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     Layshaun First Time Poster Username: Layshaun Post Number: 1 Registered: 02-2009 Rating: |
Y is Black History just a celebration one month out the year. Are we still that unimportant. The level of stupidity of the majority has become quite taxing indeed. I think Tupac said best lady liberty needs glasses. We have contributed so much to the world and yet still go unrecognized. We have been humbled for centuries with the treatment the excuses as to y ignorance still prevails over the color of skin. A standing ovation for the outstanding accomplishments we have made up til today and there r many more walls to be broken. Knowledge is power but excuses have been made so that younger generations of minorities are all given the same equal chance of an education. So many African Americans that have contributed sumthing positive still go unseen. Makes u wonder if it was me and i invented or discovered sumthing its not abt the recognition but would the applause be given to the one that worked hard. Y cant minorities be celebrated 365 days a year? A many can attest to the fact that wats portrayed is always the negative instead of always the positive its the image that gets portrayed that gets under my skin. It takes alot to not hate the country u live in for all the imbalance rich vs poor.War vs peace, literate vs illiterate, positive vs negative. All yet the bad prevail. So many talented African Americans and minorities and yet the talents goes unnoticed or ignored y becuz of imbalance. Oppression runs rampant because so many see no hope. They r destitute wit no way out. Yet I always see the word SWAG. SWAG means Stuff. We. All. Got. We all dont have swag we have struggle and have nothin and the material shit that labeled unda the swag is meaningless has no dam value. ITS HERE TODAY AND IN A BLINK OF DA EYE GONE. Ask the people it has happened to Michael Vick, Tlc, Toni Braxton just to name a few. Swag has its benefits thou because it is also defined as how u rep urself. We all have that ability whether rich or poor. So I ask Hows our Swag as African Americans and if Our Swag is great y is Black History Celebrated one damn month out the year? | ||
| Cagedbird Regular Poster Username: Cagedbird Post Number: 74 Registered: 02-2004 Rating: N/A |
Have a nice weekend,everyone. National Poetry Month on the way in April! Black History Month Winners 2009 Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Contest Grades 3 - 5 First Place: Rhea Kohli - "Born To Be Free" Born in a small town in Georgia, I walked the earth early in life as a fun loving child, Not knowing that there was a difference in me and others, And trusting all that were good and mild. Child of a lesser God was my label, Just because I was darker was I told that my ancestory was unstable, Many fellow brothers and sisters looked down upon me, While I tried hard to make them see, That all of us were the same, And it did not matter if we were blacks, whites or from other groups we came. This made me hurt and I started to preach, That love, non violence and justice should we teach, All our kids, and brothers and sisters alike, No matter whether they were black or white. Oh, how difficult those times were, When no one listened to us Madam or Sir, We went around with a message of peace, Which fell on deaf ears and the message shredded piece for piece. And then in those moments of despair, I was reminded of Rustin, Mahatma Gandhi who I did so much respect and care, When they charged down to meet their battle, They did not falter, stop short and vainly rattle This gave me courage not to lose my spirit, As it is often said that the night is darkest before the early morn, And even a pretty rose is known to have its own thorn, So, onwards we marched to the monument in Washington D.C. To have our dream realized and to let it be, For soon we would have learned our message from the past, And I would then say- “Thank God Almighty I am free at last!!” 2nd Place: Kenyatta Kruetzfeldt - "I Am" I am a believer in civil rights I wonder if we will ever be treated equally I hear prejudicial words still today I see America will have its first African American President I want there to be no more racism I am a proud African American I pretend not to hear prejudicial comments I feel sad for ignorant people I touch others with my beauty I worry about how I will be treated when I get older I cry when I think of what my people had to go through I am a very proud African American I understand I will have to work harder through life I say "I will persevere" I dream that I can be anything I want to be I try to treat others the way I want to be treated I hope I will be judged by the content of my character I am and will always be a proud African American 3rd Place: Kaya Cross - Stand Tall Dr. Martin Luther King fought for us one and all. He made men and women freely stand tall. Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream to show what equal rights mean, We remember him as a leader during a confused time. His belief in nonviolence put the guns of war to silence. As a proud strong symbol for us all, Dr. Martin Luther King makes us stand tall. If Dr. Martin Luther King did not exist Life in America wouldn’t be like this The first American dream is to live together in harmony Dr. Martin Luther King fought for us one and all. He made men and women freely stand tall. The times of Martin Luther king were rough but Martin was tough. He stood against the old rules of time And gave us the dream that makes American real hope come alive As a proud strong symbol for us all, Dr. Martin Luther King makes us stand tall. Grade 6 - 8 First Place: Claire Ryan - "My Hands" My hands are not black. My hands are Gently placing Pale green sprouts In the soft loam Pouring cool water From a shiny can To quench and rejuvenate Watching buds blossom Into a collage of colors My hands are not black. My hands are not tan. My hands are Expressively moving Accenting words Upon a stage Miming happy or sad In the spotlight Adding flair to everything Pressing hard keys To let music flow My hands are not tan. My hands are not white. My hands are Painting and brushing Letting color fill A blank page Carefully shading As figures form From nothing Tearing colored papers Like an exploding rainbow My hands are not white. My hands are not brown. My hands are Tenderly stroking Soft, young fur Braving winter walks For big puppy eyes Whistling and chirping To feathered friends Tossing yarn For a meow My hands are not brown. Do not judge me On the color of my hands. Color does not tell What kind of person I am. Decide to be my friend or not On what my hands do. For then my hands Are not any color at all. Second Place: Sanji Suresh - "Hope" It’s been a year We still ain’t free All the brave souls Fightin’ for you and me Sneakin’ out of Slave houses In the dead of night Followin’ those stars Doin’ what’s right Going to different restaurants All segregated and such Signs put up everywhere It’s just become too much Marchin’, marchin’, marchin’ Through this nation Civil Disobedience Through the duration One day we’ll get ‘em We’ll be free I know that day’ll come How happy I’ll be Third Place: Halie Firl - "A Shooting Star" a shooting star a faithful glow among the midnight sky is one’s own hope a symbol of freedom to go and do to stand strong and still in one’s own will a seamless wonder to change the world to shed some light in this faint parcel of time shooting far and wide to enlighten it’s companions on its unyielding journey in hopes of illuminating this dimmed creation as it takes its one last push it coasts down from it’s memorable saunter thereafter the others started to glow for the effort of one instilled something in them all for its light had spread through the multitude of the sky Honorable Mention: Lily Grebe - "I Hear Loneliness, But Don't Forget Hope" The sky looks always gray, Couples look always happy, Sadness looks always hungry. As many things are painful then, they look much worse now. When friends want you then, they hate you now. There's no feeling in your heart, Your body, Your mind. When you're hearing lonely, Creeping up behind. But when you're alone, there's still one person to help. This person will make you fight, To believe, To love again. When you're feeling left out and alone, Hope can get you through, Can help you find the righs you need And the respect you want. Hope will help you win the battle against all that should stand in your way. Choose the weapons of words and love, But most of all, Beat lonely to the ground. Honorable Mention: Kierra Walske - "The Dream is Happening" Martin had a dream one day, He wanted to come true, For all the children in the world, Just like me and you. So he said, “I have a dream…” For children everywhere People should be equal He knew that we’d get there. Just look on people’s insides To tell just who they are. Even though we’re not there yet, We really have come far. It used to be a nightmare, People judged by skin. Now the dream is happening Now we look within. Just look at my great family Martin’s dream is real Our skin is different but That doesn’t change the way we feel. The world is getting better, Believe me when I say, Martin’s dream is coming true I see love every day. Honorable Mention: Ellen Emrich - "Martin Luther King" Black and white, with or without sight Woman or man, with or without a plan He knew we were all the same All players in the world's game Searching for love and happiness, trying to ace the test Lookinf for the meaning, and our inner being For he had a dream, he had a scheme, That would save us all from our dreadful fall But some didn't understand, some didn't like what he planned So they shot him dead, without thinking ahead Of what would become of everyone Without love or bravery, without joy or favory We would all be separated by who we are, living in a bell jar. Honorable Mention: Chris Brakke - "Freedom" Freedom is my ice cream Rights is my chocolate syrup And human rights is my sprinkles! Put them