A Re-post on Bill Cosby...

So many opinions out there on Bill Cosby. Here is one worth considering. Check it out...

THE PR CAMPAIGN… Against Bill Cosby

 BY NOMMO GATHERINGDECEMBER 17, 2014

Click on the link above... Thoughts? 

Wondering, A Birthday Tribute to My Mother...

Today would have been my Mom's 73rd birthday....

I wonder...

I wonder what she would look like...

Would she have aged gracefully?

Would she finally have the salt and pepper hair she so desperately wanted?

Would she still have the contagious smile and still be one of the nicest & kindest persons one could ever know?

Would she be a "fly" senior citizen?

Would she still enjoy sneaking away to Atlantic City to play the slots?

Would she still be afraid of heights, therefore afraid of flying, or would she be jet setting around the world with Miss Higgi?

Would she still love to garden and take much pride in a lovely yard?

On a cold, snowy night would she still open the curtains, pour a glass of wine, light a candle and watch the snow fall while relaxing and listening to some good background music?

Would she have found happiness and love?

Would she still talk incessantly and proudly about her children and now her grandchildren to anyone who would listen?

Would she???

Happy Birthday Mommy. I miss you so...

Please listen to this song; Eric Clapton, Tears In Heaven. It is so lovely and so meaningful to anyone who has lost someone..

Post Ferguson Non-Decision Thoughts

I have heard the non-decision of the not so grand "grand" jury of darren wilson's peers because surely they feel no kinship to, identity with or compassion for the defenseless young man who was murdered and left to die in the street. Obviously they don't even see him, his Family or our community as human, forget 3/5. This rings of old when racist whites openly killed, raped, lynched & terrorized Black folks, admitted it, went before a jury of their peers and laughed all the way right out the front door of the court house... The hate that has reared its ugly head of late is beyond sickening. It is becoming physically sickening...

As much as I hate to admit it, it is at times like these that I am really upset with Tavis Smiley. He allowed his ego and greed to get in the way and destroy a very powerful and effective platform he was building. He had a captive audience, he was keeping us informed and teaching us to utilize and respect the power of our unified voice, the power of our dollar. All it took was for him to tell his audience to inundate a business with calls and people did it, jammed up the switchboard until we were heard... If he threatened that Black folks would boycott a product or service, the tides changed and the corporate big whigs were begging to come on the TJMS radio show to apologize, to explain, to respond to our collective voice. Tavis had the perfect platform to empower, educate and inform the Black community and he threw it away...

Tavis was on his way. He had commanded respect and tremendous credibility and possessed a different appeal because he did not have the baggage that Jesse & Al have. Respect them both but their ships have sailed.... Brotha' Al compromised his effectiveness as soon as he took a high paying position with a major network. How can he possibly criticize and hold accountable the very hand that feeds him? Not going to happen. Brotha' Jesse, for whose accomplishments I have deep respect, has just lost his appeal and sadly groomed no one to pick up the mantle.. Shame... I surmise that because Tavis was becoming so effective, therefore threatening, he was lured away with TV shows and such. Oldest play in the book, Can't shut them up or control them?, then put them on your team... Works every time and sadly Tavis fell for it leaving the Black community hanging... No one since has so effectively galvanized our community...

As my Friend Vincent Collaso constantly reminds us regarding what should be our response to the Ferguson non-decision, this is a time for new strategies. Not to knock at all the hard work of our predecessors, they gave us the foundation, but those old strategies are predictable. Mainstream America expects us to get angry, burn up our own shit, call them whitie, cracker or some other derogatory name all the while keep voting them into office, all the while spending our hard earned money in communities other than our own, with persons who don't look like us or have our best interests at heart... Of course too they will throw us a bone putting a few folks in the limelight to make some of us feel good, making sure we all see it and keep in line...

As much as I wish that I did, I don't have the answer. My heart hurts too but something has got to give. We have got to have a new strategy and it has got to be all about organizing US and making decisions in our collective best interest, decisions that preserve our dignity and keep our dollars in our communities being spent on our goods and services, like pre-integration... It frightens me that Black America is becoming more and more peripheral in America as we sit silently waiting/hoping to be accepted, waiting/hoping to be thrown a crumb, satisfied that a few of us have "made it" while the rest suffer...

As Vincent Collaso, Maggie Anderson and many others are constantly preaching, its about economics folks!!! Turn off the boob tube and get involved! Conceive It, Believe It, Achieve It...

Again, it is at moments like this that I am truly disheartened that Tavis dropped the ball  and that no one, as per usual in our leaders, was in place or groomed to pick it up... He was on to something...

Believing In Us!!! Forever & Ever!!!

Just My Thoughts... Who will pick up the baton and get us running?

Apartheid in the Caribbean ~ BOYCOTT DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!!!‏

This is so despicable!!! Dominican Republic is denying and/or revoking citizenship to Dominicans of Haitian descent dating back to 1929, in other words Black folks!!!

