Bustling Indian Business

Saturday was a beautiful day. I fulfilled a few obligations, I spent some quality time with my youngest, Jesse the dog nicely nagged me, I had tacos for dinner and I decided to take a leisurely walk with Jesse the dog and Bryce the toddler. Will never do that again considering Jesse the dog drags me and Bryce has to be the Big Boy, 

Thankfully, I live in an area where sidewalks are in abundance…unlike in the urban Black and Latino communities. There the sidewalks are simply that dirt paths on the side of the street. Unfortunately, in an effort to not get shoes caked with Georgia red clay mud the walkers and Marta bus riders cross streets that are not accompanied by designated crosswalks; therefore leaving women, men and children human targets for super-speeders and serial,

Sometimes my neighborhood can be mistaken for a bustling village in northern India. Men and women with those red ink dots roam. Women appear to be sexually dissatisfied…never smiling like most of the African American women I see daily. Men are irregular formations of men. They are weak, but crafty. The men are scammers...much like Negro preachers that do not preach a theology of

LIBERATION

While walking Jesse the dog she decided to do a #2 on the lawn of the Indian Muslim mosque. I was so embarrassed as families passed - but to be completely honest I had a small chuckle. Not that I was hooraying for disrespecting Allah...nope not the case. It was my way of getting some retribution. These Indians are a pain in my behind...but I adore my museum, my place of peace. My home. So I ain't moving!

Moving is what the Patel shopping plaza was doing. Moving! It was popping with activity like it was the day before Jesus' so called birthday. He was not born in December, damn it! Speaking of Jesus...he was cleverly made a white man then later killed by Jews. However, the Indians have a living white man that they keep rich,

Prince Karīm al-Hussainī, Aga Khan Ismaili

Black Christians are not the only religious zealots hooked on - and equating Jesus to the God Almighty.

Moving on...like my Indian neighbors will after they exhaust all the United States government’s entitlements.

The Indians have a contained community. They grocery shop at their stores. They purchase jewelry at their blood diamond shops. They eat Chinese food that has a hint of Indian curry at their low sanitation grade restaurants. They purchase cheap knockoffs from Taiwan in stores that are definitely not regulated by the FDA or the better business bureau. They lay-a-way mattresses that are destined to be the home of countless bedbugs.

The Indians have everything they need within a one radius. Including a liquor store. It is owned by a 4ft Jewish man who claims his heart bleeds for Israel...just like most hearts of American presidents. By the way, the US government gives more money to Israel than all African countries combined. Money of guilt still given to Jews while Africans continue to perish,

What I cannot escape as I sit here typing away is one question: Why are America’s main streets sinking...dying a slow economic death while mostly illegal alien villages all across America’s landscape are Bustling with Commerce…Bustling with Immigrant Business?

President Barack Obama says that he wants to see Middle America’s abandoned storefronts back open. He has also indicated that he is concerned about the inactivity in/at urban America’s shopping plazas and hubs of tender exchange. Essentially, President Obama not only is expressing his preoccupation with the turtle movement of economic recovery, slow pace of gains in jobs, and the virtually void business development and business revitalization – he appears to have accepted that he and his fellow democrat cronies are impotent.

I can literally drive 20 miles from my culturally ethnic community - and stumble upon abandon shopping centers that were once filled with American owned businesses. Large and small. No bustle! Nothing but vacant lots where homeless men sleep and kids hangout aimlessly Lost.

America is just that,

The American people are dying a slow and painful financial death while Patel-like communities are off the chain with cash being passed from one Indian hand to another. 

 America is what it professed to be, a Melting Pot. With great sadness this country is melting with opportunity for men and women who have plans to take advantage of the American system. Ultimately, they will head back to their homeland filthy (like most of the Indian homes I have entered) RICH and ecstatic that their daughters did not date, have sex, or get pregnant by,

That fact in of itself, leaves me with one final question:

Why did the American white man allow this to happen? 

The Shadow

Love Lost in My Translation

I have had the privilege to meet some dynamic people. Many of them –the females- have become platonic friends, lovers, companions, and/or solidified girlfriends. The girlfriends, all of them, have been top self…the best of the best…dime pieces in every way that I have determined is top dime material e.g. intelligence, compassion, beauty, and maternal quality. I am so thankful for the time spent in their presence…in their intellectual and emotional space.

