TWTD: Stereotypes are Destroying our Future

How often are teens put into a category representing violence? This is within the norm to a Philadelphia citizen because many teens are behaving in violent and ways. However, I believe all teens are being punished and looked at as vigilantes. Many teens are being stereotyped based on their appearance, race, sex, and possibly their birthplace. American children and teens are the future of America and if we continue to be put down and marked as tools of destruction and violence then our future only calls for far worst destruction and violence. I would like to shine on those teens that tend to stand up for them and fight against their stereotypes. How often are teens blamed for disturbing the peace or disrupting and destroying someone’s property? Stereotypes are beginning to become a huge cause for many hateful crimes.

For Instance, the most popular story today is the Trayvon Martin story about a 17 year old African American boy killed because he was seemingly thought to be a threat by a Hispanic neighborhood watch guard named George Zimmerman. Zimmerman proceeded to approach Trayvon after being told not to follow the young boy by the police which lead to a fist fight battle of the fittest. Zimmerman then felt the need to shoot the 17 year old boy multiple times taking his life. This whole altercation happened Florida where the self-defense rule stands, so Zimmerman still goes without arrest and many people are becoming furious do to injustice. Many believe this was a racial hate crime or an act of drunkenness by Zimmerman, but don’t really care and just want justice for the Martin Family and others who could be faced with a similar situation in Florida. Audio of Zimmerman’s 911 calls was also giving out to the public where he is heard saying, “These bastards always get away…” in an upset and stressed voice. This evidence proves that Zimmerman was feeling some sort of emotional distress against Trayvon. This is a very serious case that will speak on the behalf of many other children or teens out there that could possibly face a similar situation. If there is no justice done today then there will be no peace and assure safety for our teens and our future.

If you feel like justice should be made against Zimmerman here is a link for you to vote for his incarceration: http://www.change.org/petitions/prosecute-the-killer-of-our-son-17-year-old-trayvon-martin

This story displays a perfect example of how stereotypes are killing our future. I encourage every teen to fight against the stereotypes place against us and begin to create new positive stereotypes where more teens are recognize for success other than the destruction.

                                                           R.I.P

                      Trayvon Martin

TWTD: Call For Equality

I would like to open up with a question to the public, “How could a city put down those who are at their all-time low?” The city of Philadelphia (brotherly love) just passed a bill allowing Philadelphia Police to act against panhandling and those who are homeless without calling outreach to the people. 

This is a very disappointing act performed by the city of Philadelphia. Just a few weeks ago we had several people who believed this bill was just unfair and unjust to the homeless people of Philadelphia as well as the public. I believe there are many people who are against this bill in the city of Philadelphia who are fighting to do whatever it is they can to provide assistance for the homeless and those who are in need. For example, TSW (The Simple Way) has joined marches and protest session to stop this unjust act committed by the city of Philadelphia. I encourage many others to join the battle because you will never know when you or if you will be homeless and in need for assistance from the public.

TWTD: Religion (Christ) > Politicians = Better World

How often have you hear these words from those who are in the United States office, “I will make things better for the United States?” The people of the U.S. are told and promised change and a better world almost every year and nearly see much of this promise being fulfilled. I think in today’s society we see many of these issues being ignored and pushed off by the claim of a “bigger” issue that need to be handled. I personally believe we’re paying these Politicians to handle problems and make the final decisions for the best of the United States, but they seemingly never do. However, we have Politicians fighting for power and making decision for their benefit other than the U.S. citizens. I think some Politicians can now be known as people who are seeking power other than people seeking the best for the world.

We have many politicians fighting to become President, but less Politicians fighting to mold the world to a better place. Today’s elections are won based off what we are promised by the running candidates. I think elections should be won based on someone history of good deed for the U.S. I do not mean those who have served in a war when I speak about someone with a history of good deeds, but someone who wish for equality and participate in task to help the citizens of America. For Instance, if we had a president who feeds the homeless or gives a lot of funding to food banks and those in need as well as those who are wealthy our government would be a lot better. Although, many dominant people would see this as a sign of weakness because the president actually haves a heart. I would see this as sign of bravery and leadership because he/she understands that change for a better nation can’t be built unless equality exists (those who are hungry are no longer hungry and those who are homeless has shelter, etc.).

