Black and Privileged?

I am ill and suffering from the guilt that education, access to resources, and awareness has afforded me.  I am suffering because of the conflict that is going on in my head on an almost daily basis.  By government standards, I am considered to be among the working poor.  I live in housing, take mass transit, and live from paycheck to paycheck. However, my daughter and I have bachelor’s degrees and are pursuing higher degrees, my son attends a private high school and both of my children have traveled to Europe.  I work in an environment where I have access to some of the best resources in city.  I stated this, definitely not to brag, but to put into context the state of my union.  I live in two worlds.  I work, learn and often play in arenas that are far beyond my means of living, but I live in an area that is vastly different.  By all accounts, I SHOULD be okay, and for the most part I am.  BUT….

I am conflicted!  I am torn between the world around me and the awareness that most of it is utter BS.  Most can go on about their lives content that it is enough that they are responsible citizens.  Some feel good that they got a great education or sent their children to “good” schools, traveled, or can afford luxuries that some people can only dream of.    Some people can ignore the fact that there are people around the world living in extreme poverty while they shop for $400 shoes, $5 cups of coffee and live in luxury housing.  It sickens me to know that the laws and attitudes in this country and around the world have left so many people oppressed, depressed and broken.  It saddens me to realize that we will NEVER combat poverty because too many benefit from people being poor.  It hurts to know that there are so many who simply turn their heads and rationalize that SOMEONE ELSE will take care of the sick, the poor and the needy while they horde their land and build their wealth.  Simple acts of sharing can change the world.  Being active in the political process can change the world. 

I know charity starts at home, but it shouldn’t end there.       

Reflecting on the State of the Black Community

Hard pill, so I understand if you can't swallow it:

Truth Friday beckons me to state my opinion about the state of communities of color - specifically African-American communities (that's where my heart is).

Let me preface this with my feelings about the Trayvon Martin tragedy. It hurts and I am deeply saddened and firmly committed to being as active as I can to help fight this grave injustice. With that being said, we need to take a long hard look at ourselves and ask what can we do to stop the profiles and stereotypes and crime in our neighborhoods. What can we do to change the laws that affect us most? We have to unite. We have to organize. And most of all, we have to learn to be accountable to one another. We need to talk to one another. We need more mentoring in our communities. Brothers that have their head on right should talk more to the young ones who look lost and are going astray - and so many are. Sisters need to be more supportive of one another and talk to the little ones who are headed in the wrong direction. I am guilty of judging, from time to time, when I see a group of young black men hanging on a corner or traveling in a pack saying to myself, they look like they're up to something or looking at them suspiciously. Not the ones I know because I know they're just hanging out drinking or smoking or whatever, but if I go in a neighborhood I don't know and see this, I admit, I get a bit nervous. Right or wrong, I have to ask myself why this is. I live in housing and I see first hand youth (and some older ones) that are up to no good. I see it in the vandalism and the late nights hanging the lobbies, doing their thing; no respect for people coming in and out. And if you say something, they will lash out, call you names, etc. WHY??? Where are their mothers and fathers? This happens in just about EVERY housing development and in some other areas. I am not saying that the profiling and stereotypes are always right, but what are they based on. These things and more we should be having discussions about. We can stop this, we can change this, we are better than this, but we're too afraid to talk truth. Pride keeps us from admitting this. We look sideways and feel good knowing "it's not me." But I truly feel that no one person can sit above his race as if the things that go on within it doesn't affect them. Because we are seen as a group, in the aggregate. Sure some people have the ability to see us individuals, but certain characteristics are associated with you because of the group you belong to. So, in the end, they are affected. We are all affected by the actions of others and WE NEED TO ACT LIKE IT.

It is time for us to get our act together. Nobody is coming to save us. We need to save ourselves. And the time to do it is NOW!

Sharing Information

I believe that information is one the most important commodities we trade in our society. Some trade information for money, info-to-info, and some give it away for free, hoping that it will, in some way, benefit someone's life. Of course there is money to be made from having the right information to give to the right person, however, too many people have this information and choose to sell it as extra income, etc....

