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Granddaddy's Lesson
My grandfather is always on my mind and in my novel "Just a Season" I featured him endearingly. I chose to do so because he was a huge influence upon who I am today. In that novel I devote a chapter to one of his more profound teachings, or as he would say "learn me". If you have not read this epic novel – I would only suggest that you do because you will see the world through new eyes. What follows is an excerpt that I call Granddaddy's Lesson.
Today we live in a world where there is no more Granddaddy to share that precious wisdom necessary to guide our young men and women into adulthood. I was very fortunate or maybe blessed, to have had a loving grandfather who shared many valuable lessons with me. These lessons formed the foundation of my very being…
"Granddaddy would say if you really hear me, not just listen to me, you will inherit life's goodness. I would hear him talk about things like "God bless the child that's got his own." He constantly reminded me that everything that ever existed came from a just-single thought, and if you can think it, you can figure out how to do it just put your mind to it. I would also constantly hear that a man must be able to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done regardless of the circumstances. "I raised you to be a man and as a man, you don't know what you will have to do, but when the time comes, do it." Granddaddy drove home the point, the difference between a man and a boy is the lessons he's learned.
Granddaddy would also say you will always have an enemy. Your enemy is anyone who attempts to sabotage the assignment God has for your life. Your enemy is anybody who may resent you doing positive things and will be unhappy because of your success. These people will attempt to kill the faith that God has breathed within you. They would rather discuss your past than your future because they don't want you to have one. Your enemy should not be feared. He would say it is important to understand that this person usually will be close to you. He would tell me to use them as bridges, not barricades. Therefore, it is wise to make peace with your enemy.
"Just remember these things I say to you." I certainly could not count all of these things, as it seemed like a million or more that I was supposed to remember. However, he asked me to remember above all else that there is no such thing as luck. The harder you work at something the luckier you get. I would tell him that I was lucky, maybe because I had won a ballgame or something. He would smile and tell me luck is only preparation meeting opportunity. Life is all about survival and if you are to survive – never bring a knife to a gunfight. This would be just as foolish as using a shotgun to kill a mosquito. Then he asked me to remember that it is not the size of the dog in the fight; it is the size of the fight in the dog.
Granddaddy's words had so much power, although it would often require some thinking on my part to figure out what he was talking about, or what the moral of the story was supposed to be. It may have taken awhile but I usually figured it out. For example, always take the road less traveled, make your own path, but be sure to leave a trail for others to follow. Life's road is often hard; just make sure you travel it wisely. If you have a thousand miles to go, you must start the journey with the first step. During many of these lessons, he would remind me not to let your worries get the best of you.
Sometimes he would use humor. For example, he would say something like "Moses started out as a basket case." Although most often he assured me that hard times will come and when they come, do not drown in your tears; always swim in your blessings. He would tell me he had seen so much and heard even more, in particular those stories from his early life when dreadful atrocities were done to Negroes. Some of the stories included acts of violence such as lynchings, burnings, and beatings. He would make a point to explain that the people who did these things believed they were acting in the best interest of society.
He would tell me about things he witnessed over time, that many of these atrocities were erased from the memory of society regardless how horrible the event was. Society's reasoning would make you think their action was right, fair, and justified. Granddaddy would add, if history could erase that which he had witnessed and known to be true, how can you trust anything history told as truth? He would emphasize that I should never, never believe it, because nothing is as it seems.
I would marvel at his wisdom. He would tell me to always set my aim higher than the ground. Shoot for the stars because if you miss you will only land on the ground and that will be where everybody else will be. When he would tell me this, he would always add, please remember you are not finished because you are defeated. You are only finished if you give up. He would usually include a reminder. Always remember who you are and where you came from. Never think you are too big because you can be on top of the world today and the world can be on top of you tomorrow.
I think Granddaddy had the foresight to see that I could do common things in life in an uncommon way, that I could command the attention of the world around me. Granddaddy impressed upon me that change is a strange thing. Everyone talks about it but no one ever tries to affect it. It will take courage and perseverance to reach your place of success. Just remember that life -is not a rehearsal. It is real and it is you who will create your destiny don't wait for it to come to you. He would say, can't is not a word. Never use it because it implies failure. It is also smart to stay away from those who do use it.
He would tell me that I was an important creation, that God gave a special gift to me for the purpose of changing the world around me. It may be hard sometimes, you may not understand, you may have self-doubt or hesitation, but never quit. God gave it to you so use it wisely. He would add often times something biblical during his teaching, or so I thought, like to whom much is given, much is expected. It is because we needed you that God sent you. That statement profoundly gave me a sense of responsibility that I was duty-bound to carry throughout my life.
Granddaddy's inspiration, courage, and motivation still humble me, and I'm filled with gratitude that his example profoundly enriched my soul. So much so that in those times of trouble, when the bridges are hard to cross and the road gets rough, I hear Granddaddy's gentle voice reciting words once spoken by the Prophet Isaiah: "Fear not for I am with you."
Excerpt from "Just a Season"
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Why General?
I have always admired brilliant men of courage and distinction but on Sunday I watched Meet The Press with disappointment. I heard General Colin Powell condemned the GOP of its "dark vein of intolerance" going on to say that the party's repeated use of racial code words to oppose President Obama to rally white conservative voters.
Without mentioning names, most of us knew who Powell was talking about; former Mitt Romney surrogate and New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu for calling Obama "lazy" and Palin, who, Powell charged, used slavery-era terms to describe Obama. Frankly much of what comes from the GOP were terms used just a generation ago.
The general went on to say:
"When I see a former governor say that the President is "shuckin' and jivin'," that's racial era slave term. When I see another former governor after the president's first debate where he didn't do very well, says that the president was lazy. He didn't say he was slow. He was tired. He didn't do well. He said he was lazy. Now, it may not mean anything to most Americans, but to those of us who are African Americans, the second word is shiftless and then there's a third word that goes along with that. The birther, the whole birther movement. Why do senior Republican leaders tolerate this kind of discussion within the party?"
Well General, if you can acknowledge that this activity exists, and even Ray Charles can see that it does, then why Sir do you associate with this ilk? You saw what they have done to all other faces with melon and what they did to you with that Weapons of Mass Destruction thing. Isn't it a little disingenuous to report that you see a disturbing problem? And that's my Thought Provoking Perspective…
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The Insanity of Some Peoples Reality
In the last few weeks I've heard some of the most ridiculous statements on the issue of gun control, from the right-wing nuts, that simply boggle the mind. Of course, it more of the same – more guns. I want to go out on a lamb and say that is exactly what the problem is; too many guns. We all know the urban communities have been crying out for help concerning the easy access to guns as long as I can remember. It seemed perfectly fair for the NRA and others to ignore the problem of gun violence in these communities, which could be viewed as genocide.
These same Politian's who, in my opinion are bought and paid for, have failed to support sensible legislation to address the issue of guns that are designed for war. I heard Chris Rock say that the problem is not the guns, it's the bullets. It is surely a huge part of the problem especially when a person can buy thousands of rounds of ammunition and no one sees a problem or asks a reasonable question; for what?
Since the horrible shooting at the Sandy Hooks Elementary School MANY places in America are passing laws to allow teachers to bring their guns to class. One such school district passed a law to have the janitors be the first line of defense and plan to give the janitor two days training! These are just two of the most insane options out there but what makes these so crazy; supposedly the parents of the children are not required to be notified.
I am not going to belabor or dignify this type of madness other than to say "INSANE"! I am a veteran who served in the Army during a war and I can tell you that the months of military training does not fully prepare you for that moment when faced with a gun by someone wanting to kill. Moreover, it is not as easy to use said gun when the moment arrives knowing you are going to kill. Last point, once done you have to live with the guilt.
The real reason I wrote this blog today is because I am discussed at those who compare the right to have guns to the Civil Rights Movement. One nut had the nerve to say that if every person had a gun maybe there would never have been slavery in America. I say, shame on you! To this guy, the slaves were considered chattel and not human nor citizens; according to the Constitution they were 3/5th's human. I wonder if this fool realized that slaves were captured and brought to this country by force with guns.
My blood pressure is rising so I will close by saying simply, as you see in the captioned picture, more guns did not protect Ronald Reagan. So what makes anyone think more guns will protect our children. And that's my Thought Provoking Perspective…
The attached video is dated July 2012 – just multiple the stats' by two and the message is the same.
