"Before we are, black or white. Muslim or Christian. Rich or poor, we are human. Yes, it is quite simple, but sadly mankind hasn't figured this out yet" ~ Shakira Z. Ch'i
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Hello my friends, I need to share with you a beautiful song that has really touched my spirit. Written by the great humanitarian and singer- songwriter Bruce Springsteen.. A.k.a The Boss!! Originally released in 2001, as a voice to the voiceless. This voice that inspired such thought provoking lyrics, was Amadou Diallo, an African immigrant that was shot 41 times and murdered by 4 police officers while reaching for his wallet. Sadly, this song is ringing true to this day. A morose reminder of the vulnerability of just being, just being everyday people in America. I need you to focus on the injustice. Let me be clear, I fully support law enforcement, as should you. But the acts and recklessness of some is what I utterly abhor! Also I want my readers, black and white alike, to not let media divide us any further. There are white Americans who disapprove and are angered by the shootings of innocent citizens. And for the record, white civilians are shot and killed by negligent police as well, but this isn't reported via mainstream media. This leads to the consensus that only blacks are affected. What we have here is a call to police reform. For starters, non-legal ammo should be all domestic police are allowed to carry. This method has proven effective in countries like Singapore, that have been using non-lethal ammunition since the 1880's. Just the a.m while writing this, I receive a notification from a news site, that yet another unarmed man has been murdered by a El Cajon, California police. When one overstands the dynamic of what's going on in America, one shouldn't be surprised. But with each innocent life taken by the hands of those who are to protect and serve, we the people, become more disheartened. However, there is light in our paths of liberty. All that's needed is unity and perseverance! Peace Always ~ Shakira
Hello dear friends, today I want to share with you an article that I find most interesting. As we're all aware of the recent murders of unarmed Americans. I want to state firstly that, the unjustified murder of anyone is disheartening, black, white, yellow etc.!! Hold on, as I was typing, something came to mind. Do you see how stupid racism is? I say this because we have been taught to address individuals as colors. We describe peoples as white, black, brown, yellow, red.... I have yet to see any person white, black etc.. I have yet to see a black person, a white person etc.. I'm sure you get my point. This alone is a form of institutional racism. Unknowingly all Americans practice racism, day in and day out!! We are in dire straits with this racial divide in America. Why must one describe their friend as "John, my black friend" or "Amanda, my white friend" ? I digress, boy do I...
Anyways.... A police officer in West Virginia was fired for NOT shooting and/or killing a man that was in distress. He had broken no laws. This person was severely depressed hence suicidal. I find this to be very ironic. I applaud this officer, he is a hero in my book! Why? Because he didn't take the easy way out and murder this man. He used his marine training and skills to diffuse the situation. This took bravery..most importantly this took a change in thinking! And a change in how we think of one another in America is the only saving grace here. God bless America, God bless the world, God bless all!! Peace Always ~ Shakira Below is the link
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2016/09/12/west-virginia-cop-fired-for-not-killing-a-man-with-an-unloaded-gun/?utm_term=.366235eae6da
Hello my dear friends, I'm sure that you have seen, read or heard about the senseless murder (and I don't use the term loosely) of Terence Crutcher. This saddens me beyond words. Unable to watch the dash cam video or read the gory details, I see it only fit through my despair to honor the fallen victims of misconduct. While I indeed empathize with the slain officers that are lost by the hands of criminal minds via gun each day. I also detest over zealous trigger happy antics of those who see each melanated man, woman or child as a "threat". I.e Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Akai Gurley, Sandra Bland and so many others. It's the hypocritical psyche of so- called mainstream America that bothers me. A melanated man will be revered and upheld as "big bad dudes" while playing professional sports. As matter of fact, this or those very individuals, will buy posters jerseys and all sorts off memorabilia commemorating the accomplishments of said athletes. However, take this same individual, put him in the mundane environment of everyday people and he instantly becomes scary. To be a police officer takes heart, it takes bravery of the highest caliber and if you don't possess this fundamental quality, you have no business being one. Peace Always ~ Shakira I have shared with you a inspirational song by the beautiful, talented Emeli Sande' please listen and enjoy! "We, humanity and nature individually, are the microcosm of the universe. Together we, humanity and nature, are the macrocosm of the galaxy. In unison, we, humanity and nature, with acts of good will, are God manifest. We, humanity and nature, have the power to usher in peace and heaven on earth". ~ Shakira Z. Ch'i
Who is your GOD?
