A Whole New World

Now usually I don't get all sentimental, but it seems appropriate today. Today is Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. The man who we learned in school was a seemingly one man show who championed non violence, made a great speech in DC, and was then assassinated on a balcony in Memphis, TN. The man who we learned once we reached adulthood was in actuality flawed and complex, but was bold enough to call out the wrongs that he saw in the world and make his life's work about changing said wrongs.

And today many of us are witnessing the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster that has left the already impoverished country Haiti in dire need. Unless you've been living under a rock, you have seen the photos, you have heard the news stories, and if you're like me then it's worse than you could ever imagine. And if you're like me you can't help but say, "there but for the grace of God go I..."

It seems that it's always in tragedy when the "privileged" people unite and realize that there are actually people in this world who are suffering. And I'm not on some Pat Robertson mess, but I wonder if these type of natural disasters - the tsumani, Hurricane Katrina, etc.,- that hit areas that are already experiencing so much devastation are God's wake up call in a sense. To remind us that we are truly blessed. To remind us there are millions of people who have been going without while we have enjoyed so much, and then some. To remind us that there is work to do.

These kind of events make me reflective because as I watch everyone rush to help, I can't help but wonder, where were we before this? And I'm not just talking about Haiti. I'm speaking in general terms - about how we view the world and the part we play. I sit here and type this and think that yes, I call myself a Christian. Yes, I go to church on Sundays. Yes, I pray daily. But what have I done for the least of these? When it's not a tragedy? When the cameras are gone? When it's just a Tuesday and I don't feel like watching that piece on Darfur, or the international sex trade, or unfair labor conditions around the world, or give look the homeless man in the eye as I go to dinner.

As we pay homage to a man who said, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," I think about a man who was instrumental in bringing people from all walks of life together to challenge the status quo. And I think about those everyday, ordinary, flawed and complex people who put their lives on the line, who stood in the face of danger, who believed there had to be something else, closed their eyes and envisioned a better world. And I wonder what a better world looks like to me? And what will I do to make it happen?

That's my time y'all! Happy Rum Punch Friday!

**Let us continue to pray for the people of Haiti. And I encourage everyone to make a donation to a relief fund. Volunteer. And remember they'll need your help months and years from now.**

Do Good Today Folks!

Friends of mine always remind me that today, if you are off should be one of service. Do good today folks! I would like both Martin and Coretta to be proud and excited for tomorrow, as they look down upon us.

Much luv until next week...peace and much service :)

You want to be somebody that might get you kilt?

Did you catch African American lives 2 on PBS last night? Fascinating stuff. A recurring theme throughout the night was the sacrifices that people made in order to make a better life for themselves and those to come. They would rather risk life and limb for feedom, the right to vote, the right to have land and raise their families peacefully. Chris Rock shed actual tears as he learned that his great great grandfather served in the civil war, the South Carolina legislature and was a prosperous land owner.

And then Chris talked about how he wanted to be president when he was little. "President or a comedian" and his mother was like noooo. To paraphrase he said, "I was born feb 7th and 2 weeks later Malcolm X was shot. That was the world I was born into." His mama said, "You want to be somebody that might get you kilt?"

and that immediately made me think of Obama and all this talk about people not wanting him to run cause he might get kilt. But watching the AAL2 and also having just finished Lalita Tademy's Red River (the true story of the masscre of hundreds of free Black men who dared exercise their right to self-government in Reconstruction-era Louisiana), I thought damn is this what we have evolved to?

self preservation over progress. unwilling to sacrifice so that we can maintain what we have. I know it's hard to make comparisions to those before us. those where-would-we-be-if-they-hadn't-marched-and-fought type arguments. Cause they aint had much to lose (or did they?) So many of us think it is futile today but wasn't it even more futile then? With what they went up against: Jim Crow, the White League, the KKK, and regular apathetic white folk who didn't stop their more radical brethern, just on the other side of slavery, not a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of, practically speaking they couldn't have possibly had a chance in hell to overcome, succeed, win yet they tried anyway and they did.

Why? Because they were fed up with the way they were living. And fighting was better than pushing through, barely making it, living with the scraps.

You know I think about it sometimes. Why bother? What are we all doing just playing in the White man's bullshit game. Let me protect me and mine. It's funny this mentality is the norm from middle class to the projects. young men die sensilessly cause they don't see nothing better. the middle and upper class die the death of complacency cause they don't want to lose the small status they've attained and they damn sure aint steppin out to push for better, more for those who don't have.

