February 4th - Officially Rosa Parks Day in MO

This is absolutely wonderful family! I just got word that our great Gov. Jay Nixon of Missouri has officially dubbed today as Rosa Parks Day! If you are not aware, today is her birthday, and if she was alive, you would have been 97 years old. Can you say WOW and MOTIVATION......for what you may ask.....to take care not only myself mentally but also physically and spiritually. We too can live just as long as she did (if not longer) if we are conscious of what we are putting into our mind, body and souls.

Take a look at the press release. Comments?

For immediate release Feb. 4, 2010

Feb. 4 proclaimed as Rosa Parks Day in Missouri by Gov. Nixon

Jefferson City – Gov. Jay Nixon has issued a proclamation declaring Feb. 4 as Rosa Parks Day in Missouri. A state law passed in 2006 designates Rosa Parks’ birthday, Feb. 4, as the date to especially remember and honor the late civil rights pioneer.

Best remembered for her refusal in 1955 to obey the order of a bus driver to give up her seat to a white male passenger on a city bus in Montgomery, Ala., Ms. Parks has been described as the “Mother of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement.” Her refusal led to the successful boycott of the segregated city bus system, and is considered one of the seminal events of the civil rights movement.

“Rosa Parks serves as an inspiration to all Americans to stand up for what is right,” Gov. Nixon said. “It is appropriate that we honor her memory on this day and continue to work every day to ensure that the civil rights of all Americans are protected.”

Source: http://governor.mo.gov/newsroom/2010/Rosa_Parks_Day

A Message from Tyler Perry...

The below email just came across Tyler Perry's (TP) email list. It just warmed my heart and moved me so much that I wanted to share it with you. I commend TP for stepping up and out for what is right. MAYBE we need to do background checks on celebrities (as far as what they are doing for the community) before we download their music, or buy their gear OR even pay way to much money to see them do the same thing in concert year after year...just my $.08 cents....carry on (and read below):

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From: Tyler Perry Mailing List <announcement@tylerperrystudios.net>

Date: Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:47:13 -0500 (CDT)

Subject: A Message from Tyler Perry - I'm So Mad

To: all_lists@tylerperrystudios.net

This made me so angry.

Since Michael Jackson died I have not watched the news. I have just been so disgusted at how the mainstream media has riddled this family with disrespect, and no matter what anyone, you or I included, might have thought of him, the truth of the matter is this - the man was still a human being and his kids and family deserve some privacy and space. And I know that I'm not the only one that feels this way, so I purposely kept the TV off. Anyway, I was walking through the house, and I don't know how this TV was on, but I saw a little boy on the news crying his eyes out.

So I turned it up. Here is this kid talking about being kicked out of the Valley Swim Club outside Philadelphia because he was black. Did you hear me? I said, "No way, this can't be! It's 2009. I don't believe this!" But, I know it happens even in this year of Obama.

As I listened to the story the anchorperson went on to talk about a woman named Althea Wright. This young lady started a non-profit called Creative Steps to help inner-city children. And apparently she had booked the Valley Swim Club's pool and paid for it to be used by the children through the summer. As we all know, this is such a great thing. During the summer our kids can get into a lot of trouble if they don't have something creative to do. Anyway, as the story went on I was shocked to find out that it wasn't just him but 65 children in all, black and Hispanic kids, that were kicked out of the pool. You should Google this story and read it online for yourself. It's crazy! I went from being mad to being furious.

The news reporter went on to say that the president of the club and its members said, and I quote, "We don't want to change the complexion of our club." The president refunded the money of the children and asked them not to come back. WHAT?! I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I said I have to do something for these children. I can't let them think that they are inferior because of the color of their skin. Then that night I saw the president of the Valley Swim Club on the news again saying that he misspoke and that it was a safety issue and the club wasn't able to accommodate so many children. But the children themselves reportedly said that members were taking their kids out of the pool, and that they were saying things like, "Why are they here?" and "They're black", even insinuating that these kids would steal or maybe hurt their children.

Now get this. A few days later I catch the story again on CNN. This time the club was inviting the kids to come and swim. WHAT?! I'm confused. If you refunded the money because there was not enough room in the pool and it was a safety issue then why are you asking the same 65 kids to come back?

This is awful, and for anyone that has grown up in the inner-city, you know that one small act of kindness can change your life. These kids see the images of President Obama on TV and then they see the drug dealers and thugs on the corner. Which do you think is more their reality? One act of kindness, one person telling them that they are special, one moment of encouragement can make them move mountains. I know it to be true because I was one of them. They don't need to be called names and be told that they are less than, because of the color of their skin or because of where they come from.

I was told that one of these children, a seven year old, asked her mother if she was "too black to be in a pool." How do you answer that? How do you get a seven year old past that? Again, it broke my heart and I wanted to do something, and I feel like you all would want to do something, too.

