Mess of the Week: Civil Rights Champ...Former Klan Member

Just in from AOL News

Civil Rights Champ Was Secretly in Klan
A white Detroit businessman known for his support of civil rights groups and his generosity toward his black neighbors led a secret life as a high-ranking member in Ku Klux Klan.
The Detroit News said Jim Burwell's double identity only came to light after his death of a heart attack in 1990. Skip over this content
Detroit businessman Jim Burwell supported civil rights groups and worked to heal the wounds from the city's 1967 race riot. But after his death, it was revealed that he had been a member of the Ku Klux Klan, the Detroit News said.
Until then, Burwell had a reputation for reaching out to help his black neighbors. He had an old bus that he used to ferry thousands of black children to church services and field trips. He ran a job program for ex-convicts that was partially funded by a civil rights group. He even donated to the Detroit Black Panther Party, the News said.
But documents found in his old truck repair shop after his death at 62 revealed Burwell had been a member of the KKK. Michigan State Police records also indicate he was involved with the Klan, the News said. His widow confirmed his membership. She said it was possible he was working for police as an informant, but there was nothing in police records to confirm that.
Revelations about Burwell's secret life shocked many who knew him as a rights champion.
"I guess you never really know who you are dealing with," civil rights activist Rob Scott, a former Black Panther, told the newspaper. "A whole lot of black people considered them his friend."

Music Review: No Ways Tired

Oh... My love of music is keeping VERY busy these days. I've recently found and fell in love with Kim Burrell's latest release No Ways Tired.. The album pure beastness, bananas, awesome, and all of that!! She is one of the baddest sangers (not singers) out there. She is anointed, creative, insane on the keys, and her voice is just bad! The arrangements, and music alone draw me in. The way Kim jazzes up a song, sends chills down my spine.
I've been following Kim as long as I can remember, and I still don't know how this release slipped by me.. Trust me, it will be a blessing to you. Please pick this album up!
Favs include: Jesus, Yes to your Will, & I Surrender All
*Holla

E. Lynn Harris- R.I.P

E. Lynn Harris, a popular and best selling author has died at age 54.

I am a HUGE fan of his work. I recently(Tuesday) went to pick up his latest release at a local bookstore, only to find that it was SOLD OUT!

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

*Peace

Monday Motivation

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
- Randy Pausch

I can't cope

Greetings!
I'm having a REALLY hard time with this diabetes thing.. (That's what I call it)
I went to the my diabetes specialist this past Tuesday for my 30 day check up, and it didn't go to well. For starters, I gained 4 pounds. I could feel it, I can see it.. It's all in my tummy area, the place I worked on the hardest- it's ALL BACK! That's a freaking pound a week, but it was because of the medication I am on- one of them increases my appetite, but controls my insulin production. Even though I knew it was because of the meds, I was really upset. I have been trying my hardest to do the right things (eat right, exercises, take meds, test regularly), but I feel like I'm failing.
Secondly, I was put on another medication in place of the other two that I was taking. NEW MEDS-SUCK! They made me nauseous, and irritated my throat-so those are out, now I'm back to one of the old meds, to see if that will regulate my sugar levels. If not.. I may have to take daily insulin shots. Not a good look for me, I already can't stand pricking myself 4 times day.. so a needle.. NOPE!
Keep me in your prayers, I'm having a hard time coping with all of this.
*OUT

Music Monday: Listen up!

Bashiri & Phariah Present: The Heartspoken Project
Song 1-Just Relax(I'm singing back ground on this one)
Song 2-So Amazing
Look out for The Heartspoken Project-Coming to a city near you!
Enjoy!
******************************************************************************

