Colin Powell Republicans

Today the US Supreme Court ruled in a 7-1 judgement that race can not be the basis of excluding jurors. In this rare occasion where most all of the justices agree, the lone dissenting opinion is by (Yep you guessed it) Clarence Thomas. Justice Thomas is the second African American to serve on the court and currently the only African American.

But with all of this melanin accomplishment it seems that, like many black republicans, Clarence Thomas is afraid to stand up against racism. Although I’m picking on Justice Thomas now, I am always extremely frustrated with this complete disregard many black republicans take for their own communities. These are the kind of people that get pulled over for being black then make an excuse for the police officer – even though we all know what it really is. We saw similar behavior with the rise of Black Live Matter. It wasn’t until Senator Rand Paul positioned police brutality as overarching government that other conservatives including black conservatives got on the band wagon of police reform. This is indeed problematic.

I was drawn to the republican party in high school mostly because of my conservative upbringing but also because I respected folks like fmr. Secretary of States Colin Powell and Condi Rice. I even appreciated fmr. President George ‘boy george’ Bush. Yeah I said it. Although tough on our ‘enemies’, which in hindsight could have been handled differently, these leaders respected the racial history of our country. They didn’t make excuses for the Slavey or Jim/Jane Crow or pretend like racism didn’t exist. They recognized the past while looking to the future. This is what is currently missing from the GOP.

Black republicans cannot expect or allow white republicans to lead on racial issues. This is not an experience in which white people have taken apart and rarely do white people truly understand the daily issues faced by black people. America is only strong as it weakest link and looking at the recession high unemployment, poor health outcomes and failing schools in our communities we must address these issues head on. Its time for the Clarence Thomas’ to have a seat while the Colin Powell republicans lead the party and nation towards sustainable solutions that promotes equity.

Until next time…

A City that drives me to write

It has been almost three years since I last wrote a blog. At the time I was at a really weird place and found therapy in putting my thoughts and ideas on paper. It was at this time that I felt that I had been sold ‘wolf tickets’. All my life, I had only heard, “Go to school, make good grades so that you can get a good job”.  But life isn’t that simple. Yes, this my rant about adulating and its challenges. My slow trek to the American Dream is happening but not quite as I expected. Finding my first job out of college was tough and I’m truly grateful to God that I landed on my feet; working for a financial software company in NYC.

In 2013, NYC wasn’t one of my favorite cities but after 2 years of brunches, rooftop parties, broadway shows and networking events I’ve become a fan. Life happened to me as it happens to others and I find myself in an industry that I’m passionated about back in my hometown, Beaumont.

Beaumont is a pretty frustrating place because I see so much potential that is limited by so many closed minds. The downtown (social scene), arts and culture, religious life are all in a struggle for survival. It is with this new outlook that I have decided to begin blogging again.

Until next time…

Paula Deen is back too soon

Paula Deen is back too soon

Its just not fair. The court of public opinion has let Paula Deen off too easy. Just 4 months after we were all made aware of her racially motivated insults Paula Deen is back. I’m so upset I could throw something. Who are the people attending these events? What does that say about their morals and character. I assure you Michael Vick couldn’t fight a dog and gift off that easy.  

Michelle Alexander speaks at Morehouse

This is an older video of Michelle Alexander– attorney, professor and author of “The New Jim Crow” at Morehouse College

I know I’ve been gone for a while but I’ll be back soon!

A new perspective

Since high school I’ve always been teased for promoting conservative values and politicians amongst a community of family, friends, and colleagues who differ in views. It was often asked how could I promote a propaganda for the wealthy and not be apart of that class. In my limited upper middle class nest, I always spoke of social issues and in favor of the government spending your money the way you would in your home budget. I was never a staunch conservative that said the government couldn’t help anyone. I believe in food stamps and medicaid just not abuse of a safety net. Today I realized that the safety net that I depended on is gone.