together and I have a big bowl of delicious justice! Grade 9 - 12 First Place: Taylor Kuramoto - "Identify, Testify, Rectify" Women, children, Men of every color, Each just searching for a way to earn just a few more dollars, Hear the hollers from all blue collars, Calling for restitution, A new solution, a revolution, an evolution, for their retribution, And resurrection from their cold hard chains The puppet master that control their strings, Will no one help them gain? And the ring leaders that snap their whips, Will no one help them obtain? Some one answer the call, Gather a protest, Meet at City Hall! Oppress Tammany Hall, Give rest to corruption, End the eruption, Finalize the injustice And give equality to those who seek The freedom lands, The mountain top, The clear blue skies, of opportunity. Second Place: Karolyn Wood - "The Grey House" There was a time, When the colors were divided, By a stiff, solid line, Black became victims and subsided, White rose high and suppressed, Hope flickered and victims ascended, Black strove to be fairly assessed, And now, black is done dreaming, There is no longer The White House, Now, The Gray House is gleaming. Third Place: Amanda Moreno - "Mr. Waiter" Yous can think I’se too ugly, But that cant stop you. Yous can think I’se too tall or too short, But I’se still be here. Yous can tease me, But that aint gunna make me go away. Yous can think my hairs is the wrong color, But I wont care. Yous can think that my skin is too dark or too light, But yous cant do anything. Yous can call me nasty names, But I’se still human. Yous dont have ta like me, yous dont even have ta look at me, But I’se still goin’ ta walk in this restaurant and enjoy my meal. Yous can hate me, But yous cant discriminate against me, Martin Luther King Jr. gave me and you the right to walk Proudly where ever we go, I’se proud of where I came from, I’se proud of my skin color, I’se proud of my education and, I’se proud ta be an American, Yous can hate me, But yous cant discriminate against me | ||
| Cagedbird Regular Poster Username: Cagedbird Post Number: 80 Registered: 02-2004 Rating: N/A |
I was suppose 2 be at one of the Atlanta schools right about now 4 their "Read Out Loud Program." OUR snow yesterday closed the school, danggit! Oh well, I will go pick up me some traveler's checks and check 2 see if I was a winner of any of the contests that have ended, peace. "It was beautiful, like a Winter Wonderland! It was fun wiping the snow off my car & driving a turtle's pace of 20-30 miles and hour compared 2 the 45-85 miles I normally do." Snowfall catches Miami Valley School group in Georgia for Habitat project By Ben Sutherly Staff Writer Monday, March 02, 2009 A rare, late winter snowstorm gave three van loads of Miami Valley School students and their chaperones an eventful trip on Sunday, March 1, from Atlanta to Athens, Ga. The 13 students — chaperoned by two teachers and one teacher's wife — are building Habitat for Humanity homes in South Carolina and Georgia as part of the private Washington Twp. school's month-long immersion program. "We went down South so we could avoid weather like this," said sophomore Porter Fitch, 16, of Yellow Springs. During the two-hour trip, during which the vans traveled at 35 to 40 mph as road conditions worsened, the group passed several vehicles that had gone off the road. "People down here were not very capable in driving," said Mark Ash, a mathematics teacher and chaperone. "A lot of cars were off the highway." En route to an Athens church where they were to sleep Sunday night, an evergreen weighed down by wet, heavy snow fell, its top blocking the path of the vans. With the help of others, the group moved the tree, which Ash estimated to be 20 feet tall and about 10 to 15 inches in diameter at its base. One van briefly became stuck in snow in the driveway of the church building, Ash said. The building was partially without power Sunday evening. "People seem to be really surprised," Fitch said. "This far down South, there aren't many snowplows so people seem alarmed about how they're going to get around." Ash estimated 5 inches of snow had fallen in the Athens area as of 9 p.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service said total snowfall across the region was expected to be 4 to 7 inches. The snow is expected to melt quickly today, March 2, as temperatures climb into the mid 40s. The students frolicked in the snow and enjoyed snowball fights after arriving at the church. "The kids were having a good time," Ash said. Students have plenty of coats, hats and boots for working out in the cold, and weren't underdressed for the weather, he said. A lot of tree branches were snapping Sunday evening, Ash said. "All in all, it's pretty chaotic," Fitch said. Dayton Daily News.com Hope 2 catch MORE snow when I head home next month. I am a BUCKEYE! | ||
| Cagedbird Regular Poster Username: Cagedbird Post Number: 97 Registered: 02-2004 Rating: N/A |
