July 4th not OUR independence day

This post is a few days late.  I had to think about it, Should Blacks celebrate the 4th of July?  The answer.... Hell NO!   First of all, when America gained independence from Britain we were still slaves. It is estimated that half a million people, or one fifth of the total American population was enslaved in 1776. And why do we feel obligated to celebrate this country's freedom when we were in bondage?   On one hand whites were upset about the way Britain treated them, but they were here treating Blacks worse.  Thomas Jefferson felt shameful about the newly formed country's treatment of Blacks he wrote this in the original draft of the Declaration of Independence (which was later removed because delegates from South Carolina and Georgia) "we have waged a cruel war against human nature itself, violating it's most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere".  WoW.  How did we get so far from the lofty dreams of our founding fathers? 
Don't get me wrong, I love America, the constitution and am patriotic, I disagree with some of it's policies and treatment of some of it's citizens we have a long way to go but I have to remind myself some of the holidays we choose to celebrate we need to do our homework on.
That is why I choose not to celebrate most American holidays, we have to find some culture within American culture, our identity is tied into American history but free you mind and celebrate those holidays that are meaningful and worth celebrating! Just saying....

Love, Peace and Strength
T. Davis

Man buries children alive but get parole?!

 Thirty-five years ago, three young white men from wealthy families kidnapped a bus full of 26 schoolchildren and their driver in this San Joaquin Valley community and entombed them in a rock quarry. It's the largest kidnapping for ransom in U.S. history and one of California's strangest crimes — a legacy seldom forgotten by outsiders who still connect the name "Chowchilla" to it.

The California Department of Corrections says 58 year old Richard Allen Schoenfeld was released from the California Men's Colony in San Luis Obispo Wednesday night.

Despite spending 16 hours underground, all of the victims survived after the bus driver stacked the mattresses together allowing everyone to eventually climb out of the van through the top.

Instead of collecting any loot, the three kidnappers fell asleep before calling in their ransom demand.

It was the largest kidnapping for ransom in U.S. history and it remains a part of California criminal history lore.

"If it wasn't for the bus driver saving those kids, all of those kids would be dead right now", adds longtime Chowchilla resident Jon Newton, "so why does he get to get out."

After 35 years behind bars, a California Appeals Court ordered Richard Schoenfeld released because the State Parole Board unfairly set his parole date for 2021 even though the Board said Schoenfeld is not a threat to society.

His brother and co- defendant’s James Schoenfeld and Frederick Woods are both up for parole at the California Men's Colony near San Luis Obispo later this year.

Really?

Now normally I try to get all the facts before I speak on a topic or legal issue, but Really?  Just the fact that 60% of all Black men incarcerated are for Non-Violent and/or drug crimes, namely crack cocaine which in fact the "crack law" has been repealed because of the disparity to powder cocaine convictions alone shows the flawed racist criminal justice system clearly doesn't work.  How can non violent or drug offenses have mandatory minimum sentences but wealthy, white men can get paroled for ATTEMPTED MURDER of 26 CHILDREN???  

WoW.  Loss of words....may God have mercy...

Peace, Love, and Strength.

T. Davis

Juneteenth 2012

June 19^th is known as Juneteenth celebrating the emancipation of the last remaining slaves in the U.S. This state holiday is observed in 41 states, the state of Texas is widely considered to be the first state to have informal celebrations, and it has been an official state holiday since 1890.  Many call it Freedom day or Emancipation day; I like to call it our own 4^th of July since we weren’t free on America’s Independence Day but that is another topic for another blog!

The history of Juneteenth comes from when Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862 with an effective date of January 1, 1863, but for whatever reasons Texas was not notified until two and a half years later in April of 1865.  Many rumors surround the delay, some say the messenger was murdered on his way to Texas with the emancipation news; that the news was deliberately withheld by slave masters to maintain the labor force and allow them to reap the benefits of one more cotton harvest.  Which to me all above are believable considering the U.S. history on treatment of Black Americans and former slaves. 

The civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 60’s embraced this state holiday to celebrate our freedom and achievement while encouraging self-determination and respect for all cultures and freedoms.   Many of our youth were pulled into the struggle for equality and learned the historic struggles of our ancestors.  This celebration has declined as our race forgets the past and focuses on the materialistic  Me  Me  Me  generation rather than our cultural history.  I encourage you the reader to revisit Juneteenth, spread the word and CELEBRATE this historic event!

                       

                     General Order Number 3 from President Abraham Lincoln states:

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with the proclamation form the executive of the United States, all slaves are free.  This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slave, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employ and free laborer”

Unfortunately, once free many slaves had no jobs, savings or means to celebrate this freedom and still remained slaves, or indebted to their owners.  Even today we as Black Americans struggle with such freedoms, and the right to self-determination and equality.  Only through knowledge of our past can we prepare for our future.

                        God bless us all and God bless America.

Peace, Love and Strength

T. Davis

Do Blacks share the same constitutional rights as others?

In my professional and personal experience dealing with the laws of the United States of America, especially constitutional law I find the words in theory are wonderful, but in practice not guaranteed to all Americans.  Let's look at the 6th Amendment to the constitution, it reads as follows:

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution affords criminal defendants seven discrete personal liberties: (1) the right to  a Speedy trial, (2) the right to a public trial; (3) the right to an impartial jury; (4) the right to be informed of pending charges; (5) the right to confront and to cross-examine adverse witnesses; (6) the right to compel favorable witnesses to testify at trial through the subpoena power of the judiciary; and (7) the right to legal counsel. Ratified in 1791, the Sixth Amendment originally applied only to criminal actions brought by the federal government.

