Notes from the Republican All-American Presidential Forum (Why I Will Vote Democratic in 2008!)

I must respond to the Republican accusations that all black people are welfare recipients. Here’s is my summary:

The problems I have with the Republican Party during yesterday's All-American Presidential Forum viewing black people as welfare recipients even though 65% of welfare rolls comprise of white people) and the ardent advocacy for states’ rights in the midst of Jena and the unfair application of the death penalty persists after the conclusion of All-American Presidential Forum at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Moreover, in the prologue of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Why We Can’t Wait he details a married couple, the wife who works as a live-in maid for a family and her husband who is unemployed yet this union possesses two characteristics not present in the Republican nominees’ answers :1) does not result in divorce and 2) result in welfare roll dependency. It amazes me that Duncan Hunter is against DC statehood because the district disallows guns in homes. Further it blows me away that Tom Tancredo asserts that if DC wants to achieve statehood then the part ceded to Virginia should returned and the part ceded to Maryland should be returned. However, West Virginia was a part of, you guessed it, Virginia but it achieved statehood. Then this morning again Tavis Smiley says that we should not have been surprised with the answers we’ve received given whom we are talking. However, this just serves as one more reminder of why I will vote Democratic in 2008!

Progressive

At this stage of my life, I only entertain progressive ideas because my life is about truth and growth. Though I’ve never been childish, turning thirty has accelerated my maturity and significantly reduced my tolerance for ignorance. My time on earth is too precious for any craziness that zaps my joy! I have designated this week as financial advising week because I want to invest and have my money work for me. Well, no sooner did I write that did MSN have an article about women investing. Hmmm, this is affirming! My lifelong goal is to become the first black female Fortune 500 CEO, therefore, I declare war on anything regressive! I am too focused on being progressive!

Opportunity Journal Entry #14: Don't Hate Participate!

The woman on the board of my local economics club asked me if I would volunteer for the annual dinner and council of economic advisors debate! Would I ever? I would be honored because that exposure would help me in so many ways. Although I had missed this Tuesday's class beacuse of my meeting, I will not hesitate to attend the annual luncheon next Tuesday.

At least the debate is Friday morning meaning that I'll get paid because it was career-related! I could incorporate my Toastmasters public speaking skills, treasury management techniques and hobnob with the most prominent people in my field. Viewing this debate would also let me observe how executive economic policy is made. I am humbled by her decision to ask me first because that means that I am emanating positive energy!

Opportunity Journal Entry #13: Aspiring to Be Better

The Department has notified everyone that the Aspiring Leaders Development Program (ALDP) vacancy will open next Friday, September 28, 2007. This time with 16 months under my belt, I know feel confident that I will be chosen for this position! Furthermore, as Treasurer of my Toastmasters, I possess true leadership experience to improve not only my agency but the entire department. Moreover, the ALDP will supply transferable skills to help me handle three other associations' 2008 annual conferences. This presents another opportunity to learn more skills while boosting my pay! I will become a ZP-III economist! :)

Introspection

After viewing singers who’d I grew up listening to MySpace profiles and learned that they had married and moved on I reexamined my personal evolution. I was not 18 but 30, had my own apartment, worked in my major, lived in DC and possessed two degrees. Analyzing my personal and professional progress made me happy and appreciative because many friends and family hadn’t had the same opportunities and sometimes drive that I had. Those artists inspired and motivated me with their songs and I could honesty had said my life would not had as full as it would had been without these songs.

My Kind of Sunshine

Earlier this morning I discussed an apartment problem that I had had ever since moving here calmly with my landlady and it was quietly resolved. She put my name on the maintenance list ensuring that it would rectified. This exchange pinpointed the importance of being cordial when addressing a problem because it yields better results than hollering. People just shut down and problem still persisted. As I mature I realized that life was too hectic to be aggravated over minor mishaps.

