Is this another form of Black on Black crime?
I have been thinking about something for a few weeks now, and this morning I was really "lead" to write about it. Ya'll know when I get to thinking, we're all in trouble. :) Anyway, I work in an office that is about 98% women, black women. From the leader of the office down to the lowest. There are 8 men in this office that's dominated by women. Most of the women here have been in this one office for their entire career as Government employees, so this is practically home to them. I don't knock that, do you, and it has provided for your family. A few of us "younger" employees choose to move around in the Government, which means that we've been in several Government offices during our careers. That's not my issue. My issue is this: why is it that women cannot seem to get along? Especially black women? The majority of these women have formed bonds of friendship during their time working together and that's totally cool. They've been through marriages, divorces, children, grandchildren and all of life's changes together. That's all wonderful. But why is it that when a newer, younger female comes into the office, there is a lot of hate? You have women who are selfish with their knowledge of the work that you've been hired to do, women who sit around and talk about you because you are pregnant and not married, women who spread office gossip that has no basis and no inkling of being truthful. And these things are all being done by women who are well over 40. I guess I can expect this from women who are much younger and are trying to get ahead in their career. I know it shouldn't be expected but unfortunately it is. Why can't these women help the younger employee? Why can't they be honest and talk to the younger woman who is pregnant and say, yes, you're pregnant and it's going to be hard, but let me give you some advice on how I managed? Why talk about the woman you hear is going through marital problems? Go to her and say, "This is what helped me and my husband make it"
On the radio this morning, the People Poll asked the question, why can't women get along? Many called in with their reasons as to why they feel women can't get along or why they hate on each other, but the answer that stood out to me the most was one person who called and said that it's insecurities within. I had to think about that for a moment. I had to look at myself and ask the question have I ever perpetuated hate? Am I a jealous person? I think we are all jealous to a point. We all lust after things that someone else may have and we desire. I can admit that I've been jealous of my friends in certain instances, but I don't think I've been to the point where I would maliciously do something to them or spread rumors about their blessing. I know that at times I have to step back and check myself before it begins to get the best of me. I have to stop wondering "why them" and or "why not me?", stop focusing on me and begin to support and congratulate my friend. I think that's where the problem lies. Some women allow jealousy to get the best of them. They look at the outward things that a person may have and allow that desire to take them over.
I remember being in a church service and the Pastor said that when we look at the fame and glory of a person, all that they have and all that they've accomplished, we shouldn't get jealous or get filled w/ envy, because God can do for you what he did for that person also. He also said that we don't know the "story behind the glory". A lot of times, we don't know what a person had to go through to get to the point in which they are now. If we did know, we would probably understand and not feel jealousy. There is a Bible scripture that says something to the effect that the older women should teach the younger women how to live. I think, we are doing a terrible job at following that mandate. We have women who dress in a way that some would say resembles a prostitute, then dress our daughters that same way. We teach them how to dance like they are on a pole in some body's strip club, and encourage them to go after boys at an age where they don't even recognize their worth. We also sit around and hate on another sista right in front of them, so what do you think they'll do when they get older?
I'm not saying all of this to point the finger, because I'll be the first to admit that I've probably done some of these same things. What I'm trying to do is open our eyes so that we can recognize when we are exhibiting these behaviors and correct them. I know that when sistas get together, we can do wonders. Lets not hate on one another. Lets start helping one another, uplifting each other. Don't look at the sista with the family, fat house and Range Rover and think, she thinks she's all that. No, she doesn't, YOU DO. She worked hard to get what she has, and I'm sure if you approach her, and talk with her, you'll learn some things that will carry you through life that will possibly get you in the position that you want to be in.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Better gun laws? Who needs them?
There has been a battle for gun reform in this country for some time now. I've never been one to understand the fascination with them, and I must admit that I'm honestly afraid of them. I've never brought my son even a toy gun to play with because I believe that in allowing a child to think that a gun was a toy, you are creating the thought that real guns are toys, and that if someone is shot, they are just pretending and will be alive again in a few minutes. Call me crazy, but that's my thought process, and I've thought this way before I had kids.
