A Stirring the Pot Minute

Once, twice, three times an abuser

2012-01-22T09:25:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, newly-electedSan Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi was in court where he pled not guilty tomisdemeanor counts of domestic violence battery, child endangerment anddissuading a witness. The charges are a result of a New Year's Eve encounter withhis wife – Venezuelan TV actress Eliana Lopez – that allegedly became physical.

A neighbor to the couplereportedly received text messages from Lopez about the alleged incident andmade a video in which – according to a police affidavit – Lopez says,"This is the second time this is happening ... I been telling him we needhelp and I'm going to use this just in case he wants to take Theo away from mebecause he did said that he is very powerful and can do it." Theo is thecouple's 2-year-old son.

San Francisco SuperiorCourt Judge Susan Breall has upheld an order barring Mirkarimi from contactingLopez and their son despite pleas by both that the alleged incident is beingblown out of proportion.

"The violence againstme is I don't have my family together," Lopez said earlier this week."I'm not afraid of my husband at all."

Many say he just grabbedher arm – allegedly, – didn't actually hit her and that the courts should allowthem to move on … together. They say his actions – which he has admitted"something" took place – don't make him an abuser if it happened justthis one time. So why not let this happy little family be under one roof,behind closed door, again to carry on with their lives?

Because regardless if thiswas the first time, one of many and/or will never happen again, there are clearsigns that this situation is one of domestic violence.

Dictionary.comdefines abuse:

– to abuse one's authority

– to treat in a harmful, injurious or offensive way

– to speak insultingly, harshly and unjustly to or about;revile; malign

– to commit sexual assault upon

– to deceive or mislead

Nowhere above does it says"more than one time."

Just the fact that abuse –by any definition – does apply to the incident is more than enough reason tokeep the couple apart for the time being.

Why?

Accordingto the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, about 1.3 million womenare victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. Experts say a battering incident is rarely anisolated event and tends to increase and become more violent over time. Mostabuse cases are never reported to police.

Should Mirkarimi resign hisnew position as sheriff because of the attention it has brought the city andbecause many are crying “once an abuser, always an abuser?”

It really doesn’t matter.Until proven guilty, Mirkarimi is innocent. His day will come in court.

The important thing toremember that once, twice or multiple incidents of abuse in any form is an actof domestic violence. Both women and men need to understand abusive behaviorcomes in many forms and does not have to happen multiple times to be a problem.

And the only way to change thisbehavior is for one to acknowledge it and to get help.

Read more STP Moments and news and information for and about women at here ...

Battle of the bald continues to ignore women of color

2012-01-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, I saw reports about a recently created Facebook fan page encouraging a new look for an old favorite – the Barbie doll.

The "Beautiful and Bald Barbie! Let's see if we can get it made" campaign, which began in early December, reported about 15,000 fans on Wednesday morning. Today, the page has more than 37,000 fans (I witnessed a 600 fan jump in a 15-minute time span last night).

The creators of the fan page say, "We would like to see a Beautiful and Bald Barbie made to help young girls who suffer from hair loss due to cancer treatments, Alopecia or Trichotillomania. Also, for young girls who are having trouble coping with their mother's hair loss from chemo. Many children have some difficulty accepting their mother, sister, aunt, grandparent or friend going from a long haired to a bald." [sic]

I commend these women for wanting to shed a greater light on the issue of how young girls are affected by cancer and other diseases, whether it is directly or indirectly. It is difficult enough growing up in a society where they are bombarded with looking a certain way, being the perfect size and wearing the right clothes and accessories without then having to try to fit in with their peers when they’ve lost their hair.

Reportedly, the two women, the growing fan base and others have deluged the Mattel company – maker of Barbie – with letters and phone calls, with their vote to create a new doll that would be so inspirational to tens of thousands young girls and would teach millions of others a little more about acceptance.

Mattel confirms it has received the requests, but reportedly doesn’t take ideas from outside sources. However, if the toy company does decide to create a doll for this segment of society, I’m not sure if I’m entirely on board with the idea.

I am beyond sympathetic when it comes to anyone suffering from a life-threatening disease, especially when it afflicts our youth. But if Mattel eventually creates a bald doll, it should represent more than girls impacted by disease.

For many cultures around the world, being bald is a thing of beauty. It represents strength, self-confidence and often times is considered sexy (by adults). But why hasn’t Mattel done more to be globally correct? A few years ago, it did launch the “S.I.S.” – So In Style” – collection to mixed reviews as the line of dolls all have long and mostly light-colored hair.

In a 2009 CNN article, Tanisa Zoe Samuel, an African-American iReporter from the Turks and Caicos, in the Caribbean, said, "Black women come in all shades, shapes and varieties that there is just no way to capture everyone with three dolls."

The S.I.S. collection was a great move – but it does not represent the millions of women representing thousands of ethnic groups who would love to have a doll for their daughters that gives the girls pride in who they are versus a doll that often promotes the idea that what they purchase to enhance their natural beauty is something for which to strive.

It just seems that once again, women of color are being ignored and devalued - and replaced with a "cause" that is something more people can get on board with. I hope Mattel – if it comes up with the idea “on its own” to create a bald Barbie – will think twice about its mission to be inclusive.

Read more from MFC at myshadesmagazine.net.

New Year, New View, New YOU!

2011-12-31T17:50:00.000-08:00

If your year was anything like mine, you are saying to yourself, “Boy ... I’m glad that’s over!”

I mean it wasn’t all bad. There were some things that were overwhelmingly great - for example I turned the Big 50 and got to spend it with family and many of the friends who mean so much to me. But all-in-all, it was a year of change and 12 months of challenges.

The economy has not gotten much better from when it tanked two years ago and the unemployment rate is still more than 8 percent in the U.S. This has affected friends and family members, not to mention my own household.

There are some of you who lost a parent, a loved one, a colleague or friend. You’ve gained way more weight than you wanted to or became ill at some point during the year. You got tired, depressed, frustrated with life and vow that 2012 is going to be better than 2011 turned out to be.

Many are waiting for the clock to strike midnight on Dec. 31 so that you can toss out the old and begin with the new.

But what good is that going to do? How will turning a blind eye to what happened this year help you have a better one next year?

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “Those who ignore history are bound (or doomed) to repeat it,” right? If you haven’t - or hadn’t paid much attention to what it really means - know that having a successful New Year has less to do with ridding the old and embracing the new as much as it has to do with evaluating the old and creating a “new” that focuses on what makes you happy, complete and keeps you moving forward.

Too many people get stuck when things don’t go their way; I’m guilty of it myself. But I’ve learned that it’s at that time that, when you hit the roadblock, that you need to Stop, Think, Listen and Do:

STOP: When a “situation” or “event” occurs, the last thing you want to do is react. Sure, it may feel good and allow you to get even, which is your immediate goal, but when all is said and done, you will regret your actions or words at some level. Instead, don’t do anything, get to a quiet spot ASAP.

THINK: When you are over the immediate pain, confusion or sadness, ask yourself these questions - What just happened? Why did it happen? Where do I go from here?

LISTEN: Whether you believe in God, Allah, Jehovah, some Higher Power or the Universe, if you ask what to do next in any situation and tune out everything else, you will hear the answer. And I do mean “hear.”

DO: Now the hard part for many. Whatever “words” you hear, what sign you may receive, just do it! It might not be the answer you wanted, but that doesn’t matter. Too many of us do the opposite and find ourselves in the same or another place we aren’t happy with. Remember ... “Those who ignore history ... ?”

So instead of using the New Year to make a new path, I hope you realize that the path you are on is yours for a reason. Getting off of it will do more harm eventually.

Stay on the path, but look for the detours and take them. If you trip over a pothole, get up and keep going. Those friends and people along the side - if they don’t join you, root for you or give you a cup of water along the way, ignore them (and don’t think that is mean cause that is exactly what they are doing to you!)

Keep moving forward and look back only to see what not to do. And if you stay the right course and don’t waver, people and circumstances that aren’t supposed to be on your path, will drop by the wayside. No need to push them off the road, a truck will be by to take care of it if they remain on YOUR path.

Make the New Year about YOU - your hopes, your dreams, your health. Because if you aren’t around, what good will you be to anyone, much less yourself?

Originally printed at myshadesmagazine.net.

Waiting until tomorrow, may be too late

2011-11-30T21:14:00.001-08:00

I was never at risk.

