A Thought For Today

A season is a time characterized by a particular circumstance, suitable to an indefinite period of time associated with a divine phenomenon that some call life and life as we know is a journey. It could also be called history. However, what is called history is really His-Story. Once this thing called time moves beyond the present, it is left up to others to define and that is usually by the victory.

The prolific French writer historian and philosopher Voltaire said, “History is a pack of tricks we play upon the dead”. Ask yourself, if someone were to tell the story of your life – is that the way you want your history remembered by others.

Dr. John Henrik Clarke says “History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is also a compass that people use to find themselves on the map of human geography. History tells a people where they have been and what they have been, where they are and what they are. Most important, history tells a people where they still must go, what they still must be. The relationship of history to the people is the same as the relationship of a mother to her child.”

I recall from time to time in a past life; I’ve been a teacher, professor, instructor, and father. What I learned from these experiences is that a good teacher, like a good entertainer first must hold his audience's attention, then he can teach his lesson. I think of myself as a simple man, who believes education is the single most important ingredient necessary to neutralize those forces that breed poverty and despair. We can save the world but first we must change ourselves.

With that said, sometimes readers of Thought Provoking Perspectives send me a messages asking; “what are you trying to accomplish through your words?” My first thought was she did not realize that I want my words to be a potent source of empowering knowledge to broaden the information base with those who share my passion for the written word. I view myself as a history fanatic because if you don’t know where you’ve come from – you will never get to where you’re going. If you don’t know your past, you are just part of the lost tribe!

The great Dr. Clarke made this powerful statement that each of us must understand. He said, “I think every person that calls themselves a leader, a preacher, a policy maker of any kind should ask and answer the question in his own lifetime, how will my people stay on this earth?  How will they be educated? How will they be schooled?  How will they be housed?  And how will they be defended? The answer to these questions will create the concept of enduring nationhood because it creates the concept of enduring responsibility. I am saying whatever the solution is, either we are in charge of our own destiny, or we are not in charge.  On that point we got to be clear, you either free or you a slave.”

As an African American man who lived in the Jim Crow Era. I learned very early that powerful people cannot afford to educate the people they oppress, because once you are truly educated; they will not ask for power. They will take it. Educate and empower your children, build your family, and live life to the fullest. Thank you for your reading my words and support. And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective…

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Faces Of Power

America for the first time, since its creation, looks like the America that was promised through the founding documents. We know that America is a melting pot of cultures more pronounced than any other nation on the planet. All one need to do is compare a Democrat’s political rally to one held by the GOP and the comparison is striking. For the first time in American history, we have an African American president and Attorneys General, who the Good Ol’ Boys have had both in their sights.

The Citizens Counsel is hot on their trail because of the many non-scandals they’ve created. They talk about the president’s healthcare policy – repeal, repeal, repeal! They say it kills grandma and that is the best of what they say. These same groups are saying they want to continued support the banks in the area of deregulations. Yet, the Justice Department brought a judgment against CITBANK recently in the billions for wrong doing. Actually, if the president or Mr. Holder says something is red; the others will say blue – just because.

What the Good Ol’ Boys do not seem to realize is that these two men are holding all the cards. Now it is clear that their political moves have failed! This is reason why the president will step in an invoking "executive privilege” and the Senate enacted the Nuclear Option to move forward. They want us to believe that just using the words "executive privilege" as an excuse is about government failures is a loser with the public.

I don’t think this is the case because their arguments in a partisan fashion which is a loser for Republicans to which they assert the Democrats were much worse in their treatment of the Bush and his Justice Department. That is not a reason to aggressively pursue their strategy, let alone shut down the government. No Republican or conservative commentator should even raise it as a defense. The notion that this is partially motivated by politics is very damaging to what little credibility the GOP has left, and the approach is belittling to people who call themselves patriots.

Lest not forget another very serious matter in this situation, and that is the explosive disclosure of national security information one might argue came as a result of the policies most see as overreaching by the government. These are the same Republicans who have produced a side-by-side talking point paper to help explain how differently this matter is being handled than issues that ensnared the Bush White House.

Did I mention that it was these guys who have no sense of right or wrong as was demonstrated by way of invasion and torture. How can they forget that and where were the investigations then? The job description of the Attorney General is supposed to protect the President from legal and political snares, which he has done. So holding him responsible for what they are trying to do is wrong.

