Thursday, December 07, 2006

Love & Relationships in the Black Community: A Roundtable - Part III

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Question 3 to the Women: What does the traditional notion of a man being head of household mean to women in general and to you in particular?

Fair Lady: The idea of a man being the head of a household appeals to me in particular and I assume women in general. It's the word "traditional" that raises the red flag. The "traditional" head of household carries a lot of negative connotations, stereotypes and whispers of "you're setting yourself up to be oppressed, squashed, silenced". In our take on tradition, I think we've moved away from the real meaning of what a "head of household" is. I believe the head of household is the person who evaluates his home, sees the strengths and weaknesses of all family members and maximizes the strengths to benefit the whole. I heard Rev. Freddy Haines once say that the word "husband" is derived from the band that was once placed around homes to keep them together, to keep it from falling apart. My husband will be the head of the household and whether society likes it or not, the role of the husband keeps the family together or allows it to fall apart.

Lovely M: The traditional notion of a man being head of a household was used many years ago when men were the sole financial providers and the women were expected to stay home and handle domestic duties. In today's society, both parties work to contribute financially and thus share the responsibilities of domestic duties. Marriages are a partnership where both parties are working as a team. However, there is still a thin line when it comes to the term "head of the household". As a woman, this is just "one" of the many roles that we play when dealing with men. Women know how to work with men and let them think, believe and even assume that we are just assisting in the decision-making. In today's society "head of household" is simply a term for tax purposes!

Bonita D: General, being able to handle all finances and having the final say in all matters, being submissive. Particular, understanding that God is the head and all decisions should be prayed upon. A woman has no problem submitting when she is in right place w/God. Also understanding that the truth should be head.

Tamika M:The traditional sense of male as head of the household means: First, he must lead his family to Christ. Next, he must lead his family towards growth and bettering their lives and community. If you're a Christian, the definition really shouldn't change. It's not just about dollars, it's about dollars and sense!

Donna: I do not consider this a traditional notion but a directive from God. It's biblical. I believe the failure in many marriages is the man's inability to embrace this and the woman's inability to allow him to embrace it. If you choose to marry a man who is unable to be the head, then you chose wrong and need to be a helper to him instead of a leader.

Kelly: He is the king of my home. He nurtures, takes care of, and provides for his family. He is the teacher and leader of the home. He shares the responsibility of taking care of the home understanding that his wife is not his footstool but his partner.

Question 3 to the Men: Does the perceived strength of black women intimidate men in light of our common history, struggles and experiences?

Keenan
: No, I don't think the perceived strength of black women intimidate men . . . and the operative word is MEN! Males that are intimidated by a successful woman really can't be called a "Man" in the truest sense of the word because a real man wants a real woman - that is, a woman who isn't looking for handouts. She's bringing something to the table. She's capable of handling her business, she has goals, standards and values. She can hold her man up just as much as he can hold her up.

Anonymous Light: The legendary strength of black women does intimidate some men, but it also spawns a false sense of independence in some black women - in that they feel they only need men for children, or that they don't have to negotiate and compromise because they are more than willing to raise children by themselves.

Christopher: Strong black women don't intimidate me!!! They irritate the hell out of me!!!! They have been taught that they don't need a Man. Too controlling for me!!!! A black woman not recognizing her position in the relationship or household is an issue for me. When a woman tries to be like a man in a relationship, that will never work. That would never work because a woman just can't be like a man. If I had a woman like that, she would be alone most of the time or she would have to share me with a submissive woman. I have to feel needed. If you don't need me, oh well, Goodbye!!!

Chris M: I think it has more to do with the man being "weak" or the woman being "overbearing" or ignorant to what a man - her man may need.

Satchel: I don’t think that it is the strength of black women that intimidates black men, given our collective struggles and experiences throughout history in this country. Many black men were raised in single family households by their mothers. Rather, I believe that it’s an improper understanding on either part of the unforeseen social, political, and economic forces working against the principles of collective work, family unity, social equality, and acceptance between black women and men. It is of no surprise to me that statistically black men have a far lesser chance of gaining a promotion within corporate America than our women, resulting in a significantly lesser compensation, resulting in a warped perception of the social roles within the family. Further, many men have become overly aggressive, dominant, and angered because of this perceived social role change, that it has created imbalances within the families, resulting in higher rates of divorce and separation. Competition has proven to be a healthy motivator, when properly channeled for the ultimate benefit of the family. However, this disparity triggered by certain social sciences has created within the black family a great rift, further contributing to the breakdown in communication between black men and women in the family.


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Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Love & Relationships in the Black Community: A Roundtable - Part II

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Question 2 to the Women: Is money and security the only thing women want from a man? If so, why not say so?

Fair Lady: No. I do not believe that money and security are the only thing women want from men. But, yes, I do want security and I say that with love, honor and respect that I trust my husband will embrace. The fact that he is “security” is a statement of his wonder, his greatness, his power and my confidence in him and His favor with our Creator. Security means being held tightly when you’re not holding up well, being loved deeply when you’re tormented by Life’s shallowness, being caressed when you’ve been emotionally kicked, taking off the 9-5 mask that smothers and breathing in the 24-7 “I’ve got you” transparency, building a home within the four walls of your house and knowing that you can make love and create life when the statistics and circumstances whisper your death. It is the security of who he is not that makes it revolutionary to surrender, holy to submit and a yearning fulfilled when I can yield. It’s knowing that he trusts me with his dreams, is confident of my character, finds me worthy of his vulnerabilities and powerful as his prayer partner. It’s security when we say, “Glad you’re home,” and mean it.

Lovely M: No. I want emotional support, quality time, a best friend and to be loved.

Bonita D: No. Like me, most women my age have their own money; but, I still desire a man and would never utter the words that I don’t need one. We do want to feel protected. Security is very important and we want to know that he can handle his business.

Tamika M: I can’t speak for all women, but money and security aren’t the only things that I look for in a man. Still, I’ll be damned if they’re not important. I’ve worked hard to get where I am and if I can make short term sacrifices for long term gains then I expect the same from my man. Besides, just over 100 years ago our ancestors were still slaves. They got beat or were killed for learning to read, write, count and etc. Meanwhile, the glorified priorities for our generation is running around using bad grammar to seem, cool, aspiring to be hip hop moguls, or athletes and glorifying name calling and smacking each other on the ass.

Donna: No. As a woman who is financially secure and comfortable with being along, a man in my life is there to compliment it, not pay for it. He will need to be financially secure himself as I do not lend money to men. As for security, a woman should always feel secure around her man and in being with her man. If she does not feel like he will do anything in his power to keep her safe than he may not be the man for her.

Kelly: No its not but it's important. The way a man budgets and takes care of his money shows how much he will take care of you. If a man is frivolous in his spending, he cannot effectively take care of his household. This is a let down for many women because we are left to be both the bread winner and the housekeeper. This is too much when the responsibilities of the household are suppose to be shared. Security is extremely important though. When a woman feels secure she knows that she will be taken care of and that she is not in the relationship alone. Security is not always tied to financial gain but it can also be connected to a man's ability to be on time or consistent with what he says he will do. This too is a source of security.

