What is Positive Hip Hop?

November 2nd, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Bringing Politics to the Streets: Would You Trust Obama?

November 1st, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Barack Obama is a master politician. I will give him every bit of credit he rightfully deserves. He has managed to string together a campaign with no actual question on the man himself. I don’t know if any other politician in our history could have accomplished this, at least not after the invent of Radio, Television, and the Internet.

I watched Bill O’Reily last night before my Radio Show (Check it out if you haven’t). He made a really interesting comment. “I haven’t been able to find a single media person that knows Barack Obama.” O’Reily seems to think the only person who really knows Barack Obama is Michelle Obama. With that, I give Michelle Obama kudos.

But that leaves the rest of us to try and figure out the character of this man, possibly the next President of the United States of America.

I want to make a special request of my readers today. Today I want you to make sure you bring your street smarts with you. Don’t leave them at the door. Take the lessons you have learned in your lifetime and apply them to what I’m about to say. Oh Yeah, In this comparison, I’m only using examples.

You are on your block and a new guy shows up. No one knows who he is or where he came from. No one will personally vouch for him, even though they swoon over his clothes or his car. Would you invite him into your inner circle?

Then he sends out a text message and tells everyone in the neighborhood, I need you to make people believe I fit in. See, it’s hard for me to even continue with this because I know your block would start to talk. I know the red flag would start to go up and this man would not be accepted.

But let me continue. Your cousin from a different block comes and says, Hey I know that guy. He was friends with the guy that snitched on Big Tony. Would you allow him to stay in your inner circle? (I don’t believe in not snitching. If you see a child murdered in front of your eyes and you don’t speak up, you are just as culpable as the one that pulled the trigger)

If that wasn’t enough, your girl comes to you and says, Hey I know that guy. He protested with us about Hoopers. You know that store that was hiking up all the prices on eggs, milk and bread. Then he turned around and made a deal to get reduced prices for his friends store, while the neighborhood still had to deal with the high prices at Hoopers. Would he still be in your inner circle?

You and the new dude are riding around in his car. You get pulled over and the cop walks to the car, sees who it is and says he’s going to let you go. You sit and think to yourself, if it were me, I would be laying on the ground while my car was being searched. Would you start to question this guy?

So, now the new guy feels comfortable enough, he decides to move into the neighborhood. Your entire neighborhood is fighting against the owner because they refuse to fix any problems. Your heat doesn’t work, your water comes out black, and the roaches won’t quit. He goes to this man and all of a sudden he gets the best house on the block and then they condemn the land behind it, giving him more property. Are the questions about this man beginning to pile up?

One of this Guys’ closest friends moves into the neighborhood shortly after he does. His friend starts a campaign to shut down public housing and build new houses, no matter the cost. Everyone in the neighborhood says, wait, you are going to far. We don’t want our entire neighborhood destroyed, we just want some improvements to be made. But his friend will not budge. So, the new guys tells everyone, I no longer like this guy because he wants to tear down this neighborhood. If he was your friend before this, why are you so quick to cut him off and what does that say you will do to me if I have an unpopular opinion. Would you really trust a friend like that?

News Alert flash on Television, Radio, and word of mouth. A guy blows up the local radio station claiming they don’t play enough Jay Z songs on air. He had planned to set the fuse when the building was empty but there were still 5 people inside. No one was hurt. The guy that blows up the building is the same guy that helped the new guy move into his new house. So everyone wants to talk to the new guy to find out about the guy that blew up the radio station. The new guy says, he just helped me move, I don’t know him personally. Then comes the next new flash, an old commercial where the new guy was advertising for the bomber. On top of that, you find out the new guy also worked at the company with the bomber. They even worked together on moving certain houses. Would you call this guy a liar?

The new guy does make a new friend in the neighborhood. The only problem with that, it’s the guy that everyone in the neighborhood already calls a sell out. Nobody likes this guy because he doesn’t stick to the politics of the street. He goes out and supports the people who supposedly systematically destroys the image of what a black man should be. Does this man vouching for the new guy make you change your mind?

The new guy decides he’s going to get married. So all the women in the neighborhood rush to meet the new women. She tells all the females, you are all mean and give me no reason to be a proud black woman. You know that woman would get stumped out fast. I’ll show you how mean we are. And when she tried to restructure the sentence, she wouldn’t have a chance because no one would give a damn about what she had to say. Do you limit your time around certain dudes because their girlfriends are stuck up?

How much more do you need? One more, O.K. here it goes. There is a group of both white and black people who hate interracial people. If you are black, your fine. If you are white, your fine. But if you are a mixture of the two, you are a disgrace. The leader of this group is a personal friend of the new guy. He often praises his efforts, even allows him to baby sit his kids. When the mixed people stand up and say, wait, why would you support someone that blatantly points hate in our direction? The new guy says, there are more important issues at hand than how you feel. Would that be enough to break the camel’s back, so to speak.

The Point

If this were any other man, except Barack Obama, you would have serious reservations about him. F that. You would not give him the time of day. He would not be invited to your home because you wouldn’t trust why he wanted to be there. He would not be invited into your community because you know he doesn’t really care about that community, only what he can get out of it. You would not vouch for him with the people you know because you know that if something goes wrong, all eyes will point back at you.

Why would you forget everything you’ve learned to advance someone else? Instead, why not forget all the reasons they say you can’t make it and make some advances for yourself?

Now, let me fill in the blanks on some of the examples from above. I’ll try to stay in order, so you can get the reference.

The streets are always talking and when the New Guy, Barack Obama, shows up, it’s no exception. The only difference is you look at his color and placement and you want to cheer for him. When on the streets, you make a man prove his worth and when he fails to do so, he is ostracized. We all know that trust should not be easily given. Why forget that when going to the polls?

If a man went to the biggest drug dealers on the block and said, I want take your influence to let everyone know I fit in. The dealers would laugh at him. You don’t get to come up in here and ride my coat tails with out me benefitting. They might respect the fact that he was willing to lay all his cards on the table in the approach. But best believe, they won’t increase someone else’s popularity without knowing if that person intended on taking the dealers position. So the new guy ends up oweing the dealers for his success.

Barack Obama in a nutshell. He wrote in ‘Dreams of my Father’, to paraphrase, I picked my friends so I wouldn’t seem like a sell out. He picked Rev. Wright, Rev. Fleager, Bill Ayers, Tony Rezko, and Rashid Khalidi so you wouldn’t think he was a sell out. What does that say about what he thinks of you? He picked the most radical people he could associate himself with because he thought you would approve.

Do you approve? Would you still approve in the drug dealer scenario? If he thought to win your hearts and minds all he had to do was win over the drug dealers. Would you advise him to carry on? If that answer is yes, what are you saying about black people?

The Barack Obama campaign has done a wonderful job in telling you associations don’t matter. But you know better than to believe that. If you associate with drug dealers on the street, the police pay more attention to you. If you associate with gangs, rival gangs will target you. If you associate with the church, you are holier than thou, you know what I mean. Associations do matter. If you want to find the character of a man, seek out the people he surrounds himself with.

Campaign Finance- Barack Obama was on the side of public finance. Meaning, each candidate has the same amount of money, giving each an equal opportunity in the election. So while he complains about people having to much money, he decides he wants to be one of those people. Instead of a level playing field, he chose to out raise and out spend. Think about that when you praise how much money this man is making. McCain took public financing.

The Media- The media is supposed to be the force pushing fairness. It’s purpose is to inform the American people of everything that is going on, not just the news that supports a candidate they favor. So when that police officer pulls over the new guy but let’s him go with no question. How does that make you feel. Knowing damn well they would paste your face all over the news for something you have done. Are you questioning why Barack Obama is the only black man that goes unopposed by the media?

Tony Rezko- Barack Obama’s comrad in Chicago. He is now a convicted felon. So while Barack Obama is a community organizer, he is also getting benefiting from a slum lord. Rezko found Barack Obama land to purchase under market value and then bought the adjacent lot so it couldn’t be built on, thus increasing the property value of Obama’s home. Think about that. He’s benefiting from the same person that would refuse to fix your plumbing, heating, or insect problem. Where are the questions? I forgot to mention that Obama actually spoke up for Rezko.

Rev. Wright- O.K., you sit in a church for 20 years with a pastor that married you and baptized your two children. You tell the world he is your spiritual advisor and how he helped shape the man you have become. When the public catches wind of what that pastor may have actually taught you and cause an uproar, you act as though you just met the man. Come on people. Rev. Wright was a hero until the American people questioned him. Barack Obama cuts him off and the masses follow suit. When Rev. Wright openly says Barack Obama is doing nothing more than playing politics, everyone magically starts to blame Wright. What makes you think he wouldn’t throw you under the bus if it suits him? We want to blame white people for slavery, even though it was black people that sold us to the slave traders.