I wonder if they remember the Bush Administration and Justice Department. So I say, compared to Bush’s Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to Mr. Holder is a model of candor. I say this president has done a yeoman’s job of bringing the country back from the brink of unthinkable disaster in both blood and treasure. So I say, it is a case of color. And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective…

Our Commander In Chief

I am grateful to have lived long enough to witness what most people, living or dead, thought to never believed possible, which is to see a Black Man elected President of these United States; not once but twice. Particularly, with America’s documented history concerning race that has been as horrible as any the world has ever known. Therefore, to know that a man of color is the most powerful man in the world and lives in the White House is as significant as the resurrection of Christ in my view. 

President Obama’s victory this week was as complete and devastating as Sherman’s march through the South. But there is no early sign that the zealots of the anti-government far right have learned anything at all or desire to change their hatred rooted in the color of his skin. So we can expect more terrorism to lie ahead.

Most have forgotten the horrors of the last administration and the misdeeds of prior office holders and some will continue to buy into the ploys of the right. This is to include the Cain types and the good Doctor! I for one am proud of the work Mr. Obama has done and continue to do. Let me also say for the vial hatred constantly directed at him, if there were any dirt or skeletons in his closet – it would surely have been revealed and used against him by now.

Let me just recap some of his most recent successes and accomplishments while being CIC:

• Passed Health Care Reform: After five presidents over a century failed to create universal health insurance, signed the Affordable Care Act (2010).

• Passed the Stimulus: Signed $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009 to spur economic growth amid greatest recession since the Great Depression.

• Passed Wall Street Reform: Signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010) to re-regulate the financial sector after its practices caused the Great Recession.

• Ended the War in Iraq: Ordered all U.S. military forces out of the country. Last troops left on December 18, 2011.

• Began Drawdown of War in Afghanistan: From a peak of 101,000 troops in June 2011, U.S. forces are now down to 91,000, with 23,000 slated to leave by the end of summer 2012.

• Eliminated Osama bin laden: In 2011, ordered Special Forces raid of secret compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan and eliminated hundreds of terrorist the world over.

• Turned around the ailing Auto Industry in 2009 to save one of the last major manufacturing industries through massive restructuring.

• Repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: Ended 1990s-era restriction and formalized new policy allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military for the first time.

• Toppled Moammar Gaddafi in March 2011 ending Gaddafi’s forty-two-year. No American lives were lost.

• Provided Payment to Wronged Minority Farmers when he signed the Claims Resolution Act, which provided $4.6 billion in funding for a legal settlement with black and Native American farmers.

• Won the Nobel Peace Prize.

I've only selected a few of his significant accomplishments other than being an excellent family man, inspiration to the world, and roll model to billions of minorities, and African Americans in particular. When I look back at history, I cannot find another president who inherited as much mess and still was able to produce positive results. He has outsmarted his opponents at every turn and fought for the America people unlike no other.

Yes, Mr. President you are doing an amazing job. In fact, considering opposition before you; I’ll just call you Superman. I believe he can fly! God Bless you Sir and your beautiful family. And that’s my thought provoking perspective...  

To see more accomplishments

WARNING: This Is Very Disturbing!!!

I guess every since there have been black people there have been those who are different. One of my subscribers sent me this chilling video and all I can say is this guy takes different to a whole-nother realm! I’ve been taught and affirmed by definition that “insanity is downing the same thing you’ve always down and getting the same result”. I don’t believe that describes sufficiently to what is going on in the mind of this guy. SMH!!!

VERY DISTURBING!!! And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective…

The Birth of Black History Month

We have so much to be proud of during the month of February as we celebrate the legacy of Black History. This is a time for the world to know the tremendous contributions people of color have made to mankind and the world. I am blessed to have lived long enough to witness what no one living or dead ever thought was possible, the most significant historical event since the resurrection of our Lord – the election of the first African American President of these United States and the leader of the free world.

This is not withstanding all of the storied achievements made by the ghosts of the greats who blazed mighty trails. As proud as I am of the many contributions African Americans have made to this great country, and dare I say to the world, I am equally as confident that there is an abundance of history yet to be made.