The reason why this is heavily on my mind today is that a disturbing report came across the news that an 11 year old boy shot and killed his dad's fiance, who was 8 months pregnant. The baby also died. The report says that the gun was brought by the kids father, and it was made for children. He and his father practiced shooting and apparently were gun enthusiast. I'm not blaming the father for what his son did, but I'm just wondering, if the kid was not taught that guns were OK would he had thought to use the gun to kill someone? The reports are that he was jealous of the fiance and the impending birth of his sibling.
A few months ago, a 9 year old boy killed his father and his father's roommate. That story is still kind of foggy, but all evidence is pointing to him as the killer. What would make a child so young want to kill his dad? The reports are speculating that some type of abuse was going on, but there is no concrete evidence of it.
I am so disturbed by these reports. I know there is nothing new under the sun, but I wonder if I was to do research, would reports like these be something that was very prevalent in the past? These storires break my heart every time I think about them. I get so sad that I literally have to think of something else to get my mind off of it.
The reports are saying that the 11 year old may be charged as an adult, and he is facing life in prison. Right now they have him in a prison for adults, and the warden is supposed to ask a judge if he can be transferred to a juvenile facility because he cannot accommodate a child. Can you imagine a child being locked away for the rest of his life? He's only 11, life has not even begun for him.
I'm really at a loss for words right now. I believe that we should take a deeper look into gun laws. Should guns be made to fit a child's hand? Should children be allowed to use guns, even if hunting? We have to teach our children better.
I pray that the best outcome for both of these boys comes to pass. I don't know what that is right now, but I do know that kids this young should not have to stand trial for something like what they are accused of. Let's do better for our kids.
Sweet T
The reason why this is heavily on my mind today is that a disturbing report came across the news that an 11 year old boy shot and killed his dad's fiance, who was 8 months pregnant. The baby also died. The report says that the gun was brought by the kids father, and it was made for children. He and his father practiced shooting and apparently were gun enthusiast. I'm not blaming the father for what his son did, but I'm just wondering, if the kid was not taught that guns were OK would he had thought to use the gun to kill someone? The reports are that he was jealous of the fiance and the impending birth of his sibling.
A few months ago, a 9 year old boy killed his father and his father's roommate. That story is still kind of foggy, but all evidence is pointing to him as the killer. What would make a child so young want to kill his dad? The reports are speculating that some type of abuse was going on, but there is no concrete evidence of it.
I am so disturbed by these reports. I know there is nothing new under the sun, but I wonder if I was to do research, would reports like these be something that was very prevalent in the past? These storires break my heart every time I think about them. I get so sad that I literally have to think of something else to get my mind off of it.
The reports are saying that the 11 year old may be charged as an adult, and he is facing life in prison. Right now they have him in a prison for adults, and the warden is supposed to ask a judge if he can be transferred to a juvenile facility because he cannot accommodate a child. Can you imagine a child being locked away for the rest of his life? He's only 11, life has not even begun for him.
I'm really at a loss for words right now. I believe that we should take a deeper look into gun laws. Should guns be made to fit a child's hand? Should children be allowed to use guns, even if hunting? We have to teach our children better.
I pray that the best outcome for both of these boys comes to pass. I don't know what that is right now, but I do know that kids this young should not have to stand trial for something like what they are accused of. Let's do better for our kids.
Sweet T
Sunday, February 22, 2009
"How do we know that God is real?"
Another question my son asked me one morning. He has really been asking deep questions lately. One morning he asked, what does virgin mean? Whoa! That's a whole other post. :)
This particular morning, on our way to school, he asked, "Mommy, how do we know that God is real?" Boy, did he get me with this one. He says, "I'm not saying that I don't believe, Mommy, because I do. I just want to know, how do we really know that He's real if we can't see him?" He kept assuring me that he believed, I guess the look on my face said it all. LOL! I was in total shock. And the thoughts that went through my head, I'm sure showed on my face. I couldn't help but think, am I doing something wrong, have I not taught him correctly, how can he question if God is real?
After the initial shock, I tried to explain it to him the best that I could, the only way I knew how. I told him, how else can we explain how the universe was formed? How do we explain the birds, flowers, how our bodies work? He then says, "Mommy, some people don't believe." And I explained that they have that choice, that is another thing that makes God who He is, we have the choice to believe or not.
