Friday, March 14, 2008

The Heavier Side...Something Important to Say

I have not gone back and forth feverishly weighing the thoughts or opinions of the pundits or news broadcasters--at least not on any of my blogs during this Presidential primary. I am now making an exception. I think Mr. Olberman has something important to say...I

So much so that it inspired me enough to place it on my blog because he prefaces his remarks with the statement of how much respect he has for the person he is "calling out."

For that reason and the fact that none of us should ever have to deal with the ignorance that racism breeds, its worth a listen. Something to think about for sure.

Take a look:


Thursday, January 24, 2008

Heath Ledger Passes from Accidental Drug Overdose

Academy Award nominated actor and respected talent Heath Ledger who appeared in the critically acclaimed and popular movie BrokeBack Mountain has passed from a drug overdose. The actor who was admittedly under immense pressures and demands from his latest role in the latest Batman sequel "Dark Knight" had been battling addiction problems.Read more here.






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Monday, January 21, 2008

Happy Birthday Dr. King-Global Day of Action Against Poverty Revisited


Image Source-Poor People's March on Washington-1967

The curse of poverty has no justification in our age. It is socially as cruel and blind as the practice of cannibalism at the dawn of civilization, when men ate each other because they had not yet learned to take food from the soil or to consume the abundant animal life around them. The time has come for us to civilize ourselves by the total, direct and immediate abolition of poverty."
-Martin Luther King, Jr.


Today marks the official celebration of the National Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. holiday. I went through some of my old blogs and found the above quote. It could not be more compelling,especially in light of the "Global Day of Action Against Poverty" celebrated a few months ago and the recent efforts by those in the White House,the Senate and the House of Representatives to come up with an economic stimulus package to ease the financial down swing many Americans are currently experiencing. Families are losing their homes and jobs are being outsource by corporations to foreign countries.Communities and individuals are in deep economic distress,while billions are spent on a mounting war.Some think we are on the brink of a recession.

The US is surprisingly in debt to China and other countries to the tune of millions. I know it's hard to believe. I was completely baffled when I first heard the announcement a few days ago.

There are many US citizens who feel that they have been thrown away and hung out to dry by the Washington Bureaucracy's current lack of concern for the poor and needy and its demonstrated favor towards the rich. It has been brought to light by the current unemployment rates,the status of health care and the failure to provide needed government assistance to those in disaster torn areas such as the residents of New Orleans and the broader Gulf Coast.

The struggle for economic justice rages on in this country.If Dr. King were alive to witness the state of financial affairs today,I believe he would be happy on the one hand,since inroads have been made into the wealthy social strata by a significant,but arguably insubstantial percentage of the historically underprivileged.However,I feel he would be more dismayed that there has been no remarkable narrowing of the divide between the poor and rich. In fact,some believe it has gotten wider with the systematic erosion of the middle class brought about by brutal economic policies of the current administration.


It was reported that the congress,Democrats and Republicans are scurrying around Washington,"hopping like bunnies",if they have to in an effort to push through some kind of workable plan to get the US on its feet.One journalist reported that it appeared almost like a"love fest",with members of each party making sincere efforts to work together.

On that note,I'd like to dedicate a blog containing a poem I wrote entitled "Love is the Currency".There is little doubt in my mind that we need love now more than ever to feed the hungry,house the homeless,care for the sick properly and to end the political partisan stagnation that creates the lack too many in our society currently face.

Yes. I say,continue to work together,Democrats and Republicans. If you're an independent,come with some ideas and answers as well. And,if you aren't missing any meals and live in the lap of luxury everyday,have some love and compassion for those who don't have much. Don't be stingy,fearful,haughty to share your resources,paying lip service only to the whole notion of "the pursuit of happiness" and the financial resources it requires to do the journey justice. Make your vote and influence count. Make poverty history.

Enjoy some music also and dedicate an uplifting song from one of the related playlists below to friend or,maybe even one of your congressional representatives.No. Itks not too "over the top".Go for it.And,remember,love is the currency.Please let it flow...

Happy Birthday,Dr. King.

Peace,

Cynthia

Related Blogs and Articles:

Protest Songs Sing Up!

Global Day of Action Against Poverty




Listening To:

Waiting On the World to Change

Protest Songs A La Social Observation

http://cynthiadwilson.blogspot.com/2007/06/airlift-ii-love-soother-mix.html#main

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The Times They Are A Changin'-Happy Birthday Dr. King--the Fight Continues On A Higher Level...


