With all the lies being swirled about by the meanstream press, Mitt-twits, Ryan, Akin, and others in an effort to undermine President Obama, I would be totally remiss if I let this day end without sending this wonderful message to the President via Joel and Victoria Osteen.
Everybody needs a boost every once and a while, and that is as true of President Obama as any of the rest of us. And since I know that Blacks in America are praying for him every day, I thought I'd share this with him and the rest of us.
I received it online about 1:30 am on the morning of August 22, 2012 and thought, "how appropriate." The meanstream media is using scare tactics, alleging that he is trying to stop welfare and reduce benefits, cut Medicare, and other blatant lies, leaving several low income and middle class recipients in a quandry as to who to believe, what to do, and what will happen.
And President Obama handles all these slings, arrow, trickery, lies, and deceit with a smile, and a firm resolve. Here is the message from TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen:
"Anytime you set out to do something great in life, there will be critics. If you’re going to be a great {PRESIDENT}, businessperson, coach, student, leader or employee, there will be opposition. The more success you have, the more opportunities there will be for distractions. The higher you go, the more haters will come out. When you start stretching to a new level and pursuing what God has placed in your heart, the jealous people, the critical people, and the small-minded people come out of the woodwork and start making negative comments, but you don’t have to let that distract you.
If you are under pressure today, if the critical voices are coming against you, know that it’s because you are making a difference. Don’t let them throw you off course. Instead, dig your heels in, set your face like a flint, and say, “I will not get distracted. I will not get drawn into battles that don’t matter. It doesn’t matter what others think; it matters what God thinks! Today, look beyond the critics. Stand strong in adversity. Press forward to what lies ahead and win the prize of life that He has prepared for you! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, today I choose to let go of the negative voices, offenses and hurts from critical voices. I choose to focus on You and the good plan You have for me. Give me Your peace and joy as I move forward in the victory You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name! Amen" — Joel & Victoria Osteen
Now, in the interest of “separation of church and state” let me say that this is a spiritual message, not a religious one; and I trust that it will be accepted in the spirit of which it was intended. GDW
That said, it appears that President Obama has already been following those very principles, as he takes on the lies that have been hitting the media as of late. Interestingly enough, it's apparently one of those “let's throw it up against the wall and see what sticks” news reporting types. Under the principle that by the time the truth surfaces, a sufficient number of people will have been so intimidated, they most likely will not have done their own due diligence, so that by the time the truth does come through, they will have panicked hundreds of others.
It really means that the President spends as much time doing damage control and debunking the lies, as he does with getting his own message out. However, the Obama campaign has wasted no time in hitting Mitt Romney on his lies about Medicare in an advertisement his campaign has been running in the last several days. The ad had been misleading seniors that Romney would not cut medicare for seniors, when in fact that is exactly what his plan calls for. Additionally, pick Paul Ryan’s budget plan calls for vouchers for seniors, and privatizing Social Security.
According to National Memo: “Paul Ryan has been boasting that he welcomes a debate on medicare because the Republicans have been using their mothers to scare seniors that Obama had cut medicare by $716 billion. Obama's ad uses the independent non-partisan AARP (which represents seniors) to rebut Romney’s lies, and the ad will run in several battleground states, including North Carolina, Virginia, New Hampshire, Florida, Ohio, Iowa, Colorado and Nevada.
The sad thing is that, since many of the battle ground states are, by definition, dominated by Rep-ugh-blicans, we have to make sure that the messages are getting through. So here's my recommendation: For those of you who have relatives in these states – and if you've immigrated to New York City, it's more likely that you do, than not, make yourself a committee of one to communicate with your relatives, friends, associates, classmates in these states, keeping them abreast of what Obama is doing, and the effort on the part of the detractors in their states to distort the truth.
If they are computer literate, or have a relative or friend who is, forward information via the internet, via email, to them. Get them into chat rooms and make sure they are saturated with the Good News about Obama's Plans for them. You have no idea how deprived they are of current information – especially the seniors, who, like my Mom, will probably never use a computer (she's 89); or my brother, who's computer is sitting on a desk in his home, never hooked up.
Send them updates. Call and have a conversation with them. Mail them material. Don't assume that it will be done by the local – although they are doing their best, it never hurts to hear it from a loved one, someone who is a little closer to the action.
We, as humans, do have the tendency to catastrophize about subjects, especially when we don't have current information. If you have it, share it – here in this neighborhood, and the neighborhood you left behind. Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania California (yes, California), are in dire need of updates and info. If it was possible, I think it would be great to take bus loads to each of these states (we're going to Pennsylvania on the 25th) so people can see and hear first hand, what the rep-ugh-blicans are trying to suppress. When in doubt, you can log on to the President's Website, or the White House, and get updated.
In the interim, feel free to also appropriate the Osteen message for your own personal use, share it with friends, and at the same time share the fact that as in 2008, when Presidential Candidate said “Yes We Can”, in 2012, not only are we saying “Yes We Can Again,” we are saying “Yes We Will” RE-ELECT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
I am not a religious person, but I do have a deep and abiding faith in God the Living Spirit Almighty. And you know, you just gotta give God a lot of praise because he just keeps handing us these monumental gifts, signs and wonders, despite the fact that we keep squandering them, and then begging for mercy for our errors. First, He gives us President Barack Obama to lead us out of the mess that the Bush administration and his predatory supporters put us in, that nearly wrecked the entire country, and seriously jeopardized the rest of the world's economies simultaneously. He figured we had suffered enough – after 8 long years of decline, degradation, and a degenerative war foisted upon us by an individual who should never have been president in the first place (but that's another article for another day; oh, wait, I've already written that one anyway). He must have really loved us to give us Obama – because He could have punished us by giving us McCain.
Then, because we took His Gift - i.e. President Obama for granted, He gave us the mid-term election, because we dropped the ball, and actually had the temerity and gall to say that he wasn't doing a great enough job. This coming after delivering us from more Bush-like people, was a slap in the face. We actually thought we could just sit back on our haunches, ride on the back of President Obama, like he was some sort of government mule, and not maintain our responsibilities as citizens. So when we didn't turn out for the essential vote to keep the support at the majority level Obama needed, we opened the door to the plague of locusts – a/k/a rep-ugh-blicans who are doing their best to undo the good Obama had done. God just wanted to give you some contrast about how to appreciate a real gift when you have one - i.e, be humble, happy, helpful, grateful and supportive.
Now, for those who are confused as to which way to turn during this upcoming election, who to believe, what course of action to follow, lo and behold if He doesn't give us a sign in neon via Todd Akin of Missouri, who made the dumbest statement heard round the stratosphere during a news interview on The Jaco Report, on Sunday, August 19, 2012 when he uttered the words “Legitimate Rape.”
The ersatz Republican Senate candidate actually said victims of “legitimate” rape can’t get pregnant because “the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” He further stated that the perpetrator should be punished, but the innocent baby that is formed as a result of rape should not be. The Mitt-twit actually fixed his mouth to form those words, when he was asked about his stand on abortion.
Now, it has been widely documented that the rep-ugh-blicans have a war on women. It's been going on for quite some time, and actually shows no signs of letting up. When you figure it was both Paul Ryan (current running mate of Mitt-twit Romney) and Todd Akin who fashioned a bill to terminate all abortions, regardless of the reason, and to defund those programs who received federal dollars who provide abortion assistance, you – especially you Missourians – know exactly who he is and what he stands for. Even tubal (atopic) pregnancy, he states there are ways to deal with the problem without an abortion - really? By what medical miracle?
The most egregious thing about the whole issue is the fact that between Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Todd Akin, you find a solid record of anti-women, anti-abortion, anti-choice legislation that has been either co-authored, or signed off on, by all three - either individually and collectively - as so ably pointed out on the "Ed Show."
So, while Romney and Ryan go on the air to disavow any knowledge or relationship with Akin, one only has to check the Congressional Records (or the ED Show on NBC-TV) to see how deep, long and nefarious their relationship actually is. These three have actually co-authored several anti-feminine legislation to curtail women's abortion and birth control rights.
According to The National Memo: “This isn’t just an isolated statement. Akin was a co-sponsor of the "Let Women Die" bill that would redefine rape to so-called "forcible rape" to deny women access to health care. And now, Akin wants to head to the Senate to push his extreme anti-woman agenda.” BTW the National Agenda has a petition out against Akin. Make sure you sign it and pass it on to other like minded, intelligent women and men.
The irony is that Romney and Ryan are now trying to do damage control by condemning their old crony and acting as though such thoughts have never crossed their minds. What??? They didn't just throw Akin under the bus, they pushed onto the railroad tracks.
It gets curiouser and curiouser – but mind you, there's a purpose in all this. Rather than leave it to appear that Akin is the only person women have to be concerned about when it comes to the truth, or support for their issues, the meanstream press also has more than a few suspects to be wary of. That was evidenced by Mike Huckaby's efforts to help Akin do damage control. His follow up interview was nothing short of spoon-fed garbage, designed to have an air of authenticity. Akin appeared on Huckaby's show to “clear the air” about the fact that he “misspoke” in his NBC interview.
Huckaby's “question” to Akin was thus:(paraphrasing here) “what you meant by legitimate rape was 'forcible' rape, right.” Akin jumped on the lifeline and concurred eagerly that he had actually meant “forcible rape”.
