THE PURPOSEFUL WRITER

2010-06-16T23:49:00.001-04:00

Did you hear the one about Glenn Beck? According to the TJMS, he reserved the Lincoln Memorial on August 28th for a Tea Party government protest event. Forty-seven years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King led the March on Washington, and delivered his historic "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. How can so many educated Americans allow themselves to be swayed by Beck's nonsense?

Stephen Covey on Choosing Success

2010-06-04T23:40:00.000-04:00

2010-06-04T23:19:00.001-04:00

Author Magazine - You are the author of your own life. http://ping.fm/6kZ1m

2010-05-19T07:02:00.001-04:00

BlackNews.com - Jeffery A. Faulkerson Encourages Children To Live Up To http://ping.fm/NtUiC

2010-05-14T06:35:00.001-04:00

What compelled the Arizona governor, a conservative Republican, to ban ethnic studies in schools? And why do the effected persons of color stand idly by and allow it to happen?

2010-05-12T22:59:00.001-04:00

Can someone tell me why so many of our black men are afraid to stand in the gap for our children? Most children can't be successful w/o us.

2010-05-05T21:26:00.001-04:00

Hats off to my mother, who did an exemplary job as a single parent raising 3 children. God bless the single-parent mothers this Mother's Day.

2010-05-04T22:55:00.001-04:00

I thank God daily for my wife, who has put up with my nonsense for 17 long years. She is like fine wine, getting better with time.

2010-04-11T16:08:00.001-04:00

A kingdom united can stand.

2010-04-06T21:04:00.001-04:00

Do we the people have the capacity to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps without government intervention? I say no because of our penchant to be self- rather than Cross-centered (love for God and neighbor). What say you?

2010-03-31T21:04:00.001-04:00

Don't expect blessings from God if you refuse to be a blessing to others.

2010-03-28T17:02:00.001-04:00

Better luck next year, Tennessee Men's Basketball Team. One point from the Final Four. WOW!!!

2010-03-26T17:28:00.001-04:00

If I'm going to insure my car and home, why would I have a problem insuring my body?

2010-03-24T09:13:00.001-04:00

A lady on the TJMS asked, "Who MANDATED that she get auto insurance?" Republican attorney generals are you listening?

2010-03-23T12:03:00.001-04:00

HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA IS now A RIGHT, not a privilege. Thank you, President Obama, for changing the status quo.

2010-03-19T23:22:00.001-04:00

I just finished watching filmmaker Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story". It's time to get serious about Obama's brand of change.

2010-03-17T09:40:00.001-04:00

WORDS TO LIVE BY: Be the bank, don' t borrow from it.

2010-03-10T17:12:00.001-05:00

Jay Conrad Levinson writes: "But if you summon the strength to campaign for your books, a bonanza awaits you." My campaign is ongoing.

2010-03-02T12:04:00.001-05:00

Read about how I'm trying to add value to your bottom line @ http://ping.fm/JeTPZ

2010-02-24T09:35:00.001-05:00

Smiley, Sharpton Spar Over Black Agenda, Obama http://ping.fm/QCHnJ

2010-02-21T20:45:00.001-05:00

SPEAK IT AND THEN MAKE IT HAPPEN. That's my mantra. "Thanks to my God, the jurors and my fans for helping me win the Pulitzer Prize."

2010-02-10T23:16:00.001-05:00

Ken Blanchard writes in "The One Minute Manager": "Don't be afraid to seek advice when your business goes to the next level." Amen.

2010-02-09T20:48:00.001-05:00

I once read that the race doesn't always go to the bigger or faster man, the race sometimes goes to the man who thinks he can.

2010-02-05T22:45:00.001-05:00

Christian Evangelist Joel Osteen writes in his book "Become a Better You": "Your destiny is not determined by your critics." Amen.

Civil Rights Groups Decry Beck's Questioning of Obama's Name | Media Matters for America

2010-02-05T17:16:00.000-05:00

Civil Rights Groups Decry Beck's Questioning of Obama's Name | Media Matters for America

2010-01-31T16:33:00.001-05:00

"Bringing Up Boys" Video Seminar, Saturday, February 6th, 1-3 p.m., BOCC Raleigh Dream Center Salon. Details: (919) 604-4585.

2010-01-29T12:54:00.001-05:00

ATTENDING THE UPCOMING "BRINGING UP BOYS" SEMINAR? If so, send an e-mail to Jfaulk28@nc.rr.com. First session is 2/6/10 at BOCC Raleigh.

2010-01-27T06:37:00.001-05:00

Planning has begun for my facilitation of the next "Bringing Up Boys" Seminar at Body of Christ Church in Raleigh, NC. Details: 9196044585.

2010-01-24T23:38:00.001-05:00

Presidential Adviser Valerie Jarrett says Barack Obama has brought about great change in his first year in office. Is she right? Why?

2010-01-20T00:09:00.001-05:00

Was the vote for Scott Brown about being against health care reform or not fulfilling the mandate for change? I say the latter. You?

2010-01-18T22:32:00.001-05:00

ARE YOU WATCHING OBAMA'S AMERICA ON MSNBC? Check it out so that we can support our president regardless of our stripes in 2010 and beyond.

2010-01-14T20:50:00.001-05:00

Has Pat Robertson lost his mind? Haitians are suffering, and he's talking about pacts with the Devil. Where's the compassion?

2010-01-09T09:07:00.001-05:00

ANOTHER LESSON LEARNED IN 2009: Strength comes from serving others.

2010-01-08T20:58:00.001-05:00

There's a great online discussion taking place @ Black in America. http://ping.fm/AkSIM

2010-01-04T08:11:00.001-05:00

QUESTION: What will you be doing in 2010 to show that you're intentional about standing in God's presence, both temporally and eternally?

Why I Support President Obama

2009-12-31T15:05:00.008-05:00

I pride myself in being able to produce essays that cause people to think about the human condition. In recent months, many of these essays have been in support of United States President Barack Obama. What you need to understand about me is I don't support President Obama because he is the first black president, or because he's a Democrat. I support him because we Americans elected him president. There are a number of things that he and I disagree on, abortion, same-sex unions and the Middle Eastern wars being three of them. But I can say the same about the presidents that preceded him, both Democrat and Republican. They weren't perfect, and neither is President Obama. But as persons of faith, we must do whatever it takes to help President Obama shape his agenda while he is in office through our influence.

But this is a concept that political conservatives can't seem to grasp. Many of them, namely Republican Conservatives, would rather say no to anything that President Obama proposes. It doesn't take a genius to realize that they are saying no because they're trying to build a base that will propel Republican candidates into office in 2012. Every American in this country is hip to what they're trying to do, but their no's and inaction rob us Americans of an opportunity to hear real alternatives to what is being proposed by the Obama Administration. Because they offer us sound bites rather than real solutions that counter those being proposed and implemented by President Obama and the Democrats, I believe they are doing a disservice to the offices they were elected to. They are also sending a message to the world that our democracy is in shams, our unity is a farce.

When it comes to President Obama seemingly breaking his promises for more transparency and biipartianship, I offer this: The Obama Administration can't be fully transparent because Republican Conservatives are on a mission to discredit him. In fact, no American president, or world leader for that matter, can be fully transparent with the people he/she serves. Moreover, we didn't elect President Obama solely because of these promises; we Americans elected him because he was in a better position to take our country in a different direction.

However, some would argue that the tide has yet to turn. I would partially agree with this sentiment. But you need to know that my partial agreement results from the fact that President George W. Bush, a professed Republican Conservative, led our country to the edge of the cliff, and now, under the Obama Administration, we're collectively doing everything we can to regain our balance and step backwards.

Do I think President Obama is trying to do too much too soon? Of course. But you can't argue with the man's calculus. He understands that wasteful spending in health care has been par for the course. He understands that many Americans have been living too high on the hog, purchasing lavish homes when they knew good and well they couldn't make the mortgage payments. And as far as the Middle Eastern wars are concerned: President Obama knows that America's continued prosperity is dependent upon our getting out of Afghanistan and Iraq sooner than later. He, like most Americans, also realizes that these wars are not winnable because every human being on the planet has the potential to become a terrorist.

Do we Black Americans think the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) of the Jim Crow era are any different than Islamic extremists? I think not. They are cut from the same cloth. What we Christians must realize is we are the salt of the Earth, and it is up to us to afford these extremists opportunities to be exposed to the Fruit of the Spirit. Their consistent and constant exposure to our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control will reveal to them that there is a higher power worth serving, the one true God who is creator and ruler over all.

In my mind, there is no Conservative or Liberal. For me, it boils down to what is right and what is wrong for the people. Yes, individuals from Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia attacked us on 9/11 now more than nine years ago, but that still doesn't justify targeting countries rather than the individuals who perpetuated the attacks. I believe President George W. Bush and his advisers opted for war instead of peace to appease warmongers within the Military Industrial Complex. "Gotta' make sure those produced weapons work, right?" In their minds, there was money to be made. Eight years later, though, the world is in economic and moral decline.