Basically, we are all guaranteed the right to have a jury of our peers; which is defined as others in our community, socioeconomic, racial etc.  The jury pool should represent other Americans that  represent US.  So whats the problem? Well not enough of US want to do jury duty, so that leaves alot of individuals that don't relate to urban, racial, economic, social issues so their judgement is biased and tainted to their own lifestyles.  

The Sixth Amendment entitles defendants to a jury pool that represents a fair cross section of the community. From the jury pool, also known as a venire, a panel of jurors is selected to hear the case through a process called voir dire.   During voir dire, the presiding judge, the prose cution, and attorneys for the defense are allowed to ask members of the jury pool a variety of questions intended to reveal any latent biases, prejudices, or other influences that might affect their impartiality. The Sixth Amendment requires a trial judge to inquire as to the possible racial biases of prospective jurors when defendants request such an inquiry and there are substantial indications that racial prejudice could play a decisive role in the outcome of the case (United States v. Kyles, 40 F.3d 519 [2d Cir. 1994]). But an all-white jury does not, by itself, infringe on a black defendant's right to an impartial jury despite her contention that white jurors are incapable of acting impartially due to their perceived ignorance of inner-city life and its problems (United States v. Nururdin, 8 F.3d 1187 [7th Cir. 1993]). However, if a white juror is biased by an indelible prejudice against a black defendant, he will be stricken from the jury panel or venire.
 Basically, we rely on the judge and attorneys to ensure all jurors are impartial and fair, but how flawed is that process?  Well it is entirely flawed, not everyone is honest about their personal beliefs, nor will admit it.  Some people don't think they are prejudice or racist either.  So the defendant's mercy is at a flawed system, not just a conspiracy against poor and people of color as we may suspect. 

Here is a interesting link I'd like to share...I could go on all day about our legal system and the violation of Black American's so called rights but I will let you the reader decide, knowledge is power!

http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=21621796&msgid=1266157&act=LB03&c=242394&destination=http://www.kulturekritic.com/2012/05/news/racial-jury-nullification-re-visited-should-black-jurors-let-off-black-defendants/

please also visit the ACLU website:  www.aclu.org

Peace, Love and Strength

T. Davis
 

We all learned about the four food groups in school I'm sure, but how many adults actually eat a balanced meal?  According to the USDA (United States Dept. of Agriculture) only 1 in 5 adults eat a healthy meal to include all food groups.  As infectious diseases are on the rise such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure are all preventable!

To refresh your memory, each meal should consist of whole grains, dairy, fruits and vegetables and protein.  So for instance:

Whole grain- bread, muffins, oatmeal, barley, pasta

Fruits and Veggies- carrots, bananas, oranges lettuce/greens

Dairy- ice cream, yogurt, milk, eggs

Protein- meats, seafood, nuts, peanut butter

Physical exercise is important for cardio vasular health (heart and lungs), also at least 84oz of water a day.  Our bodies are 60% water including 75% of our blood needs water, not soda, juices, alcohol etc. WATER!

Remember, most illnesses and diseases are preventable with a healthy diet, lifestyle and exercise!

Happy healthy eating and living!  Enjoy

Peace, Love and Strength

T. Davis

Anomous letter from music ex on hip hop and Black men....interesting

Hello,

After more than 20 years, I've finally decided to tell the world what I witnessed in 1991, which I believe was one of the biggest turning point in popular music, and ultimately American society. I have struggled for a long time weighing the pros and cons of making this story public as I was reluctant to implicate the individuals who were present that day. So I've simply decided to leave out names and all the details that may risk my personal well being and that of those who were, like me, dragged into something they weren't ready for.

Between the late 80's and early 90’s, I was what you may call a “decision maker” with one of the more established company in the music industry. I came from Europe in the early 80’s and quickly established myself in the business. The industry was different back then. Since technology and media weren’t accessible to people like they are today, the industry had more control over the public and had the means to influence them anyway it wanted. This may explain why in early 1991, I was invited to attend a closed door meeting with a small group of music business insiders to discuss rap music’s new direction. Little did I know that we would be asked to participate in one of the most unethical and destructive business practice I’ve ever seen.

The meeting was held at a private residence on the outskirts of Los Angeles. I remember about 25 to 30 people being there, most of them familiar faces. Speaking to those I knew, we joked about the theme of the meeting as many of us did not care for rap music and failed to see the purpose of being invited to a private gathering to discuss its future. Among the attendees was a small group of unfamiliar faces who stayed to themselves and made no attempt to socialize beyond their circle. Based on their behavior and formal appearances, they didn't seem to be in our industry. Our casual chatter was interrupted when we were asked to sign a confidentiality agreement preventing us from publicly discussing the information presented during the meeting. Needless to say, this intrigued and in some cases disturbed many of us. The agreement was only a page long but very clear on the matter and consequences which stated that violating the terms would result in job termination. We asked several people what this meeting was about and the reason for such secrecy but couldn't find anyone who had answers for us. A few people refused to sign and walked out. No one stopped them. I was tempted to follow but curiosity got the best of me. A man who was part of the “unfamiliar” group collected the agreements from us.

