Alright, A February Rant (Sorry, Not Sorry)

Oh doesn’t that video just scream the 1990s? My sister and I used to love that video. And if you don’t know the song and you are Black, African American or whatever the brothers & sisters are calling themselves these days, Shame, Shame, Shame, on you. This song is “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson and his brother, John Rosamond Johnson in 1900. It is The Black National Anthem. The first verse is

Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise, high as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;

Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

"Lift Every Voice and Sing" was publicly performed first as a poem as part of a celebration of Lincoln's Birthday on February 12, 1900, by 500 school children at the segregated Stanton School. Its principal, James Weldon Johnson, wrote the words to introduce its honored guest, Booker T. Washington. The poem was later set to music by Johnson's brother John in 1905.

In 1990, singer Melba Moore released a modern rendition of the song, which she recorded along with others including R&B artists & and gospel artists. That is the video to the song.

Alright, that is the history. Here is the rant. Why don’t we as a people know this song? I was at a Step Show in college and the signing of the Black Anthem started and people were scrambling to read their programs for the words.  The mental brakes went off in my head so hard. I was appalled and shocked. Now, I know everyone’s church does not sing that song every February like my foundation church did. But I am shocked that schools are not teaching this song. Okay, wait maybe at this point in history. But when I was in school in the 1980s and the 1990s, our school taught us the Black National Anthem. I know I went to an all-black student school in elementary school. But I went to multi-cultural middle & high school and we were learned, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. Which is interesting for my High School because for the 1^st three years my school was a high school geared towards the health sciences. Yet, we sang the Black National Anthem for every Black History Program. Maybe that was just my black cultivated life.

We worry about not knowing our history and here is one of the most important facts we have. I don’t know any other American race that has their own Anthem yet we don’t all know it. (Side Note: Other races, if Y'all have an anthem and we don’t know about it, let us know and You better know the words) That is so sad. We have to do better. Oh and saying “We don’t know the American National Anthem either” is a gross excuse. We should know that also. (Didn't Renee Fleming do a great job singing that at Super Bowl this year? She hit "that note".) We have to Do Better. So I challenge all of us to learn “The Black National Anthem and put it to memory.  Rap it, Croon to it, Do runs with it, whatever. Well, don’t twerk or booty bounce to it. Just Learn it and Teach the future before the words and meaning die. James Weldon Johnson & John Rosamond Johnson, I Salute You. And those of you who know the words and sing the song, I Salute You, also.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Dr. Joycelyn Elders Salute

Before I became a Nutritional Consultant, I was on the path of becoming a School Nurse. Before that I wanted to be Pediatric Nurse and before junior year of high school, I wanted to be a Pediatrician. I started wanting to be in a pediatrician at age 6 after I realized ballet dancers don’t make a lot of money and to learn to play the organ, I had to learn how to play the piano (yeah the mind of a child). No one ever deterred my dream of being a doctor. I even had a black female pediatrician. She was encouraging then. She is still encouraging. So, I knew it could be done. So, you know when Joycelyn Elders was appointed Surgeon General during the Clinton Administration, I was ecstatic. The first black woman became Surgeon General and I hung on every word she said.

Minnie Joycelyn Elders was born Minnie Lee Jones on August 13, 1933 in Arkansas. She changed her middle name to Joycelyn in college. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Philander Smith College in 1952. The following year she joined the US Army and trained as a physical therapist. She obtained her M.D. degree in 1960 from the University of Arkansas Medical School. After completing an internship at the University of Minnesota Hospital and a residency in pediatrics at the University of Arkansas Medical Center, Elders earned a M.S. degree in Biochemistry in 1967. Elders has received a National Institutes of Health career development award, also serving as assistant professor in pediatrics at the University of Arkansas Medical Center from 1967. She was promoted to associate professor in 1971 and professor in 1976. She received board certification as a pediatric endocrinologist in 1978, becoming the first person in the state of Arkansas to do so.

Bill Clinton was the Governor of Arkansas when Elders was appointed as Director of the Arkansas Department of Health. While in this position there was a tenfold increase in early childhood screenings & doubled the rates of vaccinations received.  In 1992, she was elected President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers.

In 1993 Governor Clinton became the President of America and he appointed Joycelyn Elders to the position of Surgeon General. She became the 1st African- American to hold the position and she was the 2nd woman since Antonia Novello. As surgeon general, Elders quickly established a reputation for controversy. Like many of the surgeons general before her, she was an outspoken advocate of a variety of health-related causes.

