This evening I viewed a portion of the series that CNN is running called "Black in America" and as usual it noted staggering statistics of the percentage of 1/20 African Americans in Washington, D.C. have HIV (these are comparable to rates in other countries such as South Africa) and it largely talked about the highest cause of death in black women age 24 to 35 is HIV AIDS. The program also went on to note that between 1950 and 2000 the likelihood of African American women to not get married have more than doubled from about 20% to 42%. The last thing it spoke of was the controversy of 33% of African American men being incarcerated at some point in their lives. It briefly gave a preview of tomorrow's episode where two brothers from the same household end up in two different places: prison inmate and princeton university professor (Phd).

Again as I mentioned I only saw a portion of the show (maybe 20 minutes - if that), but was struck by the content. It's no surprise that shows like this pull on my heart strings because I can attest to it. What's more astonishing to me is that there is no CNN episode that shows white families facing the same disparities that some blacks are facing. If two relatives within a white family take varying paths, it's hardly ever mentioned. This brought me to the thought of being black in corporate america. I work in corporate america today and there is still very much a part of me that longs for the familiarity of "family" when I walk into a meeting with peers and executives only to find that I am once again the only "sistah" in the room with the stereotypical "afro" reminding all of them the "black power" days of old. I say that because it is as if some see beyond my credentials and initially only see my color. Today I was late to a meeting...right behind a white female colleague of mine...but when I entered the room, the first thought I had was "I'm being viewed as the typical late "black person" to the meeting." And then I thought, I wonder what type of experience my colleagues would have if they could just be "black in corporate america" for a day.

Please don't be mistaken, I enjoy wonderfully embracing my ethnicity and all that it means to be black, but it comes with added responsibility in America and other countries such as South Africa. I was moved to write this poem tonight after viewing that show:

"Do you see me?"

As I enter the board room what will you behold?
Will you focus on my hair which does not have golden locks or loose curls?
Will you behold the darkness of my skin?
Will you make a mental note of the curves that shape the garb that I am in?
All of these signify one thing - the reality that I am not of your kin.
I do not understand what it is like to enter a room and see similar faces.
Or even enter a room and see different races.
I understand what it's like to be the standard bearer for a generation.
A generation and people group that have been defined as fatherless and incarcerated.
For I am more that what my skin beholds, but my skin somehow encompasses some of the deep issues of my soul.
I believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
And that every person has been given their proper shade.
So as I enter the board room again, I will ask once more...
Is it ONLY my skin color that you see or are you beginning to see ALL OF ME?
For I can not be separated from this beautiful skin of mine
But I hope that you behold more than just a "black woman stuck in time"
Cuz I am more than a statistic or mere number in line.
I am an educated business woman in corporate america desperately wanting to move forward (in time).

I do want to state that I enjoyed the show on CNN and will watch the second portion tomorrow. To be fair to the show, it did not entirely have a negative spin, however, it sometime upsets me when networks show things like this because it simply continues to perpetuate the negative image others may have of the black community. All I have to say is be a part of the solution and stop spending so much energy telling me about the problem.

I will continue to be a part of the solution. Honestly, don't we all know the problem at this point?

You can find out more about what they discussed on www.cnn.com/blackinamerica

I know I began my last blog with the words, "it's been a month since I last wrote" and well, I hate to report the same thing that it's been such a long time since I've written again.  You see, time goes by so fast when you move to a new city, start a new job, travel extensively, and celebrate the wedding of one of your best friends.  In reading my last blog, I was inspired to write again - so this time I won't disappoint.  I'll be writing tomorrow night about my other observations in South Africa, life in Kansas City and life as a black woman in corporate America (can be a touchy subject, but life wouldn't be life if it wasn't so touchy at times - chill aiight?) 

I'm excited to share with you all what the Lord is doing in my life.  I am still hopeful that many of my family members will experience the joy of knowing Christ.   And last but not least, I'm thrilled that springtime is practically here! 

At least I don't have to endure many more days of this:


The day everyone (except  me) went out  - evident by the snow still  under the vehicle

 


That's my reflection in the window - this is the lake outside of my office.  It just partially froze one day.  A few days later it completely froze (ice skating anyone?)



