Woolies and Soweto Gospel Choir: Madiba Tribute

• Yahoo South Africa News/Woolworths - Woolworths tribute to Nelson Mandela

This was on Yahoo and I had to share it.

A South African chain store has laid on one of the most touching tributes to Nelson Mandela we've seen in the past week – and it was in the form of a flash mob.

Woolworths teamed up with the Soweto Gospel Choir, who posed as shoppers and store workers at the Parkview store in Johannesburg.

The choir then began an "impromtu" rendition of Asimbonanga [We have not seen him], singing:

Asimbonanga [we have not seen him]
Asimbonang' uMandela thina [we have not seen Mandela]
Laph'ekhona [in the place where he is]
Laph'ehleli khona [in the place where he is kept]

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina [we have not seen our brother]
Laph'ekhona [in the place where he is]
Laph'wafela khona [in the place where he died]
Sithi: Hey, wena [We say: hey, you]
Hey, wena nawe [Hey, you and you]
Siyofika nini la' siyakhona [when will we arrive at our destination]

The song was written during Mandela's incarceration as a call for his freedom. 

Commissioner David Pickler, "Sat Yo'self Down"

Commissioner David Pickler is on a campaign to discredit the new Shelby County School system while he gives a pass to the municipal school district to slip out of the back door of the school merger.  He claims that Memphis City School has massive loss while former Shelby County Schools'  was a lesser degree.

 The Shelby County Schools' loss was not a lesser degree!

Here are some of the facts:
1.  Memphis City School equipment loss  was approximately 23%
The Shelby County School equipment loss was 18%.

I went to school that is a 5% difference.

The former Shelby County Schools system was a third of the size of Memphis City Schools but the former SCS's loss was 5% less than Memphis City Schools.  That means Shelby County Schools' loss was a greater percentage than Memphis City Schools.  Please public, do not buy Pickler's  ice water!!  It's lukewarm.

2.  The system has not been audited for equipment for over 30 years.  In that time, some equipment is out dated, not functioning, replaced and tossed.  Now, that's not the way to account for corporate equipment and the supervisor in charge of auditing this equipment should be called into question and policies developed to make sure this does not happen, again.

3.  Sources shared with me that the firm that audited the district sent notices to employees 24-48 hours before the audit during the summer vacation break.  Teachers and administrators were on vacation!!!  Some had equipment at home working and planning during the break.  Some stored their equipment to prevent thief.  The firm's failed their process by not sending more notice and doing it at a time when school was in session.  The first administrative days for teachers before students started would have been better.

I know there is some loss over a span of thirty years and citizens expect public leaders to be accountable and responsible.  We expect them to be good stewards of these resources. I expect the elected officials to seek the truth, gather the facts and not be reactionary.

I want Commissioners to have a thoughtful and thorough in that process when coming to conclusions..  Superintendent Dorsey Hopson stated that further review of this situation is necessary to determine the accuracy of the report and recommend policies and procedures to prevent this loss again. Now, he's right and that's the message the public needs until more is determined.

Maybe, Commissioner Pickler is sitting on the wrong Board of Education!  As my Granny would say when I was running around the house making a mess, "Sat Yo'self Down!"

Girl Rising! A Powerhouse Documentary!

Today, on a cold winter's day, I forced myself out of my bed this morning to see a film that focuses on the real struggles girls have in the world to be educated. It made my struggle to get up out of my comfort seem so insignificant and petty.  When I left the movie, I was ashamed of my internal struggle, while I was  challenging myself to do more and create more opportunities for girls.

One little Haitian girl, Wadley,  about 7 years old was so poor her mother had no money to pay for school. We take public education for granted in America and though it has it problems, the main problem is that our children are not coming with anticipation and excited about a chance to learn.

In many countries, a girl's education does not have value, nor thought of as necessary. Sacrifices are made to educate boys, while girls attend to chores, become  bonded laborers, or trafficked for sexual purposes.

Wadley literally  walked a couple of miles to carry multiple liters of water to her family everyday as a part of her chores.  And after that,  she walked to go to school.  Because her mother could not pay for her education, each day she was turned away from school by her teacher. One day, she told the teacher, "You may send away every day, but I will come back every day until I can stay."  The teacher finally gave in and allowed her to participate.

How could such a young child have that much "will and courage"  to defy a culture of hopelessness to seek a chance just to learn. As one of the story's  narrator' stated, "There is no miracle here in this story, just a girl with dreams."

 I thought of the 14 year old child in Afghanistan who was shot in the head by the Taliban for advocating education to girls. And then, I thought of America, the land of opportunity and promise. However,  girls still have to fight a culture of poverty and low expectations that entraps girls into gangs and sexual promiscuity, and a lack of respect for their God-given abilities and gifts.  Girls go up to be seen as trophy wives,  but not trophy business leaders. In America, opportunities are available and encouraged but the message of its value is being drowned by violence, domestic abuse of women, and the notion that we can get further by shaking our "assets" (using a common phrase that refers to a woman's diarrhea) on a video, rather than educating our minds and seasoning our intellect with wisdom. We call our little girls, Princesses, not Presidents. We teach them the beauty pageant wave, but not the firm handshake. I believe a Princess can lead with strength, intellect and dignity. I believe a cute wave can be a firm handshake in a corporate board room. I am not devaluing the title Princess nor the beauty queen, but I am adding to our value.  We can be pretty and smart. We can be graceful and strong.

