On the heels of visions of Victory: Gutsy or Gimmick, Responsible or Reckless??

On the Heels of visions of Victory: Gusty or Gimmick? Responsible or Reckless? 

Senator Barack Obama hit it out of the football stadium last night. (I'll forever call it Mile High... Denver has been my team since the early 90's!)  This DNC is being talked

 about and referred to as one of the BEST in history.  

He did his job, gracefully and humbly accepted the nomination and 

fired up his team and now they're ready to go.  

Gutsy or Gimmick?  Responsible or Reckless?

Sarah Louise Heath Palin.  What in the world?  Is this risky or what? What if this ticket wins and she for any reason has to be the President.  She's younger than Obama, has less --broad-span Washington-- experience than Obama. It's rumored she has no international experience at all- NONE.  I don't think she'll be able to debate Sen. Biden.  I don't doubt she is accomplished in her own right and has perhaps even proved a good public servant in her two-years as Governor of Alaska.  Even with her self expressed (13 years) experience, she certainly can't compare to HIlary's accomplishments (which seems like what they're attempting to do with their references to Hilary and the 18 million cracks in the glass) so how can her presence pull the women's vote?  So what is she doing on the ticket?  

She's served as mayor, to a town of 9,000!  Okay, lets talk about executive(ship)  She's a Governor. True. But to a state, that has is less populated, than are some CITIES in my home state of Michigan. It's our nation's third least populated state. I would hope that our nation's VP would have had some "real" conflict resolution, budget experience and so forth. What is going on in Alaska, that has prepared her for this nomination or the job?  Not long ago, in 2002 Alaska just reached a popluation just over 600,000 and currently boasts a population of just around 750,000- and that's among the most generous estimates. The city of Chicago is populated by just shy of 3 MILLION, and Chicagoland (nearby cities & suburbs) has a population of 9.5 MILLION.  Shall we explore the entire STATE OF ILLINOIS? Nay, I think the picture and point is clear.

I'm trying to wrap my mind around this announcement today.  I think this is an unfair position to put Palin in. You can't throw an egar woman on the ticket as your running-mate and think she's gonna soak up the Hilary Rodman Clinton supporters.  Ain't gonna happen!   Palin is PRO-LIFE, so she'll pull in those women, but I'd debate that the majority of Clinton supporters are PRO-CHOICE- Palin is conservative.  I really believe the McCain campaign pulled this "stunt" with a determined goal to secure the female votes they believe are lingering in the "I don't know, I'm still not sure" balance.  Well if this selection to WIN at any cost, doesn't sober up the Clinton supporters who have been stuck on the fence coming out of the primary, I don't know what will.  All I can say is: "DON'T DRINK THE KOOL-AID!!"  I heard McCain only met her one time.

It clearly seems like this is a hail-mary attempt to pull women voters. THEORY: What if the Republican party thinks  McCain's chance to defeat Obama is slim or will be so tough, that this move is the seemingly only option.  It's bold, it's a campaign driven move and it's less about the people, or serving the people of the country and more about the WIN.   Could it be a plan for the future elections to come- post President Barack Obama.  They realize Obama has changed the face of how campaigns are run and they know as a party, they've not

had a woman nominee before, so they're prepping for the future.  Yet, all the while, hopeful that this bizarre move could pull off an upset. If this republican tactic works, it will truly be one of the most gutsy moves and biggest payoff we'll see in a long, long time. But honestly, does McCain or the Republican party think women are like sheep?  We don't just herd behind one another, sorry.  We have brains, and they work, and well. We can be discerning and believe me we will be!  This is a big big decision and it's not simply about the advancement of women, it's much much more than that.

I like what one woman said in response to this selection."What does McCain think women are like... Legos?  That you can take one woman out and put another one in?"   Okay, right about now... I'd love to see Hilary and her in a debate.  Whoa!    But I guess we'll get to see how it pans out with Joe Biden and Sarah Palin-  Interesting.  

Speaking of interesting.  A note on political FASHION....Did anyone else find her choice in a suit color

interesting?   I've not noticed a female in politics wear a Black suit.   Hues of red maybe. Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green and even Pink, but not Black or a Blue so deep that it looks Black- interesting.  

