Black Man? Woman!!!!

I know it has been a long time since I have posted anything on my blog but, I feel now is the time that I discuss somethings that have been bothering me. I recently had a conversation with a young lady who happens to be white. When I first met this woman she was polite and open but as time went on she started to shut down. About 4 months ago I seen her at a dance and went to talk to her, when I touched her to get her attention, she automatically drew back and looked at me like I was going to attack her. So normally I backed off and then I got mad at her for assuming that because I was a big black man I was going to attack her. So from that point on everytime I seen her I made it a point to let her know that I did not want anything to do with her, everytime she came around me, I would move away. I wanted her to feel how I felt . Well this went on for about like I said 4 months until recently this woman at another club happened to put her drink where I was sitting, I know she did this to maybe break the Ice and it worked because I personally had to let, that animosity go, so we had a dialouge and I told her she made me feel at that time andshe said some things to me like just because I am a Black Man I am still a man. She was hurt because Men had taken some opportunities with her without her consent. I write this because at that time I felt her pain but I also was not clear if she felt my pain. So I will break it down like this from my perspective. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLACK. If you are a black man life can be an interlude with an early demise. Black youths do what they must do to survive in a hostile world, with the prospect of violence and death on its battlefield. Attitudes can turn fatalisticeven suicidal: Gladiators without even the cheers of an audience. when white people hear the cry " the police are coming " for them it means "Help is on the way". Black citizens cannot make the same assumption. If you have been the victim of a crime you cannot presume that the police will actually show up or if they do that they will take much note of your losses or suffering. You sense police officials that blacks, should accept being robbed or raped as of everyday risk. It seems obvious to you more detectives are assigned to a case when a white person is murdered. If you are black and young and a man, the arrival of the police does not usually signify help, but something very different. If you are a teenager simply socializing with friends the police may order you to disperse and get off the streets!! They may turn a searchlight and order you against a wall. Then comes the command to spread your legs and empty your pockets, and stay there while they call in your identity on the radio. If you find yourself in the system it will seem alien terrain, usually your judge and prosecuter as will most members of the jury, as well as your attorney, in short your fate will be decided by a white world. This may help to explain why you have harsh words for the police, even though you want and need their protection, more than white people do, after all there is more crime in areas where you live. Not to mention drug dealing and all that comes in it's wake. So as a black man I have seen alot of negatives things against me and my family that I know that you young lady are now experiencing, my answer to you is don't let it harden your but pray for those who have hurt you because if you don't it could KILL YOU.

Taking a Stand

As we speak I am about to do something that will bring attention to the ugly situation we are living in and about to take inititive on my own merit. I am about to stand up for my people who are oppressed on my own merit.

Coming Together with Colors and Community

This is in response to what will be happening on Nov 29th 2008 at the Academy of Music in Northampton Mass. It was written by a cosponser of the event who also took me into his home and has inspired me to keep working on being a Community Organizer we need more people like Mr Thomas Schuman to step up to the plate in these hard times.

One thing for sure - is going to happen on November 4th 2008. In our country there is going to be a new president elected. We will have a CHANGE in leadership at the top of our government. But will it really CHANGE much as for as how our lives are,day to day?
Yeah people are losing jobs and 401k money, so they can't live as comfortably as they have, but maybe that's not a bad thing. What we tend to do in America when our wealth increase is to get more selfish.
Selfish means sharing less.
We would not have poor and homeless people if those of us who have shared the have not's instead of expecting the government to do it.
Why should some have 2 or more homes and others have none? So it could be a good thing that people are losing money if it helps them to face how selfish they've been with all their extra cash.
Things can be and should be different which is what we are all about in our efforts. We all need to think, feel, and behave differently with our time and money. There needs to be some collective shutting off of TV's and computers and going in search of somebody to help.
It isn't just for the minority communities to care life in minority neighborhoods.
Shame on us, my white brothers and sisters, if we abuse our position as the race in power.
We can and should do better, and I believe we shall.
So open your eyes to somebody else's pain, figure out what you can do, and go do it. OK?

written by Thomas Schuman

John Brown- Oct 16th 1859 - raided Harpers Ferry, Virginia Federal Arsenal- Hoped to give the guns to the slaves.
Asked why he did it he said " I pity the poor in bondage that have none to help them. That is why I am here... It is my sympathy with the oppressed and wronged who are as good as you and as precious in the sight of God....Had I interfered in the behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, or the so-called great, every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment.......Pg 195...Journey Toward Freedom The Story of Sojourner Truth