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The Redskins Have Done It Again
This is one of the few times I've delved into the sports arena via this blog, but as you know I might share a Thought Provoking Perspective on any topic, particularly if it relates to an African American issue. I must admit, I normally reserve my comments for those subjects that are more meaningful to life's empowerment. Nonetheless, as I watched this year's Washington Redskins I had a flashback with respect to the organization history of mistreating African American players.
I am going to talk about Mr. RG III, who like Jason Campbell and Doug Williams, follow a long list of players abused by this group. I realized as sure as something's change they remain the same. Many Washingtonians, as well as fan in many other places, are endeared to the Redskins football team, which is their personal choice. Unfortunately, I am not of them, and not just because of the team's name, which in my view it is akin to calling African Americans the "N-Word". Surely that must be the view of Native American's, if not, it is disrespectful at best.
Back to RG III, seeing what appeared to be humiliation on his face caused the hair on the back of my neck to rise, because of the teams sorted past and the teams long history that support this position. The NFL's color barrier was broken in 1946; it inexplicably took George Preston Marshall, the team's owner, 16 more years amid legal threats and community pressure to bring Bobby Mitchell, their first black player, to the Redskins. Former quarterback Eddie LeBaron, who knew Marshall, said he never believed he was a racist. However, they were the last team in the NFL to sign a black player and were forced to do so.
In more recent memory, do you remember Quarterback Doug Williams? He was sent packing a season after he made history winning the Super Bowl. Now, let's look at what happened to Jason Campbell when no one in management stuck up for him while he's getting killed behind his offensive line and also sent packing. I won't even mention Big Albert or any of the career ending situations involving the running backs over the years. Oh, let's not forget about Donovan McNabb?
What they did to this already injured play, meaning III, by putting him in as a starter for this playoff game when the doctor has claimed he did not clear him to play was tantamount to treason if this was a war. I have no skin in the game I will admit; unless you consider the fact that I am a Cowboys fan, and yes I know they have not been much for a decade. But it is not about the rivalry, rather the mistreatment of or, I dare say, destroying the careers of quality African American players.
I'll say Wrong-way (coach) erred in his judgment as it appears and repeatedly. I have to raise the question; is there an elephant in the room – RACE? Surely this is noticed and reverberates in the minds of those who know and remember the history of this organization, which is significantly rooted in questionable decisions concerning black players. Looking back at this history, what happens is you start to wonder.
In 1965, his father, James Blackstone Sr., wrote a letter to the acting president of the Redskins, Edward Bennett Williams. Like most African American fans at the time, Blackstone was offended by the Confederate flags in the stands and the band's playing of "Dixie" during games. Less than a month later, Williams wrote back to Blackstone, saying he agreed. After 1965, the Redskins band did not play "Dixie" at another game.
They were the last team to integrate with Bobby Mitchell. Then Bobby was never given a shot to be the general manager. You throw in Doug Williams dismissed after he was the Super Bowl MVP, Art Monk and Brian Mitchell unceremoniously going to Philadelphia, and the list goes on.
There always seems to be an undertone, at the very least disrespect, with this organization that is not easily dismissed. Now, the beat the Cowboys twice and won the NFC East – great! Let's look at it this way; they played a Dallas team that is not very good nor was any other team in the East!
The issues I raise is the very reason why there are so many Cowboy fans in Washington, because many black fans refused to support a team that would not employ an African American player for so many years. So they became fans of the team's arch rival. They have kids and they became Cowboy fans – and so on and so on – and most of them have never even been to Dallas. I agree totally because that is why I am a Dallas Cowboys fan.
A prominent syndicated radio host Tom Joyner of the popular Morning Show thinks Washington Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan is a modern day slave owner. During Joyner's broadcast on Monday morning, Joyner expressed displeasure at Shanahan for keeping Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III in Sunday's playoff game against the Seahawks even though the star player seemed hobbled by an injured knee. Joyner compared Shanahan to the Mississippi plantation owner Calvin Candie, who Leonardo DiCaprio plays in the movie Django Unchained, directed by Quentin Tarantino.
"He's as bad as the mean white man in Django," declared Joyner. Mr. Candie is a cold-hearted slave owner with a lust for Mandingo fighting, where slaves were forced to fight to the death like dogs or roosters used in animal fighting. "If you saw the movie, just like DiCaprio had the Mandingos fighting in the room. That's what he did. That's what he did to RGIII," said Joyner.
I am not willing to go that far in this instance. However, I will say that today's athletes are more like "Million Dollar Slaves". Nonetheless, today III underwent surgery to repair the damage done to his LCL. God Speed III. Some say he will be out all next season. I'll say this with certainty that he will never be the same! The history of why African Americans are so sensitive is not made up or unfounded, particularly in light of segregation, Jim Crow, and slavery.
The prevailing thought, in my mind, is leadership and this team seems to have issues with the complexion of the leader. Or dare I say chattel!!! And that's my Thought Provoking Perspective…
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Django Action Figures: "Oh, No, They Didn't!"
Sane and humane people of the world are you as shocked as I am? I came across this article written by writer Karu F. Daniels concerning the despicable fact that there are now 'Django Unchained' action figures for sale. I was also surprised that the mainstream media has said virtually nothing about this disgraceful action, considering we are well into the 21st century.
I want to make sure that credit is properly given to those responsible for bringing this sad news to light. (Credit: Amazon.com) I have taken the liberty to re-post because YOU/WE NEED TO KNOW AND PROTEST!!!
Some Editors Failed to See No-Brainer Story
Karu F. Daniels The controversy over Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained," in which slavery is the backdrop for a spaghetti Western, ratcheted up a notch over the weekend when freelance entertainment journalist Karu F. Daniels, writing in the Daily Beast, reported that the movie characters — slaves and slavemaster — are being marketed as action figures.
"Little White kids can play Calvin J. Candie and make Django and Stephen 'Mandingo fight' or they act like they're selling Broomhilda or just call them 'nigger' all day long. The possibilities are endless," Columbus, Ohio, blogger Jeff Winbush wrote on Facebook when he heard the news.
On amazon.com Monday, a customer reviewer identified as E. Tucker wrote:
"I have to say, I never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that, unlike myself, my kids would someday have the opportunity to re-enact America's slave trade the way my great-grandfather did! How exciting for them! Never mind those silly dolls showing racial equality and putting "black americans" (hah! is that the word we want to really use here?) in a positive light — no! With this, my kids can experience first-hand what it might have been like to own their very own slave! . . . "
By Monday, Hassan Hartley of Chicago had started a petition on change.org asking Tarantino to "Stop the sale and distribution of 'slave' action figures." And in Los Angeles, "A coalition of civil rights and African-American community leaders," led by Najee Ali of Project Islamic Hope, planned a news conference for Tuesday calling for a national boycott of the action figures, EURWeb.com reported.
As news, the story was a no-brainer, right? Wrong, Daniels told Journal-isms. "This story shouldn't have been ignored — especially by editors at mainstream outlets," he said by email. "I was even shocked. I pitched this two weeks ago to prominent 'news' outlets. So happy the Daily Beast editor (who's British) GOT IT." The British editor was Gabe Doppelt; Daniels wouldn't identify those who turned it down, saying he still does business with them.
Asked for comment, the Daily Beast provided this statement from Allison Samuels, the senior writer who edited the piece:
"An action figure made of a black man, real or fictitious is not something that happens every day so we felt it was well worth discussing. Given the controversy already swirling around 'Django' taking a deeper look at a doll based on a freed slave has certainly been of great interest to our readers on The Daily Beast."
Here's how the story made it online, as Daniels explained it in an email:
"I got a press release about the product line/partnership a few months before the movie came out, but seeing the actual images of them later on took it to another level. I didn't see the movie until after it opened. I'm no Spike Lee, but something about it didn't sit too right with me," Daniels said.
"And I like some of Tarantino's stuff and love the actors' works. But the idea of dolls — which were put on sale a week before — stirred something inside of me. Granted, there's an 'action figure' of the Brad Pitt character from 'Inglourious Basterds.' I saw that was selling for $700. But he wasn't a slave. Certain types of people can try to rationalize it how they want to, but the fact remains: none of those characters in Tarantino's other movies were slaves.
"If you want take [a] light and lively approach to the 'idea of these dolls,' Django could work (he was free, kicking ass and taking names throughout most of the movie. But Stephen and Broomhilda weren't. And that's not funny.)
"The radio silence about the dolls was quite jarring, to say the least. I'm always encouraged to pitch pieces that are 'broad' and 'timely' to editors. And you can't get no more broad and timely than this piece. Hollywood and the entertainment media have had a romantic love affair with this movie. People can form their own opinions why. So it's pretty obvious why some outlets wouldn't touch it. And The Weinstein Company spent a lot of dollars in advertising. But the facts are the facts. The dolls were made and marketed in tandem with a controversial movie about slavery."
In his Daily Beast story, Daniels wrote, ". . . Last fall, the National Entertainment Collectibles Association, Inc. (NECA), in tandem with the Weinstein Company, announced a full line of consumer products based on characters from the movie. . . . After repeated attempts to get someone to go on record about the collection, NECA spokesperson Leonardo Saraceni declined to make anyone available, would not comment and referred all queries to the Weinstein Company. No one at the Weinstein Company was available for comment by deadline and no one responded to questions posed."
