Our “Brothers” Keeper

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." (Martin Luther King Jr.)

 

These words were spoken some 47 years ago from Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in his covenant I have a Dream speech in 1963. These words were spoken in front of thousands of discontent and mistreated people of color. These words became the true illumination of the Civil Rights movement. In the 1960's the Civil Rights movement may have been ushered by African Americans but it represented the rights and hopes of every minority that calls America home. 47 years ago America struggled with intolerable racial laws and placed the livelihood of every minority underneath dirt filled doormats. As they continuously trampled on us, the civil rights movement inspired all nationalities to form a bond to steer away the powerful politics of injustice. Fast forward to April 2010, the United States is one year into the most historic presidency and those words from Martin Luther King Jr. still hold relevance. Is it me or do we have an obligation to form a bond and steer away the powerful politics of injustice?

In Arizona, an Immigration Bill is awaiting the Governor's signature that will make it law for Arizona police officers to investigate the immigration status of any individual with "reasonable suspicion". This law has already been passed by the Arizona State House and the Senate and has yet to be a nationwide issue. Where is the NAACP? When Martin Luther King Jr. spoke those words he spoke those words in hopes that 47 years from then he will be able to see change. This law will make it legal for police officers to profile a potential immigrant. I understand Arizona has had a continuous problem with illegal immigrants but I also understand that the foundation of the entire state came off the backs of immigrants legal and illegal. Coming from the south I have seen my share of profiling but this law supports it and also forces fellow Latino and Mexican police officers in a potential family crippling position.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. (Martin Luther King Jr.)

Martin Luther King Jr. stood for unity and pursuing the equality that America was once built to withhold. We hold a responsibility to lend a hand to our Hispanic and Asian brothers and sisters. As a young black male I felt it is my duty to let my feelings towards legal racial profiling be known. I have had friends and family members wrongly harassed by "powerfully insecure" police officers. I have seen the damage wrongful racial profiling can cause. Arizona has just passed a law that completely erases the line between what is constitutional and unconstitutional. It cannot be constitutional to put people in prison because the person in the backseat has no ID. It cannot be constitutional for police officers to take one look at me and label me an immigrant.

These are the concerns of residents in Arizona legal and illegal. This is the time for (us) the American people to recognize that we are all brothers. We all struggle together, we all work together and we all live together. A line made famous from the movie New Jack City spoken by Nino Brown (Wesley Snipes) "I am my Brother's Keeper" comes to my mind when I see this boiling Latino/Mexican Civil Rights movement forming. No matter what, we are all "our brother's keepers," we have a chance to speak out against something demeaning to the American name. I don't know if you noticed but this same injustice is what brave civil rights activist fought to demolish. There were many Hispanic's on the frontline for that fight. #imjustsaying

P.S. Is legal marijuana more important than the rights of our brothers and sisters? Think About It… Follow Me on Twitter @reelthewriter

 

Check out these sites for more information about the Immigration Bill in Arizona.

http://www.thestate.com/2010/04/19/1250689/arizona-senate-sets-final-vote.html?RSS=untracked

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jim-wallis/arizonas-immigration-bill_b_546842.html

 

    

Words from the Wise

 

Growing up in a city where there was evident government corruption and misguided leadership, I seen the poison that can pour into the crevices of our communities. That poison has affected urban neighborhoods for decades upon decades forcing us to strive for monetary pleasures and put morals and values to the side. These values and morals were placed under a microscope this past weekend at the Tavis Smiley: We Count! The Black Agenda is the American Agenda, a conference that aired on CSPAN Saturday March 20, 2010 held at Chicago St. University. This conference encompassed the black leaders of America discussing the priorities of our first African American President Barak Obama. Towering public figures like Cornel West (Princeton University Professor), Michael Eric Dyson (Georgetown University Professor), Louis Farrakhan (Nation of Islam Ambassador), Rev. Jesse Jackson (Activist), Julianne Malveaux (President of Bennett College for Woman), Ron Walters (University of Maryland Professor) Tom Burrell (Founder of the Resolution Project), Dorothy Tillman (Former Chicago Alderman), Michael Fauntroy (Author/Professor at George Mason University) and others. This covenant panel moderated by the vocal Tavis Smiley discussed the importance or non-importance of Pres. Obama and his need to address a "Black Agenda". This discussion can be categorized as a monumental step for black America. This union of some of the most articulate minds in America to address the struggles of oppressed African American communities has been a long awaited opportunity to put raw feelings and questions out into the open. Tavis Smiley asked the question does President Obama have an obligation to address the "Black Agenda" and is there any relevance to that of a "Black Agenda"?