I’d had a couple of blood transfusions years ago, but my sexual activity didn’t put me even near an “at risk” level. And the last time that I know I was tested was during surgery or childbirth - again many years ago - back when it wasn’t kosher to just go out and find out your status.

But I was still afraid to enter the trailer one recent Sunday to get tested.

I think it was because I’ve always been a staunch HIV/AIDS awareness advocate who, fortunately, knew quite a bit about the virus and the disease it eventually morphs into.

It could have been because despite what you know, the stigma that still permeates our society, our cultures and too many of our churches still lurks just over our shoulder.

But it was probably because I know first hand what AIDS can do to a person and his or her family.

Also take a moment to check out my video:

WORLD AIDS DAY: The battle rages on, especially for women of color | shades Magazine http://bit.ly/tOyELe

More 'happiness' = less hate

2011-06-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

Photo by Z'ma Wyatt

For those of you who are not aware, June is Pride month – 30 full days “to recognize the impact lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and intersex people have had on the world.”

For the weeks leading up to National Gay Pride Day – the last Sunday of June (and yes, it’s true – President Bill Clinton being the first president to declare it as such) – is celebrated with parades, picnics, parties, memorials for those lives lost from hate crimes and more.

If you’ve ever been to a Pride festival, especially in San Francisco, you know it is a giant party for EVERYONE (and does draw just that), all celebrating that which makes us different and unique – yet still human beings.

But the irony of this and just about every other day/month of recognition is that there was a lot of pain and sadness that got us to the period of honor.

For more than 200 years, African Americans were held as slaves throughout the South and treated as fifth-class citizens across much of the rest of the country until President Abraham Lincoln freed them via the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863. For thousands more, that freedom didn’t come for another 2.5 years when blacks in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free.

In 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, more than 110,000 Japanese-Americans were force to live in internment camps (i.e. prisons) across the Western U.S. Since that time, many Asian cultures are looked down upon, people grouping them as one.

Today, tens of thousands of Mexican immigrants flock to this country each year to make a better life for them and their families. Unfortunately, for wanting something so many of us take for granted, this group of people is treated too often like aliens – the unkind and unfair name some still call them.

And since hatred and ignorance are equal opportunity traits, the LGBTQI communities have been called everything from evil to misguided to being blamed for the AIDS epidemic.

Need I go on?

But it’s okay … in 2011 we can celebrate Black History, Asian-Pacific American Heritage, Hispanic Heritage and Native American Heritage months and even Pride Month, which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village, New York, that sparked the modern LGBT liberation movement in the United States. And on June 19 we recognize Juneteenth – the date of the announcement of freedom for African Americans in the U.S., primarily those in the Western half of the country.

So we’re good, right?

It’s truly sad that in order to get a national holiday or monthly observance a person or groups of people – usually representing some “minority” in the general U.S. population – must go through some hardship or injustice before the “majority” will acknowledge they are worthy to be “equal.”
But that equality is too often in theory only.

There was a time when the only thing “gay” meant was to be happy, “having or showing a merry, lively mood.” Like other hateful words linked to groups of people, it’s time for us to take back the negativity so many still associate with the word.

Be “gay” who you are and who you represent.

Be “gay” to represent a group of people that you belong to.

And we all need to take the time to use these daily, weekly and monthly observances to tear down our walls, eliminate our ignorance and embrace the core of what does make us all the same.

BE “GAY!” BE PROUD!

Originally published at myshadesmagazine.net.

My woman of color quilt: Square 1

2010-10-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

“Until justice is blind to color, until education is unaware of race, until opportunity is unconcerned with the color of men’s skins, emancipation will be a proclamation but not a fact.”

~Lyndon B. Johnson

If we pay attention to it, we are accused of being racist.

If we ignore it, we are told we are running from it.

So how should we act when it comes to the topic of “color” – more specifically, the issue of race and ethnicity?

Since the beginning of time, man has fought to find his place in this world. There always has been something “different” about him that another man didn’t like or respect. As our planet’s population grew, so did the number of men who used their personal hatreds to sometimes gather into groups to hate in force. Sometimes it was subtle, sometimes overt. At all times it kept others down.

During the last century, several individual men have stepped up to promote equality, to support political correctness, but for each supporter they gained, two opposers spoke out, keeping the constant debate on race going.

And then there is woman.

Read more ...

No ‘rock stars’ here

2010-03-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

Today, the color pink is all the rage in San Francisco.

No, it’s not the latest in summer swimwear or a flash mob planning to sing Pink’s big hit “So What” in unison. We’re talking about the type of pink that comes in the form of a letter from your employer saying “cutbacks are forcing us to eliminate your position.”

That’s right, it’s Pink Slip Day in the city and county of SF and although the estimated 15,000 workers who will receive the notices are in a furor over the layoffs, there is a silver lining to the situation.

“The purpose of this is to avoid layoffs,” Mayor Gavin Newsom said to a TV news crew Thursday. “… to allow them [workers] the dignity of maintaining their healthcare. I’m waiting for a better alternative.”

These layoffs will go into effective in early May, at which time many of those affective will be able to return to their jobs if they agree to work no more than 37.5 hours per week. According to Newsom, the 6.25 reduction in salary will save the city $50 million, a much-needed shot in the arm as the city faces a $522 million budget deficit going into the new fiscal year.

Losing a job during rough economic times is no fun … I know first hand. But if my former job had given me the opportunity to reapply at a reduced salary, and still keep my health benefits, I would have grinned and bore it.

I understand the frustration city employees and the residents-at-large feel over San Francisco’s constant inability to wrangle in an out-of-control budget, but I see this as a chance to keep some form of money – more than bi-weekly unemployment benefits – flowing into your household.

In Newsom’s grand plan, fire, police and Muni operators – who are having their own challenges these days – will not be affected. Another saved clique: city attorneys. Now that’s the group I question. But in a city plagued with lawsuits and alleged wrong doings, it may be wise to keep them around.

Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig is an award-winning journalist who resides in the Bay Area. Contact her at talk2mfc@yahoo.com or visit her blog at stpminute.blogspot.com.

Let loose the Tiger

2010-02-20T11:57:00.000-08:00

Both Tiger Woods and I have something in common.

We’ve both been MIA since November – him from the world of golf, me from writing this column.

No, I am not a world-renowned champion golfer (or “celebrity”), I am not being treated for any sex or substance addiction nor did I cheat on my wife.

But guess what? Not to sound rude … it’s really none of your business why I’ve taken some much-needed time off.

By choice, I’ve kept up with my professional obligations and commitment to boards I serve on, but had I needed to step away from any – even temporarily – I owe no one an explanation, but my clients and fellow board members.

You know why? Because I have a personal life that is owned solely by me, and it is up to me whom I choose to share it with.

The same holds true for Tiger.

A little more than 24 hours following the golfer’s first public statement in months, he is still a top news story and the talk of town. On one of the newscasts I watched, I heard a woman say how he was no longer a role model to her kids and what he had done was unforgivable.

What he has done? Be human?

In recent years, thanks to the indiscretions of other sports athletes, there has been an ongoing debate as to if one falls from grace should he or she lose his or her role model status. I say only if the mistake involved the sport itself (i.e., enhancement drugs, point-shaving).

No parent should teach his or her child to idolize anyone whom he or she doesn’t know both personally and professionally. It’s great to say, “One day, you too can be the top golfer in the world if you do A, B and C.” But to hold someone as a role model, you should know who they are as a person, not what they do for a living. And unfortunately, we really don’t know who most athletes are off their playing field. We pay money to see them play, not for them to open up their lives to us.

So because Tiger has what are undeniably some serious personal issues, we should want to know ever juicy and non-juicy detail of what he does off the green? And even though he has squared things up with the PGA and his sponsors, we should still want to know his every move and follow him around as he tries to get his life back together again?

Hmmm … maybe I do owe an explanation to people.

Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig is an award-winning journalist who resides in Oakland. Contact her at talk2mfc@yahoo.com or visit her blog at www.stpminute.blogspot.com.

Death by ignorance

2009-11-27T09:29:00.000-08:00

Dec. 1 marks the 21st anniversary of World AIDS Day.

It will be a time when many people — in this country and beyond — will gather for ceremonies, memorials and educational events to bring attention to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS — the final stage of HIV infection.

It’s great there is a day to shed light on the AIDS epidemic, but what about the other 364 days of the year?

Read more ...

Why all the fuss?

