Thanks to ERIC for putting that video on his blog. I have a million times more respect for Britt Hume now.

Thank You, Jesus!

I’ve been blessed to see another Christmas. I don’t know where all the Hicktowners are. Hopefully lurking. But I just want you all to know that my husband and I wish you and yours a very happy and full Christmas.

We are celebrating the fact that JESUS CHIRST was born. WHEW!

Jesus, thanks for saving us!

Sometimes we just need to stop and reflect on the goodness of Jesus.

As you can imagine, I get a great deal of email. 99% of the email that makes requests of me are from people who don’t bother to introduce themselves or say anything kind. They just jump right in, telling me what they want me to do or to post on their behalf.

I recently received a terrific Obama poster. The problem is that the man sending it did not bother to tell me who he was or anything about himself. And he ignored me when I sent him a return email, asking him to introduce himself. Talented man but I did not post his poster due to his lack of manners.

Are manners out of style?

Good news! There is hope. I received an email today, which is as follows:

My name is Jarrett Mathis and I was born, raised, and still live in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, NY.

I recently completed a documentary which I hope will have a positive influence on black youth. You can view the entire film on my website www.empoweringourselvesnow.com

If you like the website, I would really appreciate it if you could post a short trailer for the documentary on your blog:

Youtube

Thank you for your consideration,

First of all, my husband is also from Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. And I brag to you all all the time about what a kind, gentle and loving man he is.

People often have negative stereotypes about Bed-Sty but look again at the very polite note above.

As a direct result of Jarrett’s manners and because of the hard work he is doing on behalf of youth, I grant him his request!

Below is a summary of what his documentary is about:

The focus of this documentary is to deter black boys and girls from using the n-word as a term of endearment, however, the overall goal is to empower and uplift black youth. This project achieves this objective in three specific ways. First, the workshop, which is the primary focus of the film, contains important aspects of black history that is often lost on our youth. Molefi Kete Asante, a noted black philosopher and professor, asserts that “If African American children were taught to be fully aware of the struggles of our African forebears they would find a renewed sense of purpose and vision in their own lives.”1 Along with this statement, I believe that if black youth fully understood the hardships that their ancestors went through, then they would have the courage and strength to know that they can survive anything. Additionally, if they fully comprehended the way their ancestors were disrespected and dehumanized, they would be less likely to denigrate, harm, or kill another black person. Overall, a greater understanding of their history would allow black youth a greater sense of who they are as a people in the world today.

SOURCE

It is always inspirational to hear about a miracle. Check this out:

A baby boy born 16 weeks prematurely was declared dead by doctors at a hospital in Paraguay only to wake up in time for his funeral wake hours later.

The hospital had actually given the family a death certificate. They took the baby in preparation for a wake and he started to cry!

This baby was only in the womb for 6 months. Keep in mind that there are babies being aborted/murdered/slaughtered in their mothers’ wombs at 6 months and beyond.

Dr. Ernesto Weber, head of pediatric care at the state-run hospital in the capital of Asuncion, said the baby weighed just 500 grams (17.6 ounces) when he was born.

“Initially, the baby didn’t move, he practically didn’t have any respiratory reflexes, nor did we hear a heartbeat and, as a result, we declared a premature fetus of 24 weeks dead,” Weber told Reuters Television.

The good news is that this precious child is in the hospital, alive, well and growing stronger.

SOURCE

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So often we hear such negative stories about young black males. One thing that I do on this blog is work to show that there is more good than bad in the black community and in young black men.

Such is the case with Ohio’s Leroy Sutton and Dartanyon Crockett, two wrestlers who overcame some serious physical challenges to persevere.

Watch and be inspired.

Hat tip to Greg for lead

Growing up in Baltimore, I remember that on the corner house up the street there was a lady named Miss Virginia. Rumor was that Miss Virginia had been a “Madame” in her younger days.

I was too young to know what that meant but was old enough to know it wasn’t anything good. Miss Virginia was an older woman who clearly would dye her hair jet black and her face was always caked with makeup.

Miss Virginia was either the grandmother or aunt (I cannot remember which) of two girls whose mother was “out there” and had handed them over to Miss Virginia to raise.

