Writer's Block

In the bed, gazing at the ceiling, I wonder what I'm going to do for the day. I toss and turn, but cannot put my finger on something productive. I then begin to float away into my own thoughts remembering I am not in the place I have always pictured myself in. Instead of seeing the beauty and potential I have, I give up and begin to question if this is really my calling. I doubt myself before I try. I allow this writer's block to consume me in more ways then one. Changing my major and refusing to blog goes through my head like a train track. Giving up is easier than fighting.

I know people experience obstacles in life causing them to become sidetracked. We all must set goals and work on them. Allowing these obstacles to take over our minds will only limit the world of our greatness. With this being said, I am now updating my blog starting with this entry. I will not allow writer's block to get the best of me. I know that God has given me this gift for a reason and I will use it. So if you feel like giving up like I have, keep going. God has a purpose for us all. Writer's block get out of my way, I'm ready to write. Where's my glitter pen?

R.I.P. KEON

I received devastating news when i was notified that my friend Keon was shot and killed in front of his home by a 14 year old. When the words, "Keon's dead" came out of my neighbors mouth, my heart sank from disbelief and hurt. I could not believe that he was gone by the hands of another person. He was about to graduate, which is something a lot of young men do not accomplish.

I know all things happen for a reason, but it still doesn't take away the agony, torment, and heartache. My tears fall constantly leaving streams of pain on my face. As I try to wipe them away, they find a way to creep out of my eyes again. No matter how much Kleenex I use, there will never be enough to make this all go away. I can try to sleep it off and stay busy, but the thoughts of Keon bothering me and trying to hug me slide across my mind like slideshows, leaving me with a smile through the tears I face at night.

It makes no since how someone can take another man's life. Everyone deserves to live. God only has the right to take someone's life. As other people are going on with their lives, I will sit here and continuously think about my little friend, who will not be walking across the stage to receive his diploma. Keon, you will be greatly missed and never forgotten. May God be with your family as well as me during this trying time. Rest in Peace, hun!!!

OMG Skin Bleaching???

On an episode of the Tyra Banks Show, Banks explores black women and their use of skin bleaching. The women on the show explain that they use skin bleaches because at a very young age, they noticed the difference in treatment that lighter skinned women received. The women on the show have grown to believe that lighter skinned women are prettier and have it easier. One woman does not date dark men because she does not want to have a dark skinned child. Latavia states on the show, “I will not walk around with a dark skinned baby on my hip.” She continues to say, “I become labeled as a hoochie. A darker skinned baby does not get the same treatment that a lighter skinned baby gets. When I take my son to the daycare I see the darker skinned babies with snotty noses, they’re never being treated properly and when I go pick him up, he’s always on somebody’s lap.” Due to her experiences, Latavia feels that she needs to be lighter and will do whatever is needed to get the results she wants.

Also, another woman on the same show bleaches her skin as well as her three small sons in order to fit in with society. This is ridiculous because she is teaching her children that they do not measure up. Latasha explains, “I bleach [my children] because I want them to have a better presentation when they go to school. I don’t think our society accepts dark skin people well.” It is bad enough that she has low self esteem, but it is horrifying to teach her children that. As parents, blacks should empower their children, teaching them to love and appreciate themselves, while accepting others for being themselves. What other people think about you should not matter because everyone is different. Not one person is the same as another person. God created us differently inorder to use our talents and abilities to brighten the world. Blacks will do anything to become lighter even if it will harm them in the end. Businesses are making money off of blacks’ insecurities. If people die from skin bleaching, the businesses will not care because they are still making a profit from blacks. These stories are sad and ugly truths about the black community. What are we going to do?

Ignorance...

After all these years, color is still important in almost everyone’s mind, especially ignorant people. For example, rapper, Yung Berg only dates light skinned women. In an interview with radio show, “Lip Service”, he arrogantly says, “I’m kinda racist…I don’t like dark butts…You know how some women prefer light skin men or dark skin men. It’s rare that I do dark butts- that’s what I call dark skinned women…I [don’t date women] darker than me.” He sounds stupid and inconsiderate, but he is not the only person who feels this way. Statements like this are what cause people to hate themselves or think low of themselves. It also makes other people look down on them also.

Polow the Don, also known as the “King of the White Girls,” conveys in his interview with AllHipHop.com that, “black women need to get their shit together, period, point blank. And if you’re in denial of that, you are the problem.” Black people in the media need to be positive role models. They cannot be an activist for turning blacks against each other. Blacks do not need to be exposed to ignorant people, who do not love their own culture. People like this do not deserve to be in the media because they help provide reasoning for discriminating against dark skinned people. These comments are cruel, ugly, and imprudent. As a result, people begin to believe what these artists are saying and try to make themselves fit in by any means necessary.

