NO ONE SAID IT'D BE EASY

What Does It ALL Mean?

2007-07-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Please help me out with these: murder/suicide (steroidal-induced); a law to repeal the balance of "race" in schools; an heiress walks - with no more than a slap on the wrist; Libby is in effect "pardoned/forgiven"; valid indications point to the mis-information about Black Men being on the down-low, infecting unsuspecting female partners with the package; the plight in Africa, while obtaining celebrity notoriety has for the most part fallen to an after-thought; more violence killing our young men & women in a country where they do not belong-in a place that has no more significance other than that of an obsessed ignorant tyrant-why are the still there - who has the BALLS to DEMAND they come home, YESTERDAY? I get migrains trying to make sense out of any of these things. A man living 2-3 blocks away from me drowned his 4 & 6 year old daughters in the bath tub, then hung himself. WHY? Hell, if that was the intention, why not do you first? I'm sorry to get off on a rant here but the world get's uglier by the second. I want the Idyllic, though based on fallacy Days back.

Imus

2007-04-10T07:14:00.000-07:00

I'm sure it's not news for everyone, however a radio personality IMUS made the most heinous remarks about the Rutgers Women't basketball team. (This team team kicked ASS throughout the tournament) Imus, in a broadcast called them "hard, tatooed, nappy-headed hoes"; not deserving to represent the state of New Jersey. Livid does not even come close to my reaction. Al Sharpton called for his resignation; many others wanted more than his lame apology; some wante his head on a stick. I heard something interesting from Steve Harvey on his morning radio show: he said he couldn't give a damn about Imus; his beef is with the rappers and the portrayal of Black women in such derogatory terms; he blames them as the culprits for allowing an Imus to even think he could go unscathed with such ideas, let alone send them through the airwaves. Me personally, I'd like to know the sponsors of the Imus radio shows and hit them where it will hurt the most. Boycott their products. Take a stand; show some loyalty and Monetary Power. I agree with Harvey, the negativity endorsed by many from the hip hop culture, leaves a lot to be desired. I'm not saying ALL hip hop, but TOO much of it. How do we begin to turn these perceptions around? Is it too late? Has there been too much damage?

SISTER MY SISTER

2007-02-04T06:05:00.000-08:00

This is for ALL my sisters; especially the one who celebrates her birthday on the 6th. Please keep in mind & heart: SISTER is UNIVERSAL. Happy Birthday to all you Aquarians & Happy Day to everyone!

SISTER MY SISTER

Flesh of my flesh. Blood of my blood.
Be it night, or be it day,
Whenever blackness tries to darken my way,
You are there,
Carrying crosses meant for me to bear.
Sleighing dragon meant for me to greet,
Acting lamp, unto my feet.
SISTER MY SISTER.
Giving sight when I am blind;
Direction when I seek to find,
Peace in my heart & Rhythm to life
Freedom from struggle and strife,
Safety from doom & dread,
A watchful EYE above my head.
SISTER MY SISTER
Muse of Beauty, Kindness & Fun,
In my heart, second to none.
GATE-KEEPER of lock and key
To common wisdom. Endearing mystery.
Fire to ice. Deepest earth, highest sky,
A raging wind propelling me to fly.
SISTER MY SISTER.
Know that each sunrise as each sunset
Brings with it a "No-Can-Lose" Bet:
You're never alone. Time cannot blister,
The LOVE you have from
SISTER YOUR SISTER

HAPPY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

2007-01-15T04:50:00.000-08:00

We Celebrate A People

(A Tribute in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Forced to learn a language, without essential tools
No teachers! No books!No need for any schools!
STILL. They Learned!
Counted as 1/5 human, disenfranchised as such,
Their need to have a voice would not be hushed.
A fire was Hot.
A rope was Tight.
Nevertheless A People would Die for their Rights.
INALIENABLE RIGHTS. GUARANTEED.
Regardless of Race, Religion or Creed.

We Celebrate A People that WOULD,
when James Weldon Johnson said:
"Lift Every Voice 'til Earth & Heaven Rings"
A People who UNDERSTOOD,
when Maya articulated exactly
'Why The Caged Bird Sings'.

