Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Brock Peters Film reviewed Mocking Bird
The real meat and potatoes of this movie from 1961 (check date) that finds a Black man (Brock Peters) charged with raping a White woman in the Ole South and a White liberal lawyer (Gregory Peck) , and hero of some sectors of the City including its' Black People-- defending Him, -- the Real meat and potatoes of this film is never really spoken or revealed. The subject, interfamily rape and incest, was most probably too heinous for the Hollywood of that day and time to deal with directly. The acting in this film, derived from the best-selling novel by Mr. Henry Lee with the same name, is stellar and unforgivingly raw. You don't want the film to end because it is so chilling and interesting. The Way the film, and I am sure the book, wraps and intersperses children and child actors into the plot makes it even more spectacular as such innocence and loss of innocence is also the focal point of this great film. Ms. Lee, who passed recently, was a superb writer who made the Peck / Lawyer character above reproach and a man of high integrity. What I thought would be interesting as well, would be if the racial roles were reversed. When you see the end of this film, you might have to think for a while about what I said at the beginning of this article. A major actor Robert Duvall, finds his early acting role here as Boo Riley. Then you too will be shocked. Look up some stats on child abuse and violent incest in the United States and your shock will turn to sorrow. This is Why just last week I sent a small donation to an anti child abuse agency with a Prayer that they are able to generate other funds and my own well wishes. Read the book, but if you don't have time or want to have an exciting evening, watch the movie as well. (This review needs updating for clarity & fact-checking).
The Power of Being Black ..... & LOVing It......
The Following Article was written by Brother Tracy Gibson some several months ago and is revisited here on December 11th, 2012 {Tuesday} for youR enjoyment, information, healing and consideration..... .
The Power of Being Black...... And Loving It.....
By Brother Tracy Gibson
Not enough of us, as Black People, really enjoy or understand the power and glee of being Black and really relishing in that fact. The fact of Blackness that cannot be changed... Not enough of us understand that politically, one of the best things in this world to be is a Black Person, and specifically and especially, a Black American at this present particular time in History........
Why do I say this? It has to do with moral and ethical leverage. We are a people who have historically suffered, but overcome. Who knew, for example, that when the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. was killed on April 4th in 1968 that he would become an international--if not an intergalactic moral and ethical star--a compass from which other moral and ethical leaders the world over would be compared to and that King would be appreciated and studied by school children all over the world. April 4th, 1968 was a sad day and at the time it looked as if we would never survive the day and get past the riots and the pain of such a loss--Let alone flourish and become some of the most imitated people {artistically and for our political planning, training, tactics and techniques} people on the planet. You might think that other people, especially some White People, really hate us, and some of them do. The haters are a very small minority. Most Whites just don't understand us and will never see the importance of understanding... {Not even with a Black President in the White House right now at the end of 2012 and on until the beginning of 2017....} But some of them, the White People, have tried for generations to do away with us through starvation, unemployment, lack of economic opportunities for our small and moderate sized businesses and by putting us on the front lines of their wars--or even actual using extermination through forced sterilization of our women. {There is even the Tuskegee study that killed several of our Black men through disease experimentation with STD's}.. This is history, I'm not making this stuff up. Yet we have survived and flourished as a people and our numbers have remained steady. {Certainly our quality of life has recently suffered with the economic down turn and the loss of jobs and economic clout, but there is always hope on the horizon.} Much of our strength has come from Doctor King who has taught us, along with hundreds and thousands of other community leaders and activists, Elijah Muhammad, Kwame TuRe, Angela Davis included, other teachers, civic and community leaders, just plane parents, pastors, doctors, writers, historians, visionaries and others in our community who have dedicated themselves to the community and our children and our children's futures these people have given us strength... Our strength and resilience has also come from our sheer ability to read and teach ourselves and each other about the problems we face and the truth about our history and the sheer insidiousness of the system we work and live under.
I say we have leverage because we are able to take our place as we exist in the world today--including our significant historic place in history--and pry open the minds of other people--Latin People, Asian People, curious White People, Muslims, Arabs, Jewish People and even Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered etc. People and others, and allow them to understand what importance our existence plays on the World Stage. {As I have said, several of these groups have mimicked our political tactics and strategies for their own benefit and we have to and need to start looking at this as a good thing and not be envious of other groups' gains, but look at their struggles as also moving humanity forward constantly and consistently. I say this especially about the current advantages that the Gay and Lesbian and or Same Gender Loving community have made [with marriage equality and Don't Ask Don't Tell in the Military] as well and especially them at this time}... Still, we have ethical leverage that many other people don't have or that other groups have not been able to pry free from the general public which has, until recently, remained steadfast in their rather Conservative and established political beliefs and their opposition to us.... {I say we have leverage because of how we have suffered and how we continue to be victimized even through Affirmative Action and jobs programs and other things that often don't work because we have been left out of the planning stages of these projects...} Our past and present suffering gives Way to us holding the keys to this leverage. But I don't, as our Pastor has said, I don't want us to be seen as victims. We have to surpass victim hood and see ourselves as heroes, champions and the leaders of tomorrow. It also has to do with self- love, self- respect and our constant and consistent desire to want to see ourselves move forward as a people. Block the hatred, and the negativity and move forward. BUT SELF LOVE is KEY!!!
What I really wanted to briefly discuss today is Black LOVE and how we gain so much from loving ourselves and our people. When we are proud of another Black person's achievements we have a real gift right there in our lap... When we are jealous we have something deep inside that needs to be dealt with..... Chills go up and down my spine as I write this because this is such a powerful thing that is right under our noses, and many of us understand the depth and magnitude of what I'm describing here. There is so much power, importance and fortitude in Black LOVE--of one's self and one's people. It is a secret weapon that allows us to experience a beautiful colorful prism through which life is seen anew, discovered a new and lived with new meaning, depth and girth. Being in LOVE with your people, and I mean just about ALL Black people, is a gift that you can really only give yourself if you were either raised with LOVE in your household, or have read enough and healed and appreciate Black people through your own personal expectations and your own personal colorful prism. Like me, you may have been filled with so much self-hatred, anger and self-pity that you experienced a series of emotional upsets and setbacks that required therapy over an extended period. Even so, the healing, once it comes, flows like the mighty NILE river UP to Egypt and has lasting and greatly positive benefits. This is largely how I came upon feeling this love for my people and myself and truly loving myself and ``WE.'' This LOVE has helped me achieve my own potential as an individual Black person, and has helped many of our other Brothers and Sisters achieve their own great and massive potentials as Well.
So, helping build self- LOVE, a LOVE for our people and respect for other Black people and LOVE for our achievements, is a gift you can give your children and grandchildren and is a gift that Will last and you and your family will reap a bountiful harvest from that gift for generations to come. Sometimes this ``gift'' comes in wolf's clothing. I have a friend, His name is Bruce, He lives in a rather squalid situation. He is a hoarder and He needs a lot of work done to His home. Bruce has helped me through many difficult times and is a LOVER of Black people, but He won't and can't seem to prioritize His own healing and get that house together. This is a mental illness. It is nothing to be ashamed of. I myself have had to struggle with mental illness--depression and bipolar ism. Bruce requires serious intervention before He will get himself able to extricate himself from his present circumstance. Most people let Him go and feel this is His business. He is a grown man, let Him be. I tried that for 10 years, but there has been no change. I did something drastic a few weeks or about a month ago. I took some shirts away from Him--away from His House--and put them in the cleaners. I told Bruce I would not give them back until he changed his circumstance. He was very angry and frustrated with me, even though He has now forgiven me. He might NOT be so forgiving soon, because I refuse to let Him drown with the Titanic Down at the Franklin Institute this month and early next year. Because, unfortunately for Him, {Bruce} I am not done yet. I can be a stubborn little fucker when I want to be. He loaned me $40.00 which I was suppose to get His shirts out of the Dry Cleaners with. I'm using the money for other things. I needed food because I only get $1,162.00 a month in disability and that is about enough to starve on. I won't have any money until next year {2013}... I decided 2013 will be something different for me. I'm NOT allowing myself to stay suck in the muck and mire of self pity, victimization, dis pare and anger. I'm pulling Myself UP. People tell me I must leave people like Bruce behind. But what do I do about all the LOVE I have for Him and how He has helped me for over ten years? What do I do about how He has Himself tried so hard to help Himself? This extrication and pulling up must be a mighty thing for me. Most people leave others behind, but I don't see how to do that. To the untrained naked eye I am just harassing Bruce, embarrassing Him and NOT acting in a LOVING way AT ALL.. People who think this are foolish, uneducated in the Ways of humanity and unknowing.... Sometimes the medicine of healing has a bitter taste. And sometimes you end up hurting yourself AND the other person by trying to lift up something that isn't ready to move. But Bruce is 60 years old. READY is here. The ``Other'' in me--the ``Other Black'' the man who has been cold and hungry and left out Himself knows I can't leave Bruce there in that situation. Should I call the authorities? Should I call my Pastor at church? I have to decide these issues and things in the next few days.
I hope you will understand the importance of this short article and how deep the feelings of real, authentic caring and LOVE are. It is NOT easy for some people to say they LOVE someone, because they were not brought up that Way. This article, writing it, has been a healing process in itself. I have been deeply hurt by another Black person {I have healed from it and learned with the vital help of a therapist over an extended period, as I have said. I never thought I would have gotten so many benefits that have kept on coming. You might need to do some healing yourself. You may have been or come up against a parent, an intimate partner, a stranger, a friend, another relative, an uncle, aunt, step-parent or grandparent or a Brother or Sister who hurt, mistreated or abused you, or you might have abused others. To really experience life to the fullest you must heal from that pain you felt or even the pain you caused others. The person who abused you MUST be forgiven for you to move on. It doesn't matter if the person who abused you is alive or dead. You have to find the healing POWER and forgive and move on... Otherwise you will find it hard to re-direct your life and move your life in the direction you want it to move into. You will find yourself addicted to food, drugs, sex, alcohol, or something else and your pain will come. It will come out in another way. The gift of mental and emotional healing is a great one and more of us as Black people need to understand this gift and help heal other Black people on a very deep level. My sister says that if Black people only got mental help and therapy for REPARATIONS it would do us all as a people a world of good. I agree. That is why I am intervening with Bruce and that is WHY people are calling me crazy. You see, you have adjusted to madness and craziness and so has Bruce. I have taken 35 years and healed. You probably haven't. That is why you can go into places that are called ``The Devil's Den'' and have coffee and sandwich and think nothing of it; that is why you can go Down Town in Philadelphia and spend $1,000.00 at Macy's Department Store and think nothing of it when there are no Black departments stores and WE as Blacks people continue to be relegated to being a ``consumer class'' of people; that is why you watch the news about a football player murdering his girlfriend and Himself in from of Football Executives and you go on eating your Captain Crunch cereal [because you have been inoculated against the truth having any impact on you the way it should for humans]; that is why you go on with the deep pain you feel inside and feel self-destructive and hateful towards yourself and refuse to get help and call it ``fear of the stigma of mental health healing'' and walk on with your pain in tact like a rusted iron butt plug up you ass.... Somehow you find pride and sanity as you watch ``The Simpson's'', on The FOX Network and think how nice it is that that little funny ``progressive'' cartoon has been on FOX [a Conservative network] for 20 years and that is just lovely. But I am here to question your sanity because I have already had my head examined and I am here to tell you about yourself, Greg, and IDA and Dena and Phil and Minister BJ.....and WADE and Terry [Love joy]--you for one Love joy are too fixed in comfort as are a few others at church.... You don't tussle any feathers and you don't want yours tussled, even though you told me you wanted to move from New Jersey, but you refuse to do so because you said yourself, you are ``comfortable'' ... Are you sane or have you adjusted to insanity?