Bill Ayers- An unrepentant terrorist who still hates America. He didn’t bomb building abroad. He bombed the Pentagon, police stations in New York, and several members of his group killed themselves trying to make more bombs. Barack Obama writes a blurb in his book. Then he says, they are trying to scare you about me. Hell, yeah. I’m scared. Not because you associate with Ayers but because you continuously lie about it. “He was just a guy in my neighborhood.” Why not mention with your own mouth, I also sat on a board with him. Why make the public have to seek out the information, unless you have something to hide. If someone you just met forgets to tell you he’s friends with someone that he knows doesn’t like you, how long would that person be your friend?

Colin Powell- I have nothing but respect for Colin Powell. I’ve used him for years as example of what could happen to a black man that joins the military. Most black people called him a sellout. That was before he chose to support Obama. I can remember all the conversations where people totally bashed Powell. Now, he is the example. Now he is throw out every second by the Obama campaign. Why is Powell now a hero. If you didn’t like him before, why are you cheering for him now. Do you think he may have picked the candidate that would make him appear less of a sell out? (I really don’t want to question Powell’s endorsement. He has every right to make any decision he chooses. And I will continue to hold him in high esteem.)

Michelle Obama- I do love the attitude of this woman. As a black woman, she sets a wonderful example. Anyone that finds a man, love that man, and have that man love you back they way her and Obama do, it’s wonderful. I hope all the women reading this learn that lesson. Find that one that makes you complete. But I do have beef with her. “Americans are down right mean.” “This is the first time I’ve been proud of my country.” And you wonder why they pulled her off the campaign trail. If she would’ve continued to show her personality instead of becoming a talking point specialist, I would’ve added her to this list. Would you trust a dude’s girl you know doesn’t like you but pretends she does? Or could you respect her for telling you the truth because you at least know where she’s coming from? Because that’s me.

Rashid Khalidi- Former member of the PLO. There are even pictures of him throwing rocks into Israel. Now Hamas and Iran have endorsed Obama and he’s friends with Khalidi. I fear for Israel. I don’t understand why they don’t have the right to be a peaceful country. Every country won land in War. If we allow Israel to lose it’s sovereignty what right would we have to keep Texas or California. What’s even funnier, Obama is dominating the Jewish Vote. I just don’t understand.

I know I’m getting long winded, so I’m going to stop. I ljust really want people to take a look at the only source you have to judge the character of Barack Obama, his associations. Yes, he can give one hell of a speech but is that really enough for you?

What’s So Wrong With Socialism

October 28th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

The Story

There was a girl that lived with her mother. She had never been on her own and liked the comfort of being taken care of. Her mother made a good living, so providing her daughter with the basics was no big problem.

One morning the mother got up and made breakfast for her and her daughter. The daughter came in and asked her mother if she could have some money to buy a new outfit for upcoming job interview. The mother said, No. I had to pay the rent, the electric, and other bills, I don’t have the money.

The daughter was upset but she let it pass. Later that day, one of the daughter’s friends showed up at the house. Her mother did not like the friend, so she told her she wasn’t allowed to come in. So the friend called on the phone. The mother answered and told her not to call again.

The daughter was so upset, she went into her room and slammed the door. The mother came in behind her and told her that there were to be no closed doors in this house. The daughter got upset and told her mother that she was going to move out.

The mother freaked at the thought that her daughter would move. So she reached into her pocket and gave the daughter money to buy a new outfit for her interview. The daughter was relieved. She and her mother had come to an understanding and she no longer felt like she needed her own space.

Her mother gave her want she wanted, not what she needed.

The Story

There was once this woman that lived in the Ghetto. She had dreams of opening her own community center to help her neighborhood. She had seen promises made and broken and felt it was time for a center that could not be underfunded or closed due to budget shortfalls.

She worked as a nurse for the last 10 years, saving and investing her money to get to the sum she needed. When she finally hit her target, she was super excited. She began working on the plans for the center. She decided to run the idea by her local officials to get some publicity for her project.

She was stunned to hear her local politician say, You have saved to much money. Instead of building a community center, I want to take the money you have saved and give it to the people in your community. What good is a community center if the people are suffering?

The woman planned on giving financial advice, not financial assistance. The woman planned on giving her time and heart, not her money. The woman had dreamed of leaving a legacy, not helping a politician win re-election off her years of scrapping by.

The officials took her dream and made it impossible.

The story

There was a man who was brought up around money. His father knew how to make it and his mother knew how to spend it. His father would say, Money doesn’t grow on trees. His mother would say, You can’t take it with you. He adopted some principles from both.

So when he got the money and the power, he knew he had to invest in his father’s company to keep it strong. He also knew he had to spend some money too, so like his mom, he wanted to give lots of money to charity.

When tax time rolled around, the man was hit with hard reality. He could save the jobs of his employees and not invest in new equipment or projects, or he could lay people off and divert money towards mandated healthcare. With either option, he would no longer be able to donate to charity.

All the promises he had made to different organizations would have to be taken back. He was heart broken. What was the point of having all this money, if he couldn’t decide how he wanted to spend it.

The system took the lessons taught by the man’s parents and discounted them.

The Last Story

There are three roommates living in an apartment. One was a full time student with a full time job. One was a full time student with money from his parents to pay for living. The other was a part time student with no job and no money.

Every month when rent time came, the part time student would give excuses as to why he couldn’t pay his portion of the rent. After the third month, the other two roommates finally spoke up. The part time student made promises to find a job, but they often found him in front of the video game.

They were through. They went to the rental office and told the people, we need to get this man’s name off the lease and out of our house. The renter asked why. The men told him that he wasn’t paying his share of the rent and was making no attempt to get a job.

The renter said, the rent has been paid on time, so I don’t understand why you are complaining. The full time student with family money said, I brought the furniture, the T.V., and my mom sends us all the other basics; toilet paper, dishwashing liquid, etc. Why should I have to pay his rent also? The full time student with the full time job said I work eight hours a day and spend another six at school. Why should he get to play the video game while I’m out slaving.

The renter said, you both have the means to carry this man. It’s your responsibility as Americans to share with him. Both men were furious.

They were working to better themselves but had to carry someone else’s burden on top of their own.

The Point

Socialism sounds great if you are on the bottom or in political power. If you aren’t doing anything to better yourself, then you welcome someone giving you something. If you control the power, you relish the fact that you can keep a person’s vote by giving a little at a time.

But what happens to those who want it for themselves? The funny part is we all claim to want it for ourselves. We want to own a house but we don’t want to save. (If you save your money, then I’m not talking to you.) But the truth is you know the people I’m talking about.

You get up everyday to go to work, they don’t, but they have better clothes than you. You save for a vacation but end up having to spend that money to get your car fixed, damn transmission. They take two or three vacations to local beaches. You cut coupons and bargain shop and they come over and eat all your food.

You don’t mind, though. That’s why they keep coming. They spend their money at the club on Saturday night because they know they can eat Sunday dinner at your house. And that’s cool. But what happens when the government tells you that Sunday dinner is mandatory and you also have to feed this person and that person too. What happens to your Sunday dinner?

What if someone doesn’t like meat? Do you have to fix a vegetarian dish for them? What if someone doesn’t like Iced Tea? Do you have to check with them on which drink they would like? What if someone didn’t like the color of your dining room? Do you have to change the color?

See, it’s fine when it’s your idea but when someone else tells you how to run it, things change. It no longer is, You will eat what I cook. It becomes what does the government want me to cook. You no longer search the internet for new recipes. You don’t experiment with new ingredients. You stick with what is approved.

Now you might say, Not in my house. I run my house. Well guess what? You also have the power to run your government. Everyone complains that the government is corrupt and does nothing but cause more problems. I wonder how the answer to that problem could be more government.

They messed up Wall Street, now you want to trust them with health care. They destroyed company accountability, now you want to make them accountable for your child’s education. We have the most hated Congress in history, now you want to give them control of government spending. How will this help any of our problems?

A personal issue I have is this; What does that say about you? It pisses me off to think that a politician in government could tell me my worth. You see, just because I don’t make $250,000 a year now, I need help. The truth, this debacle on wall street and the high cost of gas caused me to re-evaluate my spending. Last year, my daughter had four pair of name brand shoes. Now she has one and three pair of no name shoes. What’s even funnier, she likes the no name shoes better.

I can understand the mantra on change going around. Things haven’t been working in the last eight years, so we have to make a change. The truth is, things crashed in the last two years. President Bush won re-election even though we were in an unpopular war. Why? Because the economy was good. Housing sales were up, unemployment was down, and America was in great shape.

No one was concerned about what would happen next. We were all just living in the moment. Buying $600 iphones like we needed them to breathe. Moving into $500,000 houses because that was the American dream. Finding the biggest, gas guzzling SUV because it sent the message of success.

Then all of a sudden life caught up with us and we start looking for someone to blame. I blame myself for constantly wanting to get my hair done, even though I know how to do it myself. I blame myself for hiring someone to cut my grass, when it would only take me and hour or so to do myself. I blame myself for thinking my three year old really cared about the Nike swoosh on her shoes. And I don’t expect someone with money to pay for the mistakes I’ve made.

