Carrot, Egg or Coffee?

Carrot, Egg or Coffee?

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft.She then asked her to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked. "What's the point, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

How do you handle Adversity? ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?


AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Don't tell GOD how big your storm is. Tell the storm how big your GOD is!

Oh yeah, He said it, and to make sure you heard right, he repeated it...

On the same day the NAACP celebrated 100 years of existence, on the same day when the first African-American President spoke to African-Americans about the continued need of a refocused NAACP, on the same day that some naive souls went so far as to question the continued need for the NAACP...
On that same day....Rep Todd Tiahrt (R) from Kansas took to the House floor and let loose what can only be described as an unbelievable set of what ifs....

What if...abortions were free, and Obama's mother wanted one...

What if...abortions were free, and Clarence Thomas' mother wanted one...

The NAACP is necessary to counter the thought processes of people like Todd Tiahrt, not just for the consistent inequalities that HELP to keep some of us from acheivment, but as a source of leadership and guidance for our future generations.

Hey! Rep. Tiahrt! What if abortions were free and your....okay I don't usally go there, so I wont today either....but you know how I feel.

Cop(White) on Cop(Black) Shooting is no surprise

Tradgedy? Accident? Unintended consequence? None, not one of these words can or ever will comfort the family of Omar Edwards. It doesn't matter that the details (likely to be formulated in a lawyer's office) are not out yet. The end result is the same. In my view it would be the same level of shock, if it were any other race of officer, and even if the deceased wasn't law enforcement. The facts to date sppeak volumes to the value of an African-American's life on the streets of NY. Omar Edwards was shot by a pursuing officer without provocation. Mr. Edwards never fired a shot. The pursuing officer may have thought he was saving a citizen when he fired the first two shots. He likely thought, "hey, I'm doing my job". As he fired the next two shots he likely thought to himself, "this dirtbag doesn't deserve to live". Then the euphoria hit, as he thought about the speech he would give as he accepted the key to the city from the mayor. He thought about how much "trauma" time he could squeeze out of this "incident". Now his thoughts rest on saving his job, his career, his respect in his community. Whether he knows it or not, all of those things are gone, they were actually gone before he pulled the trigger, the shooting just brings it all to the surface so that everyone knows. It doesn't matter how many Black friends he has, his thought was not that Omar might be family to one of them. We can all guess how the story will go...There will be some BS story about how Omar didn't obey commands, or about how he turned and leveled his firearm at the pursuing officer (the way he would be trained to do by the way). In the end, there will be another, and another, and another....what needs to change is not the number of Blacks in prison or on drugs. What needs to change is not how many young black men will see prison walls before they have the opportunity to see university walls. What needs to change is how THEY (and sometimes WE) VIEW US. This is a view that transcends fishing trips with your Black friends, attending the wedding of a Black co-worker, or even dating a Black person. None of these things change INHERENT racial bias steeped in history and sub-consciously taught in schools, in homes, and even in our houses of worship. The meat of this issue is that it really is a learned behavior, the disdain for another race, it is as taught as naming animals and colors. The best part about the new generation with their baggy clothes and technology savvy, is that they see less color than we do. The worst thing is that their parents will break them of that color-blind trust.


Click here for full story.

I try not to edit posts once they are up, but exception becomes the rule when I get angry. Those who know me, truly know me, also know that it takes a lot to get me riled.

The following developments have transpired since my original post:

Don Lemon of CNN interviewed a former DC police officer with regard to the case. The interviewee immediately began defending the racial component of the story, (without being asked), and went so far as to say what Omar Edwards probably did wrong. He added insult to injury as he emphatically stated that the officer who shot Edwards did identify himself. This is significant because to date, the shooter has given no official statement. NYPD is in full damage control mode. Click HERE to see transcript of Don Lemon interview with CNN Security Analyst Mike Brooks. He also makes the allegation that the pursuing officer shot only after Omar Edwards turned toward him. This lie is significant because today the medical examiner released the fact that Officer Edwards was shot in the back, and that the bullet went through to his chest. All news reports, including a video conference by Commisioner Ray Kelly have reported that Officer Edwards was struck in the chest. Those are the developments so far, I allow you to make your own jdgement...but you already know what I think.