True enough, Obama is no Martin (he says so himself) he's not the conventional civil rights leader gettin bricks thrown through his window. and he's not ours alone (which may be the real problem). But dammit if that uppity Negro aint trying to do something. Stepping over the black establishment, the white establishment, the democratic establishment and saying ima do this my way. And yeah I hear it, can he really, what if he flip when he gets in, what if he fails? really though, these are concerns any time we elect a new president.

But watching AAL2 last night I kept thinking, damn the ancestors would be proud, those who stepped up, fought and died. One difference may be that they didn't have so many whites behind them. Or maybe we have memories of those whites that were behind them during reconstruction who cut and run when things got difficult. who knows...

Listen as Michelle talks about her husband's safety in america as a black man...

Introducing a Possible...Courvoisier

Courvoisier: Straight from the islands, I am a married lady living in the United States. I strive for knowledge, innovation and perfection in this world; though I’m keenly aware no one is perfect…not even me. I enjoy the simple and exquisite things in life. I believe every life has a purpose and I am eager to fulfill mine.


Besides being the best birth month ever, January is always the month of new beginnings. It is also the month that we celebrate a great man, Martin Luther King Jr. It seems like we celebrate it the same way every year…take that day off (if your company gets down like that) donate some of our personal items and use this time to remember one of our greatest leaders.

This year I stumbled on an article written years ago “The Martin Luther King You Don’t See on TV”, which compelled me to look into the subject some more. This article discusses the years of MLK’s life from 1965-68. There are so many points made in this article I could probably post for days.

I am simply going to touch on one point… "The Poor People's Campaign” created by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1965-66. It was a campaign designed to address the urban riots at the time and focused on black employment, housing and education opportunities. It is said that MLK believed that economic inequality was the reason that many of us African Americans were suffering. Essentially what he was proposing was a more democratic socialized society instead of one rooted in capitalism.

Was this somewhat communist ideal entertained? What happened to this glorious plan that few people know about? Well, MLK was assassinated April 4 1968 and Rev. Ralph Abernathy took leadership of the SCLC. On May 12, 1968 he led the campaign’s effort to lobby the Economic Bill of Rights which was intended to decrease the poverty levels of all races. The campaign was not considered as successful as the movement had dreamed...

So now that we know even MLK acknowledged that it is more than a black/white issue but economic inequality, what's next people? How do we strengthen our economic power in this capitalistic society to which we have been integrated?

There are so many ways and I plan to work on strengthening our community by supporting more black owned businesses in ’08. All I ask is that we step up to the plate, open up our wallets and support our community.

Courvoisier

P.S. Happy B-day MLK!

The Dream Is Real

Early morning, April 4.
A shot rings out in the Memphis sky.
Free at last, they took your life,
But they could not take your pride.
In the name of love,
What more in the name of love.

Pride (In the Name of Love), U2


One of my favorite R&B artists, Raheem Devaughn, shots out “The dream is real” in between songs on his mixtapes. He goes on to say “Be a dream catcher, not a dream chaser.” Kinda corny, but I respect the message.

Last night I started thinking about my dreams and the pursuit, or lack thereof, of said dreams. While kickin it with my mom, I mentioned to her some things that I wanted to accomplish but had put on pause due to lack of financing. My mom’s response was that anything I want to do, can be done. Period. She stressed want being the most important factor. My mother also told me in a very matter-of-fact manner that I have always accomplished whatever I set my mind to. While anything I didn’t care much for… well you can guess the rest. Basically, it ain’t hard at all to walk away from shit you don’t care about.

On the eve of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday [his real birthday is January 15] as I think of the many dimensions of his legacy, there is one word that stands out to me the most. Not freedom. Not equality. Not history. Not pride.

But dream.

Of the many definitions given by dictionary.com, I’d like to highlight:

• An aspiration; goal; aim
• A vision voluntarily indulged in while awake
• To regard something as feasible or practical
• One that is exceptionally gratifying, excellen, or beautiful.

No explanation is needed for why Dr. King’s magnanimous speech “I Have a Dream” touched so many hearts around the world. We can all relate. We all have dreams that are near and dear to us and that we hope to see materialize one day. There are so many others who have put their lives on the line for their dreams whose names are not mentioned in the history books. I believe that Dr. King was a chosen messenger. He inspired a movement. A revolution. It is our duty to keep that flame ignited.

But how hard are you really working towards your dream? How much faith do you have in your dreams and your ability to make them come true? Are you willing to put your life on the line for your dreams? Can you honestly say that when you put your very best effort forward, you yield absolutely no positive results whatsoever?

I ask these questions of you, as well as myself. Cause I know I got work to do and a legacy to preserve. What the hell am I waiting for?

It’s check in time. Check your dreams. Make them happen.

Not only is the dream real, but we are the dream.

Happy Birthday Dr. King.


Tumultuously Yours,

Dark & Stormy