Quickly after the meeting began, one of my industry colleagues (who shall remain nameless like everyone else) thanked us for attending. He then gave the floor to a man who only introduced himself by first name and gave no further details about his personal background. I think he was the owner of the residence but it was never confirmed. He briefly praised all of us for the success we had achieved in our industry and congratulated us for being selected as part of this small group of “decision makers”. At this point I begin to feel slightly uncomfortable at the strangeness of this gathering. The subject quickly changed as the speaker went on to tell us that the respective companies we represented had invested in a very profitable industry which could become even more rewarding with our active involvement. He explained that the companies we work for had invested millions into the building of privately owned prisons and that our positions of influence in the music industry would actually impact the profitability of these investments. I remember many of us in the group immediately looking at each other in confusion. At the time, I didn’t know what a private prison was but I wasn't the only one. Sure enough, someone asked what these prisons were and what any of this had to do with us. We were told that these prisons were built by privately owned companies who received funding from the government based on the number of inmates. The more inmates, the more money the government would pay these prisons. It was also made clear to us that since these prisons are privately owned, as they become publicly traded, we’d be able to buy shares. Most of us were taken back by this. Again, a couple of people asked what this had to do with us. At this point, my industry colleague who had first opened the meeting took the floor again and answered our questions. He told us that since our employers had become silent investors in this prison business, it was now in their interest to make sure that these prisons remained filled. Our job would be to help make this happen by marketing music which promotes criminal behavior, rap being the music of choice. He assured us that this would be a great situation for us because rap music was becoming an increasingly profitable market for our companies, and as employee, we’d also be able to buy personal stocks in these prisons. Immediately, silence came over the room. You could have heard a pin drop. I remember looking around to make sure I wasn't dreaming and saw half of the people with dropped jaws. My daze was interrupted when someone shouted, “Is this a f****** joke?” At this point things became chaotic. Two of the men who were part of the “unfamiliar” group grabbed the man who shouted out and attempted to remove him from the house. A few of us, myself included, tried to intervene. One of them pulled out a gun and we all backed off. They separated us from the crowd and all four of us were escorted outside. My industry colleague who had opened the meeting earlier hurried out to meet us and reminded us that we had signed agreement and would suffer the consequences of speaking about this publicly or even with those who attended the meeting. I asked him why he was involved with something this corrupt and he replied that it was bigger than the music business and nothing we’d want to challenge without risking consequences. We all protested and as he walked back into the house I remember word for word the last thing he said, “It’s out of my hands now. Remember you signed an agreement.” He then closed the door behind him. The men rushed us to our cars and actually watched until we drove off.

A million things were going through my mind as I drove away and I eventually decided to pull over and park on a side street in order to collect my thoughts. I replayed everything in my mind repeatedly and it all seemed very surreal to me. I was angry with myself for not having taken a more active role in questioning what had been presented to us. I'd like to believe the shock of it all is what suspended my better nature. After what seemed like an eternity, I was able to calm myself enough to make it home. I didn't talk or call anyone that night. The next day back at the office, I was visibly out of it but blamed it on being under the weather. No one else in my department had been invited to the meeting and I felt a sense of guilt for not being able to share what I had witnessed. I thought about contacting the 3 others who wear kicked out of the house but I didn't remember their names and thought that tracking them down would probably bring unwanted attention. I considered speaking out publicly at the risk of losing my job but I realized I’d probably be jeopardizing more than my job and I wasn't willing to risk anything happening to my family. I thought about those men with guns and wondered who they were? I had been told that this was bigger than the music business and all I could do was let my imagination run free. There were no answers and no one to talk to. I tried to do a little bit of research on private prisons but didn’t uncover anything about the music business’ involvement. However, the information I did find confirmed how dangerous this prison business really was. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Eventually, it was as if the meeting had never taken place. It all seemed surreal. I became more reclusive and stopped going to any industry events unless professionally obligated to do so. On two occasions, I found myself attending the same function as my former colleague. Both times, our eyes met but nothing more was exchanged.

As the months passed, rap music had definitely changed direction. I was never a fan of it but even I could tell the difference. Rap acts that talked about politics or harmless fun were quickly fading away as gangster rap started dominating the airwaves. Only a few months had passed since the meeting but I suspect that the ideas presented that day had been successfully implemented. It was as if the order has been given to all major label executives. The music was climbing the charts and most companies when more than happy to capitalize on it. Each one was churning out their very own gangster rap acts on an assembly line. Everyone bought into it, consumers included. Violence and drug use became a central theme in most rap music. I spoke to a few of my peers in the industry to get their opinions on the new trend but was told repeatedly that it was all about supply and demand. Sadly many of them even expressed that the music reinforced their prejudice of minorities.

I officially quit the music business in 1993 but my heart had already left months before. I broke ties with the majority of my peers and removed myself from this thing I had once loved. I took some time off, returned to Europe for a few years, settled out of state, and lived a “quiet” life away from the world of entertainment. As the years passed, I managed to keep my secret, fearful of sharing it with the wrong person but also a little ashamed of not having had the balls to blow the whistle. But as rap got worse, my guilt grew. Fortunately, in the late 90’s, having the internet as a resource which wasn't at my disposal in the early days made it easier for me to investigate what is now labeled the prison industrial complex. Now that I have a greater understanding of how private prisons operate, things make much more sense than they ever have. I see how the criminalization of rap music played a big part in promoting racial stereotypes and misguided so many impressionable young minds into adopting these glorified criminal behaviors which often lead to incarceration. Twenty years of guilt is a heavy load to carry but the least I can do now is to share my story, hoping that fans of rap music realize how they’ve been used for the past 2 decades. Although I plan on remaining anonymous for obvious reasons, my goal now is to get this information out to as many people as possible. Please help me spread the word. Hopefully, others who attended the meeting back in 1991 will be inspired by this and tell their own stories. Most importantly, if only one life has been touched by my story, I pray it makes the weight of my guilt a little more tolerable.

Thank you.

Safety tips for women against sexual assualt

Happy Mother's Day weekend, please share this important women's issue with mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, aunts, nieces, co-workers to help prevent sexual assault.  For more information visit www.rainn.org or call 800-656-HOPE(4673).