Daniels continued for Journal-isms, "In a sense, I understand why publicists from the movie studio and toy company wouldn't speak, but getting some of our folks to talk was another ball of wax. I reached out to many talking heads, pundits and self-styled image experts, who I thought would've been perfect for the piece. All silent.
"At first I thought it was the holiday weekend. But it's 2013. People are more accessible than ever before. How do you think I corralled an Academy Award winner (Louis Gossett, Jr.) and a real, legendary image activist (Bethann Hardison). I was told by a black film expert that they couldn't talk to me for the piece because they didn't want to infuriate Harvey Weinstein.
"Another told me, 'oh, it's just a movie. It's just toys.' Contrast always makes a great story and I was really hoping for more of a reaction from some but it's like what Nick Charles (a former boss) used to say to me, 'everyone is always waiting for the shoe to drop.' And once the story finally went live on Sunday, the social networks were ablaze."
. . . Movie's Critics Say, "Oh, No, They Didn't!"
Among journalists, the most common reaction to the news of the "Django Unchained" action figures was a version of "oh, no, they didn't!"
Journal-isms asked some who had written or otherwise opined about director Quentin Tarantino's so-called "revenge fantasy" whether the existence of the action figures should change one's opinion about the movie and/or the phenomenon. They replied by email:
Amy Alexander, media writer
Amy AlexanderNews of the "Django Unchained" 'action figures' creates a bad taste, doesn't it? Even if it is the case that the studio marketing division cooked up this 'tie in,' it still ultimately circles back to the creative team behind the film itself, in particular Tarantino. At the very least, it is in poor taste, considering the fact that the bondage of blacks is the main theme of the story. It does make you wonder who officially 'green-lit' such a dubious and insulting marketing strategy. And correctly or not, it feeds the escalating criticism of Tarantino as an out of control hipster who thinks he gets 'the Black Thing' but doesn't really.
Amy Alexander website: Three Ways of Considering Tarantino's "Django Unchained"
Jelani Cobb, associate professor of history and director of the Institute of African American Studies, University of Connecticut
Jelani CobbIt doesn't change my opinion of the movie since I thought the film was exploitative of slavery in the first place. I do think this adds a new level of distaste. It should be fairly obvious that making slave action figures is problematic. That the studio didn't recognize this supports my belief that this director lacked the sensitivity to handle a project like this.
Jelani Cobb, the New Yorker: Tarantino Unchained (Jan. 2)
Jarvis DeBerry, columnist, NOLA.com | the Times-Picayune, New Orleans
In his book "Why Black People Tend to Shout," Ralph Wiley talks about taking a field trip from school — I think it was to the circus — and being sold a Confederate battle flag that he proudly waved all the way back home. When he walked into the house, his mother took a match and incinerated it.
I wish I had a story as dramatic, but I don't. I seem to recall a Hot Wheels car in my house — OK, in my room — that had the Confederate flag logo on it. It was the General Lee of "Dukes of Hazard" fame. I bring that up to say that I guess there's a history of regrettable images fashioned into toys.
I'm going to link to this email a column I wrote a while back not about toys but about play, and how even that can be fraught for black children.
I wouldn't necessarily mind the figure of Django being sold as an action figure, but if you sell Django, it would seem to me, you'd have to sell his nemeses. And in that, you're going to run into problems. Who's going to buy the white action figures? White children? And do we really want them to play the role of little budding slave owners? And if black children buy the white slave owner figures, then we got a whole 'nother problem on our hands.
I don't know that this information changes my mind about the movie itself. There's enough reason already to raise eyebrows at Tarantino. But it does make me shake my head and wish somebody had — to borrow a line from Blazing Saddles — cut this off at the pass.
Jarvis DeBerry, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune: 'Django' expresses an anger not every filmmaker can show (Dec. 31)
Tony Norman, columnist, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tony NormanI think I dislike the film even more, now . . . LOL! Action figures? Really? A Stephen doll? I know there's an unseemly nostalgia in some quarters for Jim Crow and slavery-related collectibles, but this is ridiculous. This is either a very elaborate joke or a sign that we're on the verge of losing our collective minds. This is what happens when we go out of our way not to talk about race. The conversation we should be having gets sublimated into soul sucking nonsense like this. Who will buy this? Irony-drenched white hipsters? Blacks with non-existent self-esteem? Clueless movie nerds? If nothing else avails itself, I'll write a parody column for Friday. Tomorrow's column is already written.
Tony Norman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: 'Django' tells tale missing real slave history (Dec. 25)
Ishmael Reed, poet, novelist, cultural critic
It's like a virtual slave auction and shows that Weinstein and Co. will go to any length to make money from this vile film, which, like "Amistad," "Lincoln" and "Django Unchained" has blacks as onlookers, while whites debate their fate, when, without black direct action, there would have been no Emancipation. My idea for an action figure would be one showing [Jamie]Foxx carrying [Leonardo] Di Caprio and [Christoph] Waltz on his back, because they're getting all of the nominations, while, so far, Foxx and Kerry Washington are receiving none. This latest racist travesty is not unique in Hollywood, which makes you wonder why there has been no outcry about segregated Hollywood's receiving over $400 million in tax write-offs, while the latest figures show $10 billion in earnings.
Finally, the spin from Weinstein Co. is that this movie is similar to Tarantino's other mess, "Inglorious Basterds." Not so. In "Django Unchained," the leader of the state, "Hitler," is murdered. Foxx does not get to murder the prospective confederate president Jefferson Davis. That would have turned off southern audiences, who have had a veto over Hollywood content for decades. [W.E.B.] Du Bois, [Marcus] Garvey and Walter White would turn over in their graves to see this thing nominated for awards by the NAACP.
Ishmael Reed, Wall Street Journal: Black Audiences, White Stars and 'Django Unchained' (Dec. 28)
Touré, co-host, "The Cycle," MSNBC; contributor, Time magazine
TouréI will never understand how Django action figures are somehow over the line for some people.
Touré, blog: Django Unchained is a heroic love story (Dec. 24)
Touré, "The Cycle," MSNBC: America is ready for 'Django Unchained' (video)
Jeff Winbush, blogger, Columbus, Ohio:
I broke down, woke up Saturday morning, grabbed my son and went off to catch a screening of Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino's mash-up of spaghetti westerns, blaxploitation films and revenge fantasies. I came out two hours and 45 minutes later feeling it wasn't Tarantino's best and it wasn't his worst. It was okay. Nothing more. It certainly never rose above pure escapist fare. I have no problem with junk food movies, but let's not pretend like Tarantino has anything new, fresh or original to say about race or slavery. He just knows how to kill the maximum number of cartoon bigots in the most graphic way possible.
However, the Django action figures go far beyond bad taste. It's not kitsch. It's not memorabilia. It's not a gag. It's making a buck off the backs of Black people and it's insensitive as hell at best and borderline racist at worst.
Tarantino's status as a White Hipster who is down with the brothers and sisters has been reaffirmed by the enthusiastic support of African-American audiences for Django Unchained. Goody-goody gumdrops for him. But he has no ghetto pass to profiteer from America's original Holocaust and even if it means I won't be considered one of the cool kids, I refuse to join the stampede to anoint Tarantino as some great thinker on the Original Sin.
He's not. He's just another race hustler.
Jeff Winbush blog: "Django" Is Solid Entertainment, But Lousy History (Jan. 6)
Jeff Winbush blog: Quentin Tarantino: Slave Profiteer (Jan. 7)
Charles M. Blow, New York Times: Escaping Slavery
Rembert Browne, Grantland: Django, the N-Word, and How We Talk About Race in 2013
Kenya N. Byrd, BlackAmericaWeb.com: Django: More Than Just Another Slavery Movie
Rebecca Carroll, Good: 'Django Unchained': Quentin Tarantino's Misappropriation of the N-Word(Dec. 18)
Courtney Garcia, the Grio: Hollywood Unchained: Will the success of 'Django' spawn more slave epics?
Sherry Howard blog: The error of asking "Django" to save black people
Eugene Kane, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Slavery as fantasy in 'Django'
Daniella Gibbs Léger, Essence: 'Django': What If a Black Director Had Pitched It?
Newsweek: Tavis Smiley on Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained
Rashod Ollison, Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.: All the n-word outrage over 'Django' misses the point (Jan. 8)
Allison Samuels, Daily Beast: Spike Lee's Dissing of 'Django Unchained' Earns Both Ire and Indifference
Adam Serwer, Mother Jones: In Defense of Django
I would not dare hold myself to the stature of the above mentioned journalist but I do have a voice and a voice of one who has experience American society as a second class citizen. There's no way, Quentin Tarantino or the Jewish community would allow a line of starved bald headed concentration camp dolls to be produced. We shouldn't allow anyone to trivialize the horrors and wretchedness of slavery. These slavery dolls action figures are a slap in the face to our ancestors. Who would have thought these people would stoop so low! And that's my Thought Provoking Perspective…