Of course, there is only one kind of rape, folks; and that's the forcible kind. If it isn't forced and against the will of the victim, it isn't rape, is it? So now what Akin is saying is that women have this innate capacity to completely shut down and prevent themselves from becoming pregnant in the event of “forcible rape” - ergo, any woman who becomes pregnant as the result of “forcible rape” -- well that's not rape at all, or else she would not have become pregnant. Her body would have automatically rejected it. Therefore the request for an abortion should be dismissed out of hand.
Ed Nelson of the Ed Show, who calls Romney and Ryan “Governor Etch-A-Sketch” and “Rep. Etch-A-Sketch,” respectively, stated according to Ryan, conception begins at birth, which makes abortion as the result of a rape a criminal act on the part of the victim, not the rapist – thus victimizing her twice. Also, by extrapolation, it means that the women are either liars or cheats, and definitely not to be believed. So the rape allegations, according to his belief, is to be denied – no matter what the rape kit shows.
The really bad thing about this Mitt-twit is that he was sincere in his statements, and firmly believed that there was such a thing as “legitimate rape”; and that the preponderance of the women who got pregnant as the result of the rape were lying. He spoke with authority. He claimed to have gotten the information from a doctor who was expert in the field. He also stated that after further investigation, he no longer believed what the doctor said was factual. Really?? So, when Huckaby threw him the bone of “salvation”, he thankfully jumped on it.
Sorry Akin. That dog won't hunt. The statement, before open mouth, put brain in gear, is so appropo here. Missouri, be afraid, be very afraid. If you send this Mitt-Twit Akin to be your senatorial representative, he'll take you so far backwards, you'll be living in the Ozarks and pumping water with a hand pump; and women will probably lose their right to vote altogether. He's waaaaay down the road on anti-women philosophy, policies and attitudes; and Ryan is a close second, if not tied for first place.
Talk about Divine intervention!! The ulterior motives of Romney, Ryan, Akin and Huckaby revealed in one fell swoop, and God only took 24 hours to do it.
On Monday, President Obama weighed in on Akin’s remarks about “legitimate rape,” calling such views “offensive.” He also observed that Akin's stance had revealed a broader division on women’s health issues between the parties. And considering that the rep-ugh-blicans are consistently trying to undermine the health care bill, one should not be surprised that his remarks are indicative of an overarching theme. “Rape is rape,” Obama said during the news conference at the White House. “The idea that we should be parsing and qualifying and slicing what types of rape we’re talking about doesn’t make sense to the American people and certainly doesn’t make sense to me.” Always trying to give the rep-ugh-blicans the benefit of some semblance of humanity, President Obama further stated that he does not think Romney or other Republicans would agree with Akin’s sentiment, which he said was “way out there.”
President Obama added that the debate over Akin’s remarks confirms the notion that male politicians “shouldn’t be making decisions on behalf of women for their health care decisions, or qualifying forcible rape versus non-forcible rape. Those are broader issues and that is a significant difference in approach between me and the other party.” ( i.e., if you can't get pregnant and carry a child, you have no idea of what you're talking about.)
I am sure I speak for women everywhere when I say, “viva la difference!! It's clear that we can either put our future in hands Mitt-twits form the days of the grand inquisition, or continue to move forward under the leadership of the best president this country has ever had, BARACK OBAMA.
This is likewise a sign for those voters in Missouri, especially the women, don't sit idly by and allow Akin to become the pariah, and short change you of your rights. To the rest of the voters, who think this is an isolated situation, there is so much more at stake than just an obviously callous and ignorant man running for the Senate seat in Missouri. He's trying to unseat Claire McCaskill, a Democrat so that they can grab the majority of senatorial seats in Congress, and continue to thwart President Obama in his drive to make America a place for all its citizens.
McCaskill has had an uphill battle in defending her seat, possibly because the conservative state had had time to try and cover up Obama's positive programs. Having just visited the state to attend my nephew's wedding, I was of course wearing my OBAMA 2012 button, when the taxi driver – who had emigrated there from another country – had the audacity to remark that he was for Obama in 2008, but wasn't so sure this time around. Of course you know that I recited some salient points, gave him some information – which I just happened to have had in my purse – and advised him to not believe the hype of the meanstream media.
According to a news feed, McCaskill is no slouch, but she's up against a hard conservative right wing machine. (which sounds to me like we need to be taking bus loads to Missouri as well as Pennsylvania – actually you can throw in my home state of Oklahoma, to boot, where apathy appears to the the rule, not the exception – more about that later).
Akin's comments had an almost immediate impact on Missouri's Senate race. McCaskill wrote on Twitter: Claire McCaskill: “As a woman & former prosecutor who handled 100s of rape cases, I'm stunned by Rep Akin's comments about victims this AM!!” In trying to clean up, and disengage his foot from his mouth, Akin said that he had “misspoken:”
"In reviewing my off-the-cuff remarks, it's clear that I misspoke in this interview and it does not reflect the deep empathy I hold for the thousands of women who are raped and abused every year."
Akin emerged earlier this month from a tough three-way primary in Missouri, where he rallied social conservatives behind his candidacy. Democrats actually spent during that primary to help Akin win (??) viewing the six-term congressman as a less formidable challenger in the general election. (Now I admit, I don't understand that at all – are they saying that they helped him win, because with him in opposin, McCaskill will totally mow him down?)
McCaskill, who was first elected in 2006, has become a top target for Republicans this fall, given President Barack Obama's unpopularity in the state and successive statewide victories for the GOP. (Of course they now get to eat those choices – since it's gotta be clear to the women that these are really vampires, and not the saviours they pretend to be).
In an effort to distance himself from Akin, and his ilk, Mitt Romney's campaign issued a statement disagreeing with Akin: "Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin’s statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape."
They've even asked him to step down, or find himself isolated at the upcoming RNC convention. While Akin has refused to do so, he is finding it a rather cold existence as more and more Rep-ugh-blicans distance themselves from him. Republicans need a net gain of FOUR seats this fall in order to take over the Senate in the next Congress, and Democrats must defend 23 - TWENTY-THREE seats this fall. (NOTE: WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO. WE HAVE BEEN HANDED A REAL BREAK, WE HAD BETTER NOT BLOW IT!!)
With the unexpected Republican retirements and races that have become more competitive than expected, we are in a good position to maintain a Democratic majority. But it will take each and every one of us over these next two and a half months, really working in concert to get it done.
However, back to my opening statement, you have to admit, acknowledge, and give thanks for this little miracle, and say “Thank you God,” (or whatever name by which you acknowledge him). We have to be ever on point when it comes to the preponderance of hostile, deviant, negative, and just plain lies that come forth during this upcoming campaign.
Make no mistake about it, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS THE BEST PRESIDENT THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD AND MUST BE RE-ELECTED FOR A SECOND TERM WITH A FULL MAJORITY TO BACK HIM IN ORDER TO RETURN AMERICA TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHO BUILT IT. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
It's 3:00 AM, and I'm going through my emails – something, being a night owl, I do routinely, in preparation for writing, or researching for my blog or a news article – when I see Bill Cosby's name in the subject line of an email. So, of course I zoom in on it because, anything about Cosby I'm going to read. He's one of my heroes.
What I read made me sad, then disappointed, and finally angry. It was an online response to an article that has been circulating the internet for quite some time entitled, “I'm Bill Cosby, I'm 83, and I'm Tired” (the original article said “I'm 76...”)
It opened with the rebuttal, which was so mean spirited, I had to read it twice to make sure I was comprehending what was being said. Given the wonderful body of work and contributions made to Black people in particular, and America in general by Bill Cosby, I am now, so angry, I could spit bullets. As with President Barack Obama, when it comes to The Cos, that's where I put my foot down. I cannot in clear consciousness just sit idly by while anyone down-talks Bill Cosby.
My response to the hostile diatribe I just read in reference to a man who has devoted his life to presenting positive images – on and off the screen – providing educational and philanthropic opportunities, and underwriting programs for Black people, has been censored by myself. There were some real choice words I wanted to say, but I'm taking the “high” ground. Just know, however, that calling Cos a “a-hole”, and the other hostile remarks show that there are some seriously ill people who definitely need to seek professional help, take a look at their own sorry internal workings. I'm not naming names, but you know who you are.
Dear _________________:
I am really upset about this negative piece you wrote on Bill Cosby. You're totally out of line!!
In the past, I've read other hostile comments directed at him, generally from those who are less well educated than yourself. They are the ones who think urban novels are literature, reality shows are real life; wearing sneakers is more important than buying books; and wearing blond hair is “a black thang.” They're the ones who say “you was”, “you is”, “I were” and think using four letter words as punctuation marks in a conversation is appropriate. They're the ones who think that Black families, where both the husband and wife work and have decent educations, and aren't on drugs, or sleeping with someone outside the family does not exist. Those are the people who get upset when the Cos tells them to discipline their children, and make sure they get an education.
So I am shocked and dismayed at the piece you penned, where you spew out hostilities unabated at one of the finest Black men (FBM) at any age. How dare you!
