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| ..."these things are FUN... and FUN is GOOD" - Dr. Seuss
That's how I feel! 
~ Respect~
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| Davis wins gold in 1,000m speedskating
TORINO (AP) — Shani Davis knew what he was doing. Davis became the first African-American to win an individual gold medal in Winter Olympic history Saturday, capturing the men's 1,000-meter speedskating race. Joey Cheek made it a 1-2 American finish, adding a silver to his victory in the 500.
This was the headline of USA Today!!!!!!!! My look how far we've come.... haha
How appropriate for a black speed skater to win a gold medal just as I am reading the book entitled Not The Triumph But The Struggle. This book is REAL and it describes the paradox and continual struggle of the African American athlete!
"You do not accrue prestige when you go to the Olympics because when you come back home you're still a nigger"
-Harry Edwards, 1967
Although there in undoubtedly truth to this statement, I feel as if the black athlete has made many strides in breaking the color lines that exist in this good ole country of ours.
Obviously, the construction of "race" has permeated our society to a degree in which our color differences cannot be denied. How you ask? I'll tell you... Because every time I apply for a job, or a scholarship, or shoot anything for that matter, there is this little box that reminds me that we are "inherently" different. There is this little box that says "race" and confines me to check one, although they all offer "equal opportunity"... ha And of course there is the "option" of not checking a box, but somehow I'm compelled to believe that this "option" isn't really so optional. 
Anywho, the book further examines the 1968 Olympics and the "alleged demonstration" of two black athletes as they stood on the medal stand victorious! Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists as the national anthem played and the American flag waved... the uproar that followed by the media and the fans was appalling. Now, I saw the tape a few years back, and personally... I just did NOT think it was that big of a deal for them to raise their fists as the anthem played. Given that we are all Americans, don't we have the right to express ourselves freely? These were Tommie Smith's thoughts on the matter:
" They say we demeaned the flag. Hey, no way man. That's my flag...that's the American flag and I'm American. But I couldn't salute it in the accepted manner, because it didn't represent me fully; only to the extent of asking me to be great on the running track, then obliging me to come home and be just another nigger" Smith-1993
Very interesting Tommie... and I'm feeling him on that. It seems when you're winning, there are no colors! But what about when you're not a hero, or not bringing in medals for your country? What about the regular "colored folks"? ha This is where we see a further division of not only color, but classes. I mean, now not only do we have to make the distinction between black and white, but we must further separate the masses into categories of the class. The heroic and economically well off blacks, and then the lower socio-economic blacks. Man... where does it ever end?
With that said, I would like to say that I certainly agree with the creed of the Olympics... but we've still got lots of work to do in society as a whole.
" The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered, but to have fought well." - The Olympic Creed
I can feel that... I'm not tryna conquer the world, but rather strategically fight. And it's not the triumphant moments that define me, but rather the adversity... the struggle, that means the most.
~RESPECT~
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| I LOVE to READ.... that needs to be stated first and foremost!!!! Now... on to the topic at hand:
On July 28, 1993 three officers from Britain's Aliens Deportation Group (ADG) arrived at the north London flat of Joy Gardener to deport her. Gardener had been born in Jamaica, but lived in Britain six years earlier. Her mother, Myrna Simpson, had lived in Britain for more than 33 years. Her half brother, three uncles, and two aunts also lived in Britain. She was married to a British citizen and her son, Graeme, was born in Britain. Under Britain's immigration laws, however, Gardener was considered to be an "illegal immigrant". The immigration authorities declared her marriage to be fraudulent and imposed a deportation order on her. The officers from the ADG manacled her with leg, arm, and body belts, cuffed her hands and bound 13 FEET of sticky tape around her body, including SEVEN times around her face. Gardener died from asphyxiation. When the three officers involved were tried for unlawful killing, they were found NOT GUILTY. The Daily Mail declared the verdict to be correct because "Gardener had no right to be in Britain in the first place".