When you have started on the Healing Path, you will find refuge and LOVE with other Black people who have also healed. When you have started on this Healing Path, you will find yourself able to talk more frankly and honestly with other Black people and tell them how you really feel and how glad you are that there is a GOD and a Jesus and that He has his hands over your life in a good Way. You will not mask your feelings, with too much marijuana or drink or blow or alcohol or cocaine--you will be able to have more open and honest relationships with your family members, LOVED ones and that someone special will appear or reappear in your life and you will be able to have that long term healthy relationship that you always wanted, but could never figure out why you could never achieve this and had to be alone for decades....
If you have NOT seen ``Flight'' with Denzel Washington I strongly suggest and recommend you go see it. It is about an airline pilot who is so cool He thinks He can ignore a cocaine and alcohol habit. But reality catches up with Him. This film is, like just about ALL of Denzel's films, it is well-acted, finely directed and sticks to your soul and memory like a good chicken and greens and apple pie dinner sticks to your ribs. Don't miss this film. It is a wake- up call. It will help guide you down a path of leadership and healing and better mental health. If you pay attention and don't continue to medicate yourself with food, medicine, alcohol, blow, cocaine, sex, hate, resentment and silly TV.
You, if you heal, you will have that better, more stable, healthier relationship as you heal. I don't care if you are 16 or 66, you will be ready when GOD says you are ready. It is never too late to start the Healing Process [the HP]. If you can't get the money for therapy or if you have bought into the silly ``prejudgments'' about therapy don't let that stop you because you can find your Way to the self- help section of the bookstore or library instead of buying new trains and going to the movies to see another comedy, or having rugged sex again GREG, you can start on that Healing Path [The HP]. This all includes me also, even after 35 years of therapy. Don't think I think I am exempt. This is how you weed the de il out of your life. And stop handing power over to him. You see, I no longer believe in the devil or sin, but that gets into another article. I can tell you this. I take the ``V'' out of the middle letter of that Mother Fucker's name and I turn it into the word VICTORY for myself and my people and your people--not for him to beat us up once again. It is that simple. Malcolm said BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY--I had to steal that ``V'' from that little Mother Fucker, you don't think he just gave it to me do you? Just like I had to steal Bruce's shirts........................................................iIhad to save Bruce's life and make the de il powerless..... You can do the same thing...
If you don't want to go to the book store and the library and go to the self-help section go to your Barber and your Pastor and talk it out, or a relative of significant other, but don't let things fester Like a raisin in the WHAT!!! Thank you Langston Hughes.... and Loraine Hans berry....fester inside like that football player did. You see the results there... Go with Abandon. Open you heart and your Spirit. Stop with the excuses, the self- medication, the alcohol and over sexualization the self-lies. I am NOT saying don't be gay or a homosexual. I'm a homosexual. BUT stop lying to yourself. Stop hiding things under the rug Ed. You live in a house that is also falling down and that has a lot of bumpy spots under the rugs where you have hidden your stories and lies and deceit. You are a church man. Do you actually think GOD doesn't know about what you have done and are doing? Do you actually think your church members don't know? When a person gets Brest cancer Cheryl they often have to have a radical mastectomy. The word Radical is what I am. People don't like that word. I am a radical person. I was put here by GOD to rip the wounds open so they can heal properly. Excuse the bumps inside my lips I have oral herpes. It will never go away or heal properly but it is somewhat treatable for the flair-ups on the inside..... Now, how will I ever find a LOVER who can deal with that? I'll have to take Him to the doctor with me and we will have to talk it out. This is therapy. I was lucky that I didn't get HIV because of the sexual activities I took part in, especially in New York City in the 1980's. Thank GOD that She [GOD] was with me in Spirit as I carried out my activities. The will kiss you on the cheek you will not get what I have, so don't go and get sick from stress you are causing yourself for not inviting me to you Birthday Party Mother Doris. I LOVe you and I think you have many more years with our church. You might NOT believe it, but this is a fine Way to bring about healing. There is a 900 pound gorilla at church at The Unity Fellowship Christ Church of Philadelphia and He is there every week. He is indifference, cattiness, pettiness, greed, hatred, self-hatred, anger, resentment, selfishness, stupidity, grief and silliness. It is OK to have political beliefs Brother Greg Jones. You can be a political Black man and not feel that you will feel persecuted. It is all throughout the Bible that you will be protected and have a long life. Please treat your lover Richard well. You see, I also love him, not in the Way you do, but He is my Brother and I love Him and YOU TOO... Yes, I was a bit jealous, but I'm had one apolitical lover before I really wasn't interested in having another one. It is time for this animal--this 600 pound gorilla--to go the way with the de il who is missing his ``V'' because the good ones among us stole that fucker's victory. You know what your problems are. You know because they DOG you each and every day. You know because you confess them to GOD sometimes, but most likely NOT even in church. They sit there among that 900 pound gorilla. In waiting, to pounce on all of us until you deal with them... Your Pastor tells you every Sunday, but you go and get some ice cream and medicate yourself with that and refuse to look at ``Michael Jackson's Man or Woman in the Mirror.....'' When you confess to your Pastor, your uncle, your aunt, your parents, your Brothers and Your sisters you will feel a new light a Bright Hope light burning inside you... You know what it is that is bothering you. You can't put your finger on it because the pain is too much. If you can't put your finger on it, try putting your finger on the feeling and talk to someone in your family or among your friends that your trust. An uncle or a Pastor. You will be giving yourself the gift of LOVE. You will be giving yourself the gift of Wellness wholeness, solitude, peace, self-worth, serenity, self-love and more stable thinking, a calmness... You will find it easier to make decisions and think through things properly because you will have an Angel on your shoulder and GOD in your pocket... the de il will melt like yesterday's nightmare... The decisions you make will be clearer, more accurate, better thought and through, more forthright, and more level headed. That means you too Carlos. I wish your LOVER could come to church with you once in a while. You have been a shining light for me and I LOVE you and I LOVE the Gay couples in our church.... Our church members will find themselves acting in reality NOT the fantasy way they saw last night on ``666 Park Avenue,'' Thanks Vanessa Williams, but don't give me more of the de il I'll just have to steal some more ``VICTORIES'' from that little fucker..you will find yourself becoming a leader, not a follower. No matter what age you are. Gandhi said something like ``Encourage the People and the Leaders will Follow,'' and as you know, King studied Gandhi. The more honest you become with yourself, Sissy, the more able you will be to see yourself as a leader. Your opinions will be sought after and you will insist on living in a cleaner environment Bruce, and you Will enjoy surrounding yourself with people who are about something positive and forward moving instead of people who will be unnecessarily critical, unconstructive in their criticism, negative and who want to hold you back and ``WE'' back as Black people. You will burn new paths in life instead of follow others like lost sheep and GET BURNED by others. Just stat by selecting one of the books from my book list about healing and helping the world to be a better place. In no time you will find yourself turning off the TV and reading book after book after book. Remember I LOVE you and I want to help. We can work through this money thing and NOT having a new church building. We have shoes. we have socks--thank you McKale--that was a gift of words that will forever give back to me--the healing process..... I want the best for my valued Brothers and Sisters. Write me at: BrotherTracy11@GMail.Com
and I'll send you that book list over e-mail. I Will show you a whole New Way of healing, growth and financial prosperity that you never knew was just around the corner, just across the street or just around the bend in life. I want you to LOVE yourself and our people. It is a gift that keeps on giving--forever.
This article was written by, prepared by and researched by Brother Tracy Gibson, a writer, activist and businessman operating in West Philadelphia {Born and Raised} He would LOVE to hear from you. Yes, that means you.....
Copyright warnings and infringements from ``It's Your Biz,'' By Susan Wilson Solovic, with Ellen R. Kadin and a forward by Edie Weiner. Page 150...
``Because I write many columns and blog posts for a variety of companies and media organizations, I use search-engine tools to alert me if anyone is picking up and using my material. Some people have literally copied my writing and presented it as their own, even though this is an obvious copyright infringement. There are both civil and criminal penalties for copyright violations, and the severity of the penalties depends on the situation.''
The Power of Being Black...... And Loving It.....
By Brother Tracy Gibson
Not enough of us, as Black People, really enjoy or understand the power and glee of being Black and really relishing in that fact. The fact of Blackness that cannot be changed... Not enough of us understand that politically, one of the best things in this world to be is a Black Person, and specifically and especially, a Black American at this present particular time in History........
Why do I say this? It has to do with moral and ethical leverage. We are a people who have historically suffered, but overcome. Who knew, for example, that when the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. was killed on April 4th in 1968 that he would become an international--if not an intergalactic moral and ethical star--a compass from which other moral and ethical leaders the world over would be compared to and that King would be appreciated and studied by school children all over the world. April 4th, 1968 was a sad day and at the time it looked as if we would never survive the day and get past the riots and the pain of such a loss--Let alone flourish and become some of the most imitated people {artistically and for our political planning, training, tactics and techniques} people on the planet. You might think that other people, especially some White People, really hate us, and some of them do. The haters are a very small minority. Most Whites just don't understand us and will never see the importance of understanding... {Not even with a Black President in the White House right now at the end of 2012 and on until the beginning of 2017....} But some of them, the White People, have tried for generations to do away with us through starvation, unemployment, lack of economic opportunities for our small and moderate sized businesses and by putting us on the front lines of their wars--or even actual using extermination through forced sterilization of our women. {There is even the Tuskegee study that killed several of our Black men through disease experimentation with STD's}.. This is history, I'm not making this stuff up. Yet we have survived and flourished as a people and our numbers have remained steady. {Certainly our quality of life has recently suffered with the economic down turn and the loss of jobs and economic clout, but there is always hope on the horizon.} Much of our strength has come from Doctor King who has taught us, along with hundreds and thousands of other community leaders and activists, Elijah Muhammad, Kwame TuRe, Angela Davis included, other teachers, civic and community leaders, just plane parents, pastors, doctors, writers, historians, visionaries and others in our community who have dedicated themselves to the community and our children and our children's futures these people have given us strength... Our strength and resilience has also come from our sheer ability to read and teach ourselves and each other about the problems we face and the truth about our history and the sheer insidiousness of the system we work and live under.
