Monday, July 29, 2013

THE STRENGTH OF THE BLACK MAN


                                               The Strength of the Black Man

The Black Man and Strength definitely go hand in hand, and so many of them never hear the words of how great they are, not just as men, but as our black men. The black man wears a target on his back daily, as he is abused, accused and refused. We take the plight of the black man for granted not realizing that from the day he is birthed into this world there are many assumptions placed on his back.

There are some black men that never complain they just endure and exist, while others crumble and run away under the pressure placed upon their shoulders and back. Do we ever truly comprehend the journey a black man takes just to survive in Our World? Black men are feared, ridiculed, avoided and plagued as the criminal element in our society. These men have to endure and always be the pillars of strength or they are cut down into a million pieces.

I remember the first time that I witnessed my father cry; it was because his oldest brother passed away, and I was literally astonished to see tears come out of my father’s eyes. I had never ever seen my father cry before and I couldn’t believe it, I really believed that after a certain age men no longer cried. Men were just always meant to be strong and to see my father’s tears it meant that he had a weak point. It broke my heart to watch my father cry and all I remember saying to my little brother was, daddy is crying. I felt so much closer to my dad at that very moment because it sort of humanized him for me that he could feel pain and weep.

You know growing up many of us was taught that the best thing was to find a good, strong and loving man; like Boaz in the bible. Boaz was strong, he fed Ruth, and he protected her and made her his wife. So when you think of strength you do not think of a man crying; it is just unthinkable, especially due to their upbringing and pride. Men are taught to withhold their emotional feelings and to avoid being in touch with their inner most feelings, because it revealed weakness. The funniest thing ever is that as women we complain that men do not display enough emotion, and that they tend to hold back on their sensitive side and are not vulnerable to us as women. Men are taught one thing growing up, and are expected to display the very thing that were taught not to feel, how confusing.

If I were a man I would be completely confused as to my role in this world, especially as a black man. Black men are feared automatically because of the color of their skin, and they are always the first to be investigated and accused. Could you imagine always being the prime suspect of any crime? They are pulled over by the police daily; they are shunned by many folks that fear them due to the color of their skin and appearance. The saddest thing of all is that when some of them achieve a certain status and believe that they have more than proven themselves to be productive and progressive elements in society, somebody always tries to step in and inform them that they are still just Black Men.

We can agree that some black men do not live up to our expectations of them, but again some of them tend to suppress their true feelings, which include:

v I have been trying so hard, but I cannot find a job, they will not hire me

v I don’t like who I am because self hatred is embedded in me.

v I have so much anger built up inside because of how I am treated by society.

v I want to scream and cry, but I refuse to wear my heart on my sleeve and appear to be a punk, I am a man

v Nobody will ever truly understand what I go through, I hurt just like anybody else

v I do not want my children to see me as a failure that is why I stay away

v I cannot take care of myself, how can I take care of my family

v You are all better off without me

 

And the list continues. We are very judgmental when it comes to our Black men and they have so much to work through and deal with in society. We are not making excuses for the black man, we are just trying to tip toe in his shoes and comprehend his journey through his eyes.

 

Being Black in America can be a tough pill to swallow, but being a black man in society can be the whole medicine cabinet. I applaud all black man that are still standing strong and not just surviving but making it in this world.  We know that your burdens are heavy and we want to be there for you to help transport some of the weight until we are all in a better place. We want you to know that giving up is not an option and that we are in this battle together. We will not walk away and give up on you, as we are all learning about your journey and plight.

 

 We have to take the time to love our young black boys and help them to become Productive, Progressive and Proud Black Men. We have to be there for them with our ears, love and comprehension

 

Yes it’s true, WE LOVE OUR BLACK MEN AND WE LOVE THE STRENGTH THEY POSSESS.



Sharlene R. Prince

 

Friday, July 19, 2013

HISTORY IN THE MAKING REACTIONS REGARDING TRAYVON MARTIN VERDICT


TRAYVON MARTIN COULD BE MY SON OR NEPHEW

     I  am so proud to be a Black Woman in America! We are making history again by taking a stand against stand your ground laws and about the senseless random killings of our black males. Black people are extremely strong and I don't think people give them enough credit for surviving all that they endure. The Death of Trayvon has been a like a Tsumani waking up the world. We know that the story is not a new one as the same story is repeated daily, but this story in particular was no longer a story, but a major drama series that all channels were tuned into for watching and listening.

The outpouring of love and support for the Martin and Fulton family was humbling. I asked myself if I could have been as calm, cool and collective as Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin were regarding the death of their son, the trial and the verdict. It truly takes special people walking in their Faith to have stayed as strong as they did, for as long as they have. To have people make assumptions and character assassin your child can be like pouring salt in the already irritated wound.

For this past year I personally felt like I knew Sybrina Fulton, Tracy Martin and Trayvon Martin as I was taking the journey for justice with them. When you have the responsibility for the life of a child it can definitely pull and tug at one's heart strings. Our children depend upon us to guide their way, protect them and love them; and when we as parents lose control of the safety that is so expected from us, by our children, it can truly shatter the worlds of both.

The Protests and Marches exemplify that we are a people of Pride and we do not have intentions of laying down anymore and playing dead. Our lives have value just like anyone else, we are educated, we are mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, sons and brothers. We deserve the right for fair treatment and justice under the laws of the land that we helped build.  This country is our country and we have the right to experience freedom on the highest levels offered by God. No indivdual has the right to dictate the life expectancy of another solely based on assumptions or racial bias. We as a people have sat down quietly for way too long now, and it's time for change. We can be the change agents if we continue on the peaceful path while still penetrating the system with our voices.