Every two minutes someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted, 60% are not reported to the police. It's also important to know 70-80% of victims know their assailants.  

Tips:

• Trust your instincts.  It is our built in alarm system, and warn you of possible dangers.  Many as I do, believe God equips us with tools unseen like instincts, conscience, and intuition so if something doesn't feel right or you are uncomfortable don't ignore or dismiss those feelings.   I say it's ok to be rude or mean in order for someone potentially harmful to stay away, better be safe than sorry!
•  Keep your car and house doors locked at all times.
• Always beware of your surroundings, be careful in public at night and always look people in the eye to identify them and be assertive.
• Walk confidently, don't wear headphones, or have music on low so you can hear what's going on around you. Pay attention to where exactly you're at (streets, intersection, restaurant, businesses etc.)
• If you feel someone is following you, be sure to get a good look at them for description later if needed, DO NOT confront them but you can ask a question like "What time is it" rapist have stated a women that makes small talk throws them off, it takes away the element of surprise.
• Most rapist said they would leave a women alone if she looked them in the eyes, or showed signs she'd fight back.
• Keep a small weapon (legally!) pepper spray is good too.  Hold your keys between your fingers as a possible weapon if you need to hit anybody.
• If you're confronted by a robber and they ask for your purse, wallet or belongings DON'T give it to them, toss it aside chances are they are more concerned with your stuff than you, it could cause a distraction for escape.

God forbid if you do become a victim of sexually assault call the police immediately. DO NOT take a bath or shower until after seen a doctor/police, contact close friends or family, or crisis center for support.

Ladies be safe, and we are all each others keeper.  Meaning let's look after one another and share this information.

Peace, Love, and Strength

T. Davis

Support legalization......

Over 300 economists, including three Nobel Laureates, recently signed a petition that encourages the president, Congress, governors and state legislatures to carefully consider marijuana legalization in America. The petition draws attention to an article by Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron, whose findings highlight the substantial cost-savings our government could incur if it were to tax and regulate marijuana, rather than needlessly spending billions of dollars enforcing its prohibition.
Miron predicts that legalizing marijuana would save $7.7 billion per year in government expenditure on enforcement, in addition to generating $2.4 billion annually if taxed like most consumer goods, or $6 billion per year if taxed similarly to alcohol and tobacco. The economists signing the petition note that the budgetary implications of marijuana prohibition are just one of many factors to be considered, but declare it essential that these findings become a serious part of the national decriminalization discussion.
The advantages of marijuana legalization extend far beyond an opportunity to make a dent in our federal deficit. The criminalization of marijuana is one of the many fights in the War on Drugs that has failed miserably. And while it's tempting to associate only the harder, "scarier" drugs with this botched crusade, the fact remains that marijuana prohibition is very much a part of the battle. The federal government has even classified marijuana as a Schedule 1 substance (its most serious category of substances), placing it in a more dangerous category than cocaine. More than 800,000 people are arrested for marijuana use and possession each year, and 46 percent of all drug prosecutions across the country are for marijuana possession. Yet this costly and time-consuming targeting of marijuana users by law enforcement and lawmakers has done little to quell use of the drug.
The criminalization of marijuana has not only resulted in a startlingly high number of arrests, it also reflects the devastating disparate racial impact of the War on Drugs. Despite ample evidence that marijuana is used more frequently by white people, Blacks and Latinos account for a grossly disproportionate percentage of the 800,000 people arrested annually for marijuana use and possession. These convictions hinder one's ability to find or keep employment, vote or gain access to affordable housing. The fact that these hard-to-shake consequences – bad enough as they are — are suffered more frequently by a demographic that uses marijuana less makes our current policies toward marijuana all the more unfair, unwise and unacceptable.
Our marijuana policies have proven ineffective, expensive and discriminatory. Our courtrooms, jails and prisons remain crowded with nonviolent drug offenders. And yet, the government persists in its costly, racist and counterproductive criminalization of marijuana. We learned our lesson decades ago with alcohol prohibition; it is long overdue for us to do the same with marijuana prohibition. In the face of Miron's new report, and its support from hundreds of economists, we are hopeful that not only will the national conversation surrounding marijuana change, but so will our disastrous policies.

Sistah's we need to do better: HIV/AIDS

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL 

First let's start off, I am a freak and I love sex as much as anyone.  Second, I am not looking down on any one's sexual preferences or behavior, but when I read an article and see the statistics of  Black women acquiring HIV and dying of AIDS it's time to speak up.   Currently,  the CDC (center for disease control) says that 1 out of every 32 black women will be infected with HIV during her lifetime.  Although black women represent only 14 percent of the US female population, they constitute 66 percent of all new HIV infections.   The infection rates of black women in the United States rival those in the Congo and Kenya. Wow.  Here in America, land of the free and our rates are similar to third world country, women and the center of civilization the reproductive necessity for our race.  We can blame conspiracy theories all day but it boils down to a healthy lifestyle and personal responsibility.  Educate yourselves on risky behaviors, get tested, know your sexual partners status and practice a healthy lifestyle that is IV drug free, abstinent of sex and/or use of condoms.

 Here is some ideas from Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition.