By now you know that Cosby did not write this piece. It was actually written by Robert A. Hall, a former Massachusetts State Senator. It's been verified by Snopes to be a hoax. Which makes your response even more appalling. But, that aside, whether he wrote the piece or not is not the question. What I'm very upset about are the statements you made - in red - in reference to Dr. Cosby. They were hostile, hurtful, heinous, and wholly unnecessary.
First of all, Cosby is a senior, an elder, and worthy of respect. He just celebrated his 84th birthday last month. He's still one of the most dynamic men in entertainment.
Secondly, Dr. William H. Cosby, PhD ED is a man of letters. He actually went back to college in the middle of his entertainment career, earned his PhD in EDUCATION (!!!) from the University of Massachusetts, at Amherst, just so he could put together original, relevant, educational and entertaining programs for our youth. By and large his programs are simultaneously uplifting and constructive. He wrote his doctoral thesis on the use of media to educate as well as entertain our youth – his example was the Fat Albert character. And he has succeeded immensely in that regard. My kids grew up watching Fat Albert and the Electric Company, in addition to The Cosby Show and It's a Different World.
Third, Cos has worked nearly all his life. As a youth he started out with menial jobs, prior to evolving into the mogul he currently is. Per Wikipedia: Having been born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, he worked before and after school, while attending school, and participating in varsity sports. The brother is no slouch when it comes to having a great work ethic: “In addition, Cosby was working before and after school, selling produce, shining shoes, and stocking shelves at a supermarket to help out the family. He transferred to Germantown High School, but failed the tenth grade. Instead of repeating, he got a job as an apprentice at a shoe repair shop, which he liked, but could not see himself doing the rest of his life. Subsequently, he joined the Navy...” He took that discipline and work ethic with him when he became involved in the television industry; but it started from his days as a youth. So, had he written that piece, he would be well within his rights to exhort youth to be mindful of the necessity of having a disciplined work ethic in order to succeed.
Fourth, Cos is a hands-on parent, like his wife Camille. Both were raised in homes where their parents were equally hands on. Those old fashioned values, which are not as prominent in today's fractionalized, disfunctional Black families, is what he is talking about when he asked mothers and fathers to take responsibility for their children's behavior, their education, their comportment, their peers during a commencement address. Some people claimed it was “politically incorrect.” I applauded the fact that he had the courage to say it. It needs to be said more often, by more people to more of these parents who think it's okay for their kids to act out in public. To those parents whose kids are not making the grade academically, but the parents are doing little to nothing to assist or encourage them.
President Barack Obama has also said as much when he stated, that he cannot personally come into each of your homes and make your children do their homework, or get to bed on time. That's the job of the parents themselves. Some of our Black parents are doing a poor job of raising their kids.
Cosby often has stated that parents could do better for their kids if they them bought books instead of $100+ sneakers. People who take exception to that are either stupid, or don't mean Black people any good. Our children will outgrow sneakers, but they'll never outgrow a good education; and they certainly will never outgrow the skill of reading.
Fifth, Cos wants to see Black people succeed, not just survive. Anyone who thinks that where we are currently as a people is okay, is not in touch with reality. We've made great progress, true, but we are still below grade across the board Educationally, economically, as a culture, as a race. We still have so much to do to not be low man on the totem pole. Our kids still kill each others over nothing. Our babies are still having babies. We are less likely to complete a high school education, let alone a four year college. We own/run few if any of our own businesses. Black women are more likely to remain single (not by choice) than women of other races. And we use the most foul language towards each other and our children in common conversation, than any other group of people.
Sixth: At 83 Cos could have retired and rested on his laurels; but he is so concerned about his people that he risks their derision in order to continues to sret an example of a Black icon who’s made it, and gives back to the Black community.
If you check Bill Cosby's website, you will see that he has denied writing it, and has instructed people to delete it if they receive such an email in his name. Of course, since people don't really read, it's continued to be sent around; and has updated it to his current age of 83. It's an attempt by Robert A. Hall, the actual author, to get Black people to stand up, take back their power, and stop making or utilizing ready made, patronizing excuses for the situation we are currently in.
That said, regardless of whether Cos wrote it or not, anyone who is not cognizant of his love and dedication to Black people, and the fact that 90% of his work is reflective of that great love, is truly not plugged in to this fabulous Icon.
There are, of course, those who think that because Cosby is a comedian, he should not have an opinion or concern about “poor, underprivileged, culturally deprived, victimized, we-can't-help-ourselves-Black people. It's not our fault that we're broke, poor, sick, or unhappy. It's all the white man's fault. And Cosby shouldn't be criticizing us, cause we don't have any power.“ The trick bag to that is, yes, whites by and large are responsible for racism, segregation, prejudice – true. Cosby is more than a comedian, he's an educator. His comedy is more on the level of edutainment. You learn something new each and every time you tune into his shows.
But the other side of that coin is that we are responsible for getting ourselves out! And we should be doing that by any means necessary. That does not entail using drugs, gang activity, killing each other; out of wedlock babies; men not shouldering their responsibility for their families; and lack of education. Our ancestors got their education by banding together in an each one teach one mode; they didn't wait for whites to provide it for them. They often made the ultimate sacrifice so we could have a better life. By any means necessary. We learned, started schools, learned more, started businesses; learned more educated our children; learned more began to rise out of the ghetto communities we were relegated to, or just improved the communities we resided in. But we progressed. This current generation is perhaps the only generation that has amassed more money than any other generation, but won't live long enough to enjoy it. It's a generation where the parents will actually outlive their children, and end up raising their grandchildren.
In addition to the obvious accomplishments – that of being the first African American in a drama on national TV, “I Spy” in the 60's, and later putting together an educational tour de force for children, via the “Electric Company,” and “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids,” and later “Little Bill” for the more contemporary youth, is disconnected. Cosby, in speaking of his choice of stand up comedy remarked that he had originally followed the genre of the comedians who thought it appropriate to use four letter words, and put downs as a part of their routine. He changed that however, after he had delivered a string of four letter invectives, which got major laughs, and looked up to see his mother in the balcony. At that point he decided – vowed – to never use profanity or put downs as the basis for his jokes. “If they're funny, they have to stand on their own merit, so every can relate to them.” And they've stood the test of time for over fifty years.
Since Cos did not write the piece, I'm not reprinting it in my Blog. Nor am I circulating the hostile piece that was written by an individual who should have known better. What I am doing, however, is saying the blogger owes Dr. William H. “Bill” Cosby, and the Black community, an apology for the hostile, vile, disrespectful things she wrote in reference to a man who's example has yet to be matched by others, in either the entertainment or the educational realm. They would do well to take several pages out of the Book of Cosby. And this time read for comprehension and meaning, and apply what you've learned.
When you do you will learn that Bill Cosby has underwritten more programs for Africans Americans - from education, to health, to home ownership - and he didn't have to. He did it because he wanted to, he could, and he loves his people.
Every year, in December, he does a special stand up comedy fundraiser at the Apollo Theatre for Harlem to a packed house!
No, he's not painting us with a broad brush. He used to live in the worst part of Philly; he has made it his business to help those schools, businesses and other programs. He has consistently tried to pave the way for more brothers and sisters to follow. But he is definitely for those who buck the negative system, and take a stand for themselves and their families. We are our own worse P.R. We will be the only group whose parents outlive their children.
The Cosby Show was designed to be an example of Black people who had struggled through the trials and tribulations, gotten their education despite their parent's financial challenges, and now were raising their own kids to do the same. Note they had 5 kids, not the American standard of 2. This was not just a situation comedy, this was real life utilizing the medium of comedy to provide examples that could be emulated. He left foot prints- a road map. Nearly all the references were Black, Afro Centric. He showed how to live in the context of a hostile meanstream society, and still be Black, proud, supportive and an exemplar for others. He gave life lessons in every show. He walked his talk.
I am currently residing in a part of Brooklyn where I see negativity all the time. It's right out there in front of my door. It's not a pleasant sight. It's overwhelmingly appalling when you hear a mother call her cute little 3-year old everything but a Child of God. There are times when I want to shake her, or take the kid and remove her from the family before she is permanently contaminated. If I tried to intervene, I would no doubt either be cursed out or attacked. This is not a pretty picture. Mind you, girlfriend has on the latest G-F attire, as does her daughter. Multiply that by tens of thousands. Frightening.
I think Cos is more hurt than anything else that Black people have not moved up in the manner that Dr. King, Malcolm and he himself had hoped they would. People died for Blacks to have better lives; and yet their concept of better lives turns out to be buying bling, louis vitton shoes, over priced sneakers, wearing their pants off their backsides, and using m-f after every sentence, and ni--er at the beginning.
(Couple that with the fact that on the Continent, Africans are committing fratricide at an alarming rate, and I do wonder whether there is some genetic issue that we are not fully cognizant of that causes us to turn on each other instead of to each other).
If Cos is justifiably angry and disappointed, it's because he sees something better for Black people, and they don't. When you read him, see him, listen to him, you really get it. I'm just as pissed off as he is. Sometimes I write about it. Unfortunately, though, the people who need to see it, read it, or hear it, are off somewhere getting high. Their kids are shooting each other, because the parents thought it was cute to teach them to do so at an early age. You might say that a large percentage of Black people are at a stage of arrested development - something akin to where whites were in the 1800's wild wild west; and the high crime era of the US during the prohibition era of the roaring twenties. Our kids are shooting each other at an alarming rate.
