Congressman John Lewis

Last night as a part of Vanderbilt University's MLK series the keynote speaker was Congressman John Lewis. He was an excellent speaker and very entertaining and informative.  To be in the same room with one of the pioneers of the Civil Rights movement was amazing to me!!!

So as I was waiting and reading on my tablet I decided to tweet what I was doing and I mentioned Congressman Lewis and to may surprise I received this to me phone as I was waiting to hear him speak.

I was like are you serious? He actually tweeted me back! Now you can say this was from one of his people, but I will continue to believe that he tweeted me :-) 

But as I sat there listening to him speak, listening to his accounts of what made him do what he did and some of the things he encountered I just sat there in awe!



There were several things that I took from his speech.

1. He was 18 when I expressed a desire to work the movement, 18!!! What is my (your) excuse for not taking a stand for what you believe in or standing up for social injustices in the world?
2. He worked in a movement that did great things without the Internet, without all the things we have been afforded, he was the son of a sharecropper! What is our excuse?
3. He studied ALL religions and their methods of non-violence. He surrounded himself with people who studied and were devoted to the cause at hand. Have I (you) done that?
4. He still believes in the ways of non violent protest, do you think I (you) could stand and take what he went through and still be able to react non-violently?
5. We still need to foster the "beloved community" that Dr. King spoke about so often.....are we?

These are just a few things that I took from his speech. Still processing some of the things that were said and will be making steps to improve myself and my community by what I have been inspired by.

Church folk are scary sometimes

 I have talked about my faith on here a few times and I have also discussed some of the struggles I have had with my faith.  Today I really began to think about how some "church folk" scare me. Now what do I mean by that?  Well...if as Christians we are supposed to be representatives of Christ then why when I watch television or even people watch at church the most zealous people scare me?


I am not talking about the people who are passionate about their faith, but the people who are just plan crazy. I might be wrong for saying some of the things that I am saying, but just my thoughts and I am putting them out there. A while ago I wrote a post about an encounter I had with a lady at my church and honestly....she might be a really nice lady, but her demeanor and the way she looks and approaches you is a huge turn off. There is this other lady at church who goes around and just stares at you and then she shakes your hand then goes and sits down.  She just weirds me out. 


When I watch some of the religious folks on television I question how did you get a show and is this a good representative of Christ? Everyone has a past and everyone has a testimony, but if the way you present it or the way you look distracts from people hearing about it then what is the point?


I don't want to offer to many specific examples. I know people are still growing and people are different, but some things just don't make sense to me.


Just some more of my random thoughts....OH! On twitter I mentioned a bog post inspired by my best friend, this is not it. That one is still formulating in my mind...just can't grasp my thoughts yet. But is about if black men should defend and take up for black women.

Religious Freedom.....HA!!!!

This morning while I was watching the news there was a story on a petition to stop a mosque in town near where I live.  I had been hearing this story for a few days now, but just got the time (and energy....fractured bone in my finger) to write about it.  This story is really irking me. The United States claims to be a nation of religious freedom....but that is only as long as your are a Christian.

I am a Christian and I love the Lord!!! But I also respect all people for the religious beliefs. I know people and I am friends with people who are Buddhist, Atheist, Agnostic, Jewish, and Muslim. We don't get into religious debates, and we respect each others belief systems.  I don't force my beliefs on others, but I am also I am not ashamed of my beliefs.

I am tired of people using extremist to get their point across.  Not all Muslims are planning the next 911 and all people who are Christians are "saints." Both religions from my understanding do not promote violence and condemn the extreme actions of their followers that go against the teachings of their belief systems.

Yes, I live in Tennessee and the more and more I see the political, religious, and cultural intolerance (amongst other things....) it is become very frustrating and I know this goes on everywhere. Recently I went to visit friends and family in Atlanta and an older cousin said something that really stuck in my head. That side of my family pretty much lived in the New York City area, but she now has been living in Atlanta for several years. One thing that someone said to her when she first moved down there...Don't forget you are in Atlanta, but once you leave Atlanta you are in Georgia....I'll let that statement marinate for a while.