On a local radio station I listen to at times, the DJ played a segment of the show where India Arie was on, singing live. She sang her song, "God is real". First off let me say, her voice is amazing! I think one of the best voices we have been blessed with. Her performace gave me chills as I listened. As she sang, she gave her reasons why she knew that God was real: When there's earth, air, water, and fire. So many different flowers Sunshine and rain showers So many different crystals And hills and volcanoes
She then begins to sing about her trip to St. Lucia, when she jumped in the water, the type of fish she saw, the colors she saw, how she felt cleansed being in the water. She couldn't even finish the song, because she began to cry. These were some of the things that I tried to explain to my son, although I could have never done it as eloquently as she did.
In looking back, I realize that the answers I gave my son, were not good enough. I realize that he has every right to ask if God is real. I do not want him to go into anything blindly. I think that's the way that people get caught up in cults. I also think that's the way people begin to follow a man instead of following God. I want him to question things. So my perspective has changed about this question. I'm glad he asked. I realize his question has nothing to do with me and how I'm raising him, but everything to do with his growth, and how he sees the world. So in actuality, I think I am doing what I'm supposed to do. I'm raising a child who thinks and is not led blindly. That's one thing I'm proud of.
Although, I don't think I answered my son's question properly, I realize that we have the rest of our lives to find the answer. I Thank God for giving us choices, and the freedom to think. I know that He will lead us to find the answer to this question and there will be no doubt that God is real!
My tidbit: sometimes we think that children can't teach us things, but in actuality if we just stop, listen and watch, they can teach us more than we think. Keep your eyes and ears open.
Sweet T
This particular morning, on our way to school, he asked, "Mommy, how do we know that God is real?" Boy, did he get me with this one. He says, "I'm not saying that I don't believe, Mommy, because I do. I just want to know, how do we really know that He's real if we can't see him?" He kept assuring me that he believed, I guess the look on my face said it all. LOL! I was in total shock. And the thoughts that went through my head, I'm sure showed on my face. I couldn't help but think, am I doing something wrong, have I not taught him correctly, how can he question if God is real?
After the initial shock, I tried to explain it to him the best that I could, the only way I knew how. I told him, how else can we explain how the universe was formed? How do we explain the birds, flowers, how our bodies work? He then says, "Mommy, some people don't believe." And I explained that they have that choice, that is another thing that makes God who He is, we have the choice to believe or not.
On a local radio station I listen to at times, the DJ played a segment of the show where India Arie was on, singing live. She sang her song, "God is real". First off let me say, her voice is amazing! I think one of the best voices we have been blessed with. Her performace gave me chills as I listened. As she sang, she gave her reasons why she knew that God was real: When there's earth, air, water, and fire. So many different flowers Sunshine and rain showers So many different crystals And hills and volcanoes
She then begins to sing about her trip to St. Lucia, when she jumped in the water, the type of fish she saw, the colors she saw, how she felt cleansed being in the water. She couldn't even finish the song, because she began to cry. These were some of the things that I tried to explain to my son, although I could have never done it as eloquently as she did.
In looking back, I realize that the answers I gave my son, were not good enough. I realize that he has every right to ask if God is real. I do not want him to go into anything blindly. I think that's the way that people get caught up in cults. I also think that's the way people begin to follow a man instead of following God. I want him to question things. So my perspective has changed about this question. I'm glad he asked. I realize his question has nothing to do with me and how I'm raising him, but everything to do with his growth, and how he sees the world. So in actuality, I think I am doing what I'm supposed to do. I'm raising a child who thinks and is not led blindly. That's one thing I'm proud of.
Although, I don't think I answered my son's question properly, I realize that we have the rest of our lives to find the answer. I Thank God for giving us choices, and the freedom to think. I know that He will lead us to find the answer to this question and there will be no doubt that God is real!
My tidbit: sometimes we think that children can't teach us things, but in actuality if we just stop, listen and watch, they can teach us more than we think. Keep your eyes and ears open.
Sweet T
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
If you can read this, Thank a teacher..............
For those of you who are parents, I'm sure you've seen the test score results come home for your child every quarter. For those of you who pay attention, you know they are scored in math and reading on a scale of 0% to 100%. If your child scores 0%, you know he/she is performing at a level that's way below what is expected. He/she would basically have to not answer the questions to get this low score. From there the scale reads like this: 1%-49%-student shows a minimal understanding of skills assessed, 50%-69%-student shows a general understanding, 70%-89%-student shows developing understanding of skills, and 90%-100%-student shows an overall understanding of skills.
