Important Conversations

I was having a conversation with a 15 year old young lady this weekend ( friend of my daughters). While myself, her and my daughter were talking she " I wish I could talk to my mother like this". I asked her what she meant by that and she said that the only thing that she was told by her mother about sex, relationships, and boys was No, No, No.......

I can remember being 15 and not being able to learn anything about sex or boys from my mother, and I think that's why I was a mother at the age of 16. Luckily, I learned from that so I make sure me and my daughter have an open line of communication about EVERYTHING. Although her friend isn't my child I felt obligated to use that opportunity to educate her about her body and the importance of sex safe if and when she chooses to have sex. I am thankful I was able to have a meaningful conversation with someone that really needed it. If you ever have the opportunity to educate a young woman please do! There are so many young woman who don't get that at home. Even if they can't talk to someone at home having someone that they can turn to could change their life.

FOR COLORED GIRLS

Tyler Perry's new film "For Colored Girls" is a must see for ALL. I related to the film on so many different levels and even if I couldn't relate personally, I could see someone I know. It also gave me insight into other womens' everyday struggles that are different but even more the same. I was moved and inspired, also encouraged to face some of my own issues as well as be of some assistance in helping others acknowledge the possibilities of having their own. I strongly encourage everyone to get out and see this movie. Look with your mind, not only your eyes.

Yea America!

Since I woke up this morning, all I could do was think about voting. Not just necessarily the election in Illinois for Governor and Senate, (Go Dems!!!!) but just thinking about voting and what it means to Black people. As I have mentioned many times, My parents are immigrants from Ghana, West Africa. They got here in the 1970's but it was not until 1996 that they became American Citizens. My mom still talks about how it was one of the happiest days of her life when she got her citizenship, she was so happy the first time she voted for President Clinton's second term. It meant a lot to my daddy too, even though he didn't show it (men...). They were proud to have been part of the democratic process. And to think that When my parents originally turned 18 years old they wouldn't have been able to vote if they had been in this country since Black people were not allowed to vote until 1964. To think of all the sit-ins and marches people took part in, to think of all the beatings and bite marks from dogs and burns from water hoses people had on their bodies, just for us to punch a hole in a piece of paper, or as of the last couple of years, connect two arrows together with a marker. It makes me feel proud to be a part of it. I take my baby girl with me to the polls almost every election too because I want her to understand how important it is. I've been taking her ever since she was in my tummy and we voted for Gore in 2000. Next election in 2012, my son will be accompanying us as well. As bad as things are now, we have to remember that we still live in the greatest country in America so thanks to everyone who voted and for the people who didn't, don't complain about the outcome later.

VOTE!!!!!

Once I'm done blogging I will be going directly to my polling site and vote! I cannot stress how important it is that we all get out and do so. We can't demand change and still refuse to put forth any action leading towards this change. If we don't get out and support our candidate of choice, our chances of seeing change our absolutely impossible. No excuses guys, get out and make your voices heard! The time is NOW!!!!!!

The Story of Dr. Tiller's Assasination

So I am watching the story of the assassination of Dr. Tiller on MSNBC and all I can think is how crazy are these anti-choice people and why do they keep saying unborn baby. The guy who killed Dr. tiller totally contradicted his self by saying it is not mans decision to take a life only the decision of our lord, god savior.If this is indeed the case how can you feel justified in shooting a living viable human being in the head. Dr. Tiller's murder is a prime example of how some people are so judgemental of things they don't know about and how people can be so hypocritical. These anti-choicers claim to be so much for Jesus and so much for life but commit so many violent acts of hate. Which I know that an important commandment is thou shall not kill. What bible are you people reading? What values are you displaying? Obviously Pro-Choice believers and Abortion Providers are not the murders. Watching this story just disgraces me and just amps me up more to stand firm on my belief of choice. As Dr. Tiller said the women that his father had serviced taught him that abortion is a matter of a woman's life and health. So I'm not going to stand for my life and health to be in jeopardy and I shouldn't have to. Why should my life be devalued because of somebody else's personal beliefs, a person that is not going to aid me financially if i choose to come to terms with my pregnancy,or babysit, or help with the daily duties of being a parent. People have to look at the bigger picture.Women deserve choices and choices that are their owns not somebody else's. So I mourn the death of Dr. Tiller and I can only hope that one day I will have to fight no more for the civil liberty and reproductive freedom that women deserve because people will have woken up from their fairytale views. Peace,Love and Choice

Woman Abandons Newborn

I don't know how to feel about this.
All I can think is what reasons are behind this act that this woman did. In the article it sounds like she wanted the baby so it doesn't sound like she was abandoning the child.Anytime a woman hides a pregnancy there is cause behind it, and most of the time it's because someone is ridiculing them for there choice or threatening their lives.I believe there's way more to this story than the media is displaying.

Domestic Violence and Abuse

Domestic violence is disguised with many faces. The abuse, rather physical or mental, is still abuse. We should acknowledge the harm in both. They're both just as powerful and destructive. And the judgment needs to stop. No two people situations are the same. Every one's reasons for staying are not the same. Rather than judging we should embrace that person and let them know we are here for them and offer support. It may have been easy for me to walk away once the physical abuse started but in hind sight the verbal abuse was always there. From the outside looking in, there's always a different view. Being on the inside is just as different. Nonetheless, be encouraged and you will find the courage, through supportive friends and family, to also walk away.