The Struggle Is Real

A day never goes by in which most of us come face to face with unique experiences that require us to take a stand, make a call or lift our voices for what we believe are the right things to do.  There are a number of things in our great nation that are just so wrong; laws that need amending, support systems that need redesigning and worthwhile programs that need adquate funding.

As we have seen in this 21^st century and especailly over the past few years, much has changed.  Today, as a nation we are lock into a cycle of ongoing world wide wars, increasing community violence on all levels, more familes living in poverty, the militarization of local law enforcement, a growing disparties in health care, affordable housing, lack of mental health coverage and better schools. Lets not forget about civil rights, equal rights, women rights, wealth gap and the fact that there are more black men in prison today than were in slavery during the 1850’s.  Well, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done.     

It seems that sometimes those in charge, who’s job or responsibility is to help make things better are not clearly focused on what is most important in the lives of residents or have just allowed things to get way out of hand.  And to make matters worst, instead of admitting a mistake, they either cover things up, blame it on someone else or just ignore the situation all together.  Seeing to the needs of a growing community that is becoming more diverse each day is a situation many refuse to acknowledge or accept.  We have to come to terms with what is occuring, that things are changing and nothing can stop the momentum, progress always detates change.        

Even as a our diverse community continues to grow, we have to grow with it, meet the upcoming needs of those cultures, bring more people to the table, think outside the box and be willing to make adjustments.  Lets be real about it, everyday countless individuals and families are lock in a struggle to survive, to gain their financial independence, to overcome an addition, to find peace and the courage to move forward.  Today, many people and families are broken by their situation in life, shattered, enduring setbacks, illinesses, and ongoing trama.   Suffering, drug addition, poverty, homelessness, prejudice, crime, discrimnation, unemployment, divorce and oppression are all real.  There is never a good way to say or feel it, but if you want to make a change, you will have to fight to get it or else things will always remain the same.   What do you think?             

The Front Lines

This is not just another day at the office, you are not having a bad dream, nor is this the twilight or phantom zone and this is certainly not a figment of your imagination... it’s the front lines.  Many of us have been on the front lines for years, without even enlisting in the military or being compensated for all our efforts.  Some of us have become seasoned veterans and have learned what it takes to endure hardships, overcome being under fire and pressure.  We have learned how to dig deep into our souls and consciousness only to recognize that the fight our ancestors were fighting still continues.    

As we continue during this month in the celebration of Black History, let us not forget that many African Americans who were trailblazers and pioneers, made essential contributions to improving America for all.   They had to deal with a lot of prejudice, discrimination, and racism and... Jim Crow laws.  And as if we were not looking, many of the same tactics that were used during their days and times have reemerged through new concepts, policies and procedures.   

In the 1960’s, it’s the War on Poverty, in the 1970’s it’s the War on Drugs and of course we are still fighting wars in politics, social justice, education, housing, voting rights, women rights, children rights and for quality health care.  Let’s not forget to count the number of military wars that continue to be fought overseas in dozens of countries.  In the view of some people, many of these wars should be over, have been too costly and that the real enemy is that the American people have become too depend on support from the federal government. 

However, we call all agree, that we have a lot on our hands and to keep up with what is going on is hard and at times overwhelming.  But to be real about it, if you are really concern about the welfare of the nation, you have to be engaged and enlisted in these wars on the home front, there is no way in which to escape any of them.  These issues affect each of us and impact our lives every day, for at the end of the day and when all is said and done, we are paying for each war and the price tag continues to grow.  So, I say, put on a social helmet, get up to speed  with what is going on, step out of your comfort zone, and find someone else who has already joined the fight... more people are needed... we have a spot just for you.  What do you think?             

Selling Ourselves Short

Another Black History month is upon us and again we are looking at ways in which to celebrate the accomplishments of our ancestors, who have make a profound impact in making America what it is today.  Make no doubt about it, the contributions of African Americans throughout history continue to shape and reshape the American experience.   These contributions include many in medical science, business, education, technology, industry, music, movies, media, civil rights, inventions, politics and sports. 