I think, given the genius potential we have as a people, Cos, as educator and parent, and a Black man, is justifiably angry. The saying, "a (Black) mind is a terrible thing to waste" is as true now as it ever was. It's almost as if a large portion of our people are hell bent on self destruction. And if any among them move towards elevation, they will be pulled back down into the barrel and eaten.
Personally, I love Bill and Camille Cosby. I love their minds, focus, dedication and their marriage. He is one of top ten Black men I would clone. President Obama, the Late Percy Sutton, my Dad, both my Grandads, my Uncle Adolf Dulan, my Brother Sylvester Dulan, Bernie Casey, Don King, Frederick Douglass are among some of the others..
I am not an advocate for stepping down to where the people are; the idea is for them to step up. Does that mean that I don't need to understand where they're coming from? No. I over understand the situation. I also understand that our youth today are more victims of my peers - their grandparents - who dropped the ball and stopped raising their children (their parents), once they thought they had made it in white society. These kids are victims of neglect of Black parents of the post-Black power era. These kids are their grand kids. Their parents were not given the discipline, education - they were taught that they had made it; that they didn't have to struggle; that the world owed them a living because of slavery (which was true, but the methodology was more self destructive than anything); when they became more involved with drugs and self hatred - and the rest is what we have today.
We went from being great kings and queens of Africa, to ni--ers and bitches and ho's. This is why Bill is upset. He's seen us do better, when we actually were working together, making a difference; making it work. And he sees us destroy our own progress.
There's a rap piece called "Self Destruction - We're Headed for Self-Destruction" which was a cooperative effort of various rap groups who were trying to get Blacks to wake up and get it together. That piece was short lived, and replaced by the most negative rap crap, to keep Blacks on the decline. Not to mention crack, crank, etc, and the prison, military, industrial complex - a new career track for whites to perpetuate the incarceration of Blacks.
Cos sees the impending destruction of Black people; his job is not to rage against whites, but to educate Blacks. Wake up call 101. When a kid goes to get a job and can't even put together a decent sentence, or complete the form; or present appropriate identification; and he's competing with an immigrant who speaks english better than he does, what do you do? You begin to teach him or her how to compete appropriately - not go on welfare. It may be whites who started this mess, but if we are to win, we have to develop a better arsenal to defeat it. Just blaming the evil is necessary, but not sufficient. We also have to be impervious to their crap. We have to be autonomous. That's where Bill is coming from.
We need many more Cosby's because we're running out of people like him, Rev. Al, Jesse, Harry and those who have bridged that abyss and tried to make it possible for us to synthesize this information into something that we can move forward with, and help our family be all they can be.
I could go on, but I think you get my drift. Right? Now that you know, what are you going to do?
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
An Obama A Day Keeps the Mitt-Twits Away:
Dear Friends, August 14, 2012:: Per my recent blog of the same title, this is day two of my mission to write something positive or constructive for or about President Barack Obama each day: This comes from brother Zach Husser, of New York. Dear Friends and Family - “Go All Out To Get YOUR Family and Friends to Vote for the re-election of President Barack Obama. In the mean time, get folks educated about what is really going down in front of their faces! Each of the informed must take twenty folk who just don't know and educate them as well as take them to the Polls to Vote for President Barack Obama. However, YOU can't Vote without the proper ID and We need to make sure All of Our People have picture ID with a home address that is the same as the address at the Election Headquarters of their city, town, county, etc. This is the most important thing We can do for Our Black Legacy right now!! Get the Correct ID, be educated about your best interest, and Vote!!! In the Interest of Taking Our Country Back - Brother Zach Husser, Sr.”
If you have families in any of the red or battle ground states, reach out to them and make sure they've gotten their credentials in order. They are particularly being targeted for disenfranchisement by the rep-ugh-blicans. Don't assume things are going to turn out all right; make a call, pay a visit, walk them through. Roll out the door each day with blank voter registration forms just in case you come across anyone who has net registered. Let them fill it out, give it back to you and then you personally mail it or drop it off to the board of elections . North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi – and so on – are states where we have to make a concerted effort to reach out to Blacks who have essentially been jimcrowed out of their rights. In fact, if there was a way to do it, it would be great to take busloads of Obama supporters into these areas to personally help these people register to vote. There's still time. President Obama needs our help, and we need him. Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
HARLEM WEEK 2012: For anybody who does not live on the planet earth, let met just tell you that New York City is the most exciting place to be right about now. We never do anything small. And that is patently clear when it comes to HARLEM WEEK. Now nearing its 40th year, I can remember when it started out as Harlem Day. Now our week is a little over a month. It was clear from that beginning that we had waaaaay much to celebrate to encompass it in a mere week. So, while we still call it Harlem Week, it really is Harlem month - and by extrapolation, Harlem Year.
Every year Lloyd Williams, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, and the various community groups, along with an ever expanding group of sponsors, puts together an astounding tour de force so that the impact and importance of Harlem and its denizens in indelibly imprinted on the minds of the residents, participants, tourists, and onlookers.
So get out and get into the flow that is Harlem, and prepare to be amazed.
Before we start with the calendar, here's a blurb about the people behind the events: "About HARLEM WEEK, Inc. HARLEM WEEK, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that fosters continued growth and development of Harlem, one of the world’s best-known neighborhoods. HARLEM WEEK, Inc. highlights Harlem’s assets and unique flavor. Now in its 38th year, HARLEM WEEK continues to promote Harlem’s rich African American, Hispanic, Caribbean and European history, culture, arts, religion, entertainment and sports."
2012 Events - Complete HARLEM WEEK Calendar of Events
Saturday, July 28 & Sunday, July 29 A Magical Weekend in Harlem
30th Annual Festival Santiago Apostol de Loiza a El Barrio El Barrio’s children decorate “vegigante” masks; Afro Puerto Rican foods and musicians take to the streets in this cultural celebration. East Harlem – E. 104th St. Time: 11 AM – 9 PM Location: E. 104th Street – between Lexington and Park Avenue Admission: Free
“A Great Day in Harlem” “Sunday Classics”
With an expected attendance of 40,000, “A Great Day in Harlem” is a day long family-oriented event. Participants can enjoy an Outdoor Festival, Picnic, Fashion Show and Concerts, saluting Gospel, Dance, Theater, Latin, Rhythm & Blues and Jazz. There will also be arts & crafts, food from around the world, vendors, exhibitions, corporate exhibits, career recruitment and much more! Check out all of the “Great Day in Harlem” events below:
International Cultural Showcase Featuring Millenium Dance Company, National Dance Institute and The African Chorus Ensemble. Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Location: U.S. Grant National Memorial Park – W. 122nd Street and Riverside Drive Admission: Free
International Gospel Showcase Time: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: U.S. Grant National Memorial Park – W. 122nd Street and Riverside Drive Admission: Free
Fashion Fusion Showcase Featuring cutting edge fashion from designers of color. Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Location: U.S. Grant National Memorial Park – W. 122nd Street and Riverside Drive Admission: Free
“A Concert Under the Stars” A salute to international Music Legends, with special tribute to Hal Jackson Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm Location: U.S. Grant National Memorial Park – W. 122nd Street and Riverside Drive Admission: Free
Wednesday, August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 APOLLO Theater Salutes HARLEM WEEK During Amateur Night, each week will feature a special Harlem act. Sweet Charity (8/1), The Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem (8/8), The Boys and Girls Choir (8/15), Alyson Williams (8/22). Harlem residents can experience these Amateur Nights at the Apollo on Wednesdays in August for half-price. You must present a valid photo ID and proof of residence when purchasing tickets at the Apollo Box Office. A limit of two half-price tickets per show. Time: 7:30 pm Location: The Apollo Theater – 253 W. 125th Street Admission: $19.00 and up
Friday, August 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 UPTOWN FRIDAYS! Every Friday in August, explore current exhibitions with free guided tours and dance to great music at the Studio Museum.
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Location: Studio Museum – 144 W. 125th Street Admission: Free For more information, visit: www.studiomuseum.org.
Wednesday, August 1 thru Thursday, August 16 Entertainers Basketball Classic Experience one of the most prestigious summer basketball competitions at Holcombe Rucker Park! Time: 6:00 pm Location: Holcombe Rucker Park – 155th Street & Frederick Douglas Boulevard Admission: Free
Wednesdays , August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd JAZZMOBILE Featuring Ray Mantilla (8/1), Cynthia Scott (8/5), Frank Wess (8/15) and Jimmy Owens (8/22) Time: 7 PM Location: U.S. Grant National Memorial Park, W. 122nd St.and Riverside Dr Admission: Free For more info: www.jazzmobile.org – 212-866-4900
Thursday, August 2, 9, 16 & 30 HARLEM SUMMER STAGE Persuaders Review & The Alyson Williams Experience(8/2), The Mighty Sparrow (8/9) Hezekiah Walker’s Gospel Explosion (8/23) and more. On the 8/16, The National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame (NBS&EHF) joins with Harlem Summer Stage to present its annual Living Legends Tribute Time: 5:00 pm Location: A.C. Powell Jr. State Office Plaza – 125th Street & A.C. Powell Boulevard Admission: Free For additional information, visit: www.harlemsummerstage.net.
