The Grand Rapids TimesFebruary 29, 2008 Issue
Teens TalkBy Marcel Gamble
I am sure that everyone remembers watching at least one or two cowboy western movies. In an action packed cowboy western, a cowboy may endure a tremendous amount of pain and mysteriously still have enough strength to get back up and fight. Many people don’t understand that life isn’t a western movie and cowboys now aren’t getting up from the pain that is inflicted upon them. People in the streets can’t take 6 to 7 gunshot wounds to the body and live hours later to say their goodbyes to their families. This past weekend, I was shocked when I discovered that first hand that life we live is not an old cowboy western. This past weekend I discovered that a pop isn’t worth it – after completely putting my life in danger. After entering the gas station and purchasing a pop, and then exiting the gas station, as I walked to my car, I noticed something that was very wrong. There was a man sitting in the driver seat of my car, looking around for something on the inside of my car. As I tapped the window and glanced into the car, I noticed that the man appeared badly beaten, and he was bleeding uncontrollably. The man sitting in my car had gotten in to an altercation with someone earlier in the day and was not able to just get up and brush off his injuries like a cowboy. To be honest with you all, I was at a crossroad; I didn’t know what to do. I began to contemplate on whether I should put my life in jeopardy and try to remove the man from my car myself. I quickly decided that removing him wasn’t an option. He could have been waiting for me to get within arms reach, and he could have tried to stab me or anything. I immediately called the police when I realize that the pop I had in my hand wasn’t worth it. Sometimes, when we want things, we really don’t pay attention to our surroundings; and, we put our lives in jeopardy everyday. The man in my car probably would have stolen my car if I had left the keys in it. I had to endure a whole night of drama just for one pop. By the way, that pop wasn’t worth it. As Christians, we have to be aware that even though we are closer to God, evil still lurks around us. The Saturday night that the incident occurred, I was just on my way back from a church event; and evil still managed to catch up with me. Being Christians, doesn’t mean that we are invincible to the world. So, I just want to inform you all that we have to be aware and keep our eyes open because our lives aren’t worth a pop. God really had my back this weekend. He surely was the only thing that stopped me from making the decision of pulling the man out of my car by myself. He placed the man in my car to show me that life is not a Cowboy western and people are affected in many ways by the violence that occurs in my neighborhood. God wanted me to know that people become actors in old cowboy westerns because things blind them of their surroundings. People should really take the time out to think about their actions because life isn’t worth a pop. I’m going to leave you all with this, Proverbs 22:3“A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.”
Friday, February 29, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Sugar And Spice Don’t Make Everything Nice
Growing up my mother and my grandmother always told me that as a man I was going to marry me a nice, respectful young lady. What my mother and grandmother both forgot to mentioned was that it wasn’t going to be easy to find the close to perfect lady that I was supposed to be looking for. I supposed that they didn’t tell me that it was going to be difficult because when they were younger it wasn’t hard for a young woman to be seen as a lady. I guess times have changed, and right along with time people have changed also. There are thousands of women out in the world that I can associate myself with, but they are women not ladies. You see a lady doesn’t get loud in public environments or demand of anything. A lady doesn’t pull out the hair of another woman and brut tally beat a woman to the ground. Granted, yes, someone can look like a lady; but looks can be deceitful. Everything sugary and spicy isn’t always nice. During my early teenage years, I have met some of the most beautiful girls; but my perception of them always changed once their true personalities came out. There is no reason for a young lady to be in her mother’s face swearing and disrespecting her father. There is no reason for a young lady to gossip and start confusion between other people. Women, in general, want to be treated and respected as ladies. In order to be treated as a lady a woman should act like one. It is so sad to see some of the prettiest creations from God have the nastiest attitudes. Ladies, why are some of you pistol whipping people with guns? Ladies, why are some of you harassing younger girls at school? Ladies, what picture do you all think you all are creating for your children and grand children to look back on? All of God’s creations are suppose to be pure so why are some young ladies choosing to demean God’s creation. Ezra 10:3 Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. Ladies do not fear God’s commands because you don’t fully agree with or understand them. Ladies you all need to represent for the younger generations that are seeing you all as role models. Instead of showing a young lady how to be sugar, spice and everything that isn’t nice. Ladies you all need to show those that are looking up to you how to be a young lady in God’s world. Lately I must admit I have come in contact with some of the loveliest ladies, and I must give them their props. The Delta Gems are inspiring teens that one day will be true role models to the younger generations. Keep walking with God and keep being ladies Delta Gems. I’m going to leave you all with this, Isaiah 32:9 You women who are so complacent, rise up and listen to me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say! God is calling women to him because he wants to create ladies under his image.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Teens Talk - Are You Hungry?
