Slavery Effects?

It would be hard to deny that slavery still has effects today. There is still racism, confusion, distrust and uneasiness when it comes to many people of different races. However, psychologically how does race affect blacks? For example, are some dark skinned blacks envious of light skinned because of self-hate/jealousy and/or the ways in which lighter skinned blacks where treated during slavery. I am what many would call a light skinned bother (although I claim to be dark skinned). In talking to many men who have darker skin than me, they suggest that lighter skinned blacks are still treated differently than darker skinned blacks. They suggest it is easier for light skinned blacks to get jobs or the acceptance of those who are not black. People not black trust lighter skinned blacks more than darker skinned they say. With this thought mentality, many dark skinned blacks are resentful and envious of lighter skinned blacks. This creates a break in unity of blacks in general and often puts brother against brother and sister against sister. In watching the movie Malcolm X, he felt his mother dated the darkest man she could find because she resented her light skinned and wanted to have dark skinned babies. When will this madness stop? I often do feel that there is disconnect and bitterness between many dark skinned and light skinned blacks. How can this disconnect be addressed? How can we be brought together rather being turned more and more apart?
I believe what God has made is beautiful! What we have done with it and to each other I believe is horrible. Can we overcome?


Deuteronomy 5:21
21 "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor's house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

James 3:16
16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Proverbs 14:30
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
but envy rots the bones.


“Love sees sharply, hatred sees even more sharp, but Jealousy sees the sharpest for it is love and hate at the same time”
Arab Proverb quotes

Turn the Other Cheek or Stand and Fight?

I was taught to turn the other cheek yet do not let people run over me. However, to know when to fight and when to turn the other cheek is often hard for me to determine. In reading about David in the Bible, I remember David being a fighter yet I also remember David turning the other cheek on many occasions (especially with God's anointed - Saul). I truly enjoy reading about David and the struggles that he went through because I feel I relate to them. I can not relate in the sense that I am running for my life (although it may seem that way sometimes), but in the sense that I like many others have struggles and battles to fight. I will say at times it seems as though people want to destroy me even though I have done nothing to them or can’t think of anything I could have done to make them hate me. The Bible also talks a lot about anger:

Proverbs 20
3 It is to a man's honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Proverbs 19
19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty;
if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

Matthew 5:46-48 NIV
46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect

As a result, I try my best not to get angry; angry with people or situations. Never-the-less, I’m human. I can not understand why we (notice I say we) can’t do better; be better, treat each other better and etc. Why should I worry about my bother or sister (those in which I should love and should love me)? Enemies I can understand having to stand up to, but those in which suppose to have my back, I can not understand having to fight with.

Getting back to the question of whether to turn the other cheek and stand and fight, how does one knows which to do? Peter even asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his bother when the bother sings against him. “Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22)

So what do you think?

Leaving the Nest

I had a talk with a co-worker today about when is the best time to leave home and be on your own. She is of a different culture than my own and wondered why I live alone and outside of my parents house. I told her that I needed to grow and that there can often be conflict in the house when their are multiple adults, especially if there are multiple men in the house. However, she felt that many lessons could be learn and financially people can do better if they stay at home longer. I told her that some lessons can be learned through experience and having to make decisions without parents being their to monitor and at times make the decisions for us. I also communicated to her that I believe some mistakes need to be made in order for growing to be accomplished. Parents won't be around forever or all the time, so what happens when they aren't around and decisions have to be made? So my question is when is the best time for someone to move out? What age range would you say is the best time? What lessons should be taught to someone before he/she leaves home?

Favorite Movie Moments

For those that know me, know how much I'm into movies. I like all types of movies from The Notebook, to Braveheart, The Matrix, Star Wars, Predator, Big Fish so on and so fourth. Movies have a way of sparking various emotions; anger, sadness, pain and etc. I think of various moments in movies that has sparked emotions in me. A Time to Kill - Anger, The Notebook - hope/love/etc, John Q - Strength/courage/frustration, Rocky - Love/encouragement/etc and too many more to name. Below is a link to a movie moment that really stands out. It is a moment of a father telling his son about an important lesson in life - It's not often about how hard you hit, but how hard you can get hit and keep on moving forward. Check it out and let me know so of your favorite movie moments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c49Ef5Bpzd8&feature=related