I'm Bothered

Because of what I've been through, not much bothers me. One thing that does bother me is a dismal statistic: 70% of people with disabilities are unemployed. That's scary. Why is it scary? Because you have a population that's dependent on taxpayer money for survival. Due to budget cuts, many support services that disabled people rely on are going to be limited or terminated. Many disabilities are hereditary, so many disabled people didn't ask to be born with a medical condition. I've always believed that life is tough, but 10x tougher with a disability, because a disabled person has to battle discrimination, ridicule (yes, there are jerks that mock disabled people), judgmental people, etc. Ask any person with a disability, and they would gladly trade places with a non-disabled person. Nobody should have the odds stacked against them early on; people with disabilities deserve the same shot as everyone else. When you have biased employers that won't give a person with a disability a chance to prove themself, you get a 70% unemployment rate among persons with disabilities. You can have two qualified employees for a position, one candidate has a disability and the other is non-disabled. The disabled person is the best candidate for the job, but the employer can't outright say "I won't hire you because of your disability." due to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Instead, employers will make excuses for why a PWD (Person With Disability) won't get the job. "It was great meeting you, and while you were very qualified for the job; we selected someone whose education, experience and skills closely match the requirements for the position." That's code for "Your disability prevents you from excelling in the position". I know how to read between the lines, so people can't get over on me. Every person with a disability WANTS to work, and should be given that shot. The only way the unemployment rate about PWD's will decrease is if employers check their biases at the door, and realize that PWD's have higher retention rates, and perform just as well as, or better than their non-disabled counterparts (http://www.strategicdiversity.com/Diversity_Statistics.htm). Employers complain about difficulty finding qualified employees, but they refuse to give a qualified person with a disability a shot to show what they can do. If you refuse to give someone a shot, you as an employer have NO RIGHT to complain about difficulty finding qualified employees. The talent is out there, but they know their worth, and won't let companies take advantage of them. Let's be real here: You have PWD's that live productive, successful lives, but that's because an employer looked past their handicap, and saw them as an asset to their company. The only other alternative is self-employment for persons with disabilities, since they are subject to widespread & severe discrimination in the workplace. Not every disabled person is lazy, so people need to cut the crap about their idiotic statements towards those with disabilities. Most PWD's would run circles around some people in the workplace.

Everybody Has A Price

We've all heard the saying, "Everybody Has A Price". When it comes down to it, everybody does have a price. Some people can be bought for the right price, others for the wrong price. It depends on the individual's motives. In the business world, deals are made daily. "I'll offer this amount of $, and these perks if you go into business with me." Because many people are motivated by $$$, they agree without hesitation. There are times where you jump at opportunity, others require a little finesse (meaning, you do your homework before you decide to jump). I'm not going to lie, I have a price. If someone presents an opportunity that can change my life, I'm getting excited because this opportunity has the potential to affect my life, and my loved ones. Why wouldn't I jump? Here's the catch: I pray over EVERYTHING. Yes, an opportunity may sound good, but if I don't get a peace about it; I pass, and trust that something better will come along (which it usually does). There's a time to take action, and a time to pump your brakes. Look at the cutthroat nature of Corporate America: Everybody is trying to reach the top, so what do they do? They undermine each other so the boss can look favorably upon him/her. If the boss promotes ethical behavior in his company, (s)he won't go for that foolishness. (S)he will check the backstabbing immediately because (s)he doesn't want the company to run amok. When I think of this statement, I think of a person that's willing to be bought for the right price. You offer them the world, and they're all in. How about taking bribes? A person in authority is offered a certain amount of money to overlook illegal activity, and they accept. You'd never know (s)he accepted a bribe, because bribes, by their nature are discreet. As long as the price is right, people can be bought.

