FLIPSIDE

Friday marks the end of the work week. The beginning of the weekend. The last day before two days of rest and relaxation. For some it is the end of a school week. A school week that was detrimental to a certain nine students in Arkansas back in 1957.

I was talking with my nephew last night who is a freshman in high school and he was just talking about how bad things were for black people in the past. He mentioned that his class was watching a documentary about the first black students to attend an all-white high school in Little Rock Arkansas. I'm glad he saw that film.

I am also glad he feels the way he does about the injustices done unto our black communities. This younger generation needs to be more in touch with the issues of the past in order to really appreciate that there are so many black business owners. In order to see the importance of an education. In order to see the importance of America voting in its very first black man as president.

Understanding the struggles of the past makes the things that are going on around you more relevant. You think its nothing that Jay Z can sellout a concert at Madison Square Garden, but you can appreciate it more when you realize that less than 70 years ago, he would not have even been allowed to enter the front doors of the Garden to even see a show. We are only one generation away from segregation.

After talking with him I was happy he had learned something about history. I was also happy that he sees the importance of the small things that we take for granted. The things that our last generation fought and sometimes lost their lives trying to get for us as a community. Catch ya' on the FLIPSIDE.

FLIPSIDE

An industry that brought most African American families from the impoverished and racist region of the south, is losing its grip as a national powerhouse. These days the auto industry has taken a page from Wall Street and wants help from the government to get out from under the financial strain in which it has been under for the last few years. Gas prices obviously did not help the industry. Even though the gas prices have subsided, consumers are still hesitant to spend their money at a new car lot.

The question is now, does the government help the auto industry. Of course here in Michigan, we think it is obvious that some sort of aid is needed, but that's solely because our state's economy depends the strength of the automobile industry.

The Big 3 auto executives are set to meet members of congress as well as members of Obama's economic advisory board, but will they prevail. Unfortunately, the fate of the state as well as the city hangs in the balance as the industry that made the city struggles to stay afloat.

The major concern is that the top executives continue to receive bonuses and high salaries when the companies they are running are turning over drastically lower profits the last three quarters. However, plants and jobs continue to be terminated in an effort to compensate for quarterly losses. Who'd have ever thought that an industry that brought together people from all walks of life to Detroit making more money than they thought was possible would someday become a business with one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel? Catch ya' on the FLIPSIDE.

FLIPSIDE

I was listening to the radio this afternoon, on one of my rare days off, and the topic of discussion on this particular station was education, or lack there of, in relation to young African American men. The guest speaker was commenting on the extra effort that needs to be exerted to decrease the number of young black men who, by his account, make up just about 80% of America’s special education population. Of course 80% sounds like a ridiculously high number, but it may be more accurate than you think.

The guest speaker, who had developed an organization dedicated to the education of young black males, said that these students need to be intrigued by the school - work. Then he added that once their attention has been grabbed, then that is when they will be willing to learn. I can understand that, but at the same time the educational system and the parents who send their children there tend to boggle my mind.

I completely understand the idea that if something is relatable it is far easier to understand and learn new things, but at the same time—what is going on?

When I went to school, it was boring. I was 15 or 16 and would much rather be trying to see what “Keisha” was doing after school than figure out how many oxygen molecules were in hydrochloric acid. That was my idea of school, but nevertheless, I tread the waters of diversity and came out with a high school diploma. Through those years I made it through school and the lesson plans never changed. The teachers never entertained us, or related any of the material to the world I lived every day when I left the confines of King High School and went back to my eastside neighborhood. When are parent going to take a role in this?

I pushed through school because my mom enforced the benefits of an education from day one. She had made me realize that school may be tough and may not seem as though it has anything to offer me, but in the end, it would be more valuable than I would ever know. Parent involvement in a student’s life is not an option. It is definitely not an opportunity for a parent to shift all the blame and initiative to the school.

There was no Beowulf in my neighborhood. I couldn’t realistically answer a story problem about leaving a tip for a waitress at a high - end restaurant when I was more accustomed to ordering take-out at Zorba’s Coney Island where we didn’t even leave a tip. None of the schoolwork seemed to involve me or my neighborhood, but the words and urgings of my mother were what pushed me through. She always would focus on the benefits of having an education. She set my view for the future, not just the daily task at hand. Her involvement is what pushed both my sister and I to get an education.