An agenda is defined as a formal list of things to be done in a specific order. I do believe there are plenty of issues within our society that warrants immediate attention by President Obama. But there is no reason to expect him to accomplish all that needs to be done. Louis Farrakhan said during the conference "There have been plenty of black mayors, but the black neighborhoods still have not changed." This quotes explains that there have been many black political figures who have vowed for change (none as high as President of course) and the same problems we face as minority communities continue to accumulate and go unchanged. This leaves the changing in the hand of the people who are closely affected by the historical Health Care Bill that recently passed. This leaves the changing for the victims of the elevating unemployment rate. This requires change from the people who need help from the government, the forgotten dwellers of the inner city streets. The enlightened words of Dr. Cornel West "having a black face in a high place, makes it easier to forget about the ones in the field," shows that the importance that Obama maintain the vision of the working man who played a significant role in positioning him in office.

This conference was an important step in identifying our black leaders; figures like Michael Fauntroy, Dorothy Tillman and Julianne Malveaux were allowed to express their personal concerns and be introduced to a wider audience. That is what black America has been longing for over the last 10 years, the identification of our leaders and who will take the voice of the people and relay it to the President of the United States. "In Love" was the centerpiece of the discussion. Tavis Smiley wanted to make sure that people understood in critiquing the president it showed that black America is still paying attention and him being President does not excuse the fact that minority communities are still less privileged and overlooked. By the end of the 4 hour long CSPAN broadcast I could feel the looming controversy building and the debate about what was appropriate flaring in the air. I felt the conference opened the eyes and ears to the world allowing them to hear the enormous voice black Americans play in the foundation of the entire planet. Michael Eric Dyson one of my favorite Authors said it best "We love you; you know we love you (Obama), we just want you to love us back." I hope we all recognize these Words from the Wise, it is time we become active in the strengthening of our fellow black, brown and white Americans and stop expecting one man to right what has been wrong for centuries. Think about it...

To learn more about some of our BLACK LEADERS check out these links. Check out www.tavistalks.com for more on Tavis Smiley.

Julianne Malveaux http://www.juliannemalveaux.com/aboutjulianne.html

Tom Burrell http://www.hayhouse.com/authorbio.php?id=557

Ben Jealous (NAACP President) http://www.naacp.org/about/leadership/executive/jealous/index.htm

Marc Morial (Civil Activist and Former New Orleans Mayor) http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Marc+Morial

Cornel West http://aalbc.com/authors/cornel.htm

Michael Eric Dyson http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/Michael%20Dyson.htm

Michael Fauntroy http://www.michaelfauntroy.com/

 

 

Let US ALL Stand up

Dear: Any who will read

The world is once again feeling the wrath of Nature. Haiti has been devastated by a monstrous earthquake, and the number of injuries and casualties are becoming more and more massive to even imagine. I have read articles in which explains the death toll could be in the 10s of thousands "unofficially," this is not a blog to entertain this is a letter to inform people we have to support. After America has been devastated with our own Natural disasters we should know the effects these terrible ordeals can have. I am asking you to stand with me and donate to help with the Haiti Relief. I am no representative of the Red Cross; I am just someone who has been affected by the videos and articles I have read about the numbers of lost family members and love ones throughout Haiti. If you are looking for ways to donate and to learn more about the disaster please check out these websites:

HERO Program: http://www.herononprofit.org/

Catholic Relief Services: http://crs.org/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/12/haiti-earthquake-relief-h_n_421014.html

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.94aae335470e233f6cf911df43181aa0/?vgnextoid=15c0c5a210826210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

http://www.haitiaction.net/About/HERF/HERF.html

If you have the means to donate please do, and if you do not please just send out as many prayers to the victims and their families as your heart will allow. We have to stand up and let them know they have support from their neighboring countries. If you want to donate to the Haiti Relief Project lead by Red Cross please text YELE to 501501 and $5 will be donated straight to the Red Cross for relief. This $5 will be added to your cell phone bill and to donate $10 text Haiti to 90999.