Question 2 to the Men: Why do men choose to abandon their children?

Keenan: I’ve come to believe that this belief is more propaganda than truth. I think many men end up looking like “absentee” fathers because of the women that are mothers to their kids. Quite frankly, many women (but not all) are just plain ole difficult to get along with without kids. So they are damn near impossible to deal with when kids come into the picture simply because they know they have the upper hand via the family court system. Now granted, there are lots of “deadbeat” dads in society (I know this 1st hand), and I’m not saying they shouldn’t be held accountable for raising the children to the best of their abilities – because they should. However, I don’t feel the majority of fathers are actually choosing to abandon their kids. Rather, they are being forced out of their kids life because the mother is using the child(ren) as leverage, as pawns, or as an 18-year-meal-ticket, or for whatever other reasons, to get back at (get over on) the father when things go wrong in the relationship, especially when it’s a man of financial means.

Anonymous Light: Again - no easy one-size fits all answer. Some men have poor values and priorities – period. Some women on the other hand push their children’s fathers out of the picture for emotionally immature and unfair reasons. There’s enough blame to share.

Christopher: Great question – I did not have my father in my life. My father told my Mother that he was not ready to have a baby with her but she insisted . . . Guys do tell women that they don’t want that responsibility . . . or there are signs to show her that this man is not ready for children . . . many women just refuse to listen to them . . . women are dreamers (hoping and wishing that when the baby arrives that he will change his mind). The end result: I was left fatherless.

Chris M: Those who choose to abandon their children are merely “adult males” and are not to be mistaken for “men” in any way shape or form.

Satchel: I can’t conceive of any legitimate reason why a man would abandon his own seed, but it happens more often than not. However, with that being said, many men have abandoned their children for a number of reasons, one of those being infidelity on the part of the woman, and another is to escape his own lack of responsibility in dealing with the mother legally, emotionally, socially, or mentally. Unfortunately, the child(ren)’s well-being and development is arrested in a sour relationship, thus bitterness keeps the child(ren) from receiving the best of the two parents, whether together or apart. The children become the victims of circumstance. The weapon of choice of either parent is malicious intent to do the other harm unfortunately. Lastly, many men ditch and dodge the mother of the children to avoid dealings with the legal system. We have not had a great deal of support on any level of the legal system. Therefore, some men choose to run and hide, rather than stay the course and fight for their right to be an active parent and enjoy the fruits of their offspring.


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COMING SOON:

Love & Relationships in the Black Community: A Roundtable - Part III

Love & Relationships in the Black Community: A Roundtable- Part I

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Summary: I recently participated in a Black Women's Health Summit created by Bonita Clemons, M.PH, in Columbia, South Carolina, where women were given the opportunity to ask black men of various ages and backgrounds questions about love, relationships, family and etc. No questions were off limits or out of bounds. I decided to continue this positive and eye opening discussion by creating a virtual roundtable to include you and a limitless number of virtual participants. I asked both black men and women to provide me with questions that they most want answered honestly by the opposite sex. As a result, the questions presented to the roundtable participants were necessarily different. I presented the questions for the most part as the questions were presented to me. The answers received have varied greatly and are truly the sum total of each person's life experience and observation. This roundtable will continue in various parts until the discussion, including additional questions and comments come to a natural conclusion. Thank you in advance for your participation and comments. Together, we can exercise our collective POWER to put the urban legends and myths about Black Love to rest and ultimately heal and restore the Black family. Thank you.

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Profiles of the Female Participants (Some have chosen not to include their real names):

Fair Lady – Age 37, Entrepreneur; Education Level – Masters; Single; Straight; Born in Kentucky; Resides in Atlanta, GA

Lovely M – Age 30, Reading Specialist, Education Level – Masters; Single; Straight; Born in Minot, ND; Resides in Atlanta, GA

Bonita D. – Age 41, College Professor; Education Level - Masters; Single; Straight; Born in Anderson, SC; Resides in Columbia, SC

Tamika M. – Age 30, Civil Servant; Education Level – Masters; Single; Straight; Born in Columbus, GA; Resides in Washington, D.C.

Donna - Age 36, Government; Education Level - Ph.D Candidate; Single; Straight; Born in New York; Resides in Atlanta, GA

Kelly - Age 25, Program Coordinator/Researcher; Education Level - Masters; Single; Straight; Born in Cali; Resides in Atlanta, GA


Profiles of the Male Participants (Some have chosen not to include their real names):

Keenan – Age 35, IT Specialist; Author; Education Level - BS – Business Management/Master IT; Single; Straight; Born in Macon, GA; Resides in Atlanta, GA

Anonymous Light - Married; Resides in Atlanta, GA

Christopher – Age 36, Professor; Education Level - Master Computer Science; Single/Divorced; Straight; Born in Washington, D.C.; Resides in Atlanta, GA

Chris M – Age 35, Counselor, Author, Entrepreneur; Education Level - BS; Single; Straight; Born in Brooklyn is the Planet; Currently Resides in Atlanta, GA

Satchel – Age 33, Engineer/Massage & Bodywork Therapist; Education Level - BS Industrial Engineering & Clinical ED. Massage Therapy; Married; Straight; Born in Atlanta, GA; Resides in Snellville, GA

Part I:

Question 1 to the Women: Why Do Women Cheat?

Fair Lady: I believe for personal validation. It’s an act to “prove” to oneself or the other person that you really are worthy of love, affection etc. . .

Lovely M: Women love. Our love is so powerful that we are able to continuously forgive. However, we are unable to forget. Women cheat when they find themselves emotionally disconnected from the other person. Cheating often stems from infidelity, continuous disrespect, neglect or simply being taken for granted. Women cheat when they have completely exhausted all possibilities of caring if the relationship works. It is unfortunate that many women stay in a [relationship] because they feel a man validates them so they cheat until they secure a new [love interests]. This comes from fear of not wanting to be alone since we have all heard stories of how all of the good men are taken.

Bonita D: Women sometimes like men for the wrong reason. Sometimes they want to Love them for the right reason. When a woman is totally into her man, cheating is the last thing on her mind. When a woman is cherished and challenged, she won’t cheat - but if she is missing one of the two she may. We are good for having a good man and cheating on him and we also are good for wanting the man that doesn’t treat us the best – he is a challenge and we need that.

Tamika M: Women cheat because they feel cheated.

Donna: Women cheat because their partner is cheating on them. They are insecure in their relationship.

Kelly: I believe there are many reasons that women cheat (1) lack of self-worth and not loving yourself, (2) not feeling loved or validated, (3)lack of a father figure to show you what real love is and how a man should treat you, (4) and for some they just cheat because they're looking for sex with no strings. These circumstances place many women in a role of not caring about themselves and as such don't care how someone else treats them even when it comes to being disrespected.

Question 1 to the Men: Why do men cheat and are all men naturally unfaithful?

