CNN Heros

On Thanksgiving night I watched CNN Heroes and it was something inspiring. It is amazing the compassion and the love that is in the heart and souls of so many everyday people. So we are not all consumed by the economy and how we are going to make it through these tough times, there are also those who are consumed with what they can do to help others through these tough times. We all know that regardless of what we are going through in this life, there are just so many more people that are suffering even more than you are. I have always heard that helping others is food for the soul.

About four years ago, I had a bad feeling, it was more of a profound feeling that things in my life were going to spiral downhill and during that time I was going to be stripped of something that was going to prepare me for something else. Well my life did spiral out of control and there was nothing that I could do about it. Emotionally it was harder than anything that I have ever experienced. Somehow through it all, I would always see a bright light, something positive, a person reaching out to me, a person that was a total stranger would give me a hug, and sometimes only a smile. Some how it was always there, and I guess that kept me going. I believe that God has a special job for me and I also feel that I am on the right path to be of service to others. My needs and wants have been put on the back burner, actually what I want and believe I need has become less and less. It seems like what I desire more of these days is to give, to give of myself, to give of my time, and to give of my heart. It was just recently that I had another profound feeling that this burden that I have had for the past four years was about to be lifted, and I would blossom into something that has always been within. I guess I had to be stripped of the fear, the fear of giving without receiving or feeling the need of acceptance by others, especially family and close friends. Through all of this humility resonates and that is a wonderful feeling. I have been compelled to do some charitable work, but I am a little selective in what I want to do. First of all it has to be something where I can see the direct benefit to others, nothing that goes through too many hands. I wanted it to be something that helps women and children, especially young women. I wanted it to be something that I am committed to, not just on holidays or special occasions, but something that was on going, and has a direct effect on people's lives.

Well I have not found that one thing yet, but honestly I have not been looking really hard. I have been trying to get myself in place both physically and emotionally, and now I feel like the cloud of smoke is lifting and it is time for me to emerge.
I have been so blessed. God has always put kind and generous people in my path. As I drive the bus everyday, there is always someone buying me breakfast, bringing me fruit, coffee, books, and many other things, but most of all they are constantly thanking me for what they perceive as acts of kindness. One girl actually said to me, " Thank you for being so kind to your passengers" That is my reward, the appreciation and the return kindness of others. I often thank God for His putting certain people in my path, and ask him if there is anything that I am doing to attract so many warm and loving people into my life, I want to keep on doing that and actually I want to do more of it. That has always been my prayer, and one day I was told on my bus, that I attract certain kinds of people because of the kind of person that I am. But it is the kind of person that I am becoming through the love and guidance of the Great Master. Don't worry I am not taking myself too seriously, but I can see the growth, that is why I think that I am on the right path to be of service to others. I am not going to lie and say I don't absolutely love how people respond to me, and the feeling I get when I am kind and considerate to others, and their appreciation of that kindness. I find it so much easier than not being kind, now that takes so much more energy.
I hope to find something that becomes a passion for me, something that impacts others lives, something that I can only give in a way that I can only give it. I feel that I am getting closer to that point in my life, and I am grateful.

Send Comments

Richard Timothy Jones

Another celebrity siting right in my own neighborhood. Two blocks from my house here in San Fernando Valley is this great Asian supermarket as well as an Asian herb shop. When I was about to enter the grocery part of the store, Richard Jones was exiting the herb shop. He walked out right in front of me wearing athletic gear and a baseball cap. I said hello to him and he said hello, then I asked him if thought I would mnot recognize him, and he just laughed. I then noticed that he was limping and I asked him if he was ok, and he just said that it was a football injury, so I started to tease him telling him that he is an actor and getting a little bit older so he is going to have to give up playing football with the kids. He just laughed and said ok. I then told him that he looks well and he thanked me for the compliment. I told him to take care of himself, and he said "thank you again." It was a very friendly exchange and much appreciated by a fan. Yes he is just as handsome in person as he is on television, but his personality shown brighter than his smile, which was beautiful.

I so often have to remind myself that I am in a city where a great deal of these people live and work, and it is always exciting to run into them on the street, and most often they are quite friendly.