WHOA!!!!!! Now, maybe it's just me... but if this does not exemplify the social limits to inequality, I don't know what does. Today, I had a quite interesting conversation with some of my peers from Spain and Sweden. We were discussing the topics of immigration, nationality, assimilation, and multi-culturalism. I ENJOYED this "debate" very much and adamantly sought to get my point across. In sum, let's just say that everyone truly has a unique perspective of the way things "are", and the way things "ought to be". Man... where do I even begin. Do you know that one of my peers said we should not look to the past, but rather only look forward.  Now I dunno about you, but uh... when I walk, I always look forward, but you better believe that I'm looking back every now and then... to see where I came from and what's behind me!!!! How can we possibly make progress without understanding where we have been? OK... so maybe for "your" people, you don't want to look back. I say that not to be condescending, but to elaborate the need for me to move forward, while NEVER losing sight of my past. My history is motivation. It's struggle...it's change...it's progress. Furthermore, to put this in an analogical perspective... If you are simply standing still... would you rather look directly in front of you... or be able to see the full scope of your existence and look in all directions? Personally, I'm gonna look back... I'm gonna look to the side, and I'm gonna look forward. It only makes sense to me. Although looking back for some may cause "conservatist views", it is up to the individual to decide which direction they will move. If you look back and want to "conserve" or not change the way things have been.... then what can I say.... damn shame!  That's not to say that all things should be changed, but at different points in history there has been a need for different actions. Historical implications indicate a strong progress, and do you honestly think any progress would be made without seeing what was behind us? Ok, ok... so I'm rambling... but please believe that I'm gonna look back... and then I'm gonna decide which steps I take FORWARD.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident" wrote the authors of the American Declaration of Independence: that "all men are created equal" and that all posses certain "inalienable rights" which include "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". But, as the Gardener case illustrates, the idea of EQUALITY and the notion of inalienable rights is anything but "self-evident", and some men/women are CLEARLY less equal, and have less of a right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", then others. Hmmmm...
So what then should define the parameters of citizenship or nationality? And whose to say that someone is less of a citizen than another, when there is no PURE citizen living today. By pure I mean, if you did not establish the land you're living on/in.... then it ain't yours! Holla! Ok, I'm silly and I digress. But seriously, why is it a problem when certain "folks" want to integrate? Immigrant assimilation has long been covered up by social and economic factors, when ultimately...it kinda boils down to "race", a socially constructed view of who we are! Now ain't that some MESS... because someone looks a certain "race"... they are now inferior or superior! haha
Author Kenan Malik asks... Why has the implementation of such a seemingly self-evident concept as equality created such practical problems? He contests that the answer lies in the fact that equality is not an "inalienable or natural" right, but a SOCIAL one, created through human endeavor. Its meaning and scope therefore, are determined by the nature of particular societies... I AGREE. What do you think? If the people make up society...aren't we the ones who determine the scope of limitations and the ramifications of socially constructed discourse. Hmmmm... I could REALLY go on for hours.... but I won't! Rather I will leave you with this quote from my readings today:
"IT IS NOT "RACE" THAT GIVES RISE TO INEQUALITY BUT INEQUALITY THAT GIVES RISE TO "RACE"...
haha.. I love it.... thoughts?
~RESPECT~ | | |
| So... after what seemed like a NEVER ending January; life GOES on! I am soooo abundantly blessed and sometimes I just sit and think Why does God bless me so? His love and mercy are so AWESOME and I am doing things that some never even dream of! Anyway, the study abroad is coming along well... everyday provides a different challenge, which I LOVE! The boring routine of G-boro was actualized and internalized once I left that mundane lifestyle and saw what the world really has to offer. I am VERY thankful though, for my base and support system in Gboro and all over the States. The emails, and messages reflect such love and respect that we have for one another. And even in the tough times... I think of what my ace told me... "TOUGH times don't last, but TOUGH women do"! haha. I love it and there's no doubt about it that I will MAKE IT! For anyone who is going through something... just know that you will get thru, and God would never put more on you than you can bare. It's only a test... a GROWTH. Adveristy often presents opportunity and that is when magical transformations can occur.
