Liberty-- and the burp of a turtle

Webster’s Definition of LIBERTY

: the quality or state of being free: a : the power to do as one pleases b : freedom from physical restraint c : freedom from arbitrary or despotic control d : the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges e : the power of choice

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Through electing our first African-American president, “we the people,” have been given the illusion of inclusion and participation in the political process. Instead "we" have become more oppressed by the rich white right, who have been controlling Washington since our country's inception. "We" are not considered or included in the decisions affecting our quality of life. Instead, the decisions are made by the money grabbing right, and the power of money ,sadly has become stronger than the power of "we".

"We", are not being heard. Our voices are being lost, swept under a tide of economic and political oppression that means "we" must work harder and longer-- for less. "We," as a result, are tired and downtrodden-- unable to find the time or energy to become part of the discussion. "We" are not heard.

A strong nation (or economy), cannot be built on the backs of others. The pressure becomes too great for the lowest rung of the totem pole, and the whole structure collapses. Instead, “WE” --the left, right, and everyone in between, must begin to work shoulder to shoulder and share our resources in order for our society to survive.

Quantum physics says that when you change the way you look at something, what you look at changes.

It is time to go back to the beginning, to look at and explore the true meaning of liberty—a meaning that is free of all the isms imposed on us by our forefathers. What "WE" truly need is, a paradigm shift that sees all of us as interconnected and valuable, inviting all of our voices to be heard. Creating a world where “WE” truly have a nation whose foundation is built on the guiding principle of liberty for all.

Yertle the Turttle - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FFfbSWbLWw&feature=related

poem about race

This was inspired by LaDon, Coutrni, and our class discussion about growing up in Mart.

Segregated.

Separated.

The color of our skin determines where we fit in.

I see you, can you see me?

If so, then together we can find a way to be free.

Political statement of the day/ or shall I say decade.

Ageism/ Driving Miss Lula

My dear friend Lula, she is a 95-year-old African-American woman, who has lived in the same house in East Austin for over 50 years. Lula is an amazing human being, and I am honored to have her insight, wisdom, humor, and friendship as part of my life. Wednesday after class I had a date with Lula, to go to the DPS office to renew her driver's license. I thought it was funny that the date was on the same day we were talking about ageism :-) Lula lives alone and her closest relatives are in the Houston area, and since her daughter passed away about 10 years ago, I have assumed many roles that her daughter once played.

Lula did not need to renew her license until December 10, and it would've worked so much better for me to wait until after classes were over, but she was so anxious about being denied her drivers license. So, I bit the bullet and just went ahead and did it whenever it would work best for her. I know that she is nervous about not being able to take care of herself, and dislikes having to rely on people to take care of her. Having her license allows her to drive three blocks to her church and about a mile to the closest grocery store.

Lula does have two other friends who are retired who often take her to the grocery, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and to Goodwill. I suggested several times that one of those ladies take her to the DPS office. She just kept saying "No. Carol, I'd rather you take me". when I asked her why, she said that the other two women kept telling her that she wouldn't be able to get her license again... I was shocked because one is in her early 60s and the other one is almost 70 and they are extremely active and independent women.

I just couldn't fathom why they would say those things, because not only is upsetting to Lula, but like it or not they are in the same category of "elderly". I'm pretty sure as long as they are physically and cognitively able they will want to remain independent and drive themselves. When she told me what they said, I completely understood why she did not want them to go with her. It also encouraged me to clear a few hours from my schedule, because I wanted to help Ms. Lula prove them wrong.

Lula was so happy and empowered when we walked out of the DPS office, with her drivers license renewed. While we were there, I also asked questions about how and when people are denied their license due to aging, in the hopes that it will help alleviate her anxiety in the future.

I hope that over the next two years Lula's health will remain the same, and we will celebrate her 97th birthday-- by taking another trip to the DPS office.

Ageism

I must be honest, last week when I saw in the syllabus we would be discussing ageism-- I assumed that meant we would be discussing issues surrounding the elderly. It did not occur to me that young people were oppressed by adults, until I heard people discussing it just last Saturday. And, as I look back on my own childhood, I know that I was expected to be a young adult-- and like other only children I know, except for school, most of my interactions were with adults.

Over the weekend I attended the New Politics Forum at the LBJ School. One of the lecturers spoke about the five main misconceptions about today's youth, they are;

1) Millennial’s are disengaged-- not true many are concerned about social justice issues

Examples: Hollaback.com, catchfire.com, and the Awesome Foundation.

2) Millennial’s prefer virtual connection to human connection-- not true, but social networking is embraced

3) Millennial’s are lazy—I’ll just use you guys as an example I wouldn't call any of you lazy

4) Millennial’s are predictable-- my personal experience says this is not true and I'm sure yours reflect that as well, I personally feel that we are under a paradigm shift in how can you predict that? Who Will be leading the way? You will.

5) Millennial’s are motivated by money-- this is an old paradigm baby boomer idea, and I see that shifting even in my own generation, and in a new paradigm-- shift values change.

I actually found a link to the article the speaker had quoted, if you want to read more: http://theyounggunsblog.com/2011/08/26/5-misconceptions-on-todays-youth/

The Power of Words

This short film illustrates the power of words to radically change your message and your effect upon the world.

I found it to be poignant and powerful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgi0t2ap-us

2 mins. to change your perspective

enjoy the shift ;)

Coutrni Boozer

I love that you have found such a powerful role model in Assata, I relate with your obsession. She is a trail blazer and is showing you that more is possible. I hope that your life is a succession of such discoveries ;) It has been a while since I've had a role model... but, have found a few this year, and it has been inspirational.