February 14, 2019

The beginning of 2019's One Billion Rising

The beginning of 2019’s One Billion Rising



One Billion Rising. A world wide movement against domestic violence and sexual assault against women and children.

One of the first groups of dancers on the planet to add their presence the 2019 One Billion Rising event, hundreds of women and children and men were not deterred by a few drops of rain at the annual V-Day dawn event on Main Beach at Byron this morning.

Calling on all women everywhere to ‘dance’ and ‘rise’ during the V-Day activism event to end violence against women and girls, those gathered learned the a dance to the song Break the Chain.

One Billion Rising. A world wide movement against domestic violence and sexual assult against women and children.

Article and more pictures at link... https://www.echo.net.au/2019/02/beginning-2019s-one-billion-rising/

February 13, 2019

Thanks For The Hearts!

Thanks for starting off my hump day with some love, DU. You guys are the best!

For the lover of stars....




For the lover of all things furry...



For the lover of sponges....



For the lover of "wrestlers"....



For lovers of animation......



For lovers of .....love?

February 7, 2019

Rev. William J. Barber, II : America, America, What's Going On?

I hope this is an okay place to post this lecture (sermon to some). In a speech that is both history lesson and call to arms, Rev. Barber puts for a "moral vision" for America. It is kind of lengthy, but flows nicely. So, get a snack, maybe some lady grey and enjoy!

If this is not the place for my post, please accept my apologies. I will remove it upon request.

February 7, 2019

Crystal Mason and a RepubliCON DA .....Know Their Game

It's all about voting, folks. This is an example of what RepubliCONS will do to limit our access to the ballot. They know (even if some progressives among us don't seem to) that black women are democrats' not so secret weapon. Watch the clip below to see how a Tarrant County Texas DA is trying to make an example of Crystal Mason.

For more context, here're a few other articles about Ms. Mason.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/03/30/texas-woman-sentenced-to-5-years-in-prison-for-voting-while-on-probation/?utm_term=.5d778d175be6
https://newsone.com/3844199/crystal-mason-lawyer-voting/
https://www.democracynow.org/2018/8/29/meet_crystal_mason_the_black_texas

Interesting article on the DA, Sharen Wilson...
https://theappeal.org/texas-da-who-sent-woman-to-prison-for-five-years-for-voting-made-her-own-election-mistake/

January 30, 2019

The Real Cost of Stress and Ways To Ease The Pain

This article is an oldie but a goodie. A few years ago, I began to notice some major changes in my physical health. Long story short, my doctor attributed the symptoms to stress. Some of the tips in the article may seem trite and over used. However, making small simple steps have really helped to improve my quality of life.



The Real Cost...of Stress


Got stress? Learn how it affects your financial and emotional bottom line, as well as ways to ease the pain.

By Teri Cettina May 11, 2015

Stress. Now there’s a condition we’re all too familiar with. More than a third of American employees are chronically stressed about work, according to a recent study from the American Psychological Association. And another study out of Penn State indicates that women are even more stressed at home than at work. In addition to making us feel personally awful, stress is incredibly damaging and expensive for the workplace overall: Stress-related absenteeism, lost productivity, legal and insurance fees, and employee turnover cost U.S. companies more than $300 billion per year. Working Mother has long worked to promote family-friendly workplace policies that experts agree can help ease working parents’ anxieties, but many businesses just aren’t there yet. Meanwhile, here’s what stress may be costing you—in dollars and more—and ways you can lower your bill.

*snip*

De-stressors:
“Extreme self-care is the key,” Dr. Ackrill suggests. How to do it?
Prioritize sleep. “Five days of five hours or less sleep impairs you as much as someone with a blood alcohol level of 0.1 (noticeably intoxicated),” she says.
Keep healthy snacks (protein, fruits and veggies) in your desk, and eat regularly to help rebuild your overtaxed brain and body.
Get regular exercise and make time to connect with friends and family.


Full article here: https://www.workingmother.com/content/real-costof-stress

January 29, 2019

Tom Brokaw Said What ?!?

