Friday, September 24, 2010

Oprah,Zuckerberg Set Tone for Big Giving to Schools

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The increasing trend of big giving among those who can well afford to give and put loads of cash into  social improvement as well as "money where their mouth is" is encouraging. The fact that a good deal of the money has been earmarked and dedicated to bettering public education not only speaks to the need for the shift in focus to public education as a giving piority in our country,but an area in need of care and attention.. The timing coincides remarkably with the release of the movie documentary "Waiting for Superman" ,which is an expose on the state of our public schools by Guggenheim, the director of  the award-winning "Inconvenient Truth" as well as "The Social Network" a movie about Facebook,its founders,including Mark Zuckerberg  and how it came to be.

Oprah's  recent gift of 6 million to Chicago area schools is one act in a long list of humanitarian giving which has been a signature of the trailblazing and award-winning talk shoe host since she came to prominence some 25 years ago.  She definitely started the trend of generosity among talk show hosts on television,especially with her car giveaway episode and countless others where the audience was generously provided goods and promotional giveaways. Zuckerberg  is a new arrival in the billionaire category. Founder of the social network Facebook,  the buzz is that the movie paints him in an unflattering manner. The 100 million dollar gift is a welcome and hopeful sight to those in the New Jersey schools system. At he same time, it has raised questions about whether his gift is being given as a strategem for deflecting the portrayal of his character in the film.

The gifts by Oprah and Zuckerberg are without question generous. My prayer is that the schools will measurably improve as a result of the gifts.  I would also add to the prayer that the money be wisely distributed. Money is definitely a solution to a multitude of problems. It can solve lack of supplies, inadequate buildings and lack of quality pay and qualified teaching personnel. I ask that the money donated be used to increase the pay and benefits for teachers as well.

There is also a value in  strong and effective parental and community involvement.Giving money is a substantial step in the right direction. However, the money won't be of any value if there is no care or concern about how to assure that the students and teachers get the most out of it.

 By the way, I don't think to much energy should be put into the question about Zuckerberg's motives i.e., whether his huge gift is nothing more than a good PR move to counter the negative portrayal of his character in the movie. His donation has the potential to help a good deal of students get a decent education. That is where the focus should be placed.

Kudos to Oprah and Zuckerberg. He is scheduled as a guest on the Oprah show today and will be making his official announcement then.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

A Song for Kanye: It's About Forgiveness and Class. Hooray to Taylor for Letting it Shine Through Her Music!


I watched the Video Music Awards last Sunday on MTV in anticipation of an engaging program filled with spectacular pop performances. I was also eagerly expecting some suprise performances. From the list that had been broadcast in previews of the show, the line-up did not seem to be well rounded. But the show came through and most of the performances were good. There were several which were very good,despite the industry's subconscious or conscious attempt to echo GaGa-esque music filled with that muffled speaker type echo. I honestly don't know the technical musical term for it,but most of you know what I am making reference to if you've listened to the songs in the  pop music top 10.  Most of them have that same sound effect...and beat. I do enjoy the outlandishly creative Ga Ga outfits though. She is a creative genius in image design to say the least.Anyway,enough of the introductories.

All of the performances were entertaining. There was one performance that night with which I was thoroughly impressed. Taylor Swift's song was beautiful. I thought she projected her sweet youthful energy and song writing talent,which was showcased by the song and the ambience created with her bare feet,white dress and innocence. I have to admit that I did not know that the song was about Kanye West. When I made that discovery,her stock rose exponentially in my book.  To tell you the truth, I am glad I did not discover this fact until after the performance. It took away any pre-conceived notions and prejudicial brownie points  that would have accumulated if I had known in advance. So my opinion is really unbiased as it is based purely on the strength of the song and Taylor's lovely performance of it. In a world and industry filled with glorified nastiness and tit for tat psychological rough housing by way of snarks and dissing, 9 times out of 10 for the pure shock value of it all, in eforts to gain attention,the song was refreshing. I found myself analyzing the lyrics,especially the mention of the 32 year old who was still an innocent. That phrase in the lyric made me think of someone other than Kanye. At the end the song closes with a reference to using a bicycle instead when crossing the tightrope. Well, hopefully you get the picture.  The bottom line is , if like me you were not in on the 'inside info, it was still just a beautiful song that appealed to the imagination. The fact that it was a song for Kanye  ups Taylor's ante in the class department. To all the naysayers out there,forgiveness is not something you do to increase your popularity. It is transformative action and gift from the divine which is as beneficial to the one forgiving as it is for the one being forgiven. It is an action that  wipes the slate clean if forgiveness is actually acomplished. It allows people to move on with their lives emotionally,spiritually and physically. In fact, some have been afflicted with illness and disease because they've held onto grudges and misdeeds performed by others against them or someone else close to the point that they become physically sick. So in the spirit of Christianity and Yom Kippur in Judaism,please let the forgiveness begin.

