By now, we've all heard the controversy surrounding Carrie Prejean's comments during the Miss USA Pagent. Say what you will - and many have - but you should admire her for having the audacity to stand behind her convictions and not cower in front of a national audience. Since then she has gotten more emboldened by appearing on dozens of national media outlets and airing an ad in support of the National Organization for Marriage. She's not backing down because she simply believes in a traditional view of marriage.
Before we debate the civil or moral ingredients of this issue, let’s pause for a moment and review what is happening here. Whether you agree with her view or not, Prejean's passion and dedication to this issue should inspire you to stand behind your beliefs and give authority to your own voice. To hold them dear and be ready to defend them if called upon to do so. Intelligence, independence and imagination are devalued in many women. Who would propose that political spunk and bold, driven social ideology would come from a beauty pageant contestant?
A person who can stand alone in a sea of adversity and cling to a certain belief is a sight to behold. Your ability to do the same is part of your life’s work and a vivid test of your competence.
Peace & Love.
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Friday, May 1, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Top 5 Things Black Americans Must Be Willing To Do
Now that we have elected the first African-American President, there are a few things black Americans must be willing to do:
(1) We cannot get angry or upset every time President Obama is criticized:
It is inevitable that President Obama will make some mistakes and miscalculate some decisions. His timing will be off, he will loose site of his goals and everything he campaigned on might not get done in 4 years. In other words, he will eventually get criticized. We have a strong, robust and opinionated free press. They have never given anyone a free pass and they aren't about to loose their tough reputation now. Allow him to be criticized, face tough challenges, win some victories and loose some battles. Just don't cry racism if they kick 'em while he's down once in awhile.
(2) We must be willing to hold him accountable as our Commander-in-Chief:
Even though he goes into office with an 83% approval rating, we must be willing to hold him accountable as our Commander-in-Chief and ensure that he lives up to our expectations and puts forth many of the initiatives he campaigned on. We cannot let him slide, simply because we may feel a special "kinship" or "connection" to him. He might be "Barry from the block" to you, but his official title is President Obama. While we revel in his amazing success, we must hold him accountable while he is in office.
(3) We cannot expect him to publicly live out our self-appointed definition of a Black Man who is President:
In other words, don't get upset if you don't see President Obama & First Lady Michelle Obama hanging out at Ben's Chilli Bowl every Saturday, or having jazz parties on the front lawn every summer. And don't grab your jersey yet, you may not get invited to the basketball game in the West Wing (and no it will not be televised on BET). Let's allow them to live their own lives as President & First Lady without holding them hostage to our cultural ideologies. I know this will be a challenge, we've never seen a black President before, so this is new & exciting! But there is also official protocol and a country to run.
(4) We cannot expect him to end racism and give out reparations:
Barack Obama has a mission, which he has specifically outlined for the American people. That mission is to end the war in Irag, defend our presence in Afganistan, tackle the rising cost of healthcare, stimulate the economy by creating more jobs, invest in our environment and create a greener economy. No where on the list does it say ending racism and promoting black nationalism. Now what we can do, is pledge, along with President Obama and his Administration, to be better Americans by better serving ourselves, our families and our underserved communities.
(5) We must be willing to accept that he is a President for the people, elected by the people: Although he is a historic candidate, black Americans do not have a monopoly on his presidency. He must be allowed to govern equally and fairly for all Americans. This, I hope, can happen without black militants coming out of the woodwork to suppress his presidency and condemn it for not spearheading a "march on whites" or fight the power rally.
Truthfully Yours.
(1) We cannot get angry or upset every time President Obama is criticized:
It is inevitable that President Obama will make some mistakes and miscalculate some decisions. His timing will be off, he will loose site of his goals and everything he campaigned on might not get done in 4 years. In other words, he will eventually get criticized. We have a strong, robust and opinionated free press. They have never given anyone a free pass and they aren't about to loose their tough reputation now. Allow him to be criticized, face tough challenges, win some victories and loose some battles. Just don't cry racism if they kick 'em while he's down once in awhile.
(2) We must be willing to hold him accountable as our Commander-in-Chief:
Even though he goes into office with an 83% approval rating, we must be willing to hold him accountable as our Commander-in-Chief and ensure that he lives up to our expectations and puts forth many of the initiatives he campaigned on. We cannot let him slide, simply because we may feel a special "kinship" or "connection" to him. He might be "Barry from the block" to you, but his official title is President Obama. While we revel in his amazing success, we must hold him accountable while he is in office.
