Sunday Morning Praise & Inspiration

Neo Soul Saturday

Today's spotlight features one of the most amazing voices you'll ever hear.
Her name is Maysa Leak.
She's been a fixture on the music scene for years.
Those of you who are true jazz fans, you may remember her from her days as the front singer with the group Incognito.
But for those of you who haven't heard of her, here's one of my favorites for you to enjoy.

Support Real Music!

Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly To Be Honored At BET Awards

Remember last year when I told you I wasn't watching another award show until Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly was honored?

Well, guess what!

It's happening tomorrow night at the BET Awards.

So, if you hear someone screaming loud, or singing off key through your laptop, don't get alarmed.

It will be me celebrating with my favorite band of all time as they finally get the respect they deserve.

Black Marines Honored

This week, about 400 of the first black Marines were honored in Washington D.C. for their service to this country during World War II.

These are the Marines from Montford Point, N.C.- a camp that was specifically built for black Marines.

While their white counterparts lived in comfortable housing units, they were forced to live in huts made out of thick cardboard, with no A/C and no heat that housed as many as forty men.

Can you imagine that?

I commend these brave men for having the courage to fight for their country during a time when their country wouldn't fight for them.

So, the next time you see a member of our armed forces, shake their hand and thank them for their service to our country.

But if you're ever fortunate enough to run into one of these men, give them a hug and take a few extra minutes to let them know how much you appreciate their courage, their honor, and their sacrifice.

I'm sure it will mean a lot to them.

NOW What?

First, he was a Muslim.
Then, he wasn't born in America.
Then, he associated with terrorists.
Then, it was Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
Then, he wasn't quailfied to be President.
Then, he only became President because ACORN "stole" the election for him.
Then, he wanted to take your guns.
Then, the tea party wanted to "take their country back".
(This ain't YOUR damn country to begin with.)
Then, he was compared to Hitler.
Then, he was a socialist.
Then, he was destroying America.
Then, he was attacking "Freedom".
Then...........
Then..........
Then...........

And now that the Supreme Court of The United States has upheld his Healthcare Reform Bill, I have one question for all of you detractors, haters, racists etc.

NOW, what?

What are you going to come up with next?
Don't you get it?
Don't you understand that this country doesn't have the hatred and venom in their hearts like you have in yours?
I mean, think about it.
A CONSERVATIVE justice, appointed by a Republican President was the deciding vote to rule that the President's signature bill was deemed constitutional.

If that doesn't wake you up, then maybe you'll just have to wait until the general election to see that you're now a minoirty in this country.
And I'm not talking about your skin color, or ethinicity-I'm talking about the way you think.

Happy Father's Day!

Look at this photo...........seriously, just look at it!
Wouldn't you love to know what the older man was saying to these kids?
If I had to guess, he was probably telling them about the struggle their families, and their people had just come out of.
This photo, titled Storytelling Time-was taken in Thomasville, Al. by Kathryn Tucker Windham in 1971-the year I was born.

Unfortunately, a lot has changed since 1971.
Many children are being raised without even knowing who their fathers are.
Many of those fathers have walked out on their families, and some just aren't ready to accept the responsibilty of fatherhood
There was a time when I would judge those men.
But the older I get, the more I realize it's not wise to judge a man's decisions unless I've walked in his shoes.
Sure, I have my own personal opinions on it, but on this Father's Day weekend-instead of talking down to those men. I'll just say a prayer for them and hope that God lays it on their heart to reach out to their children.
And for those of you who have fathers that have tried to reach out to you, but you're unwilling to accept that olive branch because you're still bitter about his absence-I want to challenge you to put your differences aside, just for this one day.
Because after all, he's still your father.

 

Don't Give Up On Your Dreams

Normally, (well not lately), but normally, I would post a Neo Soul Saturday video to spotlight an unknown, or up and coming Neo Soul artist.
But today, I want to do something different.
I want to post a song that has been playing in my head since the moment I woke up this morning.
You see, a few years ago, God gave me a vision.
I know, I know............some of you may look at me sideways when I say "GOD gave me a vision"-but that's your problem-not mine.
God indeed gave me a vision, and like most people, I thought my vision would happen overnight.
I thought I could just sit down, write the vision, make it plain, speak it into the atmosphere, and the vision would manifest out of nowhere.
What I didn't anticipate were the struggles along the way.
I didn't anticipate the extra distractions and drama I would have to deal with.
I didn't anticipate the mistrust of people who called themselves my friends.
I didn't anticipate the heartbreak and lessons in love I would experience.
I didn't anticipate that some who claimed to be for me, may actually be against me.
I didn't anticipate any of those things.

