Rant: Israel

I don’t know if this is a full on rant but I thought I would share some thoughts on the ‘state’ of Israel. I have never felt strongly either way about the state of Israel or the conflicts there. You know growing up it was all about “Peace in the Middle East” even though we didn’t know where the Middle East was or why they needed peace. But now I have some serious issues with the state of Israel. The past two years have really made me think about my support of the Israeli state. My major issue is that the state was formed because the super powers of the world decided to make up for not coming to the Jewish people’s aid fast enough during WWII. Deciding to create a nation where there were people living, working and worshipping as a state. This created more chaos in the world than it did helping to make the world better after such a horrific war. I honestly don’t believe that the current Jewish state has a right to the land they claim. Yes, it understandable that the land was taken from them but that was done by warring nations generations before WWII. AND to make my passion for this rant stronger, the Israeli government’s treatment of the Palestinian people is beyond absurd.

I understand that security is important in an age of religious extremist especially when you are a religious state, BUT this does not give way to the inhumane way the Palestinian people have been treated. I think I’m so upset about it all is because the Israelis were given this land (by God, yes) by white powers of WWII and then have the nerve to claim more land and more land, year after year after year. With claiming more land, kicking out the people who have lived there for generations.

The only solution I have is that they split Jerusalem in half and divide the whole country in half from there. Obviously leaving Israel some access to seacoast. But I really don’t have any real solutions to this problem, it just frustrates me to no end how the Palestinians are treated and how the Israelis are so uppity about their ownership of the land.

How you are making a difference, in all parts of your life, but especially in your role in the nonprofit community?

I make a difference, in all parts of my life, by doing what I can physically and mentally. My activist spirit as lead me to see some pretty amazing change for communities. In doing what I can physically and mentally, I have seen what a small act can do for so many. I make a difference physically in many ways. I make a difference physically by protesting injustices in my community. Protesting could mean attending a rally or calling a legislator. I also make a difference by physically volunteering for a cause or with an organization. I currently volunteer with the Department of Juvenile Justice and with Big Brothers Big Sisters-both dealing with youth mentorship and education youth. In the 21^st Century, ‘physically’ can also mean what and how you post on social media networks. I continually will post and comment on social media about things that can make my community better. In my mind physically means money as well. The saying “put your money where your mouth is” is key to making a difference. I donate to causes and organizations that I know have great reputations in the community but who are also doing work that is changing the community for the better. I also make a difference by working at a non-profit. In my role I can advocate for not just my nonprofit but for others who are helping community members. I think that is extremely important for the nonprofit community to work together.

I make a difference by doing what I can mentally. So many believe that you can only have one soap box to shout from, even if you think it is true doesn’t mean that I need to be ignorant to any other issues.  Even if I don’t attend a rally, or donate to an organization I actively learn about issues that affect my community and the world. By staying knowledgeable and continually learning, I am making a difference. This can be done by reading articles, listening to people or even subscribing to an organizations newsletter or blog. For an example I may not know exactly how greenhouse gases work and what they are doing to the planet, but I know that it’s doing something negatively to the planet and that we as humans can do something about it. This also applies to the nonprofit community. I don’t need to know everything about a nonprofit but I should know how it helps the community and when I should be referring someone to them for services. I also make a difference mentally by knowing my limits. I need to know my limits when attending rallies, going to meetings and donating my money and time. This is key and is very important when doing work within the nonprofit community.

I would recommend people figure how they can make a difference physically and or mentally.

I had to answer this question for a piece for the citizen leadership group that I am in.

Blacks Should Vote Republican

A friend of mine posted this video the other day, and I started to think. It had me think, what the fuck is this?!?! I seriously became angry with this black man spilling such filth onto the Internet.

Side note: plenty of black men share filth on the internet, including any person sharing or liking ‘World Star’ content as well as fight videos.