Leave a comment	| tags: ABC, African American, african american experience, african american journey, al jolson, amazon, America, American, Antonin Scalia, author, barack obama, beauty, Bible, black, black america, black attitudes, black authors, black history, black history month, Black in America, Black Men, black pride, books, bull connor, CBS, christian, Citizens United, civil rights struggle, CLERGY, CNN, conscience, conservative, conservative court, continuous struggle, Cornel West, crime, current-events, curtis mayfield, daily mail, Daily Show, David Duke, debate, Deliah Lawrence, disenfranchised, Django Unchained, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Earth, earth wind and fire, economic self sufficiency, entertainment, environment, equal and opposite reaction, eric cantor, Fire, first black president, flip flopper, gansters, George Fraser, George Wallace, God, good ol boys, GOP, government, guns, Harlem, Harriett Tubman, harvard law graduate, herman cain, historical perspective, history, human-rights, IMAMS, interview, James Cannon, Jazz, Jesus, jim crow era, john boehner, John McCain, John T. Wills, Jon Stewart, Jon Stewart Rice, jordan davis, justice, land of oz, Legacy, legislative exchange council, life, literature, little known black history fact, long awaited sequel, Malcolm, Martin Luther King, Melissa Harris-Perry, Mitt, mitt romney, money mississippi, movies, MSNBC, murders, music, myth of meritocracy, Nat Turner, Natilie Cole, NBC, Nick Cannon, nina simone, Nixon, novels, Obama, occupy-wall-street, PASTORS, Paulette Harper Johnson, PBS, performance, person of color, plutocrat, police brutality, Political Humor, Politics, poor, poor people, powerful words, prayers, President, President Johnson, prison, quotes, RABBIS, race, racial attitudes, racism, radio, reading, Reagan, religion, Republican, Rice John McCain, rights, ruth bader ginsburg, single payer, slave, slavery, Sojourner Truth, soul, speaker of the house, spirituality, stage, state legislatures, stephen breyer, stories, style, Superfly, Susan Rice, Tavis Smiley, theology, time in history, tin man, tiny dash, Underground Railroad, video, vote, voter suppression, www youtube	| posted in African American
Be Still & Know
Bitterness and deception always manage to find their way to the surface. Be Still & Know is a novel about finding love after devastating heartbreak and the challenges of learning to trust again.
Kai Bennett never believed that she was worthy of love. Too many years of being mistreated left her bitter and uncertain of her own self-worth. Finding validation in men, money, and trinkets, she has little use for a man becoming a permanent fixture in her life. That was until she met Alvin. What starts as a game of cat and mouse quickly develops into something Kai is unsure she is ready to handle.
Alvin Reigns discovered long ago that in love, there were no happy endings. He had fallen in love once, and vowed to never again allow any woman that much control over his heart. Kai Bennett was an unexpected surprise who made him want to believe in the possibility of a happy ending. After many years of self-preservation, Alvin is unsure if he should trust Kai with his heart. How will Alvin and Kai learn to trust and create their own happy ending?
Cassietta Jefferson is a contemporary Christian author, publisher, and blogger. She is the newest Editor in Chief for Journey, the For My Sister Friends newsletter, and the founder of Virtuous Ink Publishing. She has a passion for reading and writing, and seeks to provide her readers with the best in contemporary Christian literature. Cassietta is currently preparing for the release of a collection of short stories as well as the much anticipated follow up to her first novel.
http://www.virtuousinkpublishing.com/author-cassietta-jefferson.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MsSetta
Links to purchase the book
E-Book http://www.amazon.com/Be-Still-Know-Novel-ebook/dp/B0071GXATY/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354406526&sr=1-3&keywords=cassietta+jefferson
Paper back: http://www.amazon.com/Be-Still-Know-A-Novel/dp/1478206403/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1354406526&sr=1-3
Knowledge is the gift that keeps on giving.
Leave a comment	| tags: ABC, African American, african american experience, african american journey, al jolson, amazon, America, American, Antonin Scalia, author, barack obama, beauty, Bible, black, black america, black attitudes, black authors, black history, black history month, Black in America, Black Men, black pride, books, bull connor, Cassietta Jefferson, CBS, christian, Citizens United, civil rights struggle, CLERGY, CNN, Comedy News, conscience, conservative, conservative court, continuous struggle, Cornel West, crime, current-events, curtis mayfield, daily mail, Daily Show, David Duke, debate, Deliah Lawrence, disenfranchised, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Earth, earth wind and fire, economic self sufficiency, entertainment, environment, equal and opposite reaction, eric cantor, Fire, first black president, flip flopper, gansters, George Fraser, George Wallace, God, good ol boys, GOP, government, guns, Harlem, Harriett Tubman, harvard law graduate, herman cain, historical perspective, history, human-rights, IMAMS, interview, James Cannon, Jazz, Jesus, jim crow era, john boehner, John McCain, John Mccain Lindsey Graham Susan Rice, John T. Wills, Jon Stewart, Jon Stewart Rice, Jon Stewart Susan Rice, jordan davis, justice, land of oz, Legacy, legislative exchange council, life, literature, little known black history fact, long awaited sequel, Malcolm, Martin Luther King, Melissa Harris-Perry, Mitt, mitt romney, money mississippi, movies, MSNBC, murders, music, myth of meritocracy, Nat Turner, Natilie Cole, NBC, Nick Cannon, nina simone, Nixon, novels, Obama, occupy-wall-street, PASTORS, Paulette Harper Johnson, PBS, performance, person of color, plutocrat, police brutality, Political Humor, Politics, poor, poor people, powerful words, prayers, President, President Johnson, prison, quotes, RABBIS, race, racial attitudes, racial profiling | posted in African American, racism, radio, reading, Reagan, religion, Republican, Rice John McCain, rights, Ron O'Neal | posted in African American, ruth bader ginsburg, Sandy Hook Elementary School | posted in African American | posted in African American | posted in African American | posted in African American, single payer, slave, slavery, Sojourner Truth, soul, speaker of the house, spirituality, stage, state legislatures, stephen breyer, stories, style, Superfly, Susan Rice, Tavis Smiley, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, theology, time in history, tin man, tiny dash, Toi Moore, Underground Railroad, video, vote, voter suppression, www youtube, X | posted in ABC | posted in ABC | posted in African American | posted in African American | posted in ABC | posted in ABC | posted in African American | posted in ABC	| posted in African American, GOP, history, Obama, Politics, Republican
Our Communities Need You
Day in and day out reports on the news contain many violent acts, most notably those crimes that involve guns and murder in one form or another. Today for instance there was a shooting reported in Aurora, Colorado where three people were found dead inside a home. It seems as if most of us, particularly our government appears to be numb to the carnage and accept it. I say accept it because nothing substantial is being done to stop the violence. I am going to admit that I don't know the answer or claim to have a solution but the numbers say – ENOUGH!
A very recent report by the government says the violent crime rates fell for the fifth consecutive year in 2011 in the US. But in urban areas like Detroit the homicide rate rose to a level higher than nearly 40 years ago when the city was known as the Murder Capital according to the Detroit News. The same day the city's official crime statistics were announced, a Detroit woman was charged with fatally stabbing her 8-year-old daughter and a cab driver was killed in a double shooting on the city's northwest side. I am sure there were others as well.
At the same time homicides have declined nationwide for years, most notably in New York, where in 2012 there were 414 homicides and a rate of one per 19,915 people. New Orleans reported a small drop from 199 to 193 in 2012. With a population 360,740, the rate was one per 1,869 residents and in Washington, DC there were 88 homicides in 2012, the lowest total since 1961. With a population of 617,966, that puts the rate at one per 7,023 people. All of this is good.
It was also reported that elsewhere across the country, homicide rates made only slight jumps compared to Detroit.
In Los Angeles, the homicide rate increased from 291 to 294 last year, with a population of nearly 3.8 million.
The homicide rate in Chicago went up nearly 17 percent in 2012, topping 500 for the first time in four years. Last year's total was 505, up from 433 in 2011.
Homicides in Cleveland, Ohio, spiked in 2012 with 97 and a rate of one per 4,060 people.
Philadelphia homicides increased from 324 to 331 in 2012. With a population of 1.54 million, that amounts to one per 4,642.
In St. Louis, which has a population of 318,169 people, the rate stayed the same at between 2011 and 2012 at one per 2,815 people. There were 113 homicides last year, well below the average of 141 for the five previous years.
So ladies and gentlemen I would like to suggest that we look at ourselves because these people are our people, family, and friends more often than not. Let me also suggest that we change the dialog from "Hood" to "Community" that will induce inclusiveness. So my advice is to reach one teach one and empower our youth to do better than we did. And that's my Thought Provoking Perspective…
Leave a comment	| tags: ABC, African American, african american experience, african american journey, al jolson, amazon, America, American, Antonin Scalia, author, barack obama, beauty, Bible, black, black america, black attitudes, black authors, black history, black history month, Black in America, Black Men, black pride, books, bull connor, CBS, christian, Citizens United, civil rights struggle, CLERGY, CNN, Comedy News, conscience, conservative, conservative court, continuous struggle, Cornel West, crime, current-events, curtis mayfield, daily mail, Daily Show, David Duke, Deliah Lawrence, disenfranchised, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Earth, earth wind and fire, economic self sufficiency, entertainment, environment, equal and opposite reaction, eric cantor, Fire, first black president, flip flopper, gansters, George Fraser, George Wallace, God, good ol boys, GOP, government, guns, Harlem, Harriett Tubman, harvard law graduate, herman cain, historical perspective, history, human-rights, IMAMS, interview, James Cannon, Jazz, Jesus, jim crow era, john boehner, John McCain, John T. Wills, Jon Stewart, Jon Stewart Rice, Jon Stewart Susan Rice, jordan davis, justice, land of oz, Legacy, legislative exchange council, life, literature, little known black history fact, long awaited sequel, Malcolm, Martin Luther King, Melissa Harris-Perry, Mitt, mitt romney, money mississippi, movies, MSNBC, murders, music, myth of meritocracy, Nat Turner, Natilie Cole, NBC, Nick Cannon, nina simone, Nixon, novels, Obama, occupy-wall-street, PASTORS, Paulette Harper Johnson, PBS, performance, person of color, plutocrat, police brutality, Political Humor, Politics, poor, poor people, powerful words, prayers, President, President Johnson, prison, quotes, RABBIS, race, racial attitudes, racism, radio, reading, Reagan, religion, Republican, Rice John McCain, rights, ruth bader ginsburg, single payer, slave, slavery, Sojourner Truth, soul, speaker of the house, spirituality, stage, state legislatures, stephen breyer, stories, style, Superfly, Susan Rice, Tavis Smiley, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, theology, time in history, tin man, tiny dash, Toi Moore, Underground Railroad, video, vote, voter suppression, www youtube	| posted in African American, GOP, history, Obama, Politics, Republican


