I recieved this one from Essence Magazine. Enjoy!
Feel free to voice your own comments.
Jesse Jackson Speaks On Obama, Race, and the N-word
Civil rights activist addresses his controversial off-air remarks about the senator and explains why he’s still relevant
By Cynthia Gordy and Tatsha Robertson
More than a month has passed since the Reverend Jesse Jackson uttered remarks about Senator Barack Obama “talking down to Black people” and “telling n—s how to behave.” The comments, picked up by a microphone during a break for a Fox News interview, prompted critics to dismiss the civil rights activist and two-time U.S. presidential candidate as a relic from the past. In a candid conversation with ESSENCE editors Tatsha Robertson and Cynthia Gordy, Jackson responds to the backlash and explains why he thinks he’s just as relevant as ever.
ESSENCE.COM: Will we see you at the Democratic National Convention?
JACKSON: Absolutely.
ESSENCE.COM: Will you be playing any role at the convention?
JACKSON: No, not any particular role. I’ll be there as an Obama supporter. I have spoken at the last six Democratic conventions, so I wanted to certainly make room for more speakers and broader participation.
ESSENCE.COM: Both candidates have spoken at length on issues such as the war and the economy. Are there other issues that you’d like them to focus on more?
JACKSON: Well, I think the war is the premier issue of our time. The war is costing money, almost a trillion dollars. It’s costing lives. The war has alienated America in the world community. On the other hand, it’s not enough to stop investing in the war. Let’s now reinvest in America. We need an urban policy within our cities. Nearly fifty percent of Black men in New York City are unemployed. Bridges are collapsing, levees are being overrun. There must be some real plan to reinvest in America.
ESSENCE.COM: What about the criminal justice system, or social justice issues in general?
JACKSON: Well, that’s a big piece of it. You know, 2.3 million Americans are in jail. Close to 40 percent of them are Black, and nearly 20 percent are Latino. It is devastating to our families, as well as the crack-sentencing disparity.
ESSENCE.COM: Why do you think those issues are not being mentioned as much?
JACKSON: I think that becomes our job, the civil rights community, to keep the issues on the front burner that concern us the most, just like labor puts workers’ rights on the front burner, and Hispanics put on the agenda the road to citizenship, bilingual education and immigrant rights. We must keep on the agenda the issue of education, employment, social justice, and some plan to deal with the disparities of Blacks in infant mortality and short life expectancy. We’re [more susceptible to] home foreclosures, number one in unemployment.
ESSENCE.COM: You make a good point about the job of the civil rights community. But many younger African-Americans have been complaining that the old guard civil rights leaders focus too much on African-Americans as victims rather than moving the race forward. What do you think about this point of view?
JACKSON: This “old guard, new guard” is an unhealthy division. Politics must be inter-generational. You need Barack on the one hand to talk, you need Charlie Rangel, chair of House Ways & Means [Committee], and John Conyers, chair of our House Judiciary [Committee]. In politics you grow by adding and multiplying, not by subtracting and dividing. So “old guard vs. new guard” is not a healthy combination. The reality is that we achieved the right to vote, we achieved freedom, but we didn’t achieve equality, and that is the remaining civil rights work.
ESSENCE.COM: The rapper Nas and writer Kevin Powell, who is running for Congress in Brooklyn, have said that you particularly, and other civil rights leaders, are no longer relevant and need to step aside. How do you remain relevant to this newer generation?
JACKSON: The reality is that if you’re running for Congress, you need the votes of senior citizens. You need the votes of churches. You are not getting in Congress on a youth vote. That’s not the mass that you need to win a congressional seat. You need an intergenerational, multicultural coalition. And that experience cannot be thrown away. In Dr. King’s time, Dr. King was 34, but he reached out to A. Philip Randolph. It took both A. Philip Randolph and Dr. King in tandem to make the March on Washington take place.
ESSENCE.COM: Are you going to reach out to some in the younger generation to make them feel that you are relevant?
JACKSON: All you really can do is continue to serve. Who’s relevant and heroism is a matter of perception. You might take a certain hip-hop magazine—they should not say ESSENCE is not relevant; it’s just different. The divide is not the key to growth. The key to politics is growth, and if there’s growth, everybody wins.