Better yet, what is your God? Is it Gold. Oil. Drugs? Will America be "Great Again" or is this another cliche' thrown into the wind. Only to not be manifest but live in the hearts of the rest, that believed be not deceived G.old O.il D.rugs is this all we live for? Same lyrics, different key Same poem, different delivery Like or not, these are the things to which we all pray. Gold transformed into digital~paper currency Oil the petro pumped into the veins of our autos get from point A to point B Drugs...where would we be without that shot to keep our babies polio free? G.old O.il D.rugs will we ever shake this paradigm and live truly free? God is all around me. Who is your God?...... Gold Oil Drugs Hey friends, if you enjoy reading my post, then you will also enjoy my first memoir entitled "Collective Reflective Power: a memoir. Follow the link on my home page to purchase!!
Peace Always~ Shakira I won't sit here and pretend that black Americans are the only victims of senseless, preventable murder carried out by a handful of police. That would be a slap in the face of the families whom lost their loved ones unjustified. Though it may feel that way when blacks are dis-proportionally represented in positive sectors of American culture. But are equally acknowledged when it comes to homicide and incarceration rates, maybe in the excess. I ask, how can one accept the narrative given by the media? The same media that is the leading reason why the world views black and latino men as thugs and rapist. Now this very entity is posturing to care about the very people that they programmed the world to be biased against. I smell a skunk, it seems to be some phony ulterior motive shit brewing...think about it. Our grandparents fought for integration...nothing more. As civil rights are inherit with being human..no man on earth can grant another this. The few "civil rights" ( for lack of a better word ), make it impossible to prove in the court of law the unethical practice of discrimination. Shucks to even get the case to the court room steps!! In short our grandparents inherited a joke... a very bad one. So I ask, what is needed now? What are "black lives matters" ( Duh!! tell me something I don't already know ) protesting for? Are things going to truly change for the better or all we going to gain is the loss of second amendment rights? American corporations have failed the disenfranchised black community. Gentrification has failed the black community. Not having the children being educated from an African perspective has failed the children, black and white alike. Not having the means to control your image has failed the black community. If we continue to teach children through ignorance, then the future of America will be in peril. A house divided against each other can not stand. It is disheartening when I see videos of violence within the urban communities. It seems that black Americans have embraced a death culture with open arms. Who gave you the idea that being negative is the way? Killing police is not the solution to the afflictions and ills that affect the ghetto. Let us attack and end socioeconomic crimes that fester inner cities to create urbane societies. Let us attack and end all forms of degradation even when its done by fellow blacks. Let us attack and end the epidemic of fathers leaving their children. Let us attack and end the support of these "entertainers" who sell death. Stop looking to them as your leaders, be your own leader. Self respect and dignity starts in the house. If one shows his or herself to be a clown, how can you expect onlookers not to laugh when you speak? How can a women get upset when a man calls her a "bitch" when she calls herself one? We as American people, black and white alike, have been through too much collectively to regress to another civil war!! Think about it, do any of us really want this? I most certainly don't. We have to do better people, it's so easy to point finger at the opposite group, no matter what color or gender. But we must look at ourselves. How you handle adversity is a reflection of your inner being. If I trip and stumble in front the man of my dreams, is it embarrassing?.... No, it's not. Because being ashamed exists only in one's mind. Numerous times, I have dealt with white Americans who were utterly rude..and my first thought was that this person was biased. But from further observation, I witnessed that this person was also rude to fellow whites. In short, this was just a rude individual, my color had nothing to do with it. Yes I will admit that there are "racist" people in America and abroad, but honestly I don't care if the said racist likes me or not..I love me and I wouldn't expect anything more from such a low IQ person. I'm comfortable in my own skin and don't need validation from any other. I've said all this to say, that it shouldn't take the murder of 2 men for the "BLM" movement to protest. It's been crime and murder happening in the black community all along... where were you then?
