Saturday, June 15, 2013

The Long Arm of Discrimination...

As many of you know, I strongly advocate the message in Michelle Alexander's book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The Washington Post article posted below, Two Companies Accused of Discrimination in Hiring, is a prime example of exactly what she writes about. Mass incarceration of Black Americans is equivalent to re-implementation of Jim Crow. It is undeniable that Blacks, who are often railroaded in the criminal justice system and who are therefore disproportionately burdened with criminal conviction records, are most excluded from the workforce and most adversely affected by enforcement of employer's blanket "no hire ex-offenders" policies. 

WHEN does an American stop paying for a crime? WHEN are such persons allowed full re-entry into society? I often wonder if since such persons are summarily excluded from society, denied basic rights and privileges of citizenship in every way that is meaningful, then why should such persons be made to pay taxes? For what benefit do they pay? Certainly not their own. Most cannot vote, can't find work, are denied housing, college grants, certain professional licenses, food stamps and so much more after being forced into a free labor system, because mass incarceration is also tantamount to re-implementation of slavery. Inmates are forced to barter the prospect of freedom (better referred to as early release because once branded a criminal, freedom escapes you) for so few pennies for the hour, that essentially they work for free. Don't believe me? Read Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II by Doug Blackmon, the title sums up the message. Is it expected that when persons with convictions are fortunate enough to find or create work, that they should then work and pay to support the comforts of America for everyone but themselves? Seems rather unfair, seems unjust... 

In the Washington Post article, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charges that two employers, BMW and Dollar General, are discriminating in their hiring practices, refusing to hire or blatantly firing those persons with criminal convictions. How dare both companies, who undeniably make a ton of money in the Black community which is unduly burdened with the stigma of criminal convictions, enforce such practices, particularly where long term and otherwise good employees were terminated for matters that seem minor in nature and that occurred in the distant past.    

This is where we need to be reminded of the power of a boycott. We have forgotten the effect of collectively refusing to buy a product or use a particular service. Our history has proved that launching a mass boycott of these type employers, would force them to revisit their discriminatory policies. In this instance, where would Dollar General be without Black and/or poor patrons, both of whom are disproportionately burdened with criminal convictions, both of whom largely constitute Dollar General's customer base? I think we know. Here I must plug and encourage you to read Our Black Year: One Family's Quest to Buy Black in America's Racially Divided Economy by Maggie Anderson. She passionately and convincingly details for the Black community the power of our dollar and encourages that we make demands in return for our patronage, that we exercise our muscle in terms of our significant spending power.  

If companies can set up shop and sell their goods and services to persons with criminal convictions, certainly they can be more lenient and reasonable in terms hiring such persons therefore rewarding the "hand that feeds them". The crime prompting exclusion from employment should be directly related to the work to be performed and even then, there should be a consideration of relevant circumstances; further involvement in criminal activity and certainly how long ago the crime was committed. 

My hat is off to the EEOC for investigating, exposing and hopefully enforcing strong penalties for such blatant discrimination. These are but two of MANY employers who are equally guilty of  enforcing similar exclusionary policies. Join me and support that the EEOC sends a very strong message of zero tolerance and puts an end to even to this long arm extension of discrimination!  


Check out the article: 

Two Companies Accused of Discrimination in Hiring



Saturday, June 8, 2013

Today I Celebrate Me...

WOW! Another year has gone by. Hard to believe. Where does the time go? At this time last year I was in Los Angeles hanging out with a variety of Friends, some of whom I had not seen in a very long time. I went seeking sun and beach only to learn about "June Gloom". Apparently some parts of LA are void of sun for the most part of June. Because I was staying at Redondo Beach and was so close to the water, some days were damn near cold and some others were overcast with the gloom of June... Who knew? LOL! It was a fabulous time nonetheless! I enjoyed my time with Friends and Family. It was great...