Let me share a personal story with you. After we elected our first African American Mayor for the third time, I was elected to the Memphis City Council. I recalled a third grade class from Newberry Elementary that visited City Hall and as a Councilwoman I was asked to assist in giving them a tour. As we entered the Hall of Mayors, I asked them to look at all the pictures of all the Mayors that have served our great city, Memphis, TN.  They did.  Then, I asked what did they not see on the walls in the portraits of these great servants.  A tall, skinny, brown girl raised her hand, and before I recognized her said, "A woman is not on these walls."

Expecting her to say, "a black" because Mayor Herenton's picture was not on the wall and to hear, the answer "A Woman..." floored me. But, she is right and I don't know why women do not come into mind when we think of these offices.  For our daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and the girls all over the world we must value our girls as leaders. The only real "money makers" they have are not shaking "behinds", but stirring up their minds, intellect, and God-given gifts.

The documentary, Girl Rising, is powerful for all to see. I listened to the story of a Cambodian student here in Memphis as an Exchange Student who said it was her grandmother and mother who felt that she should get married before she was even 18 years old.  It was her father who saw her potential to lead in business and encouraged her studies. We sometimes think it's the men who hold us back, and many do, but there are times women fear the power of our own dreams.

I left enlighten and determined to do my part in changing the culture of the way we see girls and to unleash the potentials. The stories of these girls wanting to be educated are told by talented performers, Anne Hathaway, multiple Academy Award-winner Meryl Steep, and  Scandal's leading actress, Kerry Washington and Grammy Award-winner Alicia Keys and many more.  It will leave you in tears, but not tears of hopelessness. Your eyes will be filled with tears of inspiration.

Here in Memphis, one of America's poorest cities, we have an opportunity to change things for girls and women.  Let's make 2014 the Year of Girls and Women in the World and in Memphis!  Once a month in 2014,  I'll give you tips and suggestions of things we can do.  And remember, "One Girl with Courage is a Revolution."
(To see the Girl Rising official Trailer, please go to this link.)

http://www.blogger.com/blog-this.g?n=Girl%20Rising%20%28Official%20Trailer%29%20%2ANew%2A&source=youtube&b=%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22459%22%20height%3D%22344%22%20src%3D%22//www.youtube.com/embed/CkZtWC_B9NU%22%20frameborder%3D%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E&eurl=https%3A//i1.ytimg.com/vi/CkZtWC_B9NU/maxresdefault.jpg


Girl Rising is a powerhouse documentary that forces your courage to RISE!

Government & Transparency? Answer: Government TV

While I was in Nashville surfing the channels on the hotel's television, I noticed a Channel called Metro3 Government TV.  We have something similar in Memphis called AC Wharton TV which is produced by our Memphis Library System. This station features good public interests stories about people and events in Memphis while the Mayor is the Talk Show Host.

I am proud to say that our Memphis Library System is one of the best in the country and a Department of Government that should make us feel proud. They are probably the lowest paid. but most efficient and effective in delivering service with good customer service skills. Through this department we have a television station which is a public service.

The Metro3 Government TV produces all the county's public meetings and shows them repeatedly on a schedule for the public to access. There is value in this approach for the citizens.  Many of the citizens are at work when these meetings take place so they seldom get a chance to participate or see their government in action.  The most faithful voters in our city are senior citizens. Yet, they are the one with the greatest digital divide. So, down-streaming on the computer is not a option for so many citizens. Here's a simple idea to the City of Memphis and County Commission: Produce your meetings on the public television stations.  It's a simple solution to bring transparency to government.

We once enjoyed having public radio broadcasts of the City Council meetings.  It was a popular service to our community.  However, we lost that service when the City of Memphis decided to stop its funding of Memphis City Schools. I couldn't blame them for terminating the service.  A smart councilwoman once told me, "When you come to kick a butt, remember you are bringing a butt."  Well, the termination of that service to our citizens was the "Butt" the City Council brought. But, I am happy to announce it has been restored.  So, listening on the radio 88.5 FM is an option.  Maybe, the goodwill of the Schools will encourage the City to also show goodwill and pay them their $57 million dollar judgement.

But, we still need television access with multiple viewing options. Here are the benefits:

• Informs your constituents of the issues discussed
• Brings government to the homes of its citizens through television
• Encourage more voter participation for the next election
• Models good government for our children to emulate, and
• Supports transparency in government 

Come on, I believe you can find the resources for this service to help your citizens appreciate a transparent government. 

By the way, Today is a City Council Day, I have been live streaming your committee meetings for the last two hours but there is no feed.  I called your office and was told the meeting was in session and they would alert IT of the problem.  This rarely happens with television.  Another reason to consider Thomas Edison's quote, "When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this, you haven't."

Gratefu, Grateful, Grateful...

All week long, one song has played in my mind. The song is "Grateful" by Bishop Hezekiah Walker, a praise song.

  "Grateful"

I am
Grateful for the things
That you have done
Yes, I'm grateful for the vic-tories we've won
I could go on and on and on
About Your works
Because I'm grateful, grateful, so grateful
Just to praise you Lord
Flowing from my heart
Are the issues of my heart
It's Gratefulness

I am so thankful for a country that allows me to speak my mind and believes in a democracy.  Because to say we have these rights, but be afraid to exercise them would not live up to our principles.
I would be in trouble without them, because I have so much to say about public policies. LOL

I am grateful for a praying mother who was my first teacher and taught me to love my God, my country, my family, education, and my neighbors.  Her teachings truly influenced who I am today. What is amazing is she still teaches me today and I never take her for granted.

