With high unemployment numbers, a struggling economy and record foreclosures, it’s easy to get caught up in the tough times Americans are facing on a daily basis. That’s why I feel it’s important to every once and a while see what others are facing around the world. In a recent podcast on ghettoGEEK Radio they focus on the current political struggle in IRAN with fellow blogger Sable Verity! Sable discusses the Iranian conflict from a political and cultural vantage point. Utilizing Neda Soltan’s death, Ahmedinejad’s rhetoric, and America’s current strategic posture, Sable provides insights on gender issues, issues of oppression, and implications for Iran’s affect upon the global community.
I found the Mocha Dad’s blog on the blogroll of the African American Dad. I’d heard of the Mocha Mom’s organization, so it was cool to see another positive, black father sharing his experiences with his readers (it’s also a plus that he’s from Houston). This is a really good blog and the questions posed in his posts make you think about your role as a parent. Here’s a little more info on the Mocha Dad before you check out his site:
I am a native Houstonian who has traveled around the around the world. I graduated from Howard University and have worked as a mover, photographer, controls manager, quality manager, construction project manager, eBay and Amazon seller, and freelance writer.
In addition to raising kids and holding down full time jobs, I have published work in the books “Paper Thin/Soul Deep” and “The African American Book of Values” and in magazines/newspapers such as Essence, Upscale, The Houston Chronicle, Katy Magazine , Folio Weekly and Emerge.
I enjoy music, reading, photography, and surfing the web. But my greatest joy comes from spending time with my wife and three kids.
Check out this podcast I found on NPR’s June 9th episode of Tell Me More. Just in time for Father’s Day, a roundtable of “Daddy bloggers” discuss what’s new in the land of dad cyberspace. Keith Morton, who blogs at African American Dad; Jeff Steele, who blogs at D.C. Urban Moms and Dads, and Jason Sperber, who blogs at Rice Daddies discuss topics that have dads buzzing on the Web, including whether the image of President Barack Obama has put more pressure on them to perform in the husband and father department. (more…)
The first dad blogger on the list for All About Dads Week, is the author of the blog African American Dad. I came across Keith’s blog when I was searching for black bloggers to add to my reading list. He had a post on potty training his son Dev and was able to offer me some advice for my son. Here’s an excerpt from his about us page. Go check it out at fatherdad.com. I can guarantee, you’ll enjoy reading about his journey through fatherhood.
When my son was born his body temperature was a bit low. In order to get it to normal he was taken away and put under a special baby-warming heat lamp. While the treatment was being explained to me I thought of flame broiling burgers at Burger King. My kid was going to be delicious.
After being out of my sight for a few seconds I decided to go looking for him. I found my brand new little guy across the hall wearing a tiny diaper and a gauze cap. He seemed vulnerable in the small room as he was slowly being warmed up. I looked him over, counting fingers and toes, and took in the fact that we shared a face. And I noted that his navel was gross.
In an instant it was like the weight of the world landed upon my shoulders. I suddenly realized I was going to be responsible for helping him become a good man – a good black man. I knew my life would never be the same again.
Eventually I built up the nerve to touch him (after a little encouragement from the nurse that had come and gone) and I placed my pinky finger in his munchkin hand. In a voice that he seemed to recognize I whispered to him that I would be there for him no matter what obstacles he may face in this life. I told him how difficult becoming a black man would be, but that together we would make it. I’ll never forget those first moments I spent alone with my son as his dad. They inspired me to continue to do everything I do today!
I graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Urban Studies from Hunter College and I recently became Business Director of a start-up charter school committed to giving quality educations to inner city children, and an a viable alternative to parents that believed they didn’t have one. This is in addition to my work with Malecare, Inc as a program director/developer. My wife Shalawn, is a licensed Medical Social Worker and psychotherapist, and my four year old son Devin is, as of this writing, unemployed.
I heard about Tracy’s book via LinkedIn and thought I’d share it with the readers of this website. This post is all about showing love to our black authors, especially when they have a post worth talking about. Check out her website at traceymichaellewis.blogspot.com for more information on the author and the book.
Philadelphia, PA – May 19, 2009 – On June 9, 2009, one of the summer’s most highly anticipated novels will finally hit the shelves. Interruption: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine by Tracey Michae’l Lewis (Spring 1995 – Iota Mu Chapter) is the long awaited sequel to 2004’s The Gospel According to Sasha Renee. It is the second book in the “Gospel” trilogy. Each book examines the deeply rooted issues that have plagued three generations of women in one family. Pre-orders for the book are now being taken at the author’s website: http://traceymichaellewis.blogspot.com
The story is a fascinating journey through the life of Crystal Justine (CJ), a young woman who has, for most of her life, been compared to her mother, Sasha Renee, in both the best and the worst ways. Even as she struggles to escape the image and legacy of this enigma of a woman, she finds herself unconsciously acting out her mother’s (and grandmother) past mistakes. Her relationships with men, although few and far between, has been tainted by “the thing she cannot say” and her faith has been weakened by the emotional and spiritual blows her life has taken. This dynamic story of deliverance keeps readers, page by page, on the edge of their proverbial seats, wondering if CJ will simply succumb to the darkness that has chased her soul for as long as she could remember or if she will be the one to finally put an end to the generational curse that has tried to consume her family. Will she find true love, joy, and peace for the first time?
Lewis is a successful freelance writer, author, and entrepreneur based out of Philadelphia, PA. She is also prominent speaker whose wit and transparency has blessed audiences across the country. The following quotes are just a couple indicators of the excitement building around Lewis in the publishing industry and beyond.