I was hit with a double whammy all in 24 hours. It started with my paycheck. As you should know by now, I’m working this little summer camp to make a some extra cash. Because I make so little money, I had no taxes taken out to save me the hassle of getting it refunded back when its time to file. Give me mine now. Let me collect the interest not Uncle Sam. Moreover, with standard deductions and no income tax taken out 10% of my check was taken for Medicare and OSADI. Thats not cool. Then when I went to get my prescription filled at Kroger, I find out that I have just joined the 45 million of uninsured Americans. How could this happen? I went from being doubly insured to nothing at all. Apparently turning 21 and graduating from college can get you dropped. To make matters worst a generic supply of allergy medicine retails for $2 a pill. 

In this weird error of my life where I’m underemployed and going through life’s rough patches, I now understand why many of my friends feel that the government should provide these services and assist the least of these. However, my mindset has remained steadfast. I don’t want higher taxes. The taxes they took out of my check for Medicare would have been enough for me to purchase the prescription without insurance. Give me the opportunity to work and I can make this thing happen by myself. #HireMeMondays I need a job…

Until next time…

I am Trayvon

Hello World. Sorry I haven’t been blogging as much. I’ve been busy working this summer conference for bratty high school teens. I’m over it.

Shout outs to my friends Rashad Moore who keeps me grounded, Ocoszio Jackson who leads the #turnup and Dr. EricKa Howard who inspired this post.

I should probably tread lightly because I’ve already lost a friend over the Zimmerman case. Yet in still, it must be irritated that non black males do not understand what its like to be a black man in America. I’ve bumped heads with a lot of my republicans friends over this issue. They accuse Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton of race baiting and no respecting the legal system. Another republican cohort wrote on Facebook “He (Zimmerman) was found innocent but we know this is far from over”. So many pundits question, why the divide.

I’ll start with the latter, if/then statements should not be used to prove the case, however we all know that had Trayvon been gay it would have been a hate crime. If Trayvon would have been a woman, Zimmerman would have been thrown under the jail. If Trayvon would have been white, Trayvon would have been painted as a adolescent teenager trying to get home. Instead, Trayvon is painted as a thug who attacked Zimmerman.

Moreover, for all my white brothers and sisters put yourself in Trayvon’s parent’s shoes. Would you want your son’s killer to get off that easy?

Then came the real debate. I engaged the older white crowd from my beloved hometown into a conversation about being a black man in America. I stated that no matter what our intellect or appearance black men are always feared. Of course many disagreed. Yet, let’s unpack it. For the first time in a long time I was proud of the way President Obama spoke up for the black community. The POTUS stated several realities for black men like the feeling of being followed around a store, the locked doors when we walk pass a car, and my favorite the woman who clutches her purse tighter on the elevator when she see a black man. Experiences like these make me thank God I’m a Morehouse man because I was given the self assurance that my black manhood is not a liability but an asset. Unique experiences like these shape who we are and how we see the world. So if you are one of those that wondered why the black community is so damn mad about the Zimmerman case. Its because We are Trayvon.

I’ll never forget being pulled over for the first time. It was for DWB. You know “Driving While Black”. I had always heard rumors from cousins and uncles about being careful because I was a target, but I never though this bright, clean cut, 18 year old with a factory car (no candy paint, no sound system, no rims) would be a target of the Beaumont Police Department. Boy was I wrong. It is with this specific experience that I see myself as Trayvon. What if I had not been pulled over by the police department but instead chased down by a community watch volunteer?

I feel my blood getting hot just thinking about it so I shall stop here.

Until next time….

Family Reunion and July 4th

Every year when Independence day rolls around I think about its relevancy to me. Yes, I’m a proud American who values his citizenship. Yet, knowing the history of this country it is sometimes difficult to get patriot about this one day. This is impart because in 1776 when the declaration was signed, people of color were not included in the ideals or freedom that America was founded upon. I’ve received a lot of criticism about my wavering stance on celebrating July 4th from fellow republicans. Many of them think of blacks and others as simply not being patriotic. However, these critiques fail to realize that I’m not contempt celebrating partial participation in the American system. With the highest unemployment, underemployment, health disparity, incarceration and poverty rates while maintaing the lowest home and business ownership and education achievement rates brown and black people have not been fully accepted into the American fold. In many ways America has enjoyed the black American citizen when it was convenient, like times of war or for their own economic gain -thru stealing our inventions and free labor from slavery. Yet in still, black people are some of the most patriotic people I know. Who would risk their life for a country that suppresses their freedom at home?  Its no wonder why some black folks have a hard time calling America home.