Right over might, I say. My Christian siblings, it's time for us to do more to influence thoughts, feelings and behaviors for God right here at the grassroots.

Be blessed, family, and continue to be a blessing.

2009-12-31T07:36:00.001-05:00

I have learned many lessons in 2009. The most important: Prosperity equates to being afforded the opportunity to take your next breath.

2009-12-27T11:24:00.001-05:00

Follow my Twitter updates at http://ping.fm/0Mftc

2009-12-23T10:10:00.001-05:00

It's a sad day when you can't depend on your elected officials to do the right thing. We need the public option, an end to these wars.

2009-12-19T08:52:00.001-05:00

Little ones, meet the GOLDEN FAMILY this Christmas. Order "Parental Expectations" @ http://ping.fm/YxTKZ

2009-12-06T11:01:00.001-05:00

When will the media balance their Tiger and Letterman stories out with stories about men being faithful to their wives and children?

2009-11-26T00:52:00.001-05:00

Have a happy Thanksgiving holiday.

2009-11-19T00:26:00.001-05:00

Do you think President Obama has the courage to bring an end to this unwinnable war before the end of his first term? I hope so.

2009-11-14T14:49:00.001-05:00

See what's cooking @ http://ping.fm/W43cC

2009-11-14T09:19:00.001-05:00

Check out the new site design for my nonprofit @ http://ping.fm/HNdOw

2009-11-13T09:25:00.001-05:00

Is your child finding their purpose? Let's work together to get him/her there. http://ping.fm/jYzac

2009-11-11T16:08:00.001-05:00

Why haven't you "PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE...PEDAL"? http://ping.fm/2HGeM

2009-11-11T13:36:00.001-05:00

LIVE IN THE TRIANGLE, NC AREA? Register for a parent education workshop at http://ping.fm/dvh0e Win your child's cooperation.

2009-11-10T11:42:00.001-05:00

Support the efforts of a social entrepreneur @ http://ping.fm/1CwTb

2009-11-10T11:39:00.001-05:00

Social entrepreneurs rely on other people's generosity. Visit www.jefferyafaulkerson.com to make a financial contribution to my efforts.

2009-11-08T14:37:00.001-05:00

Enrollment is now open for my Active Parenting workshops-beg. in January. Learn more at http://ping.fm/PDeiK

2009-11-07T23:20:00.001-05:00

The Democrats got the 218 votes they needed to reform the American health care system. Will private insurers CHANGE their thieving ways?

Case Study: Finding the Right Price for a Hot Product

2009-11-06T11:05:00.000-05:00

Case Study: Finding the Right Price for a Hot Product

2009-10-30T11:03:00.001-04:00

Picked up a copy of Mitch Albom's book "Have a Little Faith". Albom is the author of "Tuesdays with Morrie", which, as you know, was turned into a feature film. Albom is a gifted writer.

2009-10-27T20:39:00.001-04:00

Health insurance executives are in an uproar because the "public option" is going to cut into their profits. GET OVER IT, PLEASE! Reform.

New Precious Film Trailer (HQ)

2009-10-27T11:15:00.001-04:00

This film is a must-see.

2009-10-26T16:00:00.001-04:00

I love Tyler Perry like a sibling, but Spike Lee has a point. It's now time for Perry to intro. characters that make us ponder our plight.

2009-10-25T10:49:00.001-04:00

Are you getting the BrandNewz style of news? If not, you need to check out their site @ http://ping.fm/2WkVo

2009-10-24T08:06:00.001-04:00

Just registered for Dr. Cornel West's November 4th visit to Raleigh, NC (http://ping.fm/jRMH5).

2009-10-23T13:22:00.001-04:00

The weekend if upon us. Have a good one, family.

Are CNN Correspondents Operating as Impartial Witnesses?

2009-10-10T00:01:00.001-04:00

CNN's reporting of President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize is horrible. Their correspondents are projecting an attitude that contends he is undeserving of the award because he has only been in office for nine months. But how can a man be undeserving of the Nobel Peace Prize when his whole post-graduate life has been dedicated to helping people help themselves? We must all remember that he was a community organizer long before he was elected to the United States Senate and American presidency. He is, and always has been, a proponent of national and international peace.

My prayer is that CNN will spend more time listening to Americans who understand the importance of this moment. Ever since America responded to the 9-11 attacks eight years ago by taking military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, the world has been in a state of moral decline. Some would argue that the pace of this decline has quickened. Add the Bush Administration's blatant lies to the mix, and you begin to see that this Republican president allowed partisan politics to influence his decision to begin two wars that will never be won under his leadership, or the leadership of any future president.

We all agree that President Obama has yet to accomplish his lofty goals. But we Americans must also agree that we have a stake in whether he achieves these same goals. When media outlets like CNN constantly sensationalize the negative without giving credence to the positive, they impair American's willingness to work diligently with President Obama to achieve the established goals. More importantly, though, their correspondents don't operate as impartial witnesses to history; they manipulate us into taking sides.

But the side that needs to be taken is the one that is right. Yes, right does depend on one's worldview, but who prefers bomb attacks over world peace? No one, I hope. The right thing to do in this case is to engage in activities that lead to most, if not all, of the things that President Obama has set into motion through his righteous words and deeds. If we Americans don't get on board with President Obama, then our country is going to be worse off than it was after Republican President George W. Bush left office.

One of America's greatest strengths has been the way it is viewed by the world citizenry. The world's negative perception of America is slowly being melted away, being replaced by a more positive perception. I think this more positive perception is a tribute to President Obama's charisma, his willingness to be the kind of chief diplomat that shows us how to love our families (fellow Americans) and neighbors (foreigners) again.

But Republican senators and representatives are even trying to undermine President Obama's efforts on the world stage. I have heard reports about Congressmen refuting reports about global warming/climate change. Sarah Palin even stated her opposition to President Obama's policies during a speech she delivered in Hong Kong, China. Such behavior is somewhat unprecedented, but it is a sign that the Republican Party is focused more on scare tactics (in this country and abroad) than helping America and the world recover from the Bush Years (2000-2008).

President Barack Obama is not a tyrant or a socialist; he is a concerned citizen of the world working with like-minded individuals to rebuild the global village.

What do you think?

I look forward to reading your response.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
www.jefferyafaulkerson.com

When Will America Embrace the Collective Prosperity Movement?

2009-09-18T18:17:00.000-04:00

When will Americans embrace the Collective Prosperity Movement?

I agree that more black Americans need to be in the forefront of this current racism debate, but I'm not one to downplay the importance of white Americans speaking out against racist and discriminatory practices. I applaud President Jimmy Carter for speaking his mind. I am also appreciative of Keith Olberman, the work he is doing to give us black Americans a voice on MSNBC's COUNTDOWN.

White Americans like Carter and Olberman are what I consider the new abolitionists. But rather than combating slavery, they are combating the misinformation that continues to drive a wedge between racial/ethnic groups. They are also trying to win over hearts and minds. Olberman has had a number of different black Americans on his show as special guests, and they tell it like it is. It is now time for us black Americans to work on the grassroots level with like-minded white Americans to use this information to write the next chapter in the Civil Rights Movement.

If you ask me (and I know you didn't), I think we need to transition to a Collective Prosperity Movement. The fact that white Americans voted overwhelmingly for the black man is an indication that they are now willing to work with black Americans and other persons of color on a prosperity agenda. Truth be told, race is becoming less significant (and it should) while class issues are becoming more prevalent. Thus, we have to end this trend of allowing the rich to get richer, the poor poorer. We also have to identify and integrate those Hubs of Influence that are still controlled by White America's Good Ol' Boy Networks.

Identifying these Hubs of Influence is a somewhat difficult task, but it is made easier when members of the controlling majority show a willingness to look under every stone. Black Americans like Thurgood Marshall played critical roles in opening doors that now allow us black Americans to learn and work alongside white Americans. But there are many schools and businesses that continue to be devoid of multi-ethnic groups of students and workers. To hear some of them tell it, they are having a hard time recruiting "minority candidates". Nonsense. There are plenty of black, brown, red and yellow students on this nation's campuses that salivate at the mere thought of earning a paycheck.

A Hub of Influence that Americans of color need to gain a more equitable stake in is the media (i.e., television, newspapers, radio, Internet). No one will deny that we live in an age in which the information that we receive has been reduced to sound bytes. For black Americans and other persons of color, this information does nothing more than encourage some white Americans to continue their mistreatment and marginalization of other racial/ethnic groups. It also gives these same white Americans a false sense of self, of how they should be relating and affirming the rest of humanity.

