Blogs

Spent the weekend watching Oprah's new network. Here are my thoughts...

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-536612

I was on track to going into the foreign service after getting my MA in international affairs. The job I had in the field of international development in DC was so boring, was cheating me out of $10,000 of my salary, and provided no chance at upward mobility. That coupled with the fact that people were really enjoying my poetry led me to embark on a career as a poet and diversity educator. I use my talents to motivate people, especially youth to live their best lives and respect diverse groups. I have never looked back!

I am shocked that I have barely heard a mention on television of the UConn's women's basketball team and their 89 game winning streak. We talk about professional teams all day if they win more than 5 games. We show highlights from no-hitters and punt returns for touchdowns. We also see stories of athletes from arrests and domestic violence and infidelity. Women's sports deserve more attention, especially for doing the right thing. We have to remember, our daughters are watching and wondering why. Let's not let them have to ask that question any longer!

The republicans who have decided in the lame duck session to not be the "party of no" and cross the aisle on DADT, the START Treaty and other bills deserve some credit. Whether they are voting on what they actually believe in or what their constituents want, it is better that these republicans vote based on those two issues as opposed to being in lock-step with the republican leadership. Furthermore, now that the republicans have gained some power, many of them are hopefully realizing that they will actually have to govern and be accountable for their actions.

Many republican states will gain congressional seats because of population increases in the latest census. Many of these states like Texas owe their growth, however, to immigration increases. Given that the census doesn't ask if immigrants are legal or illegal, it is very possible that illegal immigration could be a partial cause of this growth. Republicans, will stay silent on this issue until the next election roles around and they can stir up anti-immigrant sentiment. To stay silent on the issue now, however, is quite hypocritical.

Sarah Palin's recent jab on her reality show at Michelle Obama's obesity campaign really shows that she is immature. Obesity is a real problem in this country. Even though some may object to how the FLOTUS is running her campaign, Palin, as a potential presidential candidate, should be advocating her own agenda. Just as Nancy Reagan and her "Say no to drugs" campaign and Laura Bush with her literacy campaigns, Michelle Obama is running a dignified campaign and tackling a serious problem in America.

History has shown us that we have always been on the wrong side of history as it relates to segregation, especially with the military. We said blacks couldn't serve and we were wrong. We said women couldn't serve and we were wrong. Now with DADT, we see that we have been wrong again. Our country is stronger when we allow everyone in this country to bring their talents to the table. America has corrected many of its injustices over the years. I am happy with this latest correction that will put us once again on the right side of history.

As someone who has traveled across America as well as to 18 countries, I understand the problems many have with the TSA, Having said that, however, we should not turn the TSA into the enemy. We should be working with the TSA to help thwart attacked from our real enemies.

See my video posted here on cnn.com for more...

This article entitled "Discipline rates of black students in Delaware, elsewhere, probed" is a great example of the challenges our black students, particularly males, face in our education system. We have to train ourselves to do better.

What does development aid really mean?
Does it mean managing money to mobilize against HIV
Or driving through southern Sudan in an SUV?
Does it mean the improvement of life,
Since many join the development enterprise to improve their lifestyle?
Does it mean giving 1/10 of 1% of your GNP
And having 1/3 of that funnel its way to those in need,
Since most of the aid goes to pay aid agency staff salary?
What does it mean?
Development aid is well-intentioned
But in this new millennium we have to learn our lesson