Keenan: There are many reasons why a man would cheat, probably as many reasons as there are men in the world. Yet, while I think the “reasons” are many, I also feel the CAUSE is few. Actually, I believe it boils down to one raison ď etre: Lack of SELF-CONTROL. At the root of all infidelity, “lack of self-control” is the underlying impetus that runs through the veins of all men that cheat. And no, I don’t feel men are any more naturally unfaithful than women are naturally faithful because marital studies reveal that infidelity occurs just about equally between husbands and wives: 46% and 40%, respectively.

Anonymous Light: Men cheat for a number of complicated reasons – just as women cheat for a number of complicated reasons. Neither sex is naturally unfaithful . . . although the social costs for men “cheating” is much less than those for women. This is one of the reasons that 33% of children submitted for DNA testing turn out to NOT be the child of the alleged father – even when children from married couples are tested.

Christopher: Why do men cheat . . . . . . . it is very difficult for me to answer this questions because I myself DO NOT CHEAT!!! I guess it is due to my high school learning lesson on cheating: I cheated in my younger days of high school and in return the next girlfriend I had cheated on me. Call it Karma. “What goes around comes right back around” and it hurts, badly, so badly, that I vowed to never cheat again. I also don’t cheat due to disease out in the world – HIV and other STDs. I have never had any STDs and don’t want any. So, I remain faithful and committed to ONE woman. Out of all my 20 years of dating I have never cheated neither have the women that I have dated (at least not that I am aware of . . .) I am pretty confident that they didn’t. My past break up(s) were due to religious/financial differences. Most guys that I talk to though, say that the reason they cheat is because they are missing something in the relationship. There is a void!!!! I ask why not communicate that “VOID” to your woman? Why not give her an opportunity to fill the void? If she chooses not to make the change or at least compromise, then its time to move on and leave her where she is. [This is not the time or a justification for men to cheat.] She is who she is and if she takes no action after you have communicated your desires, move forward. Most men get what they need and are fulfilled in a relationship and STILL CHEAT. Why? Because [their position is] why should I communicate to her and mess up a great thing and do you know the ratio of men to women here in Atlanta [insert your city] are so high – she is just going to have to share me. Some men are just plain greedy!!! That greed will catch up with them soon!

Chris M: Some do because they want to. Some because they are pushed to. Some because they can. I don’t have a clue why the men who cheat do. I don’t. I’d rather break up with a woman than cheat on her. I’m pretty serious about my Karma. But having never been married I can’t really comment on that aspect of it since one cannot just up and leave as they see fit [in a marriage].

Satchel: In my humble opinion, I believe that some men cheat to satisfy their unmet needs, wants, or desires, which often stem from a lack of willfulness of either partner to lovingly communicate with each other their respective motivating forces in the relationship. Further explained, sex alone as a sole qualifier for infidelity or unfaithfulness, in and of itself, is not the ultimate reason that a man chooses to step outside his relationship. Rather, it is the unmitigated validation and unconditional acceptance the man seeks from his woman with respect to his spiritual, mental, physical, and social role within the relationship that drives him to be completely faithful, or unfaithful in the union. In answering the second part of this question, I believe that all men have the propensity to desire a sexual relationship with another woman, if that alone constitutes unfaithfulness, even if the thought is not physically acted upon. In my opinion, we men seek specific qualities in a woman that drives our innermost desires. 1) The woman’s potential to bring out our best and most successful qualities; 2) The woman’s ability to deal with difficult matters with sound reasoning and a level head; 3) The woman’s level of education, whether it be formal and/or through exposure to the greater world community, and lastly; 4) The woman’s physical attractiveness, and her ability to use this gift to arouse or channel the man’s sexual energies to produce effectively(i.e. spiritual leadership, child-rearing, job performance, business pursuits, etc. There can be a multitude of other factors that can draws a man’s attention to another woman easily, if his significant other does not possess, or chooses not to display in the relationship.


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COMING SOON:Part II:
Love & Relationships in the Black Community: A Roundtable - PartII

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Catch A Fire - The Story of Patrick Chamusso

By LeVoyd L. Carter
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Kunjani,

Last night, I was invited to a pre-screening of a new South African movie “Catch A Fire,” staring Derek Luke, Tim Robbins and Bonnie Henna. The movie was riveting and eye-opening. It pulled a level of empathy, compassion and anger from within me that I have not experienced from the big screen in a while.

Derek Luke plays Patrick Chamusso, a South African family man, who by a strange twist of fate is inspired and summons up the courage to become an African National Conference (ANC) freedom fighter in opposition to South African apartheid. During his torture and imprisonment at Robben Island, Patrick under the teachings of Nelson Mandela, adopted the life philosophy of forgiveness. Since his release from prison, he has stood side by side with his former torturers, telling his story of apartheid and how such an insidious social and political philosophy and law was overthrown.

Afterwards, I met Derek Luke, Bonnie Henna and Phillip Noyce, the films director. They were absolutely wonderful and dynamic people in their own ways. However, what made the night special for me was meeting and conversing with Patrick Chamusso. With humilty and sincerity, he expressed his appreciation for the production of the film and the careful effort to portray his story; that of an ordinary man who stood up and fought back.

Patrick expressed to me his concern that “Catch A Fire” may not be accepted by the American audience. As he covered his eyes and clinched his hands, he shared his concern that African Americans, particularly, may not be interested in such a film. With conviction and a strong handshake, I assured him, African Americans will support this film. With earnest expectation, this film can serve as another adhesive in bonding and reuniting the African Diaspora.

Please show your support for this film. It opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, October 27th. For additional information on Patrick Chamusso, please visit, http://www.twosisters.org.za/.

For information about Catch A Fire, click on the following links:

http://www.catchafiremovie.com/
http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/catchafire.html;_ylt=Ap2a73w1xzsCBXer77Awc0VfVXcA

Sala Kahle

Monday, October 16, 2006

The Thoughts of a Black Panther

Black Child's Pledge
By Shirley Williams
October 26, 1968
The Black Panther Party
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I pledge allegiance to my Black People. I pledge to develop my mind and body to the greatest extent possible. I will learn all that I can in order to give my best to my People in their struggle for liberation. I will keep myself physically fit, building a strong body free from drugs and other substances which weaken me and make me less capable of protecting myself, my family and my Black brothers and sisters. I will unselfishly share my knowledge and understanding with them in order to bring about change more quickly. I will discipline myself to direct my energies thoughtfully and constructively rather than wasting them in idle hatred. I will train myself never to hurt or allow others to harm my Black brothers and sisters for I recognize that we need every Black Man, Woman, and Child to be physically, mentally and psychologically strong. These principles I pledge to practice daily and to teach them to others in order to unite my People.


What line would you add to this pledge considering the challenges we as African/African Americans face in today's society?

Sunday, October 15, 2006

HIV/AIDS - Pestilence Within Our Land

By LeVoyd L. Carter, II
© 2006 All Rights Reserved
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For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Matthew 24:7 (KJV)

It is with great anxiety that I sit to write this piece. It has been weeks now since I viewed the ABC Primetime news special entitled, "Out of Control: AIDS in Black America. The research for this special was initiated by Peter Jennings prior to his transition. I thank him for his work.