I am very grateful to those of  you who encouraged me to create a Blog and for your interest in what I may have to say on any given day.  I am humbled.  Thank you.

Today, I expected my husband as the head of the family to lead us in prayer, but he asked my 85 year old mother to pray.

Mom said,

"Lawd, I just want to thank you for being so good to us.  Thank you for another holiday that all of us will enjoy.  Thank you for keeping us from dangers seen and unseen. Thank you for clothing us in our right minds. Thank you for health and strength even with my bad feet, I am able to walk to this table of plenty. Bless the food for the nourishment of our bodies and use the strength of our bodies to do Your Will.

In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen."

I know, this prayer was similar to others prayed all over the country.  What's amazing is that from  1 pm-3 pm our country was generally at peace and He was breaking every chain.  Let us continue to live up to our prayers with our deeds. What a Thanksgiving blessing that would be!

Those who celebrated Hanukkah! Agape'

I am truly, grateful, grateful, grateful...

Who Wins? Answer: Democracy Wins!

Sometimes, I think public officials forget that they asked to serve us and that process includes getting input from us and working for us, and not  just their resumes, personal ambitions, and/or egos.  To hear some of the proponents say after the Sales Tax Vote, "We lost. but who won?" was shallow and beneath the office they hold.

I'll tell you who won,  -- democracy won.  You presented a question to the public and they gave you an answer. This was not a referendum on Pre-K. It was a referendum on Sales Tax Increase on a poverty ridden community. It was a question on having an independent body, not elected by the public to make decisions about public funds.  Let's be clear.  The question was not did we want Pre-K?  If  that had been the question,  I am certain that would have passed.

This community is just getting over the shock of what it meant to merge two school districts and the lost of jobs and opportunities.  As a result of that decision, we have a firm from Knoxville on contract cleaning schools and some of our former school board employees who were performing those tasks are now unemployed.  We have employees who were making living wages, and now barely making minimum wage. We have people who can never be more than 30 hour a week employees because companies are trying to avoid giving them benefits, so they have to find a second job.  We have senior citizens, not on food stamps, buying grocery with pennies because 1/2 cents does matter. So, certainly, the public wants to ask questions, get answers that make sense before they vote.

Who Won?  You won.  As officials, you won, because now you can go back to the drawing board and design another plan that addresses the answers given to you by this public. Find a way to fund and expand our Shelby County Schools' Pre-K program. I suggest that you work with the County and Shelby County Schools in developing that plan.

Who won?  We Won.  Now, we know that the Greater Memphis Chamber is committed to Pre-K and they should lead the effort to ask the City Council to amend the Ordinance to release public education funds from PILOTS as an investment in their future workforce.  (However, I plan to ask how much money has the Chamber received from the City of Memphis the last couple of years, and if any of those funds were used on this effort.)

Who won? Children Won.  Because the public's answers  to the referendum questions bring us closer to a solution for our children, if your egos get out of the way.

Remember, democracy is not a spectator sport.  Therefore, we win when the people speak. I really think that who won was the wrong question.  We should ask "what will WORK for our community" given the answers we received from our public.I encourage you to value that input, rather than demean it.

Where Are You?

Today, I visited Grace Temple Ministries and the Associate Pastor Daryl Braden preached from Genesis  3:9-10,  "And Jehovah God called unto man, and said unto him, Where are you? And he said, I heard a voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."

As I pondered this scripture and message it spoke to me and my heart was so heavy. During the service, a young woman walked in and sat besides me. She wore an over-sized puff car-coat. (That's a throw back term) She had on jeans, a tight shirt that revealed she was pregnant. Her unstructured ponytail was telling me she was a young soul. The young man with her held her hand. I drew assumptions about her, as I am sure she had some about me.

We all have insecurities, and we sometimes hide behind them. We hide behind our earthly possessions, brand names, and what we consider the popular thing to do because we want to feel a part of the world. When God really wants us to be the Salt of the Earth. We hide from our values, our beliefs for fear that some group will shun us.  We hide from our own sin because it is embarrassing to admit our imperfections. And when we hide, God asks the question, "Where are you?"

During the alter call, the young woman beside me wiping her tears said, "I am going to get what I came for..." She got up and went to pray. Before I knew it,  I was at the alter, too. Her courage nudged me to admit that I needed to pray.

I don't know what God wants me to do with this passion for social justice, and it scares me.  Because when you are truthful to power you are criticized and obstructed. For weeks, I have tried to avoid answering the question, "Where Are You on the Sales Tax?"

But, I am here, probably alone. But, I am comfortable that it is where God led me.

I support Pre-K for all children.  I do not support the referendum we are asked to vote for to fund it. Therefore, I will vote "No".

Why am I opposed to the sales tax referendum?

• It is a regressive tax.

A tax with a rate that decreases as the taxpayer's income increases.

The result of a regressive tax is that the lower-income taxpayer pays a larger percentage of his or her income in taxes than does the higher-income taxpayer.

•    It is a double down regressive tax.

 Even though is it already a regressive tax,  the provision of lowering property taxes of  property owners makes it a double down regressive tax.  The poor who rent will not get a reduction in rent, but the owner of the property will benefit from the poor's sacrifice.  That makes this morally wrong for me.