Photo Source
Senators Barack Obama(Ill.),Hillary Clinton(NY) and former

Senator John Edwards(S.C)- Las Vegas,Nevada Debates,Tuesday,Jan.15,2008



In light of what may now be viewed by many as a mounting, and at the very least, dead heat battle between Democratic presidential candidates Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois in a contest for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination,( more...) and this is Dr. King's birthday,I thought I'd share some reflections.

Of course, there are other candidates including former Senator John Edwards of South Carolina,also running in the Democratic race. On the Republican side we have several ,including but not limited to, Senators John McCain of Arizona, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney of Michigan and Mike Huckabee,past governor of Arkansas.

I thought I'd lift this blog which I wrote last year on www.heavieroctaves.com in celebration of the King holiday(scroll down). Why not celebrate with reflections on the dream this entire week leading up to the official federal celebration on Monday,January 21,2008?

I believe its safe to say that Dr. King would be proud concerning advances we have made in the struggle for human rights and racial equality, while on the other hand dismayed by some of the setbacks we have experienced. Poverty still exists and wars rage on.Even in light of these harsh realities and despite the customary fray and political jockeying for front-runner status which besets presidential races, across the party lines,this year's campaign has the promise to be one of the most exciting in the history of this country.

Yes.An African American man and a woman are both running in the same race at the same time in history as viable candidates.A dream come true for many African Americans, and also, for women who have never before had a real concrete shot at putting one of their own in the White House.

Amid the heated debates,the sometimes biting remarks, mud-slinging and the very subtle or blatant efforts at racial polarization from various factions of Republican, Democratic and independent voters or non-voting members of the general population,there is hope and we must keep it alive.Let's "keep hope alive", as Rev.Jesse Jackson does or have the "Audacity of Hope"like Senator Obama.

Let's also pray for peace while remembering Dr.King's dream constructively,as it appears in the process of materializing into sound reality, whether the next President of the United States is an African American male or a white female. Either result would be a first for this country. And, a move in a progressive direction for this country.I think based on the impressive level of skill and qualification each candidate brings to the table,that would be progress no matter your spin.

If Obama wins the nomination and goes on to victory in the national elections,Dr. King's dream that a person be judged not by the color of their skin,but by the content of their character will have become a reality in the presidential election process.And,he would be proud that many who would have without question been hosed down,lynched or jailed decades ago for exercising that right, now are having the opportunity to register, making their vote count, while in the process affirming the potency of the Voting Rights Act. The fact that an African American man is electable and that those previously disenfranchised may now be casting a deciding ballots has got to be motivating.One thing for sure,it is a measure of this country's greatness.

Harnessing the tremendous enthusiasm generated by Obama's candidacy and grass roots organizing wizardry may be the key to future political progress and bipartisan problem solving in this country. It certainly has the clout and momentum to set the tone of this year's race and the direction of Presidential races yet to come.It's wide open.

That is very exciting indeed.Keep the dream alive.

Happy Birthday,

Cynthia
________________________

First Published-January 15,2007

This blog post is in honor of today's holiday and committed to the memory of one of the greatest moral leaders of our time."I Have A Dream" is our Profile "speech" of the Week. March_on_Washington_for_Jobs_and_Freedom.jpg Happy birthday Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. May your spirit,dream and legacy continue to live on through future generations. To those tuning in,listen carefully to the words of his most famous speech, "I Have A Dream",considered to be one of the greatest speeches in history, posted below. If you were alive then,or were fortunate enough to attend the speech delivered from the Lincoln Memorial,with a crowd so enormous it spanned the National Mall reaching outwards beyond the Washington Monument,then you know that progress has been made in our society since the days of the "March On Washington". However,some current leaders legitimately question that progress.

If you were not yet born,then go to the nearest public library,or retail bookstore,read a book on the subject or google further and learn something additional about Dr.King and the struggles to make this holiday a reality. It took a very extensive effort,including a hard fought legislative battle by many to legalize it. In fact, Motown recording artist,Stevie Wonder,played a very prominent role in making the King holiday a reality.His song "Happy Birthday" was dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. and was instrumental in promoting the holiday's concept and contributed to the ultimate success of the bill being passed by Congress. To hear a sample of the song from Wonder's "Hotter Than July" CD click here. How does this writer know? In addition to the googling I did to secure the specifics to share with you,and having not been under a rock for the last twenty-five years,I actually spent a good deal of "real time" during the late 70's and early 80's attending rallies and concerts in support of the effort,and a good friend(law school buddy) was one of Stevie Wonder's principal organizers in the King Holiday legalization campaign.So,I had an inside track,so to speak.

