Throughout the world, over 40 million people are living with one of the most deadly diseases --- HIV and AIDS. It is likely that you know someone who has contracted the virus or who has already died from it. Because of the stigma of AIDS, one of my cousins, passed away several years ago in loneliness and isolation from our family. Without giving us an opportunity to say a loving good-bye to him, his mother selfishly had him buried far away from us. No one else, not even his father, knew what happened to him. It is a pain that I still carry and anger that I have yet to overcome with her. Not only did my cousin die a horrible death, he was also ashamed to disclose his homosexuality to the family. While I cannot fully understand how he must have felt, it was just another stupid attempt to conceal the obvious. I so want to say to him, "Hello cousin, tell us something we don’t already know." I would have hugged him and told him that we love all of him even if we don’t agree with his lifestyle. I just can’t imagine the pain and loneliness he must have endured. It was all so unnecessary. I know that my cousin probably wanted to save himself from the attempts to “straighten” him out. You know, he was definitely right about that. His choice would have wrought the same lectures heaped upon the “wayward” relatives whose chose to “live in sin” without the benefit of marriage. I love my family but some of their actions are as predictable as sunrise. All things considered, my cousin forgot how our family always has each other’s back. He forgot that we don’t always agree but we’re always family. What is more ironic is that he could have learned that he was not alone; there are other members of the family that are homosexual. What a sad end to a promising life. Don’t let HIV/AIDS break up your family and remember that no ever has to be alone. I love you, cousin. © 2005 VANESSA BYERS

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Labels: AIDS, Health

The NBA dress code caused a brief stir in the media. The players who opposed the change will fall in line, pay fines or quit. The latter two choices are highly unlikely.

The lesson? Everybody has to answer to someone. Even with their pimped out rides and blinged out cribs, they don’t run the show. Same owners. Different plantation.

I fail to see the big deal anyway. There’s nothing like a man in a nice suit. If they play this hand correctly, this new rule can lead to all kinds of clothing and shoe endorsements that they never would have been privy to.

More important, it’s also a prime business opportunity for them to produce their own quality clothing line. Cha-ching!

© 2005 VANESSA BYERS

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Labels: Commentary, Fashion, Lakers, NBA, Politics, Sports

An audit report released by the Miami-Dade County Inspector General’s office indicates that thousands of dollars donated by animal lovers to assist with the direct care of animals in the county’s shelter were actually used to pay for police department expenditures.

What makes this situation smell more like poop is that the current county mayor was the police chief who approved the expenditures.

What kind of expenditures you say? How about subsidizing staff payroll and purchasing a grill for almost $9,000? That’s just wrong.

The current police chief towed the party line and offered a lame excuse. This is just another example of why folks don’t feel comfortable making contributions through organizations. Hopefully, some of the donors will take this issue to court!

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/Issues/2005-11-17/news/metro3.html

© 2005 VANESSA BYERS

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Labels: Florida, Miami-Dade County, Pets, Police, Politics

if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll keep getting what we got.
it’s time for a revolution.
it’s time for an evolution.

a minority controlling the majority ain’t never been right.
a majority living in fear can’t never win the fight.
can’t win the fight, the battle or the war.
too many pimps and whores behind every door
to power and access to our own dollars.

too many sellouts.
always with their hands out.
ain't no need to scream and shout
'cause we know what it's all about.
need to get them the hell out.

if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll keep getting what we got.
it’s time for a revolution.
it’s time for an evolution.

take the red pill. wake up.
take the red pill. shake up.
government by the people, for the people.
free yourself.
be yourself.
think.
act.
be proactive.
act up.
shake up.
wake up.

if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll keep getting what we got.
it’s time for a revolution.
it’s time for an evolution.
too many poor people in a country so rich.
too many children dying and living in filth.
hurricanes expose the lie.
corporations getting richer while soldiers die.
selling poison in our neighborhoods.
who’s really protecting who?

think.
vote.
with your ballot and your bucks.

if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’ll keep getting what we got.
it’s time for a revolution.
it’s time for an evolution.
it’s time to expose all the pimps, whores and sellouts.
it’s time for a revolution.
it’s time for an evolution.
wake up.
it’s time.

--- Vanessa Byers (2005-11-26)

© 2005 VANESSA BYERS

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Labels: Poetry

Wake up, America. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced comprehensive tax reform legislation that contains major tax relief for America’s middle class. The senator’s website indicates that the bill makes the U.S. income tax code simpler, flatter and fairer.

Sounds great, doesn’t? Wait, there’s more. Wyden’s bill:

1. allows every taxpayer to file taxes on a simplified, one-page 1040 form;
2. collapses individual tax brackets from the current six down to three;
3. sets one, flat corporate rate;
4. ends the Alternative Minimum Tax for personal income taxes;
5. allows federal taxpayers who don't itemize to receive a tax break for state and local taxes;
6. ends a number of corporate tax preferences; and
7. allows the legislation to reduce the deficit by approximately $100 billion over the next five years.