The person in the video, Alfonzo Rachel, makes several points to why black men and women should vote Republican. His statements and points are so ridiculous I do not dare to go point by point to rebuttal his stupidity. But there are some key points that are to be noted.

First this minstrel show Negro stated that black people voting for Democrats and not Republicans were equivalent to obese individuals not eating more healthy…Excuse you!? First of all, my vote is my American born right and I will vote for whom ever I damn well please to vote for. SECOND, this is my body. Don’t fat shame me. AND THIRD, I want to point to Gwyneth Paltrow poor attempt to eat like most people who vote in the Democrats favor-on $29 a week. She lasted three days…barely. Just like their vote, some people aren’t educated enough to make the right choice; some people are genetically more prone to be that way; and some people do it out of habit and routine.

After the food analogy, Alfonzo makes some historical connections. But the two points that got my blood warmed up was his attempt to make connections between the Democrats of 2012 and the Democrats of the 1800s. He states that we vote for the Democrats who created Jim Crow and the KKK. Yes, that’s right the Democrats of Barack Hussein Obama are the same Democrats of Andrew Jackson! You cannot compare the two parties! Just as we can’t compare a white person in the 1860’s to a white person in the 1960’s.

Side note: that is the same Andrew Jackson who authorized a systematic effort to remove Native American tribes from the southeast.

He then denied the statement “White people benefit from the legacy of slavery”…And in simple terms this is called oppression. Slavery helped and continues to support the oppression of African decedents in America. The legacy of slavery/oppression benefits those who have and what to maintain power, wealthy WHITE MEN. He then says the craziest thing ever, if anyone benefited from the legacy of slavery, it would be AFRICA. WHAT?!?! Yes, slavery was happening in Africa before Europeans landed there. And in fact the slave trade in Africa wasn’t based on the economic need, but was war based. But the slave trade ended while actual SLAVERY in America continued for hundreds of years. By 1865, some 12 million Africans had been shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. And yes slavery ended 150 years ago, but to an 80 year person slavery ended 70 years before they were born…so slavery to some are closer than what he is trying to make it.

Then the idiot in the video said that “The better you are at a service, the more you get paid…blacks see service as slavery.” Everything about that statement is dumb. Obviously he has no idea what service is. Service is an action done with out expectation of gratitude, payment or reciprocation. Minorities are actual more prone to participate in service. And the fact that he says that Democrats want blacks to see service as slavery makes him an idiot. And he then talks at length about gangs, Black Panther and Snoop Dogg. Because we all know Snoop Dogg speaks for all black people and all Democrats. He is in fact the only Democrat I know…

He ends the video making some good points though, especially about the ‘N’ word and the fact that the black community want to blame Republicans for things the black community continue on their own-spreading of AIDS, drug use/dealing etc. I will be honest, I can tell the clip is edited in a way that tells a particular story-literally it is cut so weirdly during certain portions. I also can tell that this man and his following believe a certain ideology already, but to have him be black and tell black people to stop doing something is clearly propaganda…

Take a look at the video and let me know what you think.

Appreciating the Big C…Section

This is my and my wife’s third video! In this video we discuss appreciating a c-section and families who decide or don’t decide to have them done.

Check out the other videos in the Life and Times of the Fords series here

Beyoncé, the woman.

This past week, Beyoncé’s L’Oreal campaign shots were ‘leaked’ on the Internet and the world lost its damn mind. People took to the web in their usual stance for and against Beyoncé. It was the normal folks versus the Bey Hive, loyal Beyoncé fans and followers. The photos show Beyoncé fully in makeup without the power of Photoshop- as one of her song says, ‘flaws and all’. If you haven’t seen them check the out here. When the discussion around the photos started I had some concerns.

My first concern was over the leaked photos. I have never appreciated ‘leaked’ photos of someone’s private moments or photos captured for personal use. This is even more so in moments that are sexual nature and especially when they involve women. Once again the Internet exploded just as when the nude photos of summer 2014 were leaked. People who wouldn’t condone sexual assault against a friend or neighbor but they condone this form of sexual assault against celebrities.

