The Woods

What Tiger did in his personal life is irrelevant to my life and my opinion of his golf game.  Public figures are always subjected to a magnifying glass that a mortal can never meet.  It does not matter to me.  It should only play or produce a change with his wife, mother, children and close friends.  End of story.  Many are making an issue with the commercial that has a voice over of his Father speaking to him about choices and thoughts.

Please...

Explain the deal with him (Tiger) remembering, going over the words the elder Woods has spoken....please.  For most I believe who live with a conscious, bring forth memories of words spoken, actions witnessed, an area in their past which will bring them back to themselves or at the very least provide the avenue they need to rediscover or map out their life.  Why does he not deserve the same chance?  Because he has millions?  Plays a game?

TO ME...

None of that matters.  Right down to the bone.  He is human.


I would love to hear those words from someone right about now.  

How about you?

The BlackList...

I am late watching the Blacklist on HBO...I DVR most of my TV viewing...

I loved and relate to Gwendolyn Brooks...



I read numerous articles regarding the doc and began the viewing believing that it was the same ol same with the same Blacks who are always quoted. However, for me it was not the case.

Beinging the piece with Slash, someone who most Americans believe is Jewish and not bi-racial, he is not one I would expect to be included. Faye Wattleton, Vernon Jordan, Zane, Suzan-Lori Parks, Dawn Staley, and many others. It is a testament to our race, our struggle, and our accomplishments.

And who knew about "The Blacks" a troupe governed by Jean Genet spoken of by Lou Gossett, Jr.?


Of course there was Russell Simmons. We know he will be always asked for his opinion. And rightly so. Just like we ask for Jesse, Al and John Lewis. We always ask the old heads because they bring a prespective. Russell is an old head in the hip-hop game. Don't hate. We still need Russell, because the mess that is out there has to stop. But I digress.

There was Puffy. Diddy. Whoever. But his monolouge does not matter. What matters is the doc incorporated other accomplished Black Americans from Government, Business, the Arts, and we are those people. Black people are seeing. Believing and having a new idea take root that they can become something other than what they see everyday. Whether you come from a long line of Dr.'s or a long line of hustlers. You have a choice. Make your choice and do not allow someone else make the choice for you.

Update-Sgt. Courtney Gale

Wanted to update on the happenings of Sgt. Courtney Gale who I have posted here and here.
Quick synposis...she was attacked in a Kroger while on duty and nearly lost her life. She spent time in Atlanta at the Shephard Center to relearn how to do the basic life behaviors.

Well look at her now!

Recovering officer to dance with Athens stars
By BETH JONES beth.jones@onlineathens.com Story updated at 11:31 pm on 9/10/2008



Courtney Gale receives applause after it was announced Wednesday she would be performing in the Dancing with Athens Stars event in March.



Rebecca Cheney, left, hugs Tammy Gilland after both women won slots in the dancing program as the People's Choice winners Wednesday.


Courtney Gale shares a laugh Wednesday with her dance instructor, Ron Putman, after the announcement that she would be performing in the Dancing with Athens Stars event in March.

Courtney Gale came close to death after she was stabbed in an Athens Kroger last year.

Now, nine months after the Athens-Clarke police officer was attacked while working an off-duty security job, Gale feels strong enough to lace up her dancing shoes.

Pat Priest, co-executive producer of Dancing with Athens Stars, announced Wednesday that Gale would be one of 12 local stars in this year's fundraiser.

"I told her I would do cartwheels if I could when she said, 'yes,' " Priest said.

This is the second year of the event, which will be held March 1 at the Classic Center. It raises money for Project Safe, which helps battered women and their children.

Organizers of Dancing with Athens Stars approached Gale with the idea a couple of months ago.

"I jumped on the thought," she said.

The show, Gale said, will be a way to give back to the community, a community that supported her during her many months of healing. "I can't say it enough how much it helped my recovery," she said.

Gale's medical team gave her the go-ahead to participate if she followed one rule: Be careful.

"Just to be aware of my pain," Gale said. "Not to push it. Just to be aware of when my body says, 'Enough.' "

Although Gale still wears a leg brace and lacks some motor control in one foot, she's already started practicing with her dance instructor Ron Putman of Freedom of Movement in Oconee.