That's why I'm telling you this. Since you all have put me in the position to be able to do something I feel like by me doing this we are all doing it together. So what I did was on Aug 1st thru 3rd I'm sending these kids to Disney World, and then to a Disney water park. I want them to know that for every act of evil that a few people will throw at you, there are millions more who will do something kind for them. This is all about the kids. So, thank you for letting me do this. Thank you so much. And do me a favor please. When you see these kids coming through the airport, (I'm sure you won't be able to miss them. I imagine they are going to be super excited) when you see them in the park and in the hotel, let's show them a whole lot of love and respect. Show them that they are just as good as anyone else. And show them that they can do or be anything they want to be no matter what any one says!

Thanks,

Tyler Perry

Racism No Longer Exists....NOT!!!!

I'm not sure if you all have heard, but we still harbor "whites-only" policies in many city establishments around the country. While I have never been really naive to knowing this, it still stings when heard or experienced.

This past week, the Valley Swim Club in Huntington Vally Pennsylvania decided to deny 65 inner city campers, from the Creative Steps Day Camp, access to their facility. Please note the full story with details/facts are available in the link below:

Pool Boots Kids Who Might "Change the Complexion"

Many of our fellow Americans are outraged and are doing our part to make sure a full investigation is launched and the story of this injustice is heard. Below is a template of a letter, created by Soror Star Jones (Positively Star), that many of us are using to notify our leaders and the public that we WILL NOT take this type of treatment sitting down...let along against our youth.

Please feel free to copy and paste as needed. The youth are our future and we WILL NOT allow them to be treated as such.


Dear Public Servant who is dedicated to Justice for All (can insert your state's representative name here):

I was shocked and outraged to learn that the Valley Swim Club in Huntington Valley Pennsylvania seems to be enforcing a "whites-only" policy at their pool.

Two weeks ago, the Creative Steps Day Camp paid the Valley Swim Club more than $1900 for one day of swimming a week for their 65 campers, but after the first day, the money was quickly refunded and the campers were told not to return. Apparently, when the campers entered the pool, White parents took their kids out of the water, and the swimming club's staff asked the campers to leave after making what can only be described as racially insensitive and discriminatory comments directed at the children. The President of the club compounded the situation and left nothing to interpretation by stating that the children were not welcome at the club as they might "change the complexion...the atmosphere of the club."

I'm sure you agree that is shameful that in 2009, anywhere in America, children have been turned away from a swimming pool because of their race.

I stand together with thousands of Americans across the country in condemning the Valley Club's discrimination. We are calling on the Department of Justice to investigate whether the Valley Club violated federal civil rights laws. Together, we are sending a strong message that this kind of discrimination has no place in our society.

Sincerely,

S. E. Hughes

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Feel free to join the movement at Color of Change

"My President Is Black" - to partake in the inaguaration or not.....

On November 4, 2008 we experienced an unprecedented event in this country...the first black president was elected! Along with this, we got to meet, greet and except the soon to be first black first family (try saying that ten times). How exciting...how honored many of us were (and soon will continue to be) to A) be able to vote in this controversial and important election, B) see Barack Obama (BO) not only accept the nomination as the democratic nominee for president, but then also graciously his historic thank you speech the night of the election and lastly C) watch this man get sworn in in less than a week in Washington, DC. 2008 was definitely the year to be alive and of age to participate in one of the most important rights we have here in this country...the right to choose and vote.

So after all that is said above, your probably wondering "Why question if you should attend the inauguration next week"? I am questioning if you should attend this event because due to the popularity of this election and momentous (yes I am bringing out all the big words on this one...lol) barriers that were conquered, EVERYONE and they momma, daddy's, grandparents, kids, etc will be trying to overtake DC next week! While I am excited for all those who thought they would never live to see something of this caliber, I must remind ya'll that BO and the family WILL NOT SEE YOU out there cheering and yelling.....and snapping pics on your camera phones. LOL. Now as someone said to me recently, "orAKAle it's about being there in the place to witness this event..not at home on the couch, not via web, etc...but there in DC". OKAY then....if you must be there to see this event then do so. But for us meager small people....we will be at work, trying to make a difference...and watching the event streaming live via the web. Lol.

No I am not hating on those who can and will be attending in DC, but I do want us to remember to be realistic and also to be safe as we make the trip to the inauguration. The entire country (no literally....a lot of people) will be attempting to attend this historical event and there is no need to put you and yours safety in jeopardy. With that, it will be like heaven to the "crazies" that will be live and in effect.....you know exactly the type of people I am referring too...those who prey on visitors/travelers/tourist, etc (I'm not going to get into if they are doing it out desperation vs selfishness/laziness, etc....another post...another day).

For all those who are preparing to travel to DC for the inauguration, I really do hope you enjoy yourself, take some pictures and post in the comments of this entry. Please be careful, bundle up and make sure to use the restroom BEFORE you get there; cause them lines for the "mobile restrooms" will be super long. Haaaaaaaaaa!

Big shout out to the Obama family! The orAKAle has spoken.........