The Red Cross has vowed to send an Initial 1 million dollars as well as people and supplies to Haiti, The text to donate project has generated over $800,000 already but more is needed. The supplies and people who can help are limited in Haiti, hospitals, clinics and many important health entities have been destroyed by the earthquake, nearly 1.8 million people have been affected by this terrible act of nature. You can always make an unrestricted donation to the Haiti effort at www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RedCross (1-800-733-2767).

Let Us all Stand up… Thank You

When TRAGEDY sets its course

    Years and years of ill placed anger have led our society almost to the brink of civil destruction and national catastrophe, meanwhile burying the qualities that our nation fought to create. We have endured countless battles between the races and pointless wars within our own distinctive cultures, but we have yet to find that common ground called peace. It seems the horror that has been foreshadowed upon our future is being overlooked. I picture the world as beautiful but still crutched by the flaws people will not put behind them. It is time to create a new era of thinking we cannot allow disaster to be our only source of unheralded inspiration when it comes to change in our societies. I watch and observe poverty stricken neighborhoods and gang violence everyday but those stories go on unheard. I watch the unemployment rate rise to 9.8 percent in September and crime rate increase just as rapid and those stories our under publicized. Change is inevitable but it starts from the ground up.

    I am hurt by the ongoing tragedies that have surfaced over these last few months. Mainly the death of a young boy named Derrian Albert, who was beaten to death as he walked home from school. I don't know the full details but I do know the beating was caught on tape and it sparked something in my heart to write this blog. I have been witnessing our youth become more and more violent, I am still considered a part of the youth so I believe it impacts me and my peers as much as teenagers. This violence expressed by young America has to stop and it has to stop now, it is becoming clear that somewhere in our society we have put so much on the shoulders of our kids until they hold grudges. This is no time to blame others, this is a time to confront ourselves; I refuse to watch more kids be killed without saying something. I feel the movement to change has to start with the marchers, and out of the marchers the general will be formed. It should not take disasters like the Tsunami in New Zealand, or tragedies like Derrian Albert for the world to see we are in some dark times. Violence has become the answer to a lot of foolish things, and if the marchers/ the people do not make known that we want change it will never happen.

    Acting is more effective than just hoping for change, and this is the attitude President Obama has been trying to communicate to the world. We can all sit here and talk and feel sorry for one another but it is time to put our hands together and lift each other up. I read a letter from acclaimed rapper Nas that addressed the youth of America as "young warriors," he said "we have the ability and mind power to change the way we are looked at," his words are the spark needed to push our youth forward. We will not survive off ignorance and being taught to be violent. We are all warriors but we should not have to fight one another we should turn our energy to fight the War on Poverty, and the War on this economy. If we aim our frustration at better means, better results will follow. R.I.P. Derrian Albert and love to his family, use his death as a spring board for a better life to come for the next young man or woman.Think about it...

Missing the Point

    Extreme Measures are needed to push our society towards a better future. I have been watching the events bubbling throughout our nations' melting pot, most of these issues have awaken demons that we have swept under the rug for over the last 30 years and now are beginning to overflow on this generation. Education is a serious subject in our society, and it is imperative that we do something about it. There are so many avenues of learning nowadays but it seems our schools have not been getting the support until now. President Barak Obama has implemented a new sense of concentration to enhancing our students and even our parents' role in education. I am an example of someone who had all the abilities to succeed in our education system, but for some reason I lacked motivation, and it took me experiences and my own search for knowledge(after graduation) to really find that certainty in school that is believed to be instilled in us as a child. It takes a major effort from adult influences to put a real seed in the minds of youth, and send them down the right road. President Obama has a scheduled speech directed to our students and parents of those students, and according to some articles I have read it is to encourage our students to stay focus and strive for a better education. In my opinion, if I had someone as influential as the President of the United States taking time out of his schedule to speak directly to me; it would light a flame in me to do better and prove I belong in this unjust society. That reaction has not been the case unfortunately.

