A Time For Change: Chapter 6

November 14th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I didn’t know what to say, so I sat there and said nothing. Sky looked blank and distant. She didn’t move, just stood there with her back to the still open door. I didn’t move, just stayed leaning against the wall of her hallway.

“Do you know how to roll up?” She asked as she finally broke the silence. I shook my head yes. “You any good?”

“I never rolled a wrap before, but I’m sure it isn’t that different.”

Sky said never mind, as she passed me in the hallway in route to her room. I wanted to follow her, but she shut the door before I even turned around. I walked to the door just as a little hood rat poked his head in. I held my hand to his chest as he tried to force his way through the door.

“Sky, you all right” He yelled at the top of his voice.

“She’s fine. Just went to get her head straight. Can I help you with something?”

“Naw. Tell her to hit up Lob when she gets the chance.” He started walking away before he even finished his sentence. I’m beginning to understand where Sky gets cutting people off before they finish speaking. I closed the door and latched every lock lining the door frame. When I finished, I heard Sky’s bedroom door open. She stuck her head out and looked around.

“Was that Lob?”

“Yeah”
“Good” she said as she went into the room Sean came out earlier. She closed the door behind her.

My Experiment With Gears of War 2

November 11th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

As you know, I love video games. I love Gears of War. And even though I have some beef with the game (I’ll get to that later), I used my playing time to do a little experiment.

I have 50 friends on my XBox Live account. I monitored over the weekend how many people got the game when it was released. I must note, I don’t accept friend invites from kids. They just ruin the game.

O.K. The game was released Thursday at midnight. My man was there to pick up our copy. There were 40 people in line when he went to pick up the game. A Best Buy is right across the street from our local gaming store and they had a line around the building. So a lot of people were out in the middle of the night with enough money to buy the $60 game.

When we finally got online, 8 of my friends were playing Gears of War 2. And the numbers only got higher as the weekend went on. Friday night, 18 of my friends had the game. Saturday night, 25 of my friends had the game. Sunday night, 32 of my friends had the game. Yesterday, I had to erase some of my old friends that didn’t have the game to replace with new friends I met over the weekend. As of this morning, 37 of the 50 on my friends list has Gears of War 2.

What does that mean? Gaming is really a recession proof industry. In this time of credit crunch and piling bills, people are still buying video games. If you are looking to diversify your portfolio, I would suggest doing research into the gaming industry. When Halo 3 came out, I’m sure alot of people made a lot of money.

A quick message to Cliffy B. I gave you geneous status but now I take it back. Did you not understand the number of women that run Gears of War. I thought we were going to have a multiplayer girl. Why don’t we? You are starting to piss me off. Everyone I kill today will be a death laid at your footsteps. Girls Rule.

It’s Veterans Day! Thank You

November 11th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

What does it take to knowingly walk into a dangerous situation, far from home? Even more, what does it take to do it for people that you don’t even know? What does it take to volunteer your life in the service of your country?

What does it take as an American to say Thank You? Whether you agree with a war or not, that has nothing to do with the troops that serve. The ones that strap up and move out on the orders of a commander and chief of the greatest nation in the world. The ones that sleep on the hard ground only to be awakened by the sound of gunfire. The ones that tell their family and friends goodbye as they march towards and uncertain fate. Just say Thank You.

I threw a party for my girlfriend last year. One of her friends bought a solider just back from Iraq. I’m not the type to cater to anyone but this man got my undivided attention. I constantly made my way to this hero every chance I got, asking if I could refresh his drink or get him something to eat. My girl thought I was hitting on him but he knew different.

He pulled me aside and asked if he could talk. I was excited because I thought he was going to talk about what he went through. Instead, he told me to stop being so nice because he was just doing his job. I told him I was just doing my job, giving him a little praise for his service to me. He wasn’t willing to accept anything for his service but I refused to stop.

That is the wonder of an American Solider. While other countries parade their troops around in neat formations, our troops take mortar fire. While other countries cry for us to change policy, our soldiers are changing countries. While other countries make their soldiers fight to eat, our soldiers volunteer to fight so we can eat, drink, and be merry.