ESSENCE.COM: Earlier on you made an argument about the need to push for social justice. A lot of these tend to get branded as “Black issues,” and some argue that Senator Obama, in particular, must tread carefully in that area, to be representative of all of America. What are your thoughts on that?
JACKSON: That’s what we did in the Rainbow Push Coalition campaign. We focused on family farmers and urban workers; a comprehensive health care plan for everybody; equal access to public education—that is a way to frame the debate. Some issues that are being pushed as “Black issues” are not. Affirmative action, for example, is not a Black issue; it’s a majority issue. Affirmative action is [a part of] Title 9 and affects majority white women. Even the voting rights struggle that has made Barack’s candidacy possible was always broader than just Black. When we went to Selma to vote in 1965, White women couldn’t serve on juries; farmers who couldn’t pay a poll tax couldn’t vote—that was not for Blacks only.
ESSENCE.COM: It’s interesting that you describe your platform as inclusive because oftentimes your presidential runs are framed as having been centered on Black people. And now Senator Obama is heralded as being very different from that—
JACKSON: We won Vermont, Alaska and Michigan because we reached out. What’s different today is not that Blacks have changed, but Whites have changed. Whites who once terrorized us and denied us the right to vote are now voting for us. Many Whites are maturing and becoming less insecure in the voting process. But we’ve been reaching out for a long time.
ESSENCE.COM: We’ve seen you champion African-American issues and fight against injustice. Many people simply want to know, when you mentioned the N-word in your off-air remarks about Obama last month—why? They want you to tell them, as an African-American, why did that happen?
JACKSON: It should not have happened. What was private talk became public controversy, and I am embarrassed by that. There is no virtue in that kind of talk, and it should always be discouraged. My appeal even then was that responsibility is a significant message, but our needs require real government intervention and private sector incentives to address the issues of unemployment, building affordable housing and making education more affordable, which really was my point. It was a very painful period for me to have gone through that. The good news is that it’s behind us now.
ESSENCE.COM: Have you talked to Obama about it?
JACKSON: Yes. As a matter of fact, he sent me a welcome to the convention and made credentials available to me. We’ve gone on to the next stage.
ESSENCE.COM: Your son disagreed with you (on the off-air comments). What do you think about your son’s comments? Is it further evidence of you not reaching a new generation?
JACKSON: Well, Jesse’s a co-chair of the campaign, and he’s also a congressman. He felt that pain of that too. He’s free to express himself, and it does not bother our relationship as father and son at all. He was taught to give his opinion in our household, and he did it in love. He’s tough, he’s smart. He has a future in politics. He didn’t want the impression to be that that my faux pas was his faux pas, because it was not. I respect his right to express himself.
ESSENCE.COM: In Senator Obama’s speech that he gave at a Chicago church this past Father's Day, he urged more Black fathers to be involved in their children’s lives. He received backlash for that—
JACKSON: Well, the message of responsibility should be broadly applied and not appear to be just directed to Blacks. Black men need to be responsible—they also need to be employed.
ESSENCE.COM: So would you say that children without fathers in the home is not that critical an issue in the Black community?
JACKSON: Men across the board must be more responsible. But again, in the context of the Black situation, we have a requirement for governmental intervention. You’ve got a million blacks in jail with three or four kids apiece; that’s a state of emergency. I think that responsibility was always embraced. But we’ve got some real structural inequality and exploitation that must also be addressed; that’s all.
ESSENCE.COM: As Senator Obama moves forward in the campaign, do you have any words of advice for him?
JACKSON: I think we have an outstanding candidate. We have the burden now to fully register and vote. There are still maybe 6 to 8 million Blacks unregistered who should not miss this hour, this opportunity. Now that we have a who, let’s focus on the what. What is an urban policy that can begin a renewed commitment to educate our children and to employ adults and provide public health care? These are the issues he has embraced. We have a candidate who has a good grasp of the issues that matter. But the burden is upon us now to maximize registration and output.
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-5 latest comments
The main problem in the African American community is that we can not be proud of one another other. The Rev. Jesse Jackson is a great example of that. He is so use to being in the limelight and the "leader" of the community that he doesn't know how to just share the stage. Barack knows how to communicate with all races and that's why he is where he is today. What the Rev. said off air on the Bill Reilly show came from his heart. I've watched that piece over and over and there was a weird kind of hatred that erupted from Jac
-B Free
We are so disappointed in Rev. Jackson. First of all Reverend is his title. His comments and behavior do not live up to the title. He said how he feels about Obama. The timing, the place, the words--there is no explaining his way out of this one. Please Rev. Jackson, back away!
