The "Right Conversation"

The controversy continues as people have been drawn into the discourse of Rev. Wright’s statements. There has been a historic speech given about race relations in this country, and a subsequent endorsement by Gov. Richardson. The Governor called him a special man for these times. President Clinton and Governor Richards have been sounding the bell of peace at this time as well. The negative commentary seems to be getting to all in the Democratic Party. The time for unity amongst all of the candidates are needed.

Although Senator McCain has been in the news for making a few gaffes regarding foreign policies, .Sen. McCain has been above the fray for the most part. There is enough negativity to go around, and it seems that many news outlets have been doing their part in promoting it. I believe the nation is ready for a conversation that is in tune with our national interest. The conversation regarding race in this country is needed. It is being discussed however, out of context. The news outlets should produce forums that cover the issues concerning African Americans in a broader context.

There are some issues that concern particular ethic groups more than others. However, there are many issues that affect us all, and we should be discussing those. Many Americans are losing their homes. The mortgage crisis is getting out of hand. Many Americans are seeing no solution to the problem, and have started to burn down their homes, thinking that their insurance coverage could be a way out. Many have lost jobs, and the economy seems to be collapsing. The financial markets have been in trouble, and many fixes had to be use to stabilize the market. Many Americans have been without healthcare for too long.

American businesses are feeling as though they are being overlooked for business contracts, from our government, to companies abroad. Americans are now unsure if their personal information is safe from wondering eyes who are working in the government and who should be protecting us. I am looking forward to the discussion on issues like these. If Americans have legitimate questions regarding the thoughts and beliefs of the candidates, then they should be asked and we should listen to the candidate’s response.

America’s leader is placed in a very hard position. We know no one is perfect and we always ask them to be. We know that they are human and will occasional misspeak. We have to separate out the nonsense from the needed knowledge to make an informed decision. There is no wonder why world leaders have stated that America has lost its magic. It may be that the nonsense gets too much play. The real issues are not being addressed; with the spirit and tenacity, that all Americans display, regardless of race or financial situation, when times are hard. We should not have a throw any problem under the bus approach, as it really does not reflect our values

There has been a lot of wrongs in Americas past, as well as many statements like Rev. Wrights’. There is enough anger and resentment for us all. Will there be a time of reconciliation? This is what many Americans have hoped for. It may be the “Change’ that people have been looking for in Obama’s candidacy. No matter who wins or lose in this election, it will be up to us to build the America we are looking for. The Change America needs will began with us.

Brad

TODAY A NEW GENERATION MUST LEAD

The Wind Beneath My Wings

The task is daunting, as it complex and simple all in the same breath. How do get an underserved yet privileged, people to understand and to appreciate their role in today’s society. What are you rambling about this time, I can imagine some are saying. However, I cannot shake this thought that too many people take their rights and responsibilities for granted, yours truly included. I am specifically talking about how we take for granted the freedoms and privileges, that were fought for by the hero’s and she-ro’s of yester years.

How many of us can say that we always VOTE at election times? How many of us realize that people have laid down their lives so that you can get an education. Some men have fought wars for this country despite being viewed as less than human by many in her. When do the oppressed become satisfied with the status quo?. When do a people stop yearning to be free? This question is as relevant today as when it was stated a little differently years ago by Harriet Tubman. She was quoted as saying “I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves”.

How many of us can say that we are trying to live up to the dreams and aspirations that women like Ms. Tubman had for all of us, who may have been oppressed. I return to the other part of my opening statement when I indicated although being an underserved people (for those who are) we are in this day quite privileged as well. I really don’t know many who don’t have access to a cell phone or a computer in today’s age. However, how many of us use these technologies in advancement of causes and ideals that serve people other than themselves.

Imagine if we really would Google the earth, in hopes of finding the underserved farmers who needed a few pack of seeds, who when planting them could feed their family. We probably could find a box of seeds on the Internet quite cheap, mail and call foreign lands while riding on the subway to check its arrival, but do we? I am sure that there are many unsung hero’s who are doing the job of saving this world around us. However, I know that we don’t have the superstars of this type made to be our examples.

Unfortunately, we only seem to hear about the bad examples of Man’s actions or inaction’s in today’s day and age. We never hear about the true day to day heroes, or at least the ones I consider to be. They come in many shapes, forms and fashion. They are often their and you never really know it. I saw one of this day and age heroes this weekend on CSPAN. Tavis Smiley bought together some of Black Americas most thoughtful and activist individuals for the 2008 State of Black America Conference in New Orleans.

It was during this conference that I picked up the quote from Rev. Al Sharpton that Ms. Tubman made, which I further researched. I found the information being exchanged to be very insightful. However, the question going forward is what does the future hold from here? How do we improve Black America? White America? And every shade in between. I believe that we must remember that we all have some work to do.