The case of Trayvon Martin has reopened the necessary dialogue regarding race and the judicial system. We can be hypocritical and make the claims that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, or we can actually change the laws to reflect the laws and claims already on the books. How can we have laws that state all men are created equal and then we treat various races differently? How can the laws be changed to reflect equality for all men, if the very people in charge of enforcing these laws manipulate them to satisfy their own biases?

The justification and camoflauge of injustice is becoming old and tiresome, enough is enough already.

Trayvon Martin will forever be in our hearts and we cannot allow our voices to be silent or become weary, for the battle is not over, it has just begun. This battle wears the faces of our children and our grandchildren; and we are truly stronger than we give ourselves credit for, so therefore we need to step up to the plate and bat peacefully. We have been through a great deal of innings, but in the game of baseball you keep coming back even after three strikes, there are more innings to play.

The reaction to this verdict has become a wake up call for America, as well as a mirror on what has been transpiring from generation to generation. The world is viewing how we handle our own households before we try to dictate theirs. If we as a country cannot treat our own fairly, how can we step foot into another country and dictate Democracy? Again, that would be considered hypocracy.

Trayvon Martin's death has sparked questions needing answers, as well as confirmations about unequal treatment in our world and in our judicial system. We may all have our various versions of what transpired between the late Trayvon Martin and the freed George Zimmerman, but the bottom line is the life of a Black young male was taken too soon, especially for a teenager that was just walking home and minding his own darn business.

Tears have been shed around the world for the loss of Trayvon Martin, a teenager who was just being a teenager; who lost his life soley due to the assumption of one man. This man started a fight and then killed a young man who was defending himself from being attacked(everyone has their own version, this is mine). This was the only person left standing and his word took precedence in a society who didn't believe the decease to be worthy of a guilty verdict. We welcome the discussion just as warmly as we want to bring true awareness inside the hearts and minds of the people.

We do not want to lose anymore of our children, so let's join forces and allow our voices to be heard. We must embrace our Black Men, young and old and let them know we are there for you, WE GET IT!

Written by Sharock P.

Beyoncé urges followers to demand civil rights case against George Zimmerman

Beyoncé urges followers to demand civil rights case against George Zimmerman

Friday, July 12, 2013

Trayvon Martin’s parents want ’justice’ for son in Zimmerman trial

Trayvon Martin’s parents want ’justice’ for son in Zimmerman trial

WHEN IT'S OVER

It's Over!!       



One of the most difficult things to do in this world,  is to end a relationship. When you have finally had it and you just cannot do it anymore, or listen anymore or even just continue anymore on the same path.

It's true and very difficult to end a relationship especially when so many memories begin filling your head; and you want to just forgive and move forward. The issues become relevant in the sense of, how long will this chapter of my life continue, when will I get off of this roller coaster, and stop riding clearly on the same and wrong path??

Sometimes when we continue with a relationship that appears to be stagnant with no growth insight, we still want to hold on for memories sake; and to not be alone. What is really wrong with taking some time for yourself and being alone? What are people really afraid of?
Somewhere deep down inside; some of us truly believe that being miserable with someone else is much better than being happy by themselves, or they believe that they cannot be happy by themselves.

First, we must admit that nothing lasts forever, now that doesn't mean there aren't great relationships out there, it just means that sometimes other chapters in our lives will be surrounded by different people that we may not have had the opportunity to meet as of yet.

We owe to ourselves to explore and not stay in depression and just accept that sometimes our relationships will end. People grow in different directions and they may not still want the same things, or the question may be have we ever wanted the same things.

Growing apart from someone and realizing that there is more to life than what you can obtain with this individual may be the only wake up call you will need or get. You can forgive the person if they did you wrong, this is solely so that you can heal and grow, but that doesn't mean the door should be opened to return to that same individual.

You will never be completely relaxed when you have trust issues with someone; and then decide to return back to the relationship; both sides would have to be patient and one hundred percent committed. If either side is falling short of commitment it will not work so save yourself the hassle. People tend to get back together and end up putting each other through hell, just remember whatever decision you make, think it through and weigh the consequences on both sides and choose the decision that you can see yourself living with for the next chapters in your life,  five or ten years to start.

When it's over it is over and as difficult as it may be to accept, it is worse to continue in a dead relationship, because unhappiness is giving up happiness. Ask yourself if you can spend the next five or ten years living under these circumstances or condition. If yes, then work it out, if no then get the raisin bran out; cleanse your system and move on.

Make sure when you do decide to end a relationship, talk with the person with an inside voice and do not send a text to break up with someone, talk it out. Sometimes a public place might be better than at someone's home. (Just in case).  No restaurants or places where weapons can be used (a joke), a place that both of you can feel comfortable and be able to speak freely. Do not break up when you are mad because sometimes things acted out with anger can cause a bigger issue; and we cannot take back what is said or done.

Accept the fact, when it is over sometimes, it is just plain over, it is done, no more, finished, over, just move on and live your life. Stop wondering why, what did I do wrong, my life is over, I am going to kill them, nobody does this to me, I hate him or her. You are bigger and better than this, and if someone didn't appreciate all that you brought to the table, it is their loss not yours. There is someone who is going to love and appreciate you, you just have to be patient, pray and not allow your past to cloud your dreams and vision for the future. 

Everything that happens to us in life is a learning experience and we just have to step back, and reflect to figure out what the lesson is about. Trying to get someone to love you shouldn't be hard work or full of sweat, pain or anguish, it should happen gradually, with an easy flow with growth and love  not with pressure and convincing.

                                                     




                  Love yourself and the love will come.


LOVE COMES FROM GOD

WE MUST LEARN TO SPREAD LOVE THROUGHOUT OUR WORLD, TAKE TIME TO LOVE AND ENJOY YOURSELF!

I'M GONNA MISS YOU