    Although times are tough and people are under a great deal of stress because of America and its daunting financial situation, this does not excuse the ignorance that has begun to spread across this nation like a disease this past month. I read that education departments across the nation are banning their students from watching the President's address to the students of America because of pressures from parents'. People are saying Obama talking to our children is "forcing" them to do what he feel is right for the nation. Honestly, have we gotten to the point where we won't even allow an inspirational figure like President Obama to talk to our very undereducated youth? People we have an obligation to better our future, and if it takes a talk by the president to ensure the growth in our children then so be it. Hearing encouragement from someone who came from a meager situation like most publicly educated students across the country will only develop them into more enthusiastic students. We as the people have to make a transition from selfishness to a sense of community; we have to put some urgency into each other in order to take a stand against the grievances we face. Right now we are failing at that, and we have the opportunity to have the greatest figure in our life to spark a needed flame and we denying that from our children.

    We are simply missing the point of electing this president; we have been granted an opportunity to leave behind those old ways of thinking and be inventive in our ideals and motives. It kills me the simplicity that society will allow, and it hurts me to see people in strain but it hurts even more to see potential in someone and them not using it. That is why this address from our president is so important, because I have seen kids that lacked motivation but had all the potential in the world. A speech about education to many young people would be boring coming from a normal person but from the president who they can actually relate with will be beneficial. So my message to everyone is to be influential and stress education, it is time we took a stand and fall into agreement that something is wrong with our current education system. Think about it.

Turning the Corner

    Outside, the world is standing at the foothills of a mountain that could hold the inevitable secrets of this nations' future. Over these last few years we have encountered countless battles between the edges of our own country and abroad. Still the people have come together to accomplish the greatest historic feet ever by electing the 1^st African American President of the United States this past November. I watch like a sniper above his target, scoping the worlds so evident transformation. We have the opportunity to leave a cemented mark on history by changing our ways and going in to the future with open minds and even wider hearts. Chasing the things that will better us, and beginning to be conscious to what is needed to be done to alter the dynamics of the things that hinder our society. We are finally electing state and government officials with a sense of diversity and sense of what is really needed to help this country succeed (Regarding Judge Sotomayor). It is obvious that we need that diverse outlook in our politics because this country is such a melting pot and have so many opinions on so many topics. For some reason those small insignificant locusts like trials and tribulations still plague our social growth. We still struggle with racism, we still struggle with police brutality, we still struggle with unheralded stereotypes and most of all we still struggle with hatred, the answers I do not have but what I do know is it is time for a renovation, it is time to Turn the Corner.

    I feel there is much room for apparent change, but the people who have the power to make those changes are either being pushed so far down they no longer believe they can make a difference, or they have reached a certain point and are content with that position no longer weary to the rest of this nations needs. Television has been the leader in disguising and forming "the people(s)" opinions on major subjects these days. No one wants to do the research anymore, no one wants to form an opinion based on the knowledge they acquired on their own. "The People," rather listen to these so called specialist on these political channels and allow them to dictate what we believe is right for our lives. I respect opinion but I have never and will never respect those who regurgitate things they heard from someone else. We have taken many small steps but ignorance still rains in the midst. I have been watching people protesting President Obama and his Health Care Reform which in my opinion if you disagree with something it is your duty as a citizen to let your disagreements be heard. That being said, I have seen these protestors painting Hitler mustaches on President Barak Obamas' face and holding signs that read "Death to the president and his family," and I sit here like what type of person wishes death on anyone but what type of hatred do you have in your heart when you want a man and his family dead. The world has its demons and unfortunately we have no bearing to do anything about them. I say to those people you should be ashamed to compare your own president/any good man to a person who killed 6 million Jewish people viscously. He hasn't even been in office long enough to form such a crude opinion about him, George Bush took us to war which killed thousands of innocent troops over lord knows what and we voted him another term. It is time to voice opinion but do it honorably, and be humane about it and let us begin to turn the Corner.