" In September 2013, the Dominican Republic’s constitutional court passed a judgment revoking the citizenship of Dominicans of Haitian parentage born after 1929. People who had known no other home were suddenly stripped of their rights and made officially stateless."

While Dominicans of illegal status are joining in the demand for citizenship in the US, their country has deemed persons born and raised in DR and who have worked, achieved and contributed to the building of the country, as persons of no longer worthy of citizen status.

“Many Dominicans of Haitian descent are finding it impossible to access even the most basic of services such as health and education. They can’t send their children to school as they are unable to register them as Dominican citizens. They can’t work, vote or live a respectable and dignified existence. They are trapped in legal limbo, a form of ‘social suicide’ that is keeping them as second-class non-citizens. On a day-to-day basis even the most basic of tasks become insurmountable hurdles.

A few years ago while celebrating my 50th birthday in DR, I was appalled to see that Haitians were virtually treated like Slaves. Of course the Dominicans denied this. It did not occur to me at that time that some of those persons being treated so cruelly were Dominicans of Haitian descent. It did not occur to me that they would treat their own people so horribly! This government action confirms my observation.

One image that has haunted me is that captured on the attached photos. My heart stopped as I observed what looked like a scene straight out of American slavery; June 2010!!! It was shocking and appalling to see. While there I was highly critical of how Haitians were treated. These photos definitively illustrate my point. And now this..

"Yet Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian ancestry, who make up some 12% of the population (same as Blacks in the US), have often been said to be the drivers of the Dominican economy, providing cheap labour in droves. The Dominican Republic’s GDP in 2013 was almost eight times Haiti’s. The economic growth that the Dominican Republic has enjoyed has been built on the back of what was already an underclass. A poor, often black underclass denied most of the rights of lighter-skinned citizens. Toiling on building sites or on farms with little bargaining power or recognition. Sound familiar? South Africa?"

I will not visit Dominican Republic again until and unless they reverse this blatantly racist and inhumane decision. I hope that others will follow suit. Hit them where it hurts. Their economy depends on tourism. Make a statement. BOYCOTT DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!!!










June 2010; Dominican Republic

Pass it on...

Affordable Healthcare, Not Part of the American Dream...

What is wrong in America that anything remotely related to medical care is so damn expensive and why are we as consumers buying into the nonsense that somehow it is because what we get is "superior"?

I am in Panama. A few days ago I saw an Internal Medicine doctor without an appointment, no long wait and he was not rushing to get me out of his office. He took his time and answered every question I had and charged me a whopping $15 for the office visit!!! I needed lab work, which was done on site, for another $106; FOUR tests!!! I had the results by end of day... The medicine he prescribed cost $3.83!!!

Yesterday I went for a mammogram. It did not require a prescription, I had no appointment and it included an ultrasound, a much more thorough exam which I have never had done in the states! It cost me a whopping $40!!! It was so reasonable, I paid for my Friend's exam as well as a belated birthday gift! We barely waited, the staff was nice and only because there is a holiday upon us, Panama's Independence, we will wait one week for our results. INcredible!!!

We left from the radiologists, had a hearty lunch for two for less than $6.00 and then off I went to the dentist. Again, I paid a whopping $44 for a cleaning which was done by the DENTIST not a hygienist and had x-rays, a basic initial visit in the states for $44! I will return to have major work done that will cost me $6,000 in the states but will cost less than $2,200 here! Seems a no brainer!!!

Something is very wrong with the U.S. Medical system. It has become a racket. That explains why there is a huge fight against President Obama's push for affordable and accessible health care. Can't have that, too many people and industries stand to lose money. To hell with healthy American citizens!

What other explanation is available to make sense of why the same services we receive in the states for HIGH dollar are so affordable, accessible, simplistic and encouraged in Panama and other places? NOTHING about the medical industry in the states is any of those things where we pay $1,000 for an aspirin in the hospital, $4,000 for an ambulance ride around the corner, and a host of inflated charges for medicine and nonsense "medical" procedures.

I met a Canadian man the other day who could very well go home and get free treatment for his wife who needs a serious heart operation. In the states there are only 3 hospitals that perform the type of operation she needs. The cheapest of the three will charge $183,000. They opted to have the surgery here in Panama for $40,000. The Family has no insurance here in Panama. If he did, if I did, if we were residents or citizens, our minuscule bills would be even less. There was another American at the doctors office while I was there. He paid a whopping $7.00 for his visit. My dentist told me a mammogram for her would cost only $28!

Something is very wrong in America. I will get as much done as I can while I am here. ENT, GYN and Colonoscopy. TMI, I know but I want to impress upon you that there is another way. Open your mind to understand that America is not always the best! The pharmaceutical companies that rip us off in the states, sell the same damn medication in other countries at affordable prices. It is horrible!!! I will return to the states with a clear mind medically and still have a few bucks in my pocket. Works for me and it is money and time well spent!!!