Whatever means you have of getting information or distributing information we can all agree that it is out there and those of us who know how to get it often choose how we are going to distribute it. there's no crime in selling it, but think of the people that can't afford it or don't have adequate access to it. what a shame that is.... most information, especially if it is meant for public consumption, is free - and many of us get it, for free, and sell it for a profit. i'm not saying that is wrong, i'm just saying it is not always moral to do so....

what i am attempting to do here is to distribute information that i find because i LOVE to research, i love uncovering things and sharing them with others whom i feel don't know it, don't really give it much thought, or feel that it doesn't affect them. my solution to ending the lack of pride in your neighborhood and knowing what is going on in your neighborhood and city is to provide my community with an alternative source to information (mostly from secondary resources) that will benefit them, equip them with pertinent information in order to make informed decisions and choices, or learning what they can do with specific information that will allow their voices to be heard on a wide range of issues that effect their lives. So here at MABAM Solutions (Must Achieve By Any Means Solutions), we seek to make you rich with knowledge because it is knowledge and information that is the only key to success. this website is but one arm of our venture to inspire, resource and entertain. while we build our client base through information and learning we are in the process of putting together cultural events that will entertain and often inspire unity in our families and in our community.

Same Day...Same Shit

My thoughts have overwhelmed me to the point where I have to begin to write...and fast!  Everyday, I watch a heavy dose of politics, maybe a show or two and then it's off to bed I go.  It's my routine and for the remainder of the year, at least, I'm sticking to it. Lately, though, I've been doing a lot of thinking about making writing a part of my daily ritual right now, instead of waiting to turn this new productive leaf over when the new year begins.  My reasons are plentiful.  One, I have no one who will listen to the endless rants about the GOP or what I think the Democrats should be doing to better serve themselves.  Two, it would be a better use of my time if I write, get it out into the community where maybe someone will hear me and decide that we should have a meaningful dialogue. Last, it's just too much crap going on to keep it to myself... somebody needs to talk about what no wants to talk about!

I hear the question a lot about why all these things are going on now during the Presidency of Barack Obama.  I knew it was going to be some shit when so many people refused to call him "President Obama."  I knew it was going to be shit in the game when people took to the streets yelling, "I want my country back."  I knew it was gonna be some shit when the same people who voted for President Obama started complaining about him one and a half years later.  I knew it was gonna be some shit when.....we elected the first Black president of the United States. 

The Power of Change!

I started reading a book last year that didn’t quite hold myinterest so I changed books. I changed my outfit three times before deciding onthe on I really wanted to wear.  Ichanged majors, schools, addresses, beliefs, religions, jobs, schools, careers…you name it; I’ve changed it.  I evenchanged the title and URL of this blog today. Thoughts evolve, minds changes and you adapt to new situations all thetie.  There’s a certain amount of powerin that.  Change is about choices andchoice is powerful.  When you no longerhave the ability to choose, the power is removed from your hands and now in thehands of the ones who hold the keys to the choices you can make and frustrationseeps in.  Frustration at now needing tomake choices you wouldn’t normally make, changes you never would adapt tobecause someone beyond your reach altered the playing field against you.  This is the country we live in.

The Politics of Art and Culture

Someone is going to need to explain to me why there are so many public schools losing their funding for programs in the arts while on the other side, there are not-for-profit and for-profit organizations cropping up all over the city offering cultural programs in the arts and music.

It is obvious that the corporate world values artists, musicians and also athletes because of the amount of money that one can acquire by becoming a singer or an actor or an athlete.  They in turn get huge profits from having them at their schools, on their teams, on their labels and in their shows.  So then why don't they invest in public schools' art programs in urban neighborhoods.  Many public schools in affluent neighborhoods are doing just fine.  It's only those in the "inner city" neighborhoods coincidentally that are such dire need of reform and assistance.  It's so hard to believe that this is not contrived because there are other areas where one can point to where this same kind of lop-sided effect takes place.  It is also that way for housing, fresh fruits and vegetables and other essential services.  But if you go into a "upscale" neighborhood, there's an abundance of good food choices, cleaner neighborhoods and more services.  Coincidence??  I don't think so!