She argued for an exploration of the possibility of drug legalization (suggested that legalizing drugs might help reduce crime and that the idea should be studied) and backed the distribution of contraceptives in schools. In 1994, she was invited to speak at a United Nations conference on AIDS. She was asked whether it would be appropriate to promote masturbation as a means of preventing young people from engaging in riskier forms of sexual activity, and she replied, "I think that it is part of human sexuality, and perhaps it should be taught."

This remark caused great controversy and resulted in Elders losing the support of the White House. Elders was dismissed of her post in December 1994. A collection of her professional papers are held at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland.

Since leaving office, Elders has received a D.Sc. degree from Bates College in 2002. She has returned to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences as professor of pediatrics, and is currently professor emerita at UAMS. She has appeared on TV in "Penn and Teller: Bullshit!" during the episode on abstinence, where she says that she voiced her opinion against abstinence-only programs and discussed her opinions on teenage sex education, masturbation and contraceptives. I

n 2010 with David Chanoff, she wrote "Joycelyn Elders, M.D.: From Sharecropper's Daughter to Surgeon General of the United States of America". She was interviewed in the 2013 documentary "How to Lose Your Virginity" on her opinions regarding comprehensive sex education versus abstinence-only sex education. She is also active on the lecture circuit speak against teen pregnancy.

Also since Elders leaving office, 2 states have legalized sales, 7 states have legal medical sales, 6 states have decriminalized the sale and 6 other states have medical sales and decriminalization laws in marijuana distribution. I felt with her being slated controversial for suggesting legalizing drugs, that information should be included. Oh and in 2013 reports say the rate of births to teen mothers dropped by 25% from 41.5 per 1,000 teens between the ages of 15 to 19 in 2007 to a record low of 31.1 births per 1,000 teens in 2011. Glad she still active on the lecture tour.

Well despite being ousted from a prestigious job, this former future doctor salutes Dr. Joycleyn Elders the 1st Black Surgeon General. This job is amid many controversies, her opinions was just part of the job. 

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

It’s February

Growing up, the youth of my foundation (childhood) church use to present Black History Facts every Sunday in the month of February. We called it “Who am I”. Me being me well I grew tired of hearing about the same folks. So whenever I was chose to do “Who am I”I would find someone or something that was rarely talk about. The last time I did a “Who am I” I did, T. B. Boyd III (Now go look him up.). I was a sophomore in high school. Wow, I am old.  So this month I will talk about a few people that are rarely talked about in Black History. Here are some hints.

1. What is the oldest black Secular organization in the United States of America?
2. Name someone that died in the 1986 Challenger Explosion
3. Who is the 2^nd female Surgeon General?
4. What happened to the Buffalo Soldiers?

2 and 3 should be easy. I know some members of 1 that will scoff at the idea of someone not knowing that one. LoL Now 4 you have heard of them especially if you live here in Texas, you just don’t realize it.

Also this month I will tell you something sappy “I like…” and sadly I will have to rant about something. I would tell you the subject but since you don’t know the words you’ll read it when I do it.

The pictures in the blog are of me showing off my Little Red Dress Pin. The pin is the show awareness for American Heart Month. Heart Disease is the Number 1 killer of women in the United States. It has affected my family and friends and many of yours also. I wear my pin every chance I get during the month February.

February 7^th is the day set aside to show awareness in the fight of heart disease in women. For more information or to get a lapel pin like mine or other awareness apparel, educational books and cookbooks go to https://www.goredforwomen.org/.

 

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

 

New Series Announcement (Not Interested in Dating)

Well I have to say it was very cathartic to tell you guys why I don't date church leaders. Then a few phone calls rolled in from a few guys who felt like they didn't have a shot if I wasn't dating church leaders. So I spent a few minute explaining that my dating criteria is not moral worth based. If a church leader is better than they are in dating me that is another issue they need to deal with.  My dating interests are very vast different. I have some many types that I will date, I'll be my whole life telling you guys. I'll never have time to date them. So now "Not Interested in Dating..." is a new series where I will talk about the types of men that I probably won't date. That is a smaller list. These are guys that are involved in legal & positive lives that are just not my cup of tea.

