Do you know a young adult (21 – 30) who has demonstrated consistent determination, creativity and results in the anti-slavery movement, and who is committed to developing their career to help rid the world of slavery. If so, tell them about the The Anne Templeton Zimmerman Fellowships but tell them fast the deadline is January 31, 2008.

Two Zimmerman Fellows will take the Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Non-profit Leadership. as part of the Professional Development aspect of the Fellowship, which also includes a year-long salaried position at Free the Slaves and the opportunity to travel overseas to learn about other anti-slavery efforts.

On to the Good Stuff!

Honestly, I don't care for politics but the campaigning for Presidential primaries has been very interesting. But I have to tell you, I was so sick of the racial slights between Clinton's and Obama's Democratic camp! I was so happy when I woke up this morning to hear a truce was called between the two on racial issues. Yes, I know it happened on TV during the debate but I fell asleep and missed it! oops!

Now, maybe we can get to the good stuff...let them talk about each other for other stuff that won't cause riots! You know, healthcare, education, global warming, etc... Well, I take that back maybe everything has the potential to cause riots but not like race talk does. Maybe, Hillary will cry again. Now, that would be good TV! (I'm probably going to get lots of hate email for that comment huh?...LOL, just jokes)

Just Lynch 'Em?

Wednesday morning (1/09) the world got another look at how little words can have big meanings and repercussions when Golf Channel suspended anchor Kelly Tilghman for two weeks for saying last week that young players who wanted to challenge Tiger Woods should "lynch him in a back alley." And just think Tiger isn't even African American, he's Cablinasian (African American, Asian, Caucasian, and Native American) LOL. Okay, I know we still apply that one drop rule (most do...that's a whole different conversation, right Valerie?) and he's African American but, per Tiger he is Cablinasian. But I think he may want to reconsider that because they keep treating him like a regular "African American " ( I said that nicely btw). Remember in 1997 after he won the Masters (he was only 21 and the youngest champion), Fuzzy Zoeller referred to him as "that little boy," and suggested that Woods not serve fried chicken or collard greens, "or whatever the hell they serve". D#$& Tiger, you can run but you can't hide. So Tami, you must have a point to all of this. ABSOLUTELY!!!

Our Ethiopian American children. When in America people will only see the color of their skin and they will be treated based on that (I hate to say it but it's true). They must learn how to cope within the boundaries of a racist society. They must understand what slavery was, what Jim Crow was about and why it existed, what the inner city riots were about, what is the history of racism, the blues, jazz, and even hip hop. Our children must understand why when people look at them they may not see Ethiopia, they may see other struggles that they had nothing to do with. They must understand why people dislike them for the color of their skin, the shape of their lips, noses or texture of their hair. They must understand all of this and then be able to effectively navigate in society. Then when they are faced by a person that gives them grief they can look them in the eye without being phased because you, as the parent, prepared them for the worst. This is why Tiger can say he is who he is, because he knows who he is and he effectively navigates in his world. He is okay with his choices. Our children must be okay with theirs however, the education begins with us. The education begins at home, so, the first time someone makes a racist comment about Africa, Ethiopia, African Americans, adoption or whatever, our children will be able to look them in the eye and say WHATEVE! Selam.

Misery Loves Company?

Remember the old saying: misery loves company? Well, I'm not really going there, I just wanted to see if you remembered it? I'm actually a happy girl these days (or at least I am telling myself that because I figure if I keep it then I will believe it LOL...so there!)! I was at the gym this morning...see I'm living up to one of my resolutions getting my health together. Anywhoo I was reading about Kiva.org which is an organization that helps entrepreneurs in third world countries by providing them with microloans funded by individuals like you and I. One interesting fact about the site is that you get get to choose the person, country and type of business you are interested in funding. Pretty cool and they only want you to donate $25 at a time. Hey, even my broke A$& can do that! So, feeling on top of the world, after having climbed something like a million flights of stairs (okay, I'm exaggerating a little, but it felt like it), I went back home and donated $25 to help another woman get her business off the ground. If I can't help myself today I certainly can help another (LOL...this is supposed to be funny so laugh) $25 isn't much to me but for another woman in Tanzania it is a portion of what will help her support her family.

