All of us are
familiar with the tragic killing of Trayvon Martin that took place on February
26th by a self appointed neighborhood watchman who's name is George Zimmerman
in Sanford Florida outside of Orlando.
As of the time of this submission George Zimmerman is still a free man
that has not been arrested, while a mother weeps for justice.
We also know from
recordings that Martin realized he was being followed and he asked Zimmerman
why he was following him. Zimmerman
called into 911 reporting that Martin looked suspicious because he was wearing
a "hoodie." Police told
Zimmerman to stand down and wait for the police to get there and yet Zimmerman
disregarded these demands. When police
arrived and Martin was dead, it was reported that Zimmerman stated he acted in
self defense. PLEASE!
As a mother, my heart
goes out to Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon's mother, because I too have a wonderful,
handsome, and promising young African American son. She was reported as saying, "the
investigation won't matter unless the result is in the arrest and prosecution
of George Zimmerman." This mother
is asking for justice.
As many know, I am a
strong advocate for forgiveness. I also
believe in justice. Wanting one does not
cancel out the other. I believe
oftentimes for forgiveness to thrive, justice must exist. A question that many are asking is
"what's so special about this particular young man, black men are killed
almost on a daily basis?" My
response to this is sometimes we get sick and tired of being sick and tired and
enough is enough.
As we close out Women's
History Month, I would like to draw a parallel discussion using Ms. Rosa Parks. Ms. Rosa was not the first African American
woman to refuse giving up her seat to a white person, but she was the right
woman at the right time to cause a nation to have the courage and strength to
take a stand on her behalf. In my
opinion, Trayvon Martin also represents the many African American boys and men
that are innocently killed and have no voice.
The nation is taking a stand from the White House down by letting their
voices be heard and if need be wearing their "hoodie." Let's not let this be another situation where
a young man, a young African American dies in vain.
Healing Without
Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle.
Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You
can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on
Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @
5:00am.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
FEAR
This morning I woke up and I thought about all the things I want to do in and with my life and I asked myself why I wasn't doing them. Of course there are the practical answers like, I have to make a living, I have people depending on me, I have responsibilities, etc. Then I thought about a statement a friend recently said, "wouldn't life be interesting if we lived without fear." Don't get me wrong, there are some things I believe are good to fear. Growing up as a little girl my grandmother taught us the fear of God, and of course we were afraid of what she would do to us if we acted up, but I'm talking about not fearing what man can or cannot do to or for you.
As I shared this thought with a neighbor who stopped by for a cup of tea, she said, "Wendy you do a lot already, what else do you want to do?" I responded by saying, there are a lot of things running around in my head and I need to get them out. Of course she laughed and said then just get them out. After she left, I pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and I just started writing down all of the things I wanted for my life. I separated them into two categories, personal and professional. I thought about goals and unfinished dreams. Then I thought about what do I need to do to make them happen, when I was honest, I realized the main things I desired to do in my life, it was fear holding me back.
Suddenly as I was writing everything down, I remembered a definition I once read about the word FEAR. False Evidence Appearing Real. Then I thought about what scared me about making that phone call to someone who could help me with a project, or why didn't I just tell someone that they were not the right partner for me, or how bad would it really be if I stuck to exercising and watching what I ate? Sounds funny when I say it out loud or read what I wrote down, but it is true, we are afraid or fear what actually may happen if we're honest, do what we need to do, or step out on faith. I am going to work on doing a better job of letting go of what so easily entangles me and just focus on what is and what can be. I encourage you do to the same.
Marianne Williamson once said (and Nelson Mandela repeated it in his Inauguration Speech in 1994)
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us....We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
As I shared this thought with a neighbor who stopped by for a cup of tea, she said, "Wendy you do a lot already, what else do you want to do?" I responded by saying, there are a lot of things running around in my head and I need to get them out. Of course she laughed and said then just get them out. After she left, I pulled out a piece of paper and a pen and I just started writing down all of the things I wanted for my life. I separated them into two categories, personal and professional. I thought about goals and unfinished dreams. Then I thought about what do I need to do to make them happen, when I was honest, I realized the main things I desired to do in my life, it was fear holding me back.
Suddenly as I was writing everything down, I remembered a definition I once read about the word FEAR. False Evidence Appearing Real. Then I thought about what scared me about making that phone call to someone who could help me with a project, or why didn't I just tell someone that they were not the right partner for me, or how bad would it really be if I stuck to exercising and watching what I ate? Sounds funny when I say it out loud or read what I wrote down, but it is true, we are afraid or fear what actually may happen if we're honest, do what we need to do, or step out on faith. I am going to work on doing a better job of letting go of what so easily entangles me and just focus on what is and what can be. I encourage you do to the same.