In this time of financial disaster, I think we forget one really important thing. Our economy would mean nothing if it weren’t for our military might. We have the ability to work our way through this down turn because we have troops willing to fight to protect us while we figure out what to do next. While average Americans try to figure out how to pay their light bill, there is a solider giving you the freedom. While the government is giving another bail out, there is a soldier saving his fellow soldiers life. And all I can say is Thank You.

So today, stop thinking about yourself. Instead spend a couple seconds thinking about where your freedom comes from. We would still be under Englands’ rule if there weren’t soldiers to fight. Black people would still be slaves if there weren’t soldiers to fight. Jews might have been killed off if there weren’t soldiers to fight. Kuwait would be apart of Iraq if there weren’t soldiers to fight. Where would you be if we didn’t have soldiers willing to fight?

And while you are thinking about these things, write a letter to a solider abroad and just say thank you.

Anysoldier.com

These are the sites I write to. Just take a couple moments to send a Hero a message to keep them going. Say hi. Say I’m thinking about you. Say Thank You.

AMillionthanks.org

What’s The Difference Between A Republican and A Democrat

November 10th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I got this little joke from the Forum on HipHopRepublican.com. Check out the site if you haven’t.

A Republican and a Democrat are walking down the street. They come across a homeless man. The Republican stops and gives the homeless man his card. He tells the man to come to his office and he’ll try to get him a job. Then he gives the man $20.

The Democrat is touched by the Republicans’ act of kindness. They continue to walk down the street and come across another homeless man. The Democrat hands the man directions to the unemployment office. Then he reaches into the pocket of the Republican and takes out a $20 bill. He takes $15 for a surcharge and gives the homeless man the other $5.

That’s the difference between a Republican and a Democrat.

When To Start Teaching Your Child: Hint- Right Now

November 10th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I remember when I was a child. We would come home from school, change our “good” clothes, and head to the kitchen table to do homework. If you didn’t have homework, then my mother would make some for you. Often making me take timed math test or mock spelling test. And if it was sloppy, the whole paper was ripped and I had to start over.

I hated it, then. When I got into middle school, I began to understand why homework was so important to my mother. I was ahead in all my classes because my mother taught me in advance. When we were studying division, she was teaching me fractions. When we went to the zoo, she made us classify animals. While we were cooking, she made us measure and double the recipe. I began to appreciate her efforts.

I do the same for my daughter. While we are playing hide n go seek, I use different methods of helping her find me; making a sound, leaving a foot exposed, or hide in the dark and make her feel around. Then I ask her which one of her senses she used to find me. We have a relay race where each point is marked with the name of a planet. I ask her to tell me colors in Spanish.

I’m sharing this info because I got criticized for it. I was told, a child is a child and I shouldn’t try to push her into learning. I should wait until she is in school. This is her fun time. To that I say, get real.

I will always be my daughters’ main teacher. Not because I think I’m better than a real teacher. It’s because she is my daughter. It is my responsibility to make sure she gets off on a good start. And I take it very seriously.

During the election, I was constantly watching the news. My daughter hates the news, but she would occasionally watch with me, asking question along the way. Alot of things I just don’t know how to explain to her, but I gave her the just of how our political system works. One person, one vote, and the majority wins. Now we practice this when deciding our plans for the day.

We vote on which playground to go to. We vote on what vegetable to have for dinner. We vote on which area of the house we should start cleaning first. When we first started, my daughter was pissed. She didn’t like having to vote on everything. Then she got the picture when she never got what she wanted. So now, she comes to me in advance and tries to win my vote. I cleaned my room without you asking, will you vote to go to Chuck E. Cheese? I do.

And everyday, I try to create a new learning experience for her. Today, we are going on a nature walk. We are going to try to figure out why all the leaves are falling from the trees and why they change color. She also wants to know why their are so many holes in the leaves she finds.

This requires work on my part. I hate science. By far it was my worst subject in school. But I did my research so I should be able to answer any question she comes up with. If not, then we come back to the house and google it. She knows all the answers are online.

The Point

We all know the status of most public school systems; they are highly ineffective. We have to be the major force behind educating our children. We can’t wait til our children are failing then go to the school and complain. Waiting doesn’t benefit our children. They will remain behind while we are pushing for change. Then if change ever comes, they have to play catch up.