•    Public elected bodies should determine the spending of public funds.

Education is the responsibility of the State and County. Why are we building a new foundation to go around  the public entity charged with that responsibility? Why would I want a handpicked boby making these decisions over an elected Board of Education with broad representation from every district in this city.

•     I don't buy their ice water colder theory.

If we raise the public funds for the implementation of Pre-K, it should be the responsibility of our school 
board that is charged with educating our children. The notion that we should have a select foundation because people don't trust our school system's leaders is a message that I do not care to send.

I have lived in a world all my life that because of my skin, my sex, my status, it was assumed that I could not make sound decisions.  I reject that message.  I don't think the proponents are trying to send that message, but we must be careful about subliminal messages.  I have disagreed with decisions of the School Board but I trust that they are good stewards and want all our children to share the resources for their educational success.

The gains that have been made from hardworking board members, superintendents, administrators, teachers, parents and students should be applauded and I think they are capable of making a Pre-K plan for our children with funds from our public.

•  As a city, the citizens decided to abolish the Memphis City School System, and now they want back in.   This is confusing and a little  schizophrenic. 
• Is this plan constitutional?
  If we know we will only have money for some members of the class and the need for Pre-K is greater can we really withhold Pre-K from some of the members of the class while allowing others to a service when the funds were generated from a tax from all citizens?  Lawyers, please examine this. 

So, where am I?  
Here, I am God, probably alone, but at peace with this decision.

I am ashamed it took me so long to stand up and say it. I respect the will of the voters.  I just regret that we are voting on this issue at a time when the turn out will be low. This is another political tactic that allows you to get your target voters who support the item to the polls while those who oppose with no funds to educate the public will stay home.  These funding referendums should be placed on the ballot during a Mayoral election or a general election that is not a special election.


P.S.
By the way, to fund Pre-K, I suggest working with the new County leaders and tap the funds that are a part of the Pilot Program that should be directed toward public education.  I read on Smart City that there may be approximately $10-12 million in that area and review the Motel/Hotel Tax.  Surely, tourism and corporate understand the value in educating its future workforce.

Memo to Attorney General: Constitutional Rights are to be Valued and Respected

 This signage should add this statement: "But, don't you watch me. Signed, The Police"

The Commercial Appeal reported an incident that occurred on Main Street this weekend.

 "Twice in five days, Memphis Police officers have been accused of interfering with citizens who were using their cellphones to record police activities.

The First Amendment guarantees people the right to film public activities, civil liberties experts said Tuesday. Last November, the U.S. Supreme Court strengthened such protections when it refused to hear an appeal concerning an Illinois law that would have made it illegal to record police.

In both Memphis cases — one at a Midtown homeless shelter, the other a hip-hop gathering on South Main — those arrested were charged with disorderly conduct or obstructing a highway or passageway. Handcuffs effectively ended those recording attempts.

Civil liberties experts worry that police are using general laws to arrest people who disobey orders to put their cameras away.

“The people who are recording are winning in court. But the problem is that, out on the streets, police officers can informally order people to put their phones away or threaten them with arrest if they don’t,” said Tim Lynch, director of the criminal justice program of the Cato Institute, a Washington-based think tank.

“If they do an arrest, they come up with a charge (such as) disorderly conduct or interfering with an investigation. Those charges may be dropped over the next couple of days, but police officers have accomplished their goal of disrupting the recording.”

Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the Tennessee chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said, “It’s very clear that government cannot pass laws or rules prohibiting the videotaping of police officers conducting their public duties in public places.”

While Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich generally agreed that such filming was legal, she also encouraged citizens to obey the commands of police.

'If it’s a police officer asking you not to do that, in my opinion, just do it. Just listen to them. They’re probably trying to protect the scene,control the scene,”Weirich said.' "

My comments will be simple.  First to the Memphis Police Director, find a way to retrain your staff, rank and file on the First Amendment.  We expect for the police to adhere to the rights of citizens as they administer law and order on our behalf.  I believe you can do both...chew gum and walk, administer the law and order and respect the rights of citizens. 

I find it particularly troubling that the Union and the Police Administrators were always opposed to camera in the cars or uniforms, but they utilized cameras all over the city to watch citizens. While on the City Council, I joined the former Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen Holt as she asked budget year after budget year for cameras in cars; and all we got were excuses.  In fact, we don't even have cameras in our interrogations rooms.  They tell us what was said and we accept the confession as "gospel".  Today, technology is too advance for us to accept this standard.  Many police departments our size have this technology. 

 We have cameras at intersections, all over downtown, and in most office building you enter.  In fact, if there is a robbery at Exxon the first thing they ask for is a copy of the camera video.  Yet, they don't want the same camera validating the effective and efficient police work that they deliver. 

Secondly, here's my advice to Attorney General Amy Weirich. You are the County's advocate to make sure justice is administered for our public safety.  We depend on you to make sure our voices are heard to convict the "bad guys"  and make sure the "police" are not the "bad guys". They should not violate the rights of citizens.   

Your comment troubled me.  What kind of double talk are you doing in this situation? 

"If it’s a police officer asking you not to do that, in my opinion, just do it.Just listen to them. They’re probably trying to protect the scene, control the scene,” Weirich said."

