http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayHomePageExperience.kickAction?page=Homepage&as=16936 New blogs from E_Joyce on Inauguration Day 2009 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:09:54 GMT Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:09:54 GMT admin@blackamericaweb.com (blackamericaweb) admin@blackamericaweb.com (blackamericaweb) KickApps Feed Builder 2009-08-27T04:09:54Z 73 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/searchEverything.kickAction?as=16936&sortType=recent 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Moving/BLOG/584563/16936.html I am moving my blogging to my website www.moorehamenterprises.yolasite.com and welcome everyone who enjoyed my writing and commentary to visit me there.  I am also on Facebook and Twitter, as well as YouTube and I do comment and blog daily on Huffington Post and feed my comments to both FB and Twitter.   So come and "friend or fan" me there.  But on rare occasions I will be back to comment here as well. I am moving my blogging to my website www.moorehamenterprises.yolasite.com and welcome everyone who enjoyed my writing and commentary to visit me there.  I am also on Facebook and Twitter, as well as YouTube and I do comment and blog daily on Huffington Post and feed my comments to both FB and Twitter.   So come and "friend or fan" me there.  But on rare occasions I will be back to comment here as well. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 04:09:54 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Moving/BLOG/584563/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-08-27T04:09:54Z Inauguration Day 2009 I am moving my blogging to my website www.moorehamenterprises.yolasite.com and welcome everyone who enjoyed my writing and commentary to visit me there.  I am also on Facebook and Twitter, as well as YouTube and I do comment and blog daily on Huffington Post and feed my comments to both FB and Twitter.   So come and "friend or fan" me there.  But on rare occasions I will be back to comment here as well. website nonadult false Moving... text blog website 32 0 0.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 0 0 584563 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Michael-Jackson-Post-Memorial-Thoughts-Verse/BLOG/429293/16936.html  In reflection I learned a few things from all of this, reinforced some things I already know... -- You can't always believe what people want to tell you is the truth.  Sometimes you have to just really listen to your heart -- even if it tells you what you don't want to hear. -- Michael is proof positive of the fact that we don't know who people really are until we take the time to find out before forming an opinion. -- Michael was a stubborn man and sometimes, being stubborn because you are right doesn't not make you wrong. -- Al Sharpton gave me another way of looking at things when he told Michael's children Wasn't anything about your Dad that was strange; what was strange was what he had to deal with.-- Ignore most of the second guessing, allegations, outright nonsense that is going to come.  So many of these media outlets and the people crawling out from under rocks and out ot the woodwork, are simply pirranha looking for a way to benefit from Jackson's death; even alleging that Paris' Jackson's impromptu comments were contrived.  Not true.  Barbara Walters was just a couple of rows away and saw that Paris had ASKED to speak.  People need to get a life and show some respect for the children and some respect for a good man who had many strange issues to deal with. As a poet I could not help but express what came to mind  as I thought aboutn Michael, life, time, love and regrets.  Note: the first two are a poetic style called katuata, only in reverse:: NOWTime is not your possessionI Love Yous, I'm sorrys come nowSo that there's no regret.  TOO LATEWe can't unsay what's saidWe can't undo what's doneDeath removes the path.  IN THE MIRROR If you could see yourselfIn the mirrorof her eyeswould you see who you areor justifythe abyss in the truththat you hold so dear-- or is it fearIf you could see yourselfin the mirrorof my eyeswould you hate the reflectionor me despiseas the unwilling messengerin your dis-realityfull of cracks and fissuresyou refuse to see?-- as it crumbles in the light of day.If you could see yourselfin the mirrorof his eyesyou still have a chanceto get it righttime's one way highwayhas an end-- we never really know whenleft in words last spokenand the mirror - now brokenRegret is too late thenAs clarity begins,as it slowly sinks inyou have only now to get it right.  Much respect Michael.   In reflection I learned a few things from all of this, reinforced some things I already know... -- You can't always believe what people want to tell you is the truth.  Sometimes you have to just really listen to your heart -- even if it tells you what you don't want to hear. -- Michael is proof positive of the fact that we don't know who people really are until we take the time to find out before forming an opinion. -- Michael was a stubborn man and sometimes, being stubborn because you are right doesn't not make you wrong. -- Al Sharpton gave me another way of looking at things when he told Michael's children Wasn't anything about your Dad that was strange; what was strange was what he had to deal with.-- Ignore most of the second guessing, allegations, outright nonsense that is going to come.  So many of these media outlets and the people crawling out from under rocks and out ot the woodwork, are simply pirranha looking for a way to benefit from Jackson's death; even alleging that Paris' Jackson's impromptu comments were contrived.  Not true.  Barbara Walters was just a couple of rows away and saw that Paris had ASKED to speak.  People need to get a life and show some respect for the children and some respect for a good man who had many strange issues to deal with. As a poet I could not help but express what came to mind  as I thought aboutn Michael, life, time, love and regrets.  Note: the first two are a poetic style called katuata, only in reverse:: NOWTime is not your possessionI Love Yous, I'm sorrys come nowSo that there's no regret.  TOO LATEWe can't unsay what's saidWe can't undo what's doneDeath removes the path.  IN THE MIRROR If you could see yourselfIn the mirrorof her eyeswould you see who you areor justifythe abyss in the truththat you hold so dear-- or is it fearIf you could see yourselfin the mirrorof my eyeswould you hate the reflectionor me despiseas the unwilling messengerin your dis-realityfull of cracks and fissuresyou refuse to see?-- as it crumbles in the light of day.If you could see yourselfin the mirrorof his eyesyou still have a chanceto get it righttime's one way highwayhas an end-- we never really know whenleft in words last spokenand the mirror - now brokenRegret is too late thenAs clarity begins,as it slowly sinks inyou have only now to get it right.  Much respect Michael.  Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:33:44 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Michael-Jackson-Post-Memorial-Thoughts-Verse/BLOG/429293/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-07-09T19:33:44Z Inauguration Day 2009  In reflection I learned a few things from all of this, reinforced some things I already know... -- You can't always believe what people want to tell you is the truth.  Sometimes you have to just really listen to your heart -- even if it tells you what you don't want to hear. -- Michael is proof positive of the fact that we don't know who people really are until we take the time to find out before forming an opinion. -- Michael was a stubborn man and sometimes, being stubborn because you are right doesn't not make you wrong. -- Al Sharpton gave me another way of looking at things when he told Michael's children Wasn't anything about your Dad that was strange; what was strange was what he had to deal with.-- Ignore most of the second guessing, allegations, outright nonsense that is going to come.  So many of these media outlets and the people crawling out from under rocks and out ot the woodwork, are simply pirranha looking for a way to benefit from Jackson's death; even alleging that Paris' Jackson's impromptu comments were contrived.  Not true.  Barbara Walters was just a couple of rows away and saw that Paris had ASKED to speak.  People need to get a life and show some respect for the children and some respect for a good man who had many strange issues to deal with. As a poet I could not help but express what came to mind  as I thought aboutn Michael, life, time, love and regrets.  Note: the first two are a poetic style called katuata, only in reverse:: NOWTime is not your possessionI Love Yous, I'm sorrys come nowSo that there's no regret.  TOO LATEWe can't unsay what's saidWe can't undo what's doneDeath removes the path.  IN THE MIRROR If you could see yourselfIn the mirrorof her eyeswould you see who you areor justifythe abyss in the truththat you hold so dear-- or is it fearIf you could see yourselfin the mirrorof my eyeswould you hate the reflectionor me despiseas the unwilling messengerin your dis-realityfull of cracks and fissuresyou refuse to see?-- as it crumbles in the light of day.If you could see yourselfin the mirrorof his eyesyou still have a chanceto get it righttime's one way highwayhas an end-- we never really know whenleft in words last spokenand the mirror - now brokenRegret is too late thenAs clarity begins,as it slowly sinks inyou have only now to get it right.  Much respect Michael.  barbara walters, memorial, michael jackson, paris jackson nonadult false Michael Jackson: Post Memorial Thoughts, Verse text blog barbara walters,memorial,michael jackson,paris jackson 91 0 0.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 0 0 429293 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_BET-Awards-The-World-Was-Watching/BLOG/414757/16936.html There is a saying: "When better is an option, good is not enough."  I tuned in to the BET Awards show, after hearing about it on CNN of all places,  expecting to see a tribute that was respectful of Michael Jackson and his body of work.  While I am appreciative of Jamie Foxx and all that he brought to this show; to his credit, it would have played far worse than it did without him, I found the event to be completely disorganized, poorly written and some of the performances outlandish and inappropriate.  Yes, I know this was done on very short notice but that does not excuse some of what transpired, especially the performance by Drake and company -- simply ridiculous; controversial bad art is still bad art.  No consideration of the audience watching was even made.   I did not understand the selection by Beyonce nor the need for the costume throwback to "Pal Joey" and Kim Novak.  Again, inappropriate and did not fit the purpose of the show, having nothing to do with the awards or Michael Jackson.   IMHO, we need to expect more and better from ourselves when called on to do the impossible.  There was a much simpler, more elegant way to have produced a higher quality event that could accommodate the awards and the respectful celebration of Michael Jackson.  And no, I am not just an armchair quarterback, I am a former project manager, a writer and producer.  If I can't do it well, I just don't do it at all. There is a saying: "When better is an option, good is not enough."  I tuned in to the BET Awards show, after hearing about it on CNN of all places,  expecting to see a tribute that was respectful of Michael Jackson and his body of work.  While I am appreciative of Jamie Foxx and all that he brought to this show; to his credit, it would have played far worse than it did without him, I found the event to be completely disorganized, poorly written and some of the performances outlandish and inappropriate.  Yes, I know this was done on very short notice but that does not excuse some of what transpired, especially the performance by Drake and company -- simply ridiculous; controversial bad art is still bad art.  No consideration of the audience watching was even made.   I did not understand the selection by Beyonce nor the need for the costume throwback to "Pal Joey" and Kim Novak.  Again, inappropriate and did not fit the purpose of the show, having nothing to do with the awards or Michael Jackson.   IMHO, we need to expect more and better from ourselves when called on to do the impossible.  There was a much simpler, more elegant way to have produced a higher quality event that could accommodate the awards and the respectful celebration of Michael Jackson.  And no, I am not just an armchair quarterback, I am a former project manager, a writer and producer.  If I can't do it well, I just don't do it at all. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:49:40 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_BET-Awards-The-World-Was-Watching/BLOG/414757/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-06-30T22:49:40Z Inauguration Day 2009 There is a saying: "When better is an option, good is not enough."  I tuned in to the BET Awards show, after hearing about it on CNN of all places,  expecting to see a tribute that was respectful of Michael Jackson and his body of work.  While I am appreciative of Jamie Foxx and all that he brought to this show; to his credit, it would have played far worse than it did without him, I found the event to be completely disorganized, poorly written and some of the performances outlandish and inappropriate.  Yes, I know this was done on very short notice but that does not excuse some of what transpired, especially the performance by Drake and company -- simply ridiculous; controversial bad art is still bad art.  No consideration of the audience watching was even made.   I did not understand the selection by Beyonce nor the need for the costume throwback to "Pal Joey" and Kim Novak.  Again, inappropriate and did not fit the purpose of the show, having nothing to do with the awards or Michael Jackson.   IMHO, we need to expect more and better from ourselves when called on to do the impossible.  There was a much simpler, more elegant way to have produced a higher quality event that could accommodate the awards and the respectful celebration of Michael Jackson.  And no, I am not just an armchair quarterback, I am a former project manager, a writer and producer.  If I can't do it well, I just don't do it at all. bet awards, beyonce, foxx\, jackson, michael nonadult false BET Awards: The World Was Watching... text blog bet awards,beyonce,foxx\,jackson,michael 119 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 5 0 414757 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_RIP-Michael/BLOG/409003/16936.html If you wait until I dieTo tell me that you love meI cannot hear you.GENIUS + GOODNESS +KINDNESS usually equals pain and loneliness for the holder of those traits.  Now he is free from all the pain and we bear the greater loss. If you wait until I dieTo tell me that you love meI cannot hear you.GENIUS + GOODNESS +KINDNESS usually equals pain and loneliness for the holder of those traits.  Now he is free from all the pain and we bear the greater loss. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:01:26 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_RIP-Michael/BLOG/409003/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-06-26T23:01:26Z Inauguration Day 2009 If you wait until I dieTo tell me that you love meI cannot hear you.GENIUS + GOODNESS +KINDNESS usually equals pain and loneliness for the holder of those traits.  Now he is free from all the pain and we bear the greater loss. jackson, michael, mj nonadult false RIP Michael text blog jackson,michael,mj 90 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 1 0 409003 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_New-Book-News/BLOG/395110/16936.html News about my book, Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought:Received word that SORMAG, an online literary magazine, with annual book awards since the 1009s, has awarded Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought with 2009 Poetry Book of The Year and 2009 and Poet of the Year awards.   My publisher, ATTM Press has informed me that my book is now available in Europe through Amazon Germany (Amazon.de). throughout Europe and the U.K. and sold in Euros and Pounds.  ATTM Press is also offering a special to avid readers: If you buy my book in print (okay, or any other ATTM Press book) you will get one free e-book of your choice! HOW IT WORKS:Go to www.allthngsthatmatterpress.com and choose a book. Send proof that you purchased RAMBLINGS THROUGH THE ATTIC OF THOUGHT in print during the month of June (just cut and paste a copy of your Amazon confirmation order) via e-mail, along with the title of the free e-book your have selected.  Send your request to  allthingsthatmatterpress@gmail. Offer ends July 1, 2009, 12:01 a.m. News about my book, Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought:Received word that SORMAG, an online literary magazine, with annual book awards since the 1009s, has awarded Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought with 2009 Poetry Book of The Year and 2009 and Poet of the Year awards.   My publisher, ATTM Press has informed me that my book is now available in Europe through Amazon Germany (Amazon.de). throughout Europe and the U.K. and sold in Euros and Pounds.  ATTM Press is also offering a special to avid readers: If you buy my book in print (okay, or any other ATTM Press book) you will get one free e-book of your choice! HOW IT WORKS:Go to www.allthngsthatmatterpress.com and choose a book. Send proof that you purchased RAMBLINGS THROUGH THE ATTIC OF THOUGHT in print during the month of June (just cut and paste a copy of your Amazon confirmation order) via e-mail, along with the title of the free e-book your have selected.  Send your request to  allthingsthatmatterpress@gmail. Offer ends July 1, 2009, 12:01 a.m. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:54:24 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_New-Book-News/BLOG/395110/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-06-17T19:54:24Z Inauguration Day 2009 News about my book, Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought:Received word that SORMAG, an online literary magazine, with annual book awards since the 1009s, has awarded Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought with 2009 Poetry Book of The Year and 2009 and Poet of the Year awards.   My publisher, ATTM Press has informed me that my book is now available in Europe through Amazon Germany (Amazon.de). throughout Europe and the U.K. and sold in Euros and Pounds.  ATTM Press is also offering a special to avid readers: If you buy my book in print (okay, or any other ATTM Press book) you will get one free e-book of your choice! HOW IT WORKS:Go to www.allthngsthatmatterpress.com and choose a book. Send proof that you purchased RAMBLINGS THROUGH THE ATTIC OF THOUGHT in print during the month of June (just cut and paste a copy of your Amazon confirmation order) via e-mail, along with the title of the free e-book your have selected.  Send your request to  allthingsthatmatterpress@gmail. Offer ends July 1, 2009, 12:01 a.m. attic, book, of, poetry, ramblings, sormag, the, thought, through nonadult false New Book News text blog attic,book,of,poetry,ramblings,sormag,the,thought,through 94 0 0.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 0 0 395110 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_PRINCESSES-FROGS-AND-RACIAL-IMAGES-IN-AMERICA/BLOG/352024/16936.html As I observe the racially motivated insults  in the last few days, such as First Lady Michelle Obama (insulted by a SC GOPer) and the President insulted by some government employee forwarding an image of all the Presidents that depict President Obama as a pair of eyes open in a dark room, I wonder.  I have written about the matter of this Disney film a couple of years ago, when it was nothing more than a thought.  Even wrote a letter to them in hopes that they would get this right, by not giving us what they want us to have, but giving us what we want: A great and positive image of a real princess of color and African descent.  To the credit of a couple of the Disney board members, a couple of them asked to be involved in the development of the film but were refused by the two men creating the film.  I was discussing my thoghts with my  business partner, who has twins, one of whom is a little girl. He'd taken them to the movies where a trailer of The Princess and the Frog was shown.  His little girl asked him: Why would the princesshave to turn into a frog?  My partner was not at all happy with what he saw either.I had a chance opportunity to speak with an insider who wanted my take on the upcoming movie.  He had been given a clip to check out and expressed concern in its content.  As a result, in February 2009 I wrote a followup commentary, which includes the original posting.  I have included it here and will simply say this: Is it truly a positive thing for us to have our princess become an animal creature, given the history in this country about how we have been viewed as 3/4 human?  Is there a reason why they could not portray the prince as a black young man?  I am not willing to accept good as enough, when better was always an option. DEAR PRINCESSES: SOMETIMES A FROG IS JUST A FROG I wanted a story that would make my niece smile.  A story that she could relate to,  a story about what really defines her, a fantastic journey upon which she knew she was a passenger.  So I  researched and wrote her a story.  What gives me absolute joy is that smile I see, I hear every time I read that story to her.  On March 16, 2007, I wrote the following on my Blog: Disney has announced that they are finally going to have a black princess.  Hmmm....  Makes perfect marketing sense, given that all money is green and this is yet an untapped market.  Problem is...the image of this black princess is not dissimilar to what is done by doll manufacturers.  Take an Anglo featured doll and color it brown.  Further , there is nothing to relate this image to the history or culture of the African American population, unlike Pocahontas or Mulan, which are at least  [very] loosely based on the history of the cultures they represent.  I can hear the jokes already:  A frog princess; if we kiss her will she turn white?  and on and on...Maybe a bit of bias on my part, since as I promised my niece,  for whomI took the time to do research and write a really good story about an African princess, yet I cannot get an audience with the powers within the animation industry to pitch it.  I am disappointed.  Disney has a great opportunity here.  Instead of going the usual route of giving the African American market what you want us to have, instead of what we really want -- which is traditionally what happens --  then get mad if we complain about the way we are represented.  I am one who believes that if better is an option, good is not enough. Today, nearly two years later, I read in the online version of USA Today  (http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2009-02-15-disney-black-princess-tiana_N.htm)  that Disney was releasing  their line of toys for the Princess and the Frog although the movie is not scheduled to hit the theatres until  December 2009. I suspect the Disney corporation wanted to leverage the current interest in the Obama family and all things "tween."  I  contacted  Lisa Skriloff,, president of Multicultural Marketing Resources (http://www.multicultural.com/), who the article quoted as saying: "It's [a black princess doll] very significant," says Lisa Skriloff, president of Multicultural Marketing Resources. "It's like a stamp of approval for one of the most outstanding family (entertainment) companies to say this is important."   She was kind enough to respond and honest enough to let me know that she wasn't completely aware of the point of view of the African American market when it comes to this subject.  She was gracious enough to invite me to her website and open the door of dialogue.  While there are formidable names associated with this animated feature, with Disney casting Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lewis and  Anika Noni Rose, it still does not measure up to my expectations.  I am just not so excited about the end product.  I am not a fan of being given what they -- who are empowered to provide big screen imagery -- want you to have versus what has been asked for.  I think that Mothers of color will take their daughters to see the film, their daughters will clap in delight to see a darker version of the Disney princess line on the big screen, yet  the mother will feel a vague sense of disappointment and not really understand why.  Two years ago, I was hugely disenchanted when the producers of this project chose to create this film without a lot of input from those it is targeted toward.the producers even refused volunteered assistance from two Disney board members.   For the record and according to a knowledged source, the Asian market was not thrilled with the Mulan feature film either, as it was not a true depiction of who they are, or even remotely depicts their true historic culture. They saw a part of the film and confirmed my expectation of what this film would turn out to be.  Yes, this is fantasy, yes these are commercial films, but when you have limited opportunity to be defined on the big screen, you just want a certain degree of truth woven into the tapestry of the story told.  While there were some name, title and image modifications since 2007, it is what it is: a sanitized version of the same story, just in living color and voices that they still believe define us.  .I am a realist;  my point if view is not enough to derail the Disney train; they have made it clear that they could care less about what I think.  The film will be profitable, will likely carry some degree of controversy, if for no other reason than because controversy sells in this country.  Most will decide that good is enough, even when better was an option, because  that is how we often do.  We accept the mediocre as the best we can get, assuming nothing else  will be offered.  I am however, still hopeful that I will realize the dream I have for what an animated feature of and for African America will look like.  And I smile. As I observe the racially motivated insults  in the last few days, such as First Lady Michelle Obama (insulted by a SC GOPer) and the President insulted by some government employee forwarding an image of all the Presidents that depict President Obama as a pair of eyes open in a dark room, I wonder.  I have written about the matter of this Disney film a couple of years ago, when it was nothing more than a thought.  Even wrote a letter to them in hopes that they would get this right, by not giving us what they want us to have, but giving us what we want: A great and positive image of a real princess of color and African descent.  To the credit of a couple of the Disney board members, a couple of them asked to be involved in the development of the film but were refused by the two men creating the film.  I was discussing my thoghts with my  business partner, who has twins, one of whom is a little girl. He'd taken them to the movies where a trailer of The Princess and the Frog was shown.  His little girl asked him: Why would the princesshave to turn into a frog?  My partner was not at all happy with what he saw either.I had a chance opportunity to speak with an insider who wanted my take on the upcoming movie.  He had been given a clip to check out and expressed concern in its content.  As a result, in February 2009 I wrote a followup commentary, which includes the original posting.  I have included it here and will simply say this: Is it truly a positive thing for us to have our princess become an animal creature, given the history in this country about how we have been viewed as 3/4 human?  Is there a reason why they could not portray the prince as a black young man?  I am not willing to accept good as enough, when better was always an option. DEAR PRINCESSES: SOMETIMES A FROG IS JUST A FROG I wanted a story that would make my niece smile.  A story that she could relate to,  a story about what really defines her, a fantastic journey upon which she knew she was a passenger.  So I  researched and wrote her a story.  What gives me absolute joy is that smile I see, I hear every time I read that story to her.  On March 16, 2007, I wrote the following on my Blog: Disney has announced that they are finally going to have a black princess.  Hmmm....  Makes perfect marketing sense, given that all money is green and this is yet an untapped market.  Problem is...the image of this black princess is not dissimilar to what is done by doll manufacturers.  Take an Anglo featured doll and color it brown.  Further , there is nothing to relate this image to the history or culture of the African American population, unlike Pocahontas or Mulan, which are at least  [very] loosely based on the history of the cultures they represent.  I can hear the jokes already:  A frog princess; if we kiss her will she turn white?  and on and on...Maybe a bit of bias on my part, since as I promised my niece,  for whomI took the time to do research and write a really good story about an African princess, yet I cannot get an audience with the powers within the animation industry to pitch it.  I am disappointed.  Disney has a great opportunity here.  Instead of going the usual route of giving the African American market what you want us to have, instead of what we really want -- which is traditionally what happens --  then get mad if we complain about the way we are represented.  I am one who believes that if better is an option, good is not enough. Today, nearly two years later, I read in the online version of USA Today  (http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2009-02-15-disney-black-princess-tiana_N.htm)  that Disney was releasing  their line of toys for the Princess and the Frog although the movie is not scheduled to hit the theatres until  December 2009. I suspect the Disney corporation wanted to leverage the current interest in the Obama family and all things "tween."  I  contacted  Lisa Skriloff,, president of Multicultural Marketing Resources (http://www.multicultural.com/), who the article quoted as saying: "It's [a black princess doll] very significant," says Lisa Skriloff, president of Multicultural Marketing Resources. "It's like a stamp of approval for one of the most outstanding family (entertainment) companies to say this is important."   She was kind enough to respond and honest enough to let me know that she wasn't completely aware of the point of view of the African American market when it comes to this subject.  She was gracious enough to invite me to her website and open the door of dialogue.  While there are formidable names associated with this animated feature, with Disney casting Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lewis and  Anika Noni Rose, it still does not measure up to my expectations.  I am just not so excited about the end product.  I am not a fan of being given what they -- who are empowered to provide big screen imagery -- want you to have versus what has been asked for.  I think that Mothers of color will take their daughters to see the film, their daughters will clap in delight to see a darker version of the Disney princess line on the big screen, yet  the mother will feel a vague sense of disappointment and not really understand why.  Two years ago, I was hugely disenchanted when the producers of this project chose to create this film without a lot of input from those it is targeted toward.the producers even refused volunteered assistance from two Disney board members.   For the record and according to a knowledged source, the Asian market was not thrilled with the Mulan feature film either, as it was not a true depiction of who they are, or even remotely depicts their true historic culture. They saw a part of the film and confirmed my expectation of what this film would turn out to be.  Yes, this is fantasy, yes these are commercial films, but when you have limited opportunity to be defined on the big screen, you just want a certain degree of truth woven into the tapestry of the story told.  While there were some name, title and image modifications since 2007, it is what it is: a sanitized version of the same story, just in living color and voices that they still believe define us.  .I am a realist;  my point if view is not enough to derail the Disney train; they have made it clear that they could care less about what I think.  The film will be profitable, will likely carry some degree of controversy, if for no other reason than because controversy sells in this country.  Most will decide that good is enough, even when better was an option, because  that is how we often do.  We accept the mediocre as the best we can get, assuming nothing else  will be offered.  I am however, still hopeful that I will realize the dream I have for what an animated feature of and for African America will look like.  And I smile. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:19:38 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_PRINCESSES-FROGS-AND-RACIAL-IMAGES-IN-AMERICA/BLOG/352024/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-06-16T16:19:38Z Inauguration Day 2009 As I observe the racially motivated insults  in the last few days, such as First Lady Michelle Obama (insulted by a SC GOPer) and the President insulted by some government employee forwarding an image of all the Presidents that depict President Obama as a pair of eyes open in a dark room, I wonder.  I have written about the matter of this Disney film a couple of years ago, when it was nothing more than a thought.  Even wrote a letter to them in hopes that they would get this right, by not giving us what they want us to have, but giving us what we want: A great and positive image of a real princess of color and African descent.  To the credit of a couple of the Disney board members, a couple of them asked to be involved in the development of the film but were refused by the two men creating the film.  I was discussing my thoghts with my  business partner, who has twins, one of whom is a little girl. He'd taken them to the movies where a trailer of The Princess and the Frog was shown.  His little girl asked him: Why would the princesshave to turn into a frog?  My partner was not at all happy with what he saw either.I had a chance opportunity to speak with an insider who wanted my take on the upcoming movie.  He had been given a clip to check out and expressed concern in its content.  As a result, in February 2009 I wrote a followup commentary, which includes the original posting.  I have included it here and will simply say this: Is it truly a positive thing for us to have our princess become an animal creature, given the history in this country about how we have been viewed as 3/4 human?  Is there a reason why they could not portray the prince as a black young man?  I am not willing to accept good as enough, when better was always an option. DEAR PRINCESSES: SOMETIMES A FROG IS JUST A FROG I wanted a story that would make my niece smile.  A story that she could relate to,  a story about what really defines her, a fantastic journey upon which she knew she was a passenger.  So I  researched and wrote her a story.  What gives me absolute joy is that smile I see, I hear every time I read that story to her.  On March 16, 2007, I wrote the following on my Blog: Disney has announced that they are finally going to have a black princess.  Hmmm....  Makes perfect marketing sense, given that all money is green and this is yet an untapped market.  Problem is...the image of this black princess is not dissimilar to what is done by doll manufacturers.  Take an Anglo featured doll and color it brown.  Further , there is nothing to relate this image to the history or culture of the African American population, unlike Pocahontas or Mulan, which are at least  [very] loosely based on the history of the cultures they represent.  I can hear the jokes already:  A frog princess; if we kiss her will she turn white?  and on and on...Maybe a bit of bias on my part, since as I promised my niece,  for whomI took the time to do research and write a really good story about an African princess, yet I cannot get an audience with the powers within the animation industry to pitch it.  I am disappointed.  Disney has a great opportunity here.  Instead of going the usual route of giving the African American market what you want us to have, instead of what we really want -- which is traditionally what happens --  then get mad if we complain about the way we are represented.  I am one who believes that if better is an option, good is not enough. Today, nearly two years later, I read in the online version of USA Today  (http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/retail/2009-02-15-disney-black-princess-tiana_N.htm)  that Disney was releasing  their line of toys for the Princess and the Frog although the movie is not scheduled to hit the theatres until  December 2009. I suspect the Disney corporation wanted to leverage the current interest in the Obama family and all things "tween."  I  contacted  Lisa Skriloff,, president of Multicultural Marketing Resources (http://www.multicultural.com/), who the article quoted as saying: "It's [a black princess doll] very significant," says Lisa Skriloff, president of Multicultural Marketing Resources. "It's like a stamp of approval for one of the most outstanding family (entertainment) companies to say this is important."   She was kind enough to respond and honest enough to let me know that she wasn't completely aware of the point of view of the African American market when it comes to this subject.  She was gracious enough to invite me to her website and open the door of dialogue.  While there are formidable names associated with this animated feature, with Disney casting Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lewis and  Anika Noni Rose, it still does not measure up to my expectations.  I am just not so excited about the end product.  I am not a fan of being given what they -- who are empowered to provide big screen imagery -- want you to have versus what has been asked for.  I think that Mothers of color will take their daughters to see the film, their daughters will clap in delight to see a darker version of the Disney princess line on the big screen, yet  the mother will feel a vague sense of disappointment and not really understand why.  Two years ago, I was hugely disenchanted when the producers of this project chose to create this film without a lot of input from those it is targeted toward.the producers even refused volunteered assistance from two Disney board members.   For the record and according to a knowledged source, the Asian market was not thrilled with the Mulan feature film either, as it was not a true depiction of who they are, or even remotely depicts their true historic culture. They saw a part of the film and confirmed my expectation of what this film would turn out to be.  Yes, this is fantasy, yes these are commercial films, but when you have limited opportunity to be defined on the big screen, you just want a certain degree of truth woven into the tapestry of the story told.  While there were some name, title and image modifications since 2007, it is what it is: a sanitized version of the same story, just in living color and voices that they still believe define us.  .I am a realist;  my point if view is not enough to derail the Disney train; they have made it clear that they could care less about what I think.  The film will be profitable, will likely carry some degree of controversy, if for no other reason than because controversy sells in this country.  Most will decide that good is enough, even when better was an option, because  that is how we often do.  We accept the mediocre as the best we can get, assuming nothing else  will be offered.  I am however, still hopeful that I will realize the dream I have for what an animated feature of and for African America will look like.  And I smile. and, blacks, disney, first, frog, images, lady, obama, princess, the nonadult false PRINCESSES, FROGS AND RACIAL IMAGES IN AMERICA text blog and,blacks,disney,first,frog,images,lady,obama,princess,the 97 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 0 0 352024 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Michael-Steele-Magic-Negro-Comment/BLOG/265289/16936.html Open Memo to Michael Steele:  By supporting such an egregious, stereotypical myth as the "Magic Negro" in reference to President Obama you have confirmed your role in the Republican party as the prototype of what your party perceives a good African American Republican should be.   I can assure you that your behavior, comments and expressed points  of view as the leader of the Republican party  is nothing that I, as an African American conservative independent would ever remotely consider following as the leader of any ideology and platform.  It is one thing to have the opposite point of view from the President -- who was voted in by those who did not buy into what the Republican party was offering -- quite another to continue the infantile name calling, rumor mongering, bullying, temper tantrums and general disrespect to the President AND those who voted for him,  that has been the combined single note and strategy offered by you and the members of your club.  Not a single cohesive note of meaningful alternatives, only puffery and instigation of bad behavior by your fringe membership that seems to have become the only ones genuinely interested in these ongoing antics.  Your party seems to be in denial of the fact that you lost.  The reality is that poor losers who continue to rant without taking responsibility for that loss and -- in this case -- becoming a part of the team that will put this country  back together, are showing the world who they really are, and I guarantee you that no intelligent person wants to be a part of what that is, thus will act accordingly. I wonder if you have any actual quality of character and moral compass.  To be a man so willing to say and do anything, dancing as a puppet on a string, under the facade of leadership that you hold is indeed a sad place for any man to be, certainly an African American one.  Consider that, in the quiet dark of midnight without the cameras and microphones.  Ask yourself, was it really worth it?  Open Memo to Michael Steele:  By supporting such an egregious, stereotypical myth as the "Magic Negro" in reference to President Obama you have confirmed your role in the Republican party as the prototype of what your party perceives a good African American Republican should be.   I can assure you that your behavior, comments and expressed points  of view as the leader of the Republican party  is nothing that I, as an African American conservative independent would ever remotely consider following as the leader of any ideology and platform.  It is one thing to have the opposite point of view from the President -- who was voted in by those who did not buy into what the Republican party was offering -- quite another to continue the infantile name calling, rumor mongering, bullying, temper tantrums and general disrespect to the President AND those who voted for him,  that has been the combined single note and strategy offered by you and the members of your club.  