I heart Emirates and Random Taxi Drivers

Flying International with Emirates is a must…Perhaps this is a bias statement, because I’ve never traveled abroad so I wouldn’t have any other airline to compare my flight to. But if it gets better than this…

I have to admit, the highlight to of my flight was watching The Hannah Montana movie. Geesh, that song “It’s the climb,” really put things into perspective for me. Anyone who’s reading this and is familiar with my schedule, should be well aware of my tendency to over extend myself. Listen to the song. It’s FIRE!

Oh, and then the second highlight was watching Slumdog Millionaire. Which I have at home, but it seemed way better in the plane…maybe because we were headed to Dubai. That movie was so cleverly organized. Everyone who was involved in the production is brilliant. My favorite scene was when they were rolling down the hill after being thrown off the train, and during their roll down the hill they aged and became teens (This is the Telecommunications part of me rambling).

Then, as if my flight couldn’t get any cooler, I listened to that song “A Change Gone Come,” after discovering they had no songs by The Temptations (how dare you have a playlist called the 60’s and not have any Paul, Blue, Otis, David and Eddie???)

Anyway, the song “A Change Gone Come,” is simply lovely. Essentially, the lyrics are still relevant.

But the absolute coolest part about flying with Emirates was the flight attendants. They had on cute little red hats, with silk scarves hanging from them. They all have accents, and its obvious they are from different countries. Their uniforms are absolutely perfect-with high waists (I looooove high waisted-anything), and they have sock buns! Remember sock buns???!!!

So, basically I found myself daydreaming about when I wanted to be a flight attendant. Some of ya’ll may remember that. But I don’t like airplanes, or the fear that comes with missing a flight, or losing things…airports stress me out BIG TIME.

Anyway, I typed this while in the clouds. It’s pretty cool, our TV also allows us to see the view from below the plane and in front, in addition to watching our plane on the world map. I probably sound like a premature traveler to some…but I don’t care, I am. I plan to make traveling an ingrained part of my life, so get used to it!

Since then I've spent a night in Dubai and it was simply amazing. Imagine...3 students + 3 open minds + 1 cool cab driver= completely surreal.

Will post details soon:)

http://www.ustream.tv/record?mode=broadcast&id=fC.AWvgQ1hTcAYRn.tL2n5.VBYK3cgTY

Every Year Is the Best Year Ever

Do you all ever say that? This was my best year ever? Or, this year went by fast? Or, this year was tough?

Ummm...my point is...this was my best year ever, but I'm certain I say that every year. I guess it's a good thing. I guess.

Yes, we've arrived in an economic crisis and we've witnessed the earth making some strange moves in 2008.

But we've also seen this country come together in ways that we thought would only amount to a dream by Dr. Martin Luther King. A dream that would-you know...kinda happen.

Sure segregation is no longer an obvious component of the United States of America (although the black side of town still exists in most cities...the black mall...the hang-out in the city where only white people go). These are all cliches' that I'm by no means endorsing, just the truth.

Umm...back to Dr. King. Sure, we are granted all of the freedoms that the Constitution promises. But before President Obama arrived, you have to be honest...we were not a UNITED States of America. Still aren't completely.

But I can't stop the giggles inside that arise when I'm in a room with the most random group of people, whom I'd never imagined sharing jokes with and sharing stories about Obama.

I am absolutely hysterical inside when I observe the ego-revealing this campaign has allowed. The deal with this campaign is that it has allowed any and everyone to create an Obama Organization...so, if I wanted to create an Oklahoma-born, TSU graduate, People who just don't get exhausted For Obama Group...I could of.

At the same time, the strategy behind the "everyone can be a leader campaign," proved to be super clever. Time Magazine described Obama's campaign as one that put trust and confidence in everyday people. While other campaign's kept their data to certain "privileged," individuals-the Obama campaign would entrust anyone with a desire for change with information that could have very well been used in a harmful way.

But the winning element here is...trust.

Obama trusted that our hearts were in it, and we trusted that he would deliver.

And while I often found myself frustrated because I'd never been so passionate about politics and could not understand why all of my peers weren't equally passionate...I have now come off of that high, and realize that no one is obligated to do anything.

