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About the author: Gloria Dulan-Wilson is a New York based Journalist that has specialized in writing about the "Lives Of Black People" for the past 25+ years and has produced numerous articles that exposes the "ECLECTICALLY BLACK EXPERIENCE". Visit Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog at http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/
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Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog/ ECLECTICALLY BLACK NEWS
For Eclectic Black People
VIP: Views . Interests . Perspectives
2.24.2010
EVENT ALERTS
by Gloria Dulan-Wilson
This is the last week in Black History Month, and everybody is scrambling to present programs in celebration of or for the furtherance of our accomplishments. It is quite possible, particularly in New York, to go to 6 events in one day. The list below is not exhaustive, but just some events you may want to be aware of and participate in.
I don't apologize for the format. Sometimes this quirky blog program gives me a fit. I'm much more interested in the information being there for you, sometimes, than I am about the appearance. Besides, it looked good when I did it in Microsoft. It's obviously something in the blog formatting itself. It won't let me adjust it the way I want to.
That said, if you make at least one of these events -- particularly the Delta Sigma Theta Black College Fair -- you will have done much to keep our tradition of intraaction alive.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2010
HONORING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MAKEDA SEARSON
1070 Bedford Ave. (Bet. Clifton & Greene)
Honoring a beloved Brooklyn sister who made her transition on
Valentine's Day, February 14, 2010
6:00 pm - MIDNIGHT
DECEMBER 12 MOVEMENT
REPARATIONS
MT. Olivet Church
201 Malcolm X Blvd (a/k/a Lenox Ave)
New York City, NY
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
TANGLED ORIGINS (second in a series of 3)
Institute of African American Affairs
41 E. 11th St, 7th Floor New York City, NY
6:00 pm
PART II - "Shades of Difference: Coloring Ethnicities"
Screening and Panel Discussion
"A Question of Color" - a film by Kathe Sandler
Professor Tanya Hernandez, Fordham University – School of Law
Professor Darrick Hamilton, Milano - The New School for Management & Urban Policy
The ways that people of African descent in the U.S. have defined themselves have always been complex, but recent demographic changes are posing new questions and new challenges. Can one become Black? Can one “migrate” into blackness? What does it mean to be Black when you aren’t African American? What are the processes that permit or discourage changes in our understanding of blackness?
“Tangled Origins: Race, Culture & Black Identity in the U.S. ” is a series of three conversations at New York University that will look at the shifting notions of race and the current redefinitions of “blackness” throughout the U.S. Discussions will center on the overlapping complexities in the histories, cultures and politics among people of African descent.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2010
COME OUT AND CELEBRATE THE PUBLICATION OF
BRAINWASHED
BY TOM BURRELL
AT THE JUNE KELLY GALLERY
16 Mercer Street, New York 10012
(Bet. Houston & Prince)
RSVP (646) 484-4963
Sponsored by: 100 Black Men, NY Coalition of 100 Black Women, Lola C. West
Note: I received a preview copy of this book from Terrie Williams, and have been reading it with great interest. This and Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome are extremely insightful, and vital for our arsenal of self-liberation, self-determination, and the education of our youth, and the redemption of our adults. Read it, absorb it, apply it. GDW
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2010
DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.
BROOKLYN ALUMNAE CHAPTER
COLLEGE FAIR
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2010
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
BOYS AND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
1700 FULTON STREET – BROOKLYN, NY
(BETWEEN SCHENECTADY AND UTICA AVES)
REPRESENTATIVES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
RECRUITMENT / COUNSELING / MATERIALS / CAREERS /DOOR PRIZES
DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.
PROUDLY SALUTES
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE * XAVIER UNIVERSITY
GRAMBLING * ST. AUGUSTINE
WINSTON-SALEM STATE * FISK UNIVERSITY
TENNESSEE STATE * SPELMAN COLLEGE
WILEY COLLEGE * SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
BETHUNE-COOKMAN * BENEDICT COLLEGE
CLARK ATLANTA * BARBER-SCOTIA
LIVINGSTONE * MILES COLLEGE
DELAWARE STATE * TUSKEGEE UNIV.
NORFOLK STATE * SHAW UNIVERSITY
WEST VIRGINIA STATE * VIRGINIA UNION
MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE * LANE COLLEGE
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL * HOWARD UNIVERSITY
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY * NORTH CAROLINA A&T
JOHNSON C. SMITH * DILLARD UNIVERSITY
SAVANNAH STATE * KENTUCKY STATE
VIRGINIA STATE * TALLEDEGA COLLEGE
MORGAN STATE * BENNETT COLLEGE
VOORHEES * ALABAMA STATE
CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY * LINCOLN UNIVERSITY,PA
ELIZABETH CITY STATE * FAYETTEVILLE STATE
JACKSON STATE * MOREHOUSE COLLEGE
FLORIDA A&M * MORRIS BROWN
WILBERFORCE * ST. PAUL’S COLLEGE
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY, OK * CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY
3rd ANNUAL “I LOVE TO READ” MULTI -CULTURAL BROOKLYN BOOK FAIR 2010”
LIVE TAPING VIA THE BASHA RIDDICK EMPOWERMENT SHOW SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2010 BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION RSVP NOW SPACE IS LIMITED 718-436-1079 FREE TO THE PUBLIC Merchandise & Food VENDORS ARE WELCOME Call 718-436-1079
www.TheBashaRiddickShow.4t.com E-mail bbeedda@yahoo.com Authors will be able to read excerpts from their books and will be taped LIVE VIA THE BASHA RIDDICK EMPOWERMENT TELEVISON SHOW FREE TO THE PUBLIC SPACE IS LIMITED Do you have a banner, brochures and want to make a special presentation? THEY ARE ALSO SEEKING SPONSORS FOR THIS EVENT
Hope you all have a happy, blessed and productive Black History Month. Do something to celebrate each other. We've come a long way, despite the road blocks, trickery, lies, deceit that have been leveled on us. Spend some time meditating on what it would look like and feel like if we really did have it all together - socially, politically, economically, spiritually. See where you are in that fantasy, and begin to make it a reality (No Emperor Jones fantasies allowed, however, we're talking from a positive stand point, not from an "If I ruled the world" standpoint).
And remember, if we do it right, we can make Black History every day of the year.
ps: if you have events of relevance to Black people, please email me at gloriadulanwilson@gmail.com. If you send it to me at least two weeks before the event, I will try to post it on my blog.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
This is the last week in Black History Month, and everybody is scrambling to present programs in celebration of or for the furtherance of our accomplishments. It is quite possible, particularly in New York, to go to 6 events in one day. The list below is not exhaustive, but just some events you may want to be aware of and participate in.
I don't apologize for the format. Sometimes this quirky blog program gives me a fit. I'm much more interested in the information being there for you, sometimes, than I am about the appearance. Besides, it looked good when I did it in Microsoft. It's obviously something in the blog formatting itself. It won't let me adjust it the way I want to.
That said, if you make at least one of these events -- particularly the Delta Sigma Theta Black College Fair -- you will have done much to keep our tradition of intraaction alive.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2010
HONORING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MAKEDA SEARSON
1070 Bedford Ave. (Bet. Clifton & Greene)
Honoring a beloved Brooklyn sister who made her transition on
Valentine's Day, February 14, 2010
6:00 pm - MIDNIGHT
DECEMBER 12 MOVEMENT
REPARATIONS
MT. Olivet Church
201 Malcolm X Blvd (a/k/a Lenox Ave)
New York City, NY
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
TANGLED ORIGINS (second in a series of 3)
Institute of African American Affairs
41 E. 11th St, 7th Floor New York City, NY
6:00 pm
PART II - "Shades of Difference: Coloring Ethnicities"
Screening and Panel Discussion
"A Question of Color" - a film by Kathe Sandler
Professor Tanya Hernandez, Fordham University – School of Law
Professor Darrick Hamilton, Milano - The New School for Management & Urban Policy
The ways that people of African descent in the U.S. have defined themselves have always been complex, but recent demographic changes are posing new questions and new challenges. Can one become Black? Can one “migrate” into blackness? What does it mean to be Black when you aren’t African American? What are the processes that permit or discourage changes in our understanding of blackness?
“Tangled Origins: Race, Culture & Black Identity in the U.S. ” is a series of three conversations at New York University that will look at the shifting notions of race and the current redefinitions of “blackness” throughout the U.S. Discussions will center on the overlapping complexities in the histories, cultures and politics among people of African descent.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2010
COME OUT AND CELEBRATE THE PUBLICATION OF
BRAINWASHED
BY TOM BURRELL
AT THE JUNE KELLY GALLERY
16 Mercer Street, New York 10012
(Bet. Houston & Prince)
RSVP (646) 484-4963
Sponsored by: 100 Black Men, NY Coalition of 100 Black Women, Lola C. West
Note: I received a preview copy of this book from Terrie Williams, and have been reading it with great interest. This and Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome are extremely insightful, and vital for our arsenal of self-liberation, self-determination, and the education of our youth, and the redemption of our adults. Read it, absorb it, apply it. GDW
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2010
DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.
BROOKLYN ALUMNAE CHAPTER
COLLEGE FAIR
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2010
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
BOYS AND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
1700 FULTON STREET – BROOKLYN, NY
(BETWEEN SCHENECTADY AND UTICA AVES)
REPRESENTATIVES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
RECRUITMENT / COUNSELING / MATERIALS / CAREERS /DOOR PRIZES
DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.
PROUDLY SALUTES
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE * XAVIER UNIVERSITY
GRAMBLING * ST. AUGUSTINE
WINSTON-SALEM STATE * FISK UNIVERSITY
TENNESSEE STATE * SPELMAN COLLEGE
WILEY COLLEGE * SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
BETHUNE-COOKMAN * BENEDICT COLLEGE
CLARK ATLANTA * BARBER-SCOTIA
LIVINGSTONE * MILES COLLEGE
DELAWARE STATE * TUSKEGEE UNIV.
NORFOLK STATE * SHAW UNIVERSITY
WEST VIRGINIA STATE * VIRGINIA UNION
MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE * LANE COLLEGE
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL * HOWARD UNIVERSITY
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY * NORTH CAROLINA A&T
JOHNSON C. SMITH * DILLARD UNIVERSITY
SAVANNAH STATE * KENTUCKY STATE
VIRGINIA STATE * TALLEDEGA COLLEGE
MORGAN STATE * BENNETT COLLEGE
VOORHEES * ALABAMA STATE
CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY * LINCOLN UNIVERSITY,PA
ELIZABETH CITY STATE * FAYETTEVILLE STATE
JACKSON STATE * MOREHOUSE COLLEGE
FLORIDA A&M * MORRIS BROWN
WILBERFORCE * ST. PAUL’S COLLEGE
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY, OK * CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY
3rd ANNUAL “I LOVE TO READ” MULTI -CULTURAL BROOKLYN BOOK FAIR 2010”
LIVE TAPING VIA THE BASHA RIDDICK EMPOWERMENT SHOW SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2010 BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION RSVP NOW SPACE IS LIMITED 718-436-1079 FREE TO THE PUBLIC Merchandise & Food VENDORS ARE WELCOME Call 718-436-1079
www.TheBashaRiddickShow.4t.com E-mail bbeedda@yahoo.com Authors will be able to read excerpts from their books and will be taped LIVE VIA THE BASHA RIDDICK EMPOWERMENT TELEVISON SHOW FREE TO THE PUBLIC SPACE IS LIMITED Do you have a banner, brochures and want to make a special presentation? THEY ARE ALSO SEEKING SPONSORS FOR THIS EVENT
Hope you all have a happy, blessed and productive Black History Month. Do something to celebrate each other. We've come a long way, despite the road blocks, trickery, lies, deceit that have been leveled on us. Spend some time meditating on what it would look like and feel like if we really did have it all together - socially, politically, economically, spiritually. See where you are in that fantasy, and begin to make it a reality (No Emperor Jones fantasies allowed, however, we're talking from a positive stand point, not from an "If I ruled the world" standpoint).