-Georgia Woman
-----blackgirlsconnect.com----- ? It is really a funny and interesting place to date attractive girls or hot guys. Many hottie videos and photos at this site, you can enjoy latest interesting videos or talk about hot topic with other friends. I've met many thoughtful singles who were trying to find true love.
-Joanna
Rev. Jackson is a wolf in sheep clothing. What is done in the dark will come to the light. Rev. Jackson comment that he made towards Ombama came from his heart.
-Dottie
One of America's premeire race hustler's puts the proverbial "foot in his mouth". Guess he had a big problem with Barack's "responsibility" speech because if it took root, he might find himself out of a job.
-Anonymous
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
the monroe foundation does it again!
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE! PLEASE EMAIL FORWARD! PLEASE BRING FAMILIES! PLEASE POST!
Dear Community Partners - PLEASE POST! EMAIL ATTACHED FLYER!
FREE "BACK TO SCHOOL" IMMUNIZATIONS IN ENGLEWOOD!
FREE INFORMATION ON HEALTHY EATING & FOOD SELECTIONS!
The Monroe Foundation, in partnership with the P.E.A.C.E (People
Educated Against Crime In Englewood) Organization, and The Englewood
Streets Alternatives Project (ESAP), is pleased to invite children and
parent's to recieve FREE immunization and information on healthy food
selection "tips", at the "Englewood MENU (Meeting Eating Needs UnMet)
Back To School event.
WHEN:
Sunday, August 17, 2008
WHERE:
St. Stephen's Church
6458 South Peoria ( PARKING LOT ACROSS FROM THE "P.E.A.C.E. CENTER"
TIME: 11A.M. TO 4P.M.
FREE "BACK TO SCHOOL" IMMUNIZATIONS PROVIDED BY THE BLUE CROSS BLUE
SHIELD OF ILLINOIS "CARE VAN".
NOTE: MUST BE UP TO DATE IMMUNIZATIONS RECORDS TO CARE VAN TO RECIEVE SHOTS!
Additionally, The "MENU Project" Event Will Provide information on:
- Eating Food Selection and Eating For Children W/MENUS for Food Selections
RSVP TO:
Mother Anita @ P.E.A.C.E. Center at (773) 677-7272
The MENU Project is funded by a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Sponsorship Welcome.
For More Information, Contact Elder Otis Monroe @ (773) 315-9720 or
email: omonroe@themonroefoundation.org
WE ARE ASKING ENGLEWOOD COMMUNITY GROUPS AND CHURCH TO LET US KNOW IF
THEY WILL BRING CHILDREN AND PARENTS AFTER CHURCH.
Please Let Us Know by contacting Elder Monroe @ (773) 315-9720
Elder Otis C. Monroe, III
Dear Community Partners - PLEASE POST! EMAIL ATTACHED FLYER!
FREE "BACK TO SCHOOL" IMMUNIZATIONS IN ENGLEWOOD!
FREE INFORMATION ON HEALTHY EATING & FOOD SELECTIONS!
The Monroe Foundation, in partnership with the P.E.A.C.E (People
Educated Against Crime In Englewood) Organization, and The Englewood
Streets Alternatives Project (ESAP), is pleased to invite children and
parent's to recieve FREE immunization and information on healthy food
selection "tips", at the "Englewood MENU (Meeting Eating Needs UnMet)
Back To School event.
WHEN:
Sunday, August 17, 2008
WHERE:
St. Stephen's Church
6458 South Peoria ( PARKING LOT ACROSS FROM THE "P.E.A.C.E. CENTER"
TIME: 11A.M. TO 4P.M.
FREE "BACK TO SCHOOL" IMMUNIZATIONS PROVIDED BY THE BLUE CROSS BLUE
SHIELD OF ILLINOIS "CARE VAN".
NOTE: MUST BE UP TO DATE IMMUNIZATIONS RECORDS TO CARE VAN TO RECIEVE SHOTS!