2009-10-22T15:21:00.000-07:00

For the past several days, the nation has heard the story of the Louisiana justice of the peace who refused to marry interracial couple Terence McKay, who is African-American, and Beth Humphrey, who is white. Keith Bardwell, an elected judge in the eastern part of the state, said he “recused himself from performing the ceremony” because he feared for the couple’s future children.

This was and still is a really sad incident that only seems to fuel the racism that despite what some who wear blindfolds may say, is alive and well in the world today.

But to be honest, I am somewhat surprised that people are so shocked about Bardwell’s actions.

Paving the way

2009-10-08T14:26:00.000-07:00

This past weekend is definitely one I won’t soon forget.

Not because I did anything illegal and/or immoral. It was about an “older soul” who taught this old soul the true meaning of “passing the torch.”

Yeah, he said it. Now what?

2009-09-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

It was the praise heard around the world: “… but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time!”

If you’re like most of the millions of viewers who watched the MTV Video Music Awards Sunday when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video with the above comment, I’m sure your mouths opened about as wide as that of Beyonce — who sat watching in the audience. You also may have said what everyone was thinking.

Wow.

Yeah ... we gotta watch ‘that one’

2009-09-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, millions of school children around the country sat at their desks and watched via Internet as their president gave a speech welcoming them back to school and offering them advice on making the most of their education.

By all accounts, this should have been a non-event. Unfortunately, an alarming number of conservative individuals and those who are just distrusting of our government threw their hands up in dismay and rallied the political correctness troops to the front line.

It gives one hope

2009-09-03T19:25:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday morning, Jaycee Lee Dugard, after entering the Concord Police Department, told the tale of more than 18 years of torture, abuse and neglect after being kidnapped in 1991 near her home in South Lake Tahoe.

Phillip and Nancy Garrido have been charged with 29 felony counts surrounding the kidnapping and holding of Dugard and her two daughters — which Garrido is said to have fathered — against their will in a backyard encampment near Antioch.

With each day, the story gets more interesting: from reports of the disturbed couple being involved in other crimes to a missed opportunity by authorities in 2006 that might have ended decades of imprisonment for Dugard a few years earlier.

It is sad and unfortunate that so many boys and girls across the country “disappear,” never to be heard of again. Fortunately, many would say, Dugard’s story has a happy ending.

Or does it?

MFC: Back in the saddle again

2009-08-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

Wow ... what a summer.

Good, bad and ugly all played a part, causing me to fall down a little on my game.

However, I'm on my way back - albeit a little slow - and again will be back in the swing of things soon.

To begin ... here's a summary of the columns I did write this summer. Enjoy!

A game of cat and mouse
Let freedom ring
He shouldn't be there
When all is said and done
State of California - 1 ... State's youth - 0
And we wonder why
Long live 'The Press!'

Fork in the road

2009-06-06T11:07:00.000-07:00

It was a really nice ceremony. My son, along with more than 600 fellow students, graduated from eighth grade earlier this afternoon.

They looked like the babes they are as parents and family members cheered and celebrated their accomplishments. Many of the boys — I’m sure with parents’ guidance — wore their Sunday best, tie and all. While many of the girls — I’m sure acting on their own — chose dresses that were a little beyond their years. Most looked bored out of their minds.

But that’s okay … they are kids. It’s normal for them to spend much of their time in another world. They are even allowed to test the waters — a little. They are pieces of clay just waiting to be molded. And it is at this time we as adults need to be there for them more than ever.

Read more ...

Celebrating diversity

2009-06-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

For about 20 years, the push to be diverse has taken a stronghold on this country.

And despite the ongoing battle to legalize same-sex marriage — the California Supreme Court ruled to uphold Prop. 8 last Tuesday — our state, especially the Bay Area, is overly liberal in its thinking. This includes how local residents often times don’t think twice when it comes to the LGBT communities.

Unfortunately, a small group of East Bay parents didn’t get their copies of the “embrace diversity” handbook.

Our nation’s economy: The perfect scapegoat

2009-05-13T22:08:00.000-07:00

I waited all week for the news.

And early Tuesday morning the decision was made: Miss California — Carrie Prejean — will be allowed to retain her crown and finish out her reign as our state’s Miss USA representative.

Whew.

I was poised at the end of my Lazy Boy, like so many other Americans, as the Donald gave us his organization’s verdict. Neither racy lingerie photos nor “miscommunications” between Prejean and her state pageant directors would convince pageant officials that she should be stripped of her tiara.

Despite her vocal support against gay marriage — which I could take in a whole different direction, but won’t — the young woman from San Diego will be able to spend her last six months as queen, waving, smiling and wearing her crown proudly.

Why was the media fascinated with this and so many other stories that some would say are totally ridiculous and a waste of our free TV time?

Stand up … or just remain seated

2009-05-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

For most of my life — and many times during the last nine months I’ve written this column — I have “preached” the idea that one person can make a difference.

No matter how big the problem, how minute the situation, if you are determined to create change, then nothing, and no one, will stop you.

Monday night, I met someone who despite the hardships she encountered, ridicule she endured and moments of insecurity she faced in her life, never gave up.

Fighting for our future

2009-04-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

Whitney Houston and I are in agreement: We believe the children are our future.

Yeah, it’s cliché and has been heard around the world way too many times, and I’d be pressed to find someone who doesn’t believe the same. But what are we doing to show the phrase is more than just words?

Our economy continues to struggle, our country is still at war and the state’s jobless rate is close to an all-time high. We struggle to make ends meet and struggle harder to give our children a taste of what we adults had ourselves. But with every corner we turn it seems those in the state Capitol and several in Washington are forgetting what building a better future really means.

It is important to get our country — and state — on solid ground again, but should this be done at the expense of our youth?

Earth Day philosophy every day?

2009-04-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday - Earth Day 2009 - people around the globe will come together to celebrate the great planet we live on.

On the “official” Earth Day Web site it reads, “Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment."

Hmmm … interesting. Wouldn’t it be cool if we could incorporate this “vision” into a way of life for all? Not only on Earth Day, but the other 364 days of the year, as well? And let’s expand the focus from the environment to include say … one another?

Go team, go! Next, please …

2009-04-09T15:12:00.000-07:00

In last week’s column, I shared with you my observations on how the enthusiasm over the election of our 44th president had dimmed and how Obama-wear no longer seemed to be the fashion du jour.

I hadn’t realized it until a reader pointed it out, but part of my frustrations in seeing less people openly supporting our president is more about the people who seem to have crawled back into the comfortable holes they call lives, only to venture out again when enough other people are making noise.

Am I the only one?

2009-04-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

Tucked away in the corner of the trusty backpack I carry with me every day is my black wool ski cap, which has “OBAMA” spelled out on it in rhinestones. Since the weather can be unpredictable some evenings and I hate the cold — and the wind even more — I keep it on hand with a pair of gloves and a cotton scarf.

I bought my cap in Washington, D.C., when I attended my new president’s inauguration in January. I’ve worn it with pride often and used to love the attention I got when it sat upon my head.

But over the past month or so, when it has been chilly or windy enough to wear, I’ve noticed people hardly pay it any mind anymore. And now that I think about, I no longer see much Obama-wear out and about as it was proudly worn and displayed from last October through the end of February.

Am I the only one who still wants to shout to the world that Obama is our commander-in-chief? Am I the only one who is finally happy to have a commander-in-chief who is worth being proud of? Am I the only one who cares anymore?

Read more ...

Why? How?

2009-03-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

Sgt. Mark Dunakin. Officer John Hege. Sgt. Erv Romans. Sgt. Dan Sakai.

One week ago, these four members of the Oakland Police Department were respected, hard-working men who took their job of protecting and serving seriously. Today, all four are dead; the victims of a routine traffic stop gone wrong.

The man accused of killing them: Oakland resident Lovelle Mixon, a 26-year-old parolee who since the accident has been linked to the rape of a young girl last month.

We don’t need to rehash the gory details of what happened early Saturday afternoon. Nor should we try to link this tragedy to other non-related incidents that have involved law enforcement and unnecessary shootings in Oakland in recent months. But we do need to ask that burning question

Most would say it’s “Why? … Why did this happen?” But I disagree.

There is no need to ask, “Why did Mixon kill four police officers in cold blood?” The answer to that is fairly obvious. The young man who had such a violent, criminal past was scared and full of anger.

The question is “How did Mixon get to this point?”

The answer: Mixon was the victim of a failed prison and parole system.

Read more ...

Public transit etiquette

2009-03-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

For about 18 months, I’ve used public transit as my main mode of transportation.