Reverse Discrimination...maybe, but probably not.

The Supreme Court is set to hear a case invloving what has been labeled reverse discrimination. In an effort to 'level' the playing field, Some companies and municipalities have become gun-shy about issuing promotions to desertving (white)individuals in order to avoid either the appearance of discrimination, or lawsuits by minorities. Oddly in the case presented, I believe the City of New Haven acted imprudently. They had every right to promote the number one position from the test. Performance based exams are the crux of equality. The problem of discrimnation in hiring practice has the best chance of disappearing when performanced based tests are used, but New Haven takes it a step further. They have to "see you" and hear you speak. It is this part of the "test" that presents the opportunity for discrimnation. Two people, one black, one white, can give the exact same answers, word for word, and be perceived differently. It is FACT that even the most liberal among us, including some blacks as well, harbor hidden racist attitudes towards minorities. Until that FACT changes, we are doomed to trying to legislate fairness. It is through legislation of fairness that a cyclical unfairness becomes self-perpetuating.

Before my brothers and sisters drop their jaws in disbelief, please understand that the goal is not to promote black over all as some form of retribution or restitution. Our goal should always be an equal opportunity based on fair practice and merit. We don't want to use laws to prove we are just as good or better than our white counterparts. The 'system' has made it that way. So until the underlying attitudes that shape our percptions are either changed or completely removed from the process, for some, the law will be the only chance for fairness. As for whites that find themselves on the downside of this equation, make it your business to point out and correct issues of discrimination that regularly take place in oother parts of the department. Nepitism continues to prevail throughout many companies and municipalities. It is a cycle that can only be broken from the inside.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/scotus_firefighters_lawsuit

Profile Posting Guidelines

Folks we are not putting our best foot forward. Our online profiles are more than just the who, what, when, where, and how. They are often either an invitation to get to know us better, an advertisement for networking opportunities, or the most popular, a means of selling (not literally) ourselves to the members of the opposite sex (not me, I'm taken).

That said I feel its justified in saying WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? I get that it is your favorite picture, right after you got a new outfit and a fresh hairstyle...but you took the picture in your messy room....with the clothes on the floor!? I understand the bathroom is the only place for private picture taking in the mirror, but some soft scrub and a little tidying up can go a long way. I get that you are leaning on some strangers Mercedes or BMW, but what are you going to say when they ask you to 'pick them up'? I know that they are your best friend since grammar school, but a boogah-bear is a boogah-bear, and you are likely to scare someone off just lookin at your ugly friend. Now I am by no means advocating not being yourself. If by all means you are a slob with ugly friends, then so be it. But most online profiles offer the opportunity to meet new people, to open new avenues of commerce, or to find a new mate. Just be sure that what you are selling, people actually want to buy. For the young ladies out there...what you show, is what they want...if you are half-naked, that is what they will expect when they meet you...learn ladies, sexy is not naked, they are not the same..a little class will net you the right friends.

I'll do Anything for You...

now that I have embarrassed myself, embarrassed you, possibly ruined my career, and brought to light an illicit May/December affair I've been having (or had, kinda doesn't matter at this point)

I didn't want to do it, but there has been so much pressure. Besides everybody is getting in on it, why not me too? I mean Oprah, Joy Behar, Denise Brown, heck they even dredged up Robin Givens from somewhere...so why not me? What because I'm a man, does that automatically make me the enemy? Maybe I'm just a spectator, or I'm reformed.. you know; rehabilitated. Maybe I'm a facilitator, or worse an excuse maker and enabler. Nah none of those things...I have remained quiet to give this thing enough time to let nature take its course...well I didn't have to wait long (that's where the title comes from; you know the song from Denroy Morgan - I'll do anything for you, I'll give the world to you, if you want me to.