A Peek Behind the Curtain

I remembered the stories that my father and his sister would tell me around shooting his bb gun at the residential naked-man who flash them in the projects. Never in a million years would I had thought that the same thing would had happened to me; but, it did and on Massachusetts Avenue of all places. In Washington, DC Mass. Ave. was known as Embassy Row an upscale avenue of embassies. My apartment building sits across the street from the Embassy of Tunisia. On Sunday, I opened my window to take in the view that I paid an extra $15 a month to partake and boy did I get more than what I bargained for because the naked man (actually he was along with a naked woman) were making out in plain view across the street at the Courtyard Marriott. I was in complete disbelief. The naked man got an upgrade and was right across from me. And on Sundays of all days. Since these two love birds did not know that they are publicly displaying their affection for each other in such an urbane environment and numerous residential calls flooded the hotel desk, they quickly pulled the curtains. Sheesh! Have some respect why don’t you?!

Book Review: Giving by Bill Clinton

Former President Bill Clinton’s newest book, Giving, highlights people rich and not-so-rich, who have made a difference in the lives of marginalized communities. Mr. Clinton has a special affinity for the black community and mentions Osceola McCarthy, the elderly woman who after dropping out of high school to care for an aunt, spent the next 57 years washing clothes. During this time she saved over $150,000 which she donated to the University of Southern Mississippi as an endowed scholarship; John Hope Bryant who started the Silver Rights Movement proclaiming the financial empowerment will be the civil rights battle of the 21st Century; and Tavis Smiley, PBS correspondent, author of both The Covenant with Black America and the Covenant in Action, and moderator of the Democratic and Republican All-American Presidential Forums. On pages 130-131 Clinton asserts that the Covenant is “the most comprehensive American model for citizen service I’ve come across also centers on African Americans, but can be adopted by others…I cannot begin to do justice to The Covenant movement, to the power of its inspiration, instruction, and examples.” The former president makes a calculated attempt to round up the black vote for Hillary’s 2008 presidential campaign especially since Barack Obama is the most viable black candidate in ages.

Giving also features philanthropic luminaries such as Bill and Melinda Gates, Bono of U2, William Buffett, who have donated billions of dollars to AIDS victims and undeserved communities. However, with Time magazine’s criticism that Clinton lets the government off easy since his spouse is vying for the presidency because throughout chapter 12 he highlights numerous non-governmental organizations which fill in for government’s absence. He never specifically pinpoints how the federal government, Democratic or Republican, can effectively deliver AIDS medication, reduce climate change and improve education. Even with this daring oversight, Giving, still achieves its feel-good mission to encourage every American to give what he ort she can to improve the betterment of his fellow man.

Opportunity Journal Entry #12: Clarity

Even though my leg muscles are weak and I really do not feel like reviewing math right now, I will still make a concerted effort; the concerted effort paid off because solving four of the Bernoulli problems (two of them on my own) boost my confidence! Now I feel that I can ace this quiz however I will still review this equation and both the general and particular solutions. Starting today whenever I have a problem or want to expand my learning, I will travel to the UDC MAC to work with tutors. Finally, I no longer fear integration. I just have to work on it!

My boss' boss mistakenly sent an invitation to meet regarding promotions and other personnel matters. My ZP-III promotional meeting really shook him enough (He admitted that the current system was unclear!) to schedule one with the program managers. Clear, concise rules would benefit everyone in the division. Furthermore, my speaking out further helped the entire workplace because with the pay-for-performance deadline six weeks away, clarity is important (Although he already acknowledged that I would be getting one!).

Opportunity Journal Entry #11: Speaking the Honest Truth

While giving my seventh speech in the Toastmaster competent communication manual, I have learned that the advanced manuals only have five speeches instead of ten. Therefore, after completing my competent communication manual, I will start an advanced one. Since the 2007-2008 Toastmasters year ends on June 30, 2008, I know that I can deliver eight speeches in eight months! Developing my public speaking skills have helped me during my ZP-III promotion meeting with my immediate supervisor and his boss.