Take care of yourself folks and/or do your homework, choose a place to visit that has good and affordable medical services (Cuba is a good choice!) get on an airplane, enjoy your vacation and get your doctors appointments out of the way at the same time! Not a bad deal. Kill two very important birds with one stone. IJS...  the medical industry in the United States? 

Ebola and Good Timing!

Timing is everything. It seems had I stayed in Ghana another week or so, it might not have been so easy getting back in the US. As Ghana so far, is not one of the affected countries, no one asked me a thing coming through Customs. Nothing. Although I had expected at least a question about how I was feeling or where I might have traveled while there... Honestly, I had considered visiting a few African countries while on the continent before coming home but decided against it. I felt it wiser not to complicate the matter. Ghana was on the safe list and I decided not to roll the dice. Good decision...

Since coming home I have had two experiences where medical professionals were leery of being in my presence. One was a doctor who literally tried to diagnose me for bronchitis or pneumonia from across the room. I said to her, so the nurse has obviously told you that I was in Africa so now you think you can diagnose me from across the room? She turned beet red and then gave me a BS exam. I reported her and was asked to return to see a real doctor who examined me to see why in fact my chest was feeling so heavy. He did not guess. He listened to me breathe and took an x-ray!!

I have been home for 18 days. I have absolutely NONE of the symptoms of Ebola and the incubation period is 21 days. I am no more in the woods than are those who are reading this post. I complained that it was her type of "medical" response that allowed the situation in Texas to escalate. The deceased went to the hospital as soon as he felt the symptoms, fully disclosed his circumstances and was sent home in a highly contagious state. Who knows why the nurse turned him away but if it was due to fear and a desire to just get him out of the hospital, that has proven to have been a HUGE mistake. Granted I understand the need for precaution but if our medical professionals are afraid, we all need to be damn worried!

I compare Ebola to HIV & AIDS in that as long as it was restricted to Africa, as was HIV & AIDS to the gay community, it was not "our" (mainstream America) problem. The lesson is that we live in a global society without borders. Nothing is restricted to any one class or place. We ARE our Brother's Keepers.

Be Well Everyone and live wisely. Wash your hands regularly, don't shake hands with others and think as well as behave with good hygiene sense where ever possible. Wipe down gym equipment BEFORE & AFTER use. While we can control with whom we swap saliva, blood, urine, feces, vomit, semen and some other body fluids, swapping sweat with strangers can pose a very real, unknown risk. This thing is getting crazier by the day...

Glad to be home albeit only briefly. Panama & South America this time... Looking forward to it!

¡Ten Cuidado Mis Amigos!

Black, White & Blue...

Over the past few days, I have watched this video several times as it makes its way around the internet. It captured a White woman preventing the arrest of an innocent Black man in her neighborhood. I admire and applaud this woman for her courage and that she cared enough to intervene and come to the aid of another less capable of defending himself.

I am struck however by two things;

(1) Black officers, in the nation's capital no less, harassing an innocent Black victim for simply being present in the "wrong" neighborhood, an indication of their distorted view of themselves and that blue blood runs DEEP! and 

(2) I wonder if me, as a Black female attorney, could so forcibly assert myself by intervening in police activity and achieve the same result. Would I warrant the same level of respect or would I be sitting on the curb next to the accused under arrest for obstruction of justice? Did this woman even have to indicate that she was an attorney or was being White enough to command total compliance and damn near an apology from these Black officers? What would have been the response, to her much less to me, if the officers were White? Acquiescence? Hmmm, Just Wondering...

Happy for the outcome but the background music is not so melodic to my ears. Conversely, it is deeply disturbing no matter the radio station. Officers are in such denial of their inherent bias, which is so ingrained in rank and file from top to bottom, that it renders them incapable of being objective and therefore incapable of doing their job effectively. I am pessimistic that their prejudice can ever be fixed or reversed. So now what?

Lights Out in Ghana!

Ghana still has issues with its infrastructure. Supplying electricity is a huge problem. Roving outages are scheduled, usually for 12 hour periods in various parts of town. While one area is out, some other area is going full blast. If you don't have a generator and lots of people don't, you endure the outage in pure darkness. And let me tell you some areas are pitch black! They manage. Guess they are just used to it. Like that bucket, you had better have some alternative light source if you are planning to live in Ghana! Keep the cell phone charged, save all data when working on the computer and keep a modem (air card) because with the electricity goes your internet router! You must live to plan for outages... Crazy in 2014. I know...

Well, this a first. Our lights went out somewhere around 6am yesterday morning. It is almost 6am again, still no lights... Thankfully we have a generator but it runs on diesel fuel and as you can imagine, pumping it for 24 hours can get quite pricey. We turned it off for some portion of the day and overnight. I thought for sure when I returned last night, certainly when I awoke this morning, that the lights would be back on. Not! Oh Ghana...

