What’s Most Important

“a lot of times, it’s difficult for me to see how i’ve grown because there are times where i don’t feel as if i’ve made many changes. but sometimes, being around others allows you to see the changes in your mentality and your position…and it gives you a different perspective on what it means to grow and change. i’m not where i ought to be…but i’m grateful that i’m not where i used to be.”
~erin davis, 06.28.05

“our greatest danger in life is permitting urgent things to crowd out the important; to fail to live by a clear set of priorities. everybody is living for something. the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”

Recently (using this term loosely) I have neglected what is most important. I have allowed myself to adjust my priorities; to allow urgent things to crowd out the things that are most important. And so, it’s time to come clean about that…

I have engaged in fruitless relationships in hopes of bearing fruit. I have ignored the nudging of God or the tugging at my heart that indicates when to let go and/or move on. I have placed people in places of importance in my life when they in fact warrant no place at all.

I have used people and things to fill voids that I should be asking God to fill. I have become so obsessed with doing things and fulfilling obligations that I have ignored my relationship with God. I have become more focused with my future instead of nurturing the relationship with the one who has orchestrated my future.

I am coming clean, at least on this space, because I believe that the people who read this believe in the power of prayer and that they will hopefully be praying for me. Additionally, I believe that it’s important to divulge our shortcomings so that they can possibly help others.

So, that’s what’s up with me. Keep me in your prayers. Be encouraged…

“That relationship died, for you to be born, you worth more than anything you could cop in a store, for you to grow he had to go, so what you stoppin him for?”
~Common

Torn and confused, wasted and used;
Reached the crossroad, which path would I choose?
Stuck and frustrated, I waited, debated;
For something to happen that just wasn’t fated.
Thought what I wanted was something I needed…
My soul was weary, but now it’s replenished;
Content because that part of my life is finished…
But my heart is gold, I took back my soul
And totally let my creator control
The life which was his to begin with…
~Lauryn Hill

Professor removed for gender

A professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX was removed from her position because of her gender. This is the latest source of division within the Southern Baptist Convention.

An official from the school said, “With regard to the tightening of the policy of women teaching in the School of Theology, there has been no change in policy, but rather a return to the way it has always been. There was a momentary lax of the parameters, and (the seminary) has now returned to its traditional, confessional, and biblical position.”

Hmmm…interesting. Check out the article and then tell me what you think…

News Bites…

One of the main reasons that I love the weekend is because I can catch up on local/national news. Here are some things that caught my attention:

1. Students at Tarleton State University throw an MLK Party

Basically, this article says it all. But the short of it, students at the school in Stephenville, Texas threw a party where people perpetuated black stereotypes; dressing in afro wigs, wearing fake gold and silver teeth, and even dressing as Aunt Jemima- with a gun

This is definitely making me reconsider that potential job opportunity in Texas.

2. Does Obama appeal to Blacks?

Quotables from this article:

“You can be elected president as a black person only if you signal at some level that you are independent from black people…He is going to have to figure out whether there is a way not to alienate and anger a black base that almost by definition is going to be disappointed.”
~Melissa V. Harris-Lacewell, Princeton University

“He faces some real challenges. First, there will be intense competition for black votes. The other reason is that most black people met him two years ago on television from Boston.”
~Jesse Jackson

3. Same-sex classrooms on the rise

I’ve written about this before; but I guess it’s really taking flight. This article talks about the rise of same-sex schools in Wisconsin. I’m such a proponent of this- I think it cuts back on the number of distractions in a classroom and allows students to focus more on their achievement in class as opposed to their success with the opposite sex.

Oh…and this article is the exact reason why I don’t want my sisters getting a license until they’re 21. In addition to the fact that I don’t think they’re mature enough for a license…

Dangit UNC!

The Admissions Office at my beloved alma mater, UNC, made the mistake of sending an email congratulating 2,700 applicants on their admission. The only problem is that they haven’t been admitted- yet.

The email was intended to request mid-year grades; however, there was some confusion and the wrong email was sent. They’ve now sent emails acknowledging their mistake.

Dang, it must suck to have been on that emotional rollercoaster.

Check out this article.

Potential County Split…hmmm….

There are several reasons for the proposed split. It could be financial. It could be to have a more responsive local government. It could be racial…

Here’s an excerpt from this article:

“A potentially explosive dispute in the City Too Busy to Hate is taking shape over a proposal to break Fulton County in two and split off Atlanta’s predominantly white, affluent suburbs to the north from some of the metropolitan area’s poorest, black neighborhoods.

Legislation that would allow the suburbs to form their own county, to be called Milton County, was introduced by members of the Georgia Legislature’s Republican majority earlier this month.

