New Poems Added on Page 3!

White People Have White Privilege and

the Obligation To Improve Race Relations

April 15, 2014

DeSean Jackson reportedly skipped 

exit meeting with Philadelphia Eagles...

and your point is??????

There is something sooo sad in  DeSean eyes. I'm sorry that the Eagles

 did this to you DeSean. Turn it around and show them that you are better than that!!

           I was talking with a male friend of mine about the recent situation where the Eagles football organization “released” DeSean Jackson. Now it is truly amazing to me that beyond the locker room, decisions were made to tarnish the name of DeSean Jackson. Their feeble and gutless attempt to associate DeSean with gang activity…notice I added the word activity, was nothing more than an attempt to hide the truth! Whether DeSean has an association or friendship with alleged gang members or not, does not make DeSean a criminal, a bad person or a person with no morals or principles. It merely indicates that he is a 27 year old male who may not be making the best of decisions. The news continued to print innuendos that an apparent association with two alleged Crips gang members involved more than just that.

Here is what DeSean had to say upon his release from the Eagles:

“First I would like to thank the Eagles organization, the Eagles fans and the city of Philadelphia for my time in Philly. I would also like to thank Coach Andy Reid for bringing me in. Secondly, I would like to address the misleading and unfounded reports that my release has anything to do with any affiliation that has been speculated surrounding the company I keep off of the field. I would like to make it very clear that I am not and never have been part of any gang. I am not a gang member and to speculate and assume that I am involved in such activity off the field is reckless and irresponsible. I work very hard on and off the field and I am a good person with good values. I am proud of the accomplishments that I have made both on and off the field. I have worked tirelessly to give back to my community and have a positive impact on those in need. It is unfortunate that I now have to defend myself and my intentions. These reports are irresponsible and just not true. I look forward to working hard for my new team. God Bless”.

It became apparent rather quickly that the Eagles lame attempt to taint DeSean’s name and reputation was going absolutely nowhere. As a matter of fact, I am guessing that their attempt may have even bordered a slanderous law suit of some kind.

           We are into April and reports seem to now solely focus on DeSean’s irresponsibility regarding his work ethic. DeSean spoke to reporters and thanked the Eagles organization, the Philly fans for his time here in Philadelphia…the front office of the Eagles was damn lucky to get that much!! But OHHH no wHITE PRIVILEGE reared its ugly head once again!! 

Now...

...the newest focus as reported by the online Sports Illustrated Dibbles, is the fact that the Eagles were pissed off with Jackson because  he was the “only longtime member of the Eagles organization who departed this off -season without a well-wishing from team chairman Jeffrey Lurie in a press release”. Ohhhh my, what an awful crime!! How dare you DeSean not kiss his wealthy white perivillaged butt, what were you thinking...yeah right!! Well I am sorry, why would anyone want to say goodbye and get a "well-wishing" in front of the whole world with the chairmen of an organization which tried to destroy DeSean's reputation with the use of stereotypical, visual racial labels to boot???? If the front office was that concerned with alleged gang affiliation then they should have done something about it way before this!

Jefferey Lurie, you white privileged, pompous, arrogant, wealthy narcissist... are you serious, have you smoked too much Glaucoma medicine or maybe drank too much vodka Jeff??? Who the hell do you think you are to expect more than a "thank you" in a press release from a man who you tried to destroy his stardom, his reputation, credibility, manhood and most importantly his Blackness all for the ALMIGHTY DOLLAR?? As a white person I am so sick of  people like YOU!

To my mind, the entire incident is based on a relatively simple explanation. As fatherly as Andy Reid was, his tenure ended as a coach in Philadelphia a long time ago. Chip Kelly just came on board and a new promise was born based on the team’s ability to turn the tide with consecutive wins which equates to BIG, BIG money. My friend made an awesome point. Now mind you, before the Eagles, Chip Kelly was a College football coach of college age boys. He never had experience in the NFL dealing with wealthy football players who all of a sudden are in the national spotlight and who are also grown ass men!! Moreover, it has been written that “Chip Kelly did not see eye-to-eye with Jackson, and questioned his star's work ethic”. Although I believe this point has merit, I also believe that Jeff did not want to spend the money on DeSean. Fine be a man and say that Jeff!