Additionally, The "MENU Project" Event Will Provide information on:
- Eating Food Selection and Eating For Children W/MENUS for Food Selections
RSVP TO:
Mother Anita @ P.E.A.C.E. Center at (773) 677-7272
The MENU Project is funded by a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Sponsorship Welcome.
For More Information, Contact Elder Otis Monroe @ (773) 315-9720 or
email: omonroe@themonroefoundation.org
WE ARE ASKING ENGLEWOOD COMMUNITY GROUPS AND CHURCH TO LET US KNOW IF
THEY WILL BRING CHILDREN AND PARENTS AFTER CHURCH.
Please Let Us Know by contacting Elder Monroe @ (773) 315-9720
Elder Otis C. Monroe, III
Sunday, July 20, 2008
author sheila agnew
Sheila will appear at the Indianapolis Black Expo in the Meijer Authors Pavilion
for book signings and panel discussions
Indianpolis, IN
July 18-20, 2008
www.mobetterpublishing.com
Hank Stewart's
7th Annual White Linen
Literary Cafe
July 26, 2008
11:30 am - 3:30 pm
Atlanta Downtown Hilton Courtyard
Atlanta, GA
For Complete details on the Weekend Events
www.hankstewartwhitelinen.homestead.com
Mentoring with a Purpose Perhaps one of the greatest mentoring stories can be found in the Bible in the book of Ruth. This chronicles the story of Naomi, a wise woman, who provided guidance to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, after the deaths of their husbands that led them to fulfill their purpose. Naomi's plan was to send her daughter-in-law back to her family, leave Moab and return to her home country of Bethlehem in her old age. God had another plan. While attempting to depart, Ruth clung with persistence and pleaded to go with Naomi. Naomi agreed after witnessing her faithfulness and they proceeded on the journey together.
When in Bethlehem, Ruth continued her dedication to Naomi by insisting she work in the barley fields to support them. Eventually, under Naomi's mentorship, Ruth found favor in the sight of Boaz, a man of great wealth, who recognized her love and commitment to Naomi calling her a virtuous woman. He took her as his wife and through the birth of her son Jesse; she became the great grandmother of King David. Ruth and Naomi fulfilled God's purpose. Their relationship was the prelude to Ruth becoming one of the great women of the Bible.
Giving consideration to becoming a mentor can often be a challenging decision, particularly because people believe mentoring requires us to give up something we value most, time. In reality, mentoring can be rewarding and less time then we imagine. In our daily lives as leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs, career professionals and ministry, we become role models that people look to for advice and direction. Providing the same energy and focus to one person or a group of people to obtain a positive goal is essentially the basic quality for mentoring. Often without realizing in your interactions with people, you routinely listen, offer advice, guidance, and provide basic solutions to motivate others. If this sounds slightly familiar, it's probably because it sounds like you. Add a little time and you are a prime candidate to become a mentor. As a voice of invaluable assistance, you are utilizing simple communication skills.
Being involved in mentoring programs ranging from education to entrepreneurial programs for several years, I have experienced first hand the reward in lending your time and expertise to a worthwhile endeavor. Whether a day, week, month or year, please consider becoming involved in mentor programs at church, work, school or your community. You may be fulfilling your purpose.
Sheila L. Agnew
DC Curry Restaurant Opening in ATL
My good friend, Don "DC" Curry, actor, comedian and entrepreneur opened his restaurant, STAR in Atlanta.
It's a great combination of cajun food, jazz and blues in a quaint, adult atomosphere. You can see and hear DC singing Blues and Soul at the restaurant when he is not on tour. For great food and a lot of fun, visit STAR at 177 Peters Street, SW in ATL, 404-522-6139.