How rude and ignorant can both of these men be? Their mothers are black. Just because you have dealt with a certain type of female, does not mean that all black women are the same. If anyone feels this way, they need to evaluate themselves and the women they are dealing with. Black women are hard workers. They go to school, work, take care of their children, and their man. Instead of putting down women, we have to uplift and support our women. WE can not turn our backs on our culture. If we do, all hope is lost.

Light Skin versus Dark Skin

I was asked to research a controversial topice for my research class. I thought and thought and thought until I came up with the all time issue of light skin versus dark skin and it's impact on African Americans today.

Picture this, a set of equally attractive twins with the only difference being that one is light skin and one is dark skin. Who is prettier? Many people will unconsciously choose the light skin twin, but why? This leads to the ancient discussion of light skin versus dark skin, which is a forbidden topic in the black community. “You are pretty for a light skinned girl” or “All light skin girls are conceited” are sayings that can be heard throughout the black community. People rarely notice who you are before they notice the color of your skin. Today, blacks discriminate against each other, with the thought of light skinned African Americans being better than darker skinned African Americans. Instead of coming together as one, black people are still bringing one another down. It is ridiculous that blacks discriminate against each other, upholding one shade of skin over another. Society views lighter skinned African Americans higher than a darker skinned person, which creates self esteem issues in all individuals.

We are teaching this way of living to our children at very young ages, creating a future of insecurities. Children are in schools teasing each other, putting light skin peers against darker peers. Teasing can be detremental as a child, scaring them for life. These scars worsen as the child gets older because whites and blacks ridicule them as well. Having to deal with prejudiceness from whites is one thing, but dealing with it from blacks is utterly repulsive. Black people come from the same place and share the same story. It is ridiculous that children are turining their backs on each other due to skin tones.

Black people need to get on the same page and love each other for being different. Black people need to empower and believe in themselves. Black people need to get over this hump and become great. Too many people have lost their lives to gain acceptance in a white man’s world and black people do not appreciate them. We put each other down especially if someone is not white enough. This treatment deters people's mental state, leaving them feeling like they do not measure up when they really do.

Differences make the world go round. If we were all the same, there would be no room for creativity. Black people need to become open minded and work together to fight this colorism problem. If this problem persists, our children and their children and their children will hate each other. Hate will only ruin the black community. We have worked too hard to become our own self destruction. To express one’s faults and mistakes is a huge step and fixing a problem. It takes a strong person to admit when he or she is wrong. The fact that blacks are noticing colorism will help generate ways to put an end to this historical problem of light skin versus dark skin.

Gangs and Rap Music

Today, children's focus is more on music stars than anything else, especially rappers. These music icons do not realize or ignore the fact that they are role models in many communities in America. Here in Baltimore, Maryland, gang related violence has been increasing over the years thanks to rappers with red and blue flags hanging out of their pockets or tied around their heads. We hear about goons and the sowoop gang (I don't even know how to spell it) from rappers such as Lil Wayne and Plies. Rappers need to be aware of their actions becauseyoung children and adults try to imitate them. Rappers need to take responsibility for their contributions to America and the rest of the world. We all need to help our young men realize that they are good enough to stay in school and make something out of themselves. We all need to show our young women that they do not have to chase men to feel important. They are beautiful without giving away their bodies.

No matter what family background someone may come from, people still are influenced by others. It's the way of the world. I am not here to put anyone down who is in a gang, but I am just speaking my mind. This generation is full of misguided children with no real role models. We must all come together and help these children redirect their energy and time into something more constructive. There are too many people dying at the hands of gangs. Instead of killing, we have to cherish life. We only get one. No one has the right to take any one's life. We are not God. If the role models our children have do not become better, we will have a future of chaos and nonstop violence.

Miss California

Everyone is irate because Miss California spoke her mind when asked a question about gay marriages. She basically said that she believes marriage should be between a man and a woman based on her religion and personal beliefs. We live in a country, where citizens are giving the freedom of speech. If this is true, why is this woman being criticized and looked down on for giving her opinion. Perez Hilton asked her a question and she gave him an honest answer. People don't need to be angry with this woman for what she believes in. It's her choice. She doesn't have to promote gay marriages if she thinks it's wrong. What's the point in having the privilege to speak your mind if people are going to criticize you. The problem is that people are too sensitive. If you are doing something that is different like being in a gay marriage, you have to have tough skin because people are not going to agree with your lifestyle. Just accept it and keep it moving.
Honestly, I agree with Miss California on gay marriages. I am a Christian and I don't believe in gay marriages. I don't have anything against gays, but marriage should not be an option because it is against what I believe in, plain and simple. I'm not going to sugar anything for anyone because in life, you have to be brutally honest. The same way I don't believe in gay marriages is the same way someone somewhere doesn't believe in what I believe in. That's the way world is. Everyone is different and has different morals and beliefs. We cannot judge this one woman for simply speaking her mind. It's ridiculous and this situation is over the top.