Eventually if they have dreams of going to college, they will be hit with the shock of their lives. They will realize they are not prepared for it. Yes, it may be a reflection of the school system but it is also a reflection on you.

I wrote a paper in high school about the “Scarlet Letter”. I hadn’t even read the book. I just listened in on the talk during class. I got an A on the paper. My mother sent the paper to my uncle, who read it and graded it a D, at best. My mother made me read the book and rewrite the paper. I didn’t get any credit for it at school but I understood why my first paper was no good.

So anytime I wrote a paper, I asked the teacher for her real opinion. That’s when you find the greatness of a real teacher. Give them a student that wants to learn. Give them a student that questions an A. Give them a student that doesn’t understand why they have to be graded on a curve. Then you get teachers that expect more of her students. And that’s what we need.

The want and need for education has to start in the home. Then the students can bring it to school. Then the teachers can do their jobs and not be over glorified baby sitters. Then we can get real change in our school systems because students will start to point out unqualified teachers.

So today, look ahead in your child’s school book. Read the novel your child is reading. Grade their paper before they turn it in. Make them rewrite if necessary. Yes, they will complain. Yes, they will be mad. When they get in high school, they will thank you. They will realize how you set them up for success and find it hard to let you down. Begin to teach your child right now.

Funny story……When I was in high school, there was a math teacher that hated me. I often corrected her and she didn’t like it. I missed her class on test day and another student set the curve. I had to take a make up test and scored a 98. She was pissed because she had to go and adjust the curve for everyone. Most of the students were pissed because instead of their B they got D’s. At the end of the year, the teacher had to give me a certificate for excellence, which she threw at me. It was the best reward I ever got.

When Is It O.K. To Be A Racist?

November 9th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

I wanted to stay in and play Gears of War 2 all weekend but I’m a mother and it doesn’t work like that. Yesterday I had to go out and run the normal errands.

I was in the Grocery Store and there was a black woman and a white woman walking down the isle. As I was looking through my coupons, I overheard their conversation. They were laughing that white people had been taken down a peg or two when Obama won the Presidency.

I thought to myself, damn this white girl must really want to fit in. She was white and allowed her black friend to openly express bigotry.

When is it O.K. to be a racist? Here are a couple scenario’s, tell me which one’s are acceptable.

1. It’s a black neighborhood. The corner boys are posted up when a white man rolls through. After realizing he was not there to score, the corner boys tell the white man; “You are in the wrong neighborhood”. They beat the crap out of the white man. Is this fair?
2. It’s a white neighborhood. The skin heads are skateboarding down the street when a black man rolls through. After realizing he drove a better car than their parents, they tell the black man; “You are in the wrong neighborhood. The beat the crap out of the black man. Is this fair?
3. Two black people are talking. One says, “This whitey at my job is really nice”. The other says, “No cracker is any good”. Not wanting to argue, the first agreed. Is this not bigotry?
4. Two white people are talking. One says, “This nigger at my job is really nice”. The other says, “No monkey is any good”. Not wanting to argue, the first agreed. Is this not bigotry?
5. A white man and black woman are walking down the street. They pass a group of black men that start making comments about the couple. They question why the fine black woman would choose a cracker. The white man just ignores them and pulls his girl in closer. Do you blame her?
6. A black man and white woman are walking down the street. They pass a group of white men that start making comments about the couple. They question why the white woman wants to mingle with a porch monkey. The black man just ignores them and pulls his girl closer. Do you blame her?
7. It’s a black family reunion. Over the years, some of the black men and woman have chose white men and women to share their lives. The older adults don’t understand this. They still have pent up frustration over marching in the 60’s and fighting in the 70’s. How dare you bring a cracker to my home?
8. It’s a white family reunion. Over the years, some the white men and women have chose black men and women to share their lives. The older adults don’t understand this. They remember a time when it was a blessing to be white. They remember how the government bent to the will of the black people. How dare you bring a nigger to my home?
9. A black person that voted for John McCain is a field jockey. They are nothing more than puppets used to dance for master. They do research to try to justify picking the white man. Who cares what each believes. Vote on color.
10. A white person that voted for Barack Obama is a nigger lover. They are scared to stand up and fight for white rights. They just don’t want to be called what they really are, racist. Who cares what each believes. Vote on color.
11. A white cop pulls over a black man. He warns the man that his back tail light is out and let’s him go. The black man goes back to his friends and the first thing he says, “Damn crackers always fucking with a nigger.”
12. A white cop pulls over a black man. He warns the man that his back tail light is out and let’s him go. The white cop goes back to the other cops and is asked why he didn’t give that nigger a ticket. The white cop says, “it was only a broken tail light”. The other cops said, “So what, niggers would kill you given the chance.
13. A black man refuses to go to a job interview because he believes no white person would give him a job.
14. A white man refuses to give a black man a job because he believes all black men are lazy.