EVERY PERSON IN THIS WORLD IS LIVING A LIFE FILLED WITH UNENDING CHALLENGE AND CHANGE. WE HAVE TO CLEAR AWAY SUBCONSIOUS PATTERNS AND BELIEFS THAT UNDERMINE OUR BEST INTENTIONS AND WEAKEN OUR TRUST IN THE ESSENTIAL GOODNESS OF LIFE! WE MUST LEARN TO EMBRACE OUR OWN POWER AND INTUITION; WE MUST NEVER FEAR CHANGE
Be motivated, be the best you can be and never settle. As one of my friends once said... "don't let what you can't do... stop you from doing what you can". Everyone has a purpose and a destiny so live yours and laugh at yourself in the process! haha
~RESPECT~
Recommended reading... Title: The Pact Authors: Davis, Jenkins, and Hunt
This book is very inspiring and tells the story of friendship and determination. | | |
| CAUTION: PERSONAL and THOUGHT-PROVOKING
So Xanga.... I come today with a whirlwind of thoughts spinning erratically through my cretaceously over-worked brain! In lamens terms... I'm thinkin wayyyy toooo much!
Thinking about what?
* What will I do when I leave Europe? ... will I ever leave Europe?
* Why does it get dark in Sweden at 4pm? ...and why the hell do they eat dinner at 5pm? ... I mean dang... my American ass be in the kitchen at like 10pm tryna cook dinner! Damn Americans.... *that's prolly what my hallmates are thinkin*
* What will I do about this situation I am currently in? The next few days will determine a life changing decision for me... what is a girl to do? Am I ready for that? But is their really another option?
* Why don't more black people venture out to explore the world? Are we afraid of something... is there a fear that we will miss something? Please trust and believe should you venture out... the United States will be there when you get back!
* How many people are really happy? How many people are really living their passion and their dreams? Who is holding us back if we aren't? Courage is BIG. There is a complex here that is so simple yet so immensely complex. Like Nelson Mandela said in 1994- "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.... our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure". It's THE TRUTH. We fear not that we are unable... but we fear just how able-bodied we are. We fear that we are so powerful we could change the world.... but uh... oh no! What would we do then? We would run... in the fear that we are way to powerful!
* Writing has always been a secret passion of mine.... everything from poetry to short stories to whatever. Why haven't I further pursued something with this passion? Why haven't I written a book? I mean, I have been published here and there, even written for papers and magazines. But why not write my story. I have been contemplating this a LOT lately. My story is powerful... but it also hurts. If I were to write a tell- all book about my life's experiences and the things I have endured... some would be shocked to see my current status. I'm not tryna say that I am bitter, nor do I regret anything... but I will say that I am such a STRONG and independent woman because of some of the storms God has allowed me to weather. I'm talkin everything from abuse, to the FBI harassing me (it's complicated), to being arrested. It would certainly make for an interesting story... but am I ready to share my story? I dunno? But with each day that passes, I feel more compelled. I feel that someone will gain strength through me.
* I came to the conclusion that although I am very tough physically... I am a sucker for love. I'm a hopeless romantic and I long to share my love and emotion with those near and dear to me.
* Going from a child who stayed in the principals' office everyday in elementary... to someone who is currently studying overseas.... it blows my mind! The power of choice and the mercy of God are awesome forces. We can face our present status and accept it, or we can change it. One thing is for sure... YOU cannot run away from yourself. You cannot live a lie. Excuses do not exist. For if they do.... you will never cease to shortlive yourself. Your power... your capabilities.
* What does the future hold?
Who knows.... but today, I resolve to do something better than I did yesterday.
~RESPECT~ | | |
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