Kwanzaa, Jessica and Missing The "D" part 2

Happy Kwanzaa! I must admit that I have never done the holy days officially, but have always wanted to do something like Kwanzaa with the whole Black community.

We're in The D and having a beautiful time and always strive to take advantage of something we can't do in Big City Wanna Be. This time we went to the opening Kwanzaa celebration at the Charles H. Wright Museum. I was hipped to the event by Ms. Jessica Care Moore my newest Sister who is from The D and is living here again for a few months.

On the program with Jessica was the esteemed Haki Madhubuti who we heard briefly. The feeling of being among 200 conscious Black people who were there to just be together and experience whatever was offered was just grand. You could feel the hope, the dedication and the pride all at once. Brothers gave up seats for women with children. When Jessica needed to go sell some books and left me with her son in his stroller, other sisters pulled the stroller near and kept him from being brushed when people walked by. It was just a righteous night.

Haki really did it right. He spoke truth to the people who needed to hear his words. He didn't do like some people and take the message of self reliance and responsibility to the streets, he took it to the appropriate party; those who claim to be among the knowing.

I got three things from his words that I want to really work on.

He asked, "What stops a bullet?" Answer: A job (self employed or employee). We need to encourage our youth to be productive producers and workers.

Next, he spoke about how the arts are transforming for young minds and have the potential to alter lives by the exposure to something more than what is seen on the streets.

Lastly, he spoke on how much we need to make our homes a place of learning. He said look at your home and what is in it. Is it set up for learning? First, is it clean? Next, does the art reflect the occupants of the home? What books are on the shelf, how many books are on the shelf? What CD's and more importantly what DVD's do you own and what does all that say about you?

It was a blessing to be there.

I didn't get enough of Jess and her son so I invited them to my sisters for our farewell fish fry. Here's a photo with me, my sister, sister in law, Jess and her son (you'll have to figure who is who :-) She shared a poem with us and one of my younger cousins sang, it was great night.



I hope everyone is doing well and having a great time during this season of celebration. I am having one of the best vacations of my life.

Little Gods - DVD Review

Right out the gate this video had my, then 2 year old, daughter mesmerized!

The video shows four Black children, who are siblings, doing things that we should all be teaching our children. The children's parents produced this very educational video.

The video skillfully teaches children that we should strive to be as the Creator in our own way in everything we do. Each set of scenes is categorized into one of the 99attributes of God (the video does not do all 99, just 5-7 I think). For example "The Powerful" shows the children demonstrating basic calisthenic exercises. "Compassionate" shows the girls taking care of their dolls and hugging each other.

As a Muslim, I can use it as a teaching aid for religion class but I know non-Muslims who use it and say that they don't feel that it "proselytizes".

Scenes include:

Children setting the table
Cleaning up their toys
Doing arts and crafts
Eating fruit
Getting dressed (jackets, shoes only)
Counting/Math
Watering plants
Washing hands
Exercising
Learning geography
and the list goes on and on

Muslims and non-Muslims will find this video a great teaching tool. It is one that will be enjoyed for years. My daughter "burned out" on it after about 3 months of watching it daily, but has picked it up again at 3 because now she is more interested in tying her shoes and putting on her coat and reading numbers. So I'm sure she'll continue to grow into it.

I've seen it at bookstores that specialize in Black books and I've seen it online at www.finalcall.com

Have a great one....

Remember when I was feeling like this?

Then my sister came and did this?

Now we're happy like this!

(My mom, dad, two nephews and my baby-girl)

Hope your day is great. I'm having a ball and may have to ice my elbow from being so damn competitive. I've been whuppin' azzez all day on Wii! Don't try to box with Sista P, EVER!

Hope you are somewhere happy with some folks you love!

Join us on Sunday!!!

Join me Sunday (12/23) at 6pm EST for my weekly radio show "Key Conversations". You can listen LIVE on-line at www.wlap.com

Our topic will be "2007 Year End Review" We're giving a Black perspective on the biggest local and national headlines. This week is Part 2.