I know that men like Mr. Lee Archer the famed WWII Ace of the famed Tuskegee Airmen and Dr. Roscoe Brown Tuskegee Airman (pictured above) are the wings which many of our nations bombers depended on for assistance when fighting for freedom in this world, and the wind beneath a generation of young folk who know that we can transcend any boundary that men may place in our path. I believe we all can find much in this society that needs fixing. I believe we must all, find the courage and the fortitude to make a stand and to fight the good fight.

America seems to be recognizing that we all must play a bigger part in getting the job of fixing these United States for the better. Whether the leader is a White man, White women or Black man, we all will have work to do in making things right. We cannot rely on the few to do it all. I believe we have all rested on the accomplishments of the few for too long. If we are to advance as a civilization, the dreams and aspirations of all people must be realized.

Brad

RELEASING THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE

THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE

The power of knowledge is something that has been sought since the beginning of time. It has divided nations and has lead nations into war. It has caused people to claim peoples inventions and to call it there own. It has built the pyramids and created science that has outlived the inquisitive minds that has created them. Some say Hippocrates was the father of medicine, but now the undeniable evidence is revealed that Imhotep is truly the father of medicine; the science of healing the human body. Unfortunately, the true revelation of knowledge has not been revealed to the masses in our society.

I had to wonder why these divisive issues that cause so much pain and hardships, continue to exist? Why is knowledge hidden from the masses? Why is knowledge so unfairly shared between the races in this society?

It was recently reported that the No Child Left Behind Act was directly linked to drop out rates in the Texas school district that the programs paradigm was based on. It was found that only 33% of students graduated, in the 5 year study of the NCLB program according to researchers at Rice University and the University of Texas-Austin. The study found that 60% of African Americans, 75% of Latinos and 80% of ESL (English as a Second Language) students failed to graduate. The trend has been that as more students are dropping out, it was beneficial to the school districts, as it would reduce their liabilities associated with having underachieving students in their schools. The schools are facing low school ratings and not being in compliance with the No Child Left Behind measuring requirements.

It is difficult to believe that minority students do not choose to learn. It has to be deeper societal issues at work which account for such a disparity in numbers between the races, when measuring graduation rates. The numbers are worst when you measure incarceration rates. African Americans are currently 8 % of the population in America. African Americans make up almost half of the 2.2 million prisoners in Americas prison system. In 1964 Americas prisons was mostly populated by white men. Since 1988 Blacks have been incarcerated in numbers disproportionably higher to all races in this country on a very profound level. All statistical indicators reveal that this outcome has to be reversed by political leadership, and a societal push from the masses as was evident during the Civil Rights movement.

Although Barack Obama has tread new ground in changing America’s perception of the African American Man in this society, there is a long history of negative images and distorted views of black men being the norm in our society. The old days of Willie Horton politics are not so long behind us. And Iowa while leading the way in the 2008 primary season by showing America that it was open to electing an African American Man to the highest elected office in this land; it has a lot of work to do it correcting the disparity of incarceration of African Americans in the state. While African Americans make up only 2% of the states population, African Americans make up nearly 20% of the states prison population.

I really don’t want to get too caught up in a numbers game in trying to express the concerns that Americans see for themselves when looking at the state of our union today. The truth is that this time in our history, is very important in determining how well we will do as a society. There are many crucial issues at hand and we must remember that if we don’t put knowledge, wisdom and the understanding, of the value of all humans being on this planet, at the forefront of our future planning, we will be facing insurmountable challenges going forward.

EDUCATION

As previously stated things must change in order for this society to advance. We must focus on education, equality, an opportunity in order to rebuild the potential and dreams that can be realized for all in this nation. The American spirit is released in the face of opportunities. We must close a prison a day and build a college a day. We must start educating the next generation of engineers, doctors, scientist, and inventors today. I know that it began for me in my first experience with college. The doors were open and I wanted to walk into the world that provided many possibilities.

I remember when I was able to attend the NAACP Legal Defense Fund program and met with the First African American Mayor of New York City,

Mayor David Dinkins. I attended Bronx Community College and it opened many doors for me in my path towards knowledge and opportunity. I believe the opportunities that this institution provides to those that have the opportunity to attend, are immeasurable. I just don’t believe that enough people, who truly can be benefiting from the knowledge, and resources that is there, are presented with the opportunities, to take advantage of them. Meeting the Mayor and legendary figures like Dr. Roscoe Brown ( Tuskegee Airman) and professors like Dr. Gerald Leiblich has others has shown me that the pursuit of knowledge can lead to many places.