Though I do like the time lag between the GS and pay band schedules, at least he has given me some great feedback(Although I honestly feel that if another GS-11 opportunity comes along then I will take it because my personal timetable does not match my boss' boss.). ZP-III is a subject matter position so I must become well-versed in all of my components especially the laarge government programs. I will request information from these federal agencies to learn more about it. Also, after I return to my room, I will relearn SAS. He has also mentioned that I am doing well enough to receive another pay increase and also acknowledges that the pay band system is not as clear as the GS. However, I have pried a timetable out of him. He reviews ZP-III promotions after 20 months of service so I will excel on my county estimate cycle and prepare to become a subject matter expect so that I can petition for my ZP-III increase. Whether or not I am here at the BEA, becoming a subject matter expert is a helpful career move regardless of the position. I like research so this will be easy. Speaking of subjects I will research the Pell Grant for my research report. Honestly I like researching higher education because I place such a high value on it so I will take to my boss about how to go about it.

Clearing the air and knowing what is expected of me presents an abundance of opportunities to excel on the job and in the game of life.

Guardian of Truth

Okay. Black culture has hit a new low when Tom Joyner endorses the playing of a BET cartoon that curses at children. We should never compromise our integrity especially regarding our children! That’s ridiculous! We as adults should never bow down to lowest common denominator just to get something across to our youth. As a member of Generation Y, I am particularly concerned with the negative images being fed to my generation and I aim to stop this cartoon before it airs.

Yesterday I posted my discontentment with the Russ Parr Morning Show and now I am displaying my disapproval to acquiescing to crude behavior of the Tom Joyner Morning Show. This ordeal has made realize that regardless of format, I must decipher all messages and remain vigilant in promoting positive images inside and outside the black community.

Maturity at Age 30

Okay this is another sign of maturity. I’ve changed the channel from the Tom Joyner Morning Show to listen the Russ Parr Morning Show and instead of uplifting the people they are talking of Keke Wyatt’s Essence magazine comments about her proclaiming that although she’s 25% black with long hair and a pointy nose, that she fights on behalf of black people with dark skin and big noses. I guess my whole aggravation comes from B plus’ comment that it is to claim many different things (I am not against biracial people but Barack Obama calls himself black.) Most of the callers know the singer and says that she’s come from the project (which is funny because it’s always someone who wants to deny where he/she comes from). With all of this nonsense, I’ve missed the new Sounds of Blackness song Kings and Queens. Well, that’s a sign that as I turn 30, I am focusing on what is important. For the record, black people should create a classification system defining who is black. Why worry about someone else’s self-definition when there are real battles to fight. I wish all of those people the best, but when the police pull them over and throw them in jail, don’t call the NAACP to bail you out and fight on your behalf because remember you are not black in the first place.

The Struggle Continues 44 Years After The March on Washington

On the 44th anniversary of the March on Washington, I found myself defending higher education at the Brookings Institution Poverty in 2006 seminar held at the National Press Club in downtown Washington, DC. Mayor Bloomberg, the keynote speaker, say some of the stupidest things that I ever heard: paying poor children for class attendance and good grades. As a first-generation college graduate whose paternal and maternal grandparents were on welfare even although all four held full-time jobs, the mayor’s so-called opportunity program was the dumbest thing economically and socially for New York City because giving children money is immoral. Regardless of social ranking, you were supposed to go to school for your own betterment. Since Bloomberg liked espousing the virtues of capitalism, let me break it down. Even though his opportunity fund was privately funded, that $50 million was a one-time deposit and all future income streams would be publicly raised. The fundamental problem with publicizing this program was that the parents would be doubled-taxed. For example, in FY2006 the parents’ property taxes were allocated to the school district which gave their child $500 for each standardized test and another $500 for perfect attendance. Say, that the kid passed all four parts of the merit assessment tests and achieved perfect attendance thereby receiving $2500. That $2500 would be reported as income earned by the child on his parents’ FY2006 tax form that they filed in FY 2007. That same $2500 would be taxed by the federal government again into perpetuity. Though well-meaning Mayor Bloomberg’s opportunity program was in direct violation of capitalism which was laissez faire of not allowing the federal government to intervene!

