Fire from Frustration...Being part of the SOLUTION!!!

What do you do when you don't know what to do? What do you say when you really just don't know what to say, to whom to say it, how to say it, if anyone will listen, if anyone even cares, or if there's any sense in opening your big mouth at all. What do you do when you don't know what to do?....well I guess just do SOMETHING!!!

So that's what I'm doing. Last week I had an outburst b/c the pub and my NYC dorm was playing some seriously offensive (at least to me and hopefully to someone else if they'd heard it) music. Was it offensive b/c of the swearing? because of the sexual content? b/c it was just bad music?...Nope. It was offensive b/c for the about 10-15 seconds that it was playing in our pub I must have seriously heard the N-word that would be the word "NIGGER" at least 7 times. Is hard for your to read?...that is the word NIGGER? Well I hope so! Black people (let me clarify African-Americans) have been bafooned and tolerant for far too long! Don't give me that "it means something different if we say NIGG-A as opposed to NIGG-ER" crap one more time. THIS DISTINCTION IS RIDICULOUS! IT'S BOGUS...IT'S IGNORANT AND IT'S COMPLETELY MIS-INFORMED. If I called yo' mamma a Bi-otch instead if a Bitch, does that really make the intent and malicious nature of the word any different? I certainly think not!

The Bible says, that "where sin abounded, grace abounded much more" precisely: "Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

So as sin surely abounds, and in the form of complete self-deprecation (read: lessoning your own value) I have to trust the Word that grace abounds much more. So first I pray for grace...for myself...because I need it!!! I can not and will not sit by and whatch nor take part in a generation of people (namely my own; ie. Black) who not only do not value themselves but also a) are actively lessening our value in our own eyes and in the eyes of others. I mean how can we hurl insults at ourselves through our music and slang and not think that this is going to negatively effect our self-perception in both the near and long term? How can we allow our children to walk around with their pants literally at their knees and think they're going to grow up taking themselves seriously or have anyone else take them seriously?....it won't happen. That is...I won't stand by and be an innocent bystander NOR will the being taken seriously happen if any of us allow the humiliation to continue to occur.

As Eldrigde Cleaver, a Black American author and activist said in his 1968 speech, "What we're saying today is that you're either part of the solution or you're part of the problem".....let me repeat that, "YOU'RE EITHER PART OF THE SOLUTION OR PART OF THE PROBLEM". There is no middle ground! There is no I don't have anything to say....saying or doing nothing is just as big of a statement and step in the direction of being partaker. As we've all heard and probably witnessed, if we don't say something to stop the bad joke from being propagated, then we may as well be the next in line to tell it!

So two issues come to mind 1) what's the actual problem, because maybe "it's" never been defined and 2) how do I/you (if you choose) become part of the solution?

...#1) The problem is that Black culture, and I speak from the perspective of an African-American woman, so I will say, "African-American culture as I see it is being very overtly infiltrated with demonic and negative influences that leading our youth (and adults) and even non-African Americans down a path of self-destruction, self abuse, little self value and very low morals.


I newly discovered Dr. Boyce Watkins' Blog. This is his answer to :

"Your work can be controversial, why do you do it?"

"I ask myself that question every single day! Personally, I believe that the role of the black scholar in America is to work hard to uplift our communities. Our intellect is needed, and in addition to engaging in scholarly research that lies in dusty academic journals, we should become active in our communities and throughout the world. I believe strongly in the concept of Scholarship in Action. The thing about Scholarship in Action is that it requires the combination of intellect, creativity, curiosity, commitment, passion and courage that stands at the root of all true genius. I do not consider myself a genius, but I wake up every day thinking "I am one day closer to my last day on this earth. How can I get the best return on my investment?" That is what keeps me going. "

I will add to his "I am one day closer to my last day on this earth"... How I can I be part of the solution and not the problem, specifically is it relates to the Black/African-American Identity and success.

2) how do I/you (if you choose) become part of the solution?
...I'm not sure. But I do know choosing to not be an innocent bystander will be my first step! I pray that the Lord orders my steps. I'm not going to be afraid of offending, afraid of being too good, afraid of anything. I know that "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind!" I'm going to act like it. (2 Timothy 1:7). I also no that because my heart desires it, I will effect change. I'm determined to do so.

I challenge myself and you to 1) be a part of solution. I'm not sure what it looks like but I do know taking the first step will lead to great strides in this area.

2) speak when you see injustice or denigrating behavior. One I was walking down the street with my Mom and this kid's pants we just above his knees. My mom just looked at him and before she even started to speak he pulled his pants up...because he knew that it was completely unacceptable. And of course my mom said something, because she should have (and should not have been afraid to do so either) and I'm sure he appreciated it - because no one likes being a "hot mess". I mean it means something if someone values enough to correct and you make you be, or at least appear, to be a better person.

So I guess that's my challenge and that's what "being a part of the solution" looks like. We, as people, more than just African-Americans, can not afford to watch ourselves, or anyone for that matter self-destruct. IT'S JUST SELFISH AND FEAR LADEN. If you were going to slowly jump off a bridge wouldn't you want someone to at least care enough to stop you and tell you "Hey! You're going to contribute to society. You have a great purpose...DON'T DO THAT! AND CLEAN YOUR ACT UP!" Or maybe even, "How can I help you?" We can't be afraid to do that. It's time folks! It's time to be of service to our society and that's starts with the community that we live in and the people with whom we identify...whomever it is. For me, I'm a global citizen who has certainly had the privilege of being taught by many amazing people and learning first hand about many amazing cultures. But the population that I see hurting the most are Black Youth...so I'm starting there. And my only prayer right now it, Lord, please help me to do, be and say, what exactly what you desire. In Jesus' name I (publically) pray. AMEN!!