As I prepare for what will be a subdued birthday this year, I am reminded of birthdays past. Without exception, my birthday is my special time to celebrate me! I have celebrated birthdays by doing something as simple as spending a day being pampered at a local spa, as I will today, to spending the entire month of June in Egypt marveling at the wonders of my history and dining on the Nile.

Milestone birthdays have been purposeful and extra special. The big 4-0 was celebrated on a cruise with 25 dear Friends. 35 was celebrated partying harder than I have ever partied in life. I reconnected with an old Friend from my college days and went to St. Maarten for the very first and the very best of the Sinbad Soul Festivals, 1995. Chartered planes filled with a few hundred mature and spirited Black folks from around the country descended on the island for a week of nothing but pure fun! Parties were held on a different beach every day. Concerts were held nightly with the best of performers from the 70's; Earth, Wind & Fire, The O'Jays, Gladys Knight, Frankie Beverly, Teena Marie, Ohio Players, Natalie Cole, Al Green and more. Celebrities, to include Angela Bassett, Isaac Hayes and Tom Joyner mingled, partied and took photos with us regular folks. HBO taped the event, segments of which aired later that summer. Night clubs stayed open and filled with partygoers, including myself, til' 5am! The weather was perfect and everyone was in good spirits. I had so much fun that I had to remind myself to stop and eat. Sleep was almost unheard of until we boarded our flight for home. It was such a grand time that one of the DC ladies had a party at her house later that summer for all to gather, share photos, swap tales and reminisce about our trip. It was the best time ever!!!

Miss Higgi & Frankie Beverly


Thirty was celebrated by having a party at "The Club" in Washington, DC. I remember that it was on a Friday night and I danced all night long! One of my Friends described that I partied like an over aged teenager! This too is a good memory. The Club became on of my favorite DC hang outs. It was at located above the Days Inn Hotel at 12th & K Streets, NW. Ah, the good ole' days!!!

Fifty was fab too! I celebrated in Punta Cana & Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with two very dear and long time Friends. In between I have celebrated birthdays in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Florida, Jamaica, San Francisco, Arizona, Las Vegas, Sydney, Australia and more.

Today I turn 53! Today I am truly grateful! Grateful that despite a few bumps along the way, this ride of life has been mostly good. I fully recognize and appreciate that I have been blessed in that I have been afforded some truly wonderful experiences and met some truly fantastic people! 

Thank You God for Your many blessings and for another year to inspire others and to Celebrate Me... 

Today I Celebrate Me, Happy Birthday Miss Higgi...

Thursday, June 6, 2013

JUST LIVE FOLKS!!!

Last week a bridge collapsed in Seattle... Yesterday a building in downtown Philly collapsed. How does that happen? Last count 13 injured and 6 people dead, one of whom was only 35 years young and on her first day of work at the Salvation Army store, the building upon which the neighboring edifice fell.

So often my Friends tell me they live vicariously through me, my free spirit & my zest for life. I love sharing my tales hoping to spark a little spontaneity and thirst for adventure in them as well. I caution them however, not to be as carefree as me because, unlike me, most have children or other responsibilities. But by all means I encourage them to LIVE! Follow your passion! Stop dreaming for retirement or waiting for the time, money or circumstances to be right to start seeing the big beautiful world! I have visited 6 of the 7 continents and plan too see so much more!

While life WILL happen, rarely will it happen that the stars align and everything is perfectly in place for you to follow your dream, travel or whatever it is, so JUST LIVE Folks! Live without regrets! Don't wait for a building or other burdens of life to fall on you to get your wake up call. NOW IS YOUR TIME! Build YOUR bridge and start making IT Happen! You'll be alright! Really you will...


This picture, taken by a dear Friend and mailed to many as a postcard a few years back, captures the spirit and essence of life I strive to maintain... JUST LIVE FOLKS!!!

 
 
 
Miss Higgi reminding you to live passionately, be kind to others and to always Celebrate YOU!