Sorry, your statement encourages them to continue to violate our constitutional rights and such advice may makes us vulnerable to future lawsuits from those who are violated.  In situations where there is not imminent danger, which did not appear to be this case, these officers may have violated their first amendment rights to limit these citizens from using their cell camera devices.  This could also be an illegal seizure which is another violation of someone's constitutional rights.



I expect you to protect the rights of your public, and we are members of your public. I support our men and women in blue and understand the complexity of their jobs.  I have relatives on that force and I pray for him and their safety.  However, we want to them to do their jobs within the boundaries of the law, and not be our "City's Bullies".  I support public safety officials in getting their benefits and raises and did not hesitate to say that to City officials. But, I do not support them in violating the rights of others.  In fact, if you do your job well, you really don't care who is recording it.

Just remember, Officers, we too, sing America and expect you to protect and serve with honor and distinction.

Walking In Memphis!

My dearest friend, Cassandra Webster, sent me an invitation to participate in her "Forty Days of Gratitude Walk".  She did something similar last year, and I never responded "yes or no".  This time it really bothered me to ignore it.

I wanted a reason to not participate.  I thought--

•  I can't waste gas driving out to Germantown every morning on my retiree's salary.  
• I can't get up that early to drive way out there every day.  I'm retired.
• It's getting cold and the older I get my body is harder to warm up. 
•  I am out of shape. 

Then, I prayed and asked God to help me figure out why I no longer enjoyed walking.  When Ron and I moved to this area 28 years ago, I loved walking every morning around the neighborhood.  I walked and waved to neighbors reading the paper as they drank their coffee while sitting on their porches.  I walked and moved garbage cans for seniors from the sidewalk to the back fence, just for a random act of kindness.  I walked and smiled at schoolchildren at the bus stop.  I walked and prayed as I looked at our beautiful area full of trees and well landscaped yards.  

But, I stopped walking because now I step in poop of dogs that are left to run around without supervision. I stopped because young people that I did not know in my area were standing on the curb of the street making drug sells.  I stopped because only a few streets from me I learned of a prostitution ring and I did not want to be in the middle of someone driving away from an unannounced bust or sting.  I stopped because a man I knew of and his wife walked together every morning in another neighborhood, like we did, until a car came by to rob them and they killed him for little or nothing.  I stopped because I am scared to walk in this wonderful city that I grew up in and raised my children in.  I'm scared of being vulnerable to those who wish to prey on my joy of just walking and talking to God.

USA Today on October 5, 2013 reported "You might think that going to California, Texas or New York exposes you to a lot of crime. But in fact it was Tennessee that had the nation's highest violent crime rate last year. 

1. Tennessee

> Violent crimes per 100,000: 643.6

> Poverty rate: 17.9%

> Pct. of population with bachelor's degree or higher: 24.3%

> Property crimes per 100,000: 3,371.4 (10th highest)

Tennessee has the dubious distinction of having the worst violent crime rate in the country. The state was among the top 10 in the country for murders and robberies and was first for aggravated assaults, with an estimated 479.6 for every 100,000 residents. Tennessee's 41,550 violent crimes in 2012 were up 6.8% from 2011 but down 10% from 2007, when there were 46,380 violent crimes. There were 388 murders in the state in 2012, up for a second straight year. To be fair, Tennessee's violent streak is concentrated in some of the major metropolitan areas. Memphis's violent crime rate was the nation's fifth worst, while Nashville's was the 18th worst. Like many states with high violent crime, poverty in Tennessee is acute, and high school and college graduation rates are lower than most of the country. (USA Today)

I am really tired of the excuse that we count crime differently than the Feds.  Maybe, we should count it the same way.  And if we don't, I still don't see a decline in their stats from year to year.

As if that was not enough, the Commercial Appeal reported on a rash of robberies perpetrated on walkers in the Memphis and Shelby County area.  Immediately, I asked in a note to self,  what can I do to help conquer my fears?  That small still voice in my spirit said, "Walk."  Well, six days ago, I started my Forty Days of Gratitude Walk in my neighborhood.

Here are some strategies we can employ to help keep us safe.

1. Try to walk with someone, and let someone in your family know your walking plan. Stay away from underpopulated areas.
2. Hide your phone.  I used a fanny pack for my phone underneath my t-shirt.  In fact, I decided to take an extension, the old out of date phone is a second phone, stripped with identifying information, but has service. If it's taken, or lost I still have my pricey phone.Did you know that even a old phone that is not connected to service will dial 911?
3. Wear bright and reflective bold colors.  Even neighbors can spot you if you look as if you are in trouble.  NO JEWELRY, please.  And please don't wait until you park and place your purse in the trunk.  That's asking for trouble because somebody is watching.
4. If you sense someone following you. Don't go home but go to a neighbor's house with cars in the driveway or lights on. Know the opened businesses in the area of your walk plan.
5. Join a walking club at a safe location.  Walkers are in Southland Mall everyday or the Community Center.
6. Sorry, I walk with my husband and his golf club.  I don't recommend a gun, but, I understand.(smile)
7. Stay Alert!  The more alert you are while walking, the less you will be a target. That means, I do not recommend headphones or walking and talking on the phone.  You need to know if someone is coming upon you.
8. Write your name and address on an old pair of socks around the ankle.You can also have a business card inside your shoe. You can write your name, a contact number in case of an emergency on a piece of paper and place it in your pocket.
9. Stay a distance from parked cars or bushes.
10. Wear your door key and have it in your hand before you reach your door.