Not a single cohesive note of meaningful alternatives, only puffery and instigation of bad behavior by your fringe membership that seems to have become the only ones genuinely interested in these ongoing antics.  Your party seems to be in denial of the fact that you lost.  The reality is that poor losers who continue to rant without taking responsibility for that loss and -- in this case -- becoming a part of the team that will put this country  back together, are showing the world who they really are, and I guarantee you that no intelligent person wants to be a part of what that is, thus will act accordingly. I wonder if you have any actual quality of character and moral compass.  To be a man so willing to say and do anything, dancing as a puppet on a string, under the facade of leadership that you hold is indeed a sad place for any man to be, certainly an African American one.  Consider that, in the quiet dark of midnight without the cameras and microphones.  Ask yourself, was it really worth it?  Sat, 02 May 2009 18:58:58 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Michael-Steele-Magic-Negro-Comment/BLOG/265289/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-05-02T18:58:58Z Inauguration Day 2009 Open Memo to Michael Steele:  By supporting such an egregious, stereotypical myth as the "Magic Negro" in reference to President Obama you have confirmed your role in the Republican party as the prototype of what your party perceives a good African American Republican should be.   I can assure you that your behavior, comments and expressed points  of view as the leader of the Republican party  is nothing that I, as an African American conservative independent would ever remotely consider following as the leader of any ideology and platform.  It is one thing to have the opposite point of view from the President -- who was voted in by those who did not buy into what the Republican party was offering -- quite another to continue the infantile name calling, rumor mongering, bullying, temper tantrums and general disrespect to the President AND those who voted for him,  that has been the combined single note and strategy offered by you and the members of your club.  Not a single cohesive note of meaningful alternatives, only puffery and instigation of bad behavior by your fringe membership that seems to have become the only ones genuinely interested in these ongoing antics.  Your party seems to be in denial of the fact that you lost.  The reality is that poor losers who continue to rant without taking responsibility for that loss and -- in this case -- becoming a part of the team that will put this country  back together, are showing the world who they really are, and I guarantee you that no intelligent person wants to be a part of what that is, thus will act accordingly. I wonder if you have any actual quality of character and moral compass.  To be a man so willing to say and do anything, dancing as a puppet on a string, under the facade of leadership that you hold is indeed a sad place for any man to be, certainly an African American one.  Consider that, in the quiet dark of midnight without the cameras and microphones.  Ask yourself, was it really worth it?  magic negro, michael steele, obama, open letter, president, republican nonadult false Michael Steele "Magic Negro" Comment text blog magic negro,michael steele,obama,open letter,president,republican 155 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 1 0 265289 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Free-Trial-Offers-A-Cautionary-Tale/BLOG/252288/16936.html Hopefully this will serve as a cautionary tale about free offers.I learned a lesson recently.  When some one or some company offers you a free trial of ANYTHING, be very careful about the rules of engagement.  I was examining my bank statement, only to discover that I was being billed for a service I was not using and did not know I had.  I immediately called their customer service to get to the bottom of it all and found out I had been paying for a while and it was the result of a 60 day free trial I'd accepted some time ago.  I don't throw away my e-mails fortunately and was able to show them that the e-mail clearly stated that I would receive the option to continue the service.  I never did receive that and had stopped receiving the weekly newsletter from them.  Yet, they billed me.  While I have submitted a request for an immediate and full refund, I was feeling rather stupid about it all.  But apparently I am not the only one.  The Iowa attorney general has posted the following information online which each of us should take heed of.  I know I will from now on...Take Control of Your Personal InformationBeware of "Free" Trial OffersStudy your billing and Banking statements for unauthorized charges monthly.Some consumers are being charged for products or services and don't even know it. This happens especially when telemarketers or other sellers offer "free trial offers" -- and then charge consumers' credit cards automatically when the free trial period ends. Consumers often are surprised when - and if - they discover the unexpected bill. This exploding problem is now among Iowa's top-ten consumer protection complaints. The problem seems to have roots in two things: First, consumers may not realize someone already has the key information to bill their credit card or checking account. Second, sellers may use questionable tactics trying to shift the burden onto the consumer to cancel.When consumers question such bills, sellers often say, "We told them they'd be billed if they didn't cancel." But such disclosures often are not made at all, are not made clearly, or are not noticed by consumers who don't realize the seller already has access to charge their credit card. Sometimes a mail "notice" is sent but is tossed out as junk mail.Here's a typical example: A telemarketer calls and offers a free trial period for a "buyers club" touted to offer excellent bargains. Consumers accept the free trial, assuming they will have to provide a credit card later if they decide to sign up. But the solicitor already is able to bill the credit card (they probably bought the list from a credit-card-issuing bank), and the solicitor bills the annual fee when the free trial period ends. The bill could be $80 or $90. The charge might go unnoticed and even be renewed the next year.There are variations. Consumers might call to order a product or an event ticket, then be given a separate "free trial" pitch for a "credit card protection plan" or buying club for bargains in travel or auto service. Other "free trials" are offered in ads or by retailers. Be very wary of "free" trial offers. Get the details: Will you be billed automatically if you don't cancel? By when must you cancel? How do you cancel? Will you receive a mail notice? Remember, they already may have access to charge you.Examine your credit card bill every month, and also your checking account and phone bills. Watch for unauthorized charges -- and dispute them at once, in writing.Try to watch your mail carefully. Some cancellation notices look like junk mail.For more tips on protecting your privacy: www.PrivacyRights.org, www.FTC.gov, And as long as we are talking about things that can cost us money and rip us off, please be aware that any business "opportunity" that requires you to buy a book, directory, grant kit, setup kit, etc.  ANYTHING that requires you to "buy the box" to become wealthy or get government grants or sell legal services or long distance is most likely a scam at worst, a non-opportunity scheme at best.  Never let desperation make you a victim.  Hopefully this will serve as a cautionary tale about free offers.I learned a lesson recently.  When some one or some company offers you a free trial of ANYTHING, be very careful about the rules of engagement.  I was examining my bank statement, only to discover that I was being billed for a service I was not using and did not know I had.  I immediately called their customer service to get to the bottom of it all and found out I had been paying for a while and it was the result of a 60 day free trial I'd accepted some time ago.  I don't throw away my e-mails fortunately and was able to show them that the e-mail clearly stated that I would receive the option to continue the service.  I never did receive that and had stopped receiving the weekly newsletter from them.  Yet, they billed me.  While I have submitted a request for an immediate and full refund, I was feeling rather stupid about it all.  But apparently I am not the only one.  The Iowa attorney general has posted the following information online which each of us should take heed of.  I know I will from now on...Take Control of Your Personal InformationBeware of "Free" Trial OffersStudy your billing and Banking statements for unauthorized charges monthly.Some consumers are being charged for products or services and don't even know it. This happens especially when telemarketers or other sellers offer "free trial offers" -- and then charge consumers' credit cards automatically when the free trial period ends. Consumers often are surprised when - and if - they discover the unexpected bill. This exploding problem is now among Iowa's top-ten consumer protection complaints. The problem seems to have roots in two things: First, consumers may not realize someone already has the key information to bill their credit card or checking account. Second, sellers may use questionable tactics trying to shift the burden onto the consumer to cancel.When consumers question such bills, sellers often say, "We told them they'd be billed if they didn't cancel." But such disclosures often are not made at all, are not made clearly, or are not noticed by consumers who don't realize the seller already has access to charge their credit card. Sometimes a mail "notice" is sent but is tossed out as junk mail.Here's a typical example: A telemarketer calls and offers a free trial period for a "buyers club" touted to offer excellent bargains. Consumers accept the free trial, assuming they will have to provide a credit card later if they decide to sign up. But the solicitor already is able to bill the credit card (they probably bought the list from a credit-card-issuing bank), and the solicitor bills the annual fee when the free trial period ends. The bill could be $80 or $90. The charge might go unnoticed and even be renewed the next year.There are variations. Consumers might call to order a product or an event ticket, then be given a separate "free trial" pitch for a "credit card protection plan" or buying club for bargains in travel or auto service. Other "free trials" are offered in ads or by retailers. Be very wary of "free" trial offers. Get the details: Will you be billed automatically if you don't cancel? By when must you cancel? How do you cancel? Will you receive a mail notice? Remember, they already may have access to charge you.Examine your credit card bill every month, and also your checking account and phone bills. Watch for unauthorized charges -- and dispute them at once, in writing.Try to watch your mail carefully. Some cancellation notices look like junk mail.For more tips on protecting your privacy: www.PrivacyRights.org, www.FTC.gov, And as long as we are talking about things that can cost us money and rip us off, please be aware that any business "opportunity" that requires you to buy a book, directory, grant kit, setup kit, etc.  ANYTHING that requires you to "buy the box" to become wealthy or get government grants or sell legal services or long distance is most likely a scam at worst, a non-opportunity scheme at best.  Never let desperation make you a victim.  Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:25:02 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Free-Trial-Offers-A-Cautionary-Tale/BLOG/252288/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-04-22T04:25:02Z Inauguration Day 2009 Hopefully this will serve as a cautionary tale about free offers.I learned a lesson recently.  When some one or some company offers you a free trial of ANYTHING, be very careful about the rules of engagement.  I was examining my bank statement, only to discover that I was being billed for a service I was not using and did not know I had.  I immediately called their customer service to get to the bottom of it all and found out I had been paying for a while and it was the result of a 60 day free trial I'd accepted some time ago.  I don't throw away my e-mails fortunately and was able to show them that the e-mail clearly stated that I would receive the option to continue the service.  I never did receive that and had stopped receiving the weekly newsletter from them.  Yet, they billed me.  While I have submitted a request for an immediate and full refund, I was feeling rather stupid about it all.  But apparently I am not the only one.  The Iowa attorney general has posted the following information online which each of us should take heed of.  I know I will from now on...Take Control of Your Personal InformationBeware of "Free" Trial OffersStudy your billing and Banking statements for unauthorized charges monthly.Some consumers are being charged for products or services and don't even know it. This happens especially when telemarketers or other sellers offer "free trial offers" -- and then charge consumers' credit cards automatically when the free trial period ends. Consumers often are surprised when - and if - they discover the unexpected bill. This exploding problem is now among Iowa's top-ten consumer protection complaints. The problem seems to have roots in two things: First, consumers may not realize someone already has the key information to bill their credit card or checking account. Second, sellers may use questionable tactics trying to shift the burden onto the consumer to cancel.When consumers question such bills, sellers often say, "We told them they'd be billed if they didn't cancel." But such disclosures often are not made at all, are not made clearly, or are not noticed by consumers who don't realize the seller already has access to charge their credit card. Sometimes a mail "notice" is sent but is tossed out as junk mail.Here's a typical example: A telemarketer calls and offers a free trial period for a "buyers club" touted to offer excellent bargains. Consumers accept the free trial, assuming they will have to provide a credit card later if they decide to sign up. But the solicitor already is able to bill the credit card (they probably bought the list from a credit-card-issuing bank), and the solicitor bills the annual fee when the free trial period ends. The bill could be $80 or $90. The charge might go unnoticed and even be renewed the next year.There are variations. Consumers might call to order a product or an event ticket, then be given a separate "free trial" pitch for a "credit card protection plan" or buying club for bargains in travel or auto service. Other "free trials" are offered in ads or by retailers. Be very wary of "free" trial offers. Get the details: Will you be billed automatically if you don't cancel? By when must you cancel? How do you cancel? Will you receive a mail notice? Remember, they already may have access to charge you.Examine your credit card bill every month, and also your checking account and phone bills. Watch for unauthorized charges -- and dispute them at once, in writing.Try to watch your mail carefully. Some cancellation notices look like junk mail.For more tips on protecting your privacy: www.PrivacyRights.org, www.FTC.gov, And as long as we are talking about things that can cost us money and rip us off, please be aware that any business "opportunity" that requires you to buy a book, directory, grant kit, setup kit, etc.  ANYTHING that requires you to "buy the box" to become wealthy or get government grants or sell legal services or long distance is most likely a scam at worst, a non-opportunity scheme at best.  Never let desperation make you a victim.  billing, free trial offers, grant seminars, unauthorized nonadult false Free Trial Offers: A Cautionary Tale text blog billing,free trial offers,grant seminars,unauthorized 111 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 0 0 252288 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Chris-and-Rihanna-An-Observation/BLOG/219235/16936.html I am really not clear about what people want. If you want the justice system to handle it, well, Brown's day in court is coming, and like everyone else, he is innocent until proven guilty. If you want to know what happened, wait until the facts come out before your judging is cast in stone. If you want him to heal, change and grow up, then advocate that he is in extensive therapy for two years, with five years probation and has to stay away from Fenty during that two year period, unless for business purposes. AND that she is also required to go into therapy IF she was throwing punches as well. But if you just want to continue the Chris Brown beat down, because you are vicariously dealing with your own mess, this is actually not helping you, and -- whether you are the giver, recipient or were the unwilling witness of abuse and you haven't resolved the resulting effects -- if you are doing it you need to take responsiblity, if you are receiving it you need to take responsiblity for your self and any children that are witnessing/experiencing this behavior; you know what Christ said about casting that first stone... The thing is... IMHO, I am beginning to see more of an electronic lynching going on that seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the actual incident. There are others who have hurt women in the entertainment industry and I have never seen so much ongoing outrage and continued media coverage. Yes, we absolutely should continue the important dialog about abuse, but Brown and Fenty are the catalyst, not the poster child and whipping boy for this conversation.  We are now in approximately the seventh week and it continues, having had more coverage on NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and all other outlets than the two Pennsylvania judges who received $2.5 million in kickbacks to put our teens and youth in a specific privatized prison. Even Rick Sanchez did not mention the story until I twittered him about it.  Should we not question why?There is this determination to project the end result of this singular action. One size does not fit all.  (For those who say well he's done it before, perhaps you shouldn't believe everything you read or hear. The latest "source" in the police department is sharing what they say is a different story.)  With distance and extensive therapy Chris is salvageable. He is young enough not to have this behavior become a part of his character and has the means to buy all the therapy he needs, and some help to disengage from what looks to be a toxic relationship.  How about we focus on all those who don't have the means, information or the resources to get that help, both to avoid attracting abusers and becoming one. Because there are many women -- and men -- who go from one abuser/controlling person to another.  Years ago I interviewed a man who married five women, four of whom were abusers and was looking for the sixth wife. He was sure that he could somehow fix the fact that his mother often physically beat up his father in front of him and his siblings. Most abuse is one of the worst legacies that we pass on from one generation to the next. We need to find a way to stop the cycle. Get back to me with a workable plan for that. I am really not clear about what people want. If you want the justice system to handle it, well, Brown's day in court is coming, and like everyone else, he is innocent until proven guilty. If you want to know what happened, wait until the facts come out before your judging is cast in stone. If you want him to heal, change and grow up, then advocate that he is in extensive therapy for two years, with five years probation and has to stay away from Fenty during that two year period, unless for business purposes. AND that she is also required to go into therapy IF she was throwing punches as well. But if you just want to continue the Chris Brown beat down, because you are vicariously dealing with your own mess, this is actually not helping you, and -- whether you are the giver, recipient or were the unwilling witness of abuse and you haven't resolved the resulting effects -- if you are doing it you need to take responsiblity, if you are receiving it you need to take responsiblity for your self and any children that are witnessing/experiencing this behavior; you know what Christ said about casting that first stone... The thing is... IMHO, I am beginning to see more of an electronic lynching going on that seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the actual incident. There are others who have hurt women in the entertainment industry and I have never seen so much ongoing outrage and continued media coverage. Yes, we absolutely should continue the important dialog about abuse, but Brown and Fenty are the catalyst, not the poster child and whipping boy for this conversation.  We are now in approximately the seventh week and it continues, having had more coverage on NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and all other outlets than the two Pennsylvania judges who received $2.5 million in kickbacks to put our teens and youth in a specific privatized prison. Even Rick Sanchez did not mention the story until I twittered him about it.  Should we not question why?There is this determination to project the end result of this singular action. One size does not fit all.  (For those who say well he's done it before, perhaps you shouldn't believe everything you read or hear. The latest "source" in the police department is sharing what they say is a different story.)  With distance and extensive therapy Chris is salvageable. He is young enough not to have this behavior become a part of his character and has the means to buy all the therapy he needs, and some help to disengage from what looks to be a toxic relationship.  How about we focus on all those who don't have the means, information or the resources to get that help, both to avoid attracting abusers and becoming one. Because there are many women -- and men -- who go from one abuser/controlling person to another.  Years ago I interviewed a man who married five women, four of whom were abusers and was looking for the sixth wife. He was sure that he could somehow fix the fact that his mother often physically beat up his father in front of him and his siblings. Most abuse is one of the worst legacies that we pass on from one generation to the next. We need to find a way to stop the cycle. Get back to me with a workable plan for that. Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:38:53 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Chris-and-Rihanna-An-Observation/BLOG/219235/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-03-23T18:38:53Z Inauguration Day 2009 I am really not clear about what people want. If you want the justice system to handle it, well, Brown's day in court is coming, and like everyone else, he is innocent until proven guilty. If you want to know what happened, wait until the facts come out before your judging is cast in stone. If you want him to heal, change and grow up, then advocate that he is in extensive therapy for two years, with five years probation and has to stay away from Fenty during that two year period, unless for business purposes. AND that she is also required to go into therapy IF she was throwing punches as well. But if you just want to continue the Chris Brown beat down, because you are vicariously dealing with your own mess, this is actually not helping you, and -- whether you are the giver, recipient or were the unwilling witness of abuse and you haven't resolved the resulting effects -- if you are doing it you need to take responsiblity, if you are receiving it you need to take responsiblity for your self and any children that are witnessing/experiencing this behavior; you know what Christ said about casting that first stone... The thing is... IMHO, I am beginning to see more of an electronic lynching going on that seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the actual incident. There are others who have hurt women in the entertainment industry and I have never seen so much ongoing outrage and continued media coverage. Yes, we absolutely should continue the important dialog about abuse, but Brown and Fenty are the catalyst, not the poster child and whipping boy for this conversation.  We are now in approximately the seventh week and it continues, having had more coverage on NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and all other outlets than the two Pennsylvania judges who received $2.5 million in kickbacks to put our teens and youth in a specific privatized prison. Even Rick Sanchez did not mention the story until I twittered him about it.  Should we not question why?There is this determination to project the end result of this singular action. One size does not fit all.  (For those who say well he's done it before, perhaps you shouldn't believe everything you read or hear. The latest "source" in the police department is sharing what they say is a different story.)  With distance and extensive therapy Chris is salvageable. He is young enough not to have this behavior become a part of his character and has the means to buy all the therapy he needs, and some help to disengage from what looks to be a toxic relationship.  How about we focus on all those who don't have the means, information or the resources to get that help, both to avoid attracting abusers and becoming one. Because there are many women -- and men -- who go from one abuser/controlling person to another.  Years ago I interviewed a man who married five women, four of whom were abusers and was looking for the sixth wife. He was sure that he could somehow fix the fact that his mother often physically beat up his father in front of him and his siblings. Most abuse is one of the worst legacies that we pass on from one generation to the next. We need to find a way to stop the cycle. Get back to me with a workable plan for that. abuse, chris, cnn, kickback, pennsylvania, police report, prisons, rihanna, youths nonadult false Chris and Rihanna: An Observation text blog abuse,chris,cnn,kickback,pennsylvania,police report,prisons,rihanna,youths 155 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 0 0 219235 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Human-Trial-by-Timothy-Stelly-Jr/BLOG/211684/16936.html  What happens when all that remains of the world is fear, distrust and desperation? Book trailer for newfuturistic novel  by Timothy Stelly Jr.Music: Legend of the Road by Kitaro.  What happens when all that remains of the world is fear, distrust and desperation? Book trailer for newfuturistic novel  by Timothy Stelly Jr.Music: Legend of the Road by Kitaro. Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:24:23 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Human-Trial-by-Timothy-Stelly-Jr/BLOG/211684/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-03-16T02:24:23Z Inauguration Day 2009  What happens when all that remains of the world is fear, distrust and desperation? Book trailer for newfuturistic novel  by Timothy Stelly Jr.Music: Legend of the Road by Kitaro. book, novel nonadult false Human Trial by Timothy Stelly Jr. video blog book,novel 130 1 4.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 0 0 211684 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Chirs-Rihanna-and-Abuse-More-Thoughts-What-About-You/BLOG/208693/16936.html Today, Thursday March 12, 2009, there will be two shows on television -- on Oprah and on The Tyra Banks Show -- focused on abuse and teen dating.  I sincerely hope that the shows reaches teens, adults, every gender. I am really not clear what people want. If you want the justice system to handle it, well, his day in court is coming. You want to know what happened, wait until the facts come out before your judging is cast in stone. You want him to heal, change and grow up, then advocate that he is in extensive therapy for two years, with five years probation and has to stay away from Fenty during that two year period, unless for business purposes. AND that she is also required to go into therapy IF she was throwing punches as well. But if you just want to continue the Chris Brown beat down, because you are vicariously dealing with your own mess, this is actually not helping you. The thing is... IMHO, I am beginning to see more of an electronic lynching going on that seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the actual incident. There are others who have hurt women in the entertainment industry and I have never seen so much ongoing outrage and continued media coverage. Yes, we should continue the important dialog about abuse, but Brown and Fenty are the catalyst, not the poster child and whipping boy for this conversation,. We are now in approximately the seventh week and it continues. Has anyone questioned why? The issue of abuse is definitely on my mind and I suppose that its on the minds of many, not just because of Rihanna and Chris (see the post below) but because there seems to be an increase in reported domestic violence,  multiple victim murder/suicides  We need to discuss this subject again and again, until there is a change in the minds of those abused and those who abuse. Or maybe it's on my mind because just yesterday I was told that a young man, straight A student, a senior,17, was kicked out of his house by his own mother.  Why?  Because her boyfriend was moving in and did not want him there.  Or because just last night, a 14 month old is now in the hospital after being  severely beaten by a teenaged boyfriend of the mother, why: Because the chid wouldn't do what he thought he should.  The mother was beaten as well, but here is the thing: there were other people in the house at the time, who did nothing.  What about you?   Are you a part of the growing problem or part of the solution?  In the spirit of enlightenment, below is an excerpt from one of my writings  If it helps at least one person to take a hard look at his/her relationship...:.:                                                    THE SOCIO-PREDATOR I was surprised to hear from Reese.  We had a casual business relationship over the last two years.  I had heard the tragic story about his estrangement from his wife because of her alleged sexual preferences, from other mutual contacts.  He sounded so depressed, so victimized -- his wife was looking to take his life's work away after all.  He was a musician -- not a lawyer or a businessman.  I made suggestions for solutions that would protect his work.  I also discussed how the business side of his music was at a standstill and sliding downhill.  I don't know exactly when the conversation became personal, I hadn't been paying much attention to the secondary comments.  "I've had a crush on you since I met you.  Didn't you know?"  I was stunned by this "revelation".  He is a married man, so I never paid any attention to him.  He told me months ago, that he was living with a married couple, friends of his.  Now they were moving into a new house and he was essentially becoming homeless.  We talked for a long time.  He surprised me by calling back with poetry…written by him…for me.  Wow.  I had a free open airline ticket and thought that this was a good time for a business trip to Miami.  If the personal didn't work, the business would.  Interesting what one discovers when you are face to face with the reality of another human.  Reese wasn't living with married friends, he was living with the woman with whom he had a relationship of over two years, and she wanted him out of her house.  She wanted him gone because he was consuming her financially and emotionally -- and she was trying to summon the strength to get rid of him.  Reese had actually left his wife for her -- another woman -- not because of alleged misbehavior.  Reese was not the person he portrayed to the public.  He was actually insecure, verbally abusive,  had a tendency toward physical abuse, and a chronic liar.  Reese was looking for a new place to land.  After all, women had always taken care of him, even though he seemed to have a lot of anger -- even hatred -- for them, especially if they exhibited any emotional or personal strength.  Reese was a predator.  I wasn't going to be his next meal.Socio-predators show up in a variety of genders, sizes, and colors.  A socio-predator is one who attaches him or herself to another human being using a variety of tactics to blend themselves into the lives of the unsuspecting victims.  Socio-predators are more sinister extensions of the controlling personality.  We speak of the male form of a socio-predator in a joking, yet somewhat reverent manner.  "Oh, he's just a wolf in sheep's clothing."  Someone who is a little mysterious, a little naughty and, well, a little romantic.  Unfortunately, socio-predators, male or female, are voracious in consuming their victims emotionally and financially.  They know who to target.  They know how to make you their next victim unless you are paying attention and recognize the attributes of the socio-predator. PROFILE OF THE SOCIO-PREDATORThe term predator is normally used to identify someone who preys upon the unsuspecting child.  These predators usually look for the child that seems unsure.  The socio-predator preys upon adults -- male or female -- and has some generally distinctive attributes that you should be aware of: Charm is an important part of their facade.  They seem to be so nice, so disarming.  They are always in a little bit of a difficulty; there always seems to be a problem or crisis.  They always need help, preferably yours.  He or she is usually being victimized by someone else… at least according to him or her.  From their distorted point of view, there is always someone who is doing something to them, creating a problem for them, hurting them somehow.  They just don't understand why.  Their focus is always on you in public.  No one else gets your attention but him or her.  If you choose to talk to anyone else, jealousy appears, or they isolate themselves until you come to their rescue.  You are charmed by the attention, but the reality is that it is important to them that you become consumed with providing what they need.  There is always an anger lying beneath the surface of their personality.  They portray themselves as disliked, unloved, and misunderstood.  "I don't know why no one likes me," is one of their more common complaints.  Insecurity, jealousy, and a tendency to isolate themselves and you from other people are components that tend to surface at some point.  You find yourself emotionally exhausted after dealing with them.  Predators not only want what you offer materially, they want all of your emotional loyalty, all of what you are.  It's fun at first to feel so needed.  Then you begin to realize that what makes you you is being consumed by him or her.  Money usually becomes a part of the support they need.  Without realizing it, you have begun to spend money to help solve whatever the problem is.  As time goes on, you realize there is always some kind of a problem.  You've made an investment in the potential and now realize that there will be no return on that investment.  Truth is usually not a part of the package that you have purchased.  You begin to discover that there may be two or more sides to the sad stories they tell.  They never take any responsibility for the situations they are in or the problems they have.  It's always someone else's fault, your fault, never theirs.  As long as you are compliant, the facade is usually what you experience.  When you begin to question or not agree with him or her, a new personality appears.  The person becomes cold, distant, mean, verbally abusive, emotionally abusive and in extreme cases, physically abusive.  There is likely to be an attempt to make you feel guilty about upsetting them; the situation, in fact any situation, is your fault.  Threats to end the relationship begin to be made.  It is only when you give in or become compliant again that the new behavior stops and the facade reappears.  You find yourself apologizing for everything, becoming more compliant "just to keep peace."  This new personality is the real personality; as time goes on, the real personality becomes more prevalent in your relationship.  As you are being emotionally consumed, you begin to believe that it's your responsibility to keep the real personality in check.  If there are children involved, watch closely to see how the person relates to them.  If these are his or her children, are they ignored, neglected, or abused?  If they are yours, how are they treated when you aren't in the room?  What do your children say about him or her when they are alone with you?  Don't dismiss their reactions and responses; children have a good sense about whether an adult is worthy of their trust.  Note: women are especially good at using their children as a part of the emotional package they get you involved in.  As you become emotionally tied to the children, the children become the blackmail she uses to make sure that you are compliant.  " I think I'll just move to California," or "I should go back to their father."  These threats translate into "either you do what I want you to or you won't get to see the children again."  There is never a change in their circumstances; financial and emotional independence never comes about.  He or she always needs you.  In reality, he or she needs to feed upon your emotional security until it becomes insecure, your financial stability until you are financially depleted. ARE YOU A TARGET?While anyone can be a target for a socio-predator, there are some of the attributes that make you a more likely candidate While anyone can be a target for a socio-predator, here are some of the attributes that make you a more likely candidate:You have a reputation for being the nice guy (male or female).  Most people know that you'd do anything to help someone.You have a quality of naiveté.  You expect people to be who they claim to be.If you are male, you have the "Superman Syndrome."  You are always the knight in shining armor, the hero, the one who shows the way to the good life.  You are the caretaker; you look for the stray cat, the homeless dog with puppies; you usually end up scratched or bitten in your relationships.You are a publicly secure person with hidden insecurities.  You are good in the corporate world.  You may be a professional with a degree or two.  Education does not automatically make you smart when it comes to those you pick for relationships.  If you are insecure on a personal level, your vulnerability shows, no matter how much you believe you hide it.  You are meek, humble, and giving in nature.  Socio-predators usually mistake kindness and humility as weaknesses that they can use to their advantage.  When he or she discovers that a person with these characteristics is actually strong and unwilling to be submissive and consumed, he or she will usually run off.  They are, after all, actually cowards.  Unfortunately, before they slink away, the socio-predator may attempt to use physical force, spread lies to ruin your reputation, or  create some extreme crisis that would cause you to remain involved with them.You tend to be the one who takes care of everyone, especially the "underdog."  You have either the martyr mentality or the superman syndrome; you believe that it is your job to take on the often unhappy task of taking care of someone else whether he or she deserves it or not.  You have a propensity for being victimized.  You get used to being the victim -- not recognizing that it is a role you choose to play in your relationships.  WHAT WE NEED TO KNOWA socio-predator does not become one unless he or she chooses to be one.  The character of a socio-predator is not going to go away or change because of or in spite of anything you do or don't do.  The ego of a socio-predator is huge; they view themselves as being psychologically superior.  They know just what to do and what buttons to push to get what they want.  He or she takes it as his or her responsibility to mold you into the person he or she needs you to be.  If they are successful, you will find yourself defending their behavior, supporting their lies and living a life that is not yours but theirs.  Predators consume, and when they are finished, they look for new prey.  You may choose to allow this type of person into your life; that is your decision.  However, you have a responsibility to yourself to recognize the risks that come with this decision, and at least draw a line in the sand as to how much of yourself you will allow another person to consume.  Ask yourself: is the reward worth the risk? Today, Thursday March 12, 2009, there will be two shows on television -- on Oprah and on The Tyra Banks Show -- focused on abuse and teen dating.  I sincerely hope that the shows reaches teens, adults, every gender. I am really not clear what people want. If you want the justice system to handle it, well, his day in court is coming. You want to know what happened, wait until the facts come out before your judging is cast in stone. You want him to heal, change and grow up, then advocate that he is in extensive therapy for two years, with five years probation and has to stay away from Fenty during that two year period, unless for business purposes. AND that she is also required to go into therapy IF she was throwing punches as well. But if you just want to continue the Chris Brown beat down, because you are vicariously dealing with your own mess, this is actually not helping you. The thing is... IMHO, I am beginning to see more of an electronic lynching going on that seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the actual incident. There are others who have hurt women in the entertainment industry and I have never seen so much ongoing outrage and continued media coverage. Yes, we should continue the important dialog about abuse, but Brown and Fenty are the catalyst, not the poster child and whipping boy for this conversation,. We are now in approximately the seventh week and it continues. Has anyone questioned why? The issue of abuse is definitely on my mind and I suppose that its on the minds of many, not just because of Rihanna and Chris (see the post below) but because there seems to be an increase in reported domestic violence,  multiple victim murder/suicides  We need to discuss this subject again and again, until there is a change in the minds of those abused and those who abuse. Or maybe it's on my mind because just yesterday I was told that a young man, straight A student, a senior,17, was kicked out of his house by his own mother.  Why?  Because her boyfriend was moving in and did not want him there.  Or because just last night, a 14 month old is now in the hospital after being  severely beaten by a teenaged boyfriend of the mother, why: Because the chid wouldn't do what he thought he should.  