We Celebrate A People
A SPIRIT no shackle could chain;
A SPIRIT no cracking whip could wane;
A SPIRIT Jim Crow Lawws couldn't break.
A SPIRIT no living thing could take.
We celebrate the riches of our Heritage,
the tenacity of our Ancestors & the Hope for our Children,
As well as the Legacy of Determination bequeathed US.
To all of this we cling,
And in so doing:
WE CELEBRATE A DREAM & A KING!

Questioning Time

2007-01-11T14:18:00.000-08:00

I don't know why but for some reason I am becoming almost morbidly preoccupied with "Time". How much do we collectively or individually have left? Is it an arbitrary concept? Are the most secure people those who live for the here & now? Or the those who meticulously plan every second? There are those who don't consider time: how much, how little, how long, how short, almost ZEN. They tend to "ride-the-wave"; que sera sera; like the song says, "whatever will be, will be - the future's not ours to see". Is that true. If we spend our lives planning for a tomorrow that may or may not become a reality, have we wasted our energies & efforts? Is it defeatist to entertain any of these thoughts? Is it cynical to expect little in order to avoid disappointment? Do we reach for the stars and in so doing negate any sense of humanity and compassion? I am just finding myself debating this quandry of time. What exactly is its importance? I would imagine the terminally ill would have one perspective that would dramatically differ from one who has the WORLD on a string - TRULY BLESSED & HIGHLY FAVORED. Which one might I be? Which one are you? Peace & Love, micki

New Year

2007-01-07T13:10:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

A special thanks to Christine aka Counselor for responding to my SOS, originally sent to the Dragon who delegated the request to the Counselor. Successful or not, I thank you both.

In retrospect 2006 was not great. I had to say a permanent "Good-bye" to both personal friends and friends in my heart & mind. In many of these good-byes I had to deal with a burden masquerading as guilt. I've been told many times, by many people that the burden of guilt has no place in "My Reality". Not helpful. One particular "good-bye" involved that of a 21-year old who was the granddaughter of the Love-Of-My-Life who had passed years earlier. This young lady at age 8 was sexually assaulted; at age 11 prostitution; at age 13 drug addicted & living on the streets; at age 19 HIV positive. Her gradfather was the one person she could always count on - the one she called when she was in trouble, which was often. He left her a key in his utility box, outside of the house, so she always had a place to sleep. She hardly ever used it but I say all this to say: she had a hard life & harder death. She was found in an abandoned house, strangled by her own vomit, which I suspect was the result of an overdose. This was one of the hardest goodbyes I had to say. I made a silent promise to her grandfather of his deathbed that I would always look out for her. While I did try, I can't help but think I didn't try hard enough. I couldn't save her. Maybe no one could have. Basically, my point of this blog is Life marches on rather we are prepared or not. I'm hoping 2007 is better. LOVE & PEACE

Holiday Spirit

2006-12-21T12:59:00.000-08:00

This time of year engenders a vast array of thoughts. Loved ones that are near and far. Loved ones that have gone from this earth. Loved ones that are new to this earth. In addition, most of us are endowed with "The Spirit of Giving". We want to experience the Joy. The expression on a child's face; the surprise on the face of a relative receiving an unexpected gift; the sheer gratitude of a stranger who had taken for granted that he or she would not be receiving anything of a Yuletide nature. The feeling of literally BLESSING THE LIFE of another human being, rather you are related to them or a complete stranger to them, is a natural high. You don't lose the high even when the season has ended. Even if you don't have anything to give, surely you can donate some of your time. One year I spent just two hours passing out donated toys to children suffering with AIDS. At the time, I didn't realize how abandoned these children really were; no families; no visitors; no one to say "Merry Christmas". Still, they were amazingly happy. Content with a wrapped gift considering many of them never had one; when the volunteer Santa arrived, they were ecstatic! Seeing their reactions served as a double-edged sword: on one hand it was Wonderful (their excitement) - on the other hand it made me more depressed than I'd ever been. One more thought, if you've lost contact with someone and you've been thinking about reaching out but haven't made the time: DO IT - a good friend of mine passed last Sunday - I had been thinking of going to see him; I just didn't make the time. So I guess what I'm saying is: 1.) HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 2.) if you have any free time between shopping, cooking, celebrating reach out to someone/anyone who is alone. 3.) spread whatever joy you can - no matter how little or how much. It's amazing how a little means a lot. BEST WISHES TO YOU & YOURS. Much Love, micki

Justifiable? Homicide!

2006-12-11T19:01:00.000-08:00

{It happened again. I wrote this in reaction to an incident that happened 10 years ago}

JUSTIFIABLE? HOMICIDE!