But regardless of the distractions, the roadblocks, the people telling me I was crazy, and even those who told me my "stupid" vision would never happen because I was cursed-I'm still encouraged.
And I want you to be too.
I hope this song encourages you to encourage someone else to continue to pursue their goals, their dreams, and their vision.
I hope it will encourage you to NEVER give up on your dreams.

"Men" Suing To Join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

*blank stare*

Really?
I mean, seriously?
Can we stop the madness now?
Is this what we're coming to?
Grown men suing to join a sorority?
Normally, I would laugh this mess off and keep it moving.
But with the "evolving" attitude of people in this country, including our President (who I still support), I wouldn't be surprised if some liberal judge somewhere decides to rule in favor of these "men".
And if that happens, we might as well shut all Black Greek Letter Organizations DOWN! 

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. has produced some wonderful women.
It's a damn shame that a group of "men", are allowed to publicly disrespect them like this!
What's next: Some hard, lesbian chick suing to be a Q-Dog?

Black on Black Crime: When Will It Stop?

I was in Atlanta last week with my son at a baseball tournament and saw on the news where a young man showed up at the funeral of the guy he was suspected of murdering, and started shooting......killing two people and wounding three others.
-In Lowndes, County, Al., a man shot and killed a pair of nine year old twins and their 73 year old caretaker. The coward left their bodies on the side of the road.
-In Auburn, Al., a man showed up at a pool party, started a fight over a woman-then shot and killed three people-including two former Auburn football players.
-In Birmingham, Al. a teenager shot and killed three people because he felt like he was disrespected after a card game.
I could go on and on on but unfortunately, you get the picture.

You know, one of the things that really burns me up is what I call the "Selective Outrage" we have as a community. I blogged about it in reference to the Trayvon Martin case. Many of you disagreed with me, but you have to admit, I had a great point.
You disagree?
Ok, answer this for me:
How quick do you think these pimps  so called civil rights leaders would've been in Alabama if the man accused of murdering those nine year old black twins was white?

How much hell do you think they would have raised if the man who shot and killed those people at that funeral looked like George Zimmerman?

Don't get it twisted, that dude should get the electric chair, but my point is:
We look the other way when it comes to black on black crime because we don't want our dirty laundry to air out in a public place. But the minute we can air out someone else's dirty laundry, we get off of our lazy ass fat behinds and start singing "We Shall Overcome" and chanting "No Justice, No Peace!"

As much as it pains me to say this-correction-it doesn't pain me at all.
It needs to be said..........There's a certain segment of our community that are savages and need to be treated as such.
What?
Did I say something wrong?
You didn't like the savages remark?
Ok, go check the stats and murder rates. And if I'm wrong, I'll retract my statement.
Go ahead and check........I'll wait!
(That's what I thought.)

There's a certain segment of our community that are savages and need to be treated as such.
The best way to treat these savages is to make examples out of them.
And the way to make examples out of them is to make sure their punishments are quick and swift.
Yes, I'm talking about the death penalty.
If these guys (and in some cases-girls) knew they would be executed 72 hours after being convicted beyond a shadow of a reasonable doubt, maybe they would think twice about taking someone else's life.
When will this cycle of black on black crime stop?

Neo Soul Saturday

If you're not familiar with this brotha and his work, please check him out.

He's currently on tour with Sy Smith and The Foreign Exchange and the show is crazy!

Hope you enjoy.

African-Americans and High Blood Pressure

Today while I was at the gym doing my 5 miles on the stationary bike (after I did 5 miles on the treadmill and before I walked 1.5 miles at the park), I read an article in a health and fitness magazine that I found very alarming.
The article highlighted the number of African-Americans who take medication for high blood pressure.
The reason the article was so alarming is because it suggested that 35% of those people are under the age of 40.
Unfortunately, I know a few people who fall into this catagory.
Board of Directors, that is NOT normal!
At age forty, you should be in the best shape of your life!
Yes, I know your time may be limited.
Yes, I know you have to take care of the kids.
Yes, I know you work a lot of hours.
But I firmly believe people (especially men) make time for what they want to make time for.
Why not make time to take care of your body?
Last year as I approached my 40th birthday, I made a committment to get in better shape.
Since making that commitment I've lost 15 pounds and I feel great!
Now as I approach my 41st birthday on Monday, I'm determined to stay on my health and exercise kick.
And I'm determined to get as many people as I can to join me.

