RIP Maya Angelou

Today I woke up to the sad news of the passing of Maya Angelou. I enjoyed hearing her recite her poems on TV.  I have read a few of her poems and really liked them. There is quite a bit of wisdom in her words.  Rest In Peace Maya Angelou. 

Here is a couple of her poems. 

Touched by An Angel by Maya Angelou

We, unaccustomed to courage

exiles from delight

live coiled in shells of loneliness

until love leaves its high holy temple

and comes into our sight

to liberate us into life.

Love arrives

and in its train come ecstasies

old memories of pleasure

ancient histories of pain.

Yet if we are bold,

love strikes away the chains of fear

from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity

In the flush of love's light

we dare be brave

And suddenly we see

that love costs all we are

and will ever be.

Yet it is only love

which sets us free.

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.

Here are some quotes by Maya Angelou.

"All men are prepared to accomplish the incredible if their ideals are threatened."

"Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage."

"Nothing will work unless you do."

"The quality of strength lined with tenderness is an unbeatable combination, as are intelligence and necessity when unblunted by formal education."

Thank You Veterans

A big thank you for all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and thank those who have served and those serving.  God Bless America!

   

Freedom isn't free. God Bless all of our veterans.

Mark Cuban's Candid Talk On Racism

Segregation on Rise in Schools; Need Better Education Policies Failing

According to the AP a report by the Civil Rights Project at UCLA findings showed that segregation in schools is on the rise 60 years after the Brown Supreme Court decision. Blacks, Latinos, and other minorities are making up 90 percent of the students in a number of schools in New York, Texas, California, Maryland, Illinois, and Michigan.

The Civil Rights Project found that in central cities among the largest metropolitan areas contain more segregation than in suburban areas.  Do you think as citizens that we segregate ourselves of our own volition? Lower middle class individuals hang round others in the lower middle class?  Upper middle class associate with persons who are also in the upper middle class?  Poor hang around other poor individuals? Wealthy hang out with those who are wealthy?  Two things that probably transcend economics is certain groups or activities and religious communities.

One student in Chicago said that she had to transfer to another school due to hers not offering biology and world studies.  These two classes are needed to graduate.  There is absolutely no reason why a school in a poorer area doesn't teach all the courses necessary for graduation.  I wonder if any classes being taught at the schools in poor sections of cities can be eliminated to make room for the necessary subjects to graduate?

"Many blame the schools for failing, or teachers, but they never blame the bad policies put in place in schools," Griffin said. "A teacher can only teach to a certain extent with the resources. It's the policies put in place that's failing the students."

I know teachers' unions are against vouchers as are most people working in public schools but I believe vouchers would be a good option for parents to send their children to different schools if the school they are going to is failing them or has subpar standards. Charter schools is another option for students to obtain a better education.  Obviously improvements need to be made in schools which are in economically disadvantaged areas.  Policies need to be changed so we don't fail the students by not giving them the tools they need in order to be successful in life.

Movie Trailer: Ragamuffin

This is the story of Rich Mullins.


Here is one of his songs.