Rhianna and Chris Brown - seems like he's willing to do anything, rather suddenly too... fire his manager/lover? no problem!....spend some hideaway time at P. Diddy's house? sure! I'd bet he would bend over backwards right about now. And as he does whatever she wants, the immaturity of their years shines through. He gets his lawyers to work behind the scenes trying to get her to drop charges. Typical...and sad.

I didn't weigh in until now because I wanted to see how they would act, in public, apart or together. I have to say that the timetable did surprise me. I certainly didn't expect him to apologize and beg forgiveness so soon, and I certainly didn't believe she would so readily take him back. Now I'm not about to sit here and lecture anyone about the ills of hand to hand combat in a relationship, nor am I going to debate who hit who first or if it is appropriate to over-defend yourself against the onslaught of a woman scorned. What I will talk about as it relates to this drama is the role of a male friend to Chris Brown...people like P. Diddy, Jay Z, or any number of people that genuinely call him friend. You see I feel it is the man-friend's place to help him out. Not necessarily to scold or lecture...more to encourage and enlighten. The only corrective measure that is known to work for abuse is self-enlightenment and a word we love to say in church repentance.

See repentance means more than saying I'm sorry, more than making it up to the offended party, and more than moving on from the past. Repentance requires a shift in your way of thinking about a particular subject or behavior. Repentance does not come from the outside in, it must come from deep within the heart of the offender. It must be born, not of necessity or fear, but of genuine love and concern. If Chris Brown is sent to jail, he might not repent...If Jay Z pops a cap in his ass, he may not repent...If Rhianna sues him, he may not repent. Chris Brown is the one who has to convince Chris Brown that what he did was wrong, and that no matter what the issue or problem, violence solves nothing. As has already been proven, it just makes matters worse. This lesson is not confined to affairs of the heart, it is a lesson that can be applied across a broad spectrum of issues we face every day. As children of a very wise God, we all enjoy the gift of free will. As citizens of the United States we enjoy practically limitless freedom to do whatever er like. There is and always has been only one stipulation...

"we always have to be willing to accept the consequences of our decisions and actions."

School Vouchers; Good idea or Accountability Escape

The debate has obviously not ended... Roland Martin, of who I am a huge fan, is wrong on this one. In his recent commentary posted to his CNN blog, he chides the president for not giving some the opportunity to send their kids to a private school the way the president does. He references the new spending bill which effectively kills the voucher program for Washington schools.

Now before I go on, of course I believe that every child is entitled to the best education they can receive, and that if it is a public school education, that it should be just as valuable as private schools. That said, to say that the only way to get a good education is in private school is wrong. To say that private school education, simply by virtue of being privately funded is always superior to public school education is equally wrong. Lastly to say that it is impossible to receive a quality public school education is equally wrong. Mr. Martin does NOT say these things, he implies them, and through ignorance most believe them. The truth is none are true and all are true.

There are so many factors that make up the education of a child, that can go so far as to make the learning institution irrelevant. A child that wants to learn, can learn under adverse conditions, and sometimes due to those conditions be better prepared than a more 'coddled' child. My personal issue with private school is that it is, before anything else, a business. Businesses have a single driver-make money. The education business does not do well if students fail, so in my opinion, that becomes a hidden factor in the assessment of each student.

I believe that having a private school voucher program opens the door to many issues. Even if by the fairest lottery, the system of distribution is inherently unfair. There will be some student or family, truly deserving, that will be disappointed. By effectively stating to our public school system that no matter how well they perform, they will still never be better than private school is a travesty. It not only calls the system a failure, but it gives no encouragement nor incentive to better itself. The problems with public schools has been the same since I was in school - bureaucracy. The red tape, the layers upon layers of administration. The rules, the unions, and all the other things that simply get in the way of opening the mind of a child to the world.

