February is American Heart Month
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Education, Health
The month of February is American Heart Month and I’d like for you to join me as I get the word out about the number one killer in America. If not you, I’m sure there’s someone in your family that has been affected by heart disease and as black people it’s even more important for us to be aware of how it can affect our lives.
When I was in middle school, my dad had a brain stem stroke that affected our lives more than we could ever imagine. Being the major bread winner in the household, my mom now had to manage and provide for the entire household. By God’s grace she was able to do it, but times were not always easy because she had to care for us and my dad. After waking up from a coma the doctor’s thought he would not live through, he was confined to a wheel chair and couldn’t do the day to day things we take for granted. He passed in 2001, but with some major lifestyle changes he lived 14 years longer than the doctors expected.
Heart disease is a scary thing and because it runs in my family, I know I have to be a little more vigilant in taking care of myself. I would hate for my family to be in the same position, so I do my best to make sure I do better when it comes to my health. There’s a lot of good information on the American Heart Association website and to get you started, I’ve provided some links to some helpful information we should all know.
Please spread the word and get involved in some of the heart-healthy programs offered by the AHA. Throughout the month, I’ll also be posting some things you can do to stay healthy.
Things you can do to stay (or get) healthy
Warning Signs of Heart Attack, Stroke or Cardiac Arrest
Heart360® – convenient and secure location for you to track and manage your heart health.
High blood pressure and African-Americans
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.
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.
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.
Join the Conversation on Race and America’s Future
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Education, Entertainment & Sports, Family, General, Relationships, Society & Culture
Always open to new experiences and the search for good discussions, I wanted to share this email I received from, Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder and CEO, PolicyLink.
We are launching the Race and America’s Future Virtual Book Club – a six-week project we hope will promote an open, honest, and constructive conversation on the challenges and opportunities facing our changing nation.
As I have told you in earlier emails, the book club will be based around Uncommon Common Ground: Race and America’s Future, a new book I had the pleasure of writing with Stewart Kwoh and Manuel Pastor.
This week’s inaugural installment asks the question, “Are We Post-Racial Yet?” And, really, is “post-racial” something America should strive to be?
Sign up for PolicyLink emails here to keep up with the latest on race and equity in America!
We hope you’ll join us today and every Wednesday through Election Day at www.UncommonCommonGround.org to chart a positive direction for race in America.
Million Father March 2010
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Education, Family, Relationships, Society & Culture
I learned about the Million Father March a couple of years ago and now it’s finally my turn to participate. The Black Star Project is encouraging fathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, godfathers, cousins, babies’ daddies and other significant male caregivers to take their children to school on the first-day-of-school of the 2010-2011 school year. When men are involved in the educational lives of their children, children perform better in school.
Next Monday, my oldest son starts his first day of kindergarten and I’m planning to be there for him on his first day of school. The role of the traditional dad has expanded and fathers are a lot more active in the lives of their children. Sure you have your deadbeat dads out there, but I’ve seen a difference since my son was born. I’ve seen dads at the doctor, the daycare and have even seen dads changing diapers in the restroom.
Kids these days have a lot to deal with in school and I’m sure it helps to know they have the support of their father (or male role model). So whatever grade they’re in, take a little time out of your day to take them to school. And when they come home, talk about their day and get involved. It makes a difference and shows them how much you care.
For more information visit blackstarproject.org.
You Go Bina48!
Filed under: Blog Entries, Education, General, Society & Culture, Technology
Now this is impressive! Bina48 is a human-like robot that lives at the Terasem Movement Foundation in Bristol, Vermont. A replica of the real Bina Rothblatt, who is also the Vice President and co-founder of the Terasem Movement Foundation, Bina48 is the future of what can be done in the world of artificial intelligence.
While it may be a little creepy to have a conversation with a robot, I’m excited to cool advances like this in technology. In a way, Bina48 reminds me of a mix of the Terminator and 2001: A Space Odyssey. While watching the video, I also found myself rooting for Bina and I’m sure the time will come when Bina will be able to have a full conversation with no glitches in speech.
Check out the video and let me know what you think.
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