And remember, if we do it right, we can make Black History every day of the year.
ps: if you have events of relevance to Black people, please email me at gloriadulanwilson@gmail.com. If you send it to me at least two weeks before the event, I will try to post it on my blog.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
2.18.2010
NYS Dept of Taxation and Finance Offers Tax Relief with their 2010 Penalty and Interest Discount Program
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
I just received this bit of good news from Assemblywoman Annette M. Robinson, who represents the 56 A.D. of Brooklyn, NY. For those of you who are struggling with the triple tax we have in New York - City/State/Federal - this may well be good news indeed. I am hoping the links come through my blog okay so that you can click on them to directly contact the appropriate people. If not, please call the number at the bottom of the page.
And remember, the Post, The Daily News, Caribbean Life and other papers have posted the addresses of those who are in arrears in their taxes and water leins. Make sure you're not one of them; do what you need to do to secure your home.
Make sure you pass this information on to friends, neighbors, enemies, relatives, and anyone you know who would benefit from this information. It's only through sharing and keeping each other informed that we develop and sustain a strong community. And remember, the deadline is MARCH 15.
Good luck,
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
THE INFORMATION FOLLOWS BELOW:
I just received this bit of good news from Assemblywoman Annette M. Robinson, who represents the 56 A.D. of Brooklyn, NY. For those of you who are struggling with the triple tax we have in New York - City/State/Federal - this may well be good news indeed. I am hoping the links come through my blog okay so that you can click on them to directly contact the appropriate people. If not, please call the number at the bottom of the page.
And remember, the Post, The Daily News, Caribbean Life and other papers have posted the addresses of those who are in arrears in their taxes and water leins. Make sure you're not one of them; do what you need to do to secure your home.
Make sure you pass this information on to friends, neighbors, enemies, relatives, and anyone you know who would benefit from this information. It's only through sharing and keeping each other informed that we develop and sustain a strong community. And remember, the deadline is MARCH 15.
Good luck,
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
THE INFORMATION FOLLOWS BELOW:
Community Resident:
The State of New York Department of Taxation and Finance currently has a program under way called 2010 Penalty and Interest Discount Program (PAID). This program allows a brief opportunity for New York taxpayers to clear up delinquent tax bill while taking advantage of substantial reduction in the penalties and interest. In order to realize any savings, eligible taxpayers must make all payments by the program's expiration date, March 15, 2010.
Save up to 80% of the penalty and interest on your New York State tax debts
The PAID (Penalty and Interest Discount) program gives taxpayers with older unpaid bills the chance to save up to 80% of the penalty and interest they owe.
To take advantage of the program's savings, you must make all payments by the program's expiration date,
| ||
Why PAID is good for you
- You can save:
- 80% of accrued penalty and interest on unpaid bills issued on or before December 31, 2003
- 50% of accrued penalty and interest on unpaid bills issued after December 31, 2003 and on or before December 31, 2006.
- 80% of accrued penalty and interest on unpaid bills issued on or before December 31, 2003
- Unpaid tax bills are bad for your credit rating and can lead to liens and other enforcement actions.
- We're increasing our efforts to collect unpaid bills. If you act now and pay what you owe, you can take advantage of the savings and avoid collection actions.
Did you get a notice in the mail listing your unpaid bills eligible for the PAID program?
YES - To select which bills you want to pay and make your payment:
- Create an Online Services account,
- Log in to use Online Services, and then select "PAID Program - Select assessments and pay"
NO - To see if you have any unpaid bills eligible for the PAID program:
- Create an Online Services account,
- Log in to use Online Services, and then select "PAID Program - Select assessments and pay"
Have you already told us which bills you want to pay under the program by returning the list of unpaid bills by mail, web, or phone?
YES - View the status of the bills that you already selected for the PAID program:
- Create an Online Services account if you don't already have one
- Log in and select "PAID Program - View Statement of account and pay"
NO - You need to first indicate which bills you want to pay under the PAID program:
- Create an Online Services account,
- Log in to use Online Services, and then select "PAID Program - Select assessments and pay"
Need assistance?
- For more information, see TSB-M-09(13)C, (14)I, (12)M, (10)R, (20)S, Penalty and Interest Discount Program (PAID)
- Contact us at (518) 457-1726 (in-state callers without free long distance can call 1 888 272-9697).
Sister Makeda Shearson-Ahad Has Joined the Ancestor/Angels
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By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
I am so sad this day. My dear friend and “running buddy,” Sister Makeda Shearson has died in Atlanta, GA. I received an email message from Brother Radio Rahim, but it really didn’t register with me that he was talking about the vibrant, energetic, creative, fun-loving, people-loving sister I had known for so many years.
Makeda was the consummate businesswoman and a true free spirit. She started her own real estate brokerage firm when she couldn’t get a fair deal from local realtors and lenders.
She started her own Afro centric furniture and interior design center when she couldn’t find the kind of furniture that reflected her culture and her taste. Mud cloth covered lamp shades and chairs; chaise lounges covered in Kente Cloth, African carvings and symbols made into lamps, clocks, tables, drapes, bedspreads, and other household items, all because of Makeda’s fine eye and sense of beauty and symmetry. She created her own version of African “feng shui.”
She started a bed and breakfast facility on Bedford Ave. near Green in Brooklyn, because people needed to have someplace reasonable and decent to come to when they visited New York. She took a three unit building and transformed it into a state of the art, sumptuous bed and breakfast facility. The décor, layout, furnishings, and service all testimony to this woman’s taste and elegance. Tourists from Italy, Germany, and other parts of Europe booked reservations with her online.
She wrote books; held forums; had open houses and hospitalities. Makeda had parties just because. She always had a booth with her creations for sale both at Dance Africa and the African Street Festival - displaying her latest in furniture designs, jewelry, clothing.
Makeda was always “zipping” around Brooklyn in that vintage 1986 Mercedes Benz, which stayed broken down half the time because she didn’t know anything about cars except how to drive them. It was a standing joke between us. We probably spent more time waiting for someone to come and jumpstart the car than we did actually riding in it. But she loved that car because it was a Mercedes and stood for quality.
For some strange reason last year, Makeda decided it was time to move; to leave New York. She chose Atlanta, GA. I remember clearly her telling me that she needed to move out of New York because there was too much pressure; but she would be commuting back and forth because of her Bedford Ave. Bed and Breakfast. In fact, she had planned to open one in Atlanta.
I tried to talk her out of moving, but she had already purchased property there. Still, it took her months to actually re-locate. She was so tied into the New York scene that whenever something major was going on, she would be up here like a homing pigeon.
Having not heard from her since October, when she came up to settle an issue with Sprint, about her phone. I teased her about not being able to stay away from New York. She remarked she had some loose ends to tie up, but did not plan to be back until the beginning of the year. I assumed things were going all right.
Makeda's death so caught me off guard, I was literally struck dumb. I could not speak or write for the whole day. All I had was a great big sad, hurt feeling in the middle of my heart. I tried to go to God with it to get rid of the pain. But it’s still here. While this is not a formal obituary, it is a farewell from me to a great friend.
I understand that she has a son. I’ve never met him, but have heard a great deal about him -- mostly through the motherly vetching we’re all guilty of. But within the complaints you could always hear and feel the love. My condolences go out to him as well.
Makeda was a people magnet. She drew such people as Black Rose to her inner circle. I met the talented James Brown Jr. through her when he performed at the grand opening of her Bed and Breakfast facility. People would come from all over for one of Makeda’s parties, no matter how late they were. And she always accommodated. Or she would take the party with her, as she so often did at the Essence Lounge, or Bed-Stuy Restoration.
I recently passed her Bed and Breakfast a week ago, and pointed it out to a friend, remarking that Makeda would probably be running up for a Black History event or something. However, since she passed so suddenly on Valentine’s day, perhaps it was just her spirit touching me for a last farewell that I felt instead.
There are so many of us who knew and loved Makeda. If any of you hear anything about services or a memorial in her honor, please let me know. This not having my friend around is really going to take some getting used to. I have no idea of her chorological age, but her spirit was so young and energetic, until it really does not matter.
As Brother Radio Rahim so aptly stated, May She Rest In Peace.”
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
2.10.2010
2010 BLACK AND PUERTO RICAN CAUCUS MEMBER LIST
As mentioned in Part I, the New York State Black and Puerto Rican Caucus takes place this weekend in Albany New York. This gathering of elected officials, community activists, community based organizations, and state and local services, comes together annually to set the agenda for issues and concerns surrounding the African American and Latino constituents throughout the state. The largely Democrat-based organization is bi-partisan in nature.
Some of you may or may not know who your representatives are, so for your convenience (and edification) they are listed below:
Assemblyman Michael Benjamin
79th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
1494 Boston Road
Bronx, NY 10460
718-589-6324
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 637
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5272
Assemblyman William F. Boyland, Jr.
55th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
467 Thomas S. Boyland St.
Brooklyn, NY 11212
718-498-8681
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 540
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4466
Assemblyman Karim Camara
43rd Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
231 Empire Boulevard
Brooklyn, NY 11225
718-756-1776
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 827
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5262
Assemblymember Nelson L. Castro
86th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
2488 Grand Concourse Room 310-11
Bronx, NY 10458
718-933-6909
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 921
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5511
Assemblyman José R. Peralta
39th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
82-11 37th Avenue
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
718-458-5367 ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 542
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4567
Senator Bill Perkins
30th Senate District
District Office
163 West 125th Street, Suite 912
New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 222-7315
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building, Room 617
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-2441
Assemblyman N. Nick Perry
58th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
903 Utica Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11203
718-385-3336
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 704
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4166
Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell, IV
68th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
87 East 116th Street
New York, NY 10029
212-828-3953 ALBANY OFFICE
Legislative Office Building 527
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4781
Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo
85th Assembly District
Counties Represented: Bronx
DISTRICT OFFICE
1163 Manor Avenue
Bronx, NY 10472
718-893-0202 ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 929
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5514
Email: CrespoM@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark
33rd Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
97-01 Springfield Boulevard
Queens Village, NY 11429
718-479-2333
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 702
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4711
Assemblywoman Vivian E. Cook
32nd Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
142-15 Rockaway Blvd
Jamaica, NY 11436
718-322-3975
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 331
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4203
Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr.