Caltrain between San Jose and Millbrae; San Francisco’s Muni system — buses, trains and the like; BART, to all points it can take you; and even a jaunt or two on local transit shuttles and Contra Costa’s County Connection. And of course, I’d be remiss in not mentioning the East Bay’s tried and not so true AC Transit.

Now I’m not here to share with you all the problems, issues, complaints and more I have with most of these agencies. I’ll save that soapbox sermon for another day. What I do have on my mind this week is the way in which the people who ride hither and yonder behave while out and about.

Read more...

10.1 and climbing

2009-02-27T13:26:00.000-08:00

In most cases – on a scale of one to 10 – the higher the number the better you are. Well, news is out that the state of California has gone beyond a 10 ... and that’s not a good thing.

In January, California’s unemployment rate hit 10.1 percent – the highest in 26 years. This comes during a time when close to two million people across the state are looking for work and the national rate is wavering at 7.6 percent.

There’s no quick solution and I admit, I don’t have an answer, but aren’t there ways to lower this number? In recent weeks, I’ve had two people tell me how their employer – in order to meet his or her own business needs – have reduced employee hours. Not unlike the furloughs many are experiencing in several industries, this reduction of hours may cut one’s pay, but it at least allows them to collect some form of paycheck.

It may mean readjusting your budget, or finding a second job/gig to make ends meet, but at least it’s better than an unemployment check – and the hassles that can come with that – or nothing at all.

It’s something to think about when “furlough fever” gets you down. Trust me, I wish I’d had gotten a fever over a pink slip.

Terminator 3.5: Rage against the Legislature

2009-02-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

Editors note: Written prior to budget approval.

He said he’d do it and he meant it.

I’m not sure state lawmakers really believed that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger would hand out 20,000 pink slips to state employees at various levels, but now he has. The move — which would see about half of those jobs eliminated sooner rather than later — reportedly will save the state about $750 million.

Read more...

Black History Month: Is there still a need?

2009-02-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

Sixty-three years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery, a young black scholar decided to create a week that celebrated the accomplishments of his people — despite the persecution and struggles this group continued to go through.

For some time there has been discussion as to whether or not Black History Month should slowly fade into the sunset. Why do we need a month — the shortest of the 12, no less — to honor a race when it really should be done all year long? With the election of President Barack Obama, the debate is growing a little louder.

And he’s off…

2009-02-07T11:39:00.000-08:00

This time, hopefully, he won’t go as far.

Johannes Mehserle, the accused former Bay Area Transit Officer who shot and killed Hayward resident Oscar Grant III on New Year’s Day, made bail Friday afternoon.

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Morris Jacobson one week ago set bail at $3 million. Although Jacobson said he was forced to set bail according to state law, he placed it at an amount he said he felt would deter the former officer from skipping town if he is able to raise the money. Mehserle was arrested Jan. 13 following an “escape” to Douglas County, about 15 miles south of Carson City in northwestern Nevada. In part, he feared his life.

During an evening march and protest in downtown Oakland Friday, the word of and anger over Mehserle’s freedom quickly grew. Grant’s family, through their lawyer, also voiced concern over his meeting the bail they, too, had hoped would be denied.

Now, I in no way condone what the disgraced former BART officer has done and feel he should be treated like any Regular Joe and be convicted of the crime we all have seen he committed. However, as much as everyone wants to see Mehserle behind bars – particularly, a radical few who have pushed the limits of peaceful protesting – the man does have the same rights of any criminal.

Yes, Mehserle found the means to raise the 10 percent bond unlike many other prisoners. The fact that he was a law enforcement representative who may have taken his authority way too far is disheartening. The reality that Mehserle is white and Grant was black, perpetuating the theory that racism is still alive in America, promotes lively discussion and accusations in the case. But acting violent and ignorant over the situation only adds fuel to their fire.

Continue the peaceful protests. Keep public attention on the wrongs of this case. Voice opinions, and facts, that will bring police brutality to an end. But allow justice to be served.

Best friend, revisited

2009-02-06T23:47:00.000-08:00

Is it just me, or does the thought of cloning your best friend seem a little creepy?

In this case, the best friend is Lancelot Encore – the yellow Labrador puppy owned by Edgar and Nina Otto of Boca Raton, Fla. … or rather LE v2, a DNA duplicate of the original lab who died a year ago.

“Lancy” is a scientific miracle, with a price tag of $155,000, which the Ottos bid at an auction with a San Francisco biotech company that had Lancelot cloned in South Korea.

"We just got him because we wanted to have Lancelot more than just the 11½ years," Nina Otto said.

Eleven and one-half years? This amount of time – some would say is about 80 “dog years” – was not long enough for this senior couple to share memories to last a lifetime? The couple’s additional nine dogs and menagerie of cats, birds and sheep wasn’t enough to keep them happy?

The cloning does say a lot about their love for LE v1, but couldn’t their money – which apparently is a non-issue; Edgar Otto is the son of Edward Otto, a co-founder of NASCAR – have been used for say ... a shelter or rescue dog?

Each year, the Humane Society reportedly euthanizes 3 million to 4 million pets in the United States. With the money the two spent, a lot of dogs could have new homes.

Although it’s a little strange, it is a sweet tribute to a cherished family member who has gone to the big kennel in the sky. I just hope when one of the Ottos do leave this earth, the other doesn’t have an extra $155,000 lying around.

Who would have thought …

2009-02-05T22:00:00.000-08:00

It’s true … people come into your life for a reason.

It may not be clear to you immediately, but there is no such thing as happenstance when it comes to friendships and even acquaintances.

Sometimes it’s a lifelong or long-term experience. Other times it’s a flash in the pan. The relationship may be drama-filled or stress-free, constant or intermittent, full of confusion or overflowing with enlightenment. It is the latter that I experienced with a beautiful woman who I first met under mournful circumstances.

Lani Silver definitely walked to the beat of her own drum. She was so full of life, exploration, hope, passion and compassion — the kind that sometimes made people wonder what made her tick.

Read more ...

If you can’t beat ‘em …

2009-02-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

They first tried by nominating Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican Vice-presidential candidate in November’s elections.

Now it seems the Grand Old Party is again attempting to improve its image with its election of Michael Steele as chairman of Republican National Committee – the first African American to hold the post. On Friday, the former Maryland Lt. Governor won the party’s top post in a 91 to 77 vote.

“To those who support us, to those who believe in the ideals, those conservative principals that have made us the strong and proud party that we are … to those who stand indifference with us, it’s time for something completely different,” Steele said after being elected. “… and for those of you who wish to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over.”

Congrats to you, Mr. Steele. And a tip of the hat to the Republican party for at least looking outside the box. However, the process of creating change and embracing all people – without discrimination or double standards – goes beyond appearance.

President Barack Obama didn’t gain the respect, admiration and support of millions of Americans (and global residents) because he was black. Voters didn’t flock to him solo because his color somehow showed the country that we are a union where all people are truly created equally.

Obama gave people hope and belief through his words and actions. He demonstrated for a number of years his commitment to others.

Once Republican leaders can master this skill – and really meet the American people in the middle – they may have a chance of again gaining some form of respect around the globe.

Feb. 17, 2009 … are you ready?

2009-01-30T11:35:00.000-08:00

When I am wrong about something, I’m the first one to admit it.

Back in November, I wrote a blog item that made light of the quickly approaching digital TV transition. I joked about a “DTV Transition Show,” the number of commercials and announcements informing people of the switch and the occasional tests to determine if your TV is DTV ready or not.

I spoke to soon … I’m sorry … I was wrong.

Read more...

Interested in a drunken Negro?

2009-01-29T22:30:00.000-08:00

No soon after I say "I've seen it all" about something - in this case, someone - I am proven wrong.

The latest is the owner Lafayette French Pastry Shop - an oh-so-popular pâtisserie in New York City. Baker Ted Kefalinos has created his tribute to the Inauguration of Barack Obama: "Drunken Negro Faces." The grotesque-looking chocolate-covered cookie is not only raising eyebrows, but also turning stomachs.

I don't know if Kefalinos is racist, ignorant or just plan stupid, but I hope that more people spread the word about the hateful message he is sending to others ... ever-supporting the fact that racism, at all levels, still runs rampant in our country.

Now, I heard that the baker has apologized, but am having problems finding it. And if he did, I thank you Mr. Kefalinos, on behalf of millions of people around the country and world who don't find humor in yours. But your misled creativity hasn't stopped you in the past ... who says it won't in the future?