Back to Chip...First off Chip, let’s get something straight from the door.  DeSean Jackson was not "yours" or anyone elses star…DeSean Jackson is his own star! Secondly, Chip, you need to gain some interpersonal engagement skills in order to know how to effectively deal with men, men who are not use to being treated like boys but men who maybe having a difficult time in life and men who may not know or understand who you are.  Also, look at the players and the lens in which they view the world. Take a look at DeSean’s family losses, including an important male role model and how that loss impacted him during his younger years and maybe, just maybe,  Chip, the light bulb will go off in that head of yours.  Well guess what guys, I am going to use my white privilege and try to get this viewpoint on the books!! (Continued below)

LeSean McCoy offered something DeSean Jackson hasn't received since  the Philadelphia Eagles released him...public support  from an ex-teammate!!!

Are you trying to set DeSean up for failure by publically discrediting him so all of you in the Eagles organization can say "See DeSean isn't the person he proclaims to be...we did do the right thing by releasing him from the Eagles organization" The saddest aspect involving this entire situation is the fact that in a national spotlight Jeffrey baby, you and Chip humiliated DeSean and solely because of your inability to lead your organization and workforce in an ethical manner. 

I cannot wait to see what happens in the 2014 season!

It is times like this that I wish my job was driving the Karma Bus!!!

April 7, 2014

The  New CASD  Superintendent 

Cathy Taschner

I Do NOT want the residents of Chester County to Forget or Sweep Under Their Rugs What Happened and Continues to Happen on a Daily Basis Across America!!! I am Speaking About the whites (my race) Acting Stupid as if All Is Right in the World...Maybe it's Right in Your white World but NOT My white World and the HUMAN world!!! STOP making it about whites...It is NOT About Us!!!

STOP ALLOWING SOCIETY AND SYSTEMS TO DICTATE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS WRONG! MAN UP FOLKS!! TAKE A FREAKIN STAND OR DON'T YOU DARE PROCLAIM TO BE A CHRISTIAN!!!

READ THIS AGAIN!!

September 25, 2013

        CASD School Board Meeting          

                                  

I had decided that I would be in attendance at the Coatesville School Districts school board meeting Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. in the 9/10 Center auditorium on the high school campus. The Coatesville area was not only a home to me in the past, but several associates and good friends currently live in Coatesville. I made sure that no one knew that I would be attending the meeting because this was not my intent and would take away from the purpose.

The first issue was the decision not to move the meeting to one of the many other district buildings on site that could hold additional Coatesville parents and residents. The school board members and administrators declined the earlier request made which appears to communicate a continuation of white dominate control over the masses! 

 When I arrived wearing my double sided sign, there were two other white women with children caring signs. During our conversation they stated that they were there to support the teachers. It became abundantly clear rather quickly, that the real issues were not being acknowledged and the needed support from the white community  was not being provided. 

The eyes of the children who were accompanying their parents appeared to be wounded and filled with confusion. Those arriving who appeared to be of the Baby Boomer generation, read my sign and gave a gentle nod of their acknowledgement and approval. It appeared that a large majority of the Baby Boomer generation, displayed similar facial expressions. After a further conversation with my AA/Black associates, validation was provided that what I was witnessing was a sense of sadness yet a semblance of toleration as if this incident was nothing more than a reoccurring echo of the past, a reality of the present, a way of life as only experienced and known by the AA/Black community.

I was asked by the two white women I first encountered, if I wanted to save a seat in the auditorium. Due to the limited seating, I decline based on the belief that those who were directly impacted by these vile texts, should be seen and heard by the school board members that were voted in by the AA/Black Coatesville parents/citizens. 

As I was standing and chatting  with an African American mother, parents and citizens continued to arrive however, they could not enter the building but rather stood by and with the back door open in an attempt to hear the proceedings. It is this picture that is etched in my mind and I  cannot erase the feelings this evoked within me. You ask why, I will tell you my opinion. 