Please know, however, that this relating and affirming is a two-way street. Black Americans and other persons of color shouldn't have all of the fun. We should also be letting white Americans know when their individual and collective behavior is in line with what's right for a united America. But slavery and oppression were white Americans' invention. And contemporary white Americans have benefited greatly from keeping their American brothers and sisters down. Consequently, we need more white Americans to speak out boldly about the need for a Collective Prosperity Movement. Those two words -- collective prosperity -- have the power to unite us like never before.

What do you think?

I look forward to reading your responses.

From "The FIRM...but fair" TOWN HALL MEETING" by Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
http://firmbutfair.connectplatform.com/

Is GLENN BECK Employing Transformative Media Practices?

2009-09-16T12:21:00.000-04:00

A few days before we Americans commemorated the eighth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, I learned that Fox television host Glenn Beck was organizing a 9-12 TEA Party Rally in Washington, D.C. To say that my mouth dropped when I heard about this event would be an understatement. But when I tuned into CNN and other media to view images from this march, I was appalled. Not only because the mostly white group of Americans were disrespecting Barack Obama, the first black American president. I was more appalled at the fact that so many educated Americans could be influenced by Beck’s venomous tirades and commentary.

Glenn Beck is hailed as a hero within the Conservative movement. Besides organizing and endorsing the 9-12 TEA Party Rally, he has also 1) called President Obama a racist, 2) propagated the notion that President Obama was going to “indoctrinate” American school children by delivering a back-to-school speech and 3) shown a lack of support for recent efforts to reform the American healthcare system. Moreover, he was quick to come to the defense of South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson, who called President Obama a liar during a joint session of Congress. I could also write about his belief that President Obama is not an American citizen, but I think you get the point: Glenn Beck is not intentional about employing transformative media practices.

Beck probably believes he can get away with calling President Obama a racist because he (Beck) thinks black Americans and other persons of color shouldn’t be critical of White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) males. While I do believe our preoccupation with white American males can at times get the best of us black Americans, I don’t consider such responses racist. What we are espousing is our frustration with a system that more often than not continues to deny black Americans and other persons of color access to top-notch schools and meaningful careers. Additionally, we continue to be mistreated and marginalized so that white Americans can hold onto their privileged status.

Yes, many of us black Americans recognize that a small percentage of our children, youths and adults are not taking advantage of the educational and employment opportunities afforded to them, but that doesn’t justify a return to the racist practices of the past. If anything, Americans of all hues should be more intentional about building the case for why the time is right for black Americans and other persons of color to forgive white Americans for their legacy of mistreatment and marginalization. But we are unable to offer this forgiveness because so many white Americans are afraid to talk about race. Such frank discussions seemingly dredge up feelings of guilt that they are ill-prepared to muddle through. This problem becomes more complicated, however, when white Americans like Glenn Beck scream “reverse racism” rather than acknowledge that they and their ancestors have not done enough to bring black Americans and other Americans of color into the fold.

President Obama isn’t a racist. He is a black American male who is trying to bring us together as a nation and as a world. His administration is committed to unity because the policies and practices of his predecessor, President George W. Bush, caused many racial/ethnic groups across the globe to return to their respective fox holes. In America, the Patriot Act allowed the government to spy on anyone who expressed negative views about the Bush White House, its domestic and foreign policies and practices. However, Barack Hussein Obama beating out Arizona Senator John McCain in 2008 for the American presidency is reflective of Americans’ desire to transition from a civil rights movement to one defined by collective prosperity, understanding and forgiveness.

And it is because of this desire that I find it quite ironic that Beck would assert that President Obama is trying to “indoctrinate” our children by delivering a back-to-school speech the day before speaking before a joint session of Congress about healthcare reform. President Obama’s back-to-school speech was all about children, adolescents and young adults taking responsibility for their education. But this one fact did not prevent school principals from censoring President Obama.

Many of these school principals – some black, others mostly white – argued they didn’t allow their students to watch the speech because of the politically charged environment. But they weren’t issuing such baseless claims when presidents Reagan, and H.W. Bush were speaking to school children. If anything, these principals respected the Office of the Presidency. And they were willing to bend over backwards to make sure their children heard inspirational words from these two leaders of the free world. Now, we must ask ourselves why these principals were unwilling to bend over backwards for our current president.

I believe it all goes back to our failure to deal with the race problem. President Obama’s speech should have been heard in every American school, both public and private. When all was said and done, it was nothing more than a 20-minute pep talk. But Glenn Beck and others have the audacity to criticize President Obama about simple undertakings because they know there are a number of white Americans who view a black man’s presidency as inferior. Moreover, they surmise that if they win over this group through outlandish commentary and events, it will allow them to confuse the masses with destructive (as opposed to constructive) race talk. It also takes the focus off President Obama’s collective prosperity message.

Glenn Beck is a conservative who pledges his allegiance to the Republican Party. Within the conservative, Republican Party is the Christian Right. I consider myself a moderate, someone who could vote either Democrat or Republican when it comes to local, state and federal elections. I am also a born-again Christian. Yes, there are a number of things that President Obama says and does that I disapprove of. His passive stance on abortion and same-sex unions are two of them. But one of the many things we do agree on is every American should be entitled to quality health insurance and care.

Beck and the Republican Party seem to think the health care problem is going to fix itself. I have news for them: It’s not. Back in the early 1990s, about 32 million Americans were uninsured, meaning they couldn’t access or afford quality health care. The number of uninsured Americans has grown to 47 million in this new millennium. We need to do something, and we need to do it now.

President Obama and the Democratic Party are poised to make great strides in reforming our ailing health care system. I just pray that Glenn Beck and other conservative Republicans will just get out of the way so the real workers can pass through. But they won’t. Their obstructionist practices are deemed appropriate by a minority of Americans, even causing senators and representatives to lose their religion. But in an era when the country and world are being led by a transformative president, I believe more patriotic Americans will come to foreground, showing the nation and world they recognize that conservative Republicans like Glenn Beck are out to demonize President Obama because they lack new ideas.

Representative Wilson Should Be Punished

2009-09-11T09:14:00.001-04:00

South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson showed his level of respect for our president, and that's not a good thing. He should be punished severely for his poor judgment, lack of civility. He should have kept his mouth shut, just agree to disagree.

Representative Wilson shouted, "You lie!" during President Obama's address, but conservative Republicans have really cornered the market when it comes to lying. They spent the whole summer misinforming the American public about the proposed reforms to health care, even leveling personal attacks against President Obama to gain a political advantage. President Obama was right in calling these conservative Republicans out last night because they have undoubtedly forgotten what it means to pursue the moral imperative, serve the common good.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
http://www.jefferyafaulkerson.com

A Few Thoughts about the Text of President Obama's Back-to-School Speech

2009-09-07T23:34:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading the text of President Barack Obama's Back-to-School Speech, and I must say it is excellent. It is all about students taking responsibility for their education, so I don't understand what all of the commotion is about. Truth be told, the media is sensationalizing this issue because white Americans opposing the first black American president is deemed more newsworthy than the truthfulness of his message to students.

It also saddens me that the black principal at Claremont Elementary School in North Carolina would not televise this speech for his students. As principal, it is his responsibility to make the kind of decisions that inspire students to strive for excellence in all that they do. President Obama's story is inspiring the nation, not only because he is the first black American president, but also because he overcame great obstacles to become the leader of the free world. His story is the American story, one that even encourages the adult me to raise my game to a whole new level.

If you missed Gary Tuchman's CNN report (Monday, September 7th), Claremont Elementary School's principal also indicated that he would be open to President Obama delivering the same speech to his students at his school. What kind of sense does that make? Tuchman then told him that he would still be faced with the same level of parental opposition, and would have to go into his office to pray before making a decision. But the look on the principal's face let me know that he is more concerned about being liked by the powers that be than doing the right thing for the students in his school. The right thing in this case is allowing his students to listen to the most respected man in America.

The game of politics can become brutal at times, but President Obama speaking to students about personal responsibility should not be politicized. It should be applauded and supported because he is complementing what we parents are already doing on the grassroots level.

President Barack Obama won the U.S. presidency by a landslide last year over Arizona Senator John McCain. He is employing a long-term strategy for righting our sinking ship. If we're going to beam with pride when he represents us well in foreign lands, why can't we do the same when he uses his skill sets to inject a desire for excellence in our students.

I will be watching President Obama's Back-To-School Speech with my wife and five-year-old son. I pray Americans of all hues will do the same.

What does it mean to give by design?

2009-08-30T22:57:00.000-04:00

I just finished chatting with Darryl Lester, principal of Hindsight Consulting and co-founder of the Raleigh, North Carolina-based Community Investment Network (CIN). Mr. Lester is passionate about working with socially conscious individuals of all hues around the formation of giving circles. To learn how you can use your time, talent and treasure to make a bigger difference in your community, download our conversation (GIVING BY DESIGN: The Community Investment Network) at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/firmbutfair.