Send Comments

Wake Up Everybody

Send Comments

Jesse Jackson, Jr., Not His Father

This young man is something to watch. I have recently noticed his intelligence and dedication throughout Barack's presidential campaign, and he is a pleasure to see. I have never been too fond of his father, therefore, I had no interest in the son. He is more like Barack than he is his father. I am very impressed with the young black leaders of today They are well educated, intelligent, family oriented, and rooted in the black community. Most importantly they realize the importance of the "We". They realize that we live in a much more diverse America, the backgrounds of the people are more diverse, our neighborhoods are more diverse, and one person's ethnicity is more diverse, and they are no longer willing to choose one ethnicity over the other. Those people who have one parent of one ethnicity and another parent of another ethnicity are tired of feeling that they don't belong and that they have to identify with one part of them over the other. Tiger Woods made this clear during his rise in the golf world, and Barak is making it clear now. They maybe rooted in the black community because of how the world sees them, but they no longer want to have to choose. This is the new America. As a people we are reaching out to other cultures, learning their language and how to cook their food, we are diverse, and we want a leadership that understands that, and one that will bridge the gap. We have now brought together people of all cultural backgrounds and now Barack's next responsibility is to bridge the socio-economic gap, and he has decided to start by taking care of the middle class. As the middle class Americans rise, we will bring along the lower middle-class, and this gap that was made larger by the Bush Administration will start to close.
It is a beautiful thing to watch.
Barack Obama is our first Black President of the United States, but I don't think that he is going to be the last; Jesse Jackson, Jr. also has what it takes. He is already pegged the Congressman most likely to take Barack's abandoned Senate seat, and will one day take an abandoned presidential seat. You do your thing young brother.


Send Comments

The Greatest Historical Event of My Lifetime

Barack Hussein Obama, II has reached the mountaintop and he is taking the middle class with him. This man has a great deal of hard work ahead of him, and believe me I am not in the least bit envious, but I am so proud of him. There are few words to explain what Black Americans are feeling during this time, all you have been able to see around the country, are tears. Just as people of all races have been moved by Martin Luther King, Jr. they have most recently been just as moved by Barack Obama.
I keep hearing that there is just something special about this man. His demeanor and charisma is just contagious and we are feeling it through and through. The way people rallied around this man was more than just his oratorical abilities, his charm and good looks, or even his obvious intelligence and good judgment. Innumerable amounts of people of varied backgrounds gathered just to hear him, just to see him, just to occupy the same space where this feeling of hope radiates, it is almost biblical. He ignited a crusade of unflagging enthusiasm and many believe that this man was appointed by God, just as King was, and that is why so many are willing to follow him in a time when politicians have proven incessantly corrupt.
President Elect Obama has stated that this was not his victory, but the victory of the American people who have spoken. We have said, we no longer want the government of yesteryear, we want and need something different, something new, something fresh, and we have elected a man into the highest office of the land to lead us there. We now realize that our voices have been heard and only collectively can we restore this country.
To Black America, it means so very much more. It shows us that what our parents have told us over and over again is true, that with hard work and perseverance we can achieve anything. We no longer have an excuse for why we are not as progressive as we should be. We can no longer say that "the white man" is holding us back. Yes racism is still alive and well, but we are actually our biggest obstacle. Yes we have made a great deal of progress but there is so much more that we need to do, and the most important thing now is to be our brother's keeper. We need to reach out for our bothers and sisters, and collectively we can make such a difference. Again this election of our 44th President is proof.

In the past few years I have seriously considered leaving this country in search of something better. I no longer wanted to live in a country where the more money you earned the more you were forced to spend. I was in search of some peace and simple living, believing that there had to be something better, somewhere where the quality of life matters. Life in America began to look quite bleak to me, and I was just not willing to live the rest of my life in the same manner of which I have lived my past life. The cost of living had become so ridiculously expensive until it was paralyzing. It didn't matter whether I was financially capable or not, it would eventually require more. I no longer wanted to reach for the perceived beauty of things for that immediate gratification.
I yearn for a simple life with purpose, a life with joy, without creating enormous debt. I first started with self, re-evaluating what was really important to me, what I needed and what I didn't need. Minimizing the stuff around me became liberating. Barack has restored the promise of America to so many like myself, the belief that anything is possible, that you can actually reach your full potential, you can choose your own path, and for that I am grateful. I do realize that this promise does not come without individual sacrifice. For the first time I am very happy and very proud to be an American, where my voice count, where my needs matter, where I can make a difference. This is a pivotal point in the American story and I am elated to be able to take part in such a euphoric time in this country.
I intend to follow Obama's Administration closer than I have ever done with any other, I don't want to miss a thing. I am hoping that many others feel the same. Yes he will make mistakes and he will not be able to save us, but he gives us Hope, and with that inspiration, we will gain the strength to save ourselves.