The mother was beaten as well, but here is the thing: there were other people in the house at the time, who did nothing.  What about you?   Are you a part of the growing problem or part of the solution?  In the spirit of enlightenment, below is an excerpt from one of my writings  If it helps at least one person to take a hard look at his/her relationship...:.:                                                    THE SOCIO-PREDATOR I was surprised to hear from Reese.  We had a casual business relationship over the last two years.  I had heard the tragic story about his estrangement from his wife because of her alleged sexual preferences, from other mutual contacts.  He sounded so depressed, so victimized -- his wife was looking to take his life's work away after all.  He was a musician -- not a lawyer or a businessman.  I made suggestions for solutions that would protect his work.  I also discussed how the business side of his music was at a standstill and sliding downhill.  I don't know exactly when the conversation became personal, I hadn't been paying much attention to the secondary comments.  "I've had a crush on you since I met you.  Didn't you know?"  I was stunned by this "revelation".  He is a married man, so I never paid any attention to him.  He told me months ago, that he was living with a married couple, friends of his.  Now they were moving into a new house and he was essentially becoming homeless.  We talked for a long time.  He surprised me by calling back with poetry…written by him…for me.  Wow.  I had a free open airline ticket and thought that this was a good time for a business trip to Miami.  If the personal didn't work, the business would.  Interesting what one discovers when you are face to face with the reality of another human.  Reese wasn't living with married friends, he was living with the woman with whom he had a relationship of over two years, and she wanted him out of her house.  She wanted him gone because he was consuming her financially and emotionally -- and she was trying to summon the strength to get rid of him.  Reese had actually left his wife for her -- another woman -- not because of alleged misbehavior.  Reese was not the person he portrayed to the public.  He was actually insecure, verbally abusive,  had a tendency toward physical abuse, and a chronic liar.  Reese was looking for a new place to land.  After all, women had always taken care of him, even though he seemed to have a lot of anger -- even hatred -- for them, especially if they exhibited any emotional or personal strength.  Reese was a predator.  I wasn't going to be his next meal.Socio-predators show up in a variety of genders, sizes, and colors.  A socio-predator is one who attaches him or herself to another human being using a variety of tactics to blend themselves into the lives of the unsuspecting victims.  Socio-predators are more sinister extensions of the controlling personality.  We speak of the male form of a socio-predator in a joking, yet somewhat reverent manner.  "Oh, he's just a wolf in sheep's clothing."  Someone who is a little mysterious, a little naughty and, well, a little romantic.  Unfortunately, socio-predators, male or female, are voracious in consuming their victims emotionally and financially.  They know who to target.  They know how to make you their next victim unless you are paying attention and recognize the attributes of the socio-predator. PROFILE OF THE SOCIO-PREDATORThe term predator is normally used to identify someone who preys upon the unsuspecting child.  These predators usually look for the child that seems unsure.  The socio-predator preys upon adults -- male or female -- and has some generally distinctive attributes that you should be aware of: Charm is an important part of their facade.  They seem to be so nice, so disarming.  They are always in a little bit of a difficulty; there always seems to be a problem or crisis.  They always need help, preferably yours.  He or she is usually being victimized by someone else… at least according to him or her.  From their distorted point of view, there is always someone who is doing something to them, creating a problem for them, hurting them somehow.  They just don't understand why.  Their focus is always on you in public.  No one else gets your attention but him or her.  If you choose to talk to anyone else, jealousy appears, or they isolate themselves until you come to their rescue.  You are charmed by the attention, but the reality is that it is important to them that you become consumed with providing what they need.  There is always an anger lying beneath the surface of their personality.  They portray themselves as disliked, unloved, and misunderstood.  "I don't know why no one likes me," is one of their more common complaints.  Insecurity, jealousy, and a tendency to isolate themselves and you from other people are components that tend to surface at some point.  You find yourself emotionally exhausted after dealing with them.  Predators not only want what you offer materially, they want all of your emotional loyalty, all of what you are.  It's fun at first to feel so needed.  Then you begin to realize that what makes you you is being consumed by him or her.  Money usually becomes a part of the support they need.  Without realizing it, you have begun to spend money to help solve whatever the problem is.  As time goes on, you realize there is always some kind of a problem.  You've made an investment in the potential and now realize that there will be no return on that investment.  Truth is usually not a part of the package that you have purchased.  You begin to discover that there may be two or more sides to the sad stories they tell.  They never take any responsibility for the situations they are in or the problems they have.  It's always someone else's fault, your fault, never theirs.  As long as you are compliant, the facade is usually what you experience.  When you begin to question or not agree with him or her, a new personality appears.  The person becomes cold, distant, mean, verbally abusive, emotionally abusive and in extreme cases, physically abusive.  There is likely to be an attempt to make you feel guilty about upsetting them; the situation, in fact any situation, is your fault.  Threats to end the relationship begin to be made.  It is only when you give in or become compliant again that the new behavior stops and the facade reappears.  You find yourself apologizing for everything, becoming more compliant "just to keep peace."  This new personality is the real personality; as time goes on, the real personality becomes more prevalent in your relationship.  As you are being emotionally consumed, you begin to believe that it's your responsibility to keep the real personality in check.  If there are children involved, watch closely to see how the person relates to them.  If these are his or her children, are they ignored, neglected, or abused?  If they are yours, how are they treated when you aren't in the room?  What do your children say about him or her when they are alone with you?  Don't dismiss their reactions and responses; children have a good sense about whether an adult is worthy of their trust.  Note: women are especially good at using their children as a part of the emotional package they get you involved in.  As you become emotionally tied to the children, the children become the blackmail she uses to make sure that you are compliant.  " I think I'll just move to California," or "I should go back to their father."  These threats translate into "either you do what I want you to or you won't get to see the children again."  There is never a change in their circumstances; financial and emotional independence never comes about.  He or she always needs you.  In reality, he or she needs to feed upon your emotional security until it becomes insecure, your financial stability until you are financially depleted. ARE YOU A TARGET?While anyone can be a target for a socio-predator, there are some of the attributes that make you a more likely candidate While anyone can be a target for a socio-predator, here are some of the attributes that make you a more likely candidate:You have a reputation for being the nice guy (male or female).  Most people know that you'd do anything to help someone.You have a quality of naiveté.  You expect people to be who they claim to be.If you are male, you have the "Superman Syndrome."  You are always the knight in shining armor, the hero, the one who shows the way to the good life.  You are the caretaker; you look for the stray cat, the homeless dog with puppies; you usually end up scratched or bitten in your relationships.You are a publicly secure person with hidden insecurities.  You are good in the corporate world.  You may be a professional with a degree or two.  Education does not automatically make you smart when it comes to those you pick for relationships.  If you are insecure on a personal level, your vulnerability shows, no matter how much you believe you hide it.  You are meek, humble, and giving in nature.  Socio-predators usually mistake kindness and humility as weaknesses that they can use to their advantage.  When he or she discovers that a person with these characteristics is actually strong and unwilling to be submissive and consumed, he or she will usually run off.  They are, after all, actually cowards.  Unfortunately, before they slink away, the socio-predator may attempt to use physical force, spread lies to ruin your reputation, or  create some extreme crisis that would cause you to remain involved with them.You tend to be the one who takes care of everyone, especially the "underdog."  You have either the martyr mentality or the superman syndrome; you believe that it is your job to take on the often unhappy task of taking care of someone else whether he or she deserves it or not.  You have a propensity for being victimized.  You get used to being the victim -- not recognizing that it is a role you choose to play in your relationships.  WHAT WE NEED TO KNOWA socio-predator does not become one unless he or she chooses to be one.  The character of a socio-predator is not going to go away or change because of or in spite of anything you do or don't do.  The ego of a socio-predator is huge; they view themselves as being psychologically superior.  They know just what to do and what buttons to push to get what they want.  He or she takes it as his or her responsibility to mold you into the person he or she needs you to be.  If they are successful, you will find yourself defending their behavior, supporting their lies and living a life that is not yours but theirs.  Predators consume, and when they are finished, they look for new prey.  You may choose to allow this type of person into your life; that is your decision.  However, you have a responsibility to yourself to recognize the risks that come with this decision, and at least draw a line in the sand as to how much of yourself you will allow another person to consume.  Ask yourself: is the reward worth the risk? Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:15:00 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Chirs-Rihanna-and-Abuse-More-Thoughts-What-About-You/BLOG/208693/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-03-12T16:15:00Z Inauguration Day 2009 Today, Thursday March 12, 2009, there will be two shows on television -- on Oprah and on The Tyra Banks Show -- focused on abuse and teen dating.  I sincerely hope that the shows reaches teens, adults, every gender. I am really not clear what people want. If you want the justice system to handle it, well, his day in court is coming. You want to know what happened, wait until the facts come out before your judging is cast in stone. You want him to heal, change and grow up, then advocate that he is in extensive therapy for two years, with five years probation and has to stay away from Fenty during that two year period, unless for business purposes. AND that she is also required to go into therapy IF she was throwing punches as well. But if you just want to continue the Chris Brown beat down, because you are vicariously dealing with your own mess, this is actually not helping you. The thing is... IMHO, I am beginning to see more of an electronic lynching going on that seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the actual incident. There are others who have hurt women in the entertainment industry and I have never seen so much ongoing outrage and continued media coverage. Yes, we should continue the important dialog about abuse, but Brown and Fenty are the catalyst, not the poster child and whipping boy for this conversation,. We are now in approximately the seventh week and it continues. Has anyone questioned why? The issue of abuse is definitely on my mind and I suppose that its on the minds of many, not just because of Rihanna and Chris (see the post below) but because there seems to be an increase in reported domestic violence,  multiple victim murder/suicides  We need to discuss this subject again and again, until there is a change in the minds of those abused and those who abuse. Or maybe it's on my mind because just yesterday I was told that a young man, straight A student, a senior,17, was kicked out of his house by his own mother.  Why?  Because her boyfriend was moving in and did not want him there.  Or because just last night, a 14 month old is now in the hospital after being  severely beaten by a teenaged boyfriend of the mother, why: Because the chid wouldn't do what he thought he should.  The mother was beaten as well, but here is the thing: there were other people in the house at the time, who did nothing.  What about you?   Are you a part of the growing problem or part of the solution?  In the spirit of enlightenment, below is an excerpt from one of my writings  If it helps at least one person to take a hard look at his/her relationship...:.:                                                    THE SOCIO-PREDATOR I was surprised to hear from Reese.  We had a casual business relationship over the last two years.  I had heard the tragic story about his estrangement from his wife because of her alleged sexual preferences, from other mutual contacts.  He sounded so depressed, so victimized -- his wife was looking to take his life's work away after all.  He was a musician -- not a lawyer or a businessman.  I made suggestions for solutions that would protect his work.  I also discussed how the business side of his music was at a standstill and sliding downhill.  I don't know exactly when the conversation became personal, I hadn't been paying much attention to the secondary comments.  "I've had a crush on you since I met you.  Didn't you know?"  I was stunned by this "revelation".  He is a married man, so I never paid any attention to him.  He told me months ago, that he was living with a married couple, friends of his.  Now they were moving into a new house and he was essentially becoming homeless.  We talked for a long time.  He surprised me by calling back with poetry…written by him…for me.  Wow.  I had a free open airline ticket and thought that this was a good time for a business trip to Miami.  If the personal didn't work, the business would.  Interesting what one discovers when you are face to face with the reality of another human.  Reese wasn't living with married friends, he was living with the woman with whom he had a relationship of over two years, and she wanted him out of her house.  She wanted him gone because he was consuming her financially and emotionally -- and she was trying to summon the strength to get rid of him.  Reese had actually left his wife for her -- another woman -- not because of alleged misbehavior.  Reese was not the person he portrayed to the public.  He was actually insecure, verbally abusive,  had a tendency toward physical abuse, and a chronic liar.  Reese was looking for a new place to land.  After all, women had always taken care of him, even though he seemed to have a lot of anger -- even hatred -- for them, especially if they exhibited any emotional or personal strength.  Reese was a predator.  I wasn't going to be his next meal.Socio-predators show up in a variety of genders, sizes, and colors.  A socio-predator is one who attaches him or herself to another human being using a variety of tactics to blend themselves into the lives of the unsuspecting victims.  Socio-predators are more sinister extensions of the controlling personality.  We speak of the male form of a socio-predator in a joking, yet somewhat reverent manner.  "Oh, he's just a wolf in sheep's clothing."  Someone who is a little mysterious, a little naughty and, well, a little romantic.  Unfortunately, socio-predators, male or female, are voracious in consuming their victims emotionally and financially.  They know who to target.  They know how to make you their next victim unless you are paying attention and recognize the attributes of the socio-predator. PROFILE OF THE SOCIO-PREDATORThe term predator is normally used to identify someone who preys upon the unsuspecting child.  These predators usually look for the child that seems unsure.  The socio-predator preys upon adults -- male or female -- and has some generally distinctive attributes that you should be aware of: Charm is an important part of their facade.  They seem to be so nice, so disarming.  They are always in a little bit of a difficulty; there always seems to be a problem or crisis.  They always need help, preferably yours.  He or she is usually being victimized by someone else… at least according to him or her.  From their distorted point of view, there is always someone who is doing something to them, creating a problem for them, hurting them somehow.  They just don't understand why.  Their focus is always on you in public.  No one else gets your attention but him or her.  If you choose to talk to anyone else, jealousy appears, or they isolate themselves until you come to their rescue.  You are charmed by the attention, but the reality is that it is important to them that you become consumed with providing what they need.  There is always an anger lying beneath the surface of their personality.  They portray themselves as disliked, unloved, and misunderstood.  "I don't know why no one likes me," is one of their more common complaints.  Insecurity, jealousy, and a tendency to isolate themselves and you from other people are components that tend to surface at some point.  You find yourself emotionally exhausted after dealing with them.  Predators not only want what you offer materially, they want all of your emotional loyalty, all of what you are.  It's fun at first to feel so needed.  Then you begin to realize that what makes you you is being consumed by him or her.  Money usually becomes a part of the support they need.  Without realizing it, you have begun to spend money to help solve whatever the problem is.  As time goes on, you realize there is always some kind of a problem.  You've made an investment in the potential and now realize that there will be no return on that investment.  Truth is usually not a part of the package that you have purchased.  You begin to discover that there may be two or more sides to the sad stories they tell.  They never take any responsibility for the situations they are in or the problems they have.  It's always someone else's fault, your fault, never theirs.  As long as you are compliant, the facade is usually what you experience.  When you begin to question or not agree with him or her, a new personality appears.  The person becomes cold, distant, mean, verbally abusive, emotionally abusive and in extreme cases, physically abusive.  There is likely to be an attempt to make you feel guilty about upsetting them; the situation, in fact any situation, is your fault.  Threats to end the relationship begin to be made.  It is only when you give in or become compliant again that the new behavior stops and the facade reappears.  You find yourself apologizing for everything, becoming more compliant "just to keep peace."  This new personality is the real personality; as time goes on, the real personality becomes more prevalent in your relationship.  As you are being emotionally consumed, you begin to believe that it's your responsibility to keep the real personality in check.  If there are children involved, watch closely to see how the person relates to them.  If these are his or her children, are they ignored, neglected, or abused?  If they are yours, how are they treated when you aren't in the room?  What do your children say about him or her when they are alone with you?  Don't dismiss their reactions and responses; children have a good sense about whether an adult is worthy of their trust.  Note: women are especially good at using their children as a part of the emotional package they get you involved in.  As you become emotionally tied to the children, the children become the blackmail she uses to make sure that you are compliant.  " I think I'll just move to California," or "I should go back to their father."  These threats translate into "either you do what I want you to or you won't get to see the children again."  There is never a change in their circumstances; financial and emotional independence never comes about.  He or she always needs you.  In reality, he or she needs to feed upon your emotional security until it becomes insecure, your financial stability until you are financially depleted. ARE YOU A TARGET?While anyone can be a target for a socio-predator, there are some of the attributes that make you a more likely candidate While anyone can be a target for a socio-predator, here are some of the attributes that make you a more likely candidate:You have a reputation for being the nice guy (male or female).  Most people know that you'd do anything to help someone.You have a quality of naiveté.  You expect people to be who they claim to be.If you are male, you have the "Superman Syndrome."  You are always the knight in shining armor, the hero, the one who shows the way to the good life.  You are the caretaker; you look for the stray cat, the homeless dog with puppies; you usually end up scratched or bitten in your relationships.You are a publicly secure person with hidden insecurities.  You are good in the corporate world.  You may be a professional with a degree or two.  Education does not automatically make you smart when it comes to those you pick for relationships.  If you are insecure on a personal level, your vulnerability shows, no matter how much you believe you hide it.  You are meek, humble, and giving in nature.  Socio-predators usually mistake kindness and humility as weaknesses that they can use to their advantage.  When he or she discovers that a person with these characteristics is actually strong and unwilling to be submissive and consumed, he or she will usually run off.  They are, after all, actually cowards.  Unfortunately, before they slink away, the socio-predator may attempt to use physical force, spread lies to ruin your reputation, or  create some extreme crisis that would cause you to remain involved with them.You tend to be the one who takes care of everyone, especially the "underdog."  You have either the martyr mentality or the superman syndrome; you believe that it is your job to take on the often unhappy task of taking care of someone else whether he or she deserves it or not.  You have a propensity for being victimized.  You get used to being the victim -- not recognizing that it is a role you choose to play in your relationships.  WHAT WE NEED TO KNOWA socio-predator does not become one unless he or she chooses to be one.  The character of a socio-predator is not going to go away or change because of or in spite of anything you do or don't do.  The ego of a socio-predator is huge; they view themselves as being psychologically superior.  They know just what to do and what buttons to push to get what they want.  He or she takes it as his or her responsibility to mold you into the person he or she needs you to be.  If they are successful, you will find yourself defending their behavior, supporting their lies and living a life that is not yours but theirs.  Predators consume, and when they are finished, they look for new prey.  You may choose to allow this type of person into your life; that is your decision.  However, you have a responsibility to yourself to recognize the risks that come with this decision, and at least draw a line in the sand as to how much of yourself you will allow another person to consume.  Ask yourself: is the reward worth the risk? abuse, banks, beating, brown, chris, entertainment, fight, oprah, rihanna, tyra nonadult false Chirs, Rihanna and Abuse: More Thoughts -- What About You? text blog abuse,banks,beating,brown,chris,entertainment,fight,oprah,rihanna,tyra 199 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 1 0 208693 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Rihanna-and-Chris-Brown-My-Thoughts/BLOG/204888/16936.html  UPDATE: Earlier today (Sunday, March 9, 2009), there was a retrospective story about Chris Brown and Rihanna on E! Apparently -- according to their pictoral timeline, Rihanna was actually down in Mexico, contradicting the reports of her whereabouts in the weeks after the alleged beating. They not only alluded to the notion that the picture of her face that the police allegedly leaked may not be be factual --police authorities would only say that the photo appeared to have been taken "during an official domestic violence investigation" and that they were vigorously investigating any leaks" -- the candid shot E! claimed was taken two weeks after the beating and published on February 26, 2009, show her in a white bikini in Mexico and without a single mark. So I am confused as to where the truth will finally take us or if E! was simply manufacturing new sensation. However, it does not change my point of view as stated below.But wait, there's more:  New reasons why we need to wait until we all should wait for all of the information before passing judgement.  NOTE: I still don't believe that a man EVER should hit a woman.  It takes more courage just to walk away.  That said, there was a new leak apparently, on Monday, March 9, 2009, from the police department. I have seen it too many times: you become or manifest in your life what you don't resolve. So it seems that they have reuinted.  Yet the situation is far from resolved Chris Brown needs to be by himself and in an intense therapy program for at least a year. Believe it or not, when I saw an interview of him some time ago, my first thought was that he was an angry, troubled young man, even though he may have a good heart. But if he does not resolve his issues now, those issues will be an ingrained part of his character and who he is. No amount of jail time will fix what's broken in him. Forget, the career, he needs to repair who he is first.Know a little about the Bajun culture and noted that Rihanna's father, who minimized her injuries in his initial public comments, seems to have no problem with her returning to the relationship. Her testimony will be court ordered, not voluntary. That speaks volumes about her mindset and supports  the fact that she needs counseling as well.Abuse comes in all races, sizes, shapes, religions, cultures, genders, ages, classes. There are as many rich as poor who are abusers. There are many more men being abused than any of us know.  It can be your neighbor, it can be your friend It can be your sister, it can be your brother.  It is, unfortunately a legacy passed from one generation to the next. Psychological abuse is as life threatening as physical abuse, yet there is no way to legally control its effect, short of the California law on threats. The only way we can limit the damage is to help people recognize all of the warning signs.   Until we put all abuse on the national and global table as something to be discussed and eradicated, it will continue to be ignored.This is a teachable moment for all who see these two as "role models" or are the parents of those who see these two as "role models"   --  and they shouldn't be, you don't know a thing about them, really. If you are in a relationship where he or she is verbally, psychologically, physically and/or sexually abusing you or your children or, for that matter, his or her own children, it has to be the immediate relationship deal breaker. Get out. It will not change, it will get worse -- the "I'm sorrys" do not change character or resolve issues. It takes a full year, at minimum, of intensive therapy for someone who WANTS to change to become a better person who does not abuse. They need to do so away from you. If there are children involved and they aren't yours, then you need to report it, because children have no choice and no voice over adult misbehavior AND when/if it's unresolved., become the next generation of abusers. You and I have to be that voice. On a personal note, this -- the issue of abuse -- bothers me greatly.   Even though it was many years ago, I still remember my friend who lived a few houses down from me and I knew her father abused her, a lot, even though she never spoke of it.  I had helped her with her paper route  one day,so that she wouldn't get home late.  She went into her house and to this day I can still hear her screaming as he beat her.  One of the most beautiful, gentle men I ever knew and loved, died in an auto accident, and it wasn't until weeks later that his brother shared a secret: his father had consistently abused them all, especially his wife, who later died.  As a writer, I have interviewed several men who witnessed and experienced  physical and sexual abuse, and saw, first hand, how those experiences shaped who they are.  I am currently at the beginning stages of researching and writing a true story about an entire Alabama family and the horrific abuse they endured  and continue to have to deal with-- and how the legal system and the community did not save them.  If their story will help you -- or you -- or you, to realize what kind of toxic relationship you are in, show you that the door is open and you can leave, it will be worth it to them...and to me.  Here is what I know. You cannot fix someone who is broken.  You cannot save anyone who doesn't want to be saved and you can only change one person: yourself.  You make his/her problem yours when you choose to stay in an abusive relationship or allow your children to be abused just to keep a man or a woman.You make his/her problem yours when you continue to believe the myth that you can fix the problem you had with your mother or father by making the relationship work with someone who is just like him/her.  You become or manifest in your life what you don't resolve.  If you are an abuser, your only hope is professional help, and to leave.  If you are being abused, your only hope is to leave and get professional help.  Don't think about it, don't rationalize over it, don't justify it, leave.  Don't let your choice not to change be the legacy you leave behind. I learned that sometimes saying something more than one way can reach more people.  I wrote a series of poems on abuse over the years.  Perhaps someone will hear this one today. BITTER REALITY You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...they play their usual sad songonce again the victim of …whateverthe day brings.You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...the words they use to defendthe offendertaste bitter with the salty tangof blood that tends to floodthe mouth when slappedwith the back of the handor punched with words that would make a real man cry…You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...when you tell them the consequencesof believing honey-dipped I’m sorrys – which is probably their only spoken truth -- well-designed to lure them backinto the depths of a hellonly a fool would believe in,they look at you and sigh about how you “can’t understandwhy… he needs me.”Or “but I love him”Love?  That you cannot define? As you recline on the floor where he slammed you?You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...I deliver this eulogy forall of those who believein staying too long,realizing too late that thedoor was always openjust as the final blowis delivered.(c) 2008 from Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought  UPDATE: Earlier today (Sunday, March 9, 2009), there was a retrospective story about Chris Brown and Rihanna on E! Apparently -- according to their pictoral timeline, Rihanna was actually down in Mexico, contradicting the reports of her whereabouts in the weeks after the alleged beating. They not only alluded to the notion that the picture of her face that the police allegedly leaked may not be be factual --police authorities would only say that the photo appeared to have been taken "during an official domestic violence investigation" and that they were vigorously investigating any leaks" -- the candid shot E! claimed was taken two weeks after the beating and published on February 26, 2009, show her in a white bikini in Mexico and without a single mark. So I am confused as to where the truth will finally take us or if E! was simply manufacturing new sensation. However, it does not change my point of view as stated below.But wait, there's more:  New reasons why we need to wait until we all should wait for all of the information before passing judgement.  NOTE: I still don't believe that a man EVER should hit a woman.  It takes more courage just to walk away.  That said, there was a new leak apparently, on Monday, March 9, 2009, from the police department. I have seen it too many times: you become or manifest in your life what you don't resolve. So it seems that they have reuinted.  Yet the situation is far from resolved Chris Brown needs to be by himself and in an intense therapy program for at least a year. Believe it or not, when I saw an interview of him some time ago, my first thought was that he was an angry, troubled young man, even though he may have a good heart. But if he does not resolve his issues now, those issues will be an ingrained part of his character and who he is. No amount of jail time will fix what's broken in him. Forget, the career, he needs to repair who he is first.Know a little about the Bajun culture and noted that Rihanna's father, who minimized her injuries in his initial public comments, seems to have no problem with her returning to the relationship. Her testimony will be court ordered, not voluntary. That speaks volumes about her mindset and supports  the fact that she needs counseling as well.Abuse comes in all races, sizes, shapes, religions, cultures, genders, ages, classes. There are as many rich as poor who are abusers. There are many more men being abused than any of us know.  It can be your neighbor, it can be your friend It can be your sister, it can be your brother.  It is, unfortunately a legacy passed from one generation to the next. Psychological abuse is as life threatening as physical abuse, yet there is no way to legally control its effect, short of the California law on threats. The only way we can limit the damage is to help people recognize all of the warning signs.   Until we put all abuse on the national and global table as something to be discussed and eradicated, it will continue to be ignored.This is a teachable moment for all who see these two as "role models" or are the parents of those who see these two as "role models"   --  and they shouldn't be, you don't know a thing about them, really. If you are in a relationship where he or she is verbally, psychologically, physically and/or sexually abusing you or your children or, for that matter, his or her own children, it has to be the immediate relationship deal breaker. Get out. It will not change, it will get worse -- the "I'm sorrys" do not change character or resolve issues. It takes a full year, at minimum, of intensive therapy for someone who WANTS to change to become a better person who does not abuse. They need to do so away from you. If there are children involved and they aren't yours, then you need to report it, because children have no choice and no voice over adult misbehavior AND when/if it's unresolved., become the next generation of abusers. You and I have to be that voice. On a personal note, this -- the issue of abuse -- bothers me greatly.   Even though it was many years ago, I still remember my friend who lived a few houses down from me and I knew her father abused her, a lot, even though she never spoke of it.  I had helped her with her paper route  one day,so that she wouldn't get home late.  She went into her house and to this day I can still hear her screaming as he beat her.  One of the most beautiful, gentle men I ever knew and loved, died in an auto accident, and it wasn't until weeks later that his brother shared a secret: his father had consistently abused them all, especially his wife, who later died.  As a writer, I have interviewed several men who witnessed and experienced  physical and sexual abuse, and saw, first hand, how those experiences shaped who they are.  I am currently at the beginning stages of researching and writing a true story about an entire Alabama family and the horrific abuse they endured  and continue to have to deal with-- and how the legal system and the community did not save them.  If their story will help you -- or you -- or you, to realize what kind of toxic relationship you are in, show you that the door is open and you can leave, it will be worth it to them...and to me.  Here is what I know. You cannot fix someone who is broken.  You cannot save anyone who doesn't want to be saved and you can only change one person: yourself.  You make his/her problem yours when you choose to stay in an abusive relationship or allow your children to be abused just to keep a man or a woman.You make his/her problem yours when you continue to believe the myth that you can fix the problem you had with your mother or father by making the relationship work with someone who is just like him/her.  You become or manifest in your life what you don't resolve.  If you are an abuser, your only hope is professional help, and to leave.  If you are being abused, your only hope is to leave and get professional help.  Don't think about it, don't rationalize over it, don't justify it, leave.  Don't let your choice not to change be the legacy you leave behind. I learned that sometimes saying something more than one way can reach more people.  I wrote a series of poems on abuse over the years.  Perhaps someone will hear this one today. BITTER REALITY You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...they play their usual sad songonce again the victim of …whateverthe day brings.You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...the words they use to defendthe offendertaste bitter with the salty tangof blood that tends to floodthe mouth when slappedwith the back of the handor punched with words that would make a real man cry…You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...when you tell them the consequencesof believing honey-dipped I’m sorrys – which is probably their only spoken truth -- well-designed to lure them backinto the depths of a hellonly a fool would believe in,they look at you and sigh about how you “can’t understandwhy… he needs me.”Or “but I love him”Love?  That you cannot define? As you recline on the floor where he slammed you?You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...I deliver this eulogy forall of those who believein staying too long,realizing too late that thedoor was always openjust as the final blowis delivered.(c) 2008 from Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought Sun, 08 Mar 2009 19:54:05 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Rihanna-and-Chris-Brown-My-Thoughts/BLOG/204888/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-03-08T19:54:05Z Inauguration Day 2009  UPDATE: Earlier today (Sunday, March 9, 2009), there was a retrospective story about Chris Brown and Rihanna on E! Apparently -- according to their pictoral timeline, Rihanna was actually down in Mexico, contradicting the reports of her whereabouts in the weeks after the alleged beating. They not only alluded to the notion that the picture of her face that the police allegedly leaked may not be be factual --police authorities would only say that the photo appeared to have been taken "during an official domestic violence investigation" and that they were vigorously investigating any leaks" -- the candid shot E! claimed was taken two weeks after the beating and published on February 26, 2009, show her in a white bikini in Mexico and without a single mark. So I am confused as to where the truth will finally take us or if E! was simply manufacturing new sensation. However, it does not change my point of view as stated below.But wait, there's more:  New reasons why we need to wait until we all should wait for all of the information before passing judgement.  NOTE: I still don't believe that a man EVER should hit a woman.  It takes more courage just to walk away.  That said, there was a new leak apparently, on Monday, March 9, 2009, from the police department. I have seen it too many times: you become or manifest in your life what you don't resolve. So it seems that they have reuinted.  Yet the situation is far from resolved Chris Brown needs to be by himself and in an intense therapy program for at least a year. Believe it or not, when I saw an interview of him some time ago, my first thought was that he was an angry, troubled young man, even though he may have a good heart. But if he does not resolve his issues now, those issues will be an ingrained part of his character and who he is. No amount of jail time will fix what's broken in him. Forget, the career, he needs to repair who he is first.Know a little about the Bajun culture and noted that Rihanna's father, who minimized her injuries in his initial public comments, seems to have no problem with her returning to the relationship. Her testimony will be court ordered, not voluntary. That speaks volumes about her mindset and supports  the fact that she needs counseling as well.Abuse comes in all races, sizes, shapes, religions, cultures, genders, ages, classes. There are as many rich as poor who are abusers. There are many more men being abused than any of us know.  It can be your neighbor, it can be your friend It can be your sister, it can be your brother.  It is, unfortunately a legacy passed from one generation to the next. Psychological abuse is as life threatening as physical abuse, yet there is no way to legally control its effect, short of the California law on threats. The only way we can limit the damage is to help people recognize all of the warning signs.   Until we put all abuse on the national and global table as something to be discussed and eradicated, it will continue to be ignored.This is a teachable moment for all who see these two as "role models" or are the parents of those who see these two as "role models"   --  and they shouldn't be, you don't know a thing about them, really. If you are in a relationship where he or she is verbally, psychologically, physically and/or sexually abusing you or your children or, for that matter, his or her own children, it has to be the immediate relationship deal breaker. Get out. It will not change, it will get worse -- the "I'm sorrys" do not change character or resolve issues. It takes a full year, at minimum, of intensive therapy for someone who WANTS to change to become a better person who does not abuse. They need to do so away from you. If there are children involved and they aren't yours, then you need to report it, because children have no choice and no voice over adult misbehavior AND when/if it's unresolved., become the next generation of abusers. You and I have to be that voice. On a personal note, this -- the issue of abuse -- bothers me greatly.   