Be thankful for the little things folks! We take so much for granted.

This is one Ghana-Ism that I will not miss...

Ghana-Ism: Ghanaian Meets "Bronie"

Ghana-Ism:

Today I travel to the Ashanti region, to Kumasi. I purposely travel by bus to see the country side, just as I did when in South Africa, from Jo'Burg to Durban. This ride however is much shorter, four hours as compared to seven or eight... Although I am thinking that I probably should have made arrangements to fly back. No need to see the country side coming and going. Oh Well...

When I called the bus company to inquire about price and scheduling, the agent was overly friendly and seemed impressed that I am a tourist scheduling a trip with his company. He very proudly told me how nice the buses are, how efficient the company is and that when I was ready to travel I should ask for him. Not a problem...

Shortly after speaking with him I get a call from an unknown number. I answer and he lets me know that it is him. This was a call from his personal number. Soon after again, I get a text message from the same number...  He texts "Hi Hellen its me again, Ive really not had any white frnd b4 and I would want us to be frnds if u ok with it" and then he signs his name...  Poor Thing!!!

I text back; Sorry to inform you but you still don't. Not that we are friends, but I am FAR from White. Helen from NJ (as I had referred to myself when he asked what state I was from) is a PROUD Black American woman! Burst his little bubble. He apologized profusely. I think he was terribly embarrassed and thought that he had hurt my feelings. He called and texted me back to make sure I knew how sorry he was. Told him not to sweat it. Sure he will never verbalize that assumption again...

Although I have been told that in some respects the Ghanaians consider Blacks [Americans] as they do Whites...  I am told it is because we "talk like them"...  They call us all "Bronies" (or something to that effect). I thought it was a derogatory term reserved for Whites but no, they call us (Black folks) Bronies too...  Conversely, I have been corrected more times than I can count when my response to what part of Africa I am from is that I am American. They smile and say yes but you are African and welcome me "home"! So there are mixed views regarding Black folks I suppose...

I am off to meet my "new best Friend" and travel to see the Ashanti region where I will stay for at least one night, if not two. Enjoy Your Day. I will report back in...

When Two Black Women Gather In Ghana...

Today I will have lunch with Dr. Esi Sutherland-Addy. She is the daughter of the late Efua Sutherland, noted poet, writer and author here in Ghana also the woman who most befriended and inspired Maya Angelou during her time in Ghana. She writes about their relationship in her book that I just finished reading, All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes

I feel honored that Professor Sutherland, who teaches at the Institute for African Studies at University of Ghana, agreed to give little ole' me some of her time. I met with her briefly in her office on Thursday. I stopped by her office expecting only to make an appointment to see her but she received me without an appointment. Ghanaians are such gracious people.

We chatted a bit. My interest in meeting with her is to share and get feedback and another perspective on what have been my experiences, observations and concerns while in Ghana. When it became evident that we will likely engage in spirited and insightful discussion, she suggested that we meet for lunch today.

Nothing by chance. It is no coincidence that Maya passed while I am here in Ghana thereby prompting me to read the book she wrote about her time in Ghana. I had no idea when I picked up the book that it had anything to do with Ghana. It is no coincidence that I will have lunch with the daughter of the woman who was such a tremendous influence for Maya during her journey in Ghana. Nothing by chance.

I look forward to being amazed following my Gathering with a Black Woman in Ghana...

Ghana-Isms; Tales From Ghana

Ghana-Ism:  Tales of those things worth noting that have happened or experiences I have enjoyed during my stay in Ghana. Often I place these things on Facebook and neglect this space where I should be writing. So here's sharing of a few laughs and a few enlightening moments I affectionately call, "Ghana-Isms". Enjoy! 


Ghana-Ism:

Mostly, water here is sent to the home not through local pipes in the street but through lines that run from these HUGE water tanks, called "poly tanks", to the house. Mine sits atop the roof and gets its water supply from a bigger tank located elsewhere on the property. The tanks are large enough that the water will last for a year or two...

Well lucky me, mine sprung a leak, the one atop the roof. So of course that meant that it had to be drained and repaired. The water was leaking into the house. It takes 24 hours for the sealant to dry, so what does that mean? NO running water for 24 hours.

The guard asked did I have a bucket so that he could "fetch" me some water. Fetch me some water? From where? Why would I have a bucket and what exactly am I supposed to do with this bucket? LOL!!! EVERYTHING you need to do that requires water for the next 24 hours! SMH!!!

An American Friend who has lived in different parts of Africa for some time, tells me that in the bush, where I will never venture, one will learn to bathe, brush teeth and all with a gallon jug of water. So who am I to complain about having a whole bucket? Putting it in perspective....