Yes, I said legal & positive lives. It's no secret I don't date criminals (caught or not caught yet) (blue collar, white collars, no collar, drug dealers, pedophiles, molesters, thieves, hackers, murderers etc.) and know about it. I don't date liars, cheaters (married, non-married, down-low), rude jerks, those with low self-image, lazy, okay with being uneducated, & aimless. Plus if you  hit or regularly disrespect woman, you need to not look in my direction. That's not positive. That's drama waiting to happen. Those are givens. No one should be dating those people, in my opinion. But I'm still single and these hot messes... ooh I'm sounding bitter, whoa Nelly.

But there are some very good biologically born males (Umm No, I don't date women or strapped on, hormone induced or surgically made men) out there that I know are not my glass of wine and I am more than likely not their cup of coffee. So I don't usually try to mix the two containers. Some of them I have tried to clink glasses with and the mix didn't tastes so kosher. You'll see in future blog posts.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms

Not Interesting in Dating…

I was on Facebook and I saw a post of a former classmate and I remembered when I ran into that classmate in the club. We were catching up and she was shocked that I was even there and the fact I was single and said “I thought you would be married to a pastor by now”.  I know I had a WTH facial expression to her statement because I do not date Pastors, Associate Ministers, Deacons or any important church leaders. If you see me dating one, Know that that was an act of God. God personally came to me and said “Date Him”! It is not because I am not worthy or a dislike to them. Life just had funny way of crafting my taste in men.

I grew up in the home of the Chairman of the Deacons at my foundation (childhood home church). He was my late grandfather. It’s after 7 pm now as I type this. We have had dinner and now we are resting and watching TV. Do you know how mind boggling it is for the doorbell to ring or the phone to ring because somebody needs to be let inside the church or the alarm is going off and can he come turn it off or let them in? What about the call to say somebody died? Many of you got to go home right after church. Nope, not me or anyone else that rode to church with my grandfather (yeah I know we could’ve walked because we lived around the corner, down the street and across the street from the church but we didn’t okay(inner city living)) because he had to be in a few brief meetings, sometimes help lock up, and do other things deacons do. Most times it would be no more than thirty minutes but there were a few occasions that the time was longer. Also my grandfather had to keep many secrets. Some stuff he couldn’t tell my grandmother and family. I know many that tell their wives and families what is discussed in meetings, my grandfather did not discussed nothing that was not common knowledge or did not involve us (dangerous or non-dangerous). If he did, it was to pick our brains and we were sworn to strict confidence. 

Okay, I was the granddaughter of a deacon. Think about the family of the Pastor. Most of those times if my family was waiting, the first lady was waiting also for the pastor. I loved that lady, God rest her soul. One day, I put myself in her shoes. Life as a child in the home the Deacon Chairman was no way near as crazy as hers. On top of the most of the stuff my grandfather did, add Members, Church Leaders, & Other Pastors calling your house for your husband all day and night. Your spouse having to be at hospitals, funerals, meetings, churches, conventions and other places all the time. It’s his job. Then add the floozies that go after married men and the chicks that just want to snag them a preacher that would drive me insane.  My life with my grandfather was a breeze compared to her. I knew then I don’t think I am made for life with a church leader. Not a bad life at all. I just don't think it's my life.

This does not mean I don’t require the men I date to be God-fearing Christians. We need to be equally yoked even in dating. I believe what I believe and he need to believe in what I believe too. I know there are good men (even some nice-looking men) I am excluding but I’ve seen that life I don’t want get any closer to it than I already have. I will say God may change my heart and the love of my life may be a church leader but he’s still working on me and maybe that is an area that he will work on. Maybe! *smile*

So yeah, I showed her. LMBO Just because I was a "church girl" to her doesn't mean to box me in a pick my type of man. As you see on the outside looking in doesn't make you know the whole story.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

WITH YOUR RUDE @SS (Gay Gossip Edition)

I told y’all this series was coming back. And here it is. If you are new to this series, here are the previous blogs in it With Your Rude @ss (Short Hair Edition) & With Your Rude @ss (Big Bust Edition). Today’s entry of this is about something that many don’t think is rude, but it is. 

What makes it okay ask if someone is Gay? The only good reason I can think of is if you are looking to have a romantic rapport with that person. If that is not the case, What business is it of yours?