This quarter's assessments for my son bothered me. My son is 9 years old, and what I consider a child who can understand beyond his age. I'm not the type of parent who brags on their child or who considers their child to be the best at everything, but I do recognize that his level of understanding is a little advanced. Here's the problem. For this quarter, he scored at a level that surprised me and his teachers. He was placed in Accelerated Math, and scored in the 70% range. That is expected because he's being challenged more in this area, so it's taking more effort for him to get the answers. In reading he scored in the 50% range, that surprised me more than anything. My son has been reading since before he entered kindergarten. He's also been talking and expressing himself since the age of 4. This is the first time that he's ever scored like this on the assessment tests.
Being the type of parent that I am, I immediately contacted his teacher. This year his teacher impressed me because during our first conference, he pointed out things about my son that no other teacher has. He knew my son, good and bad, and was very open about what he thought and what he saw as far as my son's abilities. We came up with a plan to help my son succeed, and vowed to work together to make sure he doesn't fail.
I say all of this to say, that given the bad rap teachers get these days, there are some out here who really do see the kids they teach as individuals and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that the kids don't fail. Hopefully, the plan that we've come up with will help my son work to his potential, and maybe next quarters scores will be much better. I have to put in a lot of work also, but I think in the end it will be well worth it.
If you have children in school and are being taught by great teachers, Thank them. I think teaching is the most under appreciated, most difficult job. So, to all my former teachers, I say Thank you. To all my son's former teachers and teachers to come, I say Thank you. I look forward to working with you all to raise up an educated man, our future generation.
Sweet T
This quarter's assessments for my son bothered me. My son is 9 years old, and what I consider a child who can understand beyond his age. I'm not the type of parent who brags on their child or who considers their child to be the best at everything, but I do recognize that his level of understanding is a little advanced. Here's the problem. For this quarter, he scored at a level that surprised me and his teachers. He was placed in Accelerated Math, and scored in the 70% range. That is expected because he's being challenged more in this area, so it's taking more effort for him to get the answers. In reading he scored in the 50% range, that surprised me more than anything. My son has been reading since before he entered kindergarten. He's also been talking and expressing himself since the age of 4. This is the first time that he's ever scored like this on the assessment tests.
Being the type of parent that I am, I immediately contacted his teacher. This year his teacher impressed me because during our first conference, he pointed out things about my son that no other teacher has. He knew my son, good and bad, and was very open about what he thought and what he saw as far as my son's abilities. We came up with a plan to help my son succeed, and vowed to work together to make sure he doesn't fail.
I say all of this to say, that given the bad rap teachers get these days, there are some out here who really do see the kids they teach as individuals and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that the kids don't fail. Hopefully, the plan that we've come up with will help my son work to his potential, and maybe next quarters scores will be much better. I have to put in a lot of work also, but I think in the end it will be well worth it.
If you have children in school and are being taught by great teachers, Thank them. I think teaching is the most under appreciated, most difficult job. So, to all my former teachers, I say Thank you. To all my son's former teachers and teachers to come, I say Thank you. I look forward to working with you all to raise up an educated man, our future generation.
Sweet T
Friday, February 13, 2009
R U being ripped off by your electric company?
I am! For the past couple of months, I've noticed a significant change in the amount that I'm being charged for electricity. First off, let me say, I live in a town house, around 1200 sq. f, not big at all. The house is all electric, which means that I only have one bill, but it also means that I have a heat pump. Having said that, for those of you who've lived in a house with a heat pump, you know that it blows cold air, and your home never really feels warm. I've taken steps to insulate my home by installing new energy efficient windows and sliding glass doors, and I keep my temp set at 71 or 72 degrees which is supposed to keep your house warm and at the same time keep your bill under control. Well, let me be the first to say, it does not keep the house warm, especially with a heat pump, nor does it keep your bill under control. I'm not home during the day, I'm at work and my son is in school, so how much energy are we really consuming?