85th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
1163 Manor Avenue
Bronx, NY 10472
718-893-0202
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 419
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5514
Assemblywoman Grace Meng
22nd Assembly District
P.O. Box 540812
Flushing, NY 11354
Phone
718-321-7850
Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow
87th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
48 N. Broadway
Yonkers, NY 10701
914-375-0456
DISTRICT OFFICE
6 Gramatan Ave.
Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
914-667-0127
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 845
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5291
Assemblyman Phil Ramos
6th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
1010 Suffolk Ave.
Brentwood, NY 11717
631-435-3214
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 650
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5185
Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera
76th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
1973 Westchester Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
718-931-2620 ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 826
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5102
Assemblyman Jose Rivera
78th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
One Fordham Plaza
Suite 1008 10th Floor
Bronx, NY 10458
718-933-2204
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 536
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5414
Assemblymember Carl E. Heastie
83rd Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
1351 East Gun Hill Road
Bronx, NY 10469
718-654-6539
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 417
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4800
Assemblymember Earlene Hooper
18th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
50 Clinton Street
Suite 214
Hempstead, NY 11550
516-489-6610 ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 939
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5861
Senator Shirley L. Huntley
10th Senate District
District Office:
116-43 Sutphin Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11434
Phone: (718) 322-2537
Albany Office:
Legislative Office Building, Room 508
Albany, New York 12247
Phone: (518) 455-3531
Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries
57th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
55 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-596-0100 ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 523
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5325
Senator Antoine M. Thompson
60th Senate District
District Office
Walter J. Mahoney State Office Building
65 Court Street, Room 213
Buffalo, New York 14202
P: 716-854-8705
F: 716-854-3051
Niagara Falls Office
619 Pine Avenue
Niagara Falls, New York 14302
P: 716-284-5789
F: 716-284-5820
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building, Room 615
Albany, New York 12247
P: 518-455-3371
F: 518-426-6969
Assemblywoman Michele R. Titus
31st Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
19-31 Mott Avenue
Room 301
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
718-327-1845
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 741
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5668
Assemblymember Darryl C. Towns
54th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
840 JAMAICA AVENUE
BROOKLYN, NY 11208
718-235-5627
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 424
ALBANY, NY 12248
518-455-5821
Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright
70th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
163 W. 125th St., Suite 911
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Bldg.
New York, NY 10027
212-866-5809
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 844
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4793
Some of you may or may not know who your representatives are, so for your convenience (and edification) they are listed below:
Assemblyman Michael Benjamin
79th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
1494 Boston Road
Bronx, NY 10460
718-589-6324
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 637
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5272
Assemblyman William F. Boyland, Jr.
55th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
467 Thomas S. Boyland St.
Brooklyn, NY 11212
718-498-8681
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 540
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4466
Assemblyman Karim Camara
43rd Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
231 Empire Boulevard
Brooklyn, NY 11225
718-756-1776
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 827
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5262
Assemblymember Nelson L. Castro
86th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
2488 Grand Concourse Room 310-11
Bronx, NY 10458
718-933-6909
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 921
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5511
Assemblyman José R. Peralta
39th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
82-11 37th Avenue
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
718-458-5367 ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 542
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4567
Senator Bill Perkins
30th Senate District
District Office
163 West 125th Street, Suite 912
New York, NY 10027
Phone: (212) 222-7315
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building, Room 617
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-2441
Assemblyman N. Nick Perry
58th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
903 Utica Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11203
718-385-3336
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 704
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4166
Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell, IV
68th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
87 East 116th Street
New York, NY 10029
212-828-3953 ALBANY OFFICE
Legislative Office Building 527
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4781
Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo
85th Assembly District
Counties Represented: Bronx
DISTRICT OFFICE
1163 Manor Avenue
Bronx, NY 10472
718-893-0202 ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 929
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5514
Email: CrespoM@assembly.state.ny.us
Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark
33rd Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
97-01 Springfield Boulevard
Queens Village, NY 11429
718-479-2333
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 702
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4711
Assemblywoman Vivian E. Cook
32nd Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
142-15 Rockaway Blvd
Jamaica, NY 11436
718-322-3975
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 331
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4203
Assemblyman Ruben Diaz, Jr.
85th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
1163 Manor Avenue
Bronx, NY 10472
718-893-0202
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 419
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5514
Assemblywoman Grace Meng
22nd Assembly District
P.O. Box 540812
Flushing, NY 11354
Phone
718-321-7850
Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow
87th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
48 N. Broadway
Yonkers, NY 10701
914-375-0456
DISTRICT OFFICE
6 Gramatan Ave.
Mt. Vernon, NY 10550
914-667-0127
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 845
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5291
Assemblyman Phil Ramos
6th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
1010 Suffolk Ave.
Brentwood, NY 11717
631-435-3214
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 650
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5185
Assemblyman Peter M. Rivera
76th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
1973 Westchester Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
718-931-2620 ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 826
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5102
Assemblyman Jose Rivera
78th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
One Fordham Plaza
Suite 1008 10th Floor
Bronx, NY 10458
718-933-2204
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 536
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5414
Assemblymember Carl E. Heastie
83rd Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
1351 East Gun Hill Road
Bronx, NY 10469
718-654-6539
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 417
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4800
Assemblymember Earlene Hooper
18th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
50 Clinton Street
Suite 214
Hempstead, NY 11550
516-489-6610 ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 939
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5861
Senator Shirley L. Huntley
10th Senate District
District Office:
116-43 Sutphin Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11434
Phone: (718) 322-2537
Albany Office:
Legislative Office Building, Room 508
Albany, New York 12247
Phone: (518) 455-3531
Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries
57th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
55 Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-596-0100 ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 523
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5325
Senator Antoine M. Thompson
60th Senate District
District Office
Walter J. Mahoney State Office Building
65 Court Street, Room 213
Buffalo, New York 14202
P: 716-854-8705
F: 716-854-3051
Niagara Falls Office
619 Pine Avenue
Niagara Falls, New York 14302
P: 716-284-5789
F: 716-284-5820
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building, Room 615
Albany, New York 12247
P: 518-455-3371
F: 518-426-6969
Assemblywoman Michele R. Titus
31st Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
19-31 Mott Avenue
Room 301
Far Rockaway, NY 11691
718-327-1845
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 741
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-5668
Assemblymember Darryl C. Towns
54th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
840 JAMAICA AVENUE
BROOKLYN, NY 11208
718-235-5627
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 424
ALBANY, NY 12248
518-455-5821
Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright
70th Assembly District
DISTRICT OFFICE
163 W. 125th St., Suite 911
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Bldg.
New York, NY 10027
212-866-5809
ALBANY OFFICE
LOB 844
Albany, NY 12248
518-455-4793
2010 BLACK AND PUERTO RICAN CAUCUS IN ALBANY NEW YORK FEB 12 - 15
by Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Most African Americans and people of African and Caribbean heritage know that if it’s February, it’s Black History Month.
We have finally stopped comedians from making tired old jokes about February being the shortest month, and that was why it was given to us to celebrate Black history. Most of us who know our history know that Dr. Carter G. Woodson started the formal celebration of our history in February because both Frederick Douglass (a/k/a the great orator/liberator) and Abraham Lincoln (a/k/a the Great Emancipator) were born in February. He used it to anchor them in our memories.
But what many may not know that in New York, if it’s February, it’s also time for our annual Black and Puerto Caucus. It takes place in the State Capital of Albany, NY, and draws together Black, Puerto Rican, Latino and Asian elected officials from throughout the state, to plan, develop and activate programs and set the agenda for the year.
The event takes place over the long holiday weekend designated as Presidents’ day, which is a national holiday that initially celebrated the birth days of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and George Washington (February 22 - also my mom’s birthday), which were consolidated into one day when we won the right to have Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday celebrated as a national holiday in the 80’s.
Converging on Albany are elected officials, political activists, business owners, community based organizations, and people concerned with and involved in their communities. In addition to the opportunity to have some unlimited face time with our Black and Puerto Rican State Assembly members and State Senators, we have an opportunity to chime in on issues that concern us; participate in a plethora of workshops, including Education, Housing, Health, Employment, Immigration, the Budget, among others.
This year, being the beginning of a new decade, there are some even more significant issues before us, as we try to climb out of what has been one of the biggest economic downturns in our history, and an onslaught of bizarre behavior on the part of some individuals we could arguably say have not totally been playing with a full deck, or acting in our best interest.
With Assemblymember N. Nick Perry assuming the helm this year, the challenge is for them to come away with plans and programs that will address the problems that we face downstate in the five boroughs. The past two years have made us realize even more the dire necessity for us to come together and once again be the unified force that first enunciated the reason for this gathering nearly 40 years ago. Quite frankly, the big question on many minds is where do we go from here? What do we do to make sure that we don’t come out on the short end of the stick.
Governor Paterson has wisely and consistently applied some very sage tactics to fashioning a budget that has kept us from totally plummeting into a depression, but he is constantly being harangued and goaded by “yellow journalistic tactics” via the mainstream media, rather than being applauded for having the insight early on to try reign in the run amok practices that were handed him when he became governor. Rather than focusing on his accomplishments, and there are many, the republican run news media (read white) has tried to inveigh him in scandal after scandal after scandal.
Interestingly enough, when Pataki, his predecessor was eviscerating New York’s Main Street through handing sweet heart deals to his cronies, no one was saying a word. When he was pulling funds from the social programs that made this city great -- not a mumbling word was heard; undermining the standards for quality rental housing -- not a peep!!. When Pataki took the heart out of affordable housing, those who stood up to him were given the boot or ignored. Now that there is someone who is speaking to the real needs of the state, trying the mend the gaping holes left by rapacious investors (dis-investors, really) the hounds of hell in the form of bogus news reports have been let loose, and they are nipping at his heels, coming up with the same b.s. tactics they used on Clinton when he was President. The ugly head of racism a’la New York-style yellow journalism rears its ugly head in a manner most foul, and the stench is beginning to permeate the very atmosphere.
Just be aware that most of the main stream press is a tool of the right wing racists -- either funded or owned outright by them. They do the bidding of their masters. There is not an objective thought in the house. And if you look closely, you’ll see that they’re spending a considerable amount of time trying to vilify the top Black men in the nation -- President Obama, Governor Paterson, Congressman Rangel. Does anyone see a pattern here?
But let’s get back to the Caucus for a moment. Why a Black and Puerto Rican caucus? Because, prior to the formation of the organization, Blacks and Hispanics were routinely getting the shor end of the stick, in more ways than one. When the two entities recognized the necessity for joining forces to get one what they could not do individually, a powerful force was established. Despite some mis-steps over the past year, the necessity to work together is more important than ever before.
Granted February is one of the coldest months of the year, and granted Albany is hundreds of miles north of here, and, hence, even colder; it still manages to be an event that attracts thousands of people. Since most of the activities take place on Saturday, it’s also an event that many more of you should avail yourselves of. Especially, since we New Yorkers will spend the rest of the year griping and complaining about the very issues they are addressing. Our very presence may have a major influence on how things get done.
In short, you, Mr. and Ms. Black and Latino New Yorker, should make it your business to take a day out of your busy schedule and be there, to be an advocate for your own interests. It‘s 2010. It‘s time to be pro-active. It‘s time to come off the sidelines and step into the mainstream you claim to be yours. It‘s time to take out the garbage, clear the air, and have a hands on involvement in the issues that affect you down state, by getting yourselves upstate. It‘s one day out of many, but that one day may have a pivotal influence on what happens in the future.
The schedule of events for Saturday, February 13, are as follows:
Business/Career & Craft Exhibition Fair - Legislative Office Building (LOB) Concourse
Workshops: And there are several, running concurrently - LOB Concourse Level
Youth Summit/Talent Show - Sawyer Theatre
Labor Luncheon Hart Theatre
Concert: Featuring Joe & Hidden Beach - LOB Convention Center
After Concert Dance (must be 21+ to attend) - Crowne Plaza Hotel
Sunday, February 14 Schedule:
Church Service Wilborn Temple First COGIC
Awards Ceremony Crowne Plaza
Cocktail Banquet Reception - LOB Convention Center
39th Annueal Scholarship Banquet - LOB Convention Center
After Dinner Dance (21+ to attend) - Crowne Plaza
The special guest keynote speaker at the dinner on Sunday, February 14, will be Harold Ford, Jr., who is seeking to run in the upcoming Senatorial race against Gillibran. THis should make for an interesting and controversial event this year.
