Just because she's a woman?

I went to the nail salon yesterday and met a really nice lady. We talked about the election and our concern for the direction the country will take if John McCain is elected President. We shared the same concerns and hoped that people who are not registered will realize that their vote counts and get out and do what they need to do.

Another woman who was getting her nails done worked her way into our conversation and said she will not be voting for Obama. We asked her why and she said because of Sarah Palin. Both of us were taken aback because we both felt like Palin was a terrible choice for a Vice Presidential candidate. I asked her what she liked about Palin and she said, "She's a woman."

It turns out that this woman is one of the bitter Hillary Clinton supporters who thinks any woman is better than no woman at all. She said she thinks it would be wonderful to have a woman in such a powerful position. When asked what she thought about Palin's politics, she said she didn't know anything about them.

I was shocked. I think everyone in the place was. It reminded me of something my co-worker said. He said everyone doesn't deserve the right to vote. I'm not sure if I wholeheartedly agree with that, but I understand his point. This woman is willing to put John McCain in office just so Sarah Palin can be Vice President.

I asked the woman how she felt about banning certain books in the library, abolishing Roe-vs-Wade, and cutting funding for programs that help teenage mothers. She said she thought all of those things were terrible. When I informed her that these are things Palin believes in, she shrugged her shoulders and said, "The Vice President doesn't have that much power anyway." We were all at a loss for words.

This just goes to show that the McCain campaign ploy has worked. Putting the self-proclaimed pit bull, lipstick wearing, hockey mom in the second spot will win them some female votes. I think it's a shame that it's that easy. Personally, I don't see how anyone could support her being vice president, but that's just my opinion. I happen to care about the issues.

Issues are the one thing I have not heard Palin talk about. All i've heard her do is make disrespectful comments about Barack Obama. I could not imagine her being President if something happened to McCain. It's bad enough I can't see him being President either.

One would hope that every person who goes to the polls makes an informed decision on who to vote for, but that's just not the case. I'm a Black woman, but if Barack Obama did not stand for anything and I did not agree with him on the issues I would note vote for him. How can someone vote for Palin just because she has the same private parts they do?

Where Were You?

I can't believe it's been seven years. I remember it like it was yesterday. The day started out like every other day. I got up, got dressed and went to work, we all did.

My mother called me at work and asked if I heard anything about a plane flying into the World Trade Center. I hadn't heard anything and we both hoped it wasn't true. I worked on Church Street the first time the WTC was damaged and my mind went back to that day.

I went online to see if I could find any information. Since there was nothing there, I figured what my mother heard was untrue. I said a prayer and went back to my work. Just as I put the thought out of my head, she called back and told me that the first tower had definitely been hit and that I should turn on the radio. It was all over the airwaves. A plane was flown into the World Trade Center.




It was unbelievable! I was in shock. My mind, once again, went back to the first time an attempt was made to destroy one of those buildings. I immediately thought of all the lives that would be lost. I sat down and cried. After the second tower was hit, I was devastated. I could only imagine what the people who were in those buildings must have been going through.

We all left work early and I made a beeline to my son's elementary school. Everyone was there picking their children up. We all wanted to make sure that our babies were with us. We weren't sure if we could keep them safe, but at least we would be together. No one knew if something else was going to happen and we were all terrified.

The World Trade Center towers were a part of the view from my terrace. I looked when I got home and all I saw was black smoke. I held my son's hand and cried like a baby. He didn't understand what was going on and I did the best I could to explain. To be honest, I wasn't sure myself. Who would do such a thing? How much hate do you have to have in your heart to kill thousands of people?

The images I saw on television are in my head to this day. Seeing people jump out of windows to escape the heat is something I will never forget. So many lost lives. All the people who kissed their relatives goodbye, never to see them again, and those who never got the chance to say goodbye. People walking around devastated and covered in ash.




A few days later my mother, daughter, sisters, a good friend, and I went down to a candlelight vigil in Union Square. Posters of lost loved ones were everywhere. People were hugging each other and crying. It wasn't about black or white, rich or poor, this or that, it was about the unnecessary loss of human life and the aftermath. People always seem to come together when there is a tragedy. Why can't it just stay that way?

I can't help but think about the presidential election today. Thinking about the tragedy only reinforces the need for change. After what took place seven years ago, how could anyone want more of the same? It boggles my mind that people don't make the connection. It's time for a new face, a new party, and some new policies that actually have a chance of helping people who need it the most. It's time for a change.