Like college professors who have the opportunities to broaden their base of knowledge in pursuing their science. As citizens of this society, we owe it to ourselves and to our children to create a society were we are in touch with our culture, spirituality, and history. We cannot afford to lose our ability to shape and manifest our future.

BRAD'S STORY

Without having the benefit of parents with many resources and having lost my mother before attending any college, I had to struggle to get through school. The struggle included budget cuts, not having all my books in a timely manner and lots of other issues. However, my pursuit of knowledge took me too many places; I did not envision being when I first decided to attend college.

We met with Mrs. Coretta Scott King in Atlanta during King Week. I met with many college representatives from all states in America in a conference in California at the United Students Association. I met the Reverend Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton. I can name many more celebrities and political figures that I have encountered along the way. The power of knowledge has given us Sen.Barack Obama today and men like Louis Latimer who drew the plans for Con Edison’s inventions. And Knowledge gave us Benjamin Banniker and Dr. Charles Drew in the past.

The power of knowledge gives us a better understanding of ourselves and all that we can be. Knowledge also gives us a better understanding of all that exist around us and our place in it. If we don’t appreciate the fact that all things have a purpose and place on this planet; and that we must respect and appreciate all that the creator has given us. It will be a sad commentary on all of us if somebody, someday say, if only they used what we know, they knew.

The question remains, why is it that race is used to divide us? Why some for this group and none for the others. Why is every political pundit dividng the way we vote? They always examine the Black, Women, Latino, and Christian vote, to name a few groups. The issues should be weighed, and not the prognostications of what the group may think. Hopefully, we can get past the divisive ways of our past, and to realize that we all have the potential to achieve. Race should not divide us. Dr. King stated, "look at the content of my character". It is my hope that America starts to come together and that we start to heal ourselves, letting go of negative stereotypes, that the leaders of the past has fought and died for.


We need to appreciate that people like Dick Gregory, Malcolm X, John F Kennedy Jr and Fannie Lou Hamer, have all contributed to our journey, towards pursuing what we all want for our children and grandchildren. We want peace, freedom and a place where life can truly be want we desire it to be. Some call it Camelot, Some call it Heaven, and if we work together it can be America. We must do our part, even if that means just doing something much easier today, than it was in the past. VOTE!

I believe our leaders are working hard to achieve it. I have met with leaders in Congress like Rep. Jose Serrano. Who has been fighting for issues that help the everyday needs of Americans.


I had the chance to speak to many leaders in all areas of our society and have learned that you have to be sensitive to the concerns of all. We have to work together. I believe it is the creator’s great plan. We were meant to be reliant on one another. We are all blessed differently for this reason. I believe we can overcome all of the differences that divide us, we have to have hope that all can be as it should.

Imhotep.
Brad

THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE IS THAT WE ALL HAVE SOME TO GIVE, AND WE ALL HAVE SOME THINGS TO LEARN.

BRAD


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BROTHERHOOD- AN ESSAY BY CRYSTAL

PEF'S 2008 NYS MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARD WINNING ESSAY

'WALKING THE WALK TALKING THE TALK'





People today have different explanations of what “talking the talk, and walking the walk” means. But do they really know what it means. Everyday we hear a new meaning for this expression. What does it really mean?
This old saying means a few things to me. The first thing it means is setting an example for others. You not only talk the talk, you have to walk the walk too. Showing others what you can do and that they can do it too. To me, you can’t say that you are going to do something when you’re not showing me you can do it. When you are talking the talk and walking the walk, you are showing yourself what you can do while you are still setting an example for others.
This old adage also means to me that you have to do good for others as well as yourself. This means that you help out the community like throwing Thanksgiving parties for the hungry and Christmas parties for the less fortunate kids so they can have fun and get something that they can’t afford. It also means that you should help yourself by going back to school if you didn’t finish and getting a job so that you can support your family. You don’t only have to set an example for others; you have to set an example for yourself. By then, you won’t be just talking the talk; you will be walking the walk as well.
When you just talk the talk and not walk the walk that to me is called procrastination. Nothing much but a hallow promise that does not get fulfilled. A dream that no one sees, that only you wish could someday happen without you doing much to make that dream come true. Talking the talk only gets you half way there. With no inspiration, you have to remember this, once you get the walking, no one can stop you. That is why most people talk the talk and walk the walk. No one or nothing can stop them.
Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk is a sign of brotherhood and leadership; helping out your fellow brothers in their time of need, doing what you know you should be doing, making the community a better place for people. Brotherhood is being there for your brothers and sisters and offering yourself to them as a sign of fellowship. To do for them as you would do for yourself. Taking the role of a leader and showing people the way to happiness. That, my friend, is talking the talk and walking the walk.

