...A Reminder to Vote

What must it feel like to carry the hopes and dreams of an entire race of people on your shoulders?

"As much as I hate to say it, I know beyond a doubt that the next four three weeks are going to be nasty. He's leading, and there are people who simply cannot stomach the idea of his beautiful family living in the White House. There will be smears, all sorts of slander and lies, the likes of which you've probably rarely seen. So we got to pray for this man. And please . . . make sure you VOTE!!! Vote early if you can!" - anonymous
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I received both the above photo,its caption and linked power point presentation in my ususal stream of emails from friends today. They are sure to provide all the motivation and energy needed to go out to the polls on Tuesday,November 4,2008, determined more than ever to make your vote count.

The slideshow is awesome.It brought back many painful yet profound memories from the past. They have spurred me on even more to make an historic vote for change. If your mind is not yet made up,this presentation may inspire you to constructive action.

As for me,I am making my vote count in the upcoming election.And,I am going to encourage my friends and family to do the same. By the grace of God, and by virtue of the power to choose, our government,in the greatest country on Earth,the candidate of my choice,and I dare say,the people...will be elected by a landslide come election day.

Take a look and pass this power point/slideshow on. I could only post it to my blog in "click on" mode,which allows photo by photo viewing.Right click on the photos to start the presentation without having to click by photo,if you prefer.

Enjoy.

Peace,

Cynthia D. Wilson
The Chaplain of Pop

Music for Obama:Voices of A Grassroots Movement-"Yes We Can"

Photo Source

I believe, and have for some while, that music serves as a catalyst for positive change, as it heralds in ,while also galvanizing meaningful social transformation. Inspired by this notion, and the music of my favorite musicians,I spearheaded a radio broadcast--Heavier Octaves-- which morphed into a broader internet broadcast utilizing playlists, which I dubbed "music sculptures",videos and programmed inspirational messages to give voice to that notion. An enthusiastic and hopeful Obama supporter, very much rooting for, and seeking to be tuned in to "the change we need" and the "change we can believe in",I am thrilled to bare witness to this CD compilation. I look forward to promoting the songs innovatively on the broadcast and among my friends throughout the social networks of which I am a part.

Many artists have been inspired by Obama's campaign,which has been fired up by not only the "audacity of hope",but by the sheer enthusiasm that the internalization of this hope has generated in our communities. Just navigate your way to the Obama store on the main site or look at some of the folk art exhibits,boutiques or street vending booths in your local neighborhoods to view further evidence of how artists have been inspired.

That Obama has inspired so many artists and laypersons to express themselves creatively about their hope for the change which is needed in our political system is clear. That such inspiration has flowered into a movement is nothing short of phenomenal. It speaks volumes for an idea whose time has come,if not of a gift for motivating and activating others--bringing out their best qualities.

This CD compilation demonstrates the power of inspiration. As a music lover and fan of several of the contributing musicians, I view it as a harbinger of powerful community expression that results when people come together and unify around a common purpose. That coupled with the creative power of love and music can surely motivate and stir the populus to good works.

Let's keep that spirit of expression alive as we make our way to the polls on election day. Get out into the neighborhoods,speak to people and help them make their way to the voting booths, if you need to. Help make their hope and inspiration count.

Let the music's source of inspiration take you higher. "I'm fired up and ready to "vote".

That said,I hope to see you out there showing how much you love your country and making a meaningful difference during the days leading up to November 4,2008. I trust you will make your voice heard on election day as you sing the tunes of change all the way to the polls.

This is a link to the song samples streaming from the Heavier Octaves Radio broadcast player which you can embed on your website.

Blessings,

Cynthia

This compilation contains the following tracks:

1. Eternity - Lionel Richiie
2. Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder
3. Waiting On The World To Change - John Mayer
4. American Prayer - Dave Stewart
5. Battle Cry - Shontelle
6. Make It Better - Los Lonely Boys
7. Pride In The Name Of Love - John Legend
8. I Have A Dream - BeBe Winans
9. Am I All Alone - Suai
10. One Is The Magic # - Jill Scott
11. Love & Hope - Ozomatli
12. Looking East - Jackson Browne
13. Out of Our heads - Sheryl Crow
14. Promised Land - Malik Yusef with Kanye West and Adam Levine of Maroon 5
15. Hold On - Yolanda Adams
16. America The Beautiful - Keb’ Mo’
17. America - Ken Stacey
18. Wide River - Buddy Miller

The digital download or CD can be ordered HERE.



Through their musical contributions, the artists seek to mobilize voters in the final stretch before the November election. Many of the artists involved will also be volunteering their time to promote voter registration. For more information on registering to vote or requesting an absentee ballot, go to: www.VoteforChange.com

Barack's Speech-The Dream Lives On...Keep Him Lifted Up!

View the speech.The Senator and official Presidential Nominee of the Democratic Party sums it up nicely.

What a speech!

Please keep him lifted up...I got the emails also.Keep the prayer wheels turning:


Dear God, I pray for optimum health, wisdom, mental clarity and political prosperity for Barack Obama, and for his protection, as he seeks to become our President!