I thank God every day that my family wasn't affected by the tragedy. I also pray for those who were. Life is so short. We really have to cherish the ones we love and let them know how we feel about them. You never know what could happen. We have to value the love we receive.

Take some time today to think about those who lost their lives and be thankful for your life and the lives of the people you care about.

Have a love affair with yourself

A friend of mine emailed something to me that I thought I should share.

Thought of the Day

Greetings!

'A love affair with ourselves is guaranteed to become a love of a lifetime.'-Ruby Fleurcius

Sometimes we find ourselves looking for love in all the wrong places; when the right place to receive what we are looking for starts from within. Whether we are married or not, we must become our very own soul-mate first, in order to effectively attract or keep the mate of our soul. That means that we must develop an irrevocable bond with ourselves to ensure that we are able to do the same with another.

We cannot go wrong with loving ourselves and by doing so, it releases the desire to love unconditionally. Those who constantly hate people, places or things without reason must question whether or not there is a true love for themselves. My friend, it is very hard for us reciprocate love if we are not initiating it with ourselves first. This is not about selfishness, or having an inflated ego; this is about pure humility and respect for ourselves.

There will be times when you may feel as if you are all alone with the love you have in your heart. But, trust me, if you develop a love affair with yourself, people will desire what you have to give without you overworking yourself to get it or give it.

Prayer: Father, today is my first day of beginning a love affair with me. Lord, as I love me more, I know that my life will begin to overflow with the people, places and things that share the same passion. In Jesus name. Amen.

I totally agree. Love yourself folks. It's the pathway to happiness.

The Video Speaks for Itself

Go Serena!

My girl, Serena Williams, had me up until almost midnight last night, even though I had to get up at 5:30. She won the U.S. Open and took the number one ranking.



I have been a fan of the Williams sisters since the days of the beads. I remember when Venus first hit the scene. It was a James Brown moment. Say it loud! They didn't know what to do with her. Black folks aren't suppose to play tennis.



As if Venus taking the tennis world by storm wasn't enough, Serena was added to the mix. It was so wonderful watching these two powerful, poised, and talented young ladies getting the job done. The odds were against them from the start. They didn't get the warmest of receptions from tennis fans or players, but through it all they kept their heads up and busted down barriers.



Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe laid the foundation and the Williams sisters made the road a little smoother. They changed the way women's tennis was played. Power! I loved watching it all unfold. People who doubted and disrespected them had no choice but to respect these young women. They never complained, just played tennis and collected titles. That's how it's done.



The Williams sisters have inspired many young people. They've inspired me as well. They've shown me that no matter how people doubt you or talk about you, you can achieve your goals. They put the T in tenacity and have made their mark on the world of tennis, just as I would like to do in the writing world. I thank them for doing us proud. Every time I see them I well up with pride.

They've grown into wonderful young women and I wish them continued success.

It's My Passion

I spent most of my day writing. I'm almost done with my first novel. It's an exciting time for me. Ideas are coming from everywhere. I couldn't keep the smile off of my face as I realized that i'm almost done. I know the real work will begin when I am done, but i'm looking forward to it. I know a couple people who have published their own books and I hope to join their ranks. There's nothing like seeing the fruits of your labor.

When i'm writing I feel so free. It's like nothing else exists. I'm old school. I like to put paper to pen. I'm not a huge fan of writing at the computer. I'm not really sure why. Sitting in a room with a pen and a notebook is organic to me. I love the feeling.

It feels wonderful to have that thing that I love to do. I can sing, but i've never wanted to be a singer. It's not my passion. I like to sing, but I love to write. I don't know what I would do if for some reason I could not longer do what I love. It makes me nervous to even think about it. No matter what the situation, i'd find a way to write.

What an accomplishment it would be for me when I see the final product and my book is done. I've said before that I wouldn't care if I only sold one copy. That's true, but the goal is to make my novels my career. I'm tired of working for other people, especially when I know i'm sitting on the gold mine that is my writing. I'm a humble person, but I know i'm good. I just haven't wanted to say it.



It's time that I acknowledge my talent. It was given to me for a reason. I don't want to be a star, I just want to share my words with the world. It's my calling. I hope that my words can bring joy to someone, or make them smile, or think. I cannot wait to see my book in print. For me it would be the equivalent of an aspiring actress seeing her name in lights. Oh, what a feeling it's going to be. I can't wait to make it happen.