1) We must take a serious look at the prison industrial complex: The war on drugs sent hundreds of thousands of black men to prison for long periods of time.  This dramatic move was no less devastating to the black family ecosystem than removing an entire species from the animal kingdom.  Women have fewer men to marry, the children of these men grow up without fathers, and men come out of prison without the ability to provide for a family.  Additionally, the fact that we’ve decided to make prison rape into some kind of joke at cocktail parties means that many lives are lost when women are infected by the men for whom they’ve been waiting.
2) Too many black men don’t go to the doctor: A scholar reached out to me stating that he does research on heterosexual black men (not just the downlow brothers that Oprah likes to talk about).  The researcher took a random test for Chlamydia at a local barbershop.  During the test, it was determined that nearly half (45%) of these men were infected with the disease, and none of them knew they were infected.  In a world where mass media encourages black men to have sex with anything that moves, it’s frightening that there are men who’ve literally slept with 5 or 10 women per year for the last several years and have never taken an HIV test.
3) Most of the women in the study didn’t know their own status or that of their partners: It was bad enough when many men began teaching each other to be irresponsible in their sexual choices.  Things got worse when women started to behave like men.  While we can continue scapegoating gay and heterosexual men for the problems with the spread of HIV, many of our so-called “good Christian black girls” are “gettin it in” in their own little sexual revolution.  Not that sex is a bad thing, but many of these women have been led to believe that you can do whatever you want and are completely safe as long as you wear a condom.  So, the next time you share your body with the guy who swoons you with smooth words and nice smile, remember that there may be hundreds of other women who’ve shared the same man.
4) Many African Americans are delaying or walking away from marriage: I am not here to thump a bible and promote the values of marriage, for we’ve all seen the tragedy and financial devastation that occurs during divorce.  But the deterioration of the black family has occurred largely because many of us don’t know the first thing about what it takes to keep a marriage together. The answer does NOT lie in a damn Steve Harvey book (the last thing we need is for women to start thinking like men).
Without judging one way or the other, the fact remains that when people get married, they usually have sex with fewer partners than they did when they were single.  So, the 30-something year old black woman who might have focused all of her energy on one man suddenly finds herself going through 2 or 3 guys per year and promptly ends up on the wrong end of an STD exam.  It happens regularly, but this quiet epidemic is hardly something that any of these women would advertise on the six o’clock news.
Life would be a lot simpler if every 25-year old black woman was assigned a 42 -year old mentor who could be honest about the consequences of her sexual choices.  Unfortunately, sex is like going to the bathroom:  Everyone does it, but no one talks about it.  We then end up repeating the mistakes of our predecessors.
5) We seem to forget that there are STDs other than HIV: While everyone loves to focus on the deadliest and most highly publicized sexually transmitted disease, HIV, we often forget that there is an equally-alarming rise in the percentage of black folks being diagnosed with Herpes, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HPV and Syphilis.   So, checking your partner’s HIV status, quite frankly, isn’t enough.  The sexually promiscuous person who brags about his/her negative HIV test may be carrying other “goodies” that can be yours for just one drunken night in the sack.
The fact is that sex in America has become dangerous and serious. While getting tested, checking your partner’s status and protecting yourself are incredibly important, this may not be enough.  Instead, we must reconsider the systemic, cultural and personal factors that keep us from building sustainable families.  We must also think about how these factors encourage us to engage in risky behavior (yes, black men and women are influenced by hip hop artists who brag about having sex with hundreds of women at the same time).  There is no such thing as 100% safe sex, so perhaps the old fashioned idea of respecting your body might apply from here on out.  Either way, something needs to change, and following the crowd is a great way to end up dead.

Thank you Dr. Watkins for sharing this crisis with us, I encourage y'all to share this information because knowledge IS power and I want us as a people to be empowered with self determination, to become the Kings and Queens we are ordained to be.

Peace, Love and Strength
 T. Davis

Poverty Tour

There are nearly 150 million poor and near poor people in America who are not responsible for the damage done by the Great Recession. Yet they pay the price. The poor did not create the deindustrialization of America, unmatched corporate profiteering and greed, more than a decade of foreign wars , and unregulated tax benefits for the wealthy. When the largest economic institutions in the world were brought to their collective knees, they went crawling to the government’s doorstep in search of salvation. The government obliged, allowing Wall Street to socialize its failure on the backs of Main Street Americans. The housing and jobs crisis they created fostered a poverty unseen in generations—not just in inner-city ghettos and barrios, but also in suburbs and rural areas crossing racial, age, and gender lines. Nearly one-third of the American middle class—mostly families with children—have fallen into poverty.”
—Tavis Smiley and Cornel West

As we look at the Occupy Wall Street movement and discuss tax benefits for the 1% wealthy population I find myself drawn to the poverty tour in which Dr. West and Tavis are conducting around the country.  I will begin to do more research and hope to attend a event soon.  I encourage you to also study what these intellectual brothers are up to and be enlightened to the plight of the poor.

Peace, Love and Strength

T. Davis

For more info please visit:  http://www.therichandtherestofus.com

Educator and philosopher Cornel West is the Class of 1943 University Professor at Princeton University. Known as one of America’s most gifted, provocative, and important democratic intellectuals, he is the author of the contemporary classic Race Matters, which changed the course of America’s dialogue on race and justice; the New York Times bestseller Democracy Matters; and the memoir Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. He is the author of 17 other texts and the recipient of the American Book Award. West holds more than 20 honorary degrees, and will return this fall as Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

 From his celebrated conversations with world figures to his work to inspire the next generation of leaders as a broadcaster, author, advocate, and philanthropist, Tavis Smiley continues to be an outstanding voice for change. Currently, Smiley hosts the late-night television talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS; The Tavis Smiley Show, distributed by Public Radio International (PRI); and is a co-host of Smiley & West (PRI). He is the first American to simultaneously host signature talk shows on both public television and public radio. In addition to his radio and television work, Smiley has authored 16 books, including his New York Times bestselling memoir What I Know for Sure and the book he edited, the #1 New York Times bestseller, Covenant with Black America. He is also the presenter and creative force behind America I AM: The African American Imprint—an unprecedented and award-winning traveling museum exhibition celebrating the extraordinary impact of African American contributions to our nation and to the world. In 2009, Smiley was named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World.”