Timmothy use 2 be my favorite male author. The last time I spoke with him, he was still living in Florida. I see he moved to Georgia, after all. I think I might give him a call! Timmothy B. McCann timm.mccann@metrobrokers.com (o) 404.843.2500 (d) 678.443.4428 (f) 404.236.7138 "When Integrity Counts, Talk To Timm!" ****************************************** Book Clubs On The Web: Women.com Book Clubs Rawsistaz Book Club Science Fiction Book Club African American Literature Book Club Good Booklets Military Book Club A&E Book Club Doubleday Book Club Literary Guild Book Club Quality Paperback Book Club Black Expressions Scholastic Canada Book Clubs Our Visitors' Favorite Internet Books! A Forgotten Negro League Star: A Personal Look at Al Burrows by Cheryl Robinson Martin Meza's Story Time Three Short Stories, Volume I by Martin Meza Social Code by Cass Tell - submitted by Mandy Gynt The Wilburn Valley by Michael Scott Bostwick - submitted by Barbara Wings of an Angel Poetry Collection by Angel Logan - submitted by Hillary Tremaine Wold by Paul Judges - submitted by Dave Mortell He Who Goes First by Kevin Curtis - submitted by Paul Galibrath's Wrath by Edward Trayer - submitted by Sally Redford The Difference Now by Cherie Burbach - submitted by Sally Hunt Just Past Oysterville by Perry Perkins - submitted by Jack Cathcart Guilty Pleasures: Love, Life & Social Drama by Sonya Harris - submitted by Kenyatta Williams The Prophet's Candle by Daniel - submitted by James Proposal of Knowledge by Doutimiye Imomoh - submitted by Martins Until & Forever by Timm McCann - submitted by Eve Hall aka Cagedbird Billy by Albert French - submitted by Devonne Living Life Without Loving the Beatles (A Survivor's Guide by Gary Hall - submitted by Keith Charles Drew: Pioneer of Blood Plasma by Linda Trice - submitted by Martin Twisell The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah - submitted by Celeste Gordy, Precious Jones, Tamika, Angique and Vertrell Bryant The Lonesome Bird's Treasure And Who Gives A Rat's Bottom by Lafalaise Luisperingne - submitted by Ronel Toussaint Healings by Runningdeer - submitted by Miss Davis B'More Careful by Teri Woods - submitted by Eleese IRS Revealed: Money for Sex by Elizabeth Klimas - submitted by Kiacox A Journey To Hell and Back by Charlotte Russell Johnson - submitted by Crystal True To The Game by Teri Woods - submitted by Tish Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins - submitted by Jarrett Kaufman Little House In The Woods by Garth Williams - submitted by Alyssa McIntosh Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora N. Hurston - submitted by Donyel Smith Why and How Women Are Exploited By Men by Tolu2 IT by Harry Kel Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid - submitted by Apeu Black Men White Women: The Interviews by Carmen Ham - submitted by Jill Watkins A Stranger of Death by Judy Schlitt - submitted by Roy Greene Suddenly There by Judy Schlitt - submitted by Dale Greene Mandy by Julie Andrews - submitted by Sahron Goodwin Sister Sister by Eric Jerome Dickey - submitted by Sherita Nunn Revelations: The Years 2000 by Janet Markey -submitted by Corey Wild Horses by Dick Frances - submitted by Rachael Murphy Monstrous by Tommy Walker - submitted by Tommy A Dog's Life by Peter Mayle - submitted by Mike Grow Yourself Rich by Jay North - submitted by Jay Like a Fish on a Bike by Brahm Piterski - submitted by Karen Darby Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison - submitted by Martha Dawson Glimpse of Heaven/Return to Hell I Cannot Tell A Lie - The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendantsby Linda Allan Bryant - submitted by Ju Wells Zon by Gregory Morris - submitted by Devivia Stolen Moments by Barbara Fisher - submitted by Judy Selle The Banished God: Avatars by Chris Hughes - submitted by Tom Schaller Until by Timm McCann - submitted by Eve Hall Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodking - submitted by Joe Makeda's Soul by Naomi Makeda Lucas - submitted by Ms. Ingram Return to Glory by JS Gates - submitted by Michelle Bingham Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard - submitted by Eve Black Beauty - submitted by Anna Stevens The Inheritance by Louisa May Alcott - submitted by Lori Witness by Whittaker Chambers - submitted by Matt The Hobbit by JRR Volkien - submitted by Margaret To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - submitted by Tony Daddy Was A Number's Runner by Louise Merriwether Your Blues Ain't Like Mine by Bebe Moore Campbell - submitted by Maggie The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk - submitted by Ife Log From the Sea of Cortez by John Steinbeck - submitted by Selma Singer Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web - submitted by Angie Hoke Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood - submitted by Angie Hoke The Horses Mouth by Joyce Carey. ********************************************** I met the most handsome man in Publixs the other day. He graduated from: Michigan State. GO SPARTANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!;-) |