Even though it was many years ago, I still remember my friend who lived a few houses down from me and I knew her father abused her, a lot, even though she never spoke of it.  I had helped her with her paper route  one day,so that she wouldn't get home late.  She went into her house and to this day I can still hear her screaming as he beat her.  One of the most beautiful, gentle men I ever knew and loved, died in an auto accident, and it wasn't until weeks later that his brother shared a secret: his father had consistently abused them all, especially his wife, who later died.  As a writer, I have interviewed several men who witnessed and experienced  physical and sexual abuse, and saw, first hand, how those experiences shaped who they are.  I am currently at the beginning stages of researching and writing a true story about an entire Alabama family and the horrific abuse they endured  and continue to have to deal with-- and how the legal system and the community did not save them.  If their story will help you -- or you -- or you, to realize what kind of toxic relationship you are in, show you that the door is open and you can leave, it will be worth it to them...and to me.  Here is what I know. You cannot fix someone who is broken.  You cannot save anyone who doesn't want to be saved and you can only change one person: yourself.  You make his/her problem yours when you choose to stay in an abusive relationship or allow your children to be abused just to keep a man or a woman.You make his/her problem yours when you continue to believe the myth that you can fix the problem you had with your mother or father by making the relationship work with someone who is just like him/her.  You become or manifest in your life what you don't resolve.  If you are an abuser, your only hope is professional help, and to leave.  If you are being abused, your only hope is to leave and get professional help.  Don't think about it, don't rationalize over it, don't justify it, leave.  Don't let your choice not to change be the legacy you leave behind. I learned that sometimes saying something more than one way can reach more people.  I wrote a series of poems on abuse over the years.  Perhaps someone will hear this one today. BITTER REALITY You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...they play their usual sad songonce again the victim of …whateverthe day brings.You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...the words they use to defendthe offendertaste bitter with the salty tangof blood that tends to floodthe mouth when slappedwith the back of the handor punched with words that would make a real man cry…You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...when you tell them the consequencesof believing honey-dipped I’m sorrys – which is probably their only spoken truth -- well-designed to lure them backinto the depths of a hellonly a fool would believe in,they look at you and sigh about how you “can’t understandwhy… he needs me.”Or “but I love him”Love?  That you cannot define? As you recline on the floor where he slammed you?You see, they wouldn’t listen.  And now...I deliver this eulogy forall of those who believein staying too long,realizing too late that thedoor was always openjust as the final blowis delivered.(c) 2008 from Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought abuse, brown, chris, commentary, entertainment, news, rihanna nonadult false Rihanna and Chris Brown: My Thoughts text blog abuse,brown,chris,commentary,entertainment,news,rihanna 264 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 1 0 204888 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_State-of-the-Black-Union-X/BLOG/201869/16936.html STATE OF THE BLACK UNION XWhen your rhetoricTurns into acts of true changeThen I will hear you.In a placeIn a spaceWhere I/you/we areWhere dreams are fading/eroding/erasingAs the ticker tape parade on Wall Street fallsInto the economic abyss.With a cunning thief's kissBut we never asked what's amiss.While we waited for the trickle to fall down on us.'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most"New Chief in town.And to their dismay, his skin is brown.Time for changeTo rearrangeOur thinking.`Cause we are at the beginningNot the endOf what has to change.So we have haters,And infiltrators,And instigatorsOn both sides of the coin.All of whom cannot accept the factWe don't have a Black PresidentWe have a President who is Black.And brilliant.But not understanding the differenceThey continue to hackVicarious micromanagersVirtual armchair quarterbacks"What's in it for us?""Where's our piece of the change?"Have a shovel ready plan….Or just an agenda?The phrase "Yes We Can"Requires us to spend aLot more time figuring out what directionWe should be walking in, not talkingThenWe can be near the top this timeAs Phoenix rises.(c)2009 E. Joyce Moore, author Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought STATE OF THE BLACK UNION XWhen your rhetoricTurns into acts of true changeThen I will hear you.In a placeIn a spaceWhere I/you/we areWhere dreams are fading/eroding/erasingAs the ticker tape parade on Wall Street fallsInto the economic abyss.With a cunning thief's kissBut we never asked what's amiss.While we waited for the trickle to fall down on us.'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most"New Chief in town.And to their dismay, his skin is brown.Time for changeTo rearrangeOur thinking.`Cause we are at the beginningNot the endOf what has to change.So we have haters,And infiltrators,And instigatorsOn both sides of the coin.All of whom cannot accept the factWe don't have a Black PresidentWe have a President who is Black.And brilliant.But not understanding the differenceThey continue to hackVicarious micromanagersVirtual armchair quarterbacks"What's in it for us?""Where's our piece of the change?"Have a shovel ready plan….Or just an agenda?The phrase "Yes We Can"Requires us to spend aLot more time figuring out what directionWe should be walking in, not talkingThenWe can be near the top this timeAs Phoenix rises.(c)2009 E. Joyce Moore, author Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought Thu, 05 Mar 2009 02:10:40 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_State-of-the-Black-Union-X/BLOG/201869/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-03-05T02:10:40Z Inauguration Day 2009 STATE OF THE BLACK UNION XWhen your rhetoricTurns into acts of true changeThen I will hear you.In a placeIn a spaceWhere I/you/we areWhere dreams are fading/eroding/erasingAs the ticker tape parade on Wall Street fallsInto the economic abyss.With a cunning thief's kissBut we never asked what's amiss.While we waited for the trickle to fall down on us.'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most"New Chief in town.And to their dismay, his skin is brown.Time for changeTo rearrangeOur thinking.`Cause we are at the beginningNot the endOf what has to change.So we have haters,And infiltrators,And instigatorsOn both sides of the coin.All of whom cannot accept the factWe don't have a Black PresidentWe have a President who is Black.And brilliant.But not understanding the differenceThey continue to hackVicarious micromanagersVirtual armchair quarterbacks"What's in it for us?""Where's our piece of the change?"Have a shovel ready plan….Or just an agenda?The phrase "Yes We Can"Requires us to spend aLot more time figuring out what directionWe should be walking in, not talkingThenWe can be near the top this timeAs Phoenix rises.(c)2009 E. Joyce Moore, author Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought black, commentary, forum, of, poetry, state, the, union, x nonadult false State of the Black Union X text blog black,commentary,forum,of,poetry,state,the,union,x 204 1 4.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 4 0 201869 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Racism-Can-Be-a-Teaching-Moment/BLOG/200594/16936.html [image][image][image][image][image][image]I received several e-mails of the picture from the  Barnes and Nobel bookstore in Coral Gables, Florida, along with a call for the boycotting of the Barnes and Noble stores.For those who did not see the picture, someone placed a book on monkeys in the middle of the store front display of books on  President and First Lady Obama, then took the picture.  Knowing a little bit about retail, I decided to contact the Barnes and Noble corporate offices to find out what they had to say and how they responded to the outrage over this display.   I was provided with the e-mail below that was sent to anyone who called and inquired: Hello Joyce Moore, Thank you for contacting us about the book display which included President Obama in our Coral Gables store. Barnes & Noble would like to publicly apologize for an incident in our Coral Gables, Florida store.   We believe that a customer played a cruel joke and placed an inappropriate title in the front window of our store, where we were featuring books written by or about President Obama.  We want to assure our customers that the book placed by someone other than any of our booksellers was never intended to be included in our display and was removed as soon as we became aware of the situation.  We are looking into it and taking the steps necessary so that it does not happen again. From time to time customers will move titles from one area of the store to another. In this particular case, we do not condone whatever message may have been intended with the placement of this title in our Presidential display. It certainly was not part of our merchandising and we regret that we didn't see the placement of this title immediately. Sincerely, [name deleted]Customer Service RepresentativeBarnes and Noble Customer Servicecustomerservice@bn.com Mary Keating, spokesperson for Barnes and Noble, sent me the statement below, along with responses to my questions:   The photograph being circulated on the Internet was taken by a customer in one of our stores, who maliciously placed an inappropriate title in the center of a display honoring President Obama.The store immediately removed the title from the display.  Barnes & Noble finds this malicious act to be despicable.”  Mary Ellen KeatingSpokespersonBarnes & Noble, Inc. In response to a series of questions I posed she said: " We follow a specific blueprint for the displays in each of our stores. The display was set up in January and the incident took place two weeks ago."  "This particular store in Coral Gables has a window display that is accessible to the public," stated Keating. .  "Most of our stores are 25000 square feet and have thousands of titles in each store.  Unfortunately, every bookseller has to deal with customers moving titles from one area of a store to another, but they do an excellent job of making sure titles are in order."  "...we view this as a malicious act and agree that it is an isolated incident."   I know that I am personally tired of these behaviors, although in this case I think that Barnes and Noble is a victim, as well, of a malicious prank.  If it was done by the persons taking the picture, apparently they were not aware of the fact that their images are reflected in the window (there are two people in the reflection, at least one is a white male).   I want to turn this incident into a teaching moment.  When the now  infamous New York Post  cartoon  crawled out from under its journalistic rock, Marc Clarke wrote on why this matters so much to African Americans.  His Blog was quoted on CNN, and Marc's article was the source of their explanation of its history.   “The Negro: What Is His Ethnological Status?”  was published in 1867 under the pseudonym “Ariel.”  ... the author was a Southern clergyman, the Rev. Buckner H. Payne of Nashville, Tenn.  Rev. Payne argued that Negroes weren’t descended from Adam and Eve. “... Adam and Eve being white, ... they could never be the father or mother of the kinky-headed, low forehead, flat nose, thick lip and black-skinned negro...”  The minister continued: “[I]t follows, beyond all the reasonings of men on earth to controvert, that [the negro] was created before Adam, that, like all beasts and cattle, they have no souls.”  Rev. Payne then broke it down scientifically: “[W]e take up the monkey, and trace him ... through his upward and advancing orders – baboon, ourang-outang and gorilla, up to the negro, another noble animal, the noblest of the beast creation.  The difference between these higher orders of the monkey and the negro is very slight, and consists mainly in this one thing: the negro can utter sounds that can be imitated; hence he could talk with Adam and Eve, for they could imitate his sounds.”    “... Adam and Eve being white, ... they could never be the father or mother of the kinky-headed, low forehead, flat nose, thick lip and black-skinned negro...”   Payne continued: “[I]t follows, beyond all the reasonings of men on earth to controvert, that [the negro] was created before Adam, that, like all beasts and cattle, they have no souls.”  Rev. Payne then broke it down scientifically: “[W]e take up the monkey, and trace him ... through his upward and advancing orders – baboon, ourang-outang and gorilla, up to the negro, another noble animal, the noblest of the beast creation. The difference between these higher orders of the monkey and the negro is very slight, and consists mainly in this one thing: the negro can utter sounds that can be imitated; hence he could talk with Adam and Eve, for they could imitate his sounds.”  You can download the full 48-page text of Buckner Payne’s “The Negro” as a PDF file, courtesy of Google, by following this link .   Read more of  Mark Clarke's full commentary by visiting his Blog.   Many like to minimize these covert acts of racism, calling them "jokes", such as the watermelon on the White House lawn e-mail sent by Republican Los Alamitos mayor Dean Grose to colleagues and friends.  Grose, who resigned as mayor -- although that means little,unless he resigns from the council, since the council takes turns filling the position -- claims that he "didn't know that it was offensive to African Americans."   Personally, I don't buy his explanation, or his apology.  If he did not know of the stereotypical myth that Blacks/African Americans have often been portrayed as a" lazy race of people who just sit around eating fried chicken and watermelon".  then exactly what was the "joke"?   The truth is that watermelon is native to Africa, especially near the Kalahari desert.Watermelon, as the name suggests has a high water content, more so than other fruits, in fact. They are also really high in nutrients and vitamins.  Slaves working in the fields were at risk for dehydration since it was intense labor and it's hot in the south.  (today's water bottles hadn't been invented yet), so they would eat slices of watermelon to hydrate and refresh themselves from working in the fields.  Chicken, watermelon, okra, chitterlings (pig intestines), black eyed peas.... and many other foods that are labeled soul food today, was once considered food not fit for the master's table.  Basically, Black slaves ate whatever the slave master gave them...they ate the scraps (pig-intestines fat-back, pig feet, pigtail,  etc) and what was cheap or easy to grow.  Poor Whites  -- mostly Irish, who were slaves for a time themselves -- ate the same.  Even after slavery, Blacks still enjoyed these food because it was what they could afford.   Today, that which was the soul of the African American sustenance is now a part of many a fine restaurant's menu.   Acts of overt and covert racism have been dredged up and forward throughout our history.  In this century alone, corporations such as AT&T had their corporate hand slapped because they used an image of a monkey to depict the people of Africa in an internal publication.  In 2001,Toyota -- because of a modern day "blackface" postcard developed by their ad agency , Saatchi & Saatchi -- pledged millions for diversity development, training and minority supplier inclusion.   With the Presidential campaign and subsequent election, consciousness of the issue of race increased.  Paradigms began to crack, perceptions started to erode and suddenly the invisible become very visible.  As those who have the long held belief in their power and assumption of privilege witnessed how quickly their perceived power evaporated as quickly as the clothes of the emperor they have become fearful and angry.  Thus, the only moves left are to continue to instigate fear based upon untruths and resurrect ancient stereotypes and pre-1950s myths to distract, divide and distance those who are beginning to move past race as an issue.   We cannot allow our emotions to evoke hair-trigger reactions to the misbehavior of a few.  To demand a boycott of Barnes and Noble without verifying the facts is not how we should engage this heightened level of racism.  When we hear the venomous diatribe of hysterical radio talk show hosts  and attention-hungry cable news personnel, we don't preach to the choir or call the networks who gave them license to spew their vitriol , we contact their advertisers instead. Because at the end of the day, it is all about the bottom line. I am not certain that Rupert Murdoch would have personally apologized on behalf of the N Y Post, had calls not been made to Kraft Foods, AT&T along with other advertisers.   There isn't a single institution in this economic crisis who can afford to have their finances affected by foolishness.  Perhaps we all need to learn how to play chess.  I understand that it is a game of patience and strategy, where each move is a response not a reaction.  It is also rumored that President Obama plays chess in 3D.  Perhaps it is time to take a page from his playbook and stop reacting to every move and instead begin to respond in a manner that will yield the outcome we are looking for.  Otherwise, the next few years will be spent fighting battles of distractions rather than making the strategic moves to win the war.  And I'm already tired. [image][image][image][image][image][image]I received several e-mails of the picture from the  Barnes and Nobel bookstore in Coral Gables, Florida, along with a call for the boycotting of the Barnes and Noble stores.For those who did not see the picture, someone placed a book on monkeys in the middle of the store front display of books on  President and First Lady Obama, then took the picture.  Knowing a little bit about retail, I decided to contact the Barnes and Noble corporate offices to find out what they had to say and how they responded to the outrage over this display.   I was provided with the e-mail below that was sent to anyone who called and inquired: Hello Joyce Moore, Thank you for contacting us about the book display which included President Obama in our Coral Gables store. Barnes & Noble would like to publicly apologize for an incident in our Coral Gables, Florida store.   We believe that a customer played a cruel joke and placed an inappropriate title in the front window of our store, where we were featuring books written by or about President Obama.  We want to assure our customers that the book placed by someone other than any of our booksellers was never intended to be included in our display and was removed as soon as we became aware of the situation.  We are looking into it and taking the steps necessary so that it does not happen again. From time to time customers will move titles from one area of the store to another. In this particular case, we do not condone whatever message may have been intended with the placement of this title in our Presidential display. It certainly was not part of our merchandising and we regret that we didn't see the placement of this title immediately. Sincerely, [name deleted]Customer Service RepresentativeBarnes and Noble Customer Servicecustomerservice@bn.com Mary Keating, spokesperson for Barnes and Noble, sent me the statement below, along with responses to my questions:   The photograph being circulated on the Internet was taken by a customer in one of our stores, who maliciously placed an inappropriate title in the center of a display honoring President Obama.The store immediately removed the title from the display.  Barnes & Noble finds this malicious act to be despicable.”  Mary Ellen KeatingSpokespersonBarnes & Noble, Inc. In response to a series of questions I posed she said: " We follow a specific blueprint for the displays in each of our stores. The display was set up in January and the incident took place two weeks ago."  "This particular store in Coral Gables has a window display that is accessible to the public," stated Keating. .  "Most of our stores are 25000 square feet and have thousands of titles in each store.  Unfortunately, every bookseller has to deal with customers moving titles from one area of a store to another, but they do an excellent job of making sure titles are in order."  "...we view this as a malicious act and agree that it is an isolated incident."   I know that I am personally tired of these behaviors, although in this case I think that Barnes and Noble is a victim, as well, of a malicious prank.  If it was done by the persons taking the picture, apparently they were not aware of the fact that their images are reflected in the window (there are two people in the reflection, at least one is a white male).   I want to turn this incident into a teaching moment.  When the now  infamous New York Post  cartoon  crawled out from under its journalistic rock, Marc Clarke wrote on why this matters so much to African Americans.  His Blog was quoted on CNN, and Marc's article was the source of their explanation of its history.   “The Negro: What Is His Ethnological Status?”  was published in 1867 under the pseudonym “Ariel.”  ... the author was a Southern clergyman, the Rev. Buckner H. Payne of Nashville, Tenn.  Rev. Payne argued that Negroes weren’t descended from Adam and Eve. “... Adam and Eve being white, ... they could never be the father or mother of the kinky-headed, low forehead, flat nose, thick lip and black-skinned negro...”  The minister continued: “[I]t follows, beyond all the reasonings of men on earth to controvert, that [the negro] was created before Adam, that, like all beasts and cattle, they have no souls.”  Rev. Payne then broke it down scientifically: “[W]e take up the monkey, and trace him ... through his upward and advancing orders – baboon, ourang-outang and gorilla, up to the negro, another noble animal, the noblest of the beast creation.  The difference between these higher orders of the monkey and the negro is very slight, and consists mainly in this one thing: the negro can utter sounds that can be imitated; hence he could talk with Adam and Eve, for they could imitate his sounds.”    “... Adam and Eve being white, ... they could never be the father or mother of the kinky-headed, low forehead, flat nose, thick lip and black-skinned negro...”   Payne continued: “[I]t follows, beyond all the reasonings of men on earth to controvert, that [the negro] was created before Adam, that, like all beasts and cattle, they have no souls.”  Rev. Payne then broke it down scientifically: “[W]e take up the monkey, and trace him ... through his upward and advancing orders – baboon, ourang-outang and gorilla, up to the negro, another noble animal, the noblest of the beast creation. The difference between these higher orders of the monkey and the negro is very slight, and consists mainly in this one thing: the negro can utter sounds that can be imitated; hence he could talk with Adam and Eve, for they could imitate his sounds.”  You can download the full 48-page text of Buckner Payne’s “The Negro” as a PDF file, courtesy of Google, by following this link .   Read more of  Mark Clarke's full commentary by visiting his Blog.   Many like to minimize these covert acts of racism, calling them "jokes", such as the watermelon on the White House lawn e-mail sent by Republican Los Alamitos mayor Dean Grose to colleagues and friends.  Grose, who resigned as mayor -- although that means little,unless he resigns from the council, since the council takes turns filling the position -- claims that he "didn't know that it was offensive to African Americans."   Personally, I don't buy his explanation, or his apology.  If he did not know of the stereotypical myth that Blacks/African Americans have often been portrayed as a" lazy race of people who just sit around eating fried chicken and watermelon".  then exactly what was the "joke"?   The truth is that watermelon is native to Africa, especially near the Kalahari desert.Watermelon, as the name suggests has a high water content, more so than other fruits, in fact. They are also really high in nutrients and vitamins.  Slaves working in the fields were at risk for dehydration since it was intense labor and it's hot in the south.  (today's water bottles hadn't been invented yet), so they would eat slices of watermelon to hydrate and refresh themselves from working in the fields.  Chicken, watermelon, okra, chitterlings (pig intestines), black eyed peas.... and many other foods that are labeled soul food today, was once considered food not fit for the master's table.  Basically, Black slaves ate whatever the slave master gave them...they ate the scraps (pig-intestines fat-back, pig feet, pigtail,  etc) and what was cheap or easy to grow.  Poor Whites  -- mostly Irish, who were slaves for a time themselves -- ate the same.  Even after slavery, Blacks still enjoyed these food because it was what they could afford.   Today, that which was the soul of the African American sustenance is now a part of many a fine restaurant's menu.   Acts of overt and covert racism have been dredged up and forward throughout our history.  In this century alone, corporations such as AT&T had their corporate hand slapped because they used an image of a monkey to depict the people of Africa in an internal publication.  In 2001,Toyota -- because of a modern day "blackface" postcard developed by their ad agency , Saatchi & Saatchi -- pledged millions for diversity development, training and minority supplier inclusion.   With the Presidential campaign and subsequent election, consciousness of the issue of race increased.  Paradigms began to crack, perceptions started to erode and suddenly the invisible become very visible.  As those who have the long held belief in their power and assumption of privilege witnessed how quickly their perceived power evaporated as quickly as the clothes of the emperor they have become fearful and angry.  Thus, the only moves left are to continue to instigate fear based upon untruths and resurrect ancient stereotypes and pre-1950s myths to distract, divide and distance those who are beginning to move past race as an issue.   We cannot allow our emotions to evoke hair-trigger reactions to the misbehavior of a few.  To demand a boycott of Barnes and Noble without verifying the facts is not how we should engage this heightened level of racism.  When we hear the venomous diatribe of hysterical radio talk show hosts  and attention-hungry cable news personnel, we don't preach to the choir or call the networks who gave them license to spew their vitriol , we contact their advertisers instead. Because at the end of the day, it is all about the bottom line. I am not certain that Rupert Murdoch would have personally apologized on behalf of the N Y Post, had calls not been made to Kraft Foods, AT&T along with other advertisers.   There isn't a single institution in this economic crisis who can afford to have their finances affected by foolishness.  Perhaps we all need to learn how to play chess.  I understand that it is a game of patience and strategy, where each move is a response not a reaction.  It is also rumored that President Obama plays chess in 3D.  Perhaps it is time to take a page from his playbook and stop reacting to every move and instead begin to respond in a manner that will yield the outcome we are looking for.  Otherwise, the next few years will be spent fighting battles of distractions rather than making the strategic moves to win the war.  And I'm already tired. Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:24:23 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Racism-Can-Be-a-Teaching-Moment/BLOG/200594/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-03-04T03:24:23Z Inauguration Day 2009 [image][image][image][image][image][image]I received several e-mails of the picture from the  Barnes and Nobel bookstore in Coral Gables, Florida, along with a call for the boycotting of the Barnes and Noble stores.For those who did not see the picture, someone placed a book on monkeys in the middle of the store front display of books on  President and First Lady Obama, then took the picture.  Knowing a little bit about retail, I decided to contact the Barnes and Noble corporate offices to find out what they had to say and how they responded to the outrage over this display.   I was provided with the e-mail below that was sent to anyone who called and inquired: Hello Joyce Moore, Thank you for contacting us about the book display which included President Obama in our Coral Gables store. Barnes & Noble would like to publicly apologize for an incident in our Coral Gables, Florida store.   We believe that a customer played a cruel joke and placed an inappropriate title in the front window of our store, where we were featuring books written by or about President Obama.  We want to assure our customers that the book placed by someone other than any of our booksellers was never intended to be included in our display and was removed as soon as we became aware of the situation.  We are looking into it and taking the steps necessary so that it does not happen again. From time to time customers will move titles from one area of the store to another. In this particular case, we do not condone whatever message may have been intended with the placement of this title in our Presidential display. It certainly was not part of our merchandising and we regret that we didn't see the placement of this title immediately. Sincerely, [name deleted]Customer Service RepresentativeBarnes and Noble Customer Servicecustomerservice@bn.com Mary Keating, spokesperson for Barnes and Noble, sent me the statement below, along with responses to my questions:   The photograph being circulated on the Internet was taken by a customer in one of our stores, who maliciously placed an inappropriate title in the center of a display honoring President Obama.The store immediately removed the title from the display.  Barnes & Noble finds this malicious act to be despicable.”  Mary Ellen KeatingSpokespersonBarnes & Noble, Inc. In response to a series of questions I posed she said: " We follow a specific blueprint for the displays in each of our stores. The display was set up in January and the incident took place two weeks ago."  "This particular store in Coral Gables has a window display that is accessible to the public," stated Keating. .  "Most of our stores are 25000 square feet and have thousands of titles in each store.  Unfortunately, every bookseller has to deal with customers moving titles from one area of a store to another, but they do an excellent job of making sure titles are in order."  "...we view this as a malicious act and agree that it is an isolated incident."   I know that I am personally tired of these behaviors, although in this case I think that Barnes and Noble is a victim, as well, of a malicious prank.  If it was done by the persons taking the picture, apparently they were not aware of the fact that their images are reflected in the window (there are two people in the reflection, at least one is a white male).   I want to turn this incident into a teaching moment.  When the now  infamous New York Post  cartoon  crawled out from under its journalistic rock, Marc Clarke wrote on why this matters so much to African Americans.  His Blog was quoted on CNN, and Marc's article was the source of their explanation of its history.   “The Negro: What Is His Ethnological Status?”  was published in 1867 under the pseudonym “Ariel.”  ... the author was a Southern clergyman, the Rev. Buckner H. Payne of Nashville, Tenn.  Rev. Payne argued that Negroes weren’t descended from Adam and Eve. “... Adam and Eve being white, ... they could never be the father or mother of the kinky-headed, low forehead, flat nose, thick lip and black-skinned negro...”  The minister continued: “[I]t follows, beyond all the reasonings of men on earth to controvert, that [the negro] was created before Adam, that, like all beasts and cattle, they have no souls.”  Rev. Payne then broke it down scientifically: “[W]e take up the monkey, and trace him ... through his upward and advancing orders – baboon, ourang-outang and gorilla, up to the negro, another noble animal, the noblest of the beast creation.  The difference between these higher orders of the monkey and the negro is very slight, and consists mainly in this one thing: the negro can utter sounds that can be imitated; hence he could talk with Adam and Eve, for they could imitate his sounds.”    “... Adam and Eve being white, ... they could never be the father or mother of the kinky-headed, low forehead, flat nose, thick lip and black-skinned negro...”   Payne continued: “[I]t follows, beyond all the reasonings of men on earth to controvert, that [the negro] was created before Adam, that, like all beasts and cattle, they have no souls.”  Rev. Payne then broke it down scientifically: “[W]e take up the monkey, and trace him ... through his upward and advancing orders – baboon, ourang-outang and gorilla, up to the negro, another noble animal, the noblest of the beast creation. The difference between these higher orders of the monkey and the negro is very slight, and consists mainly in this one thing: the negro can utter sounds that can be imitated; hence he could talk with Adam and Eve, for they could imitate his sounds.”  You can download the full 48-page text of Buckner Payne’s “The Negro” as a PDF file, courtesy of Google, by following this link .   Read more of  Mark Clarke's full commentary by visiting his Blog.   Many like to minimize these covert acts of racism, calling them "jokes", such as the watermelon on the White House lawn e-mail sent by Republican Los Alamitos mayor Dean Grose to colleagues and friends.  Grose, who resigned as mayor -- although that means little,unless he resigns from the council, since the council takes turns filling the position -- claims that he "didn't know that it was offensive to African Americans."   Personally, I don't buy his explanation, or his apology.  If he did not know of the stereotypical myth that Blacks/African Americans have often been portrayed as a" lazy race of people who just sit around eating fried chicken and watermelon".  then exactly what was the "joke"?   The truth is that watermelon is native to Africa, especially near the Kalahari desert.Watermelon, as the name suggests has a high water content, more so than other fruits, in fact. They are also really high in nutrients and vitamins.  Slaves working in the fields were at risk for dehydration since it was intense labor and it's hot in the south.  (today's water bottles hadn't been invented yet), so they would eat slices of watermelon to hydrate and refresh themselves from working in the fields.  Chicken, watermelon, okra, chitterlings (pig intestines), black eyed peas.... and many other foods that are labeled soul food today, was once considered food not fit for the master's table.  Basically, Black slaves ate whatever the slave master gave them...they ate the scraps (pig-intestines fat-back, pig feet, pigtail,  etc) and what was cheap or easy to grow.  Poor Whites  -- mostly Irish, who were slaves for a time themselves -- ate the same.  Even after slavery, Blacks still enjoyed these food because it was what they could afford.   Today, that which was the soul of the African American sustenance is now a part of many a fine restaurant's menu.   Acts of overt and covert racism have been dredged up and forward throughout our history.  In this century alone, corporations such as AT&T had their corporate hand slapped because they used an image of a monkey to depict the people of Africa in an internal publication.  In 2001,Toyota -- because of a modern day "blackface" postcard developed by their ad agency , Saatchi & Saatchi -- pledged millions for diversity development, training and minority supplier inclusion.   With the Presidential campaign and subsequent election, consciousness of the issue of race increased.  Paradigms began to crack, perceptions started to erode and suddenly the invisible become very visible.  As those who have the long held belief in their power and assumption of privilege witnessed how quickly their perceived power evaporated as quickly as the clothes of the emperor they have become fearful and angry.  Thus, the only moves left are to continue to instigate fear based upon untruths and resurrect ancient stereotypes and pre-1950s myths to distract, divide and distance those who are beginning to move past race as an issue.   We cannot allow our emotions to evoke hair-trigger reactions to the misbehavior of a few.  To demand a boycott of Barnes and Noble without verifying the facts is not how we should engage this heightened level of racism.  When we hear the venomous diatribe of hysterical radio talk show hosts  and attention-hungry cable news personnel, we don't preach to the choir or call the networks who gave them license to spew their vitriol , we contact their advertisers instead. Because at the end of the day, it is all about the bottom line. I am not certain that Rupert Murdoch would have personally apologized on behalf of the N Y Post, had calls not been made to Kraft Foods, AT&T along with other advertisers.   There isn't a single institution in this economic crisis who can afford to have their finances affected by foolishness.  Perhaps we all need to learn how to play chess.  I understand that it is a game of patience and strategy, where each move is a response not a reaction.  It is also rumored that President Obama plays chess in 3D.  Perhaps it is time to take a page from his playbook and stop reacting to every move and instead begin to respond in a manner that will yield the outcome we are looking for.  Otherwise, the next few years will be spent fighting battles of distractions rather than making the strategic moves to win the war.  And I'm already tired. and, barnes, florida, grose, house, monkeys, noble, ny, obama, post, watermelon, white nonadult false Racism Can Be a Teaching Moment text blog and,barnes,florida,grose,house,monkeys,noble,ny,obama,post,watermelon,white 444 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 3 0 200594 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_ARE-WE-SHOVEL-READY/BLOG/194136/16936.html What projects are the African Americans where you are, working on that are "shovel ready" and eligible for the stimulus package?   Read the response below to a public e-mail complaint shared with me, about the Stimulus plan not benefiting African Americans:  Original E-Mail Unlike our Black "leaders",  Jewish leaders met w/BO  before he launched his campaign  for the presidency & secured his support  in exchange for theirs.  That 's why they  got $1bill. We did not meet w/BO fearful that it  would alienate his white base & cost  him the election so he didn't have to  promise us anything for our support  so we'll probably get nothing unless we are prepared to hold his "feet to the  fire" w/the threat of mass civil disobedience  tying up DC for weeks & jeopardizing the  solvency of his regime. Are we ready & able to play hard ball  w/BO?  I don't think we have the will  or the skill. We were had.Response:The question that is asked -- "I wonder how far toward the end of the line  Black folks are?" -- is asked in an unfocused way.  Many of us tend to ask about "Black folks" as if we are an amorphous blob without shape or form. Of course, our pain is universal, and we all feel the impacts of unequal suffering.  The reality is that some Black folks are near the front of the line, and some are not even in the line.  Which Black folks is the questioner asking about?This news report points to a lobbying effort, and celebrates success of that effort in the form of funds  that the organization will receive.The referenced "wee" in the response seems to me to not be directed at any organized "wee" who have been lobbying, or are currently lobbying, or organized in any way to receive dollars from the stimulus bill.  Please don't mistake my comments as a negative tirade.  All of us have a stake in the outcome of this bill.  And those of us who are organized and prepared to compete for public funding should do so aggressively.  All the gears are turning.  The Mayors of cities where we live were in Washington on Friday. Anyone on this list who has access to their local mayors should get into that line.  Those who have access to their congressional representatives,  should get into those lines.  Those who are currently operating programs that receive public funding should be aggressively advocating for their fair share of the funds.I heard about another form of "earmarks" last week.  It is called "phone marks".  That is when representatives and Senators call the agencies where the money is channeled and make personal appeals for a pet project.  This type of earmark takes place after a bill is passed, and occurs under the RADAR - only to be discovered by an audit, after the money is spent.  Do you have a pet project that is "shovel ready?"  Do you have access to a representative who voted for this bill?  This includes Black representatives that we voted for.  Then phone calls and emails should be directed to those who can help.ARE WE IN THE GAME FOLKS?Standing around wondering where "Black folks" are in the line will accomplish nothing.  What I would like to see in response is some recommendations and ACTIONS from those who know where the dots are connected.  All of us aren't unorganized.  Someone is doing something successful.  Why not share success stories rather than invite us to a pity party?  Is everyone on this list not even in the line?I am engaged with a Black-owned company that is focused on projects that we can execute.  I see a total of $8.4 billion appropriated for clean water projects:$1B to Bureau of Reclamation for infrastructure projects for drinking water in rural areas $6B for local clean and drinking water infrastructure improvements$1.48B for loans and grants for water and waste disposal in rural areas.I see money directed to education, and I am involved with Baba Amefika Geuka in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Together, we are contacting everyone from the local school district, to state representatives, and engaging in a nationwide initiative to raise funds for one project - The Joseph Littles - Nguzo Saba Charter School in West Palm Beach.  