I think Jon Stewart did a great piece which points out some excellent things....

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Defending what you believe in....

I was having a convo with one of my best friends when I left church yesterday and I recurring theme came up....People thinking and knowing for themselves what they believe in.  I will be the first to say that I am not where I think I should be in this, but it is a process and I am learning and reading daily to improve....which I think most people are not.

My friend and I use to go to the same church and did the majority of our college lives and I still go there as an adult. She is now married and lives in Atlanta so she goes to a new church.  One thing that irritates us both is sometimes people will be quick to quote the pastor....but can't quote the Bible.  They will say:

• My pastor says....
• Bishops says....
• Whoever says....

Shall I continue??? My point is people hear things and never question them.  I mean if your pastor told you that your hair was green would you take him at his word or think, hey my hair has always been black, let me go look for myself???  I value the roles of pastors and leaders, but I think people become people followers and they don't study the Bible for themselves.

Now...this being said I strongly believe in respecting other people's faith, religions, and beliefs.  I think more and more of society and the world need to learn to agree to disagree....peacefully.  Everyone has to come to their own understanding and I can't and I will not force my beliefs on someone else and I hope they will respect me the same way.  I do think a problem becomes when people cannot defend what they believe in. 

I can only speak from my perspective, but I think a lot of times Christians are not able to defend their faith...including me in the past (still a process).  If you believe in something you should be able to defend what you believe with a valid argument.  If I make the statement that private school kids are smarter than public school kids I need to be able to show documentation and test scores to prove it (I don't believe this...I am a public school kid!). But I should not just make a blanket statement or believe in something that I am not able to back up.

I think I am done...just wanted to pose the question are you able to defend what you believe in?

Relationship over Religion

I follow PJ on twitter and he says so much in this clip. This was in response to his segment on CNN. I will be purchasing the book soon. He creates excellent music and to me really brought home the point of relationship over religion.

I am a Woman....and I can't do it all!!!

Okay I finally decided to write this post. This might be a long post and you might not get the title to the end, but I have to get some things off my chest. Just my opinions and thoughts, you don't have to agree...just had to vent. I have more on my mind, but I will try to keep it condensed. I think I will do an outline as I write so that people can have an idea of my thought flow...If you make it through the whole blog...impressive!!!

1. Why I support Obama
2. Democrat vs. Republican
3. Christians vs. Evangelicals
4. DNC vs. RNC
5. John McCain
6. Sarah Palin
7. Finally Back to my title....I am Woman...and I can't do it all!!!

Why I support Obama

Yes, I am an Obama supporter, No I have not drank the kool-aid like so many people say. Obama's policies for improving America I love, the way he talks about personal responsibility is great, the fact that he inspires me and shows me that if I can work hard I can do whatever I want to is amazing, the fact that he is an example of black love and a great father to his wife and daughters is inspiring, and yes he speaks about hope and change and I believe it!!! I can go on and on about why I support him, but these are just a few reasons. No I don't think he is perfect, no human is, but he is doing this for his country...not for his own personal career (as some people like to say). He is willing to admit his mistakes and learn from them. He thinks about what he does before jumping the gun and I love his judgement. To me...he exemplifies what a leader should be.

Democrat vs. Republican

I can honestly admit that until this recent election I have not been a big follower of politics. I do vote and value my right to vote and I think everyone should understand the process. I have had conversations with a few people on why they are democrat and why they are a republican and they have been interesting...not hateful, not name calling, but a difference of opinion. I can be thankful to Aaron for explaining to me the differences and why he changed from being a democrat to a republican. The main difference in my eyes is big government versus little government...I can feel it theory, but not in practice. I do think the government should help the people and the country and sometimes that does call for big government. I love to help the people and yes I love the social programs that the government funds. I do think they should be productive and if the programs are not working they need to be revamped, but I don't think we should just get rid of them. Do I want to pay more taxes...no, but if it is to help my country, if it is to ensure good education for our youth, if the money is used wisely...I understand. I work...I work hard, but I know a lot of the programs and a lot of the reasons with this country has so many of the things that it has is because of my taxes...I am thankful. Yes I am a democrat, and yes I have voted for a republican before, but these are just a few of my views.