Amen.






Thanks to my friends Lois,Olivia and Moses for the emails and photos.

Peace and blessings,

Cynthia
The Chaplain of Pop

Dream Come True

Photo Source

If fighting for the rights of others,a prolonged and demonstrated concern for the plight of our forgotten communities and taking a hard won place in history makes Barack Obama a celebrity,no one can deny he is worthy.The thing speaks for itself.

Today marks a monumental and historic milestone and is to millions,particularly African Americans, a "dream come true".Barack Obama will be the first African american to accept the nomination of a major political party in the history of America and it is movingly also the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech.Barack Obama delivers his historic acceptance speech this evening in Invesco Field before a crowd of 75,000. 45 years ago, on this very same date in 1963,Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 'I Have A Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before a crowd of 200,000 supporters.

Find the video of Dr. King's historic speech below.Barack Obama's will be added in a new blog post once the video is available online:



Enjoy Obama's speech.I plan to be surrounded by friends and family when I watch it live this evening.Keep the event lifted up in prayer and positive thought.It is sure to be a "dazzler",one truly worthy of the highest order of celebration.

I dedicate the poem I wrote,"Dream Come True" to this triumphant time.Last nights action on the convention floor nominating Obama by acclamation is proof positive that dreams do come true. His acceptance speech tonight is icing on the cake.Patience,endurance and the long fight for justice will prevail.

As the word and the song goes:"Wait on the Lord and be of good courage. He shall strengthen thine heart.Whom shall I fear?"


Peace,

Cynthia Wilson
The Chaplain of Pop

In Memoriam:Leroi Moore-Weekend Inspiration Blast from the Past-Creativessel Inspirations: A Good Combination

Leroi Moore Performing at New York's Roseland Ballroom
May 9,2005-Photo Source

Creativessel Inspirations: A Good Combination



This week's Weekend Inspiration is in memory of Leroi Moore,saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band who passed away this past Tuesday afternoon,August 19, due to complications from an ATV accident in late June. He was 46.

I thought I'd lift this blog posting from last year's benefit concert for Virginia Tech featuring Dave Matthews Band,John Mayer,Nas and Phil Vassar as the "Weekend Inspiration".It serves as an example of what happens when musicians get together to play music to "uplift and encourage" a traumatized and grief stricken community.This post and the related blogs below which contain music from the concert or associated videos makes up the playlist.

Enjoy reminiscing.It really was a wonderful show.how do I know?I was there...

Thanks for the music,Leroi. Rest in peace.

Cynthia
The Chaplain of Pop

Another Kind of Green at Jones Beach

More to come jk

What's Happening in N.O.L.A Now?

Photo Source

With all the hoopla about Presidential hopeful,Republican candidate John Mccain's recent trip to New Orleans... " McCain has been touring poor neighborhoods where the likelihood of his winning votes is nil. In New Orleans, devastated by Hurricane Katrina, he stood with the new Republican governor, Bobby Jindal, and pledged to the residents of the 9th Ward, "the people of New Orleans, and the people of this country that never again, never again will a disaster of this nature be handled in the terrible and disgraceful way it was handled"(more). Today there have been reports of New Orleans residents being required to pay money back to the government which was received for rebuilding efforts(more..).

In light of all this,and my desire to bring to light the perspectives of eyewitnesses to the "big mess",I am lifting these series of blogs which I wrote as a rescue worker and minister back in 2006 as part of documenting the mission trip of over forty(40) scholars and students from Union Theological seminary and Columbia School of Social Work.

I hope today's story is not true.If any of the resident's have to pay anything back,I trust that equitable measures will be taken so that further insult is not added to injury.The residents of New Orleans have suffered enough. Don't you think?

Katrina has been called the worst disaster in U.S. history.It seems to be turning into the worst human fiasco as well.

By the way, take a look at some of the related blogs with accompanying photos and articles below. I also recommend reading the book "Katrina:Listening With Our Hearts" to which I was a contributor.

Here's an entry from the Heavier Octaves blog dated January 13,2006:












Photo Credits:(1-5) Lower Ninth(9th) Ward-New Orleans,LA.
All pictures taken by Michael Lee, except #5.

As our time in New Orleans progressed we saw and experienced more devastation. Above are some pictures of what we saw.Members of our team did what we could to help in whatever way was possible. Some team members either talked with residents or helped to strip drywall. This area of the city is uninhabitable. Many of the residents are living in other cities and states along the Gulf Coast. Some have moved as far away as California and North Dakota.
More to come...


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Let's keep the residents of New Orleans lifted in prayer.Also,write stories,call and email your congresspersons and stir up some concern on this matter.I am not Republican nor am I planning to vote that way,but I appreciate the attention Senator McCain is bringing to the matter.

I also want to lift up the musicians who are currently appearing at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival including:

Stevie Wonder
Irma Thomas
Aaron Neville
Carlos Santana

and

John Mayer at the Jazz Festival on May 6,2008 at the fair grounds


Related Katrina Blogs