Ever single white parent and citizen should have stood outside by the front and back doors in solidarity to support the African American/Black community. In turn, the AA/Black individuals standing by the back door, should have been the individuals seated in the auditorium. 

I am not discounting the probability that the white people inside did not have good intentions on a conscious level however, to my mind, these "good intentions" are not good enough anymore!! This is just another prime example of white privilege/entitlement at work. 

White privilege is what America and the US Constitution was founded on and continues to be the cement which fortifies every state and institution. I don't care who you are including myself, if your skin is white, you have and live your life drenched in white privilege. 

Last but certainly not least...yessss I realize that the white parents seated in the auditorium are citizens and tax payers too and they also have a right to be heard however, that was not and is not the issue at hand and I will not belabor the subject any further in this post...so if you are not in agreement, stop trying to justify your position!

I HAVE wHITE PRIVILEGE!!

It is what it is...end of story my white privileged friends!

Click here

CASD Board Meeting Video

March 26th, 2014

Coatesville School Boards Under Handed Methods in Maintaining Control Over the Hiring of the New CASD Superintendent.

Ok folks, after chilling out and processing old and new information about this entire situation, I could go on a long rant about the CASB's intent on maintaining the status quo at every turn of the search for a new school district superintendent however, it appears that the usage of words either in this forum or the texting of vile racist text messages, has absolutely NO impact whatsoever with those who perceive themselves as above the legal, moral and social ethics and values that I know a great many of us possess and live by. 

I could belabor the fact that the school board approved to wastefully spend I believe $40,000.00 or so, to retain the services of a company that conducted a candidate search for potential interviewee's or the blatant disregard of the Black community's need to be part of this entire hiring process. 

I am however, going to pose a multi dimensional question. 

What specific ways will the Coatesville School Board benefit from  willfully creating barriers, that will exclude the Black community from this process? 

 Remember Folks ...

March 25th, 2014

Part 3 - Coatesville School Board 

Chester County Conversations: Guest Alphonso Newsuan - Alain Foster brings to you inside information on the choosing of the new CASD Superintendent

View the Video Update  My editorial will follow shortly oncemy temper has cooled! 

How many times and in how many different ways must it be said, that we ALL have an obligation to support the Black community of Coatesville...our community!

Click here to view the video

CHESTER COUNTY COMMUNITY TV

MARCH 21, 2014

                    ONCE  AGAIN I ASK…

                    ARE YOU SERIOUS??

Free Marissa Alexander  &  Get Rid of Angela Corey!!

It is beyond all comprehension how the Florida State Attorney Angela Corey who is best known for her inability to obtain murder convictions for the murderers of both Tyrone Martin and Jordan Davis has the audacity along with the state of Florida, on being hell bent on sending Marissa Alexander to prison for 60 years, all for attempting to defend herself by firing a simple warning shot to stop her abusive husband! Seriously, this is like living in the twilight zone of simpletons!!!  Ms. Alexander is a domestic violence survivor and Black mother of three who is facing prison for the rest of her life.

Ms. Alexander was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2012 however; it took a massive  public outrage by the Black community along with their supporters in order for Ms. Alexander to win an appeal thereby; freeing her in September of 2012.  But it appears that this has just fueled the fire for Angela Corey and she is NOW stepping up her game in an attempt to secure a conviction.

 DAMN IT!!! The woman is known as the "killingest prosecutor."  Corey has a trail of biased prosecutions however, what supports my label of Corey as a racist prosecutor is the simple fact that  she refused to acknowledge the issues of race, that impacted the murder trials of George Zimmerman and Michael Dunn.

I’m sorry, to my mind it is very simple, and so simple a 5^th grader was able to identify the fact that this is pure biased prosecutorial misconduct. Among other issues, Corey withhold evidence, obviously failed to prepare key witnesses, etc. which  led to a run away train which crashed, resulting in  ludicracy at it’s all time finest!

Here I go once againnnn...as a white person I am ashamed at the systematic destruction of the Black community!!!! Free this woman NOW and get your precious Corey out  of the SA's office NOW! 

GET A CLUE!!!   STOP BEING  AND  ACTING STUPID!!!

Sign the Petition Today!