Part two provides a list of all the Black/Latino members of the caucus, to identify with official you need to visit. If you do decide you want to attend, and you don't want to drive, there is a bus leaving from Boys and Girls High in Brooklyn on Saturday, February 13, 2010 providing direct transportation to Albany. If you are interested contact GLORIA DULAN-WILSON or SHAWANA BROWN@ 718-638-0827 or 347-785-6998 or 718-791-3804. Reservations are $60 round trip; and must be made Thursday, February 11.
Regardless of how you travel your presence is needed in Albany. So make it your place to be this Saturday, Albany, New York. Your input counts.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Most African Americans and people of African and Caribbean heritage know that if it’s February, it’s Black History Month.
We have finally stopped comedians from making tired old jokes about February being the shortest month, and that was why it was given to us to celebrate Black history. Most of us who know our history know that Dr. Carter G. Woodson started the formal celebration of our history in February because both Frederick Douglass (a/k/a the great orator/liberator) and Abraham Lincoln (a/k/a the Great Emancipator) were born in February. He used it to anchor them in our memories.
But what many may not know that in New York, if it’s February, it’s also time for our annual Black and Puerto Caucus. It takes place in the State Capital of Albany, NY, and draws together Black, Puerto Rican, Latino and Asian elected officials from throughout the state, to plan, develop and activate programs and set the agenda for the year.
The event takes place over the long holiday weekend designated as Presidents’ day, which is a national holiday that initially celebrated the birth days of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and George Washington (February 22 - also my mom’s birthday), which were consolidated into one day when we won the right to have Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday celebrated as a national holiday in the 80’s.
Converging on Albany are elected officials, political activists, business owners, community based organizations, and people concerned with and involved in their communities. In addition to the opportunity to have some unlimited face time with our Black and Puerto Rican State Assembly members and State Senators, we have an opportunity to chime in on issues that concern us; participate in a plethora of workshops, including Education, Housing, Health, Employment, Immigration, the Budget, among others.
This year, being the beginning of a new decade, there are some even more significant issues before us, as we try to climb out of what has been one of the biggest economic downturns in our history, and an onslaught of bizarre behavior on the part of some individuals we could arguably say have not totally been playing with a full deck, or acting in our best interest.
With Assemblymember N. Nick Perry assuming the helm this year, the challenge is for them to come away with plans and programs that will address the problems that we face downstate in the five boroughs. The past two years have made us realize even more the dire necessity for us to come together and once again be the unified force that first enunciated the reason for this gathering nearly 40 years ago. Quite frankly, the big question on many minds is where do we go from here? What do we do to make sure that we don’t come out on the short end of the stick.
Governor Paterson has wisely and consistently applied some very sage tactics to fashioning a budget that has kept us from totally plummeting into a depression, but he is constantly being harangued and goaded by “yellow journalistic tactics” via the mainstream media, rather than being applauded for having the insight early on to try reign in the run amok practices that were handed him when he became governor. Rather than focusing on his accomplishments, and there are many, the republican run news media (read white) has tried to inveigh him in scandal after scandal after scandal.
Interestingly enough, when Pataki, his predecessor was eviscerating New York’s Main Street through handing sweet heart deals to his cronies, no one was saying a word. When he was pulling funds from the social programs that made this city great -- not a mumbling word was heard; undermining the standards for quality rental housing -- not a peep!!. When Pataki took the heart out of affordable housing, those who stood up to him were given the boot or ignored. Now that there is someone who is speaking to the real needs of the state, trying the mend the gaping holes left by rapacious investors (dis-investors, really) the hounds of hell in the form of bogus news reports have been let loose, and they are nipping at his heels, coming up with the same b.s. tactics they used on Clinton when he was President. The ugly head of racism a’la New York-style yellow journalism rears its ugly head in a manner most foul, and the stench is beginning to permeate the very atmosphere.
Just be aware that most of the main stream press is a tool of the right wing racists -- either funded or owned outright by them. They do the bidding of their masters. There is not an objective thought in the house. And if you look closely, you’ll see that they’re spending a considerable amount of time trying to vilify the top Black men in the nation -- President Obama, Governor Paterson, Congressman Rangel. Does anyone see a pattern here?
But let’s get back to the Caucus for a moment. Why a Black and Puerto Rican caucus? Because, prior to the formation of the organization, Blacks and Hispanics were routinely getting the shor end of the stick, in more ways than one. When the two entities recognized the necessity for joining forces to get one what they could not do individually, a powerful force was established. Despite some mis-steps over the past year, the necessity to work together is more important than ever before.
Granted February is one of the coldest months of the year, and granted Albany is hundreds of miles north of here, and, hence, even colder; it still manages to be an event that attracts thousands of people. Since most of the activities take place on Saturday, it’s also an event that many more of you should avail yourselves of. Especially, since we New Yorkers will spend the rest of the year griping and complaining about the very issues they are addressing. Our very presence may have a major influence on how things get done.
In short, you, Mr. and Ms. Black and Latino New Yorker, should make it your business to take a day out of your busy schedule and be there, to be an advocate for your own interests. It‘s 2010. It‘s time to be pro-active. It‘s time to come off the sidelines and step into the mainstream you claim to be yours. It‘s time to take out the garbage, clear the air, and have a hands on involvement in the issues that affect you down state, by getting yourselves upstate. It‘s one day out of many, but that one day may have a pivotal influence on what happens in the future.
The schedule of events for Saturday, February 13, are as follows:
Business/Career & Craft Exhibition Fair - Legislative Office Building (LOB) Concourse
Workshops: And there are several, running concurrently - LOB Concourse Level
Youth Summit/Talent Show - Sawyer Theatre
Labor Luncheon Hart Theatre
Concert: Featuring Joe & Hidden Beach - LOB Convention Center
After Concert Dance (must be 21+ to attend) - Crowne Plaza Hotel
Sunday, February 14 Schedule:
Church Service Wilborn Temple First COGIC
Awards Ceremony Crowne Plaza
Cocktail Banquet Reception - LOB Convention Center
39th Annueal Scholarship Banquet - LOB Convention Center
After Dinner Dance (21+ to attend) - Crowne Plaza
The special guest keynote speaker at the dinner on Sunday, February 14, will be Harold Ford, Jr., who is seeking to run in the upcoming Senatorial race against Gillibran. THis should make for an interesting and controversial event this year.
Part two provides a list of all the Black/Latino members of the caucus, to identify with official you need to visit. If you do decide you want to attend, and you don't want to drive, there is a bus leaving from Boys and Girls High in Brooklyn on Saturday, February 13, 2010 providing direct transportation to Albany. If you are interested contact GLORIA DULAN-WILSON or SHAWANA BROWN@ 718-638-0827 or 347-785-6998 or 718-791-3804. Reservations are $60 round trip; and must be made Thursday, February 11.
Regardless of how you travel your presence is needed in Albany. So make it your place to be this Saturday, Albany, New York. Your input counts.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
2.07.2010
CARL AND FAYE RODNEY of Carib News Honored and Caribbean American Legal Defense and Education Fund (CALDEF) Established
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
If you live in New York, regardless of whether you’re in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, you see this dynamic couple always in the mix and in the midst of movers and shakers and dignitaries from all over the world.
If you live in New York, you may have (or should have) read their publication, Carib News, which has been around for 25 years.
If not, let me introduce you to Carl and Faye Rodney, not only one of the most dynamic power couples, but one of the best looking as well.
They have been devoted to the principle of keeping the Caribbean community, and by extrapolation, the Black community in general, informed and involved in issues that concern them. And I have been reading the Carib News for as long as it has been published (in fact I try to read all the Black publications. It’s the only way you get the truth. Main stream media is too busy trying to distort and conceal).
Jamaican born and bred, the Rodneys should be a template for successful marriage partnerships, and how you can take a passion for each other and expand it to a passion for your people and a passion for truth.
The ceremony, which was held at the Institute for Pan-American Affairs, founded and headed by Dr. Marco Mason, another stellar figure in the Black community.
On hand to provide honors and kudos to the Rodneys were Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, City Councilwoman Letitia James, both of whom presented them with Proclamations. Poet Laureate Carlos A. Russell composed a poem in their honor. Motivational speaker Bro. Dennis Rahim Watson as usual gave a fabulous audience participatory performance. Medgar Evers President, Dr. William Pollard, Tony A. Best, Dean of Caribbean American Journalists, also spoke glowingly of the Rodney’s contribution to the community. There was also a surprise presentation of charicatures in their honor.
The Mistress of Ceremony, Dr. Marcia Bayne-Smith kept the program flowing, as accolade after well deserved accolade was heaped upon the couple. The tribute, in part, read: “Karl B. Rodney and Faye A. Rodney founded the New York CARIB NEWS twenty-five years ago to fill a recognized void in communication of the growing Caribbean-American community. CARIB NEWS was designed to provide consistent, timely, accurate, and reliable information of the Caribbean region, and the Caribbean American community. Because of the pioneering efforts of Karl and Faye Rodney, CARIB NEWS is now recognized institution of the community playing a significant role in projecting the importance and potential of the community. As founder and sponsor of the Annual Multi-National Business Conference in the Caribbean, CARIB NEWS for the past 11 years has hosted the most successful business conferences, bringing together African American Entrepreneurs, elected officials and Civic Leaders to explore opportunities of business, health, education and information in the Caribbean and between our American friends.
They have been supporters of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), and founded the annual breakfast held the morning of the day-long event. Their honors and awards are legion, including the prestigious national honors from the Government of Jamaica. Faye received the Prime Minister’s Medal of Recognition and Karl received the Order of Distinction - Commander Class.
The wonderful thing about the Carib News is that it continues to be the go to paper in the Caribbean community. The wonderful thing about the Black Press is that there are at several local publications that also give you the inside information you need; the alternative to the vilification and distortions so often found in the mainstream media.
In fact, if you read the Carib News, Black Star News, Daily Challenge, Our Times Press, New York Beacon, Amsterdam News, Harlem Times, The African Sun Times, among others.
In fact, as a man of great wisdom (Rev. Ike) once said: “You know the truth when you read it. Many news papers spend more time giving you negative information, and scare tactics, than information. You cannot allow the negative press to manipulate you; you have to know how to manipulate the mainstream media, get the information you need, and discard the rest.” With Black publications (and online-news service) you get a more balanced, informative, and comprehensive view of what’s happening in your community and how it affects you.
Kudos to Karl and Faye Rodney, and the Carib News for keeping it real positive and powerful for us all.
Which brings us to the launching of the Caribbean American Legal Defense and Education Fund (CALDEF): was founded based on the premise that as of 2010 Black people will fall to the level of the third largest minority in the US, after Hispanics and Asians. Given the rise in derisive and divisive commentary in the mainstream media, Dr. Marco Mason sees an escalation in attacks launched against people of Caribbean heritage (as well as against all Black people).
The need for CALDEF is apparent to advocate, litigate, educate, prodect and defend the Caribbean American community.
The organization was conceived by Dr. Mason and Faye Rodney in 2009 to address the growing demand for advocating on behalf of, as well as supporting, protecting and defending the rights of Caribbean Americans. It aims to improve the status and conditions of immigrants and thus strengthen the economic, civic, social and cultural fiber of the Caribbean American Community.
There will be a concomitant “Welcome” program to help immigrants, and facilitate the legalization of immigrant status for qualified individuals.
The also have established a Peer Mentorship program for students on both the undergraduate and graduate level.
The underlying purpose, of course, is as an anti-defamation arm that readily responds to the aspersions being cast against the Caribbean community by insensitive, racist, and xenophobics. As with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, we must support them and make sure that they have all the assistance they need in becoming a force and a resource to be reckoned with.