Special guests will be:
Popular blogger Mwabi Murdock, Editor in chief of Jamati.com
and
Founder of BlackAmericanTalks.net, Bruce Edwards

LISTEN ONLINE AT WWW.WLAP.COM (click Listen Live)

Tom Joyner giving away money for college

Tom Joyner is the REAL DEAL. I had a chance to do a press meet and greet with him when he was the keynote speaker for the inauguration of Kentucky State's President Dr. Mary Evans Sias. He didn't meet with us long because he wanted to study and get the pronunciation for all of the names he had to say that evening. Then he came out and skipped dinner so he could go to each table to greet and take photos with guests. He was so real and humble! This scholarship is an inspiration to make me work harder so that one day my company can do something like this.

I HIGHLY recommend HBCU's for Black students. To have the opportunity to learn and grow without the yoke of prejudice and low expectations is a blessing. I attended Central State in Wilberforce Ohio and met my husband there. It made a big difference for me and many people I know. My husband left Mankato State in MN and just showed up on campus at CSU, no application, no testing, nothing. They worked with him to get his paperwork in order and he remained there and graduated. Now I'm not saying to try that, but that's how serious HBCU's are about educating everyone who WANTS an education.

The Tom Joyner Full Ride Scholarship

This will be given away to a high school senior that is planning to enroll in an HBCU in the fall of 2008.

Full ride includes: full tuition waivers and stipends to cover room and board and books for up to ten semesters.

Details, applications and standards here. Hurry, deadline is January 18th!

Post Scrip: My husband clarified his admission process. His HS football coach told him about CSU after he decided he didn't want to return to Mankato. He called CSU admissions and they had him send his transcript from Mankato and then they called and told him to come and they registered him for class. To me, it's the same great story. No hassle, just come on!

A page from the story that is my life...

Today I had the unfortunate experience of being a guest on the "Wylie Coyote Show" here in Big City Wanna Be. I call it that because it is a play on the radio show hosts name, and her audience is like a pack of wild coyote's.

Background: I turned some of my random thoughts into a rather long piece on the Michael Vick case and sent it the daily newspaper for publication. They asked me, at the end of 2006, to consider being a regular contributing commentator but I declined for the time being. Now, I felt up to the task of the additional writing that it would require. And also, I had to prepare for the potential added attention I may experience.

My article ran on Saturday and by Monday I got a call from Ms. Coyote to be on her show. I have declined her invitation each time I've been invited this year, because her audience does not stay on topic and they accuse every Black person who comes on the radio of "playing the race card." I decided to begin writing a few pieces for the daily to promote our newspaper and radio show and since exposure was the goal I accepted the invitation to do the show.

Some people crave the spotlight, and I admit I did too for a while in my life. I now prefer for my words to be in print so that people can reread them for clarity and any misinterpretation of my words can be blamed on the reader and not my sometimes blunt delivery.

Several listeners (all "sounded" white) took this opportunity to:
1. Accuse me of calling another talk show host a racist.
2. Tell me I was a racist for having a "Black" newspaper.
3. Tell me Black need to clean out their own backyard before calling others racist because we have Black colleges, Miss Black America and BET so are racists too.
4. Tell me that they were just waiting for someone to say that Vick was a victim of racism. Because "you people" always revert to that when you are caught with your hands in the cookie jar.
5. Agree that Vick should get his job back in the NFL (which was my real point in the article) but people like me make him sick always talking about race.
6. Call in to say that he had a comment but was so angry at me he couldn't get his thoughts together.

But 3 brothers (of course one being my Supa Dupa Fly Husband) and 1 white man called to defend my position.
1. The first caller gave several examples through the years of Black athletes who have been paid less that white counterparts helping to prove my belief that there is an underlying racist belief that Blacks aren't deserving of wealth. (I didn't say overwhelming belief, I said underlying)
2. The second caller compared the treatment of Barry Bonds to that of Roger Clemens. Why is a Black man accused of steroid use for hitting home runs but the white pitcher isn't?
3. The white man said that there are too many instances where judges and government has had to step in and change laws that were unfair toward Blacks for us to simply dismiss any claims of racism in this or any other case. He mentioned the crack v. cocaine sentencing and driving while Black as instances where it didn't seem racist initially, but further evaluation proved it.
4. Lastly, one brother called after I left and said he didn't know why I even came on the show knowing how her audience is. He said he only listens so he can hear what her listeners are really saying behind closed doors.

I had to go take some nerve pills and sit down with baby girl and work a puzzle with her to calm down.