I also encourage you to register for the upcoming CIN Conference, October 1-4, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. To register online, visit http://www.thecommunityinvestment.org.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
www.jefferyafaulkerson.com

Welcome to www.jefferyafaulkerson.com

2009-08-27T11:05:00.000-04:00

Chris Gardner: Looking for a Job vs. Creating an Opportunity

2009-08-22T00:53:00.000-04:00

President George W. Bush and The Shelling of America

2009-08-21T10:28:00.000-04:00

This morning, while watching "Good Morning America", I learned that President Barack Obama's approval rating has gone from 68 percent to 57 percent. The eleven point drop is largely due to his proposed health care reform package, which is being lauded by many but openly criticized by others.

I have yet to read through President Obama's proposal. I plan on doing so within the next couple of weeks. But I do applaud President Obama for being the type of politician who is staying true to his campaign promises by addressing the issues. Truth be told, he took the Presidential Oath of Office knowing that he had inherited a mess from George W. Bush.

A historical analysis of Bush's two terms in office reveal that he took America and the rest of the world down a road that it should have avoided at all costs, the road to death and destruction. I can only imagine what went through his mind after the September 11th (2001) terrorist attacks. Based on what happened in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, his decision to attack the Taliban in Afghanistan was probably justified. But why did he have to lie to us, contending that the Saddam Hussein-led Iraq government was amassing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and training terrorists. United Nations inspectors report that Iraq never even had WMDs.

But what disturbs me the most is some Americans' unwillingness to acknowledge President Bush's role in the current mess. When he took office more than eight years ago, he was working with a surplus. Rather than build upon the surplus, he opted to give it back to the American people. Soon after, he embroiled us in two wars, the first in Afghanistan, the other in Iraq, seemingly thinking these wars would be cheap. So, in hindsight, was it a wise decision to put more money in our pockets? I think not.

If you didn't notice, the Bush Administration, and the Republican Party for that matter, ran a shell game on us. They blatantly lied to us, and we, the American public, didn't even raise a fuss. We just fell prey to the positive spin they placed on the "War on Terror" and American prosperity. And anyone who questioned them was labeled a traitor.

People, I don't think President Barack Obama is into running shell games on us. I believe he is willing to do what is necessary to restore America to its pre-Bush state. Should we question his spending habits? Sure. But we should also become more aware of the measures he's taking to save us money in the long run.

President Obama is working on real solutions, not trying to make our problems worse. The issues that he is trying to address are many, and they will not be resolved within his first 200 days in office (I hope you don't think he can make the problems go away by waving a magic wand). Their amelioration is going to take time, the kind of global diplomacy that the Bush administration was unwilling to employ.

What do you think?

I look forward to reading your responses.

Sixth Annual African-American Pavilion, Book Expo America

2009-08-12T09:32:00.000-04:00

Excerpt from "EDUCATIONAL SAFARI Guidebook One"

2009-08-03T08:16:00.000-04:00

If some of you think I can’t relate to what disadvantaged students go through on a daily basis, you’re wrong. I used to be an economically disadvantaged, black American student myself.

I know what it’s like to enter an empty apartment after school, knowing that your single-parent mother is away doing all she can to keep a roof over your head, clothes on your back.

I know what it’s like to duck behind the backseat of a taxicab as a young child because you don’t want your friends to know that your mother doesn’t own a car.

I know what it’s like to almost give up on your dream of going to college because many of the people in your neighborhood never managed to graduate from high school.

Believe me. I can relate.

Recently, I read an article in Education Week (June 11, 2008) that quoted a study by noted Stanford University psychologist William Damon that was published in a book titled The Path to Purpose: Helping Our Children Find Their Calling in Life. The study’s results, which were inferred from five-year survey data collected from 1,200 young people between the ages of 12 and 26, indicated that a majority of youths lack a direction in life (p. 1).

“There have always been kids that drift,” Damon reportedly said in an interview with Education Week correspondent Debra Viadero (p. 1). “But I do think we have a special problem today in the numbers of kids and the kind of trouble they’re having in finding a sense of direction.”

Viadero reports that Damon told her that:

“One-fifth of the survey participants said they had found something meaningful to which they wanted to dedicate their lives – whether that meant raising a family, pursuing a career that mattered to them, starting a business, or choosing a religion."

At the other extreme, Viadero writes that a quarter of the young people were identified as “disengaged,” meaning they expressed no particular wider purpose for their lives and were not involved in activities that might help them find one (Education Week, pp. 1, 12).

Sandwiched between the purposeful and disengaged were the dabblers and the dreamers. Dabblers are “youths who may have tried a number of potentially purposeful pursuits but who have yet to find reason to commit to any of them” (Education Week, p. 12). Dreamers, on the other hand, are “those (youths) who can imagine themselves doing great things in the world but who have yet to do anything to pursue their ideas in a practical way” (Education Week, p. 12).

As you read this book, it is my hope that you will be enlightened to the fact that you don’t have to go through life being disengaged from your true calling. You must realize that graduating from high school and college are worthy goals, but they are nothing more than staging areas, places where you more officially declare your independence from your parents.

What I realized at an early age is that I did not have to accept my mother’s condition as my own. I could do great things as long as I did what my father Edward Allan Faulkerson admonished. Even though we didn’t live in the same household, my father always offered sound advice. During our moments together, he would take me down the memory lane of his past, directing my attention to some of his poor choices, many of which he regretted making because they slowed the ascent of his flight. I sensed that he sincerely wanted me to make the most out of my life.

Couple this advice with the kind that I received from my mother Mary Catherine Dulaney, as well as Wallace Ross, my mother’s longtime friend, and you have the ingredients that were mixed together to help me develop a preference for excellence over mediocrity.

But I am a black American, descended from a long line of black Americans who overcame institutionalized slavery and oppression so that future generations of black Americans could pursue their hopes and dreams. My exploration of this legacy has shown me that if one of us fails, we all fail. Conversely, if one of us succeeds, we all succeed. Thus, when I write or speak about prosperity, I write and speak about the time, talents and treasures that are selflessly shared between members of the collective, or group. And when we start sharing these gifts amongst ourselves instead of hoarding them for use during individual pursuits, members of other racial/ethnic groups will have no choice but to take notice.

However, I am also mindful of the bond that we black Americans share with other members of the human family. As members of this human family, we must peacefully work in concert with other racial/ethnic groups so that future generations of human beings will have a world that they can call their own. What this will require from black Americans is a willingness to forgive Whites for the way they have mistreated and marginalized Blacks in this nation and around the world. More importantly, it requires that we solidify the authenticity of these relationships and commit ourselves to the collective pursuit of prosperity.

Much of what I offer in Educational Safari: The Young, Black American’s Guide to Collective Prosperity is pulled from my religious convictions as a born-again Christian. I personally believe our existence on this planet, as well as God gifting human males and human females with the supernatural ability to create other human beings in his image, should serve as a constant reminder that the essence of an omnipotent God flows through each of us. And like it or not, our hips are attached to hips belonging to our white siblings, as well as those belonging to other siblings of color. The relevance of this truth has caused me to re-evaluate my thinking about human relations and take more proactive approaches to:

• Determine if I have The Drive to Thrive.
• Reclaim my righteous mind.
• Establish goals that coincide with God’s will.
• Develop a vision for the kind of life God wants me to lead.
• Map out objectives for achieving my goals.
• Surround myself with like-minded individuals.
• Evaluate the seeds of God’s labor.
• Instill an appreciation for this process in my child’s life.

As you read through the pages of these four guidebooks, I pray that you will gain an appreciation for these proactive approaches as well. An appreciation for these approaches lets you know just how amazing this journey called life is, and you gain a better understanding of who you are and why you are here. And as black Americans, long considered the brunt of the majority group’s disdain, you begin to understand why it is so important for us black Americans to work with like-minded Americans of all hues to build upon the gains of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and ‘60s.

Human beings were not placed on this planet for one racial/ethnic group to be pitted against another one. God placed us here to be reflections of him. Because we are created in his image, we are all equal, none greater than the other. So now is the time for us black Americans to push our bitterness aside and become leaders in the quest to restore the human family to its original state. We are one body, one human race, and it is imperative that the members of this body work in unison to bring glory to God through our righteous words and deeds.

Welcome to my Educational Safari, the lessons that I have learned during the first 41 years of my life. Join me now as I show you how to 1) determine if you have the Drive to Thrive and 2) reclaim your righteous mind.

FROM "EDUCATIONAL SAFARI: The Young, Black American's Guide to Collective Prosperity" (Guidebook One) by Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
Available for online purchase at http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1906985

Is Sgt. Lashley an "Uncle Tom"?