I somehow managed, really I did. Try this at home... (smile)

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Ghana-Ism:

I am constantly amazed by the difference in temperament between Americans & Ghanaians. Ghanaians are more cool, calm, laid back, slow paced. They are not very excitable people, unless they are talking in their language angry about driving or something...  LOL!!!  Their temperament is akin to folks in the US South. They take "Don't Worry, Be Happy" to the nth degree!!! Following is an illustration of what I mean... 

When I arrived at the airport in Accra, I was impressed that I was off the plane and through customs in what felt like less than 15 minutes. Record time for any airport! 2.5 hours later however, when I am JUST getting my last bag off the claim belt, I am not so impressed... 

American with a frown in her brow and excitement in her high pitch and very agitated "WTF" voice:  What in hell took so long?

Ghanaian with a smile on his face, cool, calm, collected and in a very controlled "stop making an ass of yourself" voice:  
But Madam, did you get your bags? 

Translation: So what in the hell are you complaining about?

Moral of the story: Just Chill Miss Higgi OR start drinking and grow gray hair cuz' the Ghanaians are just fine...

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Ghana-Ism While Walking:

As I walked around Accra (Ghana) this morning taking in my surroundings, the term "third world" crossed my mind. It is a term that I have always rejected. It connotes an air of superiority. It implies somehow that there is a "first world". Never heard anyone speak of a "first world". And hey!, didn't civilization begin in what is now considered "third world"? What was the "first world" doing while the "third world" was toiling in all its brilliance to lay the ground work for the rest of civilization? Just wonderin'... Oh! and is there a "second world"? Never heard tell of that either... Hmmm....

Seemingly citizens adapt to their assigned classification
physically, 
mentally,
socially,
for the good,
for the bad
and otherwise...

Lesson: Never underestimate the power of suggestion. It can permeate your mind and totally distort how you see yourself
physically,
mentally,
socially,
for the good,
for the bad
and otherwise...

This Morning I was Thinking as I Walked...

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Ghana-Ism:

Black folks all over the world seem to love chicken. Ghana is no exception. This Black person only eats the breast and of course the occasional basket of hot wings. For the life of me I cannot figure out what they do with the chicken's breast in Accra. There are only two places that consistently have breast. Potential dinner, AKA chickens, is roaming all over the place but the restaurants never seem to have breast. God only knows what becomes of the best part of the chicken. One restaurant explained that they use the breast for Kebabs, which are very popular here.

So one day I was in one of my regular places, Papaye's in Osu (GREAT Place), where I am sure to get a breast. I ordered my regular, Grilled Chicken Breast, Fried Rice & Cole Slaw. As in the south and in the Caribbean, folks here are slow as molasses and never quite know what is your hurry... This night the restaurant was especially crowded so the wait was long. Just as I was about to be come the "ugly American" and ask why the wait, the waiter showed up with our food. Much to my dismay, on my plate was a pitiful wing and some other part of the chicken AND it was fried not grilled with that "special" sauce on top.

I reminded the waiter that I had ordered a breast. At first he tried to convince me that whatever was on my plate was a breast. I looked at him like either he was crazy OR he thought me pretty damn dumb! Upon realizing that his explanation was not holding water, he then explained, GET THIS, that the wing WAS attached to a breast! Yes, you heard me right. He said the wing was attached to a breast. I now look at him like he is crazy or just damn dumb and I tell him "then go back in the kitchen and find the breast that WAS attached to the wing and make sure that its not fried"!!! LOL!!! I can't make this stuff up! Really I can't... Sounds like an old Robin Harris joke...

Ghana-Ism making me smile... 

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Ghana-Ism:

Recently I was talking to a very nice Ghanaian man, not even 40 yet. I appreciate him because he appreciates being Ghanaian and living in Ghana. He is committed to staying here and making it better. Most folks here want to be your new Best Bud, not because they don't genuinely like you but lurking in the back of their mind, it is because they want to come to the states or want you to help them get something or someone to or from the states. Quite draining after a while so I find this particular guy quite refreshing and I enjoy helping him...

One day we were talking about the states. He shared that a relative of his wife traveled from the US to Ghana to marry. He brought with him a ton of personal goods and mountains of clothing. My Friend described it as wasteful and had a hard time understanding why one person needed so much stuff. When do you ever get to wear/use it?

He pointed to the shoes on his feet and told me that it was only the second pair of shoes he had purchased since marrying in 2010! He had worn the same shoes for four years!!! He remembered he said because he had gotten married in the previous shoes and had not bought a new pair since. He owns three pair of shoes; dress shoes, sneakers and an open sandal. He doesn't see why one needs more...