I'm facing my fears of crime in this city and I'll do what I can to support our police and leaders in this fight.  There are times, I may speak out because being passive is not working for this City, and state that we love.  These are things I can do while walking, but getting involved and holding officials accountable for providing a secure community I can do, too.  Like anything, else withing five or six years and the problem grows, rather than shrinks, I'll walk to find new leaders with new solutions. I don't want to be guilty of electing the same people and getting the same empty results.  I'll support those with proven results or new energy with new ideas.

So, Cassandra, here's your RSVP.  I'm walking in Memphis, with both my feet on the ground...

P.S.
While I've been walking I've noticed that my neighborhood is really in pretty good shape and there are just a few really troubling spots.  I also noticed that the street pavement job in my neighborhood a few years ago is awful and needs to be redone.  I trust that City Engineers are inspecting this work and before using this contractor again will assess the quality of the work that was performed.  That's the only way we hold them accountable for good work.  Best Bid speaks to price and quality. E'nuff said.

When Texting...Less Is More...LOL

Here's your Girl Friday, tajuan.thenotetaker.com, with a little help for those of us driving down the highway of life over 55 and trying to keep us with the pace of traffic?  DYGT?  LOL  Did you get that as I laugh out loud? 

 Well, I'll admit I am 60 years old and keeping up with the pace of the world and all of its gadgets can be challenging.  I do my best to keep up but often find myself asking my son how to work this and that on the phone, computer and television. We literally asked him to drive 15-20 miles to show us how to use the electronics gadget we bought and have had in the house for years.  I still can't make a CD from a high tech piece of equipment that we purchased. In fact, anything that electronically,  I will need help. I sometimes bribe him to come over for his favorite homemade Lasagna.  I admit it!  I am not one who learns from reading instructions. I am a visually learner. 

I call my daughters about all the new language that I can decipher. When they stop laughing, they help. Growing older is no joke, but I manage that.  Staying relevant is the real challenge. I love the art of writing.but texting is a challenge for me. My daughters usually text me  with the code "TMI", and remind me that they have to pay for my long messages.  Yes, I am writing letters on the text devices. 

Hip Hop Culture has even found its way to the the Oxford English Dictionary. Five new words were introduced.  All of them are considered for informal communication but we need to know these words to communicate. 

 Twerk - verb - to dance to popular music in a sexually provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low, squatting stance.    

Bling -expensive, ostentatious clothing and jewelry, or the wearing of them

Dope - adjective- It means something is good, not drugs.  For example: "That suit is dope!"

Phat - adjective- It means something is described as excellent.

Jiggy (uninhibited, especially in a sexual manner)

So, this post is for all my gray-haired friends that are skilled in writing the traditional letter but having a hard time conquering the art of text messages.

The objective is to send a message in a quick and witty way. Do you remember the slogan "KISS" (Keep it Short, Stupid or Sweetie) theory in writing a speech? Well, texting is shorter than that.  Often acronyms are used to keep from writing long sentences.  Please notice that the use of the first letter of the word  helps to make a phrase. It's much like the Pat Sajak's Show, Wheel of Fortune, revealing letters to form a phrase.

Here is a guide for the most commonly used text shorthand words and phrases.  Hope it helps!

Top Popular Text and Chat Phrases

• IKIRAI                                 I know I am right about it!

• IKR                                      I know, Right!?

• ROTFL                                 Rolling on the floor laughing

• HLCYG                                How Low Can You Go?

• B/C                                        Because

• B4N                                       Bye for now

• LOL                                       Laugh out Loud 

• LMBO                                   Laughing My Butt Off

• 2moro                                    Tomorrow

• LMS                                      Like My Status

• /_                                           Have A Seat

• 2nite                                       Tonight

• BTW                                      By The Way

• BFF                                        Best Friends Forever 

• CYA                                      Cover Your Ass  (This is an Old School Term)

• RBTL                                     Read Between The Lines

• DILLIGAS                             Do I Look Like I Give A Sh**

• ILY                                        I Love You

• L8                                          Late,  L8er - later

• PTL                                       Praise the Lord (Old Church School Origin)

• TMI                                       Too Much Information

As always, 

XOXO

(Hugs and Kisses)

Granny

Parents Step Up, Please!

As I read posts on Facebook, I ran across one that Wendi Thomas had about Southwind High School. Today, at Southwind High there was a gang fight and school's Homecoming activities were postponed. I found myself responding to the news.

"Unfortunately, we will hear from more parents about homecoming being canceled, than the fight. If Homecoming is rescheduled, I pray we have parents concerned about the violence and the potential for more violence if precautions are not made.

I want to hear PTAs', not administrators, speak out on what is not acceptable behavior. I want to see parents agree to organize and chaperon events with more parental involvement than they have ever had at a school event. I want children to feel the presence and watchful eyes of their parents. I want to see parents and law enforcement working together and the clergy adopting territories around the school. I want to see a new push for resources for mental health counseling for students and families."

Am I asking for too much? Maybe, I am dreaming. I am sorry. I thought families spent time together at the dinner table and talked about the day. I recall parents organizing the time after school.

•  (1) Take off you school clothes We were proud of the way we dressed for school.
•  (2) Do your homework without television. 
• (3) Do your chores around the house 
• (4) Enjoy fun time with siblings and friends. 