2009-07-31T06:12:00.000-04:00

On Thursday, July 30, 2009, United States President Barack Obama sat down with Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Cambridge Police Department sergeant James Crowley in what is being touted by the media as a “beer summit.” According to media reports, and statements issued by both Dr. Gates and Sgt. Crowley, the meeting went well, even though neither party offered an apology for what transpired in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 16th. Their hope is they and other Americans will be able to bury the hatchet, encourage more Americans to have thought-provoking and healing conversations about America’s race problem.

As an American, I’m all for that. But as a black American, who also just happens to be a realist, I believe these sentiments are easily expressed but difficult to achieve. I say this because Sgt. Leon Lashley, the black sergeant who was on the scene when Dr. Gates was arrested, had the audacity to write a letter to Sgt. Crowley in which he asked him to mention to Dr. Gates and President Obama that he is now known as the “black sergeant” and to some others as an “uncle Tom.”

When CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer read the letter during a July 30th airing of The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, I immediately asked myself why Sgt. Lashley would go there, especially when he probably knows deep down in his heart that the shoe probably fits as it relates to this incident. Just look at the facts in this case. Sgt. Crowley, the colleague that he is defending, reportedly made false statements in his police report, writing that 911 caller Lucia Whalen identified the alleged burglars as “two black men.” During a press conference held days before the Gates and Crowley White House meeting, Whalen said she never said anything about the alleged burglars’ racial identity. But the facts also reveal Sgt. Crowley used “poor judgment” when he arrested Dr. Gates. We must never forget that the prosecutor ultimately dropped the charges levied against Dr. Gates the day after the arrest.

In my opinion, Sgt. Lashley is now stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, he wants to be protective of Sgt. Crowley, his friend and colleague. But on the other hand, he wants to “be down” with his black brothers and sisters. I can understand where the brother is coming from, because, like him, I too have to walk this tight rope, as do countless other upwardly mobile black Americans. But if I were in Sgt. Lashley’s shoes, I would remain silent. As the only other black American on the scene, he could have said something to Dr. Gates that would have de-escalated the situation.

If you really think about the metaphorical significance of Sgt. Lashley’s actions, you can see that his support of Sgt Crowley instead of Dr. Gates is reminiscent of those black American slaves who had the privilege of residing in the big house. Because these House Negroes were in closer proximity to their White masters, they began to take on the identity of these same White masters. Some of them even severed their ties to those Blacks who had the misfortune of working in the fields (i.e., the Field Negroes) under the glaring heat of the hot Sun. Because they now had the honor of munching on a few “privilege crumbs,” they slowly began to think they were better than the Field Negroes.

That being said, I don’t think Sgt. Lashley’s actions support the notion that he thinks he’s better than other black Americans. What it does show, however, is the lengths some upwardly mobile black Americans will take to hold on to what they have. Sgt. Lashley is undoubtedly a respected officer within the Cambridge Police Department, as well as a respected member of his community. Like many of us, he has used, or uses, the money that he makes from his job to support his wife and children. But right is right, and wrong is wrong. And he opted to defend Sgt. Crowley, a man who is unapologetic even though the evidence against him shows that he was in the wrong on two occasions. I know police officers aren’t pastors or priests, but aren’t they supposed to be supportive of righteous, law-abiding citizens?

What do you think?

I look forward to reading your responses.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
From THE PURPOSEFUL WRITER
www.purposefulwriter.blogspot.com

The Metaphorical Significance of the Gates' Arrest

2009-07-23T10:15:00.000-04:00

During a Wednesday, July 22, 2009 news conference, United States President Barack Obama told reporters and a national television audience that he knows Harvard University professor Henry Louis Gates, adding that he is a friend. He then said the actions of the arresting Harvard Police Department officer were stupid, considering Dr. Gates was told that he was under arrest from the confines of his own home and then handcuffed and escorted to a squad car.

Prior to answering this final news conference question, President Obama had offered an extensive explanation of his plan to reform the American healthcare system. He let it be known that 47 million Americans are without healthcare insurance, and another 14 thousand will be added to this number daily if he and members of Congress do nothing. But after he walked away from the podium for the short stroll to the White House’s family quarters, I had the sense that his comments about the Gates’ arrest would overshadow those made about healthcare reform.

The fact that black American men are arrested far more frequently than their white American counterparts is no surprise. But what is so perplexing about Dr. Gates’ arrest is it was made even though the arresting officer had been told that Dr. Gates was the homeowner, not a thief. There are reports that Dr. Gates acted belligerent toward the arresting officer. But even if Dr. Gates had acted belligerent, did his alleged reaction to being falsely accused of a crime warrant an arrest? I think not.

Dr. Gates has repeatedly said that things went from bad to worse when he asked the arresting officer for his name and badge number. I believe it panged the arresting officer to hear these words because he knew Dr. Gates’ intention was to use the information to file a complaint against him. Consequently, the arresting officer allowed his sense of self-righteousness to blind him to the reality of the situation: he was wrong, Dr. Gates was right.

If we used this incident as a metaphor for America, we would be able to see why some white American’s self-righteous attitudes continue to impair the American citizenry’s ability to reach consensus on the race issue. Yes, we all agree that all men are created equal, that they have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but this self-righteousness causes white Americans to ignore black American challenges and concerns. Many of them seem to think the government has done more than enough to make amends for legalized slavery and oppression. And now that we have a black president, many of them feel there should be no more excuses for not being able to achieve in school, prosper on the job.

I agree that some black Americans have not been taking full advantage of the opportunities afforded to them, but the remedy to this problem does not lie with the election of the first, black president. Visit any urban school in this country, and you will come in contact with young, black students who seem to be more concerned about fitting in than developing platforms for future success. They have seemingly become disinterested in the educational process, even though their parents, grandparents and great grandparents lay their lives on the line, confident that their offspring would one day lead more prosperous lives.

But these young, black students are products of their environment. The same holds true for young, white students and those from other racial/ethnic groups. Because the environment, or mainstream American culture, is one that highlights the achievements and contributions of white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant males and females, these students continue to engage in the same group identity politics that were so prominent in their ancestors’ lives. We see where this engagement has taken us – to the edge of a hypothetical cliff – but even this truth is not inspiring more white Americans to exchange their self-righteousness for genuine concern for black Americans and other persons of color. It doesn’t even inspire them to admit their wrongs, both past and present.

But it also doesn’t awaken young, black students to the fact that there is not a white standard for success. As a social worker, I have come in contact with many young, black students who behave badly at and perform poorly in school because they don’t want to appear white. To them, appearing white equates to excellent grades and good behavior. It also equates to being self-righteous, thinking you are God’s gift to mankind. What they need to know is success has nothing to do with skin color, everything to do with a desire to be great at whatever you do.

My hope is we Americans will use the events surrounding Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ arrest to have more candid conversations about race, how it has caused centuries of dysfunction within the human family. Ultimately, an exploration of these events will show every American how far an apology goes when it originates from a regretful heart.

What do you think?

I look forward to reading your responses.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
From THE PURPOSEFUL WRITER
http://purposefulwriter.blogspot.com/

Graham Overly Critical of Sotomayor's “Wise Latina” Comment

2009-07-15T10:30:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday, July 14, I watched as South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham questioned Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor about her distinguished record as a federal court judge. Judge Sotomayor just happens to be the first Latina woman nominated for this judgeship. But my skin crawled when Senator Graham lambasted Judge Sotomayor about her “wise Latina” comment.

Senator Graham believes that if he had said the experiences of a wise Caucasian man better equip him to use “sound judgment” when making court decisions, his career would have been over. And he would have been right, resulting from his being a member of the controlling majority. We must never forget that the ancestors of this same controlling majority, or white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant males and females, ascended to power by stepping on the backs of Hispanics, African-Americans and other persons of color. And even though America has come a long way in healing the wounds suffered during its racist past, many members of this controlling majority continue to walk around thinking they are God’s gift to mankind, thus diminishing the varied contributions of other racial/ethnic groups.

Senator Graham is also ignorant to the fact that many persons of color on the grassroots level are unable to take advantage of educational and vocational opportunities because access is often denied. I believe this denial of access results from the existence of longstanding “Good Ol’ Boy Networks” that welcome white males and females with open arms but turn a blind eye and deaf ear to Hispanics, African-Americans and other persons of color applying for the same jobs. If these networks had been more inviting to persons of color, we wouldn’t be prefacing Sonia Sotomayor’s name with “the first Latina woman to be…”

I applaud Judge Sotomayor for using phrases like “wise Latina” to inspire Hispanic children and adolescents. Senator Graham and others like him should be doing the same. A wise Latina understands that there are better days ahead, that a day will arrive in America when, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., persons are judged by the content of their characters rather than the color of their skins. But I don’t think this message registered with Senator Graham. He seems to be on a mission to classify Judge Sotomayor as an activist judge. But I have one question for Senator Graham: Doesn’t the legacy of American racism and discrimination require that all persons of color assert themselves as activists, especially as it pertains to our inalienable rights to life, liberty and happiness?