Friendship is Love

I've have had the same best friend for over 25 years and through thick and thin we have been there for each other.  Now as older adults, things change and I find our lives going in different directions.  This blog is dedicated to her and the discussion of relationships in general.

Friendship has many different meanings to different people, it is defined as the following:

• wanting the best for the other
• having sympathy and empathy
• honesty
• enjoy each others company
• trust
• reciprocity- a give and take

Friendship is the beginning of lovers, partnership and marriage thus it takes two to make it work and put forth the same effort.  But what happens if there is no reciprocity? or the other not truly wanting the best for you?  When a friend, lover or partner is not honest therefore the trust is broken how productive is the friendship?  At what point do you bail ship, or remain loyal?  Do you resist the sinking like the Titanic (thus friend SHIP), is that person holding you back?  Out of loyalty do you let go and go down with the ship realizing you are on different life paths, when do you let go?  Can you truly love someone at a distance?

Communal friendship is when you are only there in a time of need, this works for some people. Best friends tend to have a higher level of intimacy than traditional friendships so there should be a little more loyalty and commitment.  Frenemies is a friend that is actually a enemy, you never really know.

Healthy relationships improve mental and social health.  Although studies suggest 25% of people have no close confidants, is their health in jeopardy?  Children who don't develop emotionally have difficulty with intimacy and friendships as adults, this explains why some people cannot be true friends to others.

I like the following quote "a true friend is one who walks in when others walk out"

Moral of this story, the vitamin for friendship is B1.

Peace, Love and Strength

T. Davis

Dedicated to the memory of Ray Anthony O'neal

Let's start out by saying this post is about Trayvon Martin and all Black men and families that suffered murder at the hands of ignorance and racism.  My grandmother's baby, Uncle Ray was murdered in Seattle, Washington at the hand of  a white apartment manger who during breaking up a party of University of Washington students, shot and killed my uncle Ray.  He was acquitted of all charges for self defense, a easy claim by white men who fear Black men and kill them.  Thus this is dedicated to him and all the families and  victims from Emmit Till to Trayvon Martin.

Feb. 26: Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old Florida high school student, is found shot and killed in Sanford, Fla., a community north of Orlando.
Several eyewitnesses report to police that they heard a scuffle, then a cry for help, and then a gunshot.
According to the Sanford police report, George Zimmerman, 28, a self-appointed neighborhood watch captain, is found armed with a handgun, standing over Martin. He has a bloody nose and a wound in the back of his head.
Martin is unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene. He has no weapons on him, only a pack of Skittles and a bottle of iced tea.
Zimmerman tells police he killed Martin in self defense.
Zimmerman was not arrested, nor tested for drugs or alcohol as procedure calls for in a fatal shooting.
March 9: Trayvon Martin’s family demands that police release the 911 tapes or make an arrest nearly one month after Martin was killed. Police declined to comment at the time, but told ABC News the tapes would be released the following week.

March 19: A 16-year-old girl tells Benjamin Crump, the Martin family’s attorney, about the last moments of Trayvon Martin’s life. Martin was on the phone with her when George Zimmerman began following him. She recounted that she told Martin to run, then she heard some pushing, then the line went dead.
The U.S. Justice Department announces it has launched an investigation into Martin’s slaying.
ABC News also learns that Zimmerman violated major principles of the Neighborhood Watch manual, which states, “it should be emphasized to members that they do not possess police powers, and they shall not carry weapons or pursue vehicles.”
The State Attorney’s office in Seminole County, Fla., announces that a grand jury will review the evidence of the case on April 10.

March 22: Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee announces he will “temporarily” stepping down amid accusations that his department bungled the investigation into the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott also announces State Attorney Norman Wolfinger, another key investigator tied to the case, has agreed to withdraw.
Martin’s family meets officials from the U.S. Justice Department.
The Lead homicide detective, Chris Serino is the only one who seems to have some sense in Stanford, he recommended manslaughter charges but the state attorneys office said there "wasn't enough evidence" and they and police department believed it was self defense, Florida law supports deadly force if self defense.
Now if you are a 17 year old teenager and some grown ass man with a gun is stalking you, I'd say fight for your life!  Lets compare the victim vs. murderer:

 Lets also compare my favorite quarter back Micheal Vick, whom I have also blogged about his injustice. Vick received 23 months in federal prison for dog fighting.  Georger Zimmerman was not even arrested, detained tested for drugs or alcohol as would in any deadly shooting investigating.
CNN interviews with eyewitnesses stated "police sided with Zimmerman from the start" they reported seeing and hearing Zimmerman pin Trayvon down, then heard a gun shot and the "very young whining and crying stopped immediately". 

Bottom line is Zimmerman should be arrested immediately and investigated to the fullest extend of the law,everyone deserves equal justice because every life is precious.

Please continue to follow this story and speak out on injustice and racism!
***update**

Now we know why George Zimmerman didn't get arrested......According to court records George Zimmerman is the son of retired Supreme Court Magistrate Judge Robert J Zimmerman, his mother Gladys Zimmerman is a court clerk....He has three closed arrests 7/18/05 for resisting arrest with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer div 10........8/9/05 for domestic violence div 44..... And again on 8/10/05 domestic violence div 46  

Stanford has a history of police misconduct and racism, a lieutenant's son was accused of beating a Black homeless man , chargers were not filed until there was public outcry.  Stay Tuned...........