 So this is not to make everyone an anti-politician, but to just inform those who believe in politicians with their heart and soul that the world cannot become a better place without GODS help. So to my fellow Christians I ask you to pour your heart and soul to Jesus and trust in him to make the world a better place through you. Those of another religious view I encourage you to think about the one’s you praise and ask him to lift you up and give you the knowledge to create a better world. A politician is a political leader who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making, but when have we stop defining politicians in this manner and started calling them the "messiah?" 

 Here's a video done by a fan of Nas, a hip-hip rapper, who also noticed that Politics and Politicians are become a corrupt and drawling us farther from the one who truly guides us (God).

TWTD: An Unaware Participant in Corruption

How can I be a part of a tragedy I am unaware of? I believe everyone shares a portion of blame for the corruption in today’s society (Although I try to not point the finger as much).

You ask how and why?

As many fight this battle for a world similar to God’s vision there are several reasons why this battle is not yet won. I notice that there are many who want a better world and society to live in, but there are many of those who are unsure where to stand in this battle. Then there are those who seem to be ignorant to change and seemingly to love the corruption of the world we live in so much not because they are just mean but because they are so use to it. Many of those who are unsure and plan to just live their daily lives can be seen as joining the system that’s corrupting our society without ever noticing. Although you may not notice it, you are joining the side of corruption. Many people, as well as myself, tend to grow up trying to fit into today’s system of life instead of believing in a better and different way of living life. For Instance when a child tells themselves, “I wants to become someone rich and famous,” this can be seen as one seeking dominance in a since of join the corruption side. We are made to believe that we must seek dominance in order to become “someone” in life. There are many other ways you can be standing on the wrong side of the battlefield without even noticing it.

However, there are many of those who are trying to better the world but are often put down or belittled. These people are looked at with shame and hatred to some because they are breaking the cycle in which many are so familiar with. That change just seems silly and bad even if the familiar way is corrupting. I want to encourage many to listen to these people and just think about what is being said. I am not asking for people to try to become perfect because you can’t, but I do encourage everyone to notice how they are adding to the corruption in this world and then try to fix them. Although we can’t be perfect, a group of uncorrupting people can’t create the impossible (perfect world), but can definitely create a beautiful and better society for today and the future. I understand and believe it okay if you grow unsure of what the answer is to this very difficult algebra problem (Algebra?………Well that stuff is very difficult to understand). That’s when we have to look at scripture and ask God who would be the teacher who has his Master’s Degree in Mathematics.  God will always be there to answer these types of questions. I want many of my readers to remember that it took a community to destroy and corrupt what God had planned for us, so it takes a community to begin the rebuilding and cleansing of the world.

TWTD: Unaware Inequality and How a Community can help.

I thought maybe I should cover a topic that many people tend to forget about. I want to speak about inequality and how it still exists throughout our daily lives. I also want to speak about community and the people being our voice for change as well as speaking about a few people who thought differently. As we wake up in the morning and go on through our daily lives, every American of another ethnicity besides Caucasian is being treated differently based on their just because of their skin color. Some notice this difference faster than others. But many of our Caucasian Americans are unaware of their placement on the table of ethnic status. They are placed higher than others. As I read Peggy McIntosh’s article titled White Privilege: UnpackingThe Invisible Knapsack, I began to notice some differences that I was unaware of and many that I thought was familiar. McIntosh called this an “unfair advantage” known as an “invisible package of unearned assets which I can count on cashing in each day, but about which I was meant to remain oblivious.” The assets McIntosh refers to are things such as many huge organization being ran by white males, good education system being found in a predominately white neighborhood, people of the Caucasian race being widely represented on the television and the cover of newspapers and tiny things like flesh colored bandages being only Caucasian’s color. These assets are what I would consider fuel that is added to the racial discrimination fire. I want to make sure people are aware of these privileges and how equal things throughout our daily lives really are.