My curiosity won't let me rest on this question.... What gave the nod to Sarah Palin and not Governor M. Jodi Rell(R) of Connecticut.  Or he could have really shaken things up by selecting Linda Lingle-the first female and first Jewish governor of Hawaii.

Happy Birthday Senator McCain. 72 years old! 

© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots

Speech of a Lifetime

Speech of a Lifetime!!

Barack Obama will deliver what will be a historical speech on several levels.

I'm happy that Hilary seemingly endorsed or threw her support behind Sen. Obama this week, urging her supporters to examine their position in this campaign and what they are voting for. I think in a sense she was saying don't abandon the cause, just because I'm not the nominee.  I'm just disappointed that she didn't outright note that [Obama] "He is ready to lead".  But her husband, William Jefferson Clinton communicated that very notion in his speech the last night, which was a happy moment.  He also, opened his speech saying "I'm honored to be here to support Barack Obama."  Thanks Bill!

Interesting campaign AD here by McCain.  I like it. It's the McCain of old.  By that, I mean it's the McCain I used to watch  on Sunday morning news for several years way prior to this campaign.  It's classy, but I can't help but to think because things are still political, that there's something hidden woven in there.  Probably not, right?  

So it's on the 45th anniversary of the march on Washington, the National Mall, a historical speech -- I HAVE A DREAM -- (that I blogged about here previously) was delivered by Martin Luther King Jr.  to more than two-hundred, fifty thousand people!

Mr. Barack Obama:

I'm so honored to witness your passion, service and brilliance.  You have truly inspired millions, countries and continents through your dedication to serve and move toward positive change.  You have also ignited a unique special interest in the mixed-race experience and I thank you, we all thank you.  Through G-d, you will continue to serve not only our country, but the global community.    Keep on the positive path, positive actions must conquer the effects of negative energy.  I'm certain your Democratic Nomination acceptance speech will be historical, and I will be-- as they say-- glued to the TV!  (as will be my three-year-old daughter)

© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots

NPR focuses on blog: Plight of Mixed-Race Children

Ok, I'm jumping right in on this one...

This author got his info and research from only (9) mixed-race undergrads at Harvard. 

Sigh.....

I didn't and don't make a practice of engaging in "risky" behavior. I guess I don't fit the mold they've uncovered.  Here's a excerpt that really bothers me.   I don't doubt the research as authentic, yet I don't think it's a fair nor accurate representation and I just don't like the spin.  The paper notes:  "We argue that these behavioral patterns are most consistent with the “marginal man” hypothesis, which we formalize as a two-sector Roy model. Mixed race adolescents – not having a natural peer group – need to engage in more risky behaviors to be accepted."   I find this offensive. I feel the research presented could only further promote the stereotype that mixed-race children and their advocates challenge and work against.  

Adolescent behavior is risky across demographics, regardless of race, ethnicity or class.  I know many mono-racial, poor, wealthy, and immigrant adolescents who behaved in outrageous manners. Most children are confronted with situations to give into NEGATIVE peer pressure. But there are some adolescents who just simply follow the rules, they don't ruffle feathers.  I didn't see my parents go with the flow or be swayed by negative peer pressure.  They had enough negativity chasing them already (being a mixed couple in Detroit during the riots).  , I contend that there's no reason to suspect nor conclude in any sweeping fashion that mixed-race children behave badly to fit in or be accepted.  To some children "fitting in" or being accepted is so paramount that they'll do whatever to satisfy that need to be accepted.  While others strive hard towards the elusive "perfect kid" syndrome.  

Okay, that's my two-cents... Now check out some of the findings... These really bother me too!



NPR  Hosts a Blogger Roundtable to discuss a blog posted by Steven D. Levitt on Freakonomics.  Levitt wondered, "What's it like to grow up with one parent who is black and another who is white?"  Here's some of his findings:

1) Mixed-race kids grow up in households that are similar along many dimensions to those in which black children grow up: similar incomes, the father is much less likely to be around than in white households, etc.