WON'T YOU JOIN....Be A Solution!

That they would see Jesus through me...

Ok. So today made 1 week in gorgeous New York City and I'm going to start blogging again to capture all the amazing events that are happening. So I guess this starts it. Just a brief story to show you how good God is. And they everyone, including me, just wants to feel the joy of Jesus. This was a blessing for me too! Perhaps I'll expand more later...but I've just go to get this out....

The same thing is on my facebook:
on the train this guy was massaging his arm like he was really in pain'to make a long story short, after some time this old lady I was sitting next to and I chatted for a sec about what may be wrong with himso then i asked if he was ok. then said I was bursting at the seems to ask him and to help himi wanted to ask if I could pray for himhe was like "oh so sweet. i could just hug you!"and I said, you can. he gave a me a quick hug before getting off the train. and was like "wow, nice new yorker"Lol...IT WAS ALL JESUSso yeah...that was cool. so i'm just going to keep praying that people see and feel Jesus in me and His people!New York is too ripe!So God is soooo good!and i've been studying 1 John, which is all on loving others and stuff.so now's the time

Please Donate

Also featured on Jenn's site:
Hopeline - http://www.hopeline.com/donate/
A Nonprofit organization consumed with being a resource to people who are contemplating suicide. I encourage you to donate.

Postsecret.com - http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
- I got to Hopeline from this site. I'm slightly leary about posting this as I only came across this today and I should hope that there would be no ludeness BUT that fact is, this site is helping people. You can send an anonymous postcard with a secret on it. People are getting secrets, thoughts, whatever is there off of their chests. And that's always a good thing.

Please do donate to Hopeline if you're so led. Read the story. It's in memory of Kristing Brooks, who committed suicide in 1998...at the age of 29.
~Jazz

I Couldn't Keep These To Myself

So a few amazing sites I couldn't keep to myself!
Thanks to Jenn, whose site I came across becuase she had a picture of Cordoba that I googled. Apparently God's grace led me here b/c I spent the next "a lot of time" reading and watching a few amazing thing.
Thanks Jenn: http://moonlightmasquerade.blogspot.com/

Something from here site that captured me:
What the video. Then check out his blog. Yes...it's real. And yes, such blessings are possible.
http://wherethehellismatt.com/?fbid=Hr7rX

I'm back!

So I haven't written on the blog in decades....well in about a year and a half and I'm definitely going to have to start to. So I was talking to a colleague tonight about job Performance Evaluations and started preaching to her. As I was talking to her, I was definitely preaching to myself and decided that today is the day that Jasmine is back and what I shared with her (completely inspired by the Lord) I had to share with others and save for myself to view over and over again. So here it is...or least that parts that I cherish I want to save and share:

"Np Sis. Let me know if you have any questions or anything. My only request is just pass the information along and take it for yourself. We're our own best advocate. And if we don’t speak up for ourselves, who will?
The thing is we've been trained to live below the radar and made to feel guilty when we speak on our accomplishments. Forget that! The devil is a liar.
Not to preach, but people have sacrificed so we could have this opportunity so heck yeah, be proud of your contribution and presence. And when it starts to feel awkward remember that our good works glorify God! So when we shine, we shine Him and when we're being modest, it's a reflection of Him. It's not about being arrogant or proud but why not show our talents and abilities (and I'm definitely preaching to myself!)

I love this quotation b/c it's true:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. ~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles," 1992 (also used in Nelson Mandela's inauguration speech, 1994.)

You'll do awesome. Don't be afraid of overwhelming [X]. It will help him step his game up too. One of the values says: "Have courage to raise the bar..." ... Your presentation is showing that you live the

values. And if it gets too personal….look at it like a presentation. If you were presenting someone else would you hold back? I think not!

So yeah...that's preached to me. And I definitely am going to check out Marianne Williamson's book, Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles.

Love,

~Jazz!

Chocolate What...

The coolest thinkg I've ever seen....Take look:
http://www.chocolateatlas.com/Sushi/Sushi.htm
http://www.kookisushi.com/gift/gift.htm

This is definitely an all time favorite and next time (I mean first time) I have a party...this is what you'll get. How I love being a food connosieur(e).

Just to write...

So I searched my blog b/c I didn't feel like typing in the URL and I got to my blogshares, which somehow calculates the value of your blog. Surprisingly, my blog had value at all so someone must be reading (even if it's just me reading it all day;)!
Given this info, I decided to write just so I wouldn't be abandoning my blog. So here's my first effort to jump start my always fledging blogging career! I hope this works...
~Jazz

Don't ever take life and the love of family for granted!

Hundreds pay respect to Colts coach and son
LUTZ, Fla. (AP) -

Tony Dungy blinked back tears, straining to compose himself. Dungy remembers his son Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy thanks his supporters and speaks of his son James who was found dead in his apartment last week. "Parents hug your kids every chance you get," he said. "Tell them you love them every chance you get because you don't know when it's going to be the last time." The Indianapolis Colts coach buried his eldest son, James, on Tuesday, lovingly recalling the 18-year-old who died in an apparent suicide last week as a "mama's boy" with a "compassionate heart." Someone who loved to smile and have fun. ...

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