Some Mistakes Were Built to Last

This country-wide racism we are experiencing has gotten out of control. Maybe

you've heard the phrase “Crazy is defined as doing the same thing over and over

and expecting different results.” That's were we are with racism because it will never

go away; it will continue to ruin lives, families and relationships. This is true because

“Some mistakes were built to last.”

I can see no way to undo all the oppression and abuse of Black (African American) persons

starting before the birth of this nation. Generation after generation of White (Caucasian) persons

were taught that Blacks were the worst possible example of a creature along with our

Jewish friends.

Here is what I would really like my White countrymen to understand;

it is now in our (African American's) DNA to react a certain way when we encounter

a White person we don't know. This reaction will not always be visible, but it's akin to a

chemical reaction in the brain especially when the White person is a Police Officer.

Imagine not knowing what to expect from a person who's job is to “protect and serve”.

Then imagine a relative, loved one or yourself; being beaten, shot and or killed by this person.

How would you react? The question is not rhetorical.

Dig this; a neighbor of mine who is wheelchair bound and Caucasian; started a conversation

with me outside our building. I had seen her in the building but I did not “know” her. I

was naturally cautious for the reason I explained earlier. The conversation ended

without incident. A week later at Publix ( the most racist supermarket I have ever had

the displeasure of shopping in). I saw my neighbor lady across the store about 40 feet

from me. We saw each other at the same time and before I could wave or anything,

she sped away from me in her chair at about 50mph. I didn't know electric wheelchairs

could go so fast. It was because she did not want any upstanding, white people to see

me with her. Furthermore, at this particular Publix which is just 2 blocks from our building

the employees must recognize me; but I am followed around the store every time; to be

sure I don't shoplift just to make it plain.

My point and the moral to this story is that I'm surprised there are not riots everyday in

every city where Black people are treated like Michael Brown or Treyvon Martin. At this

point in my op ed piece I'm sick to my stomach. It does not feel good to dislike a person

or people simply because they are White or “different”; but this happens to me and mine

everyday!!!!

I'm at the point where unless there is a real ground shaking true dialogue about racism

in this country; no one should exhibit any surprise about anything that is a result of this

ignorance we call racism or prejudice.

AMERICA THE SUCKER

America the Sucker

America no longer belongs to Americans. I'll explain; White supremacists say America

belongs to the White race. Mexican citizens say since Mexico is not safe that America is now their

new home. We now give billions of dollars in financial aid to more than 1 country. At the end of the day how much of America is left for people born here such as myself.

Think of America in terms of a “pie” chart ; every country in distress first looks to America for money, armaments, personnel and anything else they can strong arm out of us. At the end of the day how much of the pie is left. It's not rocket science; there is nothing left for Americans. The worst irony is that we are by and large envied and hated by much of the world. I can not speak for anyone else but this makes me feel like a sucker. It seems ridiculously simplistic; but I think ALL assistance to other countries should be put on hold. I need you to really hear this; assistance should be put on hold until:

• Our veterans have their diverse needs addressed
• People who want to work but can't because they have bad teeth they can't afford to fix,

have resources to travel to interviews, access to reorientation for today’s job market

• We address our deteriorating “get rich by any means necessary” culture fueled by

people in power giving too much credit to young Americans simply because they are young.

• Revisit what “The American Dream” truly should mean to Americans who were born in America.

I am not naive; the points listed above will be impossible to enact. We owe it to ourselves to ask

“Why can we not accomplish what America needs to accomplish?” We are also owed an answer to that question.

I have been a part of the work force since the age of 11 (child labor laws be damned), I excelled in school and earned a BA degree. I don't mind working I'm not afraid of working; but to be brutally honest I currently live below the poverty line. To borrow from the UNCF (United Negro College Fund)

slogan “We're not asking for a handout...just a hand”

Sadly, I have had to resign myself to just knowing that I have great and awesome abilities that will go untapped. Since I know I'm not the only American that feels this way; I welcome any comments pro or con. The dialogue that could be sparked is key. We have to start somewhere or soon we will all be a bunch of suckers speaking Chinese or Farsi.  