2) In terms of academic performance, mixed-race kids fall in between blacks and whites.

3) Mixed-race kids do have one advantage over white and black kids: the mixed-race kids are much more attractive on average.

4) There are some bad adolescent behaviors that whites do more than blacks (like drinking and smoking), and there are other bad adolescent behaviors that blacks do more than whites (watching TV, fighting, getting sexually transmitted diseases). Mixed-race kids manage to be as bad as whites on the white behaviors and as bad as blacks on the black behaviors. Mixed-race kids act out in almost every way measured in the data set.

Read the paper The Plight of Mixed Race Adolescents* he co-authored with Roland Fryer, Lisa Kahn and Jorg Spenkuch.

I can only say a sarcastic "Thanks alot guys"  

If you ever want to balance your study, contact me!  No, Seriously.

Mulatto by Langston Hughes

Mulatto by Langston Hughes   

(audio)

 circa, 1930

MULATTO  (1927) 

by Langston Hughes

I am your son, white man!
Georgia dusk
And the turpentine woods.
One of the pillars of the temple fell.
You are my son!
Like Hell!
The moon over the turpentine woods.
The Southern night
Full of stars,
Great big yellow stars.
What's a body but a toy?
Juicy bodies
Of nigger wenches
Blue black
Against black fences.
O, you little bastard boy,
What's a body but a toy?
The scent of pine wood stings the soft night air.
What's the body of your mother?
Silver moonlight everywhere.
What's the body of your mother?
Sharp pine scent in the evening air.
A nigger night,
A nigger joy,
A little yellow
Bastard boy.
Naw, you ain't my brother.
Niggers ain't my brother.
Not ever.
Niggers ain't my brother.
The Southern night is full of stars,
Great big yellow stars.
O, sweet as earth,
Dusk dark bodies
Give sweet birth
To little yellow bastard boys.
Git on back there in the night,
You ain't white
The bright stars scatter everywhere.
Pine wood scent in the evening air.
A nigger night,
A nigger joy.
I am your son, white man!
A little yellow
Bastard boy.

Langston Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri, in 1902. Traveling to Europe and Africa, lived in Mexico, Paris, Italy and the Soviet Union. He was famously remembered for living in Harlem, NY.  He was an author of: journalism, books for children, humor, librettos, lyrics, drama, radio scripts and, and poetry. A deep concern for Negro life pervaded him and was reflected in his work and the many honors awarded him. His mixed-race experience seeps through and is revealed in his work, yet is was and often still is so today, as black.   While creating the volume of Black Misery, he died in 1967.

 Hughes, circa 1960

My Daughter the Mind

My Daughter the Mind

Are you kidding me?!   I just can't get over what a memory my daughter has.  It has become, lets just say... quite an impressive item to witness.  

Last year, I took her to a doll/teachers shop to browse around, they always have such cool things for children and teachers alike.  The shop is located on a busy street with limited parallel parking at the storefront and all the parking lots for all stores and restaurants are located behind the stores.  So not to be bothered with the inevitable circle around the street to find a storefront parking spot, we never passed the front of the store, we drove to the back taking a side street that precedes the storefront.  (okay, so we never drove pass the front door)

Three weeks ago, we drove past the doll/teacher's storefront and my daughter said-- totally taking me by surprise-- "Oh momma, we went there"  I was amazed. I've been thinking about ever since... "how did she recognize that store"  I still don't know for certain, but my theory is she may have photographically memorized a logo that she saw repeatedly in the shop or perhaps while passing the storefront she caught a glimpse of the store's interior and it reminded her of where she'd been before.  I understand all this is possible, but what I guess I didn't know --only having one child-- is that all this is possible at only age THREE!  Mind you, she was only two-years-old when we went to the store. 