When I returned to the office though, a 70 year old Black business owner called me. She told me that I made her proud by standing my ground against those callers and that that's how we 'used to be'. We always had the back of one another and my defense of Vick's rights was the right thing to do. I never said he wasn't guilty but I didn't let people kick him while he's down. She said what she read in the paper was not at all they way they tried to spin it on the radio.

That's why I do what I do. I am a defender of truth and I'm for the rise of Black people. Some see my Black pride as hatred for non-Blacks, but that's their issue to deal with. That one call from my elder reminded me that God groomed me for this work and this was just another day at the office.

p.s. I'm going to write something on the train wreck that we call "talk radio".

Two of my favorite counting books

My daughter is starting to read her numbers now and it is so much fun watching her mind work. Now that she knows what the second number should be like 23 (say "twenty three") and 35 (say "thirty five") she reads her teens like this: 13 (says "three teen") and 15 (says "five teen"). It was so cute when she did it, it made me know that she could really read and reason. We're working out the kinks but she is really comprehending which gives me inspiration that I can really do this home-school thing.

My favorite counting books so far are:
Feast for 10

The story chronicles a trip to the grocery store and preparation of a family feast. Of course I love the Black family as subjects, but I really like the verses like "six bunches of greens".

Chicka Chicka 1-2-3


I love rhyming books for this stage of learning and the book goes all the way to 100 and counts by 10's. It teaches a lot and there are no talking animals to confuse the children either.

Why?!?!?!?!?!?

There is a blog, that shall remain nameless, that I was so starting to enjoy. Funny, not vulgar. Smart, not "intellectual". Silly, not stupid. Frustrated, not angry.

It was a fun place to be with no drama. Then I went there today and.........

This blog is open to invited readers only

It doesn't look like you have been invited to read this blog.

Was I just blog-dumped? I feel like he just quit me. I am sad. I hope it's a mistake or I get an invitation.

I don't have anywhere to go! I'm homeless!

See you on the radio!

Join me today at 6pm EST for my weekly radio show "Key Conversations". You can listen LIVE on-line at www.wlap.com

Our topic will be "2007 Year End Review" We're giving a Black perspective on the biggest local and national headlines.

Special guests will be:
Popular blogger Mwabi Murdock, Editor in chief of Jamati.com
and
Founder of BlackAmericanTalks.net, Bruce Edwards

LISTEN ONLINE AT WWW.WLAP.COM (click Listen Live)

May he be remembered...

This is the most gracious and informative article I've seen.

Peace to the family of Ike Turner.

On a lighter note...

Saw the preview for this when I went to see This Christmas...the trailer cracked me up. Looking forward to laughing out loud at this one!

Those bastards...

This is the last thing I'm going to say about the Vick situation

...probably.

(Note: I wrote much of this back in August and posted it on my other blog which I don't update much. I put it here since Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison today.)

The Michael Vick case is not about sports. It’s about the law…and second chances.

I won’t take up any time recapping his animal abuse/dog fighting charges, as they are easy to find. What has been shocking though, is the number of Blacks who have a zero tolerance for athletes breaking the law. Some bloggers and columnists have gone as far as to say that since Vick broke the law off the field, he should lose the “privilege” of going to work as a football player permanently. If he can’t go back to the NFL, then where is it acceptable for him to find employment? Is there work left in America for someone convicted of dog fighting?

We have become a judgmental society. In 1994 California voters approved a “three strikes and you’re out” law that puts those convicted of a similar felony 3 times away under minimum sentencing guidelines. “60 Minutes” profiled a man who was convicted of shoplifting 3 times and he is now serving two 25 year sentences for stealing less than $200 worth of video tapes.

But now in 2007 we have a one-strike law for Vick. Pretty soon, we won't be given a chance at all and we'll be back in the 1940's where Blacks were considered less than human beings, women couldn't vote and other injustices were imposed by the dominating race and gender.

Is Vick a victim of racism? I say yes, but most of you Black bashing African-Americans will say no. No one called Vick the n-word or called his mother’s hair nappy so it can’t be racism right?

By no means am I saying that we don't need law enforcement. Enforce the law. He was been sentenced and will serve time and hopefully come out alive and in reasonably sound mind.

But what I AM saying is that continuing to punish people after they have served thier time HAS TO STOP.

In Kentucky, convicted felons lose most of their civil rights even after being released from serving their time in prison. They can't own a fire arm, some can't enter the military and none of them can vote.

