Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Black Women's History Month

I haven't presented anything for Women's History Month but I came across a story of some contemporary young Black Women that should prove to be an inspiration to all of us, Whatever our sex or color.
I found this great presentation on youtube called;
So what if I an a Black Woman performed by Arbeny Davis

After watching this superb performance by this beautiful little girl,
I googled her name to see what else she may have done and I discovered some very interesting info.

First I found an article
which included a comment by the little girl herself.
Hey Nesha thanks for showing me love on your website. In case you dont know my name is Arbeny Davis, and I am the little girl; well no longer a little girl.LOL!!! I attend the University of Memphis now, I am majoring in Dance, my goal is to own my own dance studio. Thats just a little info about what Im doing now. I love what you are doing and good luck with everything. Much Love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Further research showed that not only is Arbeny talented, intelligent and ambitious, she is also a very brave young woman.
The company she keeps is no less courageous.
Here's what lead me to that conclusion---
Best Friend Saves Life
by Donating Kidney
Lifelong Friends Recovering After
Transplant
Last Edited: Wednesday, 17 Dec 2008, 4:09 PM CST
Created On: Wednesday, 17 Dec 2008, 4:09 PM CST

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WHBQ FOX13 -

Both girls are in as high of spirits as one can be a day after a major operation, but they were willing to let our cameras into their hospital rooms long enough to share a heartfelt story of giving.

Lying in her hospital bed, Arbeny Davis calls this "the best Christmas I've ever had."

It's a tearful thank you for a grateful 19 year old girl born with a diseased kidney.

Davis says "I don't know what I could do for her that she's done for me."

With tubes delivering oxygen to her pained body, Arbeny Davis is recovering on the 10th floor of Methodist Hospital.

Lying in her hospital bed, Arbeny Davis calls this "the best Christmas I've ever had."

It's a tearful thank you for a grateful 19 year old girl born with a diseased kidney.

Davis says "I don't know what I could do for her that she's done for me."

With tubes delivering oxygen to her pained body, Arbeny Davis is recovering on the 10th floor of Methodist Hospital.

She is fighting abdominal aches from the surgical incisions that saved her life. None of it would have been possible without the courage of her best friend, Kenesha Reed.

Reed murmurs "It makes me feel really good that God used me to save her life."

For two girls who have never really been apart since meeting in grade school, the kidney transplant bonds them for life.

Arbeny says of Kenesha, "She means the world to me."

When no one in Arbeny's family was a match, her best friend got tested shortly after her 18th birthday. Kanesha says the decision was easy.

"Because I love her and the Bible says there is no greater love than a man who will lay down their life for a friend, and I love her, so I'll give it to her, I'll do it all over."

Young siblings recognize Kenesha's bravery in words expressed as poetry. But the selfless teen doesn't want any acknowledgment. She hopes the noble effort inspires more giving this holiday season.

"I hope people learn to step outside of themselves and be willing to give, be willing to share with other people, and stop being so selfish."
I'm proud to say that these young women are our future. Their lives, like those of many of their peers, are history in the making and we owe it to ourselves and them to ensure that they receive our continued acknowledgment and support by any means necessary, as
Malcolm X would say.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Bernard Monroe a 73-year-old black man killed by police in Homer, LA

I read about this incident while scanning the news groups and
I thought why is it still open season on Black Men by police?
The powers that be don't seem to be overly concerned over the wave of police killings of unarmed or defenseless Black folks. They (the police) don't appear to generally suffer any severe consequences for their actions. It seems to me that the attitude is that it's all in the line of duty. While these shootings and killings ans tasings are getting some publicity, what about the beatings and wrongful detainments and verbal abuse that never gets reported. IMO this is where it all begins. For each time one of these abuses are carried out with impunity, the police will be emboldened to simply escalate to the next more violent step, to the point that they feel it's their right to gun down any Black person they feel like. Sadly this is where we find ourselves today.

If the authorities won't take action because it's the right thing to do, then we will have to come up with a way to bring about REAL CHANGES ourselves. For this we're going to have to start with internal changes. Apparently everyone is talking YES WE CAN but not many are getting in on the action. I don't doubt that there are folks out there who are actively taking on the role of bring justice to the Black Man, it's time we find them and help out with the program, the life of someone you love may depend on it.

"If I see three or four young black men walking down the street, I have to stop them and check their names," said Mills, who is white. "I want them to be afraid every time they see the police that they might get arrested."

Source: Russell Mills, Police Chief, Homer, LA.


link: African American Political Pundit: 73-year-old black man shot by police in Homer, La.

AAPP has covered the story of the shooting of Bernard Monroe in more detail see the above link.



Roland Martin interviews witnesses, press and officials-

Cleopatra's mother 'was African'

Cleopatra, the last Egyptian Pharaoh and renowned for her beauty, was part African, says a BBC team which believes it has found her sister's tomb.

Queen Cleopatra was a descendant of Ptolemy, the Macedonian general who ruled Egypt after Alexander the Great.

But remains of the queen's sister Princess Arsinoe, found in Ephesus, Turkey, indicate that her mother had an "African" skeleton.


It seem's that some white folks have discovered that Cleopatra's "mother" was an African. Dr. Clarke or Dr. Ben or Runoko Rashidi could have easily have told them that and more.

Well let's see what they have to say about this latest info.

Cleopatra's mother 'was African'

link: BBC NEWS | Also in the news | Cleopatra's mother 'was African'