I know that I am hungry all of the time. Sometimes I am hungry for a steak dinner drenched in A1 steak sauce. Sometimes I am hungry for White Castle’s famous little cheese burgers. To tell you all the truth, I rather have a home cooked meal over fast food any day. Everyone knows that there is nothing like a good home cooked meal cooked by grandma or mama. Everyone knows that they can’t resist candy yams, collard greens, and peach cobbler when Grandma puts her foot in it. Most people just eat fast food because its easy access; no energy or time has to be put in preparing a meal. Life is the same way, a challenging life is when God puts his foot in and encourages you to follow him to a home cooked meal. An easy life is fast food, easy access to everything with no challenge. Just like fast food restaurants attack you with greasy food and salty foods, an easy life attacks you with quick answers and horrible consequences.How bad do you want to accomplish your goals in life? In order to want home made meals in life you must want to achieve your goals badly. A person has to be willing to allow God to put his foot in their life and they have to be willing to follow him in order to get to a home cooked meal. Micah 6:8; What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. The home cooked meal that God has prepared for all of us, certainly is better than any fast food meal. It all goes back to the question are you hungry? A person isn’t hungry if they don’t have the patience to wait for the home cooked meal from God. A person isn’t hungry if they continue to eat fast food day after day. The home cooked meal that we should all wait for is just like anything else in life; money, women, men, we should never take the quick route to get to our wants in life. When we don’t train ourselves to wait for the good that God wants to incorporate in our lives, then we always end up getting the nasty from the bad that the devil chooses to place in our lives. Blog with me, and let me know about the good God put in your life for you waiting on the home cooked meal. I’m going to leave ya’ll with this; 1 John 2:6, Whoever claims to live in God must walk as Jesus did.
Are You Guilty?
Commentary by Cheryl Brewster
From The Grand Rapids Times
February 15, 2008
Yesterday, I went shopping for one of my girlfriends’ Mother who is well passed 80 years old. She wanted some mustard and turnip greens, a piece of firm soft pork, one turnip and a few more items from Madison Square Grocery Store aka Family Fare. As I walked by the Store Manager, I reflected on a discussion before the Western Michigan District Lay Academy Black History Program began and remembered key members of the community discussing if we, as a community could have saved this store from being sold to Duthlers’. So I asked the Store Manager, “What could we have done as a black community to save this store?” He replied, “Shop here instead of Meijer’s.” He continued to open up boxes of Ramen noodles and put them on the shelves. I was sort of shocked by his response. He went on to explain himself and stated that he and his son thought that if they owned a minority owned grocery store in the heart of the community they assumed that black people would shop at the store. He stated further that he thought that if the store was clean, well managed, stocked with a variety of good name brands and well secured, his people would patronize the store. I immediately apologized and said that he was right; I shopped at Big Top more than at Family Fare which is only two miles from my house. We began to discuss the large corporations such as SAMS, COSCO, WALMART and MEIJER’S who have just taken over the grocery business from the family owned and minority businesses. Mr. Nate went on to say that a survey previously taken in the surrounding neighborhoods indicated that there were enough families to support the grocery store and that only very small profits are made in the grocery business. I thanked him for taking the time to talk to me and made up my mind that I too was guilty of not supporting black businesses and now have made a resolution to shop at this store at least once or twice per month. Then my mind started wondering whether this is the only store where people ask you on a consistent basis if you need any help or respond to you saying, yes or no Ma’am. Just think; if every African -American household had shopped at Family Fare in Madison Square once a month it would have been black- owned for many years. Instead, the new owners will take over– beginning in the middle of next month – but under the same management team with of course, a few changes. Are you guilty too?
From The Grand Rapids Times
February 15, 2008
Yesterday, I went shopping for one of my girlfriends’ Mother who is well passed 80 years old. She wanted some mustard and turnip greens, a piece of firm soft pork, one turnip and a few more items from Madison Square Grocery Store aka Family Fare. As I walked by the Store Manager, I reflected on a discussion before the Western Michigan District Lay Academy Black History Program began and remembered key members of the community discussing if we, as a community could have saved this store from being sold to Duthlers’. So I asked the Store Manager, “What could we have done as a black community to save this store?” He replied, “Shop here instead of Meijer’s.” He continued to open up boxes of Ramen noodles and put them on the shelves. I was sort of shocked by his response. He went on to explain himself and stated that he and his son thought that if they owned a minority owned grocery store in the heart of the community they assumed that black people would shop at the store. He stated further that he thought that if the store was clean, well managed, stocked with a variety of good name brands and well secured, his people would patronize the store. I immediately apologized and said that he was right; I shopped at Big Top more than at Family Fare which is only two miles from my house. We began to discuss the large corporations such as SAMS, COSCO, WALMART and MEIJER’S who have just taken over the grocery business from the family owned and minority businesses. Mr. Nate went on to say that a survey previously taken in the surrounding neighborhoods indicated that there were enough families to support the grocery store and that only very small profits are made in the grocery business. I thanked him for taking the time to talk to me and made up my mind that I too was guilty of not supporting black businesses and now have made a resolution to shop at this store at least once or twice per month. Then my mind started wondering whether this is the only store where people ask you on a consistent basis if you need any help or respond to you saying, yes or no Ma’am. Just think; if every African -American household had shopped at Family Fare in Madison Square once a month it would have been black- owned for many years. Instead, the new owners will take over– beginning in the middle of next month – but under the same management team with of course, a few changes. Are you guilty too?