"Don't be angry" you say, "tomorrow is another day."
But another boy, not coincidently Black, a bullet in his head, it entered from the back.
Denied him this day to greet; another tomorrow? He'll Never meet.
Another Mother cries. Another Son dies.
Once again it is described: "Justifiable Homicide".
You say, "Be not Judge nor Jury; nothing Good is born from Fury."
But this Fury fiercely rages, against a system that relentless wages,
Brutal wars on the ill-fated, historic victims of Justice not sated.
Another Mother's Dream retires, Another Son's warranty expires.
Once again it is replied: "Justifiable Homicide".
"Don't lose Hope" you say to me, "Tomorrow will be different; you'll see".
But each Tomorrow mirrors the day before, beating a Genocidal Path to my door.
Each Promissory Note remains unsigned: Refuting the concept "Justice is Blind".
As each Mother cries, As each son dies,
Premeditated systematic Genocide
Is euphemized: "Justifiable Homicide".

I had to share this. I wrote this 10 years ago when a 14-year old boy - unarmed, walking down the stairs in the projects because the elevator wasn't working was shot in the back of the head by a city cop. Almost to the day, give or take a week, it happened AGAIN! The boy was 14-years old, unarmed, jogging through the park, an inexperienced (rookie) mistook the jogger for an assailant who had just stuck up a gas station; the stick up guy was described as 5'11" and Black;the murdered child was Black barely 5'5". It happened again. . .

Encounters of the Humane Kind

2006-12-08T19:15:00.000-08:00

I know previously, I spoke about doing something kind, unsolicited, just doing the right thing - because it's the RIGHT THING. Paz & Kioyte might remember me speaking about being on a crowded bus, offering my seat to an elderly gentleman and the exchange which followed led him to believe that there are people left in this world who still DO THE RIGHT THING, for nothing in return. Well it happened again. An elderly woman was on one of the 3 busses I ride, I didn't realize it at first, but she carried a collapsable walker. She asked the driver where to go to catch the bus to S. Orange. He pulled over and pointed to her bus stop. Our stop was the same; she struggled with her walker, so I picked it up and took it off the bus for her. (Not that I was surprised but there were plenty of young men in the front of the bus who could've assisted. None did. My cynical mind would have assumed the absence of their lack of support was due to the fact that she was white;WRONG! I too struggled to get that walker off the bus, none of the males at the front of the bus moved; a hispanic woman helped the elderly woman off the bus, then turned to me and in broken english said, "You gotit?" I thanked her. I made sure the woman got to her bus stop and went to mine. It's worth repeating, there's an adrenline high when you do something for someone, be it a stranger or friend, not expecting anything in return, not for how it may "look" to someone else, just because it is the RIGHT THING. It costs you nothing (even if it did, SO WHAT); any simple kindness while it means little to you, may mean the world to someone else. Love & Peace, micki

Perceptions

2006-12-03T04:59:00.000-08:00

I received an email about illegal aliens in California courtesy of the LA Times. It was chock-full of stats; none good, but the one thing that kept resonating in my mind was: "Why was it sent to me?" The sender always debates with me on the merits of Affirmative Action, Reparations, anything that White vs Black might choose opposite sides. It never gets ugly, we ultimately agree to disagree. I digress, the stats are astounding not to mention disturbing. I was born in this country, yet if I go for a job interview, I am asked, "What other languages do you speak?" I get offended. I understand there is in influx of foreigners, both legal and illegal, and that there must exist a capacity to communicate. It just is beyond my comprehension why I have to learn their language when they come to the country I was born in (notice I didn't say MY COUNTRY - if feels more like I am the outsider). This article also went on and on about the benefits afforded these legal & illegal aliens from preferential job placement to health to domicile. I don't want to get off on a rant but sharing is in order. I have a debilitating disease for which there is no cure. I cannot afford health insurance; I work for an employer (12 years) who says he can't afford coverage for this pre-existing condition. My employer is the least of the point. People can live in this country legally or not, waltz into any hospital and receive medical care. I'm not looking for the expulsion of ALL not American-born residents, I'm just looking for a modicum of justice in a system which is inherently UNJUST. Maybe it's too much to ask. If I get challeged: to a gun fight and all I get is a pocket-knife or a swimming meet that I have to wear a 20lb. chain around my neck or a contest that even if I am the best, I'm not allowed to win - how should I perceive this?