Consider This

Technically, we all start out the same.  We are born into this world naked andvulnerable.  We end up the same way,too.  Cold and stiff.

So what really matters is what happens in between, right?  So with all that you have to do before you reach the end, how is it that you are able to find time to obsess over someon eelse’s life!  Message: Let celebritieslive their lives…. they’re just people!

Society Matters

Where do I begin....

Hunger, poverty, war, famine, agriculture, climate change, housing, economy, race, prison system, education…. There are critical issues to address in each of these areas.  In my opinion, each one is equally important.  So where do you begin – to care!  It is so overwhelming to care about so much and very frustrating to want so much to change; with solutions that seem incredibly simple, but unable to make a dent in the pile.  The hope lies in the strength and courage of ordinary people who do extraordinary things -  Arab Spring, Occupy Movement, Civil Rights…  people with no money and very few resources who were able to move mountains. These activists and leaders were truly extraordinary and we in dire need of more of them today.  The problem as I see it is this:  people are too bogged down with the business of living and surviving to find time to care.  The pretense of what is getting done, the good news, appears more contrived than organic in today’s times.  What does it say about our society when every major news show uses the first five to ten minutes focusing on death, murder and mayhem?  What does it say about our society when we use people’s reality as a source of entertainment; shows like Lock Up, Cops, and Caught on Camera.    We are creating a society of citizens who, on the whole have been desensitized, and everyone talks about it, but too many are not doing their part.   

I want to help, I want to make a difference – a big difference, but I can’t seem to find that breakthrough, that thing that will catch fire and go viral.  I need to be catapult into a position to fight (while I still can) for the little people, fight for the poor, the uneducated, bring truth to light, and so on.  The Internet is a wonderful place for anyone to speak, but what gets noticed most often are the gimmicks, a viral video of some outrageous or outlandish scenario.  Creativity is the key!  You have to come up with something that will get you noticed, something different, unique - something that will break through the fray.  That’s where the hope lies, above the fray. Only now I need to figure out how do I get there.

To be continued…..

Sagging Pants!

Pleaseforgive them and do not judge!

Theyare VICTIMS of one or more ofthe following conditions: 

Low Self-Esteem 

No father in the home 

Crowd Pleaser 

Follower 

Parental Neglect 

Confused 

Prison mentality 

Rebel without a Cause 

No self-respect or wasn’t taught 

Or 

They may just be advertising an invitation for intimacy from the same sex. 

You cannot shame these individuals into changing their style.   Nor can you fine them, or take them to jail for walking around looking like no one cares for them. You can put up as many billboards as you want or as many bus ads as you like. It only makes them wantto continue their behavior. It’s rebellion.  Either find a way to reach them on their level or let it ride!  These kids need attention not criticism.  They are mostly poor, black and latino/hispanic men and they are obviously lost and ignorant.  So stop trying to pass laws and come up with something better for them to follow.Thank You!

What's Wrong With Change???

The mantra for the republicans seems to be, “Take thiscountry back!”  This statement in an ofitself is somewhat alarming since I am not really sure what they want to takeit back from – Democrats?, The Black Man in the White House?, Liberals andProgressives?”  Just exactly who “has”the country now!  How far back do theywant to go?  There were a few groups ofpeople whose basic civil rights were denied if they set the clock back about40-50 years.  They site concerns aboutmatters that have long been fought over and won and now they seem to want to gobackwards.  They seem to have no ideaabout how the rest of the country works or how the benefits of the programsthat they want to end help the less fortunate in this country.  The powers that be have created conditionsthat negatively impacted peoples lives and now they either don’t want to fixthe conditions or those very conditions have come back to haunt them.  Take for example, outsourcing!  Need I say more.  Now you have both political parties talkingabout we need to make more things in America, but where was this argument whenthey were making America out to be a “full-service” country.  Now they want the jobs back and themanufacturing back.  Republicans arescreaming that over-regulation and high taxation drove those companiesoverseas, however, they didn’t do much to get these jobs back when they had theopportunity to do so.  And don’t get mestarted on regulations.  I see the needfor government intervention on a variety of things that without would meanlittle people would get trampled.  Who issupposed to be able to speak for those who cannot speak loudly enough forthemselves.  Government, that’s who!  

