"Wherever I Go,Whatever I Do...

I just returned home to D.C. after spending the Thanksgiving holiday in Detroit with my family. I was reminded of the good feeling it is to be in the midst and surrounded by people who really emit warmth towards you,are so glad to see you and genuinely love you.

Thanksgiving dinner was great and the family fellowship was satisfying. Some of my family I hadn't seen in years and some of the new arrivals, I finally got a chance to meet. I believe I am an auntie several times over. Quite a few new faces added to the Wilson clan.

While in Detroit I also ran into Congressman John Conyers, the Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus at the local Starbucks(photo above). It was really fortuitous to run into him. We exchanged greetings and memories of Rosa Parks and the people who helped to run her organization. She used to work on his staff years ago and he remained active in most of the community programs she ran over the years.
He invited me to a local television stations community program to expose youth to television. I informed him about the blog and podcast and he invited me to come out and video record it if I chose to.

Cyber Bullying of a Different Color

 I started blogging about my cyberbullying experiences several months ago before it reached the current "tipping point". I posted a series of notes on my wordpress blog which I have lately been unable to access,even with my password. I can go on about similar incidences on the web since this entire ordeal with "tracked" and "blocked" internet surfing began.

It seems law suits are now being filed left and right,organizations are forming coalitions with others to create more powerful and united fronts in opposition to it. I am relieved to see this momentum developing and hope that it will continue with gusto and needed consistency. It is unfortunate that a young girl dying from Hodgkins Lymphoma--only seven(7) years old at that,and a young college freshman who plunged to a cold and desolate death,jumping from the heights of the George Washington Bridge into the Hudson River, had to be the latest victims in what has been a growing evil streak in cyberspace communication. It has been taking the web by storm for months.

Before these latest two incidents, a fifteen year old girl committed suicide after being taunted by jealous schoolmates making subtle suggestions that she die.  I have received a bitter dose of  over  the past nine(9) months. The type of cyberbullying to which I  have been subjected is a four (4) headed  hybrid involving bullying that overlaps into the areas of harassment,stalking and hacking. My personal computer was hacked into,all of my email accounts invaded,several of my blogs made inaccessible at the whim of the bullies, insinuations made about my death and entire blog articles deleted before my very eyes with some sort of sophisticated gadgetery used to interfere with my typing of the words into the blogging interface. If these things were not enough, I  had blog posts stickied and maintained as highlighted articles against my wishes so that my blog was given a certain image and tone against my will.  I was repeatedly bombarded with either flashing light signals,which caused problems with my vision.  There were also at times arrows pointing to black colors or photos of black people which led me to believe that the bullies were trying to convey that this action was being taken and I had been targeted because I was black.

 Fortunately, I did keep a daily account of my experiences in memos and sometimes lengthy letters which I wrote in righteous indignation and sometimes total outrage at the pure callousness of the actions. You are not supposed to respond. However, I was trying to work out a solution and make peace with whomever they were while also ministering to them as best I could under the circumstances.  I would not advise it.  It never seemed to work anyway.

If that is not enough,my wireless signals were consistently interfered with. I got the distinct impression that  my internet  wireless signals were being intentionally blocked, my internet surfing was under seige and I was being held as a digital hostage. There were many times that I had to use a public access computer to handle all of my internet communications because my computer signals had been blocked.

I shared my experiences with friends. I sought legal counsel. I searched for advice and at times I just layed low.  I stopped frequenting places,social networks and communities on the web that I love as well. One of the frequent responses I received was to stop visiting the regular site, delete all email accounts,buy another computer, report it to cyber crimes bureaus, file a lawsuit...Some of the advice I followed. My problem was I did not who the bullies were. I had no name,no face,not even a screen or user name to give me a frame of reference.I had people going through my personal,private documents on my computer and blocking my access to the net. I had them to greet me at my email accounts before I even arrived. All of this caused me considerable emotional distress and interfered with my work flow and productivity. Being bullied and constrained as to where you can and can not surf on the internet,what you can and can not write is a confining and draining experience. While these actions have not driven me to suicide, they have coerced me into taking actions that have compromised my freedom on the internet without a hearing or advance notice. In addition to that I have been denied the opportunity to confront the ones violating my rights in a fair and open manner.

