Seeing Racism Where There is None - LeBron James Vogue Cover

To some, the heart and root of the racism issue is largely created and fed into by those who continue to stir it up - and accuse others of the racism they, themselves, paint everything with.

A recent example of this is the honor bestowed upon basketball athlete LeBron James. He was asked to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine - as just one of three men ever to grace its cover.

He and model, Giselle, were 'playing around' during the shoot, and it was determined that the best shot taken in the session was one that featured him as he is seen on the basketball court: fierce in expression and bouncing the basketball.

Now the news and online community is afire with people crying 'racism' because they choose to see the cover as portraying him as 'King Kong' with the 'white woman'. Technically, Brazilian model Giselle is not 'white', but that is not what is seen by the racists who only see things in 'black and white' with a racist undertone across the board.

See what I mean in this video from FoxNews:



The really sick and sad thing about the race-war-mongers of every race is that to them, everything is about race. Had it been a white man chosen for the cover in that same pose it would have been classed as racist for NOT featuring a black man. How long before we hear from the other racial hate-mongers about how they were 'dissed' (yet again) because their race was not represented on the cover?

There is no way to win with those who come in after the fact, spinning everything said and done into an attack on their race. Their hate and victim mentality is sad, sick, and dangerous. It further divides our country despite their 'claims' that what they want unity and equality.

More Hate from the Pulpit - This Time Against Obama

In more news to disgust and outrage, yet another pastor has chosen to take his own hateful political views to his congregation in lieu of the traditional teachings of Christ.



I have to wonder if the government will step in at some point and start revoking tax-exempt status for the political usage of churches by their pastors.

What is most sickening is how these hate-mongers dare to use God as their justification for spewing venom to their congregations. I don't know what God they worship, but most of us worship the One who teaches us to love one another, that vengeance is His, and gave us a commandment to keep the Sabbath Day holy. I don't think hate speech from behind the pulpit which stirs up anger and hate qualifies as obedience to that commandment.

What do YOU think about hateful political condemnations from behind the pulpit?

Saturday, March 29, 2008 - IRS Super Saturday - FREE HELP

Photo by Chance Agrella
On Saturday, March 29, 2008 the IRS is offering free help to tax filers that has been named 'Super Saturday'. IRS locations across the country will be open in order to give free help to individuals who may qualify for the 'Economic Stimulus Package' rebate.

The IRS has a hotline set up to answer questions about Super Saturday, and to give assistance via the phone on Super Saturday:

IRS Hotline, 1-800-906-9887, for free assistance locations.

If taxpayers have economic stimulus questions on March 29, they can call 1-866-234-2942. These phone services are available on March 29 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time. (Alaska and Hawaii service is based on Pacific Time Zone.)

From: The IRS Website. Newsroom Section.

More Information:

KSL News Brief with Utah Locations

IRS Info Regarding Super Saturday

IRS Super Saturday Locations by State

IRS Information Regarding What Documents Filers Need to Take with Them for Super Saturday Assistance

IRS Info Regarding How to File for Free (If you made less than $54,000 in 2007)

IRS Info Regarding the Economic Stimulus Payments (E.S. Information Center at IRS Website)

IRS Economic Stimulus Payment Calculator

"You Don't Know What it's Like to be a Black Man . . ." Is it Really a Black and White Issue?

Photo by Chance Agrella

 

The claim that Hillary Clinton or anyone else who is not a black man cannot possibly understand or relate to 'the experiences of the black man' is ludicrous and faulty in logic.

By that same logic, the person making the statement could not possibly understand or relate to the 'experiences of a white woman' or anyone else who is not a black man - which means they have no frame of reference for comparison, which is needed in order to make their statement true.

You don't need to roll in a pigsty to know it stinks, and you don't have to go into space to know that stars are beautiful. As humans we have been given a unique ability to learn about and understand things we do not directly experience, but that we observe. As humans, we also have a unique gift for being able to show compassion for the pain others suffer - that we, ourselves, have not.

You don't have to be a white woman to understand that being treated unfairly is not fun. You don't have to be a black man to know that it really stinks to be judged upon how you look.

And frankly, there is no way to possibly 'know' the experiences of everyone else - as everyone has a unique experience. My experiences as a white woman are not the same experiences as any of my female friends who are white - though we have a few in common.

We are all people, which makes us each uniquely different. It is not our race that defines us, but the choices we make when the challenges life throws at us all come our way.

What do YOUR choices say about YOU?

Obama is at it Again - 'Typical' White People Remark

Photo by Chance Agrella

In a radio interview on March 20, 2008, Obama's racist views were again shown for what they are when he commented that his white grandmother was a 'typical white person' in her feelings/reactions to blacks.

Gimme a break.

The Obama camp is shouting about racism and stereotypes needing to be overcome - and yet here he is, with his own lips, spewing stereotypical racism.

Listen to it HERE.

For the record, 'typical' is defined as

• exhibiting the qualities or characteristics that identify a group or kind or category; "a typical American girl"; "a typical suburban community ...
• conforming to a type; "the typical (or normal) American"; "typical teenage behavior"

From: Worldnet.princeton.edu

Racism is defined as

• Prejudice or discrimination based on an individual's race; can be expressed individually or through institutional policies or practices. ...
  www.hsp.org/default.aspx
• or racialism is a form of discrimination based on race, especially the belief that one race is superior to another. ...
  encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/ra/Racism
• The belief that one 'racial group' is inferior to another and the practices of the dominant group to maintain the inferior position of the dominated group. Often defined as a combination of power, prejudice and discrimination.
  www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/voices/ref/gloss/glossary.html