However, most people do not know the origins of Black History Month, so I will share that information.

February is dedicated to this proud annual observance for the remembrance of those important people and events honoring the African America Diaspora. The idea of Black History Month was conceived in Chicago during the summer of 1915. An alumnus of the University of Chicago with many friends in the city hosted a convention where Dr. Carter G. Woodson traveled from Washington DC to participate. It was a national celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation, sponsored by the State of Illinois.

Thousands of African Americans traveled from all across the country that summer to see exhibits highlighting the progress their people had made since the extermination of slavery. Awarded a doctorate at Harvard University three years earlier, Dr. Woodson joined other exhibitors with a black history display. He was so enamored with the idea that he began the process of making this exhibit an annual event, which means we owe the celebration of Black History Month, including the study of black history, to Dr. Woodson.

In 1924, his group responded with the creation of Negro History and Literature Week, which they renamed Negro Achievement Week. Their outreach was significant, but Dr. Woodson desired a greater impact. He told students at the Hampton Institute, “We are going back to that beautiful history and it is going to inspire us to greater achievements.” In 1925, he decided that the Association had to shoulder the responsibility. He felt going forward with this idea would both create and popularize knowledge about black history.

He sent out a press release announcing Negro History Week in February of 1926. Dr. Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans: Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slave, Frederick Douglass. Therefore, the myth that the month of February was selected because it is the shortest month is simply not true.

Dr. Woodson also founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. What you might not know is that black history had barely begun to be studied or even documented when the tradition originated. Further, it is important to remember that blacks have been in America since August of 1619 when a Dutch man-of-war ship rode the tide into Jamestown, Virginia, and the first slaves were dragged onto its shores. However, it was not until the 20th century that African American history gained a respectable presence in the history books.

From the beginning, Dr. Woodson was overwhelmed by the response to his call. Negro History Week appeared across the country in schools and in many public forums. The expanding black middle class became participants in and consumers of black literature and culture.  Black history clubs sprang up, teachers demanded materials to instruct their pupils, and progressive whites supported their efforts. They set a theme for the annual celebration providing study materials such as pictures, lessons for teachers, plays for historical performances, and posters of important dates and people.

The 1960’s had a dramatic effect on the study and celebration of black history. Before the decade was over, Negro History Week would be well on its way to becoming Black History Month. The shift to a month-long celebration began even before Dr. Woodson’s death. As early as the 1940’s, blacks in West Virginia, a state where Dr. Woodson often spoke, began to celebrate February as Negro History Month. By the late 1960’s, as young blacks on college campuses became increasingly conscious of links with Africa, Black History Month replaced Negro History Week.

Within the Association, younger intellectuals, part of the awakening, prodded Woodson’s organization to change with the times. They succeeded and in 1976, fifty years after the first celebration, the Association used its influence to institutionalize the shifts from a week to a month and from Negro history to black history. Since the mid 1970’s, every American president, Democrat and Republican, has issued proclamations endorsing the Association’s annual theme because black history is American history. The profound legacy of our past should never be forgotten and always embraced for we are merely the sum of the whole.

Thank you Dr. Woodson! And that's my Thought Provoking Perspective...

http://johntwills.com

Just a Season

Legacy - A New Season

When We Were Negro

There was a time that seemed long-long ago when we were called Negro which came with good and bad. The bad; it was a distinction that by law made us second class citizens and we were a people subjected to the wretchedness of unequal treatment. The good; in most cases our communities were united and we respected each other in ways that have disappeared today. Others have identified us as Colored, Negro, Afro-Americans, Black, and now almost universally today African American - instead of human.

This term Negro which is a Spanish term that means Black but no Spanish culture uses it to describe people of color. The term lost its distinction during the 1960s when the terms to describe those of African descent evolved to one of the aforementioned. Now, the word “Negro” (publications used a lower case “n”) has almost become pejorative. I began to reflect upon this time where some of the other hue wants us to return. You have heard the “dog Whittles”, i.e., “I want to take my country back”. It’s really kinda funny because I can imagine the Native America people making this kind of remark but I digress!

