MAYA ANGELOU: PHENOMENAL WOMAN

Today is February 1st 2016 and it marks the beginning of Black History Month.

As one of the most diverse countries on earth, America continues to celebrate the history of Black Americans during the month of February.  Despite our storied past, and great strides towards inclusion, there are still many barriers that separate us.  What initially started as a week in 1926, this celebration was officially recognized as a month-long event by the government in 1976.  Some consider Black History Month as an antiquated event yet they fail to realize that  this is a time not only for Black Americans but a time for all to celebrate the rich backgrounds of all.  Today, I’m honoring an individual who certainly embraced all during her time on this planet.  That individual is Maya Angelou who was born on April 4, 1928 in St. Louis MO and died on May 28, 2014 in Winston Salem NC.  Maya Angelou was definitely a

Phenomenal Woman

By Maya Angelou 1928–2014 Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

They say they still can’t see.

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need for my care.

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

GREAT MESSAGE

I heard a great message

I went to church today

It had such a great impact

I knew I had to pray

Talked about making an impression

And reaching the next generation

Just to positively influence them

Is in fact a great sensation

Some think it’s about the gift of gab

And all they do is talk

Strap on those persuasive shoes

And then begin to walk

I’m sharing with you the concern

And I’ll just do my part

Hopefully… you’ll join in on this mission

And do what’s in your heart

MEMORABLE MLK, JR QUOTES

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a leader who, like Mahatma Gandhi before him, and Nelson Mandela after him, showed us the way from weakness and division to strength in unity.

He challenged and inspired us to reach deeper within ourselves, despite ourselves, for our best, which sometimes is, simply, better than yesterday. His power endures because it’s rooted in the courage to hold hope and faith in each others potential: “knowing” we can do it… we can be better every day, each in our own way.

On this, the U.S. holiday celebrating his life and legacy, I present you with ten of his extraordinary thoughts on leadership:
•”A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”

•”I am not interested in power for power’s sake, but I’m interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good.”

•”All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.”

•”Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

•”The time is always right to do the right thing.”

•”We must use time creatively.”

•”Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

•”The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.”

•”Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.”

•”The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”

THE DRUM MAJOR’S DAUGHTER: BERNICE KING

This is a video where Martin Luther King Jr.’s youngest child reflects on tragedy, fear and hope as she sits in the CNN Red Chair.   This video was originally published on youtube.com on August 23, 2013.

THURSDAY INSPIRATION PART II

MONDAY INSPIRATION

To get your week off to a great start, check out this gospel classic by CC Winans called Alabaster Box.

FLORIDA CHURCH SENDS $1000 COLLECTION LETTER TO SINGLE MOM

If you need a touch from God today…. send me a check for $1000 and I will send you a touch… from God.  That used to be a joke that some people used to make years ago after seeing some of the televangelists’ on television and watching how they operate.  There was an article on this blog called “Money And Church In The Now…” where I talked about the current state of the church and how it has turned into big business but now this:

A single Florida mother said she recently received a delinquency notice from a church that she joined about six months ago.  Candace Petterson said she received a letter from her church, Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church, asking her to bring her “account up to date” by contributing $50 a month along with other assorted fees, so that she could remain in good standing and also to be able to vote on church matters.  She was also asked to pay a yearly anniversary fee of $250 and another $150 fee for Mount Moriah Day.  Part of this amount totaling $1000, would be set aside to pay off church debt.  The letter, which originated from assistant administrator Ladreda Spencer and Pastor B.R. Fulton Jr., also indicated that Petterson’s 11-year old daughter was also expected to pay a reduced amount.

WFTS-TV is reporting that church officials are acknowledging that they sent the letter but they have offered no additional information.  Fot those of you who are wondering why some people don’t and won’t go to church….. START HERE!

ROY JONES AND BO JACKSON PREDICTED BRUCE JENNER TRANSFORMATION

This is one you’ll have to see for yourself.  Twenty years ago, Roy Jones and Bo Jackson were on an episode of  Married With Children.  They in fact predicted the transformation of Bruce Jenner.  Just look at the video for yourself and you too… will laugh and be amazed.  This is just uncanny.

THE POOL PARTY PROTESTS HAVE BEGUN…

Cops and their mistreatment of African-Americans have again taken center-stage.  This time the stage has been set in McKinney, Texas.  More recent incidents have occurred in Baltimore, Maryland and Ferguson, Missouri.  Even though this incident did not involve another African-American killed by the police, the abusive behavior that was displayed has caused protests to begin. “Call my momma!”  were the screams that could be heard  from a black teenage girl who was being pinned to the ground by a white police officer.  Moments earlier he had drawn his handgun on other black teens. “On your face!” were the words that the officer yelled at the bikini-clad girl.  As seen in the the videos below, the officer 41-year-old David Eric Casebolt who joined the police force in August 2005, only targeted the black teens. Casebolt has been placed on administrative leave but a number of legal analyst have indicated that there is legal trouble ahead for Casebolt and the McKinney Police Department. Quite frankly, they need to start with a mental evaluation of this officer. Check out the videos below.  The first video includes a conversation with the young lady who was pinned to the ground and the second video includes conversation with a legal analyst.  Let me know your thoughts on this.

SOUTH AFRICA’S 2 YEAR OLD DJ AJ

You absolutely never know how early and individual steps into his or her gift.  Apparently this young kid has already stepped into his at the tender age of two.  His name is Oratilwe Hlongwane, aka DJ AJ.  He is from Alexandra, Johannesburg and has become a viral phenomenon on South Africa’s social media.  Though it may seem to some that he is only turning knobs, check out how he groves to the music as he crafts his magic.  DJ AJ is definitely in control.

The young boy’s father Glen Hlongwane purchased an iPad before his son was born and intended to download educational apps to speed up the boy’s education.  The father also downloaded a disc jockeying app for himself.  The young boy learned how to manipulate the equipment and the rest is “history in the mix”.  Get ready, get ready… because this kid is on his way to becoming a global phenomenon.