Tag Archives: Ethnicity

The Black Dollar: Move Your Money!


Black people need to make Wall Street and Big Banks stand up and take notice. The Black dollar is a powerful tool, but in order to wield that power Black people must invest it strategically.

Putting money in large corporate banks with no investment in the Black community or any community is not the way to wield that power.

Click here to read the full report.

The Black Institute http://www.theblackinstitute.org/

Occupy Black America …The Black Institute


Wal-OWS.jpgBlack celebrities such as Kanye West, Russell Simmons and Danny Glover have publicly supported the Occupy movement, but even with such an endorsement, Black people have had relatively low attendance. Some believe this is in part because when Black people turn on their televisions or search the web, they look out into the crowd and see mostly white faces. This gives Black Americans the sense that the protests are not about them. However, someone must take the first step. If Black people want to see themselves in the movement, Black people have to put themselves in the movement.

In this week’s blog we explore the role of black america in the occupy movement.
Read it and tell us what you think.

Essence Features TBI President Bertha Lewis …The Black Institute


Exciting News! Our President, Bertha Lewis is featured in the October issue of Essence Magazine. She is on the list of 28 most influential Black women and is said to be “perhapsthe most influential community organizer of our time.” Pickup a copy of Essence to take a look at the entire feature.

Donate today to the work we are doing at The Black Institute as we build our Leadership Training Center program which will include community organizing training.

TheBlack Institute
http://www.theblackinstitute.org/

July 4th & some News …


 In the summer of 2010 with a major vote looming we were asked to see our government’s deficit as something comparable to any person who is financially under water with some hard decisions that will hurt many but had to be made. We all know deals were made in the 11th hour and though folks hated what happened i wish people would open their eyes and acknowledge what would have been the alternative with a fresh set of eyes and information.

The Republican Party that was your father’s generation is no longer able to or wants to debate negotiate for  …

“The good of the many outweighs the good of the one.” … or few

So, now it is the summer of 2011, with another major vote looming that could either sink us into the ditch that President Obama pulled us out.  The Government asked us to be patient, ask ourselves how long it would take to get out of debt given the severity and trust that we will prevail. Neither the problem nor the solution that branches out globally can happen in just 24 months. In addition, we have a Political Party who practices exclusion with obstructionist behavior, some conservadems and not enough mainstream democrats seem willing to vote or fight for the people. It is not lost on most of us how many obstacles the Democratic Party is fighting like that 60-vote rule which has tied the hands of progress for the last 2years, Republicans threatening to bring the whole system to its knees by filibustering on every JOBs bill put on the Floor of Congress while the Democratic Party has promised not to buckle under pressure. It is one year later and the BS continues and the 11th hour is here.

The 4th of July weekend for many is just another day, some use it to contemplate on what Independence Day means to them, some partake in public services while others are thinking about war and the intent for independence and the power that it gives.  It feels more like our independence is being compromised every time the Republicans fail to do the right thing for their fellow Americans each and everyday. The 4th is also a time to think about war and how unimaginable what our Soldiers actually go through but it seems like a dose of hell daily. I can only image what Military families experience but we civilians definitely should be aware of their sacrifices and be grateful. It is a feeling civilians in war-torn countries feel, victims of dictatorship and  war correspondence cover. So, as we all celebrate our own style of independence give a shout out to those you know, love and miss who serve and protect us.