We have laws against "double jeopardy" but none against double punishment.

In The National Urban Leagues publication, "The State of Black America 2007: Portrait of the Black Male" Barack Obama says this in the foreword and it should apply to Vick’s circumstance:

"The crisis of the Black male is our crisis whether we are Black or white, male or female. It is too easy and sometimes too fashionable to demonize Black men...who have strayed. But in so doing, we degrade ourselves, we weaken the bonds of shared interest that are necessary to sustain us. We fail to give people the first chance they deserve, and the second chance that we all sometimes require."

Remember the little things....

What could be a romantic season, with fireplaces blazing and sexy holiday songs by the Temptations playing, is often stressful for marriages. Even those who don't celebrate Christmas for religious reasons can find it stressful, with family visits and what has become obligatory gift exchanges.

Remember YOUR reason for the season and don't find yourself divorced by King Day.

Remember to take some time to do the little things that can make your spouse feel loved and show them that you appreciate them.

Some suggestions:
1. Give them a pedicure.
2. If you are NOT the regular cook, ask if there is a simple meal you can prepare.
3. Do an extra chore around the house.
4. If you have children, take them out or sit and watch a long movie with them while the other takes a nap.
5. Watch a DVD together.
6. Have a family dance party with some of your favorite tunes.

These are things we did this weekend and today, with a desk full of work, I don't feel so bad. After a WONDERFUL weekend like that, I can't complain!

This Christmas...see "This Christmas"

I had high hopes for this one and I was NOT disappointed. I'm always a little scared when singers get to actin', but Chris Brown was good. TI liked that fact that the characters were very well developed, the movie was two hours long! But what I really liked was that it stayed away from the typical stereotypes. It could have easily done the "children hate Momma's new man", "Successful sister is uptight and won't date blue collar brothers", "somebody's a crack head" thing but it DIDN'T. YES!!!

I did have a coupla questions though:
What's up with the grandchildren? There was a boy and girl but only the boy is on the movie poster. Then there were only two but they had their own dinner table and they kept disappearing.

I kept seeing holes in the women's clothes. One on an arm and one under an arm. Not a good look!

Did Regina King have to be in her Vickies so much??

Idris' character explained why he showed up with no luggage, but why did he leave with luggage but kept the same clothes on through the whole movie?

Was the sharp dressed Latino lady (who never left the kitchen) the cook or housekeeper or a good friend? (I say cook)

Overall: A- (use caution with children of "knowing" age because there is some sexy lingerie and a "hook-up" scenario you may have to explain)

For those considering it...some more data

FDA: 28 Miscarriages No Reason to Reexamine Gardasil
By Fred Lucas
CNSNews.com Staff Writer
December 06, 2007

(CNSNews.com) - Since June 2006, when the HPV vaccine Gardasil was approved by the Food and Drug Administration, there have been 28 reported cases in which pregnant women miscarried after receiving the vaccine.

A total of 3,461 adverse reactions, including eight deaths, were reported to the government through the VAERS system since the FDA approved the drug.

Read entire story here...

Have a great weekend!

Please listen in to my radio show, Key Conversations, LIVE online at www.wlap.com (click LISTEN LIVE) THIS SUNDAY at 6pm EST. My guest will be Ms. Harriette Cole. We'll be discussing "Holiday Etiquette". If you live in Central KY listen in on 630AM at 6pm.

Remember, Key Conversations SUNDAY at 6pm EST! See you on the radio!

The lurking...

I took baby girl and her partner in crime to the library. We took off our coats and put their backpacks on the backs of their chairs. The children began to work on puzzles when I saw her.

ANOTHER BLACK MOTHER!

I smiled, but she didn't see me because she was totally into her son. They were playing ball in the reading area. Then I tried to make eye contact again. I smiled at her and she just stared me down. That wasn't the first time that that happened to me in "big city wanna be" so I just went on about my business figuring she was a nanny or just not friendly.

When I walked closer to the area that the mother and child were in I noticed that there was only one more woman in there, a young white woman, and she was texting on her phone and didn't have children with her.

Then I saw the Black mother with a diaper and wipes taking her son to the restroom and the lady followed behind and sat in a chair so she could see the bathroom door.

That's when I figured it out. The mother was having a supervised visit with her child. She gave him a bottle, some snacks, read to him, played with him all while closely monitored.