"Wind Me Up Chuck!"

Hold up!!
Hold up!!

*Doing my go-go dance while watching this video*

Mannnnnn..........what you guys know about THAT??

I got my first taste of Chuck Brown live in Atlanta at Freaknik in 1995.

I think it was 95-my Freaknik days were a blur.
(Don't ask me why).

After that night, I was hooked on Go-Go.

And after that night, I was hooked on Chuck Brown.

His influence can be found in the music of everyone from Doug E. Fresh, to Jill Scott.

The Godfather of Go-Go will truly be missed!

"Wind Me Up Chuck!"

Happy Mother's Day

I hope all of you wonderful moms are enjoying your day.

Saw this brotha in concert last night and thought I would share this with you.


Happy Mother's Day!

Another Thirteen Year Old Is Murdered

Last Friday night, here in my hometown of Birmingham, Al., this young man was murdered.
He was thirteen years old.
He was in the seventh grade.
He was the quarterback on his middle school football team.
Sounds like another innocent life taken too soon, right?

WRONG!

This thirteen year old was murdered by someone who decided he wasn't going to be a victim of a carjacking.
The teen, who was wearing a t-shirt wrapped around his face as a bandana, flashed a gun and ordered the citizen to get out of his car.
Instead of getting out of his car, the would be victim pulled out his gun and fatally shot the teen.
At the risk of sounding insensitive;
I must say that I feel no sympathy in this case.
I mean, sure, it's a tragedy that this kid is dead.
But quite honestly, the quicker we can remove people like this out of our society, the better all of our lives will be.

*Why are you guys looking at me like that?*

Ok, since you think I've lost my mind, let me ask you a question;
If someone tried to carjack YOU at 11pm, and YOU had a gun-wouldn't you defend yourself just as this citizen did?
You should!
I know I would!
In fact, I would shoot first, and ask questions later.
And the question I would ask is this:
What the hell is a thirteen year old doing out at 11pm?
Where are his parents?
More specifically-
WHERE IS HIS FATHER?
(The answer to that question probably has a lot to do with the reason you're reading this blog.)

Listen, at some point we have to come to the realization that our community is under attack.
And the perpetartors come in all sizes, and unfortunately, in all age groups.

It's time to take our communities back.
And if that means taking it back by force-so be it!

Selective Outrage (The Trayvon Martin Case)

I have a 16 year old son and I can't imagine what the parents of Trayvon Martin are going through.
I support their efforts and will continue to lift them up in prayer.
HOWEVER!
*somebody say however*
HOWEVER...............
I'm a bit taken back by the selective outrage I'm seeing from my people.
It seems like everybody and their mama is rocking a hoodie nowadays in support of Trayvon.
That's great, but I have a question:
Where has all of this outrage been?

Thousands of young black men are murdered in this country every year, and most of the them are murderer by other young black men.
And because of this stupid "No Snitching" code in our community, some of their killers are still walking the streets.
Where are the marches and protests for those families?
Why aren't people outraged about those cases?
Is it because George Zimmerman is white, and this case has a racial overtone to it?
Is it because it's easier to point the finger at white people and say,

"They're killing our young black men"?

We're so quick to shine the spotlight on police brutality, and cases like this where young black men are racially profiled and stereotyped.
Yet, we dim the lights when it's time to talk about the effect black on black crime is having in our community.
I'm not saying that the outrage in this case isn't justified-it's more than justified.
But I think it's time we stop having "selective outrage".

Look Beyond The Surface !