As life dictates, not all of the relationships ended on good terms – but I am certain that all of my ex-girlfriends will agree that we had a blast for the majority of our involvement. That truth makes me wonder why I am not still with one of the ladies…married…shacked-up…bouncing from her home to my home. Makes me wonder why one young lady that I met approximately 4 years ago did not give me an opportunity to be her Man...just kidding…I know why – and you may find that the reason why: Gay. Makes me also wonder why one additional young lady I met approximately 6 years ago did not give me the opportunity to be her Man…just kidding…I know why.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RTBTXYTDAs  

Wildflower 1, what a damn beauty! She is athletic (works out). She asks provocative questions that challenge men and women to elevate and evaluate their romantic relationships. She from what I can gather has a good relationship with her mother (that is critical for me). Her teeth are the white of white. She is an owner of a business. Her sarcasm does not irritate it pulls you in. She can pour a stiff one and mix a fruity one. She appears to have it all together. Tight she be! She is gorgeous…face…body…and mind! She is my perfection. But I am not her perfection. She gave me a pass because she was not interested in dealing with my fatherhood complexity: Baby Daddy with two children. I respect that…by the way; she specializes in what the photograph (above) invokes.

Wildflower 2, what a damn beauty! She is inquisitive. She sports a natural head of hair. She has the most welcoming smile and demeanor. He skin tone is shiny with elements of healthy glitter. Her sexiness is toxic and I am certain addictive. Her thinking capacity is vast. She is extremely professional, but still ‘workplace warm’. She is slow to anger. Her lips are so moist and full of…NO…full with pleasure. She has a personal story of childhood intricacy that was triumphed by her tenacity to attain success. I am beyond attracted to her…our minds, lust, and similar hopes for humanity are the only fireworks we need…but I am convinced our exclusive lovemaking activity would be/would have been overwhelmingly remarkable. She is my perfection. But I am not her perfection. She gave me a pass because I am not her type. She is openly Gay, and in love with a WOMAN. I respect that…by the way; she could be my Jill Scott…

These are the breaks…my BREAKS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZDUEilS5M4&feature=related

One missed opportunity because of my irresponsible behavior (making babies with two women without marriage as a final outcome).

One missed opportunity because I am not female...If I were female I would have been with her???

Life goes on…including when love gets Lost in your Translation.

The Shadow

This Man is the Politician he SAID he Would not Become

Approximately, two years ago President Obama praised Libya and the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi for agreeing to make his country weaker militarily. This week President Obama during a United Nations sermon referred to a Muammar Gaddafi as a tyrant. Was not Gaddafi a tyrant two years ago? Did he suddenly change? Or, was Muammar ever a tyrant? Which is it?

This week in New York at the United Nations’ Summit during another sermon President Obama changed his tune…No! He turned his back on the Palestinian push for statehood when in fact President Obama ONE year ago supported a Palestinian state. Now, like most Western countries he is kissing the Jews azzes. He actually allowed Benjamin Netanyahu to scold him in the White House…in front of cameras! Now, he somewhat indirectly backs Israel’s oppression, occupation, and massacre of Palestinians.

A year and half ago President Obama met with Hosni Mubarak to talk about Egypt and to praise Egypt for their efforts to eradicate terrorism in the Middle East. When the most recent civil unrest began in Egypt, President Obama turned his back on Mubarak…he supported the demands for Mubarak to step down immediately. That traitorous move in fact has weakened the stability of Egypt and made Egypt more vulnerable for anti-United States government rebels to infiltrate Egypt. 

 No...GW Bush was not this wobbly

When it comes to foreign affairs President Obama is no different than most United States of America presidents. He and the others before him have instituted hypocrisy as a legislation. As a conniving process to gain support for higher poll ratings and additional support for re-election.

In all of this political cowardice and jelly-back maneuvering, I am convinced President Obama is NOT living up to his promise to lead this nation differently. He specifically said, “The people want change in government, and I plan to institute that change with your vote.” President Obama is a liar. He is a charlatan. And, sadly, he is no different than the men before him. He has put himself in this flippant position after saying, “I do not plan to allow Washington to change me. I will not become Washington.” 