Check out the video ... send it to your friends ... and if you live in NYC, boycott Kefalinos' establishment. Make this baker stop making, more importantly naming, new items that represent those tiny chisels that try to chip away at the change our country has achieved.

Chance of a lifetime

2009-01-22T16:02:00.000-08:00

The time I woke up to find a spot in my ticketed area of the Inauguration: 4:30 a.m.

The distance I walked with thousands of others — like sheep — through a crazy maze that never seemed to end: Two miles to; five miles from.

The chance to stand alongside hundreds of thousands of Americans as we watched the first African American to be sworn in as president of the United States: Priceless.

Read more...

A dream come true

2009-01-19T09:52:00.000-08:00

As I sat and watched the rebroadcast by CNN of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C., 45 years ago, I realized the historic event took place only a few miles away from where I sit now.

I have seen excerpts of the speech and read parts of it since I was young, but it never touched me as much as it has now. Could be I’m getting older; might be that I didn’t get a lot of sleep the past few days. But I think it’s the fact that there is something in the air these days in the District and no matter who you are, where you are from, what your political views are … you can feel it.

We all seem to gravitate to King’s words, “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” But on this day, it was something else he said that stood out for me.

“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.”

In less than 24 hours, our nation will welcome in as President a man who already has opened that door. Children of all ages have run in knowing what is right when so many adults still don’t. And all around me I watch men, women, children; black, white, brown and more; gay, straight; and those who never thought they would, climb out of the quicksands onto the streets of Washington, D.C., to join with others near and far, after years of uncertainty in so many areas “to sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, ‘Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!’”

Read more of this post and Inaugural podcasts and updates at The Globe Newspapers.

In the heart of the District

2009-01-18T21:16:00.000-08:00

It’s been a day of ups, downs, meeting new people, eating great food and breathing in the sights and sounds of all that is inaugural.

The temperature climbed up some — to a balmy 30 degrees — but is expected to drop back down when snow flurries move in tonight. Despite the weather, I braved my way on the Metro train, using my souvenir Obama smart card. The cards are sort of like the TransLink cards, but they actually work on more than one mode of transportation.

Trip of a lifetime

2009-01-15T07:58:00.000-08:00

It’s the perfect example of community coming together.

It was Nov. 4, 2008, that Mary Everett came up with a great idea: She thought it would be nice if her and her sisters traveled to Washington, D.C., to watch the inauguration in January … and invite some other Oaklanders who also may want to see history in the making.

Little did she know that two months, two weeks and two days later her dream will become a reality.

Read more...

More than one victim

2009-01-12T21:46:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon, I sat in on one of the several town hall meetings held to discuss the shooting of a Hayward man by BART police.

The community and local leaders stepped up to the mic, one by one, to express their frustration and concern over the senseless murder of Oscar Grant III of Hayward. It was similar to the other community meetings, town halls and public protests over the past two weeks, where people were allowed to voice their opinions.

However, during this gathering, there was a point made by Oakland Councilwoman Nancy Nadel (District 3) that I, and I’m sure others, have forgotten.

“There is one issue in particular that I think we need to deal with … the healing of everyone who was harmed,” she said. “We have to take some action in reaching out to them. And ask them what they need to be healed.”

She’s right. We, as a community, have been so immersed in finding answers as to why former BART officer Johannes Mehserle shot and killed Grant – and rightfully so – that we have failed to realize there were additional victims on the Fruitvale station platform that early morning.

The young men involved went through something that goes deep – they watched a friend be killed in front of their eyes, within a few feet, for no apparent reason.

As we continue our search for answers, we need to reach out to these “survivors” of the BART New Year's Day shooting and offer them our care and assistance.

Read more coverage at The Globe Newspapers.

Bay Area residents demand answers

2009-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

A moment of silence during Thursday morning’s Bay Area Rapid Transit board of directors meeting broke up more than 12 hours of peaceful protests and civil unrest in response to the killing of Oscar Grant.

Read more ...

Get there, if you can

2009-01-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

In the good ole’ days, people who wanted to get across the country for an important event and were looking to save money jumped on a Greyhound to get where they needed to go.

In a little more than two weeks, the mother of all events, in recent history, will take place when former Illinois Senator Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. Unfortunately, the airlines have the monopoly on traveling coast to coast, and if you’ve glanced at the airfares with the dream you may head to Washington, D.C., later this month, you woke up quickly with rates close to $1,000 the last time I checked.

But similar to Obama’s campaign, there is hope for those who still want to attend.

Read more ...

Conflict no more?

2009-01-06T13:36:00.000-08:00

One of the questions has been answered: Did Oscar Grant do anything to warrant being shot and killed?

No.

One look at the video clearly shows that the shooting of Grant – the 22-year-old man who was fatally wounded by Bay Area Rapid Transit police after an altercation between he and his friends and another group of men – was not justified.

The question that now remains: Why did the officer pull his gun?

It’s been almost a week since the incident took place and there is little that we know … thanks to BART officials who are "committed to completing an unbiased, thorough and detailed investigation."

We have learned the officer, two-year BART police veteran Johannes Mehserle, turned 27 on Monday and his first child was born within a day or two of the shooting. I can understand this could be why he’s been “unavailable,” but what about Grant’s family and the 4-year-old daughter he left behind?

There is much talk that in the confusion, Mehserle may have thought he was going for his Taser instead. I can go with this theory seeing the look of shock on his face after he shot Grant. But the longer BART and Mehserle remain silent, the number of questions increase and the harder it is for Grant’s family.

A $25 million claim against the BART agency has been filed and civil rights attorney John Burris plans to ask Alameda County prosecutors to seek criminal charges against the officer. But we still need to know: Why did Mehserle pull his gun?

Whatever the answer, it needs to be answered … and soon.

Conflicting stories

2009-01-03T21:41:00.000-08:00

For Oscar Grant, the New Year only lasted about two hours.

The 22-year-old San Leandro resident reportedly was part of two groups of men who had been fighting on a Dublin-Pleasanton bound train when BART police boarded and removed them. As the men were detained on the Fruitvale station platform, Grant was fatally shot, leaving behind a 4-year-old daughter.

To those outside the Bay Area, this incident may seem like law enforcement officers who in doing their job to control unruliness, accidently shot a man who later died at the hospital. For those of us who live in the East Bay – specifically Oakland – this looks like another case of law enforcement covering their shields to look good.

Why was an unarmed man, laying or sitting on the ground, shot? If Grant and the other men were handcuffed prior to his being shot, why were guns and Tasers drawn and ready to fire? BART officials confirm that none of the men detained were armed so why did one officer feel a gun was more warranted than a Taser?

Do BART police know how hard it is for someone sitting or laying down with their hands cuffed behind their back to stand and come at them with no warning? If Grant wasn’t handcuffed when he was shot, why were handcuffs placed on him while he was injured … and then removed “before the media got there,” according to witnesses?

Oh … the story gets better. Allegedly, none of the station cameras were working to record the incident. However, after review, one camera was functioning – of course, the one that captured nothing to help BART’s case.

The mother of Grant’s daughter has hired civil rights attorney John Burris to handle the case. And that’s a good thing.

Too many times our young men are shot and/or killed under questionable circumstances. And too many times these men are of color and don’t have the means or voice to have a violation of their civil rights investigated properly.

Burris’ voice is one that people listen to and I hope it will force BART officials and the officers involved in the shooting incident to tell the truth.

Accidents do happen and will. But lying about it and/or covering up what really happened – even a small part of it – is just as bad as shooting someone intentionally.

And plain and simple … that’s wrong.

Boy … what a year

2009-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

On Jan. 1, 2008, I was feeling pretty good about the year in front of me.

Eight months later, I had been laid off, experienced financial woes and personal struggles, said goodbye to a pet and a very dear friend and had begun counting the seconds until I could say “Good riddance!” to the Year of the Rat.

Three: It’s a magic number

2008-12-16T16:03:00.000-08:00

Remember the good 'ole days when your local newspaper used to deliver to your front door? Everyday?

That’s the question Detroiters soon will be asking.

On Tuesday, the city’s two major dailies – the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News – announced each only will provide home delivery Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, beginning early next year. Readers can still purchase papers daily at newsstands and visit both papers’ Web sites, which will offer more.

Both the Free Press, the nation's 20th largest daily paper, and the News, No. 49, are owned by two media powerhouses – the Gannett Corp. and MediaNews Group, respectively.