We see: $5 billion in incentive grants to be distributed on a competitive basis to states that most aggressively pursue higher standards, quality assessments, robust data systems and teacher quality initiatives.  This includes $650 million to fund school systems and non-profits with strong track records of improving student achievement.I also host an online community at www.izania.com, where we have a directory of more than 2500 Black-owned businesses that are scrambling for success, and sharing information with one another in our forums, blogs, and we also feature articles that focus on HELP.  If you are not a member of this community, membership is free, and you can receive our Weekly Newsletter that always focuses on wealth-building, health, and issues of high importance to the virtual Black community.I am not sharing this for the purpose of drawing attention to myself.  The point I am making is that some of us are busy doing things.  Maybe all of us are busy doing things.  But we accomplish nothing if we don't share information about what we are doing.  I would much rather see emails about positive actions.  I created www.iZania.com  as a place where we can share ideas that help one another.If we are going to spend time talking to each other, let's talk about ACTION.  If anyone on this list can help with any of these projects that I am involved in, I welcome the help.  I would help you also, IF I KNEW WHICH LINE YOU WERE IN.  Otherwise, let's stop wasting each other's time with empty emails that ask empty questions.Roger E. Madison Jr.CEO, iZania  I applaud and support the comments of Mr. Madison and am adding a few of my own: 1) If you are still waiting for the forty acres or that ship to come in, my advice is you better start looking around for some good wood and build your own boat and the oars you will need to row it.  We are in a place and time where we must stop waiting for permission to make our own pie or keep looking to get a sliver from someone else's.  You may not be qualified or have the stamina or even the desire to build your own business, and there is not a thing wrong with that.  But the question is, what can you do to become qualified for the "shovel ready" jobs that will become open to you?  Have you looked to see what the potential opportunities are going to be and begin to plan to be a part of it?  If you are educated, have you put your resume in order, freshened it up, pre-applied for possible openings?  If you are limited in education and marketable skills, what are you doing to find out what's available to enhance your odds to get a decent job?No one will be coming to your door to find you and give you a job.  Opportunities will not float by on the financial waters you are drowning in.  You will need to take a realistic view of how to save yourself. I think that the economic downturn is an opportunity for those who are prepared or becoming prepared to wade in and turn the situation into success. If you are an entrepreneur, what does your business or business to be really offer that the market needs or wants?  Do you have a real business plan that is tuned in to the current economic status?  If not, are you in denial?  If you are not in denial, what is your plan B?  Have you looked around to see who you can collaborate with and take two mediocre businesses and build a stronger single business?  Have you considered broadening your market to include regional, national even global opportunities?  Are you a member of local chambers, where you can network for support of your projects and find resources who can fill the gaps in your product offering?  And no, I am not speaking of the concept of "partnering" where someone looks to latch onto another party, business, entity -- bringing nothing to the table, but wanting to benefit from the association.  You need to stop that notion at the door, do not invite it in, because wasting your time is wasting your money; none of us can afford to do that. 2) Stop "buying the box".  I repeat: "STOP BUYING THE BOX".  African Americans, Economically and educationally disadvantage Anglo Americans, Disabled Americans are the primary targets of those who seek to prey on their desperate need for income.  So they come to the table with government grant packages, MLM schemes, legal aid services, long distance services, cleaning products, etc, etc.etc,. that you -- just by attending a seminar at a local hotel  -- can achieve your financial dreams just by purchasing, at the end of "motivational talk" that's available today only for the discounted price of $100 - $1000 a box, that has everything you need to succeed.  Except for one thing: the only one who succeeds are those who sell you the box.  Usually what they are selling is either already obsolete, does not really provide what it promises, has gone past its saturation cycle in the marketplace -- the discount long distance service is a perfect example -- or there was never a real market need for it in the first place.  These people are characteristically short on actual provable examples of this scheme really working, i.e., the federal grant packages.  They always have a "millionaire" who has already made his money and is just doing this out of the kindness of his heart, but don't waste his time if you don't get it and join in right now.   Those who buy into these schemes, handing over their check or credit cards because they are in, then discover that the "box" doesn't really work like they told him/her.  So they are embarrassed, feel like failures and/or want to keep their bad "investment" a secret.  This is much more common than you can imagine.  If you have never seen "Pursuit of Happyness"  or even if you have, I highly recommend you watch it again.  The buying of the box is what contributed to the demise of the man's family: he had purchased equipment to sell that was already obsolete.  He was able to sell them at a loss to keep himself and his son scarcely afloat during their homelessness while he worked on a plan B.  But most of us don't have a plan B.  Plan A must be to stop "buying the box."UPDATE: 20/20  is currently running a story about online scams Process From Home, Angel Stevens, Process At Home.com, Mystery Shoppers and all other work-at-home bait and switch jobs, they don't exist and are bilking people for millions.  If you have to pay or use your own money, chances are good it's a scam.  Check ABC's program 20/20 website, for its March 6, 2009 program for more information. 3)  If you don't know what you are doing, stop doing it.  If you don't know anything about repairing,reconstructing, constructing houses, looking at HGTV and DIY will only make you conscious of what it is you don't know, it will not necessarily teach you how to do it, it certainly will  not make you a professional.  Get your GED if you don't have it.  Get certified to be an electrician. Become licensed and bonded as a contractor if that's what you want to do.  Take actual classes to become a mechanic. Continuing to do what you aren't qualified to do will leave you with a reputation that will catch up with you and ultimately reinforces your belief that you fail at everything.  We need more of us to become qualified to do the jobs of fixing what we already have as the economy requires us to make do with what we've got.  That's why shoe repair shops are back and booming.  That's why used car sales are up.  Our community has limited funds to get something fixed the one time.  We can't afford  to and SHOULD NOT hire someone who isn't qualified to do a repair or renovation.  My kitchen floors are filled with cracked tiles and poorly mixed grout where we hired a "family friend" who assured us of his experience.    And let all of the buyer's beware, get good references, check Angie's list and the Better Business Bureau and DO NOT PAY UNTIL THE JOB IS COMPLETED.  If they can't afford to do the job before being paid, they are not the right source for you. 4) Do a reality check of your lifestyle, your business ability, and the truth about what you are really capable of. Again, it takes a certain mind and skill set to be in business for yourself.  You need to make sure you have those skills, you need to make sure you are offering a product or service that someone will buy and you need to know how to sell what it is you offer.  5) Find a way to seriously contribute to your community while you are waiting for new opportunities.  Volunteer at neighborhood schools, nursing homes;  Get your neighbors together and build a neighborhood garden; I have, in fact, suggested to the White House that we should initiate a national project called "Stone Soup" Gardens. Just by doing something, by giving, you will at least reinforce your worth to others. You never know when you will find what you are looking for that will get you employed, just by being in the right place at the right time, right there on the street where you live.I have a personal wish list: every large city needs a mid-career teachers program that would enable more people who are out of work, have a four year  college degree in good standing, and  a desire to contribute to the community through education, to certify as K - 12 teachers within one year.  Certification must include diversity training from the perspective of teaching inclusion and acceptance.  I would love to have a program within the larger cities, where writers, performers, fine artists, musicians have a rotational program that consistently exposes K - 12 children to the arts throughout the school year, in exchange for greater opportunities to exhibit/create/expose their art in public places, during city events without cost to the artists.  What's your wish list?  Did you know that you could share your ideas with the White House and they actually get read? 6) If you lost or might be losing your job, the best and brightest say that you need to have eight months worth of living expenses stashed away.  You should look at your spending and pare it down to the basics, which means you may have to give up premium cable, the twice a week dinner out and  the weekend drives to the casino.   There's more to say, but this will hopefully give us all, myself included, a lot to think about.  We cannot continue to be the victim of circumstances.  We must become the directors of our destinies.  Is your life "shovel ready"? 'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most.' -- Dr. Amos Wilson                                                                     Joyce's   Latest Book Trailer now on YouTube What projects are the African Americans where you are, working on that are "shovel ready" and eligible for the stimulus package?   Read the response below to a public e-mail complaint shared with me, about the Stimulus plan not benefiting African Americans:  Original E-Mail Unlike our Black "leaders",  Jewish leaders met w/BO  before he launched his campaign  for the presidency & secured his support  in exchange for theirs.  That 's why they  got $1bill. We did not meet w/BO fearful that it  would alienate his white base & cost  him the election so he didn't have to  promise us anything for our support  so we'll probably get nothing unless we are prepared to hold his "feet to the  fire" w/the threat of mass civil disobedience  tying up DC for weeks & jeopardizing the  solvency of his regime. Are we ready & able to play hard ball  w/BO?  I don't think we have the will  or the skill. We were had.Response:The question that is asked -- "I wonder how far toward the end of the line  Black folks are?" -- is asked in an unfocused way.  Many of us tend to ask about "Black folks" as if we are an amorphous blob without shape or form. Of course, our pain is universal, and we all feel the impacts of unequal suffering.  The reality is that some Black folks are near the front of the line, and some are not even in the line.  Which Black folks is the questioner asking about?This news report points to a lobbying effort, and celebrates success of that effort in the form of funds  that the organization will receive.The referenced "wee" in the response seems to me to not be directed at any organized "wee" who have been lobbying, or are currently lobbying, or organized in any way to receive dollars from the stimulus bill.  Please don't mistake my comments as a negative tirade.  All of us have a stake in the outcome of this bill.  And those of us who are organized and prepared to compete for public funding should do so aggressively.  All the gears are turning.  The Mayors of cities where we live were in Washington on Friday. Anyone on this list who has access to their local mayors should get into that line.  Those who have access to their congressional representatives,  should get into those lines.  Those who are currently operating programs that receive public funding should be aggressively advocating for their fair share of the funds.I heard about another form of "earmarks" last week.  It is called "phone marks".  That is when representatives and Senators call the agencies where the money is channeled and make personal appeals for a pet project.  This type of earmark takes place after a bill is passed, and occurs under the RADAR - only to be discovered by an audit, after the money is spent.  Do you have a pet project that is "shovel ready?"  Do you have access to a representative who voted for this bill?  This includes Black representatives that we voted for.  Then phone calls and emails should be directed to those who can help.ARE WE IN THE GAME FOLKS?Standing around wondering where "Black folks" are in the line will accomplish nothing.  What I would like to see in response is some recommendations and ACTIONS from those who know where the dots are connected.  All of us aren't unorganized.  Someone is doing something successful.  Why not share success stories rather than invite us to a pity party?  Is everyone on this list not even in the line?I am engaged with a Black-owned company that is focused on projects that we can execute.  I see a total of $8.4 billion appropriated for clean water projects:$1B to Bureau of Reclamation for infrastructure projects for drinking water in rural areas $6B for local clean and drinking water infrastructure improvements$1.48B for loans and grants for water and waste disposal in rural areas.I see money directed to education, and I am involved with Baba Amefika Geuka in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Together, we are contacting everyone from the local school district, to state representatives, and engaging in a nationwide initiative to raise funds for one project - The Joseph Littles - Nguzo Saba Charter School in West Palm Beach.  We see: $5 billion in incentive grants to be distributed on a competitive basis to states that most aggressively pursue higher standards, quality assessments, robust data systems and teacher quality initiatives.  This includes $650 million to fund school systems and non-profits with strong track records of improving student achievement.I also host an online community at www.izania.com, where we have a directory of more than 2500 Black-owned businesses that are scrambling for success, and sharing information with one another in our forums, blogs, and we also feature articles that focus on HELP.  If you are not a member of this community, membership is free, and you can receive our Weekly Newsletter that always focuses on wealth-building, health, and issues of high importance to the virtual Black community.I am not sharing this for the purpose of drawing attention to myself.  The point I am making is that some of us are busy doing things.  Maybe all of us are busy doing things.  But we accomplish nothing if we don't share information about what we are doing.  I would much rather see emails about positive actions.  I created www.iZania.com  as a place where we can share ideas that help one another.If we are going to spend time talking to each other, let's talk about ACTION.  If anyone on this list can help with any of these projects that I am involved in, I welcome the help.  I would help you also, IF I KNEW WHICH LINE YOU WERE IN.  Otherwise, let's stop wasting each other's time with empty emails that ask empty questions.Roger E. Madison Jr.CEO, iZania  I applaud and support the comments of Mr. Madison and am adding a few of my own: 1) If you are still waiting for the forty acres or that ship to come in, my advice is you better start looking around for some good wood and build your own boat and the oars you will need to row it.  We are in a place and time where we must stop waiting for permission to make our own pie or keep looking to get a sliver from someone else's.  You may not be qualified or have the stamina or even the desire to build your own business, and there is not a thing wrong with that.  But the question is, what can you do to become qualified for the "shovel ready" jobs that will become open to you?  Have you looked to see what the potential opportunities are going to be and begin to plan to be a part of it?  If you are educated, have you put your resume in order, freshened it up, pre-applied for possible openings?  If you are limited in education and marketable skills, what are you doing to find out what's available to enhance your odds to get a decent job?No one will be coming to your door to find you and give you a job.  Opportunities will not float by on the financial waters you are drowning in.  You will need to take a realistic view of how to save yourself. I think that the economic downturn is an opportunity for those who are prepared or becoming prepared to wade in and turn the situation into success. If you are an entrepreneur, what does your business or business to be really offer that the market needs or wants?  Do you have a real business plan that is tuned in to the current economic status?  If not, are you in denial?  If you are not in denial, what is your plan B?  Have you looked around to see who you can collaborate with and take two mediocre businesses and build a stronger single business?  Have you considered broadening your market to include regional, national even global opportunities?  Are you a member of local chambers, where you can network for support of your projects and find resources who can fill the gaps in your product offering?  And no, I am not speaking of the concept of "partnering" where someone looks to latch onto another party, business, entity -- bringing nothing to the table, but wanting to benefit from the association.  You need to stop that notion at the door, do not invite it in, because wasting your time is wasting your money; none of us can afford to do that. 2) Stop "buying the box".  I repeat: "STOP BUYING THE BOX".  African Americans, Economically and educationally disadvantage Anglo Americans, Disabled Americans are the primary targets of those who seek to prey on their desperate need for income.  So they come to the table with government grant packages, MLM schemes, legal aid services, long distance services, cleaning products, etc, etc.etc,. that you -- just by attending a seminar at a local hotel  -- can achieve your financial dreams just by purchasing, at the end of "motivational talk" that's available today only for the discounted price of $100 - $1000 a box, that has everything you need to succeed.  Except for one thing: the only one who succeeds are those who sell you the box.  Usually what they are selling is either already obsolete, does not really provide what it promises, has gone past its saturation cycle in the marketplace -- the discount long distance service is a perfect example -- or there was never a real market need for it in the first place.  These people are characteristically short on actual provable examples of this scheme really working, i.e., the federal grant packages.  They always have a "millionaire" who has already made his money and is just doing this out of the kindness of his heart, but don't waste his time if you don't get it and join in right now.   Those who buy into these schemes, handing over their check or credit cards because they are in, then discover that the "box" doesn't really work like they told him/her.  So they are embarrassed, feel like failures and/or want to keep their bad "investment" a secret.  This is much more common than you can imagine.  If you have never seen "Pursuit of Happyness"  or even if you have, I highly recommend you watch it again.  The buying of the box is what contributed to the demise of the man's family: he had purchased equipment to sell that was already obsolete.  He was able to sell them at a loss to keep himself and his son scarcely afloat during their homelessness while he worked on a plan B.  But most of us don't have a plan B.  Plan A must be to stop "buying the box."UPDATE: 20/20  is currently running a story about online scams Process From Home, Angel Stevens, Process At Home.com, Mystery Shoppers and all other work-at-home bait and switch jobs, they don't exist and are bilking people for millions.  If you have to pay or use your own money, chances are good it's a scam.  Check ABC's program 20/20 website, for its March 6, 2009 program for more information. 3)  If you don't know what you are doing, stop doing it.  If you don't know anything about repairing,reconstructing, constructing houses, looking at HGTV and DIY will only make you conscious of what it is you don't know, it will not necessarily teach you how to do it, it certainly will  not make you a professional.  Get your GED if you don't have it.  Get certified to be an electrician. Become licensed and bonded as a contractor if that's what you want to do.  Take actual classes to become a mechanic. Continuing to do what you aren't qualified to do will leave you with a reputation that will catch up with you and ultimately reinforces your belief that you fail at everything.  We need more of us to become qualified to do the jobs of fixing what we already have as the economy requires us to make do with what we've got.  That's why shoe repair shops are back and booming.  That's why used car sales are up.  Our community has limited funds to get something fixed the one time.  We can't afford  to and SHOULD NOT hire someone who isn't qualified to do a repair or renovation.  My kitchen floors are filled with cracked tiles and poorly mixed grout where we hired a "family friend" who assured us of his experience.    And let all of the buyer's beware, get good references, check Angie's list and the Better Business Bureau and DO NOT PAY UNTIL THE JOB IS COMPLETED.  If they can't afford to do the job before being paid, they are not the right source for you. 4) Do a reality check of your lifestyle, your business ability, and the truth about what you are really capable of. Again, it takes a certain mind and skill set to be in business for yourself.  You need to make sure you have those skills, you need to make sure you are offering a product or service that someone will buy and you need to know how to sell what it is you offer.  5) Find a way to seriously contribute to your community while you are waiting for new opportunities.  Volunteer at neighborhood schools, nursing homes;  Get your neighbors together and build a neighborhood garden; I have, in fact, suggested to the White House that we should initiate a national project called "Stone Soup" Gardens. Just by doing something, by giving, you will at least reinforce your worth to others. You never know when you will find what you are looking for that will get you employed, just by being in the right place at the right time, right there on the street where you live.I have a personal wish list: every large city needs a mid-career teachers program that would enable more people who are out of work, have a four year  college degree in good standing, and  a desire to contribute to the community through education, to certify as K - 12 teachers within one year.  Certification must include diversity training from the perspective of teaching inclusion and acceptance.  I would love to have a program within the larger cities, where writers, performers, fine artists, musicians have a rotational program that consistently exposes K - 12 children to the arts throughout the school year, in exchange for greater opportunities to exhibit/create/expose their art in public places, during city events without cost to the artists.  What's your wish list?  Did you know that you could share your ideas with the White House and they actually get read? 6) If you lost or might be losing your job, the best and brightest say that you need to have eight months worth of living expenses stashed away.  You should look at your spending and pare it down to the basics, which means you may have to give up premium cable, the twice a week dinner out and  the weekend drives to the casino.   There's more to say, but this will hopefully give us all, myself included, a lot to think about.  We cannot continue to be the victim of circumstances.  We must become the directors of our destinies.  Is your life "shovel ready"? 'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most.' -- Dr. Amos Wilson                                                                     Joyce's   Latest Book Trailer now on YouTube Wed, 25 Feb 2009 01:21:24 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_ARE-WE-SHOVEL-READY/BLOG/194136/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-02-25T01:21:24Z Inauguration Day 2009 What projects are the African Americans where you are, working on that are "shovel ready" and eligible for the stimulus package?   Read the response below to a public e-mail complaint shared with me, about the Stimulus plan not benefiting African Americans:  Original E-Mail Unlike our Black "leaders",  Jewish leaders met w/BO  before he launched his campaign  for the presidency & secured his support  in exchange for theirs.  That 's why they  got $1bill. We did not meet w/BO fearful that it  would alienate his white base & cost  him the election so he didn't have to  promise us anything for our support  so we'll probably get nothing unless we are prepared to hold his "feet to the  fire" w/the threat of mass civil disobedience  tying up DC for weeks & jeopardizing the  solvency of his regime. Are we ready & able to play hard ball  w/BO?  I don't think we have the will  or the skill. We were had.Response:The question that is asked -- "I wonder how far toward the end of the line  Black folks are?" -- is asked in an unfocused way.  Many of us tend to ask about "Black folks" as if we are an amorphous blob without shape or form. Of course, our pain is universal, and we all feel the impacts of unequal suffering.  The reality is that some Black folks are near the front of the line, and some are not even in the line.  Which Black folks is the questioner asking about?This news report points to a lobbying effort, and celebrates success of that effort in the form of funds  that the organization will receive.The referenced "wee" in the response seems to me to not be directed at any organized "wee" who have been lobbying, or are currently lobbying, or organized in any way to receive dollars from the stimulus bill.  Please don't mistake my comments as a negative tirade.  All of us have a stake in the outcome of this bill.  And those of us who are organized and prepared to compete for public funding should do so aggressively.  All the gears are turning.  The Mayors of cities where we live were in Washington on Friday. Anyone on this list who has access to their local mayors should get into that line.  Those who have access to their congressional representatives,  should get into those lines.  Those who are currently operating programs that receive public funding should be aggressively advocating for their fair share of the funds.I heard about another form of "earmarks" last week.  It is called "phone marks".  That is when representatives and Senators call the agencies where the money is channeled and make personal appeals for a pet project.  This type of earmark takes place after a bill is passed, and occurs under the RADAR - only to be discovered by an audit, after the money is spent.  Do you have a pet project that is "shovel ready?"  Do you have access to a representative who voted for this bill?  This includes Black representatives that we voted for.  Then phone calls and emails should be directed to those who can help.ARE WE IN THE GAME FOLKS?Standing around wondering where "Black folks" are in the line will accomplish nothing.  What I would like to see in response is some recommendations and ACTIONS from those who know where the dots are connected.  All of us aren't unorganized.  Someone is doing something successful.  Why not share success stories rather than invite us to a pity party?  Is everyone on this list not even in the line?I am engaged with a Black-owned company that is focused on projects that we can execute.  I see a total of $8.4 billion appropriated for clean water projects:$1B to Bureau of Reclamation for infrastructure projects for drinking water in rural areas $6B for local clean and drinking water infrastructure improvements$1.48B for loans and grants for water and waste disposal in rural areas.I see money directed to education, and I am involved with Baba Amefika Geuka in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Together, we are contacting everyone from the local school district, to state representatives, and engaging in a nationwide initiative to raise funds for one project - The Joseph Littles - Nguzo Saba Charter School in West Palm Beach.  We see: $5 billion in incentive grants to be distributed on a competitive basis to states that most aggressively pursue higher standards, quality assessments, robust data systems and teacher quality initiatives.  This includes $650 million to fund school systems and non-profits with strong track records of improving student achievement.I also host an online community at www.izania.com, where we have a directory of more than 2500 Black-owned businesses that are scrambling for success, and sharing information with one another in our forums, blogs, and we also feature articles that focus on HELP.  If you are not a member of this community, membership is free, and you can receive our Weekly Newsletter that always focuses on wealth-building, health, and issues of high importance to the virtual Black community.I am not sharing this for the purpose of drawing attention to myself.  The point I am making is that some of us are busy doing things.  Maybe all of us are busy doing things.  But we accomplish nothing if we don't share information about what we are doing.  I would much rather see emails about positive actions.  I created www.iZania.com  as a place where we can share ideas that help one another.If we are going to spend time talking to each other, let's talk about ACTION.  If anyone on this list can help with any of these projects that I am involved in, I welcome the help.  I would help you also, IF I KNEW WHICH LINE YOU WERE IN.  Otherwise, let's stop wasting each other's time with empty emails that ask empty questions.Roger E. Madison Jr.CEO, iZania  I applaud and support the comments of Mr. Madison and am adding a few of my own: 1) If you are still waiting for the forty acres or that ship to come in, my advice is you better start looking around for some good wood and build your own boat and the oars you will need to row it.  We are in a place and time where we must stop waiting for permission to make our own pie or keep looking to get a sliver from someone else's.  You may not be qualified or have the stamina or even the desire to build your own business, and there is not a thing wrong with that.  But the question is, what can you do to become qualified for the "shovel ready" jobs that will become open to you?  Have you looked to see what the potential opportunities are going to be and begin to plan to be a part of it?  If you are educated, have you put your resume in order, freshened it up, pre-applied for possible openings?  If you are limited in education and marketable skills, what are you doing to find out what's available to enhance your odds to get a decent job?No one will be coming to your door to find you and give you a job.  Opportunities will not float by on the financial waters you are drowning in.  You will need to take a realistic view of how to save yourself. I think that the economic downturn is an opportunity for those who are prepared or becoming prepared to wade in and turn the situation into success. If you are an entrepreneur, what does your business or business to be really offer that the market needs or wants?  Do you have a real business plan that is tuned in to the current economic status?  If not, are you in denial?  If you are not in denial, what is your plan B?  Have you looked around to see who you can collaborate with and take two mediocre businesses and build a stronger single business?  Have you considered broadening your market to include regional, national even global opportunities?  Are you a member of local chambers, where you can network for support of your projects and find resources who can fill the gaps in your product offering?  And no, I am not speaking of the concept of "partnering" where someone looks to latch onto another party, business, entity -- bringing nothing to the table, but wanting to benefit from the association.  You need to stop that notion at the door, do not invite it in, because wasting your time is wasting your money; none of us can afford to do that. 2) Stop "buying the box".  I repeat: "STOP BUYING THE BOX".  African Americans, Economically and educationally disadvantage Anglo Americans, Disabled Americans are the primary targets of those who seek to prey on their desperate need for income.  So they come to the table with government grant packages, MLM schemes, legal aid services, long distance services, cleaning products, etc, etc.etc,. that you -- just by attending a seminar at a local hotel  -- can achieve your financial dreams just by purchasing, at the end of "motivational talk" that's available today only for the discounted price of $100 - $1000 a box, that has everything you need to succeed.  Except for one thing: the only one who succeeds are those who sell you the box.  Usually what they are selling is either already obsolete, does not really provide what it promises, has gone past its saturation cycle in the marketplace -- the discount long distance service is a perfect example -- or there was never a real market need for it in the first place.  These people are characteristically short on actual provable examples of this scheme really working, i.e., the federal grant packages.  They always have a "millionaire" who has already made his money and is just doing this out of the kindness of his heart, but don't waste his time if you don't get it and join in right now.   Those who buy into these schemes, handing over their check or credit cards because they are in, then discover that the "box" doesn't really work like they told him/her.  So they are embarrassed, feel like failures and/or want to keep their bad "investment" a secret.  This is much more common than you can imagine.  If you have never seen "Pursuit of Happyness"  or even if you have, I highly recommend you watch it again.  The buying of the box is what contributed to the demise of the man's family: he had purchased equipment to sell that was already obsolete.  He was able to sell them at a loss to keep himself and his son scarcely afloat during their homelessness while he worked on a plan B.  But most of us don't have a plan B.  Plan A must be to stop "buying the box."UPDATE: 20/20  is currently running a story about online scams Process From Home, Angel Stevens, Process At Home.com, Mystery Shoppers and all other work-at-home bait and switch jobs, they don't exist and are bilking people for millions.  If you have to pay or use your own money, chances are good it's a scam.  Check ABC's program 20/20 website, for its March 6, 2009 program for more information. 3)  If you don't know what you are doing, stop doing it.  If you don't know anything about repairing,reconstructing, constructing houses, looking at HGTV and DIY will only make you conscious of what it is you don't know, it will not necessarily teach you how to do it, it certainly will  not make you a professional.  Get your GED if you don't have it.  Get certified to be an electrician. Become licensed and bonded as a contractor if that's what you want to do.  Take actual classes to become a mechanic. Continuing to do what you aren't qualified to do will leave you with a reputation that will catch up with you and ultimately reinforces your belief that you fail at everything.  We need more of us to become qualified to do the jobs of fixing what we already have as the economy requires us to make do with what we've got.  That's why shoe repair shops are back and booming.  That's why used car sales are up.  Our community has limited funds to get something fixed the one time.  We can't afford  to and SHOULD NOT hire someone who isn't qualified to do a repair or renovation.  My kitchen floors are filled with cracked tiles and poorly mixed grout where we hired a "family friend" who assured us of his experience.    And let all of the buyer's beware, get good references, check Angie's list and the Better Business Bureau and DO NOT PAY UNTIL THE JOB IS COMPLETED.  If they can't afford to do the job before being paid, they are not the right source for you. 4) Do a reality check of your lifestyle, your business ability, and the truth about what you are really capable of. Again, it takes a certain mind and skill set to be in business for yourself.  You need to make sure you have those skills, you need to make sure you are offering a product or service that someone will buy and you need to know how to sell what it is you offer.  5) Find a way to seriously contribute to your community while you are waiting for new opportunities.  Volunteer at neighborhood schools, nursing homes;  Get your neighbors together and build a neighborhood garden; I have, in fact, suggested to the White House that we should initiate a national project called "Stone Soup" Gardens. Just by doing something, by giving, you will at least reinforce your worth to others. You never know when you will find what you are looking for that will get you employed, just by being in the right place at the right time, right there on the street where you live.I have a personal wish list: every large city needs a mid-career teachers program that would enable more people who are out of work, have a four year  college degree in good standing, and  a desire to contribute to the community through education, to certify as K - 12 teachers within one year.  Certification must include diversity training from the perspective of teaching inclusion and acceptance.  I would love to have a program within the larger cities, where writers, performers, fine artists, musicians have a rotational program that consistently exposes K - 12 children to the arts throughout the school year, in exchange for greater opportunities to exhibit/create/expose their art in public places, during city events without cost to the artists.  What's your wish list?  Did you know that you could share your ideas with the White House and they actually get read? 6) If you lost or might be losing your job, the best and brightest say that you need to have eight months worth of living expenses stashed away.  You should look at your spending and pare it down to the basics, which means you may have to give up premium cable, the twice a week dinner out and  the weekend drives to the casino.   There's more to say, but this will hopefully give us all, myself included, a lot to think about.  We cannot continue to be the victim of circumstances.  We must become the directors of our destinies.  Is your life "shovel ready"? 'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most.' -- Dr. Amos Wilson                                                                     Joyce's   Latest Book Trailer now on YouTube african, america, blacks, obama, online, plan, scams, stimulus nonadult false ARE WE SHOVEL READY? text blog african,america,blacks,obama,online,plan,scams,stimulus 329 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 1 0 194136 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Rihanna-and-Chris-Brown/BLOG/182163/16936.html This is a very sad time for two real great and young performers.  The blogosphere is blowing up with innuendo, commentary, and a whole lot of judgement.  What you know: something happened to cause injury to one or both parties. There is now a new "rumor" for lack of a better term that there is a third party involved, at least according to The View.  What you don't know: the facts and details. To speculate, condemn, judge, decide who is right and who is wrong, who is the victim and who isn't, before you have the facts and details is not the direction to go in.Case in point: I personally know of two separate cases, both where the police were called, both where the actual aggressor was the woman, one of which the police sat and watched through the window before they came in and arrested HER because she was doing the beating, the other where he was arrested, humiliated, but later vindicated. Things are not always as they seem, wait until the facts are clear, then you can proceed with your judging.One more thing: You become or tend to manifest in your life what you do not resolve.   What you also may not know, Rihanna is very good at emotional pretense -- which she has done more than once as a "joke". On the other hand Brown grew up in an abusive home. Wait for the facts.One last thing:  One of the things I noticed in all of the remarks posted:  Some of these postings appear to be from people who are either in  or were a part of abusive relationships.  If I am talking about you, and you are in this kind of relationship, get up get your things and get yourself to the nearest shelter where they will support and help you make the transition from victim to victor.  Get help.   If you are an abuser,  there is nothing anyone could ever do that justifies psychological, physical, sexual, emotional abuse.  Remember how it felt when you were abuse.  Have the courage to get help today. This is a very sad time for two real great and young performers.  The blogosphere is blowing up with innuendo, commentary, and a whole lot of judgement.  What you know: something happened to cause injury to one or both parties. There is now a new "rumor" for lack of a better term that there is a third party involved, at least according to The View.  What you don't know: the facts and details. To speculate, condemn, judge, decide who is right and who is wrong, who is the victim and who isn't, before you have the facts and details is not the direction to go in.Case in point: I personally know of two separate cases, both where the police were called, both where the actual aggressor was the woman, one of which the police sat and watched through the window before they came in and arrested HER because she was doing the beating, the other where he was arrested, humiliated, but later vindicated. Things are not always as they seem, wait until the facts are clear, then you can proceed with your judging.One more thing: You become or tend to manifest in your life what you do not resolve.   What you also may not know, Rihanna is very good at emotional pretense -- which she has done more than once as a "joke". On the other hand Brown grew up in an abusive home. Wait for the facts.One last thing:  One of the things I noticed in all of the remarks posted:  Some of these postings appear to be from people who are either in  or were a part of abusive relationships.  