Our family was the "gang" in the neighborhood and if we did something, the Boss of the Johnson Family would tell the Boss of the Scott family, and we knew it. We played outside - hopscotch, kickball, and Captain May I? And when the lightening bug sparked, it was time to come inside. I sometimes feel bad that my grandchildren will never enjoy that kind of childhood.

I raised four and that's how we did it. And that's how our parents did it in the midst of a civil rights struggle. Education was not an option; it was your job, as I fed and clothed you. Small people didn't talk back and did not get in grown folk's conversations. But, maybe I am asking too much for parents to be adults and children enjoy your roles in a family.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of all American children and seventy-two percent (72%) of black children are born out wedlock.As tragic as that it, our real problems come when fathers and mothers are missing in action from their children's lives. Although, most children living in single family homes will likely live in poverty.  We were always poor financially, but never in spirit.  In fact, I was poor and never knew it because I was encouraged to value my God, family and education because with that foundation, I could do and be anything.

The headline tomorrow in the CA will read, "Southwind's Homecoming Canceled-Gang Fight".  I'll read it with while sitting on the porch with my coffee and shake my head in disbelief.  Then, I'll dream of yesterdays for children, today. 

But, let's stop ducking and dodging the truth, we need a cultural change in the mindset of parents to turn this situation around.  Schools can't do it.  It really does start in the homes.

tajuanthenotetaker.com

United States Congress: Ain't Nobody Got Time for This!!!

My daughter is in the final phase of her dissertation  for a PhD and the deadline is near.  She has pursued her PhD on scholarship and all A's from St. Louis University. While she was working frantically yesterday, in between attending a family member's funeral, she received a message about the  Library of Congress' Online service.  It warned her and others that the shutdown would impact this service

She is  two weeks away from her deadline.  Do they not care how their decisions are impacting good hardworking citizens?

This is not a compromise situation about the budget. This is the Republicans trying to rewrite history on an issue that they lost. Move forward, please.  Really, it's about doing anything to fight this President, and for some of them it's because they have personal disdain for this black man who happens to be our President.

There should be a provision that the Congress (public servants) are not paid until a budget is passed and cannot have a  fundraiser until a budget is passed?

Ain't nobody got time for this!

Why This Particular Recovery Is So Bad at Creating New Jobs

Yesterday, my daughter told me that my 5th grade granddaughter talked to her about the Junior Achievement project at her school.  They are setting up a community  and the children had a chance to apply for a listing of jobs.  Here is their conversation.

Mom:  Well, which job did you decide to apply for today? You had great options, web designer, healthcare specialist, CEO First TN and CFO at FedEx.


Kynnedy:  Wow, never thought I would have so many experiences at my age to qualify for those jobs!  Being a part of Black Girls Code helped me qualify for Web Designer. My family background in healthcare and my rare skin ailment that I know so much about helped me with that healthcare specialist job. I have the highest math scores in school, so I qualified for the CFO and my jewelry line helped me with CEO.   I chose CFO for FedEx because I am really good a math.
Mom:  Did your friend Jamie run for Mayor?  How was her speech?
Kynnedy:  Yeah, she's running but I'm not voting for her.
Mom:  But, she's your friend!
Kynnedy:  Yeah, and she is still my friend but I am not voting her for Mayor because she tried to bribe us.
Mom:  Bribe you?  How?
Kynnedy:  By saying, she would not raise our taxes and give us our tax money back. You can't run a government without  money, and you shouldn't make promises you can't keep. No money, no service. No, I am not voting for her...nobody's got time for that.
That conversation was so funny.  I cracked up laughing. Then, I thought if the world were so simple our unemployment rate wouldn't be so high in this community.  I took pride in a school and program that teach children how to think independently and correlate training and experiences to skills.

 
Dear Lord, 


Today, I pray we have a good announcement about jobs for the citizens in Memphis and Shelby County. The Chamber has a regional focus, but City and County Governments should focus on Memphis and Shelby. Please give our corporate leaders wisdom to understand that our citizens need their help in training to prepare for the new jobs. They need training centers and a government to provide them without cost to our citizens who are already struggling. They need living wages to provide for themselves and their families. They need health care to protect the quality of their lives and the longevity of the work careers.
Give our corporate leaders a heart to extend mercy and forgiveness to one time felons who are really trying to change their lives. Hope gives one a different perspective on life and usually produces activity that cultivates peace and extends goodwill. 
And Dear God, I am not trying to be a throne in one's side. But, I understand the value of being a squeaky wheel, and some don't know how to raise their voices to power. I just want to help a crying citizenry be heard. Use me, Lord for these your people, too. Help me to find ways to be their voice in a noisy world. Lord bless our leaders locally and nationally. May they never lose focus of their desire to serve others.

I pray for education and its challenges as it tries to prepare the next workforce generation. May they not face the same issues of high unemployment and underemployment that we are dealing with today.

Amen


Please read this link.  The article is by Timothy Noah writer for the Pacific Standard.  It is very good.


Why This Particular Recovery Is So Bad at Creating New Jobs

I Am Going To Respect My Husband's Wishes...

My husband said he wishes I would be a little less controversial  because if someone says something out of the way to me he will have to get in it. Awww... my Superman!  LOL 

Writing on the chalkboard.
I am going to respect my husband's wishes. I am going to respect my husband's wishes. I am going to respect my husband's wishes. I am going to respect my husband's wishes. I am going to respect my husband's wishes...

