Down with the Rebel flag!

The confederate flag, the old stars and bars that to many people, including me, represent white folk trying to assert their supremacy is back in the news, therefore, I'll weigh in. the Confederate States of America began in 1861 and was no more by 1865. Some quick math says the CSA only lasted 4 years. Prior to 1861 the American flag flew over the former confederacy. After 1865 the American flag again represents the old south. More math indicates that from America’s independence in 1776 until now, some 233 years, in all but 4 there was no confederacy and no need for that flag. So what does that flag represent. It represents failure, a lost cause a lost war between the states. It represents an unsuccessful system, an unsuccessful government created to oppress me and people who look like me, who share my color. There are some who say it is their heritage. Well I pity those who would brag about and continue to promote a heritage of failure, a heritage that oppressed people, a heritage that waged and lost a war and then gave up, tucked their tails and begged for re-entry into the United States. There is one proper place for the Confederate Flag, in a cemetery because it represents dead thinking and a past way of life, or a museum as a symbol of an American failure.

The Black Economy

Black consumers must realize that they are vital to the success of Black business. As we spend our $8 billion dollars in annual income; and we spend most of it. We all need to make a conscious effort to seek out and support Black entrepreneurs, businessmen and women who have established their own enterprises. Black business should not have to be supported by programs but by people, black people. If we trade with Blacks whenever possible, their businesses will succeed, they will contribute to the economy, and more blacks will take on the challenge of running a business. The money we earn will do more to benefit the communities in which we live. We as a people must raise our understanding concerning economic issues and black consumers must understand that they must spend their money with Black business.

I'm Black and I'm Proud!

During this Black history month, we all realize that Black people in this country still have a long way to go. But before we start to despair over our social and economic problems, we ought to reflect on just how far we’ve come. As Booker T. Washington penned his book, Up From Slavery, he was no doubt proud and optimistic because he must have believed that the newly freed slaves and their descendents would prosper and make tremendous achievements and contributions to this American society and have we ever. Blacks have given so much to America and because we have, this country is richer. I am proud of what we’ve done and I’m hopeful and optimistic about what we are going to do. I am convinced that we shall overcome our problems and find cures to what ails us. We must keep our eyes on the prize and be proud of our accomplishments.

Keys to Success- Vision and Courage

Things are changing fast. Our paper dollar is sinking and gold is floating high. Real estate values turned out not be so real and their values are plummeting. But yet, if you have eyes to see and with a little planning, you'll find that there are fortunes to be made. They are to be found hidden in the secret places. They are wrapped in darkness, even gloom. While our current economy is tanking and the personal wealth of millions is evaporating before our eyes, there are some who saw this coming and are beginning to step into the gloom, the darkness, and see what others do not. They see opportunity and are poised to take advantage of the times. You don't have to have cash to take advantage of the changing times. You must have vision however, and courage. Cash helps, but vision, when it is clear, attracts an abundance of cash from those who don't see as clearly as you. Get really clear on your vision. Begin to see what God sees and learn to communicate that. It will attract everything that is needed to survive, even thrive in these trying times

Look in the Mirror

Who do you blame when things don’t go the way you want or expect? Do you look around at your wife or your husband and try to put the blame on them? Do you blame your parents, your children, your co-workers, or even your boss? Do you blame white people, black people, Asians, or did the devil make you do it? I guess we all have the tendency to want to blame someone for our problems and I’ll admit that we often have help getting into bad situations from time to time. But when you looked for much and it came into little, the bible tells us to consider your ways. When you have much but you are not satisfied, when you work hard and do not see the results, when it seems that the wages you earn are put into a bag with holes consider your ways. When things aren’t going the way you want them to, don’t look around look into your mirror, consider your ways and make the changes you need to make. You just might discover your spouse, your friends, or your pastor weren’t the source of your problem after all.

15 Minutes of Fame

Flip on the television at any point and time and there's always someone trying to get their 15 minutes of fame on some over the top reality show. When did instant fame take the place of good old fashioned hard work? They say it takes a village to raise a child. Instead of raising a child to seek instant fame and fortune, perhaps we should teach them the importance of having character and integrity as the building blocks to their future. As the old Chinese proverb goes, “Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” By arming our children with a strong foundation built upon the principles of hard work, honesty and integrity, we're giving them the power to live their lives fully and prosperously even after the 15 minutes of fame is gone.

What's Your Lifestyle Like?

Lifestyle really does matters! Most of us have seen someone who we know to be our own age but they look so much older. Now for some, health issues beyond their control has caused aging to occur. Those are not the people I am speaking about right now. I am referring to people whose life styles have them looking bad, feeling bad and in many cases doing bad. Brothers and sisters we know the things that cause us problems, such as, smoking, over indulgence in alcohol, lack of rest, not exercising. We all know what our life style issues are and none of us are perfect but as a community we must be concerned and we must show that concern. So I guess that is what I am trying to do with this piece. Let’s check our styles and see if there are some things we can do or things we can stop doing to help us live longer and healthier lives.