School is underway!  The kids are learning their schedules, becoming acquainted with new and old friends, teachers and courses.  Every academic year is a challenging one in that it requires some new list of responsibilities for our children.  Some are entering a new school and have much to look forward to, others are getting re-acquainted with their friends and teachers from the previous year.  Whatever the scenario, it's time to get back into the swing!

For parents who have seniors in middle and high school, it's a new year but also the beginning of a journey to find the next school that your child will spend the next four years.  That requires a lot of decision-making, meetings, tours and visits to the placement counselors.  This is both exciting and scary!  Exciting because your child is going to the next level, starting anew, getting set to brave new adventures.  Scary because, for the parent, it's a daunting prospect to think about your part in helping to choose this new setting, this new locale, this new school!  After having gone through this process just last year, I would like to share some of my insight, experience, resources and yes, my opinion! (Did you really think you could get away from that last one!)

Okay, here goes!  The truth and nothing but the truth.......  so help me!

At the start of my journey to look for a new school, my first instinct was to listen to the placement team at my child's school.  This was a great place to start, but by no means did I intend to leave it all to them.  After all, we shared the same agenda (getting my child into a "good" school), so why leave all the work to them.  First, I created a table of schools and listed the qualifications that were important to me and compared the schools side-by-side.  It didn't take me long to realize that for most of the college prep schools, they all (at least the ones I was comparing) offered the same core courses as well as advanced (AP) courses.  I went down the list of qualifications to find that the things that made one school different from the other and applied in the order of most to least favorable.  The thing I came to realize is this:  most schools will offer the same core courses, a few clubs and sports.  When you start comparing the differences, you begin to look at student-teacher ratio, the specific variety of clubs and sports being offered, school size, location and reputation.  But.... at the end of the day, you have to make a decision that will make YOU AND YOUR CHILD happy! 

While this process is somewhat overwhelming, one thing to remember is this:  worst case scenario - after all the research is done and the decision is made - there's always the option to transfer!  If what your final decision was, turns out not to be not to be the right one or not what you thought it would be, you could do it again next year! (*big cheesy grin*)

What is a "Good" Education?

This question annoys me a great deal!  Even when it is stated as a declaration:  "I got a good education," or "I want a "good" education for my son or daughter."  It is phrased as though one would actually ask for a "bad" education or a less than quality education.  I mean really, a "good" education?  As opposed to what?  Why do people use this phrase and furthermore, why do they use it as if it qualifies their social status. In my opinion, when I hear people say, "I want my child to get a good education," I translate it into, "I want my child to attend the best school," often meaning private or parochial.  Rarely are they talking about public school!  And the ones who know that they can send their kid down the street to a public school knowing that they are sending their child to a "good" school, don't need to boast about it.

What I am trying to get at here is this:  Education SHOULD ONLY be good!  It should only be of the best quality, superior and excellent.  When did we begin to settle for anything less?  When did this divide, this gap in education between the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots become so acceptable.  When did cherry-picking and busing become the new normal, the new status symbol.  And why are we okay leaving the "others" behind?

I think it's time for a real discussion in our communities about the privatization of schools, allocation of funding, equal access to resources and what we, as parents, can do to help our children -- ALL of them!  Educational policies have not gotten it right yet, obviously!  Not if we can increasingly quote high statistics for drop-out rates, low enrollment for college and low reading and math scores. There is much to discuss including teacher's pay, parental involvement, the high school selection process, standardized testing, the absence of enrichment and cultural programs in our schools, etc.  Maybe we can't wait for the city, state or federal authorities to get it right.  Maybe WE need to assess the situation and see what WE, the parents, can do to make it better.

If our children are falling behind in math, science and reading, then WE are ALL failing them.  That means WE ALL need to put our heads together and come up with a plan to help our children succeed, find the resources that they need to succeed.

Won't you please, join me in the discussion.  Share your thoughts and your stories and I will scour the internet, newspapers and social media outlets to bring you articles of interest, resources that will (hopefully) help families with school-age children as well as my personal experiences, and thoughts and opinions on the state of education in our communities.

