I am currently reading "Martin & Malcolm & America: A Dream or a Nightmare" by James H. Cone. This bookhas opened my eyes and allowed me to take a look at a movement that was before my time, but it shaped the world as we know it now. But even more so it gives me a look into the lives an ideals of two great black leaders, Malcom X and Martin Luther King, Jr. In reading this book, i cringe to think about what could have been accomplished in our communities and this country if these two great men would have come together, bringing their spiritual and religious, political and social ideals together! What a force they would have been to be reckoned with. It is my opinion that as educated as these men were, it is their miseducation of each other,pride, and the media's perception of them that seperated them and it is those same elements that divide us ( as a race and a country) today! (Have Mercy, Lord!)
I encourage everyone to read this book, no matter what color, race, religion or creed, and objectively think about what these men represented and accomplished to do. We can all learn from Malcolm and Martin!

Free Speech Lives!!!!!

West Coast censorship of Kanye West's anti-Bush comments? Just a way to pacify the situation. With all the media frenzy surrounding the comment, i'm quite sure that everyone on the West Coast has seen or read what Kanye said. And though some may argue that it was an inappropriate timing, i commend Mr. West. Not for what he said (although i partially agree) but for using the American- given right to Freedom of Speech.

This Week's STAND UP AWARD goes to fellow college dropout, Kanye West.

(note to readers, i recently re-enrolled in college. We all can't be "degreeless" stars. But i enjoyed the break! ;)LOL)

HELP NOW?

As I sit here watching the news reports of Hurricane Katrina, i become very frustrated! Everyone is so supportive of the Red Cross and i'm not knocking them. The American Red Cross is a seasoned organization and they have helped millions and billions of people for over hundreds of years. But the reality of the situation,and i've seen and heard first accounts in some of the disaster areas, is that many people in the African- American community are not receiving immediate help from the Red Cross. i've heard too many stories of Red Cross relief trucks passing African American shelters and communities by! I am so very disappointed! Help Now?! Hardly- at least not in our communities!

Then there's the "red tape." The monies sent to the Red Cross has to travel through so many avenues before it reaches the people who need it. Help Now?!
And how can we forget the reports of mismanagement after 9/11.

If your question after reading this is "How can I Help?," my answer is quite simple. Contact local churches in your area that have relief programs set up and donate items, not money. People are in desperate need of food, clothing, tolietries, feminine hygiene products,clean underwear and socks. Everything that we so easily take for granted! They also need building products. Contact your local Habitat for Humanity and donate paint, nails, tiles, roofing materials, anything that can help rebuild homes and lives.
There's nothing wrong with donating to the Red Cross. They will be of great service in the long term of things but if you want to Help Now, make sure your donations can be used now and not tied up in politics and red tape. Thanks for listening! God bless!

I sit here watching the horrific scenes of the evacuees in New Orleans. It's such a shame! what are we as Christains going to do? What are we as African- Americans going to do? It's time to take a stand! Now is the time! We have been depending on the government too long for survival. It's time we come together, all the saints of God, and take a stand in love! WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? It's time that we stop talking the talk and walk the walk. Where are our churches and communities? Godly people, it's time for us to take a stand. I'm not anti-goverment. I'm sure they're doing what they can, but we can not completely depend on them. We need to step up, stand up, and do something! Are we our brothers' keepers? Are we opening up our homes to the homeless? Do we do charity work for our glory or are we doing it for the glory of God? We need to search our hearts! We need to fall at the throne of mercy an ask our Father forgiveness.

O Lord, search our hearts!
Have mercy, Lord!
Forgive us for not doing Your will!
Forgive us for false motives when we do good!
Forgive us for not loving our neighbors!
Forgive us for not taking care of our families, friends and communities!
Forgive us for not supporting our churches!
Forgive us for our selfishness and greed!
Forgive us, Lord!
Send Your peace!
Have mercy on us, Lord!
We throw ourselves at Your Throne of mercy!
We need You, Lord! We Need You!
We turn back to You!
Speak to our spirits and give us new hearts!
Thank You Father, for Grace and Mercy!
Thank You for those who are reaching out!
Thank You for those who do Your will for your glory!
Thank You for Your saints of compassion!
We thank You for the strenghthening our faith!
You are God and You are still in Control!
This is a simple prayer
In the name of Jesus
Amen Amen Amen
It's time! It's time to take a stand! Especially in our African American communities! Just as the Israelites stood together! Just as the slaves stood together! Just as our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents stood together during the Civil Rights Movement! The dream is not dead, but we must continue to take a stand! Let's get educated and let's stand in God's word! WE need to help all colors, races, and creeds! But we have to be willing and able to help our own people as well! let's come together! let's take responsibility for our families and communities! let's take responsibility for our brothers and sisters! Let's Take a Stand! We are a strong people! We live in the richest country in the world! God is calling us to take a stand! All His people!