To Give Our Sisters Respect
From The Grand Rapids Times
February 15, 2008
By Shahied Word
When I see sisters walking down the street, I try to give them a lot of respect. I might open the door for them or pull out a chair or let them have my seat on the bus if they have to stand. I feel it's the least I can do since I owe them so much. For if it weren't for women like Rosa Parks, the fight for equal rights on buses might not have happened. She was an optimistic black woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus during the separate but equal era. If it were not for Madame C. J. Walker, many African American women wouldn't have the proper nurturing to make them so beautiful. She perfected the process of hair by creating the straightening comb. She was also the first black woman millionaire having a business selling hair care products for African American women. If it were not for Debbie Allen, a lot of African American women might not have leading roles in television. She is an intelligent black woman who starred in the show "Fame." She is a dancer, writer, actor, and film director. She created the Movie Amistad and co-produced the Black college life series called a "Different World." So, I'm not being a gentleman just because it's my job as a black man in society. I'm doing it because, I would never do anything to disrespect the foundation of our community. In simpler terms, I'm saying respect should always be given to the mothers of civiliztion, because without them we wouldn't have a civilization.
February 15, 2008
By Shahied Word
When I see sisters walking down the street, I try to give them a lot of respect. I might open the door for them or pull out a chair or let them have my seat on the bus if they have to stand. I feel it's the least I can do since I owe them so much. For if it weren't for women like Rosa Parks, the fight for equal rights on buses might not have happened. She was an optimistic black woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus during the separate but equal era. If it were not for Madame C. J. Walker, many African American women wouldn't have the proper nurturing to make them so beautiful. She perfected the process of hair by creating the straightening comb. She was also the first black woman millionaire having a business selling hair care products for African American women. If it were not for Debbie Allen, a lot of African American women might not have leading roles in television. She is an intelligent black woman who starred in the show "Fame." She is a dancer, writer, actor, and film director. She created the Movie Amistad and co-produced the Black college life series called a "Different World." So, I'm not being a gentleman just because it's my job as a black man in society. I'm doing it because, I would never do anything to disrespect the foundation of our community. In simpler terms, I'm saying respect should always be given to the mothers of civiliztion, because without them we wouldn't have a civilization.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Teens Talk - It's Time to Keep it Real
We love the channel that we are on, so we don’t plan to change the station. We love the way our pants fit and our name brand outfits; we don’t plan on changing our gear. Our shoe game is crazy, and we don’t plan on changing that up. The way we communicate and relate to each other will stay with us forever. We are still not being respected, and by other generations we our still being neglected. People preach to us daily some of us take in the words of wisdom and some of us completely ignore them. I like the station that my life is on right now, but the picture doesn’t come in clear yet; so the station must be changed no matter how much I like it. Some teens have finally created a good name for themselves. and other teens are just trying to mess that up. No matter how badly some of us like what station our life is currently on, we are forced by others to change the channel. It’s time to keep it real. We are forced to change the channel when people are heartless enough to hinder others from learning; by smashing hundreds of school computers, and vandalizing school property.It’s time to be real. Teens as a whole are forced to change the channel when some ones life is taken over stupidity or gang retaliation. To be real with ya’ll; I’m tired of changing the channel that I am content with in my life in order to find a station for those who don’t want to see a clear picture at all.If you have tried for years to help somebody change the way they are living, and they still haven’t made any effort to change in the year of 2008, it’s time for you to quit changing channels for them. You can’t save someone that doesn’t want to be saved. Numbers 23:20 - I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it. You bless people all day everyday, but it is up to them to make the decision to pick up the remote and change to a clear channel in their life. The more channels that you change for someone else causes your picture to become less clear. To the older and much wiser generations, we ask of you all not to give up on us. We ask you all to be patient and keep your stations clear as we try to find ours. 1 Samuel 10:6 - The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. We shouldn’t fight change because in the end God is coming to change all of us in mind, body, and soul.
