Black History Month!

I finally got around to posting for BHM!
I have been busieer than the devil these days - translation we eat'in groceries PRAISE GOD!!!

A PLEA TO THE TALENTED TENTH

Harvard University recently concluded a five-year study that found that race is deeply embedded in our cultural landscape and most Americans are in a state of denial. The 50 researchers concluded, "Race continues to play a powerful role in the chances for success in America and black Americans continue to lose jobs to recent immigrants." Andrew Hacker, a white college professor says, "The fact that slavery existed for so long and was so taken for granted cannot be erased from American minds." And says Hacker, "that is why white people, although they won't openly admit it, find it not improper that blacks still serve as maids and janitors, occupations seen as involving physical skills rather than mental aptitudes."Psychologist

Na'im Akbar says black Americans are also in a state of denial about the lingering effects of slavery on our thinking. Akbar and Hacker agree that the American psyche remains traumatized by slavery and is in need of mental healing (psychotherapy). And Dr. Akbar says in psychotherapy, "a confrontation of the original trauma and a restructuring of the mind's faulty adaptations to the assault can serve to correct these disturbed patterns of responding." Under this view, if we are to eliminate the "ghost of the plantation" from our cultural landscape, there must be honest and continuous dialogue within as well as between the races.

What about the "Talented Tenth"? W.E.B. Dubois envisioned that the 10% of Black Americans who acquired the skills and/or education that enabled us to succeed in the larger society would eventually "come home" and use our tools and talents to build a bridge between the Black "haves" and the Black "have-nots." Unfortunately many of the "talented tenth" (and I speak from personal experience) used our tools and talents to build personal bridges between the so-called races and then used these bridges as private access roads from the ghetto to the suburbs. In the process, of course, we left our less fortunate sisters and brothers behind.

Hebrew scholar Ben Ammi, writes in his book, God the Black Man and Truth, "Education today is based upon class, aimed at attaining power and fulfilling materialistic desires rather than providing a service to our fellow man." I remember how my college classmates and I laughed at the African brothers who said they were going to get an education and then go back home to help their people. In retrospect I now know, an immigrant wants to help his people while a slave wants to help himself. Many of us are now confessing we made a bad deal. We voluntarily sacrificed our spiritual health for the pursuit of material wealth. We now remember that when we had less, we shared more. And we also remember when a "good home" meant something more than a "well-built house" in the suburbs.As we enter the 21st century, we must accept the responsibility for our own destiny as a people. Perhaps racial profiling and the attacks on affirmative action are blessings in disguise.

As Professor Hacker so diplomatically reminds us, "America is inherently a 'white' country: in character, in structure, in culture." And in America's version of apartheid writes Hacker, "white Americans show little inclination toward giving full nationality to the descendants of African slaves." We must therefore struggle to understand the words of the late scholar/researcher Chancellor Williams when he said, "Now it is just here within the race where integration is not only needed but it is mandatory."And most of all, we must rededicate ourselves to God. In her appropriately named book, Volunteer Slavery, Sister Jill Nelson uses the term "spiritual materialism" to describe our misguided, dollar driven approach to God. "Spiritual materialism" has infiltrated all religions, however, since we are predominantly a Christian people, I'll define it as talking about Jesus when we really want to live like Caesar. Can the true spirit of Christ dwell in such an atmosphere? We're sending mixed messages to our children and then wondering why they are in such a state of confusion.

One sure way of praising and honoring our Creator is by using our unique qualities and abilities to better the human condition. GOD IS, LET'S GET BUSY!!

By Langston X. Thomas (Baba Adubiifa)

Victim or Victorious?

The say adversity and challenges happen to make you stronger...
I have had so much thrown at me that it makes me want to hollar!!!
Hey if challenges build charater I am on my way to being a cartoon sketch...
But, I know my position! Never a victim always a winner!
So I am sending this words to you in case you are human and keep getting bullshit thrown into your winners circle...

Stay encouraged family!


"A man may fall many times but he won't be a failure until he says someone pushed him."
-- Elmer G. Letterman

"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."
-- Steven Biko

Invisible roses smell sweet too!

Happy valentines day to me - and many more - roflmao!!!!!!!!!

Being single don't bother me -

I have peace - although I may need to be greased!

But i can wait for the perfect moment in time where he is ALL mine...

I's a selfish lovin-woman and sharing will get cho' azz cut!

anyhoo - Happy valentines day mr. turner - where ever you are - lol

(Don't let these jokes get u trippin! - smile)

THINK BEFORE YOU LOVE!

Tuesday Tenets - To your ownself be true!!!!