Other Class Acts:

Drake who brought in Swizz Beatz and Mary J. Blige for a fabulous rendition of "Fancy".
                                          
The young brother definitely has it going on. The lyrics to his songs are not only thought provoking,but he also has that artistic integrity that you root for enthusiastically from the sidelines. Drake is a conscientious  and thoughtful rapper that you want to see win. The performance with Mary J. Blige and Swizz Beatz was one of the highlights of the show. Mary delivered a powerfully soulful rendition of "Fancy" with Swizz Beatz demonstrating his grand piano skills. I found myself wondering if Alicia was going to join him on the piano. The stage choreography augmented the Rat Pack theme that Drake was aiming for and the well lit and positioned "Drake" sign in the background added to the class. I found myself intently listening to the lyrics and witnessing the new hip hop standard for being fancy unfolding with swagger and subtle panache...if there can be such a thing.


Eminem and Rihanna

As the show opener Eminem's performance bordered on the "hip hop" spectacular. The drum orchestra in the background,stage set up and enthusiastic audience contributed to the excitement generated.  He is a talented rapper indeed.His creativity and command for catchy and thought provoking storytelling was aptly showcased in "Not Afraid", an inspiring rallying cry.

Usher

Top notch.

Forgiveness and class won out in my book. What more can I say?


Well done.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum: Upping the Ante of Internet Access

Recent news of the Net Neutrality controversy and this looming agreement between Google and Verizon that is brewing or in the opinion of some, has already brewed--there is only a matter of time before
some think the tea is poured into the cup--I flinch.

In a nutshell, it appears people who do not have money to purchase special access to the internet will lose out by being marginalized and relegated to the slow lane. That lane will likely be in a constant state of congestion. You might liken it to the state of the inner cities and blighted neighborhoods that don't have the buying power to develop and look out for their communities as those in more affluent areas having solid tax bases. This analogy may seem like a stretch. But if you think about it, maybe not.

In the alternative, and what may be an even greater loss is its likelihood of spawning independent outgrowths or successionist networks i.e.,where those with special privileges could sublet or otherwise assign their access to those less flush. As a result, internet geeks will have more than enough incentive to create secret superhighways for use by those shut out from the predominant networks by their inability to pay for greater rates of speed. Also factor in their motivation to develop and acquire related niceties that would keep them in the game fair and square.

Either way, the stage is being set for the stripping away of modern conveniences of free and rapid access to the net by all regardless of financial prowess and social standing.

I love surfing the net unfettered by stalls and other inconveniences. I can only imagine the impact having to pay a premium for speedy service will have. Especially if that access is based on tiers of graduated income scales and the ability to pay.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Love is the Currency. Let It Flow...

“Beloved,let us love one another,for God is love;and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God,for God is love.” I John 4:7-8

Today’s reflection is based on a poem “Love Is the Currency”.

It deals with the value of love and how it is always best to let love flow without “pulling the plug” on that flow because we may not be getting compensated for our good deeds and pure efforts. I’ll be the first to admit that receiving timely and lucrative pay is important.Everyone is entitled to make a decent living and should be fairly compensated for their hard work and energies.

However, I have learned in my experiences that we should continue to love and do good without “always”, and the operative word is “always”, expecting and demanding “tit for tat” compensation in return. The bottom line is that “Love is the Currency” and we should let it flow… There are times when monetary remuneration may not be feasible or plausible under the circumstances. And,the universe’s form of trade can be so awesome,as it’s ratio of return is not limited by man made calculations or expectations.
You will get paid,even though it may not be in the form or in the fashion you had initially envisioned.Now,when “love” and “money” line up perfectly and in order,it is the ultimate combination,yielding endless and boundless prosperity and riches, a currency beyond measure.
So,bless someone with your love and resources today.

Listen in to the podcast(see below) for my recital of the poem along with introductory and closing remarks providing further insight.
Peace,

Cynthia (Revcoolc)

http://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail?pid=16627

p.s. Don’t forget to tithe.


⁠⁠Originally Published: 2007-08-28⁠

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Bobby Doe

I promised myself I would write more. More "e" for the blogs.

Today an old childhood neighbor came to mind, Bobby Doe. I say neighbor and not playmate because Bobby was a loner. None of the kids on the block ever really played with him or seemed eager to hang out with him.

I have not spoken with Bobby in at least 40 years. I have not seen him in about the same amount of time. Why he came to mind? I could not tell you. Your guess is about as good as mine. But I feel certain it has significance, as god speaks in a myriad of forms,languages, mediums and symbols. Some I am still attempting to translate and decipher.