I believe that the lesson’s I’ve learned will get me to the $250,000 mark and beyond. I know that trivial things like clothes that fade with the next fashion trend are not a good investment, unless I own stock in the company. I know that a car’s purpose is to get you from point A to point B and it doesn’t matter who says, “That’s my car”, when I roll down the street. I know that governments make promises that never materialize, So it’s better if I do it for myself.

That’s how I want my worth determined. What I’ve done through my own sacrifice, not what someone else gave me. I told my daughter the other day, there will come a time when she has to realize that when someone gives you something, they often want something in return. I told her to remember that everything that shines is not gold and when things seem to easy, there is usually a problem.

She told me, “So if I get it myself, no one can take it away.” I told her, Yes, but I felt this pit in the center of my core. I’m trying to teach my daughter self reliance, when she is surrounded by people with their hands out. I don’t want to teach my daughter, You work to pay the government. I want to teach her to work hard and give back. As Jay-Z said, I can’t help the poor, if I’m one of them. I got rich and gave back, to me that’s the win win.

And that sounds wonderful, just like Sunday dinner, but what happens when the government tells you how to give back? When they are paying for Bear research and your community has poor or no health care clinics. When they are paying for wooden arrows and your community has no jobs. When they are paying to keep financial institutions from falling when your community fell years ago.

They say, I’m going to take from the rich and give to the poor. What the hell is $500 going to do to help you? Seriously. You can’t even pay mortgage for a month with that money. Wouldn’t it be better spent if it stayed in the hands of your employeer who could then hire more people, maybe even give you a raise or promotion. Or maybe it could stay in the hands of the people that donate Millions every year to building community centers or finding a cure for AIDS.

And yet again, what does that say about you? You work hard but life gets in the way, you should be taken care of. Where will you get your lessons of survival? Or are you like the daughter in the first story, willing to take any little thing that puts off dealing with a major issue. Or are you like the politician in the second story that thinks you can spend money better than the person that earned it? Or are you like the tax man in the third story, that doesn’t think a business owner can make responsible decisions? Or are you like the renter in the fourth story that thinks as long as things get done, it doesn’t matter who makes the sacrifice?

Oh yeah, one thing I forgot. What happens when the government decides that you have gotten a break for to long? What happens when the margain for being rich is pushed down to $125,000? What happens when you graduate college, get a great job, and then have to turn around and pay for someone else to go to college before you finish paying off your tuition debt? How then do you save for a home or for your retirement?

If you think that spreading the wealth helps everybody, just look at the people around you. How many of them will do the right thing with money they recieve? And don’t lie to yourself, you know the people around you. And if you are one of the people who doesn’t see anything wrong with the spending habits of those around you, you are probably the example your friends and family are looking at.

P.S. If you think the guy in the last story will actually get a job, write to me. I want to hear why you think that man will get a job when he still has a place to live without one!

A Story From My Trip

October 27th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I must apologize for my absence. I was dealing with some personal issues but now I’m back. I got a great story for you though.

I was visiting my peeps and my baby cousin was arguing with her baby daddy. They aren’t officially a couple but they are always together. Anyways, she was telling him that she needed some diapers for their daughter. He was telling her that he didn’t have any money.

I’ve never met the dude, so I didn’t really pay attention to the conversation. Come to find out the hard times are really hitting the streets. The drug dealers are being affected by the the economy. I lie to you not. My baby cousins dude isn’t selling crack like he used too.

Me, being who I am, told her to get him to come to the house. Two cars pull up. One was a Chrysler cop car with shiny rims painted bright orange. I lie to you not. Bright fucking orange. The other was a brand new 2008 Tahoe Hybrid.

Her baby daddy hopped out the bright orange car, switched keys with the driver of the Hybrid, and pulled all his chains from under his shirt. Now my cousin is trying to find a job but she doesn’t have a car. This dude has three cars and won’t let her use one to find a job. He lives in a nice neighborhood and she lives with family. He is dressed head to toe in name brands but so is my baby cousin.

He walks up and throws $20 dollars at my cousin, who immediately bent down and picked it up. Then she started smiling and being nice to the dude. She was cussing him out an hour earlier. Now she was blushing like it was her first crush. I got sick.

So then another car pulls up in front of the house and I got a blast from my past. My biggest crush that never materialized was standing in front of my face. Let’s call him, G. Damn, he looked good. He rushed to hug me and I let him. I felt like I was 16 again.

Anyways, turns out G and the baby daddy are cousins, small world. Then G told me something so interesting. He told my cousin not to fuck with his cousin because men like them were no good. I didn’t think it was possible to lose so much respect for a person so fast.

Let me tell you G’s explanation, this is what pisses me off about alot of black men that I meet. He said it isn’t anyone’s fault that he is still a drug dealer. It’s his choice and he knows were he is going to end up but that won’t ever stop him. There were six of us back then, always together no matter what. Three of us have jobs and lives that no longer involve drugs. One is in Jail. One is dead for trying to shot back at the police officers trying to arrest him. And then there’s G.

G informed me that he was proud of me for changing my life. He said he knew I had it in me. When I told him he had it in him too, he said “I know”. When I tried to press the issue, he said “I’m always going to be me”. And that was it. End of discussion.

We momentarily talked about our kids and our families but I immediately realized how much I had changed. The trivial talk that once sustained me no longer was enough. We said our Goodbyes and they left.

A few minutes later, my baby cousin gave me her phone. G said he wanted to catch up with me some more and asked if he could come back over after he finished some business. I told him, No. My cousin lost her damn mind.

“Do you know how much money he has?”

I wanted to slap her. Good thing the rest of my family jumped on her because I was in a foul mood. Before I left, I pulled my cousin aside and kept it short and sweet. “If you keep worrying about what that man is doing you will never have time to focus on what you can do.” She didn’t want to hear it and I was tired of talking to her.

Then I found out how to get her attention. My daughter asked her to walk out to the car with us and she did. Guess who was waiting in the front yard, her baby daddy with a 89 Nissan Sentra just like I used to have. Now she would have transportation to find her a job.

Before I could pull out the yard, she ran to me with her phone. It was G. Seems he had a little conversation with her baby daddy. The fucked up thing is, he told him that with money being slow he should want his baby mama to have a job so she won’t ask him for money all the time. That’s the only reason he decided to get her a car.

Our conversation didn’t stop there but the rest is rather personal, so I won’t share. Let’s just say there is still a drug dealer I used to know back in Richmond. And one day, some one is going to tell me he is dead or in jail. He knows it and I know it. But until then he will continue to destroy the lives of the people that come in contact with him. For the first time in years, I’m glad I’m no longer 16.

My baby cousin took that $20 that was supposed to be for her daughter and went out with her friends. My Aunt had to end up buying diapers for her daughter. I doubt my aunt will even bring it up the her. And I’m sure she’ll be back to arguing about the needs of a child she doesn’t even take care of.

And me. Left to wonder what can you do to make the streets not sound so sweet. How can you connect with kids that could go to college but would rather hold down a corner? How do you reach daughters that see the struggles of their mother’s and still have babies way to early? How do you convince life long friends you talk to them because you know they hold more inside?

More than that. How can you reach the one’s that know they are wrong and continue on? How can you look into their mother’s eyes at a funeral and not shed a tear? What kind of heart does that take?

From personal experience, I know that takes a heart that is afraid to cry. But not only that, it takes a total understanding of knowing they knew it would end that way and they did it. Not looking back blaming the police or the rival, but a glimpse back at who that person was. It makes it alot easier not to cry.

Is that what we’ve become. Communities with an inability to cry. Yes, we can yell and scream but can we heal? Yes, we can blame and point fingers but can we uplift? Yes, we can mourn but can we also remember? Or are we afraid? Are we scared what the people around us would think if we were the first to shed a tear?

I wonder how long these questions will go unanswered.

Sonskystar Wants Your Vote

October 16th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Local Politician Sonskystar gave a speech in front of Any Town U.S.A. today.  Here’s a copy of her words:

Hello, Everyone.  We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s go.  I know this is usually the part where I throw out names and Thank You’s but I think we have more important issues to discuss.  So for all the assistance I’ve garnered along the way,  Thank You.

Now, I know you are surprised to see a Black Woman running as a Republican.   And I know people will try to scare you about me.  But this is not the time to let their tactics interfer with your future. I’m not asking for your vote.  I’m asking for your ear, a little of your time, and eventually your success.

The Civil Rights movement in this country came at a high cost.  We lost some of the bravest most dedicated Americans to ever grace this country.  But their fight was not in vein.  Some would try to tell you we are in the same fight now.  I beg to differ.  We are in a new age.  And we need a new movement, a Hip Hop Movement.