Take Care..
Peace, Love and Strength

T. Davis

Felipe Andres Coronel (born February 19, 1978), better known as Immortal Technique, is a rapper of African and Peruvian descent as well as an urban activist. He was born in Peru and raised in
    Most of his lyrics focus on controversial issues in global politics. The views expressed in his lyrics Harlem NYC. his rap lyrics are largely commentary on racial and social issues.
Immortal Technique has voiced a desire to retain control over his production, and has stated in his music that record companies, not artists themselves, profit the most from mass production and marketing of music. He claimed in an interview to have sold close to 200,000 copies of his three official releases.
Me being a activist myself, I use hip hop to reach our young adults and I loooove the revolutionary rappers who talk about more than hoes, sex, bling, materialism but real shit that affects our community.  He is my featured artist with his song Reverse Pimpology, here are the lyrics and you tube link.


"Reverse Pimpology"
(feat. Mojo)

[Immortal Technique]
Hypocrites, hookers, sex offenders
Y'all niggaz wanna be pimps and players?
This ain't 1997 nigga

I'd rather be rich and unhappy than broke and miserable
Cause the game don't give a FUCK if you lyrical
And that's pitiful, so my position is pivotal
You can hate me all you like but you worship the principle
I inspire revolution, the government's not invincible
Vietnam to Venezuela, trick knowledge, they pimpin you
All up in the hood like McDonald's and liquor
Selling AIDS medicine, when we know you got the cure nigga (woo!)
You leery of conspiracy theory but hear me
Throw a business perspective, it makes more sense clearly
Cause moreover, that's what we go to war over
And numbers don't lie unless we do Bush and Gore over
Free markets make money disingenuously
But I invest in agriculture, biochemistry
Smart nigga from the hood, pussy, what type of crime is that?
But exec's are like, "You from Harlem? Where your diamonds at?"
Stupid

[Mojo]
Can't dodge the game
If you lookin for the money or the fame (oh-ohh)
The players and the rules ain't changed (oh no)
But see we tryin to leave a name
So we're turnin out

[Immortal Technique]
Yeah, this is how pimps get pimped and players get played
Rich people get robbed and, broke niggaz paid
New York, London, Chicago, Philly and L.A.
Miami, D.C., B-more and out in the Bay

[Mojo]
We're tearin it out of the frame
See we deserve to stake that claim
If we didn't it's a cryin shame
What we're concerned about is how to turn it out

[Immortal Technique]
Show me a pretty girl, with the world stuck to her
And I bet you there's a brother that's tired of fuckin her
Lots of niggaz girls is someone else's one night stand
I probably made some bitches nervous listenin with they man (ha ha)
And if that offends somebody, I'm sorry, fuck you!
What you think, revolutionaries don't like to fuck too?
You just gotta beware of dangerous coochie
Cover ya head like a kufi, some rappers think that they live in a movie
Until they get herpes or clap from a groupie
And I don't need to shout you out, nigga you know who you be
Look, most people are only players cause they got played
And have not, let go of that, shit since the 7th grade
Yeah you got your heart broke, life sucks, doesn't it?
But you shouldn't fuck up someone else's life because of it
Someone did your mother like that, that's why you fatherless
Before jail or racist cops, that's what the problem is

[Mojo]
Recognize the game
See who's the one to place that blame
We gettin trapped in a cycle of pain
With a generation headed down the drain
Time we turn it out

[Immortal Technique]
This is how pimps get pimped and players get played
Beautiful women get, cheated on and gangstas sprayed
Jersey, Detroit, Denver, Phoenix, Atlanta
Texas, Vegas, Seattle and fuckin Louisiana

[Mojo]
Regardless of money you payin
Just spendin, hold a watch and a chain
But can't offer your children a thang
What the hell is goin on in your brain?
We gon' turn it out

[Immortal Technique]
Yeah, I'm not a crack rapper, I'm not a backpacker (ha ha ha)
I'm not a wack rapper, moonlighting as a bad actor
I treat labels like the projects, cause I'm a hater (what!)
Go to the Sony building and piss in the elevator
Cater to hustlers, crooks and cheap smugglers
Bootleg my own album, to reach customers (yeah)
Every city, state and country, the hood love me
Even Aborigines, in Australia bump me
They say underground fans are all the color of talcum
But who the fuck you think buy 50 and Jay albums?
Who the fuck you think made Snoop and Dre platinum?
Call up any major record label and ask 'em

that belong at Republican fundraisers with Kid Rock (bitch!)
I hope one of my fans has one of your kids shot
And blames it on Acid, Prozac and Slipknot
You a pussy actin hard like a bitch cop
I'll drop you to the floor like a reverse wristlock
Eat your food and shit on you, like a highway pit stop
And make, revolutionaries out of kids that used to flip rocks
The government, pimped 9/11 to go to Iraq
And history, repeats itself right on track (how?)
First as a tragedy, and then the comedy begins (why?)
Cause it's funny, motherfuckers don't see it come around again

[Mojo (I.T.)]
Where, can we be free? (FUCK we gon' be free man?)
We only wanna live our lives
Live our lives, with our eyes open
Open your eyes – open your eyes
You stupid motherfuckers - you stupid motherfuckers
Open your eyes, before you die





Peace, love and strength.

T. Davis

Celebrating Black women in American history

Marva Nettles Collins born in Monroerville, Alabama she founded the Westside Preparatory School in Chicago in 1975 to educate the young children of Chicago's mean streets.  Using her own pension funds from sixteen years teaching in public schools , she built a schoolroom in her home. Her motto is "Entrance to lean, exit to serve"  Knowledge is power.  Her motivation is educating the next generation for success and giving every child the education and equal opportunity to learn which came out of her disillusioned after teaching in the public school system for sixteen years, Collins decided to open a school that would welcome students who had been rejected by other schools and labeled disruptive and "unteachable." She had seen too many children pass through an ineffective school system in which they were given impersonal teachers who did not challenge their students to excel.