My earnest prayer for years was that i be blessd with tears of joy. I had seen people on TV do it and I of course had been happy as all get out before and leaped with jubilation. But I had never been so happy that i literally wept - and i felt like that was an emotion that i deserved to experience.

I am pleased to say that I was blessed with many opportuites to do so - and if i sat my ass down long enough to count my blessing everyday - i am sure i do it more often.... well daily!

Now what blew my mind was an empowerment email I saw that spoke about the body being a temple and flowing like the ocean when you seek to put yourself in harmony or at least understanding who you are and how much power you harness...

then came the question - have you ever noticed the taste of your tears?

now i know exactly what sad tears taste like - with and without snot!!!!!!!

my next quest is to notice the taste of happy tears!

Questions:

Have you ever noticed that tears of sorrow taste different than tears of joy?

Negro Issues!!!!

As you may or MAY NOT know - I have been blessed with a book deal working with the lovely Diane of Firefly Publishing & Entertainement.

I am a real stickler when it comes to buiness and i have a real low threashold for unprofessional, late, last minute, poorly communicated negro buisness...

Like Chris Rock Said everythig whites hate about niggas - blacks hate about niggas too.........

Now I have a so called creative team!!!! (please note this team has no relationship or buisness dealing with Ms. Diane)


I threw my RFP out there for them to bring me back a tight cover for the book. I gave them clear guidleines about what I wanted for example:

Abstract:
Pretty Monster is the turbulent story of Tangy Raye Waters a resilience young girl who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and her struggle to be at peace despite the trouble of family woes and her monstrous ego. Many life lessons learned from her grandparents and time led to her faith in God and the music never stopped.

Now with that said - not trying to give the entire package up just yet -

this is what he sent me!





Is this an Emu?






















Is this a vampire?















I am offended, that he would suggest something so tacky and unclassy for the cover of my book!
I told him he has today and today only to impress me - or i'll have my 9 years do it and i am sure it will be fabulous!!!!!

I have know dude since 94 and i think the real issue is not being heard!!!! I started this project in 2006 and if you don't know what its about now - you shouldn't be on the team.

he was all affected inthe begining when I told him I would not do work with him without a contract - now this is WHY!!!!!
Negros!!!!!!!!!!

When my publisher gives the green light i will share some excerts of pretty monster...

Wild Card Wednesdays

Black Don't Crack...

I had a whole nuther blog planned for to day but the most fabulous things happened again...I am single and over 30 and I get younger guys hollering at the vet often. I have gotten use it and find it to be funny.But the older I get and shifting professional circles I get comments like:
"This is your son? or your brother?"
"You said your son is 18. Do you mean months?"
"I can tell your older by your conversation, what are you like 30?" (not sure if this was a complement or an insult!)

In the last couple of days I have had guys assume that we are the same age or that they are older than me. Now the punch line is they are 32 and 33 years old!I ain't trying to pop my collar because I am truly grateful to have my health~ but one thing I know to be true is everybody can NOT tell the same lie in the exact same way....
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Tips from the actress I am most compared too (lately!)

Photo Credit: Andrew Macpherson

Wendy Raquel Robinson

39
The star of the CW’s The Game says she wouldn’t trade her 39 years for 25, even if you paid her.

OUTER BEAUTY: “I am celebrating everything that’s beautiful about me. I swear by monthly facials. I take vitamins because my energy level just isn’t the same without them. I also need plenty of sleep.”
INNER BEAUTY: “It’s the self-acceptance that I’ve gathered from age, maturity, even from marriage, that has contributed to my feeling beautiful.”
Beauty Must-Haves
The star spills her secrets, from skin care to exercise.

SKIN CARE: “My regimen starts with Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask (about $7, mass retailers) and DeLord Skin Care Daily Facial Shampoo ($29, delordskincare.com).”

DIET: “I exclude pork and beef as well as fried and greasy foods. I avoid eating heavy after 8 p.m. to prevent unnecessary weight gain.”

FITNESS: “I take dance classes on the weekends and work out about three times a week.”

HAIR: “I make sure to have my ends trimmed regularly and treat my hair to deep conditioners.”

—story by, pamela edwards

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Please share your story:
Wit, wisdom & wisecracks for women over 40…and those planning on living to be.

Tuesday Tenets - Self Love

You are who you choose to be.
Beware the choice and the consequnece!
When you fully understand who you are and what works for you and you consciouly CHOOSE to step out of what you are suppose to be doing to maximize who you are.
Don't cry over the consequences!

Stay focused and make sacrifices to support your soul!
Be encouraged!
M.