 ?????

Sorry, he is impotent…weak…ball-less…but yet, MOST black Americans will not call him out. That is even more spineless! They will not say a damn word against him or in constructive criticism about him. No…these Negroes support him like they continue to support TD Jakes, Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar, and all the others who make them feel good in the moment. If I knew I would get maximum monetary support for emotionally stirring sermons I would have used my seminary degree to become a preacher, and not teach…teach a different brand of the oppressor’s religion.  

President Obama will address/stage all types of social issues/platforms via his position:

*The Beer Summit

*Major speech to address race relations in the United States of America

*Pushed for the reverse of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

*Regularly mentions professional sports

*Discusses family and fatherhood

 *Expresses concern about the USA's public school system

 

But- refused to say a word about the Troy Davis case. No, I did not expect him to defy the federal and state courts. I did not expect him to support a convicted cop killed…killer in the minds of a jury of his peers. I just thought he would go into preacher mode…to help ease the tensions that the case produced ALL over the world. Nope we got http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9peZ5WOtL0 – This is what black churchgoers will get Sunday too...a repeat of the same sound (sermon)... 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9peZ5WOtL0

 The Shadow

I am a Black Man...My Weekend was my Reminder

Extremely interesting weekend...frustrating too. I lost my cool. Usually, I am able to ignore pathetic ignorance, shocking stupidity, overbearing arrogance, and ridiculous stereotypical assumptions. 

But, I had enough when a white woman immediately reached for her purse when I approached the area where she was seated. I was simply looking out a window at Panera Bread searching for my brunch date. She was late! Interestingly, the white female did not secure her purse when a male yuppie stepped near her. He obviously was looking and waiting for his date too. I discovered that when he began to get excited like a little girl who was preparing for her first date when his partner arrived. Their embrace was one that I soon had with my female companion…I must say that the expression of male on male love witnessed appeared to be genuine. Completely different from my next brush with insult.

Like I typically do on Saturday morning, I was headed for a walk. On my right was an elderly Indian woman. As I approached at a good distance from her to my left, the frail woman remarkably became a race walker. She darted for her belongings which were sitting on the side walk directly in path. Initially, I was thrown-off by her sudden JR talent. 

 John Riggins

Then I got a clue…she apparently wanted to secure her Bag Lady bags. As if I wanted some roach invested clothing hampers. I stopped…looked at her as she hovered over her cheap belongings then I exclaimed, “Look lady. I don’t care about your damn bags. You have not one item I want. And, you and your light skin people best stop treating me like an Untouchable. Like a Dalit. Get a damn clue.” 

 

*Indian governments have been violently brutal to the darker people of their culture. 

Sticking together is usually the last alternative for African Americans and Africans. Over the years, I have found it difficult to detect collective unity among black people like I have witnessed in the Toco Hills area of Decatur, Georgia. There the Jewish population is abundantly predominant – and their power is quite persuasive. Well, it has been with the Kroger Company. A few weeks ago, a coalition of Jewish men and women who happen to be Kroger customers lobbied and pressured the Kroger corporate office and store manager at the Toco Hill’s location to stop running an audio announcement that was repeatedly played in the store. The brief pork sale commercial was history within four days. Sadly - the slave, 1960’s discrimination, and Jim Crow historical accounts have plagued black people so much that we have issues with greeting each other. I was being friendly –I usually wear my goofy elation on my shoulder and my joy is always accompanied by a bleached teeth smile- unfortunately my happy ‘Hello’ was not received by the beautiful black female that I held a door for and spoke to Sunday morning: “Hello. How are you? What a pretty day!” She glared at me and snipingly asked, “Dang, why are you so happy?” No, thank you. No salutation in return. But, she was dressed for church…Typical Black Female Christian in Atlanta: Mad, High & Mighty, and Single.

Speaking of ‘typical’, I decided to go down to the pool that I clean every other day. 

Surprisingly, the pool was full of children. It was melting pot of kids. African Americans, Caucasians, Latinos, and Indians. The parents were either in the pool or sitting in the lounge chairs…except for a couple Indian moms. These two precipitously petrified mommas were in my chlorinated water fully clothed. How many times do I have to tell them, “No street clothes permitted in pool”? Damn! I did not say a word. They did not give me a chance to. They hurried their children out of the pool as I entered the pool that I maintain! A mass exodus…because a black man got in the pool. The white momma stayed. She’s intrigued by my big feet…

*Indians need to understand they are three steps from Negroid. 