I Dare You!

I can't deny that I am passionate about politics and my community.  My passion for and growing involvement in these interests have been escalating now for a several years.  In my earlier years, I was not as focused as I would like to have been, especially looking  back.  But my education came late as did my personal growth, thirst for knowledge and the desire to share it.  Nonetheless, this is where I am!  I am aroused, I am hungry and I am aware.  But most of all, I realize that I care and I dare you to do the same.

I dare you to forgo shopping at Macy's and instead shop for a way to improve and become an active partner in your community.

I dare you to be as interested in your community as in keeping up with The Joneses.

I dare you to teach your children appreciation for the black image and respect it!

I dare for your support of black business to equal your support of other businesses.

I dare you to realize that in order for African-Americans to improve our image, our communities, our economic, political and social status - with increased unity - we must become more involved in the political process and be more aware of what's going on in and around our neighborhoods.  It's time for us to stop looking the other way while there's so much work to be done.

I dare you to be aware.

I DARE YOU TO CARE!

Blurt it Out!!!

This blog is something that I am truly passionate about, but can't seem to discipline myself long enough to write on a consistent basis.  However, when I do find the time, everything that I wanted to say somehow slips my mind or I can't find the right/correct words to adequately convey what I'm feeling or going through about a particular issue.  To that end, I have decided that I will just "Blurt it Out!"

I believe that by doing this, one, it will get me in the habit of writing consistently and two, it will help me focus on the issues that are important to me.  I can't write if I'm not paying attention to what's going on around me.  I can't write if I put it off until my shows go off, my child goes to sleep, or I find "quiet time" to reflect on my emotions about a particular issue.

See, the thing is this!  I have become interested in life, more importantly, my life, what surrounds me, circumstances that cover me like a blanket, purpose, desire, and happiness.  Granted I got interested a bit late, but I think that the good thing is that I got interested at all.  I could have gone through life, got a job, bought a house in the suburbs, vacations with the kids, traveled with the spouse, made home movies and took pictures of the dog.  I believe if that was what my life was supposed to be about, it would have been.  I spent my earlier years doing things that satisfied my quest for fun, but could not sustain my happiness in the years ahead.  What's done is done!  That was then, and this is now!  Now, more than anything, I have purpose.  And if I fulfill nothing else, that purpose must be realized somehow because I feel like that is the mark I want to leave in this world.  I want to know that I've contributed to the greater community, my community, and that in some way, I've given back more than I took away.

In my warped way of thinking, if you live in a community, learn and grow in this community and then leave to continue your journey upward, chasing things, then you're as bad as the ones that you think you're better than because you got "out" and they didn't.  That's what we learn in this country.  Always want more!  Don't settle for less!  As long as more is what "they" say is important, meaningful and fulfilling.  There is someone sitting in a room right now thinking of a way to get you to understand that more is what you want, more is what you need and that you can't get by with what you have.  You need a big house, a new car or diamonds.  You need STATUS!!

This, in my opinion, is the source of the great divide.  Status is fine for those who can afford to spend the money to obtain or gain it.  But there are many more on the lower end of the food chain who desire it as well, but don't see it as a frivolous quest.  To those people it is real; it is something that makes lives better, more worthy.

I'm in this fight and blogging my trials, to help change that way of thinking.  There is so much more to life.  So much more to do, see and be of service for.  Stick with me and let's see if we can't do more to make our communities stronger, through resources, ideas and entertainment!

Days later, I have a heavy heart!  My goal for this blog, which coincides with my passion for knowledge, learning and understanding, is to dig for information and resources that are not readily available through the mainstream media. Yet, to my dismay, it sometimes takes me to places that I do not want to venture but cannot help but go.  To that end, my latest post will be not informative; however, more of an op-ed piece.