Throughout Dr.King's struggle in the Civil Rights Movement,there were other recording artists who sang Civil Rights' songs and rallied the cause musically,including Bob Dylan,(Blowin' in the Wind","The Times They Are a Changin")Joan Baez,Peter,Paul and Mary ("If I Had A Hammer"),Nina Simone ("Mississippi Goddam") and Pete Seeger,the official listed author of "We Shall Overcome",though it was said to have been derived from a 1903 Gospel song. It became the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement and is listed on the 2004 Mojo Magazine Top 100 Protest Songs of all times.

Peace, Cynthia(Revcoolc)
Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 at 10:17PM by Registered CommenterCynthia | CommentsPost a Comment | References1 Reference | EmailEmail | PrintPrint

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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Global Day of Action Against Poverty (Revised 11.3.07)


" Purple Dream Come True" Drawing by Cynthia D. Wilson

Today is the Global Day of Action Against Poverty.In recognition of this sentiment and in an effort to heighten perspective about the ravages of poverty around the globe,which has both spiritual and material consequences,I dedicate a poem which I wrote several years ago. Entitled "Love is the Currency", here is a link to the audio podcast and written introduction which is posted on "Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks-To Go", an abbreviated or take out version of this "Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks and Writes" blog.

As you read it, reflect on money and how this wonderful concept and tool has been and continues to be misused by some. As beautiful a resource money is and can be, it is frequently misused in our world as a tool of oppression and malevolent control.How people will sometimes do any and everything for the "almighty dollar", as the classic O'Jays song "For the Love of Money" goes "... People will lie,they will cheat...People don't care who they hurt or beat" sums up nicely this negative aspect of financial exchange, or stagnation,if you will. (Incidentally, the song was performed beautifully by Alicia Keys at the "Live Earth" concert in July at Giant Stadium.See a related article here. See a video of her coverage of that song which begins a medley of soulful social observation songs on Live Earth MSN video. Alicia also honors Bono,superstar rock musician who led the charge in this mammoth effort for debt relief, as well as the effort to fight AIDS in Africa.See that article here.)

What if the paradigm was shifted and it became "For the Money of Love"... instead. Maybe that tremendous debt that weighs down the progress of several underdeveloped countries across the continent of Africa would not have accumulated in the manner in which it did. There's also a strong possibility that it would now be more readily forgiven.

While my poem is somewhat introspective,I believe it is relevant in that it speaks to the truth of personal as well as global financial woes. Changing the world and offering meaningful solutions to its problems begins at home with each individual. Perhaps acknowledgment of a greater and higher system of currency in relation to resolving the scourge of poverty is the beginning of the path to reconciliation and a step in the right direction.There might actually be some benefit derived from shifting thinking patterns on money matters to the extent that the flow of love starts counting and adding up like never before.

Yes. It is of course a lot more complicated than this. But a shift in how we think about money could very well lead us on the path of progress out of a debt and poverty hole which has trapped many.Let's just say there is a lot of overlap here. As in "Let there be debt relief on earth,in Africa,etc. and let it begin with you."

I can think of so many occasions and so many times that I have witnessed a person or community suffer not because there was a lack of money,but because there was a lack of compassion on the part of persons or institutions having it in abundance. However, access to it was denied due to either bureaucratic or other forms of red tape.

Enjoy your day of Global Action Against Poverty! And,let it begin with you.Take some positive and constructive actions which demonstrate your care and concern for the "Debt Relief" in Africa campaign being led by One.org. In addition, be mindful about other issues of financial abuses and misuses which you observe on a daily basis in your own communities.

And remember, "Love is the currency. Let it flow!"

When and ever love flows as vibrantly as the colors spiraling up the stem of the flower drawing above, my "Purple Dream"(purple in the sense of high in aspirations, lofty,ornate and regal) will have indeed come true.

Peace,

Cynthia

Related Blogs:

www.heavieroctaves.org:Global Day of Action Against Poverty

Friday, September 28, 2007

Bruce and Company

In the wee hours of yesterday morning,I headed out into the streets of Manhattan to meet up with two minister friends to share a morning of rock legend, Bruce Springsteen's, music. He was the special concert guest for the Today show.Below is a photo diary of the morning and a link to a video interview of Annie Rawlings,Social Justice Presbyter for New York City and Pastor Vickie of Ridgewood Presbyterian Church.












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