Lastly, another lily – and significantly overweight white female offended me. I was definitely in line. Yes I was! Or, I became invisible. She looked right through me as if I were a non-human. As if I did not matter. I was of no consequence to her. A void. As if I were an

Understanding that I am Somebody…what hurt me the most was the way my church-going sista ignored me with obvious contempt. As if I were a

*A black person or nigger who looks particularly sneaky.

And, believe me all my weekend run-ins were terribly unsettlingly.Thankfully, I was finally treated like a Black Man by a loving Black Woman who looks like this Beauty:

 

Kelis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8D9xCBcfzw  
 

The Shadow

Mothers Raise Daughters and Love Sons

After all these years I am convinced that this statement is true.

Mothers are forever raising their girls to be good girls. We know what comes with that: appropriate mannerism, comforting tendencies, unrelenting compassion, respectful language, and longwinded patience. Someone (a female) is probably thinking, ‘That’s the way I was raised…but I do not see that type of rearing today.’

To be honest, I rarely interface with teen and 20-something females with the above personality traits. I guess I hang out at the wrong coffee shops, the wrong Target, the wrong grocery store, and/or the wrong bookstore. And, I know for a fact that they are not at the mega churches.

What I see regularly are wandering spirits. Unsecure and insecure souls! I see neglected-daddy girls searching for a place within their womanhood. Unfortunately, in the search they often times latch onto the likes of women who display their natural femminity via their superficial sexuality.

Why? Because mommas have failed to love Avis, Beverly, Chantel, and/or Danielle. Really love them like they love Anthony, Bobby, Chad, and/or Doug.
In the complex effort to assure they grow-up to be respectable women, moms neglect to create an adoring relationship with daughter.

Why? Because momma was told by her mother and grandmother that, ‘You have to be a lady. You better not get pregnant, you better keep your legs closed and you better not have sex!’

Certainly, there is nothing out of order with keeping the legs crossed to prevent causal sexual intercourse and pre-marital pregnancies. But, where was/is the LOVE in mama’s mandate? Why was/is there an unloving and threatening demand that typically results in momma-daughter contention?
Could it be because momma regarded her girl as an ‘item’ to prepare, repair or fix most likely for a rottenly loved boy; not a well-balanced man?

When we prepare/fix something we don’t think to love what needs repairing. We just focus on the fixing. The repairing. After the item is in working condition we leave it…we leave it in place until we are ready to use the item again.

There is no LOVE in what we believe to be in need of FIXING.

We need to stop raising our daughters to be someone’s Utility of Perfection.

We need to love on our girls like we love on our boys. However, in this love that’s desperately needed it is my hope and prayer that we do not implement what we have with our boys, Coddling.

Let’s eradicate the raising of Hope and the spoiling of

Kanyes

Let’s replace both -raising and spoiling- with Teaching and Nurturing, and Teach to be citizens of the world

C.D. Glin served in South Africa from 1997-1999 and currently, is the Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Partnerships with the Peace Corps

and Nurture to be

The Shadow

Bitter but Sweet Growth

Dear God's Beauty,

You made the best choice...I really hate to admit that. Hate is such a powerful word - but hate is necessary for some to experience so that he/she will feel how hate ends up as the reality of one's situation.

This predicament has produced two truths that I am somewhat happy about. Inconsequently, truth can be a painful reality. In our case, there are two realities that bring forth an emotionally complicated elation. Unfortunately, my Beauty, this reality is unwanted.