The monitor listened to how she spoke to the boy and offered suggestions for better communication. Example:
Mom: Put that down boy, before I have to get you.
Monitor: Just remove it from his hand and say no-no.

When it was time to go, the monitor put the boy in her car as the mother walked away.

I'm still trying to figure out how this made me feel. It was the first time I saw this and I'm feeling like I should do something but there's nothing to do. Obviously the mom is trying or she wouldn't be allowed to visit. But the lurking monitor was so disturbing to me.

B.D.T.

I was watching Black Disgraceful Television last night. I was surfing and saw that it was the finale of Sunday Best. I have only occasionally followed the show so it didn't really matter to me who won, both women were EXCEPTIONAL.

I sat there watching and thinking how disgraceful it is that the best show to happen to BDT was from the creators of A.mer.ican I.d.o.l. We don't own the network and we can't even come up with progamming. What is the point?? Call it something else.

Then before I can dry my eyes from the emotional win, here comes the intro to Co.ll.e.g.e Hill with a guy puking into a toilet, trying to sober up from a drunken binge. Yeah, great programming there!

I am not just being a couch critic here. I own/produce and host my own radio show so I know how hard scheduling and programming are. There are many things to consider. I do it most times singlehandedly. (I have a production assistant from time to time when I can find someone who can keep up with my pace. Right now I have one who is 'da bomb!) I know that they have a big enough budget for competent staff.

And while I'm going there. I can think of a new name for BE.T. Call it D.I.S. for Dr. Ian Sm.ith, is anyone else tired of seeing him? Meet the Faith, 50 Million Pound Challenge Commercials, Co.lle.g.e Hill...it's too much!

Don't even get me started on the show American Gangster. Are you serious? In 2007 you want to teach us the history of some of "our" most notorious criminals and you have no children's programming or news shows? Get outta here.

Update: I read this piece that ran in the L.A. Times with Reginald Hudlin praising their "upgrades" while asking why "we" don't say anything about "I Love NY" and "Flava of Luv"--I had high hopes for him too *sigh*

How do they do it?

Man, why in the world would someone go to college, pay good money for a degree to teach preschoolers for the pennies they make?It is worth at least $100,000 for the 9 months each year they work!

My daughter (3) and my friends son (4) wear me DOWN. I keep him on Monday and Tuesday so that my daughter has a classmate for home-school and mostly because he goes to day care which should not be mistaken for pre-school. He does not know his letters or numbers by sight, has not done finger painting nor has ever been to the library.

The tough part is teaching on two levels making sure each is sufficiently challenged. That's what would kick my azz if I had 15 of them on different levels.

It's a challenge but it's preparing me. I want to homeschool my children until they go to high school and I want 2 more so I'd better get ready.

A few items that help me out...BIG TIME!

I really love to cook. Home cooking is really an essential skill for a Muslim woman. Nowadays you can't tell what's in anything unless you are a registered dietitian and most things that you can't name are pork in disguise. With that said, if you are a serious homecooker you probably have some appliances that you turn to on a regular to make cooking easier.

Here are my favorites in no particular order.

I love this food chopper because it's so easy to clean and most times I don't need more than the 1.5 cups it chops. I use it mostly for vegetables like onions, celery, garlic and peppers when I make lentil chili, potato salad or navy bean soup. Chops in seconds.

I have used a crock pot since I was a college student (not in the dorm, in my house off campus). I mainly make chili in it now, but I make chicken cacciatore and chicken noodle soup in it too. If you get one, make sure that the "pot" portion comes out so you can clean it properly. Also, store the lid carefully because most are pretty easy to crack. There's nothing like coming in after a long day out to the smell of food cooking.

If you've never had homemade ice cream you don't know what you are missing. I like making my own flavors and combinations. This new machine is great. No rock salt, no ice. You keep the "freezer" portion in your freezer at all times, so when you want some ice cream you just pull it out and whip some up. You can use your own fresh ingredients and can use sugar substitue if you want, natural sugar if you want, organic fruit, etc. You can cater to any diet or taste. Also, my husband likes dessert every night and if there are no baked goods left and I'm not up to making cookies, this is a quick option. Plus, it just makes you look extra special when you serve homemade cake or pie with homemade ice cream!

What appliances do you love (no microwaves please, LOL!)?