Let's celebrate Black women in American history who have done great and extrordinary things and be inspired and encouraged to do the same!

Peace, Love and Strength

T. Davis

 

Celebrating Black women in American history

Madam C. J. Walker (December 23, 1867 - May 25, 1919) was an inventor, businesswoman and self-made millionaire. Walker was an African-American who developed many beauty and hair care products that were extremely popular.
Madam Walker was born in Delta, Louisiana, on the Burney family plantation; her name was originally Sarah Breedlove. Walker's parents were ex-slaves who had both died by the time Sarah was seven. Sarah was married at age fourteen to Moses McWilliams. Widowed at age 20, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and supported her daughter, Lelia, by washing laundry.
In 1905, she moved to Denver, Colorado, and married Charles Joseph (C.J.) Walker, a newspaper sales agent; they were divorced in 1912, but she kept his name. Madam Walker started her cosmetics business in 1906. Her first product was a scalp treatment that used petrolatum and sulfur to heal scalp disease and to grow hair. She also softened the hair with an ointment she called Glossine,and straightened the hair with a metal comb. She did not, however, invent the hair comb.
She added Madam to her name and began selling her new "Walker System" door-to-door. Walker soon added other cosmetic products to her line. The products were very successful and she soon had many saleswomen, called "Walker Agents," who sold her products door to door and through beauty salon. In 1917, her agents came together in one of the nation's first convention of businesswomen. She settled briefly in Pittsburgh in 1908, then established her permanent headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1910.
Madam Walker eventually became a millionaire from her business, which was at its peak from 1911 through 1922; she employed thousands of people. Walker moved to New York in 1916 and became active in influencing the arts and philanthropy. She contributed to many organizations ad educational institutions, including the NAACP, the Tuskegee Institute, Bethune-Cookman College, the YMCA and the YMCA. She also helped spur the Harlem Renaissance through her support of black artists and musicians. The Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company is no longer in business.

Note: For more information on Madam Walker, please read, On Her Own Ground: the Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker by A'Lelia Bundles (Madam Walker's great-great-granddaughter).

Celebrating Black Women in American History

Dr. Alexa Canady at age 30 became the fist black women neurosurgeon in the U.S., and only one in her home town city of Detroit.   She completed her medical degree in pediatric neurosurgery at the Unv. of Michigan.   She said "her mother is her role model, because she's bright, energetic, and committed, and has a sense that getting up each day is an adventure.  My grandmother is also a role model because always treated me like I was a person who was worth listening to even when I was a little person not worth listening too." 

Dr. Canady believed in hard work, education and ambition.  She is not only inspiring to other Black women but men and women as a whole. Let's celebrate her place as a Black women in American history!! 

Peace, Love, Strength and Happiness

T. Davis

Celebrating Black Women In American History

 

Maxine Waters(D) Los Angeles~  was born in St. Louis with twelve brothers and sisters.  She loved the Bill of Rights and U.S. Constitution which led her to explore a career in politics.  Her role in politics have changed the lives not only of her constituents but Black (Americans) as a whole, she challenged the crack epidemic in sentencing and most famously the Iran Contra funding through the American drug trade.  

"Poor people have not ever really organized to use their numbers and power to force the government to do very much for them.  People who don't make alot of noise don't get very much.  All of us deserve a system that works for us not against us, this syemt does not simply belong to the wealthy."

Let's celebrate Black Women in U.S. history and the contributions they have and continue to make for this country.

Peace, Love and Strength.

T. Davis

Humans are not meant to be monogomus beings

No matter how far we get into someones world we get, there is always something we never understand.

Love produces laughter, smiles and tears at the same time,

If twos a company, than threes a crowd....a wife, girlfriend or lover at all costs,

caught up in games played and lies told, while waiting for love to unfold.

A woman who has modified the truth to fit her own needs, it boils down to lust and infatuation but a queen can only have one castle.

I've been a participant to sex without love, torn by emotions, confused by decisions made from the start,

Erica Baydu asks "how can we make love when you don't love me?" so we remain apart.

Can we truly be homie-lova-friends, can a slave serve two masters?

Can a woman love two hearts, without feelings being torn apart?

Like the Bermuda triangle I get lost, my true feelings tossed .....................in the love triangle.

T. Davis  (c)2006

With high divorce rates and the fact most relationships in general are polygamists (multiple partners) or have infidelity I wonder if humans are not meant to be monogamist?
According to many psychologists we were forced into monogamy by society and the "church".  It's interesting as I become older, as a divorced woman how my idea of the "perfect man" or mate should look.  I have had sex without love, practiced celibacy, had friends with benefits and a open relationship.  Each one fit the lifestyle I was living at the time, being a hopeless romantic I wonder if I will ever be married again or expect a monogamous relationship?
With the rate of HIV and sexually transmitted disease one has to be careful in engaging in any type of sexual relationship, knowing your partner (s) and having good communication is the key to any relationship.  At the end of the day everyone needs to find what works for them and be involved with someone it also works for.  Honestly, would you ruin your relationship or marriage and everything you've worked for because your partner was unfaithful?  Is there a difference between emotional cheating and just sex?  Is it wrong for someone to have occasional sex outside their relationship if that is all it truly is?
Please post your thoughts, comments, and opinions for discussion.


Peace, Love and Strength.
T. Davis