Same Crap, Different Toilet

This is about the violence crisis in Chicago. If you've lived in Chicago for any period of time (all your life, several years, etc.), then you should be aware of Chicago's violence issue. 30 people shot, 5 dead, 46 shot, 7 dead, 74 shot, 13 dead, etc. Mass shootings/murders are so common in Chicago, that it boggles the mind as to why some Chicagoans would say "Where's the outrage?" Ok? Chicago has been bad since the 80's and early/mid 90s, and all of a sudden people want to ask, where's the outrage? Honestly, Chicagoans should be used to the violence by now. Violence is entrenched in Chicago history with the evolution of Al Capone, the Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, etc. If you live in a violence-prone neighborhood, you should know that people get shot & die everyday. I'm not promoting violence, I'm just saying that some people should do a little research, and stop being so shocked at Chicago's violence outbreak. How many times can you report on 40 people getting shot? At some point, you get accustomed to the violence. Where was the outrage in the 80's/early 90's, when Chicago topped 800+ murders every year? Were people raising sand then? Probably Not. Unless you're on the frontlines doing something about the violence crisis in Chicago, have several seats. Just recently, I read ANOTHER mass shooting/murder headline that stated: 74 shot, 13 dead since 4th of July weekend. It's interesting I read that headline because I posted the following Facebook status on Saturday: I wonder if Chicago's violence will set new records: It's usually 7-8 dead, and 45-50 people shot. If 70-80+ people were shot, and 35-40 of them died, even the Chi would have to say "This is bonkers". It's tough to be outraged at something that's commonplace. Los Angeles and New York went through the same thing: Gangs were shooting up the block, causing those cities' murder rates to go up. It's a matter of time before Chicago sets new violence records; 74 shot, 13 dead could turn into 100+ shot, 30+ dead.

Self-Hate

Some people don't know what the term self-hate means. You must hate yourself (or your own ethnicity) if you point out foolishness amongst your people. "You must hate blacks since you criticize their bad behavior" Really? So you're supposed to let foolishness go unchecked? That's news to me, why didn't I get the memo? The actions of one (or a few) reflect on the whole. For example: I live in Southeast Washington, DC; which is supposedly the pit of hell in DC (on the contrary, since gentrification is sweeping SE DC like a flood). 80% of violent crime occurs in this area, and I'm active in trying to get the area cleaned up: I speak out against the ghetto thuggery. Some people get upset with me, and say I hate myself. I'm trying to figure out what it is about you that could make me hate myself. See how silly that sounds? I was chatting with a friend on Facebook, and we discussed this very issue: Why do some blacks assume you hate yourself if you have the guts to speak out against foolishness? People kill me sometimes. My definition of self-hate is having no pride in who you are as a person. You see no good in your own, and point out the negative. That's the problem with some blacks: They want their behinds powdered, and don't want to address the issues. You can't have beauty without getting rid of the ugliness. Ugliness symbolizes foolishness & ignorance (Worldstar Hiphop, youtube videos showing blacks acting stupid, etc.). Beauty is when you see blacks prospering in life. We all know there's far too much negativity, and not enough goodness among blacks. Yet, people raised sand when Bill Cosby called out black people for their ridiculous behavior. I feel like this: When you care enough about someone or something, you point out their foolishness because you want better for them. Hopefully they'll straighten up, but some people thrive on being ratchet; they see no shame in acting stupid. Help who wants to be helped, and leave the rest to their demise.

I Used To Think...