I suppose that I am just a little annoyed with the idea that our generation, our race, our society has come to a point where we have to have extra attention in order to stay focused and receive the education that years of fighting, both politically and physically, has given us the opportunity in which to take advantage. Instead of relating the scholastic material to what I’m used to on Six Mile and Hoover, let my parents instill the value of an education within me, then let that scholastic information take me to places I’d never think I would be able to go. I know Six Mile and Hoover and I also knew that my education would be the key to unlock the rest of the world for my exploration.

I wonder of that 80% of special education students, who today’s special guest reported to be young black males, what percentage of those parents and family members have been active in encouraging education as well as participating in the child’s education. If that percentage rises, there is no doubt in my mind that the 80% number will decline. An education is supposed to get me off the block, not remind me of it everyday. Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.

FLIPSIDE

After 5 hours, 14 minutes and 32 seconds, I was finally handed a ballot. A ballot that could possibly change my life and the lives of millions of other Americans who took part in electing a new president some seven days ago. Emerging from the voting booth with ballot in hand, I couldn't do anything but smile. I was a part of history. A part of the struggle. The struggle that our elders find hard to forget. The struggle that small children might not yet understand.

Later on that night, I watched the ballot counting along with my family and most of America while complaining about how tired my feet were for standing so long earlier in the day trying to vote. Suddenly after a quick commercial a full screen shot of Obama was being shown as the winner of this year's election. With total disregard to my aching feet I jumped up and hugged my crying mother. She cried tears of joy as did most of the people who were being shown on television.

The tears were for joy of the promise of a new day. The tears were also for all of the ones who were detrimental to the movement of civil rights who lost their lives and freedom to ensure that we would be able to see something like this happen in our lifetime. You can honestly look your child in the eyes and tell him that he really can be anything he wants to be in life.

At that moment I wished my grandparents were still alive. My grandfather who risked his life in World War II, only to come home to no job, no rights and a life full of discrimination and racism. A grandmother who used rear entrances and sat in the back of restaurants because blacks weren't allowed up front. This election was for them and those four little girls in that church in Birmingham who didn't even have a chance to live life. Catch ya' on the FLIPSIDE.

New Hope -- Guest Writer : Ms. G.J. Lewis

“W.O.W.”
World of Wealth

As I look out my window this morning, I see awesome beauty
I feel renewed strength but also renewed sense of duty
On the cusp of the victory that many fought to see
It is time for us all to be “a brand new me”

Our first African-American President, “WOW” is all I can say
I’m sure that many of us never thought we would see this day
Outside my window, there is a rainbow of colors
A sign, a revelation it’s time to unify all sisters and brothers

Black, white, Asian, Latino and more
No longer do I see a closed door
“The world is our oyster” we can do anything
“Change” for the good, this victory will surely bring

The river is flowing, a calm, serene shade of blue
In this life, we must also flow calmly in all we say and do
The sky is a mixture of blue, red and gold
Another sign of all that we have, all that is ours to hold

Again, “WOW” is all that I seem to be able to say
As I prepare myself to begin this wonderful day
We hold a “World of Wealth” in so many, many ways
And it is time for our wealth to be shown, to be displayed

Several journalist are asking; “What do we do now?”
The answer is simple, live the best that we know how
Dig deep within and exhibit what we all are made of
And that is our “World of Wealth” our God given Love

We as a people and also as individuals in this life
Are slowly being freed from a world of hatred and strife
The word of God tells us that this world will be ruled by brown skin
We can make a difference by embracing each other with the love we have within

Brothers, cling to your wives, in life, “Do the right thing”
Be a good example to the children into this life you bring
Sisters, although many have been left to do things alone
Do it with pride and dignity, God made us strong

It is time to go back to “the old time way”
And when we see things that are wrong, “speak up! Speak out” without delay
“It takes a whole village to raise a child” many of us were raised like this
From today’s society, this is an important factor today’s kids miss

We say we are proud, we love our new president-elect
The proof is in the pudding, for us all, this is a great test
Who is really willing to stand up? Who is willing to stand?
Who will walk in unity with Barack to change this land?