Christians vs. Evangelicals

This is a topic that irritates me a lot. Since it has come up a lot in politics a had to express my opinion. I am a Christian...follower of Christ. I am not ashamed and I am not perfect. We all fall short. This has been a walk for me and I have had good and bad times, but I know what I have been through has all been for my good. Some of the major things that I have gotten from my faith are love, forgiveness, and being nonjudgmental (still working on this one...as the song says I am not where I aught to be, but thank God I am not what I use to be). Me and my white grandmother, Miss Ju Ju, were having this convo the other day. She calls herself an evangelical, but she understands and walks in faith and love...and she is a supporter of Obama...even when she usually votes republican. To me she shows the love of Christ to everyone she meets...and ask anyone they see it in her and love her. Yes...I do have extreme views on several issues, but I am learning not to press my views on other people, like I said it was a walk...some people are not on the same walk that I am, some people are walking the same walk, but they have not got as far as I have, and some people have gotten further than I have...part of life. I believe we should respect each other's faith... Yes we are supposed to go out and teach the nations, but I do not feel that we have to cram it down people's throats. Would I have an abortion...no, but I am pro-choice...the government should not tell me what to do with my body. My goal is to not have sex until I am married....but do believe in Sex education for our kids in which all forms of protection need to be taught..abstinence, birth control, and condoms (might be more, but those are main). How can a person be pro-life, but for the death penalty...just my opinion. I have said these few things to say my opinions, not to force you, but just to say some of my views as a Christian not an Evangelical.

DNC vs. RNC

I watched both...it was hard, but I did. When I watched the DNC...I saw America, I saw love, I saw what I wanted this great country to be. You saw diversity and people who were happy to be an American, a part of the political process, a part of history. The speakers talked about change. They showed the difference it what each political party was campaigning on. Did they bash Bush, yes, but on what he has done, not his character. Barack's speech was historical, inspiring, and policy. He explained what he wants to see for this country...Loved it!! Michelle...cried, she is so what I want to be when I grow up. Now on to the RNC...so not feeling it and fell asleep most nights. A looked at the audience and all I saw....white men. I think one night CNN made it a point to put the camera on all the black people in the audience, but that still was only a few. All the speeches I heard were not policy driven, did not say what they wanted to do for the country and did not inspire me at all. Sarah Palin's speech...pure scripted hate...not cool. McCain's speech was boring and he tried, but no success. He really did not tell me anything but his biography. He tried to be bipartisan, but after all the partisanship before...even he is fighting for it I really don't trust the rest of them. Just my thoughts....

John McCain

The Maverick...as I read about his policies, as I watch the news, as I hear his life's story I have mixed opinions. I think he is a hero and a survivor. I think he means well...but not enough to be the leader of my country. Yes he was POW...wow...I couldn't do it, but that does not make you qualified to be president. He loves his country(only after being a POW...this was not put on media like Michelle's comment that was miss quoted) which is a testimony in itself, but that does not make you qualified to be president. He graduated at the bottom of his class (I am one to talk, my GPA was not great either, but I am trying to run the country). In his CNN Revealed special it is constantly shown how he lived a wild life and did not care, yes he was young, but not feeling it. He cheated on his wife even after she waited on him while he was a POW and he admits it was because of her changing physically after her accident amongst other things. He does not inspire me and honestly I do not trust his judgement. He says he is not like Bush...but I don't see how. Look at how he is voted, look at his academic record, look at his political party...just some things i have noticed. McCain might love his country...but I don't think I want him as our president.