Activists are committed to changing the status quo, or business as usual. If most of the firefighters in a department are white, the administrators in that department must make intentional strides to recruit, hire and retain more persons of color. If a college or university serves as a haven for mostly white students, college recruiters must make intentional strides to equip and identify students of color who can thrive on their campus. It doesn’t take a genius to know that these efforts must be made to level the playing field. But we must ask ourselves, are our powerful and influential white brothers and sisters willing to make these intentional strides.

I wish Sonia Sotomayor would respond in a way that lets these senators know that America has a long way to go in leveling the playing field for all Americans. But she won’t. Like most persons of color who ascend to powerful positions, she is going to appease the controlling majority by saying what they want to hear. Shameful? Yes. But let all of us hope that when she gets confirmed, she will not forget where she came from, that she will extend her hand to the other minority men and women, boys and girls, who want to lead more prosperous lives.

What do you think?

I look forward to reading your responses.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
www.jefferyafaulkerson.com

JON & KATE PLUS EIGHT: The Makings of a Faltering Marriage

2009-06-23T10:42:00.000-04:00

By now, most of you have heard about Jon and Kate Gosselin’s separation. The Gosselins were supposedly the parenting superstars of The Learning Channel's (TLC's) Jon & Kate Plus Eight. I say parenting superstars because if you step into any Target, Walmart or Borders, you will come across magazines and books with them gracing the covers with their eight, young children.

I readily admit that I have yet to watch a complete episode of their hit reality show. And with them announcing their separation on the Monday, June 22nd episode, I never will. Their testimony—that of being the married parents to eight, young children—has lost its luster. The script has now been flipped, as worldwide audiences will now see Jon fade into obscurity while Kate’s star will continue to rise. I say this because now she will be viewed as a single parent raising eight, young children.

But why is the Gosselin’s marriage failing? It’s really quite obvious. They allowed a camera crew into their home. I can only imagine the number of hours they spent staring into cameras, telling worldwide audiences what it is like to have childrearing responsibilities for eight, young children. My wife and I have one child, a five-year-old son, and having a camera crew following our every move would probably be a death sentence for both our marital and parenting relationships. I say this because we would be forced to wear masks when the camera is on, being allowed to remove them only when it is off.

When the Gosselins removed their masks, they apparently didn’t like what they saw. Kate reportedly viewed Jon as passive when it came to the children, while Jon viewed her as aggressive. Since Kate was so aggressive in this area, Jon seemingly stopped growing in his role as HOH (Head of Household). In his mind, his role had everything to do with providing and protecting, nothing to do with nurturing. But if Jon were sitting in front of me during the writing of this essay, I would communicate the importance of fathers being intentionally aggressive when it comes to providing the kind of nurturance that protects children from themselves and others.

Fathers nurture their children in this way by modeling the same kind of love that Jesus Christ displayed in the presence of his friends and foes. Throughout the first four books of the New Testament, we find that Jesus harbored a deep and abiding love for God and humanity. It was this same love that gave him the motivation to provide us with instructions for living Godly lives. In short, Jesus Christ established a tone that resonates with us even today.

As the Head of Household, Jon Gosselin must be the person who sets the tone for his marriage and childrearing. He must once again be that beacon in the night that Kate looks to for masculine leadership. To be viewed in this light, he must be the one who tells the TLC crew (with Kate’s consent) to turn off their cameras and go home. Only then will Kate be able to see Jon as a benevolent (i.e., good) and strong man.

What do you think?

I look forward to reading your responses.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
www.jefferyafaulkerson.com

Blink

2009-05-11T01:44:00.000-04:00

Go and make disciples,
The Holy Bible reads.
But a love for the one true God
Is what the world really needs.
Senseless wars are being waged
Because we all want to be right.
But righteousness isn’t achieved through
Selfishness and might.

In the world that I envision,
We serve the common good.
Enough with the bickering,
Your brother, your sister, behaving like a hood.
We should boldly be going
Where no man has gone before.
But we keep ourselves grounded when we
Think we’re something more.

The future is ours,
Just acknowledge the error of your ways.
Not making this connection will lead to
The shortening of our days.
We all want the good life,
A spouse and a child.
But God’s children must first explain
Why they’re acting so wild.
His grace is sufficient. Wake Up!
Let Him in.
Overcome this life of carnality,
Sin.

Join me now,
As I look up at the stars.
Beyond Jupiter, Venus, Pluto and Mars.
Up there is where we’ll encounter challenges
Never faced before.
What happens down here?
I don’t care anymore.

I want to see what’s out there,
Be witness to something great.
Will we greet Vulcan, Klingon, or something innate?
The universe is vast,
Beyond what we can ever imagine or think.
I just pray for peace on Earth,
A future that doesn’t allow me to blink.

© Jeffery A. Faulkerson 2009. All rights reserved.

AGENT OF CHANGE

2009-05-05T14:37:00.000-04:00

During the Winter
Of your discontent
You crave the warm embrace of Spring,
Knowing it will fade away to
The scintillating heat
Of Summer.
But you need not worry.
No!
Because you know that every hot Summer
Gives way to the
Coolness of Autumn.

But as the seasons change,
So do you.
You think.
You feel.
You do.
You ask yourself,
“Who am I?”
“What is my purpose
In life?
When you ask these questions,
You expect a response,
But none is given.

Poverty often denies you access
To prosperity.
Each time, she asks,
“Can you spare a dime?”
You look into her blood-shot eyes,
And your shared silence becomes
A clarion call.

You hear voices,
Those of the great African kings
Speaking to you.
You hear the rhythmic beat of drums,
Encouraging you to dance.
This is your moment, your
Chance to shine.
But do you change or
Do you remain the same?

Heroes have come.
Heroes have gone.
But now you are being asked to be something more.
No one is asking you to change the world.
Change a life,
And bear witness to the
Rippling effects
Of your sacrifice.

© Jeffery A. Faulkerson 2009. All rights reserved.

Is Our Preoccupation with Organized Athletics Hindering African-American Progress?

2009-04-27T10:56:00.000-04:00

Watching the NFL Draft on Saturday, April 25th, I couldn't help but wonder if our preoccupation with organized athletics is hindering African-American progress in this country and around the world. If you asked most black middle and high school youths to list their Plan A, they would say, "To play in the NFL (or NBA)." Very rarely do you hear about black youths espousing the views of scholar/football standout Myron Rolle. I believe the time has come for us to address this mindset in a thoughtful and considerate way.

Any former collegiate and professional athletes out there willing to help me do the addressing?

What do you think?

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
http://purposefulwriter.blogspot.com

Carrie Prejean Takes a Stand for Traditional Marriage

2009-04-21T11:06:00.000-04:00

If you haven’t heard, Carrie Prejean, who recently represented California in the 2009 Miss USA Beauty Pageant, is being lambasted by the national media for her response to gay advocate Perez Hilton’s question about the legalization of same-sex marriage. Prejean believes that marriage should be between one man and one woman. But to hear Hilton tell it, Prejean is out of touch with the rest of America.

Out of touch with the rest of America? Please. Hilton must have been deaf, because Prejean’s response received thunderous applause from the audience. I even applauded while watching a recounting of the exchange on Entertainment Tonight. Yes, I did hear a few boos from the auditorium audience, but that doesn’t change the fact that most Americans side with Prejean on this issue. And while it is true that Vermont recently became the fourth American state to legalize same-sex marriage, there are thirty other states that are instituting measures that will protect the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman.

But what disturbs me most about the national media’s reporting on this issue, as well as the exchange between Prejean and Hilton, is its failure to highlight the virtues of heterosexual marriages. Its cadre of journalists and videographers are, and continue to be, guilty of presenting a view that says Carrie Prejean and others like her don’t have a right to speak about the virtues of heterosexual marriage. But we do. Not just because heterosexual marriages are in vogue. But because our American citizenship gives us the right to do so.

Perez Hilton stated in his blogged response that Prejean should have said state governments should decide the question for themselves. But why does she even have to go there? The will of the American people is being heard, and, sadly, a growing number of Americans are being bamboozled into believing that gays and lesbians are pursuing a civil right. Truth be told, they already have the right to cohabitate with whomever they please. But now they are asking local, state and federal governments to sanction a civil choice that has men freely having sexual intercourse with other men, women freely having sexual intercourse with other women.

Can you please tell me when the government got into the business of sanctioning civil choices?

The homosexual community would argue that they seek relationship parity because married, heterosexual couples are the recipients of fringe benefits. Our unions do afford us a number of fringe benefits, but I don’t see a problem here. Heterosexual relationships are the engines driving modern civilizations. Our unions produce the next generation of providers and helpmates. These fringe benefits are married, heterosexual couples’ just reward for maintaining the human race’s existence.