But, let me ask these two questions, "Why do we need with another high power elite committee to run P-K when we have a school system with educational experts with a P-K program already? And why would Mayor Luttrell support giving Head Start to a private entity until "Our Lady Miss Commissioner Henri E. Brooks" brought a resolution recommending that if it is transferred it should go to the educational system represented by the people,the Shelby County Schools ? Why would he then try to take credit for her idea? (Sorry, that's three questions.)

I am going to respect my husband's wishes. I am going to respect my husband's wishes. I am going to respect my husband's wishes. I am going to respect my husband's wishes...

Vintaged Values...Lessons from Mom (Giving)

I am going to have to limit my 84 year old Mom's television time. She loves Wendy Williams, Steve Harvey and the Mearl Purvis Show (her name for the news show, not mine).

She called me excited because Alicia Keys was on and didn't want me to miss her: Alicia Keys, not Nancy Wilson.

Then, one day  when I took her to the doctor and her general physician suggested that he needed to remove her moles around her neck because they have multiplied. She asked him, "Are you a Dermatologist? I thought you were a General Medical Physician."

Her doctor confirmed his area was general medical. Then, she responded, "Well, you know I love you Dr. Hardy, but I am going to need you to stay in your lane".  Dr. Hardy and I bought laughed so hard.  I told him, I am going to have to limit her television time and shows because she is getting fresh for me.

Then, this morning she said Mearl Purvis is really looking good on television and "there's a glow" about her. "Do you watch The Mearl Purvis Show? LOL

But here is the lesson I really wanted to share with you based on our conversation.

Mama:  What are you doing tonight?
Me:       Hanging out with the girls celebrating Gale's birthday at a Steak House.

Mama:   Oh, I love how you young women (Gale is 39 and I am 60) will enjoy life with each other and not
             wait for a gentleman to take you to dinner.  Get my greeting card box and my purse. I am going to
             help you buy Gale's Stake.  (She puts $5.00 in the card.)

My Mother has no sense of how much a dinner costs at Ruth Chris Steak House. ( LOL LMBO)  But, I love the fact that she keeps "Vintaged Values" in style.  She never gives a greeting card without putting a little something in it.

I can remember her sending get-well cards to the church's sick and shut-in list religiously and to kids in college away from home. She believes that "little becomes much in the Master's Hands". She believes that if she does her part and others did their part, the small gifts would be enough to pay for medicine, gas, meal or whatever is needed at a time of need.

All these years, and I realize that it's the same concept that Gale and I use when we ask friends to give $10 over the cost of a movie ticket.  That $10 from many raised over $10,000  to fee the hungry, provide shelter for those fleeing from domestic violence, treatment for alcohol and drug dependency and a financial literacy program. 

But I love how my Mom incorporates the new and treasure her Vintaged Values. So, every now and then, I'll take a break from politics and remind us of Vintaged Values.

• about a minute ago · Like

Rape!!!

Project Unbreakable was created in October of 2011 by Grace Brown. Grace works with survivors of sexual assault, photographing them holding a poster with a quote from their attacker.

RAPE!!!

How would you feel if one day someone violated you sexually and all your cries for help went unanswered. Feeling ashamed and alone you managed to go through the process of reporting, reliving and re evaluating every moment of the nightmare to make sure someone is held accountable.  Through it all,  you hold on to the "one thread of hope" in a dark situation: "Maybe I can help prevent this from happening to another human being just by reporting it."

Well, for about 10,000 mostly women, children, and a few men, they were raped and the City of Memphis took their "one thread of hope".

I applaud the Memphis City Council for taking action to correct this horrific nightmare. The Council approved a resolution that re-appropriates $500,000 in the MPD budget to be used for the testing of some of the over 10,000 rape kits that have never been tested.  Unfortunately, some of the kits were not only untested they were not maintained in one location. There were some in one area, a little or here and some kept who knows where.  So, the Director Toney Armstrong asked for funds for a climate-controlled facility to store and catalog the evidence. That, will cost the public another $1million but it is more of a priority than a Tiger Blue Lane or International Paper's Crosswalk.  

Councilwoman Wanda Halbert asked probing questions but was rebuffed as if they were frivolous questions. Excuse me, Halbert has a right to ask those questions and the public is waiting for the answers.

It is necessary to correct the situation but it is also important to know how this occurred.  We need to hold those who breached the trust of 10,000 victims accountable.

I recall the harassment of City Attorney Elbert Jefferson. The DA attempted to oust him from his appointment as City Attorney because he claimed he was negligent in his duties.  A charge that was never substantiated, but evidently lead Jefferson to resign.

I recall the attack on Councilwoman Barbara Swearengen Ware over a felony conviction for $5.00.

I recall the "witch hunt" on Shep Wilbun and the charges were dismissed.

I recall the missing dog, Capone, who was found is Mississippi and to this day this is no account of how he ended up in Mississippi, but the charges against a low level animal shelter worker were dismissed.  But her career was destroyed with their zealous prosecution.

Well, today, I am hollering "Rape" for 10,000 who had a right to have their rape kits processed and the reports investigating as result of the information compiled through a criminal lab. I am looking for the Federal District Attorney to intervene and the Justice Department to ask questions. If the people who are responsible for this mess are in other high profile positions of authority for the public, they should be exposed.

We should demand to know how this happened, under whose watch, who authorizes the process for the testing, and who knew what when?  RAPE!!!