Sarah Palin

Or should I say a pit bull with lipstick. She scares me...A LOT!!!! When she got up to speak I was like, Are you serious??? She talked about nothing, she read her given speech (most of which was written even before she was picked), she gave women a bad name. She is calling sexism...no, she is a VP candidate is getting talked about like everyone else has been in this political process. People...I am sorry, republicans are energized by her...energized by hate? She said nothing but cliches and one liners. To me all I have seen is a puppet...She was picked because she was a woman...end of story. What can she bring to the White House...the next generation of the Jerry Springer Show. The more that the media finds out about her the more she makes me scared...and remember she already scares me...A LOT!!!! 5 colleges in 6 years(one website says 6)....I can see 2...maybe even 3...but 5(or 6) and she only has a B.S. in Journalism(oh...and a minor in political science). I am not against the working woman, but you have a 4 month old down syndrome baby and a 17 year old pregnant teenager...to me home and family comes first and I would be saying this if she was a man or a woman. I saw her speaking somewhere on Friday....scripted once again and nothing but cliches and hate, unless she was talking about John McCain and then he was a god. She gives women a bad name...and women are voting for her because she is a woman...hot mess!!!

I am a Woman....and I can't do it all!!!

Finally back to my title. As I look at the Palin family I am trying not to judge(said I was working on it), but I am trying to understand. I was talking to my mother and she brought up the question how does this woman do it??? My answer she does not. My mom and dad were married, both worked and had 2 children. Those of you who know my sister had cerebral palsy and was confined to a wheel chair. My mom was a teacher/guidance counselor and my dad was a computer programmer of the Post Office. They worked and spent time with us and loved us, but they both had help. My Aunt Mary walked me to school, helped get my sister on the bus, had dinner ready for us when we got home, and helped clean. My grandmothers helped too. There is no way my parents could have done all they did without their help. My mom was there for me she picked me up from school, went to school events, she was there when I needed her, but she admits it was hard. Sarah Palin has 5 kids and one with special needs...how is she doing it...she is not. There is no way you can tell me these kids are getting the love and attention they need from their mother...this is important especially in their formative years(or months...for some of her kids). I am single have 2 jobs, volunteer, and I try to have fun...it is hard. I can't even imagine doing that with a husband and kids to take care of(one day Lord, one day). I am not saying a woman has to stay at home, but I do think when mothers (and fathers) put their career ambitions before their kids lives that causes a problem. Children need to be nurtured and loved, they need attention. If Sarah Palin becomes the VP of the United States (please don't let this happen...register people to vote and make sure they go out and vote) what is going to happen to her family. If she has to be in Iraq and her children have a doctor's appointment what will she do? If the president has a press conference and her teenagers need help applying to college who will help them? When she has to pick between her family and a press conference...what will she do? Yes, Barack has small kids and he has showed how he has balanced everything. He has Michelle his wife who was leery of leaving her kids to campaign...thank God for Michelle's mother. Barack talks about how he spends time with his wife and his kids and how he makes sure they have the attention they need. Sarah Palin...talks about events for her kids. I do believe our powerful and strong and can do whatever they point their minds too, but we can not do it all (not to say men can, they have help to).

Okay...I am through venting... if you made it through my whole blog, bless ya and thank ya! I just had to get some things out. I have so much more on my mind...but I think this will do for now. Some thoughts may be random...but that is me...got to love it!!!Feel free to comment :)

Can you Force Morality???

This is a topic that I have been thinking about a lot. Can one force a person to have moral values?? Can we legalize a person's morals? I looked up the definition of morals and the dictionary stated that morals as relating to the principles of right and wrong behavior. Can what a person think is right and wrong be relative. I actually heard the statement of a porn star on television and she stated "that she has very high morals and there are certain things she would not do...." I think this prompted me to think about this topic even more. I am a believer in not forcing my faith and my beliefs on anyone and my faith and beliefs are what I consider my way of determining what is right and wrong. So in a sense if I don't force my faith on anyone I should not force my view of morals on someone? But I am not saying that we should just allow people to run around and do whatever. I am just posing some questions that I have in my head, not to say that I have formulated a complete answer. When I write I just attempt to get some things off my chest that I have been thinking about lately.

Being a social worker working with people from all backgrounds and causes me to look at situations differently by attempting to be nonjudgmental with people and meeting them where their need us. In saying this in our society who defines morality and why has it in my opinion become so "out there?" Has the fact the people have skewed morals so much caused society to take a turn for the worse? If we force morality by law is that going to help or make things worse? These are just some of the the questions and things I have been thinking about lately and just wanted to get other people's opinions.