Oxymoron - Sun shining and frozen lake?  I was quite cold that week.



Right outside of my window - fours days after my arrival (YIKES)




Beautiful snow day




Last but not least - I'm happy that I won't have to behold "dirty snow" that is shoveled in the middle of parking lots

I'll talk to you tomorrow.  Until then, be easy and be honest, but while you're at it - BE COOL.

The past few weeks have blazed by and it's almost time for me to head to Kansas City, but there is a great part of me that questions whether or not have I finished my time in Tallahassee well.  I've heard it said time and time and again (and honestly I believe it) - it's not how you begin, but how you finish that matters.  People won't remember the effort taken to arrive at the desired destination, people simply remember how you finish.

The journey to the finish line (completion of my MBA) has been a long difficult one.  Last year brought with it great tragedy, triumph, and transition.  It meant long hours of study, little to no time with friends, mourning with family, and the feeling of being invisible to the rest of the world.  Of course I was visible, but a dangerous thing occurs when our lives become consumed with one thing or another - we become disconnected from the rest of the world because of the thing we are trying to achieve.  What also occurs during this time is that the rest of the world as we know it, "goes on"... our friends get married, some have children for the first time, and others move away. 

After completing my MBA, I thought I would have plenty of time to "reconnect", but that didn't occur.  There were one million things (please excuse the minor exaggeration) to get done and the reconnection did not take place.  I strongly value the relationships I have with my family and friends and I am sure that the relationships that are important will continue to be developed. 

I have titled this blog as such because I really have the since that now is the appropriate time for me to transition.  The timing is right and whether or not I would have orchestrated it this way or another way does not matter because I believe that God has uniquely arranged things for this time in my life. It's time to head to Kansas City!  Big ups to those who have supported me with prayers, encouragement, and free lunch and dinner along the way (smile).  I am learning that the richness of life has little to do with possessions and much more to do with people/relationships.

We will see where the future takes me - I'm a bit nervous, even anxious, but I recall that there is a scripture in the Bible which states that I am to be anxious for nothing and with prayer and supplication to make my requests known to God.  I will do just that...

Tomorrow I head to Orlando to say good bye to friends and family there...it's getting harder and harder to say good bye - maybe I will start saying "see ya latuh".  In the meantime, check out these pictures of me and my nephews on Christmas morning.

 

I love this time of the year because it brings my family together, however I don't know that it's the most wonderful time, because America and nations all around the world have lost site of what it means to be thankful.  I think many have also lost site of the price Jesus Christ paid for sinners - men and women who willingly choose to live their lives without regard for biblical principles.

It is also the time of the year where the following things happen:

• Increase in debt due to unrealistic expectations to purchase gifts for the "whole family"
• The realization of the disparity of poverty is made prevalent during this time

There is a part of me that wants to get back to the simplicity of life and the things that really matter - faith, family and friends - in essence our relationship with God and others.

I did enjoy seeing my family this past Thanksgiving - my mom closed on her home this weekend!  That's a milestone in our family - it was her first home at 48.  I am so proud of her.  She's helping to change our family tree and break the cycle of poverty.  I've said it before and I will say it again...she is definitely one of my heroes. 

Here are a few pictures from the Thanksgiving weekend (check out my photo album if you want to see more photos):

Okay, so I have been motivated like never before to write - here are my thoughts regarding another issue that plagues America:

The question is..."Is God color blind?" If God was color blind then I would have gathered that this world we live in would not be filled with the rich culture and diversity that exists in color alone. Hmm- it seems our world has turned upside down what God intended to really represent the uniqueness of His creation. We have used color to separate and create various social classes. It has been to the disgrace of our nation that we did not recognize the benefit of mankind as a whole and work together as "one nation under God" during our earlier years. But what we all must be reminded of is that it is currently 2007 and life is not the same as it was 50 years ago. If anything remains inside of us that places boundaries on individuals because of their color it is because we choose to do so. We are no longer being demanded to sit in certain places, eat at certain restaurants, or even treat others unequally. We are no longer victims, but volunteers if we behave in this manner.

The challenge remains for us a nation to not judge by the external but rather by the character of men. I don't believe that God is color blind, but more importantly than that, He has never been blind to the motives within the hearts of mankind.