There is something fundamentally wrong with that. The web is too valuable as a means of communication in our daily lives to be abused in this manner. There is no way that anyone should have  access to the web blocked and not know who is doing it and for what purpose. If a person knows why they are being blocked ,perhaps some kind of peace can be worked out. However, if it is just to trip a person up,to hinder their progress and render them ineffective competition in vying for a business position or contract,it becomes  even more ominous. That is a flagrant violation of another person's rights and not behavior which the courts or other enforcement aga\encies should take lightly.

Congressman Conyers in the Neighborhood

 I was happy to run into the Dean of Congress, political icon the late Congressman John Conyers at one of his favorite coffee hang outs, the local Starbucks.Circa 2008.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum:Do You Know Who Your Friends Are?

With the apparent rise of  teen suicide,severe depression and the report of other emotional disturbance as a result of harm done by so-called friends on the web,there is a need for  heightened involvement by the authorities and those in the  grass roots web community who will join forces and make the internet a safer,more quality medium of communication.

The news about the young man who committed suicide is particularly distressing.  The act of recording his sexual intercourse with another man by webcam to expose and embarass was a cruel and reprehensible act. Distraught about how his privacy was invaded and his life put on display on the social network Facebook, he plunged to a cold and horrible death. That another human being's action could cause another to take their own life sends chills up my spine and should be galvanizing decent,caring and  concerned  people to take constructive action about the current state of internet communication and the glaring violations of privacy our current culture appears to promote. There is a need to protect by passing and enforcing needed laws. In addition, outreach programs have to be initiated on the net to educate the public while also closely monitoring such harmful, if not outright illegal behavior. Suicide as a means of solving the problem seems to be growing at an alarming rate. It has to be unacceptable. There is a need for immediate action to protect  the vulnerable by passing and enforcing needed laws. In addition, outreach programs have to be initiated on the net  and at educational institutions across the globe to closely monitor unethical and unlawful conduct,especially that conducted in secret and under cover with the aim of harming others.


I speak so passionately about the subject because I have been a victim,yes victim of cyberstalking and internet stalking over the past eight months and have suffered tremendous emotional distress from the actions of people I do not know and did not invite knowingly into my "cyberpace." Or, I may have had contact with them,but they are not and have not forthrightly identified themsleves.  While I have not had anyone to knowingly record me in that way that the student in New Jersey has, I have had people to hack into my computer,rifle through my personal and business files and to commandeer all of my email accounts ,sorting through and reading personal and business mail as if my business was their business.I have had death threats made against me and my family through inuendo and insinuation through the use of internet ads and the strategic placment and veering of articles on certain internet pages. I have been forced to read certain articles and headlines over others in a method that makes it clear and confusing at the same time, increasing  fear and distress. 

Then there are those who use the net often,especially teens who conduct most of their business and social life via the web.  They often just don't know and have not been sufficiently trained about internet protocol or the rights of others.This ignorance  has contributed to the alarming rate of internet crimes. But most times it seems they are motivated by an evil desire to cause hurt to others.The other part of the equation is that there are the slick perpretrators who have taken full advantage of what others don't know and combining it with their knowledge of the loopholes, have made internet surfing at times a "wild,wild west". Add to that a lack of rules of engagement for identification and rampant anonymity and those who roam the internet seeking victims,have pretty much free reign to harass,intimidate and bully as they please without being traced.

Several of my friends know about the challenges I have faced over the past several months with internet harassment and cyberbullying.Like so many who have been targeted for this kind of treatment,I have often felt isolated and alone. Some of the questions and responses I have recieved when sharing my ordeal have not only aroused righteous indignation, but also have served to increase initial apprehensions about opening up and revealing my experiences. While I have sought legal help and advice, internet law is a very specialized field. You would be suprised how many "heavy weight" attorneys do not practice internet law, are unaware of internet privacy rights, protocol and generally shy away from claims of harassment  on the net.

The long and short of it is that there is an increasing disregard for the privacy of individuals and this brutish way of  harassing,intimidating and forcing people to do things against their will or to commit suicide either physically or digitally is an alarming indicator of a deteriorating society.

Do you really know who your friends are? That question applies to real time and  virtual friends that are accumulated so quickly and effortlessly on the internet through social networks,message boards and forums. Be mindful of that as you engage and interact with people on the internet. Also pray for your friends,positive and enriching internet  experiences and that god will guide you into the kind of experiences that will help you to flourish in the digital age.

I extend a special prayer to Tyler Clementi's family, his friends and the Rutgers University community at this time.  I also pray that ways will be made to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening in the future online or off. 

Oprah,Zuckerberg Set Tone for Big Giving to Schools

Photo Source

Photo Source

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.

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.

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.