My second concern was that people forgot that Beyoncé is not 21 anymore. She looks like her mother, Tina. As my wife has stayed Beyoncé is a grown ass woman. She is married, with a career and child. She isn’t the lead singer in a girl group with nothing but time and money on her hands. Fans and foes alike need to recognize that sometimes performers get older and with that the look older.

My third and most important concern was over the L’Oreal’s desire, along with other makeup and hair manufacturers, to make older women look younger. No one mentioned that the makeup companies take these celebrities and try to make them into these unrealistic beauties. That his unhealthy usage of makeup is actually ruining faces around the world.

So what Beyoncé was seen as a normal person and not the entertaining phenom superwoman that the world thinks she is. We need to question why the makeup companies don’t want you to see her or any woman’s natural beauty.

Lame Duck President?

As many of us who observe and admire politics the November elections seemed to be the end of the Obama Presidency. We thought after such a defeat in the elections we had a lame duck White House for the next year and a half. I for one will honestly say that I thought his presidency was going to be as the old saying ‘Come in like a lion, go out like lamb’ (or is it the other way ‘round?) Anyway. But President Obama has proven many others and me wrong.

After the elections we saw the White House lick its wounds but like a cornered dog came back fighting. First up, Obama’s long awaited Executive Order regarding immigration. Many saw this as bold move especially after the elections and both Senate and House leaders stating that it would not be in the President’s best interest to do so before the ‘new’ Congress could act. The President took that, as “we aren’t going to try to do any governing of America until we have all our people in place” and moved on immigration with one signage of an executive order. There hasn’t been major backlash yet, outside of the “you didn’t do as we had hoped for” rhetoric from the GOP, and I think most likely we will see some evening out of this debate as the new Congress comes into play. But not only did President Obama say move on immigration, it look like he could also move to Cuba one day.

The President in an announcement not many saw coming removed a 50 year embargo on the island nation of Cuba. It seems that before he leaves office, we will have re-established official relations with a country we once say as a major enemy. The move not only opened the door for a stronger debate on immigration but also opened the doors for millions of Cuban Americans to finally return home and connect with loved ones. We are already in talks with the Cuban government to reestablish official Embassies in both countries and we are seeing commerce pick up as the announcement was made.

Oh and let us not forget this:

Let the video be…

This video is circulating the web…and its got just over 7 million hits on Youtube and Double Digit Million hits on FaceBook. I manage the social media presence for a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault organization in the U.S. and so I too posted the video.

Obviously the video is trying to convey something wicked cute but powerful at the same time. If it didn’t it would have not had as many hits and not as many people would have viewed it. BUT people are finding a reason to discredit it by pointing out things that are true but are making people not like the video altogether. It seems to me that the complainers would rather have no video than this video.

For those who haven’t watched, the boys are introduced to Martina, who has a giggly effect on all the young admirers. When asked to caress her, the boys do not hesitate to stroke her cheek. When asked to make a funny face at her, they comply. People are saying that- no consent was given by the girl, that the use of caress sexualizes the girl, that the girl was mute and didn’t speak; making her an object and not a human being, that the video didn’t cover sexual violence, that the video wasn’t diverse, that the boys answers were too patriarchal (saying no to slapping her because she was a girl but totally dismiss the fact that two of the boys didn’t have those types of answer; because Jesus wouldn’t want us to and because he is against violence altogether), the off screen voice should have been a woman etc etc etc

They are correct but I think the people who are saying this, truly don’t understand how social media or how the 21st Century works. Its got to be short, cute, and cover one topic at a time. Plus covering anything more wouldn’t be a PSA but a television show.

They forget that this is a video made by an entertainment and news source, hopefully consent was given before they started shooting the video. That the girl remains silent because they focus was on the boys(men), who are the majority of perpetrators of abuse. They don’t think that it is edited and that they boys may even have asked if they could touch her and the girl said yes. That the two young people may have actually had a conversation during the whole process but why would you put that into a short clip?