America, Israel and Palestine: The Axis of Insanity

It is difficult chosing a side when it comes to Israel or Palestine. They are each sovreign citizenships and constiuencies. However, lately self preservation has become, to me, more important. When I say "self preservation" I'm speaking about our beloved country The United States of America.

The evidence that proves that the intentions of hamas are not innocent;
is readily available in this age of information. In the online post "Hamas History & Ideology" we find that
"Hamas was founded in 1987 by Sheik Ahmed Yassin and Mahmoud Zahar during the First Intifada as a wing of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. However, firstly, the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood calls for the establishment of an Islamic legal system in the Muslim world and only afterwards it turns its attention to the issue of Palestine. On the other hand, Hamas views jihad as the only way of solving the Palestinian issue. Sheik Ahmed Yassin stated in 1987 through the Hamas Charter, that Hamas was founded to liberate Palestine from Israeli occupation and to establish an Islamic state in the area that is now Israel, Judea & Samaria, and the Gaza Strip. The very first quote of the Hamas Charter defines its Islamic supremacist character". At what point do you stop telling someone not to place their hand on an open flame. When that person becomes an adult. So in the name of self preservation the United States should first revisit over $8 million dollars in aid to Israel. for the simple reason that there are American citizens who can't get hired because of serious dental issues among other serious homeland concerns.

Next why not , once again, bring leaders of the Israely government and the Palistinian government together; confront them with the truth about hamas and make it clear they they each have a choice. Either recognize that neither Palistine nor Isreal should be villanized in today's reality; or allow the true villains-hamas to destroy them both from within.

It may sound calloused or cold but long live America at any cost

SURPRISE! SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS A DRUG ADDICT

The Foundation For A Drug Free World reports: "Every day in the US, 2,500 youth (12 to 17) abuse a prescription pain reliever for the first time. For years I have been baffled by the number of people I have encountered and befriended, who turn out to be addicted to narcotics. My best friend of over 20 years finally was compelled to tell me he too suffered from an addiction illness. Finding out after 20 years of being very close friends; I was faced with a dilemma. Do I cut all ties and run for the hills or do I stand by my friend in such a troubling time and risk the fallout that is sure to come from such a situation.

My friend is not the first person I have been close to who finds himself gripped by addiction illness. My brother and several 1st cousins are addicted to crack. I don't know if you have ever lived with a crack addict; but my brother was the worst example of a Black man on crack during my childhood. I have tried to forget about all the misery he caused our family; but now it seems every other person I meet is a narcotics addict. I don't have to tell you that I do not warm up to strangers very easily.

According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, teens who abuse prescription drugs are twice as likely to use alcohol, five times more likely to use marijuana, and twelve to twenty times more likely to use illegal street drugs such as heroin, Ecstasy and cocaine than teens who do not abuse prescription drugs.

While in college in the 80's I took a class called "Drugs and Behavior". Our professor brought a "crack rock" to class so that we can get an upclose look and yes smell of crack burning. Please note that the professor did not smoke the crack in class; he simply burned it so we would know what it smells like. While at home on break I smelled that same metallic chemical smell coming from my brothers room. I burst in and his bedroom floor was littered with empty beer cans and he was smoking crack. I could not wait to tell my parents who already knew about it and did not know what to do.

Since addiction is an illness of course sufferers need help; but what about the collateral damage to innocent bystanders like myself. We at first want to be compassionate but to people who don't have an addictive personality trait; we don't know where the line is between compassion and enabling. I know we will never wipe out narcotic drug use is this country; but what do we do with our "friends" in the meantime. My friend of 20 yrs is on his 3rd recovery attempt.

IS YOUTH WASTED ON THE YOUNG?

I'm sure I'm not the only person born around 1965 who is confused about what is
happening in pop culture and media. Older more established "stars" bring it even after 50. This has been proven by the likes of Robert Deniro, Danny Devito, Mel Brooks and even Dan Akroid has a new project; the list goes on. Why then are all auditions for everything for people under 30. Could you be serious? It's the older more settled performers who embody discipline and...wait for it...TALENT!