Hello my dear friends, I'm sure by now you've heard of the terrorist attack at the Istanbul airport located in Turkey. It's reported that 36 people were killed, 147 were injured and over 17 individuals were arrested. Now I know that it's so easy to look at these nefarious attacks and blame Islam. As a Muslim woman firstly, I need to say that I and the like detest such actions. This does not represent the teachings of Muhammad ( Pbuh ). I think that it's essential that fatwa be issued upon such travesties that are done in the name of Allah!!!
If we analyze correctly, we will see that those who commit violent acts don't care about you or me. We're left holding the Islamic bag, being ridiculed and called terrorist. The perpetrators also kill and maim fellow Muslims...where is brotherhood in this equation? Though it is only fitting to protest and condemn these attacks as Muslims and non-Muslim people. It's imperative that we do not alienate the Muslim community. For this is the breeding ground of extremism!! The more you categorize, exclude and withhold equality and protection from the Islamic youth. The more you block immigration, the more fallacious statements that are made about all Muslims,( via news media, publications ) the more heinous attacks will be seen. This is my observation and the effects of psychological damage done to the minds of people who are already forced to leave their motherland due to war..then they are rejected in their new home... How would you feel? Just as we cannot rightly say that Jim Jones, Timothy McVeigh, Dylan Roof ,the infamous Ku Klux Klan and so many other countless unnamed terrorist who have brutalized, raped and tortured the indigenous peoples world wide do not represent the dogma of Christianity, those evil people do not represent Islam. Most of the suicide bombers are in fact uneducated people who haven't taken the time to read the Quran. Leaving them open to manipulation by more versed individuals who have personal agendas. They don't understand that some things should be taken figuratively, not literally as with all holy books..The illiterate, under educated youth, yield their personal power to be a righteous soul under God. Education is key!! These youngsters that grow into brainwashed, counter productive sheep, do not know what God is. God is all- knowing, God is love, God is compassion, God is forgiving, God is giving, most importantly God is intelligent. Evident by the formation and intricate mechanism of our body, to the powerful workings of the infinite universe to the creative design of nature. God has too many great and beautiful attributes to list. Innumerable affirmations God is... He or She is just is!!! Hello dear friends, I hope that all is good!!
Lately, I've been thinking about the proper way to deal with a pedophile. As you all know, I am a survivor of sexual abuse. The monster that committed these atrocious acts upon me is currently incarcerated for a very long time. But I ask the question still, is that good enough? I mean should this person and the like be castrated or perhaps executed? From my research and analysis, it appears that these types never change, they just move on from victim to victim. I know reading this you may think, man, that's harsh!!! But I say what's harsher is the internal pain that lingers in the psyche of all survivors. In the quiet moments of the nights, it hits us hard as flint. Or the times when we are carrying on our daily activities, and we have a sudden flashback of the carnage...the barbaric acts of the pedophiliac devil. There are organizations who wish and are currently lobbying for the consent for sex to be lowered to 14!! And I can't began to tell you how many men and women travel to poor third world countries such as Brazil, Haiti, Cambodia,etc.. to rape babies for a few dollars. These sick individuals rape children as young as 5 years old!! What should be the proper ramifications for such heinous acts? So cunning, they pay for pricey plane tickets for the sole purpose to rape and escape persecution within American jurisdiction. Does therapy really work to correct their misdeeds? Does prison time, very lengthy prison time really work? These people rape and abuse while in prison I'm sure. Ask any young male or young female who has been sentenced to prison time. If honest, they will tell you that they were raped! This has become a part of prison culture. Then I ask the question, what leads a person to have these desires? Is it because we live in a hyper- sexualized society? I mean sex is used to sell items from milk to mustard to cars and so on. Do these people lack the ability to communicate and court an