If you live in the DMV area, I know you've seen the countless reports on the news about angry customers who received the highest bills they've ever received recently. I've heard my friends and family complain about the bills they've received, so I know I'm not the only one. It just angers me that the companies can't give a valid explanation as to why the bills have increased as much as they have. To name some of them, in this area you either have, Pepco, Smeco, BG&E, or Dominion Power. In a report in the Washington Post, customers are speaking out. One customer paid $650 for a month, up from $350 the month before. What in the world did he do for his bill to increase by that much for a month? The report also states that the rates per kilowatt hour dropped from almost $120 to $55, which makes me wonder, why are the prices for the consumer going up and not down. The only explanation that a rep could give is that it's been cold and people have been staying in more and turning the thermostat up, consuming more of their stuff. WTH type of explanation is that? From what I can tell, the cold has never stopped anybody from going out. If he had said, the fact that folks don't have money to go out and are staying in more, I would understand, but to say it's because of the cold? Please! They also claim the longer Holiday billing cycle. Yeah, OK. I think all of this is a bunch of BS.
Another thing that angers me is that we're being charged for something that most of us have no idea if we're being charged correctly. I for one, do not ever see a meter reader near my house. When do they come out? And if they do come out, how do we know they are reading the meter correctly? How do we know the company is charging what it should be charging us? My personal opinion is that they estimate what you would use during a certain month. For instance, they know that most people use more energy around the Holidays, with the lights and Christmas tress and all, so they estimate that your usage would increase. Therefore, your bill is always higher around that time whether you use more or not. I've written to my electric company twice, with no response or explanation. My next step is my Congressperson. I've read that this area does not regulate electricity markets, which means that they are allowed to charge what they want. It was supposed to help the prices based on the competition. We see that's not working.
If there is anybody out there who can help me to understand how I'm being charged it will be greatly appreciated. I'm all ears. For now, my only recourse is to continue to write my electric company, move on to writing my Congressperson, and write in this blog to vent my frustrations. O yeah, I guess I better add, pay my bill, regardless of the cost because if I don't, my son and I may end up frozen to death because I'm sure they will not hesitate to cut it off if the bill goes unpaid.
No tidbits this time. If you have some for me, I'm all ears.
Sweet T
If you live in the DMV area, I know you've seen the countless reports on the news about angry customers who received the highest bills they've ever received recently. I've heard my friends and family complain about the bills they've received, so I know I'm not the only one. It just angers me that the companies can't give a valid explanation as to why the bills have increased as much as they have. To name some of them, in this area you either have, Pepco, Smeco, BG&E, or Dominion Power. In a report in the Washington Post, customers are speaking out. One customer paid $650 for a month, up from $350 the month before. What in the world did he do for his bill to increase by that much for a month? The report also states that the rates per kilowatt hour dropped from almost $120 to $55, which makes me wonder, why are the prices for the consumer going up and not down. The only explanation that a rep could give is that it's been cold and people have been staying in more and turning the thermostat up, consuming more of their stuff. WTH type of explanation is that? From what I can tell, the cold has never stopped anybody from going out. If he had said, the fact that folks don't have money to go out and are staying in more, I would understand, but to say it's because of the cold? Please! They also claim the longer Holiday billing cycle. Yeah, OK. I think all of this is a bunch of BS.
Another thing that angers me is that we're being charged for something that most of us have no idea if we're being charged correctly. I for one, do not ever see a meter reader near my house. When do they come out? And if they do come out, how do we know they are reading the meter correctly? How do we know the company is charging what it should be charging us? My personal opinion is that they estimate what you would use during a certain month. For instance, they know that most people use more energy around the Holidays, with the lights and Christmas tress and all, so they estimate that your usage would increase. Therefore, your bill is always higher around that time whether you use more or not. I've written to my electric company twice, with no response or explanation. My next step is my Congressperson. I've read that this area does not regulate electricity markets, which means that they are allowed to charge what they want. It was supposed to help the prices based on the competition. We see that's not working.
If there is anybody out there who can help me to understand how I'm being charged it will be greatly appreciated. I'm all ears. For now, my only recourse is to continue to write my electric company, move on to writing my Congressperson, and write in this blog to vent my frustrations. O yeah, I guess I better add, pay my bill, regardless of the cost because if I don't, my son and I may end up frozen to death because I'm sure they will not hesitate to cut it off if the bill goes unpaid.
No tidbits this time. If you have some for me, I'm all ears.
Sweet T
Friday, January 23, 2009
We are living HISTORY.............
January 20, 2009, approximately 12 pm, Washington, DC, the day the first African American President was Inaugurated. I can't believe that in my lifetime, I was able to be apart of a historical moment such as this. As African Americans, we've all heard from our parents, teachers, t.v., etc. that we can be anything we want to be, today we can actually believe it.