Saturday, August 4 Dance Theatre of Harlem Family Street Festival Outdoor festival featuring performance showcases, arts & crafts, vendors, food and entertainment. Time: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm Location: W. 152nd Street from Amsterdam Ave to St. Nicholas Avenue Admission: Free For additional information, visit: www.dancetheaterofharlem.org.
Sunday, August 5, 12, 19 & 26 Kids & Family Programs @ Studio Museum Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Location: Studio Museum – 144 W. 125th Street Admission: Free For more information, visit: www.studiomuseum.org.
Tuesday, August 7 NY City Senior Citizens Day Members of the Senior Citizens community can enjoy a farmers market, senior expo as well as the Elder’s Jubilee Awards Luncheon. Time: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm Location: A.C. Powell, Jr. State Office Building – 125th Street & A.C. Powell, Jr. Boulevard Admission: Free
Thursday, August 9 NYC Economic Development Day 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM International Business & Health Conferences 10 AM – 3 PM Indoor Business & Professional Services Expo 10 AM – 2 PM Career & Jobs Fair 10 AM – 5 PM Outdoor Farmer’s Market 12 Noon – 2 PM Annual Business Award Luncheon Location: Columbia University, Albert Lehrner Hall, 115th Strert & Broadway Admission: Registration required
Thursday, August 9 through Sunday, August 12 Golden Hoops @ Rucker Park “Each One Teach One” Showcases the finest boys and girls high school athletes in the NY region Time: 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm Location: Holcombe Rucker Park – 155th Street & Frederick Douglas Boulevard Admission: Free
Wednesday, August 15th Jobs & Careers Fair in East Harlem Sponsored by Assemblyman Keith L.T. WrightIn concert with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and SCAN our communities combat unemployment, by connecting job seekers with potential public and private sector employers. Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Location: 1839 Lexington Avenue @ E. 113th St. Contact: cmccadden70thad@gmail.com – 212-866-5809 Admission: Free
Thursday, August 16 thru Sunday, August 19 HARLEM WEEK Tri-State Jr. Tennis Classic Held in concert with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the U. S. Open and HARLEM WEEK, this four-day competition for youth throughout the tri-state region. Presented by the Harlem Junior Tennis Program Les Halles Cup, showcases the best tennis male and female players ages 12 through 18. Time: 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm Location: Aug. 16 & 17 – Fred Johnson Tennis Courts – W. 150th Street & A.C. Powell, Jr. Boulevard Aug. 18 & 19 - Special Tennis Exhibitions & Championships at Howard Bennett Playground W. 135th St. (bet. 5th Ave. & Malcolm X Blvd.) Admission: Free
Saturday, August 18 “Summer in the City” Saluting Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary with a Musical Tribute to Bob Marley Part I • 12 NOON – 5 PM NY City “Children’s Festival”(Day I) Featuring exhibits, games, arts & crafts, live music, dance, free health testing, exhibits, and sports clinics. W.135th St. (bet. – Malcolm X & A.C. Powell Jr. Blvds.)
12 Noon – 2PM ESPN RADIO 98.7 FM Featuring a special live broadcast of the Steven A. Smith Show at Lenox Terrace Cove on W. 135th St. (bet. 5th Ave. & Malcolm X Blvd.)
Part II • 11 AM – 3 PM Harlem Honeys and Bears Senior Citizens Swimming Demonstrations For the whole family – Hansborough Recreation Center W. 135th St. (bet. Malcolm X Blvd. & Fifth Ave.)
Part III • 12 NOON – 5 PM Historic Black College Fair & Expo Over 50 historic Black colleges, Universities and public, private, city and state colleges and universities, will distribute information on admissions, scholarships and financial aid. W.135th St. (bet. Malcolm X & A.C. Powell Jr. Blvds.)
Part IV • 12 NOON – 2 PM Everyone will be “Dancing In the Street” Saluting Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary Hosted by Dahved Levy from W. 135th St. (bet. F. Douglass Blvd. & St. Nicholas Ave.)
Part V • 2 PM – 3 PM The Fabulous Fashion Flava Show Featuring the best in Urban Fashions
Part VI • 3 PM to 5 PM “Uptown Saturday Nite” Salutes to International Jamaican Musical Icons Harry Belafonte & Bob Marley
Part VII • 12 NOON – 5 PM International Vendors Village Featuring Arts & Crafts, Music, Clothing, Jewelry, Hats, Sculptures, Foods, Job Recruitment, Product Sampling, and Corporate Exhibits W.135th St.
Part VIII • 7PM -10PM HARLEM WEEK 2012 Outdoor Film Festival In Concert With Imagenation The Featured Film: “Marley” - The definitive life story Bob Marley, musician, revolutionary, and legend. On The Great Lawn of St. Nicholas Park W. 135th St. & St. Nicholas Ave. www.imagenation.us – 212-694-2887
Saturday • August 18th • 4 PM – 7 PM Jazzmobile presents “Great Jazz on the Great Hill” Free outdoor Jazz concert on the Great Hill of Central Park presenting a multi-generational celebration of Big Band Jazz and Swing Dancing. Featuring Wycliffe Gordon, Alyson Williams, Steve Kroon and Brianna Thomas Central Park West Side from 103rd to 107th Sts. www.jazzmobile.org – 212-866-4900
Sunday, August 19 HARLEM DAY THEME: “HARLEM: Where The World Meets The World” Saluting South Africa and Japan with Tributes to Nelson Mandela, Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and the Music of Japan
Site I W. 135th St. (bet. 5th Ave. & Malcolm X Blvd.) 10 AM – 4 PM • Upper Manhattan Auto Show
12 Noon – 6 PM • The NY City Health Village Health testing, education and information • Upper Manhattan Small Business Expo & Fair
• HARLEM WEEK /USTA Tri-State Junior Tennis Clinics At Howard Bennett Playground
• 5th Avenue Stage • 1PM – 7 PM salutes to South African Music Legends • International Vending & Exhibits
Site II • 12 NOON – 7 PM W.135th St. (bet. Malcolm X & A.C. Powell Jr. Blvds.) • NY City “Children’s Festival” (Day 2) Theme: “Back to School”
• On the YMCA Stage 12 NOON to 6 PM - Dance, Jazz, Spoken Word, Hip-Hop, R&B
- “Dress for Success” - A “Back to School” Children’s Fashion Show
Site III • 1 PM – 7 PM St. Nicholas Main Stage W. 135th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. featuring Tributes to “Soul Train” & Don Cornelius
Site IV • 12 NOON to 7 PM International Exhibitors & Vendors Village
Saturday, August 25 PES Harlem 5K Run/Family Health Walk Thousands of participants from all over NYC, the tri-state region, nationally and internationally participate in the Annual Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run/NYC Family Health Walk-A-Thon through Historic Harlem. The day also features numerous exhibits from HARLEM WEEK sponsors and international food tastings. Event Registration: 6:00 am/ Run Start Time: 8:30 am / Walk Start Time: 9:30 am Location: 135th Street & St. Nicholas Ave Admission: Free to register call (212) 423-2286
The Charlie Parker Jazz Festival Featuring Toots Thielmans, James Carter, Tia Fuller, Cecile McLorin Salvant Time: 3:00 pm Location: Marcus Garvey Park – The Richard Rodgers Amphitheater – 123rd & Mt. Morris Park West Admission: Free For additional information, visit: www.harlemsummerstage.org.
HARLEM WEEK Outdoor Film Festival in Concert with ImageNation Featured Film: ”Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony” Featuring Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Abdullah, Vusi Mahlsela and others. Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Location: The Great Lawn of St. Nicholas Park – W. 135th Street & St. Nicholas Avenue Admission: Free
And while you're strolling around, make sure you stop in at Sylvia's Queen of Soul Food Restaurant to pay your condolences to the family upon the death of Sylvia; and to give your congratulations to the family for 50 years of consistent and continued quality service and food for the community.
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Obama A Day: Message: In the interest of "AN OBAMA A DAY KEEPS THE MITT-TWITS AWAY" here's my contribution: The next time you watch a Chevy commercial about how great they're progressing; at the point where Chevy starts talking about how great they're doing, say silently (or out loud) THANK YOU PRESIDENT OBAMA for not letting them shut down the entire automobile industry. The next time you're tooling down the turnpike and see the highway under construction, say THANK YOU PRESIDENT OBAMA for jobs and the funds to keep people employed.
That's it in a nutshell. Harlem Week is on and popping. If you missed the first part, you've still got time to make it up by making it to the rest of the events. While you're out there, stop by Sylvia's Queen of Soul Food Restaurant and give your condolences and pay your respect to the family for 50 years of continued excellent food and service to the Harlem Community.
And remember to bring your walking shoes, your camera and your dancing shoes - we do the Electric Slide and the Wobble up here. Be prepared!
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
And in the interest of "An Obama A Day Keeps the Mitt-twits Away,": remember, the next time you commercial about any domestic car - Chevy, Ford, Chrysler, etc., just remember that 4 years ago the American automotive industry was in the toilet as a result of the major economic downturn; be sure and say THANK YOU PRESIDENT OBAMA for saving the industry from disaster. And for my brothers and sisters in the Motor City of Detroit, make sure you give President Obama a Double THANK YOU for saving your jobs. Stay Blessed - GDW
I've been rolling this concept around in my mind, and I've come to the conclusion that it's better to be a pro-actionary than a re-actionary.