He is amazed and not impressed by American waste. His in law left for the US and left all his "goods" at my Friend's house. Much to their delight, he called other Family members to come and take them. They were in heaven. Folks here like anything American. I offered a colleague a cup of Peppermint tea. He was excited until I responded "no" to his question if it was from the states. Then it became just tea and he was no longer interested... Crazy I tell you!!!

Meanwhile, I am sure that I brought no less than 30 pair of shoes with me for a one year stay in Ghana... I could learn a little something from my very wise Ghanaian Friend...

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Ghana-Ism:

What a wonderful walk this morning. Really roamed off the path and wound up in what felt like a village. My Friend laughs and tells me not likely in the heart of Accra! It sure felt like  a village to me. I obviously looked out of place. From afar I saw an old woman watching me with a look of amusement on her face. As I approached, she said to me "You are lost?" LOL!!! I kinda' sorta' stood out as a foreigner and wherever I was, not too many Americans frequent I am sure. I asked her which way to the road because all around me all that I saw was what I am calling a village, a contained and communal living area, muddy paths and shanty like homes...

I romanticized my image of the popular African proverb, "it takes a village". I idolized that survival in the village was collective, communal, that when one eats, all eat... I surmised that the people in the village pooled their resources to feed the village. I marveled that the woman cooking in what seemed the center of the village and who had a swarm of folks around her, was the person designated to prepare at least that meal, for everyone in the village.

My Ghanaian Friend laughed at my "village" fantasy. She then told me "I hate to burst your bubble but no, that the lady is selling breakfast!". They earn so little money here, I often wonder how they survive. I thought I was on to something. Guess not...

I walked a little farther past the old woman before finding a young woman who could also see that I was lost. She walked me to where I could see the road and pointed me in that direction. That was fun!!! Gonna' miss these adventures...

My Friend will take me to a real village in the next week or two. If what I saw this morning was not a village, I need to prepare myself. Stay tuned...

And for the record, in response to yesterday's post, I traveled with 42 pair of shoes and one pair of sneakers!!! I know, THAT IS RIDICULOUS!!! So why have I bought 2 new pair since I got here and surely will buy more before I leave? Beeeecaaaauuuussseee, I'm a Woman? LOL!!! Sounds Plausible to me.!!! 

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 Ghana Beauty:

Naturally Beautiful... Stole an exchange with these two little girls one day after my early morning walk. They were picking flowers outside my house here in Ghana. Told me they wanted to make something lovely with them...

Not sure why, I have heard various reasons, but until well into their teenage years, girls here wear their hair shaven like the boys. I have accepted that it is not for me to understand.  The beauty however of these little girls minus the hair, makes Indie Arie's point that we are not our hair. Their natural beauty is undeniable...

I LOVE THIS PHOTO!!!

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Ghana-Ism:

OK, reality check!!! I am so sensitive to being ripped off by my Ghanaian "Brothers & Sisters", because that is how they con you into believing that they are not deceiving or manipulating you, that I found myself debating a situation wherein I was being charged 100 Ghana Cedis (GH¢), LESS THAN $30, $26.86 to be exact!!!, at a beauty salon, a really nice beauty salon, for services rendered which included:

(1) took old braids out
(2) washed and deep conditioned my hair (my products but so what!)
(3) put wonderful & intricate braids (dreads) back in (my hair but so what!)

So as I laugh at myself, I ask myself WHAT in the hell are you complaining about? REALLY Miss Higgi!!! Even if they are ripping you off, you are still DOLLARS ahead! I honestly think that what prompted my elevated suspicion was that one woman seeing my finished product, commented that in the states I would have paid $400 (NOT MISS HIGGI) for the same hairstyle. Not sure about that but I am I would have paid at least $200. I felt convinced that her comment planted the 100 GH¢ seed in the minds of the workers!!! The price quoted to me a few days prior was so low that I honestly cannot remember it because I knew that I would pay the stylist more anyway. I do know that it was less than 50 GH¢.

Sometimes, and rightfully so, we get caught up on the principle, but then at other times we have to ask ourselves is it really worth the risk of unnecessarily elevating our blood pressure? Sometimes NOT!!!. This was one of those NOT moments! They were really nice people and the beautician is going to get me this bomb Ghanaian hair product that I can't wait to start using, so what the hell! I tipped the young lady 10 GH¢, which is generous, gave her 5 more for car fare to get me the bomb hair product and kept it moving!!!

Keepin' it in perspective!!!

Hey! Didn't I have a hair story the last time I was here? LOL!!! This one at least has a happy ending! I will go back to this salon. No question... 

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Ghana Tale:

It is early Saturday morning. I am sitting in bed relaxing and enjoying a quiet moment to read. My peripheral vision, which works overtime, sees something moving along the salmon colored wall to my left. Without my glasses, I think it is a harmless baby gecko, which I HATE! No, not at all... 

I put on my glasses and into view comes a spider somewhere between the size of a quarter and a 50 cent piece! Of course he has to die!!! 

