GNH Community

Community, Nonprofits and Businesses sharing Information

Black, Educated and Imprisoned in America, Or Dress-to-Live

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT- SUBJECT TO INTERPRETATION
The Video linked below is from an ABC interview done with Lawrence Otis Graham
Some people are judging Mr. Graham harshly. Try walking a mile in his shoe. This video could be titled: Being Black, Educated and Imprisoned in America, or Dress-to-Live.
How many of us -- regardless of color, education or socioeconomic status-- are taking what is happening in America in 2015 as seriously as we should?
Are we fully aware of how much trouble we are in as a country?
Of course, we are too occupied with the business of living and coping to pay attention to that which does not directly affect us.  That's perfectly understandable. Who has the time?
From my perspective, this video shows how psychologically oppressive it is to be black in America. You can graduate from Princeton and Harvard and still perceive yourself to be (or be made to feel like) a second class citizen. Therefore, you and your family are constrained to wear the uniform as dictated by racist perceptions. There are many who feel there is no choice but to acquiesce; to fall in line and become lambs rather than to challenge our society to be a better place for ALL of us. It is impossible for any white person (especially those with education) to understand what's like to be Mr. Graham. It's difficult for many of us who are black to understand. Imagine how much potential in lost daily in America when people with a great deal to contribute have to be so constrained. This is why we ALL NEED TO WORK TO MAKE AMERICA A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US. that is if we believe.
As the mother of a black son, I understand Mr. Graham's concerns. As a citizen, I prefer to challenge and work for change. Unless you know what's like to be followed in the store; to be questioned with suspicion by people who can barely read and write; to be treated with indignity by moronic bigots, and to be often-- if not always-- treated as if you are less than a full and complete, dignified, human being, you cannot really know why Mr. Graham or anyone black would resort to such cowering. It just might be the path of least resistance; it might be that we are so brainwashed it seems like our only option; or, it just might be the safest option. It's each person's to choose.
Yes, it's painful to see; it is also tiring to be always on guard; always fighting for your rightful place; always having to prove your innocence when you have done nothing wrong. It's debilitating to expend half your energy justifying everything you say and do so as not to be punished by those who are judging you by a standard that has nothing to do with who you are, and by codes you cannot understand.  Whichever method we --as black people-- choose to live by we will most likely end up being tired most of the time.  How then can we ever give of our best, or ever be at our best? Thankfully, many of us are quite resilient; this resilience might also account for the fact that when we get ill we tend to have more aggressive forms of whatever is ailing us.  Our bodies are under constant assault.
While we steel ourselves to cope with the challenges of living in this often hostile environment, when we get ill and the steel has been worn, our physical bodies give way. This is why we need to find --and hold dear-- a few loving, trustworthy, honest and supportive people who will always tell us the truth in loving and caring ways, and who will love us even when we are not at our best.  May we all be able to find and have such people in our lives. Keep the faith brothers and sisters.
This is the same video on YouTube: please watch and SHARE it  https://youtu.be/EfeS-GYnuj0

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2co0h6_lawrence-otis-graham-belie...

OneWorld Progressive Institute, Inc., is a small group of committed volunteers who produce community information and education television programs on health literacy, education and civic engagement.  We also find good information and post informative blogs about issues we believe shine light and are beneficial to many in our communities.  Learn more about us at our web site: www.oneworldpi.org/  and visit our web health section at: http://www.oneworldpi.org/health/index.html  Please share our information with others.  Watch our informative television programs on your public access channels: Frontier (formerly AT&T), Channel 99, drop down; Charter Communications Chan. 21, and Comcast (Xfinity) Channels 10, 15, 18 & 26. OneWorld on Face Book http://goo.gl/k17xvx OneWorld programs air on Comcast Chan. 26, Mons at 8pm.

Views: 125

Comment

You need to be a member of GNH Community to add comments!