adult, so they go after the most vulnerable and least powerful? Do they feed off of the fear, sad and chaotic energy that raping a child brings? I don't have all the answers, but one thing I know is that once a pedophile, always a pedophile!!! I ask all reading this to engage in dialogue with the children in your life. Let them know whats proper touch and improper touch. Let the know that you will listen and always be there for them. We must start protecting our children, lest the next generation be damned!!! Peace always ~ Shakira May this young lady rest in peace, may all women and girls be liberated worldwide!!!! Death of teenage girl casts doubt on Egypt's efforts to end FGM - activistsTue May 31, 2016 4:05pm GMT
Print | Single Page [-] Text [+] By Kieran Guilbert DAKAR, May 31 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The death of a teenage girl during an operation to illegally perform female genital mutilation (FGM) on her in Egypt raises questions about the north African nation's efforts to end the practice, anti-FGM campaigners said on Tuesday. Mayar Mohamed Mousa, 17, died of heavy bleeding in a hospital in Suez province on Sunday while under anaesthesia, according to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), Cairo-based rights group. The private El Canal Hospital, where Mousa's twin sister also underwent the procedure but survived, was yesterday shut down and Egyptian prosecutors are investigating the death, said Sedkhi Sidhom, an official from Egypt's health ministry. "Not all cases of female circumcision are reported across Egypt. There are cases of circumcision where the women die and are then buried without a word being mentioned," Sidhom said. More than nine in 10 women and girls aged between 15 and 49 in Egypt have undergone FGM, and around 80 percent of these procedures are carried out by medical professionals, despite the practice being banned in 2008, according to U.N. estimates. The teenager's death comes more than a year after doctor Raslan Fadl was convicted of manslaughter in Egypt's first FGM trial after a 13-year-old girl died in a botched procedure. While Fadl was sentenced to more than two years in prison, he has not yet been imprisoned, said Suad Abu-Dayyeh, Middle East and North Africa consultant at rights group Equality Now. "It is incredible that the Egyptian police are not taking a tough line on ending FGM in a country where over 27 million have been affected," she said in a statement. "The death of the 17-year-old should be yet another shocking wake up call for Egypt." ENFORCING THE LAW FGM affects an estimated 140 million girls and women across a swathe of Africa and parts of the Middle East and Asia, and is seen as a gateway to marriage and a way of preserving a girl's purity. It causes numerous health problems that can be fatal. The practice is punishable in Egypt by up to two years in prison under a 2008 law, which was enacted after an 11-year-old girl died following an FGM procedure in Minya province. Yet rights groups say the law has not been enforced and that Egyptian society is permissive of FGM, which is widely practised among Muslims as well as Christians in the mostly Muslim nation. "It's a catastrophe that these cases are still happening. The doctors are actually not performing operations, but crimes," said Dalia Abd El-Hameed, gender and women's rights officer at the EIPR. "Criminalisation alone is not enough," she said. "The state must focus on changing individuals' beliefs ... that cannot be done using only medical and religious discourse," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by email from Cairo. Magdy Khaled, head of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said she was deeply saddened by Mousa's death in light of the progress Egypt had made in combating FGM in recent years. Around six in 10 girls aged 15 to 17 had been cut in Egypt in 2014, down from three quarters of girls in 2008, the UNFPA said. (Reporting By Kieran Guilbert, Additional Reporting by Farid Farid, Editing by Katie Nguyen.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org) This proverb has helped me to cope in the time of loss. The recent death of musician Prince hit me hard.. Though I never met him or even saw him perform live, I was most fortunate to have atleast known his music. I feel as if I lost a good friend. May he rest in peace and power!!! To all my readers who may have lost a loved one...I'm sure that the grieving process won't be complete over night. But let this proverb guide you towards quicker healing.
Peace Always- Shakira A woman has been accused of a sex crime with a 2-year-old, according to Simpsonville Police.
