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THIS Is My America
Is THIS my America?
This painting accurately reflects the way I felt about the United States before Barack Obama was elected. I was pleasantly shocked and surprised that the US could stifle its racism enough to send a black man to the White House. Inauguration Day 2009 was the first time I truly felt American.
Yet Obama’s presidency has revealed the worst of America. The veil has lifted. This land, so full of promise, can’t let go of its 17th century hangups long enough to live up to its 18th century rhetoric, its 19th century amendments, nor its 20th century ideals.
The 21st century is here and though the 3/5 compromise is no longer the law, its fractional factoring still applies. Do the math. Examine the disparities in income and wealth and education and opportunity and justice.
Is this what my ancestors slaved for? Is this the flag my father defended? Those red stripes represent the blood of MY people, shed to build your roads and your institutions and your army and your capital. Black bodies swinging in Southern trees or lying lifeless on Northern sidewalks or locked in prison cells.
This IS my America. THIS is what America has always stood for, building its wealth and power on the backs of the poor and the Cherokee and the Yoruba and the Iraqi and the Mestizo.
This IS my America. And if you remove from your eyes the flag that you’ve wrapped around yourself, you will see. This is YOUR America too.
Painting by Patrick Campbell Art/Illustration
Voices of Vision: Live An Inspired Life with Nadir Omowale
Voices of Vision is a weekly radio show with radio and voice over personality, Jane Asher. She is motivated and inspired daily by discovering the deepest passion in others. So, what exactly is it that excites, motivates and empowers individuals to explore and achieve their full potential? To find answers, Jane searches through her vast network of connections, and each week she interviews thought provoking influencers, change agents, positive authors, non-profits with a mission of bettering humanity and the humble hero next door who elevates one person at a time. She is curious by nature and a natural bliss broker. Jane loves people and thrives on the opportunity to give a voice to their vision.
In this episode, Jane gets up close and personal with her friend Nadir Omowale. Nadir is an Artist, Musician, Producer, Writer and Creative Strategist. When he’s not working on a creative project he is working with his most inspired life’s calling, being present with his four-year-old twins Maya and Miles. From chasing fire flies in the backyard to feeding their curiosity about life, this creative soul is busy with his beautiful wife, Akanke and their two children living in the now. This show also features Nadir’s latest single Blue Lights. Join Jane and Nadir as they talk about the big picture, play some music and have a few laughs on Voices of Vision.
This Actor’s New Role Is Causing a Big Debate About Skin Color
Ok. I’m not colorist, but visually, this is weird casting. Chadwick just doesn’t look anything like Thurgood Marshall.
But THAT’S not the real problem here. The REAL question is, why is Chadwick Boseman getting ALL THE ROLES??
There are other great black actors out there. Is this like black rock music where we’re only allowed one at a time?
Wait. Did I say that out loud?
And it’s not Chadwick’s fault. Take ALL the roles, brother! Make ALL the money!! But Hollywood gets on this flavor of the month thing and doesn’t let up.
Several other cats could have played Thurgood. You know who would have KILLED as Thurgood Marshall? Giancarlo Esposito!! And if he wore his Big Brother Al-My-TEE hair, he LOOKS like Justice Marshall.
Again, this isn’t about Chadwick Boseman. This is Hollywood’s short-sighted error. One of many. But hey, at least they didn’t hire Brad Pitt for the role.
Democrats HATE Ralph Nader. Not just because he got a few thousand votes in Florida back in 2000, but because he constantly rips back the curtain on the so-called “party of the working man.”
Here Nader gives a detailed history lesson explaining why the current Democratic Party couldn’t win an election against a paper bag, much less against an underqualified, bigoted reality TV star. Democrat friends especially, PLEASE TAKE NOTICE. Until you stop scapegoating everyone else and look in the mirror, the GOP will continue to lead our nation on this slow death march into oblivion.
“THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY is at its lowest ebb in the memory of everyone now alive. It’s lost the White House and both houses of Congress. On the state level it’s weaker than at any time since 1920. And so far in 2017 Democrats have gone 0 for 4 in special elections to replace Republican members of Congress who joined the Trump administration.
"How did it come to this? One person the Democratic Party is not going to ask, but perhaps should, is legendary consumer advocate and three-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader.”
It’s been a busy day at the Omowale Republic, but well worth it.The rain threatened, but never showed up to stop me from building the swing this morning. Then Miles and I constructed the fire pit late this afternoon. Many thanks to Zach and the guys at Teacher’s Lawn Care for their help with the yard and the heavy lifting on the Buddha Corner.