Yet in still, we are Americans and proud of it. Especially my dad’s side; who trace our U.S. military lineage to my great grand father who served in World War I. The pomp and circumstance that my paternal family carries out the reunion strongly resembles the ceremonies of a republican function– always showing the upmost deference to those who served our country. In the far end of the banquet hall are tables filled with red, white, and blue decorations and photos of family members in their military garb. There is no doubt that these people are patriotic.

It is with these two frames of thought that my conservative values and afrocentricies compete. I, as a black male from ‘rural’ Southeast Texas, acknowledge both. The conservative- respect for the country its ideas and values and those who fight to protect it. My afrocentricy- disregard for the country and its traditions. My father has served our country and I’ve contemplated the idea as well. However, as a black male in America, I have witnessed the injustices that occur daily to other black men like the President Obama to Trayvon Martin. Black people have had it the roughest without regard to one’s class, education, or social standing. Its a scary day when Oprah’s money or a Harvard law degree can’t buy respect.

Until next time…

 

Operation Bethesa: Day 2 Transportation

I got off to an early start today; 7:50 ish to be exact. After about 12 hours of training and group building our class was finally dismissed. I’m really proud to have navigated the DC Metro mostly by myself. After being serenaded with some Motown hits by two homeless men in the tunnel, I made my way to the Foggy Bottom station to meet up with my Morehouse brother, Ocoszio Jackson. He’s going to be great one day. Just wait and see. I’m forever motivated in striving to stack my resume to be more like his. One day we’ll concur the world together.

Taking the free shuttle to the metro then ridding it into the city for about $10 roundtrip made me reevaluate the way we do transportation. Being the proud Texan I am, I often tell people that I don’t know anything about public transit because I am a Texan. In many ways its true. In Southeast Texas not having a car is not an option. The Beaumont buses run on a schedule so infrequent that one would not be able to maintain employment dependent on them. Unfortunately, this reigns true in the larger metropolis as well. Houston’s medical center above ground bullet rail only runs on a few streets downtown; leaving majority of metropolitan without the option of rail. In many ways this is how America has fallen behind.

European countries do transportation well. Ask anyone who’s ever studied or visited Europe. All of my friends and I can agree that options like Easy Jet would be greatly appreciated in the States. Easy Jet is a regional airline similar to the Southwest Airline. The difference is the price. Imagine flying from London to Paris for 40 USD. Easy Jet cut cost by charging you for luggage, food, beverages and any  of the other non essential comforts we enjoy on most airlines. It is the perfect alternative for those just looking to get to another European city with an overnight bag. Asia– Japan and China more specifically– are known for their bullet trains. Am Trak, America’s monopoly holder of trains in the South looks as if it is seemingly stuck in the 19th Century; grossly dependent on federal tax dollars while not improving upon itself to add more ridership or tracks.

The completion of the continental rail line was great innovation when it was built. However in 2013, the lack of bullet trains in America is a problem. We need a more developed infrastructure. With inventions like JPods, we know that we can make transportation self sustainable we just need true leadership to get the job done. As I end this rant I must say that I’m truly excited about working the NYLF. The money isn’t great but my co workers are amazing. We’ve had some good times and I’m looking forward to many more.

 

Until next time…

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

-Marianne Williamson

National Youth Leadership Forum; HOU to BWI to Bethesda

Good evening,

As I watch the 2013 BET Awards I thought I would give an update. Today was not what I was expecting. I am eternally grateful for my experiences at Morehouse and today reminded me of that. Traveling with the Morehouse College Glee Club, although sometimes grueling, taught me how to pack and travel like a professional. These skills will forever be treasured as I travel on the companies’ dime in the future. Moreover, I will always be indebted to Morehouse for affirming me as an intelligent black male in America and the world. Today as I was amongst a room full of bright people, hearing several black male colleagues say that they wish they would have went to Morehouse reminded me of how bless I truly am to be a Morehouse man.

In other news, I think this will be a great experience. I should shout out Shermichael for telling me about this opportunity.

As I return back to ratchet t.v.; Until next time,