Let’s say this was a video that covered all complaints-the boys were introduced, the girl was introduced, that the off screen voice was of a woman, every boy asked for permission from the girl (on camera), they girl gave very clear verbal ‘yes’, that the video covered sexual assault and domestic violence, that they had actually had multiple girls to cover Italy’s diversity and had boys that did the same, that the boys had answers that ranged from just a simple no to ‘because I’m a feminist who believes in the equality of the sexes’ and with all that we have a 10 minute clip that people have not seen but with a very inclusive concept.

Instead of embracing this cute video, we have people complaining that the video didn’t go far enough! WHAT?!?!

Just let the video be what it is or you make a video that is cute, covers all you complaints and gets over 50 million hits.

A Poem or Something

So I wrote this poem about two months ago. I really have no idea how to write poetry, but I felt like I wanted to say this in so many different forms and this is how it all came out. Its about whats happening now and what looks like will be the start of 2015.

Don’t Shoot!!

I am not a poet.

I cannot show you through words how phenomenally wonderful we are!

Don’t shoot!!

It doesn’t matter what we wear-

They shot MLK in a suit.

They shot Trayvon Martin in a sweatshirt

It doesn’t matter where we are-

They shot Medger Evers in his front yard.

They shot John Crawford in a Walmart

It doesn’t matter what we are doing-

Darius Simmons was killed while taking out the trash.

They shot Malcolm X while he was delivering a speech.

Don’t Shoot!!

And sometimes we aren’t shot-

Eric Garner was killed with a ‘choke hold’.

Thousands of black boys and girls rest in peace

As there starts to be unrest,

We scream ‘No Justice, No Peace’.

If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

But if we stand we’re thugs and looters and if we fall we’re dead.

We march with our hands up, with shirts they read ‘I can’t breathe’

Cause we can’t breathe. We can’t breathe…

From the oppression.

From the racism.

From the classism.

From the sexism.

We can’t breathe.

We can’t breathe…

We

Can’t

Breathe.

Don’t sho…

#CrimingWhileWhite Conversation

I had a friend ask me via Facebook Messenger a question. Our conversation is below. What my friend said can be found in bold lettering and what I said can be found in italicized lettering. I did not edit what we typed, including spelling, to show that people can have passionate conversations miles apart.

What’s your take on the #crimingwhilewhite stuff?

Just white people proving that there is a significant difference in how races experience policing.

I guess I’m torn of if I think it’s good or not. I see how it’s highlighting the difference in experience and bringing light to the issue, which I think is great, but it’s in a way that feels kind of like “look how white i am”, like a social justice selfie. Idk. Maybe I just don’t understand social media anymore

Ha. I think “social justice selfie” is the best thing Ive heard all day

you know, like trying to be altrustic, but doing it in a totally narcissistic way and maybe the world has just gotten that narcissistic

Naw. I think it’s hard for white people to get involved in a situation like police brutality

yeah

And not reflect on experiences that they’ve had and they were very pleasant experiences were as a blk/brown persons experience will most likely be unpleasant

yeah, i just sense that this isn’t coming from a productive place and i don’t want this to fade away

there’s too much at stake

i guess 120 characters or whatever just comes off as insincere to me, no matter what, kind of, so when white people are posting all of these it seems self-centered

It can be.

Twitter is complicated because its meant to be precise in language.

so if you want to rant you better get a blog or facebook

yeah

I think this is one of the best things I’ve seen so far on it

https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=540351792161505281&original_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F12%2F04%2Fus%2Fcriming-while-white-hashtag%2Findex.html&tw_i=540351792161505281&tw_p=tweetembed

Exactly! its kinda like where the fuck were all these people during the midterm elections and during protests on statehouse grounds.

and during EVERY FUCKING THING

i mean, I’m glad

People all people) get comfortable and content if they don’t feel it in their pockets or homes. So as long as my job isnt being jeopardized or their framilies aren’t being shot…they are happy to just be

but i’m skeptical to get too excited because America has devolved to having a 30 second attention span (that said, I need to do more too) and i guess that’s what i fear for America there is no community or greater good anymore or it’s significantly diminished

Oh yeah. Just talking more about not REALLY caring…the town of Ferguson had only >10% of its people vote during both midterms lections and the presidential.