Finding Your Authentic Voice
I recently attended an inspiring free conference conducted by Norma T. Hollis an accomplished speaker, entrepreneur and author who says that Authenticity is the key to greater communication effectiveness and fulfilling your life's purpose. Her unique training sessions prepare you for public speaking by encouraging you to listen to your inner voice, outer voice and expressive voice to think, do and communicate. If you are a public speaker, worship leader or simply want to improve your communication skills, check Norma out at www.NormaHollisSpeaks.com
WARM WISHES TO ALL,
Sheila Agnew
Author, Speaker, Event and Project Management Mo Better Publishing
www.mobetterpublishing.com
for book signings and panel discussions
Indianpolis, IN
July 18-20, 2008
www.mobetterpublishing.com
Hank Stewart's
7th Annual White Linen
Literary Cafe
July 26, 2008
11:30 am - 3:30 pm
Atlanta Downtown Hilton Courtyard
Atlanta, GA
For Complete details on the Weekend Events
www.hankstewartwhitelinen.homestead.com
Mentoring with a Purpose Perhaps one of the greatest mentoring stories can be found in the Bible in the book of Ruth. This chronicles the story of Naomi, a wise woman, who provided guidance to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, after the deaths of their husbands that led them to fulfill their purpose. Naomi's plan was to send her daughter-in-law back to her family, leave Moab and return to her home country of Bethlehem in her old age. God had another plan. While attempting to depart, Ruth clung with persistence and pleaded to go with Naomi. Naomi agreed after witnessing her faithfulness and they proceeded on the journey together.
When in Bethlehem, Ruth continued her dedication to Naomi by insisting she work in the barley fields to support them. Eventually, under Naomi's mentorship, Ruth found favor in the sight of Boaz, a man of great wealth, who recognized her love and commitment to Naomi calling her a virtuous woman. He took her as his wife and through the birth of her son Jesse; she became the great grandmother of King David. Ruth and Naomi fulfilled God's purpose. Their relationship was the prelude to Ruth becoming one of the great women of the Bible.
Giving consideration to becoming a mentor can often be a challenging decision, particularly because people believe mentoring requires us to give up something we value most, time. In reality, mentoring can be rewarding and less time then we imagine. In our daily lives as leaders, teachers, entrepreneurs, career professionals and ministry, we become role models that people look to for advice and direction. Providing the same energy and focus to one person or a group of people to obtain a positive goal is essentially the basic quality for mentoring. Often without realizing in your interactions with people, you routinely listen, offer advice, guidance, and provide basic solutions to motivate others. If this sounds slightly familiar, it's probably because it sounds like you. Add a little time and you are a prime candidate to become a mentor. As a voice of invaluable assistance, you are utilizing simple communication skills.
Being involved in mentoring programs ranging from education to entrepreneurial programs for several years, I have experienced first hand the reward in lending your time and expertise to a worthwhile endeavor. Whether a day, week, month or year, please consider becoming involved in mentor programs at church, work, school or your community. You may be fulfilling your purpose.
Sheila L. Agnew
DC Curry Restaurant Opening in ATL
My good friend, Don "DC" Curry, actor, comedian and entrepreneur opened his restaurant, STAR in Atlanta.
It's a great combination of cajun food, jazz and blues in a quaint, adult atomosphere. You can see and hear DC singing Blues and Soul at the restaurant when he is not on tour. For great food and a lot of fun, visit STAR at 177 Peters Street, SW in ATL, 404-522-6139.
Finding Your Authentic Voice
I recently attended an inspiring free conference conducted by Norma T. Hollis an accomplished speaker, entrepreneur and author who says that Authenticity is the key to greater communication effectiveness and fulfilling your life's purpose. Her unique training sessions prepare you for public speaking by encouraging you to listen to your inner voice, outer voice and expressive voice to think, do and communicate. If you are a public speaker, worship leader or simply want to improve your communication skills, check Norma out at www.NormaHollisSpeaks.com
WARM WISHES TO ALL,
Sheila Agnew
Author, Speaker, Event and Project Management Mo Better Publishing
www.mobetterpublishing.com
Sunday, July 13, 2008
obama empowerment
Dear shelomith,
A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.
Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges -- including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.
This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.
That's why I am asking you to join me in showing your support by making a contribution to this campaign today:
https://donate.barackobama.com/gore
Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.
With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems.
If you've already contributed to this campaign, I ask that you consider making another contribution right now. If you haven't, please take the next step and own a piece of this campaign today:
https://donate.barackobama.com/gore
On the issues that matter most, Barack Obama is clearly the right choice to lead our nation.
We have a lot of work to do in the next few months to elect Barack Obama president, and it begins by making a contribution to this campaign today.
Thank you for joining me,
Al Gore
LIVE TONIGHT -- 8:30 p.m. EDT: Watch streaming video of Al Gore and Barack Obama at a rally in Detroit, Michigan:
http://www.BarackObama.com
Paid for by Obama for America
This email was sent to: shelo441@yahoo.com
To unsubscribe, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/unsubscribe
A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.
Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges -- including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.
This moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.
That's why I am asking you to join me in showing your support by making a contribution to this campaign today:
https://donate.barackobama.com/gore
Over the past 18 months, Barack Obama has united a movement. He knows change does not come from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or Capitol Hill. It begins when people stand up and take action.
With the help of millions of supporters like you, Barack Obama will bring the change we so desperately need in order to solve our country's most pressing problems.
If you've already contributed to this campaign, I ask that you consider making another contribution right now. If you haven't, please take the next step and own a piece of this campaign today:
https://donate.barackobama.com/gore
On the issues that matter most, Barack Obama is clearly the right choice to lead our nation.
We have a lot of work to do in the next few months to elect Barack Obama president, and it begins by making a contribution to this campaign today.
Thank you for joining me,
Al Gore
LIVE TONIGHT -- 8:30 p.m. EDT: Watch streaming video of Al Gore and Barack Obama at a rally in Detroit, Michigan:
http://www.BarackObama.com
Paid for by Obama for America
This email was sent to: shelo441@yahoo.com
To unsubscribe, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/unsubscribe
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Those born 1930-1979
READ TO THE BOTTOM FOR QUOTE OF THE MONTH BY JAY LENO.
IF YOU DON'T READ ANYTHING ELSE---VERY WELL STATED
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930s, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who, while they were pregnant;
Took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.As infants &children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or D VD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!If YOU are one of them, CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'For those that prefer to think that God is not watching over us...go ahead and delete this
.For the rest of us...pass this on.
IF YOU DON'T READ ANYTHING ELSE---VERY WELL STATED
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930s, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who, while they were pregnant;
Took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.As infants &children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or D VD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!If YOU are one of them, CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'For those that prefer to think that God is not watching over us...go ahead and delete this
.For the rest of us...pass this on.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
self empowerment via the arts
10, 2008
what we're working on
In preparation for the upcoming summer events, we've neglected writing a lot. For more info be sure and visit our other blog http://higherlearningnetworknfp.blogspot.com
Also, we've got lots of new shows coming this fall including the 2008 Printer's Row Book Fair, where you'll see lots of behind the scenes footage of just about everything we've filmed including but not limited to the following:
2008 Tribunes Printer's Row Book Fair
2007 Radio Personalities Conference in Miami Florida
Upcoming Interviews with
Tina Turner
Chaka Kahn
Stevie Wonder
L.L. Cool J
Comedian's George Wilbourn
Steve Harvey
Jermaine Dupri
Jill Scott
Effie Rolfe
Sundance
Bionce Foxx
Doug Banks
and so much more,
so be sure and set those Tivo's and VCR's
Sundays @ Midnight on Channel 19 and on the world wide web!
www.HigherLearningNetwork.org
www.ZeldaSpeaks.com
www.InspirationalConversations.com
be sure and pick up your copy of N'Spirational Conversations in the Weekend Edition of The Chicago Sun-Times
Monthly publication of NOIR WOMAN NEWS
Read N'Spirational Conversations by Zelda Robinson, Intl. Speaker/Author/Media Personality
Also, we've got lots of new shows coming this fall including the 2008 Printer's Row Book Fair, where you'll see lots of behind the scenes footage of just about everything we've filmed including but not limited to the following:
2008 Tribunes Printer's Row Book Fair
2007 Radio Personalities Conference in Miami Florida
Upcoming Interviews with
Tina Turner
Chaka Kahn
Stevie Wonder
L.L. Cool J
Comedian's George Wilbourn
Steve Harvey
Jermaine Dupri
Jill Scott
Effie Rolfe
Sundance
Bionce Foxx
Doug Banks
and so much more,
so be sure and set those Tivo's and VCR's
Sundays @ Midnight on Channel 19 and on the world wide web!
www.HigherLearningNetwork.org
www.ZeldaSpeaks.com
www.InspirationalConversations.com
be sure and pick up your copy of N'Spirational Conversations in the Weekend Edition of The Chicago Sun-Times
Monthly publication of NOIR WOMAN NEWS
Read N'Spirational Conversations by Zelda Robinson, Intl. Speaker/Author/Media Personality
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