04/05/2013
Donnell Hicks
President Barack Obama: The Most Criticized American President

Throughout the two-hundred year of the American Presidency, there have been a handful of American presidents that have been truly criticized for making ill decisions and prominent choices to make the world a better place, especially for the lowly people here in America. Starting back with the sixteenth president Abraham Lincoln, who was solely criticized for signing the Emancipation Proclamation to end the Civil War and to abolish slavery in the Deep South once and for all. Although President Lincoln is a Republican, he fought to help mankind especially Black people get free from bondage. Lincoln received extreme hatred from his Republican colleagues from the Confederate South.

Another American president who has been scrutinized so much will be Lyndon Johnson who fought for the passage of both the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts of 1965. Lyndon Johnson was hated by White people in the Jim Crow south for siding with Blacks to end discrimination in the hard southern states in America followed by President Clinton in the 1990’s for extending the social safety net programs aimed to help poor people in America. Out of all these three American presidents, they weren’t dragged through the mud; they weren’t called names or shown hatred as much as President Obama is shown hatred right now today.

Even though President Obama is a Democrat, the fact remains. President Obama is the first African-American president to ever sit behind the desk in the oval office in the white house which was built mainly for the past forty presidents starting from George Washington. Ever since President Obama was sworn into office, radicals in the Republican Party and throughout the deep southern states have risen up and shown its ugly head of bigotry and racism.

It appears no matter what President Obama does to make the country better or move it into a different direction he is constantly battling with Republican Tea Party politicians in Washington, D.C. For starters, I have never seen a sitting president being hammered over repeatedly as to where he was born. Extremists on the right of the GOP are trying to make President Obama’s birthplace a big issue trying to declare he’s not an American. The fact remains, President Obama understands where he was born even if his mother is a white woman from Kansas and his father is from Africa.

There are some GOP naysayers calling President Obama degrading names such as “dumb” “stupid,” and that “he doesn’t understand American politics.” Truth of the matter is this, President Obama is a smart, intelligent man who entered Harvard Law School and understands how government works, not just for the wealthy, but also to help those who are in need. In the midst of the presidential election last year, there were calls from the Tea Party GOP in Washington calling for President Obama impeachment. There were cartoons of President Obama drawn up as a monkey, placing pictures of his face on Adolf Hitler’s body, and most of all calls to assassinate the president a few dozen times last year from the Klan.

Everyone believed by electing the first African-American president it will heal old wounds of racism, yet it sped up racism. My only hope is that some of us will continue to pray over the president including his family from the traverse idiots of the GOP.  

            

                        

               

March 31, 2013
Angela Duirden-Galbreth

YOU GOT A BIG MOUTH!!!

You’re just like a snake crawlin’ on the ground
Lookin’ for some new dirt to spread around
Then you stick out your tongue and start spreadin’ lies
And now somebody else has been victimized
You may stop for a while, then you’re at it again
And you always got to have the last word in
They call your mouth Almighty, tongue Everlastin’
You ain’t satisfied unless somethin’s happenin’
You don’t have to be there no more than a minute
But you always got to have your two cents in it

You got a big mouth, a big mouth!

Sound familiar? These are the lyrics from the 1980’s hip-hop song “You Got a Big Mouth” performed by Whodini. What a shame, though, if Whodini’s words were used to describe you. Yeah you! We’ve all been warned about the perils of gossiping, talking behind someone’s back, or simply talking too much. “If you can’t say something good about someone, then don’t say anything at all.” I know you’ve heard that.

As long as I can remember, I’ve held a fascination for words. After more than 23 years of marriage, I remember standing at the altar with my fiancé hearing and saying the heartfelt words, “I do.” Giving birth to my children, I remember the doctor declaring, “It’s a boy!” Then with my second go around, “It’s a girl!” Each time, those simple words changed my life. I still have the hand written note my son gave me when he was age 5 saying, “I luve you mom.” No words have been more precious. I remember too, when I received a 3am phone call with word that my husband’s father had suffered a massive heart attack and suddenly passed away. My husband was serving in the military at the time and was stationed in Germany, so I had to make the dreadful call and break the news to him of his father’s death. No words have been more devastating. That’s the thing with words, though. Words are powerful, extremely influential and most definitely have the power to change situations, circumstances, and people. Words carry a commanding authority, according to the scripture. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21). And as it relates to the tongue, nothing can be more poisonous, more venomous, or more deadly than the tongue that spews gossip.