If I am talking about you, and you are in this kind of relationship, get up get your things and get yourself to the nearest shelter where they will support and help you make the transition from victim to victor.  Get help.   If you are an abuser,  there is nothing anyone could ever do that justifies psychological, physical, sexual, emotional abuse.  Remember how it felt when you were abuse.  Have the courage to get help today. Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:24:32 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Rihanna-and-Chris-Brown/BLOG/182163/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-02-10T19:24:32Z Inauguration Day 2009 This is a very sad time for two real great and young performers.  The blogosphere is blowing up with innuendo, commentary, and a whole lot of judgement.  What you know: something happened to cause injury to one or both parties. There is now a new "rumor" for lack of a better term that there is a third party involved, at least according to The View.  What you don't know: the facts and details. To speculate, condemn, judge, decide who is right and who is wrong, who is the victim and who isn't, before you have the facts and details is not the direction to go in.Case in point: I personally know of two separate cases, both where the police were called, both where the actual aggressor was the woman, one of which the police sat and watched through the window before they came in and arrested HER because she was doing the beating, the other where he was arrested, humiliated, but later vindicated. Things are not always as they seem, wait until the facts are clear, then you can proceed with your judging.One more thing: You become or tend to manifest in your life what you do not resolve.   What you also may not know, Rihanna is very good at emotional pretense -- which she has done more than once as a "joke". On the other hand Brown grew up in an abusive home. Wait for the facts.One last thing:  One of the things I noticed in all of the remarks posted:  Some of these postings appear to be from people who are either in  or were a part of abusive relationships.  If I am talking about you, and you are in this kind of relationship, get up get your things and get yourself to the nearest shelter where they will support and help you make the transition from victim to victor.  Get help.   If you are an abuser,  there is nothing anyone could ever do that justifies psychological, physical, sexual, emotional abuse.  Remember how it felt when you were abuse.  Have the courage to get help today. abuse, beating, brown, chris, entertainment, fight, rihanna nonadult false Rihanna and Chris Brown text blog abuse,beating,brown,chris,entertainment,fight,rihanna 224 0 0.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 0 0 182163 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_The-Stimulus-Plan/BLOG/181217/16936.html I am here in Indiana and watched the Elkhart visit on TV.  I thought it was a brilliant move to come here and go to Florida -- straight with no chaser or media spin, unfiltered and effective.  As citizens we need to get on the phone and/or the e-mail and let Congress know who has the power: The citizens of this country have the real power.  We can sit on the sidelines, do nothing, but we better not say a word about what comes from passivity.  OR we can e-mail and call our Congress representative and let them know where we stand."...Only a fool never changes his mind." -- Elwin Wilson, former KKK member who apologized to Congressman Lewis. I am glad the Congressional votes to pass the stimulus bill are there, I am uncomfortable with the reality that these people, who have no real financial worries, who were hired by the very people they are betraying, don't seem to have a problem sacrificing a nation of people in order to strengthen the Republican party, to continue with these immature temper tantrums because this was not their idea, and determination to wreck the structure of the stimulus, so that they can say "See, I told you so." 'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most.' -- Dr. Amos Wilson These people are not economists, so you'll pardon me when I say that just complaining about the content, without offering a superior alternative, is just useless.  Going forward, will we have to continually press upon those who were elected to simply do their job in representing us? My mantra of the day: I am asking again: The original stimulus plan was developed using a team of top economists, who have the credentials to develop the right recipe for success. The chipping away at the recipe by a bunch who neither the credentials nor the knowledge to put together a better plan OR a better solution, only egos following the not-my-idea plan of action, is this how we fix the problem for the citizens? I am e-mailing my Congress representatives and asking them these questions; what are you doing today? I am here in Indiana and watched the Elkhart visit on TV.  I thought it was a brilliant move to come here and go to Florida -- straight with no chaser or media spin, unfiltered and effective.  As citizens we need to get on the phone and/or the e-mail and let Congress know who has the power: The citizens of this country have the real power.  We can sit on the sidelines, do nothing, but we better not say a word about what comes from passivity.  OR we can e-mail and call our Congress representative and let them know where we stand."...Only a fool never changes his mind." -- Elwin Wilson, former KKK member who apologized to Congressman Lewis. I am glad the Congressional votes to pass the stimulus bill are there, I am uncomfortable with the reality that these people, who have no real financial worries, who were hired by the very people they are betraying, don't seem to have a problem sacrificing a nation of people in order to strengthen the Republican party, to continue with these immature temper tantrums because this was not their idea, and determination to wreck the structure of the stimulus, so that they can say "See, I told you so." 'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most.' -- Dr. Amos Wilson These people are not economists, so you'll pardon me when I say that just complaining about the content, without offering a superior alternative, is just useless.  Going forward, will we have to continually press upon those who were elected to simply do their job in representing us? My mantra of the day: I am asking again: The original stimulus plan was developed using a team of top economists, who have the credentials to develop the right recipe for success. The chipping away at the recipe by a bunch who neither the credentials nor the knowledge to put together a better plan OR a better solution, only egos following the not-my-idea plan of action, is this how we fix the problem for the citizens? I am e-mailing my Congress representatives and asking them these questions; what are you doing today? Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:47:47 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_The-Stimulus-Plan/BLOG/181217/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-02-09T19:47:47Z Inauguration Day 2009 I am here in Indiana and watched the Elkhart visit on TV.  I thought it was a brilliant move to come here and go to Florida -- straight with no chaser or media spin, unfiltered and effective.  As citizens we need to get on the phone and/or the e-mail and let Congress know who has the power: The citizens of this country have the real power.  We can sit on the sidelines, do nothing, but we better not say a word about what comes from passivity.  OR we can e-mail and call our Congress representative and let them know where we stand."...Only a fool never changes his mind." -- Elwin Wilson, former KKK member who apologized to Congressman Lewis. I am glad the Congressional votes to pass the stimulus bill are there, I am uncomfortable with the reality that these people, who have no real financial worries, who were hired by the very people they are betraying, don't seem to have a problem sacrificing a nation of people in order to strengthen the Republican party, to continue with these immature temper tantrums because this was not their idea, and determination to wreck the structure of the stimulus, so that they can say "See, I told you so." 'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most.' -- Dr. Amos Wilson These people are not economists, so you'll pardon me when I say that just complaining about the content, without offering a superior alternative, is just useless.  Going forward, will we have to continually press upon those who were elected to simply do their job in representing us? My mantra of the day: I am asking again: The original stimulus plan was developed using a team of top economists, who have the credentials to develop the right recipe for success. The chipping away at the recipe by a bunch who neither the credentials nor the knowledge to put together a better plan OR a better solution, only egos following the not-my-idea plan of action, is this how we fix the problem for the citizens? I am e-mailing my Congress representatives and asking them these questions; what are you doing today? elkhart, florida, obama, plan, stimulus nonadult false The Stimulus Plan text blog elkhart,florida,obama,plan,stimulus 168 0 0.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 1 0 181217 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_ETTA-JAMES-YOU-NEED-TO-APOLOGIZE/BLOG/178861/16936.html Etta James has been an iconic performer from back in the day, whose talent was resurrected in our consciousness through the film Cadillac Records.  Something for which she should be grateful.  But in this modern day era of  "fifteen minutes of fame by controversy" James chose to make unprovoked, disparaging comments about Beyonce and about President Obama during a performance.  I get it. Really.  You believe that no one can sing a song you don't own but you.  So the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head.  Nobody wears this shade of green well, it is an unattractive decision.  At age 71 it would seem that you would have chosen to take a higher road and demonstrated some class and restraint.  I personally had misgivings about the choice, but it wasn't my decision to make and I think she gave a hearfelt performance and was humbled by the honor. My issue is the disparaging comments made about President Obama.  The disparaging, unprovoked attack did not go unnoticed by the media, but I suspect you knew that.  As was stated on CNN, a white person would not have gotten away with making such statements.  Well, you don't either.  You owe President Obama a public apology.  The baseless attack was completely disrespectful.  You don't get a pass because he is a person of color.  Whether you like him or not, voted for him or not, he is indeed your president unless you are planning to become a citizen of another country.   In these critical economic times, the last thing this country needs is more unfounded negativity from people who don't really have a reason to make remarks that reinforce those who have issues based upon race not performance.  This is a free country where anyone can say what they want.  I do, however, have the right to not support those who choose to go the route of being mean-spitited and small; if that is the platform upon which you choose to leave your legacy, then I suspect you don't have a leg to stand on.  Apologize. Etta James has been an iconic performer from back in the day, whose talent was resurrected in our consciousness through the film Cadillac Records.  Something for which she should be grateful.  But in this modern day era of  "fifteen minutes of fame by controversy" James chose to make unprovoked, disparaging comments about Beyonce and about President Obama during a performance.  I get it. Really.  You believe that no one can sing a song you don't own but you.  So the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head.  Nobody wears this shade of green well, it is an unattractive decision.  At age 71 it would seem that you would have chosen to take a higher road and demonstrated some class and restraint.  I personally had misgivings about the choice, but it wasn't my decision to make and I think she gave a hearfelt performance and was humbled by the honor. My issue is the disparaging comments made about President Obama.  The disparaging, unprovoked attack did not go unnoticed by the media, but I suspect you knew that.  As was stated on CNN, a white person would not have gotten away with making such statements.  Well, you don't either.  You owe President Obama a public apology.  The baseless attack was completely disrespectful.  You don't get a pass because he is a person of color.  Whether you like him or not, voted for him or not, he is indeed your president unless you are planning to become a citizen of another country.   In these critical economic times, the last thing this country needs is more unfounded negativity from people who don't really have a reason to make remarks that reinforce those who have issues based upon race not performance.  This is a free country where anyone can say what they want.  I do, however, have the right to not support those who choose to go the route of being mean-spitited and small; if that is the platform upon which you choose to leave your legacy, then I suspect you don't have a leg to stand on.  Apologize. Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:10:19 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_ETTA-JAMES-YOU-NEED-TO-APOLOGIZE/BLOG/178861/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-02-06T15:10:19Z Inauguration Day 2009 Etta James has been an iconic performer from back in the day, whose talent was resurrected in our consciousness through the film Cadillac Records.  Something for which she should be grateful.  But in this modern day era of  "fifteen minutes of fame by controversy" James chose to make unprovoked, disparaging comments about Beyonce and about President Obama during a performance.  I get it. Really.  You believe that no one can sing a song you don't own but you.  So the green-eyed monster reared its ugly head.  Nobody wears this shade of green well, it is an unattractive decision.  At age 71 it would seem that you would have chosen to take a higher road and demonstrated some class and restraint.  I personally had misgivings about the choice, but it wasn't my decision to make and I think she gave a hearfelt performance and was humbled by the honor. My issue is the disparaging comments made about President Obama.  The disparaging, unprovoked attack did not go unnoticed by the media, but I suspect you knew that.  As was stated on CNN, a white person would not have gotten away with making such statements.  Well, you don't either.  You owe President Obama a public apology.  The baseless attack was completely disrespectful.  You don't get a pass because he is a person of color.  Whether you like him or not, voted for him or not, he is indeed your president unless you are planning to become a citizen of another country.   In these critical economic times, the last thing this country needs is more unfounded negativity from people who don't really have a reason to make remarks that reinforce those who have issues based upon race not performance.  This is a free country where anyone can say what they want.  I do, however, have the right to not support those who choose to go the route of being mean-spitited and small; if that is the platform upon which you choose to leave your legacy, then I suspect you don't have a leg to stand on.  Apologize. beyonce, etta, james, obama nonadult false ETTA JAMES: YOU NEED TO APOLOGIZE text blog beyonce,etta,james,obama 258 0 0.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 0 0 178861 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_ITS-TIME/BLOG/178543/16936.html  Have you ever been in a relationship where you did everything you could to make it work only to finally realize the one or ones you have done everything for to make it work with had their own agendas all along or that they just aren't as principled as you are or that they wanted to be like you so much that they thought that if they ignored their own baggage it would somehow disappear. People only know what you tell them as truth, when there is no paper trail. President Obama is human, not a Messiah; no crystal balls in the oval office. The President gave a speech tonight. Time for us to get more involved. If you have people in Washington who are not representing the people who put them in office, and are playing childish games because they don't get to run things the way they used to, you should give them a call and remind them who put them there. They work for you, and your friends and neighbors. Make sure they are allocating the money directly to the mayors, not the governors. If your governor is like mine, then he or she has no intention of using the money the way it was intended and will then blame the president because the stimulus did not work after it's all gone. I have had enough of political spin by the media, the sniping over inconsequential issues, the false stories designed to detract, the old guard in Washington with the self-righteous rhetoric, who haven't delivered anything significant to their constituents in their entire careers. The good old boys club needs to realize the party is over. Time for grown ups to show up and take responsibility instead of a bunch of people holding their collective breaths until they turn blue.   Have you ever been in a relationship where you did everything you could to make it work only to finally realize the one or ones you have done everything for to make it work with had their own agendas all along or that they just aren't as principled as you are or that they wanted to be like you so much that they thought that if they ignored their own baggage it would somehow disappear. People only know what you tell them as truth, when there is no paper trail. President Obama is human, not a Messiah; no crystal balls in the oval office. The President gave a speech tonight. Time for us to get more involved. If you have people in Washington who are not representing the people who put them in office, and are playing childish games because they don't get to run things the way they used to, you should give them a call and remind them who put them there. They work for you, and your friends and neighbors. Make sure they are allocating the money directly to the mayors, not the governors. If your governor is like mine, then he or she has no intention of using the money the way it was intended and will then blame the president because the stimulus did not work after it's all gone. I have had enough of political spin by the media, the sniping over inconsequential issues, the false stories designed to detract, the old guard in Washington with the self-righteous rhetoric, who haven't delivered anything significant to their constituents in their entire careers. The good old boys club needs to realize the party is over. Time for grown ups to show up and take responsibility instead of a bunch of people holding their collective breaths until they turn blue.  Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:42:40 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_ITS-TIME/BLOG/178543/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-02-06T03:42:40Z Inauguration Day 2009  Have you ever been in a relationship where you did everything you could to make it work only to finally realize the one or ones you have done everything for to make it work with had their own agendas all along or that they just aren't as principled as you are or that they wanted to be like you so much that they thought that if they ignored their own baggage it would somehow disappear. People only know what you tell them as truth, when there is no paper trail. President Obama is human, not a Messiah; no crystal balls in the oval office. The President gave a speech tonight. Time for us to get more involved. If you have people in Washington who are not representing the people who put them in office, and are playing childish games because they don't get to run things the way they used to, you should give them a call and remind them who put them there. They work for you, and your friends and neighbors. Make sure they are allocating the money directly to the mayors, not the governors. If your governor is like mine, then he or she has no intention of using the money the way it was intended and will then blame the president because the stimulus did not work after it's all gone. I have had enough of political spin by the media, the sniping over inconsequential issues, the false stories designed to detract, the old guard in Washington with the self-righteous rhetoric, who haven't delivered anything significant to their constituents in their entire careers. The good old boys club needs to realize the party is over. Time for grown ups to show up and take responsibility instead of a bunch of people holding their collective breaths until they turn blue.  obama, plan, president, republicans, stimulus nonadult false IT'S TIME... text blog obama,plan,president,republicans,stimulus 165 0 0.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 0 0 178543 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_RNC-Chair-Michael-Steele-Well-Suted-Irrelevance/BLOG/176353/16936.html This is most likely the shortest post I've ever made on this site, which tells you what I think of the subject who really doesn't matter.  There is a news article," RNC Chair Steele Itching for a Fight with Obama" posted online today.  Soooo...let me get this straight..... according to another article posted recently where Republicans were polled, their preference to having the example of Palin consistently spread the myths of terrorist -- along with other racially divisive rumor mongering in an effort to politically hang President Obama -- is exactly what Republicans want to be when they grow up...yeah, that's exactly who I'd want to tell my kids to follow as a role model. Now they have current RNC Chairman Michael Steele, who claimed, this past Friday, that the Republican party is just fine the way it is, which is seems to be a cultural oxymoron -- coming from him. Steele, who tried portraying himself as a Democrat in his failed 2006 Senatorial race in  Maryland, handing out a "Democratic Sample Ballot" that implied he was a party member and distributing signs that read, "Steele: Democrat." Steele who, according to reports, has yet to pass the bar exam.  Steele, who is the perfect example of when you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything. I still believe that when people show you who they are, you should believe them and act accordingly.   Steele sounds more like a person who likes to believe he  actually has  relevance, or maybe he realizes how irrelevant he is and is doing the usual attention-by-controversy run for media attention. Steele would do better to figure out what is fundamentally killing the Republican party and find the cure. This childish nonsense of trying to pick a fight is just more of the same rhetoric from a group of people who have nothing else to offer, certainly haven't seen any real solutions to the current economic crisis penned by the GOP, but maybe I missed the memo.  Steele is nothing more than a transparent view to the heart of the desperation and lack of focus the Republican party is immersed in. In their arrogance they believe that we will pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, calling all the shots. (For those who don't recognize...a reference to the Wizard of Oz. This is most likely the shortest post I've ever made on this site, which tells you what I think of the subject who really doesn't matter.  There is a news article," RNC Chair Steele Itching for a Fight with Obama" posted online today.  Soooo...let me get this straight..... according to another article posted recently where Republicans were polled, their preference to having the example of Palin consistently spread the myths of terrorist -- along with other racially divisive rumor mongering in an effort to politically hang President Obama -- is exactly what Republicans want to be when they grow up...yeah, that's exactly who I'd want to tell my kids to follow as a role model. Now they have current RNC Chairman Michael Steele, who claimed, this past Friday, that the Republican party is just fine the way it is, which is seems to be a cultural oxymoron -- coming from him. Steele, who tried portraying himself as a Democrat in his failed 2006 Senatorial race in  Maryland, handing out a "Democratic Sample Ballot" that implied he was a party member and distributing signs that read, "Steele: Democrat." Steele who, according to reports, has yet to pass the bar exam.  Steele, who is the perfect example of when you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything. I still believe that when people show you who they are, you should believe them and act accordingly.   Steele sounds more like a person who likes to believe he  actually has  relevance, or maybe he realizes how irrelevant he is and is doing the usual attention-by-controversy run for media attention. Steele would do better to figure out what is fundamentally killing the Republican party and find the cure. This childish nonsense of trying to pick a fight is just more of the same rhetoric from a group of people who have nothing else to offer, certainly haven't seen any real solutions to the current economic crisis penned by the GOP, but maybe I missed the memo.  Steele is nothing more than a transparent view to the heart of the desperation and lack of focus the Republican party is immersed in. In their arrogance they believe that we will pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, calling all the shots. (For those who don't recognize...a reference to the Wizard of Oz. Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:52:44 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_RNC-Chair-Michael-Steele-Well-Suted-Irrelevance/BLOG/176353/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-02-04T19:52:44Z Inauguration Day 2009 This is most likely the shortest post I've ever made on this site, which tells you what I think of the subject who really doesn't matter.  There is a news article," RNC Chair Steele Itching for a Fight with Obama" posted online today.  Soooo...let me get this straight..... according to another article posted recently where Republicans were polled, their preference to having the example of Palin consistently spread the myths of terrorist -- along with other racially divisive rumor mongering in an effort to politically hang President Obama -- is exactly what Republicans want to be when they grow up...yeah, that's exactly who I'd want to tell my kids to follow as a role model. Now they have current RNC Chairman Michael Steele, who claimed, this past Friday, that the Republican party is just fine the way it is, which is seems to be a cultural oxymoron -- coming from him. Steele, who tried portraying himself as a Democrat in his failed 2006 Senatorial race in  Maryland, handing out a "Democratic Sample Ballot" that implied he was a party member and distributing signs that read, "Steele: Democrat." Steele who, according to reports, has yet to pass the bar exam.  Steele, who is the perfect example of when you stand for nothing, you'll fall for anything. I still believe that when people show you who they are, you should believe them and act accordingly.   Steele sounds more like a person who likes to believe he  actually has  relevance, or maybe he realizes how irrelevant he is and is doing the usual attention-by-controversy run for media attention. Steele would do better to figure out what is fundamentally killing the Republican party and find the cure. This childish nonsense of trying to pick a fight is just more of the same rhetoric from a group of people who have nothing else to offer, certainly haven't seen any real solutions to the current economic crisis penned by the GOP, but maybe I missed the memo.  Steele is nothing more than a transparent view to the heart of the desperation and lack of focus the Republican party is immersed in. In their arrogance they believe that we will pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, calling all the shots. (For those who don't recognize...a reference to the Wizard of Oz. obama, party, republican, rnc, steele nonadult false RNC Chair Michael Steele: Well Suted Irrelevance text blog obama,party,republican,rnc,steele 269 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 4 0 176353 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Amnau-Lee-Interview-The-Real-Story/BLOG/172433/16936.html Michelle's Controversy Swirls - Women's Wear Daily, 1-27-09First Lady Under Fire... - Women's Wear Daily, 1-22-09Michelle Obama under fire for not wearing black designer - Chicago Sun Times, 1-26-09Black Artists Association Co-Founder Slams Michelle Obama's "Kumbaya" Designer Picks - Huffington Post, 1-26-09Like most, the above headlines piqued my interest. Curious, I read the original article that launched the perceived firestorm, the Women's Wear Daily, and found myself becoming annoyed. Coincidentally, I was working on a re-write of an op-ed for a newspaper and since I wanted to include an example, this seemed to be the perfect storm. The blog attached to the Huffington Post version of the story was filled with sarcasm, anger, outrage, indignant overtures, exasperation, along with the usual suspects who hide behind their computers spewing their venomous racism.Who was Amnau Eele and what was this Black Artists Association anyway? Why did their point of view rate interest from WWD and the Chicago Sun Times? It didn't add up. I searched the Internet for information about this organization, asked around among visual fine artists I knew, to find out why the opinion of this particular African American organization was deemed important enough to gain attention from WWD. Could not find it, there was no 501C3 certification and they were not incorporated in the state of New York, not even a website. All of the normal trappings one expects of an organization that had the clout to gain the attention of three primary media outlets. This organization had none. Well, who was Amanu Eele? Why was her point of view attention worthy? By the Monday night, the comments online had become meaner, with some reaching self-determined conclusions, judgments of both the person and the organization, and - as happens still - with African Americans in general, since many still believe that one person speaks for all, when it comes to African America. But then there was still something that bothered me about this story. Yes, the First Lady's choice of designers is not even on the scale in comparison to the economic landslide this country was struggling to survive, along with global unrest and environmental concerns. But to me this was not so much about the players as it was about the play. As much as I could tell, this was the opinion of one person, not a celebrity, not a fashion designer, was not really a known artist. So it was really about the play, namely, the media. This is a perfect example of a false story, a term coined for stories manipulated by journalists to create controversy and outrage. Controversy has become the gold standard that today's media is mining. Controversy is rewarded by more visibility for the journalist, never mind the effect on the subject of the controversy.I acquired contact information for Eele, and left a message. To my surprise she called. It was Tuesday and there were new additions to the story; highlighting the fact that she had been threatened because of the story in WWD. I believe in objectivity when searching for the truth, otherwise it's harder to see when bias obstructs the view. Here is what I found: the Black Artists Association is a group of painters, none of whom are fashion designers. The group has been around since 1996 and is self supported in its mission. It is a community outreach organization that is completely focused on aiding the homeless, the underserved, the displaced and most importantly, the youth." We paint secondary artwork to pay bills or for what we do. We are simple, there is nothing to hide," said Eele. They have their own version of social enterprise, selling books and other paraphernalia throughout the day, and use the money raised to purchase Metro cards, food, whatever is needed by those they serve on the streets of New York City. "We are an underground organization and we like it that way," says Amanu. "I have had my twenty minutes of fame and I am not interested in being in the public eye." stated the former runway model. "We don't have websites, and we have no need to be a corporation. We call people when we need them to buy a coat for a person or help them get a job. I don't want anyone to ever ask what we did with their money, so we don't ask anyone for it. .I use my own money and do what I need to do to help." "I have been accosted on the street as a result of the article, which I hadn't even read," said Amnau. "People just assumed that I was disrespecting First Lady Obama and that cannot be further from the truth." "I have the utmost respect for the First Lady and all that she has accomplished. I just have the point of view that, for the young ones who are struggling to find their way, they needed to see her in support of the African American designers. They are not on the runways during fashion week. Now we deal with the young every day. I just wanted to get some attention given to the African American designers by First Lady Obama, since she is the ultimate role model right now. I don't give phone interviews, yours is one of the very few, because I would rather e-mail answers to questions and not have my words changed.' Eele continues, "It's more important to us that the truth is written and spoken. And we can use that free time to do what we do everyday, feed homeless people, pass out metro cards to them, help young kids attending schools get computers, art supplies, coats, jobs." Amnau had to leave our interview because it was time to distribute the metro cards and the line was already forming. She did want me to read the e-mails she'd sent to WWD and to the Chicago Sun Times. She said no other publication had contacted her, even though they ran stories. "You'll see that I never, ever would have disrespected First Lady Obama by saying anything like "Kumbaya" or "We Are The World" or "This was our moment." or any of those comments in Women's Wear Daily." "When I found out what the article said, I asked the writer at Women's Wear Daily, [Rosemary Feitelberg], why did she do that?" "Black Artists Association does not represent designers, we represent painters only. oil on canvas. In fact, my husband is upset with me because all of this is a distraction from our role in the community; we represent painters, not fashion designers. We help a lot of artists whose work is labeled "outsider art" to find shelter and jobs in NYC. Many of these artists are sent to HAI, an organization that helps outsider artists in NYC. We also help other artists to find work in the art world - TV and Indie film industry as art directors - set designers, prop masters etc....BAA does not speak for anyone except our organization." "First Lady Obama is not obligated to support any designer, no matter the color. "We applaud her choice of including non-African-American designers like Isabel Toledo and Jason Wu for many of her White House functions. Both are very talented designers. We also thank Ms. Toledo and Mr. Wu for booking African-American models for their runway shows before Mrs. Obama entered the White House. But as a former couture model who has watched non-black designers ignore qualified black talent for years, it's sad to see some of those same designers line up to dress the new first lady of America while many young talented black designers face losing their studios and homes. That was my point." "Now I have this interview with Nightline on ABC and heard from CNN and then I will go back to doing what we do, because we are helping people. We are not interested in any more interviews."Amnau invited me to come see her when I am in New York and walk with her for a day and see what she is trying to impact. Amnau became emotional, feeling overwhelmed by the increased number of homeless and displaced, wanting to provide more emotional and physical support than they are physically able to give, yet the Eeles are not deterred from trying. "I have three teeth I lost when we were in Miami helping homeless un-documented Haitian refugees, artists who hid under bridges in Miami . I was punched in the face, beaten because we were there helping them. I did not get them replaced because, for me, it is my badge of honor for what we did there." "I believe that we, my husband and I, are doing what God intended for us."Author's note: 'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most.' -- Dr.Amos Wilson. This story is not about the story. This is about human behavior, the media and how fiction can easily become fact if the media source is deemed credible and the subject is an unknown. Amnau Elle's life journey is an interesting one, there is certainly more to her than what most will ever hear about. What I personally took from this experience is none of us should rush to judgment and allow perceptions we are offered to replace reality, just because we think the information source can be trusted. Now, more than ever, truth has to become the new gold standard, if we are to ever affect real change.E. Joyce Moore is a writer and author of Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought. Michelle's Controversy Swirls - Women's Wear Daily, 1-27-09First Lady Under Fire... - Women's Wear Daily, 1-22-09Michelle Obama under fire for not wearing black designer - Chicago Sun Times, 1-26-09Black Artists Association Co-Founder Slams Michelle Obama's "Kumbaya" Designer Picks - Huffington Post, 1-26-09Like most, the above headlines piqued my interest. Curious, I read the original article that launched the perceived firestorm, the Women's Wear Daily, and found myself becoming annoyed. Coincidentally, I was working on a re-write of an op-ed for a newspaper and since I wanted to include an example, this seemed to be the perfect storm. The blog attached to the Huffington Post version of the story was filled with sarcasm, anger, outrage, indignant overtures, exasperation, along with the usual suspects who hide behind their computers spewing their venomous racism.Who was Amnau Eele and what was this Black Artists Association anyway? Why did their point of view rate interest from WWD and the Chicago Sun Times? It didn't add up. I searched the Internet for information about this organization, asked around among visual fine artists I knew, to find out why the opinion of this particular African American organization was deemed important enough to gain attention from WWD. Could not find it, there was no 501C3 certification and they were not incorporated in the state of New York, not even a website. All of the normal trappings one expects of an organization that had the clout to gain the attention of three primary media outlets. This organization had none. Well, who was Amanu Eele? Why was her point of view attention worthy? By the Monday night, the comments online had become meaner, with some reaching self-determined conclusions, judgments of both the person and the organization, and - as happens still - with African Americans in general, since many still believe that one person speaks for all, when it comes to African America. But then there was still something that bothered me about this story. Yes, the First Lady's choice of designers is not even on the scale in comparison to the economic landslide this country was struggling to survive, along with global unrest and environmental concerns. But to me this was not so much about the players as it was about the play. As much as I could tell, this was the opinion of one person, not a celebrity, not a fashion designer, was not really a known artist. So it was really about the play, namely, the media. This is a perfect example of a false story, a term coined for stories manipulated by journalists to create controversy and outrage. Controversy has become the gold standard that today's media is mining. Controversy is rewarded by more visibility for the journalist, never mind the effect on the subject of the controversy.I acquired contact information for Eele, and left a message. To my surprise she called. It was Tuesday and there were new additions to the story; highlighting the fact that she had been threatened because of the story in WWD. I believe in objectivity when searching for the truth, otherwise it's harder to see when bias obstructs the view. Here is what I found: the Black Artists Association is a group of painters, none of whom are fashion designers. The group has been around since 1996 and is self supported in its mission. It is a community outreach organization that is completely focused on aiding the homeless, the underserved, the displaced and most importantly, the youth." We paint secondary artwork to pay bills or for what we do. We are simple, there is nothing to hide," said Eele. They have their own version of social enterprise, selling books and other paraphernalia throughout the day, and use the money raised to purchase Metro cards, food, whatever is needed by those they serve on the streets of New York City. "We are an underground organization and we like it that way," says Amanu. "I have had my twenty minutes of fame and I am not interested in being in the public eye." stated the former runway model. "We don't have websites, and we have no need to be a corporation. We call people when we need them to buy a coat for a person or help them get a job. I don't want anyone to ever ask what we did with their money, so we don't ask anyone for it. .I use my own money and do what I need to do to help." "I have been accosted on the street as a result of the article, which I hadn't even read," said Amnau. "People just assumed that I was disrespecting First Lady Obama and that cannot be further from the truth." "I have the utmost respect for the First Lady and all that she has accomplished. I just have the point of view that, for the young ones who are struggling to find their way, they needed to see her in support of the African American designers. They are not on the runways during fashion week. Now we deal with the young every day. I just wanted to get some attention given to the African American designers by First Lady Obama, since she is the ultimate role model right now. I don't give phone interviews, yours is one of the very few, because I would rather e-mail answers to questions and not have my words changed.' Eele continues, "It's more important to us that the truth is written and spoken. And we can use that free time to do what we do everyday, feed homeless people, pass out metro cards to them, help young kids attending schools get computers, art supplies, coats, jobs." Amnau had to leave our interview because it was time to distribute the metro cards and the line was already forming. She did want me to read the e-mails she'd sent to WWD and to the Chicago Sun Times. She said no other publication had contacted her, even though they ran stories. "You'll see that I never, ever would have disrespected First Lady Obama by saying anything like "Kumbaya" or "We Are The World" or "This was our moment." or any of those comments in Women's Wear Daily." "When I found out what the article said, I asked the writer at Women's Wear Daily, [Rosemary Feitelberg], why did she do that?" "Black Artists Association does not represent designers, we represent painters only. oil on canvas. In fact, my husband is upset with me because all of this is a distraction from our role in the community; we represent painters, not fashion designers. We help a lot of artists whose work is labeled "outsider art" to find shelter and jobs in NYC. Many of these artists are sent to HAI, an organization that helps outsider artists in NYC. We also help other artists to find work in the art world - TV and Indie film industry as art directors - set designers, prop masters etc....BAA does not speak for anyone except our organization." "First Lady Obama is not obligated to support any designer, no matter the color. "We applaud her choice of including non-African-American designers like Isabel Toledo and Jason Wu for many of her White House functions. Both are very talented designers. We also thank Ms. Toledo and Mr. Wu for booking African-American models for their runway shows before Mrs. Obama entered the White House. But as a former couture model who has watched non-black designers ignore qualified black talent for years, it's sad to see some of those same designers line up to dress the new first lady of America while many young talented black designers face losing their studios and homes. That was my point." "Now I have this interview with Nightline on ABC and heard from CNN and then I will go back to doing what we do, because we are helping people. We are not interested in any more interviews."Amnau invited me to come see her when I am in New York and walk with her for a day and see what she is trying to impact. Amnau became emotional, feeling overwhelmed by the increased number of homeless and displaced, wanting to provide more emotional and physical support than they are physically able to give, yet the Eeles are not deterred from trying. "I have three teeth I lost when we were in Miami helping homeless un-documented Haitian refugees, artists who hid under bridges in Miami . I was punched in the face, beaten because we were there helping them. I did not get them replaced because, for me, it is my badge of honor for what we did there." "I believe that we, my husband and I, are doing what God intended for us."Author's note: 'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most.' -- Dr.Amos Wilson. This story is not about the story. This is about human behavior, the media and how fiction can easily become fact if the media source is deemed credible and the subject is an unknown. Amnau Elle's life journey is an interesting one, there is certainly more to her than what most will ever hear about. What I personally took from this experience is none of us should rush to judgment and allow perceptions we are offered to replace reality, just because we think the information source can be trusted. Now, more than ever, truth has to become the new gold standard, if we are to ever affect real change.E. Joyce Moore is a writer and author of Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought. Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:34:56 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Amnau-Lee-Interview-The-Real-Story/BLOG/172433/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-01-30T16:34:56Z Inauguration Day 2009 Michelle's Controversy Swirls - Women's Wear Daily, 1-27-09First Lady Under Fire... - Women's Wear Daily, 1-22-09Michelle Obama under fire for not wearing black designer - Chicago Sun Times, 1-26-09Black Artists Association Co-Founder Slams Michelle Obama's "Kumbaya" Designer Picks - Huffington Post, 1-26-09Like most, the above headlines piqued my interest. Curious, I read the original article that launched the perceived firestorm, the Women's Wear Daily, and found myself becoming annoyed. Coincidentally, I was working on a re-write of an op-ed for a newspaper and since I wanted to include an example, this seemed to be the perfect storm. The blog attached to the Huffington Post version of the story was filled with sarcasm, anger, outrage, indignant overtures, exasperation, along with the usual suspects who hide behind their computers spewing their venomous racism.Who was Amnau Eele and what was this Black Artists Association anyway? Why did their point of view rate interest from WWD and the Chicago Sun Times? It didn't add up. I searched the Internet for information about this organization, asked around among visual fine artists I knew, to find out why the opinion of this particular African American organization was deemed important enough to gain attention from WWD. Could not find it, there was no 501C3 certification and they were not incorporated in the state of New York, not even a website. All of the normal trappings one expects of an organization that had the clout to gain the attention of three primary media outlets. This organization had none. Well, who was Amanu Eele? Why was her point of view attention worthy? By the Monday night, the comments online had become meaner, with some reaching self-determined conclusions, judgments of both the person and the organization, and - as happens still - with African Americans in general, since many still believe that one person speaks for all, when it comes to African America. But then there was still something that bothered me about this story. Yes, the First Lady's choice of designers is not even on the scale in comparison to the economic landslide this country was struggling to survive, along with global unrest and environmental concerns. But to me this was not so much about the players as it was about the play. As much as I could tell, this was the opinion of one person, not a celebrity, not a fashion designer, was not really a known artist. So it was really about the play, namely, the media. This is a perfect example of a false story, a term coined for stories manipulated by journalists to create controversy and outrage. Controversy has become the gold standard that today's media is mining. Controversy is rewarded by more visibility for the journalist, never mind the effect on the subject of the controversy.I acquired contact information for Eele, and left a message. To my surprise she called. It was Tuesday and there were new additions to the story; highlighting the fact that she had been threatened because of the story in WWD. I believe in objectivity when searching for the truth, otherwise it's harder to see when bias obstructs the view. Here is what I found: the Black Artists Association is a group of painters, none of whom are fashion designers. The group has been around since 1996 and is self supported in its mission. It is a community outreach organization that is completely focused on aiding the homeless, the underserved, the displaced and most importantly, the youth." We paint secondary artwork to pay bills or for what we do. We are simple, there is nothing to hide," said Eele. They have their own version of social enterprise, selling books and other paraphernalia throughout the day, and use the money raised to purchase Metro cards, food, whatever is needed by those they serve on the streets of New York City. "We are an underground organization and we like it that way," says Amanu. "I have had my twenty minutes of fame and I am not interested in being in the public eye." stated the former runway model. "We don't have websites, and we have no need to be a corporation. We call people when we need them to buy a coat for a person or help them get a job. I don't want anyone to ever ask what we did with their money, so we don't ask anyone for it. .I use my own money and do what I need to do to help." "I have been accosted on the street as a result of the article, which I hadn't even read," said Amnau. "People just assumed that I was disrespecting First Lady Obama and that cannot be further from the truth." "I have the utmost respect for the First Lady and all that she has accomplished. I just have the point of view that, for the young ones who are struggling to find their way, they needed to see her in support of the African American designers. They are not on the runways during fashion week. Now we deal with the young every day. I just wanted to get some attention given to the African American designers by First Lady Obama, since she is the ultimate role model right now. I don't give phone interviews, yours is one of the very few, because I would rather e-mail answers to questions and not have my words changed.' Eele continues, "It's more important to us that the truth is written and spoken. And we can use that free time to do what we do everyday, feed homeless people, pass out metro cards to them, help young kids attending schools get computers, art supplies, coats, jobs." Amnau had to leave our interview because it was time to distribute the metro cards and the line was already forming. She did want me to read the e-mails she'd sent to WWD and to the Chicago Sun Times. She said no other publication had contacted her, even though they ran stories. "You'll see that I never, ever would have disrespected First Lady Obama by saying anything like "Kumbaya" or "We Are The World" or "This was our moment." or any of those comments in Women's Wear Daily." "When I found out what the article said, I asked the writer at Women's Wear Daily, [Rosemary Feitelberg], why did she do that?" "Black Artists Association does not represent designers, we represent painters only. oil on canvas. In fact, my husband is upset with me because all of this is a distraction from our role in the community; we represent painters, not fashion designers. We help a lot of artists whose work is labeled "outsider art" to find shelter and jobs in NYC. Many of these artists are sent to HAI, an organization that helps outsider artists in NYC. We also help other artists to find work in the art world - TV and Indie film industry as art directors - set designers, prop masters etc....BAA does not speak for anyone except our organization." "First Lady Obama is not obligated to support any designer, no matter the color. "We applaud her choice of including non-African-American designers like Isabel Toledo and Jason Wu for many of her White House functions. Both are very talented designers. We also thank Ms. Toledo and Mr. Wu for booking African-American models for their runway shows before Mrs. Obama entered the White House. But as a former couture model who has watched non-black designers ignore qualified black talent for years, it's sad to see some of those same designers line up to dress the new first lady of America while many young talented black designers face losing their studios and homes. That was my point." "Now I have this interview with Nightline on ABC and heard from CNN and then I will go back to doing what we do, because we are helping people. We are not interested in any more interviews."Amnau invited me to come see her when I am in New York and walk with her for a day and see what she is trying to impact. Amnau became emotional, feeling overwhelmed by the increased number of homeless and displaced, wanting to provide more emotional and physical support than they are physically able to give, yet the Eeles are not deterred from trying. "I have three teeth I lost when we were in Miami helping homeless un-documented Haitian refugees, artists who hid under bridges in Miami . I was punched in the face, beaten because we were there helping them. I did not get them replaced because, for me, it is my badge of honor for what we did there." "I believe that we, my husband and I, are doing what God intended for us."Author's note: 'We hold as the arbiters of truth, those who have lied to us the most.' -- Dr.Amos Wilson. This story is not about the story. This is about human behavior, the media and how fiction can easily become fact if the media source is deemed credible and the subject is an unknown. Amnau Elle's life journey is an interesting one, there is certainly more to her than what most will ever hear about. What I personally took from this experience is none of us should rush to judgment and allow perceptions we are offered to replace reality, just because we think the information source can be trusted. Now, more than ever, truth has to become the new gold standard, if we are to ever affect real change.E. Joyce Moore is a writer and author of Ramblings Through the Attic of Thought. amnau, aritsts, association, black, eele, michelle, obama, wwd nonadult false Amnau Lee Interview: The Real Story text blog amnau,aritsts,association,black,eele,michelle,obama,wwd 316 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 3 0 172433 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_An-Open-Letter-to-CNN-CBS-ABC-NBC-MSNBC-and-all-News-Sources/BLOG/167719/16936.html An Open Letter to NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, and all those in Media, We are in the second full day of the Presidency of our newly sworn in Leader,  President Barack Obama.  He has, more than once committed himself, and those who serve on his team to swift movement and action in their efforts to provide a transparent view of the decisions made by this administration.  In his eloquent inaugural address he also encouraged all of us to take individual responsibility, during this critical time of economic upheaval and global distress with two existing wars we are participating, as well as the developing crises between other countries.  From where I sit, as a citizen he also asked us, essentially, to grow up. So I am baffled.  What part of responsibility, change we can believe in and acting with maturity do you as journalists, or at least who represent what should be journalist do you intend to own?  From Anderson Cooper of CNN, who I had in the past, held in high esteem, to the nameless females pouting on MSNBC Live, who seemed interested in creating controversy where there is none, since that is how one gains visibility and opportunity in the news industry nowadays. I am stunned by both the attitude and general lack of respect I have seen displayed toward this new administration. The rants of faux journalist O'Reilly over the important issue of private jet plane traffic at Dulles Airport during the Inauguration weekend was absolutely surreal, as he babbled on about a rumor that celebrities held up air traffic and about the people who didn't get in to the inauguration because there was no more room to get in-- as though there was some sort of conspiracy. The ongoing rants and pouting because you believe there should be more information than you are receiving and you want access and you want it now have become absurd.  Take a moment to realize a couple of key things:  Transparency means that the information will ultimately be made available at the appropriate time, it does not mean that the media has full real-time access.  You have apparently misunderstood this administration: because this does not mean that the White House is now a reality show and you are the primary participants.  I will quote one of my fellow bloggers who stated this point perfectly: Whenever Obama issues directions, the press takes those directions to the extreme. Open government doesn't mean Reality Show government. We want moderation. We want a permanent audit trail that we can follow to determine when, how, and why our representatives made their decisions. We want a willingness to answer questions in a timely and honest manner so that U.S. citizens can make informed decisions. That's open government.On behalf of the thinking community that makes up the majority of the American citizenry, who are also your clients, as viewers of the programs you offer on your networks, readers of the publications you write on paper or online, listeners to the radio networks, from local to satellite networks, gather yourselves and grow up.We want responsible journalism that is fact based, not an ego trip on your personal point of view.  If you are wondering why your ratings are dropping, why your circulation is falling away, perhaps this gives you a clue. The public is not interested in the verbal  micro-managing and armchair quarterbacking  by the media and it is becoming increasingly annoying. Transparency means that the information will ultimately be made available, it does not mean that the media has full real-time access.  Secondly, I think there needs to be a reminder of what journalism is, In the context of news broadcasting, journalism is the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news or of conducting any news organization as a business. In other words, a conduit of facts based upon acquisition of substantiated truth and researched information. Singular points of view and opinion are saved and identified for the appropriate venue of discussion.  What used to be a privilege -- to be a journalist -- that was provided to a person who has proven his or her ability to deliver an unbiased reporting of the facts in a way that the reader, listener or viewer could rely on as a credible source.  Today it seems that reputations in the news business are being built and rewarded based upon visibility by controversy or access to the mike based upon camera appeal.  It is time that the entire industry takes a page from the new administration and begin to do some introspection and determine how you need to make some significant changes.  While there are certain newscasters who I genuinely believe are true journalists, there are many of you, as well as your producers, who need to reassess how you choose to do your jobs.  I have had enough of the bias and the bull for which no one seems to be holding your feet to the fire. I do not need you to tell me how I should think or feel about the facts that you provide. So here it is: We are looking for and will be going where responsible journalism is offered.  If it is not through you, we will go elsewhere.  You want your ratings?  We want authentic journalism, it's as simple as that.  Grow up. Become responsible.  Not sexy, not controversial, but it is what you should have been doing all along.   There are always at least two sides to every story. Somewhere in between is where the truth is hidden. Those who seek the truth, even when it is not what they want to hear, will live the most genuine life. Your decisions may be the same, but they will be based upon an unadulterated integrity. If there is a small voice inside you whispering questions, have the courage to seek the answers, lest your personal truth becomes counterfeit by omission. Decisions made, actions taken, judgments ruled -- sans listening to every faction with as much objectivity as humanly possible -- will always be based upon warped evidence, ultimately causing those who continue stand upon such flawed reality, to fall. E. Joyce MooreA Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! An Open Letter to NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, and all those in Media, We are in the second full day of the Presidency of our newly sworn in Leader,  President Barack Obama.  He has, more than once committed himself, and those who serve on his team to swift movement and action in their efforts to provide a transparent view of the decisions made by this administration.  In his eloquent inaugural address he also encouraged all of us to take individual responsibility, during this critical time of economic upheaval and global distress with two existing wars we are participating, as well as the developing crises between other countries.  From where I sit, as a citizen he also asked us, essentially, to grow up. So I am baffled.  What part of responsibility, change we can believe in and acting with maturity do you as journalists, or at least who represent what should be journalist do you intend to own?  From Anderson Cooper of CNN, who I had in the past, held in high esteem, to the nameless females pouting on MSNBC Live, who seemed interested in creating controversy where there is none, since that is how one gains visibility and opportunity in the news industry nowadays. I am stunned by both the attitude and general lack of respect I have seen displayed toward this new administration. The rants of faux journalist O'Reilly over the important issue of private jet plane traffic at Dulles Airport during the Inauguration weekend was absolutely surreal, as he babbled on about a rumor that celebrities held up air traffic and about the people who didn't get in to the inauguration because there was no more room to get in-- as though there was some sort of conspiracy. The ongoing rants and pouting because you believe there should be more information than you are receiving and you want access and you want it now have become absurd.  Take a moment to realize a couple of key things:  Transparency means that the information will ultimately be made available at the appropriate time, it does not mean that the media has full real-time access.  You have apparently misunderstood this administration: because this does not mean that the White House is now a reality show and you are the primary participants.  I will quote one of my fellow bloggers who stated this point perfectly: Whenever Obama issues directions, the press takes those directions to the extreme. Open government doesn't mean Reality Show government. We want moderation. We want a permanent audit trail that we can follow to determine when, how, and why our representatives made their decisions. We want a willingness to answer questions in a timely and honest manner so that U.S. citizens can make informed decisions. That's open government.On behalf of the thinking community that makes up the majority of the American citizenry, who are also your clients, as viewers of the programs you offer on your networks, readers of the publications you write on paper or online, listeners to the radio networks, from local to satellite networks, gather yourselves and grow up.We want responsible journalism that is fact based, not an ego trip on your personal point of view.  If you are wondering why your ratings are dropping, why your circulation is falling away, perhaps this gives you a clue. The public is not interested in the verbal  micro-managing and armchair quarterbacking  by the media and it is becoming increasingly annoying. Transparency means that the information will ultimately be made available, it does not mean that the media has full real-time access.  Secondly, I think there needs to be a reminder of what journalism is, In the context of news broadcasting, journalism is the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news or of conducting any news organization as a business. In other words, a conduit of facts based upon acquisition of substantiated truth and researched information. Singular points of view and opinion are saved and identified for the appropriate venue of discussion.  What used to be a privilege -- to be a journalist -- that was provided to a person who has proven his or her ability to deliver an unbiased reporting of the facts in a way that the reader, listener or viewer could rely on as a credible source.  Today it seems that reputations in the news business are being built and rewarded based upon visibility by controversy or access to the mike based upon camera appeal.  It is time that the entire industry takes a page from the new administration and begin to do some introspection and determine how you need to make some significant changes.  While there are certain newscasters who I genuinely believe are true journalists, there are many of you, as well as your producers, who need to reassess how you choose to do your jobs.  I have had enough of the bias and the bull for which no one seems to be holding your feet to the fire. I do not need you to tell me how I should think or feel about the facts that you provide. So here it is: We are looking for and will be going where responsible journalism is offered.  If it is not through you, we will go elsewhere.  You want your ratings?  We want authentic journalism, it's as simple as that.  Grow up. Become responsible.  Not sexy, not controversial, but it is what you should have been doing all along.   There are always at least two sides to every story. Somewhere in between is where the truth is hidden. Those who seek the truth, even when it is not what they want to hear, will live the most genuine life. Your decisions may be the same, but they will be based upon an unadulterated integrity. If there is a small voice inside you whispering questions, have the courage to seek the answers, lest your personal truth becomes counterfeit by omission. Decisions made, actions taken, judgments ruled -- sans listening to every faction with as much objectivity as humanly possible -- will always be based upon warped evidence, ultimately causing those who continue stand upon such flawed reality, to fall. E. Joyce MooreA Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! Thu, 22 Jan 2009 21:28:21 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_An-Open-Letter-to-CNN-CBS-ABC-NBC-MSNBC-and-all-News-Sources/BLOG/167719/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-01-22T21:28:21Z Inauguration Day 2009 An Open Letter to NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, and all those in Media, We are in the second full day of the Presidency of our newly sworn in Leader,  President Barack Obama.  He has, more than once committed himself, and those who serve on his team to swift movement and action in their efforts to provide a transparent view of the decisions made by this administration.  In his eloquent inaugural address he also encouraged all of us to take individual responsibility, during this critical time of economic upheaval and global distress with two existing wars we are participating, as well as the developing crises between other countries.  From where I sit, as a citizen he also asked us, essentially, to grow up. So I am baffled.  What part of responsibility, change we can believe in and acting with maturity do you as journalists, or at least who represent what should be journalist do you intend to own?  From Anderson Cooper of CNN, who I had in the past, held in high esteem, to the nameless females pouting on MSNBC Live, who seemed interested in creating controversy where there is none, since that is how one gains visibility and opportunity in the news industry nowadays. I am stunned by both the attitude and general lack of respect I have seen displayed toward this new administration. The rants of faux journalist O'Reilly over the important issue of private jet plane traffic at Dulles Airport during the Inauguration weekend was absolutely surreal, as he babbled on about a rumor that celebrities held up air traffic and about the people who didn't get in to the inauguration because there was no more room to get in-- as though there was some sort of conspiracy. The ongoing rants and pouting because you believe there should be more information than you are receiving and you want access and you want it now have become absurd.  Take a moment to realize a couple of key things:  Transparency means that the information will ultimately be made available at the appropriate time, it does not mean that the media has full real-time access.  You have apparently misunderstood this administration: because this does not mean that the White House is now a reality show and you are the primary participants.  I will quote one of my fellow bloggers who stated this point perfectly: Whenever Obama issues directions, the press takes those directions to the extreme. Open government doesn't mean Reality Show government. We want moderation. We want a permanent audit trail that we can follow to determine when, how, and why our representatives made their decisions. We want a willingness to answer questions in a timely and honest manner so that U.S. citizens can make informed decisions. That's open government.On behalf of the thinking community that makes up the majority of the American citizenry, who are also your clients, as viewers of the programs you offer on your networks, readers of the publications you write on paper or online, listeners to the radio networks, from local to satellite networks, gather yourselves and grow up.We want responsible journalism that is fact based, not an ego trip on your personal point of view.  If you are wondering why your ratings are dropping, why your circulation is falling away, perhaps this gives you a clue. The public is not interested in the verbal  micro-managing and armchair quarterbacking  by the media and it is becoming increasingly annoying. Transparency means that the information will ultimately be made available, it does not mean that the media has full real-time access.  Secondly, I think there needs to be a reminder of what journalism is, In the context of news broadcasting, journalism is the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news or of conducting any news organization as a business. In other words, a conduit of facts based upon acquisition of substantiated truth and researched information. Singular points of view and opinion are saved and identified for the appropriate venue of discussion.  What used to be a privilege -- to be a journalist -- that was provided to a person who has proven his or her ability to deliver an unbiased reporting of the facts in a way that the reader, listener or viewer could rely on as a credible source.  Today it seems that reputations in the news business are being built and rewarded based upon visibility by controversy or access to the mike based upon camera appeal.  It is time that the entire industry takes a page from the new administration and begin to do some introspection and determine how you need to make some significant changes.  While there are certain newscasters who I genuinely believe are true journalists, there are many of you, as well as your producers, who need to reassess how you choose to do your jobs.  I have had enough of the bias and the bull for which no one seems to be holding your feet to the fire. I do not need you to tell me how I should think or feel about the facts that you provide. So here it is: We are looking for and will be going where responsible journalism is offered.  If it is not through you, we will go elsewhere.  You want your ratings?  We want authentic journalism, it's as simple as that.  Grow up. Become responsible.  Not sexy, not controversial, but it is what you should have been doing all along.   There are always at least two sides to every story. Somewhere in between is where the truth is hidden. Those who seek the truth, even when it is not what they want to hear, will live the most genuine life. Your decisions may be the same, but they will be based upon an unadulterated integrity. If there is a small voice inside you whispering questions, have the courage to seek the answers, lest your personal truth becomes counterfeit by omission. Decisions made, actions taken, judgments ruled -- sans listening to every faction with as much objectivity as humanly possible -- will always be based upon warped evidence, ultimately causing those who continue stand upon such flawed reality, to fall. E. Joyce MooreA Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! abc, cbs, cnn, commentary, journalism, nbc, news, obama, president nonadult false An Open Letter to CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, and all News Sources... text blog abc,cbs,cnn,commentary,journalism,nbc,news,obama,president 317 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 1 0 167719 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_President-Barack-Obama-Change-We-are-just-getting-Started/BLOG/166316/16936.html <embed />st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}I started this on my birthday. as  I had a tradition, over the last seven years, of writing a reflective piece to honor the experiences of the passing year and to offer homage to what the future brings.  This past year, and the year 2009 have a special significance.  We had a presidential election and for the first time I got involved, voicing my views, responding to those of others, watching how humans reacted and responded to changes in nationally held social and political paradigms and documenting it all.  I decided to walk my talk; getting involved in supporting the candidates I felt best represented my political views, who had a vision for what they wanted to accomplish, and the character, intelligence, courage and competence to achieve that vision.  My birthday, my mother’s birthday and the birth date of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is January 15th; in fact, my mother and Dr. King were born on the same day. My mother lived in a time and place where prejudice and discrimination was the norm in the small town of Franklin, Tennessee.  I am full of excitement and great anticipation, for her as much as myself, as the inauguration of President-elect Barack Hussein Obama as the forty-fourth president of the United States is hours away.  I blogged and wrote articles right up to the day of the presidential election.  I was at City Hall to work the polls on Election Day, worried over the behind the scenes chaos with the absentee ballots as human behavior became a looming factor while the minutes before the closing of the polls dwindled away.  I was determined to gain the ultimate experience of that historical night, so I dragged myself downtown to the Democrat’s party here in this so-called red state.  Lo and behold, not only did this red state turn blue, I was stunned when the words flashed on the big screen and the crowd roared, as the media announced that Barack Obama would become our forty-fourth president of the United States.  I could not help but cry.As the months and days pass, the economy tanks, the strife between neighboring countries escalates, natural disasters continue, yet, gas prices magically drop amid all of the insanity on Wall Street and white collared crooks began to rise to the surface like cream in a bottle milked dry, a man with a plan began to gather his team, choose his plays and prepare to implement his vision of what it would take for this country to rise from the economic ashes it was mired in.  All the while, corporate media continued to beat its critical drum albeit with more covert and muted banging, and -- to its discredit -- the Republican Party did what it has always done, continuing to eat its sour grapes, while verbally cannibalizing itself.   But I was exhausted and my writing turned back to my creative self, as my book was unexpectedly picked up and published while the economy continued its freefall, taking with it the artists and art industry of all genres – from visual to literature, from film to music. Michael Anthony Brown, a native D.C. artist, was so inspired by the election of Barack Obama, he created an amazing painting that is priceless (and he is retaining) but did decide to share it with the world by reproducing it as a poster.  I saw the piece and was inspired to write his artist statement: Vision. Hope. Change.  Four years ago, an unassuming voice rose from obscurity to center stage of the National Democratic Convention, initiating the most incredible political journey in our nation’s history.  A ground swell of support, a monumental grassroots effort, engaged the young, not so young, men, women, even children in a national dialogue about change.  Barack H. Obama will become the forty-fourth President of the United States on January 20, 2009.  He will become the first American of color and African descent to attain the most powerful position in the country, transcending the myths, stereotypes, labels, and politics as usual in the process.  It is a role he does not take lightly and did not come easily.  His journey began before he was born. Thousands of steps taken through the shadows of history cleared the path Obama was destined to follow, culminating in his successful hard-fought election to an office most only dream of.  Many footsteps taken, many voices lifted, those who in their own right as ground breaking leaders, as historians, activists, artists, scientists, musicians, politicians, doctors, nurses, lawyers, ministers, housemaids, writers, and yes, community organizers who had the courage to walk their talk, who acted upon their vision and determined that they had a part to play in shaping the fabric out of which this country, our country, the United States is built.  From the life-saving heroism of Harriet Tubman, to the legal judgment of Thurgood Marshall, from the theatric voice of Paul Robeson to wordsmith Zora Neal Hurston, the dance of Twyla Tharp to the philosophy and leadership of Mahatma Ghandi, well over one hundred historical images have been artistically woven into the fabric of President Obama’s shirt and chronicled in the matting surrounding the painting.  This painting captures the demonstrated humility, integrity and heart of a man who has – as the visionary leaders preceding him – setting aside personal pursuits in sacrifice for the greater good.  And he is not alone in this sacrifice. Behind every great man there is the support of a strong and capable woman, whose greater sacrifice, along with that of family and friends demonstrates a generosity of heart and a shared vision of what can be accomplished.  Michelle Obama’s decision to support the candidacy of Barack Obama is an unsung sacrifice of great proportion.  Without her, we would not be celebrating this crossroads in U.S. history.  This work of art is a passionate delineation of history honoring our past, celebrating our future.  As a people uniting, one nation, irrevocably connected by the common crises of economic, ecological and societal devastation, working toward the common goal of resurrecting ourselves as global citizens of a diverse community, in hope of shattering the racial paradigms long held as truth,.  We each have our own journey to take, our own path to make during these challenging times.  Change is the operative action; we must begin to walk our own talk, willing to make our individual sacrifices for the common good of our families, our neighbors, our selves.  We must be realistically optimistic about what can be accomplished.  The journey will not be without challenges, neither the path nor the leader will be perfect, but with continued clarity in vision, hope in the teamed efforts made by we the people, Change will come. Change.  Change your behavior, change your paradigm, change your mind, change your actions, change the outcome, Change.  Change takes time, change takes patience, change takes effort, change takes trying, change takes setbacks, change takes you, change takes me, Change.  Here is what I know: President Barack Obama is not superman, he is human.  He is not perfect, because humans can never be perfect, but that in itself is a separate topic and I don’t want to digress.  He will not be a perfect president; there will be missteps.  To expect miracles, to expect immediate results, is setting him -- and yourself -- up for sure failure.  What we do have, can be assured of, is that he is visionary and a genuine leader.  A true leader serves, includes, directs, listens, collaborates, responds versus reacts, did I say listens, knows when to say when, knows how to say I made a mistake, now how can we resolve it?  His greatest power is in his need not to abuse it, instead he uses it to serve, lift up, empower others who thought they lacked a voice or had a choice.  He does not fear the one thing that defines long term success, yet most don’t have the courage nor the sense of self to realize: that you surround yourself with those who are more experienced, smarter, more creative, more knowledge, more strategic acumen than you do, yet share your vision – even if their concept of how to achieve that vision may differ from his.  And that concept should differ when there is a better answer to the question, a better solution to the problem.   “Yes men or women” are not necessary on the team of a real leader.  You see, a true leader does not need an echo of his own voice, he needs a team that encourages him to make the right choice.(Besides, how boring would it be, if everyone I talked to sounded just like me?) To that end, I have this to say to those insistent upon their attempts to micromanage every move that our new President takes, those who continue to believe that they are right, that there is no way that this President is the best choice for our country: If anyone has done the same comprehensive study and consideration that the team President Obama put together and comes up with a better idea, then put it on the table immediately; I am certain he will listen. If not, criticism from Congress, Right wingers,  media or any other armchair quarterbacks -- without any alternative solution -- is worthless noise. His decisions may not be perfect and please everyone, he may not move on matters as quickly as you or I would like, but we are in uncharted territory. We have two wars, a flat-lining national and global economy, fighting between other countries that will ultimately affect us, not to mention a myriad of social, environmental and human rights issues that require attention. Patience and restraint is required. I also suggest that each of us should contact those who represent us in Congress and let them know where we stand as individuals and that we expect them to voice our points of view through their votes. We do not have time to play political kid games or placate those who believe their personal position is more important than the state of our nation.  It is our individual responsibility to hold them accountable for what they do.  Because what they do – or don’t do – affects you, affects me.While we are waiting for change to come at the government level, we too have to put some skin in the Change game.  It would be tragic to allow that one word – change -- to become a cliché as useless as a New Year’s resolution.  One person   -- you -- can change society one step, one person, one community at a time.  You can change the paradigms within your self, your family, your school, your community, your job, your city, your state, and collectively, your, no our, nation.  We must talk less, act more.  Stop waiting for your ship to come in; figure out how to build a boat, get in it and row.  It has become the cliché to say that our children are our future.  The reality is that they are the mirror reflecting us. Kids do – and believe -- what they see.  It is one thing to tell children what to do – quite another to show them.   If you have lost your self, you cannot expect them to follow your direction to the path down which they need to go.  I/You/me have plenty to work on while we wait for change to come from the external sources.I/you/we have individual and collective responsibilities; if we aren’t a part of the solution, then we are indeed a part of the problem.  Small changes, big changes. Change that moves me/you/us forward, no matter what size it comes in, is growth. Collectively, all change has a big impact.  Hugging your children more, yelling at them less, teaching them the difference between breaking a rule and making a mistake – that is change.  