Although the mainstream discrimination has been cracked down, it still exist and can be seen happening every day. Many of Americans don’t notice these “little” acts of discrimination because we are all still so glad that the battle to end racism is being won. We are like a group of soldier who are fighting a war and seems to be winning and at about ¾’s of this battle we put up our swords and celebrate our not yet won victory. I encourage many people of all ethnicities to open their eyes and notice these things and seek equality. I have many friends and people who noticed the inequality and try to seek change. For Instance, Shane Claiborne, Tony Compolo and Chris Lahr are three great examples of people seeking equality throughout America (all three of these man are Caucasian by the way). There’s two things these three people have in common and that’s the thirst for a better world and developing a community to get theirs and many others voices heard by the world. As I previously stated I encourage many to come together and form a community. An individual voice can't be heard over a distant and clearly, but a community's voice can be heard loud and clear from everywhere. A community can change the world. 

TWTD: Power & Focus

There was a book I read recently by author Kevin Blue called Practical Justice and this book informed me about several issues that we face throughout life as well as in our faiths. In this book Blue spoke about dealing with power in today’s society. When I say “power” I’m referring to the capability to help or change things in this world because of their amount of money, knowledge, or judgment. Many of those who have power tend to either misuse their power or never use it when it at the correct moment. There are some people who tend to never use their power at all because of the fear of failing to please those in need. Many people wish to obtain this sort of power many with different intentions. I can recall myself craving for this type of power so that I can better my family’s life and help out those others who are in need. Blue help me to realize that, although, this may be for the better of my family and hopefully those in need, I am still hoping 100 percent for the wrong power. Blue spoke about putting the power of God (Holy Spirit) before my personal craving of other powers. Once I have put my faith ahead of my personal craving of power I will succeed. I like what Blue spoke of in his book Practical Justice is really good.

Those who think differently are very positive and believe in a better world. I decided that in order for me to make a change I would have to realize where I stand in today’s society and speak in unison. And that’s how many others who are considered someone who thought differently spoke up loud enough to become someone. I encourage many others to join this battle for change but before you grow thirsty of power put your faith first.  

TWTD: The Requirements to Becoming “Someone”

Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to become someone in this world? When I say “someone” I mean someone who is remembered for his/her efforts of bettering the world. Well more than 50 percent of the world’s population wishes for a better society to live in (either to their standards or others). But there is a much less percentage that actually does. Why? There are many people who are unsure of how to better the world and there are many who believe they don’t have the income or resources to change the world. I believe otherwise; I believe that there are no requirements for becoming someone who wishes to change the world. I believe that if you are a citizen and you thought about a change for the best you have the right resources and income. When I speak of income I am not referring to the amount of currency (money) someone raises, but as the amount of the knowledge someone can consume and the ability to use this knowledge for good. Being a citizen alone allows you to have resources; however, the best resource to have is a community. A single person alone cannot change the world but a community can. A community is similar to a group of herrings, when they travel together their appearance is bigger to their predators. It takes a strong and determined community to create a portion of change in today’s society.

“You are not alone”

In order to become someone who makes the effort for change you must gain the knowledge of these issues and figure out how you can personally help in addition to your community based on your knowledge or possible contributions. This battle is a very hard and long battle and will need as much soldiers as it can to create change.

            I want to speak about a survey done by Richard Edelman in 2009 called the “Good Purpose Survey.” Edelman surveyed 6,000 people ranging from the ages of 18-64 from ten different countries. Edelman wondered how many people out of 6,000 were actually willing to make the world a better place. He found that 83 percent of consumers are willing to change their consumption habits if it can help make tomorrow's world a better place to live. Edelman also found that 64 percent of consumers say they expect brands today to do something to support a good cause. This is just one of many amazing discoveries Edelman found through this survey. These high percentages from only two years ago, makes me wonder “What are the percentages of the entire worlds expectations and willingness?” I want you to ask yourself by the year 2020, “What will be the percentage of Those Who Thought Differently?”