I've uncovered some information lately that has me thinking and somewhat angry, I suppose.  It has to do with the plight of the african american people in this country.  The last article I read was one dealing with investment in africa.  It's being hailed as "The Final Frontier" (Barrons, 8/2/10) and investors are being urged to take a second look at an area that was once deemed politically unstable and a struggling economy.  Since things are now changing, it seems that African is ripe for the picking of its natural resources, among other things.  I also read, in the same week, an article in the Village Voice that talks about how the prisons are built upstate to pump money into a particular area and that they build them as much for profit as they do to house wayward teens in need of rehabilitation.  My point is this,  at every turn, whether mainstream or underground, it doesn't look good for african americans or people of color.  And the clincher - seemingly, african-americans are the only ones not getting it!  Period.  Busy with the business of "making it"  we lost our sense of community.  A need to look out for each other.  There are a host of injustices that face our community that we need to address.  Enough of us know enough to education, assist, resource, and make better communities.  The problem is that we are so spread out and so divided that we can barely reach each other unless it's at a cookout, bus ride, church, party, black play - some form of entertainment.   Not to say that we don't attend seminars and the like, but we need to reach the masses that mainstream is reporting on because that's the black america that the  world sees and believes.  What can one do! (sigh)

When will we learn......

This was a big week for President Obama and his administration!  But we weren't interested in his signing of "the most sweeping overhaul since the Great Depression" better known as H.R.4173: Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on July 21, 2010 because we were distracted, quite brilliantly I might add, by the story of Shirley Sherrod and her forced resignation from the USDA.  I have to say that the timing of this "breaking" story was impeccable since the NAACP Event where Sherrod was accused of reverse racism took place in March (?) and the story she was sharing happened in 1986 (?).  Nonetheless, it had all the elements needed for a 24/7 news maniacal marathon. Right in time to distract everyone from the coverage of President Obama's signing the bill into law!

Way to go, Republicans - you did it again!

Not to mention, FOUR republicans signed onto the bill - but we don't want to discuss that either because that would mean the administration IS working with Republicans despite all trumped up evidence on the contrary!

Investing...

I came across this story on MarketWatch.com and started thinking about all the development that is going on in Africa and who will eventually end up acquiring most of their assets and resources.

What struck me as odd is that stories like these are hard to come by unless you follow stocks, are enrolled in an institution for higher learning, majoring in business or finance, or are part of a large corporation looking for your next big investment opportunity. Stories like these just aren't part of the mainstream media's top five. There's so much that goes on right under our noses that we are unaware of until it's too late to actually get in the game. Stories like these get reported after the rules are set and if we want to play, then we have to play by "their" rules.....

Any way, I thought it was best to share it with my readers, not because you may be sitting there waiting to invest money in Africa, but just to make you aware of the transactions going on around you.

www.marketwatch.com/story/opportunities-abound-in-african-markets-2010-06-28"

Job Market

People are screaming for work, any kind of work. Several members of Congress are opposed to extending unemployment benefits to people who continue to be unemployed. BP oil spill, Jesse Jackson comments on Cleveland owner's remarks, Alicia Keys fell, somebody got married, blah, blah, blah.....

Why isn't someone focusing on telling people good news about where to find work or informing them about what to do about the tough choices they have to make - feed their family or lose the house! What are we paying these people for? There are resources available that will expand the limited choices available for sources of income.

If you feel that you have a hidden entrepreneurial spirit, give the following organizations a try:

WIBO - Workshop in Business Opportunities

"a private non-profit organization that is committed to assisting men and women with the drive to become successful entrepreneurs."

(www.wibo.org)

Project Enterprise: "The mission of Project Enterprise is to support and develop entrepreneurs and small businesses in under-resourced communities in New York City. By providing access to business loans, business development services and networking opportunities, these entrepreneurs are able to increase their standard of living, create jobs for their communities, and build financial assets." (www.projectenterprise.org)

Figuring it out...

Apparently, I have things that I want to say. And, I apparently want to say them out loud, hence the reason for a blog as opposed to a journal. Although journals have their purpose as well! Nonetheless, I am blogging for a couple of reasons. One: because it just became so darn popular and is a wonderful way to express yourself and Two: because I feel like it's my way of being active and getting involved - even in a small way.

You gotta start somewhere......

This is where I am just being me!

This blog is for my personal use. It is where I come to question society, life, politics, rules/regulations, etc...

I post a lot of information that I don't always agree with but that I always feel is positive.