As a writer, journalist, Eclectically Black woman, Blogger, mother, grandmother and US citizen, it is my duty and responsibility to keep the stupids from inundating us with their propagandistic BS. So, starting to day, I am writing something positive every day – and twice on Sunday – about President Barack Obama, his family the people who work with him; as well as all the wonderful valiant work they are doing to pull America out of the sink hole the Rep-ugh-blicans put us in.
If we Bloggers, writers, journalists would each write something positive about the President, it would go a long way in thwarting the crap that the Koch's, Bushes, Mitt-Twits, the Supreme Court, multimillionaire corporations - so-called super pacs (who have now been declared individuals) try to level against him, in a vain attempt to keep him from being re-elected, and complete the work he set out to do.
It's not that difficult; actually, it's a pleasure. At least it is for me. It's kind of like putting together a “brag book,” where you're bragging on all the great accomplishments Obama has achieved thus far.
It's a no-brainer, really. He's consistently given us so many examples of what a great president he is. Even if we all write the same thing, or if we repeat ourselves, it is no problem, because in that way we are accentuating the positive, reinforcing it, burning it into the psyche of people who don't have access to the truth, or who are either too lazy, confused or nonchalant to do the heaving lifting and research themselves.
Mind you this doesn't have to be a super long piece or a documentary – though that would also be acceptable. I know we're in the age of sound bytes and 800 word articles; but have you noticed that the New York Times still goes into great detail to make their point? And they're still the most widely read publication in the world. If it takes that long to educate the masses, do what you gotta do to get the point across.
Or, it could, likewise, be as simple as a quote, or as elaborate as a video of the President engaged in something. It could be a list of his accomplishments to date; BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE HIM A PART OF EVERYTHING WE WRITE GOING FORWARD – not just up to election day, but election and beyond.
A photo of the President and/or the First Lady, or Vice President Biden, and a caption or quote underneath will also be great. Then make sure you send it out to your fan base, tell them to upload it on FaceBook, Twitter, etc., as well as Mocha, BET, and all the social media, Black, White, Asian, etc., that exists. Make it viral.
The multi-billionaires who mean us no good are trying to buy this election out from under the people of the US. Let's cut them off at the pass!! This is community guerilla warfare. And the guerilla's always win because they think outside of the box.
Everytime someone reports that Obama is being outraised in funding sources, remember the Supreme Court has given corporations human status, and carte blanche to underwrite and undermine our President. It is our job to remind America that our votes are not for sale, and that DOLLARS DO NOT VOTE, PEOPLE DO!!!
This is no time for side line, or idle observations; this is no time for regurgitating the swill that generally comes from meanstream media. This is the time for us to use our highest and best sources, coupled with the fact that, rather than so-called objectivity, you have a stake in the outcome as much as the readers you write for; because you're not just a journalist, you are also an American citizen. You owe it to yourself to take a little enlightened self interest and be more than a reporter – be a supporter. A support of the truth that BARACK OBAMA is the best President this country has had in more nearly 150 years.
So, consider this DAY ONE of my OBAMA-A-DAY KEEPS THE MITT-TWITS AWAY, and keeps us informed and free. Let's make it a contest: The Blogger, writer, or journalist who can log in the highest number of positive content about President Barack Obama (including his wife, children and cabinet) will win a prize. Starting Monday, August 13, 2012, and ending midnight the day after the Presidential Election. All quotes, photos, articles, etc. have to be dated and time stamped for verification. We will have an independent jury do the tally. There will be a first, second and third prize. If you're in, let me know. We are the most brilliant people on the planet. Let's make it happen AGAIN!!!
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson gloriadulanwilson@gmail.com
Check out Diva Bobbi Humphrey – First Lady of the Flute In Concert at the Red Rooster Saturday, August 11, 2012 at "GINNY'S SUPPER CLUB@RED ROOSTER HARLEM.
Showtimes 8:00 & 10:30 p.m. 310 Malcolm X Boulevard (a/k/a Lenox Ave.) at 126th) Music charge $25.00 Come and hear the music of the legendary composer of HARLEM RIVER DRIVE and other great tunes
Come celebrate Harlem's own "Pied Piper for the People"! Forty years of Jazz! Harlem style!
For reservations and info. 212 421 3821 www.ginnyssupperclub.com
"HARLEM RIVER DRIVE LIVE"!
Bobbi Humphrey has been playing flute music since the seventies! Forty years as a performer - can you believe it? Especially when she doesn't look a day over 40 herself, meaning she must have started when she was very, very young. The Diva of Music,Imagery, and Words and All Things Creative.
Having developed her "PARADISE SOUNDS RECORDS", Bobbi is being discovered by a whole new generation of listeners, not to mention an international following that continues to grow and expand. Stating, enthusiastically: "Who knew technology would bring the true freedom song and bridge to globally connect creators and consumers of Music, giving the artist equity in his (her) creations. Feel the music, feel the love. I am so excited. From my days at Texas Southern University and S.M.U. in my hometown of Dallas, my dream was to play my flute.
"After meeting Dizzy Gillespie, and moving to NYC; recording with Lee Morgan and Stevie Wonder{"Songs in The Key Of Life"), my dreams came true - recording and performing in many countries. But somehow, I feel a more authenic, boundless, and fearless chapter in my Life is being born. Freedom is such an easy and enjoyable travel buddy. I believe through the power of Music, we can explore the power of pure possibilities. Let's enjoy the ride together!"
It's no question that Bobbi Humphrey is a living legend, one that needs no introduction - but now it's time for celebration, as Bobbi Humphrey launches her 40th year anniversary as the world's premiere flautist.
See you Saturday, August 11, at Ginny's Supper Club at the Red Rooster.
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
I wonder if Marva Allen knew that she was the part of a growing trend when she announced that she was closing HueMan Book Store back in July of this year?
Activist and author, Dorothy Pitman-Hughes certainly nailed it with her recently completed book, “I'm Just Saying, It Looks Like Ethnic Cleansing,” when she pointed out the concerted effort on the part of the so-called powers-that-be to thwart the development and ownership of Black businesses in Harlem; and the rising tide of gentrification.
Everybody knows that Harlem is the target of gentrification! That Black people are being systematically pushed out of the community by so-called high end developers. The passengers on the M102 Bus, the M7, the M101, the A-Train, the D-Train, the F-Train, and on the sidewalks of Harlem certainly nail it every day when they complain about how expensive apartments are; how they are being pushed out of their communities, how the mayor does not care; how New York City is being set up for the rich only.
Interesting, isn't it that everybody pretty much knows what's happening; nobody (at least Black people) likes what's happening, but so far no one has stepped up to do anything about it.
Isn't is interesting, as well, that the New York Daily News recently penned an article about the huge numbers of businesses being pushed out of Harlem due to inordinate rent increases. And, as if to validate that, Barbara Askins of Harlem's BID's, states that the rents, which have gone up from $50 to $75 per square foot, may possibly go up to $175 per square foot by the end of the year.
It's as if they are co-signing pushing Black businesses out of Harlem, as opposed to doing their job of helping them stay in business and stay in the community. Likewise, the penchant of Harlem residents to merely discuss and complain about the pushing out of businesses, as opposed to demanding that their elected officials do something to stem the tide of this latest onslaught, means they too are co-signing their own demise.
Absent any activism on the part of the residents; the lack of local leadership and the lack of cohesive, concerted efforts on the part of Harlemites (those who claim to love Harlem and continued to live there over the years), implies that they have pretty much accepted this demise as a self fulfilling prophecy.
When I met recently with an Harlem elected official about saving HueMan Books from closing, his response was that "it was not a non-profit organization, therefore they could do nothing." Really??? It's the first I've ever heard of that little edict. While other elected officials in other areas are actively working alongside their local businesses to keep them viable and in the community. Now, suddenly, in the Black community, our businesses have to be “non-profit” before they can help them. Perhaps they need to take a tour of Kingston Ave., in Brooklyn, or Williamsburg, or Eastern Parkway; or take a walk around the many areas where there are East Indian businesses thriving, and ask them about the involvement of their elected officials in their expansion. That insipid statement boggles the mind.
I hope I'm either scaring the be-jeebers out of you, HARLEM, or you feel guilty for not having taken a stand; or you're motivated to come together with your neighbors and friends to begin to stop the evisceration of Harlem before Black people become nothing more than a memorial plaque in the middle of 125th street, stating “this is where Black people used to live”, before it turned completely white.
It kind of obviates the myth of Harlem being the mecca for Black people, if the citizens of the Mecca themselves are doing nothing to keep it in tact and progress at the same time.