Are you starting to get the point?

Race doesn’t matter to me. In no shape, form, or fashion. I have five brothers. One is married to a white woman and they have 2 kids. One has two mixed kids with another on the way. One doesn’t care what color a girl is as long as they are fly. The other two love black women. And I love them all.

About ten years ago, I moved in with my Aunt. My best friend at the time was a white girl. I asked if my friend could visit and my Aunt said yes. When she found out she was white, she told me she had to go home. I was shocked. I didn’t know she even harbored feelings like that, especially since she shares her home with her husbands’ three mixed kids. And thanksgiving is going to be interesting because her son just had a mixed child. Will the baby be allowed, even though the mother is rejected?

The whole point is there is no excuse for racism. If you want to judge me for not caring about the color of a man’s skin, then judge on. But please do not complain when there are people just like you on the other side. Think about it like this; for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Don’t expect racism to cease while you still perpetrate it.

So for those who call me names because I look at policy not color, I waiting for you to come to your senses. For those who hate me because I’m black, hate on. For those who don’t consider themselves racist, stop using the words that show different. Let go of your racism and then we can throw stones because we don’t live in a glass house.

Gears of War 2 Launches

November 6th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

With the election over, I really need a break. So I’ll be spending all my free time in the next few days killing noobs in Gears of War 2.

Alot of people are surprised that I am a video gamer. Oh yes, with no apologies. Gears of War gave me this passion. I got online and met my clan and it was on. For all you that don’t understand, Gears of War is the best game ever. Cliffy B is a geneous.

Who knew attaching a chainsaw to machine gun could be so fun? Or what about sticking somebody with a frag then running away killing the whole team. Or maybe sniping somebody while they are trying to pick up a boomshot? Oh the fun you can have.

So tonight with the release of Gears of War 2 I will allow my inner nerd to come out. I will stand against the Locust and save Sera. Then I will get on the multiplayer and build my stats. I’m so glad the election is over.

A Letter To The John McCain

November 5th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Dear Senator McCain

Boy, I was pulling for you. I thought this nation would be greatly rewarded for having a man of your caliber in the White House. I thought nations abroad would run to talk because they knew you weren’t afraid to fight. I thought our budget would be safe because you would actually reform Washington. I knew I would be proud of a real American Hero becoming President.

This is not a failure. The American people spoke and it was no real reflection on you. It was anger at the Bush Administration. It was the promise of change from Barack Obama. It was America’s way of healing and in your classy concession speech, you made me proud to be your supporter.

I will continue to teach my daughter of your sacrifice, in hopes that one day she will give service to the country that has given us so much. This election was not only a lesson of the growth of America, it was also a look back into history on how many people gave so much to allow us to get to this point. How you gave so much to allow Barack Obama to be raised if a free country where anything is possible?

So indeed he nor I would be here if it weren’t for men like you. You will be a hero of mine forever. No matter what the future holds for you, I will carry a piece of you with me always. The want and need to fight for this country. Thank You.

Sonskystar

A Letter to Black Barack Obama Supporters

November 5th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

To my Black People

Yesterday, you came out in droves to elect the first black president. You volunteered and knocked on doors because you really wanted change. Or did you?