The best way to celebrate Black History month is to make history of your own (yes, I said that, and you can quote me). Dr. Marco Mason exemplifies that wisdom, and has consistently been part of what makes us all great, and all proud.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
If you live in New York, regardless of whether you’re in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Queens, you see this dynamic couple always in the mix and in the midst of movers and shakers and dignitaries from all over the world.
If you live in New York, you may have (or should have) read their publication, Carib News, which has been around for 25 years.
If not, let me introduce you to Carl and Faye Rodney, not only one of the most dynamic power couples, but one of the best looking as well.
They have been devoted to the principle of keeping the Caribbean community, and by extrapolation, the Black community in general, informed and involved in issues that concern them. And I have been reading the Carib News for as long as it has been published (in fact I try to read all the Black publications. It’s the only way you get the truth. Main stream media is too busy trying to distort and conceal).
Jamaican born and bred, the Rodneys should be a template for successful marriage partnerships, and how you can take a passion for each other and expand it to a passion for your people and a passion for truth.
The ceremony, which was held at the Institute for Pan-American Affairs, founded and headed by Dr. Marco Mason, another stellar figure in the Black community.
On hand to provide honors and kudos to the Rodneys were Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, City Councilwoman Letitia James, both of whom presented them with Proclamations. Poet Laureate Carlos A. Russell composed a poem in their honor. Motivational speaker Bro. Dennis Rahim Watson as usual gave a fabulous audience participatory performance. Medgar Evers President, Dr. William Pollard, Tony A. Best, Dean of Caribbean American Journalists, also spoke glowingly of the Rodney’s contribution to the community. There was also a surprise presentation of charicatures in their honor.
The Mistress of Ceremony, Dr. Marcia Bayne-Smith kept the program flowing, as accolade after well deserved accolade was heaped upon the couple. The tribute, in part, read: “Karl B. Rodney and Faye A. Rodney founded the New York CARIB NEWS twenty-five years ago to fill a recognized void in communication of the growing Caribbean-American community. CARIB NEWS was designed to provide consistent, timely, accurate, and reliable information of the Caribbean region, and the Caribbean American community. Because of the pioneering efforts of Karl and Faye Rodney, CARIB NEWS is now recognized institution of the community playing a significant role in projecting the importance and potential of the community. As founder and sponsor of the Annual Multi-National Business Conference in the Caribbean, CARIB NEWS for the past 11 years has hosted the most successful business conferences, bringing together African American Entrepreneurs, elected officials and Civic Leaders to explore opportunities of business, health, education and information in the Caribbean and between our American friends.
They have been supporters of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), and founded the annual breakfast held the morning of the day-long event. Their honors and awards are legion, including the prestigious national honors from the Government of Jamaica. Faye received the Prime Minister’s Medal of Recognition and Karl received the Order of Distinction - Commander Class.
The wonderful thing about the Carib News is that it continues to be the go to paper in the Caribbean community. The wonderful thing about the Black Press is that there are at several local publications that also give you the inside information you need; the alternative to the vilification and distortions so often found in the mainstream media.
In fact, if you read the Carib News, Black Star News, Daily Challenge, Our Times Press, New York Beacon, Amsterdam News, Harlem Times, The African Sun Times, among others.
In fact, as a man of great wisdom (Rev. Ike) once said: “You know the truth when you read it. Many news papers spend more time giving you negative information, and scare tactics, than information. You cannot allow the negative press to manipulate you; you have to know how to manipulate the mainstream media, get the information you need, and discard the rest.” With Black publications (and online-news service) you get a more balanced, informative, and comprehensive view of what’s happening in your community and how it affects you.
Kudos to Karl and Faye Rodney, and the Carib News for keeping it real positive and powerful for us all.
Which brings us to the launching of the Caribbean American Legal Defense and Education Fund (CALDEF): was founded based on the premise that as of 2010 Black people will fall to the level of the third largest minority in the US, after Hispanics and Asians. Given the rise in derisive and divisive commentary in the mainstream media, Dr. Marco Mason sees an escalation in attacks launched against people of Caribbean heritage (as well as against all Black people).
The need for CALDEF is apparent to advocate, litigate, educate, prodect and defend the Caribbean American community.
The organization was conceived by Dr. Mason and Faye Rodney in 2009 to address the growing demand for advocating on behalf of, as well as supporting, protecting and defending the rights of Caribbean Americans. It aims to improve the status and conditions of immigrants and thus strengthen the economic, civic, social and cultural fiber of the Caribbean American Community.
There will be a concomitant “Welcome” program to help immigrants, and facilitate the legalization of immigrant status for qualified individuals.
The also have established a Peer Mentorship program for students on both the undergraduate and graduate level.
The underlying purpose, of course, is as an anti-defamation arm that readily responds to the aspersions being cast against the Caribbean community by insensitive, racist, and xenophobics. As with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, we must support them and make sure that they have all the assistance they need in becoming a force and a resource to be reckoned with.
The best way to celebrate Black History month is to make history of your own (yes, I said that, and you can quote me). Dr. Marco Mason exemplifies that wisdom, and has consistently been part of what makes us all great, and all proud.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
2.06.2010
BLACK AND PROUD IN 2010
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
This is BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2010, and I freely admit to being an unrepentant Black elitist of the first and highest order.
There are some days that I'm so proud to be Black (with a capital "B" thank you); to be a Black woman of African heritage; the descendant of survivors who knew how to make a way out of no way; and made sure to make a way for me to have a way.
I am proud of the fact that each and every one of us is still standing as a repudiation to the onslaught of racism and tribulations launched (lynched?) aganst us over the past 400 years.
I'm Proud of us for the ground we've gained and the progress we made over these past 60 years as well; and the fact that we move forward more and more each year.
I am proud of being a Black mother who brought three beautiful Black and proud children into the world so that they could in turn bring more Black and proud children into the world and so on and so on.
I'm proud to have had two wonderful Black parents who instilled in us the necessity of being proud of who we are, and knowing and respecting out heritage and history. I am proud of a father who taught me People First, Then Things. And that Black people came before anyone. And a great grand father who defended his land against the KKK and kept it intact for his family.
I'm proud of our rich, beautiful skin tones from the patina of Ebony to the vanilla tones -- all the way through caramel, cocoa, chocolate, peanut butter, bubble gum and tawny in between. Who but us could take the genetic alterations brought about by rape and transform it into such beautiful people. We are the true transformers. (when I was a kid I used to sit and look in the mirror just loving the color of my skin and my brown eyes - totally ego tripping -- always wishing I was darker chocolate like my mother, though - my mom's gorgeous! By the way, my daddy was a fine Black man, too.)
When we Black people get together to party and play our ever soulful, groovy music, we take over the dance floor with a synchopation no choreographer could ever have planned, I feel like I'm in a privileged space.
I am proud of my African DNA. I give that birthplace only to us. (Sorry Leaky, know you made the discovery in the Oduvai Gorge, of Tanzania, but Africa belongs to the BLACK MAN & WOMAN).
I always tease my African brothers and sisters about our residual African heritage. I tell them we can't help it, and it's their fault that we've got all this rhythm in our DNA. I comes out in our pores. Our Caribbean brothers and sisters, the Latino branch of our family, our South American Brothers and sisters have likewise benefitted from our Motherland's DNA. We all exude the rhythm and spirit we inherited from them. They love it. We know we're one!
I'm proud of the magic melanin that keeps us young and beautiful. Good Black don't crack - remember? The Blacker the berry the sweeter the juice. Our men are fine, we women are finer. We don't age or deteriorate, we mature. I mean, have you seen Diana Ross, or Ruby Dee, or Billy Dee Williams, or Harry Belafonte, or Sidney Portier, or my uncle (another fine Black man).
And when we sing -- regardless of whether we're singing a'capella, harmony, jazz, blues, soul, scatting, or gospel and spirituals; we ascend. When we take our African heritage out on those keyboards, drums, congas, saxophones, trumpet -- we are unparalleled.
And when we compete in sports -- we are agile and accurate, poetry in motion.
I am so proud of our beautiful little chocolate drop doll-babies. We need to understand that the term gifted and talented encompasses all our children. Our kids learn to dance in the crib! They can imitate us from day one (so make sure that what you do in front of them is positive and watch your mouth!) They are way ahead of most kids in their abilities and agilities. (My baby daughter, Adiya, could snap her fingers and say her name at 6 months). Most of our kids can read at three if we would just teach them. They are born special, precious, creative, talented and smart. They are supposed to do what they do! It's natural. All our Black kids are gifted and talented -- no exceptions. And I am the world's number one bragging parent. Ask my friends. They keep asking me how many kids I have, because it seems I must have ten -- surely three kids can't be doing that much stuff at one time (still bragging!)
We are the most creative people on the planet: our brains, our minds, our intelligence, our wit, our wisdom, often imitated, never duplicated, (usually confiscated, if you get my drift); we invent; we design, we refine. We conceive, we believe, we achieve; we be masters of rap; we make debating look like childsplay; we see through sham, debunk scam; we are family no matter where we be.
When we do our art, we make colors jump off the canvass. And when I look around at the colors and styles and shapes and sizes and accents; I just love being BLACK!!! I thank God for the privilege and the pleasure of being able to say "Only the strong survive, and we are indeed the fittest -- because no other group has endured what we have, and still stand and walk with a rhythm and a pace that says: "CAN'T TOUCH THIS!" (duh, I told you I was an elitist!)
We have so much to be proud of this Black History Month; and so many who have done so much to pave the way for us to be here: Cinque, Carter G. Woodson, Booker T. Washington, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Langston Hughes, Toussaint L'Overture, Kwame Nkrumah, Nnamde Azikewe, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Sekou Toure, Frederick Douglass, Madame C. J. Walker, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Percy E. Sutton, George Washington Carver, Shirley Chisolm, Denmark Vesey, Harriet Tubman, Marcus Garvey, Paul Robeson, Lena Horne, Billie Holliday, and of course President Barack Hussein Obama, and beautiful First Lady Michelle!!
I could keep going on; but there are also those unsung s/heroes in our neighborhood, family, schools, churches who have kept on keeping on despite it all -- who may not have made headlines, but definitely made a difference. I am ever amazed at the organizations and programs our brothers and sisters formulate in order to help their people. If we linked up and coordinated with each other locally and nationally, we would be in the forefront of resolving our own problems, setting our own standards, developing our own economic base, starting and sustaining our education systems, and becoming genuine Blacks, not imitations of others concepts of who we should be (that was diplomatically put, wasn't it? I'm not anti other races, I'm just pro-us! To that end, though, I am definitely anti-racism).
So celebrate our local heroes, and community leaders who are trying to make a difference (not just TV and video celebs). And make sure you celebrate yourselves and teach your children to do the same. The education, the love and the support we give ourselves and each other must be based on the highest and best "we" that we can be.
Our heritage is so rich, if we could bottle it and sell it we'd all be billionaires! Now that would take care of the reparations issue, wouldn't it?
So HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE!
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK (and Proud)
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
This is BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2010, and I freely admit to being an unrepentant Black elitist of the first and highest order.
There are some days that I'm so proud to be Black (with a capital "B" thank you); to be a Black woman of African heritage; the descendant of survivors who knew how to make a way out of no way; and made sure to make a way for me to have a way.
I am proud of the fact that each and every one of us is still standing as a repudiation to the onslaught of racism and tribulations launched (lynched?) aganst us over the past 400 years.
I'm Proud of us for the ground we've gained and the progress we made over these past 60 years as well; and the fact that we move forward more and more each year.
I am proud of being a Black mother who brought three beautiful Black and proud children into the world so that they could in turn bring more Black and proud children into the world and so on and so on.