Yippee! Break out the champagne. Come on, what’s not to like about this plan? It’s a sure bet that there will be much debate on this proposal. Problem is, it problem won’t get very far in the process. Why? Well, there are not enough “middle-class” politicians to make sure it happens and most important, voter apathy/ignorance will assure that it does not rate the appropriate news coverage.

© 2005 VANESSA BYERS

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Labels: Politics, Taxes

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank You, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank You, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank You, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, thanks when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud. Thank You, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank You, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank You, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank You, Lord, for life.

--Author unknown

© 2005 VANESSA BYERS

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Labels: Holidays, Inspiration, Poetry, Thanksgiving

Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson have officially called it quits.

Thank you. Is it really so newsworthy that we’re subjected to the “announcement” every hour on the hour? I don’t think so.

Divorce is a sad subject but, please, let’s move on to really important issues like a cure for AIDS, the war in Iraq, restoration of the nation’s Gulf states and cuts in federal funding. Remember those topics?

Best wishes to Nick and Jessica. Sorry, the relationship didn’t last. Note to the Press: Please, spare us the extensive media coverage on Brangelina, Brit and K-Fed, Tom and Katie and Paris and whoever.

© 2005 VANESSA BYERS

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Labels: Divorce, Entertainment, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Relationships

I wish Bill Clinton would run for president of the United States again. Better yet, let’s change the United States constitution and make him president for life.

He is so cool (except for that denying Monica thing). Hey, nobody’s perfect.

Bill has that magical “it” thing going on. In spite of his womanizing ways, we still like him. Republicans secretly like him too.

“It” is a gift. ‘It” cannot be bought or taught. “It” cannot be denied nor contained. Very few people have “it” bestowed upon them. How else can one explain the fact that Hillary forgave him for his many dalliances and President George Bush partnered with him to solicit donations for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts?

Love him or hate him, Bill Clinton has “it” going on. Don't hate the player, hate the game!

© 2005 VANESSA BYERS

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Labels: Bill Clinton, Commentary, Politics

The Internet is replete with comments about Beyonce Knowles. She’s so popular that she’s reached one name status. Cher, Madonna, Oprah, Whitney, Britney, Star, Jada. Her media machine is working and Beyonce is getting paid.

Inarguably, Beyonce is a beautiful woman. She has, much like J-Lo, become less and less ethnic looking. Profitable, but not a good thing.

Now, granted Beyonce has always been a light-complexioned Black woman. Lately, she’s become light, bright and damn near white. I’m not hatin’ on her, just being real.

Beyonce is everywhere. I’m getting tired of seeing and hearing her. She’s already crossed into the category of the over-exposed but I’ll save that rant for another time.

Now I must admit that Beyonce appears to be a very hard-working entertainer. With her latest stint on Broadway in “The Color Purple”, she’s probably covered all areas of the entertainment industry. That’s quite an accomplishment for a woman of her young years.

Here’s one aspect of the problem with the product placement of Beyonce. Most Black women don’t look like her. Most white women don’t look like her either but white women don’t have the same deeply-rooted self-hatred and self-esteem issues that Black women have.

Some folks may try to trivialize the issue but it’s very real. Word to all women, don’t become a puppet to the mainstream fashion, beauty and entertainment industries. Recognize and appreciate the natural beauty in all shades of the ethnicity rainbow. Love yourself no matter what you look like.

© 2005 VANESSA BYERS

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Labels: Beyonce, Black Culture, Business, Commentary, Entertainment, Ethnicity, Fashion, Music, Racism

Let’s be real, I may never be able to watch “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” again.

My planned trip to Jamaica is cancelled…over…done with…crossed off my to do list. Stella’s fantasy Caribbean dream man was “on the DL.” What? How could he?

Ms. McMillan has been humiliated beyond belief. After watching her and ex-hubby, Jonathan Plummer on Oprah, I didn’t know quite know how to feel. It was the strangest Oprah show I’d seen.

Plummer was clearly the prettiest one of the three on stage and I couldn’t help thinking, Miss Terry, that man is flaming! His skin, brow arch and make-up were flawless. Decked in casual chic attire, he was truly looking good. Mr. Plummer has definitely benefited from a make-better.

Are we women in such denial that we desperately try to hold on to a handsome but obviously gay man? Sisters, we need a reality check. We can be friends with gay men but let’s not ignore the obvious, okay?

It’s not safe and it’s definitely not healthy to do so. And men, don’t play such dangerous games either. I still don’t understand how Ms. McMillan could bring herself to share a tub with Mr. Plummer after all the verbal darts she threw at him. And just how could he share a tub with a woman who appeared to be on the verge of a breakdown? Perhaps they deserve each other. I do know that they both need counseling.

Too many innocent people (offspring, parents, friends, relatives) get caught up in the subterfuge of illicit relationships. Be yourself and free yourself. It’s a wonderful thing.

© 2005 VANESSA BYERS

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Labels: Commentary, Entertainment, Family, Homosexuality, Lifestyle, News