Happy New Year 2011
Filed under: Blog Entries, Education, Life, Society & Culture, Technology
It’s hard to believe 2011 is already here. Last year for the blog was definitely a slow one, but this year I hope to change that. Finding the time to write has been difficult and not much will change this year. But I do have some ideas and over the next couple of weeks, you’ll see them take form.
As for me personally, I try to do something new every year that improves who I am as a person. Something new that allows me to learn new things and hopefully meet new people in the process.
Last year I took up photography and the year before that, chess. Each year it’s something different. Sometimes I continue on with it when the year is over and sometimes I don’t. But it’s really the lessons that I’ve learned that interest me the most.
This year I will focus on reading. My wife bought me a NookColor for Christmas and I plan on using it as much as I can. I’ve decided that the books I’m going to read the most are those that have had an impact on society and black America.
The first book on the list is “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. I’ve always wondered why this book is so highly regarded and so far I can see why. I’ll blog about that later, but I can honestly say I’ve been sucked in to the story and it’s one that I’ll definitely recommend for others to read.
With that, I’d like to wish everyone a blessed and happy new year. Let’s make this a year to remember.
Don’t Forget to Check Your Credit
Once again it’s time for my yearly credit report check public service announcement. I know I’m a little late with it, but it’s never too late to make sure your credit report is in order. I usually check mine and my wife’s at least once a year because it allows me to make sure everything on my record is valid.
Every year the government gives you a free credit report check to make sure there are no fraudulent inquiries on your record. You are able to view reports from the three major credit agencies: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.
It costs to see your fico score, but that’s only important if you are looking to make a major purchase over the next couple of months. For my purposes, the report check is enough. Take the time to get it done. You’ll be glad you did.
Old School Jet, Ebony and Black Enterprise on Google Books
Filed under: Blog Entries, Business, Community, Education, Entertainment & Sports, Family, General, Politics, Relationships, Society & Culture, Technology, Think Global
When Google announced the release of Google Books, I rushed over and was pleased to see that they’d scanned in some of my favorite magazines. The best part was that I could view them all online for free.
In my searches I was able to find issues for Jet Magazine (1950-2005), Ebony Magazine (1950-2000) and Black Enterprise (1970-2000). While they don’t include the most current issues, it’s great that I can see what was going on before I was I born. If Google keeps this up, I can’t imagine the kind of information my kids will have access to.
This will give those in my generation and forward the ability to research our past and learn more than we’ve ever had about entertainment, politics and society, than we’ve ever had. The odds of me getting my hands on a volume 1 Jet Magazine is one to impossible. But thanks to Google, I have access to it.
We are in the Information Age and I hope everyone is ready to get on board. In 2011, I plan on increasing the number of black history books I read and I’m going to use Google Books to do this. There are a lot of good free books out there for us to read. I as I finish them I’ll blog about them here on the site.
Here’s to a New Year in books.
Sign Petition to Keep Willowridge HS and Christa McAuliffe MS Open
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Education, Family, General, Society & Culture
Last week, I blogged about the potential closing of my middle school and high school. While still upset, I’m glad to see the alumni and current students move to action. No one in the community wants this to happen and you can help. Even if you aren’t associated with the schools in ANY way, those of us who are can use your help.
An online petition, identifying alternatives to closing either school, has been started and are we looking to collect as many signatures as possible. I’m asking everyone I know to sign and show their support in keeping these schools open.We need to let the Fort Bend ISD board know that people support this cause. Thank you in advance for your support.
Click here to sign the petition
Potential Closing of Fort Bend ISD Schools
Filed under: Blog Entries, Business, Community, Education, General, Life, My Thoughts
It starts out slow and you tend not to pay much attention in the beginning. A business here, a business there, vacated houses and little economic growth. Then you look up and see what’s left around you. It’s not what it used to be, but it had a hand in molding who you are today so hurts you to see the changes that have transpired over the years.
Earlier this week, my mom told me Fort Bend ISD is considering closing down the middle (Christa McCauliffe) AND high school (Willowridge High) I attended due to low enrollment. After hearing that, I hopped on to Facebook to see what my friends were posting and sure enough I found some articles discussing the issue.
Two of my schools could potentially be shut down and there’s nothing I can do about it. Now that I no longer live in Houston, I wouldn’t be able to participate in any of the meetings and initially I felt pretty bad about it. But I remembered that I do have this blog and in the past have seen some amazing things happen when bloggers come together to support a cause.
The closing of either of these schools will have a major impact on the community at large. I remember a time when you couldn’t keep students away from The Ridge. I remember the good times in the Mighty Eagle Band and the work we did in Student Council on Eagle Lane. There were so many lessons that taught me how to be a good leader and follower and I thank God for that period in my life. Neither of the schools were perfect, but they had a major impact on my life, which is why I’m writing this post today.
The Board has not made their final decision on the issue, so there’s still time to get involved. Here are some things you can do to spread the word to Save our schools:
- Attend planning meeting on Monday, 12/13 at 5 p.m. Board Members are deciding on the best way to deal with low enrollment issues. The public is allowed to attend but cannot speak; however, being present can send a message.
- Comment (intelligently, please) on the proposed recommendations. It will be updated after the 12/13 meeting with what was discussed.http://www.fortbend.k12.tx.us/about/zoning.cfm
- Attend 1 of 2 public forums in 2011 to speak out about the impact that closing these schools will have on the community. Exact dates TBD (mostly like in January)
- Contact members of the School Board to make sure they know your opinion. We need to flood them with communication!http://www.fortbend.k12.tx.us/board/meet.cfm
- Invite other WHS and CMMS alumni to join this group!!
These schools provide a great service to the community.
President Obama’s Weekly Address – 12/11/10
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Family, Obama, Personal Finance, Politics
The President strongly urges both parties in Congress to pass the compromise on tax cuts, unemployment insurance, and job creation. Not doing so would hurt the middle class, those struggling to find work, and the economy itself.
Today is World AIDS Day 2010
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Education, Family, Health, Life, Obama, Society & Culture, Think Global
Despite the recent lack of content on the site, I didn’t want to let this day pass without showing my support for World AIDS Day. I’ve participated in the past and I’ve tried to provide at least one link of interest to help others see the impact AIDS has on communities all over the world.
While medicine and vaccines have improved over the years, there are prevention measures that you take to reduce the risk of contracting it. On the aids.gov website they even have an AIDS 101 page that you can visit to learn the basics of HIV/AIDS. The information is out there, but it’s up to us get get it to the masses. We have to be knowledgeable about this information because it affects us all.
I thought I’d leave you with a quick video from President Obama and some additional links to visit and share with others.
AIDS.GOV INFORMATION
Website: www.AIDS.gov
Blog: blog.AIDS.gov
Twitter: www.twitter.com/AIDSgov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AIDSgov
Flickr: www.flickr.com/groups/facingaids2010
MySpace: www.myspace.com/AIDSgov
If you would like to locate your local HIV testing site you can text your ZIP code to “KNOWIT” (566948) or use the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Service Provider Locator to find maps, walking, driving, and biking directions.
Get Out and Vote – Midterm Elections
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Education, General, Our Rights, Politics, Society & Culture
I just thought I’d post a little reminder for everyone to get out and vote. The midterm elections are just as important as the the presidential elections. As Americans it’s our civil duty to vote in who we believe should run our government. But as a black person, I feel it’s a show of respect to those who placed their lives in harm’s way for me to vote and have the many civil liberties I take for granted. We haven’t had these rights for a long time, so let’s make sure we take care of business.
Early voting in Texas is open. For more information on voting in Texas, go to http://www.votexas.org.
Can Hip Hop Be A Driver of Social Change?
This was the answer I posed as I began to learn more about social change and how it occurs. There are roughly about 8 theories on what drives change in society. The main ones we usually assume are that society progressively improves with the times. Our society today is better than yesterday because we’re smarter than previous societies and our culture is more refined. Another big theory is that technology drives change in society. Our global society is very different because of the contributions of from the PC and the Internet. But what about culture? In many ways our technology is shaped by cultural drivers that include a mostly free economic market and the need for better, faster, easier-to-use technology that streamlines our life experiences. From that vantage point, even Moore’s law is shaped by cultural influences. But what about hip hop? Certainly, it doesn’t shape the world we live in with eye-level influence like technology or economic markets, but I believe it has helped shape the world we live in. While doing so, it has contributed true change to society and can continue to do so in the future.
Merriam-Webster’s Online dictionary defines “rap” music as a rhythmic chanting often in unison of usually rhymed couplets to a musical accompaniment. While that definition is true Wikipedia further defines hip-hop music as a musical genre that developed as part of hip hop culture, and is defined by four key stylistics elements: rapping, DJing/scratching, sampling, and beatboxing. For the sake of this paper, I will focus primarily on the rapping element of hip hop and use the term hip hop primarily since it denotes the much larger aspect of the culture than the term rap is able to accomplish.
Hip hop was first created in the South Bronx neighborhoods of New York City during the late 1970s. Hip Hop arose during a time when block parties became popular. A DJ would sample words, phrases, and beats from popular funk, soul, and R&B albums using a recording mixer and two records to excite the crowd during extended periods of play. The DJ would also often incorporate an emcee (MC) who would further thrill the crowd with comedic stories. Beatboxing, using one’s voice to simulate drum and beat patterns, was further incorporated along with stories about life, social injustice, and hardship. As hip hop became more popular and began to spread, a common language and clothing style were adopted by fans to signify their allegiance to the music.
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President Obama’s Weekly Address – 10/16/10
Filed under: Blog Entries, Business, Obama, Personal Finance
The President lays out his agenda to foster investment here at home. He vows to close the tax loopholes for sending jobs and profits overseas that Congressional Republicans have tried to protect.
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