Stereotype is defined as

• a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or ...
  www.gssm.k12.sc.us/gssmweb2/English/invisible.html
• An exaggerated image of the characteristics of a particular group. Phrase coined by Walter Lippmann (1922) to describe “pictures in our head”
  www.uihome.uidaho.edu/default.aspx
• an exaggerated belief that can be positive or negative but generalizes without allowing for differences.
  www.louisianavoices.org/edu_glossary.html
• A conventional image or characterization that is widely accepted.
  www.oneontacsd.org/hs/murphy/terms.htm
• Ethnic stereotypes are fixed, oversimplified ideas about an entire group. A stereotype may contain a "kernel of truth," but this kernel becomes exaggerated and rigidly applied to the entire group.
  www.hsp.org/default.aspx

This 'typical white person' has no problem with people of other races, creeds, colors, religions, etc. I only have problems with idiots, racists, and other stupid and/or hateful people. When I see you coming, I won't care what color you are - but I will care if you act in a way that I perceive as creepy or threatening - which can occur regardless of your gender, race, creed, color. Hassle me and I will kick yer tushy. I am an equal-opportunity creepy hassler butt-whooper. Everyone else gets a smile and a friendly 'hello'.

Is anyone else sick to death of the race card being played over and over and over? If you are running for president of the ENTIRE country, which is comprised of colors and races other than blacks, you need to represent us ALL - yes, even us 'typical white people'. We are all AMERCIANS - you know, the 'melting pot' thing? Try thinking in those terms for a change, Senator Obama.

Sustainable Living, Eating Local Foods, and Co-Ops - New Trends or Wave of the Future?

I have a friend who is part of a produce co-op each year. The basic concept is that everyone produces things, then gets to exchange what they contribute for other things they need. Its a great way for people to use a little bit of garden space, but get a big variety of produce.

The new place I moved into came with a small composter. I have always wanted to try composting, and I love gardening (though I truly have no clue what I am doing!) As I was looking up composting and gardening tips online, I came across this great video show on YouTube from Patti Moreno, 'The Garden Girl' who now also has a segment on Farmer's Almanac TV.  Her focus is on sustainable living. She has some great ideas, tips, and easy to do  projects that can be applied in the smallest or largest of spaces.

Then, there is the trend (which she also mentioned in an interview she did on tv) of 'eating locally'. Individuals and restaurants are moving towards buying foods grown/produced within 100 miles of their location. This helps cut down on fuel usage and costs, and it also helps celebrate and embrace the amazing variety of foods that can be and are local. Many new recipes and types of local produce are coming out of this movement.

So, what do YOU think of the trend of going back to more simple things and more natural things? Do YOU think it can last, or do YOU think it will fizzle out?

MORE INFO:

YouTube Video Clips from Garden Girl TV

Brief info about how my friend's produce co-op works

Article about the eating local movement

Garden Girl Interview:

Outrageous Claims On Easter Sunday - Comparing Reverend Wright to Jesus

Photo by Chance Agrella

The new pastor of Barack Obama's church, Reverend Otis Moss III, made it clear he intends to follow suit of the previous pastor, Reverend Wright, in his claims that Reverend Wright has been 'lynched' by the media and has suffered similarly to what Jesus did at the hands of the Romans.

To compare the two is not only ludicrous, but blasphemous in the minds of many Christians. Jesus never spewed hate and never riled up people against the government or those of other races. The story of the Good Samaritan, and how He handled himself when in the hands of the Romans - even asking Our Father to forgive them, clearly illustrates that Jesus is a man of peace. The same cannot be said of Reverend Wright or his predecessor.

The Holy Day (Easter) set aside for the remembrance of the sacrifice the Savior of the world made for all: black, white, Christian, Jew, Muslim, believer, non-believer, and everyone else - was forgotten in a sermon designed to rile up further animosity and defend the indefensible.

How can anyone call Chicago's United Trinity Church of Christ a church or Christian, for that matter? It sounds more like a political meeting of the black version of the KKK to me. They are certainly not preaching what Jesus did in His time on Earth - which was to love others - including your enemy, and to forgive. His love and His teachings were all-inclusive. I do not see that in a church that spews racism against whites, promotes hate against the government, and makes claims such as, "you picked the wrong folk to mess with", "unashamedly black and unapologetically Christian", and making pleas for money to 'defend the church' in 'this time of battle' . . .with no further specifics regarding the allocation of funds given. Jesus never asked for money for Himself or to 'defend' Himself. He asked us to give to the poor and needy. He never proclaimed war on those who did not think as He did or did not agree with Him.

Think Reverend Wright's brand of hate is limited to his congregation? Think again. Rev. McKinney in Seattle wrote in an essay handed out today that Reverend Wright 'represents the best of us'.

If this kind of thinking and hate is representative of 'the best of us' then maybe the rest of the world is correct about us, after all.

SOURCE:
Fox News Report: In Easter Sermon, New Obama Pastor Charges Reverend Wright Victim of 'Lynching'.Judson Berger. March 23, 2008. http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/03/23/in-eastor-sermon-trinity-united-pastor-compares-rev-wright-to-jesus/

MORE INFORMATION:
The church's own 'Black Value System' is posted on their website, and is a clearly racist document. Don't think so? Read it with the word 'white' in place of the word 'black'. If it would be racist and wrong for a white church to print and post and preach such things with the word 'white' liberally sprinkled throughout, what makes it any less racist and wrong for a black church it print and post and preach such things with the word 'black' liberally sprinkled throughout?

Please note the final phrase in the document: 'the advancement of black people toward freedom.' Since when are blacks in America not free?

When their racist hate dictates it to be so - not in reality.

And for the record, such a statement about the advancement of black people is very similar to the teachings of the KKK in regards to whites and their 'place' in the world. See information regarding Hiram Wesley Evans and his 'The Klan's Fight for Freedom'.