LOVE, SPORTS & POLITICS

06/18/08 06:01 PM 0 comments 19 views
People seem to find the most pleasure or pain in their everyday lives, while discussing or engaging themselves, in issues concerning these three areas, some have suggested. You may have been very distressed recently, upon hearing of the sad news of Tim Russerts passing (A political Icon). You may have been excited to have heard of the Boston Celtics recent win of the NBA championship, or not. Love, well you know pain, pleasure, emotional breakdowns and all the rest. Where is the true peace and happiness found. I am trying to find the answer to this question before I take my summer vacation. What to do? How can I find the answer. I have been wondering If the answer is in this three card monty of choices I referred to. I believe most people are in search of true peace and contentment. We seem to find them in many places. I will be at a lost without Tim giving me the real scoop on Meet The Press. I will also miss my Games now that the NBA is on wraps for the summer. Well that at least leaves love. The pain, pleasure, emotions and happiness that it brings. Let me know If you have some ideas. Peace bradsbeatblog.blogspot.com

Yes We Can! Looking at Me

I believe that if given an opportunity our society can make it. There are a lot of signs in the air that may cause many to become concerned and weary regarding our future. It is during times like these that we need to be more encouraging and helpful towards one another. We must find opportunities to assist those who are struggling. It may be as simple as inviting a friend out to dinner that is not doing to well. You may give a friend or associate that tie or blouse that is still nice but you don't seem to favor anymore.

The road to healing often begins with ones own diagnosis. I so often hear people say it won't matter if I vote. People seem to think that other people are involved in an important activity like politics or environmental issues and believe that their participation does not matter. I realize that many people are experiencing hard times in our nation at present. There are economic pressures and concerns with events at home and aboard, being negative almost seem to be expected.

However, must look towards the bigger picture. No matter how far away it seems from us at present. Today, we need to take inventory of ourselves and see what resources we bring to the table. The creator has placed great talents in all of us. It sometimes takes great challenges to bring them out. As I stated earlier, Yes we can!
bradsbeatblog.blogspot.com

A NEW ROAD TOWARD A FINAL DESTINATION

Today Senator Clinton made the speech that everyone was expecting, and believed was more appropriate a few days earlier. The speech however, has begun the healing process. The Obama campaign is reportedly pleased with the Clinton speech and endorsement. The rest of the political wounds, that incurred during the campaign must heal in due time. The time for reflection and analysis into what went wrong, will keep us from looking forward Sen. Clinton said. The speech referred to the struggles of women and African Americans in this country. The speech indicated how Barack’s candidacy, will pave the road for more minorities and women, who aspire to higher office. Although, there were two roads in the beginning, the democrats are beginning to unite. The next few months should be spent bringing together the rest of the country.

The Republicans and Democrats will be in a highly contested race this fall. The ideas outlined in there platforms, draws many distinctions between the candidates. All parties agree on one thing. This election comes at a pivotal time in American history. There are critical choices that are needed in all areas of Americans lives. We start down the path of consideration and analysis at present. Today, the democrats have chosen who will lead them towards this historic destination.

THE POWER OF LOVE

Are you showing love to the universe? Is the universe pouring out its blessings to you? You must think about these questions sometimes. I ask it because the two are connected. We all have heard the phrase you give what you get. We sometimes give a lot and don’t see an immediate return. The universe seldom will not yield its fruit after sufficient nourishment and care has been provided to the seeds that she provides. The giver must be patience and willing to reap sparingly at times. However, loves does not fail. The power of love is great.

The universe is constantly changing and expanding, as are we. Sometimes we all can use help and guidance from others in order to make our way. The creator is the one to turn to. He lives in us, as we struggle to let him shine through. We become lost within our own wants and desires. It is often hard to be still and to listen to the universe speaking. However, sometimes we get our thoughts and feelings right sometimes, as if out of thin air? I hope this message finds the cord in you that it is meant to strike. I am sure it will!; as I cannot claim to be writing this myself. I decided that I needed to resume my blogging and would start by writing what came to me first. I believe the universe is at hand.

As I indicated before, love never fails. The universe said start here. So I decided to listen. I believe I just got the message as well. Listen to you heart. Listen to your soul as it speaks. You may be surprised at the success that you receive as a result. With these I bid you peace. Please take the time to comment on this blog.

Brad

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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