I'm proud to have had two wonderful Black parents who instilled in us the necessity of being proud of who we are, and knowing and respecting out heritage and history. I am proud of a father who taught me People First, Then Things. And that Black people came before anyone. And a great grand father who defended his land against the KKK and kept it intact for his family.
I'm proud of our rich, beautiful skin tones from the patina of Ebony to the vanilla tones -- all the way through caramel, cocoa, chocolate, peanut butter, bubble gum and tawny in between. Who but us could take the genetic alterations brought about by rape and transform it into such beautiful people. We are the true transformers. (when I was a kid I used to sit and look in the mirror just loving the color of my skin and my brown eyes - totally ego tripping -- always wishing I was darker chocolate like my mother, though - my mom's gorgeous! By the way, my daddy was a fine Black man, too.)
When we Black people get together to party and play our ever soulful, groovy music, we take over the dance floor with a synchopation no choreographer could ever have planned, I feel like I'm in a privileged space.
I am proud of my African DNA. I give that birthplace only to us. (Sorry Leaky, know you made the discovery in the Oduvai Gorge, of Tanzania, but Africa belongs to the BLACK MAN & WOMAN).
I always tease my African brothers and sisters about our residual African heritage. I tell them we can't help it, and it's their fault that we've got all this rhythm in our DNA. I comes out in our pores. Our Caribbean brothers and sisters, the Latino branch of our family, our South American Brothers and sisters have likewise benefitted from our Motherland's DNA. We all exude the rhythm and spirit we inherited from them. They love it. We know we're one!
I'm proud of the magic melanin that keeps us young and beautiful. Good Black don't crack - remember? The Blacker the berry the sweeter the juice. Our men are fine, we women are finer. We don't age or deteriorate, we mature. I mean, have you seen Diana Ross, or Ruby Dee, or Billy Dee Williams, or Harry Belafonte, or Sidney Portier, or my uncle (another fine Black man).
And when we sing -- regardless of whether we're singing a'capella, harmony, jazz, blues, soul, scatting, or gospel and spirituals; we ascend. When we take our African heritage out on those keyboards, drums, congas, saxophones, trumpet -- we are unparalleled.
And when we compete in sports -- we are agile and accurate, poetry in motion.
I am so proud of our beautiful little chocolate drop doll-babies. We need to understand that the term gifted and talented encompasses all our children. Our kids learn to dance in the crib! They can imitate us from day one (so make sure that what you do in front of them is positive and watch your mouth!) They are way ahead of most kids in their abilities and agilities. (My baby daughter, Adiya, could snap her fingers and say her name at 6 months). Most of our kids can read at three if we would just teach them. They are born special, precious, creative, talented and smart. They are supposed to do what they do! It's natural. All our Black kids are gifted and talented -- no exceptions. And I am the world's number one bragging parent. Ask my friends. They keep asking me how many kids I have, because it seems I must have ten -- surely three kids can't be doing that much stuff at one time (still bragging!)
We are the most creative people on the planet: our brains, our minds, our intelligence, our wit, our wisdom, often imitated, never duplicated, (usually confiscated, if you get my drift); we invent; we design, we refine. We conceive, we believe, we achieve; we be masters of rap; we make debating look like childsplay; we see through sham, debunk scam; we are family no matter where we be.
When we do our art, we make colors jump off the canvass. And when I look around at the colors and styles and shapes and sizes and accents; I just love being BLACK!!! I thank God for the privilege and the pleasure of being able to say "Only the strong survive, and we are indeed the fittest -- because no other group has endured what we have, and still stand and walk with a rhythm and a pace that says: "CAN'T TOUCH THIS!" (duh, I told you I was an elitist!)
We have so much to be proud of this Black History Month; and so many who have done so much to pave the way for us to be here: Cinque, Carter G. Woodson, Booker T. Washington, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Langston Hughes, Toussaint L'Overture, Kwame Nkrumah, Nnamde Azikewe, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Sekou Toure, Frederick Douglass, Madame C. J. Walker, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Percy E. Sutton, George Washington Carver, Shirley Chisolm, Denmark Vesey, Harriet Tubman, Marcus Garvey, Paul Robeson, Lena Horne, Billie Holliday, and of course President Barack Hussein Obama, and beautiful First Lady Michelle!!
I could keep going on; but there are also those unsung s/heroes in our neighborhood, family, schools, churches who have kept on keeping on despite it all -- who may not have made headlines, but definitely made a difference. I am ever amazed at the organizations and programs our brothers and sisters formulate in order to help their people. If we linked up and coordinated with each other locally and nationally, we would be in the forefront of resolving our own problems, setting our own standards, developing our own economic base, starting and sustaining our education systems, and becoming genuine Blacks, not imitations of others concepts of who we should be (that was diplomatically put, wasn't it? I'm not anti other races, I'm just pro-us! To that end, though, I am definitely anti-racism).
So celebrate our local heroes, and community leaders who are trying to make a difference (not just TV and video celebs). And make sure you celebrate yourselves and teach your children to do the same. The education, the love and the support we give ourselves and each other must be based on the highest and best "we" that we can be.
Our heritage is so rich, if we could bottle it and sell it we'd all be billionaires! Now that would take care of the reparations issue, wouldn't it?
So HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE! CELEBRATE!
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK (and Proud)
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Farewell to Ferguson
by Gloria Dulan-Wilson
New Yorkers in general, and Black New Yorkers in particular are a unique breed. Our concept of family extends far beyond the basic definition of the nuclear unit with mother, father and siblings. In fact, there are times when we are closer to people outside the traditional family circle than we are to our own family members.
Such was the case with Brother James Ferguson -- who was just “Ferguson” to us. He was a very real presence in our community and in our lives. He was a promoter extraordinaire. (see funeral NOTE below)*
Now for those who are reading this from outside our family circle, to us a promoter is someone who is involve in practically every event that comes up in the Black community. From concerts and plays, to trips, dances, events -- Ferguson always had the literature, hand out cards, all the particulars about the event, and he would go through the community from venue to venue, passing out the info and encouraging people to go.
He sported a full length black ranch mink coat, that clashed with his very casual mode of dress. He was generally congenial in his quiet way of speaking, letting you know he was there and where he stood on issues affecting us as a Black family.
The “sudden” passing leaves a gaping hole in our social quilt. It’s really been difficult for us to really deal with Ferguson’s being there one moment, and then receiving the news that he was gone.
I know, there’s a spiritual explanation that we all have come accustomed to using over the past years that he is with us spiritually -- and somewhere we know that is true. But to our human sensibilities, brother Ferguson looked as though he would be with us for at least another 30 years. He looked like he would be the one we would reminisce with about that fabulous party or event he turned us on to. Or that when no one else knew what was happening, Ferguson would still be keeping us in the loop.
Perhaps community activist, Zach Husser’s comments can give more texture as to why we feel so “bereft” at the passing of this stalwart brother:
“Dear Family of Friends, What? I can't believe this. I just spoke with Ferguson last week about doing a collaborative event with his crew doing the on the ground promoting for some of my adventures. He gave me his business card with the website and email address, but told me to call him by phone. Even though he had all of the internet dressings, Ferguson was still old school in dealing with business. He wanted you to call him on the phone or meet him at the House of Prayer for All People on 124th street and Frederick Douglas Blvd. You see, at the church, he could have a meal, talk business, and be close to home. In the warm months, he would come up by bike. Yes, Ferguson rode that bike all over Harlem. I'm definitely going to miss my long time good friend! This is hard to take because I didn't know of any health condition that Ferguson had. We talked some BS to each other at the last Oldies, but Goodies party at Roseland. He was fast talking as usual and told me to give him a call. I never made that call and now I hear about his passing. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk one more time before his transition. Finally, I want to let all of you who might not of known Ferguson on a personal level, that the man would do anything to help out his friends. Ferguson, as most of us called him, let many of his family of friends live in his home when the friends had bad fortune strike them. He opened up his wallet and gave friends money knowing he wouldn't get the cash back. He fussed about loaning money, letting friends live in his house, but he never turned anyone away. We'll miss Ferguson because he truly had an open heart and was a great friend to have in your corner. Peace and Love and May My Long Time Friend Rest In The Knowledge That Many Of Us Loved Him, Brother Zachary C. Husser, Sr.”
So for those of us who want the opportunity of giving him a formal final farewell, his services are being held Monday,February 8, 2010.
*NOTE NEW NEWS: "As with most to the things Brother Ferguson did, the transition location has been moved again. Now, the going home service is going to be at the Marian McDaniels Funeral Chapel on West 136th Street between Lenox and 7th Avenue. The celebration starts at 4:00 PM for the viewing and the funeral begins at 7:00 PM. After the funeral, a "party" for Ferguson is going to take place at the Alhambra Ballroom on 126th Street and 7th avenue. So, please pass the correct address around to your family of friends." Just received this update from Bro. Zach Husser.
We will be there to pay respect and homage to a member of our family, share stories, and try to hold on to the feeling of his being among us for just a little while longer.
My condolences to Ferguson’s mother and the rest of his nuclear family from myself and the rest of his extended family.
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
New Yorkers in general, and Black New Yorkers in particular are a unique breed. Our concept of family extends far beyond the basic definition of the nuclear unit with mother, father and siblings. In fact, there are times when we are closer to people outside the traditional family circle than we are to our own family members.
Such was the case with Brother James Ferguson -- who was just “Ferguson” to us. He was a very real presence in our community and in our lives. He was a promoter extraordinaire. (see funeral NOTE below)*
Now for those who are reading this from outside our family circle, to us a promoter is someone who is involve in practically every event that comes up in the Black community. From concerts and plays, to trips, dances, events -- Ferguson always had the literature, hand out cards, all the particulars about the event, and he would go through the community from venue to venue, passing out the info and encouraging people to go.
He sported a full length black ranch mink coat, that clashed with his very casual mode of dress. He was generally congenial in his quiet way of speaking, letting you know he was there and where he stood on issues affecting us as a Black family.
The “sudden” passing leaves a gaping hole in our social quilt. It’s really been difficult for us to really deal with Ferguson’s being there one moment, and then receiving the news that he was gone.
I know, there’s a spiritual explanation that we all have come accustomed to using over the past years that he is with us spiritually -- and somewhere we know that is true. But to our human sensibilities, brother Ferguson looked as though he would be with us for at least another 30 years. He looked like he would be the one we would reminisce with about that fabulous party or event he turned us on to. Or that when no one else knew what was happening, Ferguson would still be keeping us in the loop.
Perhaps community activist, Zach Husser’s comments can give more texture as to why we feel so “bereft” at the passing of this stalwart brother:
“Dear Family of Friends, What? I can't believe this. I just spoke with Ferguson last week about doing a collaborative event with his crew doing the on the ground promoting for some of my adventures. He gave me his business card with the website and email address, but told me to call him by phone. Even though he had all of the internet dressings, Ferguson was still old school in dealing with business. He wanted you to call him on the phone or meet him at the House of Prayer for All People on 124th street and Frederick Douglas Blvd. You see, at the church, he could have a meal, talk business, and be close to home. In the warm months, he would come up by bike. Yes, Ferguson rode that bike all over Harlem. I'm definitely going to miss my long time good friend! This is hard to take because I didn't know of any health condition that Ferguson had. We talked some BS to each other at the last Oldies, but Goodies party at Roseland. He was fast talking as usual and told me to give him a call. I never made that call and now I hear about his passing. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk one more time before his transition. Finally, I want to let all of you who might not of known Ferguson on a personal level, that the man would do anything to help out his friends. Ferguson, as most of us called him, let many of his family of friends live in his home when the friends had bad fortune strike them. He opened up his wallet and gave friends money knowing he wouldn't get the cash back. He fussed about loaning money, letting friends live in his house, but he never turned anyone away. We'll miss Ferguson because he truly had an open heart and was a great friend to have in your corner. Peace and Love and May My Long Time Friend Rest In The Knowledge That Many Of Us Loved Him, Brother Zachary C. Husser, Sr.”