I'm going to fight kicking and screaming because I am 49 next month and have been vocally trained professionally  and my acting chops areon point. In the near future I will upload a series of videos on youtube showcasing my talents as no auditions
are open for a fossile like me.

Maybe some of you realize how our society looks at older people as only useful when they were young. Yes that is ludicrous because if you navigate life successfully for 40+
years you are the type I really want to see more of in pop culture. Here i'll state the obvious if you live long enough you too will be "old".
I'm open to any comments, critisizms and of course AUDITIONS!!!

SLAVERY VS. IMMIGRATION

I have said it many times before and I'll say it again;
I really do like our Latino brothers and sisters. I have
dated at least (2) in my lifetime and will again I'd imagine.
With that said; it does not make sense for illegal (undocumented)
immigrants to hold our cities and city halls hostage because
they want everyone to look the other way while they break the law.
Let's be real; the second an illegal person sets foot on American
soil without documentation, they have broken the law.
That's not even what makes me so angry.
On a very personal note; I remind everyone that my ancestors
were brought to this country against their will. That was bad enough;
add to that having to work from sun up to sun down with no compensation
in extremely unsafe working conditions. Then they were beaten,raped and lyched.
How about we get this countries affars in order as it relates to the African American.
Why can't Mexicans fight to make Mexico better. I would support SOME
American assistance in that endeavor
Next; The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy or (ITEP)
boasts that illegal immigrants pay approximately 11B
in sales tax and the like. That's fine. However, when our government
is on the verge of shutting down over the national debt/budget; all the
Income tax revenues that should come from our undocumented guests
would at least ease the pressure. I can't afford vital dental care. Can you say "sepsis"?

An article found at the ITEP website confirmed what I suspected to be true. A wife explains:
"Here is a funny example of how illegal aliens get better medical attention than a U.S. citizen might. Recently my husband had neck surgery, and we were told that he was only allowed to stay
in the hospital for one night due to our insurance. It would only cover the expenses for one night. Next to my husband was an illegal alien who had been there for 3 months already, and guess what? He did not have to pay any expenses". When I read craziness like this I am mortified.
 I think President Obama is on the right track by making our undocumented guests follow the proper path to citizenship by uncomplicating the now outdated immigration laws

Celebrities: Friend or Foe

Webster's defines "celebrity" as " a famous or celebrated person". If you have

ever encountered your favorite celebrity on twitter (or facebook) you may have discovered that many "celebrities" should not be celbrated but chastised.

I'll name names later but my first experience with twitter was dissapointing

because I thought if you see a celebrity that you like and want you to say "hi"

and say how much you like their body of work; I also thought the celebrity would 

respond with a thank you.Only (2) Nick Cannon and Boris Kodjo responded.

I wonder what would happen if we (the fans) would turn our resources

and attention to actually TALENTED performers or "celebrities".

I'll tell you what would happen; untalented fops would have a lot less $ to

buy expensive toys and trips with which to make us "the fans" jealous to

the point that we "the fans" begin trying to find the most outrageous way to

become famous and the circle is never ending.

Here is the thing that really sticks in my craw; when we patronize a 

celebrity in any way we contribute to THEIR well being. I wonder how we the fans

are acutally being plussed by "celebrities" like; J. Beiber, Rhianna, L. Gaga, C Sheen

and the like? We are not. Logic dictates if someone with influence is ruining your

society you address that situation by boycotting them letting them know it

is not o.k. to piss on police officers or walk around nude in public or film sexual encounters for the world to see; instead of actually having talent.

A celebrity should be able to stand on talent alone like Nick Cannon, Boris Kodjo,G. Knight, L. Vandeross,

A Franklin, A Baker, D. Washington etc.

I welcome comments from readers who think differently and of course I NEED to hear from readers who do feel the same. Either way this discussion is not over