Peggy Louise Atkins has been charged with Sexual Conduct with a minor 3rd degree. Police say it happened on April 18. The foster parent of the toddler says the child’s nurse had the child in an inappropriate position. Atkins was employed by a company hired by Medicare. The warrant says Atkins “… willfully and lewdly commit lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body of a 2-year-old female victim (EM), with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the list, passions, or sexual desires of the defendant.” The warrant says probable cause came from witness statements and photographic evidence.Atkins is in the Greenville Co. Detention Center with no bond. The victim was abused and left paralyzed a year ago. The 2-year-old’s birth mother tells us she believes her daughter’s suffering could have been prevented. “It is very devastating. It is heartbreaking,” Kaya Thomas said. Kaya says her 2-year-old daughter can’t move or speak and needs daily medical care. Last year, she was left paralyzed from her father’s abuse. After her baby went to the hospital, the state never let her bring her home. “They think that I put her at risk for letting it happen to her,” she explained. “And I don’t have a car and I have a 4-year-old. How will I take care of my 4-year-old and my child with special needs now that she has because of her injuries?”Her baby was put in DSS custody. She says she visited her foster home often but last week she was denied that visit. That’s when she found out her child had been through even more traumatic abuse. “You know, my daughter is going through all of this and I had nothing to do with it and I am being held accountable for something I had nothing to do with,” she added. “I just want my daughter to come back home, and I’ll just be fighting for her.” Kaya is speaking out because she believes if her daughter would have been at her home it never would have happened. She says she has been fighting for the last year to get her baby back home and out of DSS care.“I love my child and I would never let anything happen to her.” Kaya has other children that are not in DSS custody. DSS told us they cannot comment on their case. “I just want people to know that my child is out there getting hurt. It doesn’t need to be just my voice. There needs to be a lot of other voices out there,” Kaya said about wanting others to join in her fight. “She can’t say I’m being hurt or this hurts or stop or no.” There are times when you visit such a place or meet such a people that it's overwhelming leaving you speechless...in a good way I will add!! Barbados is such that place. It's a place that you must visit for yourself. You must take in this energy of freeness that this land brings. I've met some beautiful people while there and I'd like to dedicate this poem to those people. Peace Always~ Shakira Barbados I've dreamt of you
Golden people, sun kissed skin Descendants of slaves, an African people though not beaten down- resilient...sovereignty Each woman elder my grandmother reincarnate- ancestor The spirit of Bussa, with the heart of Garvey runs through the veins Jah, Rasta-far-I heritage merge- pan-Africans Reparations are due.....it's true Barbados I dream for you A land of turquoise aqua Brotherly and sisterly encompassed utopia For this is your glory! Surpass my expectations, this beautiful island nation Barbados I dream of you You have lift my spirits high I beg to question why.... Can't back home share your vision? Where racism is non- existent Here I am sister that has returned to one of my many homes - Diaspora Be united...stand oh Barbados Be a beacon of light Home of the brave and land of the free Barbados until again.. I dream of you Hello my dear friends. I hope that you have been able to find peace within the madness of life. In the face of negativity, we must maintain peace and positivity. Though difficult, we must hold equilibrium steadfast.
Today in spite being exhausted and stressed, like millions of American daily, I had to tend to business at my local MVS. Most people know it as DMV. Being that my local branch opens at 8 a.m, I decided to go at that time to increase my chances of a smooth and relatively quick transaction. Yes, I thought to myself as I received my number..."I'm lucky number 8, I should be done quickly". As I was sitting there,I made mental note of the customers before me. Within these moments, in walks this woman with a huge red designer bag..her aura reeked of haute arrogance. In a matter of minutes, she walks to the front clerk, shows her identification and is told to go to the photo Id clerk. Watching in disbelief, I waited to jump to conclusions. It wasn't until I saw the flash of the camera that I became upset. Looking at the woman who was ahead of me, I calmly asked her.. " You were here before her right"? "Yeah, I was and so is this lady. I'm number 6, which one are you"? "Is she taking a picture"? "Yes she is, I replied, that's not fair. I'm saying something"! So I went to the clerk and inform her that us three were waiting and ahead of the lady who just walked in. The clerk asked my number and apologized. She then called us all to her desk and appointed us to the proper window. As I'm walking to the window to renew my license, I over heard the woman that I had conversed with earlier, reaffirm to the clerk what I had said about the lady jumping places. The clerk confidently replied "Oh she works here". Hearing this, I scoffed to myself.. "She works here". Yeah, that makes it right. My points folks is that we can't allow ourselves to ever become comfortable with injustice..with unfairness. Sure she didn't want to be there, neither did we! How can these rules and protocols that have been put in place to insure that fairness for all, be amended?...just like that! I think that the people who hold high positions should be held to a higher standard. Not in that way you may think..in a way where they don't expect to be treated with any favor above others!! This is ideal behavior, this is the test!! Humility is true power, who can live up to this? Peace Always~ Shakira MESA, Arizona — A man and woman were arrested Monday in connection with the worst case of child abuse Mesa police officers have seen in a while.