I say we have leverage because we are able to take our place as we exist in the world today--including our significant historic place in history--and pry open the minds of other people--Latin People, Asian People, curious White People, Muslims, Arabs, Jewish People and even Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered etc. People and others, and allow them to understand what importance our existence plays on the World Stage. {As I have said, several of these groups have mimicked our political tactics and strategies for their own benefit and we have to and need to start looking at this as a good thing and not be envious of other groups' gains, but look at their struggles as also moving humanity forward constantly and consistently. I say this especially about the current advantages that the Gay and Lesbian and or Same Gender Loving community have made [with marriage equality and Don't Ask Don't Tell in the Military] as well and especially them at this time}... Still, we have ethical leverage that many other people don't have or that other groups have not been able to pry free from the general public which has, until recently, remained steadfast in their rather Conservative and established political beliefs and their opposition to us.... {I say we have leverage because of how we have suffered and how we continue to be victimized even through Affirmative Action and jobs programs and other things that often don't work because we have been left out of the planning stages of these projects...} Our past and present suffering gives Way to us holding the keys to this leverage. But I don't, as our Pastor has said, I don't want us to be seen as victims. We have to surpass victim hood and see ourselves as heroes, champions and the leaders of tomorrow. It also has to do with self- love, self- respect and our constant and consistent desire to want to see ourselves move forward as a people. Block the hatred, and the negativity and move forward. BUT SELF LOVE is KEY!!!
What I really wanted to briefly discuss today is Black LOVE and how we gain so much from loving ourselves and our people. When we are proud of another Black person's achievements we have a real gift right there in our lap... When we are jealous we have something deep inside that needs to be dealt with..... Chills go up and down my spine as I write this because this is such a powerful thing that is right under our noses, and many of us understand the depth and magnitude of what I'm describing here. There is so much power, importance and fortitude in Black LOVE--of one's self and one's people. It is a secret weapon that allows us to experience a beautiful colorful prism through which life is seen anew, discovered a new and lived with new meaning, depth and girth. Being in LOVE with your people, and I mean just about ALL Black people, is a gift that you can really only give yourself if you were either raised with LOVE in your household, or have read enough and healed and appreciate Black people through your own personal expectations and your own personal colorful prism. Like me, you may have been filled with so much self-hatred, anger and self-pity that you experienced a series of emotional upsets and setbacks that required therapy over an extended period. Even so, the healing, once it comes, flows like the mighty NILE river UP to Egypt and has lasting and greatly positive benefits. This is largely how I came upon feeling this love for my people and myself and truly loving myself and ``WE.'' This LOVE has helped me achieve my own potential as an individual Black person, and has helped many of our other Brothers and Sisters achieve their own great and massive potentials as Well.
So, helping build self- LOVE, a LOVE for our people and respect for other Black people and LOVE for our achievements, is a gift you can give your children and grandchildren and is a gift that Will last and you and your family will reap a bountiful harvest from that gift for generations to come. Sometimes this ``gift'' comes in wolf's clothing. I have a friend, His name is Bruce, He lives in a rather squalid situation. He is a hoarder and He needs a lot of work done to His home. Bruce has helped me through many difficult times and is a LOVER of Black people, but He won't and can't seem to prioritize His own healing and get that house together. This is a mental illness. It is nothing to be ashamed of. I myself have had to struggle with mental illness--depression and bipolar ism. Bruce requires serious intervention before He will get himself able to extricate himself from his present circumstance. Most people let Him go and feel this is His business. He is a grown man, let Him be. I tried that for 10 years, but there has been no change. I did something drastic a few weeks or about a month ago. I took some shirts away from Him--away from His House--and put them in the cleaners. I told Bruce I would not give them back until he changed his circumstance. He was very angry and frustrated with me, even though He has now forgiven me. He might NOT be so forgiving soon, because I refuse to let Him drown with the Titanic Down at the Franklin Institute this month and early next year. Because, unfortunately for Him, {Bruce} I am not done yet. I can be a stubborn little fucker when I want to be. He loaned me $40.00 which I was suppose to get His shirts out of the Dry Cleaners with. I'm using the money for other things. I needed food because I only get $1,162.00 a month in disability and that is about enough to starve on. I won't have any money until next year {2013}... I decided 2013 will be something different for me. I'm NOT allowing myself to stay suck in the muck and mire of self pity, victimization, dis pare and anger. I'm pulling Myself UP. People tell me I must leave people like Bruce behind. But what do I do about all the LOVE I have for Him and how He has helped me for over ten years? What do I do about how He has Himself tried so hard to help Himself? This extrication and pulling up must be a mighty thing for me. Most people leave others behind, but I don't see how to do that. To the untrained naked eye I am just harassing Bruce, embarrassing Him and NOT acting in a LOVING way AT ALL.. People who think this are foolish, uneducated in the Ways of humanity and unknowing.... Sometimes the medicine of healing has a bitter taste. And sometimes you end up hurting yourself AND the other person by trying to lift up something that isn't ready to move. But Bruce is 60 years old. READY is here. The ``Other'' in me--the ``Other Black'' the man who has been cold and hungry and left out Himself knows I can't leave Bruce there in that situation. Should I call the authorities? Should I call my Pastor at church? I have to decide these issues and things in the next few days.
I hope you will understand the importance of this short article and how deep the feelings of real, authentic caring and LOVE are. It is NOT easy for some people to say they LOVE someone, because they were not brought up that Way. This article, writing it, has been a healing process in itself. I have been deeply hurt by another Black person {I have healed from it and learned with the vital help of a therapist over an extended period, as I have said. I never thought I would have gotten so many benefits that have kept on coming. You might need to do some healing yourself. You may have been or come up against a parent, an intimate partner, a stranger, a friend, another relative, an uncle, aunt, step-parent or grandparent or a Brother or Sister who hurt, mistreated or abused you, or you might have abused others. To really experience life to the fullest you must heal from that pain you felt or even the pain you caused others. The person who abused you MUST be forgiven for you to move on. It doesn't matter if the person who abused you is alive or dead. You have to find the healing POWER and forgive and move on... Otherwise you will find it hard to re-direct your life and move your life in the direction you want it to move into. You will find yourself addicted to food, drugs, sex, alcohol, or something else and your pain will come. It will come out in another way. The gift of mental and emotional healing is a great one and more of us as Black people need to understand this gift and help heal other Black people on a very deep level. My sister says that if Black people only got mental help and therapy for REPARATIONS it would do us all as a people a world of good. I agree. That is why I am intervening with Bruce and that is WHY people are calling me crazy. You see, you have adjusted to madness and craziness and so has Bruce. I have taken 35 years and healed. You probably haven't. That is why you can go into places that are called ``The Devil's Den'' and have coffee and sandwich and think nothing of it; that is why you can go Down Town in Philadelphia and spend $1,000.00 at Macy's Department Store and think nothing of it when there are no Black departments stores and WE as Blacks people continue to be relegated to being a ``consumer class'' of people; that is why you watch the news about a football player murdering his girlfriend and Himself in from of Football Executives and you go on eating your Captain Crunch cereal [because you have been inoculated against the truth having any impact on you the way it should for humans]; that is why you go on with the deep pain you feel inside and feel self-destructive and hateful towards yourself and refuse to get help and call it ``fear of the stigma of mental health healing'' and walk on with your pain in tact like a rusted iron butt plug up you ass.... Somehow you find pride and sanity as you watch ``The Simpson's'', on The FOX Network and think how nice it is that that little funny ``progressive'' cartoon has been on FOX [a Conservative network] for 20 years and that is just lovely. But I am here to question your sanity because I have already had my head examined and I am here to tell you about yourself, Greg, and IDA and Dena and Phil and Minister BJ.....and WADE and Terry [Love joy]--you for one Love joy are too fixed in comfort as are a few others at church.... You don't tussle any feathers and you don't want yours tussled, even though you told me you wanted to move from New Jersey, but you refuse to do so because you said yourself, you are ``comfortable'' ... Are you sane or have you adjusted to insanity?
When you have started on the Healing Path, you will find refuge and LOVE with other Black people who have also healed. When you have started on this Healing Path, you will find yourself able to talk more frankly and honestly with other Black people and tell them how you really feel and how glad you are that there is a GOD and a Jesus and that He has his hands over your life in a good Way. You will not mask your feelings, with too much marijuana or drink or blow or alcohol or cocaine--you will be able to have more open and honest relationships with your family members, LOVED ones and that someone special will appear or reappear in your life and you will be able to have that long term healthy relationship that you always wanted, but could never figure out why you could never achieve this and had to be alone for decades....
If you have NOT seen ``Flight'' with Denzel Washington I strongly suggest and recommend you go see it. It is about an airline pilot who is so cool He thinks He can ignore a cocaine and alcohol habit. But reality catches up with Him. This film is, like just about ALL of Denzel's films, it is well-acted, finely directed and sticks to your soul and memory like a good chicken and greens and apple pie dinner sticks to your ribs. Don't miss this film. It is a wake- up call. It will help guide you down a path of leadership and healing and better mental health. If you pay attention and don't continue to medicate yourself with food, medicine, alcohol, blow, cocaine, sex, hate, resentment and silly TV.
You, if you heal, you will have that better, more stable, healthier relationship as you heal. I don't care if you are 16 or 66, you will be ready when GOD says you are ready. It is never too late to start the Healing Process [the HP]. If you can't get the money for therapy or if you have bought into the silly ``prejudgments'' about therapy don't let that stop you because you can find your Way to the self- help section of the bookstore or library instead of buying new trains and going to the movies to see another comedy, or having rugged sex again GREG, you can start on that Healing Path [The HP]. This all includes me also, even after 35 years of therapy. Don't think I think I am exempt. This is how you weed the de il out of your life. And stop handing power over to him. You see, I no longer believe in the devil or sin, but that gets into another article. I can tell you this. I take the ``V'' out of the middle letter of that Mother Fucker's name and I turn it into the word VICTORY for myself and my people and your people--not for him to beat us up once again. It is that simple. Malcolm said BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY--I had to steal that ``V'' from that little Mother Fucker, you don't think he just gave it to me do you? Just like I had to steal Bruce's shirts........................................................iIhad to save Bruce's life and make the de il powerless..... You can do the same thing...