“It is always good to see flowers spring up from the density of the forest. Tracey Michae’l Lewis is the newest flower on the forest floor. It will be wonderful to watch her grow.” – Nikki Giovanni, Legendary poet and professor at Virginia Tech University
“Tracey Michae’l Lewis has been given the gift to create a living, breathing reality that does not simply cause you to identify with her words. No, [she]…leads you to the highest Truth there is. And it is that ability, to weave together so many different pieces, from intellectual stimulation to spiritual enlightenment that propels Tracey past simply being good…If she continues on her path, she will be known as great. Indeed, even now, she is nearly there.” – John Gray, Inspirational Speaker and Filmmaker
For more information about Interruption: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine or to invite Lewis to your church, group, or chapter meeting, please contact NewSEASON Books at (215) 301-3202 or via email at newseasonbooks@gmail.com
I found out about Dallas South Blog via Google while searching for more information about Tavis Smiley’s visit to the Dallas area. I started reading the articles and was hooked on the very well-written, informative posts about the southern sector of Dallas. Due the fact that South Dallas had a large African-American population, the blog became my source of information for what was going on in the community.
Over the last couple of years, Dallas South Blog has grown into a popular online destination for those looking for stimulating political/social dialoug on a local and national level. This growth is largely due to the efforts of blogger Shawn Williams. But with growth, comes new oppotunities to take what you do to a higher level. This is where Dallas South News comes into play.
The Dallas South News will be a nonprofit organization utilizing technology, journalistic principles, and social media to empower and inform diverse communities. It will provide news coverage in the areas of local politics, education, health, housing, as well as commentary on state and national politics. As with all nonrpofit organizations, help is needed to keep it running and there are three things you can do to get involved.
Due to a crazy work schedule, I’ve been away from the blog for a couple of days. But I wanted to do a quick post regarding the “Day of Blogging for Justice: Standing Up Against the Police Pre-Trial Electrocution” (police tasers). I have some friends who are cops and some of the stories I’ve heard about what they see would make you want to lock yourself in the house. I don’t know what it’s like to be shot at, nor do I know what’s it’s like to daily place your life on the line to protect others.
But I do feel that those who do take on the task of protecting and serving the black community, need to do so with the understanding that there are still trust issues to be worked through. While I agree with the idea of personal responsibility, I also believe an officer needs to know the the fastest and most efficient way to keep themselves and the suspect under control. We’ve seen times when officer frustration turns into police brutality and that’s usually when someone gets hurt or killed. 50,000 volts is a lot to shoot through a 15-year old kid and tasering a handcuffed man is not acceptable. Just recently, a mentally ill man was killed in Fort Worth by police tasers.
So I’d like to know what you think. Are police tasers an acceptable method of subduing a person? While you’re added, check out the Villager’s post on the issue. He also has some other interesting posts around the blogosphere regarding the topic.
In the comments are of my post about the Sallie Mae scholarship, I was asked to share the Planning and Preparing for College blog with you all. The blog is a college preparation infrastructure for high school students, parents, undergraduates and graduates students. The blog has over 250 postings on scholarships, internships, fellowships and summer programs.
I checked it out and it really is very informative. Not only do you get information for getting in college, they also have some inspiring posts to get keep you motivated on your quest for higher education. During these tough economic times, finding money for college can be tough. But if you start early and reference this website, you’ll be on your way.
The Prospector at blackmediamine.blogspot.com sent me a link to his site about a shooting that occurred on New Year’s Day when a Bay Area Rapid Transit Officer killed an unarmed Oscar Grant during an arrest. There’s a lot of speculation about what happened, but thanks to a witness the shooting was caught on camera phone video.
I saw some of this on CNN, but the Prospector also has some informative links on his website for you to check out. I heard the officer had the taser and gun switched on his hip and pulled the gun by mistake. The police have a difficult job when they’re on patrol, but they have to be held accountable for mistakes like this. However it turns out, an innocent life was lost and a family is in mourning.
Last year I had the opportunity to post about Worlds AIDS Day and found a lot of interesting information about how it affects us on a local and international scale. I was amazed to find out how many black people were infected with the disease. It’s not something that’s always discussed in our community and this is why I appreciate the effort of those willing to blog about this important day.
This time I wanted to highlight a new bill passed in Congress (HR 5501) that will authorize $50 billion for assistance to certain countries for combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis for the five-year period of 2009 through 2013. It was sponsored by Rep. Berman, Howard (D-CA) and was signed into law in July 2008. Due to the recent economic conditions, I’m curious to see if the money will be allocated. One thing that I like about the bill is it’s emphasis on educating people on ways to prevent the spread of the disease. While the message of abstinence is one to admire, you shouldn’t expect everyone to do so. For those who don’t, education is the key. You can find more information on HR 5501 at votesmart.org.
Spread the word and check out aids.gov to learn what you can do to get involved. For those who have an avatar in Second Life, there will be a new island created just for this day. Events will be happening all day and I plan to drop by to check them out. Visit this link for more information.
With high unemployment numbers, a struggling economy and record foreclosures, it’s easy to get caught up in the tough times Americans are facing on a daily basis. That’s why I feel it’s important to every once and a while see what others are facing around the world. In a recent podcast on ghettoGEEK Radio they focus on the current political struggle in IRAN with fellow blogger Sable Verity! Sable discusses the Iranian conflict from a political and cultural vantage point. Utilizing Neda Soltan’s death, Ahmedinejad’s rhetoric, and America’s current strategic posture, Sable provides insights on gender issues, issues of oppression, and implications for Iran’s affect upon the global community.
