And So it Grows

      Last night I happened to watch a repeat of program showing the trials and tribulations of the Rutgers womens basketball team on PBS. I think the program is a couple of years old.  The team has been fighting prejudice and misunderstanding for some time now. Apparently tatoos are problematic to some, headbands seem to be another problem.

To paraphrase Linda Ellerbee's nightly closing, "and so it goes." on her old television program, "and so it grows", seems so right to describe the continuing fall out from Imus' vulgar statement. The New York Times has printed an interesting opinion article in the Op-Ed Contributor section.  It was written by actor and playright Harvey Fierstein (whom I love). Mr. Fierstein mentions Imus and other big names recently in the bright light of bigotry, TV actor Isaiah Washington and consertive commentator Ann Coulter http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/04/coulter.edwards/index.html  are just two, as he talks about "Our Prejudices, Ourselves". Here is the link, I am not sure if eveyone will be able to upload it. It may require a subscription. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/13/opinion/13fierstein.html?em&ex=1176782400&en=93941dbe897b8cde&ei=5087%0A 

Fierstein ends by stating, " I urge you to look around, or better yet, listen around and become aware of the prejudice in everyday life. We are so surrounded by expressions of intolerance that I am in shock and awe that anyone noticed all these recent high-profile instances. Still, I’m gladdened because our no longer being deaf to them may signal their eventual eradication.

The real point is that you cannot harbor malice toward others and then cry foul when someone displays intolerance against you. Prejudice tolerated is intolerance encouraged. Rise up in righteousness when you witness the words and deeds of hate, but only if you are willing to rise up against them all, including your own. Otherwise suffer the slings and arrows of disrespect silently."

I don't think the case against prejudice can be said better than that.

It's a Good Day!

     As I was getting on the elevator, I heard someone approaching so I held it and waited for him. The young man who started talking the minute he stepped inside. He was afraid he was going to be late for 9:00 a.m. class, as I look at my watch I see that he was correct. He told me that he is taking his final exam today, also that he is moving from the building. I asked his major (finance and accounting), he has a 3.9 average. He believes in working one good job, not working two or three to make ends meet, that's not the way. He is moving out of state in July. He was so excited and for good reason--he has won a scholarship to Howard University. Way to go kid! 

I felt so proud of him and for him and told him so. As we neared Jose, the man who bags the garbage he told him also, that he was taking his finals. He left us to discuss his accomplishments and to say to each other how proud we were. I wish I knew his name, or the apartment he lives in--I would leave him a card. But that's O.K. It's a good day.    

Who Do You Think You Are

      I saw this in one of the forums I belong to.  I am not sure if "Who Do You Think You Are" is the correct title. I think it is sooo powerful.

What is the image you have of yourself? Who and what do you think you are? 

If your self-image is in conflict with your goals, the self-image will win out and the goals will fall by the wayside. Yet when your  image of yourself is in agreement with your goals, those goals will be achieved in ways that seem almost effortless.

Who you think you are has a tremendous impact on the person you actually become. And fortunately, you can choose precisely who you think you are.

Others will often try to tell you who you are, but you don't need to pay any attention to them. Instead, decide to see yourself as the person you would most truly like to be.

The way you choose to see yourself exerts a steady and substantial influence on all the other choices you make. And those choices add together to build the reality of your life.

Truly see yourself as the person who can live the life you most sincerely desire to live. Who you think you are is precisely who you will come to be.

-- Ralph Marston

After I read this, I felt that I had to know more about the person who wrote it. What I  found  through me for a loop. I expected to find someone totally different; older, more scholarly in looks, and not so immersed in day-to-day things. (smiling)  I guess this proof that the man knows what he's talking about. He knows who he is--what ever he does makes the whole. See Marston's web site and read his bio.  http://greatday.com/ralph/index.html 

Winter Doldrums in Spring and Other Stuff

      An unproductive week on my part. I did not loose a client, I simply did not gain one. Have been moseying around, instead of writing. I did my laundry and cleaned my fridge, unfortunately there is no food in it. (LOL) I am quite sure that I will be sorry on all levels, doing all of this feeling sorry and wasting time. I will really be sorry about not shopping for groceries today, I really hate doing that on Saturday.