Choosing to listen and learn who people are, rather than assuming their position in our society – that is change.  Picking up the trash on the street where you live, checking in on the elderly couple across the street – that is a change.  Become an advocate for creating neighborhood schools – that is change.    I thought about writing more, but I think that maybe less is more.  I am anxious and excited to see what change will ultimately look like four years, two years, one year, from today. Don't get it twisted. Dr. King  would agree: this is just the beginning, we are just getting started. Change is gonna come.  It’s up to us to determine how.  <embed />st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}I started this on my birthday. as  I had a tradition, over the last seven years, of writing a reflective piece to honor the experiences of the passing year and to offer homage to what the future brings.  This past year, and the year 2009 have a special significance.  We had a presidential election and for the first time I got involved, voicing my views, responding to those of others, watching how humans reacted and responded to changes in nationally held social and political paradigms and documenting it all.  I decided to walk my talk; getting involved in supporting the candidates I felt best represented my political views, who had a vision for what they wanted to accomplish, and the character, intelligence, courage and competence to achieve that vision.  My birthday, my mother’s birthday and the birth date of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is January 15th; in fact, my mother and Dr. King were born on the same day. My mother lived in a time and place where prejudice and discrimination was the norm in the small town of Franklin, Tennessee.  I am full of excitement and great anticipation, for her as much as myself, as the inauguration of President-elect Barack Hussein Obama as the forty-fourth president of the United States is hours away.  I blogged and wrote articles right up to the day of the presidential election.  I was at City Hall to work the polls on Election Day, worried over the behind the scenes chaos with the absentee ballots as human behavior became a looming factor while the minutes before the closing of the polls dwindled away.  I was determined to gain the ultimate experience of that historical night, so I dragged myself downtown to the Democrat’s party here in this so-called red state.  Lo and behold, not only did this red state turn blue, I was stunned when the words flashed on the big screen and the crowd roared, as the media announced that Barack Obama would become our forty-fourth president of the United States.  I could not help but cry.As the months and days pass, the economy tanks, the strife between neighboring countries escalates, natural disasters continue, yet, gas prices magically drop amid all of the insanity on Wall Street and white collared crooks began to rise to the surface like cream in a bottle milked dry, a man with a plan began to gather his team, choose his plays and prepare to implement his vision of what it would take for this country to rise from the economic ashes it was mired in.  All the while, corporate media continued to beat its critical drum albeit with more covert and muted banging, and -- to its discredit -- the Republican Party did what it has always done, continuing to eat its sour grapes, while verbally cannibalizing itself.   But I was exhausted and my writing turned back to my creative self, as my book was unexpectedly picked up and published while the economy continued its freefall, taking with it the artists and art industry of all genres – from visual to literature, from film to music. Michael Anthony Brown, a native D.C. artist, was so inspired by the election of Barack Obama, he created an amazing painting that is priceless (and he is retaining) but did decide to share it with the world by reproducing it as a poster.  I saw the piece and was inspired to write his artist statement: Vision. Hope. Change.  Four years ago, an unassuming voice rose from obscurity to center stage of the National Democratic Convention, initiating the most incredible political journey in our nation’s history.  A ground swell of support, a monumental grassroots effort, engaged the young, not so young, men, women, even children in a national dialogue about change.  Barack H. Obama will become the forty-fourth President of the United States on January 20, 2009.  He will become the first American of color and African descent to attain the most powerful position in the country, transcending the myths, stereotypes, labels, and politics as usual in the process.  It is a role he does not take lightly and did not come easily.  His journey began before he was born. Thousands of steps taken through the shadows of history cleared the path Obama was destined to follow, culminating in his successful hard-fought election to an office most only dream of.  Many footsteps taken, many voices lifted, those who in their own right as ground breaking leaders, as historians, activists, artists, scientists, musicians, politicians, doctors, nurses, lawyers, ministers, housemaids, writers, and yes, community organizers who had the courage to walk their talk, who acted upon their vision and determined that they had a part to play in shaping the fabric out of which this country, our country, the United States is built.  From the life-saving heroism of Harriet Tubman, to the legal judgment of Thurgood Marshall, from the theatric voice of Paul Robeson to wordsmith Zora Neal Hurston, the dance of Twyla Tharp to the philosophy and leadership of Mahatma Ghandi, well over one hundred historical images have been artistically woven into the fabric of President Obama’s shirt and chronicled in the matting surrounding the painting.  This painting captures the demonstrated humility, integrity and heart of a man who has – as the visionary leaders preceding him – setting aside personal pursuits in sacrifice for the greater good.  And he is not alone in this sacrifice. Behind every great man there is the support of a strong and capable woman, whose greater sacrifice, along with that of family and friends demonstrates a generosity of heart and a shared vision of what can be accomplished.  Michelle Obama’s decision to support the candidacy of Barack Obama is an unsung sacrifice of great proportion.  Without her, we would not be celebrating this crossroads in U.S. history.  This work of art is a passionate delineation of history honoring our past, celebrating our future.  As a people uniting, one nation, irrevocably connected by the common crises of economic, ecological and societal devastation, working toward the common goal of resurrecting ourselves as global citizens of a diverse community, in hope of shattering the racial paradigms long held as truth,.  We each have our own journey to take, our own path to make during these challenging times.  Change is the operative action; we must begin to walk our own talk, willing to make our individual sacrifices for the common good of our families, our neighbors, our selves.  We must be realistically optimistic about what can be accomplished.  The journey will not be without challenges, neither the path nor the leader will be perfect, but with continued clarity in vision, hope in the teamed efforts made by we the people, Change will come. Change.  Change your behavior, change your paradigm, change your mind, change your actions, change the outcome, Change.  Change takes time, change takes patience, change takes effort, change takes trying, change takes setbacks, change takes you, change takes me, Change.  Here is what I know: President Barack Obama is not superman, he is human.  He is not perfect, because humans can never be perfect, but that in itself is a separate topic and I don’t want to digress.  He will not be a perfect president; there will be missteps.  To expect miracles, to expect immediate results, is setting him -- and yourself -- up for sure failure.  What we do have, can be assured of, is that he is visionary and a genuine leader.  A true leader serves, includes, directs, listens, collaborates, responds versus reacts, did I say listens, knows when to say when, knows how to say I made a mistake, now how can we resolve it?  His greatest power is in his need not to abuse it, instead he uses it to serve, lift up, empower others who thought they lacked a voice or had a choice.  He does not fear the one thing that defines long term success, yet most don’t have the courage nor the sense of self to realize: that you surround yourself with those who are more experienced, smarter, more creative, more knowledge, more strategic acumen than you do, yet share your vision – even if their concept of how to achieve that vision may differ from his.  And that concept should differ when there is a better answer to the question, a better solution to the problem.   “Yes men or women” are not necessary on the team of a real leader.  You see, a true leader does not need an echo of his own voice, he needs a team that encourages him to make the right choice.(Besides, how boring would it be, if everyone I talked to sounded just like me?) To that end, I have this to say to those insistent upon their attempts to micromanage every move that our new President takes, those who continue to believe that they are right, that there is no way that this President is the best choice for our country: If anyone has done the same comprehensive study and consideration that the team President Obama put together and comes up with a better idea, then put it on the table immediately; I am certain he will listen. If not, criticism from Congress, Right wingers,  media or any other armchair quarterbacks -- without any alternative solution -- is worthless noise. His decisions may not be perfect and please everyone, he may not move on matters as quickly as you or I would like, but we are in uncharted territory. We have two wars, a flat-lining national and global economy, fighting between other countries that will ultimately affect us, not to mention a myriad of social, environmental and human rights issues that require attention. Patience and restraint is required. I also suggest that each of us should contact those who represent us in Congress and let them know where we stand as individuals and that we expect them to voice our points of view through their votes. We do not have time to play political kid games or placate those who believe their personal position is more important than the state of our nation.  It is our individual responsibility to hold them accountable for what they do.  Because what they do – or don’t do – affects you, affects me.While we are waiting for change to come at the government level, we too have to put some skin in the Change game.  It would be tragic to allow that one word – change -- to become a cliché as useless as a New Year’s resolution.  One person   -- you -- can change society one step, one person, one community at a time.  You can change the paradigms within your self, your family, your school, your community, your job, your city, your state, and collectively, your, no our, nation.  We must talk less, act more.  Stop waiting for your ship to come in; figure out how to build a boat, get in it and row.  It has become the cliché to say that our children are our future.  The reality is that they are the mirror reflecting us. Kids do – and believe -- what they see.  It is one thing to tell children what to do – quite another to show them.   If you have lost your self, you cannot expect them to follow your direction to the path down which they need to go.  I/You/me have plenty to work on while we wait for change to come from the external sources.I/you/we have individual and collective responsibilities; if we aren’t a part of the solution, then we are indeed a part of the problem.  Small changes, big changes. Change that moves me/you/us forward, no matter what size it comes in, is growth. Collectively, all change has a big impact.  Hugging your children more, yelling at them less, teaching them the difference between breaking a rule and making a mistake – that is change.  Choosing to listen and learn who people are, rather than assuming their position in our society – that is change.  Picking up the trash on the street where you live, checking in on the elderly couple across the street – that is a change.  Become an advocate for creating neighborhood schools – that is change.    I thought about writing more, but I think that maybe less is more.  I am anxious and excited to see what change will ultimately look like four years, two years, one year, from today. Don't get it twisted. Dr. King  would agree: this is just the beginning, we are just getting started. Change is gonna come.  It’s up to us to determine how.  Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:54:35 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_President-Barack-Obama-Change-We-are-just-getting-Started/BLOG/166316/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-01-20T04:54:35Z Inauguration Day 2009 <embed />st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}I started this on my birthday. as  I had a tradition, over the last seven years, of writing a reflective piece to honor the experiences of the passing year and to offer homage to what the future brings.  This past year, and the year 2009 have a special significance.  We had a presidential election and for the first time I got involved, voicing my views, responding to those of others, watching how humans reacted and responded to changes in nationally held social and political paradigms and documenting it all.  I decided to walk my talk; getting involved in supporting the candidates I felt best represented my political views, who had a vision for what they wanted to accomplish, and the character, intelligence, courage and competence to achieve that vision.  My birthday, my mother’s birthday and the birth date of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is January 15th; in fact, my mother and Dr. King were born on the same day. My mother lived in a time and place where prejudice and discrimination was the norm in the small town of Franklin, Tennessee.  I am full of excitement and great anticipation, for her as much as myself, as the inauguration of President-elect Barack Hussein Obama as the forty-fourth president of the United States is hours away.  I blogged and wrote articles right up to the day of the presidential election.  I was at City Hall to work the polls on Election Day, worried over the behind the scenes chaos with the absentee ballots as human behavior became a looming factor while the minutes before the closing of the polls dwindled away.  I was determined to gain the ultimate experience of that historical night, so I dragged myself downtown to the Democrat’s party here in this so-called red state.  Lo and behold, not only did this red state turn blue, I was stunned when the words flashed on the big screen and the crowd roared, as the media announced that Barack Obama would become our forty-fourth president of the United States.  I could not help but cry.As the months and days pass, the economy tanks, the strife between neighboring countries escalates, natural disasters continue, yet, gas prices magically drop amid all of the insanity on Wall Street and white collared crooks began to rise to the surface like cream in a bottle milked dry, a man with a plan began to gather his team, choose his plays and prepare to implement his vision of what it would take for this country to rise from the economic ashes it was mired in.  All the while, corporate media continued to beat its critical drum albeit with more covert and muted banging, and -- to its discredit -- the Republican Party did what it has always done, continuing to eat its sour grapes, while verbally cannibalizing itself.   But I was exhausted and my writing turned back to my creative self, as my book was unexpectedly picked up and published while the economy continued its freefall, taking with it the artists and art industry of all genres – from visual to literature, from film to music. Michael Anthony Brown, a native D.C. artist, was so inspired by the election of Barack Obama, he created an amazing painting that is priceless (and he is retaining) but did decide to share it with the world by reproducing it as a poster.  I saw the piece and was inspired to write his artist statement: Vision. Hope. Change.  Four years ago, an unassuming voice rose from obscurity to center stage of the National Democratic Convention, initiating the most incredible political journey in our nation’s history.  A ground swell of support, a monumental grassroots effort, engaged the young, not so young, men, women, even children in a national dialogue about change.  Barack H. Obama will become the forty-fourth President of the United States on January 20, 2009.  He will become the first American of color and African descent to attain the most powerful position in the country, transcending the myths, stereotypes, labels, and politics as usual in the process.  It is a role he does not take lightly and did not come easily.  His journey began before he was born. Thousands of steps taken through the shadows of history cleared the path Obama was destined to follow, culminating in his successful hard-fought election to an office most only dream of.  Many footsteps taken, many voices lifted, those who in their own right as ground breaking leaders, as historians, activists, artists, scientists, musicians, politicians, doctors, nurses, lawyers, ministers, housemaids, writers, and yes, community organizers who had the courage to walk their talk, who acted upon their vision and determined that they had a part to play in shaping the fabric out of which this country, our country, the United States is built.  From the life-saving heroism of Harriet Tubman, to the legal judgment of Thurgood Marshall, from the theatric voice of Paul Robeson to wordsmith Zora Neal Hurston, the dance of Twyla Tharp to the philosophy and leadership of Mahatma Ghandi, well over one hundred historical images have been artistically woven into the fabric of President Obama’s shirt and chronicled in the matting surrounding the painting.  This painting captures the demonstrated humility, integrity and heart of a man who has – as the visionary leaders preceding him – setting aside personal pursuits in sacrifice for the greater good.  And he is not alone in this sacrifice. Behind every great man there is the support of a strong and capable woman, whose greater sacrifice, along with that of family and friends demonstrates a generosity of heart and a shared vision of what can be accomplished.  Michelle Obama’s decision to support the candidacy of Barack Obama is an unsung sacrifice of great proportion.  Without her, we would not be celebrating this crossroads in U.S. history.  This work of art is a passionate delineation of history honoring our past, celebrating our future.  As a people uniting, one nation, irrevocably connected by the common crises of economic, ecological and societal devastation, working toward the common goal of resurrecting ourselves as global citizens of a diverse community, in hope of shattering the racial paradigms long held as truth,.  We each have our own journey to take, our own path to make during these challenging times.  Change is the operative action; we must begin to walk our own talk, willing to make our individual sacrifices for the common good of our families, our neighbors, our selves.  We must be realistically optimistic about what can be accomplished.  The journey will not be without challenges, neither the path nor the leader will be perfect, but with continued clarity in vision, hope in the teamed efforts made by we the people, Change will come. Change.  Change your behavior, change your paradigm, change your mind, change your actions, change the outcome, Change.  Change takes time, change takes patience, change takes effort, change takes trying, change takes setbacks, change takes you, change takes me, Change.  Here is what I know: President Barack Obama is not superman, he is human.  He is not perfect, because humans can never be perfect, but that in itself is a separate topic and I don’t want to digress.  He will not be a perfect president; there will be missteps.  To expect miracles, to expect immediate results, is setting him -- and yourself -- up for sure failure.  What we do have, can be assured of, is that he is visionary and a genuine leader.  A true leader serves, includes, directs, listens, collaborates, responds versus reacts, did I say listens, knows when to say when, knows how to say I made a mistake, now how can we resolve it?  His greatest power is in his need not to abuse it, instead he uses it to serve, lift up, empower others who thought they lacked a voice or had a choice.  He does not fear the one thing that defines long term success, yet most don’t have the courage nor the sense of self to realize: that you surround yourself with those who are more experienced, smarter, more creative, more knowledge, more strategic acumen than you do, yet share your vision – even if their concept of how to achieve that vision may differ from his.  And that concept should differ when there is a better answer to the question, a better solution to the problem.   “Yes men or women” are not necessary on the team of a real leader.  You see, a true leader does not need an echo of his own voice, he needs a team that encourages him to make the right choice.(Besides, how boring would it be, if everyone I talked to sounded just like me?) To that end, I have this to say to those insistent upon their attempts to micromanage every move that our new President takes, those who continue to believe that they are right, that there is no way that this President is the best choice for our country: If anyone has done the same comprehensive study and consideration that the team President Obama put together and comes up with a better idea, then put it on the table immediately; I am certain he will listen. If not, criticism from Congress, Right wingers,  media or any other armchair quarterbacks -- without any alternative solution -- is worthless noise. His decisions may not be perfect and please everyone, he may not move on matters as quickly as you or I would like, but we are in uncharted territory. We have two wars, a flat-lining national and global economy, fighting between other countries that will ultimately affect us, not to mention a myriad of social, environmental and human rights issues that require attention. Patience and restraint is required. I also suggest that each of us should contact those who represent us in Congress and let them know where we stand as individuals and that we expect them to voice our points of view through their votes. We do not have time to play political kid games or placate those who believe their personal position is more important than the state of our nation.  It is our individual responsibility to hold them accountable for what they do.  Because what they do – or don’t do – affects you, affects me.While we are waiting for change to come at the government level, we too have to put some skin in the Change game.  It would be tragic to allow that one word – change -- to become a cliché as useless as a New Year’s resolution.  One person   -- you -- can change society one step, one person, one community at a time.  You can change the paradigms within your self, your family, your school, your community, your job, your city, your state, and collectively, your, no our, nation.  We must talk less, act more.  Stop waiting for your ship to come in; figure out how to build a boat, get in it and row.  It has become the cliché to say that our children are our future.  The reality is that they are the mirror reflecting us. Kids do – and believe -- what they see.  It is one thing to tell children what to do – quite another to show them.   If you have lost your self, you cannot expect them to follow your direction to the path down which they need to go.  I/You/me have plenty to work on while we wait for change to come from the external sources.I/you/we have individual and collective responsibilities; if we aren’t a part of the solution, then we are indeed a part of the problem.  Small changes, big changes. Change that moves me/you/us forward, no matter what size it comes in, is growth. Collectively, all change has a big impact.  Hugging your children more, yelling at them less, teaching them the difference between breaking a rule and making a mistake – that is change.  Choosing to listen and learn who people are, rather than assuming their position in our society – that is change.  Picking up the trash on the street where you live, checking in on the elderly couple across the street – that is a change.  Become an advocate for creating neighborhood schools – that is change.    I thought about writing more, but I think that maybe less is more.  I am anxious and excited to see what change will ultimately look like four years, two years, one year, from today. Don't get it twisted. Dr. King  would agree: this is just the beginning, we are just getting started. Change is gonna come.  It’s up to us to determine how.  change, community, inauguration, news, obama, opinion nonadult false President Barack Obama: Change -- We are just getting Started.. text blog change,community,inauguration,news,obama,opinion 184 1 4.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 2 0 166316 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Release-DC-Artist-Commemorates-President-Elect-Barack-Obama-Through-His-Art/BLOG/165012/16936.html [image][image]It was almost incomprehensible: Barack Obama would become the forty-fourth president of the United States.  As an artist Michael Anthony Brown, a sculptor and painter, felt compelled to document this historic event in his own inimitable way: through his art.   Michael Anthony Brown, a native of Washington DC is a fine artist known for his detailed paintings and sculptures.  Brown's unique inclusion of  hidden -- usually historical or symbolic -- objects is an expected pleasure for those who have followed his artistic career and a surprise for those who are yet to discover his work.  He uses his very detailed work to reach back and draw the path journeyed through history as clearly communicated in the sculpture Call of Freedom and  the etching Stars and Stripes.  With the historic election of Barack Obama as president of the United States, Michael Anthony Brown was inspired to create a painting that commemorates the history and captures the spirit of this event.   The creator of the official poster commemorating  the  Million Man March in 1995, Brown rarely creates work that is reproduced for the general public. This poster is one of the very few works that the artist has allowed to be mass produced.     The painting, Obama Hope, incorporates over one hundred images of those whose individual and collective, historical and cultural contributions paved the way to the inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States. Still inspired, Brown is developing future work as a part of a series, so stay tuned. The poster is now available on the website www.obamaworks.com .For interviews or further information about the artist or the commemorative poster, contact E. Joyce Moore on 317.258.3935.    Artist Statement Vision. Hope. Change.  Four years ago, an unassuming voice rose from obscurity to center stage of the National Democratic Convention, initiating the most incredible political journey in our nation’s history.  A ground swell of support, a monumental grassroots effort, engaged the young, not so young, men, women, even children in a national dialogue about change.  Barack H. Obama will become the forty-fourth President of the United States on January 20, 2009.  He will become the first American of color and African descent to attain the most powerful position in the country, transcending the myths, stereotypes, labels, and politics as usual in the process.  It is a role he does not take lightly and did not come easily.  His journey began before he was born. Thousands of steps taken through the shadows of history cleared the path Obama was destined to follow, culminating in his successful hard-fought election to an office most only dream of.  Many footsteps taken, many voices lifted, those who in their own right as ground breaking leaders, as historians, activists, artists, scientists, musicians, politicians, doctors, nurses, lawyers, ministers, housemaids, writers, and yes, community organizers who had the courage to walk their talk, who acted upon their vision and determined that they had a part to play in shaping the fabric out of which this country, our country, the United States is built.  From the life-saving heroism of Harriet Tubman, to the legal judgment of Thurgood Marshall, from the theatric voice of Paul Robeson to wordsmith Zora Neal Hurston, the dance of Twyla Tharp to the philosophy and leadership of Mahatma Ghandi, well over one hundred historical images have been artistically woven into the fabric of President Obama’s shirt and chronicled in the matting surrounding the painting.  This painting captures the demonstrated humility, integrity and heart of a man who has – as the visionary leaders preceding him – setting aside personal pursuits in sacrifice for the greater good.  And he is not alone in this sacrifice. Behind every great man there is the support of a strong and capable woman, whose greater sacrifice, along with that of family and friends demonstrates a generosity of heart and a shared vision of what can be accomplished.  Michelle Obama’s decision to support the candidacy of Barack Obama is an unsung sacrifice of great proportion.  Without her, we would not be celebrating this crossroads in U.S. history.  This work of art is a passionate delineation of history honoring our past, celebrating our future.  As a people uniting, one nation, irrevocably connected by the common crises of economic, ecological and societal devastation, working toward the common goal of resurrecting ourselves as global citizens of a diverse community, in hope of shattering the racial paradigms long held as truth,.  We each have our own journey to take, our own path to make during these challenging times.  Change is the operative action; we must begin to walk our own talk, willing to make our individual sacrifices for the common good of our families, our neighbors, our selves.  We must be realistically optimistic about what can be accomplished.  The journey will not be without challenges, neither the path nor the leader will be perfect, but with continued clarity in vision, hope in the teamed efforts made by we the people, Change will come. [image][image]It was almost incomprehensible: Barack Obama would become the forty-fourth president of the United States.  As an artist Michael Anthony Brown, a sculptor and painter, felt compelled to document this historic event in his own inimitable way: through his art.   Michael Anthony Brown, a native of Washington DC is a fine artist known for his detailed paintings and sculptures.  Brown's unique inclusion of  hidden -- usually historical or symbolic -- objects is an expected pleasure for those who have followed his artistic career and a surprise for those who are yet to discover his work.  He uses his very detailed work to reach back and draw the path journeyed through history as clearly communicated in the sculpture Call of Freedom and  the etching Stars and Stripes.  With the historic election of Barack Obama as president of the United States, Michael Anthony Brown was inspired to create a painting that commemorates the history and captures the spirit of this event.   The creator of the official poster commemorating  the  Million Man March in 1995, Brown rarely creates work that is reproduced for the general public. This poster is one of the very few works that the artist has allowed to be mass produced.     The painting, Obama Hope, incorporates over one hundred images of those whose individual and collective, historical and cultural contributions paved the way to the inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States. Still inspired, Brown is developing future work as a part of a series, so stay tuned. The poster is now available on the website www.obamaworks.com .For interviews or further information about the artist or the commemorative poster, contact E. Joyce Moore on 317.258.3935.    Artist Statement Vision. Hope. Change.  Four years ago, an unassuming voice rose from obscurity to center stage of the National Democratic Convention, initiating the most incredible political journey in our nation’s history.  A ground swell of support, a monumental grassroots effort, engaged the young, not so young, men, women, even children in a national dialogue about change.  Barack H. Obama will become the forty-fourth President of the United States on January 20, 2009.  He will become the first American of color and African descent to attain the most powerful position in the country, transcending the myths, stereotypes, labels, and politics as usual in the process.  It is a role he does not take lightly and did not come easily.  His journey began before he was born. Thousands of steps taken through the shadows of history cleared the path Obama was destined to follow, culminating in his successful hard-fought election to an office most only dream of.  Many footsteps taken, many voices lifted, those who in their own right as ground breaking leaders, as historians, activists, artists, scientists, musicians, politicians, doctors, nurses, lawyers, ministers, housemaids, writers, and yes, community organizers who had the courage to walk their talk, who acted upon their vision and determined that they had a part to play in shaping the fabric out of which this country, our country, the United States is built.  From the life-saving heroism of Harriet Tubman, to the legal judgment of Thurgood Marshall, from the theatric voice of Paul Robeson to wordsmith Zora Neal Hurston, the dance of Twyla Tharp to the philosophy and leadership of Mahatma Ghandi, well over one hundred historical images have been artistically woven into the fabric of President Obama’s shirt and chronicled in the matting surrounding the painting.  This painting captures the demonstrated humility, integrity and heart of a man who has – as the visionary leaders preceding him – setting aside personal pursuits in sacrifice for the greater good.  And he is not alone in this sacrifice. Behind every great man there is the support of a strong and capable woman, whose greater sacrifice, along with that of family and friends demonstrates a generosity of heart and a shared vision of what can be accomplished.  Michelle Obama’s decision to support the candidacy of Barack Obama is an unsung sacrifice of great proportion.  Without her, we would not be celebrating this crossroads in U.S. history.  This work of art is a passionate delineation of history honoring our past, celebrating our future.  As a people uniting, one nation, irrevocably connected by the common crises of economic, ecological and societal devastation, working toward the common goal of resurrecting ourselves as global citizens of a diverse community, in hope of shattering the racial paradigms long held as truth,.  We each have our own journey to take, our own path to make during these challenging times.  Change is the operative action; we must begin to walk our own talk, willing to make our individual sacrifices for the common good of our families, our neighbors, our selves.  We must be realistically optimistic about what can be accomplished.  The journey will not be without challenges, neither the path nor the leader will be perfect, but with continued clarity in vision, hope in the teamed efforts made by we the people, Change will come. Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:45:50 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Release-DC-Artist-Commemorates-President-Elect-Barack-Obama-Through-His-Art/BLOG/165012/16936.html E_Joyce 2009-01-16T21:45:50Z Inauguration Day 2009 [image][image]It was almost incomprehensible: Barack Obama would become the forty-fourth president of the United States.  As an artist Michael Anthony Brown, a sculptor and painter, felt compelled to document this historic event in his own inimitable way: through his art.   Michael Anthony Brown, a native of Washington DC is a fine artist known for his detailed paintings and sculptures.  Brown's unique inclusion of  hidden -- usually historical or symbolic -- objects is an expected pleasure for those who have followed his artistic career and a surprise for those who are yet to discover his work.  He uses his very detailed work to reach back and draw the path journeyed through history as clearly communicated in the sculpture Call of Freedom and  the etching Stars and Stripes.  With the historic election of Barack Obama as president of the United States, Michael Anthony Brown was inspired to create a painting that commemorates the history and captures the spirit of this event.   The creator of the official poster commemorating  the  Million Man March in 1995, Brown rarely creates work that is reproduced for the general public. This poster is one of the very few works that the artist has allowed to be mass produced.     The painting, Obama Hope, incorporates over one hundred images of those whose individual and collective, historical and cultural contributions paved the way to the inauguration of Barack Obama as president of the United States. Still inspired, Brown is developing future work as a part of a series, so stay tuned. The poster is now available on the website www.obamaworks.com .For interviews or further information about the artist or the commemorative poster, contact E. Joyce Moore on 317.258.3935.    Artist Statement Vision. Hope. Change.  Four years ago, an unassuming voice rose from obscurity to center stage of the National Democratic Convention, initiating the most incredible political journey in our nation’s history.  A ground swell of support, a monumental grassroots effort, engaged the young, not so young, men, women, even children in a national dialogue about change.  Barack H. Obama will become the forty-fourth President of the United States on January 20, 2009.  He will become the first American of color and African descent to attain the most powerful position in the country, transcending the myths, stereotypes, labels, and politics as usual in the process.  It is a role he does not take lightly and did not come easily.  His journey began before he was born. Thousands of steps taken through the shadows of history cleared the path Obama was destined to follow, culminating in his successful hard-fought election to an office most only dream of.  Many footsteps taken, many voices lifted, those who in their own right as ground breaking leaders, as historians, activists, artists, scientists, musicians, politicians, doctors, nurses, lawyers, ministers, housemaids, writers, and yes, community organizers who had the courage to walk their talk, who acted upon their vision and determined that they had a part to play in shaping the fabric out of which this country, our country, the United States is built.  From the life-saving heroism of Harriet Tubman, to the legal judgment of Thurgood Marshall, from the theatric voice of Paul Robeson to wordsmith Zora Neal Hurston, the dance of Twyla Tharp to the philosophy and leadership of Mahatma Ghandi, well over one hundred historical images have been artistically woven into the fabric of President Obama’s shirt and chronicled in the matting surrounding the painting.  This painting captures the demonstrated humility, integrity and heart of a man who has – as the visionary leaders preceding him – setting aside personal pursuits in sacrifice for the greater good.  And he is not alone in this sacrifice. Behind every great man there is the support of a strong and capable woman, whose greater sacrifice, along with that of family and friends demonstrates a generosity of heart and a shared vision of what can be accomplished.  Michelle Obama’s decision to support the candidacy of Barack Obama is an unsung sacrifice of great proportion.  Without her, we would not be celebrating this crossroads in U.S. history.  This work of art is a passionate delineation of history honoring our past, celebrating our future.  As a people uniting, one nation, irrevocably connected by the common crises of economic, ecological and societal devastation, working toward the common goal of resurrecting ourselves as global citizens of a diverse community, in hope of shattering the racial paradigms long held as truth,.  We each have our own journey to take, our own path to make during these challenging times.  Change is the operative action; we must begin to walk our own talk, willing to make our individual sacrifices for the common good of our families, our neighbors, our selves.  We must be realistically optimistic about what can be accomplished.  The journey will not be without challenges, neither the path nor the leader will be perfect, but with continued clarity in vision, hope in the teamed efforts made by we the people, Change will come. 2009, art, inauguration, obama, poster nonadult false Release: DC Artist Commemorates President Elect Barack Obama Through His Art text blog 2009,art,inauguration,obama,poster 240 0 0.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false United States 0 0 165012 2373825 Member 0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Black-State-of-the-Union-Bloggers-Contest/BLOG/138401/16936.html I decided to enter the Black State of the Union Bloggers Contest and it asks me why I should be considered.  My answer: I have proven, through my writings, that I look at the world from a perspective that allows me to utilize words to paint a picture of what I see.  My interviewing skills, combined with my ability to ask the insightful questions or comment with purpose on the given topic with clarity and honesty.  I decided to enter the Black State of the Union Bloggers Contest and it asks me why I should be considered.  My answer: I have proven, through my writings, that I look at the world from a perspective that allows me to utilize words to paint a picture of what I see.  My interviewing skills, combined with my ability to ask the insightful questions or comment with purpose on the given topic with clarity and honesty.  Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:45:42 GMT http://affiliate.kickapps.com/_Black-State-of-the-Union-Bloggers-Contest/BLOG/138401/16936.html E_Joyce 2008-11-13T03:45:42Z Inauguration Day 2009 I decided to enter the Black State of the Union Bloggers Contest and it asks me why I should be considered.  My answer: I have proven, through my writings, that I look at the world from a perspective that allows me to utilize words to paint a picture of what I see.  My interviewing skills, combined with my ability to ask the insightful questions or comment with purpose on the given topic with clarity and honesty.  nonadult false Black State of the Union Blogger's Contest text blog 199 1 5.0 http://affiliate.kickapps.com/service/displayKickPlace.kickAction?u=2373825&as=16936 http://media.kickstatic.com/kickapps/images/16936/photos/PHOTO_1213083_16936_2373825_ap_160X120.jpg false 2 0 138401 2373825 Member 0