On This Mother's Day...

The video attached below is from, murder victim Trayvon Martin's Mother, Sybrina Fulton. Her words are very compelling. You can see her pain, feel her void, hear her sincerity... She wants that no other Mother is denied the sweet smell of success in celebration of their child's accomplishments. She wants to make sure that no other Mother has to endure the bitter taste of such senseless and avoidable loss...

Her heartfelt passion puts me in the mind of awakening in sunny Florida on Mother's Day 1997 following the ten year anniversary of my Mother's death. Resenting the pain of my void, I wrote and sent letters to her primary caregivers who I am convinced did not give my Mom the quality of medical care and attention she could afford but more importantly, that she deserved. I shared with them my displeasure with the service and advice provided and expressed to them the depth of my loss. I pleaded with them to be mindful of my pain and asked that going forward they commit to make it their duty to give EVERY Daughter's Mother the same care and advice they would give and want for their own Mother given similar medical circumstance. My Mother died from breast cancer on February 12, 1987. I miss her still...

One doctor is a female gynecologist, still treating and garnering trust of women who rely not only on her medical competence but who also ascribe to her, because she is a female, a badge of heightened concern and empathy, an assumed allegiance to due diligence in the care of women, AKA her "sisters". The other was a male oncologist. Both are still in practice. Of course neither doctor responded. Of course I did not expect them to...

Writing those letters however was therapy for me as surely making this video was for Ms. Fulton. I wanted those doctors to feel the depth of their recklessness. I wanted them to feel responsibility for their lack of regard for my Mother's life and the pain of the loved ones she left behind. I wanted that they recommit to their medical oath of service and that as they continued in practice, treating other Mother's daughters, although buried in the recess of their mind, that every now and again my words and my pain would resurface and resonate in the forefront of their mind and that they would consciously commit to do better! I can only hope...

I am certain that on this Mother's Day, her first without her beloved son, Ms. Fulton shares similar desires. No doubt that she wants george zimmerman, who abused the "Stand Your Ground" law, and proponents, who wrote and/or support this ridiculous law, to feel her pain, appreciate her loss and re-examine the purpose and usefulness of such irresponsible legislation... I am sure it is her hope that the Florida legislators and others realize the potential for abuse and the very real and very tragic human impact of this law, that they feel her pain, consider the pain of other Mothers and rescind and/or stop further consideration of similar legislation. She can only hope...

As a nation, we can do better... As a nation, let's love our Mothers...

Miss Higgi Says, "HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!" to all GOOD Mothers who, like my own Mother, do their very best to love, protect and provide for their children and who regularly give so unselfishly of themselves!!! It is your day and you deserve it!!!

Check out the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrWgdQFgUQ4

Exercise is a MUST. Skinny is NOT the Goal!!!

Saw this article yesterday. Forwarded by my good Friend, Arthur Turner, who keeps me informed... Thank You Arthur!

Black women are fat by what measures? Recently I requested a copy of my medical records and was astonished to find that my doctor described me as "obese"! By whose standards? While I am the typical American who has bought into the national OVER obsession with weight loss (even when not necessary), in NO way do I meet the visual impression of obesity. NO WAY!!!

Many Black women never have and never will fit the body weight/height measurements established with European bone structure in mind. Lay people often underestimate our weight when they try to guess. What do they say, we "carry it well" (smile). As the author points out, we have never embraced Twiggy and never will. YUCK!

While being overweight and unhealthy is NOT good and IS a concern in our community, somehow I am sure that there is MANY a woman who might want to be "obese" like me. I'm Just Sayin'... (smile)

Not that I am downplaying that Black women, like many Americans, are visually overweight, I do not think there is a "one size fits all" model when it comes to assessing acceptable body measurements. Scale weight that is fat and unhealthy on one person might be fit and lovely on another. YES we must be conscious of weight and YES we must be concered with being healthy and fit. But we must stop feeding into the hype of a multi-BILLION dollar industry that thrives on our paranoia and and is vested in and encourages our over obsession with weight. Lose the scale and consider ALL factors when determining health status. Exercise IS a MUST but skinny is NOT the Goal!!!
Be Healthy & Take Care of YOU!!!


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/06/opinion/sunday/why-black-women-are-fat.html?_r=1

Be Inspired...

Recently I failed to slow down and share some of the very best news I have had in a long time! Bobby Higginbotham, the Mayor Of Waterproof, LA who was railroaded and imprisoned by a broken legal system filled with mean spirited, racist and overzealous jim crow "prosecutors" committed to advancing personal agendas, was VINDICATED! His conviction for a bunch of trumped up charges was VACATED in a 2-1 decision by the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals!!!

As you know, Bobby and I are dear Friends. I met him as I traveled to Jena, LA in support of six young men also being railroaded by the same corrupt and racially biased "jim crow" legal system.

The larger story here is that like Bobby, when you know that you are right, STAND YOUR GROUND!!!

Bobby had the wherewithal, the means, the stamina but mostly the dignity and self pride to defend himself. Despite the questionable and usually effective bullying tactics of the court tipping "justice" in their favor, Bobby REFUSED to yield and plead guilty to a crime he did not commit. Once incarcerated for NEARLY 2 years, Bobby REFUSED to let them break his spirit no matter how hard they tried, and believe me they tried... When offered the possibility of parole if only he groveled and apologized for a "crime" he did not commit Bobby REFUSED and opted instead to maintain his position of innocence and do his time, day for day... In December he walked out of prison, back straight, head held high, still maintaining his innocence and committed to continuing his fight for the truth! Dignity and pride in tact!

Last week he was VINDICATED!!! May we all be inspired by Bobby's strength, his tenacity and his conviction. Most would cave under such odds. Bobby is a very spiritual MAN who passed the test of belief. He NEVER lost confidence and he holds no grudges, not even against the towns people who he tried to help and who lied against him... Talk about forgiveness. He is a bigger person than most, one from whom I gain strength, one with whom I am proud to share my last name and one I am proud to know and will always call My Friend! Love Ya' Bobby!!!!


Be Inspired,

~ Miss Higgi ~
http://www.colorofchange.org/blog/2012/apr/30/colorofchange-members-help-la-mayor-overturn-bogus/