10 -Stop buying into all the so-called studies about African Americans that tell us how badly we are supposedly doing.09 - We should stop saying so many negative things about ourselves.
08 - African Americans who think the images of African Americans on BET are demeaning should cancel their cable. ( I don't have much hope for this one)
07 - Shun African Americans who do other African Americans harm. Example R.Kelly
06 - Save money!
05 - Get a passport. (Thanks to the blog HomelandColors for this one) This is something our ancestors could not do. Having a passport is freedom.
04 - Find love or refine the love you have. We need to work on our relationships with each other. Romantic relationships and friendships as well.
03 - Register to vote and VOTE!
02 - Think positive
01 - Read Mes Deux Cents daily!
What do you think of these resolutions? What resolutions would you add for the New Year for African America?
15 comments:
Great resolutions, particularly not buying into the 'whoa is me' studies. I prefer to say: 'okay, here is some stuff some of us are dealing with and lets make it better'. Because like most things- just about everyone else is going through it too.
Take responsibility for our health.
Shop regularly at at least one Black-owned business (you dont have to sacrifice service and quality though, though it can be said we do it everyday from other people).
Try independent movies
Give more support to community-oriented activists in your area. These groups are focusing on the very things Black folk say Sharpton, Jackson, et al are ignoring. But we're ignoring them. Stop focusing solely on the national figure heads. (like the cartoon in your post below)
I concur 100%. Especially the number 1 which I already do lol
Nice list. :)
I would add 'get to know yourself' as a resolution. Take time to look within and make change where you see fit.
Eat healthily. More fruit, veggies and water!
Get involved. Mentor, donate, volunteer. Do something productive.
Happy New Year! :)
MDC, these are great. I definitely do #1 several times a day. Here are some of my suggestions for the black community.
READ.
Read everything you can get your hands on. Read about history. Read about politics. Read fiction. Read non-fiction. Knowledge is power.
OPT OUT OF THE CONSUMERIST LIFESTYLE.
Just say no to expensive clothes, cars and the like, until you have achieved financial stability.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT OTHER BLACK FOLKS IN PUBLIC.
Loudly support African Americans that are doing the right things for our community. Lift them up; position them as role models to children. Support their endeavors. As for the others, Loudly denounce things that denigrate and damage the black community...even if they are perpetrated by other black people.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.
Write to your Congress person. Write to the corporations that advertise on trash TV. Write to your school board, if your education system is failing. Submit questions for political debates. Don't let your interests go ignored.
LOVE.
Yourself and others.
Respect human lives and other sentient beings.
"Create yourself" (my latest soapbox :-).
Great list. I will add, ask for help if needed no matter what kind. Have the nerve to ask.
Wonderful list! I especially love the passport part! One of the most freeing things for me has been traveling. I haven't done as much as I'd like, but I did make it to Paris. Ironically enough, I started thinking more about my being American once I left here and had to see myself through others eyes as an American.
And for me this year, I want to try and do lots of new things and really push my limits.
That's a nice, big black "check" on all those things on the list! Especially #1 (smile)
Oh yeah, one more thing:
Read a Book! Read a Book! Read a mof**kin' book!
Yep, definitely read a book.
Mes, numbers 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 & 10 sound good to me.
And you already know black people will not pay the rent before they cancel the cable bill. As a matter of fact, we will climb up the telephone pole and hook it back up when the cable company comes out to cancel it. lmao.
Symphony,
Health is a definitely a good add and I really like shopping at a Black owned business.
I have a friend who complains about the prices being a little higher at a little Black owned store, so she doesn't shop there. I told her that if she continues to shop there and others do too, the prices will come down.
I hear that excuse a lot.
And I also think supporting local activists is a great add too.
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Miriam,
Lol, And I love when you visit!
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superwoman,
Eating healthy is a really great one. It's so easy and yet people continue with bad eating habits. This past year I've become a "semi-vegetarian", I still eat meat occasionally but mainly vegetables.
And your right about doing something productive, so many people complain and that's all they do.
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Tami,
I love saying no to the designer clothes, that's a HUGE problem. I see people all the time that barley have a pot to you know what in who wear designer clothes.
And writing/ speaking to power is a really good add too. I'll admit 2007 was the first year I really got into writing public officials, although I never heard back from them.
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Lisa,
That's a great one, if you don't define yourself, others will!
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Anali,
Wow; Paris, it's on my list of places to go!
I want to try new stuff this year too. I wan to broaden my horizons as they say.
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SheCodes,
Lol, Thanks!
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Jose,
Lol, Okay I know whose been watching BET!
But I agree, reading IS fundamental to having a chance at a good life.
Mes Deux Cents,
We live in a 'microwave' society(we want everything quick and easy), so it's no surprise that many of us have adopted this attitude when it comes to food.
Our bodies are temples, so we should realy make the effort to treat it with respect.
I know that obesity is a growing problem in the States within the African American community, so I hope that more of us can become aware and not another heart disease/diabetes statistic.
Peace and blessings. :)
after reading the comments-(here and other blogs and emails)- and giving thought to your question...i would add,
*growing spiritually - which does define who you are.
*growing your relationship with God-or creating one.
*learning to speak with faith His power over your life.
i feel, that changing the inner self- a persons spiritual self is more important than outward changes--
Superwoman,
Oh my you are so right, it's fast food for most meals for many people. That's crazy.
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WTM,
Those are great adds. Everyone should endeavor to become more spiritually grounded.
10 - AMEN, HALLELUJAH and some more stuff
09 - Can I add another reply like in #10
08 - Done canceled it, next?
07 - I can name names but you don't have enough Blogspace for all that. So, AGREED!!
06 - Ohhhhhhhhhh yes.
05 - Have one just need to come up the $$ to renew it. But I feel so proud to have it, even expired.
04 - AGREED TO THE UTMOST
03 - Jury is still out on this one
02 - ALWAYS
01 - Ok, wait, first I have to type stuff in my own blog, then eat, then go to the gurl's room, then sleep, wake up and eat more, then play with the cat, then.... :P
I keep telling people when I was a child they should have ALLOWED me to BE a child. Now I gotta be online acting out that ish 30+ years later. AHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA!!
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