Aaahhhh … therein lies the problem.

Over the past decade, the newspaper industry has made a gradual, then rapid leap to the Information Superhighway and along the way, Mr. Dubow and Mr. Singleton and their buddies have bought more papers than should be allowed to be owned at one time. It’s great when you’re in the black, but now, they are paying the price … literally.

You have papers across the country – most of them owned by Gannett and MediaNews – that don’t fully understand the value of the Internet. Some of the individual papers do, and I applaud them. But I think those sitting atop their glass ceilings are looking down through them with blindfolds on.

It’s unfortunate that people who don’t have access to the Internet will be the ones who lose the most, but part of me applauds the three-day-a-week delivery decision to do something – anything – to address the future of journalism.

Too many papers (I’ll be kind and not name names) are adamant about not letting go of the physical paper product. And those who have given in don’t understand you can’t just throw stories up on a Web site and call it a day.

The digital revolution is alive and well and money can be made to pay the staff that has been laid off and to resume the coverage that has been eliminated if the men and women who are more concerned about lining their own pockets than the quality of the product it is putting out would stop worrying about if the newspaper is headed to a slow death.

The newspaper will survive … it just will look a little different.

Taking one for the team

2008-12-13T23:16:00.000-08:00

It’s what thousand of youth across the country look forward to each year: A chance to represent his or her high school playing his or her favorite sport.

And why not … thanks to state budget cuts that have gone on for years, eliminating or reducing elective classes like art and music, there isn’t a whole lot, besides academics, to stimulate one’s mind.

But now, the opportunity to play sports – for fun or as a steppingstone to a college career – may be taken away from youth who attend one of the 11 schools in the East Side Union High School District. Earlier this week, Bob Nuñez, superintendent of the San Jose, Calif., district, proposed a cut to athletic programs to balance his budget. The school adopted the interim plan, which, if approved as part of the final budget in June, would cut spending by $11.4 million – $2.1 million from the various sports programs.

I understand it is a tough call for schools that are trying to figure out how best to trim their budgets. But taking something so vital from so many youth is ludicrous, not to mention would be detrimental to their futures.

Being true-blue team players, the San Jose Earthquakes – the local professional soccer team – and Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics have stepped up to the plate to work with the district to prevent the elimination of the sports programs.

Times are tough. Businesses are laying off workers left and right. But when looking to corporate spending in the upcoming weeks – sure to include a host of holiday festivities – and the future, corporate America can learn a little from these two professional sports teams about playing a game in which everyone will win.

Greed or gift?

2008-12-11T22:34:00.000-08:00

“We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star …”

They came first by private jets, then by fuel-efficient vehicles, with heads down and hands out, asking for help.

Chief executives from "The Big Three" U.S. automakers – General Motors, Ford and Chrysler – said in order to survive, they need government to provide them with some cash … $34 billion to be exact. After years of overspending, mismanaging certain areas of their respective organizations and poor choices, the car companies are at a loss of what to do next.

Read more...

Be gay for a day ... at least

2008-12-10T08:33:00.000-08:00

What would you do if your favorite store or restaurant unexpectedly shut down for 24 hours? Or maybe as a business owner, all or part of your employee base decided to call in sick?

It’s not sick, but “gay” that people are being asked to call into work today to protest the passage of constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriages in several states, including California, where Proposition 8 has been – and continues to be – a hot debate. Those who participate also are asked to boycott known anti-gay companies.

But for those of you who think this is only about making a gay-rights statement, read on.

Day Without a Gay is not only for the LGBT community. It’s also not about sitting at home doing nada or rallying in the streets to be heard (although there are marches planned, expected to draw thousands).

Organizers of this event – which coincides with today's International Human Rights Day and is similar to past work stoppages by Latino immigrants – are encouraging participants to use their time to “shift our strong feelings about injustice toward service.” Those who call in “gay” are asked to funnel their anger and frustrations about racism of all forms into community service work … beginning today.

Now there’s been talk that those who call in “gay” are in danger of being terminated. And sure, enough people may do it where they couldn’t fire everyone. But if an employer is that insensitive to an employee who has personal or sick time available, aren’t they just as likely to fire you if you don’t show up no matter what the reason?

Take the day off and give of your time. And if you absolutely can’t, remember the real purpose of they day … there are still 364 more before next Dec. 10 to do you part and find another way to give back to your community and support equality for all.

The right thing done

2008-12-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

On March 29, 2006, Taneka Talley was stabbed to death while stocking shelves at a Dollar Tree store in Fairfield, Calif.

The 26-year-old was working as a clerk at the discount retail chain to support herself and her now 11-year-old son, Larry. West Sacramento resident Tommy Joe Thompson, 45, was arrested and charged with the murder.

During a mental competency hearing in 2007, a defense psychiatrist testified that Thompson – who is white – admitted he killed Talley because she was black. This was all Dollar Tree’s insurers needed to defend their decision to deny workers' compensation benefits to Talley's son.

I was outraged when I heard the story a few weeks ago following a rally and proposed boycott of the Fairfield store.

This morning, it was reported that Dollar Tree has “offered to pay the full amount allowed by California's workers' compensation law.” In a statement Monday, the store said it was acting voluntarily because "we feel this is the right thing to do."

Funny … this comes on the heal of rapidly growing media attention.

So in order to not look bad in the public eye, a major retail chain – with stores in every state except Alaska and Hawaii – will only do what’s right and fair when they are called to task?

Yeah … we are in tough economic times and Thompson apparently had a defined motive, but how could anyone in his or her right mind believe that Talley’s son wasn’t deserving of a future after his mother was killed? Murdered while working at your store?

People today can be more “sue happy” than in the past, but it doesn’t take a genius to see what the store should have done a long time ago.

Pressure – or no pressure, as they claim – Dollar Tree finally did the right thing.

Kill stigma, save lives

2008-12-04T07:11:00.000-08:00

Monday marked the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

It’s great there is a designated day to shed light on the AIDS epidemic, but what about the other 364 days of the year?

Read more...

Now they get it

2008-12-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

It’s no secret: The state of California, like the rest of the country, is in a serious recession.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday announced the state of California was experiencing a “fiscal emergency” and immediate attention was warranted. Fearing the state will run out of daily operating cash by the end of January, he has called a special session.

There are some, however, who are stepping up to the plate.

On Tuesday, Stanford University announced that several of the school’s top administrators would be taking a pay cut. The move is part of a two-year plan to cost cuts at the nation's third-wealthiest educational institution. Other high-level persons, including Stanford’s seven school deans, also will take a voluntary 10 percent salary cut.

Earlier today, it was announced that San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency chief Nathaniel Ford would be deferring his cost-of-living raise and performance bonus for 2008, an amount totaling more than $40,000. Ford, who reportedly has the highest base salary on the city payroll, agreed to the proposed deferment during a time when the transportation agency is facing a $40 million budget deficit.

These two examples and others of people stepping up to the plate in these trying economic times are admirable. It’s true, when you work hard you want to be rewarded, but what happened to helping “thy fellow man?”

High moneymakers forgoing their raise and/or bonus or agreeing to take a pay cut won’t put immediate money into the pockets of those who need it. But the gestures may encourage enough others to do the same and eventually, those gestures will begin to pay off.

World AIDS Day

2008-11-30T07:53:00.000-08:00

On Monday, people around the globe will recognize World AIDS Day.

The day – Dec. 1 of each year – was created in 1988 to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome – AIDS – is the final stage of HIV infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 33 million people are living with HIV globally, with nearly 7,500 new infections occurring each day. In the United States, 1.1 million people are living with HIV.

Notice I said “living,” not dying.

There is hope ... but like so many causes, we seem to wait until one hits close to home to put our full attention and support into it. So it may take a friend or family member to suffer and/or die before you pay attention. But why wait until then?

Let Dec. 1 be the day you educate yourself about the realities of this epidemic. Then use the next 364 to educate others.

Bravo, Mr. O’Reilly. Bravo.

2008-11-28T14:47:00.000-08:00

Bill O’Reilly, the host of Fox News’s “The O’Reilly Factor,” has outdone himself with his latest hate campaign against the city by the Bay.

Once saying he wouldn’t mind if Al Qaida attacked San Francisco, O’Reilly has stooped to a new low with painting one of the most beautiful cities in the country as a den of pimps, prostitutes and cannabis-club card carrying homeless degenerates. He described the city as having a “radical left government” and that it was “once a working class city” that has since “embraced a secular liberal culture.”