February is Black History Month
In his book, “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” Dr. Carter Woodson, Father of Black History Month, stated: “When you control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his ‘proper place’ and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary.” Woodson said this in 1933, do you see Blacks acting like this in 2008? Comment on this.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Teens Talk - A Giant In My Eyes
A giant is someone who does good for others without wanting recognition or praise from others.
A giant doesn’t boast of his or her accomplishments.
A giant serves others with God being their guidance.
What makes a person a giant?
Does a giant have to strive to seek justice in their community like Leontyne “Tina” Partee (Posthumously)? God bless her soul.
Should a giant provide service to the public such as Dareather Greer?
Do giants have to aide others by serving them medically like the West Michigan Medical Society?
Should a giant become more like Yvonne L. Mathis and serve others as a humanitarian?
Maybe a giant should concern themselves with the humanities of her community like Cassonya Carter Pugh.
Should a giant incorporate and encourage business in his community like Jimmy L. Taylor Sr.?
Does a giant have to become active in bettering a community like Vanessa Greene?
Is a giant considered a giant if they are a trailblazer like Wesley Jones?
What makes a person a giant?
Should a giant serve his community like Reverend Chico Daniels?
Do giants have to live religious lives such as the Grand Rapids Urban Young Life and Reverend Zannie M. Mitchell?
Should a giant become a community educator such as Dr. Randal Maurice Jelks?
Should a giant work endlessly for his community like Bennette Gay?
Should a giant be the giant of all giants like Don Williams Sr.?
What makes a person a giant?
So many people including myself don’t realize when we have giants in our lives.
There has been one giant in my life that has shown me what life would be like in the future if I stay on track with my education.
The giant in my life has given me wisdom and has motivated me to believe that I can achieve anything I put my mind to.
The giant in my life has guided me down a road I never would have imagined driving down.
We all have giants in our lives and as teens I know we don’t try to intentionally but sometimes we cause our giants and mentors to exit out of lives through the things that we say or through our actions.
We have to remember the giants now are preparing us to take their places in the future.
Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.
The giants of today make it possible for us younger people to live successful and productive lives.
Thank you, Dr. Patricia Pulliam for taking the time out to be my giant.
Thank you for helping me develop the skills that I will need to take someone under my arm one day and be their giant.
Thank you for never telling me your complete life story and for only giving me bits and pieces of the many accomplishments of your life.
You have kept me intrigued to find out through my own life what a giant truly is.
Thank you Dr. Pulliam, when were you going to ever tell me that you wrote a book?
A giant doesn’t boast of his or her accomplishments.
A giant serves others with God being their guidance.
What makes a person a giant?
Does a giant have to strive to seek justice in their community like Leontyne “Tina” Partee (Posthumously)? God bless her soul.
Should a giant provide service to the public such as Dareather Greer?
Do giants have to aide others by serving them medically like the West Michigan Medical Society?
Should a giant become more like Yvonne L. Mathis and serve others as a humanitarian?
Maybe a giant should concern themselves with the humanities of her community like Cassonya Carter Pugh.
Should a giant incorporate and encourage business in his community like Jimmy L. Taylor Sr.?
Does a giant have to become active in bettering a community like Vanessa Greene?
Is a giant considered a giant if they are a trailblazer like Wesley Jones?
What makes a person a giant?
Should a giant serve his community like Reverend Chico Daniels?
Do giants have to live religious lives such as the Grand Rapids Urban Young Life and Reverend Zannie M. Mitchell?
Should a giant become a community educator such as Dr. Randal Maurice Jelks?
Should a giant work endlessly for his community like Bennette Gay?
Should a giant be the giant of all giants like Don Williams Sr.?
What makes a person a giant?
So many people including myself don’t realize when we have giants in our lives.
There has been one giant in my life that has shown me what life would be like in the future if I stay on track with my education.
The giant in my life has given me wisdom and has motivated me to believe that I can achieve anything I put my mind to.
The giant in my life has guided me down a road I never would have imagined driving down.
We all have giants in our lives and as teens I know we don’t try to intentionally but sometimes we cause our giants and mentors to exit out of lives through the things that we say or through our actions.
We have to remember the giants now are preparing us to take their places in the future.
Proverbs 11:14
For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.
The giants of today make it possible for us younger people to live successful and productive lives.
Thank you, Dr. Patricia Pulliam for taking the time out to be my giant.
Thank you for helping me develop the skills that I will need to take someone under my arm one day and be their giant.
Thank you for never telling me your complete life story and for only giving me bits and pieces of the many accomplishments of your life.
You have kept me intrigued to find out through my own life what a giant truly is.
Thank you Dr. Pulliam, when were you going to ever tell me that you wrote a book?
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