If you're just not moved to get involved...then you shouldn't force yourself to (or be guilted into it by a certain, obnoxious, super-hyper young lady:).

During the campaign I forgot what it's like to be unmotivated. I forgot how great it feels to sleep in on Saturdays and neglect my blackberry for a couple of hours, and HA! take care of myself...

And I have to say, I put in a lot of time...but the whole country did. There was a young, energized, optimistic girl like me in every city in the world. Actually, hundreds in each city.

I admire every person who volunteered, every person who wore the t-shirts, every person who put the bumper sticker on their car, and every person who kept the dialogue going about how awesome it would be when Obama wins the election.

Umm...so, besides my experience in the campaign...this year was my best year ever because I'm closer to reaching that place in life where my purpose is revealed. That statement deserves an explanation...but to avoid writing a post within a post...I will say that I've arrived at a place in my life where it's easy for me to distinguish my likes and dislikes and not feel bad about only being involved with things that I just don't like (this revelation can and has been applied to people as well).

I learned something at church that is simple and applicable, "God in front, the world behind." Which to me, is translated to mean...the things of this world can't possibly be my focus if I hope to live in my true purpose.

And, I've fallen in love with my best friend...again. It's beautiful, he's the most spontaneous person in the world...and he reveals his soul when you least expect it.

And, I'm learning to respect my money! Thanks to Suze Orman.

And, my friends and family are still ROCKSTARS!

And, my mother is still dancing...I'm starting to dance just like her...I can't wait to write a book about her and the dances we share...

Frustratedly Blogging

Disclaimer: Some may be offended and/or annoyed by my patronizing…but…the internet is a social, communication democracy so…

I write as freely as I like.

That said, last week my cousin called me an “under-achiever spotter.” I replied with “Are you saying I judge people?”

She said, “We all do.” (She actually said more, but if I shared it with you, the essence of our blackberry messenger relationship would no longer exist).

Anyway, my point is…clearly I’m flawed…at noticing flaws, but I’m gonna pick on some people in this blog and because I admit to having an I-just-don’t-get it-Attitude, it is with no regret that I express my latest frustration.

I’ve said before, my unyielding support for Senator Obama is not solely based on the fact that he’s a black man. But…my life is rich in history and I realize that I owe it to myself and to the ancestors to do something…anything, during the most historic, political battle of my generation…hell my parents generation, no…I mean “the most historic, political accomplishment an amazing group of people thought they would never live to see.”

That’s what I really mean.

Ponder these things:
Slavery ended in 1865
The Tulsa Race Riots happened in 1921
Emmitt Till was murdered in 1955
Martin Luther King was murdered in 1968
Sean Bell was murdered in 2006
The Jena Six case was born in 2006
I know this is just scratching the surface of our history but…you get the gist

On Youtube, Myspace and all over the net, racial slander occurs…daily
In jobs and schools and prison, racial injustice exists.
On TV negative stereotypes of blacks dominate the popular shows (i.e., Flavor of Love)
Oh, and let’s not forget about the clubs, the cars, and hip-hop’s degredation of women…these are the things that various groups of people are making millions of dollar from, at the cost of…

My point is…we have NOT made as much racial progression as we often carry on about. Although Obama’s presidency is not the savior of Black America. I believe it can save the future of Black America.

Black Men (and yes, I do believe it’s hard out there for a black man), young black men especially will have something so divine to look forward to.

Funny how we can got to HBCU’s, join Sororities and Fraternities (supposed to be committed to service, founded because of racial inequality, and yes, back in the day-they marched for voting rights), glorify the hood, be real quick to holler, “I bet if I was white,” complain about ANY injustice faced by black people…but cannot commit 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, to work toward electing a very capable, black man as President of the United States of America.

*Side Note
-Based on new statistics released this week, eight million U.S. blacks aged 18 and over are still not registered to vote.
-And despite the electoral college, your vote really does count. See this link http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/faq.html#meaningful
-And, I originally posted this blog on September 4, I've since witnessed leaders of the Pan-Hellenic council advocating Voter Reg on the local news station

Grapes has a Baby!?!?!?

What a blessing...everyone's already in love with Dylan Kathleen Day!