During a Nov. 13 report, O’Reilly sent show producer Jesse Waters on a mission to show America how bad the city is. Waters — a first time visitor to San Francisco — came back with video that portrayed San Francisco exactly how O’Reilly wanted him to. Read more...

O'Reilly segment on The Huffington Post

Same story, different year

2008-11-26T12:48:00.000-08:00

In a CNN story today, the news organization reports long lines and empty shelves in food banks across the country.

People are turning out in record numbers to accept all types of donations that will help them and their families have a decent Thanksgiving meal. And I’m sure with our current economic crisis, the same will hold true come Christmas.

The CNN story is one being written and told by big and small newspapers and media outlets nationwide. But why? More importantly, why now?

Don’t get me wrong, helping others during this time of year is – in my opinion – our responsibility as humans. And I understand this year is especially difficult for most. But why does the media choose every November and December to tell these stories?

Being a member of this journalistic group, I know covering this topic is something we, and all interviewed, say is a year-long problem. Yet each year, we wait until now to highlight the problem. That is unless a food bank or shelter shuts down due to lack of donations during the other 10 months of the year.

I know our readers and viewers are more in tune to hearing the message during the holidays, but maybe it’s time they change their thinking.

And maybe it’s time the media help them.

Got cash? Be happy.

2008-11-23T16:27:00.000-08:00

Do you want to be happy? It only will cost you $545.

Beginning Monday, more than 30 educators, psychologists, philosophers and more will gather in San Francisco for the third annual Happiness & Its Causes Conference. The two-day event will offer workshops and discussions about ways to gain more stability and happiness in your own life, care for others more effectively and make the world a better place.

The conference benefits Liberation Prison Project, a nonprofit that offers spiritual teachings, advice, books and materials to imprisoned individuals interested in exploring, studying and practicing Buddhism.

Now, I’m all for being happy. It’s something I, and everyone I know, strives to reach and/or maintain. I just find it a little funny that such an exorbitant amount is being charged to “teach” people how to change their thought process so they can be happy in life.

The conference Web site suggests that to develop the potential for happiness and wellbeing “you need to develop new ways of thinking about yourself, your environment, your problems, and the very meaning of happiness/wellbeing itself.” I agree … but there is enough information out there – that is free – to provide people the guidance and direction needed to move to a more blissful life. And besides, it’s not realistic or healthy to think that one can be happy all the time.

Previous years, in Australia and then London, the conference drew 700 and 3,500 attendees, respectively. This year, more than 2,500 have registered. In a recent news article, Buddhist nun and conference organizer Robina Courtin said she believes this year’s low registration number may be due to the troubling economy.

Could be. It also may be that people are just realizing that it takes more than spending money to be happy.

Time is of the essence

2008-11-21T14:28:00.000-08:00

Sometime on Wednesday, Abraham Biggs took his last breath. The South Florida teen died of a lethal drug overdose in front of a live online webcam – for the entire world to see.

Biggs, 19, reportedly was being treated for depression and bipolar disorder and had been prescribed at least one of the medications officials say he used to commit suicide. His unfortunate demise was broadcast over Justin.tv – a shared Internet video site.

There are several things, besides the obvious, that disturb me about this story.

Reports say the teen began blogging about his plan more than 12 hours before he was found, but some users said they didn’t take him seriously because he had made statements previously about committing suicide.

I don’t care if someone – especially a young person – says he or she wants to end his or her life and describes how he or she is going to do it. They eventually will do it, if allowed.

Biggs’ family was aware he was struggling, to which his father reportedly said, he’d been "doing better" and was "a good kid." The signs were there: Good kid, probably good student, depressed, showed an interest in dying and seemed to spend a lot of time online since he had a webcam.

Of course, I am saddened about the entire incident and my condolences go out to the Biggs’ family. But why did the adults in his life not see the signs? And why did it take someone so long to decide to contact the muscle-building site where Biggs was blogging?

I am surprised that no one at Justin.tv, which is comprised of a staff of about 11, didn’t have a better monitoring system to know what is streaming across their Web site – considering the fact the video ran for more than 12 hours.

Even the senior medical examiner in Broward County said if only someone had acted sooner, most likely, young Biggs would have lived through his attempt.

I have children and I know … when I see signs of frustration and depression, I step up monitoring where they are, whom they are with and how much time they hang out on social networks.

I can only hope that the Biggs’ loss will help some other family – or child – in the future ... and encourage someone to act sooner the next time.

And the beat goes on

2008-11-20T10:10:00.000-08:00

The voices are getting louder. The crowds are getting larger. The movement is growing.

It’s been two weeks since Proposition 8 passed with a 52 percent majority. The motion — which banned same-sex marriages in California — was a controversial issue throughout the campaign.

Now, with its passage, couples who felt vindicated when on May 15 the state’s Supreme Court declared that a California law defining marriage as being between a man and a woman violated the state Constitution are now wondering if their desire to one day marry the person they love is again being denied. And the thousands of couples who wed over the past five months are wondering if their unions will remain valid.

Read more...

Don't drink the Kool-Aid

2008-11-18T10:13:00.000-08:00

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the Jonestown massacre at the Peoples Temple in Guyana. The community of more than 900 people took part in the "mass suicide" when they drank cyanide-laced Kool-Aid under the “instruction” of temple leader Rev. Jim Jones.

It is said that members of the church flocked to it and Jones looking for something new. It was reported his preachings stressed the need for racial equality and diversity and focused on feeding the poor and finding them jobs.

It’s great his followers felt he offered them a better life … possibly even connected them to some Higher Power. But when did their affection and dedication to this man shift to where Jones became their Higher Power?

Why are people so quick to believe someone else when they have no hope in their lives? What is it that clicks in a person's mind, throwing out all reason to what is fundamentally right and wrong?

What scares me is that in our current tumultuous economic times, will people again be to grab any piece of hope that comes their way? Will they make decisions they may otherwise have abandoned in order to be happy?

I hope that people realize there is always a glimmer of light at the end of the dark … even if that glimmer is small.

Why is it?

2008-11-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

A friend and I were walking along recently only to be approached by someone who appeared to be less fortunate than us asking if we had any spare change.

“No … I’m sorry, I don’t,” I replied.

As we walked on by, my friend asked me my why is it that we answer panhandlers in this manner. I thought a minute and realized, I do always add the obligatory “sorry” in my reply and have heard many others do the same.

Are we really sorry we don’t have change? Or are we sorry for lying to the poor soul in front of us? Are we sorry for their current lot in life or do apologize for not believing they need a little help?

Hmmm … I wonder why it is …

Thou shalt not hate

2008-11-15T11:02:00.000-08:00

Last night, along with millions of others, I met Thomas Beatie.

The 34-year-old man is the father of a precious 4-month-old daughter. He and his wife, Nancy, 46, are overjoyed with their first child and ecstatic that they will give Baby Susan a big brother or sister in late spring.

Their journey to parenthood is non-traditional, to say the least. But as they told Barbara Walters during her exclusive interview - which aired Friday on ABC's 20/20 - it is one they wouldn't trade for the world.

I'd heard the story last spring when Beatie - who was born a female and later underwent a gender change operation after psychological testing confirmed he identified as a male - was pregnant with the couple's first child. A man was giving birth to a child.

I think my initial thoughts, like most, were shock, but it wasn't until I watched the news special that I began to understand the real story: The Beaties are a married couple in love who want to procreate as ... hmmm ... I think it's the Bible says?

Sure it brings up a barrage of questions, concerns and accusations. And this forum is not the place I want to discuss them. After watching the interview, what bothered me most was not what the Beaties are doing. It is the hatred people have for them and their choices.

Okay...you don't agree with something someone else does. You don't condone someone else's choices in life. You don't believe someone else's action is "God's will." Okay ... I get it.

The issue here is that it is someone else. Not you ... someone else. And isn't it "God's will" to not hate one another? I seem to remember something like that being said in Leviticus 19:17.

The Beaties have brought a beautiful baby into the world and no matter who her parents are or what choices they have made in life, she deserves unconditional love and acceptance. And honestly, so do they.

You may not agree, you may not condone, you may not believe ... just don't hate.

A long time coming

2008-11-12T22:22:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought that a simple word could draw so much attention?

Change.

According to Webster’s Online Dictionary, this word is defined as, “An event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another; the result of alteration or modification ….”