The More Things Change

2006-11-21T13:15:00.000-08:00

It seems that the more things change, the more they stay the same. The news is running rampant with our"sensibilities". An aunt in Irvington, NJ slit the throat of her 5-year old nephew;what possibly at 5-years old could have precipatated such an act? No one seems to have an explanation. I am becoming more cynical with the passing of each nonsensical act that draws headlines. This more and more is becoming a MAD World where sanity is unfurled. Why would OJ refuse to disappear? Why would Michael Richards use a public forum to spew the racial hatred that evidently had been seething in him for a long time? Why did the young men start a fire at Seton Hall University in which several people lost their lives not face murder charges? Why are so many of our soldiers dying overseas, fighting a war which has no reason, in the name of a President who should be charged with Treason? The more things change, the more they stay the same. There was a time that the color of your skin was reason enough to kill, rape, pillage & basically disregard HUMAN LIFE. (I think a very appropos song was sung by Lady Day called "Strange Fruit", and while the offenders are not swung from trees because they are different, the result is the same. ) It is a Mad, Mad World.

happy thanksgiving

2006-11-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

This is a message to ALL BLOGGERS: I just wanted to take the time to wish you Love, Peace and Blessings on this Thanksgiving 2006. Take a minute to reflect on what this year has meant to you; remember the heartaches; remember the JOYS (birth of your baby); remember your accomplishments; forget any failures-you'll get another chance at it, whatever or whomever it is:); if at all possible, share something you are thankful for with someone or others who are far less fortunate than you; and if at all possible, try and make someone SMILE even if it's just a phone call, visit, a portion of your meal, ANYTHING, just try to give some meaning to the definition of the word "THANKSGIVING"; I think even though my nephews will be here, I will take a few minutes to visit a hospital where I have a friend recovering from an amputation. GOOD LUCK finding the definition;it doesn't have to be costly;it's amazing how magnanimous the simplest gestures can be; have a wonderful DAY, live it like you wrote it. LOVE, PEACE & BLESSINGS to you and yours.

no one said it'd be easy

2006-11-15T15:10:00.000-08:00

NO ONE SAID IT BE EASY:
Ethnicity. Religion. Culture. Economic-Classification. Gender.Sexual Orientation...

All the things which make us different...things which have us splinter from the whole into individual sub-groups. But, splintering is not enough-it never is because once we splinter, our splinters splinter and it goes on until everyone stands alone...together...but we don't see it that way...we won't...we maintain the UNITY of separation...we swear by it..while we deny its existence...

Identification. Assimilation. Belief in what's right/wrong. Belief in what's good/bad.

That which has us condemn one over the other...that which dictates what we shall or shall not tolerate..ALL THAT MAKES US DIFFERENT...THINGS WHICH HAVE US SPLINTER FROM THE WHOLE INTO INDIVIDUAL SUB-GROUPS...for different reasons-some SELF-IMPORTANT, some SELF-ISH, some just for recreating the idea, perception or validation of SELF...BUT ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS NEAR & VERY DEAR TO SELF...

We splinter in the name of whomever we call GOD...we splinter because too often we are in a state of collective denial and or confusion and or mass disagreement over what it means to BE or NOT BE...and IN THE NAME OF GOD WE SHOUT A RESOUNDING HALLELUJAH...AMEN

Nobody but nobody said it would be easy...and it sure AIN'T..STILL, we awaken each morning, many neglecting to give thanks for another day...or recognizing that another day was in fact given and that it is there for the GRACE of whomever you call GOD...

And as we splinter and splinter again, a Cosmic rumbling of the Earth can be felt as knees collectively fall to the ground in prayer asking, no begging for God's understanding and merccy on our souls and relief from that which we deem as the preessures created by everyday "LIFE"...we don't ask what we have given in return to deserve such "favor"...we don't ask what we can do to show understanding and mercy or provide relief..We just expect it without reciprocity, because it seems the World keeps spinning...regardless...

NO ONE BUT NO ONE EVER SAID IT WOULD BE EASY: Ethnicity. Religion. Culture. Economic-Classification. Gender. Sexual Orientation. Identification. Assimilation. Belief in what's right/what's wrong. Belief in what's good/what's bad...All that makes us different or alike. All that makes us who we are or are not...All that constitutes ALL...