Women of America! Hear My Cry!!!

I'm trying to be a gentleman...I truly am. But ladies, sometimes you make it hard for a brotha. My desire is to view you all in a light of dignity and natural beauty, but I'm afraid it's becoming harder each day. Because, with the introduction of every Real Housewives of Who Cares, Snooki Scandal, Keeping up with the Kardashians, or Bachelorette series, my ability to embrace my inner pro-estrogen fades a bit more.  The image of women striking it rich off of their connection to a rich man, or of women "cat fighting" with each other over "some man", has flooded the media waves and drowned out any attempts to portray women in the positive light that I respect. And as a consequence, this image is trickling down to our young ladies as desirable behavior. As a school teacher, I am confronted with the rapidly changing culture of today's youth. They remain the most creative, optimistic, and impressionable segment of our society. With that said, it is through them that both the positive and negative influences of media is reflected.

Now, before you start goin all Susan B. Anthony on me, let me make this point, "It's not entirely your fault". From day one, men have been portraying you as an image of their own success. You are held up as a trophy and object to be seen and touched, but never heard. Also, it should be noted that the majority of commercials, music videos, and even sports outfits are designed by men; which gives you an idea of whos' interest they have in mind. AND after the continued bombardment of this image, it would be inconsiderate to assume that women wouldn't eventually "buy in" to what is constantly put in their faces. However, what I am asking my opposite gender equals to do is be bigger than the system.

Yes ladies, it is time to rise against the machine. In a day and age where elected male officials can actually publicly speak of "legitimate rape", I feel that it is high time for women to redefine their image. Too often the picture that is pushed to the front is that of either: the video vixen, the housewife, or the delusional party girl. I'm not saying that every lady needs to be Sistah Souljah or Nikki Giovanni, but it wouldn't hurt society if there was a bit more balance between Nikki Minaj's fake backside and MTV's fascination with teenage pregnancy. Why cant there be a reality show about the difficulties of women trying to ascend the ranks of the male dominated medical field? Or, why hasn't there been a documentary done on the great works Hilary Clinton has done in Burma? Yeah, I know, MEN control the airwaves. But, ladies, you are the largest segment of consumers!!! If you stop supporting something, because you find it to be misogynistic or condescending, then you will hit the "Machine" where it feels it most...the checkbook!

And in return, you will support the development of a culture of gentlemen. You (ladies that is) must stop waiting on men to realize that their treatment of women is inappropriate. How long have men and women coexisted? Since Eve and Adam kicked it the Garden? Yeah! So ladies, it's time for you to pull a Ghandi (Be the change you wish to see). MAKE men realize that there is another side to the enigma that is the female. Show them through your actions, dress, words, character, and monetary support that the girl on TV is by no means an accurate portrayal of your entirety as a gender. AND, you must refuse to compromise on your position, because they are going to come. Those stubborn men (and women), who have profited off of the industry of "entertainment prostitution", will come with a variety of arguments trying to persuade you to accept this confusion as some kind of twisted version of freedom...but you know better. You know that, by purchasing this "freedom", you will only be walking away enslaved to the very product you invested in. Freedom is never free and you must decide which version of freedom you want to purchase. You can either "buy in" to the version of freedom that gives you a buffet of options on how you can turn yourself into an object. OR, you can "buy in" to the decision to establish an image that fits your desire to be treated like the woman I see in my mother, wife, sister, aunt, Michelle Obama (I love her), etc...

I desperately want to be a gentleman...and I want you to help me make it happen!

Where Do I Fit In?

As I sat and watched my nephews observe the 4th of July fireworks, I began to ponder where I "fit-in" in this nation's grand future. From a historical perspective, this country has always prided itself on its' ability to provide an equal, "free", playing field for potential success. Throughout history, immigrants have migrated to America, establishing new lives away from whatever hardships they faced in their homelands. And, while it is undeniable that many have established secure lifestyles for themselves, and their families, it is also undeniable that the divide between social groups is continuing to increase. With the 2012 Presidential election looming, there is pressure on both major political parties to "win-over" the hearts of potential voters. Speeches, commercials, and musical performances will all be geared towards targeting parts of the electorate that ensure the best road to victory. And therein lies my issue...I don't want to be "won" over.

Like many of my fellow young, optimistic, voters, I fell in love with the Obama movement four years ago. The idea of seeing a hip-hop cultured, poetry spitting, Muslim named, African American as President was too good to pass up (He kicked it with Jay Z for goodness sake!). And, while all of his decisions have not aligned with mine, I still stand behind him as this election approaches. However, I would be lying if I didn't say that my faith in the political system has waned substantially. Maybe it's the fact that we seem to be a country infatuated with the idea of capitalizing off of warfare (Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya). Or, maybe its the fact that, in a nation that has had its greatest historical growth in wealth, the gap between the haves and have nots has somehow also increased. Whatever the variety of cases may be, it is much harder for me to feel completely attached to this powerful nation.