No matter how crummy I am feeling, there is always something or someone who brings sunshine into my day. Yesterday morning, while laundering some things for Spring, never mind that it has disappeared for now, it will return, I like my clothing freshly washed for the new season. We use a cash card for our washing machines. The fix-it guy was fiddling around with the card machine and I said good morning and asked if it was broken, he said no, that someone had put a "Duane Reade" card in the machine. Huh? Why? You do not get money from this machine, not even change. We chatted about the weirdness of folks and before he left, he gave two cards to me "with a little money" on them. One has $4.50 and one has $5.00. What a nice thing to do. Nothing beats the kindness of others.  I am thinking that maybe I made his day by talking to him, instead of acting like he was invisible. (smiling). 

Well, Imus is history. I won't miss him because I did not listen to him. I think firing this man, is like putting a tiny band aid on a huge gaping sore. He did say something stupid. He was very foolish to think that he could say on the air (or anywhere), what he hears black people say everyday, and not be called on it. Still, I do not believe that he was or is the problem, just someone who thought he could get away with anything because he had done so for so long. I know that he has said disrespectful things in the past because I have friends who listened him religiously. My personal feelings about him have not changed, just vindicated.  Now that he is gone, I think it is time for us to clean our own houses. My mother was right when she told us as children and has continued to be right since that long time ago, "Never call people out their name."   I hope that this is a positive step torwards 'everyone' understanding that it is never o.k. to call a woman a whore, no matter how you spell it, no matter how you say it; even when it rhymes. 

I bought a ticket to see Ailey at the PAC in May. Last night I watched a repeat of an Ailey program and again was so moved the watching an old clip of Judith Jamison dancing, "Cry". I can remember the first time I saw her. I had fallen asleep on the living room floor while watching television. I was awakened by music and saw the commercial for Ailey's coming performances. Jamison was dancing and I was mesmerized, I found my pencil and the only thing I could remember was "Alvin Ailey", but I found the information and bought two tickets that same week.  

Hair Dye for What!!??

    Oh my! What next? I am just reading some of my e-mails. There is a discussion in one of my biz groups concerning marketing a new product. Lead catch phrase is, "Is your Betty ready? This is a hair dye for 'down there'.  http://www.bettybeauty.com/ 

From Bling-Bling & Big Cars to Working Mother 2007

     Whew--talk about paths divided. I will be attending Working Mother magazine's 2007 Working Mother of the Year Breakfast on May 10  in New York. Now this sounds more like it. I was also invited by Essence magazine to attend what sounds like a big show um-what-you-got affair in New York at Roseland. I always give these invites careful attention because I am concerned that if I say no I may be removed from "THE LIST". But there was no way I could say yes to the the Essence invite. At first I thought about saying yes to invite and passing it on, then figured it is not worth the trouble. Motown recording artists LLOYD and MYA, industry tastemakers and a car with enough personality, performance and power to forever rock your ride, at Roseland in New York. Wow! Sadly I do no know know who Lloyd and Mya are.  It does sound like a good time though, just not for me.  

The Working Mother breakfast sounds more up my alley. What's that you say Mr. Bloggie? Van you are not a mother. You are wrong, Mr. B. I have no tummy-born children, but I am a mom, several times over.  I have to tell you that I am yawning already; breakfast is at 8a.m. I don't mind waking up or getting up at dawn. I always eat in the wee hours,  but traveling at a early hour??    

Musings, Mutterings and Mind Think

     It was a great send off for my former office manager and good  friend. Ms. Neet did a wonderful of pulling this event together. I wish them nothing the but the best as each one continues their journey on new paths. 

While reading my e-mails I came across this quote, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." Jack London (1876 - 1916).  Jack London, isn't he the one who wrote Call of the Wild? Can't recall. The quote is interesting, I don't ever remember going after inspiration, usually it sort of shakes me awake. I have learned to get up and write it down. I have a lot of blank memos saved, with nothing more than a subject. Sometimes I act on the inspiration or idea and sometimes I wonder what I was thinking (laughing), not because it's dumb idea, but because I decide it's too much work :0(

What a good weekend! The rain did not bother me, it never does. Oh yes, I saw forsythia the other day and was delighted. For me, that is the real sign that Spring has arrived. It's supposed to be rainy most of the week--soon green buds will be peeking and peaking.  I guess it true that April showers bring May flowers.  

The authors in my yahoo writers/fan group are prolific and phenomenal women. They continue to write and excel. Simon and Schuster author of the month, New York Times best seller list. Talk about keeping good company!  http://journals.aol.com/vryanes/RNBC-journal/