CRYSTAL

BRAD'S BEAT BLOG " MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR"

KNOWLEDGE IS THE PATH TOWARD TRUTH AND POWER!
EDUCATE YOURSELF AND PROVIDE KNOWLEDGE TO OUR YOUTH.

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES: A DOCTOR IS NEEDED!

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR:
LIVING THE DREAM

Thank you Martin for being the peaceful warrior and to those who struggled by your side. You truly had your eyes on the prize. Many have come and gone those who have fought the good fight. However, today we remember Dr. King. The honorable warrior, who fought for justice, equality and fairness. Martin was a man of peace, who suffered injustices and humiliations, so that one day we would be able to see the injustices, and unfairness through the lens of time and maturity; and to realize how painful it all looks to the creator.

We have to live together. We must talk to one another. We do not have the time to be first uncaring and unmoved by the conditions of the underserved and oppressed. WE must carry the burdens of our brothers and sisters, even through we have a proportionate burden of our own. The creator’s omnipotence is evidenced in our ability to be empathetic in our examination of our brother’s plight; and to be of service to our selves as well. We often have to remind ourselves that our battle is not always ours alone. We are sometimes called to do his work.

Sometimes we march on, to the song he chooses for us, to hum into battle. And yes we will over come, the creator never lets us down. Thank you Martin, your star now burns so bright that the creator had to move you into your distance. We can now see you better, as you have gained your proximity in the universe. When we gaze at your star, we can now navigate our direction into destiny, as we thank you for trailblazing the road ahead. We have our work to do as well, but always keep (you) our compass with us. The road is still a weary one, but we will overcome!

The Times Square Hustle

I seen them lining up in front of me,

And heard their thunderous roar, or was that the D,
The people looked nervous while milling about,
Then the clock struck five, and their smiles broke out,
There is nothing like Times Square, especially on a Friday night,
You just let down your hair, and all cares take flight,
The vendors are hawking, their unique New York wares,
And the hostess is directing patrons, to the tables upstairs;
Then all in one moment, energy hits the crowd,
There’s shopping and eating and singing out loud,
The Lights turns red, And people stop to think,

Should we shop now for the toys, or first go and get a drink,
The Lights turns green, again the crowd hits it stride,
Someone yells “stop walking, and do the Electric Slide”,
It seems like the crowd hits frenzy, And you can’t tell why,
But you use your New York Elbow, to make your way by,
You started off Broadway but now your definitely there,
You can feel the excitement, and smell that rarified air,
It’s not as big as you thought or bright as it seemed,
It’s really made up of Legends, Magic and Dreams.
Okay we’re here, It’s Times Square.

Brad Goodwin: Original for the Poets Society, Published at bradsbeatblog.blogs

BRADS BEAT BLOG POETS PLACE: YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED

POETS CORNER

Switching Lines- 4 to the D to the N

I was just switching trains from the 4 to the D, and all of a sudden, she was in front of me;
She had a pretty face short hair and beautiful eyes, but the anger in her voice caught me by surprise;
She said “today is the day”, No more games, And you better move quick if you want to catch this train;
We both took off running, and made it inside, right before the doors slammed shut, and we began our ride;
I thought to myself, who is this girl, she looks familiar, but; “What in the World”;
She started to speak, saying “Yeah today is the day” You can’t keep on looking with nothing to say;
I wondered ‘what in the world’ is she talking about, She said I saw you looking at me a million times on this route,
You always have this gaze like you are looking in my soul, and always look away when my eyes start to roll,
You always have this look like your about to ask my name, And then someone gets in between us, who was coming from the game.
“Come on stop playing”, cat and mouse in the crowd, Just tell how you feel for crying out loud;
I said as polite as I could, I think I’ve seen you before, usually on the D when I get off the 4,
I don’t remember staring, but, sometimes on the train, I day dream a lot, and that may explain my gaze, but if it looked like I was staring, I am sorry about that, I guess when I start to feel tired, I better pull down my hat;
She said, come on, “stop playing”, her voice getting loud, I can see some heads turning within the train’s crowd;
I said ‘you don’t have to play games’, “Today is the day” you see I am here in your face' and no one is getting in the way;
I wrote down my number, I want you to give me a call, And, I am getting off at your stop, In the Manhattan Mall,
I said, Today is the day, we would finally talk, If your too shy on a train, we can talk while we walk,
I said, let me take your number, And I will give you a call, But today, I am not getting off at the Manhattan Mall,
I said, I really would love, If we could be friends, But this is my stop, I have to catch
the N;
When I got off the train, I could not help but look back, Her eyes met mines as her number, fell on the tracks; ......ummm here comes the N

Brad