If you don't want to go to the book store and the library and go to the self-help section go to your Barber and your Pastor and talk it out, or a relative of significant other, but don't let things fester Like a raisin in the WHAT!!! Thank you Langston Hughes.... and Loraine Hans berry....fester inside like that football player did. You see the results there... Go with Abandon. Open you heart and your Spirit. Stop with the excuses, the self- medication, the alcohol and over sexualization the self-lies. I am NOT saying don't be gay or a homosexual. I'm a homosexual. BUT stop lying to yourself. Stop hiding things under the rug Ed. You live in a house that is also falling down and that has a lot of bumpy spots under the rugs where you have hidden your stories and lies and deceit. You are a church man. Do you actually think GOD doesn't know about what you have done and are doing? Do you actually think your church members don't know? When a person gets Brest cancer Cheryl they often have to have a radical mastectomy. The word Radical is what I am. People don't like that word. I am a radical person. I was put here by GOD to rip the wounds open so they can heal properly. Excuse the bumps inside my lips I have oral herpes. It will never go away or heal properly but it is somewhat treatable for the flair-ups on the inside..... Now, how will I ever find a LOVER who can deal with that? I'll have to take Him to the doctor with me and we will have to talk it out. This is therapy. I was lucky that I didn't get HIV because of the sexual activities I took part in, especially in New York City in the 1980's. Thank GOD that She [GOD] was with me in Spirit as I carried out my activities. The will kiss you on the cheek you will not get what I have, so don't go and get sick from stress you are causing yourself for not inviting me to you Birthday Party Mother Doris. I LOVe you and I think you have many more years with our church. You might NOT believe it, but this is a fine Way to bring about healing. There is a 900 pound gorilla at church at The Unity Fellowship Christ Church of Philadelphia and He is there every week. He is indifference, cattiness, pettiness, greed, hatred, self-hatred, anger, resentment, selfishness, stupidity, grief and silliness. It is OK to have political beliefs Brother Greg Jones. You can be a political Black man and not feel that you will feel persecuted. It is all throughout the Bible that you will be protected and have a long life. Please treat your lover Richard well. You see, I also love him, not in the Way you do, but He is my Brother and I love Him and YOU TOO... Yes, I was a bit jealous, but I'm had one apolitical lover before I really wasn't interested in having another one. It is time for this animal--this 600 pound gorilla--to go the way with the de il who is missing his ``V'' because the good ones among us stole that fucker's victory. You know what your problems are. You know because they DOG you each and every day. You know because you confess them to GOD sometimes, but most likely NOT even in church. They sit there among that 900 pound gorilla. In waiting, to pounce on all of us until you deal with them... Your Pastor tells you every Sunday, but you go and get some ice cream and medicate yourself with that and refuse to look at ``Michael Jackson's Man or Woman in the Mirror.....'' When you confess to your Pastor, your uncle, your aunt, your parents, your Brothers and Your sisters you will feel a new light a Bright Hope light burning inside you... You know what it is that is bothering you. You can't put your finger on it because the pain is too much. If you can't put your finger on it, try putting your finger on the feeling and talk to someone in your family or among your friends that your trust. An uncle or a Pastor. You will be giving yourself the gift of LOVE. You will be giving yourself the gift of Wellness wholeness, solitude, peace, self-worth, serenity, self-love and more stable thinking, a calmness... You will find it easier to make decisions and think through things properly because you will have an Angel on your shoulder and GOD in your pocket... the de il will melt like yesterday's nightmare... The decisions you make will be clearer, more accurate, better thought and through, more forthright, and more level headed. That means you too Carlos. I wish your LOVER could come to church with you once in a while. You have been a shining light for me and I LOVE you and I LOVE the Gay couples in our church.... Our church members will find themselves acting in reality NOT the fantasy way they saw last night on ``666 Park Avenue,'' Thanks Vanessa Williams, but don't give me more of the de il I'll just have to steal some more ``VICTORIES'' from that little fucker..you will find yourself becoming a leader, not a follower. No matter what age you are. Gandhi said something like ``Encourage the People and the Leaders will Follow,'' and as you know, King studied Gandhi. The more honest you become with yourself, Sissy, the more able you will be to see yourself as a leader. Your opinions will be sought after and you will insist on living in a cleaner environment Bruce, and you Will enjoy surrounding yourself with people who are about something positive and forward moving instead of people who will be unnecessarily critical, unconstructive in their criticism, negative and who want to hold you back and ``WE'' back as Black people. You will burn new paths in life instead of follow others like lost sheep and GET BURNED by others. Just stat by selecting one of the books from my book list about healing and helping the world to be a better place. In no time you will find yourself turning off the TV and reading book after book after book. Remember I LOVE you and I want to help. We can work through this money thing and NOT having a new church building. We have shoes. we have socks--thank you McKale--that was a gift of words that will forever give back to me--the healing process..... I want the best for my valued Brothers and Sisters. Write me at: BrotherTracy11@GMail.Com
and I'll send you that book list over e-mail. I Will show you a whole New Way of healing, growth and financial prosperity that you never knew was just around the corner, just across the street or just around the bend in life. I want you to LOVE yourself and our people. It is a gift that keeps on giving--forever.
This article was written by, prepared by and researched by Brother Tracy Gibson, a writer, activist and businessman operating in West Philadelphia {Born and Raised} He would LOVE to hear from you. Yes, that means you.....
Copyright warnings and infringements from ``It's Your Biz,'' By Susan Wilson Solovic, with Ellen R. Kadin and a forward by Edie Weiner. Page 150...
``Because I write many columns and blog posts for a variety of companies and media organizations, I use search-engine tools to alert me if anyone is picking up and using my material. Some people have literally copied my writing and presented it as their own, even though this is an obvious copyright infringement. There are both civil and criminal penalties for copyright violations, and the severity of the penalties depends on the situation.''
Rolling Stones
Have you ever heard the song from Rolling Stone that goes like this:
``You can’t always get what you want.
You can’t always get what you want.
But if you try sometimes, you just might find.
You get what you need.’’
These are the words from the Rolling Stones, who made hundreds of dollars touring such songs through their live act -- Cost to cost and around the world.
Now can anyone of you great people, who follow me or who are fearful for some reason of calling me, tell me why the Rolling Stones wants us to settle for getting a few things we need instead of what we really want, which might cost a great deal more ?
Since when do they -- the rolling stones -- NOT GET WHAT T-H-E-Y WANT? There is plenty of wealth to go around for everyone in this great country of ours -- Turtle Island. Including the left out, the forgotten and the never minded, who never get anything at all, but a hard way to go and a true feeling of being exploited.
Just asking.
I don’t think very much that people of supposed wealth like the Rolling Stones want, that they don’t get.
Is anyone hearing me?
I think they get pretty much what they want AND need. Us little people are supposed to sit around
and dream and do without. Some of us resort to stealing things and end up going to jail and ending up sometimes effectively blocked out of the employment cycle and blocked out of the pay cycle and blocked out of the money cycle just because they wanted to have food for the table and a nice table cloth and some clothing for their children’s feet, so they stole from Kay Mart or Wall Greens. NoT fair is it? Tell me what you think. Call me at 1 { 215 } 823 – 9985. And leave your opinions. You can leave them anonymously or with your name and phone number or without your phone number. No harm will come to you for having an opinion.
This is why I walked out on a recent movie ``Widows’’ because I saw more ethical values in the White male criminal character who was dead at the beginning of the film than I saw in any of the Black characters through the first 45 minutes of the film. I walked out in discuss. I should have asked for my money back. Next time I will, if there is a next time.
``Hunter Killer,’’ was an excellent film with Common in it along with some other stars. It was actually a military Peace movie. Unfortunately it was gone from the theaters before I got a chance to tell my friends that it was at the movies & worth seeing.
Please look on my blog at http://thePoliticsofREAL.Blogspot.Com
To read my views on the Academy and Kevin Hart.
Letter to the Motion Picture Association of America and Others. from 2015, January 8th.
January 8th, 2015 Thursday
From: Mr. Tracy Charles Gibson,
Writer—Film Critic –Social Commentator—Researcher
Post Office Box 42878
Philadelphia, Common Wealth of Pennsylvania 19101-2878
1(215) 921-2065
Draft to: Pastor Robin Hynicka of Arch Street United Methodist Church, in Philadelphia.
Draft to: Brother Magic Johnson, Expert Businessman, Former L.A. Basketball STAR.
Draft To: Denzel Washington, Actor, Director, Producer.
Draft to: Martin Sheen, Actor, International Progressive Political Activist.
The Hudlin Entertainment Group
TV Anchor Woman Robin Roberts
Motivational Speaker Anthony Roberts
TV Celebrity Steve Harvey
Jill Scott, Actress, Singer.
Ms Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director, Philadelphia Film Office.
Pitbull Productions – The Mango / Banana Subdivision..
Jennifer Lopez, Actress, Singer, Philanthropist.
Blake Shelton, Noted Country Singer.
Harry Belafonte, Actor Singer, Activist.
Draft to: Director Dee Rees.
Draft to: Mr. Bill Cosby, comedy expert, educator, Actor, born in Philadelphia.
Draft to: Mr. Wynton Marsalis, Prestigious Jazz Trumpeter& Jazz expert from New Orleans & New York .
Draft to: Mr. Spike Lee, Writer, Film Director, Producer, Businessman…
Draft to: Queen Latifah, Actress, Rapper, Business Woman, Activist.
Draft To: Sister Charlotte Harris, Activist, Educator, Board Member of Brother Tracy Gibson & Associates, Inc.
Draft To: Ms. Michelle Parkerson, Black Film Director from Wash D.C.
Draft To: Pastor Jeffery A. Haskins, Presiding at Unity Fellowship Christ Church Philadelphia, Former Actor, Public Speaker.
Draft To: Mr. Harum Ulmer, Originally from Philadelphia, Actor, Children’s Theater Director.
Draft to: Brother Rod Risebrook, Black Film Director from Brooklyn, New York.
Draft To: Mr. Kamau Gibson Hunter, Black Film Director from Brazil.
Drafts To: Quency & Deondray Gossfield, Directors, Film writers, Actors.
Draft To: Mr. Tyler Perry, Actor, Director, Producer of a few fine movies from Atlanta.
Draft to: The Motion Picture Association of America;
500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 403,
Harrison, New York 10528;
&
Actor’s Equity; 165 West 46th Street;
New York, New York 10036;
&
Director’s Guild,
Brother Darrell L. Hope;
110 West 57th Street;
New York, New York 10019…
&
The Film Foundation,
7920 Sunset Boulevard, 6th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90046
Re: Improving on How Movies get rated; demanding new gerunds & Asking Who decides what movie topics & movie subjects get to be considered & accepted for actual production of feature films in the United States for International distribution… How do we improve on this picture!!!