In the past four years I have witnessed Tea Parties, Dream Acts deferred, Recessions, Arizona shootings, Wall Street's Occupied, Gaddafi killed, Bashar al-Asad ignored, threats toward Iran (as well as China and North Korea), Shaima alawadi murdered, Casey Anthony released, and Trayvon Martin unrested. All of this, and much more, has caused me to lose significant faith in the justice of our justice system. Now, don't get me wrong, I love this country. I would not want to live anywhere else. This country has made improvements over the years that have allowed me to obtain adequate education and an honest paying job. However, it is nearly impossible for me to ignore the fact that, as established as this country is, a large amount of people are living nightmares for their American dream. And, without trying to dissect the many potential variables that have led to this outcome, I have arrived at one simple answer...we have lost our compassion.

How else can one explain the continued cases of government corruption, inner city violence, and downtrodden school districts? How is it that, in the world's most powerful country, people have to choose either food or medical attention? In one household, a child is attending a school that will put him/her on the fast track to the Ivy Leagues. In another household, 10 minutes away, a child's only hope is that they will make it to the major leagues (Think of the difference between 63rd and Troost and Brookside in KCMO). And while some may say that this example is extreme, I say that it is extreme for there to still be such a fine line between the percentage of African Americans being incarcerated and those graduating from college. If we were a nation run by leaders who were sincerely empathetic, then these issues would have been confronted long ago. However, as is evident in the daily onslaught of negative political ads, it all comes down to one question for politicians...what does it take to win? 

The desire to "win" people over and convince them to vote a certain manner has led to a divide in this nation that is black and white. You are either for something or you are against it. You are either: Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Liberal, Pro-Gay or Homophobic, Christian or Headed to Hell, Rich or Poor. The space for discussion is narrowed. The room for opinion is closed. Political election teams spend countless hours attempting to collect data and peg people into subgroups. These subgroups are designed to separate portions of the electorate and manufacture methods to attack them with convincing ads and campaigns. So in essence, fried chicken for the blacks, tamales for the Hispanics, and shot guns for the conservative whites. Whatever it takes to make these groups feel that you understand them. Kiss their babies, sing their songs, wear their clothes. As long as it increases your voting percentages, then it is fair game. And, whether or not the candidate is sincere in their efforts is irrelevant. Its simply a game that is to be repeated every 2, 4, 6, or 8 years. Once they get into office, their main job is to keep their political party pleased and maintain a strong enough following to ensure reelection or future book sales. 

So this is where I find issue. I have lost my faith in the political structure. I don't fit into any particular subgroups...and I don't want to. I am neither purely Democrat or purely Republican. I am neither purely Conservative or purely Liberal. I am freeing myself of these subgroup constraints that attempt to identify how I should act, feel, and consequently vote. I will still continue to vote, because I do find merit in the democratic system. However, I will no longer try to find a party that "fits" my viewpoints. I am David Abdullah Muhammad and that means that I am a Practicing Muslim, African American, Humanitarian Cause Minded, Anti Homosexual Lifestyle, but Pro Gay (Human) Rights, Anti Guns, Pro Immigration, Anti War, Pro Self Defense (This is Different from carrying a gun), Independent, that understands and respects the idea of Socialism, but also recognizes the benefits of a free market economy. I believe in the sincere effort to help humanity rise towards equality and I believe in radical reform to do so. Pointing a gun in someones face or dropping a bomb on a village is not my idea of eradicating hate. And, I do not feel that our idea of democracy is the appropriate fix for every country. It will take extreme solutions to solve extreme problems and if that means that I have to stand on the outside looking in...then hand me a pair of binoculars! Word

A Good Read #2: Violence and Race, A 2 Way Street

With the tension continuing to rise over the Treyvon Martin case, many questions are being asked about race relations in this country. With that said, one issue this death should highlight is the continuous rise of black on black crime in this country. Below is a link to an article, by CNN columnist LZ Granderson, that I feel truly speaks to this issue. Newz Approved

Violence and race: a two-way street

Food 4 Thought

 

From John Dewey's Experience and Education (1938): "What avail is it to win prescribed amounts of information about geography and history, to win the ability to read and write, if in the process the individual loses his own soul?" (p. 49). If the experience of "doing school" destroys children's spirit to learn, their sense of wonder, their curiosity about the world, and their willingness to care for the human condition, have we succeeded as educators, no matter how well our students do on standardized tests

The Brotha Newz View- As an educator, my goal is to get students to think. Regardless of whether they ever agree with my opinions or not, getting them to challenge their preconceived mentalities is my most important task. I approach each school day with the goal of introducing them to an aspect of life they may have never explored. We (teachers) are all pressured by state testing, parents, and administrators to teach to the curriculum. While this has its' value, content can be of no service if the knowledge is not applicable. The applicability lies in the content's ability to plant a seed of motivation towards the upliftment of society. Textbook knowledge should not restrict the amount of independent thinking students do for themselves. While I know I have much room for development in the content part of my knowledge, I still believe that a balance between content and abstract thinking is necessary for the complete success of our students. 

I want my students to walk away from my class as independent thinkers, that have a desire to make a positive contribution on society. Some students may never work in a field that will require them to draw upon historical knowledge. However, they will all live in a world that is in need of more humanitarians. Social Studies (the class I teach) should develop the student's social awareness first and foremost. Once this is developed, the content will serve as a mechanism to examine the past and present and move forward towards a more conscious future.

" As educators, we have the responsibility to educate and inspire the whole child—mind, heart, and soul. By focusing on the following essentials, we can put more joy into students' experience of going to school and get more joy out of working inside one" (Steven Wolk)

Word.