That got me to thinking. When we were Negroes in the 1950s, “only 9 percent of black families with children were headed by a single parent,” according to “The Black Family: 40 Years of Lies” by Kay Hymowitz. “Black children had a 52 percent chance of living with both their biological parents until age 17. In 1959, “only 2 percent of black children were reared in households in which the mother never married.” When we were Negroes our culture was the envy of all other race with respect to statistics such as this.

By contrast today, now that we’re African-Americans, according to Hymowitz, those odds of living with both parents had “dwindled to a mere 6 percent” by the mid-1980s. More shocking there are statistics that reflect more than 70 percent of the births in the African-American community are to single mothers. Not to mention the infant mortality rates that are in the top percentile of all other races as well as being at the top of every category that is harmful to our survival.  

Let me make a few points here; when we were Negroes, we had names like Joshua, Aaron, Paul, Esther, Melba, Cynthia and Ida. Now that we are African Americans, our names are bastardized versions of alcohol from Chivas to Tequila to C(S)hardonney. When we were Negroes and still fighting in many parts of the country for the right to vote, we couldn’t wait for the polls to open. We knew friends, family and acquaintances had died getting us the right to vote. Dogs and fire hoses were used to keep us away and still we came. By contrast most African-Americans didn’t show up to vote until the election of 2008.

During the days when we were Negroes, according to the Trust For America’s Health’s “F as in Fat,” report, “only four states had diabetes rates above 6 percent. … The hypertension rates in 37 states about 20 years ago were more than 20 percent.” Now that we’re African-Americans, that report shows, “every state has a hypertension rate of more than 20 percent, with nine more than 30 percent. Forty-three states have diabetes rates of more than 7 percent, and 32 have rates above 8 percent. Adult obesity rates for blacks topped 40 percent in 15 states, 35 percent in 35 states and 30 percent in 42 states and Washington, DC.

Let me point out a few more obvious things that are distinctly different. When we were Negroes, the one-room church was the community center that everyone used. Now that we’re African-Americans, our churches are lavish Maga-Churches with pastors, in many cases, who are more concerned about the “greedy than the needy”. They need planes, bodyguards, and have ATM machines at the entrance. Many of today’s sanctuaries, compared to back-in-the-day churches, usually sit empty because the last thing the new church wants to do is invite the community in.

In the days when we were Negroes, we didn’t have to be convinced that education was the key that opened the lock of success, but now that we’re African-Americans, more than 50 percent of our children fail to graduate high school. To add to this, some say, there are more African Americans in prison than there are in institutions of higher learning. True or not, surely there are more African Americans in prison in comparison to the population ratio. 

More disturbing is the manner, for the most part, how we represent ourselves. When we were Negroes, the last thing a young woman wanted to look like was a harlot and a young man a thug, but now that we’re African Americans, many of our young girls dress like hootchie manas and our young boys imitate penitentiary custom and wear their pants below the butt line. In prison culture this suggests that these men are available for sex with other men.   

We live in the best time of our existence in the place the slaves called “merica”. We have a man who looks like use in the highest office in the land and the most powerful man in the world. This feat is something unmatched since the Resurrection of our Lord because no one living or dead could have ever imagined that a Black Man would become president of these United States. I shudder to think what Dr. King and the ghost of the greats whose shoulders we stand would think if they could see us now!!!

So it begs the question – what happened and why? And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective… 

http://johntwills.com

Resurrection of Our Souls

African American remains a nation of people living in a notion without a nationality. Some will say, America has a black president – how could that be? Well, this speaks to the institutions within the context of society that dictates the continuation of the system that exists within the country. It is because of this system, which has been in existence from the founding of America that has caused the demise of people of color.

Now, let me speak to the concept of leadership: Dr. Carter G. Woodson who wrote the powerful novel “The Mis-Education of the Negro” in 1933, or there about, challenged his readers to become empowered by doing for themselves.

He said: “Regardless of what we are taught history shows that it does not matter who is in power… those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning.” This speaks volumes.

I believe, if you can control a man is thinking you never have to worry about what he thinks. I will speak for me, no matter how messed up the world is and the minds of man; I am glad God made me! We must take responsibility for ourselves because life demands the survival of the fittest, just like in all other parts of the animal kingdom. As a people, African Americans have waited far too long and become much too dependent on those who are in charge of the system.