When you look at this photo, what is your first emotion?
Is it one of pride?
Is it one of nostalgia?
Is it a reminder of how far we've come?
What is it?
Over the last few weeks this photo has been floating around social media under the caption;
"One Black Man Died For Another Black Man To Win."
When you read that caption the photo looks innocent, right?
It looks like a photo you can add to your Obama Photo Collection, right?
(All black people should have an Obama Photo Collection-this is history!)
So again I ask you, what is your first true emotion when you look at this photo?
I have to admit, when I first saw it, I too felt a sense of pride.
I felt a sense of nostalgia.
I felt a sense of history.
But then I looked at it again, and again, and again.
And the more I looked at it, the more those feelings started to disappear.
The more I looked at it, the more I started to feel offended.
The more I looked at it, the more I started to think,
"Something isn't right about this picture."
Look at it again..........
No go ahead, look at it!
A picture of Mrs. King comforting her daughter as she sit at her husband's funeral, and the picture of Mrs. Obama with her daughter, in the same position as Dr. King's daughter doesn't seem strange to you?
It's almost as if, someone-the creator of this picture, is trying to send a message.
I know, I know.....some of you are probably saying,
"Mod you're reading too much into it, it's just a photo."
Is it?
Am I really reading too much into it?
By now, many of you should know me well enough to know that I wasn't going to just let this photo go unchallenged......or shall I say, unchecked!
So I did a little research and wouldn't you know, my research lead me to a website (that I won't promote on this blog).
The website is a radical, right wing, modern day KKK  conservative website that's dedicated to demonizing President Obama.
This is the website that first came up with the idea of passing out bumper stickers with
" Pray For Obama- Psalm 109:8" on them.
You may ask, what's the big deal?
I'll tell you what the big deal is-go look up Psalm 109:8.
No, go ahead, I'll wait on you.
SERIOUSLY! GO LOOK IT UP!
*five minutes later*
NOW do you get it?
Just like people were putting those bumper stickers on their cars and not knowing the message behind that verse.
Many are now passing this photo around social media and not understanding the meaning behind this photo.
Yes, I know what the caption says, but that caption was added by someone on social media.

For those of you who are still lost, let me help you out.
The same people who was praying for President Obama's children to be fatherless, and his wife to be a widow (Psalm 109:8),
Are the same people who constructed this photo.

For those of you who are STILL lost, let me help you out some more.
These people want the same thing that happened to Dr. King to happen to President Obama.
They want this photo to become a reality.
So the next time someone shares this photo with you, share this blog with them and tell them to look beyond the surface!

The "Loving" Story

When a man loves a woman-I mean, REALLY loves a woman,
there is absolutely nothing he wouldn't do to be with her.

Sometimes he has to make sacrifices.
-Like putting her wants above his own.

Sometimes he has to make tough decisions.
-Like allowing her to leave so he can get her back.
 (Ok, that one was personal)

But sometimes, he has to be willing to risk everything he has,
including his life.

If you're not familiar with the "Story" of Richard and Mildred Story, it goes like this:
A white man in 1950s Virgina, falls in love with a black woman.
They get married and have children.
But there's a problem.
As you can imagine, interracial marriages were illegal back then.
But this white man loved this black woman so much, that he was willing to risk it all.

The documentary airs on HBO tonight at 8pm cst.
Here's a clip of the "Story".

Happy Valentine's Day, Ladies!

At the risk of losing my "Man Card", I want to wish all the ladies a Happy Valentine's Day.

Whitney!

There are superstars
And then there are superstars that all you have to do is say their first name:
Anita
Patti
Frankie
Stevie
The list goes on and on.
But there are very few of those superstars that redefined the music industry:
Michael
Prince
And yes........WHITNEY!

Whitney had one of those voices that as soon as you heard the first note
You knew, you were listening to something special.
I can't begin to put into words the void she will leave in the industry.
Neither can I put into words the many fun memories I have from her music.
The argument I got into with an old girlfriend while "Shoop" played in the background.
The time I fell flat on my behind during band practice at Alabama State while we were playing
"I'm Your Baby Tonight"
The first time I slow danced with a girl (on the wall) in the eighth grade over Reginald and Devo Collins house while listening to
"You Give Good Love"
(Yes, I started early-lol)
Her music created so many memories for so many.
And that's how I will remember her.
I refuse to get into her drug use or speculate on the cause of her death.
Instead, I will honor her memory by sharing one of my favorite Whitney songs:

Meet Lindora Richardson

It was just another day in Charlotte, North Carolina for school bus driver Lindora Richardson......and then this happened:



She's being called a hero by many (and rightfully so), but she says the children are the actual heroes.

Sorry to disagree Ms. Richardson, but YOU are the hero!

On behalf of all parents, I want to say thank you!