Gossip, spreading rumors or personal information about another, whether true or false, that gets more distorted each time it trips off irresponsible lip to irresponsible lip has been around for ages. I believe it’s safe to venture, gossip was once considered an official pass time as grandmothers, aunts, and other women gather on front porches giving each other the low down on everyone in the neighborhood while being sure to add their two cents worth. The temptation to talk about Mary’s problem with men, Jane’s husband who drinks too much, or the pastor with the wondering eye can be too irresistible to resist for many. Let’s face it, ya’ll know both men and women love a juicy piece of “back alley gossip,” especially when it’s bursting with infidelity, greed, and scandal. It’s so easy to get caught up in listening to or giving your opinion about someone else’s life. Whether it’s, honey child let me tell ya! Suga did you hear? Guess what I heard? Whether someone is pouring you some tea (a whole pot full), putting a bug in your ear, or dropping a dime on someone. Whether you heard it through the grapevine or over the telephone line; haphazardly dishing the dirt and spreading gossip without checking the facts can be a dangerous game. Yet, something within us wants to know about and offer advice on the blues and dirty indiscretions of others. Gossiping may satisfy something within us while we are partaking in it, but there are always negative consequences about talking too freely about someone else’s business. For instance, having a sharp tongue just might cut your own throat.  Or your mouth might write a check your behind can’t cash! Another thing, most people tend to forget that “the dog that brings a bone will also carry one.” Meaning, if I will talk about someone to you, then more than likely, I will talk about you to someone else.

In today’s society however, gossip has evolved from front porches and is now everywhere. It’s on television, in newspapers, magazines, and an infestation can be found on the internet. It seems bad news is headline news and the more distasteful or sensational, the better. We’ve seen lives destroyed right before our eyes. Reputations and careers that took a lifetime to build have been completely dismantled with a negative news cycle. There is little doubt that gossip kills. Its kills three people simultaneously: the one who speaks it, the one who listens, and the one whom it is about.  While you can’t control the media, you can take responsibility for your mouth—the lies you spread or even the tidbit of truth that you contribute to the conversation.

Have you ever stopped for a moment and thought about the power of your words? In fact, the words you speak can profoundly affect the ears they reach. Death and life, neither has power in and of themselves.  The power lies in the tongue’s ability to speak words that produce life or death. Understand the power of your words and be responsible enough to evaluate your words before you release them from your mouth. Set an example of personal integrity, refuse to be an accessory to murder, and not gossip on any level. Instead use communication as a way to develop connections and meaningful relationships. Speak life!

Trust me; I know that it’s not easy to tame the tongue. Whether you have a big mouth or not, let your words heal and not wound. Let your words build and not destroy. Let your words encourage and not discourage. Let your words make peace and not war. Let your words be graced with the fruit of wisdom and not undergirded with ‘fool’s-talk’ and ignorance. Let your words carry seeds of sweetness and not bitterness. Let your words be season with salt and not with habanero peppers. Speak wholeness! Speak health! Speak happiness! Speak wealth! Speak life and not death! Speak it until someone listens, and lives!

 

 

Date:  March 28, 2013
Name:  Nanette Buchanan
Title: Reflections

“Mirror, mirror on the wall….” Checking our appearance is a part of our routine as we ready ourselves for the day. Standing before a mirror, we look for minor imperfections.

