Bill Cosby will be at the Southfield Pavilion at 1:30PM on Tuesday. Mr. Cosby will be there to kick off our Rush Hour Celebrity Rallies. Come out and meet Mr. Cosby and support the GOTV with the Southern Oakland County Headquarters for Change. The Pavilion is located at 2600 Evergreen Road,Southfield, MI 48076.
One man has moved an entire nation to acting on the belief, an African American is less than 20 days from becoming the next President of the United Sates of America. This movement can clearly be displayed in the enlistment from millions of volunteers to the Endorsement from the Number One National African American Newspaper.
The Michigan Chronicle endorses Senator Barack Obama for presidency. They released the following statement:
Sen. Barack Obama, the Democrat from Illinois, is best suited to become president of the United States
Senior Editor Bankole Thompson examines the facts. Thompson begins with issue one as universal health care. Read the Michigan Chronicle and learn what they believe is the first responsibility of the next president, will be to get the economy in shape despite fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Michigan Chronicle concludes, Sen. Obama, in their view, has demonstrated tremendous strength, intelligence and good judgment on the dire issues facing 21st century America today.
They ask voters to look at the candidates based on their competence and judgment, not on the color of their skins.
As one senior editor stated to me,
VOTE YOUR ISSUE NOT YOUR SKIN TISSUE!
http://www.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/articles/3227/1/Michigan-Chronicle-Endorses-Obama-for-President/Page1.html
Photo taken by Michigan Chronicle photographer
TBB, To Be Black. WE CONTUINE TO HAVE OUR CONVERSATIONS AND THOUGHTS.
Today, I met a man in a Western Wayne County, Michigan Campaign for Change Office. He referred to certain situations as TBW and TBB.
I asked him what does that mean?
His response, "To Be Black while living in a white man's world, is still a struggle".
He referred to himself as Mr. Grim. Mr. Grim purchased campaign lawn signs to freely give away to others. I asked him, how many were he keeping for his yard?
He smiled and pointed at his arms, as to indicated his skin tone and said,
“I'm black! I am a black man. I live in an upper scale white neighbor hood in Canton, Michigan. I’m apprehensive to put a lawn sign in my yard. I'm still black. I’m not TBW. You know To Be White. “
I asked, ”Don’t you have white neighbors with Obama lawn signs?”
Mr. Grim response,“ I’m not TBW, to be white. I am still a black man, in a white man’s world. Yeah, I live in his neighborhood, but don’t get it twisted. I just don’t want to be targeted, with nasty and hateful things happening to my property or my family. I am obviously voting for Barack. Today I’m showing support by buying signs to give to others.” I understood his concern; his fear but I didn’t like it!
Bankole Thompson, Senior Editor from the Michigan Chronicle did an exclusive interview with CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, CNN’s Anchor and Special Correspondent. CNN's O’Brien presented a documentary on Black in America. This interview is featured in the Michigan Chronicle, July 8, 2008 edition. Bankole referred to it as, “A romance with one of the most underestimated communities in America. The CNN documentary, Black in America, examined the lives of African Americans since the death Martin Luther King Jr.” I recommend reading the article for his take on the documentary and the issues raised in it.
Thompson stated, "It is interesting that a major network will devote so much time (six hours to be exact) to looking at critical issues in America. Honestly, give them credit because no major network has gone this far with their microscope”. Bankole Thompson was also one of the Moderators the first major pre-debate public discussion around the presidential election last night at the Detroit Music Hall.
For me, one of the most important questions Thompson asked O’Brien, “Will there be a follow-up to this documentary?” O’Brien response “Yes, there definitely will be. There is no question, and it may require another whole documentary after that”.
Mr. Grim purchased over 15 perhaps 25-lawn signs. Mr. Grim was motivated to purchase the sign but as he put it, he’s not TBW. He is TBB.Most blacks were inspired and would love an opportunity to appear on CNN’s Black in America, not for fame and not for money but for the reality of the deep passion, of simply being understood, accepted and respected; Respected in the world in which we live; for an unbelievable unselfish cause, for the brothers and sisters of the Black American Family!
Barack Obama must become our next president of the United States.
During the documentary, Soledad O’Brien interviewed, Dr. Rolland Fryer. Dr. Fryer is the youngest African American professor at Harvard University. Dr. Fryer made a conscience decision to do more and be more than he was on that day for today! Many have written and said, Dr. Fryer's motivation was negatively derived by all the drugs, violence and his incarcerated family members. However today his colleagues refer to him, as a brilliant baby genius. Reflecting on the theme of a speech I delivered on July 5, 2008 in Camden Arkansas, at Good Hope Baptist Church. —“I come to you today to encourage, inspire, motivate and challenge you to do more and be more than you are today.”
Barack Obama will become our next president of the United States.
Many blacks are gifted. They are a genius! If you dare to venture into their cultivated minds; especially after dinnertime, a good home cooked meal, or dare to take a stroll into the mind, from a life lived not quite desirable; seasoned in a long hot shower, of college education and a soothing bath, in a Jacuzzi of a career and newly different experiences… Ah yes, while transforming from a genius incubation holder, like a kennel from a ghetto perhaps? A genius will emerge.
We speak, walk to a vibrant beat, run a race that others simply jog, take a path similar to the connection from the Davison freeway to the Jeffries—it doesn’t exactly exist. You have to go through some channels to get there! Correct.
With high doses of self esteem enhancement and motivational injections, to enable us to leap prejudice skyscraping systems and philosophies. We must create and develop our own path. The that we may present to the world a true American, a re-birth of; “Wow unbelievable, how did they do it? He is a genius and TBB!
I believe you can find a genius in every black family. Some of these TBB geniuses started as a volunteer, working hundreds of hours freely. Take for example Sean Combs. P Diddy, started as a volunteer. Today he is the CEO of Bad Boy Records. T
here are plenty of venues to select from musical industry singers and rappers, rising to superstardom; to Ephren Taylor the youngest African American CEO to a the sports genius take your pick, Tiger Woods or Michael Air Jordan, the NBA legend. Tyler Perry, first African American to own a movie and a TV studio.
Finally, one of my favorite a quiet genius, Valeria Thomas. Valeria received a patent for inventing the illusions transmitter. This futuristic invention extends the idea of television, with its images located flatly behind a screen, to having three-dimensional projections appear as though they were right in your living room. Not so far fetch today with the autobahn innovativeness in technology.
Overcoming many obstacles, as of the slight fear displayed from Mr. Grim. He is cleverly marketing and supporting, Barack Obama. He is also protecting his own family. Mr. Grim lives in the TBW neighborhood but is TBB. Mr. Grim is an entrepreneur, another genius on the rise..
As CNN’s Black in America continue to move across the country interviewing various Black American families, for future scheduled episodes, many things stand out to viewers but in the black majority, it’s a passionate command to demand change; Change of the negative views and have a global opportunity, not a hand out, simply beginning with cognition. The thoughts created in your own mind... The Black family is truly a revolutionary dynamic system in today’s society.
Blacks in America- for this many of us agree! We all want to do our part, big or small, in the privacy of our home, with one another or simply stand-alone. We profoundly include each individual like you, that might, read my words, today. You will find many of these brilliant geniuses, black in your America!
“Happiness is a decision you make not an emotion you evoke. I come today to encourage, inspire, motivate and challenge you to be more and do more than you are today”If CNN asked you, how do you feel today, about TBB, to be Black in America or in your own neighborhood?" If you're not an African America how do you feel about the attention given to TBB, (To be Black in America)? What is your response?
Nina Calahan-James, Freelance Writer
Photos from Arizonia Daily Star
Please submit your comments or Email me at: Fortune500hr05@yahoo.com
“I’m very excited about everything going on. I never though we would get this far in my lifetime. I mean having a black man go beyond Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpens. I mean this guy Barack convinced a whole lot of white people in the democratic part to nominate him for president.”
Denise, another first day volunteer jumped up and down as she finished her conversation with a local resident. Her exuberant enthusiasm was eye catching. She stated,
Please follow the link below, and forward it to everyone and anyone. This is a video courtesy of MSNBC and it is truly awe inspiring.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27163985/
The video is on the top right hand side of the page.
I am so proud, and I'm certain this was one of the great speeches of our time.
Young and Powerful for Obama
I never expected to be involved in the political process of America. For a long time, I thought it would be better to just organize in my community so I wouldn’t have to deal with all of the backstabbing, smearing, and party dueling of politics while making a positive impact in society. No, it is not that I’m not cut out for it. I felt that it was a waste of time, and a part of me still feels that it is. I am an individual who has overcome many obstacles--big & small. I was born and grew up on the South side of Chicago with two parents who emigrated from Nigeria. Most of my child-hood friends are still poor, have been killed due to violence, or sell drugs. I recently graduated from UW-Madison, one of the top universities in the county, via a POSSE full-tuition scholarship. I have a started my career in Finance and organize in the community as President of the alumni chapter of my fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. I organize because always thought it was best to keep the common touch and politicians usually lack that. But one day I decided to organize for a candidate. His name is Senator Barack Obama.
One of my frat brothers, Jarvis Houston, was visiting from DC and crashed at my place while attending a political training in Madison, WI. Later that day, we were helping another brother of ours move out who recently graduated from medical school and Jarvis began to talk to me about Young & Powerful for Obama (YP for Obama) and the fundraisers they hosted in the past year. He stated that YP for Obama has one final fundraiser left which would occur in six cities (Madison being the seventh) on the same day. We rambled back and forth and I was really reluctant because I had a lot on my plate with the alumni chapter, new job, and new life as a “grown up.” Senator Barack Obama was someone I was familiar with—politically and I was going to vote for him in the election. And even though I really like him as a candidate, I still didn’t want to get involved. Jarvis left after his training was over and told me to think about it. What made me change my mind was all of the training and organizing I experienced in school, in the frat, and in the community. I knew that my involvement should not go in vain and if I were ever going to get involved with real politics this would be the time. YP for Obama was founded by young professionals who were leaders and organizers in college, and now, as young professionals, are still involved only part-time. Besides the issues, the more I learned about Obama’s personal life, my life, and how the other city chairmen’s background intertwined, I was almost certain this was the right route to take. Months after, when Senator Obama gave his nomination acceptance speech, my mother called me as soon as Senator Barack was done. She started screaming with her still “fresh” Nigerian accent, “Remi going to be President, Remi going to be President.” I don’t honestly think she believes I’m going to be President one day, but that Senator Barack Obama was giving her and me inspiration. I never heard her speak like this about anyone. I can tell, she doesn’t have to actually utter the words, but his message and actions epitomize the true principles of America. For me, there is no turning back. YES WE CAN.
Remi AregbesolaCity ChairYoung and Powerful for Obama - Madison,WIYP4OBAMA.COM
Check out this video on YouTube:
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> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiQJ9Xp0xxU