Sometimes it seems computer language has gotten to such an advanced stage that it like the computer Hal in 2001: A Space Odyssey, has digressed to the fetal position. In etymology, the science and study of languages such a digression would be back to the time of cuneiform many thousands of years ago, when writing was done on clay tablets.

Oh well, maybe I will categorize this writing today as a "memory sculpture", a lot like a music sculpture, a concept I created several years ago. This is my memories playlist for today, created especially for imparting a Guide for Daily Living or one to put you in touch with all the Bobbies in the world.

Memories like songs can also spin on the cranial jukebox. Before you know it, a song comes to mind and Voila you have an entire mosaic of mediums,images and sound fragments coming together and providing a Kaleidescopic panorama of memory and song. Beautiful things to reflect about and eventually,at some point if you choose, to share.

Sometimes flashbacks like this one are spiced with wafting aromas. Activating my sense of smell as they softly glide up the nose, making more poignant the remembrances like this one that has been dormant for decades. In this instance I think of bright yellow dandelions, their tiny spidery petals,toothpick thin stems sliding into blade shaped roots, emitting a unique grassy scent.

Somehow the weed and its fragrance was more noticeable during childhood. Feels great making that connection now as I reflect about what I recall most about Bobby and the character myth or stereotype he represented in the neighborhood. Bobby you might say was one of the outsiders like a dandelion is to flowers. In his heart he may have wanted to mix and mingle,but the kids just wouldn't seem to let him. I could remember the days when I'd walk down the street headed to the party store. I might see him running or otherwise trying to make himself scarce from some the neighborhood kids who would be immediately behind him or up in his face calling him names and trying to bully him into or out of something. The spirit was almost like that of a gardener who spots a weed in the flower bed. The immediate reaction, to dig it up and throw it out with a quickness. Though I have learned over the years that some of the most attractive floral arrangements might be those with a few decorative weeds tossed in. Simply ironic,wouldn't you say?

Bobby always appeared so vulnerable and helpless. Always running. He cried frequently also,which is a no no for a boy. I would feel so sorry for him. I must have been between seven and ten years old when observing the worst of it.

Bobby. That was his first name. But the name that he was called most and you could say reached a kind of "mantra" level from the mouths of the little boy ruffians on the block was Cissy. Bobby was taunted by that name a lot. I think it was because of his look. He always had an afraid look on his face. It was almost as though he just couldn't relate to or identify with the barbs and disses by the other kids. If I didn't know any better, and I probably don't,since I never really sat down and asked him how he really felt about it,I'd say he was just plain oblivious to it all.

Not only that, he'd take up running as swiftly as a gazelle when any of the neighborhood boys would even look at him in a threatening manner. I never saw Bobby stand up for himself. This probably made him the bullies best victim. The sense of helplessness and vulnerability seems to draw them like magnets. Further, Bobby was not known for standing his ground,which no doubt made him much easier, maybe even more attractive prey. He also seemed to be on punishment a lot on the home front, which may have increased his bully attraction quotient as well.

I'd often ask his mom about him the times I'd pass by the house on the way to the neighborhood market. She would more often than not reply, "Bobby's on punishment." He would get into trouble a lot in school as well. I'm sure her voice traveled so that his intimidators could easily hear the latest news. They knew when and if he was on shakey ground with his family also. The houses on our block were pretty close together. In fact, it was a tight knit community. Everybody knew each others business. Some neighbors' business you knew more than others though. You could credit that to the gossips, rumor machines and other rapid means of getting the word out.

What's the moral of this story?

I think it is that somebody's got to stand in the gap and be there for people who become targets like Bobby. There may be a situation brewing in your community. There may be a pressing need for your presence or for your intercession by prayer or taking specific actions otherwise to show concern about somebody. You may just need to do what is on your heart with no request for anything in return. The quid pro quo bargained for exchange does not seem to fit in this kind of situation.

Right now I am wondering where Bobby is, if he's still alive, if he ever got married, if he went to college,etc.

Do you know a Bobby? If so,you may want to pray for him. You may want to express your care about the situation in a creative way. Send a good book, make a phone call or just drop by and say hi. If there is a more critical condition brewing, then you may be called to do something more expedient to the circumstances. It could be that you are being prompted to help your Bobby in a way that could really make a difference and completely turn the situation around once and for all.

God bless you and I love you.

Cynthia,
The Chaplain of Pop



Listening to:

Oh Where Oh Where Can My Baby Be?

83(John Mayer)

In the Midst of it All (Yolanda Adams)

Stand by Me(Ben E. King)

Tommy(The Who)

Ode to Billy Joe(Bobbie Gentry)

We Fall Down (Donny McClurkin)

Thursday, July 29, 2010

President Barack Obama on the View This A.M.