Click Here for the Petition ColorofChange.org

March 20th, 2014

HAPPY 1st DAY OF SPRING!!

I am still in the process of recoverying items deleted by a hacker. I should have a new post published shortly. Thank you so much for your patience!

February 16th, 2014

In Memory of: Emmett, Denise, Addie, Carol, Cynthia, Trayvon, Jordan, Darius, Dione...

February 11th, 2014

A MUST SEE DOCUMENTARY!

        The agency where I am employed provides new staff orientation about the agency’s services, sub-units, policies, and procedures. I volunteered to provide an overview about the Minority Disproportionality Workgroup that has been in existence for 4 years.  The groups purpose is combating the over representation of African American children in the Foster Care system by looking at sever al areas addressing race.  During one of the sessions a middle aged AA/Black woman suggested that I view this film…I am very impressed!.

        The documentary is based on the interactions of eight men from diverse ethnic backgrounds, who attended a weekend retreat in Ukiah, California to share their experiences and are willing to explore their beliefs about racism, ethnicity, family history, and prejudices.  All of these men struggled through the process and all were extraordinary in their honesty!!  This a must see!! 

       It is 90 minutes long therefore, I will not write a personal perspective review because it is for you to decide what you come away with after watching these men engage in the dialog process. The video is below.

Wah, L. M. (Producer, Director and Facilitator), & Hunter, M. (Co-producer). (1994). The Color Of Fear (videocassette). (Available from Stir-Fry Productions, Oakland, CA. They self identify themselves as: Lee Mun Wah, facilitator- (Chinese-American” descent and “in China American means White”.  1.   David C.- “American” of English and Denmark heritage.  2.   Hugh- “Mexican-Irish” descent..  3.   Victor- “Cherokee-Black” descent.  4.   Yakata- “3rd-generation Japanese” descent.  5.   Gordon- “7th-generation Euro-American form Scotch-English and German” descent and “I am a racist but I am trying not to be”  6.   Roberto- “Latino-Mexican-American” descent.  7.   David L.-“American Chinese” descent.  8.   Loren-“Black-American” descent. “But having worked in Corporate America I cannot show my blackness”.

.

Feb 4th, 2014

Singing the Blues

      As we all know this is Black History month. I debated over what topic I should write about. I was truly drawn to write about the movie “12 Years a Slave” which I went to see by myself in November of 2013. The movie is such a profound piece of scholarly history, it moved me in away only few know about. The unexpected emotions that erupted was unlike anything I have ever read, seen or heard about and will stay encased in my heart and soul. And to think that there is so much more to the historical story of slavery a portion of which, is locked away in the words and the musical notes in the stories and the songs of those long gone.

      Now what would I write about, hmmmm. Being the planner that I am, I began to think about what destination I wanted to travel to on my vacation. I am now an empty nester ¾’s of the year and I only have to think about where I would like to travel! Blues music is my third passion behind writing and photography. Chicago is known for their free summertime Blues Festival and in years past, hosted all of the great’s such as Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, B.B. King, the late Bo Diddley, and Buddy Guy and so on. This is sounding promising!

      Chicago is deeply rooted in the history of the Blues and supported the musicians who were monogamous to the genre. However, it was St Louis where the culture of the Blues began and then in the 1950’s migrated to Chicago.

      I was all excited to book accommodations and I started to research places and events in Chicago only to become greatly disenchanted. Chicago just recently lost their bid to have the National Blues Museum make its home in the Blues district. St Louis is the future home of the NBM. What was disturbing to me was the fact that St. Louis' $14 million dollar project, won the backing of a local developer who wanted a museum to anchor a retail, residential and office complex next to the convention center downtown, just blocks from the Gateway Arch. Well let’s see some of the investors such as Todd George, Bob Santelli, Mike Kociela, etc. happen to be what??? Yup, you got it middle age, wealthy, white business men…need I really say more??? 

      As I began looking at Chicago as my vacation destination, guess what, the Blues venue and backers are also prominently what…. I can’t hear you???? This is an issue that further reinforces the need for economic redistribution, but I won’t go there for this post…I promise!  For this post I will simple say that the next stop on my vacation research trail is to look at minority owed businesses along Hwy 61 in Mississippi. 