Take the money intended for vouchers, I know its not much,and put into the public school system. And as you do that, hold our teachers and administrators to a higher standard, call them to the importance of the task at hand. Everyone, regardless of whatever school they attended remembers the one teacher that made learning interesting or fun. That teacher had no special gift, the talent he/she used is called caring. That where it starts. President Obama is right on track...get rid of vouchers, give merit pay to top performers. Hold the schools accountable for doing the job we hired them to do. You would not be happy with your roofer if he got the job 50% done....and gave up on the rest.

link to Roland Martin Commentary - http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/11/martin.vouchers/index.html

'Hanging' email joke leaves Community Education Council member hung out to dry.

Sal Ballarino stepped down today at the insistence of the Borough President amid controversy surrounding an insensitive email he distributed to friends and colleagues. The facts are clear, this man was clueless as to legal requirements for public systems as well as lacking in judgement. His callous atitude toward the affair underscores the racial insensitivity of many Staten Island residents. Racial issues persist on Staten Island, some highlighted by the election of Barack Obama. On election night, a group of teens set out to pay back black people for electing Obama, they assaulted two people and ran over a third. While all will see justice to some degree, it does nothing to address the issue. There is no push for dialogue. There is no push for sensitivity training in our schools. There is no push for taking the steps necessary to prevent issues like the titled one from occurring again and again.

The Girl Who SILENCED THE WORLD at the UN for 6 MINUTES

This video was posted by a facebook friend. It deserves the time it takes to view it. Please share the video and your resources with oyhers.

What does Stimulus mean to us?

Washington DC has been abuzz with activity since the inauguration. The parties are over and the 'work' has begun. After a few high profile ball drops, taxes and confirmations, the President has focused the entire country on his stimulus package. But what does a stimulus package mean to the average African-American Staten Islander?

The truth is, not much of that money will ever hit Island streets. Our infrastructure, though not 100%, is not at the emergency needs level, since some of the school construction spending was cut, you can practically guarantee that Staten Island will be last on the list. Additionally, since the current bill does not address foreclosures, we won't see any relief there either.

Now, I know that there is a financial crisis across the country, I have heard the numbers just as you have, but I have yet to meet a single person that I know, that has lost their job, their home, or their life savings/pension. Maybe my circle is too small, or maybe my friends are too careful, but either way, I would like some feedback. If you know a Staten Island, African-American, that has been affected by the recent economic downturn in a severe way, let me know...don't use names, just their story.

If you don't like it here...LEAVE!

Staten Island Election Night beating victim arrested for allegedly stealing car
by Staten Island Advance Thursday February 05, 2009, 10:56 AM



















Staten Island Advance/Michael Oates
Ali Kamara is led out of the 120th Precinct stationhouse this morning.


While Mr. Kamara's attack was the catalyst that launched the investigation into the Rosebank Krew, there are still other victims. Victims that would not have seen justice if not for Mr. Kamara.

We owe our thanks to him for that, and there will be no releasing of anyone...even if you vacate the assault charges against Kamara, there are still other victims.

Mr. kamara is deserving of the full weight of justice as well. If (when) he is found guilty, he should be given a sentence that is commensurate with the crime he committed and any previous criminal record he might have. He has seriously damaged any civil case he was considering ONLY because the jury will have less sympathy for him when considering any award. He does however still have a case, and with the guilty pleas, its a lock.

The racial insensitivity being displayed here is the same problem that started this entire ball rolling. It is the latest reason that Staten Island's NATIONAL name is forever linked with racial violence specifically associated with the election. Think people, think about what you say in front of your children, think about how your narrow views are no longer in line with the way the rest of the country is going. I live here, I love it here, and some people are turning what I love into a cesspool of hatred and intolerance. If you don't like other types of people from different walks of life- LEAVE! Staten Island will be better for your absence.

