What Can We Do To Stem The Tide of Suicides Among Our Young?

Just read on the Grio website that this beautiful young lady decided it was no longer worth it to continue on this journey.  Whatever her struggles , she had a wonderful website  For BrownGirls.com.

Her efforts to counter the rampant colorism consuming us as a society and provide enlightenment and tools to young women with deep brown and ebony hues were sorely needed.  Bountiful blessings to her and I must believe that her soul is at peace.

Karyn Washington's mission statement pretty much says it all: 
  
Welcome to forbrowngirls.com- an online "inspiration destination". FBG was created to celebrate the beauty of dark skin while combating colorism and promoting self love! FBG was created to celebrate darker shades of brown- to encourage those struggling with accepting having a darker skin complexion to love and embrace the skin they are in. However, women of all shades may take away from FBG the universal and essential message of self love and acceptance.

Karyn Washington ~ Sunset:  April 8, 2014  

U.N. Climate Panel Issues Dire Warning of Threat to Global Food Supply, Calls for Action & Adaption | Democracy Now!

I was struck by the urgency and data provided to support global warming and the daunting impact this has on the world's food supply featured on Democracy Now hosted by Amy Goodman.  The panel consisted of Professor Michael Oppenheimer, Saleemul Huq and Tim Gore. They are three of many 'town criers' on this subject which somehow meets incredible resistance.  The U.S. has a rather stellar history of droughts and continues to suffer this phenomena as cited in the article "Why the Southwest Keeps Seeing Droughts".  There are many folks in the west and some countries in Europe who view food insecurity and crop failures as a chronic 'third world' problem.

U.N. Climate Panel Issues Dire Warning of Threat to Global Food Supply, Calls for Action & Adaption | Democracy Now!







The links to the droughts mentioned above have been rendered inconsequential  by the images of the well stocked produce sections and shelves  in many of our supermarkets.  They are buffers to the realities of what our future will be if we don't get a grip on this and make some serious changes in how we take care of the earth. The latter will make the necessary adjustments (mother nature has a history of doing so) and it will be the world community suffering the bleak consequences.                                                                                                                                  
 I trust this article and the panel discussion will be food for thought and a call for more citizen led interventions for the titans of industry, government and naysayers will be our most daunting adversaries!  

Read Lupita Nyong’o’s Moving Speech about Beauty at ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon | GOOD BLACK NEWS

 I just had to re-blog this speech by Lupita Nyong'o on the beauty of black skin and her journey of acceptance and celebration.  It is a critical piece and one that I hope the "Pecola Breedloves' of the world and others who are "lighter than" will read and learn that the negative perceptions by others  should not impede our knowing that 'the greatest love of all' is to love ourselves!

Read Lupita Nyong’o’s Moving Speech about Beauty at ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon | GOOD BLACK NEWS

'The Greatest Love of All'

Related Links:
Lupita Overcame Her Color Issues. But What About All The Other Lupitas?
Why an African-American Director Would Not Have Cast Lupita Nyong'o

Claudette Colvin: One of Many Unsung Heroines

Claudette Colvin:  Age 15

Abdul Ali wrote an article for The Root on Claudette Colvin titled, "The Woman Civil Rights Leaders Threw Under The Bus".  She was 15 years old when she refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery and was forcefully removed and assaulted by authorities.  She was referred to as the "Other Rosa Parks" during that period when Mrs. Parks became the symbol of resistance to Montgomery's segregated transportation system.  The historical accounts omitted her over time and many were taught that Rosa Parks was the only one who defied the system.  There were other blacks who resisted this southern practice as well and Ms. Parks would educate the audiences wherever she spoke about these courageous citizens. The selection process, however, for  this bold stance was based on colorism, stature and age.  In Mr. Ali's article, he provided a link to 'Democracy Now' and their interview with Ms. Colvin, age 73 about those events and what paths she's travelled since then.  

White Fear Trumps Black Life - Leonard Pitts Jr. - MiamiHerald.com

 An excellent commentary on the Jordan Davis trial, implications of a re-trial and securing justice, security and some modicum of well-being  for our young black men.














Link:

Protecting 'Our' Children in the Wake of the Michael Dunn Verdict.

Frances Ellen Harper: An Unsung Freedom Fighter

This is a re-print of an article on The Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography Website.  Frances Ellen Watkins Harper is one of the many unsung female freedom fighters , for whom I'd like to feature during Black History Month.  Their lives were fascinating and inspiring.  We must not forget them and our descendants have a given right to know the sheroes and heroes who made sacrifices that led to the freedom they are enjoying today. With that said, the struggle still continues for full equality.