Gale admits that she's no Ginger Rogers. "This is going to be challenging on many levels," she said.

Still, she's excited to learn.

The attack, Gale said, taught her that life is fleeting. She wants to embrace every experience it has to offer - including the chance to cut a rug in front of hundreds of people. "It's about having happy moments," she said.

During Wednesday's kickoff event, Priest also named 10 other star competitors, ranging from music producer John Keane to state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.

Beth Gavrilles, who competed in the first Dancing with Athens Stars, gave a pep talk to the next group of dancers Wednesday.

"You're going to get to wear a really cool costume," she said. "You'll become very adept at asking people for money."

Also Wednesday, Joan Prittie, Project Safe's executive director, announced the winner of Dancing with Athens Stars' People's Choice contestant, the would-be dancer who earned the most votes (with each vote bringing in a dollar donation to Project Safe). The winner will be included in this year's line-up of stars.

Voting for the People's Choice winner brought in a whopping $25,000 for the organization. Prittie was bowled over by the response.

"It became apparent to Pat and me it was going to be heartbreaking to pick a winner, so there are two," she explained.

Rebecca Cheney, a UGA graduate student, secured one spot in the line-up. Tammy Gilland, the senior director of constituents programs at UGA's development office won the other.

Other 2009 Dancing with Athens Stars competitors are:

Fausto Sarmiento, bank manager at El Banco de la Oportunidad

Mary Kay Mitchell, news director at WUGA (91.7 and 97.9 FM)

Dean Paul Kurtz, associate dean of UGA's law school

Theressa Dorsey, St. Mary's Emergency Center nurse

Paul Cramer, executive director of the Classic Center

Jim Moore, plastic and reconstructive surgeon

Stacey Venker, director of Tennis for Life

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Thursday, September 11, 2008

YES WE CAN

Yes We Can - Obama Song
Uploaded by sarkozyfrance2007

The Olympics are HERE! Part II

Are you watching the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics? I am. Avid sports fan so anything that will get my juices flowing is a good thing. (Sidenote: How excited was I when I watched Sunday Night Football this past week???!!!!!!!!!)

You can watch the Opening Ceremonies & the events on N-B-C!

So in honor of the games (I am ignoring the whole China thing...nothing against the people...just their policies) I want to showcase the PROUD BLACK AMERICANS that have represented our country...even when OUR country did not want them...

Enjoy...I warn you...might be a long post!


John Baxter Taylor ~ Track & Field

Photo













Alice Coachman ~ Track & Field

Photo

Debbie Thomas ~ Figure Skater


Edwin Moses ~ Track & Field

Photo

Michael Johnson ~ Track & Field




Wyomia Trus ~ Track & Field


Photo

Zina Garrison-Jackson ~ Tennis Star



Photo


George Foreman ~ Boxing

Photo

Lenny Wilkens ~ Basketball Coach




Bob Beamon ~ Track & Field




Ok...Part II Coming Up!

ESPY Awards

As many of you know I am an avid sports fan. Haven't found one I don't like. So I am sitting here watching the ESPY awards & loving that this year's Arthur Ashe Award goes to Tommie Smith & John Carlos. Many remember the picture. The shot that made history & shocked the world.

Congratulations to these men...Tommie Smith & John Carlos for their stance & win.


(If a video becomes available with the tribute I will repost.)

Childhood

Bozo the Clown has died.

Do you remember him?

I loved watching him & the games he played. Which is totally weird because I scared of clowns when they are in my space. Will run the other way. (But I collect porcelain clowns...I know I am so confused.)

http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/cnn_us/~3/326233667/index.html

Saturday Morning Recap-Week 06/21-06/27/2008

Ok...I am attempting. <----key word....to start something regular besides my Quote of the Day. (Which is not a regular as I attended. Sometimes when reading through my books, files and journal entries nothing suits my fancy.) Anyhoo...since I read all types of e-zines and articles I always want to tell you about it. The fear of being redundant holds me back.

So the genius that I am I decided to make a Saturday Morning Recap of the weeks best stories. I hope it works and you enjoy. I have so many stories saved on my Google reader. (You can always check out my google reader widget on the sidebar for more stories.) It's ridiculous.

