Thursday, February 3, 2011

Thank you Patrick Henry and Michelle Bachman

Why I write:

When family, friends, acquaintances and former classmates discover I write a political blog, they to a person respond, that's so you. My passion in history, politics and social issues has been present for most of my life. Part of the reason is rooted in the old adage, the apple does not fall far from the tree.

To this day, my most engaging political discussions occur between my parents and me. My parents have always been very politically informed and encouraged my sisters and me to develop our political IQ.

But for me, the passion dramatically lit fire during my fifth grade school year. Throughout my elementary education in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, I was more often than not, the only black student in my class (in practically all white schools). In fifth grade, at that time, American history - including the Revolutionary War - was taught.

Up to that point, my teacher-student role was traditional; the teacher taught and I learned - never challenging the curriculum. However, learning about the quest for freedom by our country's slave owning forefathers struck me as odd and altered my consciousness in ways I did not fully understand at the time

Something fundamentally awakened my soul after hearing Patrick Henry, southern slave owner, demand:
Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me Death


My teacher, to her credit, tried her best to answer the obvious question, how can relatively free men, that owned slaves, chant we want our freedom? Or, how can men actively denying other men freedom, proudly write, All men are created equal. Like I said, my teacher tried but, her answer to me, even at ten years old, sounded like Charlie Brown speak: wamp-wamp-wamp.

My questions would remain dormant in my mind until my first read (age 15) of The Autobiography of Malcolm X. This book literally rocked my soul. Brother Malcolm's presentation of USA history and world events was finally a perspective that made sense to me.

Fast foreward: This is why I write and this is why Michelle Bachman's quote (and other Tea Party utterances):
We also know that the very founders that wrote those documents worked tirelessly until slavery was no more in the United States


has me feeling the fifth grade feeling all over again...wamp-wamp-wamp!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Dr Leonard Jeffries decodes the Tea Party



In this commentary, Dr. Leonard Jeffries provides historical and contemporary context of the political, cultural and economic agenda of the modern day Tea Party.

He who controls the African Mind, controls the African Mines.
Dr. Leonard Jeffries

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Hosni Mubarak Responds To Egyptian Demands



CAIRO — Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak will give a speech after at least 1 million people rallied across the country Tuesday clamoring for him to step down, Al Arabiya television said late Tuesday. Read More

Democratic convention goes to Charlotte



Charlotte, N.C., will be the host city of the 2012 Democratic convention, the Democratic National Committee announced Tuesday, sending a signal that President Obama plans to compete aggressively for the Southern state next year..
Read more

RICH VS. WEALTH



In a very hilarious style, Chris Rock describes the difference between being rich and being wealthy.
Shaq is Rich... but the man that signs his check is wealthy...I'm not talking about rich, I'm talking about wealthy. Wealth is empowering. Wealth can uplift communities from poverty...wealth is passed down from generation to generation.


He can be overly simplistic, silly, offensive and stunningly ignorant (News flash Rock, Oprah is indeed wealthy); yet if one can digest the meat and discard the bones, Rock is on to something:
Community Economic Empowerment is Key to Emancipation.


We all have seen - here today, gone tomorrow - rich fortunes evaporate from athletes, Hip-hop stars, actors, lottery winners etc. These nouveau riche far too often buy expensive toys. They want to show bling-bling on MTV cribs. They fail to use their money for wealth building. Hence, a fool and his money are soon parted.

Tom Wheelwright, founder and CEO of Provision, candidly states:

The difference between rich and wealthy is very simple.
It's knowledge. Wealthy people know how to make money. Rich people only have money.


Wisdom + Knowledge = Great Wealth