So for those of us who want the opportunity of giving him a formal final farewell, his services are being held Monday,February 8, 2010.
*NOTE NEW NEWS: "As with most to the things Brother Ferguson did, the transition location has been moved again. Now, the going home service is going to be at the Marian McDaniels Funeral Chapel on West 136th Street between Lenox and 7th Avenue. The celebration starts at 4:00 PM for the viewing and the funeral begins at 7:00 PM. After the funeral, a "party" for Ferguson is going to take place at the Alhambra Ballroom on 126th Street and 7th avenue. So, please pass the correct address around to your family of friends." Just received this update from Bro. Zach Husser.
We will be there to pay respect and homage to a member of our family, share stories, and try to hold on to the feeling of his being among us for just a little while longer.
My condolences to Ferguson’s mother and the rest of his nuclear family from myself and the rest of his extended family.
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
BLACK AND PUERTO RICAN CAUCUS BUS TRANSPORT AVAILABLE
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Hello All:
We thought we'd give it a try again this year. So if you are interested or know someone who is, please post, publish, pass it on, participate. The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus is one of the most important events that takes place annually and affects us down state, especially here in the 5 Boros. In addition to being something great to do on a Saturday, and a way to make great connections, it gives you a chance to have a voice, first hand, in some of the decisions made by your elected officials; as well as puts them on notice that you are watching them and you are concerned.
Gloria Dulan-Wilson:
WANNA GO TO ALBANY
FOR THE
2010 NY BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, ASIAN & LATIN CAUCUS
THEN GET ON THE BUS!!!!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2010
BUSES LEAVING FROM BOYS & GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
1700 FULTON STREET
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11226
TO THE LEGISTLATIVE OFFICE BLDG (L0B)
TWO (2) LUXURY BUSES
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: 6:00 AM-6:00PM = $50.00 ROUND TRIP
ATTEND THE WORKSHOPS & EXHIBITS
MEET YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
BE A PART OF THE PROCESS
CONCERT AND AFTER PARTY*
PARTY SPECIAL 7:00 AM-1:00 AM-$60.00
DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT THUSDAY 2/11/10**
COFFEE & REFRESHMENTS SERVED ON BUS
CONTACT: GLORIA DULAN-WILSON or SHAWANA BROWN @
718-638-0827 or 347-785-6998 or 718-791-3804
SO SIT BACK & SMILE
RIDE TO ALBANY IN STYLE
A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO WYCLEF JEAN'S CHARITIBLE ORGANIZATION
YELE TO HELP HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
CONCERT AND AFTER PARTY TIX NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE OF BUS
PRICE REFLECTS TRANSPORTATION ONLY
**PAY ON BUS $5.00 ADDITIONAL CHARGE
GROUP RATES AVAILABLE
BUSES PROVIDED BY MYSTIQ TOURS OF BROOKLYN, NY
Note: These buses are only available in the New York area.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY bLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Hello All:
We thought we'd give it a try again this year. So if you are interested or know someone who is, please post, publish, pass it on, participate. The Black and Puerto Rican Caucus is one of the most important events that takes place annually and affects us down state, especially here in the 5 Boros. In addition to being something great to do on a Saturday, and a way to make great connections, it gives you a chance to have a voice, first hand, in some of the decisions made by your elected officials; as well as puts them on notice that you are watching them and you are concerned.
Gloria Dulan-Wilson:
WANNA GO TO ALBANY
FOR THE
2010 NY BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, ASIAN & LATIN CAUCUS
THEN GET ON THE BUS!!!!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2010
BUSES LEAVING FROM BOYS & GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL
1700 FULTON STREET
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11226
TO THE LEGISTLATIVE OFFICE BLDG (L0B)
TWO (2) LUXURY BUSES
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: 6:00 AM-6:00PM = $50.00 ROUND TRIP
ATTEND THE WORKSHOPS & EXHIBITS
MEET YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS
BE A PART OF THE PROCESS
CONCERT AND AFTER PARTY*
PARTY SPECIAL 7:00 AM-1:00 AM-$60.00
DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT THUSDAY 2/11/10**
COFFEE & REFRESHMENTS SERVED ON BUS
CONTACT: GLORIA DULAN-WILSON or SHAWANA BROWN @
718-638-0827 or 347-785-6998 or 718-791-3804
SO SIT BACK & SMILE
RIDE TO ALBANY IN STYLE
A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO WYCLEF JEAN'S CHARITIBLE ORGANIZATION
YELE TO HELP HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
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Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY bLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
2.02.2010
Don’t Believe the Hype: President Obama is on the Right Path
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Interesting how we, the people, tend to develop convenient forms of amnesia. Interesting how easy it is to allow the perpetrators who started the problems we are currently facing in these United States, to turn the tables and make the main person who’s trying to solve the problem the “bad guy”.
How did President Obama become the person who is “wrong”. When did he become the one who’s not “moving in the right direction”? How is that he is the one who “does not know what the people want, or need”? Since when did he become the one who is out of touch with the people? At what point did he become the one who “didn’t explain the situation, the issue, the problem sufficiently, so that somehow, we, the people, now are “confused”? Think about it!!
This is the bilge water the Republican-run media and political pundits are trying to use to brainwash Americans who support President Obama. There is an old saying, “give them an inch, they will take a mile.” And that is apparently patently true when it comes to Republicans. In the Black community, when the perpetrator is trying to cast doubt or blame the other party, we called it “the pot trying to call the kettle black -- of course back in those days we only used cast iron cooking utensils -- but the meaning is pretty much the same: the real culprits are trying to throw you off the track by blaming the hero -- President Obama.
DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE, THE TYPE, OR THE GRIPE on the part of the Republicans and the blow hot-blow cold so-called Independent party.
It has never been a case of whether Americans need either affordable comprehensive health care, or decent well paying jobs. It is a case of Americans needing both -- as enunciated by President Obama in his campaign speeches, his inauguration speech, and from the time he stepped into office. He has not changed the message, or the mission. What’s happened is that the message is being distorted, and there are many who are trying to undermine the mission.
No, President Obama did not forget that jobs were needed. In his speech in Denver, at the Democratic National Convention, he spoke of bringing American jobs back from overseas and giving corporations that did so a tax break for making it so. He reiterated it during his State of the Union Speech.
No, President Obama did not neglect explaining what was going on with his policies. He has been very diligent about keeping his promises. What is happening is that the mainstream media is spending a great deal of time, ink and propaganda distorting the information, to maintain a level of confusion. Unfortunately, America is just beginning to realize that “they been hoodwinked” -- by the media, the so-called blue dogs, and the Republicans. As Malcolm X said, “You been took, you been had!” The lies are piling up higher and higher. Look at the headlines of the newspapers -- they lead with negatives. (interesting isn’t it, that the entire time Bush was taking the US down the proverbial toilet with his misguided policies, you never so much as saw one invective -- wonder why that is?)
No, President Obama is not to blame for the loss of either New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, nor Massachusetts the loss of the Kennedy legacy. The Democratic Party is culpable for being schizoid in its support of him. For once they can blame no one but themselves for any lapses in bills passed, elections clinched, etc. They are in the majority (also known as the cat/bird’s seat). Yet they continue to fumble the ball. They have the responsibility for watching his back, and dealing with any lapses in support nationally and locally. So what’s up with that? Interesting! No time for resting on past laurels. Time to wake up and take care of business.
No. President Obama did not forget how to add. He inherited a government with a trillion dollar deficit, banks failing, automotive industry on stall, millions of jobs disappearing, and rampant foreclosures.
Funny isn’t it? The entire 8 years that these monies were being mismanaged, that people were being bilked out of their earnings; mini-Katrinas were ignored until the big Katrina was staring us stark in the face and all the world saw how far we really sank in terms of Bush's administration. When the prices of housing were "higher than a giraffe’s ass", while salaries and jobs were shrinking faster than a wool sweater in hot water, somebody was asleep at the switch. Then we, the people suddenly realized that you can’t get here from there. Wall Street was trading our mortgages on the international market, and whole blocks of neighborhoods were secretly being sold to foreign interests for pennies on the dollar. We, the people couldn’t get a decent mortgage for a roof over our heads, or find an honest lawyer who would tell the truth about the fact that we were walking into a time bomb that was going to blow up in our faces. Obama was fighting for us - we, the people.
Even before he was President, he was working in his own community in Chicago to help those people who were being devastated by the Bush policies that had trickled down and eviscerated urban centers throughout the country. He saw first hand what was happening, and took a stand even then. He did not forget once he got into office; and he has not lost touch.
When he won the election as the 44th President of the US, Bush handed Barack Obama the broken toy that is America, and said now try and fix it, and oh yeah, here’s the monkey wrench. Interesting how no body thought to hold him accountable for his destruction of the country; no one tied his feet to the fire; no one said hey, wait a minute, how come he and his henchmen get to walk off into the sunset without so much as a reprimand? (well actually, we did, but he got on that helicopter anyway).
Now my question is, where the heck are we coming from? What sam hill is our problem? Why are we allowing the yellow journalists to get away with this garbage of trashing the President, while and sitting back as though our brains are made of swiss cheese? Just like we need to change from the big banks that have abused the privilige of handling our funds while giving us a pittance return on our investments; we likewise need to change the publications we read -- try the local Black News Papers, the international papers; online publications, blogs. Stop allowing the mainstream media to manipulate the truth for their own ends.
We finally have a President who stands for us. Who is not going to allow business as usual to continue on Capitol Hill. Guess what folks, contrary to popular belief, silence is definitely not golden. And yes, we do have the power. And we must stand with our President.
Did we think that now that Bush was out of the White house, and Obama was President, that our job was finished; did we think that his detractors are going to sit back and let him do his job. We all know the answer is NO.
So what should we be doing? Any thing and everything to make sure that we back him up. We should be backing him up in the communities we live in. We should be backing him up in the polls. In the petitions and demonstrations in support of his policies. And we should definitely be making sure that if our locally elected officials are not in compliance with Obama policies -- they should be replaced.
This year is the so-called mid-year election. Supposedly, Democrats in congress are will lose their seats, and Republicans are supposed to gain a majority, as a sort of back-lash against Obama. Well, just like we brought Obama to the White house, it’s time to shake up a few more “givens”. And this one definitely has to be laid to rest. We have to triple, quadruple our efforts now, so that all the primaries are loaded with Democratic candidates, who are there for us. And that we not only keep the majority, we increase it. We have to campaign like we’ve never done before. The strategy is vote or die for real. The strategy is there ain’t no more days like that.
Next, all those states that received stimulus packages that have not shared them with the African American communities, have to be put on blast, immediately. But make sure that when you do so, that you have viable projects in your community ready to go.
Obama’s policy is one of inclusion. DC’s is one of exclusion. Republican’s is one of confusion. WE have to be the Solution. Make sure that each and every one of the incumbents know that we want the Health Care Bill Passed NOW. And make sure that the funding for the jobs bill is taken care of.
When they ask where the money is going to come from for the programs we need implementing, advise them of the following options: they can actually bring the troops back in May instead of August, saving billions and billions of our dollars. That they can make sure that the big banks ante up on those bonuses they managed to set aside for their incompetents, by giving them to underwrite local businesses, and salaries (as the President mentioned in his State of the Union Address - remember?). Tell them to get Bush, Cheyney, Halliburton, and the rest of their cronies that ripped the US off for the past 8 years, and tell them we want our money back Now!
