Ratched Fights--Why?

How many times have you seen the “Ratchet fights” posts on your Facebook timeline and wondered why? Sometimes there are situations in which individuals are beat up for good reason, such as abuse of their mate or mistreatment of a child. But, more often than not, it is someone who is fighting over drugs or being bullied and the whole scene makes us look bad. There are videos of other races but most of the ones I have seen have involved black peopl , which is even more disheartening. And to add insult to injury is that sometimes the same people who hit the share button, are the same ones preaching “We have to do better”. Is that not being contradictory? Doing better is applicable to all. We all must do better if we desire better. The universe is a funny thing—what you project, you will receive in return.

Ratchet fights would not have a platform if we did not provide it. We are built to love one another and by feeding into this system where fights between our people are exploited for profit and laughs are certainly not conducive to any progression. We must also be mindful that our children have access to these videos. Is that the message that we want to give our young people—that violence amongst your brothers and sisters is permissible? That it is okay to laugh when someone is punched, kicked, spit on, or worse and then humiliated by being videotaped? No I am not saying that I am the moral authority and yes I do think that are some people that need their behind tore up or worse but, there is a line that we should not cross. And what really is sad is the so-called “grown people” rooting the fights between kids on. What is the world coming to? I implore that the next time you are tempted to share a ratchet fight video, really think about it. Is this the way you want our people to be represented? Is this what we have been reduced to? I am shaking my head as I type because there is no way the world will begin to refrain from the violent acts against us when we laugh and support violence from our own people. Is it really that funny? I do not think so. Take a deep breath and think.

One Love,

Andréa

Rebuilding Our Community

Hello Everyone! Usually I vent and express my opinions about particular topics especially relative to the condition of my people. However, I want to do the same thing but I am going to give statistics to support the challenge that I am going to impose upon you. African-Americans are the largest consumer market in the US, spending $600 billion per year in products and services, however, we make up only 13% of the population. And what is worse is that 27.4% of us live below the poverty line. Now, with the amount of money that we spend on clothing, jewelry, electronics, etc., we could use half of that money and change the face of our communities. African-American communities desperately need recreational centers, financial assistance for the unemployed, emergency funding, and expansion of education. We can make a brighter tomorrow for our children if we become more responsible with our money and sow seeds in our own communities. Support black business. Many of us have a disdain for others of us who were resilient enough to start our own business. If they are providing quality goods and services, we should be their most loyal customers. The large corporations of this country are not without fault either.We need to hold these corporations accountable and make them responsible to support our communities. They need to reinvest the monies we spend into our communities. We need to restructure and rebuild. Our children deserve safe and loving environments and it is not an impossibility. As long as there is life, there is hope. Let us look back at our past and use the lessons that our ancestors taught. Did they march in vain? Is there no love in the hood anymore? Are we not sistren and brethren? Don’t our kids deserve more? I have a vision and a passion to do what I can with the cooperation of others to improve the future of Afrikan people in this country. It can be done—one community at a time! Stay tuned!

 

One Love,

Andréa

 

 

From the Mind of Andre'a : The Value of Young Black Men and Their Life

From the Mind of Andre'a : The Value of Young Black Men and Their Life: We are living in hostile and frightening times. Our world is filled with violence and hatred, intolerance and ignorance, distress and strife...

The Value of Young Black Men and Their Life

We are living in hostile and frightening times. Our world is filled with violence and hatred, intolerance and ignorance, distress and strife. It grieves me deeply especially when I see the lack of value placed on the lives of our young black men. Their lives are taken and the world continues going about business as usual, with no lapse in activity. The recent announcement of George Zimmerman and DMX and the proposed "celebrity" boxing match is sickening. How dare we even entertain such atrocity? Does killing an innocent teenager, let me rephrase that, an innocent black teenager, make you a celebrity? It is an atrocity and a disturbing trend that is occurring in the United States. Young black boys and men are killed, often violently, and the story is "Well you know he was a thug" or "He was in a gang" or "He smoked marijuana". Does any of these immature acts give someone else the right to kill that individual. It is an outrage that Zimmerman was not imprisoned for murdering Trayon Martin. Now he is profiting off that young man's innocent blood. Not very long ago, Zimmerman sold artwork depicting the prosecutor from his trial for money, now this. He is allowed to skirt the law and it is high time that we took action. Enough is enough. There is a petition on Change.org to stop the fight but more needs to be done. We need to take to the airwaves, the streets, to the politicians, to the hood, to the suburbs---the attack against our men is going to end. There is going to be an end to the bloodshed. No more will we take a passive role--it's time to fight! Our men and boys deserve a chance to live! Revolution!