In other disturbing news that happened right about now back in 2010 and is resurfacing as the Republican Party plows through State Jobs,worker rights and State Parks – in State after State. Apparently, in a procedure that is not getting much news coverage but gained some steam after Governor Dave Freudenthal threatened the sale of the Grand Teton. Now, there are reports that the Governor of Florida wants to privatize some if not all State parks which if you do some research will find that most if not all belonged to the Native Americans and maybe it is just me but this seems like a reckless and disrespectful move.  It was disappointing to read how the federal government sets aside land and then while we real people look the other way sells it, privatized for things like mining and or logging which we all know has a whole lot of negative backlash let alone not at all environmentally responsible.  Yes, the government took land from the first nation’s people saying one thing doing another back in the day actually wanting to buy sell and or trade it to the highest bidder knowing the value will increase but stop and think about how words and deeds done in the best interest of our countries first people became corrupted. Yes, history repeats itself… like the land set asides in Texas and Florida that they said was placed in a trust for Native Americans only to find out that they can buy it back at fair market value…. dang, If I understand what I read, Congress voted to take land and sell it back at a profit was unbelievable, seemed unchallenged and done quietly. In my opinion, a trust should be a positive thing but reading how some guy voted into a public servant position, probably has no American Native background throw around his plan to sell the land as, “Trash land” to other non-native folk. I do not know what happened after 7/4/2010 but it was clear the interior Department, Bureau of land management and the State fought over control of first nation land and not one mention of first nation being represented at the meeting however the 800 thousand acres taken is impressive …No?  Today, the NPS is entrusted with land holdings that have transitioned into plenty of things such as state and national parks made for everyone to use but the fact is these parks are or pieces of them suffer from fires, pollution, crime and are not as green as they should be. In the case of Wyoming, reports are that the Governor is trying to sell pieces of the parks away. I was surprised and disappointed to find that the Gov. of Washington privatized so much of our forests and some water ways in 2005. The disappointment looms from the fact that most if not all forests and waterways in our Evergreen State belonged to native americans and though the intentions went from bad to a supposed good idea of  stewardship and production of our own sustainable products our forests seem abused and mishandled. There was a report of a loss of over 700 thousand acres to big corporate developers, right of ways and agriculture since 1978. I gotta ask when will  Republican Governors and unfortunately some from the Democratic Party currently shutting down their own governments, planning to privatize parks,  public service organizations and jobs and totally responsible for leaving huge deficits with supporting Republican legislators refusing to balance the books learn.

I always say get nervous when people talk States Rights and depending on the issue the impact will hurt and be felt by those covered under the term “protected class.”

“If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience.”  –George Bernard Shaw

Other News …

Essence Music Festival comes to smooth

Lack of rain is keeping the mosquito
count down this year

Casey Anthony Trial: State’s Rebuttal

Libya wants volunteers to fight

Exxon Pipeline Oil Spill Cleanup

Big Banks Easing Terms on Loans Deemed
as Risks

CSPAN …

Chief Justice, Dalai Lama on C-SPAN

Discussions on immigration, foreign policy also among Fourth of July highlights

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Highlights From BookTV

special Fourth of July programming

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Senator Akaka introduces bill for financial literacy counseling | Hawaii 24/7

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Bill Clinton Backs U.S. Tax Holiday on Foreign Profits, With Caveats – Bloomberg

a message from Adrienne Brooks, NMAAHC


National Museum of African American History and Culture
Let's make histroy -- Become a charter member today -- Join nowThank you for signing the virtual guestbook for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. You’ve taken the first step to show your support for this new and long overdue museum. Now, take the next step and become a Charter Member.

When you become a Member, you’ll play a critical role in recording and preserving the voices of African Americans from the past and present for generations to come.

Yes, this new Museum will celebrate African American history and culture — from the dark days of slavery to the individual heroism and collective resiliency that was the Civil Rights movement to the triumph of the election of the first African American president and beyond. This history is America’s history.

Our challenge now is to raise the money we need to build this exciting addition to the American cultural landscape. A total of $500 million is needed. Congress has committed to provide half of the funds needed to build the Museum, and we need your help to raise the additional $250 million in private donations to make the National Museum of African American History and Culture a reality.

In return for your generous support of the Museum as a Charter Member, you’ll be eligible for many special benefits:

  • For your gift of $25, you will receive a 10% discount at all Smithsonian gift shops and online, a one-year subscription to the quarterly magazine American Legacy, special E-updates about Museum events, programs and exhibitions, and your name added to the Museum’s prestigious electronic Honor Roll of Charter Members to be displayed at the Museum.
  • For your gift of $40, you will also receive a beautiful 8.5″ x 11″ Certificate of Appreciation, perfect for framing and proudly displaying your support of the Museum.
  • For your gift of $100, you will also receive the double CD Every Tone a Testimony, a fascinating aural history of African Americans in words, music and poetry.
  • For your gift of $250, you will also receive the book Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits, a beautiful collection of portraits and stories of prominent African Americans.

When the Museum opens its doors in 2015, it will be far more than a collection of objects. It will be a place that seeks to help all Americans remember—and by remembering, continue the dialogue about race in this country and help foster a spirit of reconciliation and healing.

Please, become our partner in building this great Museum by becoming a Charter Member today. With your help, we’ll build this important institution brick by brick, story by story, and honor the great legacy of the African American experience. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,


Adrienne Brooks
Director of Development
National Museum of African American History and Culture