text:
Ayo Animashaun
THE HEADIES ANNOUNCE HOSTS
Basket Mouth
Dakore
Darey
eLDee The Don
Hip TV
Kemi Adetiba
Rita Dominic
Trybesmen
admin June 14, 2011 3 min read
Organizers of the Headies today revealed that talented actress Rita Dominic and contemporary producer and rapper eLDee will host the sixth edition of the hugely- anticipated event.
Executive Producer Ayo Animashaun made it public this week that the award's committee has brought the duo on board. "Eldee and Rita Dominic will be hosting this year's awards and we are proud to be working with such exceptional talents" he said in a statement issued early this week.
He also announced that this year's awards will hold in September instead of its usual date in May due to the election process which was pivotal to the entire well being and sustenance of the Nigerian society.
The awards which started in 2006, has fast become one of the top events occupying the music industry's calendar. The ceremony is known for its innovative and trail blazing concepts which have single-handedly revolutionized the approach and manner award shows are organized and structured in the country. And this year's edition comes with a whole lot of surprises Mr Animashaun says "We are making adequate preparations that this year's awards be bigger and better than the previous years" he says adding "you don't want to imagine what we're cooking this year". He continues "If there is any gospel the award has preached over the years, it is the power of Possibilities".
Meanwhile, Rita Dominic and eLDee have kicked off a series of meetings with the awards committee. "I feel really excited about hosting this year's awards. I love the music industry, and I appreciate the fact that The Headies is one of the initiatives that sees to appreciating deserving talents. The team is well organized, and I am already bonding with eLDee. Last week, we were at a photo shoot organized by the organizers and I had so much fun" Rita Dominic says. She has an unrepentant love for the Entertainment industry and she has starred in over 100 movies since she started her career in 1998.
Paired with Rita Dominic to take the audience through this year's event is Osun State born Lanre Dabiri popularly known as eLDee. He is an original member of the band Trybesmen with four albums to his credit and a force to reckon with. "I have been to so many editions of The Headies, and I feel really honored hosting this year's show. Rita Dominic is a good actress and I like the fact that the organizers scout for hosts from different sectors of the Entertainment industry" eLDee says.
Past hosts of The Headies include Darey (2006), Dbanj and Tana (2007), Dakore and Basket Mouth (2008), Banky W and Kemi Adetiba (2009).
"We always look out for individuals who believe so much in themselves and who have all it takes to represent Nigeria anywhere in the world. That's what we saw in our past hosts, and that is what we see in eLDee and Rita Dominic".
The sixth edition of The Headies (Hip Hop World Awards) will hold in September 2011. A total of 22 plaques (called Headies) made up of 21 carat gold will be given out to deserving music industry professionals whose works have been screened by a team of select critics and practitioners commissioned by the organizers.
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Learn about the 4K video in its various forms concentrating on Ultra HD and see how dynamic range and HDR work and why they are major talking points in the AV media community. Also, learn how Rec. 2020 brings more realistic colours, and improvements in frame rates bring better motion capture and portrayal.
Learn how cameras capture, output and record scenes. This course will show you how to set the camera up to capture as much detail from the scene as possible and what you should do to process this captured scene to retain the quality through to the final programme. This course is designed specifically for cameras like F65, VENICE, PMW-F55, FS7, FS5 and Alpha 7 series.
Learn about the world of Corporate Video Production, compared to other aspects of the industry, with hands-on practical experience of typical corporate scenarios.
This course will show you all you need to know to work with Sony S-Log, and in particular the latest rendition of S-Log, S-Log3. You will learn what S-Log is and how it can be used to record superb images with wide dynamic range, and how it is a good choice for future-proofed archived material.
You will learn how to set up a camera or camcorder to record S-Log, and how to monitor and review recordings.
You will learn how to use S-Log material in post-production to produce a number of final edits for different requirements.
You will also learn how to use S-Log in live production to produce a final output that matches current high dynamic range and standard dynamic range distribution formats.