President Barack Obama will make TV history this morning by being the first US President to appear on a daytime television program. The show is-- 'The View': Satisfying 'how resilient the American people are'.
A partial transcript of the show is provided below:

ABC has released some transcripts of the interview early. Barbara Walters speaks with the President about the economy, the war in Afghanistan and his persona in the press.

Barbara Walters: But you know we said this has been a kind of difficult time for you, between the oil and questions of racism and Afghanistan and a few other little things. We understand that you sit at night with your daughters and your wife and you do the rose and the thorn, right? Do you still do it?

President Obama: We still do it. Although Malia is now at camp and Sasha is away at a friend's house, so it's just me and Michelle.

Barbara Walters: We'll do it for you. We'll do it for you. In the last month what has been the rose? And what has been the thorn?

President Obama: Well in the last month the rose has to be a couple of days we took in Maine with Michelle and Sasha and Malia, and we went on bike rides and hikes, and the girls are getting old enough now where they're not quite teenagers yet, so they still like you (AUDIENCE LAUGHTER), but they are full of opinions and ideas and observations, and it's just a great age. Malia just turned 12 and Sasha just turned nine, and it couldn't have been a better couple of days.

Barbara Walters: Thorn?

President Obama: Well, where do I begin here? (AUDIENCE LAUGHTER)

Barbara Walters: At the top.

President Obama: Obviously the country has gone through a tough stretch since I took office. When I was sworn in, I know you showed the Inauguration, we were losing at that time 750,000 jobs per month, the economy was shrinking at a pace of about 6.5%, which is unheard of since the Great Depression, and so the last 20 months has been a non-stop effort to restart the economy, to stabilize the financial system, to make sure that we're creating jobs again instead of losing them, and in the midst of all that we've also had the oil spill, we've also had two wars, we've also had a pandemic, H1N1, that we had to manage, and a whole host of other issues. What has been gratifying is the fact that the economy now is starting to stabilize and grow again, and what's been satisfying is seeing how resilient the American people are. As much as you said it's been tough for me, the truth is, it's not tough for me; you know I've got people, pundits on the news who may say things about me.

Barbara Walters: You noticed?

President Obama: Of course, you think about what the American people have gone through, losing jobs, seeing their home values go down, their 401Ks declining, those are the folks who I draw inspiration from because I get letters every night from them and I read them. And as tough as it's been, they remain hopeful, they remain optimistic about America, and so I don't spend a lot of time worrying about me. I spend a lot of time worrying about them.


The program airs today, July 29 at 11 a.m. ET on ABC.

Friday, July 16, 2010

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!





Its been a while since I revealed a meaningful inspiration. Not that I have not been inspired. It’s just that I have admittedly been so into things seemingly not going the way that I had hoped and prayed they would go for so many years I honestly just about– and I am still trying to catch up with what almost passed me by– missed my Blessing.

I will spare the gory details. Suffice it to say,I am almost too ashamed to tell it. You see, I have been experiencing the proverbial “been down so long syndrome,that I did not realize when I was going up”. I probably should not write it exactly like that,but it is the hard cold and raw truth. Call it hurt,anger,disappointment in not having it my way and being mad at god for taking so long. Yes. That is the not so inspiring half of someone who is supposed to be able to generate inspiration on the toss of a flower or the drop of a hat. Throw in an avalanche of discovering things about life and people and friends that I could have been better off not knowing and wondering wildly to myself how on earth did I take such a detour. And,since I’ve studied some theology and preached a few sermons I have attained a level where I can call the experience my wilderness years. I don’t mind sharing the story straight with no chaser. The only thing I have left to do at this point is actually smile and shout for joy!

And, I can do it now with a purity of emotion that I have not experienced since I was a child who wanted so desparately to travel with her uncle,cousins and brothers and sisters on a special trip over to their home one night but got left behind. I think I can count that as one of the big traumas of my childhood. At least its one of those primal experiences that never leaves the psyche. Anyway,I remember it to this day,just as if I were in that instant so many years ago. I recall the disappointment and hurt as a result of others that I loved and wanted to be with,embarking on a journey without me. Call it separation anxiety, pitching a fit or having a spasm I was railing that night.I must have cried all night long,if not outwardly,the tears were still streaming on the inside.

Now you are probably wondering what this has to do with victory. Well, to tell you the truth so am I. I think I can take a crack at it and say this. Sometimes we can get so tied up in our emotions and wanting things to go a particular way and within a projected time span that we can’t even recognize when god has answered our prayer or already provided what we are brooding, kicking and screaming or pouting about.

Like my mother was patient and understanding with me as I was going through my tantrum that night at home as a little girl whose hopes had been dashed,I am thankful for patient and understanding friends who have waited quite a while until I came to.

God bless you and I love you.

Peace,

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