The August 1 edition of the Daily News listed several business that are currently closing, or have closed already in Harlem. There are probably many others that are flying low under the radar that we are also losing. But this the roll call thus far:
Executive Fashions Photo/Optical Shop Harlem Lanes (Bowling Alley) Hue Man Book Stores MoBay's Uptown Restaurants Delancey Leather Center Nails Uptown Flava McDonalds 215 W. 125 Dr. Jays Eden Furniture Store Olympic Tower Christmas Store King Party
Not mentioned in the article: The Seville Lounge Record Shack (Shikulu Sange) St. Nicholas Pub (147th St.) Lenox Lounge (under threat)
Look around and see how many of the original businesses remain in Harlem. Look across Harlem's main thoroughfare – i.e. 125th Street - and see how many Black owned businesses are there. How many are there remaining along Adam Clayton Powell, Malcolm X, Frederick Douglass, St.Nicholas, Madison, Fifth Avenues, Amsterdam Avenue, Broadway and see how many Black owned businesses are there.
Rather embarrassing when you think of how many there were. And if you take any notice of the recent primary election, where we nearly lost Congressman Rangel in a very close election, you might also want to think about what's happening overall with the Black residents of Harlem, who have likewise been forced to move out of the community, thus reducing the votes he would ordinarily have received.
It's more than just the fact that, as one realtor stated, “the businesses might not have paid the rent”, it's more like the rents are being jacked up so high, they can no longer afford to pay the exorbitant rates, do business and turn a decent profit. They are being deliberately forced out of business.
Now is the time for me to shout: WAKE UP HARLEM!! YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE DRIVEN INTO EXTINCTION!!! But what good would it do? You already know this.
When you have elected officials who have no compunction of giving half of your neighborhood to Columbia University for some sort of genetics lab, and you re-elect them anyway, it simply means that you either don't care, or you're ignorant, or you are not the Harlemites you claim to be.
When the so-called institutions that are set to preserve and expand your community are rendered powerless either through sell outs or attrition, it means you are either dead from the neck up, or you aren't the Harlemites you claim to be.
Other businesses – Chinese, East Indian, West Indian, African, Jews, Japanese, and communities, have gone above and beyond to maintain their cultural and community imperatives. They are not relying on the powers that be to do for them, what they have to do for themselves. They come here ready to roll up their sleeves and meet the challenges of making it in America. So far, however, it seems that African Americans in general, Harlemites in particular, have not the wherewithal to do the same.
As Malcolm X said, we appear to be prepared to “suffer peacefully”, we've been novacained into silence. While we're keeping up with the Kardashians, watching the Real Housewives of Atlanta and Jersey and the NBA, and so on, the real world around us is being stolen right out from under us.
As MoBay owner, Sherone Chin-Barnes stated, emphatically, “I don't understand what is going on with Black people. We tried to do everything possible to be of service to the community. But when it comes to supporting each other, 'we don't like we; we don't love we!'”
It's an old theme that's been bandied around for decades, Black people don't like each other; don't trust each other, don't work together. (again, per Sherone: "you cannot take a donkey and make it into a stallion," well, at least not without its' cooperation). Hence, we're easy pickings when it comes to being pushed around by the so-called powers that be. We are the ones who are least likely to come together and put a stop to gentrification. We talk about it, we complain about it, but we do nothing to stop it.
In fact, one owner who has recently closed their doors, was afraid to make a statement to the effect that they were a victim of gentrification for fear that it might alienate some of her funders. Mores the pity. It might have made a critical difference in bringing to bear the assistance that would have helped them maintain their company.
Where is our Blackbone Harlem? Where is the Blackbone for people in general. It's, of course, not just Harlem that's being bulldozed into oblivion, it's happening other Black communities across the US.
Unlike Sylvia's Queen of Soulfood Restaurant, a mainstay in Harlem for more than 50 years now, where Sylvia (and the Woods family) actually owns the building in which her world famous venue is housed, most businesses are the victims of bad advice. In their penchant to cut a deal, they opt for a 10 year lease instead of negotiating for 20 years. When, to their amazement, they actually succeed and build up a successful business in Harlem, the 10 years is up, and it's time to renew their lease, they are hammered with increases that effectively cannabilize their profits, thus forcing them to close their doors because they cannot sustain the lease and the business at the same time. Some how or other it never occurs to them to bring in a co-venture to allay some of the expenses, and keep the business going. Nor doe it occur to them that they probably should have bought the building a long time ago, rather than to have continued to lease. Somehow or other in Manhattan, at least, Blacks don't seem to think they are supposed to own anything. What's up with that?
It appears that most businesses only last as long as their lease agreements, which are usually 10 years in length. It starts out reasonably enough, and the business owner usually does quite well during that period. However, the renewal of the lease becomes such a jolt, usually increasing between 30 to 40%. While the business do quite well at the initial agreed upon lease, when the amount suddenly jumps to between $30,000 and $70,000 per month – IN HARLEM!!! - it is clear that they are being gouged out of the community. The rates are not rates that most Black businesses can afford.
The Empowerment Zone, the BID, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Assembly representatives, City Council reps, community based organizations, even our Congressional representatives, are only as effective as we require them to be. Even the mayor has to step off if we really put our feet down, collectively.
So it's time for a major paradigm shift; and it has to start with us. We have to claim our community for ourselves. We have to stop paying others to do our doing for us. We really do have the financial wherewithal to own Harlem. That was proven by Kermit Eady when the Black United Fund was able to raise money through automated payroll deductions, and renovate over 400 units in the community, while others were making excuses, or ignoring us altogether.
Therefore what I propose is the first ever Gentrify It Yourself Program for Harlem, where we gentrify our own communities, rather than letting outsiders come in and do the improvements, push us out and reap the benefits.
We can do as good a job as the outsiders in upgrading our communities – actually better! This is the 21st Century. We're not just off the plantation any more. We are educated. We have computers and the internet. By now we should have enough creativity, skill, savvy and vision to take those areas that have become run down, and using a combination of consolidated funds and investments, grants, skills, and on the job training - where we train and hire our own BLACK out of work residents and youth, transform our community into a neighborhood reflective of our heritage, culture and – yes – sophistication.
Like the Jews, East Indians and other cultures, only hire contractors and architects who look like you. But tie their feet to the fire in terms of quality work. The ousted businesses can form tenancies in common, co-purchase abandoned properties and develop a design concept that makes it possible for a restaurant to co-exist with a nail salon, and a men's haberdashery – or something like that. We can start new corridors of profitability, so that 125th street or Malcolm X Blvd are not the only areas thriving with new businesses.
Take a walk along Canal Street, and you find countless numbers of Chinese merchants who share spaces with each other, so that each business is interdependent. You have jewelry next to purses, next to suitcases, next to electronics – and they probably don't pay more than $1000.00 per month each for their share of space
It's time to think outside the coffin (er, uh, box) Harlem (and Brooklyn, Oklahoma, Kansas, California, DC) – before you're gentrified and eminent domained off the planet.
It's time to GENTRIFY OUR OWN COMMUNITIES. We need to come up with our own “Do-It-Yourself Gentrification” protocol. Businesses can co-venture in purchasing vacant buildings, so the burden of expenses are shared across the board; with each business taking a floor, or a “stall”, and cooperate in the renovation of the properties to suit the needs of their businesses. (Ooops! I said the “s” word. I know that one of our biggest issues is “sharing”. That has to be a latter day mental illness for Black people. We certainly could not have made it Black in the Day without Sharing; but somehow, it's fallen out of favor. Well, time to pick that quality back up, dust it off, and begin using it again.)
We need to look at our dilapidated communities with the same critical eye an investor would, when deciding what to do to “upgrade” the neighborhood, and do the upgrades ourselves; but instead of pushing the people out, let's enlist their assistance, and have their sweat equity become part of their remaining in their improved homes.
If you as a business owner can afford to pay $6,000 to $10,000 per month to lease a property; you and other business owners can take those same funds and use it to service a mortgage on a property you co-own as tenancies in common. You then can co-manage the property or hire your own (BLACK) property manager to run it while you run your business.
Do the math: If you're paying $6,000 per month lease for a space: $6,000 x 12 = 72,000 per annum x 10 years or 120 months = $720,000 x 6 (businesses) = $4,320,000 which is actually three + times the cost of a mortgage to purchase a building in Harlem. So for a third of that amount $1,440,000 – using the tenancy in common principle, Black businesses can purchase and operate in their own buildings, rather than paying out to an entity that will kick them out in 10 years. (and please don't let the realtors tell you that with a tenancy in common people can cross your property without your permission. There are legal docs drawn up to detail those rights – it's another smoke screen used to keep us misinformed and uninformed, and ignorant. Wake up and smell the sulphur, folks!)
A practical example of this paradigm shift would be as follows: a restaurant, nail salon, clothing store, boutique could co-venture in the purchase of a property. Likewise a hardware store could co venture with a furniture store and decorators salon. These are being done in other communities with great success.
In reference to the residential side of the gentrification coin, Black New Yorkers need to stop paying rent to these rapacious landlords and parlay those funds together to co-purchase buildings before they're all gone. And, quiet as it's kept, there are several in Harlem that have not sold, that are sitting vacant and abandoned, while the whites are waiting for someone else -white – to come into your Black community and buy it.
There is a New York State Law entitled Project Reclaim that makes it illegal for properties to sit abandoned in the communities, while the owners who have failed to sell leisurely take their time about the disposition of these properties. The problem with the law is that no one is making our elected officials enforce it. It was introduced into the New York State Assembly by then assembly member Hakeem Jeffries, and was passed while David Paterson was still governor. Now we need to make them put some teeth into it.