One Love,
Andre'a

History of Black History Month

Have you ever asked yourself why Black History Month is held in February, the shortest month of the year? I used to but being the student I am, I decided to research the history. I found out that we only used to have a week in February began by a man named Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was an amazing man. He had hopes of raising awareness of African American's contributions to civilization and in turn founded The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). The first Negro History Week was held in 1925 and encompassed the births of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The celebration became very popular and African people throughout America began to embrace their history and teach their children and hold activities in celebration of their history. In 1976, the week was expanded to a month by President Gerald Ford. So, during this month of our history, let’s truly recognize the accomplishments, focus on our glorious past, and better prepare for our future. Our communities need strong leadership and we desperately need unity. The statistics do not lie- our children die more, our men are a largely disproportionate population in prison, and our women are disenfranchised. Where do we begin? Complacency must go. Awareness and focus is needed. Break the chains from your brains!! There is never a bad time for change. Let’s start today. Know your history. There is no way you can know where you are going until you know where you have been!

 

One Love,

Andre’a

Poetry post--"Excuses"

Well, I am a bit emotional and writing always helps me to regroup and focus so, here is a poem I would like to share tonight. I hope you enjoy.

Excuses

It is your fault, you say to me

I am always right, can’t you see?

I would have never done this if you hadn’t said that

Your harsh words bite like wind on a cold winter night

You have no sympathy when you speak

Our future is beginning to appear so bleak

Why make excuses so that you can behave this way?

Why make excuses for what you want to say?

Go ahead make your move, I know you do not realize

I see the end of us, it should not come as a surprise

Things with us began as in a dream

Two bruised and battered souls meeting on a plane

Made for each other so it seemed

But as time has passed, I realized it is my fault

To think the love I sought could so easily be caught

Stop with your excuses, I cannot take anymore

Stop breaking my heart, stomping it on the bare floor

Excuses are no excuse, I will forgive never forget

I am at my breaking point and my mind is set

I will not continue to take abuse and I will  not try to mend this again

Because giving you my love is a sin, and I have too much within

I do not see you worthy of a love so true, So love you know

What we must do

Part ways and begin again, reminisce about the fun and think

“Remember when…….”

I know you may say "Damn you are cold"

But your mind games are getting old

Stop starting fights that you will not win

Because in the end

We will remember we're supposed to be friends.

I love you to the moon and back

But this nonsense makes me want to get my bag

And pack

Sometimes we have to reason and listen

Or die being right in a love bare mental prison.

 

-A

Self-Worth

Self-worth as defined by the Merriam- Webster’s online dictionary is “a feeling that you are a good person who deserves to be treated with respect”. However, I feel that it goes deeper than that. Another definition that I came across stated that self-worth is “the sense of one's own value or worth as a person; self-esteem; self-respect”. I think the world in which we live today has confused self-worth with materialism; the newest phone, “red bottoms”, having the latest and the greatest makes you assumedly “better”. The media pushes us to view ourselves through their lenses. Where is our sense of individualism? Are we so insecure in ourselves that the only way that we feel “whole” is by mimicking the images that media and that society feed us. Do not misunderstand me, I love to dress nice, look and smell nice, and present myself in a positive way, however, I do not allow materialistic pursuits do not drive me to be the person that I am. I love fashion but I do not allow labels or lack of labels to make me feel less. I am authentically me. I love the person that I am. A dear friend of mine loves to say “No one can do you better than you”. Do not feel less than because you do not have or cannot afford the items that media, society, or even your associates say that you should or must have to be “in”. I have never been a part of the “in” crowd and that is fine with me. If you do not love who the Most High created you to be then you need to dig deep within yourself and learn to love yourself. You may be surprised, you may be being mimicked and not even know it. So today, look in the mirror and say to yourself “I am worth it” and “I am good enough, there is only one me”. Positive affirmations will change your outlook. “Change your mind and change your life!”

One Love,

Andréa