Marianne Williamson once said (and Nelson Mandela repeated it in his Inauguration Speech in 1994)
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us....We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
Monday, March 5, 2012
MarchWomen's History Month & The Issue of Our Health Rights
March represents the accomplishments women have made across the country. It's interesting women were granted the right to vote in August 1920, but it wasn't until 1981 when Congress authorized and requested the President of the United States to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 to be considered, "Women's History Week.' (Ironic that both Black History Month and Women's History Month started out as just a week!). It would be close to five years later in 1987 when a week went to a month. What's interesting is each year the President still has to issue an annual proclamation confirming March as "Women's History Month."
I think it's ironic, or coincidental, not sure what you would make of it, that we recently experienced the battle over women's health issues around the subject of oral contraceptives being testified by Sandra Fluke. Ms. Fluke testified on behalf of women who will benefit from the Affordable Care Act Contraception Coverage Regulation. Her controversial testimony has caused so many thoughts, words and emotions to fly. She has been called a heroine, a "slut" and a fake to name a few. We've all heard how Rush Limbaugh attacked her calling her "out of her name" and eventually having to apologize. What's interesting is Sandra Fluke said his apology doesn't change anything. She dismissed his statement as insufficient. Ms. Fluke stated that she felt he really wasn't sorry for how he thought, just on his choice of words, (probably pressure from advertisers) as she sought to refocus the discussion on access to contraceptives being a matter of women's rights. In one of his statements, Limbaugh said before a panel of lawmakers as asking, "you and me and the taxpayers" to pay her "to have sex." He said the request made her a "slut" and "prostitute" and would make the American public "pimps."
Fluke argued that oral contraceptives are important for women's health and she focused on its medical uses beyond just preventing pregnancy. Medically there are several reasons women benefit from taking oral contraceptives, one being the problem with cysts. What I find interesting is how a man can pass judgment on something he will personally never understand or have reason to need. Whereas, President Obama personally called Ms. Fluke and extended his support to her for testifying on behalf of all women.
The subject of women's rights whether we are discussing health, trafficking or dealing with equality in the workplace is still an issue on the table that must be fought. Although someone may issue an "apology" and yes, I am totally an advocate of forgiveness, we can't forget the battles that have been fought for the rights of women and those without a voice. If we are not careful we will lose all the gains that have been made. Take this month to find a way to "march" forward in helping the life of a girl or woman to have a better life.
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
I think it's ironic, or coincidental, not sure what you would make of it, that we recently experienced the battle over women's health issues around the subject of oral contraceptives being testified by Sandra Fluke. Ms. Fluke testified on behalf of women who will benefit from the Affordable Care Act Contraception Coverage Regulation. Her controversial testimony has caused so many thoughts, words and emotions to fly. She has been called a heroine, a "slut" and a fake to name a few. We've all heard how Rush Limbaugh attacked her calling her "out of her name" and eventually having to apologize. What's interesting is Sandra Fluke said his apology doesn't change anything. She dismissed his statement as insufficient. Ms. Fluke stated that she felt he really wasn't sorry for how he thought, just on his choice of words, (probably pressure from advertisers) as she sought to refocus the discussion on access to contraceptives being a matter of women's rights. In one of his statements, Limbaugh said before a panel of lawmakers as asking, "you and me and the taxpayers" to pay her "to have sex." He said the request made her a "slut" and "prostitute" and would make the American public "pimps."
Fluke argued that oral contraceptives are important for women's health and she focused on its medical uses beyond just preventing pregnancy. Medically there are several reasons women benefit from taking oral contraceptives, one being the problem with cysts. What I find interesting is how a man can pass judgment on something he will personally never understand or have reason to need. Whereas, President Obama personally called Ms. Fluke and extended his support to her for testifying on behalf of all women.
The subject of women's rights whether we are discussing health, trafficking or dealing with equality in the workplace is still an issue on the table that must be fought. Although someone may issue an "apology" and yes, I am totally an advocate of forgiveness, we can't forget the battles that have been fought for the rights of women and those without a voice. If we are not careful we will lose all the gains that have been made. Take this month to find a way to "march" forward in helping the life of a girl or woman to have a better life.
Healing Without Hate: It's a choice. It's a lifestyle. Pass it on!
Visit www.WendyGladney.com & www.forgivingforliving.org. You can email her at wendy.gladney@gmail.com. Also follow her blog: Wendygladney.blogspot.com. Wendy is featured on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH on Dominique DiPrima's Front Page Friday Mornings @ 5:00am.
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