Therefore, I say it is time to remove the shackles of bondage that mentally remain in many communities and in the minds of man. Malcolm X once said, “We spend too much time singing and not enough time swinging”. Let me be clear, I did not repeat this statement to advocate violence. Rather to suggest that we have spent centuries believing, following, and listening to the messages communicated to us by those who control our destiny – making us believe that there is a better place for us when we are dead. I say we have a right to live NOW!

I want to propose an idea that could be the answer to our salvation. There is about 38 – 40 million African Americans living in America. If each person contributed one dollar per week; it would add up to forty million dollars. Multiply that time’s fifty-two weeks; that’s over two-trillion dollars annually. We have people who run some of the world’s largest corporations who could manage that money – invest it and make more money and as such many of the problems we face would go away.

Overtime we've won many civil rights battles, which should never have had to be fought as human beings. Yet, we still don’t have the necessities we need to survive. So I say, as tenacious beings, it is time for survival and the time is now – if for no other reason than for our children. And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective...

Have you worn your hoodie lately? 

http://johntwills.com

Legacy – A New Season 

AMAZON

Just a Season

And Our Story Continues

We've spent the last three years revisiting what we thought was long past. Witnessing the vitriol of those who want to recreate what I call Brownsville, you know, those segregated places mandated by law as a result of the wretched system of “Separate but Equal”; more commonly known as “Jim Crow”. I have tried to resurrect the ghost of the greats that changed the world, which have caused me to live a life promised to all Americans. Having said that, I readily admit there is still a long way to go.

On Election Day this magnificent journey and life’s promise continues with the reelection of President of Barack H. Obama. Since I started THOUGHT PROVOKING PERSPECTIVES I have shared the African American journey that is without question the greatest story ever told. Maybe I’ll say this more succinctly by quoting Jesse – “From the outhouse to the White House”. The irony of this was that Africans were dragged onto the shores of this place the slaves called “merica” to now having a man of African descent in the White House as President. 

This evolution brought about our acquiescence to political agendas, abdicating our own economic self-sufficiency for the greater good and most working diligently for the economic well-being of other people. Since the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments were written many have died for the rights described therein and we continue to fight for equality.

Since Black History month only comes in February it’s time we appreciate it every day. I want to leave you with this thought from “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” the most profound novel ever written in my opinion, originally published in 1933 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who is known as the father of Black History Month. I might add that this book should be mandatory reading for all African Americans – young and old.

The thesis of Dr. Woodson's book is that Negroes of his day were being culturally indoctrinated rather than taught in American schools, or not even given the advantage of education. This conditioning, he claims, causes African Americans to become dependent, seeking out inferior places.

He challenged his readers to become empowered by doing for themselves, regardless of what they were taught: “History shows that it does not matter who is in power... those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning.”in the greater society of which they are a part. This assertion is clearly evident nearly eighty years later.

This goes beyond the imagination, irrespective of the many promises that have been made and broken, that fairness exists. Don’t worry, we have been taught that when we die there is a place where there is a mansion with streets paved with gold. Be that as it may, let's agree with the great Curtis Mayfield who wrote: “people get ready there’s a train a comin. You don’t need no ticket. All you need is faith to get on board… you just thank the lord.”

I have said and believe that Black History Month is “Black History is American History”. We have witnessed the first man of African descent elected president of these United States and nothing more significant has happened since the resurrection of Christ. I am thankful to have lived to see what no one living or dead ever thought would occur. God Bless America President Barrack Obama and the greatest story ever told continues!

And for those who want to succeed from the Union. We have seen this movie and how did that workout for them. And that is my Thought Provoking Perspective…

http://johntwills.com

Legacy – A New Season 

AMAZON

Just a Season

IF WE EVER NEEDED TO VOTE!!!

This is the most important election since the Africans were dragged off that ship that summer’s day in August 1619. I won’t belabor the point BUT my message from the heart is that every son, daughter, and descendant of slaves, honor those who made it possible for us. The future is in your hands.

Vote as if your life dependent on it because it does!!! And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective…

                                         http://johntwills.com

 

                                         Legacy – A New Season 

AMAZON

Just a Season

 THIS VIDEO SAYS IT ALL