Living as a Champion

Okay, so obviously this year I'm infatuated with being a Champion and living in Championship Moments (crazy what a basketball game can inspire).

I graduated this year and feel that I'm in the best position one could ever hope to be in.

Degreed. Careered. Single. Independent-not bragging, it's the truth.

When you're 23 with a job, not strings attached-it's like, you determine your destiny. This is not the best time for excuses.

So now that this reality has set in, I go on to think about what I want to do with my life. I know that God has gifted me with this relentless energy, this desire to sound off about everything, and to reeeaally exercise the freedom that this country and my ancestors have afforded me.

As is such, I will be coordinating several voter registration drives in Houston, as we approach the presidential election in November, I plan to continue reminding the world about Black Wall Street, and to keep advocating for breast cancer awareness on behalf of the Circle of Promise (thanks to the Axis Agency, this cause has become one of great significance to me).

Meanwhile, I'll always be Jonesing, and Chronicle-ing, and dancing. I'm inherently a dancer, I just didn't take the classes.

Maybe I'm just coming down from the high of yesterday's Voter Registration Drive at TSU (which had it's glitches, but was an overall success).

But, my current state of thought is : We're always living in Championship Moments, you just gotta go get it. Life is a Championship Moment. It's up to you how many winning titles you're going to have.

You should always be in pursuit of a Championship Moment.

My Obama Moment

I am so grateful to be living in a world where I have been told of the civil rights movement, where I was born about 5 minutes from Black Wall Street, and where today, we have an amazing leader who is multi-racial, brilliant, charismatic and will very likely be our next president.

The interesting thing is that all who know me, know that I am most proud of being black and female. Simply because I think black is beautiful and being a woman means being passionate. Now, I have a more complex explanation for my infatuation with my race and gender, but this scratches the surface...enough for now.

That said, I initially was on the fence about who had my vote. I was comfortable with the Clinton's, they had a familiarity with me. Now I understand that it's this technique they were using called low-information signaling that had me lovin the Clinton's. LIS is basically a method of distracting voters to focus on stupid stuff that has nothing to do with the "issues." (See this article in Time Magazine for more info on LIS.)

This clever-media-manipulation has always been done and always will. It's used in the Obama campaign too.

Ummm...okay, my point is- that's why I loved the Clinton's. Ignorance on my behalf, I'll take that.

Just plain trickery I tell you.

So, I listened, I read and I started to understand that this man (Obama) gets it.

Then I became Obamafied. I volunteered with the campaign when it was here in Texas and would later become a delegate in my precinct. My Obama Moment, was on March 4, 2008 at MacGregor Elementary on the day of the Texas Primaries.

I pull up in my Obama gear, sign in-hand, ready to spread the HOPE and ensure that Obama wins in Texas. First thing I see is this Japanese, middle-age man. He's on the corner, in his Obama shirt and holding his sign while yelling, "Obama!"

I later found out that this man knew very little English, besides words like...Democrat, Obama, Caucus, etc...

His wife on the other hand, spoke English very well. She was a member of the Japan House of Councils. She was a college professor, and was once an International student (see where I'm going with this?)

She asked me what was my Obama Moment? I thought about it for a second, and replied with, "The entire Obama Movement is my moment. I'm a college student, from a low-income family, I feel like the bar keeps being raised...like dreams are unattainable because of economical disadvantages, and I do want to see what this world has to offer me...that's what the Obama campaign is all about."

By the end of the night she'd given me a T-shirt with the face of the President of the Democratic Party of Japan...she and I connected. I told one of my fellow Obama loyalists, "I'm International Now." By the end of the night, I realized that I'd just experienced my Obama moment. I was in my Obama Moment.

I connected with a middle-aged Japanese Politician whom had flown across the country, with her non-English speaking husband, to come to Houston to what is commonly known as The ward (i.e., 3rd, 4th, 5th), but now is referred to as "midtown," to spread the HOPE.

Since then I've been told by non-blacks, "He's not too black,"-when referrering to their comfort with him.

I've heard people of Mexican descent say, "This country is for white people."

I read in Time Magazine that a subscriber whom is black and almost 60 years old feels that this is a white man's world, and Obama better have a conservative, southern Caucasian American on his ticket (the subscriber said these were her thoughts with no animosity). I believe it.