I initially looked upon this show with great skepticism and tried to punch holes in the journalism and its applied research integrity. Unconsciously, I wanted to find a flaw in the show in order to deny or cast doubt on what I was hearing about African-Americans-my people. As I watched an acute sadness came over me. I was both shocked and revolted by the statistics and the countless stories of senseless death that has resulted from the spread of HIV/AIDS in the black community.

Trying to see the big picture, I thought to myself, why are they targeting Black America in this program when HIV/AIDS is a major medical issue that impacts every race and ethnic group that claims the United States as home? African-Americans are not the only people here that live with HIV/AIDS and we are definitely not the only group of people engaging in unprotected sexual practices. So why us?

Shortly thereafter all of these questions and thoughts no longer mattered. What I quickly realized and accepted as new “again” was that HIV/AIDS is killing Black America. Let me say that again another way, neither stroke, heart attacks, diabetes, cancer or violent crimes, respectively, is killing African-Americans at the alarming rate of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS moves in the shadows, it is slow and deceptive, yet progressive and ongoing in its pursuit to ultimately annihilate it host. This is not a dooms day scenario or some conspiracy theory - this is a hard fact that we as a people must have the courage to recognize as truth.

In August 2005, Foreign Affairs magazine in an article entitled The Lessons of HIV/AIDS, stated, "AIDS has killed at least 26 million people, orphaning more than 12 million children and today the virus afflicts 40 million people directly." This means that just two short years ago over 78 million people were directly impacted by HIV/AIDS. So as exposed in the Primetime special, why do we as African Americans continue to engage in life threatening sexual behaviors? Does life mean less to us as Africans/African Americans than it does to other people throughout the world? Does instant sexual gratification more than compensate for the potential death and suffering that could result from an unprotected moment of pleasure? (If you feel moved or have something to add please post your response(s) to these questions or comments by clicking on the word “comments” at the end of this entry.)

Many attempt to blame the seemingly untamable spread of HIV/AIDS in Black America on (1) arrogance and ignorance, (2) the erosion of the black family nucleus and values, (3) bisexuality and/or “down low” behavior, (4) the lack of leadership (religious, political, social and educational) (5) poverty (6) hip hop music and videos (hyper-sexuality) and the list goes on and on and on. I believe each of these plays an important part in this dilemma. I choose not to judge or cast blame I only want us to look at the facts. Because my heart is heavy, I am writing to plead with each of you to pick up right where you are and let’s begin to fight the proliferation and spread of this carnivorous virus and disease. Our people are dying slow and agonizing deaths, our children are being orphaned and many turned to the streets to fend for themselves. In our families and communities, the whispers continue to echo as if there is an ongoing plan to over through the over seer and escape to freedom – when actually it is but our gossip about the taboo topic of HIV/AIDS that has ravaged yet another one of our loved ones and destroyed another black family. This is an unforgiving and radical disease that takes no prisoners, is not a respecter of person or religion and has but two true objectives – (1) to DEVOUR its host and (2) SPREAD. Is that not enough to awaken us – No, well please read on.
________

The Primetime special included a segment in which Peter Jennings interviewed a circle of Black men in Atlanta who confessed that they were homosexuals and were a part of the down low sub-culture (homosexual men living and portraying themselves as heterosexuals) and engaging in risky and often times unprotected sexual behavior. These men also confessed that they were either married to women or engaged in long term committal relationships with women. They lived their lives day to day as heterosexual men in an effort to avoid the whispers discussed above, the unwanted labels, mischaracterizations and the ridicule of friends, family and others.

Yet, these men could not deny who they were or to what segment of the population they found themselves to be attracted. They admitted that they followed the desires of their hearts and “chose” to engage in sexual relationships with multiple male partners. These men engaged in homosexual intercourse, often time unprotected while still involved in their committal relationships with their unsuspecting wives and/or girlfriends. It is undisputable truth that they were unfaithful and there is no excuse for such behavior. But, while being unfaithful is not a good thing, it did not cause the spread of the disease – the willingness of ALL of the parties involved to make the decision to engage in unprotected sexual behavior (in and outside of their respective relationships) led to the senseless spread of the virus and disease and the subsequent deaths of these women. Yes, they died! Are you shocked? You should be, just as I am! But as the old saying goes, “Familiarity breeds complacency.” We have heard these stories so much and for so long they seem to be of little to no effect anymore. Let the stories of these women, their lives, love, suffering and death not be in vain. WAKE UP NOW!!!

These women, TRUSTED their mates and CHOSE to engage in unprotected sex in the sanctity of marriage and in other committal relationships (just as many of us) and the results were the same – DEATH. I believe most of us can recall a time when we also engaged in risky behavior or unsafe sexual practices. If that is the case and less than ten years have passed, then you may still be at risk of being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and those who you engaged in unprotected sex with subsequent to that encounter are also at risk of being diagnosed with the virus or syndrome. The message I am attempting to convey is simple. Each and every person whether they read this entry or not, whether you are liberal or conservative, black or white, heterosexual or homosexual, religious or agnostic, young or old must do their part to stop the spread of this virus and disease in its tracks by taking full responsibility for his or her own sexual decisions, behavior and practices. Make the decision and commitment NOW to either be abstinent and/or to no longer engage in risky unprotected sexual behavior.

To reiterate, in 2005 over 40 million people were estimated to live with HIV. OVER 40 MILLION PEOPLE!!! Many of these 40 million appreciate each and every moment of their lives and they actively work in the struggle to eliminate the proliferation of this virus and disease. Nevertheless, there is another segment of this 40 million who choose to deny their diagnosis and carry on their lives as if they are virus and/or disease free. They take on the policy of the military, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In other words, if you do not ask if your potential sexual partner is HIV positive or when was the last time they were tested, they will not tell. Further, as demonstrated above, many of us may have good intensions but in the heat of passion or up against extreme cultural and social pressures, all human being are subject to tell a little lie. These little lies or omissions are costing us our lives.

Another alarming issue is the behavior of our children and young adults ages 18 through 35. I recently was inspired to speak with quite a few young men and women in various relaxed social setting who admitted that they willingly and conscientiously engaged in unprotected sex in the last 12 months with casual acquaintances. Most of these individuals claimed also to be in committal relationships and were looking towards marriage. When I ask why they engaged in the risky sexual practices, most simply shrugged their shoulders and insinuated that they got caught up in the moment. None of the individuals I spoke with have had an AIDS test since their unprotected sexual encounter and they have subsequently been sexually active with their committal partners. Now, how scary and scandalous is that? This is not a joke this is life or death.

CALL TO ACTION:

If you are going to engage in sexual intercourse, buy and use condoms, not some of the times, but each and every time. This simple decision has been elevated to a matter of life and death – please choose life. We must wage war against the casual exchange of bodily fluids via unsafe sex practices and intravenous drug use. Keeping it real, in the heat of passion is probably one of the most difficult times to take a moment and think rationally. But no matter how hard it may seem, the potentially tragic and unnecessary passing or acquiring of HIV/AIDS is much more difficult to deal with and it impacts so many more people. Each of us must summon up the courage to have our blood tested for the presence of the virus. I know, we have all heard it before – but SO WHAT hear it again - I challenge you to do it – proudly get your blood test. I also challenge each person reading this message to challenge at least 10 more people to be tested for HIV/AIDS. Start with your family and members of your inner most social circle. Collectively, we can substantially reduce and hopefully at some point in the future totally prevent the spread of this virus and disease.