We can not overlook tragedies from the past.  We can not act as though slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation never existed.  But we can refuse to let it control our futures.  We can give honor and respect to those who came before us, but that can not cause us to stand idle like the battlefield hasn’t changed.   We must stand and say Thank You Dr. King,  Malcolm X, and all the rest but this is our time to pick up where you left off.  You gave us the level playing field and now we have to take advantage of your sacrifices.

If you’re listening right now and thinking to yourself, ‘You know she doesn’t sound like your average politician.’  You are right.  I am not.  See most politicians would come out and make you every promise under the sun.  You give them a problem, they come  up with a promise for a solution.

The lower class and lower middle class have given our votes to the Democrats for years.  What have they done for you?  Have your communities gotten cleaner or safer?  Have your schools gotten better?  Are there more after school programs and assistance towards getting into college.  And I’m not talking about paying for college.  I’m talking wanting to go to college.  What’s the use of throwing money at people, if they don’t have the skills to make it in college because they weren’t taught properly in public schools.

Okay, now she’s starting to sound like a politician.  I’m not finished yet. This will shock you.  I will not make you any promises.  I’m not going to stand here, pull out my book of magic spells, my wand, and whip up all the change we need.  It doesn’t work that way.  My plans will fail if I can’t get you to fight with me.

The Democrats want to give you.  And that sounds great.  But what happens when the funding runs out?  What happens when they deem the program unworkable.  The promises made by Politicians fade and beauracracy flourishes.  And you are left with the same old problems, this time compiled with dashed hopes and dreams.

What I offer is priceless.  I offer self sufficiency.  I don’t want to give you fish, I want to teach you to be fisherman.  I want to give you the power to take care of yourself and your community, no matter how the wind blows in Washington.  I want to take away the promises and replace them with actual results.

I think most Politicians get into office and forget their role.  They get into office and start to think they know best.  I’m not that smug.  If one single person had all the answers, we wouldn’t have any problems.  As your elected official, my job would be to give you every tool available to do it by yourself.  And to fight anyone that impedes on your progress.  I mean anyone.  Because I know my success will only come when you are first successful.

Real change comes with a price tag attached for everyone.  I can not bring change.  That’s one promise I will make you.  I can not do it.  But you can.  You can decide to stand up and fight.  Because the fight of our time is coming.  And you’ve already taken the first step.

In just listening to another point of view.  Just giving me the chance to show you, I understand.  I grew up in a rural community where Confederate Flags still waved from flag poles.  Then I lived in the projects with my single mother.  I know the struggles are real and seem insurmountable but they aren’t.  Did you hear me?  If we all get together and start taking one step at a time, we can crush what seems to be an ever present road block.

That’s how the Civil Rights movement started.  Single acts from brave Americans.  Before there were large marches, there were small marches.  Before there were recognizable names, there were people fighting.  Before there was light at the end of the tunnel, there was a dream.

So when they tell you, ‘She’s a Republican.  She’s an Uncle Tom.  A trader to her race because she sides with ‘Whitey’.  Then you say, ‘I have white friends and family.  What’s wrong with loving all Americans not just those with the same skin color?’  So when they bring up things from the past, you question how that will get you into the future.

Guess what?  You have started to pile stones onto your foundation. And that’s how it starts.  A few brave Americans deciding to longer go with the status quo.  A few brave Americans willing to stand up when everyone wants them to fail and say I’m still going to fight.

And the change starts to come.  Little changes to fix little problems, making the bigger problems seem less threatening.  And we have some major problems that need fixing.

Communication is our major barrier.  We have so many people pointing to the past.  And hell, in some cases the right here and now.  But you don’t hear a way out.  A real way towards self sufficiency.  Now I could point fingers but what would that solve.  Nothing.  We would still be in this downward slide with more weight dragging us down.

Instead let’s start talking about the real issues that plague our communities.  And that’s where it all starts.  In our communities.  Everyone is interested in the Presidential Election but what about your local elections.  This is where the majority of the issues that face average Americans are really hammered out.  What does it matter if the Federal Government pledges Millions of Dollars to this or that, if your local officials decide the money would be better spent some where else.

The Federal Government gives a state $10 Million for new computers in schools.  But the state and local governments decide to give that money to the Teacher’s Union because they supported them in the last election.  Then they complain that the school doesn’t have the resources it needs.  Local Officials have to be held to a higher standard of accountability and transparency.  It’s not enough to have meetings where people voice their opinions to have them overturned by the very people they voted into office.

Then you get parking lots instead of community centers.  Students are forced to pay for school books, while politicians get pay raises.  And then they come back to you with the same promise that next time will be different.  Next time I’m going to do something about substance abuse in our communities.  Next time I’m going for better social programs.  But those programs never come.  The solutions never appear.  And the problems are never solved.

That’s a major reason to let faith based initiatives continue.  Government can not fix every problem with the same solution.  Each community faces different challenges.  And who better to know the challenges than the people who live there.  If you are tired of waiting for a new community center and you want to open one through your church, funds should be made available.  I trust you more with caring how that money is spent than a politician with campaign debts to pay off.

My family is saturated with drug abusers.  My biological mother was an addict when I was born and is still addicted today.  And that breaks my heart.  But my oldest sister was an addict and now she’s found her way back. All praises to God.  She’s working two jobs, trying to settle her debts of the past, and not making any excuses why it’s too hard.  Recovery is possible.

For my sister, it all started with a small business in her community that was willing to give her a chance. A white couple who lived in her Ghetto community didn’t see color or her past.  All they saw was a woman trying to get her life back.  All they saw was an opportunity to help.  And they should be rewarded so they can give that chance to as many people as possible.

The federal government couldn’t reach my sister.  The local government couldn’t reach my sister.  One couple of brave Americans not only reached her, they grabbed her, held her tight, and refused to let her fail.  And in return, she refuses to let their outreach be in vain.

There is something to be said about people who faced adversity and come out the other side.  They develop this wonderful trait called character.  They can look back and realize the mistakes they made.  And they begin to notice those decisions also had an affect on their communities.  And this is when great men and women are born.

And that’s what we need.  A real rebirth in our communities.  Who cares how the drugs got here?  How do we get them out?  Who cares how low our property values are currently?  How can we get them to rival  other neighborhoods in the city?

The problem is, we look to government to solve those problems.  Let’s look to the great men and women being born out of these hard circumstances.  They know why the problems exist, they were there.  Let them have a hand at revitalizing our communities.  Let them have the victory and pride in knowing they are the stewards of the people.  Let them fight for job growth by opening businesses.  Give them unused city buildings or space to start financial counseling and debt elimination.

People, when I say we are on the door step of a new movement, please believe me.   We are in the ‘Keep it Real’ stage in our history.  But we don’t apply it when in matters.  If somebody steps on my shoes, I’ll knock him out.  If you look at me wrong……you know what I mean.  We need people who will say the things people don’t want to hear.

We need the former drug dealers and addicts to speak up.  We need the single mother’s and once absentee father’s to speak up.  I can follow in Cosby’s footsteps and tell you bluntly all the problems in our communities or I can let the men and women you see everyday explain how to help you out of your current situation.  I can let them work and prosper.  My job would be to fight anyone that would dare say they aren’t qualified.  My job would be to fight anyone that said money could be better spent paying for my next election.  My job would be to make sure anyone that tells you it’s not worth the fight is silenced, by any and all means necessary.

And with each new stone, with each new victory, you will see change.  I’ll still be me.  But I doubt you’ll still be the same.  Success is contagious.  Today we are surrounded by all the reasons we can’t make it.  What happens when you start seeing everyone around you prove that theory wrong?  You get that little flutter in your heart thinking, ‘Why can’t that be me?’.  And you hear my loud mouth saying, ‘It can be you’, drowning out all the reasons and excuses.

You decide to go to Malik’s debt management class.  Not only do you come out with a sense that things are going to be different because this plan depends on you; you also found out about Mrs. T’s new daycare program,  Rev. Johnson’s new job training program, Shantel’s new health and awarness clinic, and a host of other programs and businesses set up by people just like you.

You go home happy.  Dare I say, optimistic.  And you look into the eyes of your child and now you want more for him or her.  Now you want to attend every P.T.A. meeting to let every parent know that you are starting a new tutoring program.  Not just for the kids but for adults that want more than they presently have.  And you become infectious. And you bring change.  And you strengthen the foundation of your community.

And when it’s time to pick the city counsel, the people will cry out for you, Mrs. T, and Shantel.  You will get your opportunity to start building your community floor by floor, because each and everyone of you worked together to make a solid foundation.  And no one will be able to take it from you.  And no financial crisis will cripple you.  Because your progress was not built on false promises but hard work by new movers and shakers.

A new generation with new problems.  We are no longer fighting for our right to learn to read.  We are now fighting for schools that don’t pass students even when they can’t read.  We are no longer fighting for our right to not be called property.  We are now fighting to be responsible home owners.  We are no longer fighting to to be called men and women despite color.  We are now fighting to become men and women by character, dedication and sacrifice.