So enjoy and give me feedback.

Child Prostitution Ring

Ralph Nader--Why?

Baby Borrowers...not my child (ok my dog)

You are not a female

Teen Pregnancy Ain't Nothin' New

Gas Prices took our Cable TV

Tim McGraw...Don't start none Won't Be none

Ice No More in the North Pole

Jesus in Sonogram

My Life~Street renamed for Slain Lawman

This act that occurred December 15, 2000 hits home for me. I come from a law enforcement family. I can honestly say that he has always done what he thought was right and just. (Come on, he showed no preference when my brother lost his mind. He never fixed a ticket for me...I have had many. Pulled over for spending 6 times in a 2 year period.) And I never use his name because he won't back my play. He always said "I will leave you there" and I don't doubt him. I have seen it.

But the flip side of law enforcement. The side we don't see. You know what we see, the cops beating the shit out of people. The cops planting evidence. The cops asking for favors to get out of trouble. That's not him. But what is him. Arresting people who promised they would get even. They would seek revenge in the best place. The family.

I have been on that end. When I received a phone call saying I needed to be extra aware because some fool was out and wanted to punish him. More times than I can count. I have been watched by the law to make sure I got home safely from school or work or wherever I was going. It has happened and I know that it will continue to happen. It's the life.

So I am thrilled to see this road in Dekalb. Unfortunately, the crime was committed by someone also in law enforcement but it does not diminish the fact that it is real. Speak to any other family in law enforcement. They will tell you.

To read up on why this street was name view the following links...

Wikipedia

Homepage

NY Times

AJC

Tell me what you think. I am wrong to feel this way? Have law enforcement tainted life so much for Black America that they cannot accept and have passion?

RIP George Carlin

source

King Kaufman http://www.salon.com/sports/daily/feature/2008/06/23/carlin/index.html

Jerome Cusson http://www.411mania.com/movies/columns/78549/A-Tribute-to-George-Carlin-.htm


Martin Lewis http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martin-lewis/george-carlin-seven-words_b_108578.html

I FORGIVE MYSELF...

^ for believing that my unemployment is a direct reflection of my self worth.

^for believing that it is my fault my father treats me the way he does.

^for thinking I cannot offer a man a good woman.

^for beating myself up over my perceived self-sabotage.

^for thinking I am not a good friend.

^for allowing people to stay in my life just to have someone.

^for believing that bad things are suppose to happen to me.

^for not believing I am worth loving.

^for not believing I am capable of reaching my potential.

^for not believing I have potential.

^for not believing I have talents.

^for believing that I was only put on this Earth to help my family.

^for believing that I am not suppose to have a family or life outside of my family.

More to come...