Since the founding of America, many Black pioneers emerged to pave a way for a better way of living and to foster a much brighter future for upcoming generations.  Some of these notable pioneers are known as trailblazers, rising stars, heroes and champions to various causes, organizations and countless movements.  If we take a closer look at what each of these individuals accomplished during their life time, it would simply be amazing and blow our minds.  What is so remarkable about each of their stories is the fact of that many had to overcome so many obstacles and challenges along the way.   They had to deal with racism, segregation, slavery, injustice, oppression, indifference and discrimination.   However, against so many odds they persevered and left marks that continue to touch so many lives and echo the core principles of being an American. 

Sadly, many modern history books do not include all the accomplishments of African Americans.  A number of them are not even mentioned, listed in the footnotes or as references.  The reasons why vary for these exclusions including having few if any African Americans on the team of writers or editors.  Additionally, there is a lack of appreciation, limited culture intelligence, cultural bias, lack of quality research and a historical perspective to the overall contributions to African Americans in the making of America.   With the lack of inclusion, future generations will struggle to fully understand their role in which their community, culture, ethnic group, and heritage.  But African American history is much deeper, much broader, much richer and much more meaningful.   

In order to ensure that future generations of African Americans gain a better understanding of the contributions of their ancestors, community leaders, churches, and organizations must help to fill in the gaps.  Additionally, teachers in secondary and post-secondary schools must encourage students to explore their roots, show documentary films, provide lectures, hold special events, do reenactments, plays and do research on little known personalities and events.  We must remember that there is more to African American history then what we may read in one history book or another, but that history is all around us and in us.    What do you think?             

Getting This Party Started

When you though the side show in politics had stopped or slowed down on all levels... well it was only taking a brief recess... but it is back and boy are there some new sets of actors or clowns doing the same routine... talking loud, doing nothing and even using some bigger props.  And if you believed for once that people would finally get the right memo, email, read the tea leaves, see the right shrink (therapist)... then we are all in to seeing some interesting dance moves in 2015.   The only things missing are the afros, shag carpet, strobe lights and some space to form the “soul train” line.    

Each year there seems to be a lot of things on the American agenda, but it is hard to see any real progress and there are glowing reports to back that up.   The list is endless, but the major players include poverty, housing, economics, jobs, employment, workforce readiness, crime, law enforcement, health care, education, domestic violence and social services.  We have become a nation of services (public/private) that provide some kind of assistance to some kind of problem.   Just name a problem and there is some agency out there that can deal with that particular issue.  We have hundreds if not thousands of little known programs available that no one really knows about.  Of course that means those resources will never be used.  That sounds messed up...   

Amazingly, there are hundreds of reports completed each year that highlight the issues and what if any progress has been made.  Everybody wants to study the problem and things go on for years and years without a solution.   In the end, these reports are completed, placed on a bookshelf or used as doorstops along the way, mentioned during political speeches, job interviews, listed as a reference in future reports or when applying for another grant.  In the end, this is what we did, what we believed to be true, here are the results of our actions and how we can improve, if and when this opportunity comes again.      

No one told us that these and other things were included in the price tag when pursuing the American Dream.  The hidden costs of obtaining the dream are what have derailed the majority of Americans.  It seemed so simple, to own a home in a good neighborhood, work a livable wage job and your children obtaining a good education.   And because of the side shows that we will see played out in 2015, the dream will continue to be deferred.  So, I would recommend that we pray for the best, hope for some progress and close one of our eyes to a lot of bad dancing.    What do you think?

Dr. Andrew Calhoun, can be contacted at andrewiiicalhoun@gmail.com, Twitter #AC53, and Facebook.   You can hear Dr. Calhoun each Sunday at Grace Fellowship Church, 3879 N. Port Washington Rd. Milwaukee 414-265-5546.