There was a time where I asked myself, "How could some people go through life unmarried?" These people have everything someone could want in a spouse, but somehow love eluded them. I never thought something was wrong with him/her that is preventing them from finding love; I just believed that everyone is deserving of someone to spend their lives with. As I got older, I realized that some people are content being single; doesn't mean they can't find Mr(s). Right, it's just that they're so used to riding solo, that they're no longer concerned about finding a spouse. Some people are indifferent towards relationships; they'll be alright with or without a mate. That comes from being secure in yourself, and knowing your worth. As long as you know your worth, the rest will fall in place. Depending on someone's destiny, a relationship could be a distraction rather than blessing. Take President Obama for example: US President, husband & father. Being U.S. President is hard enough, but to have family responsibilities adds extra pressure. Sherman Hemsley played on The Jeffersons, and Amen. He was unmarried with no children, and he died at 74. Most people would think something's wrong with a person that dies unmarried and no children, but because he was an actor, it was no big deal. I believe God calls some people to marriage, others to be single. This IS NOT an attack on marriage; marriage is a beautiful thing when you're with the right person. It doesn't mean you won't go through trials, just that it's easier to get through rough times with Mr(s). Right at your side. The older I get, the more evolved my thinking becomes on certain topics. I used to see things one way, but now I'm seeing things from all angles.

God Did That! He Won

When I read this story, I had to cut & paste because it was good. P.S: She pushed out 4 children at once; I know her woo-ha is broke. Think of what would've happened if this man listened to the naysayers, and chose NOT to marry this woman. Read on:

 

 

A girl that is faithful to the Church with a bump on the back was going to marry a brother of the Church. People made fun of him telling him, with all the beautiful girls that are in this church, is it this girl that you want to marry? A girl with a bump? The brother replied: I love it, and also God told me clearly that she is the woman of my life. They got married, and after 3 years the brother that was nothing, had nothing and lived in poverty began to prosper in business and he teamed up with his wife and they became rich and prospered in their business, everything they touched turned into gold, they bought cars and houses. Some time ago, his wife became pregnant, and they went for an ultrasound and was told that she was pregnant with triplets. When the time of birth arrived, the doctor and the wise women were doing their job by telling the woman to push and the first, the second and third babies came out.
While she was getting ready to have a rest, the doctor told her she has another one in the belly so she should continue to push, while she did a round thing came out of her stomach, the doctor examined it and discovered that it was hump.
She straightened and could now stand up normally; there was a loud noise throughout the hospital. People gloated on all sides and gave glory to God.
When she went to the church people who laughed at her were all silent, they were shocked by the huge miracle that God did in her life:
1] a miracle of finance
2] a miracle breakthrough
3] a miracle of birth without caesarean.
4] a miracle of three bouncing baby boys
5], a miracle of healing of her bump.
6] A miracle which silenced all those who laughed at them.
Our God is wonderful!

 

This brother went against the grain and married this woman, despite what others told him. Now he & his family are doing very well for themselves. A Happy Ending Indeed.

 





Lord, Why Can't I Find A Good Man?

 

I don't mean to laugh, but I find this pic hilarious for obvious reasons. Many women pray for a good man, but when God sends one to her, she finds every reason to sabotage a beautiful relationship. Some women are so used to doggish men, they can't handle a stand-up brother who has his stuff together. According to this pic, God gets tired of answering a woman's prayer for a good man, that the caption says it all: "I sent you one. You said he didn't have enough swag. So? Yes, God has unlimited patience, but even he has limits. I feel like this, if a woman wants a good man, be a good woman. No good man wants a bad woman, and vice versa. When you pray for something, be ready for the blessing; however it comes. The problem is, some women have a manual of what they want their man to look like: 6'4, light-skinned like Boris Kodjoe, makes 6-figures, puts up with her foolishness (some women love to throw up scripture to support this argument. "A husband is not to divorce his wife" bla bla), spends money on her, great cook (some women who want their potential mates to go beast mode in the kitchen, typically can't cook, or have no desire to learn how to cook). Ok, that's great you have a manual. God sends you your desired man, but here's the curve ball: He's short, and content with his position in life. He's reached a level of success that's good enough for him. She gives this man the side eye, because she wants to take over the world, and he's content without the fame & fortune. Can she get past her hangup(s) towards him, or not? Time Will Tell. Most women can overlook a few flaws in a man, as long as he has the core values she's looking for: Compatibility, Trust, Respect, Caring, etc.