I am not an expert in the prevention of HIV/AIDS, but I do believe that each of us has been empowered to fight the spread of this virus and disease – this is my initial attempt at doing just that. Nevertheless, please do your own research and make a difference starting with you and your mate, your family and your community. For your convenience, please find attached below is a list of important links that can assist in your understanding of HIV/AIDS and the prevention of the same.

Please make a decision to make a difference by passing this important message and link on to at least five (5) people - NOW. Peace and Love – Yours in the Struggle . . .

Important Links Related to HIV/AIDS

Afraid to Ask
AIDS Education Global Information System (AEGIS)
AIDSinfo
AIDS Survival Project
AIDS Treatment Data Network
AIDS Treatment Initiatives (ATI)
American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR)
American Social Health Association Resource Center
Body, The
CDC
ChildKind, Inc.
Correctional HIV Consortium
Critical Path AIDS Project
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Emory/Atlanta Center for AIDS Research
Families USA
GA Division of Public Health (DHR)
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC)
Gender and HIV/AIDS
Global Campaign for Microbicides
Hepatitis Information (American Liver Foundation)
HIVdent
Internationa Association of Physicians in AIDS Care
JAMA
Kaiser Family Foundation
Medscape HIV/AIDS
NAMES Project
National AIDS & Education Services for Minorities
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
National Minority AIDS Council
National Tuberculosis Center Information Line
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
POZ Magazine
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the US
Southeast AIDS Training and Education Center
Straight But Not Narrow
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Until There's A Cure

Thursday, October 05, 2006

The Perfect Storm - A Snapshot of Educational Challenges in Public Schools

By LeVoyd L. Carter
© 2006 All Rights Reserved
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Note: The content of this article includes a compilation of the views and opinions of various education professionals and the author's interpretation of the same. Please read this article keeping in mind that all of the thoughts and opinions expressed do not apply to all public schools or to all teachers, administrator, students and parents.


We have heard that our public school teachers are over worked and under paid. Most of us agree that it is a terrible discrepancy when professional athletes and entertainers make millions to help us escape from reality for a temporary period of time and teachers get paid crumbs by comparison as they mold, shape and attempt to positively impact the young minds that will ultimately transition into leadership roles in all fields of discipline represented in our society.

I often have the pleasure of speaking with school teachers from various metropolitan Atlanta public schools. Most of them love their chosen profession and really enjoy playing an important role in shaping the minds of our children as they progress towards becoming well rounded and educated adults equipped to make their dreams and visions become a reality.

Many of these teachers speak of how smart and respectful some of their children are and how engaged their parents are in the matriculation process of these students. The teacher's eyes light up when they speak of these students as if each of them will become the next W.E.B. DuBois, Shirley Chisholm or A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. – real trailblazers. Then the conversations seem to take an all too familiar change in course and the grave reality of what is actually taking place in some of our public classrooms becomes clear. This reality is what I see as creating a perfect storm. Recognizing that there are always exceptions to what I am writing about, I am including the worst of what I have heard from the educators and administrators in an effort to prick our collective consciousness. We cannot afford to leave not even one student behind to be a victim of this perfect storm.

Current 1 – Our Teachers

Teachers are beginning to feel “trapped and imprisoned" in the classroom and are looking for ways to escape the day to day grind that has become something less than the noble profession they once thought educating their communities’ children would be. Some teachers find themselves riddled with debt from college loans from when they sought their degrees and certifications in education. These once optimistic professionals are now slipping in and out of depression partially because they do not see the overall positive impact of their work nor do they see any financial reward. Through the eyes of several teachers, it is safe to say that they view their jobs as little more than taking big stones and breaking them down to little rocks day in and day out.

As the teachers with degrees and certificates in educations begin to find their way out of the classroom, more and more state governments are searching high and low for qualified replacement teachers. In some instances, the state and local school boards have lowered the qualifying standards for new teachers in order to meet the need for adult supervision in the classroom. The next logical question to me is if our highly trained educators cannot take being in the classroom, what makes us so certain that under trained teachers will do any better? This is a cracked damn or levee trying to hold back the weigh of the ocean. If some real solutions are not thought of and implemented quickly, disaster will be the likely outcome for our public school systems and more importantly for our children and their future opportunities.

Current 2 – Our Children

"The children of today are not the same children we were when we were growingew up", is often a repeated mantra. Many teachers expect the children and teenagers of today to be similar in composure and make up as children were in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. However, many things have changed since then including the proliferation of drugs (crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, heroin, etc.) in our communities tearing at the very nucleus and fibers of our family structure. Single parent households and latch key children are at an all time high. Children and parents alike are finding that they do not have recognizable and legitimate support systems in or outside of the home.

In addition, parents are being force spending more and more time at work and away from their children. Some parents find themselves working harder and longer hours to secure housing and the other basic necessities of life, while their children are left to be raised and molded by their grandparents and extended family (if available), teachers and/or in some instances on their own.

Many of these children, especially those living in poverty stricken rural and inner city settings, often times find themselves raising their younger siblings and playing the role of an adult when they themselves are in the midst of their own growth and maturity process and in need of consistent guidance and nurturing. As a result of having to deal with the stresses of being a child, being forced to act as an adult and lacking maturity, these students sometimes act out when they are placed in a setting like a classroom and forced to conduct themselves under the authority of a teacher (Note: Often times this is a frustrated, stressed out, detached and possibly depressed teacher). It is no wonder that when these negative energies meet in the same space and intersect with each other, they create an unstable and hostile environment for both the teacher and the student. The optimal learning environment is compromised.

Current 3 – Our Parents & Guardians

The family structure in the United States is under attack. Whether the blame for the high rate of single parent households is divorce or other spiritual and social factors, the result is normally the same. Single parents are required to do more today and work longer and harder than any time in recent history to sustain the home. Many of these single parents are very young and received at most a high school diploma/GED or did not complete high school at all. Combined with the all too numerous to name other situations and circumstances that create and attribute to the soaring numbers of single parent households, these are the parents that I choose to focus on in this piece.

Why you may ask? In my discussions with teachers and administrators alike, they describe these parents as angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, depressed and dealing with misguided aggression. The real issues from what I could gather is that due to their limited educational backgrounds and achievements, these parents normally have to work two menial full time jobs just to make ends meet. Unless drug abuse is present, these parents are nevertheless just as dedicated to their children and preserving their homes as better situated parents. However, when up to eighteen hours out of the day is spent at work and rest is needed so the parent can return to work the next day, there is little time remaining for the children and absolutely no time for consistent involvement in their child’s educational experience (at home or at school).