BUT still when the indictment came out…went to the streets

and we’re not united as a country to make things better. We have two+ mentalities constantly battling and sabotaging rather than making the world a better place

protesting can be in the streets and at the polling station

yeah

someone said blacks and whites were better off being segregated. Both didnt have to worry about the other because they each has their own

what sucks about that is..there is more than just black and white…

yeah

 (poor asians, they never get any credit)

i don’t think America has a collective concept of people or humanity anymore

hahahaaaa

speaking of poor people, poor native americans

omg poor fucking native americans

i think thats why America cant REALLY live to all people are created equal and practice that

because the structure of oppression that keeps the rich rich prevents that

?

because they wont recognize that what happened to people who were already here was FUCKEd UP!

yeah

and yes, people with power want to keep it

All of it, they think if they give up a little power they lose all power.

this country needs some work

thats why men wont allow women to have anything, whites wont allow and other shade have anything, why adults wont allow young people have anything, why hetero wont allow homos have anything, why humans wont allow other animals have anything(this is a joke) because we fear the lost of any of power is the ultimate death of all power

*many grammar errors*

it’s so stupid, but at the same time, i get it, because i myself have had those types of knee jerk reactinos to a lot of things

more on the socioeconomic side

like, i like my shit, and my shit and having it is more important then helping that person in need

because that threatens my foundation and justification that NOT giving that homeless guy a dollar because he might be buying drugs is okay

i like my things too

*End*

The conversation continued after my last statement. We realized that just talking through one topic helps process all of whats stuck inside of us. I encourage everyone to talk to someone about how they feel especially regarding recent news.

and if you couldn’t tell from the conversation, my friend is white.

The Unmotivated Black

Issue: Blacks continuingly are the most disenfranchised race of people on the planet, but blacks continue to not care. They continue to be shot relentlessly in the streets by those of authority, under employed by the masses and under educated every generation. They recognize these issues (any many because of pure ignorance, may not know of our disenfranchisement) and yet, no change in their attitudes or actions.

The majority of the black community is filled with the ‘unmotivated blacks’. And this is not to turn away from the many blacks that are doing significant things for blacks and the human race. The ‘unmotivated black’ is the individual who is content with their lack of knowledge of the world, their lack access to wealth, their lack of access to education and opportunity. There is no age limitation on being an ‘unmotivated black’. Being in this state is something that is learned with life experiences but also through socialization therefore being unmotivated can began as early as 3-4 years old. It is well studied that individuals will develop closely resembling their environment- that whole nurture v. nature thing. It is also well documented that much of the oppression of the blacks of America, stem from the original sin of this country-slavery.

There are many factors that can be added to the lack of motivation among black. The one that grinds my gears is the ‘pop culture’ factor. Yes pop culture is a phenomenon that closely resembles true propaganda BUT pop culture is not to blame for the countless ‘unmotivated blacks’. Pop culture is only a mirror of what society is. As an example- if society wanted to be about pure Christian values, we wouldn’t see objectification of women, the materialism of commercials and the demonization of a particular group of our citizenry. Pop culture only shows us what we urge for and what we unconscious imagine the world to be like.

Solution: Making unmotivated blacks know that they are the unmotivated blacks! Obvious this will be difficult to address in a calm manner. It will be confrontational and most likely and highly possible to end in a heated discussion of the unmotivated black defending their actions. But to help build up everyone in the community; we must address the broken glasses in the neighborhood before we can address the abandon lots.