I get my shoe and do my best to kill the bastard. He might be big but he moves fast. To get even with me, he goes for refuge behind the headboard of the bed in which I am relaxing and reading... So I guess he got the last laugh as certainly I am no longer comfortably resting propped up on pillows lined along the headboard. Instead I am sitting unsupported in the middle of the bed where I will see him if he plans to resurface, to attack! LOL!!! 

Luckily I am at a Friend's house and will not have to wonder about the whereabouts of Mr. Spider as I sleep in my own bed tonight. (smile) Her house is not alone. Trust me, I have seen Mr. Spider's spider cousins. Usually I, or at least my shoe, am the last thing they see... (smile) This one was quick and got away. Good for him... 

Ghanaian spiders will not be on the list of things I will miss... 

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 Stay Tuned, More Ghana Tales & Observations to Come...

I Was Thinking This Morning...

As I walked around Accra (Ghana) this morning taking in my surroundings, the term "third world" crossed my mind. It is a term that I have always rejected. It connotes an air of superiority. It implies somehow that there is a "first world". Never heard anyone speak of a "first world". And hey!, didn't civilization begin in what is now considered "third world"? What was the "first world" doing while the "third world" was toiling in all its brilliance to lay the ground work for the rest of civilization? Just wonderin'... Oh! and is there a "second world"? Never heard tell of that either... Hmmm....

Seemingly citizens adapt to their assigned classification, physically, mentally, socially, for the good, for the bad and otherwise...

Lesson: Never underestimate the power of suggestion. It can permeate your mind and totally distort how you see yourself, for the good, for the bad and otherwise... 

I was thinking this morning...

His Feets' Should Be Tired...

In 2006 I invited Congressman John Lewis to be guest speaker at my law school graduation because I don't think we celebrate our heroes enough. In honor of celebrating our history, I wanted to be certain that a new generation and their Families would know who he was and what his sacrifices have been... Little did I know that soon we would relive the 60's for all the world to see and that my peers would learn who he was anyway. What in the hell is going on America?

If there is/was any doubt that we are moving backward as a nation, the events of late should remove all such doubt! Police dressed in military gear and conducting themselves in manners reminiscent of bull connor and other American terrorists from the 60's South; cops attacking peaceful protesters, arresting journalists, and killing Black folks like it is open season. And now we see John Lewis marching again. If this doesn't bring it home for you, nothing will... His feets' should be tired but he marches on still in search of his Beloved Community. Thank you still Mr. Lewis!!!

Tonight I march in solidarity with those in #Ferguson because I believe the people have a right to orderly and peaceful protest.

Robin Williams; Tears of A Clown

People say I'm the life of the party cuz' I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty, deep inside I'm blue...
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer its easy to trace
The Tracks of My Tears...
(Smokey Robinson)

The Tears of A Clown, When There's No One Around...

We never know another's pain, only the image they CHOOSE to show the public...

May he be at peace. May he and his Family find peace in knowing that he brought such joy to so many. His life was not in vain, may we all be so lucky. Sorry he decided to go so soon. He will be missed...
 

Eminent Domain, An Abuse of Government in Southeast, Washington, DC

While looking for something else on line this morning, I came across a link to a Washington Times article in which I was quoted back in 2004. Some time in 2003, before going to law school, I started working to mobilize local business owners in the southeast section of Washington, DC to save their businesses located in the Skyland Shopping Center from the heartless wrecking ball of government seizure of their private property,to be enforced in the name of eminent domain.

The plaza consisted of approximately 12 or 13 businesses, maybe more, that included a post office, a government employment office, two liquor stores, several eateries (one of which was a brand new KFC), a food shopping store, a discount variety store, a few hairdressers, a record store, shoe store and more. Post eminent domain, after several years of empty promises for a large anchor retail store, all that remains is the CVS Pharmacy. In 2003 and part of 2004, I lived and was an active citizen in the Hillcrest community, which is located near the shopping center in Southeast DC.

For most of the past ten years those store owners, mostly local residents who owned small "mom and pop" establishments, were deprived of their livelihood as their businesses were gradually shut down, local residents of a mostly economically depressed neighborhood were deprived of jobs and convenient services and a site that some neighbors complained was an eye sore to the community with the local businesses, spent the last several years having to live instead with boarded up and abandoned buildings, an even greater eye sore. There were no winners...

As a result of my activism, I befriended one of the store owners who went from owning her own home and a thriving business to filing bankruptcy and moving into an apartment. There were no winners... Sadly, the merchants owned their business but not the property. Try as they may, they had little leverage against their unsympathetic government.