“This is just one of those cases that just shocks the soul,” Mesa Police Chief John Meza said a news conference Tuesday morning. “Officers who responded to the scene were troubled by the conditions and having to witness this and without delay we have resources for them, also,” Meza said. The 3-year-old child, who had allegedly been offered up for sex, was rescued Monday after authorities found her in a trash bag surrounded by feces in a closet. Her mouth, arms, hands and legs were duct taped, Meza said. She was also malnourished. “The suspect wanted to have sex with other people and said he put the child in the closet because she was too loud,” officers said. The victim was found with many bruises, scars and blisters on her body, police said. “Neglect so harsh she could not stand on her own,” Meza said. Police said the child’s mother, Mayra Yomali Solis, who is homeless, had been dropping the girl off with Fransico Rios-Covarrubias for days at a time over the past month. Meza said Rios-Covarrubias had agreed to babysit the child while the mother went to work. Meza said Solis would stop by and see her child just one day a week. Police said they were tipped off Monday morning after a man Rios-Covarrubias had met online for sex showed up at the apartment at around 7 a.m. and noticed a bad odor. He also observed the child bound and gagged with duct tape kept inside a closet, Meza said. “The suspect asked the responding party if he wanted to have sex with the child,” Meza said. The other man became upset and left the apartment. He returned shortly and had consensual sex but told police he did not see the girl. He left and immediately called police. When police arrived, they found the girl “was covered in feces wearing a diaper and T-shirt,” Meza said. Officers removed the duct tape and she was taken to the hospital. Rios-Covarrubias is accused of sexually abusing her, officers said. He confessed to duct taping the 3 year old, police added. She was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Officers said the homeless mother had shaved her daughter’s head so she could claim she had cancer to collect money. Solis also told police she admitted to knowing about her daughter’s injuries but did not seek treatment. She said she believed the girl had fallen, Meza said. “Fortunately the child was recovered before any more additional harm could be done to her,” police said in a statement. Rios-Covarrubias was booked into jail on charges of sex trafficking, kidnapping, sexual conduct with a minor, along with child abuse. Solis was booked on child abuse charges. “The arrest of any suspect involved in abuse or exploitation of any child is of the highest priority for the Mesa Police Department,” police stated. Meza said local law enforcement agencies still have work cut out for them in child sex and exploitation cases. “It brings to light the efforts we need to continue on sex trafficking. It’s a problem that exists,” Meza said. “In this case, it was a combination of just evilness but also the fact that the suspect had offered up this child to the person who called to have sex with,” Meza said. Are we organizing the terror, then terrorizing the terrified?
Demonizing a cultural land, a people, a belief? Using the like of that all so ambiguous, mysterious terror...the word calling airstrikes on the village, the town, the city, the children, the people.....justified? You see we can fight terror for the next 2000 years and never know who she be! Wake up, for we are fighting a lost cause Only love can solve all How can we fight what we can't see? Terror....who she be? The bitch be around since Caan and Abel, the murder of christ and the like Japanese against Chinese...the rape of Nanking all the world wars of past and to come Tribe against tribe Hutu terrorize Tutsi, vice versa....Rwandan war Terror...such a whore When will we see that the joke is on you and me? We can't fight what we can't see Terror she surely isn't some random Muslim man or woman, Lone crazed acts are just that...the energy of evil can possess any of any religion..Dogma Only true love can defeat Terror Killing in retaliation, hating other religious denominations only lends her breath Terror is such a mystery....for how can we fight what we can't see? "There is only one race...the human one, but each people operate on different vibrations, this is what we call culture! So many confuse the two".