Reality Number One

You have proven to me - and I dance with jubilation because of the proof - that you are the type of woman I want. You are of upper echelon femininity. Like a fine cigar marinating in the fields of Honduras. You are a woman! The tenacity you project. The energy that you exude. Every inch of you – I am sure – is of top self quality. Your industry is fitting of you…that’s if you are only requested to provide the best – and you do that in every way possible. So enticing like a Gran Habano. So absorbing like Paruyr Sevak (40 year old Armenian cognac / $2,445 per bottle). You need no dilution:

Reality Number Two

I have proven to myself that I am changing without evading. Leaving the sad and pathetic bosom of narcissistic deceit. Damn - it has been too long on that pothole plagued road! I could have easily lied and lied with this: "No, Beautiful, the 2yr old's reservoir of life form and I do not experience any dramatics. It is all good! Furthermore, there are not any present concerns that will affect you and I in getting to know each other romantically." Without pride, I have used that line before…without the 2yr old part (he was not in my photo of evolution yet) - and I have desperately used it to get a pleasurable feeling...that in fact lasts no more than 8 seconds. All that hardship men cause for a brief tingle…that feeling is not worthy of ancestral respect. Look at your vintage past.

God’s Beauty, you could have easily ignored the possible soulfully draining trauma and allowed us to forge a relationship...as I would have passionately pushed, chased, and courted you! This time the erectness - standing at humble attention - would have been motivated by the desire to settle. Settle down, not sacrifice.

Consequently, in the end we would have began something that we could not have finished. Or, we would have been too emotionally spent and invested to gracefully end what we started (a friendship-leading-to-relationship). Yeah, it would have been done right this time. My lust for your treasure would have been tamed so that we could unleash in and with love at a much later date. I am that confident because I would have been close to perfection for you!

You have given me what I needed and deserved.

REJECTION

This time the affects of the rejection started out dark and gloomy - but as I sit/sat here in the Target’s Starbucks pressing these small BlackBerry icons so that I could share this honest expression, I noticed/I am noticing that the Sun is shining and beaming on my back.

PS. By any chance do you have any

The Shadow is appreciating YOU!

Two Paths, Leaving Atlanta

Atlanta is the type of city that will make the Man or ruin the Man.

Path One

He can become so negatively engrossed with the 'sites' that a lost of focus and drive to be the best man he can be will quickly diminished.

The tempting eye candy is sexually enticing. The luscious targets are beautiful. Intelligent. Boldly aggressive. And, on too many occasions too easy. Too easy to exploit. Too easy to mislead. Too easy to rip off. Too easy to ‘pluck’. The plucking comes so regularly that it is no longer a conquering challenge for the King of the Jungle.

Atlanta is that jungle! The plucking can be slyly stolen from a municipal court judge, a customer service rep, a high-powered attorney, a Body Tap stripper, a bored homemaker, a corporate executive, or a Julia the nurse. Does not matter in The A. All of the 'pickings' are readily available! All the disguised Noble Wolf has to do is play the part. Pretend. Lie. Convince. Be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Ironically, the women prefer the

Path Two

He can evolve here. He can basically 'come into himself'. Most importantly, the persistent chasing, lawful stalking, and lustful preying will quickly become circular routine.

When this happens –typically unbeknownst to him- he moves towards a wholeness that really cannot be explained. It is an unusual mystery. Some refer to as maturation. Some say it is exhaustion. I just know that he settles. Settles down. Then he does everything within in his newly acquired power to avoid conflict with female, with job, and thankfully with his life. Additionally, at times he will purposely be elusive. He respectfully hides and literally runs from sexual encounters – preferring meaningful communication with the conservative woman

This is necessary to remain Anew. The lying stops. The bullshitting stops. He a man now! The Man has left Atlanta in mind. He has left The ATL without the overplayed hype that attracted him to the city: The Mecca, The 12-to-1 female to male ratio, and The Professional Opportunity. The latter is a misnomer…there are no jobs down here!

At the End of the Path

He becomes what God intended

A Man, and with that He becomes a Movement, a Force…He is Better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1mvXej61aU

The Shadow

Life Terminated and Forfeited

I saw a kid holding an unrecognizable sign from distance. As I got closer I became intrigued by the picture and wording. So, I stopped my vehicle. Initially, I exited to get a good look at the image. After discovering what was in my FACE - I snapped a picture with my life line, my BlackBerry. With prideful excitement the father of the young fella said, "Son, turn around so he can get a full view of the sign:

I have held onto "son" for a few days. I have held onto the scene: a father and son vehemently campaigning against what the father believes is a moral atrocity, Abortion. I have held onto the astonishing power generated by the signs. So graphic! I have held onto to the statistics that the father spouted off AT me and other passer-bys as we wondered with amazement two blocks from politically red Georgia’s state capitol.