      The Mississippi Blues Trail tell stories through words and images of bluesmen and women and how the places where they lived and the times in which they existed–and continue to exist–influenced their music. The sites run the gamut from city streets to cotton fields, train depots to cemeteries, and clubs to churches.

      Many greats came from Hwy 61 such as my absolute favorite Blues man Albert King, the mentor to my second favorite Stevie Ray Vaughn. Both music legends now in heaven still singing the blues. In a future post I will provide an update on my findings.

      The last question I will pose to all of you is…when in God’s name will the 1% wealthy elite give back what has been out right stolen from the Black community? 

No wonder the phrase 

“Made in America” denotes 

“whiteness” in the 

global markets!

January 16, 2014

Part 1: Black America 

      To simply write  paragraphs providing descriptive words to illustrate the disturbing 2010 statistical data below, would not adequately characterize the stark realities in the manner necessary to illustrate the racism and inequities that continue to face the Black American family most  notably, the Black American male in this country, today, at this very moment in time.

• 29%  of Black American men  live in poverty - Increases to 45% for minors

• 23% ages 20 -24 and 12% of Black American men ages 25-44 are unemployed, which is twice the rate of unemployment for white men.

• The United States imprisons Black American men at a rate four times greater than the rate of incarceration for African men in South Africa.

• With approximately 2.3 million people in prison or jail, the United States incarcerates more people than any other country in the world.

• Black Americans are 13 percent of the general population, but over 50 percent of the prison population. 

• Black Americans are incarcerated at a rate eight times higher than that of whites

• By the age of 19, one in six will  have  been arrested

• Approximately forty-six percent of jail inmates in 2002 had a previously incarcerated family member. One-fifth experienced a father in prison or jail.

• Black-American children are nearly nine times more likely to have a parent in prison than white children

• For the Black American male the average life expectancy is 64.6 vs. 72.9 for white men

• HIV infection mortality rate for the Black American male is 72.9% vs. 52% for white men

• Homicide: gang-related, poor, urban areas leading cause of death; Black males 15-34 yrs old, the second leading cause for males 25-44 yrs old, 8 times higher than white males

• Alcohol, substance abuse and depression the most significant mental health problem for Black American men, 

• Suicide is third leading cause of death for young Black American males

• 44% Black American males are illiterate

• 40% – 70% high school dropout rate, which is the highest dropout-or “push out” rate of all racial & gender groups in the country

• Past 20 years the number of  Black men receiving college degrees has not increased (3% of all students w/4 yrs degrees are Black American males)

•  Black American men are worse off today than they were 20 years ago

      This particular post does not even address the numerous oppressive and racist policies and laws which continues to devastate the Black community.

Part of addressing the disproportionate number of Black children in the foster care system, is assessing the role of the father. Experts at some of our renown institutions such as Columbia, Princeton, and Harvard, have shown that an enormous number of our Black American men, that were provided less than standard educational opportunities, “are becoming ever more disconnected from the mainstream society”, and as with many other societal issues, this is happening to a greater degree than to whites or Hispanics (Eckholm, March 2009).

From an historical lens let’s view the Black American family structure. Although there are differing opinions, one remains steadfast.  The effects of slavery continues to impact the Black American family system today. Traditionally in numerous instances, the Black American female was the head of the family for a number of reasons including high male mortality rates, economic conditions and the separation of slave families. 

        Before WW II Blacks were not afforded access to services and continued to rely on their own community for support.  The Black American family had reconstructed their family base and their extended family network, all of which were and in numerous cases still are deeply rooted in their religious communities.

Because AFDC was federally legislated during the 1950's, the inclusion of Blacks in receiving government subsidies was supported and mandated by the US Constitution.  In turn, the requirements that needed to be met in order to receive AFDC benefits, underscored the devaluing of the male headed household by legislating socio-economic oppressive policies that excluded the male presence in the family home, in order to qualify for benefits. In addition, another qualifier would require that the Black father’s paternity rights would be withheld so that the women and children could receive monetary, food and medical benefits in order to survive.  The underlying goal was to promote the separation and ultimately the eradication of the Black American family system.