Peace Always, Shakira Today I share with you a video of David Kassack, a 59 year old unarmed man who was killed by a Hummelton,PA. police officer. The officer responsible was found not guilty of murder by a jury several days ago. Now if you notice, new reports don't state the race of the victim or the officer. ( Both identify as white.) Why? Because that just isn't as sensational as "White Police Kills Black Man". Mass media knows how to pull at emotions and incite people to behave in the manner they deem appropiate. I want you to keep in mind that not all police are murders, in fact I believe that most would prefer and be elated if they could serve their whole career not having to even discharge their weapon. However, they are some who should have never been called on to "PROTECT and SERVE" because these few don't know it's meaning. And it makes the entire police force look inadequate. It's imperative that we maintain respect between each other...otherwise our moral fiber will decay into anarchy! I sure know that I don't want that, and I'm sure that the average person doesn't want that either. I don't have all the answers..heck not a fraction of them, but I think that police should be allowed to carry only non- lethal rounds when responding to domestic calls. And should this officer use lethal force like those that killed Eric Garner, he or she should be held 100% accountable. They should also receive stiffer sentences. The reason being..you made the career choice to become officers. We, the citizens should not have to worry about being murdered by the hands of law enforcement because he or she were having a crappy day. Or because they were over worked and under paid, leaving them vulnerable to improperly judging if a person was a true threat or not. I also believe that police should receive a yearly salary of at least $50,000. We want to the people whom we pay to protect us to be happy and comfortable. I dedicate this to all victims who lives have been taken due to police malice and neglect, may justice be granted!! Hello dear friends, today I want to talk about a subject that I have refrained from offering my opinion on. This subject is the "Black lives matter" movement. Now I will explain to you my thoughts on this pseudo movement. As my reader, you are aware and understand my beliefs on race.... With that being said....
We say "Black lives matter" yet we continue to support and watch so called reality and tv shows that depict "Blacks" as ignorant, drug dealing, back stabbing, law breaking, scandalous, impious (Damn, that sound like "Empire"), pimps and prostitutes that are named after food and leprechauns!! "Black lives matter" yet we continually patronize company brands that offer not one cent towards college scholarships to assist the under served and disenfranchised youth of the ghetto. "Black lives matter" yet we instigate, film and make viral videos of violence as if it's golden. We say "Black lives matter" yet the majority of Americans of African descent don't empathize with or support any African cause. As a matter of fact, anything African we detest. "Black lives matter" yet the "Black" American women has been so sexualized that her worth as a companion are determined by how good she twerks and not her intellect, character and domestic skills. We rant "Black lives matter" yet adages like #teamdarkskin and #teamlightskin are acceptable on social media and everyday expression. "Black lives matter" yet no one is called out on this ignorance. I challenge anyone reading this, to tune into any hip hop video channel that is playing current rap. Turn the volume off and watch with an open mind. Look at facial expressions, look at the body movements, take in and analyze the imagery. What do you think? How do you feel? How would you interact with a people who were the constituent of this entertainer? Yes, I know that one should not judge a people based on what's shown on television, but folks image is very powerful. It can be positive or detrimental to a people. Prior to the holocaust, Hitler and the 3rd Reich portrayed Jewish people as stupid, untrustworthy, greedy, materialistic, heathenish, sexual deviants....this was the only way that he could get the German people to condone and aid in the genocide of these people. Now imagine if Hitler were alive and in power today or any Hitler like leader... who do you think his prime target would be? I'll wait....... Now I know that I have used the word "black" numerous times, I want to emphasize that in reality this is just a word. It does not begin to describe who we are, the greatness we have given the world or our history. In actuality, we, "Black" Americans have no clue of our ethnic affliation, so we unite and simplify ourselves by using the word "black". Moreover, we cannot allow propaganda to divide the masses. Injustice, anguish and evil have no color!!! Because the senseless murder of any precious life is an disservice to humanity. My utmost goal and desire is to eradicate pain, suffering and oppression of ALL people. This is my Utopian ideal. My point today is we can chant, rant, scream and yell "Black lives matter" until our faces are pale, but true, positive change starts from within. Self respect hence respect of others starts from within, knowledge and understanding starts from within..... Love starts from within, and you cannot truly love if you're concerned only because it's now some group!!! In my ever so humble opinion... #MyLifeAlreadyMatters because I say so!!!! Peace Always, Shakira Hello my dear friends, on this day of International Peace, I