Contrast this scenario with that of single parents who are highly educated and have a high earning capacity. These parents may earn between $15 and $20 per hour as entry level salaries and as they progress into management and/or provide professional services they have the potential to earn well over $100K per year. What is really important to capture in this comparison is the amount of time required to earn enough money to keep an average household stable and healthy for the raising of children. In the first scenario, it would take a poorly educated parent making minimum wage almost three hours to make what the entry level highly educated persons earns in an hour. Although the goals are the same, to provide at a minimum the basic necessities (i.e., housing, clothing, food and medicine) for their children, the time required to do the same is drastically increased in some instances due to the lack of education and the lack of meaningful employment opportunities.

As a result, these parents are tired and under a tremendous amount of physical fatigue and mental stress. Not to mention that they themselves may feel at certain times just as the teachers that I spoke with do, trapped and/or imprisoned. The only difference is that many of the teachers have the aptitude, motivation and opportunity to change their circumstances. Many of these parents see no way out other than to work even harder and longer hours, turn to illegal activities, engage in drug abuse and/or simply pass the responsibility of raising their children on to relatives (willing or not).

The children suffer when their parents have little time for them and even less time to dialog with teachers about their child’s progress or behavior. As a result, the teachers become frustrated and in some instances give up on these children as they act out and become a major distraction to the ongoing learning process of the other children. After all, teachers are not babysitters, they are educators.

Teachers provide the foundation and guidelines for learning. Parents are responsible for ensuring that the students put these practices and guidelines to work. As one educator put it, homework is not just the practical application of what is learned in the classroom, but it is quality time when a parent and child can interact and grow together. Unfortunately, homework time in many households no longer exists. On the other hand there seems to be plenty of television and video game time by comparison. If the students are not taught discipline and accountability, and are not required to do their homework assignments on a daily basis, many of the tools necessary for their future success will not be mastered and failure maybe imminent.

And the vicious cycle continues . . .

Current 4 – The Administration

The administrators in public schools play a very important management and oversight role. They are responsible for the overall educational process taking place in their respective schools. They are also responsible for safety, test scores, budgets, equipment and the list goes on. Most administrators have spent time in the classroom and are all too familiar with the challenges that teachers face on a day to day basis.

However, according to the teachers that I spoke with, many of the administrators are more concerned about reaching test score goals than anything else that occurs in our public schools. High test scores result in positive recognition and such positive recognition results in additional dollars for the successful schools. The managing of these high dollar budgets into positive educational results lead to promotions and salaries increases for public school administrators. We should encourage all of our administrators to keep working for overall positive educational results, not just those measured by standardized test scores.

To keep it real, what we are deal with in this piece is only partially the fault of administrators. They have a tremendous amount of pressure placed on them from local boards of education and state departments of education to produce high standardized test scores in order to tap into certain Federal government dollars earmarked for education. In some ways, I can empathize with the plight of the administrator who works day in and day out focused on nothing but test scores – that is if it means bringing more badly needed funds into poor inner city and rural public schools.

Nevertheless, when this pressure is combined with that of the students, teachers and parents described herein, you have the makings of the perfect storm that leaves in its aftermath with few exceptions the following results and symptoms by category:

Teachers: dysfunction, anxiety and depression, anger, disconnection, increased drug use, flight from the classroom, low self-esteem, increased stress levels and etc.;

Students: dysfunction, anxiety and depression, high dropout rates, the proliferation of teenage sexual activity and pregnancy, the increased spread of sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers, violence in the classrooms, other criminal activity, increased drug use by the students, illiteracy, low self-esteem, embarrassment and negative social stigmas, increased stress levels and etc.;

Parents: dysfunction, anxiety and depression, increased drug use, low self-esteem, sense of failure as a parent, embarrassment and negative social stigmas, increased stress levels and etc.; and

Administrators: dysfunction, anxiety and depression, increased drug use, low self-esteem, sense of failure, increased stress levels and etc.

In the midst of all of the To reiterate, although positive outcomes and stories related to education, these are the negative results that often go without the least bit of recognition as the star students, parents, teachers and administrators are recognized as being exemplary. Could we be suffering from willful blindness and . . .

Are There Any Real Solutions?

Although most of what I have written in this piece is not new and was geared towards shining a spotlight on a lot of the negative results of our public school systems as they are currently are operated, there are many students who make it through this grind and go on to be successful whether they graduate from college or not. Taking all of these things into account, we must use our best efforts to ensure that our public school systems are operating proficiently and in an economically sound and productive manner.

We can start by getting active in our local Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) and volunteering at our local public schools whether we have children attending or not. The efforts of volunteers can help alleviate some of the stress and load that is currently placed solely on our teachers. Further, volunteers can provide students with increased levels of supervision and some of the emotional support that they so desperately need. This type of effort reinforces the old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Next, we can become active members of and volunteers for our local boards of education and/or the equivalent. An active community or collective group focused on education often times results in positive policy making and progress when dealing with political and quasi-political institutions like local school boards. Subtle influence by the community can result in additional teachers being hired, schools being build and the student to teacher ratio in the classroom being reduced to increase the chances of success in the educational process. Please pay close attention to the political “process” in your community and make sure that the violation of rules and procedures do not cause you to loose your opportunity to make a meaningful and substantive change in your public schools.

Each of us is also represented by both a state representative and state senator and a United States Representative and United States Senator. Each of these elected officials have local offices that you can visit in order to educate yourself on how to meet the necessary requirement to bring additional resources to your local public school district. Further, you have an opportunity to bring issues that may not otherwise be addressed to the attention of influential staff members and in some instances to the representative and senators themselves.

However, that is not the end of our jobs. If we really want to help our teachers, students, parents and administrators, as well as, our communities, and our nation, we must hold our elected officials responsible for their actions and omissions. The best way to do this is to work with the elected officials and staff to come up with the very best solutions to earmarked isolated and systematic problems. Then work with the elected officials as they navigate the arduous labyrinth of bi-partisan policy making.

In our communities, I believe we must support our teachers and administrators alike. In their hands, they hold the keys to our future success as a nation as they mold and educate our children. Further, in my humble opinion, we cannot ignore the plethora of current social issues that plague our communities and our families. For example, we must continue our efforts to increase the minimum wage, eliminate poverty and drug abuse (legal and illegal) and refocus our efforts to make illiteracy a thing of the past. In addition, with all of us working together we have to find alternative ways to help young students/parents who made mistakes and bad decisions in the past find their way to education, success and fulfilling careers. Last, and in my opinion and most important, we must embrace our children and teach them that they are beautifully unique. We as adults are tasked with protecting their innocence to the maximum extent practicable and allowing them to experience a meaningful and nurturing childhood. Now, this does not mean that they will not buck up as they begin to smell themselves, just as we did! J It only means that the community will consciously support, protect and embrace all of our children even when their parents may not be available and active in their day to day lives.

This writing is how I begin to get involved - again. I am very interested in your comments, questions and ideas. Please click on the word “comments” below and let your voice be heard. Peace and Blessings.

Please pass this link onto your friends, family and colleagues!!!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Beyond the Pain: The True Act of Forgiveness

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By LeVoyd L. Carter, II
September 13, 2006
http://www.rrpmedia.blogspot.com
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“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)

There will be times in our lives when we will experience pain at the hands of the ones we love most. That pain may come as a result of poorly thought out decisions or a lack of patience on our part. At other times, the pain may be a result of other people (those we love most) being selfish and too self-absorbed to realize that their decisions and actions impact others significantly.