Our schools need help.  That’s why charter schools are so important.  And vouchers to make those schools affordable are even more important.  Now that you’ve started your tutoring program, more parents are getting involved in their child’s lives.

Let me point something out real quick.  Some may say, these ideas have been tried before.  To that I say, by the wrong people.  You can not give this job to the government to handle.  The government doesn’t know how to make a tutoring program interesting in the Urban areas.  If you leave it to the people in those areas, I’m sure they will create the buzz needed to get people to participate.  They know the people, what they want, and they know how to get them there. The programs are more effective.

The targets are reached.  Young boys one step away from being haunted for the rest of their lives by a felony.  Young girls one step away from being single mothers.  Young men and women one step away from contracting H.I.V.  Young men and women one step away from taking my job, they just don’t know it yet.  And I welcome that.

Some people will tell you it’s a right to own a home.  I am not one of those people.  Home ownership is a privelage and a responsibility, not a right.  But it is also a struggle.  Saving for a down payment while trying to start your own business is almost an impossiblity.  Saving while trying to finish school and take care of a family fits into the same category, nearly impossible.

That’s where my job comes in.  I’ll fight to get social programs that do not help propel self sufficiency removed, freeing up money for new programs.  Cut government programs that should be handled by locals and give them vouchers for home down payments.  Reward small business owners with better loan options depending on the number of jobs they create.  This gives them incentive to make their business grow.

And other programs that I think miss the target will have to be adjusted as well.  I don’t understand why you can get welfare for not working but the minute you get a job, you are cut off.  It’s like the government wants to reward you for relying on them.  Take that power from them.  Don’t let them control your vote by controlling your destiny.

If you currently live in public housing, I don’t expect you to miraculously solve all your problems in a month or two.  It takes time to catch up on old bills and buy a car that allows you to get back and forth to work. It takes time to balance a budget; to figure out how much you can afford to spend on housing, insurance, and every thing else it takes to make it in this country.

You should be awarded for taking a step forward.  And I will fight to make sure your food stamps aren’t cut off because you have a minimum wage job.  I’ll fight to help keep your benefits until you complete your G.E.D., college courses, technical school courses, or save enough to know you can handle it on your own. I’ll fight to make sure you see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Because I know when you come out the other side, you will have character and courage to know nothing can stop you.  And you will want to give back to the community that gave you that feeling.

And the cycle will continue.  One victory at a time.  A new movement, with a new voice.  A new Hip Hop generation that refuses to go unheard or to let someone else shape our development.  A new foundation  to build upon.  Forged by fixing the problems of the hear and now, not of the past.

But all this means nothing without you.  Whether I’m elected or not, I will continue to fight.  I don’t want your vote because I think I know what ‘s best.  I’m depending on you to tell me what your community needs.  And I just your words aren’t enough.  I need your action, passion and motivation.  There are some people in some high places that don’t want you to think for yourself.  They have more education than you.  They have years on capital hill to prove they know better than you.

But what they can’t give you is results.  They promise them but where are they.  You are the only one that can get results. And you need someone that tells everyone else, back off and watch this new generation in action.  You don’t need another politician that wins your vote with promises.  I’ll be a servant to you.  If you say that policy isn’t working.  I’ll cut it, even if I fought for it in the first place.

Who knows how many projects and programs will fail before we get it right.  Like I said, I don’t have a book of magic to make the problems disappear.  But together we have a chance to try.  To take each little victory and build upon it.  When we find a crack, we won’t ignore it or let it fester until it drags us all down. We’ll fix it, learning from each lesson along the way.

And you will be the Author in this new chapter in History.  Names that aren’t known yet, will fill the history books with little stories that lead to massive change.  And all the haters that tell you it won’t happen, will remain nameless.  History seldoms records the neigh sayers.  It always records the accounts of the one’s willing to fight.

So will you fight with me?  Will you stand up and say enough with the promises?  Will you say my votes’ new cost is character not entitlements?  Fight with me for your future, the future of those in your community, and for your community as a whole.  Let’s get that first victory, so we can start to build a foundation that can not be broken.  Let’s show the Hero’s of the past, our time is now.  And we will fight just as they did.  And will win just as they did.

God bless you, your family and the United States of America.

Does Your Vote Have A Price?

October 14th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Does the 15th amendment come with a price tags attached?   I’m starting to wonder.  This isn’t a Democrat or Republican issue.  This is an American Issue.  We are all given the right to vote, if we don’t take advantage of that right, should we be paid to do so?

I’ve started to talk to my friends more about politics in the last few weeks.  I usually leave the subject alone because they don’t really pay attention to the news.  When I throw the facts at them, they tell me I’m getting my information from the wrong places.  So I ask, where do you get your information?  They say, Ted from my job said.  And I stop them right there.

I got into this heated debate with my “life coach”, the person I talk to about personal stuff, and she said it’s about time the Government paid her for a change.  Now I know she is in the 40% of Americans that don’t pay any Federal Income Tax.  When I bought that up to her, she said I shouldn’t have to pay any taxes.

I could tell you the rest but I bet you can guess where this headed.  So now I asking, How much does your vote cost?

Most people think I’m talking about money.  That’s only half the equation.  Are you putting a price tag on your skin color?  There are black people that are voting for Obama just because he’s black and there are white people that are voting for McCain just because Obama is black.  And neither is right.  They are both putting a value on a non issue.

But that’s not the real issue at hand.  The major issue should be, If you have the right to vote, why do groups like Acorn even need to exist.  My “life coach” says, Most black people don’t think their vote counts and therefore they won’t vote.  What was the purpose of the 15th amendment?  What was the purpose of all the civil rights marches in the deep south?

People died so that black votes would count.  Not just black people, white people too.  Your vote counts.  And if you don’t believe that, Acorn has a cigarette and a dollar to prove it does.  Is that what your right is worth?

If it is, you shouldn’t be able to vote.  That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.  I can respect you voting because you think a candidate will lower your taxes but if you don’t pay taxes I don’t understand how you could use that as a reason to vote for any candidate.  Let me explain.

When Barack Obama says he’ll cut taxes on 95% of Americans, it’s a lie.  I’m sorry if that hurts your feelings but it’s the truth.  40% of Americans don’t pay taxes, so how will they receive tax cuts.  He changes the words so he doesn’t have to say I’m creating a welfare state.  Where I’ll take money from the Rich that pay taxes and send a check to those who don’t.

My husband to be wanted to vote for Obama.  And I have had a hard time trying to explain why that wouldn’t be a good thing.  Luckily Obama did it for me.  At a campaign stop, Obama was asked by a small business owner if he was going to have to pay more taxes.  Obama responded by saying he is trying to spread around the wealth.

Finally my man got mad.  He works 6 days a week and the thought of free checks for those who refuse to work made him mad.  He finally got it, with no assistance from me.   Obama will create a government where the top pays for the bottom.  It sounds good, unless you plan on getting to the top in this life time.

Now McCain isn’t free from criticism on this issue either.  He had the perfect opportunity to put his money, I mean the American People’s money, where his mouth is and he didn’t.  McCain should have voted against the Bailout but he didn’t.  He too attached a price tag to your vote.  He doesn’t plan on making a welfare state, but he still let the government, wall street, and the American People who signed on the dotted line off the hook for this crisis we are currently in.

Are these two candidates really the best America has to offer?  Or do we as Americans like the Quid Pro Qou of politics?  If you vote for me, I’ll give you this.  Should we change our standards and make the candidates run on policy not on profit for ourselves.   Should we limit emotion and vote more practical.

If you don’t believe in Abortions, then why would you vote for Obama.  Is it because you think you’ll no longer have to pay for healthcare?  If you don’t believe in War, then why would you vote for McCain?  Is it because you make over $250,000 and believe Obama tax increases would cause you to lose your home.    That’s what our politics have come down too.  What’s best for me, not what’s best for the country.

And if that’s the truth, then you can’t blame the politicians for not listening when we speak out.  Well you can blame them but it’s not fair.  They are only doing what you respond too.  If you said we don’t want any new spending and any candidate that offers more government spending will feel the wrath of American voters, how would that change the landscape of Politics?

What could a Politican promise if the American people wanted facts instead of fairy tales.  If you believe any candidate that says I’ll fix all the problems in America, then you are a fool.  Problems will continue to exist no matter who is President.  We can’t control actions other nations.  Hell we can’t control actions of the American People.  And being that we all are human, mistakes will me made.

So instead of asking who will give you more, ask who will make an effort to not create more problems. If you are pissed off that the government is now into banking, imagine what will happen if they get their hands on Healthcare, College Tuition, or any thing else in the private sector.  Does government intervention help anything?

Pay attention when they put the price tags on your rights.  When they figure out they can pay for your vote, then they don’t have to run on policy.  They can run on your emotion.  They can use fancy words or straight talk without mentioning how they actually plan on running this country.  And this is up to us as the American People to stop.  But it’ll only happen when we put our Country’s needs before those of our individual needs.