It would have been easy for me to blast the parents (wifey was with hubby) – but I stood there trying to redefine where I stand with abortion. Then suddenly, I was reminded of poor decision making. Decision making that's rooted in fear, embarrassment, regret, and an outright non-caring and disregard for life.

Life…isn’t it a choice?

We choose to live it...we choose to destroy it. Even the omnipresent character of the bible, God, requested that life be destroyed.

According, to Senator Rick Santorum – with his Christian zealously pro-life disposition believes that

When horrific incidents occur like this (link below) the black community may want to talk about abortion as a ‘choice conversation’ piece instead of taking issue with the Senator.
http://www.freep.com/article/20110119/NEWS07/110119081/Pennsylvania-abortion-doctor-accused-of-killing-babies-with-scissors

One thing I have never understood:

Why is there a heavy emphasis on 'the choice' after the baby has been formed as a living being; and not when the baby is about to be conceived? Isn’t there a brief moment of reality when Penis is about to enter Vagina? Realities that produce: STD’s, Baby Momma/Baby Daddy drama, and unwanted pregnancy. Pregnancies that are terminated…because of that hidden, and now newly valued Choice.

Some choices require us to live life in reverse. We are constantly looking back and trying to terminate what we created. A bad marriage, a bad living environment, and a bad job are only a few of the bad situations that we crochet.

We ALL have to knit more responsibility so that our lives can be guided while in Drive. Including the man, woman, and children that were flanked on a downtown Atlanta side walk. They have to be accountable for the messages that they are boldly projecting.

If we don’t think before acting…sexually, we will continue to erase life, distort life, and/or high-jack the lives of God's creation:

*That guy looks like The Shadow…not me*

Isn't it interesting that our adherences to God’s so called commandments are forfeited when we have 'a choice'? We have to stop living our lives with the Idea of Choice – then the Seeking of Forgiveness later. If there were no Choice perhaps we would not make so many unwarranted mistakes. Within the Hebrew bible there are not many choices that the biblical characters have/had at their convenient disposal…thus the reason the Hebrew bible is not utilized as The Law.

Disclaimer:

This was written without judgment. This was written with guilt. This was written as an attempt to remove the taboo discussion status from abortion. Typically, abortion is one of several topics that the black community -with the pathetic encouragement of the black church- AVOIDS.

The Shadow

When a Broken Heart Destroys

When a man gets hurt, truly hurt - his heart broken he is no good for a LONG time. So, Ladies, do your homework. Try to find out if the man ya with heart has ever been sliced. Mine has.


Men don't bounce back from a broken heart with ease. I speak from personal experience and from knowing a few guys who have been burned. We are not well! Well enough to be the man you need us to be. Time has to past...Years! I am on that path. Took a long time to admit that I was heart broken – and it has been on the bend for more than 7 years. Yeah…I know! ‘That long.’ Yes, that long! Some men have problems accepting that pain. It signals our weakness. We try to avoid revealing our weaknesses...as a result of growing up male: “Men ain’t supposed to cry!” By the way, one of the worst mistakes we can make as parents is when we forcefully tell our boys: ‘Stop crying. Be a man.’

I have accepted where I was and where I am at: Broken. Lame. The healing process is a hell - and no one should have to go through that pain with someone when the hurt person is dragging the mate down. The misery loves the company.

Don’t be that distraught man’s walking mat, Ladies. And, Hurt Men, be upfront about your emotional positioning. If she is still willing to be with you – deal with you – have sex with you; warn her again. And, when that involvement goes to hell – it will – re-reconsider stepping into another relationship as you are: Beat-up.

Truthfully, Brotha, you may want to try being alone. It is a good place to be if you are at least half way comfortable with yourself. Yeah, I know – you still have sexual needs. Masturbation, celibacy, safe sex with a prostitute (as safe as that can be) sure beats the drama that will evolve from your broken status. I, The Shadow, have been in this sickening drama one too many times. My unwillingness to be alone has destroyed so many pleasant unions!

In the end, fellas, you lose a female friend - and you add to the burning that so many women have to endure.

The Final Consequence:

Relationships Are Forever Strained

The Shadow