Mess of the Week: No summer swim for black kids

From AOL this morning..
Private Pool Bans Minority Campers
HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. (July 10) - State officials will investigate accusations of racial discrimination against a suburban Philadelphia swim club that allegedly reacted to a visiting group of minority children by asking them not to return.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission will immediately open an investigation into the actions of The Valley Club in the leafy suburb of Huntingdon Valley, chairman Stephen A. Glassman said"The rule of law in Pennsylvania is equal opportunity for all, regardless of race," Glassman said Thursday in a written statement released by his office.
"Allegedly, this group was denied the use of a pool based on their race," Glassman said. "If the allegations prove to be true, this is illegal discrimination in Pennsylvania."
The club maintains that accusations of racial discrimination are false and claims overcrowding from more than one outside camp was the problem.
The gated club is on a leafy hillside in a village that straddles two townships with overwhelmingly white populations. It says it has a diverse, multiethnic membership.
Wright said she went to talk to a group of members and heard one woman say she would see to it that the group, made of up of children in kindergarten through seventh grade, did not return.
"Some of the members began pulling their children out of the pool and were standing around with their arms folded," Wright said. "Only three members left their children in the pool with us."
Several days later, the club refunded the camp's $1,950 without explanation, said Wright, who added that some parents are "weighing their options" on legal action.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People requested the Human Relations Commission's investigation.
Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., issued a statement calling the allegations "extremely disturbing" and said he was looking into the matter.
members complained because the children "fundamentally changed the atmosphere" at the pool but that the complaints didn't involve race.
In a statement released on its Web site Thursday afternoon, the club called the allegations of racial discrimination "completely untrue."
The club said it "deplores discrimination."
Amy Goldman said she's been a member of the club for two years. She said the pool wasn't particularly crowded and the children from Creative Steps were "well-behaved and respectful."
She said there had been black members at the club in the past, though she couldn't remember seeing any this year.
The club appeared closed Thursday afternoon, and the guard station at the entrance was unattended.
About two dozen protesters, most of them white, held signs in front of the club's locked gates and chanted slogans including, "Jim Crow swims here!"
AP Sports Writer Cliff Brunt in Indianapolis contributed to this report

When it's time to let go: Friendship

Give me a good friend, and I'm happy for life. I'm a Cancer, and we tend to hold on to friendships for live, even when we know we shouldn't. So the thought of letting a friend go makes my stomach hurt and my head ache. I've even prayed about it.

Currently, I'm at a crossroads, I have this friend that I've known for years, were close, and consider ourselves more of sisters then we do friends. Lately, I'm feeling that things are different, and not in a good way. Change is good in most cases, but not when it involves a friend that is holding up their end of the friendship bargain. I feel as if I've been more than a great friend and sister, but my needs of the friendship aren't being met. So, what does one do when a cherished friendship has run it's course? How awful is it realize that this friendship you have shared for 12 years is no longer serving its purpose?

From the looks of it, a good house cleaning on friends is in order. Hard to do, and much easier said than done, but I've got to do what is best for me. As much as I love this friend, and have shared most my life with this person - our lives are at different forks in the road. My road leads on way and their road is leading another.

Losing a friend is hard, but sometimes it may be the best thing for you.-and I'm ok with that.

*Out!

Birthday Dinner Pics

Pics from my birthday dinner. Enjoy!

Chef Bocho

Eric and I

The Onion Volcano

Group Shot

Happy Birthday to me!

Today I celebrate my 25th birthday, and I couldn't be happier.

July 3, 1984- I came into the world, bright eyed, small as hell, BUT I came on in. Weighing in at 1 pound, 8 ounces, most folks don't expect much from something that small-But look what God can do. I'm alive and well!

25 years later-Seen a lot, loved hard, cried harder, lost friends, gained friends. I've fell in love and fell out of love. I've met my best friend, and married him. I wake up every morning, just thankful to be here. I'm so happy being me!

Thank you God for allowing me to grace this place on more year.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

~Out!

Music Review: Epiphany

Chrisette Michele-Epiphany

I know I'm late on this album but,-yes there is a but, I listen to a lot of music, so I am finally getting around to listening to this entire album. MAN!! I love it. I'm mad at myself for waiting so long to listen to all of it. Chrisette Michelle's sophomore release Epiphany is a MUST have for any music lover. Her voice is simply classic. Her jazzy style voice simply makes my musical heart melt. This album differs from her debut cd, I Am- the songs seem to be much more upbeat and fun. All of the tracks on this album are very well written, and produced. This release will definitely satisfy your jones if your searching for great music.

Favorite Tracks on the album- Epiphany, Blame it on me, What you Do featuring Ne-yo and All I ever think about.

GO GET IT!

Wednesday Wisdom: Dreams

Wednesday Wisdom for the Week:

Dreams are the touchstones of our character.

-Henry David Thoreau