This is 30 year-old Eisha Nassoro. She is married with three children aged 7 and 9, and has two other dependents who are her niece and nephew.

In 2000, Eisha established a livestock business and in 2007, added a grocery business to her workload. Eisha has already received and successfully repaid two loans from SELFINA, and now requires a loan of $850 in order to purchase additional stock in bulk.

My Brain is Green

Whenever I take one of these tests I want to say it isn't true but unfortunately quite often they are! Dang, I hate that! LOL Oh, well...I have a green brain, I guess it could be worse.

Your Brain is Green

Of all the brain types, yours has the most balance.You are able to see all sides to most problems and are a good problem solver.You need time to work out your thoughts, but you don't get stuck in bad thinking patterns. You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about the future, philosophy, and relationships (both personal and intellectual).

What Color Is Your Brain?

The Not So Dead "N" Word

If you hadn't heard the "N" word is supposed to be dead. On July 9,2007 The NAACP held a funeral to bury the "N" word and a year before an organization in Wisconsin did the same thing but apparently the damn thing is like Elvis and Tupac. People keep seeing (and hearing) it, I swear it is still alive. I even keep seeing (and hearing) it everywhere, it's the damnedest thing! But I tell you, this "N" word is even worse, it can be in more than place at a time and it gets seen (and said) over and over and over again until my head wants to pop off. I don't care who says it, I've been known to correct the person and then walk away (and that's me being nice).

So, where was the last sighting you are wondering? On a soon to be released CD cover (above) by Nas. The CD which will be released next month to be titled "Nigger". Lovely right? I thought so...NOT!!!!!!! This is how Nas defends his CD Cover:

"If Cornel West was making an album called Nigger, they would know he's got something intellectual to say," Nas continued. "To think I'm gonna say something that's not intellectual is calling me a nigger, and to be called a nigger by Jesse Jackson and the NAACP is counterproductive, counter-revolutionary."

Nas said he hasn't talked to anyone outside his camp about the title, so he was upset to see that people are up in arms without knowing the story behind him choosing the name. "I wanna make the word easy on mutha----as' ears," he explained. "You see how white boys ain't mad at 'cracker' 'cause it don't have the same [sting] as 'nigger'? I want 'nigger' to have less meaning [than] 'cracker.' With all the bullsh-- that's going on in the world, racism is at its peak. I wanna do the sh-- that's not being done. I wanna be the artist who ain't out. I wanna make the music I wanna hear.

"We're taking power [away] from the word," he added. "No disrespect to none of them who were part of the civil-rights movement, but some of my n---as in the streets don't know who [civil-rights activist] Medgar Evers was. I love Medgar Evers, but some of the n---as in the streets don't know Medgar Evers, they know who Nas is. And to my older people who don't now who Nas is and who don't know what a street disciple is, stay outta this mutha----in' conversation. We'll talk to you when we're ready. Right now, we're on a whole new movement. We're taking power [away] from that word."

Sighhhhh.... well, per Nas, it's good to know I can start calling all my white friends "Crackers" now and they won't mind. What an idot!

My New Year's Resolutions

Happy 2008 Folks! I am full of hope that you all had enough fun and parties to last you another year! I know I have. Now, it is time to get back to life, back to reality AND back to blogging. Not much has happened in my life since I've been gone but I do have a few New Year's Resolutions. Yeah, yeah I know...you probably don't make them but I like to make them because it makes me feel like I have a new opportunity to start anew and to put forth fresh and revived energy toward my goals. So, here are my 2008 Resolutions or Goals:

1. Continue building my business (so much for looking for a job...)
2. Bring Baby I home
3. Decrease my Migraines (through diet and exercise)
4. Spend more time with family and friends (my Mom will be happy to read this)
5. Blog regularly on more original and unique topics...and as I have been instructed by some, stirring it up a bit. You all just love controversy don't you? LOL See, it isn't me, it isn't me. I do have a few surprises up my sleeve though. :-)

Happy New Year Everyone! See you this week in my happy blogland.