The truth is, betting on America as a country, is way better than voting for any single politician.  Then your vote will be priceless.

A Different View for Whoopi Goldberg

October 8th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Elizabeth Hasslebeck catches a lot of grief for telling her views on The View. I won’t pretend I watch the show. I never have. If you know anything about me, you know that’s not how I roll. But if I ever had the chance to go on the view, it would go a little like this.

First off, I want to thank you, Whoopi. Since I was a little girl, I looked up to you. I watched your movies like a religion when I was young and they are still ranked high on my list of best movies ever. Of course, Color Purple is my all time favorite. I’ve watched it 4 to 5 times a year, sometimes more, for the last 15 years.

Celie inspired me to pray harder; God doesn’t take you through the bad stuff without a plan. Celie inspired me to want to teach myself; I was living with my dad and and evil step mother, I didn’t get much encouragement. Celie and Nettie’s relationship made me want to stay close to my sister; which is funny because we watch it on those days we have nothing to do and we still do the hand slaps every time. And you, Whoopi Goldberg, gave me inspiration that one day I could make my dreams come true.

One day I was sitting around with one of my older brothers and I said ‘I think Whoopi Goldberg is beautiful’. Oh, he laughed and laughed and I got mad. See, he didn’t think you fit into what was beautiful. I saw this black woman doing it by not trying to fit in, but by trying to stand out. I own Sarafina, Jumpin Jack Flash, Fatal Beauty, Corrina Corrina, Made in America, Sister Act 1 & 2, Clara’s Heart, Ghost of Mississippi, hell I even watch “Call Me Claus” every year.

That’s why I’m so pissed off at you. I don’t think you understand the power you have over young women’s lives. Because I know that there are women like me that can’t wait until their daughters get old enough to watch and understand ‘The Color Purple’. You could be spread a message to all women that we can make it.

Prior to this show, I did a little research into your career. And I noticed something I normally don’t pay attention to. You are one hell of an accomplished woman. One of only a few to win an Oscar, a Tony, an Emmy, and a Grammy. I don’t pay attention to stuff like that because I think so many movie roles go unnoticed on Award Shows. But hell, you rack them up. And reading that only made you more of an inspiration to me.

I know how to separate the lessons from the people. Because right now, I agree with my brother, you are one hell of an ugly woman. To see you trying to fit in makes me want to vomit. O.K. maybe I’m being a little melodramatic. It sure makes me want to curse.

It makes me want to say things like. How in the hell can you sit here and tell me that there are not opportunities for me now, when your ass started acting 20 something years ago. You trying to tell me that times are worse now than they were then. Bullshit.

Right about now, probably a lot earlier, one of the white co-host would make a comment. To which I would respond. “You’re a Racist. I’m trying to talk to my black sister and you want to bring me down. You must be a Racist.”

And then as everyone starts yelling the stupid shit I see in clips here and there, I would look at Elizabeth Hasslebeck and say “Chill out, I got this one. Enjoy.”

I’m going by the standard of God All Mighty Barack Obama. If anyone questions anything about him, they must be a racist or if black, a self hater. Oh wait. Does that only apply to the “Messiah”. So if you don’t want to hear the word “Nigga” out of Elizabeth’s mouth, then I don’t want to her shit out of Barbara’s or Joy’s. Or are you some how the only special one that can decide who can say what.

So Whoopi, As I was saying. You make me want to say things like. “How in the fuck could you have been the all time highest paid actress at one time and turn around and tell me the system is going to hold me down. Did the system breakdown after you became a Millionaire.” Or

The basic stereo type for a woman is Tall, Skinny, Straight Hair and you are none of those. Could it possibly be because your talent stood out. Are you trying to say I don’t have the talent you had to stand up and make them take notice? To over achieve my wildest dreams just like you did?

Or are you trying to tell me that once you make it to the top it’s just better to fit in? All you viewers out there understand that. She didn’t try to fit into what the world thought she should be. But she would not be denied. Her Talent would not be denied. So when she tells you, “The government is out to get all black people, question why they haven’t got her ass.” So when she asks if she’ll ever be a slave again, “Tell her ass she ain’t never been a slave before.”

But maybe because you’ve been such a inspiration to me, Ms. Goldberg, I’ll ask you this. “Would it kill you to look into that camera and tell every single black girl and boy, man and woman watching that no matter who becomes President, just look at me as inspiration that you can do it.?”

Can you look into that camera right there and tell the Viewer’s, “Your success depends on nothing but the work you put into it. There is no phantom in the night waiting to steal all your hopes and dreams. They are out there for the taking.”

Or explain to me Barack Obama, Jay-z, 50 cent, every black doctor, lawyer, judge, C.E.O., every small business owner; why can they do it, even when times are bad, and I can’t. We are everywhere now. And you should be using your position to let everyone know that. Instead you feed them crap to make them want to fit in. To make them want to use excuses I’m sure you never used when working your way up the ladder. Because excuses don’t get you anywhere. Action does. Tell that to the cameras.

How much did you have to sacrifice to make it? Tell them, so they can understand they are not the only one’s to have doors slammed in their faces. It’s only important that you keep on knocking. Tell them don’t try to fit in because then you don’t get noticed. Use your wit to explain what would have happened if you straighten your hair and tried to be the sexy vixen. Tell them what would have happened if you didn’t value your own opinion of yourself more than the opinions of others.

Instead you install fear. Fear to even try. What’s up with that?

——————————————————————————-

Now I’d expect the fast, slick talking Whoopi to be ready with a response. I doubt very seriously she would sit there and take the words of a “Nobody” like me. But what does that tell you about how they think about you. All of the One’s that make it to Millionaire status and only tell one half of the story. They speak as though it’s impossible to make it in America, then you see them on cribs.

I’m not be a Millionaire, yet, so I can understand your hesitation to lock on to this. If you try to fit in with out being a Millionaire first, then you will go unnoticed. But if you go in with talent that can not be denied, if you go in and stand out, then any thing is possible. Don’t worry, when I get to the top, I’ll still be pushing the same message. It’ll just be a little more like, “Come with me. How can I help you get rich, too.”

And when the excuses come, I won’t validate them. Even if they happen to be true. Because it’s only a speed bump, it’s not the be all end all. Just get up. We got more knocking to do.

P.S. The only reason I put the link for The View on my page was to show the hypocrisy. I’ve seen the clips of how they treated John McCain in his interview. The they put the nice cozy picture on the front of their web page, with no pictures of Barack Obama. Yeah, like we’re buying that.

I Want To Eat For A Lifetime

September 16th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I got another story for you. Hope you enjoy.

There was once a man that loved to go fishing. It was his favorite pass time. He spent endless hours everyday out on the lake. Well one day, a huge storm blew through the town and caused the people to lose most of their crops. The fisherman had stored so much fish, he didn’t have a problem helping feed the town.

A couple days after the storm, a young boy approached the fisherman. He said, ‘it was really amazing how you were able to step in and help the town. Can you teach me how to fish?’ The fisherman agreed and the boy started spending countless hours out on the lake. He often got teased for the way he smelled and dressed. He looked and smelled like a broken down fisherman. The boy didn’t care. He remembered how the man had helped save the town and he wanted to be like him.

With the boys help, it wasn’t long before the fisherman had restocked all his fish. The boy thought it would be a good idea to throw a party for the fisherman. He was sure the entire town would show up to say thank you to the fisherman. He went into town to start inviting people. He was shocked to hear their response. “All he does is fish, he should’ve helped the town out. ” “He can’t eat all that fish himself, he should give it to the town.”

The boy went back to the fisherman and told him about the people in the town. The fisherman wasn’t surprised. He just got his rod and went out to the lake. The boy thought to himself; if they can’t appreciate the man, then maybe they can appreciate the action. The boy began making signs to hang around the Town. “Free Fishing lessons to anyone that wants to learn.” Everyone laughed at the boy. No one took advantage of the free lessons.

The next year, the fisherman died, and left everything to the boy. Now he had his own house, his own boat, and his very own fishing rod. He continued to fish everyday and maintain his stock pile. One day, another storm blew into town and devastated the crops. The boy decided he was not going to share his fish with the town. This time he would sell it.

The people in the town who had money, bought the fish from the boy. The people who didn’t have money were furious. ‘Our town is struggling and you have the power to help, why won’t you?’ The boy responded, ‘I’ll help. I’ll give you all fish every time you come to the lake and help me fish.’

The people without money where offended. ‘The old fisherman didn’t make us work for food. He was happy to help out those that needed it. He would be so ashamed of you.’

The boy didn’t move his position. You help me fish, I help you to eat. The people got even madder. Two boys came to the boy and said we’ll help. The boy said, it’s not easy work. Sometimes I sit out on that lake for hours and nothing bites. It feels like I’m wasting my time. Then I have days where it seems the fish just jump into the boat. The two boys shook their heads and spent endless days out on the lake.