The question is often asked, “Why would a gay man or lesbian woman choose to be...well…gay or lesbian?” When this question is raised, you know the assertion is being made that homosexuals’ affections are innate. But they’re not innate. We are pieces of a puzzle that God is allowing us to put together. However, our task becomes increasingly difficult when we place our selfish, carnal desire over common sense. God’s ultimate design and purpose has been imprinted on our DNA, our physical, spiritual and emotional selves. We just need to start reading so these lessons can be applied.

And, once again, I must give Carrie Prejean kudos for taking a stand for marriage between one man and one woman. You go, girl!

The Need for a "Love Everlasting" Campaign

2009-04-10T19:22:00.000-04:00

With more American states opening up the door to "same-sex marriages", I'm starting to wonder why married, heterosexual couples are remaining noticeably silent on this issue. Are we beginning to question the fact that marriage is between one man and one woman? (Everything else is nothing more than a civil union, a cohabitation arrangement.) I hope not, because that would mean the pressure of protecting the sanctity of marriage is getting to us. Truth be told, we married, heterosexual couples have just as much right as they to say what's on our minds.

What we married, heterosexual couples need to do is initiate a "Love Everlasting" Campaign. This campaign would allow us to respectfully say what's on our minds through words, deeds and special events. It would also provide the kind of modeling that our children and youths need to see. We just need to send up some extra prayers so that the national media will pay attention, not take what we're doing for granted.

If you would like to develop a framework for this "Love Everalasting" Campaign, please join other concerned parents and me on the new "Put your foot on the...P.E.D.A.L." social network (http://www.pedalnetwork.ning.com). This network is dedicated to exerting collective parental influence on the individuals and systems shaping children's attitudes and behaviors. Because marriages between one man and one woman are the engines driving today's nuclear family, it is imperative that we married, heterosexual couples let our lights shine for all to see while we're in the midst of the darkness.

What do you think? I look forward to reading your responses.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW
http://www.pedalnetwork.ning.com

Will Your Children Be Searching for Easter Eggs?

2009-04-10T08:22:00.000-04:00

This weekend, the world will be celebrating the Easter Holiday. For some, it is a time to send the children out in search of Easter Eggs, but for others, it is a time to commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There should be no doubt in people's minds that there is much confusion surrounding this holiday. The same could be said about Christmas, which studies have shown does not mark the exact date of Christ's birth. But I personally think Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, shouldn't be about hunting for eggs and eating chocolate bunnies; it should be about thanking God for the sacrifice of his Son.

My five-year-old probably will be searching for Easter Eggs and eating chocolate bunnies. We even made an Easter basket for him, stocked with toys rather than candies. However, my wife and I are both intentional about making sure he develops an appreciation for what Jesus accomplished on Calvary's Cross. By giving up His life, Jesus saved mankind from their sins, rising three days later to ascend into Heaven.

What do you think? Will your children be searching for Easter Eggs? If not, why?

I look forward to reading your responses.

Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW

Michael Steele, Politics Isn't for Punks!

2009-03-04T11:08:00.000-05:00

We black Americans had a lot to cheer about in 2008. That was the year Barack Hussein Obama, an Illinois community organizer turned state Democratic senator, became the 44th president of the United States. And he accomplished this feat on the strength of his character, not the color of his skin. By the same token, Michael Steele, another prominent black American, was selected as the chairman of the Republican National Committee. Again, by the strength of his character, not the color of his skin.

But the honeymoon period is over for both of these men. They are now being asked to put up or shut up. President Obama seems to be following through with his campaign promises. He is taking deliberate strides to clean up the mess made by his predecessor, President George W. Bush. But I’m beginning to have doubts about Michael Steele. He recently got punk’d by conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, who is being touted as the de facto leader of the Republican Party.

On the Saturday, February 29th episode of D.L. Hugley Breaks the News, Steele garnered enough nerve to take Limbaugh to task. He told Hugley’s audience that Limbaugh “is an entertainer” and that some of his comments can be considered “incendiary.” But when I tuned my television set to CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 that following Monday, I learned that Michael Steele had issued an apology to Limbaugh, thus joining a long line of other Republicans who had once been critical of Limbaugh.

Politics isn’t for punks. But when Michael Steele backed away from the remarks he made about Rush Limbaugh, he became one. That doesn’t bode well for a black American who is trying to attract moderates and liberals to the Republican Party. The same could be said about the possibility of him attracting black Americans and other persons of color. Many of us feel Steele missed a golden opportunity to assert himself as the true leader of the Republican Party, not Rush Limbaugh.

And he said just that on Hugley’s show. But the next day, Limbaugh told his listeners that Steele is the leader of the Republican National Committee, not the Republican Party. While I’m not a conservative, or a Republican for that matter, I find it quite appalling that Limbaugh made this distinction.

Yes, Limbaugh is correct in saying that Steele is the leader of the Republican National Committee. But since trends within the Republican Party reveal that its leader is indeed the chairman of the Republican National Committee, then Rush Limbaugh owes Michael Steele an apology. Limbaugh may even want to kiss the ring adorning Steele’s left hand.

Because Michael Steele is now the leader of the Republican Party, I think Rush Limbaugh and other conservative Republicans need to start giving him the respect he deserves. I think they are unwilling to do so because they can’t see beyond the color of Michael Steele’s skin. Even though they selected him as chairman, they still view his leadership as inferior at best. If they respected his brand of leadership, they would be doing everything in their power to squash these misguided reports about Rush Limbaugh being the Republican Party’s de facto leader.

I respect Michael Steele for his willingness to step into the boxing ring to pit his knowledge and skills against the Democratic Party’s best. But do I think he will succeed in attracting more persons of color to the Republican Party?

No.

Michael Steele and members of the Republican Party fail to see the racial politics that are driving persons of color to the hills. They also fail to understand the liberal nature of our ongoing struggle for civil rights. Even though Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, most Americans of color know that today’s Republican Party would rather remain silent and idle on the federal protection of civil rights. And because so many of their members have become wealthy from their manipulation of a capitalistic system, they are being reputed as the party that serves as the protectorate of white privilege.

What do you think? I look forward to reading your responses.

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From THE PURPOSEFUL WRITER (http://purposefulwriter.blogspot.com/) by Jeffery A. Faulkerson, MSSW

Does Rush Limbaugh See the Pink Elephant in the Room?

2009-03-03T14:20:00.000-05:00

By now, most of you have heard that conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh wants President Barack Obama to fail. Many would argue that Limbaugh’s sentiments result from his disdain for the Democratic Party, which President Obama just happens to be a member of. But I think we have to dig a little deeper.

Rush Limbaugh seemingly wants President Obama to fail because President Obama’s failure would mean he is…well right. It would also signify that the Democratic Party is in trouble, and that means it’s only a matter of time before members of the Republican Party regain control of the U.S. presidency and Congress. Right?

But who in their right mind would want to hand over the presidential reins to another Republican? Republican President George W. Bush had the privilege of serving as our president for the past eight years, and look where that got us. Our economy is in a recession and our military servicemen and servicewomen are fighting two wars (both in the Middle East) against an enemy (i.e., terror) that won’t be defeated until Jesus Christ returns.

What makes matters worse, however, is Rush Limbaugh’s assertion that our times call for adherence to a more conservative agenda. What does that mean? It means less government and more tax cuts for the rich. It means the federal government doing nothing in the wake of this recession, allowing our weakening economy to reset itself. Do these approaches sound like solutions to you? I hope not. If they do, Limbaugh has you right where he wants you. During the next round of elections, your know- and do-nothing attitude will cause you to vote for Republican candidates.

People, we’re living in an age where there is no room for divisive politics. President Obama is asking all Americans to roll up their sleeves and get to work. That has nothing to do with Democratic or Republican principles. It’s about restoring our country to prominence.

President Obama wants us to improve our schools because less than 50 percent of our citizens have the educational prowess to compete against our foreign neighbors in the global economy. He wants us to develop alternative forms of energy so America will be less reliant on foreign oil. He wants to reform the American health care system because high health care costs are placing an undue burden on average Americans. In short, he wants to do what he was elected to do – help the American people help themselves.

Recent assessments of our country’s infrastructure have revealed that our elected leaders have spent decades sleeping on the job. Our bridges and underpasses are showing their age. Our underground sewage systems and electrical wiring are corroding. Blinded by an “it will take care of itself” attitude, they failed to see the pink elephant in the room, which in this case is a capitalistic system that is starting to lose its edge. Once highly respected for supplying the world’s citizenry with quality goods and services, America is now being beaten in a game it played a major role in creating.

Rush Limbaugh should spend more time speaking about the failures of America’s leaders than singling President Obama out. Sure, there is a chance that President Obama’s leadership will be just as bad as past leaders, but his words and deeds seem to be reminiscent of a person who sees the pink elephant in the room. Consequently, he is endeavoring to unite us in thought, feeling and behavior so that we can support him in his efforts to correct the problem, not make it the inheritance of future generations.