I had to be gracious to Barack Obama but you will not be that lucky. This is what I got out of yesterday. I went to the polls and watched as black people called other black people and told them to get up and go to the polls. It excited me so much, I almost drunk the Kool-Aid. I loved the feeling of standing in that line watching the numbers increase. I thought we can actually make change.

You may be saying to yourself, how can you blast us, we won. To that I say, Are you saying we had the power to make an impact this entire time and we just didn’t? For years we have been complaining that there is no place for black people in our government and you believed it.

Someone else had to come along and give you that dream. We are still in trouble. Barack Obama will only be president for a term or two. After he fades, will the change message fade with him?

You don’t even get it do you. See, those excuses you use will become publically nonvalid. Tongues will loosen when talking about race because a major barrier will be gone. I will be one of the first. Martin Luther King Jr. would not be proud of you. He would be proud of Barack Obama, but not of you.

See, he had a dream that one day a man would not be judged on his color. You take that to mean black people will be accepted. I take it to mean, we have to let go of our own prejudices. I understand the pride you feel today. I feel it too. But if your sole reason for voting was the color of Barack Obama’s skin, then we still have a long way to go.

I do have hope though. As I watched Obama’s victory speech, I gained a little respect for him. We actually think alot a like. We agree that this is just the first step. Change will not come just because we have a black President. It will only come when you start taking the first steps.

Please tell me you will not let him down. Please tell me you won’t take the hope you have today and let it fade when the times continue to be tough. Please tell me you will look at the next black man on the street and think of him as a brother, not as a threat. Please tell me you will go back to school because now your dreams are limitless.

Or will you take this victory, with reverence, until next time you need an excuse. I’ve been saying all along that the excuses in the black community are only figments of imagination. I’ve been saying all along, you can do anything you put your mind too.

For my efforts, I get hate and excuses as to why I’m wrong. Today, your right to preach hate because someone dreams big, is null and void. And I couldn’t be happier. My only mistakes was telling you to believe in yourself and not giving you a black face to believe in.

I can guarantee you will not be rich just because Obama is President. I can guarantee the ghetto’s will not get better just because Obama is President. I can guarantee financial stability will not come to our neighborhoods just because Obama is President.

It will come because we get out in numbers like we did on election day. If we put the faith in ourselves that Obama has in us, we can move mountains. It’s not enough that we have the first black President, if we don’t do something with the opportunity. If we wait for answers to our problems to fall out of the sky, this will be all in vain.

Oh yeah, your vote wasn’t enough. Understand that. Yes, black people came out in huge numbers to vote for Obama but so did alot of white people. Another one of your excuses crushed. No white person wants to see a black person elected; How wrong you were. Make sure you take that with you to your job interview. America cares less about color. We care about always moving forward.

With your vote and excitement, the criticism will only get worse. White people who still carry hatred will have ammunition if we let down Barack Obama. If we continue as we were after voting for change, it wil be an impossible arguement to win. If we have a black President, why are still complaining about inequality?

Is there still a need for affirmative action or is the playing field level? Why are all these groups allowed to exist that only cater to one race, aren’t we past that? Aren’t the laws fair because they are governed by a black man? Why are you still complaining about cops out to get you?

How will you answer these questions? Will you find any and every excuse to keep your excuse relevant? I really like that sentence. Will you find any and every excuse to keep your excuse relevant? Or will this be the day you say, nothing can stop me?

Please let this be the day you say, Barack Obama did it, and I can do it too. I hope in four years our arguments will be on issues not on color. Congratulations. You did it and I expect so much out of you in the future.

Sonskystar

A Letter To President Elect Barack Obama

November 5th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

Dear President Elect Obama

You did it. Whoa. I can do nothing but congratulate you on your success. You showed everyone how an election could be won fighting for every vote. Tomorrow, I will once again become your critic, but today, Today I will Love your efforts and my country.

I disagree with you greatly on policy. But that is a single voice drowned out by the Millions that seek change. I can not and will not fight that. You campaigned hard, gave the people hope, and they came out in droves to elect you to the highest office in the land.

Your impact on history is nothing more than outstanding. My daughter will one day teach her children about your success. And I am so grateful for that. Black men and women got excited about the political process and for that I’m thankful.

You are my president too. And I look forward to watching you write history.