Kwanzaa (Cooperative Economics)

Today we celebrate the fourth day of Kwanzaa as Ujamaa. That means cooperative economics.  The headlines are flooded with "fiscal cliff" conversations. This term is dubbed from a speech Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke delivered before Congress earlier this year. Simply put the 2% tax break that we all felt in our pay checks will disappear. The government will cut spending on key programs that affect the elderly and working poor.  With this in mind, we can make great use of the money we do have access to.  I see many advertisements on television that suggest we don't get rich off saving money. But it sure does help to have a few dollars for any unforeseen expenses. I am not the best at saving myself. What I will do is if I have additional money from my check, I will put 20 more dollars on a small bill to get a tiny step ahead.



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Another thought is, support black businesses when we see them. I often get items from other ethnic groups such as beauty supplies and household cleaning items. However, if I see a black store, I will make my purchase from them. The main reason their prices are higher is because new black owned stores don't have “the connects” that the experienced merchants have. It amazes me how we stand in line for sneakers that are marked up 400 percent, and we know were created with child labor in harsh conditions. Yet, we complain about giving a black store owner 3 more dollars for a tab. Our priorities need to be re-evaluated. 

Kwanzaa (A sense of purpose)

 

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The fifth day of Kwanzaa is calledNia. That is to have a sense of purpose. What is your purpose? The word"calling" can substitute purpose.  This purpose can be on many levels as wetypically wear more than one hat.  Areyou a caregiver in your family? Are you a leader on your job?  Do you have responsibilities in your religionthat you follow reverently? Are you active in your community?  Who looks to you for advice?  Who always needs favors from you? Whatchildren are in your life? What seniors are in your life?  Many questions can be directed inward when itcomes to purpose. None of the questions to ask ourselves involve titles becauseour sense of purpose comes from within.  Itis not made by men. We all matter to ourselves, to our creator, and to thosewho need us most.  This can be a startingplace for our purpose.  The environmentis a great way to extend our purpose.  Doyou litter? Do you clean your yard?  Doyou recycle? Again, the purpose of this blog is to help you recognize that youhave purpose and you matter to the community. Take a great purpose into thecoming year with you.

Kwanzaa ( Collective Work and Responsibility)

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Today is the third day of Kwanzaa which is celebrated as Ujima. That is collective work and responsibility. We all know the talk shows where the paternity test is given and the host states who is the father of a child. We watch the mothers run off in disbelief. This makes entertainment for some people. However, are we helping these men and mothers take responsibility for their actions?  It takes a village to raise a child. These couples have fun creating a child, but they need to have the same amount of fun when they raise the child. Educators, caregivers, and religious leaders alike have an influence on a child's upbringing.  The church needs to be a reliable safe haven for youth in other areas outside of traditional ministry and church services. Our great collective responsibility is to do the very best we can to band together to develop our young men and women.

Kwanzaa (Self-Determination)

The second day of Kwanzaa is Kujichagulia. That is self-determination.  In this age where the computers do everything for us, we need some motivation to stop being lazy.  We need patience. Self-determination could serve as a great backdrop to get things done.  I can think of some things that I am determined to complete with excellence. This mindset is good because we all get discouraged. Think about someone in your life who is determined. What are some of their character traits? Are they always punctual? Are they detail oriented? Do the follow through with tasks to fruition? This self- determination thing is contagious. Surround yourself with like minded people. We can do as Angela Davis says "lift as we climb".

Kwanzaa (Unity)

      Today is the first day of Kwanzaa which is Umoja. That is unity. Some African American Protestants have an issue with celebrating Kwanzaa as they see it is a replacement to the extremely commercialized Christmas. I question the lack of understanding of this week long celebration. This celebration is not based off religion. Therefore, it should not replace any religious practices.  On the surface it could be confused as a pro-black thing. However, this is a movement by one of the fine African American men that can serve as an example to our dying generation-Dr. Maulana Karenga. This light skinned trendy looking gentleman has come up with a positive holiday. This holiday is not built around door busters, nor does it conflict with the fiscal cliff. It is one of reflection. The concept doesn't suggest we act like ancient Africans for a week. Rather, it lends itself to the basic principles of any human. If we unite, we can accomplish things on a grand level that the evils of government cannot fight against. Happy Kwanzaa!

National Rifle Association N.R.A. Press Conference

A week and a half after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, I still see flags flying at half staff in my own small town. This makes me reflect each time about the tiny faces we will never see again in this life. Wayne LaPierre, the N.R.A. vice president, said at a media event following the shooting, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” To an extent, that is true. We can't bring a knife to a shoot-out. However, the thought of going to college to teach and then have to train to kill in the gun range makes me uneasy. The idea of a strapped kindergarten teacher will never sit right with me. At this rate, the teachers would have to at best have an assault weapon because a simple hand gun would not be powerful enough to counteract the machine guns that these intruders carry to complete a deadly massacre.  Sadly enough, we see that courageous teachers who tried to trick the intruder still lost their lives.

      LaPierre was also correct about the violent video games and media. This is what has been raising 80's babies and their off-spring. Suspense and action packed movies that show machine guns and people's heads getting blown off are always top sellers. These socially immature, cognitively bright young people think these images are cool. This plays in the background of their mind. This breeds insensitivity to gun violence amongst young people. Everyone who was affected in any way directly or indirectly by the shooting at Sandy Hook has my deepest sympathy as we try to make sense of this matter

Gotta Have a Plan B

      One motto taught to growing teens is always have a plan b. This statement is true for the high-schools around the nation that are beginning to give teenage girls access to the drug. This drug will be administered without the consent or knowledge of the parents or guardians. This is a double sided issue. What is more troubling? That our teens need the morning after pill or that our parents have teens what are pregnant and they have no knowledge of the outcome? This pill is the equivalent of taking the entire pack of birth-control pills at once. There is no long term empirical data about the effects of the pills. Our young girls need self discipline over their emotions and their horny bodies. Let's get our teens. Pay attention to what they are not saying. Let's teach our own teens about what is healthy for them to do! The school nurse doesn't live under our roof. Why should she have the final say on our youth?

Please

Thinking of a baby name can be hard at times. This exciting task can involve family members, friends, or colleagues. I like to Google the popular baby names for 2011 and 2012. The new names like Apple, Siri, and Hashtag to name a few are signs of the times. I still consider good old fashion names like Noah or Sophia for a great name for a newborn. Modern spellings or antiquated spellings can give the name a different flare. However, it is not wise to name your child something that goes against modern Phonics because it can cause more confusion than what it is worth amongst adults, let alone children. I chose one baby name for a boy and one for a girl. I am debating even disclosing what those names are because it seems as if someone is always willing to steal your baby name. Technically they would be simply using your "research". I consider it stealing all the same. Now that my names are set, if my friends ask, I will say please don't think I am disclosing it because I will reveal it when the baby arrives.

Momma's Boy Part 1

 

Do you know a guy that will do anything and everything for his mother?  What about the mother who practically injects herself into everything the man is doing especially his relationship with you?  This has got to be an experience to regret.  The relationship with the momma's boy is a relationship with the mother first, and then you.  He will never be responsible for anything until she dies.  By then, he will find someone else to blame for every downfall because she is no longer alive to over compensate for him.  Momma's boys will never mature.  Bad enough being a man has its setbacks.  All we can do is take every moment for what it’s worth.  Pray hard and keep peace because the situation will drive you up a wall!