Mr. President you and your family will be in my prayers daily.


Send Comments

Black America Will Rise

Today after talking to my daughter on my cell phone, she sent me a forwarded text message. This message reads,

Rosa sat so Martin could walk,
Martin walked so Obama could run,
Obama is running, so Our Children can Fly.

this speaks volumes to me.
Obama said something at one of his campaign rallies, that someone had said to him, "when you get tired of all that you are doing, just reach way down deep, and keep fighting." This means a great deal because so many before us was able to do just that. If they had not, then Obama would not be in the position that he is in right now. There are so many people that broke through numerous barriers and suffered more than some of us can even imagine, and they found the strength to keep fighting because it was for a cause much greater than themselves. This is why it is so important for Black America to come together as a people now, for the first time since slavery, and rally behind our brother Barack. We need to work together, help each other, pull ourselves up and a brother or sister with us. We need to elevate each other, forget our differences, forget the negatives that divide us, we have proven to be a strong people, a resilient people, an innovative people, and together we would be more powerful than we know. We need to get involved in our communities, help our elderly and our children. Volunteer consistently in our communities, whether it is cleaning the streets, painting an elderly persons house, tutoring our children so that they are better equipped to pursue higher education and compete in this society. Take the time, because usually that is all that is necessary, and we are our brother's keeper.
Stop tearing each other down verbally, physically, and spiritually. Parents raise your children, and if you don't know how, find out how. The Black Church has always been our source of strength, and there are many out there to help, but we have to put our pride in our pockets and be humble, only then can we rise, and rise together.
I am not saying this because Barack is a black President, but because of what he has been able to achieve, that is the dream. Barack,also wants to see us come together as a Nation, and grow strong as a nation, and the only way we can do that is Unite. It is only when we learn to love ourselves as a people and embrace each other will we be able to unite with others.
Rise my brother, Rise my sister, Rise.




Send Comments

Voting Rights Act of 1965

About a year or two ago there was an email that was circulating that enraged many African-Americans. This email indicated that the Voters Right Act of 1965 which is part of the Civil Rights act was coming up to be voted on Congress. This infuriated many because they believed that what Congress was voting on was the right for African-Americans to vote. Everyone is wondering why is it that this right to vote is not a permanent part of our constitution. Well this information was quite misleading and it exasperated many African-Americans but this was bad information.

In 1870 the 15th Amendment was ratified, it specified that the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged on the basis of race, color, or previous servitude. This superseded state laws which prohibited black voting. Congress then enacted the Enforcement Act of 1870, which contained criminal penalties for interference of the right to vote. After this millions of recently freed slaves registered to vote. Black candidates for the first time were elected to state, local, and federal offices and had a very active role in the government. This participation was greatly resisted and in 1890 certain states began to amend their constitutions and enact a series of laws, i.e., poll tax,literacy tests, etc. By 1910, all blacks were kept from voting by any means necessary. After much violence and other means of keeping blacks from voting, the Voters Right Act of 1965, was initiated by President Johnson who recognized the need for stronger voter legislation. This piece of legislation followed the language of the 15th Amendment this was done in Section 2 of the legislation. However, there were certain parts of the country that Congress believed had the highest potential for discrimination to be the greatest, and this is where Section 5 comes into play, and the only part of this legislation that comes up for vote every few years. This section has special provisions for the potentially discriminatory areas of the country. Jurisdictions covered by these special provisions could not implement any change affecting voting until the Attorney General or the United States District Court for the District of Columbia determined that the change did not have a discriminatory purpose and would not have a discriminatory effect. In addition, the Attorney General could designate a county covered by these special provisions for the appointment of a federal examiner to review the qualifications of persons who wanted to register to vote. It was extended for five years at first and seven years after that, and George W. Bush just recently extended it to 2025. Many politicians wants this section to be eliminated, but it is still a problem for minority voters in the specified areas of the country, and the vote is to either continue with these provisions or not to continue.
This all should have been researched prior to circulating an email that infuriated most ns frightened other African Americans. We were thinking the day may come where we can no longer vote, as it was between 1870 and 1965. So you can't believe everything that you read it pays to find out for yourself. This is the reason why I put several links in my blog, so you can look into the various things that I write about.

Good looking up!