Some people can't grasp the idea of Black Male President, White Female VP.

I've heard educated, upper-class Europeans say, "I'm voting for Hillary."

Delusional, I tell ya.

I personally don't care about people's deep-rooted prejudices. Those will always exist. There will always be those who say things like:

"He's only half black."
"He talks white."
"He's not you know, black-black."

But because my BLACK RADAR is always in tune. I'll be the first to say, "He is definitely a black man."

And while he may address the ills in black society openly...he does so because he truly HOPES for the greatest for the African American population.

Gloria Naylor said, "We have yet to feel within this country that we are home." Barack Obama as president, will welcome us home.

Realizing Your Championship Moment

The day I wrote my previous post, What will be your Championship Moment, I asked one of my friends, "What is your championship moment?"

Because this friend is a supporter of me...kinda from a distance. I don't know why. He likes it like that.

I knew he hadn't read my blog.

Anyways....he at first replied with, "I don't know, do you know yours?"

I answered with, "no".

We both kinda smiled, shrugged and agreed that we will have one...just don't know what it is.

He then said, "Oh yeah, I know," then proceeded to tell me his future plans and his dream of re-uniting his family, bringing peace and stability into their lives.

I was like, "Wow, that's great. I like that."

The next day, my mom called me and told me that she would go ahead and interview my aunt for me. My aunt is a survivor of the Tulsa Race Riots.

My dream is to resurrect Black Wall Street. My first step is to put together a documentary.

I'm definitely taking baby steps.

I have time too. My aunt, on the other hand, is getting older so she may not have time. She is an icon in my eyes.

The day that Black Wall Street and Black Tulsa return to financial stability, community awareness and youth-enrichment...that will be my Championship Moment.

It hurts my heart so bad to know, that the segregated city that I grew up in- where the "black" side of town barely has the resources available for comfortable living- was once the most prosperous city occupied by black people in the world.

It too hurts my heart that across the country in black communities, we've become so divided. It is said that the money was handed over in Black Wallstreet 50 Times before leaving the community. Today-we know that's not the case.

To avoid mirroring Bill Cosby and his effort to "change black folks and our spending habits."
(From me to Bill, "Right idea-wrong execution.")

I only will say, according to research conducted by Target Market News, in 2006, the spending power for black people was $744 Billion dollars. How much of that is invested into our own children, community, families, or education?

Anyways, the Tulsa Race Riot was the worst race riot in history. I do believe in ancestral spirit. My ancestors live in me and no longer can I feel sad for what happened to them.

I have to act.

What Will Be Your Championship Moment?

With all of the hype surrounding the NBA Finale and Championship, I decided to tune in to see what all the fuss was about. I'm sure the fact that my cousin was even somewhat interested in the game also played a factor...I could not be left out of this universal sports experience.

As KG tried to express himself when the game ended (which by the way, was not very pleasant...I told my cousin, that his publicist was going to be very mad at him for that very un-eloquent utterance of....I don't even know what exactly to call it.)

Didn't he rehearse in the mirror what he would say?

Anyways, I've never won a championship game so I'm not judging him...and I am a Communications graduate so I expect great things on TV...all the time.

Besides his verbage and that of Paul Pierce...(which apparently, I should be grateful to have not been paying attention to), the sincere, humble, joy that was felt on the court was contagious.

Even on a 20 inch, blurred TV...I could feel the overwhelming satisfaction that comes with reaching a life-long goal.

And besides that, do ya'll know what type of city Boston is? It's not the kindest to those people who look like KG, RayAllen, Coach Doc Rivers and me:)

But how ironic is it that the team is made up of all men that look like me....and that Coach Rivers, is one of the five black coaches to ever win an NBA Championship in the league's history.

Disclaimer: I love all people of all races, we are all God's children, but...

2008 IS OUR YEAR! Sorry, it's true.

This post was not supposed to be about KG's emotional expression or Boston's contradiction...it's supposed to be about "What will Be Your Championship Moment?"

Almost everyone wants to be super successful, super-rich, super-famous....just the Bomb in life.