It is not hard, just reach deep within your heart
We all know right from wrong and have known from the start
When you see or hear these young ladies and these young men
Cursing, dressing inappropriately, acting out, speak out
Speak firm, not mean, let them know their wrongs and leave no doubt

Push education, that’s another right thing to do
Remember how our parents and neighbors pushed you
When we did wrong we got spanked from one end of the block and again when we got home
But I bet we thought two or three times before again we would do wrong

Tune into your spirituality, pray and never cease
Silence the violence and increase the peace
We can change this world, Yes we will “Yes we can”
We hold a “World of Wealth” divided we fall but “together” we “Stand”


Written By:
G.J.Lewis

Copyrights owned by: “FLIPSIDE INK”

FLIPSIDE : OBAMA

On Sunday, September 28th, Obama and Biden held a rally in downtown Detroit and luckily I was able to be a part of it. Normally I am working on Sundays, but this week I was off and even though I wanted to get some rest that day, I motivated myself to go. It’s almost a shame that I had to motivate myself to join in on what is already an event with major historical implications. With that in mind, I headed downtown to be a part of history.

Once I was there, I could hardly believe the amount of people who were attending. The parking wasn’t too bad, but the walk from those parking spots made me rethink rather getting a glimpse at the future was suffice to have my neck beaten upon severely by the sun. Nevertheless, I was determined.

After bending the corner from behind the DIA building, I was greeted by Obama buttons, tees and even photos. The crowd stirred about anxiously, waiting on Obama, with the sun determined to send people packing. Oddly enough though, no one was complaining.

Finally, Obama took the stage and the estimated crowd of over 30,000 went crazy. Obama started his speech welcoming Detroit and kept the audience alive with some jokes about himself. Then he went into it. He touched on the economic situation as well as education, the two most vital components in determining whether a middle-class citizen fails or succeeds.

“Even if you can’t own a business, then maybe your son or daughter can.” Obama said. “Even if you’re from a small village, then maybe your son could be running for President of the United States.”

Simply put, Obama and his administration are pushing for a system that will allow for the dream of America to once again be tangible and that American dream cannot and will not be tangible without the middle and working-class citizens that the Obama administration is fighting to return a voice to.

After the rally was over and Woodward began to look like a street again as opposed stadium seating, I gathered my things with a new sense of hope. A feeling that perhaps the government may actually represent the communities that it governs - this time around. Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.

FLIPSIDE 1.12

Seven years ago, the United States saw the twin towers in New York be destroyed by two kamikaze airplanes. Those planes had been taken over by Al Qaeda terrorists whose main purpose in life was to complete this mission. When those towers went down, so did the pride of America. What went up, instead, was our guard. We were now aware that terrorist attacks were not just something that happens in foreign countries - they can happen right here.

Immediately following 9/11, America went through a healing process that surprised even ourselves. For once, we were Americans. We helped one another, regardless of race, class or education. For that healing time, we were all equal - all Americans. To be honest, that felt good. For a little while I put my struggles of racism and inequalities behind me and finally felt what it was really like to be American. I was proud.

Then four years later, we had forgotten. The waters from Katrina's fearsome rains had left most of New Orleans under water. The government in return, left most of New Orleans impoverished communities to fend for themselves while gathering atop roof tops to avoid the water that had turned the 9th ward into a swamp as high as a two level building. Four years prior, we were all Americans, but today we were divided once again as President Bush flew over the disaster area without stopping to reassure those Americans that help was on the way. Perhaps that's because help wasn't on the way.

Who knows why Bush didn't land in New Orleans? Who knows why there are still houses in the ninth ward outfitted with large red X's on them from when the aftermath was being searched for remains of poor folks who didn't escape before Katrina washed them away three years ago? Who knows why some of the 9th ward looks like the water just receded yesterday and clean-up efforts won't begin until next week? Seven years later we have forgotten. Even though, on many monuments throughout New York we vowed never to do as such. We Will Never Forget. Remember 9/11. Catch ya' on the FLIPSIDE.