My family, friends and I were all in attendance to witness history. We cheered as President Barack Obama took his oath. We were dead quiet as he made his first speech as President. Can you imagine, a room full of black boys ages, 7 to 15, all watching as this man is showing America what we really are like? Black boys who will now have a Black man running this country for the majority of their lives. This is truly a moment that I'm sure they will never forget.
Did you see how First Lady Michelle looked at her husband with so much pride, adoration and love? I for one thoroughly enjoyed seeing black love displayed in that manner. It gives me a renewed hope in black relationships every time I see how Barack holds his woman, and how he looks at her, and the way she looks at him. The respect they have for each other makes me smile from ear to ear every time I see them.
My only somber thought of the day was that my family members who are no longer here on earth were not able to experience this moment. I'm sure they were looking down from Heaven just as proud as we all were. But only if they could have been here to share it with us.
I don't mean to make this into a Black thing, but I can't help but to feel extremely proud and hopeful for our future after witnessing this historical event. We've all heard that we can do it, but to actually live to see it happen is an amazing feeling.
In case you missed it, this is the first address of our new President, I hope it touches you as much as it touched me. Enjoy!
Sweet T
OBAMA: My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers ... our found fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."
America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.
My family, friends and I were all in attendance to witness history. We cheered as President Barack Obama took his oath. We were dead quiet as he made his first speech as President. Can you imagine, a room full of black boys ages, 7 to 15, all watching as this man is showing America what we really are like? Black boys who will now have a Black man running this country for the majority of their lives. This is truly a moment that I'm sure they will never forget.
Did you see how First Lady Michelle looked at her husband with so much pride, adoration and love? I for one thoroughly enjoyed seeing black love displayed in that manner. It gives me a renewed hope in black relationships every time I see how Barack holds his woman, and how he looks at her, and the way she looks at him. The respect they have for each other makes me smile from ear to ear every time I see them.
My only somber thought of the day was that my family members who are no longer here on earth were not able to experience this moment. I'm sure they were looking down from Heaven just as proud as we all were. But only if they could have been here to share it with us.
I don't mean to make this into a Black thing, but I can't help but to feel extremely proud and hopeful for our future after witnessing this historical event. We've all heard that we can do it, but to actually live to see it happen is an amazing feeling.
In case you missed it, this is the first address of our new President, I hope it touches you as much as it touched me. Enjoy!
Sweet T
OBAMA: My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.
On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.
For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.
For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.
Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.
This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.
Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.
What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.
Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers ... our found fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.
Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.
As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.
For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.
Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.
This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.
This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."
America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Psalm 139...
I don't know how many who follow my posts believe in the Word of God, but I do and I had to go to the Bible today for guidance. Something has been bothering me a little........
We are about 13 days into the New Year, and all over the T.V., radio, and Internet we see advertisements for weight loss pills, diets, exercise programs, celebrity fitness tapes etc. Of course we are bombarded with these images this time of year because most of us resolve to "lose weight" in 2009. That is actually a resolution I dare to say is made by the majority of folks EVERY YEAR! :0 I don't have a problem with being healthy, I too strive to be healthy, although I constantly miss the mark. But what I do have a problem with is how most women have issues with their body. I am including myself in this number.
Over the past couple of weeks, I've also heard about Oprah and her weight gain. How she feels depressed, how she can't believe she let herself go, how she's embarrassed by her struggle with weight. I do feel Ms. O's pain, but do we really need to hear again how she gained weight after losing it all? Larry King even dedicated a whole hour to this "breaking news". In my opinion, Ms. O looks good. She's a 50+ woman, who realistically should not be expected to be a size 0. She is a woman of color who has curves. And I'm sure if you ask most African American men, they would say her curves are in all the right places. :)
Listening to a radio show I listen to daily, a woman writes in for advice as to whether or not she should get breast augmentation because her husband does not find her sagging breast attractive any more. This woman has had this man's children, and from what I gather has been a good wife to him. He also offered to pay for the operation. She said she wanted to be appealing to her husband, which I can totally understand, but she was afraid of going under the knife. How far do we have to go to keep our husbands attracted to us? Furthermore, what does he look like after 20+ years of marriage? I'm sure he is not what he used to be either. Newsflash: All women's breast begin to sag at some point! Unless of course the choice is made to get fake ones.