Dear Madam or Sir:
I am an avid movie watcher & I have been since a very early age. I know there is a social, economic & intimate equation used to figure out what movies get rated. My feeling is the system needs to be changed & overhauled dramatically to allow for more professionalism, more broader subject areas to be studied both artistically & through the documentary format & for a greater number of independent films to get the kind of rating that will allow for a broader more main stream audience to accept them… While these changes must be dramatic, I think they can be put on a time schedule that would allow them, the changes that is, to be phased in over time incrementally. My feeling is the film rating system needs to be changed to include new gerunds that really didn’t exist before. For example, X-Rated films really should not just be all lumped together as X films and given a public shunning when people privately spend hundreds of dollars on such movies. [Some of them may have parts or entire films that are of some artistic value.].
There should be, in my humble estimation, a gerund that denotes educational video among the adult film venue. Such films, although adult, could be used to help sometimes reluctant parents teach a higher level of ethical intimate behaviors to their children. *[ I am not a parent, but I am deeply concerned as to what our young People are watching. I think there should be an independent board that answers to the public need to determine ratings, but I feel this board must be REALLY independent and include regular people, parents & some younger people [over 20-years of age] as well & be racially mixed, mixed as far as religion, class, income level, sex, and sexual orientation.] Such independent adult films could include no slapping or a great deal less slapping or hitting; no violence of any kind and no ethnic slurs; Women would need to be treated like real human beings for a change, as would Lesbians and Gay men. Such films could have more meaningful story lines, complex dialogue, and a greater acting skill level than what is common in present adult film. Such a film could have some kind of Adult Sexual Education designation and could be separated along lines of sexual orientation—Gay or Straight. I would also recommend no sharing of body fluids & a required use of condoms in such films. These films would be mostly for entertainment purposes for adults over 21 years of age. For example they might be called: More Ethically Sensitive Adult Films.
There is yet another gerund for more adult films. These would be used to help parents, as mentioned earlier, to make sense of sexuality, intimacy, early sexual development of their teen-aged children, if the parents so desired to use them as an educational venue. Early sexual encounters & other early quasi-sexual encounters that youth may have had with adults or other people in the family or just friends or employers may have a devastating and deleterious impact on young adults and teen if they have no context through which to experience such early experiences. I am not saying that such encounters between adults and teens were or are of an overt sexual nature. Such encounters may have been an awkward conversation or an awkward phone conversation with a parent, an ole aunt or uncle; a phone conversation or personal conversation with a peer; or may have been more openly intimate in nature. Degrees & levels of decency & appropriateness need to be made clear early on for young people so boundaries can be established & not so easily crossed as they tend to be right now in Western society, especially in the United States. There needs to be some penalties for crossing such boundaries put forth by parents, grandparents or guardians, but those penalties don’t need to be gross, unusual or too harsh, but they need to make clear what was done wrong & there needs to be help to make sure they don’t happen again. Such film would be more educational in nature than for entertainment purposes. These films could be for young People between the ages of 13 to 20. They could be called for example: Films That Educate Our Youth on Appropriate Sexual Matters, Intimacy& Sexual etiquette.
There could also be another designation for youth 5 to 16 talking about inappropriate & appropriate touching by adults & peers& how to ``deal with same’’ if & when they happen Listening to trusted& responsible adults, responsible grandparents, & other significant& trusted family members can have a significant positive impact on lessening the long-term damage to youth in such cases. I, for one, don’t think that just because a person in the family is Gay or Lesbian that their sexual orientation makes one unqualified to be a trusted or significant role model or parent-like member of the family. I have friends who are male homosexuals who have sons & children of their own& have done wonderful work at raising their children in relatively healthy households. Back on subject, such film could be used to help the extended family avoid those ``sweep-under-the-rug’’ subjects like incest, sexual child abuse, molestation, sexual violence and inappropriate touching, etc. These films could help expose the abusers in the family & help lead to psychiatric help for such family members instead of just ignoring or shunning such family members. Such film could also be used to help determine what happens exactly in such cases and help those abused feel lee victimized and more empowered. This would certainly lead to more healthy families in the Black & Latin community. I am sure ALL ethnic communities could benefit greatly from such a new film gerund. For the African, Caribbean and African American family, bringing in traditional African mores, traditions, family histories, long-held values & so forth may very well be very beneficial, even if such mores & family values go against more modern family traditions & more modern community standards. Such film might be called: Films That Examine Appropriate Interactions with Our Youth.
At the same time, these newly proposed changes are not thought up or proposed to curb or curtail artistic expression. Rather, they are being extended to help give legitimate boundaries to move towards helping people understand the new realities they are faced with each and every day in modern Western societies. I think of, for example, how Black families used to feed each other very unhealthy foods at family reunions. For example, now very few Black family Reunions, even in the Deep South--where more traditional Soul Food cuisine is prevalent--offer some vegetarian alternatives. Many younger people & the older more responsible people want to eat or try delicious vegetarian foods even if it is for the first time. There may even be a person in the family or two, like my sister, who specialize in cooking such vegetarian fair. Back to the subject at hand, like food, with film, it is important to point out that I am not saying to do away with all the other types of adult films. People will still want traditionally fattening foods like they will want traditionally over-the-top adult film. Taking away choices might well be impossible because of the inexpensiveness of producing independent film on a shoestring budget & because of the ``underground market’’ for such film. Just offering alternatives will be hard enough for the porn establishment to embrace & accept. By the same token, it is hard, but improving, for the food industry to accept vegetarian alternatives that are better for us and less fatty, salty and processed. The market for an array of film that might exhibit some of what might by many be considered very odd & strange behaviors, is still very strong. I have personally tried to avoid such films that, in my own estimation, go too far. But having an alternative & more choices will have, I believe, a very positive impact on our culture and our People here in North America.
I would like you to circulate this letter to your friends in the Film Industry and write me back to let me know how I can extend the impact of this letter and any other such letters about film ratings and how there is a rising need to change the codes through which films are rated. The Goal is to extend and create or recreate new film gerunds in U.S. & World Markets; break down stereotypes at all levels and in all Ways; improve the quality and diversity of films of major production; hire more Black actors, Black directors & more Black producers, as well as People of color of other ethnic groups and stop the marginalization of our Darker Brother and Darker Sisters; increase the viability, financial accessibility& visibility of Independently Produced films; increase the financing for Grass-Roots film production; and make sure the voices and images of Black People and other formerly marginalized people and poor people are clearly heard and clearly seen. Creating safe spaces for more educationally intimate films to be created that will ultimately bring forth a better, more healthy environment for families to talk about intimacy & sexuality in a coherent, knowledgeable, insightful & parentally authoritative Way that will help spread more truth, create family stability & lessen fear and ignorance on this subject,
Peace & Blessings,
Tracy Charles Gibson, Activist
Post Script: This ``need for change’’ is also why I don’t watch or order cable TV. If they had a package for intelligent viewers I would get cable. I’m NOT paying for the crap on cable TV which I don’t watch and don’t want to pay for. Why can’t they help consumers by allowing them to designate a more personalized package that, for me, might include a Real Black Network; OWN; The BBC; NPR; Discover Channel; The Black Movie Station; & A more Grass roots News station along with foreign, independent & alternative Black film, shorts & TV programming. This seems a simple enough technology.
670 North 41st Street
APT B
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 – 5202
1 [ 215 ] 823 -- 9985
Dear Jannie L. Blackwell:
I would first like to thank you for your 26 Plus years of service to the community of West Philadelphia. I look back at your time in office & I see dedication, hard work, team playing, a great attitude, concern for the Black community, a special concern on the issue of Education, a fighter to keep Libraries, public pools & recreation centers open as well as a fighter against the gentrification of Black neighborhoods. Your tireless, High-energy level of work& dedication is renowned throughout the state.
[ Please know that the above statement is written by me -- a registered Republican -- & in authentic, Real & heart-felt.].
At the same time I know a great deal about work & when it is time to leave work and just sit back & go fishing, relax, & enjoy family & life.
Perhaps I am out of place, but I want you to consider stepping down & retiring from your position as city councilwoman for the 3rd District of Philadelphia. I want you to retire while you are on top of your situation -- where you have helped hundreds of people, are respected & -- frankly -- LOVed.
We talk endlessly about How we want to help young Black people, and yet your seat, a plum in the political Realm here in Philadelphia, is blocked from their access because you have a powerful political name & are so dedicated.
I would like to be one of the people who work to help you and other concerned West Philadelphians choose a successor for your Council seat.
I know the new council person will lose years of seniority, but West Philadelphia deeply needs Fresh & innovative ideas, a fresh face & fresh, clean energy.
Part of the reason so Few people vote in Philadelphia is because they are not excited, not motivated, & are tired of the same old story and the same old way of dealing with the same problems.
Technology is being used to re-enslave our people, regardless of skin color. It is about being cast in roles that won’t change even if you have a high level of qualifications, a good attitude, & are willing to work hard.
I remember when your office actually sent out letters & resumes for me to find a job -- about 20 years ago. Yet, somehow, I feel I have been blocked out of curtain jobs & opportunities because I have challenged the system & have constantly said we can do better.
With all due respect, I want you to step down with all your natural GRACE & DIGNITY intact,& let someone between 23 to 35-years ole take over the 3rd District.
Someone with a high level of education, high level of dedication & a high level of knowhow, skill & a high-level of effective innovative thinking & action-taking.
No matter if you comply or not, you will go down in history as one of the most enchanting & dedicated city workers on ta par with people like Doctor Ethel D. Allen & Thacher Longstreth.
I wish you all the Best in the world, & I hope to hear from you very soon as we work diligently to find new blood to bring dramatic, Pro-Black change to West Philadelphia in an exciting, new Manner.
Gratefully True,
Tracy Charles Gibson,
Chief Executive of
Brother Tracy Gibson & Associates, Incorporated
& our various subsidiaries,
Baldwin Books to be made into movies.
The following books by Great BLACK Author James Baldwin, MUST be made into high quality, first-rate, BLACK movies as soon as possible. ``Just Above My Head,'' & ``Tell Me HOW Long the Train's Been Gone.'' -- Tracy Charles Gibson
bounty
A Golden Bounty of Books: To Heal the Soul, To Encourage & Seed Wisdom, To Guide & Sooth The Spirit & To Give Honor to Humanity.
This book list is offered by Author-Writer-Journalist Broth
``Trust,’’ by IYANLA Vanzant. (highly recommended, I’m reading it now).
1) ``Anger Is What I Do Best: The Journal of a Black Gay Man in America,’’ By Roger T. Ward.
2) ``Freeing the Free World--The Re-Awakening of the African Diaspora Volume I (2001) and Volume II, 2009-2011,’’ By Journalist Brother Tracy Gibson.