    Developing the need to renovate is going to be the part that will challenge all of us. That starts with the people who are tired of the lies and the government overlooking our needs. These blogs are the beginning of my search for renovation, informing the world with my opinion on the things you may have not really took the time to form an opinion on your own yet. I see small strands of change falling on to the feet of our society. In California, their government has signed a bill releasing over 27,000 inmates from correctional facilities throughout the state. This bill will parole these men who were in prison for non-violent crimes and non-major offenses which will clear approximately 300million dollars off the states budget. I say to that it is about time, California has been incarcerating our men (72 % of prisoners' are minority) over the last 20 years for less than liable reasons. Even though this wasn't a choice of enlightenment, but more because California is going broke, it still is a start to helping our people recreate their lives. The bill also creates parole programs to help these inmates stay away from the offenses that got them in those prison cells in the first place. Times are changing the need to pay attention to the small things are becoming more palpable in society these days. I am excited to see the direction we can bring this world towards in the future. I am ready to TURN THE CORNER…..think about it.

    

Hmm!! Bold Action or Compromise

    These last 8 months the microscope has grown closer and closer on our historic president. It has slowly tilted away from the praise he was receiving in January when he was sworn in, to a more skeptical outlook on how he is handling his position. In my opinion the government can only do so much, so patience is a must, but at the same time it is hard to be patient when the unemployment rate is climbing above 10 percent in some states and the mortgage rate is at its all time high. That being said this election was not based on merit and the credentials needed to be president, but it was based on who we "the people" felt had the ability to perform the job the best. Our country has hit bad times, more so than ever, and I know by experience, because the city I sleep in is nationally becoming one of the most abandoned cities in the nation because the housing industry has completely tanked and the jobs are few to none. In Michigan the unemployment rate has hit 17 percent which is astounding, but this recession has hit many other places and some places very hard. The Hope campaign led by president Obama has not changed, but the reality of the campaign has become more than that of hope, but more so true actuality, now that his footsteps are in the sand facing the people he promised change for. In his mission to change, we have to remember it takes time and money in this world to do certain great things. Remember FDR (Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt) took an extra term to take us out the Great Depression even though people know that World War 2 was the actual cause. It seems we have a lot of doubters now that we are 8 months into a term that will ultimately transform the DNA of our society for better or for worse. Doubt does not change anything, so I advise you to do the same as Obama, either make a Bold Action or Compromise to a different lifestyle.

    We put our country in the hands of this man and his administration, why should we be scared now, why should we turn our backs now? We gave George Bush 2 terms and look what happened over his tenure. We cannot judge off this short time, never the less we have to urge President Obama to be a leader for us and not just someone who makes decisions. Also we have to realize for him to initiate a plan that will help change our economy around someone is not going to like it, it is simple as that, everybody will not be happy with the decisions Obama makes but if you read the fine print the ones who actually need the help is who he is trying to assist. Shepard Fairey, the artist who did the famous Hope Campaign poster of Obama, has released a new poster that I am intrigued by; he raises the points if President Obama will take Bold Action or Compromise to keep his likeability high on the polls. According to the polls, his likeability has dropped to 54 percent which is major since he has yet to make a year in office. I believe we have to give him a chance before we throw him under the bus, and think about the other things he has accomplished in his short time as president. We have better relations with multiple Nations that we were hated by for so long before his term started; including Russia, Turkey, and even China. He is trying to put our young single mothers back into school, and build our future by creating grant programs for kids to go to college. His impact under the radar is greater than what is publicized. Do not let the headlines blind you from some of the major things that the president and his administration have going on.

    I feel a change coming, may not be from the president himself, but this society will shortly recognize the power we have as people. It only takes a few to change the way the world sees certain things. Just think 10 years ago, we never had access to Youtube flicks of a disstressed country fighting for their rights to vote as we see over in the Middle East. Technology has taken us to a place where if we use it right this recession will be so far in our past that it won't even be mentioned in our kids history books. I am standing for Truth, and I believe that so far Obama has been truthful to the people he serves. We just have to be truthful to ourselves, do we really want to put our faith in "Man," or sacrifice a little pride and get out there and do what we have to, to survive in this world where opportunity is usually right next door to us, but we are always to scared of which opportunity it will be. Think about it…