On a daily basis, I have conversations with my family and friends about weight issues, and what we don't like about ourselves. Some of those conversations are initiated by me, some of them are not, but I do add my two cents about what I just don't like about my body. When will it all end? I'm sick of myself at this point.
I guess my point in all of this is to check myself, and hopefully in the process, help others see that we are who we are, and we should love ourselves. We should strive to be healthy, but don't place a lot of effort in being a certain size or weight. This is a hard thing for me to do, and I'm sure it's hard for most women. We see images all day of women who look perfect. Perfect skin, hair, clothes, and shoes. I will not resolve to stop complaining about me because I know that most likely that won't happen, at least not right away. I won't even make a statement that I'll try to do better, because that always slaps me in the face too. I will say that I'm sick of myself and my complaints. I am surrounded by beautiful women. I may be a little biased, but it's true. I have friends and family members that are gorgeous. The problem is they don't see what I, and countless others see. All we see are imperfections. Maybe if I begin to love who I am, and my body in all my imperfections, it will rub off on those around me, and then it will rub off on those around them.
For those of us who believe, I leave you with this:
Psalm 139:13-18 (NKJV)
~For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.~
If I am what this Scripture says I am, what is it going to take for me to believe it? If God thinks many precious thoughts of me, why do I think otherwise?
Sweet T
We are about 13 days into the New Year, and all over the T.V., radio, and Internet we see advertisements for weight loss pills, diets, exercise programs, celebrity fitness tapes etc. Of course we are bombarded with these images this time of year because most of us resolve to "lose weight" in 2009. That is actually a resolution I dare to say is made by the majority of folks EVERY YEAR! :0 I don't have a problem with being healthy, I too strive to be healthy, although I constantly miss the mark. But what I do have a problem with is how most women have issues with their body. I am including myself in this number.
Over the past couple of weeks, I've also heard about Oprah and her weight gain. How she feels depressed, how she can't believe she let herself go, how she's embarrassed by her struggle with weight. I do feel Ms. O's pain, but do we really need to hear again how she gained weight after losing it all? Larry King even dedicated a whole hour to this "breaking news". In my opinion, Ms. O looks good. She's a 50+ woman, who realistically should not be expected to be a size 0. She is a woman of color who has curves. And I'm sure if you ask most African American men, they would say her curves are in all the right places. :)
Listening to a radio show I listen to daily, a woman writes in for advice as to whether or not she should get breast augmentation because her husband does not find her sagging breast attractive any more. This woman has had this man's children, and from what I gather has been a good wife to him. He also offered to pay for the operation. She said she wanted to be appealing to her husband, which I can totally understand, but she was afraid of going under the knife. How far do we have to go to keep our husbands attracted to us? Furthermore, what does he look like after 20+ years of marriage? I'm sure he is not what he used to be either. Newsflash: All women's breast begin to sag at some point! Unless of course the choice is made to get fake ones.
On a daily basis, I have conversations with my family and friends about weight issues, and what we don't like about ourselves. Some of those conversations are initiated by me, some of them are not, but I do add my two cents about what I just don't like about my body. When will it all end? I'm sick of myself at this point.
I guess my point in all of this is to check myself, and hopefully in the process, help others see that we are who we are, and we should love ourselves. We should strive to be healthy, but don't place a lot of effort in being a certain size or weight. This is a hard thing for me to do, and I'm sure it's hard for most women. We see images all day of women who look perfect. Perfect skin, hair, clothes, and shoes. I will not resolve to stop complaining about me because I know that most likely that won't happen, at least not right away. I won't even make a statement that I'll try to do better, because that always slaps me in the face too. I will say that I'm sick of myself and my complaints. I am surrounded by beautiful women. I may be a little biased, but it's true. I have friends and family members that are gorgeous. The problem is they don't see what I, and countless others see. All we see are imperfections. Maybe if I begin to love who I am, and my body in all my imperfections, it will rub off on those around me, and then it will rub off on those around them.
For those of us who believe, I leave you with this:
Psalm 139:13-18 (NKJV)
~For You have formed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.~
If I am what this Scripture says I am, what is it going to take for me to believe it? If God thinks many precious thoughts of me, why do I think otherwise?
Sweet T
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