Change

Change starts from within, Change starts with me. Change starts from the bottom up.
Over the last couple of weeks I have been stressed, I have takin on a major resposibility and have not responded positively negative feedback, which sort of makes me look like the bad guy to all those that don't know what is going on with me.
I have been put to the test on a number of occassions and the angry black man has come forward and scared some people.
These same people do not know how much they scare me also
With the way the world is at this present time, things likr the financial crisis, proverty, global warming and racism
All of these things effect me in a negative way.
I had to live in a tent for 5 weeks because of my beliefs and I still hang on to my vision that we are going to live in this great world in perfect harmony
I have been in alot of negative situations in the last few weeks and my strong personality has come to the forefront.
I will keep my faith in the man above because it is his judgement that I seek. that's all that matters to me.
Social Change in Mind..

Hard Times

In this day and age it is hard for everybody to make ends meet, so I am trying my hardest to keep my sanity and survive in this cruel cruel world. I have a great idea on what to do with the city's homeless and unemployed population and that is to start an Arts and Training Institute in the Northampton Mass area. With the help of area churches, businesses and the political people we can bust up our own economy with this project by investing in our own people. more information to come on this project real soonb

I have only just begun to fight

My experinces in the last month, have been good and bad, I have seen some of the ugly sides of mankind and I have also seen the good in mankind......I have met some interesting people on this short journey, who have peoples best intrest at heart but because of their strong convictions in what they are trying to do for their fellow man they have become victims of the system like my new friend Suyara who wants to help people not lose their homes in this world of high intrest rates and forclosures and has basically put her own happiness on the line for this just cause.....In the process of my putting together the Homeless and Unemployed Art Showcase I to put my self on the line with my convictions, I lived in a tent for 5 weeks and had to walk numerous miles to bathe and go into town for meetings and dinners and get togethers, just so I convince people that my cause was a worthy one....I wanted to give up so many times because I know alot of the general population just doesn't get it and is only concern about themselves...So I had to pray to God to give me the strength to keep moving in a positive direction and not give up.....And you know what?....I am still not done I have alot more to do because Like Mother Theresa said" The good you do today, people will forget by tomorrow but do good anyways".......So people out there remember this, I have only just begun to FIGHT!!!!!......PEACE

The Restoration of all things

My show " I Hear Music in the Streets' is 6 days away.... Me and Tom Schulman who has graciously let me stay with him and his beautiful wife Pat, was discussing many things last night, alot of it had to do with the world today and how it relates to the teachings of the bible and Tom showed me a passage in The Book of Isaiah and has alot of to do with the way I view the World today.......Book of Isaiah Chapter 58.............Cry loudly, do not hold back, Raise your voice like a trumpet. and declare to My people their transgression, and to the house of Jacob their sins. ( The Church). Yet they seek me day by day and delight to know my ways. As a nation that has done righteousness...And has not foresaken the ordinance of their God....They ask Me for just decisions...They delight in the nearness of God.....Why have we fasted and you do not see?...Why have we humbled ourselves and you do not notice?....Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, and drive hard all your workers...... Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist....You do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high.....Is it a fast like this which I choose? a day for a man to humble himself?....Is it for bowing one's head like a reed, and for spreading on a sackcloth and ashes as a bed?.....Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord?.....Is this not the fast that I choose, To loosen the the bonds of Wickedness, To undo the bands on the yoke. And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke.....Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry....And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you;.... The glory of the Lord will be your rear Guard.....Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;.... You will cry, and he will say" Here I am"....If you remove the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger and the andspeaking wickedness, And if you give yourself to the hungry.... And satisfy the desire of the afflicted, Then your light will rise in the darkness and your gloom will become like midday....And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden...and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail......Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;....You will raise up the age-old foundations;....And you will be called the repairer of the breach.... The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.....If because of the sabbath you turn your foot ...From doing your own pleasure on my holy day, and call the sabbth a delight, the holy day, the holy day of the Lord honorable...and honor it, desisting your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure...And speaking your own word.....Then you will take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the Earth.....And I will feed you the Heritage of Jacob your father......FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN!!!!!!!!!!....