Michael Jackson-Man in the mirror lyrics

Life & Death...

First of all, I was really SHOCKED to find a SCRIPTURE from the BIBLE in chapter 5. The tongue has the power of life and death. (Proverbs 18:21) This is extremely surprising and edgy considering this text is so "liberal".  By liberal I mean it expresses some concepts that do not line up with Bible teachings.  As well  there are so many  "Religious beliefs" in a classroom setting; I am surprised that they would use scripture specifically from the Bible. I appreciate that the text is very liberal in expressing different points of views concerning life and people. I question though, if the author considers this particular scripture to be a legitimate truth; and if so does the author agree with the entire bible?

 Personally I don't think you can pick and choose whats true or not concerning the scriptures in the bible; I believe you have to accept it ALL or NOTHING. With that said I further respect the text for the balanced education/knowledge it provides. We often judge and condemn others if they do not meet specific expectations or rules. We are even asked in this class to form opinions,  and analyze people, gender and sex. This text provides us with opportunity to be very educated and open minded concerning differences. BUT at the same time being knowledgeable and educated on different perspectives does not constitute those perceptions to be LEGITIMATE TRUTH in reference to the Bible. More or less  it provides us with more choices to make. Choices that render good or bad consequences on a individual basis. Which brings me to my next point of using the "society card" a used up EXCUSE!!!

The text suggest that "Many men and women decide NOT to LIMIT themselves only to those qualities that society associates with  one gender (Wood124). I think this is an AWESOME choice. At the end of the day we are all individuals. Yes we are molded and shaped by different perspective and norms, but there comes a point when you reach a certain age, and you really begin to think for yourself. I love what books, music, preachers, teachers, and media has to offer me. BUT I do not allow what they have to offer me to cause me to loose control, or loose my sense of self. I make choices I am happy with, or not happy with, but I am confident that my choices are my choice and not societies. While society may have contributed to my choice, society does not hold a gun to my head and  make my choices.

We tackled Gendered Verbal Communication in Chapter five this week. Communication has evolved tremendously over the years, I am just thankful that we have a verbal communication that's understood. As we continue to evolve and grow, we will continue to make it better and work for everyone. I can't knock history and past communication styles, because I understand that it had to begin somewhere to get us where we are today. Communication like technology will always continue to improve and get better.

Random Thoughts!

Morgan Spurlock 30 Days: Muslims and America part 5

Pro-Feminist & Masculinist Groups

Talk is CHEAP...

" For ordinary African-American women, those individuals who have lived through the experiences about which they claim to be experts are more believable and credible than those who have merely read or thought about such experiences."

This statement speaks volumes to me.  It speaks what I believe in and what I tend to live by. I have often stated on many occasions in different conversations. Experience and first hand knowledge speaks louder and means more to me than an outside perspective. Today we had a guest speaker Caucasian, middle class man, whom some students in the class stated they liked more than the guest speaker we had in the past  "Shark-Fu" a Black women. I found this interesting and wondered why some students liked one more than the other?  I wondered why there was a comparison and why overall we just didn't  appreciate what they both had to bring to the table from their individual perspectives and experiences?

The quote above from "The Social Construction of Black Feminist Thought," speaks loud and clear in reference to credibility and how it is perceived from a African-American woman's perspective. I concur that experts are more believable and credible who have experienced what they talk about.  In fact I believe you don't have to be an expert, authentic experience is powerful and covers anyone.

It's a nice gesture, but it's not real or credible to me or for me. Until you have walked in my shoes or felt my struggles for yourself. I can't really identify with you. There are variety of areas where we might mix but on a superficial level. I often wonder if in a bad situation what choices would be made? Would a person lean to the left or right, and lets not forget those who stay in the middle who I like to refer to as "two faced".

There is a young lady who complains about a race situation, but then states that  "she had to claim the race of Caucasian to have the basic rights that she wouldn't  otherwise have as the other race." As a black woman I don't have the liberty to change or switch anything. I am Black and I will always be Black. I am also proud to be Black and proud of where I come from. When I look back at my heritage I am proud of every right earned and sacrifice made. As a Black woman I have to "embrace the suck" and keep it moving. I choose to be positive yet I am not a fool.

I can't say that I liked one speaker more than the other, but I can say that I could better identify with Shark-Fu even though I don't  understand or agree with some of  her methods. I do feel  that she speaks with conviction and heart. I identify with Dr. Doug in terms of empathy, I too like to help where I can and feel convicted to do so.

Its easy to become apart of a movement  or to recruit change, but as our guest speaker stated and I am paraphrasing- he is still " the ultimate power in society, privileged, Caucasian and middle class." In my opinion he really has nothing to loose. Whereas some recruit change because their lives depend upon it. I am not easily persuaded that everyone who says they are for me are truly for me, just from my own personal experience. Some questions that come to my mind is…Whats the motive? Whats to gain and whats to loose?

Quote References: Richardson Laurel, Verta Taylor and Nancy Wittier. Feminist Frontiers IV. New York: McGraw-Hill 1997

"The Social Construction of Black Feminist Thought," Patricia Hill Collins

Permission to Speak Freely?

It is very easy to become OVERWHELMED with the many issues of the world. I have learned to cast my cares on God. Psalm 55:22.  My “big D discourse” is my relationship with God through the bible, which establishes my norms and ideologies. So I care but I don’t…My main priority is to treat those I come in contact with, with dignity and love.


“I am something to be feared if you fear the empowerment of others." This is a major statement for me, because I do believe in the empowerment of others. This statement was written by Shark-fu a Feminist blog author of  angryblackbitch.blogspot.com  I do care about Equality and the right to have a Voice, but not enough to label myself as a feminist. Yet this statement alone screams loud and clear what Feminism details. I am just not sure I agree with its "methods".We all have a purpose and a variety of purposes. There are many avenues to accomplish those purposes. At the end of the day, I believe that knowledge is POWER. If you know better you do better…My purpose is to teach, encourage and motivate. I realized a long time ago you can’t change people, BUT you can influence. “The Battle hymn of a dangerous black woman” reads very angrily, and as a black woman, I have to ask what has it accomplished? Is this a venting process, or did it in fact solve any of the problems mentioned in the hymn? She mentioned she wanted to have a positive impact…To who is my question and to what age group? In meeting her through Skype I could see a form of positive impact, but I can’t say the same for her blogs.

Let’s talk about the MIND and CHOICE…The color of one’s skin DOES NOT cause us to steal, kill, and lie. It DOES NOT cause us to have abortions, to be on welfare, and to hate others. It does not contribute to social class, work ethics or success. It’s just a simple pigment right? Why do we constantly label behaviors according to color? Our POWER is in our mindset and choices. Why do we give too much credit to other people? Why do we even take the time to entertain such nonsense? We allow others to have too much power and control over our mind. It is not outside circumstances that influence a person’s success, it’s all internal. We choose to be successful despite the obstacles. We are quick to say society this, and society that…We are all individuals, and we should act like it.

“If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse.” ― E. James Rohn

Movements are needed and necessary in forms of education more than anything in my opinion. I can’t stress enough that Knowledge is POWER!!!

Issues!!!

Hi, I have added all of the  URLs from the excel sheet, and  I am still having a hard time viewing peer blog pages...Any Suggestions?