Join GNH Community

Comment by N'Zinga Shani on June 14, 2015 at 4:06pm

We welcome comments and feedback about this post.  Thanks

Welcome (Bienvenido, Benvenuto, Powitanie, Bonjour! Willkomme,歡迎, ברוךהבא أهلا وسهلا, Bonvenon) to GNH Community. Traducción de esta página

Si no habla inglés, puede
leer el contenido de este sitio
web haciendo clic en
"Select language" arriba y
eligiendo "Spanish".
El contenido, excepto los
archivos adjuntos, aparecerán en español.

~

Non-English speaking residents can read the content of this website by clicking on "Select Language" above and picking their preferred language. Once a language is selected all content with the exception of attachments will appear in that language.

OPPORTUNITY + EQUITY

Imagine. Inform. Invest. Inspire. Working together to build a stronger community - now and forever.

The Community Foundation office at 70 Audubon Street is open to visitors by appointment only; Foundation staff are available by phone and email Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. to conduct business or to schedule a time to visit. To contact a staff member, view our staff directory.

 

 

 

Open Street Project

An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit

By Ryan O’Connor, Director of Programs, 8 80 Cities Recently 8 80 Cities wrote a blog post about open streets being a labour of love. That being the case, the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans felt like a family reunion of sorts. It was rejuvenating to see old and new friends who share our passion for open streets and are working tirelessly to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities across the world. The event, which took place on September 15-16, brought together more than 50 leaders who currently organize open streets programs or are interested in bringing the...

The post An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit appeared first on Open Streets Project.

Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda

We hope you are getting ready and feel excited about the Open Streets Summit in Gretna/New Orleans! Taking place from September 15-16, 2018, the Summit will feature tours, presentations and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of starting or scaling up open streets programs, including: Route design and planning Partnerships with business and officials Social inclusion Safety and logistics Marketing and promotion Program evaluation through measurable goals and metrics If you haven’t done it yet, click here to register for the Open Streets Summit only or...

The post Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda appeared first on Open Streets Project.

Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced!

The Open Streets Project is proud to announce that Ed Solis from Viva Calle (San Jose, CA), Romel Pascual from CicLAvia (Los Angeles, CA), Jaymie Santiago and Charles Brown from New Brunswick Ciclovia will join us as speakers for the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans and Gretna! Taking place from September 15-16 2018, the Summit will feature: Behind the scenes tour of the City of Gretna’s inaugural open streets program. Workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Training and inspiration for both -novice and experienced- open streets organizers and supporters...

The post Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced! appeared first on Open Streets Project.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation

New Report: A Close Look at the Reality of Community Violence Interrupters

Dr. Kathryn Bocanegra and Dr. Shani Buggs, eminent researchers and experts on the work of community violence intervention, have published, together with LISC, Supporting the Frontline Through Community Healing: Advancing Science on Violence Intervention Outreach and Trauma Exposure. The study, focused on safety efforts in Kansas City, MO, is a deeply researched and compassionate look at the trauma CVI workers confront every day and how to support the field so that practitioners “are protected from the same harms they work to prevent.”

“A Gateway for Possibilities”: Resident Leadership and Community Ownership

LISC's Institute for Community Power has published a new Spotlight examining three leadership development programs designed and implemented by LISC and local partners for distinct communities in different parts of the country: Training the Trainers (T4T) in Houston; the Newark Resident Leadership Academy (NRLA); and Community Connectors in Philadelphia. Each group has leveraged the leadership program to inform and strengthen their work and, in turn, to serve their communities more effectively.

Mobile Home Residents in Washington State Are Calling the Shots After Buying Their Park

Manufactured housing, which 20 million Americans call home, is one of the few affordable housing options in the United States. The residents of two Washington State mobile home communities recently succeeded in purchasing their parks with help from ROC USA and over $2 million in financing from Rural LISC. As a result, they have been able to stabilize their housing costs, upgrade their communities and remain in the places they love.

© 2024   Created by Lee Cruz.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service