Vanessa: Unplugged!

Throwback Thursday: A Tribute to My Favorite Aunt

Since the original posted too early, no sweat, I just changed the title.

I am traveling to the Florida Panhandle for the funeral of my favorite aunt, Bertha Smith. I have dreaded this moment for several months. As her health deteriorated, we knew this day was near.
Letting go of loved ones due to death is difficult. We selfishly want them to live eternally in this life but that can never be. My aunt endured pain during her illness. I love her more than I wanted her to suffer so I had to embrace the freedom she realized through her transition.
Funerals are typically sad and happy occasions. Sad because of the physical loss of a loved one and happy because distant relatives and friends are reunited again.
I am going to miss Aunt Bert. She was a fiercely independent woman who let nothing and no one stand in her way if she wanted to get something done.
When I was a young child in the 1960's before integration in our hometown, Aunt Bert would take my cousin Debra and I to the movie theater. We lived in a small town; there was only one theater. Blacks sat in the balcony and whites sat on the main floor.
Sometimes there were minor disturbances at the theater but I was never afraid when going to the theater with Aunt Bert. She usually had two things with her --- a fried fish sandwich and her pistol. The aroma of Aunt Bert's fish sandwich and popcorn and watching that huge movie screen are some of my favorite childhood memories.
Aunt Bert had that pioneer - warrior woman spirit. She was kind but didn't allow anyone to take advantage of her. During her senior years she and Debra practically rebuilt their house themselves. They didn't do the electrical work but they did some of the plumbing and everything else. I love that about her.
I also loved that she could sew and she could really cook. Aunt Bert preferred to make her sewing patterns using newspaper or a paper bag. I don't know of anyone in the family today that is a seamstress or tailor. She also cooked old school style with no written recipes, just her memory. It was no secret that I loved Aunt Bert's homemade biscuits and would shamelessly ask her to make a pan for me to take back to South Florida. I am going to miss that woman.
Aunt Bert's transition means the rest of the family must readjust our lives. She is no longer with us in the natural but she is still with us and within us. Aunt Bert nurtured me, protected me, advised me and most of all she loved me.
Thank you, Aunt Bert. I love you. Rest in Peace.

Everyday is Mother's Day

Happy Mother’s Day to all women who are birth mothers, adopted mothers and aunts, sisters or guardian angels protecting and nurturing others. Rather than waiting for this particular day to show your love and appreciation for these women, do it every chance you get. 

I’m one of those people who prefers to leave christmas decorations up all year long because I believe everyday is Christmas. I feel the same about Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and many of the other commercialized holidays that have manipulated us down through the years. Today, like many others, I miss my mother and my daughter who have already transitioned. I am extremely grateful for the phone calls and messages from friends, relatives and the “children” I have unofficially adopted along the way.

If your mother is still here in the natural and you can visit her, please do. If distance is a problem, please call her. Do it today and everyday you can. Everyday is a holiday.

 

 

We are better than this, America.

 

The shooting death of Trayvon Martin, shootings of blacks in Tulsa and other places and the continuing disrespect of President Barack Obama signal an America I do not wish to return to but it seems never really changed.

 

I remember segregation. I remember segregated beaches, segregated restaurants and segregated schools. I remember economic boycotts, civil rights marches and marches by the Klu Klux Klan. Those were, for the most part, horrible times not just for black people but for all of America.

 

What kind of nation have we become to allow our President to be disrespected, especially by other elected officials? The latest act was committed by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) who called the president 'stupid' on Twitter.

 

Here's the translation:

"Constituents asked why I am not outraged at President Obama's attack on Supreme Court independence. Because American people are not as stupid as this ex-professor of constitutional law."

 

Sure politicians are frequently the brunt of jokes by comedians and targets of political satire but I don't recall any President of the United States being openly disrespected by another elected official the way Sen. Grassley and others have disrespected President Obama. It's shameful. It's treasonous. It's embarrassing. We are better than this, America.

 

 

Did He Really Say That? Geraldo Rivera’s Comments About Wearing Hoodies [VIDEO]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I’m trying to understand why Geraldo Rivera would go on national television and basically warn minority males of a death wish by wearing a hoodie.

I’m really  trying to wrap my head around where Rivera was coming from with his statements but I couldn’t get past his ‘blame the victim’ perspective. You know the way rape victims are blamed for wearing clothing that’s too tight, short or revealing. That’s just wrong.

 

Or maybe Rivera was taking the position I know that elders in the Black community have taken in the past, which is basically, don’t make people uncomfortable. Don’t look threatening. Don’t run. It’s unfortunate but many black men learn this lesson early on and some don’t. A person shouldn’t have to live under such stress but such is the reality of life.

 

Santorum Won AL and MS but Romney Still Frontrunner

Following last night's GOP election results proved a lot more interesting than many of the primaries thus far. Rick Santorum pulled out big wins in Alabama and Mississippi while Mitt Romney won the smaller primaries like Hawaii and Samoa.

Romney enjoys a big lead in the delegate tally but has failed to attain more than 50% of the vote in the big primaries except Idaho and Maine. To be a viable candidate, Santorum has to win big from now until the convention.

Amazingly, Newt Gingrich, who has only won one state --- Georgia, vowed to stay in the race. Is Gingrich really working for Romney? He clearly siphons votes away from Santorum and it would be a much different race without him in it.

On the bright side, with last night's races concluded, we have been spared from more of the clumsy pandering to Southern voters by the candidates. By the way, I like my grits with lots of butter and pepper with a little seasoned salt, y'all.

Justice is not Blind: Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull Should Resign

As you may know, Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull in Montana, forwarded a severely vulgar and racist e-mail from his courthouse computer to several friends about President Barack Obama and the President's mother who is deceased.