3) Sister Sonia Sanchez’s, ``Home Girls & Hand Grenades.’’
4) Professor Michael Tillotson’s (The University of Houston) New Book ``Invisible Jim Crow: Contemporary Ideological Threats to the Internal Security of African Americans,’’ due out in June of 2010.
5) ``Dispatches from the Ebony Tower,’’ by Manning Marable.
6) ``Erasing Racism: The Survival of the American Nation,’’ By Professor Molefi Kete Asante,
7) ``Just Above My Head,’’ a novel by James Baldwin,
8) ``The Fire Next Time,’’ non-fiction essays by James Baldwin.
9) ``How Europe Underdeveloped Africa,’’ excellent non-fiction by Walter Rodney.
10) ``Angela Davis: An Autobiography’’ by Angela Davis’’.
11) ``Revolutionary Suicide,’’ by Black Panther co-founder Huey P. Newton.
12) ``Assata: An Autobiography’’ by Assata Shakur & Angela Davis.
13) ``Man Child in the Promised Land,’’ By Claude Brown.
14)``Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent.’’ By Eduardo Galeano.
15)``Egypt Vs. Greece & The American Academy’’ by Professor Molefi Kete Asante.
16)``African Culture the Rhythms of Unity’’ By Professor Molefi Kete Asante, Kariamu Welsh Asante & Kariamy Asaste-Welsh
17)``The Global Intercultural Communication Reader.’’ By Professor Molefi Kete Asante, Yoshitaka Miike, & Jing Yin.
18)``Afrocentric Idea Revisited.’’ By Professor Molefi Kete Asante.
19)``It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop: The Rise of the Post Hip-Hop Generation’’ by M.K. Asante, Jr.
20) ``Afrotopia: The Roots of African American Popular History’’ by Wilson Jeremiah Moses.
21) Tony Brown’s ``What Mama Taught Me.’’
22) Randall Robinson’s ``An Unbroken Agony: Haiti From Revolution to the Kidnapping of a President.’’
23) ``Black Looks,’’ By bell hooks.
24) ``African America’s 3rd Rail: SGL’’ by Max Smith.
25) ``Sugar Blues,’’ By William F. Duffy.
26) ``The Assassination of Fred Hampton; How the FBI & The Chicago Police Murdered a Black Panther,’’ By Jeffrey Haas.
27) ``The Choice: The Issue of Black Survival in America,’’ By Samuel F. Yette…
28) ``The Debt: What America Owes Blacks,’’ By Randall Robinson…
29) ``The Reckoning’’ by Randall Robinson…
30) ``Quitting America,’’ By Randall Robinson…
31) ``Defending the Spirit: A Black Life In America,’’ By Randall Robinson…
32) ``Have They Decided to Kill Us Yet: Global Black Labor Obsolescence & Manufactured Black Genocide,’’ by Joseph R. Gibson…
33) ``Come Back Charleston Blue,’’ A Novel By Chester Himes.
34) ``In Search of Pretty Young Black Men,’’ a novel by Stanley Bennett Clay.
35) ``Get Healthy Now! With Gary Null: A Complete Guide to Prevention, Treatment, and Healthy Living.’’ By Gary Null.
36) ``Gary Null’s Ultimate Lifetime Diet: A Revolutionary All-Natural Program
for Losing Weight & Building a Healthy Body,’’ By Gary Null.
37) There are several other books by Gary Null that will be beneficial to you. (You can look them up at www.Amazon.com)
38) ``The Alcoholism & Addiction Cure’’ by Chris Prentiss.
39) ``Nelson Mandela’s Mandela’s Way Fifteen Lessons of Life,
Love & Courage.’’ With Richard Stengle.
40) ``Fierce Angels: The Strong Black Woman in American Life & Culture’’ By
Sheri Parks.
41) Howard Zinn’s ``A Progressive History of the United States.’’
42) ``The Huey P. Newton Reader,’’ Edited by David Hilliard and Donald Weise.
43) ``Plunder: Investigating Our Economic Calamity and the Subprime Scandal,’’ By Danny Schechter.
44) ``Building Social Business: The New Kind of Capitalism that Serves Humanity’s Most Pressings Needs,’’ By Muhammad Yunus & Ray Porter.
45) ``Betrayal of Trust,’’ by Leslie Esdaile Banks.
46) ``Creating a World Without Poverty: Social Business & the Future of Capitalism,’’ by Muhammad Yunus.
47) ``Black Power,’’ by Amos Wilson.
48) ``Yurugu’’ by Mariamba Ani
49) ``Something Torn, Something New,’’ by Nogoi
50) ``2000 Seasons,’’ By Ayi Kwe Armah.
51) ``Khmet,’’ by Ayi Kwe Armah. ***(Include Publisher)
52) ``The Adinkra Dictionary,’’ by W. Bruce Willis.
53) ``BLACK A Celebration of Culture,’’ by Deborah Willis.
54) ``The West & The Rest of US,’’ By Chinweizu.
55) ``The Slave Trade: The Story of the Atlantic Slave Trade: 1440 - 1870,’’ By Hugh Thomas.
56) ``The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America,’’ By Jonathan Kozol.
57) ``European Christianity & The Atlantic Slave Trade: A Black Hermeneutical Study,’’ By Robinson A, Milwood.
58) ``The West & The Rest of US: White Predators, Black Slavers & The African Elite,’’ By Chinweizu.
59) ``Black: A Celebration of a Culture,’’ By Deborah Willis.
60) ``Two Thousand Seasons,’’ By Ayi Kwei Armah.
61) ``Tutankhamen & the Daughter of Ra,’’ By Moyra Caldecott.
62) ``The Adinkra Dictionary: A Visual Primer on the Language of Adinkra,’’ By W. Bruce Willis.
63) ``Something Torn & New: An African Renaissance,’’ By Nhugi Wa Thingo.
64) ``Yurugu: An African-Centered Critique of European Cultural Thought & Behavior,’’ By Marimba Ani.
65) ``Blueprint for Black Power: A Moral, Political, & Economic Imperative for the Twenty-First Century,’’ By Amos N. Wilson…
66) ``Khmet’’ by Ayi Kwe Armah.
67) ``Citizen You: Doing Your Part to Change the World.’’ By Jonathan Tisch, Karl Weber & Mayor Cory Booker.
68) ``Black Women’s Lives: Stories of Pain & Power’’ By Kristal Brent Zook.
69) ``Tapping the Power Within: A Path to Self-Empowerment for Black Women,’’ by Iyanla VanZant.
70) Look up or Google ``Manning Marable’’ to discover for yourself the many great books by this Great Black writer, thinker, visionary & author.
71) ``Black Pearls: Daily Meditations, Affirmations & Inspirations for African Americans,’’ by Eric V. Copage.
72) ``How to Write a Book Proposal,’’ By Michael Larsen.
73) ``Spiritual Liberation: Fulfilling Your Soul’s Potential,’’ By Michael Bernard Beckwith.
74) ``Debt Cures, They Don’t Want You to Know About,’’ By Kevin Trudeau.
75) ``How Successful People Win: Using `Bunkhouse Logic’ to Get What You Want In Life,’’ by Ben Stein.
76) ``Advertising Profits from Home: Simple Money Making Strategies You Can Use Right from Your Home,’’ By Anthony Morrison.
77) ``My Heart Will Cross This Ocean: My Story, My Son, Amadou,’’ by Kadiatou Diallo & Craig Wolff.
78) ``Organize Yourself, New & Revised Edition,’’ By Ronni Eisenberg with Kate Kelly.
79) ``More Dirty Little Secrets About Black History, It’s Heroes & Other Troublemakers, Volume II,’’ Claud Anderson.
80) ``From Holy Power to Holy Profits: The Black Church & Community Economic Empowerment,’’ By Walter Malone, Jr.
81) ``Black Africa: The Economic & Cultural Basis for a Federated State,’’ By Cheikh Anta Diop.
82)``From Civil Rights to Human Rights: Martin Luther King, Jr., & The Struggle for Economic Justice (Politics & Culture in Modern America)’’ by Thomas F. Jackson.
83) ``Black Capitalism: Strategy for Business in the Ghetto,’’ by Theodore L. Cross.
84) ``The 85 % Niche: The Power of Women of All Colors—Latin, Black & Asian’’ By Miriam Muley.
85) ``Black Labor, White Wealth: The Search for Power & Economic Justice,’’ By Claud Anderson.
86) PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America,’’ By Claud Anderson.
87) ``Black Power Inc.: The New Voice of Success,’’ by Cora Daniels.
88)``Black Business & Economic Power (Rochester Studies in African History & The Diaspora)’’ By Toyin Falola & Alusine Jalloh.
89) ``Understanding the Impact & Power of Social Networking,’’ By Ben Black.
90) ``Virtually Free Marketing: Harnessing the Power of the Web for Your Small Business,’’ By Philip R. Holden.
91) ``Dirty Little Secrets About Black History: Its Heroes & Other Troublemakers,’’ By Claud Anderson, Joann Anderson, Florence Jekins & Robert Coleman.
92) ``Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid,’’ By Former President Jimmy Carter.
93) ``Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis.’’ By Former President Jimmy Carter.
94) ``The Blueprint: Obama’s Plan to Subvert the Constitution & Build an Imperial Presidency,’’ By Ken Blackwell & Ken Klukowski.
95) ``Learning to Lead: A Workbook on Becoming a Leader,’’ By Warren Bennis & Joan Goldsmith.
96) ``The Obamas in the White House: Reflections on Family, Faith & Leadership,’’ By the Editors of Essence Magazine.
97) ``Words on a Journey: The Great Speeches of Barack Obama—Special Inauguration Edition,’’ by Barack Obama.
98) ``Michelle Obama: An American Story,’’ By David Colbert.
99) ``The Get Healthy, Go Vegan Cookbook: 125 Easy & Delicious Recipes to Jump-Start Weight Loss & Help You Feel Great,’’ By Dr. Neal D. Barnard & Robyn Webb.
100) ``Food for Life: How the New Four Food Groups can Save Your Life,’’ By Dr. Neal D. Barnard.
101) ``Foods that Cause You to Lose Weight: The Negative Calorie Effect,’’ By Dr. Neal D. Barnard.
102) ``Breaking the Food Seduction: The Hidden Reasons Behind Food Cravings—And 7 Steps to End Them Naturally,’’ By Dr. Neal D. Barnard.
103) ``Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes Without Drugs,’’ by Dr. Neal D. Barnard.
104) ``Books to build a strong Black foundation: A List’’ By Jason A. Martin.
105) ``From the Back of the Bus,’’ By Dick Gregory.