This type of pain can debilitate its victims physically, mentally and/or spiritually. For example, we have all been there for a close friend or relative after a fresh breakup with a significant other as they experience symptoms of physical illness. Some cry until there are no more tears; others vomit uncontrollably as they attempt to deal with the pain and disappointment; there are those of us who revert to blaming themselves or asking God, “Why me”; there are those who take the pain of relationships to the extreme by isolating themselves and inflicting physical wounds in their flesh and sometimes they may even have thoughts of suicide or revenge.

Regardless of the catalyst that causes the resulting pain, we all have the power to make the best decision(s) under the circumstances. As rational adults, we must sometimes make the decision that is right despite how it may make you feel in the short term (yuck). For example, if you were to find out that your spouse or significant other was or is being unfaithful, how would you react? What if you found out your spouse or significant other impregnated or was impregnated by someone else, how would you react? (PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO THINK ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS and record your answers in the comments section of this message below) Many of us would be led by our anger and a deep sense of betrayal to do things in the heat of passion that could hurt us, our families and potentially land us in jail or the grave.

Some believe in the saying, “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” I differ with that opinion. I believe revenge is a dish that is not worth the time, energy or risks necessary to serve it at all. In other words, what do you have to gain from causing another person just as much pain as that person may have caused you to suffer? The honest answer is nothing.

Now, I am not saying if you see harm or danger approaching not to heed the warning signs and move out of the way or defend yourself as necessary – by all constructive means, do so. Nevertheless, I am saying have the where with all to face the pain, recognize it for what it is and summon up the courage to move forward in a positive way. Do so without carrying the negative baggage from the past to continue to inflict pain upon you and others. Exercise “your power” to begin to heal yourself immediately and waste none of the most precious asset you have in life, “time” devising how you will serve a dish that will ultimately leave you unhappy, unfulfilled and wanting.

Further, have the courage to look within yourself to find out what you could have done differently under the circumstances to avoid or minimize the negative results and/or the pain. Were there signs and/or warnings that something was going wrong? Did you have an opportunity to change your behavior and actions (something well within your control) in light of the situation and circumstances that may have resulted in a different outcome? Did you create false expectations regardless of the truth and the facts that rest before you? In other words, ask as many questions of yourself as is necessary to find the truth or the light (positive lessons) from the negative occurrence. Apply the light or good to your life going forward and likewise alleviate the negative characteristics, negative habits and excuses from your life.

Life is a finite gift; do not waste it on foolishness. Face your pain and deal with it in a non-destructive manner. Take your experiences, learn from them (do not stay fixated and/or stagnant in the negative muck and mire) and make better and more informed decisions in the future. The immediate pain will surely subside and pass away for a season and then it will rise up again under different circumstances to test your will and your power to make positive decisions. I trust that you will think of this message when you make those positive decisions no matter what the negative situation and/or circumstance. Peace, Love & Blessings.

(*To the reader, please consider forgiving those who have caused you pain and begin the healing process while you enjoy life. Feel free to write your note of forgiveness in the comments section below.)

LeVoyd’s Special Note of Forgiveness: To all of those who I have hurt by way of my actions whether justified or not, I sincerely apologize and ask for your forgiveness. For those who have hurt me by way of your actions whether justified or not, I forgive you and wish you nothing but the best.

Copyright ©2006 by LeVoyd L. Carter
All Rights Reserved

Sunday, September 10, 2006

What is the Value of Life?

By LeVoyd L. Carter, II
(Originally written July 21, 2006)
http://rrpmedia.blogspot.com
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I feel sad today as I read the newspapers and listen to the morning news broadcasts, which is my normal practice. The reports led me to the blithe reality that life as I have known, experience now and observe is filled with so much unnecessary death and destruction, the conscience lack of compassion and the total void of empathy. What happened to the human spirit that was spoken about when I was a little boy? Have people really changed that much or was I blinded by the innocence of youth and inexperience? I wish I could see and experience life through those blinders again.

Today, I observe people suffering and separated by false barriers - skin color, political affiliation, religious belief systems, fraternities, sororities, education, economic status, sexual orientation and the list goes on. I believe if we all were to take a moment and look into the recesses of our minds, those locked boxes of truth and reality representing our suppressed consciousness and our hidden truths, we can all find something that we know we needs to work on today. Scared, afraid of being found out, afraid to be embarrassed, so you would rather lie to yourself. Is a Muslim worse than a Christian or vice versa in most instances? Is a black man any better or worse than a white man or vice versa? Is a rich woman better than a poor woman or a poor heterosexual better than a rich homosexual or transgender? Is a democrat better than a republican, a president better than a janitor? From my perspective, the answer is no. I will leave that for you to come to your own conclusion.

Last night, the sky was dark and quiet. The darkness was like a blanket over the earth keeping her warm and protected from something that lie beyond. Yet a strange thing was introduced to this black velvet sky. Violent white hot flames erupted from the ends of missiles passing in the vast sky intended to cause havoc on Beirut and Israel respectively. Innocent people, men, women and their children who have not been given the opportunity to live have there lives snuffed out as the hot shrapnel pierces their skin, break their bones and destroy their internal organs, as if they meant nothing and are meat for to scavenger. What sense does this make especially when the same is defended as a way to destroy the enemy and ascertain a peaceful and non-combative existence. Are we so ignorant, arrogant, lazy and/or callous that we believe that any life other than our own or those identified as being a part of our self-selected or affiliated by birth cultures and sub-cultures is not worth preserving?

Intelligent men and women who have been elected, appointed or ascended to honored positions of public service representing the interests of their people as they relate to other people through out the world, cannot seem to think long enough to derive meaningful resolution of conflicts without threats of war, embargos (officially sanctioned starving of innocent individuals) or the arbitrary alienation or isolation of an entire country, nation or people. Without respect of person, political party, religious affiliation or anything else, it seems that man with all the technological advancements, education, modes of communications and etc., is more barbaric and primitive than ever before. Instead of using wooden clubs, bows and arrows, machetes and blow guns with hand made arrows as weapons of survival, so called intelligent human beings waste valuable time, monetary resources and intellect creating mechanisms that will result in nothing but the demise and perhaps annihilation of all forms of life as they currently exist. This collective body of leaders over any given time should come together and focus on improving the human condition for all – not just a few who happen to be born in an area or on a body of land defined by false borders and/or man made walls and fences and is “deemed” a place of distinction.

Children [will] sleeping on streets this night homeless; people are dying from diseases because they cannot afford medicine, while bureaucratic non-sense and corporate greed (profit making) is making the same unavailable as it rots in storage warehouses; rival gang members are killing each other because they compensate for the feeling of being disenfranchised and are viewed as something other than a part of the primary social structure and culture; a mentally diseased child molester just stole a child’s innocence because the parents are more focused on earning money and paying for a show piece overly priced car than spending quality time with their children; and the scenarios go on and on and on. The point I am trying to make is that all life is precious. ALL LIFE!! Afghan, American, African, Jewish, Spanish, English, Dutch, Asian, poor, rich, military, civilian, educated, non-educated, parent, non-parent, slim, obese, black, white, yellow, red, old, young, heterosexual, homosexual, and etc., - ALL LIFE is precious and worth fighting for in a morally sound, dignified and intelligent way to preserve.

