for those people that believe knowledge and those that possess it are full of malevolence for the common man, immoral, or better yet “uppity”.

• Labels:
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• Tina Fey lookalike


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A $64 million shortfall places many DISD teachers in precarious positions as they wait to see if their jobs will be cut. I wonder how much longer are the board of trustees going to allow Superintendent Hinojosa to keep screwing with their bottom line. First was the credit card scandal that caused the district approximately $6million. Now two years later DISD’s mismanagement of funds has the district in the post light once again. I’m guessing that Superintendent Hinojosa may not be so easily forgiven for this $64million mistake.

I am inclined to agree with board of trustee Ron Price:

“Our children and our teachers should not have to suffer for the mismanagement and the incompetence of our administration

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It is widely known that Democrats are not as good at twisting and perverting the truth as Rethugicans however, John McCain and crew sunk to a new level. Honestly, when you can not compete on the issues you have nothing else to fall back on but negativity. I hope that the American people are better than hate and fear ads. I hope that the American people are ready for a leader that is willing to stick to the issues and leave the Karl Rove game to those that have NO substance.

Courtesy of The Huffington Post

"It is shameful and downright perverse for the McCain campaign to use a bill that was written to protect young children from sexual predators as a recycled and discredited political attack against a father of two young girls.... John McCain told Time magazine he couldn't define what honor was. Now we know why," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton."

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Past immigrants came to this country seeking refuge from oppressive governments and economic freedom. For many of them they found their American Dream through hard work and education. Today’s immigrants have arrived in America for many of the same reasons. However the genetic makeup of immigrants today has shifted dramatically from solely Caucasians to include a number of people of color and other ethnicities.

I imagine that most immigrants have a very forgiving view of America and an “I’m so happy to be here” (excuse the Coming to America reference) attitude which, they may find it confusing and wonder why Black people have had such a difficult time adjusting.America was our oppressor we had no other country that opened its arms and said come here and begin a better life, no other country to offer economic freedom. America to Black people is what so many immigrants ran from.




America for Black People only became the land of “opportunity” at the end of Jim Crow. So while, immigrants came to this country believing they could do better we have lived in this country hoping to achieve the same. Whereas, immigrants have had family business and the ability to accumulate wealth for decades to pass onto future generations that was not to be the case for the America Negro. We are playing catch up, running a race where the leader is yards ahead. So if my outlook is different than yours please don’t think that I am ungrateful to live in this country just know that I sure as hell don’t feel indebted.


Cross post located atDallas South

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HIV/AIDS is often compared to other chronic illness which, in my opinion could pose a problem for intervention. By definition HIV/AIDS does fall into the Chronic illnesscategory because it to date still remains incurable. However, with the increase in HIV/AIDS AIDS infection rates among Black women maybe a different terminology should be used to convey the seriousness of living with HIV/AIDS and its complications.

HIV/AIDS is unlike any other disease recorded in history. It’s mechanism of infection of seek and destroy, at present has made it difficult to create an effective system of containment. Health educators can teach the importance of self protection but for many they, are still willing to participate in risky behavior. Dr. Berkley believes that because HIV/AIDS is now becoming viewed as a chronic problem treatable with antiretrovirals, and the fact that less than 10 percent of people who are infected know their status makes interventions for prevention and treatment difficult (Koop, Pearson, & Schwarz, 2002).

It is my personal belief that a lack of self appreciation and gender respect helps to proliferate the spread of HIV/AIDS. Women often find themselves placing the needs of others above their own. The mental and emotional stress from this mentality has lead to a neglect of self, which in some ways are allowing HIV/AIDS to invade at high rates.

Two Local Organizations:

SAAVED

AIDs Interfaith Network Faith Based



Information for those looking to fund a HIV/AIDS program

National Prevention Information Network


Cross post located atDallas South

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Education and hard work are the consistent mantra that permeates the essence of the American Dream. Education, as we know, is not created equally nor is it extolled equally. Schools in lower socioeconomic areas are rife with underperforming curriculums, in desperate need of updated teaching materials, and innovated ideas to excite beaten down students to achieve a goal they believe unattainable in the first place.

For many students in lower socioeconomic areas the belief that they have a chance to enter college is surreal. Many struggle with the basics because they are never driven to learn or even taught but rather pushed on to the next level. For those not lost in the public school systems they head off to college earn their degree and look forward to their future. A future, according to the America dream, should grant them privileges and entrance into a new world far from what many of them knew.


Instead, what waits according to data is a closing in income among Black households in comparison to their white counterparts but the glaring disparity arises between white men and black men to the tune of approximately 10,000k with the same degree and experience.


Soledad Obrien mentioned that White men who are ex-cons are more likely to receive a job offer in comparison to black men with an education, because the perception is that black men are lazy and don’t know how to dress properly.


There are no more visible chains and shackles but what remains is far more pervasive, unjustified perceptions and insidious stereotypes that are used as excuses to justify and mask underlining racial prejudices be they conscious or subconscious.

So what then happens when you do everything according to the playbook and you still come up short? How do we keep young Black adults encouraged when they realize the Great American Equalizer is meant for everyone but them?

Cross post located atDallas South

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