106) ``Dick Gregory’s Natural Diet for Folks Who Eat: Cookin’ with Mother Nature,’’ By Dick Gregory.
107) ``No More Lies,’’ By Dick Gregory.
108) ``Callus on My Soul: A Memoir’’ By Dick Gregory & Shelia Moses.
109) ``Nigger: An Autobiography.’’ By Dick Gregory & Robert Lipsyte.
110) ``Blood In My Eye,’’ By George L. Jackson.
111) ``The Green Collar Economy,’’ By Van Jones.
112) ``Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race & Inheritance,’’ By Barack Obama.
113) ``The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream,’’ By Barack Obama.
114) ``Say It Like Obama: The Power of Speaking with Purpose & Vision,’’ By Shel Leanne & Shelly Leanne.
115) ``Barack Obama: We Are One People,’’ By Michael Schuman.
116) ``Another Country,’’ By James Baldwin.
117) ``Collected Essays,’’ By James Baldwin.
118) ``Giovanni’s Room,’’ By James Baldwin.
119) ``Go Tell It on the Mountain,’’ By James Baldwin.
120) ``Going to Meet the Man,’’ By James Baldwin.
121) ``Notes of a Native Son,’’ By James Baldwin.
122) ``Nobody Knows My Name,’’ By James Baldwin.
123) ``If Beale Street Could Talk,’’ By James Baldwin.
124) ``In My Father’s House,’’ By E. Lynn Harris.
125) ``Basketball Jones,’’ By E. Lynn Harris.
126) ``And This Too Shall Pass,’’ By E. Lynn Harris.
127) ``Abide With Me,’’ By E. Lynn Harris.
128) ``I Say a Little Prayer,’’ By E. Lynn Harris.
129) ``Invisible Life,’’ By E. Lynn Harris.
130) ``If This World Were Mine,’’ By E. Lynn Harris.
131) ``What Becomes of the Brokenhearted,’’ By E. Lynn Harris.
132) There are Other Books by E. Lynn Harris that you might want to check out. You can Google www.Amazon.com and look under his name for a more complete list.
133) ``Looker,’’ By Stanley Bennett Clay.
134) ``Visible Life: Three Stories in Tribute To E. Lynn Harris,’’ By Stanley Bennett Clay, Terrance Dean & James Earl Hardy.
135) ``Diva,’’ By Stanley Bennett Clay.
136) ``Black Betty’’ (Easy Rawlins Mysteries by Walter Mosley & Stanley Bennett Clay. (Audio Book.)
137) ``A Red Death,’’ By Walter Mosley & Stanley Bennett Clay (Audio Book.)
138) ``A House Is Not a Home,’’ by James Earl Hardy.
139) ``Love the One You’re With,’’ By James Earl Hardy.
140) ``If Only for One Nite,’’ By James Earl hardy.
141) ``B-Boy Blues,’’ By James Earl Hardy.
142) ``B-Boy Blues Second Time Around,’’ By James Earl Hardy.
143) ``The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours: the Poetry of Jill Scott,’’ By Jill Scott.
144) ``Shake Loose My Skin: New & Selected Poems’’ By Sonia Sanchez.
145) ``Tears for Water: Songbook of Poems & Lyrics,’’ By Alicia Keys.
146) ``Morning Haiku,’’ By Sonya Sanchez.
147) ``Conversations with Sonia Sanchez,’’ By Sonia Sanchez.
148) ``Like the Singing Coming Off the Drums,’’ By Sonya Sanchez.
149) ``Wounded in the House of a Friend,’’ By Sonia Sanchez.
150) ``Sister Outsider: Essays & Speeches,’’ by Audre Lorde.
151) ``Race Matters,’’ By Cornel West.
152) ``Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys,’’ (Vol. 1, Vol. 1-4 & Vol. 3), By Jawanza Junjufu.
153) ``The Destruction of Black Civilization,’’ By Chancellor Williams.
154) ``The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality,’’ By Cheikh Anta Diop & Mercer Cook.
155) ``Radio Golf,’’ By August Wilson.
156) ``The Piano Lesson,’’ by August Wilson.
157) ``Blonde Faith,’’ By Walter Mosley.
158) ``Six Easy Pieces: Easy Rawlins Stories,’’ By Walter Mosley.
159) ``Blues for Mr. Charlie,’’ & ``The Evidence of Things Not seen,’’ Both by Mr. James Baldwin.
160) ``Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness,’’ By Dave Ramsey.
161) ``Roots,’’ By Alex Haley.
162) ``Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money – That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not,’’ By Robert T. Kiyosaki & Sharon L. Lechter.
163) ``Healthy for Life: Developing Healthy Lifestyles That Have A Side Effect of Permanent Fat Loss,’’ By Dr. Ray D. Strand & Donna Wallace.
164) ``What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You,’’ By Dr. Ray D. Strand.
165) ``The History of Incarceration (Incarceration Issues: Punishment, Reform & Rehabilitation,’’ By Roger Smith.
166) ``Too Good to Be True: The Rise & Fall of Bernie Madoff,’’ By Erin Arvedlund.
167) ``The New Rules of Marketing & PR: How to Use Social Media, Blogs, News Releases, Online Video, and Viral Marketing to Reach Buyers Directly, 2nd Edition,’’ By David Meerman Scott.
168) ``How To Get Into the Top MBA Programs, 4th Edition,’’ By Richard Montauk.
169) ``How To Get Into the Top Law Schools, 4th Edition,’’ By Richard Montauk.
170) ``Web 2.0 Architectures: What Entrepreneurs & Information Architects Need to Know,’’ By James Governor, Dion Hinchcliffe & Duane Nickull.
171) ``Selling to Big Companies,’’ By Jill Konrath.
172) ``Think & Grow Rich: A Black Choice,’’ By Dennis Kimbro & Napoleon Hill.
173) ``The Law of Recognition (The Laws of Life Series),’’ By Mike Murdock.
174) ``The 3 Most Important Things In Your Life,’’ By Mike Murdock.
175) Please look up Mike Murdock under www.amazon.com to discover for yourself the many other important books by this preacher/author/truth-teller.
176) ``It’s Your Time: Activate Your Faith, Achieve Your Dreams, and Increase in God’s Favor,’’ By Joel Osteen.
177) ``Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day,’’ By Joel Osteen.
178) Please look up Joel Osteen and his wife on www.amazon.com and discover for yourself the many books, DVD’s and CD’s he has available that are life- enriching and helpful for traveling through the many trials and difficult processes in life.
179) The Magnificent & Sexy LeBron James is Featured in ``The Franchise: LeBron James & The Remaking of the Cleveland Cavaliers,’’ By Brian Windhorst & Terry Pluto.
180) ``Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion & Purpose,’’ By Tony Hsieh.
181) Books are available by, for & about the Honorable Elijah Muhammad by writing the Coalition for the Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad (CROE) at 2435 West 71st Street (CROE Lane), Chicago, Illinois 60629. Or you may call them at 1.773.925.1600. FAX # : 1.773.925.9013.
182) ``Starting Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You are to Where You Want to Be,’’ By Chris Gardner & Mim E. Rivas
183) ``Making Ideas Happen: Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision & Reality,’’ By Scott Belsky.
184) ``Why He Hates You: How Unreconciled Maternal Anger is Destroying Black Men and Boys (Volume 1) by Janks Morton.
185) ``Anger Strategies: Practical tools for Professionals Treating Anger,’’ By Claudia Black.
186) ``Brothers on the Mend: Understanding and Healing Anger for African – American Men & Women,’’ By Ernest H. Johnson.
187) ``Black Anger,’’ By Wulf Sachs.
188) ``Going Off: A Black Woman’s Guide for Dealing with Anger & Stress,’’ by Faye Childs & Noreen Palmer.
189) ``The ABC’s of Liberating Black Anger,’’ By Lama Choyin Rangdrol???
190) ``Sex Therapy: A Women’s Guide to Understanding Why Men Cheat,’’ By Kole Black.
191) ``The Artistry of Anger: Black & White Women’s Literature in Aerica, 1820 – 1860,’’ By Linda M. Grasso.
192) ``The Passing Summer: A South African’s Response to White Fear, Black Anger & the Politics of Love,’’ By Michael Cassidy & John Perkins.
193) ``Claiming Earth: Race, Rage, Rape, Redemption: Blacks Seeking a Culture of Enlightened Empowerment,’’ By Haki R. Madhubuti.
194) ``Black Rage,’’ By William H. Grier & Price M. Cobbs.
195) ``Black Rage in New Orleans: Police Brutality & African American Activism from World War II to Hurricane Katrina’’ by Leonard N. Moore.
196) ``Black Rage Confronts the Law (Critical America Series),’’ By Paul Harris.
197) ``From Rage to Responsibility: Black Conservative Jesse Lee Peterson & America Today,’’ By Jesse Lee Peterson, Dennis Prager, & Brad Stetson.
198) ``From Rage to Hope: Strategies for Reclaiming Black & Hispanic Students,’’ By Crystal Kuykendall.
199) ``Black Rage in the American Prison System (Criminal Justice Recent Scholarship),’’ By Rosevelt Noble.
200) ``When Anger Hurts Your Kids: A Paren’t Guide,’’ By Matthew McKay, Ph.D., Kim Paleg, Ph.D., Patrick Fanning & Dana Landis.
201) ``How to Effectively Control Your Anger—Learn How You Control Your Anger That Keeps You Just a Hair Strand Away from Danger,’’ By Wings of Success & Manuel Ortiz Braschi.
202) ``Letting Go of Anger: The Eleven Most Common Anger Styles & What to Do About Them,’’ By Robert T. Potter-Efron & Patricia S. Potter-Efron.
203) ``The Anger Trap: Free Yourself from the Frustrations that Sabotage Your Life,’’ By Les Carter & Frank Minirth.
204) ``Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames,’’ By Thich Nhat Hanh.
205) ``Your Step By Step Guide to Anger Management,’’ By D. Huffman.
206) ``Working for You Isn’t Working for Me: The Ultimate Guide to Managing Your Boss,’’ By Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster.
207) ``Working With You is Killing Me: Freeing Yourself from Emotional Traps at Work,’’ By Katherine Crowley & Kathi Elster.
208) ``Journey into America: The Challenge of Islam,’’ By Akbar S. Ahmen.
209) ``Toxic Talk: How the Radical Right Has Poisoned America’s Airwaves,’’ By Bill Press.
210) ``Common Nonsense: Glenn Beck & The Triumph of Ignorance,’’ By Alexander Zaitchik.
211) ``My Father’s Faith: Essays for the 20th & 21st Century and Beyond,’’ By John E. Bush.
212) Lonnie Elder the 3rd’s Award Winning play ``Ceremonies in Dark Old Men.’’