Some would say the “event” was last week’s election — when Senator Barack Obama became the president-elect of the United States. The “alteration or modification,” others would venture to say, will be when our new president takes office in January and implements his plans for the next four years.

But the evolution we are experiencing began long before Obama announced his candidacy ... long before he gave his mesmerizing keynote address to the 2004 Democratic National Convention. It is something that began a little more than 47 years ago in Honolulu, Hawaii. Read more...

Ignorance at its best

2008-11-11T10:32:00.000-08:00

There’s a little controversy going on in the city of Palo Alto, Calif. It’s there that police Chief Lynne Johnson is being accused of racial profiling.

During a community meeting to discuss a rash of robberies and burglaries the city was seeing, the chief said "We do not want to create an environment of fear for people of color in this community … but on the other hand, we have to do due diligence in trying to apprehend the suspects who are doing this."

After the gathering, she told a local radio station she had instructed her officers to make contact with blacks in her city.

"When our officers are out there and they see an African-American, in a congenial way, we want them to find out who they are."

Because the descriptions of the suspects are so vague, local residents, primarily those of color, have charged her with racial profiling. Even Palo Alto Mayor Larry Klein called Johnson's statements "unacceptable."

The chief has publicly apologized and tried explain her thought process in making the decision to target blacks in the area. Some people said they have accepted her apology.

The entire situation is sad and unfortunate, but what bothers me is that this morning, during a local news program, City Manager James Keene – who has characterized Johnson's remarks as regrettable “misstatements" – said he was the one to tell Johnson to publicly admit her error, I’m sure in part, to not further diminish the reputation of Palo Alto.

It was bad enough that Johnson felt that by having officers talk to every African-American male they would be sure to nab the culprit(s). But she had to be told to apologize?

In this day and age, it’s sad that ignorance is so rampant.

Oh no…it’s coming!!!

2008-11-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

Earlier today, Sunday, I took a break from the computer and decided to find something to watch on TV.

I checked out the channel guide only to find a must-see 30-minute program: The DTV Transition Show.

They have got to be joking!

When I turned to the sponsoring station, which will remain nameless, I was happy instead to find the Vikings beating the Packers 12-7 with 7:35 left in the second quarter. But the thought that there was a “DTV Transition Show” scheduled to air (and maybe it did at another time) has got me wondering.

Unless you’ve been out of the country, you know that on Feb. 17 of next year, all analog television sets will cease to work. That’s 100 day, 4 hours, 43 minutes and 50 seconds to DTV Day as I write this sentence, according to the dtvtransition.org countdown clock. At that time, television stations across the country will complete their transition to an all-digital system.

There have been commercials coming out of my rabbit ears. There have been running tickers across my favorite TV programs. A few weeks ago there was a test by all the stations (at least locally) to help people determine if their set was ready or not. There's even been news segments and paid programming telling us that we need to upgrade to a digital TV, a digital cable or satellite service or buy a converter so that we will see more than a White Christmas come Feb. 17.

Who doesn’t know that this conversion is about to take place??!!

Hmmm...maybe those who don’t have a television set.

If it were that easy

2008-11-07T21:25:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about this new service to the Bay Area called SeeClickFix?

Encouraging people to “become citizens by participating in taking care of and improving their neighborhoods,” the company provides a place for residents to report non-emergency issues in their area. A “ticket” then will be opened, or order placed, for the problem to be fixed. By doing this, the community feels more empowered, individually and as a whole, have more of a sense of place and ultimately trust and feel taken care by their local government.

I can’t help but chuckle to myself. Or better yet … LOL!

Now I am all for us as residents empowering ourselves and making our community a better place in which to live. But 1) It will take a lot more than our government fixing up things like broken street signs, potholes and illegally parked vehicles – which are listed as some issues needing resolution in San Francisco – for people to trust our government leaders; and 2) What really needs seeing, clicking and fixing is more than the physical aspects of the neighborhood.

Like crime. It would be nice if we could report it and law enforcement would put all there efforts into solving a crime, regardless of who committed it.

Like racism. It would be cool if we could send a group of “Racebusters” out to all those that think that they are better than or deserve more than those of a different race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

There is much we can do as residents if we volunteer to help keep the aesthetics of our community looking their best. That way the money we pay our government officials and employees can be used for issues that affect the very fiber of our being … not overgrown shrubbery.

Definition of change

2008-11-06T09:41:00.000-08:00

It’s been four years for some. For others, eight.

For Reginald Bingham it’s been a lifetime. Forty-eight years — to be exact — that the Oakland resident has waited to vote. Read more...

HIStory!!!

2008-11-04T20:14:00.000-08:00

Wow.

Wow!

WOW!!!!

I have so much to say yet am speechless.

After 22 months of campaigning, Barack Obama was just named the projected winner of the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

After 40 years of reaping the fruits of the Civil Rights Movement, we can finally see the change we were promised.

After 200-plus years of freedom for blacks, a man who has both black and white blood running through his veins will lead this country into the future.

And as I write this entry, Sen. John McCain is conceding defeat.

There is so much more to say … so much more to write about. But for now, this is time to reflect on this moment in history.

We did it. We ALL did it.

Can you feel it?

2008-11-04T01:54:00.000-08:00

It's 2 a.m. and instead of dancing with sugar plum fairies, I’m sitting in front of the TV.

And I’m not watching some scary movie or late night talk show. I’m watching the news … more specifically, I’m mesmerized by the last-minute frenzy of coverage to Election Day 2008.

Can you feel what I feel?

In less than 24 hours, our country will change forever. I guess you could really say this about any day – as we don’t know what the next moment will bring. But this is different.

By this time tomorrow we will have a new president elect and the beginnings of change … for the better or worse. But more importantly, this presidential campaign period – dubbed to be the longest in history – has made Americans consciously aware of one thing: We are ONE nation, under God.

Over the past six months I’ve seen people of all races, ethnicities, most religions, sexual orientations and more coming together like I haven’t seen since Sept. 11, 2001. It was then that our country was attacked and we rallied together.

Sure there is still some divisiveness, but regardless who wins, all of us want to put aside the bickering, the finger-pointing, the hatred and more to create a “bipartisan residency” that will make us the country we can once again believe in.

MFC - The Journalist

2008-11-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

The space they give you to talk about yourself just isn't enough. So here's a little more about me!

Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig began her journalism career in 1998 as an intern for The Arizona Republic in Phoenix. During her tenure, she has served as Editor-in-Chief for the AZ Examiner multicultural business publication; the Arizona’s Black Pages directory and resource guide; and shades Magazine, an online publication that celebrates and promotes all women of color, which she also created.

Since moving to the Bay Area in 2005, Fitzhugh-Craig has worked as a reporter for the Tri-Valley Herald in Pleasanton, assistant city editor for the San Mateo County Times and most recently, as city editor for the Oakland Tribune. She is currently a freelance journalist for several local and national publications including the Globe Newspapers, which her column, Stirring the Pot, appears in every Wednesday.

Fitzhugh-Craig is a graduate of Arizona State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in journalism. Her published works include being co-author of Living in the Moment: A Guide to Living a Full and Spiritual Life, and contributor to Chicken Soup for the African American Woman’s Soul and Making Shadow Boxes & Shrines.

Fitzhugh-Craig’s awards and recognitions include first place for investigative reporting for her work with the Chauncey Bailey Project; an Associated Press Managing Editors Award for column writing; and participation in the Maynard Institute Media Academy at Harvard University and NABJ/New York Times Leadership Academy.

In the beginning...

2008-11-02T19:33:00.000-08:00

Once a week didn’t do it for you? Me neither.

I travel the streets of Oakland, San Francisco and other Bay Area cities every day and there is always something I see that I want to comment on, talk about or share with others. And since my Stirring the Pot column only runs on Wednesday in the Globe Newspapers, I felt the need to enter the world of blogging. That way I can share my views, thoughts and opinion whenever I want.

For example, I may want to share about my travels through the East Bay on your friend, and mine, AC Transit. Or the way people treat one another. How about that friend of yours that just drives you crazy, but you love them to death? Yeah, I have a few … family members too. Don’t get me started on the workplace.

And politics? It’s a good thing Election Day is Tuesday … I could write a book of my views on this topic. But even when the chads settle Wednesday (or weeks after), there will be plenty of things, I’m sure, to give my two cents about.

Now it may take me a minute to get into the groove of things, but I hope my occasional to regular posts will make you either smile, laugh, cry, be angry … but more importantly, I hope they make you think.