But the reality of it is, some people are made to be CEO's of Multi-million dollar companies, some are made to be fantabulous mothers and I truly believe that some (i.e. teachers, bosses, coaches, anthroplogists) really do serve a purpose to influence other people's lives.

But everyone deserves a Championship Moment. Everyone fantasizes about it, I'm sure.


A moment that you dreamt of all your life, the moment when you don't even know how to thank God enough, the moment that you have to ask him, "What did I do to deserve this?"


A moment in which you are so happy, that happy is not the correct word to use to describe your joy...because it cannot be defined, because it's a feeling that has never been felt.


Or maybe that's just how I imagine it. I have experienced many joys in life, but I get anxiety when I daydream about my Championship Moment...although I don't know what exactly it will be.

Obama calls absent black fathers to task

I thank God for my amazing father. He has never looked upon me with shame, and he has equipped me with the tools necessary for survival. My dad is the most humble, loving man I will ever know.

Happy Father's Day to those who embrace the joy's of fatherhood and whose children are the center of their world. It takes an extraordinary person to be you.

Things to Consider When Seeking Employment...The Red Flags!

1. The company calls you back on your cell phone within an hour after you apply to set up an interview.



2. There is no company website.



3. However, when you google the site 3 or 4 articles come up in the search...that are Careerbuilder pages or fraudulent reports.



4. The company office is shared by what appears to be other fraudulent companies.



5. Those other companies whom share that office call you back to schedule an interview THE SAME DAY as your interview with the original company.



6. The interviewer asks you questions, that do not give you the opportunity to sell yourself.

i.e., "So you would consider yourself a leader?"



you reply, "Yes."



interviewer says, "Okay, okay. I can see that."

7. The person who calls you to set up an interview tells you how to dress, "Wear something business casual."

8. That same person tells you to bring your resume.

9. When you get to your interview, that same person says to you, "Oooh, I like your paper, nice!"
(Maybe it's just me, but I thought resume paper was made for...)

10. There is a company website or a job description that doesn't clearly state what the position is. Keywords can be tricky.


These are just a few thoughts. You'd be amazed at how desperate some of these employers are, to hire fresh, naive recent-grad.

I love me some Obama!

WAOD Reader RhondaCoca Graduates from Columbia University on Wednesday- Any Advice?

This is from the blog What about our daughters.
This past week has been my dose of reality, and this blog post came right on time.

Congrats to WAOD reader RhondaCoca, she graduates from Columbia on Wednesday. Though my colloquialisms and frequent typos bely the fact, I am a college graduate. So here are my observations/ advice regarding the transition you are about to experience.

1. Time passes faster. Now that you are not in school, there is no road map. NO schedules. That's good and that's bad. If you have kids, or plants or a calendar-driven job, you will notice the passage of time, but don't be surprised if you look up in January and suddenly realize its October, time seems to pass faster.
2. Keeping up with your friends will take more effort, but it is OH SO WORTH IT! Don't let the rat race make you lose contact. Don't take for granted that you won'tlose contact. A week turns into a month, months turns into years and the next thing you know you are getting an invite to their kid's college graduation. I mean who else is going to remember the time y'all piled five people into a Geo Metro to go on Spring Break? Or the time your home girl involved you some covert operations to check up on some guy who wasn't worth it in the first place, but you kept that to yourself because she was too far gone to reason with.
   
