Comments on: Throwback Thursday — Is It Because I’m Black?

By: technicolor

technicolor — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:17:49 +0000

I appreciate your post. I am new to blogging, but happened upon your post because of my own entitled, “Is it because I’m Black?”. I wonder sometimes, about the different things that I encounter from day to day! Thanks for that Syl Johnson song, I don’t think I have ever listened to him, only his daughter Syleena, so thanks for sharing, and uplifting!

By: Maryee

Maryee — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:49:50 +0000

My sister Jen loves her some Nina S. I think she has this same video on her blog. Thanks for sharing!

By: Mahoganydymond

Mahoganydymond — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:38:01 +0000

This is a powerful song. While I was listening to the song, my mother. She started talking about when she first heard the song. So it goes to show, music was music back then. Most of it had feelings. I am going to look this song up for my collection.

Thanks for the post..

By: Kenyan Sister

Kenyan Sister — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:13:39 +0000

Hi Afrobella

About the situation in Africa, it is heartbreaking of course, but European and North American media always play up the negative side of Africa. There are a lot of positive things going on, but they only focus on the ones that portray Africans as savages and helpless victims ravaged by war, AIDS and hunger. I don’t mean to deny that there is great need here in Africa, but this is not the whole story.

On the issue of what charity you can give to, are there any are targetted at enhancing the self esteem of black girls so they can love their hair, colour, bodies, history etc? I’m sure this would be close to your heart, but I don’t know of any.

By: Bebroma

Bebroma — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 01:24:51 +0000

Erin — OMG, you have no idea how much I appreciate your post. I don’t want to go all into it, but I obtained my divorce through Legal Aid in my state. I had to meet the qualifications, which were not just low-income, but also the reason for the divorce. Without Legal Aid, I would not have been able to get my divorce when I did and certainly without legal representation. My lawyer was wonderful, and my divorce went the way I wanted. So many people think that Legal Aid only has cut-rate lawyers — that is NOT TRUE!! These are people who have decided to devote their time and energies to helping people who cannot afford legal representation, who have not committed a crime, but need legal help, instead of pursuing a law career in another direction which could bring them more money, etc. I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful having this provision was for me, and bless you, bless you, BLESS YOU Erin, and those like you, who expend your time and energies in this area.

By: Erin

Erin — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 22:46:50 +0000

Hello All-

I commend you for wanting to support charities. So many people feel that society’s problems (especially the ones that don’t affect them directly) will disappear when ignored. Having said that, I work for the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau (www.mdlab.org). In short, we provide civil legal services to MD’s low-income residents. You know that line in the Miranda rights, ” if you cannot afford sn attorney one will be appointed for you” it only applies if you have been arrested for a crime. What about those people who have had their benefits cut/denied? Or abused and neglected children? Residents who are victims of slum landlords or fraud? The list goes on. Who helps the everyday folk who have a legal problem, don’t know where to turn and can’t afford proper legal counsel? We do. And, we have to fundraise on our own. We receive some State funding, but not enough. We are a bonafide 501 c3. Also, you would be surprised to hear how many people feel as though legal help isn’t a pressing need and doesn’t deserve support. Many people turn away until they find that they need it…

By: thistimenow

thistimenow — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:45:25 +0000

Hello Bellas!
I have not visited this site in awhile, and I’ve been away in Thailand for two weeks on a photo assignment.
I’ve decided to see if I’ve missed something important on this site and indeed I have. I too wonder like Danielle J, if we as a people have regressed. I think that a lot of us have. The comment made by Danielle J was quite true:

“I think about Harriet, Sojourner, Malcolm, Martin, Mary McLoud-Bethune, Fannie Lou, Nat, Frederick and my spirit is lifted. If they did it given the disadvantages they suffered, then I can and we can too”

In my opinion a lot of our people are focused too much on material things, Our children want to be “ballers, shotcallers”. There is nothing wrong with excelling in sports, entertainment, etc. but it seems to me that a vast majority of adults and children get their culture, education and “information” from the boob tube (t.v), hip hop magazines (although at times they may give a paragraph or two about a worthy cause or situation in need of our attention) or some other entertainment outlet. The hunger for material things is sickening. On the plane back to Korea we were all “entertained” with a expose on Beyonce. I see why a lot of foreigners think that most Americans worship money.

We have infinite opportunities that our parents, grandparents, etc. never had and now I hear a lot of moaning and complaining about it “being hard out here for Black people” What?! People need to realize that life at times is hard, FOR EVERYONE. Do you think the very dark-skinned Asian Indians I passed in the airport today in Bangkok complain about the color of their skin and how they are discriminated against in their own country? No, they get up every day, like my parents, your parents and try to make a better life for themselves and their family. Believe me, when we’re all gone to the next life, there will still be someone somewhere groaning about their skin color, hair texture, height, weight and basing their current unhappiness, lack of material abundance on something else that they have no control over: the way God created you and meant for you to be.

I thank all of you who have named your charities or organizations. I’ve always wanted to start my own scholarships fund for budding artists and foreign language enthusiasts.

Ciao!

http://www.nearandfar.wordpress.com

By: ceecee

ceecee — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:03:42 +0000

Wow Bella I have got to say I had pretty much thrown my hands up in the air and given up on this whole election. Thanks for this inspiration not to give up
I’m currently on the lookout for trustworthy charities that focus on substinence(sp) farmers in African countries. I’ll keep you posted

By: Naturally DevaSTing

Naturally DevaSTing — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:41:19 +0000

In light of your post, I think this charity is perfectly suited to the concerns of your heart and desire to give back and that is Women for Women International. It allows you to sponsor a sister in a war torn country for a year-SUDAN, RWANDA, CONGO, IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN, where your monthly allowance provides financial assistance to your sister, along with teaching them AIDS awareness, lifeskills and job skills related to their respective communities. All the women who are sponsored are taught together to create a community within a community from which these women can support each other once they’ve graduated from the program. The founder of the organization has been featured several times on Oprah, among other media, for her work empowering women devasted by war.

By: sungoddess

sungoddess — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:59:01 +0000

“To Be Young , Gifted And Black”, is one of Nina’s finest moments in song, and I always sing along with her, the way she sings it: with CONVICTION.

Be Blessed Mama….