I frequently visit Washington DC and on occasion make certain to make a special trip past the Skyland Shopping Center, specifically to see what has become of the plaza. In May 2014, just a few months ago, I made one of those trips. What I discovered was a vacant lot with a few guys sitting around on heavy equipment seemingly waiting to go to work. Presumably, more than ten years after wrecking the community and depriving small business owners of their livelihood, the city is finally ready to break ground on what will be a "new and improved" shopping center. In the interim, lots of people and a community were hurt. Most of the shop keepers lost, the community lost and after ten years of providing no jobs and receiving no tax revenue from once thriving businesses, the government lost too..

Eminent domain, all too often, is an abuse of government. In this instance there is no denying that such was the case...  Shameful! 

Miss Higgi's Take on Philip Seymour Hoffman...

Every other story on the news is about the tragic overdose of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. I am trying to understand what makes his death any more important than that of any other junkie... Here is what I put on Facebook in response to the arrest of four accused of selling him drugs... 

Sorry Folks but I feel some kinda' way about this...

While I am very sorry that yet another life was lost to drugs, I am not happy that this guy's death, that of a cop, a politician or any other non-lay person is somehow deemed more important, more worthy of solving or investigating than that of any other person.... He had SEVENTY bags of heroin and died with a needle in his arm, just like many another junkie. What makes him or his death any different, any more important, any more sad or more worthy of mourn than that of other junkies?

I do not appreciate that taxpayer dollars are being spent and more value is being given this guy's life than any other... SEVENTY bags of heroin, cocaine, five prescription meds, 20 hypodermic needles and a burned up spoon? Like it or not, he was just another junkie... Albeit very talented, at the end of the day he was just another junkie, who will be no more missed and was no more loved by his Family and Friends than any of his junkie peers, some of whom undoubtedly were also great losses to our society. His celebrity should make him no more special nor the person who sold him the heroin that HE willfully ingested, no more criminal... 

Might sound harsh, but it is the truth of how I feel... If I were on the jury, it would be an uphill battle for any prosecutor to convince me to convict whoever sold Mr. Hoffman the UNtainted drugs that HE willfully ingested. I cannot see that I would condone or be in any way complicit in upholding a double standard that gives his life any more value than that of any regular Joe! Either ALL loss of life of persons engaged in criminal activity has value and should be vindicated and aggressively investigated or no life engaged in criminal activity has value and is worthy of protection or vindication... 

If law enforcement can find, and in record time, those persons who sold drugs to this actor then there is no question that law enforcement knows and is much more capable of ending/solving many more crimes than they would have us believe. Seems they and/or society just has to care about or assign value to the life of the victim... Plain & Simple! 

It is my guess that Mr. Hoffman, who purchased and injected UNtainted drugs into his own vein, would join me when I say, STOP the double standard!!! May he and his many drug addicted peers rest in peace...

The Silent Molester...

Over the years I have tried to find the right description for snow. I go to bed and rest peacefully only to awake and wonder how could something that can cause such destruction and so disturb my tranquility, occur so peacefully and without a whisper while I slept...

Shouldn't something so devastating, so disruptive to my day come with a bang? Shouldn't I know or have heard it creep up on me? Not the case with snow. Sometimes I go to sleep with much anticipation about what will greet me in the morning. Other times I awake to a white blanket that has covered my world in the night that I was not expecting. And still there are those times when I awake quite happy to learn that the forecasters were dead wrong and there was much ado about nothing.

No matter the circumstances of how the white stuff greets me, I have spent many a morning staring out my window in deep despair negotiating with myself if I dare venture out into the white madness or not... Yes, it is that deep for me!!!

While beautiful (on a postcard, that is), there is no denying that snow can really muck' up a day. Don't believe me? Ask the folks stuck in an airport sleeping on benches because the flights are grounded, stuck in their car on an Atlanta highway for 27 hours because - why did that happen? (still SMH), someone risking life and limb because they are too broke or have been too busy to replace the bald tires on their car (OUCH!)... Something with that much power to cause such chaos, should make some noise upon entrance. Don't you think?

Not snow!!! Like a molester, which literally means one who bothers, annoys, interferes or causes trouble for another, snow often creeps in the quiet of night to disrupt even your best laid plans! It just seems to me that something that mighty should announce its presence like a raging thunder storm... It should wake me from my sleep. It should pound against the windows and the rooftop! It should make some damn noise!!!

So finally, as I ponder yet again on another morning during this 2014 winter from hell, what I will do on the dawning of yet another day blanketed in whiteness, I have a fitting description for that seasonal annoyance I call snow, it is now officially "The Silent Molester"...

In my heart I know that today, like most other dreaded snow days, I will ultimately muster the fortitude to proceed and not let it totally bother (molest) my day, but for right now, at this very moment, I just had to vent!!! Thank you for indulging me!!!

If you share the plight of my forecast, be safe and stay home if you can... If you just happen to be in sunshine, DO NOT brag to me!, at least not today!!! (smile) Most of all however, EVERYONE be thankful and Have a FANTASTIC Day as this too shall surely pass! It will, I promise...