The lens of hypocrisy and the mindset of the wealthy white elite is to preserve and construct barriers through prejudicial laws, social and economic policies in order to maintain command over the minority races.  These policies not only endorse hopelessness, but also creates a dependency on society thereby supporting the dominate cultures oppressive control over the Black community through economic and social segregation, and degradation.

In essence, Black men are worse off today than they were 20 years ago therefore, how does my white community dare place blanket expectations onto the Black male to become an active participant in their family’s life, when they are not “privileged” to become an active participant in their own life. As a white American woman I demand justice for our Black children, Black families and Black men. Yes, I stated "our"... you can no longer exclude groups of people simple because you believe you (we) can! 

The Black community has the right to access their support and resources that they deem appropriate for their Black males, Fathers and their families. The US is their country, and like it or not, was built on their backs.  Why don't we want Black males to be  empowered to identify their own needs in order to foster a more positive view of himself as a human being, Black Man, Black Father and a member of his Black American Country? I think we ALL know the answer to that one! 

 I had the honor of hearing Tim Wise speak at West Chester University. Tim Wise is an  American anti-racism activist and writer.  Tim has earned the respect of numerous renown Black authors, educators, and philosophers of our time such as Michael Eric Dyson, Cornel West, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante to name a few. More on  Tim Wise

  

January 14, 2014

Pennsylvania Chapter

16th Annual Conference

  Temple University

April 11-12, 2014

CONFERENCE THEME:

Occupy Education: Empowering the 99% 

The New Year began with many new an exciting possibilities for the up coming year! Presenting at the 16th Annual Conference for the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), is indeed a distinct honor! Obviously I am a tad nervous because I want to represent  the topic with reverence and respect. The following is a short blurb (short for me) about the issue at hand that needs to be a major focus in this country.

The disturbing “school to - prison pipeline” social science phenomena continues to occur across the country.   Whether it is the disproportionate rate of children of color who are being placed in the child welfare foster care system or who are disproportionately more likely to be suspended or expelled from school, there appears to be common denominators attached to each phenomenon. The majority of these children are African American/Black, students living in poverty, and those with special needs.  

The outcomes for African American/Black children involved in the child welfare foster care and public school systems, appears to coincide with the disproportionate rate of African American/Black youth, who become involved with the juvenile justice systems and then move onto the adult criminal prison system. Exploring the causality which impacts these outcomes, is a crucial part of developing a resolution. 

Across multiple sectors, professional systems are not producing results as good as they can be. Although well meaning, professional belief systems dominate families and attempt to take over their responsibilities and this has proven to be ineffective, with the youth suffering the consequences. This is also detrimental to the family system but can be changed by working differently with minority youth and families.

Families know their families best and need to be the voice for their family group. Empowering families and their cultural communities to join together as a collective group in the decision making process, is the first step in remedying the identified concerns. Only then, can the family group collaborate with schools and government mandated agencies in order to create a respectful, culturally responsive, family centered, and youth focused solution to the issues impacting the youth.The most difficult aspect is modifying the professional belief systems  in regard to how we work with families. Turning over the actual decision making responsibilities to the family is a form of giving up institutional control. 

Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) practice is strength based, culturally responsive and family centered approach to decision making. Its roots originated in New Zealand to address the disproportionate rate of Maori’ children placed in the foster care system thereby ultimately at risk of losing their cultural identity. The FGDM practice was then applied to the Juvenile Justice system in addressing criminal behavior and community restitution.  

FGDM is an engagement practice which can be implemented within the school system and/or community, in addressing disciplinary as well as a variety of  other issues by focusing on non-punitive responses to misbehavior, with the goals of strengthening relationships, increasing personal responsibility, and problem-solving from a strength based and solution focused perspective.

FGDM is a  decision and case planning construct highlighting a values driven process. In continuing to dismantle institutional racism, implementing a family and culturally based decision making process, will strengthen important democratic principles.

"Power can be taken, but not given.       
The process of taking power is empowerment itself"

                                               ~ Mike Doolan