So if that's not enough, hows this one?  I was one of those "new moms" that obsessed about everything over her child. I'm not ashamed either. It's my motherhood, and I manage it how I like, that you very much :) I never gave my daughter one jar of baby food, I made everything, (well I didn't bake bread) and she only ate food from Whole Foods Market the first two years of her life, then we got off the wagon and ventured across the street to Trader Joe's.  I made fresh fruit smoothies and I even made her popciles.  She didn't have candy until after her third birthday, she still doesn't know what the golden arches are (mcdonald's) and she enjoys CNN, I'm not kidding, she recognizes political figures!  She eats avocado, lots of berries and loves broccoli.  

So here's the thing, I never liked to take my daughter to the hair salon, because of all the chemicals in the air.  But there have been a few rare occasions that she has been with me in the salon.  One day, she was with me for the duration of my service (and she was such a good girl too).  This day must have been at least 9 months ago now.  Yesterday, I popped into the salon on the way to the gym, my daughter in tow.  I was caught up in conversation with my stylist when I heard his assistant--Michelle-- say, "I can't believe you remember my name!"  That's when Michelle looked at me in both disbelief  sheer joy and said "She remembered my name"  I said "no she didn't, she's only met you once", My stylist at by this time, was all in too, saying "did she really, Michelle?"  So I asked my daughter, "how did you remember her?"  To which she replied, "I just did".  Well, then she wanted to show off, so she turned to my stylist and said "is your name Hoff?"  He said- with a big smile- "Yes it is, wow, you have some memory kid"  I was so proud.  But I have a confession to make.  I'm still trying to figure out how she remembers things soooo well.  It's crazy.  Well, I guess her memory is nothing compared to her imagination.  She's had an imaginary pet dinosaur since she was two years and 5 months!  Not only that, but she three months after developing the pet, she gave the thing a first and a last name!  

Oh and by the way, I'm not as over-the-top with motherhood any longer. I've relaxed quite a

 bit.   My daughter, eats chocolate, ice cream, and lollipops. I even let her get her hands dirty once in a while :)

© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots

Champion doesn't mean metal

Champion doesn't mean GOLD metal: Lolo a class act

photo: nbcolympics.com

Lolo Jones ran hurdles last night.  She was favored to win the gold- she had the lead, then caught the 9th  hurdle, tripped up, lost the lead in the final seconds and didn't even metal.  She placed 7th!  That ending was not at all in her plan. It has proved to be among the most heart breaking moments of the games.  She broke away from a post-race interview, just for a second or two. Not to excuse herself to gain her composure nor to gather her emotions after a terrible misfortune but she quickly gave a congratulatory wish and  hug to the bronze medalist as she passed by during the interview.  

Lolo had to be hurting and experiencing severe disappointment, but

 didn't make excuses for the failed attempt at the gold, she didn't get caught up in the it's all about me syndrome.  She didn't complain, she

 simply showed an impressive display of grace, humility, dignity & class... and for that she's gets the --Mixed Roots-- GOLD!   

Lolo you rock!  We'll be cheering for you in 2012 when you take your mark in London!

Lori  Lolo Jones is --according to her usatf bio -- French, African-American, Native American and Norwegian heritage

photo: oakley.com

LoLo Jones Goes for the Gold

Lolo (Lori) Jones goes for the gold on Tuesday 8.19.08!

Photo from AP Photo by Charile Neibergall

Working on my fitness

Ok, how does it happen?  Here's how...  One day you just realize that all the excuses don't amount to a hill of beans.   All I've got to say, is I'll be working on my fitness!   Hitting the gym REGULARLY that's the only way to see progress.  It's really difficult to keep on a work-out schedule with a preschooler!  But here I go......

WHO I AM: not what I am!

In July, Mixed Roots Movement℠ hosted their Lil' Roots™ event "made especially for children"  .  It was so great for the children.  Every second and each detail was planned with the children in mind.  A BIG thank you to Saadia and Claire for all their dedication and hard work. The kids enjoyed snacks, a scavenger hunt and storytime by our Mixed Roots Movement friend & local author. Tara read her Who I AM not what I am! to the children as they cozied up with their fuzzy friends (teddy bear or favorite stuffed animal).  Some of the kids asked a question or two which was nice to see they were engaged in the activity and book!  

© 2008 T. Fatimah Williams -MixedRoots