213) ``Death At an Early Age,’’ By Jonathan Kozol & Robert Coles.
214) ``All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan,’’ By Elizabeth Warren & Amelia Warren Tyagi.
215) ``For Colored Girls Who Have,’’ By Ntozake Shange.
216) ``Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical & Financial Destiny,’’ By Anthony Robbins.
217) ``The Deming Management Method,’’ By Mary Walton & W. Edwards Deming.
218) ``Dr. Deming: The American Who Taught the Japanese About Quality,’’ By Rafael Aguayo.
219) Check out other motivational and inspirational books, CD’s and DVD’s by Writer, Speaker & Successful Businessman Anthony Robbins at www.Amazon.com. You will be glad you did.
220) ``Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression,’’ By Dr. James S. Gordon.
221) ``The Law of Success: The Master Wealth Builder’s Complete & Original Lesson Plan for Achieving Your Dreams,’’ By Napoleon Hill.
222) ``Chicken Soup for the Soul,’’ by Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen.
223) ``How to Love Me: The Lover’s Book of Questions,’’ By Ali Davis.
224) ``Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief,’’ By Martha Whitmore Hickman.
225) ``Losing My Cool: How a Father’s Love & 15,000 Books Beat Hip-hop Culture,’’ By Thomas Chatterton Williams.
226) ``The Cornel West Reader,’’ By Brother Cornel West.
227) ``Suze Orman’s Action Plan: New Rules for New Times,’’ By Suze Orman.
228) ``The Little Black Book of management: Essential Tools for Getting Results NOW,’’ By Suzanne Turner.
229) ``Oil: Money, Politics, & Power in the 21st Century,’’ By Tom Bower.
230) ``The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women,’’ By Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood, Rhonda Joy McLean & Angela Burt-Murray.
231) ``Suze Orman’s The Road to Wealth’’ By Suze Orman (Revised Edition.)
232) ``Rule # 1: The Simple Strategy for Successful Investing in Only 15 Minutes a Week!!,’’ By Phil Town.
233) ``Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African & African American Experience, The Concise Desk Reference,’’ By Kwame Anthony Appiah & Henry Louis Gates.
234) ``Hopes & Prospects,’’ By Noam Chomsky.
235) ``If It Takes a Village, Build One: How I Found Meaning Through a Life of Service & 100 + Ways You Can Too,’’ By Malaak Compton-Rock.
236) ``The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working: The Four Forgotten Needs That Energize Great Performance,’’ By Tony Schwartz, Jean Gomes & Catherine McCarthy, Ph.D.
237) ``Counseling Troubled Youth: (Counseling & Pastoral Theology)’’ By Robert C. Dykstra.
238) (Please don’t forget to Google ``Books on Troubled Youth’’ & ``Books on At-Risk Youth’’ on www.Amazon.com [under books
239) ``Hear My Story: Understanding the Cries of Troubled Youth,’’ By Dean Borgman.
240) ``All-Time Favorite Lessons (Break through Strategies to Teach & Counsel Troubled Youth Series)’’ By Ruth Herman Wells.
241) ``Creative Interventions for Troubled Children & Youth,’’ By Liana Lowenstein & MSW.
242) ``At Risk Youth: A Comprehensive Response for Counselors, Teachers, Psychologist, and Human Services Professionals,’’ By J. Jeffries McWhirter, Benedict T. McWhirter, Ellen Hawley McWhirter & Robert J. McWhirter.
243) ``Resiliency In Action: Practical Ideas for Overcoming Risks & Building Strengths in Youth, Families & Communities,’’ By Nan Henderson, Editor, with Bonnie Benard, Nancy Sharp-Light & Paula Pugh.
244) ``Reclaiming Youth at Risk: Our Hope for the Future,’’ By Larry K. Brendtro, Martin Brokenleg, & Steve Van Bockern.
245) ``At-Risk Youth: Theory, Practice, Reform (Source Books on Education)’’ By Robert F. Kronick.
246) ``No Name in the Street,’’ By James Baldwin.
247) ``The Sound of Freedom: Marian Anderson, The Lincoln Memorial, & the Concert that Awakened America,’’ By Raymond Arsenault.
248) ``The Economics of Forced Labor: The Soviet Gulag,’’ By Paul R. Gregory, Valery V. Lazarev & Robert Conquest.
249) ``Coming Alive: From Nine to Five in a 24/7 Century,’’ By Robert Michelozzi, Betty Michelozzi. Linda Surrell, & Robert Cobez.
250) The gentleman I’m going to mention here has sold over 65 Million books. His name is Pastor Max Lucado. I suggest you look under www.Amazon.com for some of his winning and telling books about getting involved in helping others and bettering your life as you become more giving and charitable in your life. Three of his books are: ``Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear,’’ ``Just Like Jesus: Learning to Have a Heart Like His,’’ & ``When GOD Whispers Your Name,’’ all by Pastor Max Lucado.
251) For every movie he has made (and there are several excellent ones, as you know) Brother Spike Lee has a book. Google him under www.Amazon.com also. Suggested: ``Please, Baby, Please,’’ By Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee & Kadir Nelson. ``Spike Lee: Interviews,’’ By Cynthia Fauchs, ``Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thang,’’ By Mark A. Reid. & ``Spike Lee’s Gotta Have It,’’ By Spike himself. There are several other good books by Spike under www.Amazon.Com.
252) ``The History of Modern Libya,’’ By Dirk J. Vandawalle.
253) ``Aftershock: The Next Economy & America’s Future,’’ By Robert B. Reich (Labor Secretary under President Carter).
254) ``The Empowered Patient: How to Get the Right Diagnosis, Buy the Cheapest Medicines, Beat Your Insurance Company, and Get the Best Medical Care Every Time,’’ By Elizabeth Cohen.
255) ``The Blue Zone: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest,’’ By Dan Buettner.
256) ``Painless Writing (Barron’s Painless Series) By Jeffrey Strausser.
257) ``What’s So Great about America,’’ By Dinesh D’Souza.
(Also available on Audio Book.)
258) ``How to Pay Zero Taxes,’’ By Jeff Schnepper.
259) Check out the nutrition and health books of Dr. Mark Hyman. Google his name under www.Amazon.Com and discover a host of good healthy books including: ``Ultramatabolism: The Simple Plan for Automatic Weight Loss,’’ By Dr. Mark Hyman. (For really heavy people, changing your metabolism will change your life drastically.)
260) ``Something to Live For: Finding Your Way in the Second Half of Life,’’ By Richard J. Leider & David A. Shapiro.
261) ``The Life You Were Born to Live: A Guide to Finding Your Life Purpose,’’ By Dan Millman.
262) ``Something to Live For: The Music of Billy Strayhorn,’’ By Walter van de Leur.
263) ``Encore: Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life,’’ By Marc Freedman.
264) ``Down in New Orleans,’’ By Billy Sothern.
265) ``How to Write a Children’s Book & Get It Published,’’ By Brbara Seuling.
266) ``A Book Inside, How to Write, Publish & Sell Your Story,’’ by Carol Denbow.
267) ``Lyrics: Writing Better Words for Your Songs,’’ By Rikky Rooksby.
268) ``The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, & The Mississippi Gulf Coast,’’ By Douglas G. Brinkley.
269) ``Hungry Girl: Recipes & Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World,’’ By Lisa Lillien. (Men and families can definitely benefit from this book as well—especially single men living alone.)
270) ``The High Tide of American Conservatism,’’ By Garland S. Tucker III.
271) ``The Millionaire Next Door,’’ By Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko.
271) ``Pigs at the Trough: How Corporate Greed & Political Corruption Are Undermining America,’’ Arianna Strassinopoulos Huffington.
272) ``Third World America: How Our Politicians Are Abandoning the Middle Class & Betraying the American Dream,’’ Arianna Strassinopoulos Huffington.
273) ``A Good Man in Africa,’’ By William Boyd.
274) ``Crazy for God,’’ By Frank Scharffer.
275) ``The Almanac of American Politics (2010),’’ By Michael Barone, Richard E. Cohen & Jackie Koszczuk.
276) ``Unfinished Business: One Man’s Extraordinary Year of Trying to Do the Right Thing,’’ By Lee Kravitz.
276) ``Black Man of the Nile,’’ By Professor Yosef Ben-Jochannan.
277) GOD Is Red: A Native View of Religion, 30th Anniversary Edition,’’ By Vine Deloria, Jr., Leslie Marmon Silko & George E. Tinker.
278) ``The World We Used to Live In: Remembering the Powers of the Medicine Men,’’ By Vine Deloria.
279) ``Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: The Illustrated Edition: An Indian History of the American West,’’ (Hardcover). By Dee Brown.
280) ``Spike Lee: That’s My Story & I’m Sticking to It,’’ By Spike Lee & Kaleem Aftab.
281) ``The House of Rajani,’’ By Alon Hilu.
282) ``The Power of Your Subconscious Mind,’’ by author Joseph Murphy.
283) ``The 3 Most Important Things In Your Life,’’ By Pastor Mike Murdock & Deborah Murdock Johnson.
284) ``Giant Steps to Change the World,’’ By Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee. With Illustrations by Sean Qualls.
285) ``Harlem Is Nowhere: A Journey to the Mecca of Black America,’’ By Shafifa Rhodes-Pitts.
286) ``Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention,’’ By Manning Mararble.
287) ``Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style,’’ By Kate Betts.
288) ``Mobilizing Democracy: Changing the U.S. Role in the Middle East,’’ By Greg Bates.
289)`` Citizen You: Doing Your Part to Change the World,’’ By Jonathan Tisch, Karl Weber & Mayor Cory A. Booker.
290) ``Reclaim Your Power: A 30-Day Guide to Hope, Healing & Inspiration for Men of Color,’’ By Terrance Dean & Travis Smiley.
291] ``The Autobiography of Malcolm X,’’ By Malcolm X and Alex Haley.
292] ``Ethical Ambition,’’ By Derrick Bell. (also highly recommended) .
(Every Black Man and Black Woman on the planet should read ALL of these books at least once. Young Blacks should also read most of them, although some may have adult themes and adult subject matter. Again, parents or guardians should pre-read them first for minor children ages 15 through 18. Many of these books are not suggested for readers younger than 15 years of age... Many of the older books (and some new ones) are, of course, available at the Library. If you need some guidance as to how to aim the books listed here at your particular problem, be it financial, emotional or organizational—call and tell us what issue you want to read about and we will tell you what books to read that deal with that particular subject. This is a good idea because some of the titles are misleading. As the old saying goes, don’t judge a book by its’ title!!! Call and ask for Brother Tracy Gibson at 1 (215) 823 9985 or e-mail us at BrotherTracy11@GMail.Com we are more than willing to guide you to a book pertaining to the subject matter you want to explore… Have a good day…)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)