The e-mail, which was supposed to be a joke, implied that President Obama's mother was promiscuous, engaged in interracial sex and bestiality with a dog. Since we already know the President is the product of an interracial relationship, there is also an implication that he is sub-human which is what racists think about minorities anyway. Cebull admitted his political dislike for the President but said he's not racist.

The judge eventually apologized to President Obama after his actions were made public, however, there is tremendous cause for concern about Cebull's lack of judgement and objectivity when serving in his official capacity. Several elected officials and human rights organizations have asked Cebull to resign. Thus far, he has refused.

He self-reported his actions and his case will go before the Ninth Circuit court. Such courts have limited authority to discipline district judges within their circuits so it's likely he will skate through that process with nothing more than a tongue lashing and Cebull knows that.

Also note that federal district, circuit and Supreme Court judges enjoy a lifetime appointment and can be forced from office only through impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction in the Senate.

It is also particularly disturbing that insults to blacks are typically expected to be resolved with a mere apology but similarly offensive words or actions heaped at other ethnic groups are met with stronger punishment.

This situation is evidence that justice is not blind in all courtrooms in the United States of America. The e-mail Cebull forwarded was not a political joke, it was hateful, mean-spirited and racist. If Cebull feels that way about President Obama, there's no reason to feel he doesn't harbor similar feelings for all blacks, other minorities and women.

In his apology to President Obama, Cebull wrote: "Honestly, I don't know what else I can do." That's not a joke, he wrote that. Really.

What Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull can do is resign. Until he does, he will continue to taint his robe and the robes of his fellow jurists.

Mitt Romney Wins Arizona and Michigan

More jobs, less debt and smaller government. Restoring America's promise. That's the mantra from GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. It sounds like a good message to some Americans and is questionable to others.

If we, as Americans, don't remember the state of the nation President George W. Bush left us with, then we deserve the America that will be restored. Whether we're listening to President Obama, any one of the remaining GOP presidential candidates, or any elected official in our hometown, if we don't exercise critical thinking and vote accordingly, we are up the creek without the proverbial paddle for sure.

Mitt Romney won the Arizona and Michigan primaries last night. He didn't win with overwhelming victories and has still failed to connect with the typical American. His message is still about helping America's wealthy and reinstating business policy agreements that caused our country's leadership to have to bailout our banking and automobile industries.

He will also not balance the nation's budget. It sounds good but it's not practical nor realistic. Too much pain would be heaped upon the 99% to make that happen.

This political season is so very interesting. It has all the drama, comedy and fighting of any television reality show. Stay tuned.

P.S. Note to the Rick Santorum camp, check the demographics, the college-educated snobs voted for Mitt Romney.

We Can't Turn Back Now [VIDEO]

Five years ago presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama ignited a fire in Americans yearning for change in our government. Americans yearning for a better life…better opportunities…jobs…education. Hope. Change.

Unlike any presidential candidate before or since, Obama’s obvious racial difference was not the factor that endeared him to so many.  No, Barack Obama’s American story was the glue that weaved him through the hearts and minds of so many Americans who could identify with the challenges he overcame to attain a comfortable lifestyle in these United States of America.

Now five years later, after a historic victory, this man we know as Barack Hussein Obama, 44th President of the United States of America, remains the same intelligent, dignified, level-headed leader this nation needs. President Obama’s tenure has been met with such vitrol, disrespect and unsuccessful attempts to destroy this nation, it is almost unbelievable. These attempts have not come from outside but from within the leadership of this very nation who claim to be patriots. 

Now is the time to continue to move America forward with four more years of an Obama presidency. We are on the right track by addressing economic disparity and helping the poor and middle-class among other issues. We can’t turn back now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remembering Whitney Houston [VIDEO]

 

The world is still in shock over the death of Whitney Houston. She was only 48 years old yet she’d lived much of her life in the public eye. Houston’s troubles had been documented by the entertainment and news media. She even shared some of her private personal moments via reality television.

Whitney Houston was an incredibly talented and beautiful woman. It’s a shame her personal trials and tribulations were put on blast for the world to view but such is the world of a megastar. 

Some people will remember the Whitney Houston obviously struggling with drug addiction, others will remember her as a powerful singer, wonderful actress and beautiful model. In the end, Whitney Houston was a mother, daughter, sister, wife, aunt and friend just like many other women. May she rest in peace.

 

 

Related Links:

The Official Website of Whitney Houston

CNN: Whitney Houston Through the Years

Internet Movie Database: Whitney Houston

 

 

 

 

The Coronation of Bishop Eddie Long, Not a Good Move [VIDEO]

 

UPDATE: Bishop Eddie Long has apologized to the Anti-Defamation League for the inappropriate use of Jewish religious symbols during the coronation ceremony at New Birth.

I finally saw the controversial video of Bishop Eddie Long being anointed a king at New Birth Church in Lithonia, GA. Rabbi Ralph Messer who is unlike any rabbi I’ve ever met or even seen conducted this anointing or coronation ceremony.

You have to watch the video to see the show and that’s exactly what it was. At one point Long is wrapped in a torah. He is also seated and in chair, lifted and carried by four men as if he is on a throne. The sight is amazing; I understand why there was so much controversy.

I have largely not taken a public position on Bishop Long’s challenges of the sexual scandal or his marital strife. I can only say that this latest “crowning” incident does nothing to help him in the eyes of reasonable, prudent individuals. This is just sad and disgusting.

Moreover, since this crowning ceremony used sacred symbols of the Jewish religion, an even larger audience of religious practitioners offended by his actions will now form opinions about Long’s troubles --- and not in a good way.

By the way, Bishop Eddie Long is now king of what?