I must admit, I have not watched Meet The Press in a long time. However, I must have really missed an interesting episode. Tom Brokaw said that Latinos need to "assimilate"!?!



I'm not sure of Tom was trying to express the concerns of white people (not all, please don't come for me) as he sees them or just himself. Good on Yamiche Alcindor for checking Mr. Brokaw at the end of the segment.

Oh my goodness! So much to unpack.

Helpful articles on the topic:
https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/1/26/14340542/white-fear-trump-psychology-minority-majority
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2018/06/21/us-white-population-declines-and-generation-z-plus-is-minority-white-census-shows/
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/04/race-rising-anxiety-white-america/

January 29, 2019

Should The Black Community Press Candidates For A Black Agenda? (Discussion and Poll)

In a word, yes!

What is that agenda and whose responsibility is it to lay this out? Candidate or community? Should candidates lean into it (offering a black agenda) with the same gusto of laying out other agenda items (gay rights, environmental protections, worker's rights, women's rights, etc.)? Or, should they follow the model of President Obama and use the "rising tide lifts us all" model? (Just so you know, I am not making a critique of the former president. Just talking about strategy, here.)

This is a dinner table level discussion for kin folks. I think a healthy discussion occurred on Roland's show. If you have a moment, take a look. Let's discuss down below. Fair warning, there is some salty language in the clip. Please be advised if viewing at work.

January 23, 2019

Calling Out Racism Is NOT Inflammatory. Period.

This clip is an example of how to combat the tired old charge, "calling something/someone racist is not helping the situation". How can you combat something if you are too afraid to even name it? In order to educate those whom do not know, there must be well versed folks who are willing to "make it plain" for them. I believe Congressman Jeffries is on to something, here.

“Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.”
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Both quotes are from MLK.

January 19, 2019

Tamika Mallory," The Black Experience is Complicated."

Roland Martin, affectionately known as "Uncle RoRo", hosted Women's March co-founder Tamika Mallory on #Roland Martin Unfiltered. As usual, he brought the funk and allowed Ms. Mallory to speak for herself. She denies making any anti-semitic statements. Below is the interview in its entirety.

(Part 1)

(Part 2)


The truth of the matter is that you do not have to agree with everyone in all things. For example, some people don't believe in voting. Those whom choose this path find other ways to exact change. Although I disagree with this on principle, I try to work with people where they are.
Being black in America is complicated, indeed. There is a reason why black voters are among the most pragmatic in the democratic party. Strategy requires making/finding allies. This can make for some complicated pairings. Let's try to have some nuance and seek a greater understanding rather than stand ready to cast judgment.

January 15, 2019

Happy Founder's Day Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Happy Founder's Day Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

From aka.1908.com

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was founded on January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC. Its founders were among the fewer than 1,000 Negroes enrolled in higher education institutions in 1908 and the 25 women who received Bachelor of Arts degrees from Howard University between 1908 and 1911. Nine juniors and seniors who constituted the initial core group of founding members and seven sophomores who were extended an invitation for membership without initiation comprised what are acknowledged as Alpha Kappa Alpha’s original 16 founders. Led by Ethel Hedgeman (Lyle), the nine Howard University students who came together to form Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority were the scholastic leaders of their classes. Each also had a special talent or gift that further enhanced the potential of this dynamic group.

The Original Nine: Anna Easter Brown, Beulah Burke, Lillie Burke, Marjorie Hill, Margaret Flagg Holmes, Ethel Hedgeman (Lyle), Lavinia Norman, Lucy Diggs Slowe and Marie Woolfolk (Taylor)


Famous Members:

Sen. Kamala Harris



The late Maya Angelou



Actress Phylicia Rashad



The great Coretta Scott King



Actress and Comedian Wanda Sykes



Actress Loretta Devine



And all the pearlescent goodness pictured here....



A heartfelt thank you to all the pearls who have continued the work of lifting the community. Happy Founder's Day, ladies.