One girl was named Madge and the other was Robin. Madge was considered the pretty one with the knock out figure who all the boys wanted to date. She also was popular and extremely well dressed.  Any new electronic equipment, etc. that came out, Madge had it.

Her younger sister, Robin wore thick glasses, was plain looking with short, short hair, but was clearly intelligent.  Her intellect stood out and I recall how she appeared so wise beyond her years. 

There were clear differences in how they were treated. They had the same mother but different fathers. Madge was treated like a queen and given the finest clothes and finery. Robin was simply given the necessities but I never saw any resentment—nothing obvious.

From time to time, their mother would visit them at Miss Virginia’s house and she would bring expensive gifts for Madge while giving Robin something mediocre, if anything at all.

I often wondered how Robin could stand such obvious difference in treatment. It could not have been pleasant. And Madge did not appreciate anything, as I recall her and her mother getting into a fist fight during one of her mother’s gift bearing visits.

What I recall most about Robin is the fact that she chose to suffer in silence—or was she suffering? Did she care? If she was bothered, she stayed quiet about it, never complained.

My family moved out of that neighborhood when I was about 11 years old. However, years later one of my brothers ran into Robin. He reported that Robin was now a PhD in psychology and that she was doing fine and living large.

And Madge? She had had several children outside of wedlock, probably by some of those boys who had “admired” her so much. Never went to college.

People like Robin should write books. She is a prime example of one who had been written off by her own family due to her looks, or lack thereof. She is an example of how a person can spend an entire lifetime being slighted and treated as less than.

In spite of her circumstances, she loved herself enough to finish school, college…and then went on for the PhD.

My hope for everyone who grew up being ignored and/or slighted by society or family  as Robin did is that they determine to persevere. When others write you off, move higher. When others disregard you, move up even higher. When your own family dishonors you, keep your head and shoulders uplifted…and move up higher!

You see, “man” believe they have a “place” for you.  But you’d be a fool to stay in that inferior place.  God has higher visions for us.  Keep your eyes on Him…and move up higher, and higher still.

I love to see abused or formerly abused and/or mistreated women pick themselves back up, brush themselves off, and move forward with their lives.  Such is the case with Gizelle Bryant, estranged wife of Jamal Bryant (pastor of Empowerment Temple AME in Baltimore).

I have reported on Jamal in the past but here is a summary.

a.  Jamal is the son of Bishop John Bryant and comes from a family of preachers and bishops.

b.  With a history of rebellion [not doing what he was supposed to do in school], Jamal had flunked out of high school, but went on to earn his GED.  To his credit [and possibly his father's connections] he was accepted into Morehouse College and was doing well. At one point he headed the youth division of the NAACP at the national level and became a minister.

c.  He started Empowerment Temple and along the way married Gizelle.

Long story short, there was alleged adultery in that marriage and he has been accused of creating a child outside of wedlock via that adultery.  GO HERE to read articles I’ve written in the past on this topic.

In 2008 Gizelle filed for a divorce but changed her mind.  As of 2009, the divorce is on again because she re-filed.  In her original filing she mentioned that she had been physically abused. That has not been proven in a court so I want to make that clear.

Regardless of the circumstances, this woman has been through some things with Jamal Bryant.  But there is great news.  She has moved on.

Gizelle and a friend have launched Sliminizer, a lingerie line for women sizes 4 and up.  And the lingerie is color coded to the skin.  Looks good.  Look below for more details:

SLIMINIZER, the new shapewear line available in 10 different skintones and at affordable prices, launches on-line this Friday, June 19th. Veteran shapewear and lingerie designer to the stars Kate Liegey and SLIMINIZER co-creator Gizelle Bryant believe their slimming, yet affordable line of shapewear will resonate among all women. “I spent years designing apparel for stars and now I’m thrilled to be making it accessible to everyday women,” says Liegey. “We’re really proud of SLIMINIZER because it combines the comfort of lingerie with the sleekness of shapewear at affordable prices.”