Isn’t that what forward thinking is all about?

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Communicating the Kind of CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN

2009-01-23T10:46:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, January 20th, President Barack Obama encouraged Americans to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America. These words came from a bi-racial American who transcended personal trials and tribulations to become this nation’s 44th President, the leader of the Free World. But as I listened to President Obama’s inaugural address, I wondered how messages about his change movement are going to be communicated from this point forward to the international community.

A survey of America’s historical roots reveals that communications professionals are being paid big bucks to frame messages that prompt a desired response. Most of these messaging campaigns are designed to get people to purchase a product or service, others to support a cause. But if you listen to the undertones of President Obama’s message, you will be enlightened to his call to help him restore the bonds of peace and tranquility.

President Barack Obama's antics have mirrored the ones being displayed by communications professionals. He wants us to advance his change movement, which, during his bid for the American presidency was billed as “Change We Can Believe In.” But I’m here to tell you that we will never be able to believe in this change if communications professionals aren’t committed to conceiving reports that 1) spotlight the people, places and things that are in need of change, 2) identify barriers to change, and 3) offer a prescription for bringing about change.

One change that most Americans have been anticipating is an end to the Iraqi and Afghan wars. The news media has done a great job covering these wars, but it continues to offer a lopsided view of their impact on Iraqi and Afghan citizens. During George W. Bush’s administration, reports from the news media had us believing that all members of the Islamic faith are radical extremists, terrorists even. Consequently, many of us find ourselves going through life believing our occupation of these countries is justified.

But what would happen if we had heard more from Iraqi and Afghan citizens? Would we continue to harbor this belief? Probably not. We would be privy to both sides of the story. And, as a result, we would be enlightened to the thoughts and feelings that are driving some Middle Easterner’s behaviors toward America and the West. Moreover, the shared testimonies of Iraqi and Afghan citizens would reduce us to tears because we would finally begin to understand what it means to live in a country whose landscape is being devastated by constant bombing from Allied Forces and known terrorists.

Don’t get me wrong. I do believe that governments have an obligation to protect law-abiding citizens from individuals who wish to do them harm. But there comes a time when our leaders have to evaluate the situation, decide if it makes sense to sit down with our enemies. If the decision is made to meet, then representatives from both sides should be asking, “What has our contribution been to the escalation of this conflict?” Afterwards, they should work together to lay down the foundation for the restoration of peace.

We communications professionals could be doing more to encourage leaders from both sides to take a seat at the table. The view of the world that we provide through our written and spoken words has the power to impress upon these leaders the true will of the people. This true will has nothing to do with wars, everything to do with peace. But like the cigarette industry, which makes boat loads of money through a blatant disregard for consumers’ health, we go on communicating what we think the world’s citizenry wants to hear and see rather than what it needs to hear and see.

What do you think? I look forward to reading your responses.

Winning the Politics of Fear and Desire

2009-01-15T14:27:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered why we do the things we do?

I have.

Not because I want to make any major changes to the way I interact with the world. I just want to know if I’m in control of my fears and my desires. If I’m not in control of these fears, these desires, then some outside force must be planting thoughts in my head so that I will act a certain way.

Recently, while sorting through videos about Public Relations on YouTube, I came across one titled “Propaganda in America: The History of Public Relations”. The video provided an overview of the life and times of Edward Bernays, who is considered by many to be the father of Public Relations. Wikipedia.com reports that Bernays is one of the first persons to manipulate public opinion using the subconscious. He combined the ideas of crowd psychology with the psychoanalytical ideas of Sigmund Freud, his uncle. And he wasn’t ashamed of his game, feeling that the manipulation of public opinion was necessary in society, which he regarded as irrational and dangerous as a result of the “herd instinct.”

This video was fascinating to me on many levels, but it got me to thinking: Are we, the American consumer, capable of winning the politics of fear and desire? I would have to say no, resulting from the fact most of us find ourselves vacillating between the two extremes. On one hand, we fear poverty or personal injury, but on the other, we desire prosperity and physical, emotional and spiritual wellness. But we’re unable to lead stable lives because these outside forces are always encouraging us to acquire more than our fair share of material possessions rather than share them with our neighbors. We have even forsaken our obligation to be our brother’s (and sister’s) keeper, thinking “If I can pull myself up by my bootstraps, so can you.” But people are dying in America and around the world because they wake up not knowing if they’ll have food to eat, clothes to protect them from the chill of winter storms.

But then I think about how propaganda and other public relations techniques were used to keep black Americans in their place during the pre- and post-Civil War periods, as well as the early stages of the 20th century. Because our ancestors’ skin color was much darker than everyone else’s, they were considered sub-human, inferior to all of the other racial/ethnic groups. I can only speculate about the planning that must have been going on behind the scenes by politically savvy members of the controlling majority. To maintain their power and control, they undoubtedly felt compelled to devise strategies to protect the unmerited privilege of their constituents. It never dawned on them that what they were doing would one day be classified as crimes against humanity.

Even today, I find it hard to believe that criminal charges have never been levied against members of the controlling majority. I even find it hard to believe that contemporary members of the controlling majority aren’t demanding that a penalty be paid to black Americans for these crimes. But then I recall that the primary aim of Public Relations is to “manipulate public opinion using the subconscious.” Therefore, it becomes clear that the thoughts, feelings and behaviors of controlling majority members will never change because they truly believe they are better than everyone else.

I do give controlling majority members credit for aligning themselves with other persons of color to elect Barack Obama as the first, black president. Their members will now get a chance to take a more intimate look into the lives of an authentically black family. But this is nothing more than a first step in the right direction. Everyday black Americans would also like to see more controlling majority members take a critical look at America’s racist past so their remorse can coincide with our pain.

And taking this critical look would be possible if it wasn’t for a few unenlightened individuals in the public relations, advertising and marketing fields, who create images that work to define who we are as individuals and as a collective. Their power over the rest of humanity is nowhere close to relenting, as they employ subliminal messaging techniques on controlling majority members, promoting a belief that their prosperity results solely from their hard work in the classroom and the boardroom. Truth be told, much of what the controlling majority has acquired came at the expense of other groups. Just ask the Native Americans and Asian Americans, as well as us African Americans. But even this truth doesn’t change the fact that this same controlling majority has now become the standard for prosperity in America and around the world.

But what can we, the American consumer, do to make this standard more inclusive. Well, for starters, we can craft and initiate a campaign that ensures public relations, advertising and marketing decisions include the worldviews of other racial/ethnic groups, not just that of the controlling majority. Prosperity is a universal concept, so one group should not be serving as the standard-bearer. Additionally, it should not be based on what we do for self; it should first be based on what we do for other members of the human family.

American Blacks, and those Blacks in other parts of the world, also need to gain a better understanding of what is being done to us and what we are doing to ourselves. Again, the lack of diversity in public relations, advertising and marketing causes the practitioners in these fields – who are mostly White, mind you – to craft messages that they think will best sell products and services. Consequently, the types of messages they craft are usually based on false myths and stereotypes. And nine times out of ten, white pride and self-righteousness prevents them from taking the time to taste the flavor that is the Black Diaspora.

But when it comes to what we’re doing to ourselves, we have to reconsider the origins of Black Entertainment Television, or BET. Former owner Bob Johnson (far removed from his dealings with BET) continues to be chastised for creating a television network that glorifies the lives of thugs, prostitutes and crooks rather than those being led by the educated, black professionals who are strategic and intentional in their quest to make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream real.

Some say Johnson missed a golden opportunity to cast the Black Diaspora in a more positive light, to sow positive seeds into young Blacks’ lives. I tend to agree with these criticisms. The growing mediocrity within the Black Diaspora seems to be directly related to the things that are being said and shown about black people on BET, MTV and VH-1, as well as programming on the “Big Three” networks – NBC, ABC and CBS.

The Black Diaspora’s saving grace has been magazines like Ebony, Jet and Black Enterprise, as well at Kathy Hughes’ radio and television networks (i.e., Radio-One and TV-One). But I and countless others can see how even they are becoming products of popular culture. The covers of Ebony and Jet are always graced with some A-list celebrity, while TV-One takes older Blacks down memory lane by re-running favorites like Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Sanford and Son. Black Enterprise has developed the best prescription for highlighting the lives of educated, black professionals through print and electronic mediums, but it still tends to place the achievement of celebrities above those being made by average Joes and Janes.

I long for the day when black consumers shake themselves free of this manipulation. When we allow ourselves to be infatuated with A-list celebrities alone, we diminish our ability to raise our standards for prospering. We start believing the critics, who question our children and youths’ ability to succeed in school. We start believing criminal behavior goes hand-in-hand with being black. Our men even stop believing they are men, as they abandon the women who bear their children.

This isn’t the 16th century, people, it’s the 21st. We need to do more to take control of the messages that are being communicated about us.