(3) We cannot expect him to publicly live out our self-appointed definition of a Black Man who is President:
In other words, don't get upset if you don't see President Obama & First Lady Michelle Obama hanging out at Ben's Chilli Bowl every Saturday, or having jazz parties on the front lawn every summer. And don't grab your jersey yet, you may not get invited to the basketball game in the West Wing (and no it will not be televised on BET). Let's allow them to live their own lives as President & First Lady without holding them hostage to our cultural ideologies. I know this will be a challenge, we've never seen a black President before, so this is new & exciting! But there is also official protocol and a country to run.
(4) We cannot expect him to end racism and give out reparations:
Barack Obama has a mission, which he has specifically outlined for the American people. That mission is to end the war in Irag, defend our presence in Afganistan, tackle the rising cost of healthcare, stimulate the economy by creating more jobs, invest in our environment and create a greener economy. No where on the list does it say ending racism and promoting black nationalism. Now what we can do, is pledge, along with President Obama and his Administration, to be better Americans by better serving ourselves, our families and our underserved communities.
(5) We must be willing to accept that he is a President for the people, elected by the people: Although he is a historic candidate, black Americans do not have a monopoly on his presidency. He must be allowed to govern equally and fairly for all Americans. This, I hope, can happen without black militants coming out of the woodwork to suppress his presidency and condemn it for not spearheading a "march on whites" or fight the power rally.
Truthfully Yours.
The Fullness of Times
This is a moment we won't soon forget. When the path of a people leads them to the highest office in the world. We watch with eager eyes and joyful spirits as we inaugurate the 44th President of these United States in a moment that will stand in our minds and resonate in our hearts for years to come.
Our nation has awakened to a moment when we are happy, yet scared; excited, yet challenged. And although this momentous occasion is tempered by rising health care and soaring unemployment, we will not allow the tenuous times to rob us of our moment in history when we can come together as one nation, under God, indivisible and salute our new Commander in Chief, President Barack H. Obama. Wow, what a country, what a people and what a time in history!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
A League of Extraordinary Idiots
It never ceases to amaze me how undisciplined and unrefined people can be. Chip Saltsman, former campaign manager for Mike Huckabee, sent a cd to fellow Republicans which included a song called, “Barack the Magic Negro,” - a parody about Barack Obama that first debuted over a year ago on Rush Limbaugh's radio show. Anyone who takes a page out of Limbaugh's book can't be taken seriously, by the way. Unfortunately for Saltsman, this is no laughing matter. The parody was written by Paul Shanklin, a conservative satirist and supporter of Limbaugh.
Why anyone would hold something up as funny & tasteful when it is so rude and *tasteless* is beyond me. This engenders a certain attitude which should remain unacceptable. Saltsman has revealed his ignorance and allowed it to go before him and speak volumes by thinking it is amusing to bring up a connotation that has represented pain and undervalued a race of people.
But it further proves the narrative that people in the same league as Saltsman are out of touch and are among their own league of extraordinary idiots. His idiocy, poor judgement and total lack of good sense may ruin his aspirations to be the next RNC Chair. They might as well give it to Michael Steele, AKA, Mr. "Drill-baby-drill."
Chip Saltsman, if Barack is the "magic negro", that could make you Casper: the most ignorant ghost of all.
Let's continue in the spirit of giving as we flock to "Casper's" website and share our opinion of his questionable character: http://www.chipsaltsman.com/
Why anyone would hold something up as funny & tasteful when it is so rude and *tasteless* is beyond me. This engenders a certain attitude which should remain unacceptable. Saltsman has revealed his ignorance and allowed it to go before him and speak volumes by thinking it is amusing to bring up a connotation that has represented pain and undervalued a race of people.
But it further proves the narrative that people in the same league as Saltsman are out of touch and are among their own league of extraordinary idiots. His idiocy, poor judgement and total lack of good sense may ruin his aspirations to be the next RNC Chair. They might as well give it to Michael Steele, AKA, Mr. "Drill-baby-drill."
Chip Saltsman, if Barack is the "magic negro", that could make you Casper: the most ignorant ghost of all.
Let's continue in the spirit of giving as we flock to "Casper's" website and share our opinion of his questionable character: http://www.chipsaltsman.com/
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