Now with the three of them fishing, the stock piles went through the roof. The town was beginning to brace for another storm. One of the boys went to the New Fisherman and said, ‘maybe we should take some fish into town, so we can give it away before the storm hits.’ The other boy said, ‘No. We should go out and hang up more signs for free fishing lessons.’

The fisherman looked at the two boys and told them they were both right. There are some in town that can’t fish. The very old, the very young, and some in the middle that have limited abilities. You can go into town and give them some fish. Then there are those who don’t understand you can be given fish to eat for a day or you can learn to fish and eat for a lifetime. So you can go and put up signs for those who are coming to understand the power of self sufficiency.

The problem comes when you continue to give away fish without offering a pole. Or offering a pole with nothing to sustain you until your first catch. Or refusing aid on the days when the fish just aren’t biting. It’s nothing wrong with helping those less fortunate, but it is something wrong with not giving them the desire to help themselves.

How many people want to sign up for those free fishing lessons? How many people expect the fisherman to continue to save the town? Say that storm hits while the fishermen are out on the lake and they don’t make it. Who will then fish for the town if no one else knows how?

Social Programs are a necessity. There are people out there that can’t do it by themselves. But there are those who refuse to try. Should they continue to get the fish? Or should that fish go to help those that are trying and hit a couple bad days when the fish aren’t biting? Give me a rod and you can keep your fish.

Just Because He’s Black

September 16th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I got this in an email.

A white man asked his black friend, ‘Are you voting for Barack Obama just because he’s black?’

The black man responded by saying, ‘Why not? Hell, in this country men are pulled over everyday just cause they’re black; passed over for promotions just cause they’re black; considered to be criminals just cause they’re black; and there are going to be thousands of you who won’t be voting for him just because he’s black! However, you do not seem to have a problem with that! This country was built with the sweat and whip off the black slaves’ back, and now a descendent of those same
slaves has a chance to lead the same country, where we weren’t even considered to be people, where we weren’t allowed to be educated, drink from the same water fountains, eat in the same restaurants, or even vote. So yes! I’m going to vote for him! But it’s not just because he’s black, but because he is hope, he is change, and he now allows me to understand when my grandson says that he wants to be president when he grows up, it is not a fairy tale but a short term goal. He now sees, understands and knows that he can achieve, withstand and do ANYTHING just because he’s black!’

Let me rewrite this little story.

A black woman asked a black man, “Are you voting for Obama just because he’s black?”

The black man said, ‘No, I’m voting for Obama because I believe in his principles. The very country that once held me in no regard, has given me the right to vote on Principle. The men and women who died fighting for Black rights have null and voided my ability to be a follower. Now I get to cast my vote on what I believe and I believe the changes Barack Obama brings to the table, far out weigh the color of his skin. It’s about the improvement of All Americans and I will stand beside him for that reason. The same reason I voted for Clinton and I’m guessing the same reason most blacks voted for Kennedy. So it has nothing to do with the fact that he’s black. It has everything to do with where this country needs to go.

Now I don’t believe that story, but it would be better than the first. Of course I have to add my own little twist. Hope You Enjoy.

A black man asked Me, “Are you voting for Barack Obama just because he’s black?”

I said, “No, I would never vote for someone because of their skin color. ”

He said, “Why not? In this country men are pulled over everyday, just because they’re black; passed over for promotions, just because they’re black; and there are going to be thousands of white people that won’t vote for Obama just because he’s black! However you do not seem to have a problem with that. This country was built with the sweat and whip off the black slaves back and now the decendent of those same slaves has a chance to lead the same country, where we weren’t even considered to be people, where we weren’t allowed to be educated, drink from the same water fountains, eat in the same restaurants, or even vote. So Yes, I’m going to vote for him. But it’s not just because he’s black, but because he is hope, he is change, and he know allows me to understand when my grandson says he wants to be President when he grows up, it’s not a fairytale, but a short term goal. He know sees, understands, and knows that he can acheive, withstand, and do Anything just because he black.’

I said, “I’m sorry let me get this straight. If Barack Obama doesn’t win, does this mean your grandson will never become President? Are you teaching him, his whole world depends on the success of another person? Maybe I’m getting to literal, so let me rephrase. What black Presidential nominee did Barack Obama have to follow?

None. He made his own path and it wasn’t because he was black. It was because he was determined. I find it interesting when you start talking about the future, you have to use the past to justify it. Well let’s play that game for a minute. Slaves couldn’t eat in the same restaurants, couldn’t vote, couldn’t learn to read. But that didn’t stop them. When they became free, they still worked sharecropped land. Was it fair? Hell No. But they did it. They had a hunger to make up for all the lost time. All the lost words and ideas, they went to seek them out. And from that we got Great Black Role Models. Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois. They did not wait for the right black man to come along and tell them it was O.K. to do so.

So why stake so much on Barack Obama. Oh, that’s right. It’s because black people still get pulled over for driving while black, because we still get passed over for promotions, and because there are still thousands of white bigots. Well there are Millions of people in this country and the voice of the the many outweigh the voice of the few. But you give them more validity with your arguement. If they are doing it, then we should do it to. If they won’t vote for the black man, I won’t even consider the white man. That makes you as big a bigot as the white people. Why? Because there are Millions of white people that are supporting Barack Obama. And it’s not because they want to prove they are not racist. It’s because they agree with his policy. They are against the War in Iraq. They are voting on Principle. And you’re voting on color.

I can even understand your inclination to support Obama. When my daughter saw Sarah Palin and asked if a woman could be President, I was happy. But that doesn’t stop the fact that she has to work for it. Sarah Palin is not what I use to bring my daughter hope. Her hope comes from me; telling her everyday that she is smart and beautiful and she can become anything she wants to be. I don’t need Sarah Palin for that and you shouldn’t need Barack Obama to impart the same on your grandson.

If we continue to put race over principles, we are doomed to continue on the same path. We have had our rights for years. Why is the situation only changing for a few of us? Some make it, but the majority don’t. And we continue to vote for the same policies. Something for nothing. When will we say; since more black people have joined the police force, there has been a decline in racially motivated stops; since more black people own there own business, there has been a reduction in the call for Higher Taxes that affect small businesses; since more black people have decided to vote Principle and not color, all black people have benefited from the character enrichment of elected officials.

So when your grandson gets old enough to run for President, race won’t even come up. It will all be focused on the Man and not the color. The ideas and not the color. The advancement of all America and not the color. Then maybe your grandson won’t think he can run for President because he’s black, but because he can make a difference in his country. He will know that Barack Obama may have laid a few stones but it was his hard work and detemination that got him to where he is not his color. I’m just saying.

Becoming the $100 Million Man; Or Woman in this Case :-)

September 9th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

My Beau and I have this long running joke, If we ever hit the Lottery for a lot of money, we would split it immediately. He would get half and I would get half. I would then spend all of mine and we would have to live off of his.

There is a Community Center across the street from my Childhood Church. The first thing I would do is buy this community center. I’d gut it and rebuild with Computer Lab, Classes for Money Management, Addiction Help, and lots of Community Activities to bring people in. I’d name it after My Mother because she always was willing to help others.

It would be the start to my foundation. A conservative rebuilding of Our Communities. Then I would buy some land in Kansas and build a School. I’d fill it with teachers that don’t take crap or excuses from the kids. I’d fill it with Ghetto Mothers, you know the ones that take care of all the kids in the Neighborhood, to discredit the “you don’t understand what I’m going through”. Throw in a couple Felons who realized a little to late they were wasting their lives and let the sparks fly.

But this wouldn’t be a School for any that apply. No. This is a special School. This is for the Kids that are fed up with dodging bullets and slinging crack. So you might have dropped out at 13 but at 16 you wish you hadn’t. It’s not to late. Apply. We’ll catch you up and get you started again. You might have looked up to your older brother and now he’s dead or in jail and you’re lost. Apply. We got some real Men to guide you through. You might have realized looking for love starts with loving yourself and you just don’t know how to do that. Apply. We won’t coddle you. You will find your own strength.

Now, while I’m getting all the pieces in place for a chain of schools across America, I’d travel this Country giving away Money. Let me tell you how this works. I see a woman with two kids dressed from head to toe in RocaWear, I keep walking. I see a woman rushing her kids on a Bus so she won’t be late to work, I’ll stop her. I’d give her her regular salary for a month. I’d get her a decent car and pay the insurance for a year. Then offer her a chance to volunteer at My School or A Community Center to recieve extra help with her Day Care costs.

I see a group of boys on the corner slinging, I might stop and offer a change to see if they bite. If they don’t, I keep walking. I see a boy crossing the street to stay out of their path, I’ll stop him. Say he tells me, he’s in High School and working a full time job so he can have money for food and clothes. I’d tell him to quit his job, come volunteer at the School or Community center and receive a stipend every month. And while there, I’d make sure he knew of every scholarship available, every grant, and every avenue of assistance he could get to help him get into college, with no offer of Assistance from Me. When it’s time to graduate, he should have the money for his Education. And I could continue is Stipend so he can concentrate on his studies.