In this simplistic message that does not take into account the all too numerous to name obstacles and issues that leaders must face and consider in their decision making processes, I am nevertheless calling upon a heightened level of accountability of analysis, thought and application of all of the resources that are at the disposal of the world’s nations and leaders. Tomorrow will be brighter than today if we all do “OUR” part. Peace, Love and Blessings.

Copyright ©2006 by LeVoyd L. Carter
All Rights Reserved

Race, Religion and Power

Race, Religion and Power - An Introduction
By LeVoyd L. Carter, II
September 10, 2006
http://rrpmedia.blogspot.com


For many years I have wondered how the perception of race could shape the way an entire group of people are viewed and treated socially, politically, economically and intellectually. Native Africans and African Americans, or as we refer to ourselves, Blacks (whether you agree or not) have been subjected to the absolute worse treatment of any people throughout the history of civilized mankind.

How is it that a human being of a different hue or color can unilaterally determine another persons worth based solely on their skin color and/or native language? Why is it that ignorance, racism and prejudice has been recognized and rewarded as genius and visionary - as the forefathers of the United States have been immortalized as heroes despite their obvious racist proclivities?

Self professed Christian men had the vision to draft and adopt the Constitution of the United States and had enough insight to realize that “all” men (male or female/ black or white) are created equal. Yet they allowed racism and chattel slavery to be the ultimate plague of the land as the United States began to prosper and grow as a sovereign nation. Willful blindness is no excuse for the deadly and oppressive conditions that African men, women and children were made to suffer and endure at the hands of the founders of the United States of America.

Yet and still, today this nation remains in denial and does not truly recognize how race has played a tremendous role in shaping the United States and the perception of African Americans worldwide. Despite the oppressive conditions that African Americans endured at the hands of their fellow Americans, we have survived and continue to prosper. One could realistically say that African Americans are superhuman, ultra resilient and invincible, especially after enduring and surviving the middle passage, chattel slavery, jim crow and other forms of systematic racism, prejudice and the latest natural and man made disasters, respectively, Hurricane Katrina and the U.S. Government’s lackadaisical response.

These and many other lapses in human mental capacity have been well documented and do not need to be restated in this brief commentary. However, the psychological damage that has plagued African Americans as a result of chattel slavery and its remnants’, remain pervasive and deadly to this day. So the question I pose is, “What are we to do to remedy the wrong doings of the past, heal the present and promote a healthy and progressive tomorrow without the “cancers” of racism and ignorance?”

As part of this forum, race will be addressed and considered as one of the fundamental elements that continues to impact the very condition that we find ourselves in as Americans and human beings in the new millennium. The discussions and exchanges within this forum will also focus on religion and power and their impact on our lives daily.

For example, as we posture back and forth seeking and claiming ownership of the identity of the God of gods, the Lord of lords and the Prophet of prophets, human beings are lost in the labyrinth, shuffle and transition through and from this world misguided by their faith and belief that human beings with cloaked self-serving motivations coupled with the gift of the spoken word (i.e., ministers, rabies, imams and etc.) will lead them to divine revelation.

In addition, the hope and/or earnest expectation that the after life holds tremendous rewards for the “chosen” few have led to some of the greatest atrocities in the history of mankind. Chattel slavery was a result of Christian men and women misinterpreting the scripture to justify the capture, rape and robbery of millions of African men, women and children. Judaism applied in its extreme, has been alienating and used to justify land grabs and war against people of other religious belief systems, despite the universal belief that all life was created or stems from one source often described as God or Jehovah. Islam has been interpreted and used to wage war against so called infidels (non-Muslims or non-believers of Islam). The followers of these extreme interpretations are willing to strap bombs to their bodies, commit suicide and murder arguably innocent individuals, who like Muslims themselves also claim to be the descendants of Abraham and the beneficiaries and legatees of Abraham’s Covenant with God.

When will we as intelligent and truly faithful individuals realize that race and religious affiliations are not justification for any person to relegate other human beings to subservient positions on the scale of human existence? When does a human being become more than skin color or pigmentation and/or the mastery of various disciplines and/or degrees of education? When will we begin to recognize one another as the greatest creation known to pure intelligence and spiritual awareness? These examples are part the dark side of religion and we want to discuss and analyze the impact of religion in general (both good and bad) on our daily lives and derive meaningful solutions that people of different faiths and belief systems can put into action to improve the human condition one person at a time.

That brings us to the third and arguably the most vital of the principals that have a direct and real impact on human existence, “POWER”. Power is often defined in ways that emphasize its political, financial or religious characteristics and/or nature. Power is found in the recognition of the human spirit that is within each of us. It is also the power to influence our existence and interactions with one another as well as with nature, for good or evil, if you believe such exist. We are all endowed with a certain amount of power. Power was and is the late Tupac Shakur’s ability to mesmerize the youth worldwide despite being marginalized as a black man in America; power is George Bush’s ability to call into action, at will as the Commander and Chief, the most powerful military on the face of the planet; power was Rosa Parks’ ability to change the complexion and focus of the Civil Rights movement by making a decision to sit in a certain seat on the front of a bus in Alabama in the 1960s; it is the love, will and resilience of Carl and Kami Anderson who in the face of their beautiful daughter Aspen transitioning into the after life, worked in unison as faithful and determined parents of dangerously premature triplets with the support of family, friends and hospital staff to preserve the lives of the once fragile and promising siblings of Aspen, Aden and Austin; power is the ability of human beings to consciously disregard race, religion, financial status, affiliations with fraternity and sorority, and etceteras, to pull together in the face of the terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and very dangerous conditions to literally dig by hand to save lives; power is the empathy and tremendous amount of giving to the children of Darfur and other impoverished nations that are suffering daily as a result of civil war, corrupt governments, poverty, AIDS and genocide. The human spirit is the very essence of power.

As a result, this Race, Religion and Power bog and/or intellectual and spiritual fusion has been created with the vision of answering the questions that divide us, to hear the voices that have been muted and to move all of us towards the realization of a peaceful co-existence that does not ignore or degrade our differences, but embraces the same as a beautiful and priceless part of our existence and tie that binds us all.

You are welcome to participate, question, disagree with, challenge and add to any position or thought that is presented in this forum. Please forward this site to your friends and family and encourage their participation.

Life is short, so make the most of each day and participate.

Copyright ©2006 by LeVoyd L. Carter, II
All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

WELCOME TO RRP

Greetings on behalf of the staff of RRPMEDIA Group. This blog has been created as a virtual think tank where you can participate and have your voice heard on the ever present impact of Race, Religion and Power ("RRP") on our day to day lives. Please look forward to our first substantive posting coming shortly. We appreciate your interest and look forward to your participation in this exploration and fusion of ideas.

Sincerely,

LeVoyd L. Carter, II
Editor


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