The Pasadena / San Gabrial Valley Journal News - Black African American Business, Educational and Social News
Joe's Editorial
Liberated, Rather Than Blind Followers
The recent letter to the editor regarding Ruthie's Blog [2/18/10] has given rise to some interesting discussions in the community. Of course I think discussions are healthy for the growth of the community. I would like to think that something in The Journal gives rise to discussions each Thursday when it hits the streets.
There was a letter from a South Pasadena woman [2/11/10] who indicated that members should hold the pastors harmless for anything they do. She seemed to say that as long as the members submit and obey the pastors everything will be Ok. As an African American man, the words "submit" and "obey" are words that carry with it great responsibility to the one being obeyed and submitted to.
Repeating History the Wrong Way
I have written many times about one of the first things that the old slaves did as soon as soon as they got the news that they were free. They went out and acquired any piece of land they could get. Sometimes they bought the land and sometimes they got it the best way they could because they realized even as slaves that land could be an asset if it was an income producing asset.
Leaders Don't Beg and Beggars Don't Lead
In the Black community we have a tradition of fighting for equity and fairness when it comes to rights and fair treatment in our community. We fight for fair treatment for our children in the schools. We fight for fair treatment by police departments.
“Black History Month Can Be a Month to Make History That Makes Sense”
When we think of Black History Month, we generally think of a month to review the achievements and contributions of Blacks from the past. It seems to me that it can be a time to make some history that makes sense. Lots of events make history, but often they don't make sense. Clarence Thomas made history by filling Thurgood Marshall's seat on the Supreme Court,
“It Takes A Pillage”
The writer Hans Christian Anderson wrote a story years ago entitled "The Emperor's New Clothes." The story, which has a number of versions, essentially says that there was once an emperor who was very fond of clothes. He went to his tailor and said that he needed a new outfit for an event the very next day. The tailor for some reason was afraid to tell the Emperor that he could not sew a new outfit in one day.
More Articles...
- Haiti’s Story of Progress
- Who Will Finish the Unfinished Work?
- Building Homeboys, Big Brothers, Big Sisters & Eagles to Replace Gangsters
- 2010 A Year to Celebrate Progress and Mourn the Lack
- Pray for a Great Christmas Present: Equality of Opportunity
- Because He/She Looks Like Me!
- Accent on Self Help in Hard Times
- Stop Voting for Bonds That Don’t Benefit Us
- A Season of Thanksgiving In A Time of Need for Our Nation
- It’s Because We Can’t Forget?
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