"White People Do What They Want"

You wouldn’t believe how many times I heard this statement this past month
as I was out attempting to get African-Americans registered to vote. This is
a historical election and I wanted to do my part. While I expected to
encounter people who just wouldn’t register, I was a bit alarmed that there
were many who really saw no value in voting because they didn’t think their
vote matters or that they really had any say in our democracy.

This seemed to be the sentiment more so from young men than women. But it
definitely reiterated the disenfranchisement, hopelessness and helplessness
felt by our young men. And while unprecedented number of AA (both mn and women) will vote Nov. 4th, I think as a mom it becomes extremely critical that we instill a sense of civic participation in our children and that we help them understand that it's important they make their voices heard. After all, participation and speaking up are the only way to have a say.

With that said, I believe we can do that in the following ways:

1. Start Early. Although 18 is the voting age, we shoud start talking to our kids abot the political process, voting elections and politics as early as kindergarten or they show an interest. Many schools have programs centered around voting and elections and such programs should be used to complement your own teachings. Note: I didn’t say your teachings should be used to complement what’s taught at school because I believe parents should be the primary educators of their children and that education shouldn’t be solely left to the schools.

2. Get your Kids Involved. Leading by example is the best way to teach your kids the importance of voter and civic participation. Take them with you to a campaign rally or to the polls with you on Election Day. Allow them to take a more active roll in the things that you may be doing that are civically oriented.

3. Relate discussions To Everday Life. Is there a mileage or measure that your township or city is voting on that could impact the schools your children attend or their quality of life at school. This is a simple way to explain to your kids how everyone in your city who votes plays an important role in making decisions about things that are important to your child. Talking to them about issues that are important and relevant to their lives helps them understand why everyone needs to use their voice in politics.

Remember, in getting your kids involved in politics that they are bound to disagree with you. It's ok if your children disagree with you about politics. It's ok for you to let them know your thoughts but it's important that you also allow them to develop their own opinions as well.

The Hope of America's Promise

Thank God! Thank Colin Powell. Someone finally said it. What’s wrong with being Muslim? What’s wrong with being Arab? Over the course of this campaign much has been made about the fact that Sen. Obama may be a muslim or an Arab? So what? Has our fear gotten this out of hand that we are willing to segregate and isolate a whole segment of our community.

Colin Powell set the record straight when he said think about what this is saying to Muslim people in our country. A 7 year old Muslim boy should have the right to grow up in America and believe he could be president. Powell harkened us toward an America that's worth leading and worth fighting for one that encapsulates the idea that America’s greatest strength is in it’s people and its diversity. To illustrate his point he invoked the image of a fallen soldier who died in Iraq. In referring to the photo, Powell stated:

“It was a photo essay about troops who were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay, was of a mother at Arlington Cemetery and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone, and it gave his awards - Purple Heart, Bronze Star - showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death, he was 20 years old. And then at the very top of the head stone, it didn't have a Christian cross. It didn't have a Star of David. It has a crescent and star of the Islamic faith.
And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan. And he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was fourteen years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he could serve his country and he gave his life."

The image and Powell’s words are a reminder that America has great promise and stands on the cusp of change and that America’s greatest strength lies in the diversity and unity of it’s people. This is after the American Promise: that people, no matter their color, race, religion and creed can grow up to be anything they want. This election was starting to bother me because it was becoming so divisive. The anger and venom I’ve seen people spill on both sides in this last few weeks has just been incredible.

We are on the cusp of greatness and transformation and it’s typical that those yearning for the past are fighting hard against change and the transformation it brings. But the truth is change is inevitable. The truth is we’re at a cross roads in our country and on the brink of teetering either toward destruction or transformation into something bigger, better, and greater. But it can’t be both.

Let me be honest, I think John McCain would be a good president. I think, however, he represents the best of America’s past. I think Barack Obama represents the best of its future and for that reason I too will be voting for Sen. Obama. He is a leader who can lead America’s transformation into a new era. Ultimately, the American people have to decide which direction we will go. Come November 4th, I hope we chose progress, transformation, change and hope. It is the only way forward.

Bradley Who? And The Quest For Hope

Bradley Who?

Much has been made in recent days about whether the so-called “Bradley” effect, which suggests that black candidates do better in the polls than they do in actual elections will have a negative impact on Sen. Barack Obama in this year’s presidential election.

The Bradley effect comes from the 1982 California governor's race when polls showed Democrat Tom Bradley, the black mayor of Los Angeles, with a comfortable lead over Republican George Deukmejian right up to election day. When the votes were counted,
Deukmejian won by a narrow margin. While some people will vote against, Sen. Obama on race, I honestly believe the Bradley Effect will have minimal impact on this election. In fact, I believe the reverse Bradley Effect (voters not admitting they voted for Sen. Obama) will more likely be in play.

I know there are plenty of Americans who secretly support Sen. Obama or who privately believe he would be best for this country but are reluctant or unwilling to admit it to their friends, neighbors or family members who may not be as socially progressive with respect to race. Many of those individuals will go into the polls and vote for Obama but will tell the pollsters something much different.

Regardless of whether we’re talking about the Bradley effect or the reverse Bradley effect, it is shameful and sad we live in a country where free speech is valued but some Americans don’t feel comfortable to speak the truth of their votes. I’m not sure what this says about America, democracy or freedom. Or maybe it says more about race, fear and hate. Either way, I hope the majority of Americans will loudly speak their vote on election day by showing that America really is a place of hope and the shining beacon of light because I, for one, still believe it is.

What about you? Do you believe the Bradley effect will play a role in this year's election?

Everything I needed to know about life...I learned from the Cosby Show

Ok..I admit it..Im a Cosby Show junkie...There is never a time that I pass up the opportunity to relive those golden moments back in the day when Id park myself in front of the TV to watch this family. Though so different from my own, I find that I am still easily engrossed in the nostalgia that comes with watching the life and times of the Huxtable clan.

And no matter what the episode, how old it is, I can still quote most of the lines word for word as if I once memorized the script, instead of Vanessa or Denise...Just over the weekend while up late I found myself lounging on the couch watching a few episodes as part of a marathon on TvLand and I had an epiphany of sorts. Though obviously entertaining, funny, and ground breaking in many ways, The Cosby Show taught us all lessons on life, with every weeks episode. It was then that I realized that everything I needed to know about life, I learned from the Cosby Show....For instance:

1. Being a highly-paid black professional does not have to automatically equate to being snobby and detached from others...

2. Being able to laugh at yourself is necessary...you shouldnt take yourself too seriously

3. A real lady can do ALL things with class and sophistication..including put you in your place..

4. Marriage can be a beautiful thing if you understand what its REALLY about...

5. Sometimes you have to love somebody enough to let them make mistakes...and not say "I told you so" when they come to cry on your shoulder...

6. Honesty is always the best policy but sometimes being honest will get you into more trouble than telling a lie...

7. You should never play the alphabet game while drinking bourbon...you'll always lose....

8. Note to brothers: your woman knows you better than you know yourself....trust me..

9. Whatever you do in the dark will inevitably come to light eventually (ie: wearing makeup when youre not supposed to...sneaking off to meet your boyfriend...eating hoagies when you know youre not allowed)

10. Being black really is beautiful....


This is a special guest post by Diva Delaney.