Seek and Ye Shall Find

Recently my preoccupation of women receiving invitations to join select clubs got the better of me (I am already a member of one but this one was more exclusive than mine; and, all of the time I wondered what they had that I did not. At age 30, I was an economist with two degrees earned by age twenty-five and possessed and was active in many social service organizations because higher education was my calling. I had even met some women who were members though they were in their mid-fifties.) Since I lived only three blocks from the headquarters I decided to walk in the drizzle during Saturday evening. During the trek I bypassed the nondescript building which was a sure sign that if I missed its importance then it really was not important in the first place. Returning home, one of a group of lost German tourists asked me for directions to their hotel off of Rhode Island Avenue, NW and I kindly guided them back to their destination. At the end of the journey they waive goodbye. Finally, making it to my apartment, I understood that I was seeking the wrong kind of attention and that experience made me realize the real reason why I would make a perfect for this and any organization: I had goodwill, kindness, and a sure sense of direction.

More Than Just Window Shopping!

Perusing the racks at the CUSP Georgetown store during its advertised luncheon (well, it’s more informal than that), makes me comfortable being around semi-luxury clothes. This was not always the case. In my Banana Republic working days, I felt ashamed of my working class origins (I never saw anything over $250 in a mall before!); Although still married to the sales rack (you’d find the best stuff on sale at Neiman Marcus and Saks!), I successfully managed to overcome it. Though I occasionally splurge on an item, I am still a bargain hunter at heart. While looking at certain prices (a $350 dress would net me an entire Ann Taylor suit and Marmi shoes or an entire New York & Company slack collection), I did love the $750 gold sequin dress which’ll make me look like Tina Turner! :)

Sage

Sage (n): a very wise man; especially an old man respected for his wisdom, experience, etc.

Sage advice
Helps the future steer clear of vice
So that they do not make the same mistakes twice
And live life without strife

Imparting my knowledge like my ancestors, the griots
So that the younger generation can keep it thorough for tomorrow
Dispensing my wisdom
Reaching everyone like the prism’s spectrum
Education and truth are my sanctums
Because when they know better
They do better

Dignity

Dignity is indispensable
To be invincible
It’s impossible to be respected
When your morals have been ejected
We need to correct it
Instead of neglect it
So when life gets hectic
We’ll arise as expected

It's Not the Kids, It's the Adults

The ignorance behind paying children for good grades being constantly proliferated throughout the media will cripple our society because kids will expect cash payment for every good deed. Honesty, integrity and morality are not for sale. Therefore, instead of fighting with nonsensical people, I’ll use this blog to espouse positive solutions to help children become better. Remember, they are our future!

Embracing all of Life's Possibilities

Embrace (verb): to readily accept.

I have embraced turning 30 with such a fervor that, I have no intention to be 18, 21, or 25 again. Finally I have a job in my major and am self-sufficient. Why go through it just to change some things. My goal is to be a mentor to the younger generation and fight for better access to opportunities. Education is the reason why I am here and I want to extend that to those who come behind me. During my fourth decade on earth, I will endow my book scholarship to ensure that other first-generation college students can afford books since they now costs in excess of $500 per semester. That’s a huge burden for many whose parents can barely afford life’s essentials let along lofty collegiate expectations. However, obtaining a college degree is indispensable in today’s society; therefore, it is imperative to provide a means of funding for these students since they are our future!

Hustle & Muscle: Being the Change That I Want to See in This World

Hustle (v.i.): to work, or act rapidly or energetically.

Muscle (v.): to make one’s way by sheer force.


During the previous two weeks, I have been passively waiting to witness this life-changing epiphany that comes with turning thirty years old; but have realized that in the words of Ghandi I must be the change that I want to see in this world. Nothing gets done by being on the sidelines and my economist is proof positive of that. I remember working numerous temporary jobs, scrapping money together to afford Greyhound bus fare and Independence Air tickets to fulfill my dreams by taking the BLS and BEA Assessment exams and spending days on end at the public library applying for jobs, reading trade materials and brushing up on MS Office skills. Oftentimes, I struggled financially and emotionally as I saw my peers ascend the corporate ladder (so I thought). During these years, I had two checking accounts in arrears and bad credit. However, holding steadfast to the dream of becoming an economist, I persevered. These adversities though leaving me battled-scarred has also molded me into an impenetrably steely resolved woman who can out-hustle and muscle and withstand anything and everything! And, this is how I will enter my thirties!