3. Don't live within your means, LIVE WELL BELOW YOUR MEANS. Let me introduce you to a man named Dave Ramsey. If you have an I-pod just go ahead and subscribe to his podcast. Friday's are the best. No matter how much you make or how large those student loans are, set aside something every paycheck for a rainy day. You might not be able to make 10%, start with 5%. If you can't seem to find the money, donate your plasma or recycle aluminum cans. That Ramen noodles foolishness is for the younguns with all of that sodium. Which takes us to your health...
4. Health insurance- Get it, keep it, use it. You will soon learn that STD is something else other than a disease. While you are at it look into LTD. You are not invincible, your body will get older. Remember those all nighters where you could stay up all night studying drinking Mountain Dew cramming for exams and then bounce back the next day...Your body will soon exercise veto power over your choices and in the event of a dispute, your body will win out. Never EVER force your body to get your attention, you will regret it! Know when to quit .... which takes us to the the word "NO."
5. Learn when to say "NO!"- No, N-O, Heck NO, Not in a million years NO, Under no circumstances NO. N to the iz-O, Nah, UH uh, Sorry but NO. When asked to explain your "No." Silence is an appropriate answer along with smiling with your mouth and not your eyes. You don't owe folks an explanation for the NO. Practice with us Nuh OH- NO! School no longer provides structure and boundaries, you have to establish those for yourself.
6. Live the life you were destined to live, not the one you planned or trained for. There may come a time in your life where the Universe will tug you in a direction other than where your training and education would logically lead. Don't be a slave to the college major you chose when you were 18 or 21. Don't be shackled by the expectations of others or yourself. If you find yourself frustrated and hitting a wall. Break the rules. No, don't go get arrested or something crazy like that, but reevaluate all the things you say you MUST do, the things you said you WOULD NOT EVER DO, and the things you thought you COULDN'T DO. You only get one life, this is not a dress rehearsal. Everyday you spend trying to live the life you think someone else thought you should lead as opposed to the one you were destined to lead is lost and gone forever. See #1- Time passes fast.
   
7. Get a bicycle!- These gas prices are no joke!

Y'all got any additional advice for a recent college grad? If you are about to be a college graduate and want to ask other WAOD readers for their advice about the transition, leave it in the comments.

Super heroes live in Tulsa

Dunt, dun, da dun!!!!

They came unexpectedly, in a big black mobular device.
She is tired, yet understands that they are a team and without her support he is nothing!

So she shall not sleep!

He says nothing, except for,"It ain't nothin major."
Which causes me to really, really die laughing inside, while thinking, "When did he start saying that...especially so frequently?"

*note to self, "Must learn more about this person."

We talk about the beetle blues.

I decided on May 15, 2008 that I would become independent. He decided otherwise.

I smiled really big inside.

They unhitched lil purple and hitched up old yella and drove off into...highway 45.

I wanted to cry, but I was really just speechless. My parents are rockstars, the whole world should have parent-envy for me.

This Shit is Crazy!

Today I was blessed enough to turn 23.

Today, I encountered 3 MAJOR CHALLENGES!

I refuse to sit here and share with the world the details of my agony and self-pity. However, I must say that the precedent that was set by this mornings events did not ferry well with the day that I was born. In other words, I was AFRAID to leave the house today for fear of what the rest of this day may bring.

So, this is where all the motivational speeches I've heard over time come in. And the "words of wisdom" I've given those close to me in dire time of need.

Man, the crazy thing is. I kept giving myself positive affirmations!

Despite incident #1 I chose to keep a calm attitude toward the enemy who was trying to stop me from achieving what is deservedly mine!

Despite incident #2 I chose to put on my birthday dress and glam up my look just so when people say, "You all dressed up," I can say, "It's my birthday."

BY incident #3 I chose to call my superman and cry while talking, you know like, "What's...snifle, snifle...the number?" and yell at tow truck drivers and anyone else who chose to look at me with curiosity. "OMG! Have you never seen a girl in such a cute dress on the side of the Katy Freeway, next to a smoking beetle, crying and clueless?"

Those were my thoughts.

My actions were similar. Those who KNOW me, I'm sure you've painted an amusing picture.

I'm 23. Daddy is tired, daddy should be able to retire soon. Daddy is not a mechanic!

I'm 23. School is no longer a crutch. Excuses just suck and life is just life.

I'm 23. And I've been over self-pity a long time ago. It's just not attractive.

Happy Birthday, to ME!