Supporters say it is a quest for more responsive government in a county with a population greater than that of six states. Opponents say the measure is racially motivated and will pit white against black, rich against poor.”

Your thoughts?

How much is too much?

Is $28,000 per month for child support too much?

Random Thoughts

I’m in a good mood. Actually, I’m in a great mood. I feel as if I’m saying this as if it’s not normal, but I’m really feeling great. Despite feeling a little physically tired, I feel great spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. There is definite positivity on the UGA front.

Classes have gotten underway completely (you know, now it’s time for assignments to be due and stuff), and I realized that what they have been saying all along is true- 15 hours for a graduate student is A LOT. They actually don’t like for graduate students to take more than 9 hours, but I have a vested interest in graduating on May 12, 2007…so I’m gonna make it do what it do. I feel that I’ve been reading SO much more than I have in such a long time. And I’m proud of myself for staying on top of my reading. However, I won’t make promises for the rest of the semester. As we get further and further along, some things might change.

As always, I am completely in awe of God and how He continues to bless me and those around me. I am so grateful for all that He has done and continues to do.

Hope you’re all doing well! Be encouraged!

A UGA Prof on how we’re taught about MLK

Something worth considering from UGA Professor Derrick Aldridge:

In this study, I argue that American history textbooks present discrete, heroic, one-dimensional, and neatly packaged master narratives that deny students a complex, realistic, and rich understanding of people and events in American history. In making this argument, I examine the master narratives of Martin Luther King, Jr., in high school history textbooks and show how textbooks present prescribed, oversimplified, and uncontroversial narratives of King that obscure important elements in King’s life and thought. Such master narratives, I contend, permeate most history textbooks and deny students critical lenses through which to examine, analyze, and interpret social issues today. The article concludes with suggestions about how teachers might begin to address the current problem of master narratives and offer alternative approaches to presenting U.S. history.

You can read the study here

What are we teaching about King’s Dream?

How much do we really know about Dr. King? Outside of knowing that he had a dream, what do we know? We know that he married Coretta, that he was assassinated in Memphis, and then what?

This article from the Washington Post says that a lot of students are unaware of Dr. King’s dream. I find that interesting because Martin Luther King is one of the premier subjects if/when black history is covered in social studies classes. Part of the argument is that curriculums are so rigid that there isn’t enough time to cover something that won’t be covered on their standardized tests.

Here’s an excerpt from the article:

“In a recent survey of college students on U.S. civic literacy, more than 81 percent knew that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was expressing hope for “racial justice and brotherhood” in his historic “I Have a Dream” speech.

That’s the good news.

Most of the rest surveyed thought King was advocating the abolition of slavery…

In many schools across the country, teachers say social studies has taken a back seat under the federal No Child Left Behind law, which stresses math and reading. Squeezing history into the curriculum can be difficult, educators say, and taking time out of a scheduled lesson to use a federal holiday — even King’s — as a teaching moment can be tough.”

Any insights? What did you learn about Dr. King in school?

An Interesting Article on Dreamgirls

I haven’t posted on Dreamgirls because I have yet to see it. Yes, I know I’m wack. BUT, when you consider that it JUST opened in Athens TODAY, I don’t feel too bad. I go to Atlanta for a lot of things, but just to see a movie? Nah, homie.

Anyhow, check out this article which discusses how Dreamgirls might be getting set up for the okie doke when it comes to getting an Oscar. No movie with a mostly black cast has won an Academy Award, and there have definitely been some good ones. But here’s what’s worth quoting from this article:

“No film with a predominantly African American cast has ever won best picture.

Is it time that one did? For sure. But Dreamgirls with all its star power and glam probably won’t do in 2007 what “The Color Purple” and “Malcolm X” (which wasn’t nominated) should have done in 1986 and 1993 respectively — and that is win. And while “Ray,” which was nominated in 2005, was both a critical and financial success, it was no “Million Dollar Baby.”

The critics who have praised “Dreamgirls” will likely claim that an Academy that recently honored Halle Berry, Denzel Washington and Jamie Foxx with golden boys for best actress/actor, is not ready to embrace a film detailing the struggles African Americans face when they fail to assimilate to the dominant culture. That would be like admitting that “Crash,” last year’s best-picture winner, was truly an accurate portrayal of life in America.

We can’t have art imitating real life and winning awards for it!

The collective victories of Berry, Washington, Foxx and others have opened the door a little wider for African Americans in the film industry, but it still remains only ajar. It’s often said by black and white actors alike that the only color studio heads ever see is green. Well, American currency is green and white.”

So…I’d love to hear what you think. Especially if you’ve seen the movie. I keep hearing about THE SCENE. AND I AM TELLING YOU…don’t worry, I’m going to see it this weekend!