And while I’m touring cities everywhere in America, giving away money and building Schools and Community Centers, I’d always be looking for investment opportunities. I’m smart enough to know that you can’t continue to give away money without generating More Money elsewhere. But what most people don’t understand, if you show someone that they can accomplish something, they try harder to accomplish everything.

So say the Woman who got the car contacted me to say thank you. She just wanted me to know because of the volunteer for child sitting trade off, she was able to go back to school and get her degree. Now she wants to open a Childcare service off the same principles of the Community Center. She’s not asking for help, she just wants Me to know she been inspired. I’d send someone over to help her with a business plan and give her start up capital. Put it under the Foundation until she turns a profit, then turn it over to her.

This is where I get the criticism. If you turn it over to her, how are you going to continue to help other people? That’s the Fucked Up principle of the original $100 million dollar man. See he thinks that everyone needs him to make a difference. I’d trust her to continue to make her business grow. I’d trust her to realize the assistance she was given and return it in kind. I’d trust her enough to keep her own money and personally decide to donate to my foundation. I don’t have to make it mandatory.

Let’s say the Boy went to College, got his business degree, and a job at a major technology firm. I would have faith that when they had a whole set of discontinued or devalued computers he would call and give me first dibs on getting them. I would trust he would recommend my foundation when his business started talking about Charitable Contributions. I would trust on “Alumni Day” he would be happy to come back and tell his story. I won’t have to force him to come back, he’ll do it willingly.

Another major source of income is Property. A funny thing about Ghetto’s is their location. Just think about it. Big cities need a pool of blue collar workers. Now most of these workers are not finacially set and there for need to be kept closer to the cities. What’s the point of having big hotels if you have no bell boys? What’s the point of having five star restaurants if you don’t have waiters? So think of the actual value of these under classed pieces of property.

This is where I’d take a huge risk. There a couple things that influence property value. Schools in the Area, cleanliness of the Area, Access to Stores and Businesses, but mostly it’s Violence. You can not raise the property value of an area if you can’t control the Violence. All my first ideas are based on individuals. Helping one person at a time, but this encompasses an entire community.

How can we bring up our community value if we can’t separate ourselves from the rotten elements? I will not lie to you. This is where I get stuck in my grand scheme. See it doesn’t matter how much money is pumped into a community if we can’t first reach the mind of it’s inhabitants. If we help 20 and 200 say what about me, then we get stuck trying to explain the sacrifices Made by the 20. We can say we want to help you excel, but they are still stuck in the mindset that it comes for free. Not from me it doesn’t. You have to work for my help. It’s not a hand out, it’s a step ladder. It’s up to you to climb it.

The question then becomes “Without separating the two, how can we get the 20 and the 200 to at least have a little respect for each other. It doesn’t come from telling the 20, “you have to pay for the 200.” The 20 are going to take their money and go elsewhere. Nor does it come from the 200 getting a free pass based on excuses that are invalid. And while we’re having the same old argument the 2,000 in the middle who don’t care how the situation is solved, they just want to see some progress, are trapped having to pick sides.

They can agree with me on this, but they can understand the other side as well. They want better for themselves and their communities, but they don’t want to leave anybody behind. These are the people that are a major source of our Problems. It might not be fair, but you do have to choose sides.

It’s not black against white. It’s not rich against poor. IT’S WRONG AGAINST RIGHT. Simple. If you have pity for ‘Debo’ because his dad is in jail and his mother is on drugs, demand more from the Men around you. Don’t give ‘Debo’ more excuses, tell the fathers you know aren’t taking care of their responsibility the truth. You know your son or daughter is going to carry the same hate for you as you carry for your father. And if after hearing this, they still make no attempt to be apart of that child’s life, you should no longer have pity for them. When they say, “I don’t know how to be a Father.” You say “That’s no excuse for not trying to learn.” Hold them accountable.

So when they come to you and complain how unfair the world is. Remind them that’s what their Son or Daughter will think one day because you’re not showing them how to navigate through all the mess. Make it about our future, not the appeasement of self caused problems. Tell them to stop thinking of themselves.

And please stop grouping yourself with the do nothings. This really ticks me off. If you get up everyday and go to work, if you save money for emergencies, if struggle and strive and still come up short; stop grouping yourself with those that do nothing. There are those that need a little bit of help and there are those who want everything done for them. To many people are in the former group advocating for the latter.

The problem with that. You won’t get the help you need because the one’s at the bottom need more than you. Let me explain. If you got a little behind in your house payments because you wanted to send your child to a better school, you should be in a completely different category than someone that went out and bought a new house that was 3x’s more than they could afford. I don’t mind helping you, but that other person needs to learn a real lesson before getting assistance. Why spend money saving their home when chances are they are going to lose it anyways because they really can’t afford it, even at a lower rate?

The lower rates and riskier loans were but into place to help with Minority Home Ownership. Making it more accessible for those without sufficient savings to own a home. By doing so, a lot of people got into new homes. That’s how we got our house. We saw a lot of beautiful new houses being built but the prices were ridiculous, so I said let’s look at some old houses. We qualified for a new model but I felt uncomfortable about the price. I found an older house with a great bookshelf and I was sold. Because of that, we weren’t completely crushed when the oil prices rose. My Beau wanted the bigger better house then but he’s grateful he listened to me now.

His sister and her husband owned a Townhome before the Housing boom. When the prices started to rise, they decided to sell their home and upgrade. Got a huge house with an adjustable rate. They lost their home and now are renting. But there is a silver lining. It won’t happen again. This was a major lesson learned. His sister went back to school and her husband is working towards his own business. One day they will own another big house and this time nobody will be able to take it from them.

There are some people out there that really deserve help and there are some out there that need to learn a lesson. A opened ended policy of just pouring money into everybody doesn’t help this cause. Those that need a little help will never get it, if we continue to bail out those that want it all with out the work involved. A mother of four can’t get help because she does own a home, but a mother of four with no job gets free housing, free food, and free money. Which brings us back to wrong and right.

You know it’s wrong. But you need help so you group yourself with the give me, give me. So when I speak up about helping you, it get’s lost in the argument of Us against Them. The 20 vs. the 200. But if the 2,000 in the majority step up and say Enough. Those on the left, we can do it for ourselves, thanks but no thanks for all the free stuff. It’s time we start working for it. Those on the right, we don’t have to change who we are to accomplish this, so you can back off too. Then we can start to see changes.

In fact, it would turn my risky investment into a Gold Mine. See, I want to return ownership. I want the people in Urban areas to own 80% of the businesses in those areas. This is important because then they would care about their communities. Not just because it’s where they live. But because it’s where they make their living. Just imagine everyday people fighting with the same zeal as drug dealers to protect a block. Just imagine them working with the police, making it harder for senseless crimes to go unsolved. Imagine them roasting a black politician that comes in and says I’m going to take more of your money to help the people less fortunate.

I’ll pretend for you. “I help the less fortunate every time I open a new store and provide new jobs. I help the less fortunate every time I offer health care to part time employees who are still attending College. I help the less fortunate will real help that will last them a life time. Don’t you dare come in here and tell me to give them something for nothing. I had to work for everything I have. And yes I got some help along the way, but it wasn’t in the form of a check for nothing. It came with self confidence, self sacrifice, and self respect. And when I learned those things I was able to understand Community and my place in it. I learned I can hold people accountable for their own judgments without being judgmental. I can expect more from my People and point out when we aren’t living up to our potential. ” Just Imagine.

The Point

If I were the $100 million dollar man, the big house would not be the same. Because instead of finding new money to keep people in, I would be telling them your time to make a mark on the world is coming. This house will be here if you lose your way or you encounter problems you just weren’t expecting, but let it be known this is no place to make your home. Unless you come back with a business plan to stake out your piece of Real Estate. Unless you come back because you realize this is where you came from and where you need to start leaving your impression.

And nothing in my Big House is for Free. Nothing. Everything costs. Even your right to complain. If you haven’t acted on your plan, then do not come to me and tell me things aren’t working out. I will laugh at you. Tell me you’ve tried this and tried that and you still can’t figure it out. I’ll get you some help. Don’t hang out with people you know are going to get into trouble and call me to bail you out. I will laugh at you. When you do get out, I’ll be willing to give you a second chance but don’t push it. Now if you happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, I’ll be on my way to get you. Depending on the situation, you might even get my full attention in defending you. And it won’t be because the story is a Media Sensation. It would be because there was a real miscarriage of justice.

I guess all this irrelavent since I’m not Oprah. But if I were you, I wouldn’t be surprised if you looked up one day and saw me walking down the street stopping Random people, giving them just a little bit of hope that everything is going to be O.K. And watching that grow into ideas and self renewals. I may never hit the Lottery but that’s not the only way to get rich. Sometimes it just takes a Fiesty attitude from a Smart Fairly Attractive New Voice. Just ask Oprah. Let me go.