We Danced the Weekend Away

I know that I am insanely in love with my family because before they were even in town, I was saddened by the thought of them having to leave me again.
My family came into town for my graduation. They drove hours to see lil ole me walk across that stage. They cleaned my house, made a videography about my life, cooked, and just went out of their way to make sure that I had a lovely weekend. All just for lil ole me.
I found myself getting irritated by some of the little messes (usually made by daddy) and I laughed at how everyone tried to hide their messes because they know "the rules," as termed by my mom.
But I say this from the bottom of my heart that I would rather have their messes and throw out "the rules," just to be in their presence for one minute longer.
I would love for daddy to get oil on everything he touched, mommy to rummage through my wardrobe, and everyone else to just take over my house, if it meant that I could spend one more precious moment with my amazing family.
Words cannot express the ways in which my family has shaped me into the person that I am. My family has always believed in me and I live to make them proud.
My family has shown me how to be charismatic and outgoing, but all in good taste. The women in my family have shown me what it means to be a lady, but to be modest about your beauty. They've shown me how to be vulnerable without loosing your self-respect. The men in my family have shown me what exactly a man should exemplify. For that, I am grateful because I now know what I can have in a relationship.
It is the best feeling in the world to be loved, I thank my family for teaching me that early. My life has been driven by love.
I just want to thank my family, the Perry's and the Minor's for loving me so much. For allowing me to make decisions and trusting my decisions. For not allowing me to start "feeling myself to much," and ensuring that I stay humble.
I am certainly transitioning right now and I thank you for being proud of my accomplishments, and never making me feel pressured.
I thank God for you. I am truly blessed.

What About Our Mothers

So, I subscribe to the blog What About Our Daughters, and I think it is amazing and much needed in our society. I also have female family members and mentors who are extraordinary leaders.

However, I take umbrage with the fact that MY GENERATION has many critics whom have done nothing more to affect the current condition of the state of black youth except to criticise it.

I was at a Senate District Convention (Oh yeah...I'm so Obamafied), and I overheard this group of older black women, both Clinton and Obama supporters saying things such as, " These young people don't know nothin, they don't know why they votin."

This is not the first time that I've heard women that fit this profile express such negative opinions about the younger generation and in most cases, it comes in the shape of an absent acknowledgement or a rolling of the eyes.

Although, I personally know many women who have chosen to take me under their umbrella and guide me in my personal and professional decision making. Many of my peers have not. I believe it is a result of fear, because many of these women in positions to act as a leader are unapproachable. Or do not have the patience to deal with questions...they act as if, um I don't know, they weren't a student at some point in their life.

Can you really be mad at our generation for not having the equal amount of compassion for the same causes that you do, when the reality is...we have not experienced the things in which you have.

This is not by far my excuse, but you must ask yourself, "What have I done to educate these young people."

Everyone needs something or someone to motivate them. We have a natural affection to those who look like us. Visual by nature, we like to see ourselves as we may someday be.

As for the young people -bashing ladies at the convention, or at the beauty salon, or at church. I am fully aware and capable of what I voted for. In fact, me and my close friends have created a dialogue amongst ourselves that is mostly comprised of politics, careers and our aspirations.

I am grateful for my mother, my aunts and my mentors for understanding that yes, I may fit the profile of a young, black woman. But I am a whole person, I am so much more than these demographics and I refuse to settle for a mediocre lifestyle. We should not have to be kin to these women or affiliated with the same Greek organization for them to see where exactly they can impact our lives.

The purpose of this blog is not to challenge the blogsite, What About Our Daughters, because the basic premise behind that blog is to speak up and ensure respect and justice, for young, black women. However, the best connections are made through face to face conversations. So, to my mothers, as in mothers of black society, please take the time out to acknowledge the young women who go out of their way to make an impression on you, or whom you may have judged based on the exterior.

And my daughters, don't be afraid to hold your own in a room with our mothers. We must respect them and take the initiative to establish a relationship, and we must always remember that we are all a work in progress. Our mothers were once daughters and we too shall be mothers someday. We mustn't forget that we did not become so fabulous on our own.

And So I'm Inherently A Dancer

My mom gave me a journal. Actually she re-gifted me a journal, last week when I went to Oklahoma. I thought to myself, I will start writing in my journal...and I will call it, My Mother Always Dances. But of course, would I be living in the 21st Century if I wrote in a journal? I was at home for about 30 minutes and that song, "Shotgun, shoot em for a run now, do da jerk baby," somethin like that, was on TV. Me and my dad just sorta stopped what we were doing and watched as my mother danced. Daddy told her to sit down, and I just laughed. Everyone in the room was smiling.

I could talk about her dancing for hours, but what I really would like to share with the world is that my mother always dances, so I'm inherently a dancer.