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!!!!!!!!!!....

Persecution

Regardless what people think of me I will never falter from what I think is right. In this process of trying to put together this show. I have experienced some of the most unpleasant things known to man. My eyes have seen the people that society has called the unfit, because they do not dress the way others do, or they do not speak the way others do, or they are not the same color as others are. All my life I had to fight to belong to what society thinks is right, when in my heart I know that it is wrong. It is wrong to group a class of people in section of a city and then refuse them jobs, adequate health care and food, and then flood that section with drugs, just to see them eliminate each other. In that same vain the fathers that can't get jobs to provide for their families, now have to turn to doing illegal acts to put food on the table. Now they go to jail and the mothers are left to raise the children the best way they know how. By giving them playstations and letting them watch violent music videos and movies, this is what is raising the youth of today. Now the government who would rather put money into a senseless war, instead of putting money into the Arts and Education. Now the people we see begging for money, so that they can stay alive for another day. As we live and breathe we're depleting the earth of its Natural Resources, Gas, Food, Electricity is at a all time high. As a people we are killing ourselves. I think when the lord said " And the meek shall inherit the Earth". This what he forsaw, I know how to dumpster dive and live in a tent, but can you adapt to this harsh reality. So let's start now with supporting those less fortunate than us who are crying out for our help, because you never know someday it might be you asking those some one's to help you build a fire to stay warm. My faith in God has become stronger everyday because I know that at least he has not foresaken me, when I see mankind has. "I hear Music in the Streets" was put together so that we can show Northampton Mass and the surrronding areas, the talents of the people you call no good and not normal. I am in that category because of the color of my skin, When in this day and age people still call me Nigger when they know my name is Ira. But I have talents just like other peopleinthis town and I will never give up and made to feel that I am less than because I don't fit the perception of the upper class.

Rebirth

I am in the process of rebirth. My views on life are changing everyday, trying to take the good with the bad.....I have done somethings in my lifetime that I am not proud of today, but I will try my best to make amends the best way that I can. My mother has Alzheimers and right now I am in no position to help her or my sister who is her caretaker out. But with the grace of God sometime in the near future I will be there for her. I will always love my momma, She's my favorite girl. You only have one.....God has taken me on a journey right now and in this process you know who your real friends are.....So in saying that there are three people I want to thank Steve Conners for all your support. Pastor Steve Belke for believing in me and my project. The way you preach God's word is awesome, and last but not least Mr Bill Hairston for the inspiration and motivation that helped me with the course of others started me on this project. Bassam Kurdali you have been a true friend through out this process...... My rebirth has changed my life I am going thru some hard times right now but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.