text:
School is out and we are in the middle of summer break. It is difficult for a parent to both work and take care of their child. As a result, our single mothers are struggling.
The government doesn't provide a summer education program, and the private school's system is unreasonably expensive.
Our "single mother's" department is busier than usual as single mothers continue to call and ask for help with the basic need of feeding their children.
We are doing everything there is to be done, to provide these wonderful mothers with the help they need, by giving food coupons and other necessary supplies.
Thank you for standing in prayer with us, and for your commitment to our ministry, you are the ones who make it all possible. To partner with us and help these single mothers, click here.
May the Lord bless you and your families.
Have you ever been in a dry, desert or wilderness and seen what happens when there is water from a spring or river? The land closest to the water transforms into a garden oasis. The brown dryness of the desert may surround, but the land around the flowing, life-giving water is lush with vegetation. The water transforms the nature of the landscape.
On a certain occasion, Jesus said to a crowd gathered in Jerusalem for the Festival of Tabernacles, "Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow form within them" (John 7:38). Jesus described what will proceed from one connected to Him: rivers of living water. The image He chose had a pointed significance for His audience who understood the impact of living water upon dry lands.
As followers of Jesus, what does the world around us look like? Does life-giving water flow out of our hearts and lives bringing vegetation and signs of life into the dry, parched land around us? Or don't we see any difference? Does our presence in our world make any difference?
Jesus' words indicate that the evidence of whether or not we believe in Him is, in part, whether or not rivers of living water flow from us. If we do truly believe in Him, which means we obey Him, then the natural result is rivers of living water flowing from us. You cannot have a desert where living water flows, and the land around it not be transformed.
It is common today for Christians to blame the forces of secularism, the media, politicians, and Hollywood for the decline of religion and morality in the world. This would not be the opinion of Jesus. Jesus' statement in John suggests that the reason for the dryness, bareness in our world today is because of us.
Water brings life. This is true in the natural world; it's true in the spiritual world. Jesus said that rivers of living water will flow from those who believe in Him. Our faith in Him evidences itself in the world around us, in the lives we touch. So how is the river flowing from you impacting your world?
Father, help me through my obedient action to demonstrate my faith in Jesus. May life-giving waters flow from me into my world for Your glory. Amen.
This week we lost a great woman. Eva Mozes Kor, a Holocaust survivor, passed away at 85-years-old. She left behind a legacy, a life demonstrating forgiveness, serving as an example for future generations.
Eva was born in Port, Romania in 1934 to Alexander and Jaffa Mozes who were farmers. In addition to two other sisters, Eva had a twin sister Miriam. In 1940, the family was transported to Auschwitz.
Upon arrival, an SS officer noticed that Eva and Miriam were twins. After confirming with their parents that they were twins, Eva and Miriam were sent to take part in Josef Mengele's cruel experiments. Josef Mengele was the notorious doctor at Auschwitz, also known as the Angel of Death, who performed deadly experiments on those in the concentration camp.
According to Eva's testimony, Mengele would experiment on children six days a week. They had various types of deadly tests conducted on them and lethal injections used as a means for spreading illnesses among the children. Despite this, she never gave up hope. She believed, imagined that she and her sister would escape alive.
In January 1945, the Soviet army liberated the camp, and Eva and Miriam went to live with their aunt in Romania.
Seventy years later in April 2015, Eva traveled to Germany to testify in the trial of former Nazi Oskar Groning. During the trial, the two shared an embrace and a kiss where Eva thanked him for his willingness at age 93, to testify to what happened more than 70 years ago.
Eva chose to live a life of forgiveness, she saw that living in bitterness, and anger was negatively influencing her life.
Here at CBN Israel, we support Holocaust survivors and provide a platform for those to speak up on behalf of those who perished at the hands of the Nazis during World War II.
We honor those who lost loved ones to this horrific war. Through our partnerships with local congregations, we provide supplies, food parcels, medical support, and coverage for their basic needs.
This is all made possible by you, our faithful supporters. Thank you for your commitment and support to the people of Israel.
May the Lord bless you abundantly.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by enemies? Like you're the underdog in the circumstances you find yourself in? The psalmist did: "Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.'" (Psalm 3:1-2).
Sometimes the circumstances, whether through no fault of our own, or even through our own fault, appear daunting and overwhelming. The thought comes, God cannot save me from this. But as the psalmist reflects on feeling outnumbered by his enemies, he voices, "But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high" (v. 3).
The biblical writers repeatedly describe God as one who answers those who cry to Him: "I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain" (v. 4). God is near to those who cry out to Him. He is not impotent, nor is He far off. Nor is He intimidated by overwhelming odds.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed within your life, I'm sure that during those moments sleep has left you. Through dark nights, you lay awake tossing and turning as you wrestle with your circumstances, possibly overcome with fear. The psalmist recognized that God sustained him; therefore, he says, "I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me" (v. 5; emphasis added). He continues, "I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side" (v. 6).
He does not ignore his circumstances or problems. They are still there, even when he wakes. Yet, the realization that God sustains him allows him to sleep, and he finds himself fearless in facing those set against him. He understands that he is not alone, and the God who is on his side will deliver him: "From the Lord comes deliverance" (v. 8).
The expression of the psalmist is not "the power of positive thinking;" his circumstances are real and dire. He recognizes, however, that God is on his side, and He will deliver him. When overwhelming circumstances confront us, do we allow worry and fear to consume us? Or, do we realize that God is with us, and He will deliver us?
Father, today we call to You. Deliver us from those things that threaten to overwhelm us for Your glory. Amen.
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night" (Psalm 1:1-2).
Have you ever heard the sayings: you are what you think, and beware of the company you keep? The psalmist highlights that the blessed person is the one who watches the company he or she keeps and meditates upon God's instruction all day. Those who we surround ourselves with effect and impact our thoughts and behaviors. Be careful, the psalmist warns. While we must guard ourselves from the negative influence of some, we must actively choose to meditate and delight in God's instruction.
The one who does this, the psalmist compares to a "tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither" (v. 3). In the dry, hot climate of the Middle East, plants without sufficient water supply, exposed to the heat of the sun, wither and die. Those with ample water can sustain their life and will produce fruit. The psalmist uses the image of a well-watered tree to suggest that the one who acts as he outlines in verses 1 and 2 will thrive regardless of the weather conditions.
He further describes this tree as producing fruit. The Bible often uses the image a tree or plant producing fruit as a symbol of the actions of a person. The psalmist expects that a person's meditation and delighting in the law of the Lord will not simply remain a cognitive or emotional reality. Rather, these meditations should lead us to act and behave in a manner consistent with God's instruction.
He concludes his image of the fruitful tree saying, "whatever they do prospers" (1:3). We are responsible for our spiritual growth and maturity. We have to guard ourselves from potential corrupting influences around us. And, we have to make the instruction of the Lord something we delight to meditate on all day, every day. Such meditation should lead us to bearing good fruit.
Do people look at our lives and see a fruitful tree, or do our lives look like "chaff that the wind blows away" (Psalm 1:4)? Our intentionality to our spiritual growth will determine what they see. What do you delight in?
Lord, today may I guard myself from influences that can corrupt me from following You, and as I meditate upon Your law and instruction, may my life bear fruit to Your glory. Amen.
"And the people stood at a distance while Moses approached the deep darkness where God was" (Exod. 20:21). We usually associate God with light. He drives out darkness. Yet, Moses entered the dark cloud where he met God. The greatest revelation of God Moses received came in the midst of thick darkness. God was there even in the darkness. Do we expect to find God in the darkness? Often, we look for Him to show up and deliver us from our darkest moments, but do we seek to find Him in it? It's interesting that Exodus describes God as being in the dark cloud, and Moses entered, and there he met God. There is a profoundness about this verse. When we find ourselves or others in a period of darkness—whether a period of difficulty, uncertainty, or despair—our typical response is to prescribe two Bible verses, rest, and you'll feel better in the morning. This is more than that: God resides even in the darkness, and we can find Him there. The psalmist asked, "Where can I go from Your Spirit, and where can I flee from Your presence? If I rise to the heavens, You are there, and if I make my bed in Sheol, there You are" (139:7-8). Do we expect to find God in our depths? Not as a means of escape, but do we allow ourselves to find Him in our darkest moments as an opportunity for revelation? Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, speaks about two spiritual concepts: consolation and desolation. He states: "I call consolation every increase of hope, faith, and charity, and all interior joy which calls and attracts to heavenly things and to the salvation of one's soul, quieting it and giving it peace in its Creator and Lord." Desolation, of course, is everything contrary to consolation. Neither consolation or desolation refers to our external circumstances; they both pertain to inner attitudes where our focus is God. Ignatius recognized that we could find ourselves in a period of darkness but still experience the inner comfort and support of being close toGod. "Moses approached the deep darkness where God was." When we realize that God resides also in the darkness, then we can find ourselves expecting to meet Him there, looking to Him for consolation, and even gaining a new revelation of Him. And this is an incredible realization—God is there even in our darkest moments.
Father, even in the midst of my darkest moments, help me to experience Your presence and to trust You to provide the consolation, my soul, longs for. Amen
The Classroom of Humility
"Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). We remember Moses as God's chosen leader for the children of Israel to bring them out of Egyptian bondage and through the wilderness to the edge of the Promised Land. But what was Moses' occupation? For forty years before appearing in front of Pharaoh, he shepherded flocks in the desert. Moses' time shepherding flocks in the desert prepared him to lead God's people, shepherding them through the wilderness where they faced harsh physical conditions and threats from enemies. In the harsh climate of the deserts of the Middle East, the shepherd cared for the flock making sure they found water, food, and shelter, as well as protecting them from potential threats. Moses'time as a shepherd prepared him for the role that God chose for him to deliver and lead Israel. In the same way, however, Moses' time in the desert herding sheep and goats formed his character: "Now the man Moses was very humble." How so? The climate of the desert is incredibly harsh. Temperatures can fluctuate as much as eighty degrees; the scorching heat of the sun can give way to the cold of the desert night. Water and food are not found in ready supply; the sheep and goats rely exclusively on the shepherd to find them sustenance. The desert presents the threat to a flock of enemies, both four-footed and two, that the shepherd must protect them from. These are the brutal conditions faced by the shepherd in the desert. His life and that of his flock faced imminent dangers within its wild expanse. The desert served as God's classroom in the Bible. God takes people into the desert to teach them and build their character. One of the principal lessons that He imparts to them in the desert: humility. There are no "self-made individuals" in the desert. Lone rangers cannot exist there. You cannot overcome the harsh and threatening conditions by yourself. It humbles a person. Moses spent forty years in the desert, and he learned this lesson well. He understood the need for decisive action in leading the children of Israel, but he also recognized his need to take advice and rely on others. He was humble. He learned the lesson of the desert: one cannot survive alone. Community is essential. The lessons of the desert often fly in the face of the rugged individualism we honor in our Western culture. That individualism often spills over into our spirituality where we view things Asus and God. Such attitudes are absent within the spirituality of the Bible. God still leads us into the wilderness to teach us humility and the foolishness of self-reliance. He used Moses mightily for His purposes and glory because Moses learned humility. Do we allow Him to build the same character within us by leading us into the desert?
Father, in every place You lead, may I learn to rely upon You and others. May I never become arrogant or self-reliant in anything I do. May I always recognize my dependence upon You and those around me. Amen
The End from the Beginning