Take a visit to a community in DC, called the Adams-Morgan area, where Brownstones have been converted into mixed use properties – with commercial businesses on the ground floor and basement level, and residential living on the upper level. The street is well kept, the area is popular, the people are thriving, and the neighborhood is intact. It reflects the culture and ingenuity of the people who reside there. Can we do any less? Obviously we can, or the gentrifiers would not be pushing us out. Do we need to do more? Absolutely!
Like Walt Disney, we need to look at blight as an opportunity to do something new, different, and spectacular, but this time we are doing it together and for ourselves. (sorry if you don't like the Disney example – but anytime a man can take a line drawing, make it walk, talk, color it, and build an entire empire from it in areas other people would never have ever considered, to me he is a genius, and someone to learn from. Are there other geniuses? Of course: Marcus Garvey springs to mind; but Disney is more graphic).
We can set up special on-the-job training program so that the contractors, architects, laborers, and occupants are 100% African American, the way our latino brothers and sisters have done in the Washington Heights area.
We have to stop talking about why we can't do it, and start putting together the means by which it is done. And, it's not always just about the money. Sometimes it's about the heart, the spirit. Where is our vision?
We can enlist our churches, our educational centers, our locally based organizations, and the community itself to get together on this Do Your Own Gentrification project. From the inside out, not the outside in.
And if the so-called representatives we currently have are not on board with this, it's then time to get representatives who are, who will stand up for Harlem in the City Council, who are not bribable, and who will go down with us rather than roll over on us to curry favor from others. We need the get our Blackbone back. The Blackbone that made Harlem famous and viable in the first place.
Let's put together Block to Block contests for Harlemites to participate in for improving their community for themselves. Let's find the realtors who are not just out to make a fast buck on a commission, who will give us the inside scoop on the properties that are available for co-venture, so that we are no longer on the late show.
Someone commented recently that New York is just about the money. That's only partially true. There would be absolutely no money without the New Yorkers who live here. The lifestyles of the rich and ridiculous may play well on TV, but as the economic downturn of 2008 has proven, chances go round all over the place. And the ones who remain are those with heart. That's us - Harlem! So don't let them have another chance to subjugate you to marginal living.
We, who have survived hundreds of years of oppression and marginalization can no longer afford to be on the tail end of the situation. We have to begin to head up our own self-salvation – from our communities, to our schools, to our investments and institutions. It's now or forget about it!
So instead of the Farewell to Harlem epitaph, let's come up with a re-imagined Harlem that we Gentrified ourselves, from our own vision, sweat equity, investments, and actions.
We can do it! The question is, will we?
(PS: FYI: My credentials: In addition to being a blogger, I am also a realtor, appraiser, notary public, former executive director of an affordable housing program in Brooklyn, and former Housing Coordinator for the City of Jersey City - these are not just opinions, they are based on research and experience.)
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Little Sister Gabby Douglass Makes History Winning the Gold in Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics in London, England - yaaaaay! Everybody loves her for her grace, poise, stamina and agility - yaaaaay! American Negroes only see her hair style, and so, completely miss the point-boooooo!
This my response to an article that recently appeared on Grio about Gabby's shock at people criticizing her hair, and her statement: "I just made history and all they can talk about is my hair? Well they can keep talking, because I'm not going to change it!" :
You Go, Gabby! by Gloria Dulan-Wilson
My congratulations to little sister Gabby for her stunning performance, her poise, her intelligence and her beauty. Kudos to her for her poise and grace in handling the hostile comments of Ne-gro (i.e negative growth) people who obviously think so little of themselves that they project their brainwashing on a young lady who has already gone further in life at 16 they they have at 30, 40, 50 or 60+.
Black people need to get a grip when it comes to our hair. It's borne of racism, and the negative comparisons we make of ourselves to caucasians; but in the 21st century, it's time to get beyond that and embrace our Eclectically Black spectrum.
Gabby has done nothing to be ashamed of; unlike those who made the insipid comments. She has, on the other hand, done a great deal to make us all proud. It's sad to think our measure of her achievement stems from what hair style she's wearing.
To those who made these hurtful, ignorant comments, I'm curious about what you see when you look in your mirrors at home. Unfortunately, far too often the people who need to read these feed back comments are off somewhere badmouthing someone else.
It's the collective negativity and self hatred that keeps us in Lodebar. Time to look at Gabby from the God side of the equation. And God has looked at Gabby and said "This is My beloved Daughter, in whom I Am well pleased." If God be for Gabby - and He Is - then those who stand against her need to step off. Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Brothers and Sisters: The foregoing is a response to the hue and cry about Gabby Douglass' hair. You may or may not know that I'm very passionate about NATURAL Black hair. I've worn a NATURAL since my Junior year at Lincoln University. That's more than two thirds of my life now. And I have never looked back or gone back to the bad old days of temporaries (a/k/a permanents); hot combs or the other ways that we have to "whiten up" our hair. I can truly say "I'm happy nappy!"
Now Gabby is not sporting a natural, but she has elected to style her hair in a way that makes it possible to execute her agility without having to worry about it. And, with such a cute little chocolate drop face, she looks beautiful, the way a wholesome, Black 16 year old girl is supposed to look.
Now, I know that not every Black person shares my love of NATURAL hair. And I have long since dropped the need to proselytize about why a NATURAL is better than other hair choices we might have - in fact we are the one race that can wear our hair in almost any style - "straight", cornrows, locks, short, long, medium, spiked, curly, and of course NATURAL. No matter what the choice, as long as you know who you are as a Black person, it's all cool with me. Because we're an ECLECTIC PEOPLE, and by that I mean only the most positive, self empowering, uplifting, life affirming qualities are part of the mix - the hair is not the most important thing on the criteria.
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL - still! Thank you Brother Stokely Carmichael for saying that nearly 50 years ago, and freeing a great many of us of the need to continuously compare our beauty to meanstream caucasians. Those who are still in that mindset do so by choice, because the evidence is overwhelming.
Ironically, while there are many Black African American women who love to wear their hair in natural styles; there are just as many Continental African women who seem to feel the need to wear wigs, or straighten their hair. It's almost as though they've become ashamed of what we are most proud of - our NATURAL African beauty. I am a big fan of African movies on DVD. But I can't tell you how many times I've seen the feature star wearing a wig and contact lenses to lighten up their eyes. I don't understand what is happening in Africa. It seems as though they'd rather approximate the colonial monsters who took their land (and apparently their minds and culture) than stand for the timeless beauty we have given the world through our music, rhythm, philosophies, and color.
Oprah Winfrey recently decided to wear her hair in a NATURAL style, and the Ne-groes went nuts!! But then again, so did the meanstream media. They called it "wild" style. No doubt a veiled throwback to their closet prejudice against Black women. They couldn't understand how she got her hair like that. TMZ made some ignorant (as usual) remarks, while the house Ne-groes on the show laughed nervously and genuflected to the host (whatever his name is - "I'm a lawyer").
In the meantime, the comments about whether or not her hair had been "manipulated", followed by whether or not it was a weave, etc., went throughout Yahoo - and no doubt the other run-of-the mill social commentary engines. Thank goodness there were more "pro" comments drowning out the "cons". I was actually rather proud to find that there are sisters all over the US who were proud of Oprah for displaying her NATURAL beauty.
Let me say this to those of you who think it's better to be caught naked than NATURAL: Look out Negroes - you wannabe whites are about to reveal your "true colors". You are a throwback to the days of Oreos (not the cookies) who need to have validation from the white realm before they can embrace their own. You're the ones who will watch a commercial where some white woman paints her toenails blue, and be the next ones to wear blue toenail polish in recognition of the fact that you follow all things white; but won't take the same notice when some one Black comes up with a positive idea on TV - that is, not until the whites give their nod of approval. Then you're all over it.
You'll imitate the worst images a Black person can portray - i.e. "Black' blondes, or brick red hair, and then wonder why the man you want is going after a white woman. Understand - no one wants an imitation. No one respects a person who hates herself. We've actually become the original clown show when it comes to our hair. It's obvious that we don't like who we are, or what we look like when we are who we are. Or those cutting comments about little Gabby Douglass would not have been the dominant factor.
By the way Oprah looked beautiful and literally 10 years younger with her NATURAL. Going NATURAL keeps you young. And while one commentary stated it looked as though she had "manipulated' her hair, wearing a NATURAL hair style does not mean that you can't be creative or stylish with your coif. Frankly, it actually affords you more opportunity to come up with a great variety of ways of wearing NATURAL hair without bleaching it, wearing tracks, or relaxing (demoralizing) it.
Anywaaaaay! Gabby Douglass gets much props, as my Handsome Son would say. He himself has recently completed an interview survey of Black women of all ages and walks of life who have decided to wear their hair NATURAL. Soon to be released on a Facebook near you.
While Gabby is not wearing a NATURAL, she is a Natural beauty, and is to be commended for her maturity, focus and for not allowing the ne-groes to rattle her.
I truly hope that if you come across any of those negative growth (NE-GRO) people, and they make a hostile remark about either Gabby or Oprah, you will kindly remind them that our hair roots run deeper than the continent of Africa, and will continue to rise regardless of what they do to put it down. BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL!!