SLIMINIZER shapewear co-creator Gizelle Bryant, who together with Liegey created the color match system giving women 10 skintones to choose from, believes women of all ethnicities will celebrate and embrace this new line. Bryant believes, “Sliminizer is a product for every woman who wants to look and feel her best.”

In today’s tough economic climate, the creation of SLIMINIZER is a story of perseverance and reinvention. After a highly successful career spanning two decades as an intimate apparel and shapewear designer for leading apparel companies including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Bali – Liegey, who has also designed apparel lines for pop star Jessica Simpson, and Tyra, struck out on her own committed to creating a new shapewear line to meet the needs of today’s woman.

Liegey began an immeasurably challenging year of product development which finally paid off leading to the production of the SLIMINIZER shapewear line in China! It was a chance meeting at a popular New York eatery that brought Liegey together with Bryant in the ladies room where the two met while commiserating about the downside of shapewear – how hot it makes you feel, how it hikes up on your thighs, and how limited the color choices are. That conversation led to their current partnership on SLIMINIZER shapewear and to the innovative creation of the color match system which provides women with 10 skintone choices.

The shapewear line has already been embraced by O Magazine in this month’s “Adam Says” column where SLIMINIZER is featured as a must-have for women wanting a smooth and sophisticated look. Also on Oprah.com this month, SLIMINIZER is featured again in another of Adam Glassman’s summer fashion columns.

Good for Gizelle!  I love to see women pull it together and succeed in spite of circumstances and negativity.

The shapewear can be found HERE

We are now in day V of a VII part series of my ode to Michael Jackson.

Today I’ll concentrate on Michael the humanitarian. We are the World was written primarily by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie. 

GO HERE to check out that history making video which raised tons of money for the underpriviledged.

Also, SG just emailed me to remind me that Michael made the Guiness World book of records for his humanitarian service.  PRESS HERE

I’m about to head out to Baltimore County, as my sister and I and our spouses are about to take my father out to his  favorite eatery for brunch.

The place is not fancy. It’s much like my father himself. A very plain, down to earth buffet outlet. But whenever any of his six offspring offer to take him to any place that is fancy or expensive, he generally will decline. He likes environments that are free of phony people.

I am a blessed black woman. I grew up in a house with both a mother and a father. Both of my parents are still alive (Thanks to Jesus!) and all of my siblings are alive (Thank You, Lord!).

My father turned 80 in May and so Father’s day is even more meaningful to me now. He has not been perfect, but he has been a real man—a man’s man, and he stood by his wife and six children through thick and thin.

And that brings me to Barack Obama. I cannot understand why some confused black folks dislike this man. My guess is that they hate themselves so much that it offends them that a black man could actually be sitting in the Oval office running things.

President Obama speaks to fathers. He is a good father. He, by his example, shows a troubled black race of people what it means to be a husband who loves his black wife and a father who loves his black children.

Below is a part of an article that President Obama wrote and which appears in Parade Magazine:

As the father of two young girls who have shown such poise, humor, and patience in the unconventional life into which they have been thrust, I mark this Father’s Day—our first in the White House—with a deep sense of gratitude. One of the greatest benefits of being President is that I now live right above the office. I see my girls off to school nearly every morning and have dinner with them nearly every night. It is a welcome change after so many years out on the campaign trail and commuting between Chicago and Capitol Hill.

But I observe this Father’s Day not just as a father grateful to be present in my daughters’ lives but also as a son who grew up without a father in my own life. My father left my family when I was 2 years old, and I knew him mainly from the letters he wrote and the stories my family told. And while I was lucky to have two wonderful grandparents who poured everything they had into helping my mother raise my sister and me, I still felt the weight of his absence throughout my childhood.

As an adult, working as a community organizer and later as a legislator, I would often walk through the streets of Chicago’s South Side and see boys marked by that same absence—boys without supervision or direction or anyone to help them as they struggled to grow into men. I identified with their frustration and disengagement—with their sense of having been let down.

GO HERE to read the rest….and enjoy your Father’s Day!

By the way, if your father is alive and well, why don’t you stop in and brag on your dad! OR if he is with the Lord now, share some good memories.