Happy 83rd Birthday Malcolm X

``````Update...please visit Electronic Village for more on Brother Malcolm. They have compiled a great video list.``````

Born Malcolm Little May 19 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, Malcolm survived the murder of his father, the mental instability of his mother and the racism of his era to become one of Black America's most influential, beloved and respected Civil Rights leaders.

In 1942, while serving time for a burglary charge Malcolm met Brother Reginald and began his conversion to Islam. By his parole in 1952, Malcolm has dropped Little viewing it as a slave name and adopted X as his surname.

After his release Malcolm X became a superstar for the Nation of Islam and The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. He was in charge of opening mosque in various states. Increasing membership by the thousands.

In the midst of a scandal involving Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm terminated his relationship with NOI and Elijah Muhammad. The separation was a sensitive and hard act for Malcolm due to his close relationship to Mr. Muhammad. Malcolm founded Muslim Mosque, Inc. after his split.

After a pilgrmaage to Mecca, he adopted a new belief system in the human race. He met blue-eyed people who he felt were honest, decent people and not the "blue-eyed devil" he once believed.

On February 21, 1965 Malcolm X, also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, was murdered in Manhattan Audubon Ballroom. There is a long standing debate on the mastermind behind this event. Regardless on February 21, 1965 Black America and America herself lost a great leader an mind.

Quotes by Malcolm:

"Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today."

"There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time."

"It is a time for martyrs now, and if I am to be one, it will be for the cause of brotherhood. That's the only thing that can save this country." -- February 19, 1965 (2 days before he was murdered by Nation of Islam followers)

"A race of people is like an individual man; until it uses its own talent, takes pride in its own history, expresses its own culture, affirms its own selfhood, it can never fulfill itself."

"The common goal of 22 million Afro-Americans is respect as human beings, the God-given right to be a human being. Our common goal is to obtain the human rights that America has been denying us. We can never get civil rights in America until our human rights are first restored. We will never be recognized as citizens there until we are first recognized as humans." -- "Racism: the Cancer that is Destroying America," in Egyptian Gazette (Aug. 25 1964).

"If violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to be violent defending black women and black children and black babies and black men, then it is wrong for America to draft us, and make us violent abroad in defense of her. And if it is right for America to draft us, and teach us how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here in this country." -- Speech, Nov. 1963, New York City.

"Without education, you're not going anywhere in this world."

Quote of the Day

If I were to say, "God, why me?" about the bad things, then I should have said, "God, why me?" about the good things that happened in my life. ~ Arthur Ashe

May 14, 1963: Arthur Ashe, at 22, becomes the first African
American to make the U.S. Davis Cup tennis team.

Quote of the Day

You just realize that survival is day to day and you start to grasp you own spirit, you start to grasp the depth of the human spirit and you start to understand your own ability to cope no matter what. - Melba Patillo Beals, In Henry Hampton, Voices of Freedom 1990

Ms. Beals was part of the Little Rock 9 who integrated Central High School.


And thanks Don for reminding me.

Is this Possible? Do YOU believe in it? What do you think?

Mariah & Nick

From iVillage...http://dailyblabber.ivillage.com/entertainment/archives/2008/05/confirmation-nick-cannon-maria.html?nlcid=et%7C05-02-2008%7C

I think back to my long~term boyfriend (7 yrs.) and I knew when he walked by me that I would have him. Although for the previous 2 months or so we argued constantly in class. Sometimes I want to say it was love at 1st sight, but really it was when he walked by me one day after class and I said...excuse my language..."I want to f@ck him" and it turned into a 7 year love affair. Do you think Mariah & Nick are in love or lust? Does love @ 1st glance really happen? Or do you have to grow into it?

Confirmation! Nick Cannon & Mariah Carey Are Married!

Holy cow!
Contrary to popular belief, Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey's reported union does
NOT seem to be an Ashton Kutcher scam.

E! checked in with Nick's family,
who confirmed
that the couple have, indeed, gotten married.
"Yes, we know. He called us
and told us all about it," said Nick's mom, Linda Cannon. "We are happy for him.
If that is what he wants, then we are happy for him." She then added, "I'm not
going to give you any details, but we are happy for him."

The New York
Post, who reported that Mimi and Nick said
their vows at her new home in the Bahamas, also said that the nuptials were
so spur of the moment that Mariah didn't have time to have any sort of papers
drawn up, if you catch my drift.

"There was no prenup - there wasn't
time," said a source.
Another pal close to the couple chimed in, "Everyone
is happy to see her happy. And it could work out - some people know each other
for five years and get divorced. Maybe this is true, instant love."

Yeah, that's what you want people saying at your wedding -- "It could
work out."

Quote of the Day

At the age of eleven or thereabouts women acquire a poise and an ability to handle difficult situations which a man, if he is lucky, manages to achieve somewhere in the later seventies.
P. G. Wodehouse, Uneasy Money

British humorist & novelist in US (1881 - 1975)

CNN: Black in America...Stay tuned for more specials

From CNN....In this first installment of CNN's Black in America series, Soledad O'Brien investigates how James Earl Ray, an armed robber and escaped convict, had already spent an uncommon year on the run just a month before his path collided with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis, Tennessee. Tune in Thursday, April 3 at 9 p.m. ET

read more digg story

Quote of the Day

Who I am is the best I can be. ~ Leontyne Price

Video...I love THIS....Thriller

I am a sports fan. Love Basketball and Football. Fall Season never finds me in church because of football. This ad from the Super Bowl with Michael Jackson's Thriller and Namoi Campbell is a great commerical. Can't say I will drink the water but I love to watch...

Marvin Gaye and the National Anthem...The Way it Should be Sung!