I’m not being unrealistic in my request. Nor am I being facetious. I am saying that now is the time to stop treating the perpetrators like sacred cows, while the President is being subjected to racist remarks, duplicitous behavior, and salacious inuendos - I am saying that it is time to return to integrity -- or maybe I should say, get some integrity. At any rate, the principle has always been people (ie humans) first; things (money, positions) second. Sure, they want the status quo. But I think we made it clear when we elected Obama we were tired of the run of the mill run over us while they run away with the money type of government. We are tired of footing the bill, while they plant their foot dead in our derrieres (individually and collectively).
If you take care of the people - us -- the people will take care of you. This principle was violated over and over again by the Bush Administration. The Obama Administration is trying to change it. He can’t do it by himself. He needs us, and we need him.
So, people what have we just learned from this little treatise? I sum it up with these Commandments (of sort):
Thou shall not allow the hostile media and the Republicans to commit iniquitous acts against our President;
Thou shall not allow false witness against the President to go unchallenged -- regardless of whether it’s on TV, Radio, Newspaper, or some religious fanatic;
Thou shall not recite (regurgitate or parrot) media crapola chapter and verse as though it was the truth (due diligence is the name of the game);
Thou shall take a stand for the policies that our President stands for, and encourage your associates, family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances to do the same;
Thou shall turn out in record numbers to vote for issues that are in concert with the President’s policies and encourage your associates, family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances to do the same; (ie vote like you’re voting for Obama all over again, with lines around the block -- make them know that you are taking a stand
Thou shall not let the main stream media program you against President Obama;
Thou shall not allow the media to insult your intelligence by telling you you don’t know what you do know;
Thou shall make sure that both Affordable Health Care Bill and Jobs for America legislation are passed;
Thou shall read the President’s speeches and statements for your self (either online or in hardcopy), and make sure your children do the same;
Thou shall keep a running tally of all the good things President Obama has accomplished since coming to office;
Thou shall be wary of Republicans bearing gifts; and of Independents, many of whom are really Republicans in disguise;
Thou shall bring people first and humaneness to our communities, neighborhood, and America.
If we begin now with these few commandments, and come up with axioms as we go along, we can begin to bring about the change we need to see in the how things are done, and how they affect us and our families. And like President Obama says, if you have better ideas, please bring them.
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Interesting how we, the people, tend to develop convenient forms of amnesia. Interesting how easy it is to allow the perpetrators who started the problems we are currently facing in these United States, to turn the tables and make the main person who’s trying to solve the problem the “bad guy”.
How did President Obama become the person who is “wrong”. When did he become the one who’s not “moving in the right direction”? How is that he is the one who “does not know what the people want, or need”? Since when did he become the one who is out of touch with the people? At what point did he become the one who “didn’t explain the situation, the issue, the problem sufficiently, so that somehow, we, the people, now are “confused”? Think about it!!
This is the bilge water the Republican-run media and political pundits are trying to use to brainwash Americans who support President Obama. There is an old saying, “give them an inch, they will take a mile.” And that is apparently patently true when it comes to Republicans. In the Black community, when the perpetrator is trying to cast doubt or blame the other party, we called it “the pot trying to call the kettle black -- of course back in those days we only used cast iron cooking utensils -- but the meaning is pretty much the same: the real culprits are trying to throw you off the track by blaming the hero -- President Obama.
DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE, THE TYPE, OR THE GRIPE on the part of the Republicans and the blow hot-blow cold so-called Independent party.
It has never been a case of whether Americans need either affordable comprehensive health care, or decent well paying jobs. It is a case of Americans needing both -- as enunciated by President Obama in his campaign speeches, his inauguration speech, and from the time he stepped into office. He has not changed the message, or the mission. What’s happened is that the message is being distorted, and there are many who are trying to undermine the mission.
No, President Obama did not forget that jobs were needed. In his speech in Denver, at the Democratic National Convention, he spoke of bringing American jobs back from overseas and giving corporations that did so a tax break for making it so. He reiterated it during his State of the Union Speech.
No, President Obama did not neglect explaining what was going on with his policies. He has been very diligent about keeping his promises. What is happening is that the mainstream media is spending a great deal of time, ink and propaganda distorting the information, to maintain a level of confusion. Unfortunately, America is just beginning to realize that “they been hoodwinked” -- by the media, the so-called blue dogs, and the Republicans. As Malcolm X said, “You been took, you been had!” The lies are piling up higher and higher. Look at the headlines of the newspapers -- they lead with negatives. (interesting isn’t it, that the entire time Bush was taking the US down the proverbial toilet with his misguided policies, you never so much as saw one invective -- wonder why that is?)
No, President Obama is not to blame for the loss of either New Jersey’s gubernatorial race, nor Massachusetts the loss of the Kennedy legacy. The Democratic Party is culpable for being schizoid in its support of him. For once they can blame no one but themselves for any lapses in bills passed, elections clinched, etc. They are in the majority (also known as the cat/bird’s seat). Yet they continue to fumble the ball. They have the responsibility for watching his back, and dealing with any lapses in support nationally and locally. So what’s up with that? Interesting! No time for resting on past laurels. Time to wake up and take care of business.
No. President Obama did not forget how to add. He inherited a government with a trillion dollar deficit, banks failing, automotive industry on stall, millions of jobs disappearing, and rampant foreclosures.
Funny isn’t it? The entire 8 years that these monies were being mismanaged, that people were being bilked out of their earnings; mini-Katrinas were ignored until the big Katrina was staring us stark in the face and all the world saw how far we really sank in terms of Bush's administration. When the prices of housing were "higher than a giraffe’s ass", while salaries and jobs were shrinking faster than a wool sweater in hot water, somebody was asleep at the switch. Then we, the people suddenly realized that you can’t get here from there. Wall Street was trading our mortgages on the international market, and whole blocks of neighborhoods were secretly being sold to foreign interests for pennies on the dollar. We, the people couldn’t get a decent mortgage for a roof over our heads, or find an honest lawyer who would tell the truth about the fact that we were walking into a time bomb that was going to blow up in our faces. Obama was fighting for us - we, the people.
Even before he was President, he was working in his own community in Chicago to help those people who were being devastated by the Bush policies that had trickled down and eviscerated urban centers throughout the country. He saw first hand what was happening, and took a stand even then. He did not forget once he got into office; and he has not lost touch.
When he won the election as the 44th President of the US, Bush handed Barack Obama the broken toy that is America, and said now try and fix it, and oh yeah, here’s the monkey wrench. Interesting how no body thought to hold him accountable for his destruction of the country; no one tied his feet to the fire; no one said hey, wait a minute, how come he and his henchmen get to walk off into the sunset without so much as a reprimand? (well actually, we did, but he got on that helicopter anyway).
Now my question is, where the heck are we coming from? What sam hill is our problem? Why are we allowing the yellow journalists to get away with this garbage of trashing the President, while and sitting back as though our brains are made of swiss cheese? Just like we need to change from the big banks that have abused the privilige of handling our funds while giving us a pittance return on our investments; we likewise need to change the publications we read -- try the local Black News Papers, the international papers; online publications, blogs. Stop allowing the mainstream media to manipulate the truth for their own ends.
We finally have a President who stands for us. Who is not going to allow business as usual to continue on Capitol Hill. Guess what folks, contrary to popular belief, silence is definitely not golden. And yes, we do have the power. And we must stand with our President.
Did we think that now that Bush was out of the White house, and Obama was President, that our job was finished; did we think that his detractors are going to sit back and let him do his job. We all know the answer is NO.
So what should we be doing? Any thing and everything to make sure that we back him up. We should be backing him up in the communities we live in. We should be backing him up in the polls. In the petitions and demonstrations in support of his policies. And we should definitely be making sure that if our locally elected officials are not in compliance with Obama policies -- they should be replaced.
This year is the so-called mid-year election. Supposedly, Democrats in congress are will lose their seats, and Republicans are supposed to gain a majority, as a sort of back-lash against Obama. Well, just like we brought Obama to the White house, it’s time to shake up a few more “givens”. And this one definitely has to be laid to rest. We have to triple, quadruple our efforts now, so that all the primaries are loaded with Democratic candidates, who are there for us. And that we not only keep the majority, we increase it. We have to campaign like we’ve never done before. The strategy is vote or die for real. The strategy is there ain’t no more days like that.
Next, all those states that received stimulus packages that have not shared them with the African American communities, have to be put on blast, immediately. But make sure that when you do so, that you have viable projects in your community ready to go.
Obama’s policy is one of inclusion. DC’s is one of exclusion. Republican’s is one of confusion. WE have to be the Solution. Make sure that each and every one of the incumbents know that we want the Health Care Bill Passed NOW. And make sure that the funding for the jobs bill is taken care of.
When they ask where the money is going to come from for the programs we need implementing, advise them of the following options: they can actually bring the troops back in May instead of August, saving billions and billions of our dollars. That they can make sure that the big banks ante up on those bonuses they managed to set aside for their incompetents, by giving them to underwrite local businesses, and salaries (as the President mentioned in his State of the Union Address - remember?). Tell them to get Bush, Cheyney, Halliburton, and the rest of their cronies that ripped the US off for the past 8 years, and tell them we want our money back Now!
I’m not being unrealistic in my request. Nor am I being facetious. I am saying that now is the time to stop treating the perpetrators like sacred cows, while the President is being subjected to racist remarks, duplicitous behavior, and salacious inuendos - I am saying that it is time to return to integrity -- or maybe I should say, get some integrity. At any rate, the principle has always been people (ie humans) first; things (money, positions) second. Sure, they want the status quo. But I think we made it clear when we elected Obama we were tired of the run of the mill run over us while they run away with the money type of government. We are tired of footing the bill, while they plant their foot dead in our derrieres (individually and collectively).
If you take care of the people - us -- the people will take care of you. This principle was violated over and over again by the Bush Administration. The Obama Administration is trying to change it. He can’t do it by himself. He needs us, and we need him.
So, people what have we just learned from this little treatise? I sum it up with these Commandments (of sort):
Thou shall not allow the hostile media and the Republicans to commit iniquitous acts against our President;
Thou shall not allow false witness against the President to go unchallenged -- regardless of whether it’s on TV, Radio, Newspaper, or some religious fanatic;
Thou shall not recite (regurgitate or parrot) media crapola chapter and verse as though it was the truth (due diligence is the name of the game);
Thou shall take a stand for the policies that our President stands for, and encourage your associates, family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances to do the same;
Thou shall turn out in record numbers to vote for issues that are in concert with the President’s policies and encourage your associates, family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances to do the same; (ie vote like you’re voting for Obama all over again, with lines around the block -- make them know that you are taking a stand
Thou shall not let the main stream media program you against President Obama;
Thou shall not allow the media to insult your intelligence by telling you you don’t know what you do know;
Thou shall make sure that both Affordable Health Care Bill and Jobs for America legislation are passed;
Thou shall read the President’s speeches and statements for your self (either online or in hardcopy), and make sure your children do the same;
Thou shall keep a running tally of all the good things President Obama has accomplished since coming to office;
Thou shall be wary of Republicans bearing gifts; and of Independents, many of whom are really Republicans in disguise;
Thou shall bring people first and humaneness to our communities, neighborhood, and America.
If we begin now with these few commandments, and come up with axioms as we go along, we can begin to bring about the change we need to see in the how things are done, and how they affect us and our families. And like President Obama says, if you have better ideas, please bring them.
Stay blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
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