ELY Israel has had the privilege of aiding and supporting many new immigrants to Israel, especially those with unstable family situations and are facing crisis. We are privileged to act as the hands and feet of Messiah for vulnerable women and children through our Families Department. For many of these women who live in Israel, or have been through grueling circumstances to immigrate (make Aliyah), their future feels so unsure, but many find faith through the small acts that ELY can provide to know that God has a plan for them, for He "declares the end from the beginning".
A recent testimony from one of the single mothers ELY has provided on-going assistance for was especially striking, as her whole journey was riddled with unknowns for her and her family. A few years ago, M made Aliyah to Israel with her young child. She was Jewish, but only on her paternal side, therefore her elderly mother was forced to remain in their home-country in Eastern Europe. The separation was agonizing, but everyone agreed it was necessary for M and her son to have a chance at a leading a better life. Time passed, and M received word that her mother had fallen seriously ill, and was at severe risk alone. In a panic, M made arrangements for her mother to be brought to Israel for better medical care. The stress of her condition became so heavy, as M was forced to take out loans to finance her mothers' treatment. In the end, the financial debt she accumulated and the emotional burden was too much, so M, her mother and child made the fateful decision to return to their country of origin without future prospects to return to Israel.
Their hearts were broken to leave the land they loved, but feared that if they returned to Israel the debt M had accrued there would be crushing, and she may even be at risk of arrest if she reentered the country. However, as time passed, M realized she was willing to take the gamble, as she would rather sit in jail than never return to Israel. With only her faith propelling her forward, she knew the Lord had put Israel on her heart for a reason, and that His provision would be her solace. She thanks God that she was never arrested, but M still faced problems of finding work to pay down her debt. Once again she found herself facing the brink of no longer being able to remain in Israel when she was contacted by an ELY representative who delivered a miraculous message. ELY Israel wished to stand alongside M, to assist with her debt, help her prosper and provide for her family.
Immediate support included gift cards and vouchers for her to pay for food and necessities. It was the first month in such a long time that M did not have to worry about affording basic needs after her monthly debt portion had been paid off. Secondly, ELY Israel contracted a lawyer to advise M with her financial issues, and with the help of God, she was absolved of her debt within the year! Once she was out of crisis ELY Israel did not dissert her, instead they invested in M's future with career counseling, which led to her receiving a scholarship for a tourism and travel agent training course. Today M is at the end of her studies, and is already working in her field of choice! She says that she feels the ultimate success was that she not only can provide for herself and her child with dignity, but she has also been liberated from emotional and financial burden. She is a living testimony of faith and liberation for at-risk women who see no realistic way of getting out of their current circumstances. M's deepest appreciation goes to ELY Israel for "seeing my problems in all of their complexity, and helping to lift me out of my lowest point". It is difficult to see that the Lord has a plan and a path to deliver us from our most difficult life circumstances, but with an abounding faith, and employees to show God's love to those who are struggling, women like M have found better futures in the Holy Land.
(Names altered for privacy purposes)
First Fruits
"You shall count seven weeks; begin to count the seven weeks from the time the sickle is first put to the standing grain. Then you shall keep the festival of weeks to the Lord your God, contributing a free-will offering in proportion to the blessing that you have received from the Lord your God. Rejoice before the Lord your God—you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female slaves, the Levites resident in your towns, as well as the strangers, the orphans, and the widows who are among you—at the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. Remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and diligently observe these statutes" (Deut. 16:9-12). Moses outlined for the Israelites the ordinances of the Festival of Weeks (Shavu'ot or Pentecost). This festival commemorated the harvest seven weeks and one day(50 days hence Pentecost)after the first Sabbath after the festival of Unleavened Bread. The festival was to be a celebration marked by a free-will offering, an offering "in proportion to the blessing that you have received from the Lord." The festivals and rituals that God gave to the Israelites served as reminders of His participation in their daily lives. Agriculture did not depend upon the farmer and his ingenuity or the luck of the weather; rather, God, Himself, blessed and provided for the daily needs of the people. The rituals and festivals functioned as reminders of God's nearness and called upon the Israelites to give thanks, to rejoice. The Israelites celebrated Pentecost not only within their families but with their communities. Three groups of people are specifically identified as participating in the celebration of the festival—strangers, orphans, and widows. These three groups lacked a legal advocate within ancient Israel, which is why God often describes Himself, the just Judge, as the defender of these three groups. In the midst of the celebration, God calls on the Israelites to remember those on the fringes of their society and to bring them into the festivities. The basis for this action: "Remember that you were a slave in Egypt." You were once an outcast, someone at the bottom of the social world, so remember and bring those at the bottom of your world into your celebration of the Lord's blessing. Do we see God's provision and care in every facet of our lives? Do we celebrate it and remind ourselves to rejoice at His provision? Do we share our blessing and bring into our celebration those on the fringes of our society? This was God's expectation of the ancient Israelites when they celebrated Pentecost. He expects the same from us.
Father, thank You for Your daily provision in my life. As a sign of my Thanksgiving, may I share Your blessings in my life with others. Amen.
To Hear and To Do
"Then he [Moses] took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they [the children of Israel] said, "Everything that the Lord said, we will do, and we will hear" (Exod. 24:7; emphasis added). This event occurs after Moses has been on top of Sinai and received the covenant from the Lord. When he comes down to the people and reads the covenant to them, they respond "we will do, and we will hear."The phrases "to hear" and "to do" appear frequently within the Bible: "And now, Israel, listen unto the laws and statutes which I am teaching you, to do them, so that you will live, and enter and possess the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, gave to you" (Deut. 4:1; see also Deut. 5:1; 6:3; 7:12). Elsewhere we read, "Only, if you will certainly listen to the voice of the Lord your God, to keep and to do all of these commands, which I am commanding you today" (Deut. 15:5). The context of these passages indicates that the biblical authors drew a connection between hearing God's word and doing it. In fact, that was their definition of obedience: to hear and to do. Often when we say that we "hear" someone, it does not necessarily translate into action. In fact, the phrase, "I hear you," can serve as our response meaning a certain level of inaction. Yet, within the Bible, obedience required action, both parts were necessary. To not hear and do meant for the writers of Scripture that judgment was imminent. The author of Kings identified the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel as due to their disobedience: "Because they did not listen to the voice of the Lord their God, they transgressed His covenant and everything He commanded Moses—the servant of the Lord; they did not listen and did not do" (2 Kings 18:12). Failure to listen and do resulted in Israel transgressing the law of the Lord. In the New Testament, Jesus also emphasized our hearing and doing. He compared those who hear and do His words as like one who built his house upon a rock; while the one who only hears but does not do, he is like one who built his house on the sand (Matt. 7:24-27). Paul likewise states that it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous, but the doors of the law who will be justified (Rom. 2:13). Do we spend time listening to the word of God? And do we translate what we've heard into action? If we are going to obey as the Bible intended, then we must both hear and do.
Father, as I seek to draw closer to You, may I obey You by hearing Your word and doing it. May Your name be glorified through my obedient action to You and Your word. Amen.
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Justice A R Cornelius, being a liberal catholic Christian, is an unlikely champion of the Islamisation of the legal system in Pakistan. Yet facts show that it was he who first expounded the idea that in order for rule of law to take root in Pakistan, judges should freely deploy Islam to justify their legal decisions. Ironically, he did so speaking to officers at the General Headquarters (GHQ) on July 11, 1962 where he argued that the state could only find political legitimacy if it honoured the wishes of the people and unveiled a just Islamic order. To understand the context of Cornelius' comments, I recommend that the readers refer to Clark Lombardi's fascinating study 'Can Islamising a legal system ever help promote liberal democracy? A view from Pakistan', which is available online.
Of course, Cornelius envisaged Pakistani liberals as leaders of this Islamisation, which would be a sort of a renaissance of Islam and would unleash liberal rule of law in the country. Advising the military rulers of the country, Justice Cornelius said, "It is in this sense that the demand often heard in Pakistan for restoration of traditional Islamic institutions should be understood. It is the natural cry of a strong organism to be connected once again with its original and proper roots. The matter lies in the field of political therapeutics." In doing so, Cornelius was overturning the axiomatic wisdom of Justice Munir and Justice Kayani, who had held that the question of an Islamic state would only lead to dissention given the variety of the often contradictory claims of various sects in Islam. With the Christian Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan now giving a nod to the Islamisation of the legal system, it was only a matter of time before a theory of Islamic review would take root in Pakistan. At least the military drew its own lessons from Cornelius' exposition, especially in how it used that logic to the hilt under General Ziaul Haq. One wonders if General Zia himself was in attendance at Cornelius' lecture.
Cornelius was speaking at a time when the world was yet to experience the spread of fundamentalism and revivalist thought in the Muslim world. I doubt he would hold the views he expressed at the GHQ in 1962 if he were alive today. For one thing, time has proved that liberals have failed to establish any kind of legitimacy vis-à-vis Islam. This was obviously natural given that the common man is not likely to reject the interpretations of established religious clergy in favour of modernist interpretations of Islam expounded by liberal Muslims or legal scholars attempting to reconcile Islam with modernity. The problem is that whenever the issue is going to come down to an interpretation of Islamic law, invariably liberal and progressive interpretations, no matter how persuasively argued, will lose out to traditionalist and orthodox views that are championed by a reactionary clergy. Priests with a divine mission, which Jinnah warned us against, will always trump any liberal attempts at reform. It is therefore a losing proposition for liberals to engage the clergy on that level, especially given that there are no liberal scholars of Islam grounded in Islamic history and jurisprudence, at least in Pakistan, who can challenge the established sectarian narratives of Barelvis and Deobandis. There are no Raza Aslans or Mustafa Akyols in Pakistan and even if there were, given the post-General Zia scenario, they would be driven out of the country. The treatment meted out to Fazlur Rahman Malik by Pakistan's aggressive Islamists, at a time when Pakistan was a relatively liberal country, is a case in point. The more recent case of Javed Ahmad Ghamdi, by no means a liberal Islamic scholar but merely a reasonable one, is another.
A case in point is the Federal Shariat Court (FSC), which has recently been the subject of a lively debate between some of Pakistan's brightest legal minds. The FSC was General Zia's greatest trick. It was the foremost tool by which he intended to legitimise his illegitimate military dictatorship. The idea of a court of Islamic review empowered to give binding legal opinions on religious matters was itself a revolutionary one within Islam. Never in the 1,400 years of the history of Islam was there ever an institution that was vested with such jurisdiction. The closest the Muslim world ever came to this was under Caliph Mamun's reign in the ninth century with his attempt to create a Church of Islam inspired by the rationalist doctrine of Mutazila. It ended in terrific failure. The very existence of the FSC therefore is a censure on the democratic will of the people of Pakistan, but it is said to be a popular censure. The people of Pakistan, we are told, want to have a shariat court. It is, to quote Cornelius, a matter of "political therapeutics". These political therapeutics, in my opinion, have destroyed the dream that was Pakistan. Where do we draw the line?
Perhaps the first thing that liberals and reformists in Pakistan need to do is to stop trying to find a silver lining when talking of out of place institutions like the FSC. Instead, we need to dig out and revive those arguments that liberal judges had made prior to Cornelius' ill-fated advice. Pakistan is home to many different kinds of Islamic sects, not to mention adherents of other religions. The different kind of Islamic sects cannot really agree on what it means to be a Muslim. Meanwhile, Pakistan is a modern state that has to exist in the modern world. When you talk of sharia, whose version are you going to implement? Will this argument not destroy the very fabric of the state? Has our experience over the last 40 years not shown us that this is an endless and fruitless debate that only weakens the state? As a Pakistani who wants this state to prosper and not just carry on in confusion, I reject the imposition of the FSC, designed to prop up General Zia's military dictatorship, as having any legitimacy in deciding what is Islamic and what is not Islamic.