I don’t understand asking anyone that. I have had many people ask me if a friend, relative, neighbor, church member (current & former), & celebrity is gay. I used to avoid answering. Now I am pretty rude about asking me that. Oh I ask the inquirer; “Why?” “Do they want to date them?” “Do yoi know someone who is interested?” and of “Does this question make the inquirer a better person?”. Oh and afterwards I give them a hearty “Mind your business” or “Quit being nosy & gossipy”. Sure they think I am a jerk for my response but to me they are being a jerk for asking me about somebody else love life.

People are the worst about asking about celebrities. This morning I saw numerous tweets flooding my timeline and comment of several FB posted article wondering about Queen Latifah’s sexuality. Just last month a relative ask if we knew if Maya Angelou was a lesbian. I told that relative I wasn’t checking for her because I was not trying to date her. I then explain my stance on worrying about if people are hetero or homo is their sexuality (Yes, I got a “Why the heck did I ask you" look that I get all the time from my family) From the non-famous to famous talk show hosts, people are always wanting to know which celebrities are gay. There is oddly amazing to me.

It is amazing to me because of all the things humans think are right or wrongs someone’s sexuality is the only thing man thinks is okay to blatantly ask about. No one ever just unashamedly ask if someone is fornicating, had an abortion, murdered anyone, is an adulterer, or is a spousal abuser (which it's rude to ask about also) just because. Then why is someone’s sexuality thought to be up for regular discussion. It’s rude and if you ever ask me expect for me to give the answer you want. Stop asking that rude mess. It’s not our business.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

I Like PBS

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably know that I do my share of hash tagging. I also participate in a few trending topics (TT). Well Saturday night I saw #BlackGirlNerdDatingTips and I had to tweet my tips. Well one of my tweets was “If you haven't watched PBS since you stopped watching Sesame Street, give me the remote & never return #BlackGirlNerdDatingTips”.  A few people retweeted my tweet and even a few guys admitted to still watching PBS. Well this blog topic was born.

I remember during the 2012 Presidential debate and everyone was up in arms because Mitt Romney said his plan to defund PBS. I remembering going to Twitter (Oh you think I’m frank & candid here on Blogger. On Twitter, I don’t hold anything back.) to complain at anyone complaining about defunding PBS when most of them haven’t watched it since childhood. I also said if they cared about PBS start watching it. I don’t want to hear it. My family got cable when I was 3 in the 80’s. I watched both "Sesame Street" & "Pinwheel" (aging myself) on Nickelodeon. So no excuse. People don't watch because it's not pop culture TV. Well Downton Abby is pop culture (No I don't watch that particular show. Ran into my "Boardwalk Empire" & "Treme" watching), but most of it's programming is not.  How many of you reading this actually watch PBS? Wait, how many of you watch PBS other than the children’s programming with your little one(s)?

Well I like watching PBS. After I left the “Sesame Street”, “Reading Rainbow” & “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” Stages, there is where I discovered a show called “Degrassi Junior High” that then turned into “Degrassi High”. It was about some of characters that are now parents, guardians, teachers & principals on the current Degrassi: The Next Generation (I have teenage niece). I also used to watch a wonderful cook named “Justin Wilson”. I gar-on-tee I could smell his cooking through the screen. Then I graduated to "Austin City Limits" (music showcase), & "Great Performances" (plays & musical). Now they also have PBS World (I think it’s just World now) so my viewership has really increased because I also watch" AfroPop", "Independent Lens", "America Reframed", "Global Voices", & "POV." When Tavis Smiley left BET I nicely follow him over PBS to watch his talk show. When the Cambridge police falsely arrested Henry Louis Gates, I knew they didn’t watch PBS because he has a few shows ("Unchained Memories", "African American Lives", "Finding Your Roots", & "Faces of America") on there. How do I know about "Mr. Bean"? I watched him and his funny antics on PBS. That is just some of the stuff I watch on PBS. I won’t go into Saturdays spent watching "Religion & Ethics Newsweekly" & "American Masters". I also won’t talk about randomly singing The Dragon Tales & Bob the Builder theme songs because Yes, I Can!!!

Now, I never got into "Nova", "Red Dwarf', "The Red Green Show" or "This Old House". But at least fans of these show are watching PBS and like it like I do. They didn’t abandon it after “Electric Company” or “TeleTubbies” went off the air or only watch it when the teacher put “Eyes on the Prize” on during February. So yeah don’t question me for watching PBS. Watch it or Leave!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms