Your Way is NOT My Way

If given the honor, to present a piece of poetry to express how I felt November 11th, 2008...it would detail of our spirited ancestors who was willing to die (and some did) so we could exist in this generation and passed on...but that is my way.

Just for this subject, I can understand why any other American are judging black America based on images in the media. While we have this very intelligent bi-racial President, we have some artists releasing music that speaks to a very small portion of black America - the negative part. What is even more amazing is that radio personalities are far more capable of producing quality intelligent lyrics to articulate an effectual anthem. This music is feeding our children.

Earlier, I referred to that portion as negative. Well, when your main concern is how you look. Then songs released into the airways have the same message about "YOU". These artist have problems with their self esteem, their self worthiness, their self image. I am no psychiatrist but we all understand the basics. If a conversation always ends up in "you", that person is hiding issues they harbor against themselves. Because quite frankly, no one and I mean no one wants to hear about "you" all of the time. So these are the people who highlight superficial things like houses, cars, jewelry, etc. that they have. In there minds, these items add value to their life. So this reflects on the rest of black America...as if we are idiots riding around shouting look at me, please look at me. Now in their defense, this did stem from slavery and passed on from generation to generation. When does it stop? I want it to stop because this feeds our children. Adolescence is a beast of its own. Images and words are sent to them via media outlets constantly. Young adults battling with surety and self-image are given false solutions to their image crises via this music.

For the most part, black America is as conservative as they come. We watch our pennies because of our past struggles. We raise our children to respect people and serve in our communities. So when will the others look at that? When more of us stand and proclaim enough is enough. We have been passive far too long. Instead of marching the country, we need to march our neighborhoods. We need to embrace our youth who are victims to this so-called music. They are so young and fresh. They can't see the trap that is set before them if they don't wake up. Talk to your sons and daughters about their future constantly. If you have no children, adopt a neighbors. Get involved!

It seems that society has not only accepted it, they are promoting it as well - STRONGLY. I, myself, grew up in Detroit, MI seeing very harsh images at times to say the least so I can understand a defeated mindset, but that is not an excuse for poisoning our babies with deed and in action.

Remember the old saying - it takes a village to raise a child. Who ever said that was absolutely correct. If you do nothing, nothing good happens.

Listen Then Communicate

While the country focuses on politics, I can't help to think about how the past keeps trying to clog up the present and pollute the future.

This is an all out war between the radical and the box. The majority has relied on hope. There are those that are set in fear. CHANGE is reality. CHANGE is inevitable. CHANGE is now.

It is funny how people only to take risks in familiar areas. Answer this, if the road traveled is known, where is the danger? Danger presents itself most often in uncarpeted territory.

And this is where morals take a weird twist. Views cloud truth fashioning a temporary fact. While some of you may live, breathe..."Now Faith is..." Others will kick and scream for their comfort zone.

Communication is the golden egg. In order for a people to progress, we have to keep talking responsibly. Please voice your opinions in a humble and intelligent manner.

Quite frankly, I am tired of closed mindset...but not enough to give up on folk. So I will keep the line of communication open and share my views. I am willing to listen to your views as well. As we share, we'll learn and then we'll grow. So what we need is patience and courtesy for others.

Patience is a virtue!

Disgruntled Customer

Customer service is important to us all until we have to provide it. Sadly enough, some folk lack drive and compassion in the customer service field.

A pet peeve of mine is outstanding customer service. Notice 'outstanding' is the chosen description. It is really not that difficult. Attitude and information are key in achieving the main goal. One without the other is disappointing from either angle.

Mr. and/or Ms. Rep, I understand there is things that factor into the delivery of the said Customer Service. Personal, professional, and even sometimes internal pressure can appear to be out of control. And we, the outsider, will not undermine any momentary challenges. What we will do is present the facts. It is not the customer's fault:

* If you DON'T like your position
* If you DON'T like your manager
* If you DON'T like your company
* If you DON'T like yourself...

The truth is all we want is respectable service. We should not be subjected to your drama.

Look at it like this. If your place of employment were your company, would you want you to represent its image? Well, would you?