text:
L'Ermita de Sant Gregori de Vinaròs està situada als afores de la població, en l'encreuament dels camins del Cementeri o de les Dues Viles i, el de Sant Gregori, a uns 700 m de la població.

Història
Després d'haver-se lliurat d'una plaga de llagostes, els llauradors, agraïts a Sant Gregori, qui creien els havia ajudat, decidiren el 28 de setembre de 1779 la construcció de l'ermita. Fou contractat Pere Gonel, frare i arquitecte vinarossenc, per realitzar les traces i la construcció. La primera pedra es col·loca el 9 de maig de 1780. En 1781 ja estava acabada la façana, segons la data gravada a la llinda, però la decoració interior es finalitza el 1799, segons altra inscripció en la volta. Les edificacions contigües es farien en aquesta última data.

Durant molts anys del  l'ermita fou utilitzada com magatzem municipal, i es va anar deteriorant. I la casa de l'ermità i el terreny dels voltants fou utilitzat per realitzar els exàmens de conduir.

Durant els estius de 2001 i 2002 un grup d'estudiants i llicenciats de l'UJI rehabilitaren l'interior de l'ermita. I en 2003 un taller d'ocupació restaurà la façana i els voltants. Durant aquests anys eliminaren l'espadanya que coronava la façana.

El 26 de març de 2009 s'inaugurà a l'antiga casa de l'ermità un punt de trobada familiar, espai de mediació entre pares i fills.

Arquitectura
L'ermita té planta de creu grega, prolongat l'eix principal per situar el cor alt als peus i, el presbiteri en la capçalera. Es cobreix el creuer amb cúpula sobre petxines que es recolzen sobre pilastres d'ordre compost (a l'exterior, la cúpula se sustenta sobre tambor octagonal poc elevat, amb finestres rectangulars, que a l'interior se situen entre els nervis de la cúpula), mentre els braços laterals estan coberts per volta de canó amb llunetes, i els angles, per volta de creueria. L'absis, recte, es cobreix per una volta de quadrant d'esfera sobre petxines.

Façana amb cornisa de línies trencades, on s'emmarca, centrada, una portada de dos cossos. L'inferior, amb pilastres toscanes que suporten un fris amb mètopes i tríglifs, i en la clau de la llinda, un escut oval amb els símbols del sant. El segon cos se centra en una fornícula apetxinada delimitada per pilastres jòniques i acompanyada per pinacles en els extrems. I per damunt, un ull de bou ovalat protegit per pinacles, que augmenta la verticalitat.

El retaule major, fet per J.B. Nicolau, compta amb la representació de Sant Antoni Abat coronant el conjunt, les representacions de Sant Abdó i Sant Senén als laterals i la imatge de Sant Gregori a la fornícula central. Es conserven també dos retaules laterals al fresc dedicats a Santa Rita de Càscia i a Sant Nicolau de Tolentino.

Festivitat
Fa anys es feia romeria el 9 de maig. Actualment no té culte excepte en ocasions especials.

Referències

Bibliografia

 , Joan Damià. Esglésies-saló del  a les comarques valencianes. Castelló: Fundación Dávalos-Fletcher, 2002. pp. 212-216. .
 , F. Xavier; , Gustau. Inventari d'Ermites, Ermitatges i Santuaris de l'Alt i Baix Maestrat. Castelló: Diputació, 1996, pp. 128-129. .
 , Yolanda. Arquitectura barroca en Castellón. Castelló: Diputació, 2004, p. 441.

Edificis de Vinaròs
Ermites del Baix Maestrat
Vinaros

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Siddamulla South Grama Niladhari Division is a  Grama Niladhari Division of the  Homagama Divisional Secretariat  of Colombo District  of Western Province, Sri Lanka .  It has Grama Niladhari Division Code 591B.

Siddamulla South is a surrounded by the  Sangharama, Siddamulla North, Pelenwatta East, Mattegoda West, Gorakapitiya and Pelenwatta North  Grama Niladhari Divisions.

Demographics

Ethnicity

The Siddamulla South Grama Niladhari Division has  a Sinhalese majority (98.9%) . In comparison, the Homagama Divisional Secretariat (which contains the Siddamulla South Grama Niladhari Division) has  a Sinhalese majority (98.1%)

Religion

The Siddamulla South Grama Niladhari Division has  a Buddhist majority (95.6%) . In comparison, the Homagama Divisional Secretariat (which contains the Siddamulla South Grama Niladhari Division) has  a Buddhist majority (96.2%)

References

Grama Niladhari Divisions of Homagama Divisional Secretariat


text:
Dante Martin Names Two AEW Producers He Finds "Super Influential"
By Matthew Wilkinson |November 29, 2021
AEW's Dante Martin recently appeared on One on One with Jon Alba where he spoke about his goals with the company. Martin discussed his plans for when he brother returns admitting that he hopes they can become AEW Tag Team Champions.
"I think there's really nowhere to go but up," he stated. "I'm hoping that as soon as Darius comes back we can get these belts going and start hopefully a legendary career because that's what we're looking to do. It's been pretty hard."
Dante Martin also spoke about when he found out his brother would be unable to compete. He revealed that Darius has worked hard behind the scenes to help him at times.
"Especially just being thrown into the fishes almost, being thrown to the sharks," he said. "It's a sink or swim. I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job swimming right now. Darius has been kind of my coach behind the scenes and been helping me out an amazing amount. Although it's a bad situation, we're making a good deal out of it."
The AEW star is one of the best high-flying talents in the company, but this is something that can lead to criticism at times. Martin spoke about how people can respond to that and how he focuses on himself.
"I think to the critics, they're going to voice their opinion. As long as overall the people are happy and you're doing your job to the best you can, that's all that really matters," Martin said. "People are going to say what they're going to say at the end of the day, whether your back's turned or facing them, you just gotta do you."
Dante Martin went on to talk about people who help out backstage and provide advice. He specifically named Dean Malenko and Jerry Lynn as two great minds.
"I've talked to JR a couple of times," he admitted. "I talk to Schiavone just about every week now, of course, as you see with the pre-tapes we do. Two of the biggest names to me that are super influential backstage to me are Dean Malenko and Jerry Lynn. They're just two of the greatest minds and nicest people you'll ever meet. Super helpful.
"I watch a lot of Jerry, but Dean is the one I watch almost religiously… I almost draw. I hope it comes across like this, but the intensity, almost like the 'I don't care attitude,'" he reflected. "Just going to the ring, 'I gotta do me, the other guy can bring it, but I gotta bring it more attitude.' I get a lot of that from Malenko."
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