need to address my concern with the increase of Islamaphobia in America. This trend of shallow, ignorant group think is alarming. It seems that the cycle of hate and disdain are bound to take place in this society changing targets each generation. When America as we know it was formed, there was a sickness of xenophobia that spread all across this land. Where anyone who wasn't Anglo-Saxon or Aryan suffered oppression, suppression and roadblocks on every path taken. This wickedness affected anyone who had larger amounts of melanin in their skin. To the degree that Italians, Greeks, South Asians, etc. were categorized as black, regardless of their ethnic heritage or European nationality. To keep society "pure", Christian groups like the Ku Klux Klan were formed. This Christian group tortured, maimed, lynched, castrated and raped women, children and men of all colors. Reference: in New Orleans, March 14, 1891, 18 Italian men were lynched after falsely being accused of a crime. It has been called the biggest lynching in America. Wounded Knee massacre in South Dakota. December 29, 1890. Killing 200 Lakota Indian men, women and children, wounding 51. Rosewood, Florida. From
January 1- 7 1923, a whole African- American town was wiped out and destroyed. Killing upwards off 10 people. Tulsa Race Riots of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Late May, early June 1921 in a section of Greenwood, there was an African American town also known as "Black Wall Street" due to its financial abundance and success, was completely wiped out , burned and ravished to nothing. Then we had they era were misogynist hijacked the political system. Women weren't allowed to vote federally until 1920, after years of debate and struggle by such forward thinking women as Sojorner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and nameless others. Or the hate crimes against gay Americans like Harvey Milk, Brandon Teena, Scott Amedure, Matthew Shepard just to name a very few. I ask the question, when has man had the right to punish or discriminate against another because he may see, love or believe differently? If I ask what color is the sky? Some may respond with " the sky is blue, some with " the sky is white" and yet others may say " the sky is truly black". Am I at liberty to verbally bash them, detain or use aggression towards any participants because their answer may differ from my opinion? No, I am not and neither is any other on this planet. We must realize that none of us truly " Knows" anything... we only have our opinions, our beliefs. Islam means submission, submission unto God ( Allah SWT ). The foundation of Islam is that of peace and a direct connection to God. Muslims also believe in Jesus ( Isa...pbuh ) as a prophet from Allah. We believe that God cannot die and is not dead... man cannot murder the creator of all. If we look at it deeply, we're all born Muslims. Christianity is taught and learned. The love of the true, living God (Allah SWT) is innate. ( Disclaimer: just my belief and/ or opinion, please hold your horses!!! :-) I'm not here to convert any non- believers, yet simply shed some light on this ignorant pattern of not liking someone because of their religion. If you don't understand, ask questions, read or research. This is imperative so that America doesn't slip back into the dark ages and such atrocities that happened in the not so distant past, happen once again!! People in society have a habit of putting everything into a box or category. Then if you don't fit into the per-determined box, you're instantly condemned. I will leave some quotes from Muhammad (PBUH).. for this is truly a religion of peace. Just as we cannot mark all Christians as bigoted, violent , terroristic, white supremacist, we cannot allow propaganda and xenophobia to set into our psyche, causing us to have hate in our hearts, spewing obscenities out of our mouths, as we watch our Muslim brothers and sisters (or any other regardless of their religious sect) face adversity or oppression. Remember it could be you tomorrow! Peace Always~ Shakira Hadiths (sayings) of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh): " Faith is a restraint against all violence, let no mu'min (faithful Muslim) commit violence" "The proud will not enter paradise ( Heaven), nor the violent speaker" "The best of you are those who are best to the women" "Do you know what is better than fasting and prayer? It is keeping peace and good relations between people, as quarrels and bad feelings destroy mankind" "The strong person is not the one who can wrestle someone else down. The strong person is the one who can control himself when he is angry" Someone asked Muhammad (pbuh) pray to God against the idolators and curse them, the prophet responded "I have been sent to show mercy and have not been sent to curse" "Allah (SWT) has revealed to me that, you must be humble. No one should boast over one another, and no one should oppress one another" "The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim... |
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January 2021
"I'm an avid student of life, love, and spirit. My blog isn't about external beauty per se, clothes, fashion, make-up,or even politics. No none of these things!! The articles that I write come from my heart and are about something simple yet complex, rugged yet fragile, dark yet light. Something beautiful yet at times can be ugly. I write about something that all reading this shouldn't take for granted. Life!! Something everlasting yet fleeting." - Shakira Z. Ch'i Peace Always |