We think others will judge a blemish, pimple, or mole, changes that may reflect our age, the lack of sleep or stress. Our concern is how others see us. The opinion of others and the impression we will leave with them becomes our reason for change.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall….” If the mirror could truly speak, would it simply look at the face repeating the flaws day after day or delve into ones character. In the fairytale, Sleeping Beauty was the “fairest one of all’. She was beautiful, a princess to be, without physical imperfections. Her beauty was a gift. Her personality and appearance accented her natural beauty, beauty the mirror couldn’t ignore.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall…” We will change our style in clothing, make-up, diet, hair color and so much more hoping the mirror will yell, “Yes, that’s you!! You are the fairest one of all.” Do we seek to change who we really are? Beauty starts within. The foundation to our character or our personality begins within us. Confidence, self-esteem, motivation, determination are layers we must possess if we are to be truly beautiful. We must harbor love, respect, understanding, and forgiveness. Our spirits must be connected to; morals, values, and responsibilities. These qualities don’t align with appearances but are never unattractive. Checking our personality should be included as we primp and pose making sure no hair is out of place each day.  

We give that first impression attention hoping others will remember us by what they see. However, it is what they don’t see that will be on display as we become comfortable in our daily relationships. Comfort can bring out the worse…. and that’s what the mirror saw when comparing the witch to those in the land.

So what are the steps to checking ourselves, being sure we are “beautiful” when we check the mirror. Ask these questions. Answer them truthfully:

• What are the smudges or blemishes in your character? Are your flaws causing you to act or react negatively towards people? Being able to understand that the world is not against you is the first step to change a negative attitude. The energy you put out often ignites what you will receive in return. You can’t expect others to treat you well when you ignore extensions of courtesy or respect.

• What are some of the compliments others have made about you? Everyone wants to be recognized for what they know or do. However, assuming you deserve a compliment doesn’t mean you will be given one. Acknowledging your efforts should prompt you to build your character. Be sure to rise above accusations. Assuming you don’t get compliments because of jealousy or naysayers feeds your spirit negative roots. Yes, roots grow.

• Do you allow yourself to listen when others talk about your flaws? Don’t take everything to heart. You can learn a lot about the energy you emit by listening to what others feel about your actions. Listening does not mean you must change, but thinking about it, receiving their outlook may change your life forever. Your experiences in life make your life….. friendship and love is an experience.
• Do you change your appearance for yourself more than for others? Do you need to fit in? If so, why? Coming to your own is a lifetime effort. You have to love who you are for you before you please others.

• Does what others say about you bother you? You want to change for them, but it’s not who you are. Most of the time this is what we do for family. Regardless of their title, mother, father, best friend, sister you have to live happy with who you are for you. Loving yourself doesn’t mean secluding yourself. Through communication, understanding and respect from you and them your character will blossom.
• Do you ask others for their opinion about you and then ignore it? Seeking advice, you have to remember they are not living the life you are living.
• Are you looking to complete you? Find your passion. Let your fantasies, dreams and visions come to life.
• Do you know what it will take? Do a little research. You will be surprised how close you are to your dreams. Take the steps, don’t rush it, be thorough and complete yourself.
• Do you think that changing what others see in you will make a difference for you? Learning about yourself should be the ultimate goal. You will learn about yourself and others when you look through another set of eyes.  
• Do you truly believe that beauty begins within? Evaluate yourself; when you feel better about who you are, your health will change. Most of our illnesses are the result of how we feel about our lives. Stress, depression, lack of sleep, bad health habits lead to skin conditions and other minor flaws in our appearance.
• Do you think that you can mask the “ugly” or the “beauty” you possess? No one needs to know how you really feel. You can hide your feelings about others but how you feel about yourself shows in your character. Others see it and so do you. Look in the mirror.

Finding who we truly are or our purpose can’t be found in a make-up kit or by simply collecting the compliments made by others. It’s private, it’s personal. It’s that mirror, mirror moment and when you find what you are missing or should get rid of… it’s an “Aha” moment. Discovering the real you can have both a negative and positive affect on your life. You may lose friends or family, but you will gain self-skills that will last a lifetime. You can’t please everyone, so don’t try. When you connect with your inner spirit and remove the negative, your beauty will prevail.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest one of all?” You are.