The struggle continues...

One would think that the formation of these United States under the Constitution would signal equality....it didn't.

One might believe that Lincoln's Emancipation Proclomation would usher in a new era of equality for all...it didn't.

Some may believe that Civil Rights Era victories would pave the way for all of us to treat each other with respect and dignity....they didn't.

No law, no edict from God, no threat of imprisonment nor loss of financial security has been sufficient to force Americans to be colorblind when it comes to dealing with our many differences.

On Tuesday, January 20th, We reach yet another milestone. We join our nation's inauguration of the first African-American President...and still we struggle.

Barack Obama's acension to the presidency has done little to ease racial tension on Staten Island this is particularly evident. Evident in bars and on blogs, on street corners and in our current houses of government, what is evident is that there are still those that see us as less than equals, not by a little but by much. I have tried to consider the sources, I have tried to turn the other cheek, I have tried to ignore it with the hope that it would eventually fade, I have even blamed my brothers and sisters. The fault is NOT with us, it is with them. They are what needs fixing, they are the ones who are dificient in character, they are shorting themselves, not us. That still leaves the issue intact. How to effect change in the character and the way of thinking of someone you need. Thats right, you read correctly, no matter how disparate we are we still need each other. I need my Anglo brothers just like I need my Asian brothers just like I need my Hispanic brothers...we all need each other. So where do we go from here? My hand is outstretched to begin the dialogue, who among us is bold enough to meet my hand.

We just HAVE TO do better

I know you may have heard that before, how we as a people have to get it together and not only do what is right for ourselves but uplift each other as a people. On Sunday, in Detroit, a mother was arrested for hosting a sex party in her own home, but that's not the worst...there was an undercover sting and three men were arrested for helping host the party....not yet....there was an armed doorman.....still more......there were 19 prostitutes working in the house at the time of the raid....BUT the worst part of this already tragic story is that the 16 year-old daughter of the woman, and her 16 year-old friend were not only at the party but were dancing nude for men! When did....How could....(speechless)



We just HAVE TO do better, not just for ourselves but for each other too. The woman's neighbors knew she was having a hard time, but only had harsh words for her after the incident. If only one, just one, had offered some help, some encouragement, some counsel.....just one.

A BLACK WOMAN

By the time the Lord made woman, he was into his sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?" And the Lord answered, "Have you seen my spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable and able to run on diet coke and leftovers, have a lap that can hold four children at one time, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart -and she will do everything with only two hands." The angel was astounded at the requirements. "Only two hands!”? No way! And that's just on the standard model? That's too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish. But I won't," the Lord protested. "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can work 18 hour days." The angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord." "She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish. "Will she be able to think?” asked the angel. The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason and negotiate." The angel then noticed something, and reaching out, touched the woman’s cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one." "That's not a leak," the Lord corrected, "that's a tear!" "What's the tear for?" the angel asked. The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love, her loneliness, her grief and her pride." The angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything! Woman is truly amazing." And she is! Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have compassion and ideals. They give moral support to their family and friends Women have vital things to say and everything to give....... HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Interested in becoming a member of Black Staten Island Now?

If you have read some of the posts and you would like to let people see what you think (other than commenting on existing stories), then become a member of Black Staten Island Now. As a member you will be able to submit your own subjects for review by our community. To be considered, submit a short essay on your position on a topic of your choosing. Spelling, grammar, and sound logic will be considered. If your submission is recognized you will receive further instructions on what to do next. This offer is limited to Staten Island residents (or former residents) that care about the African-American community of Staten Island. Good luck and start writing!

Welcome to Black Staten Island Now

Inspired by the rash of negative current events that are consistently played on media outlets, I felt it was time to have a place that specifically accentuates the positive. This blog will do that as well as speak to injustice, focus on resource needs, and support the future of Staten Island's Black Community. All are welcome to contribute to the discussion and present their opinions in a respectful manner.