Yes, you read the title of this post correctly. Elder Dr. Bernice A. King, the youngest daughter of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, is trying her best to keep her brothers, Dexter King and Martin Luther King III, from selling their father’s Nobel Peace Prize medal and his personal Bible to a private buyer. Both of these items were his prized possessions.
Wouldn’t they be for you?
It’s not his floss or hair brush, it’s his Bible (road map, tool, accountability source) and his Nobel Peace Prize medal (for sacrificing everything in hopes of a better, more dignified life for all people worldwide).
If you don’t already know the background details about Dexter and Martin suing Bernice, their aunt, Christine King Farris, other family members, loyal friends of their parents, and the King Center (where all three children serve on the board) then read more about the lawsuit and this most recent travesty here
Then share your thoughts.
I wonder what their parents wish they could get them to do and say to stop this madness. I wonder how their parents feel about the legacy they left behind. I wonder what it will take to right these wrongs, set things where they need to be, and build the King legacy where it should be.
Martin Luther King III, is the only child to have offspring, his daughter Yolanda (named after their late sister by the same name). The King legacy will be left to Yolanda and in some ways (if they are willing) her cousins (from great aunt Christine’s side of the family—on the Farris side).
But unless Martin III, Bernice or Dexter have more children (by blood), and more specifically, boys, the King name will end with Yolanda, when everyone else is long gone. Think about that.
I just wonder how what happens today, this year, will impact their parents legacy 10, 15, 20-plus years from now. What will the King name be worth in 50 years?
The King legacy impacts generations yet unborn, worldwide, or so it’s supposed to…
I just wonder.
What about you? What do you think?
~Natasha
Source:
http://saportareport.com/blog/2014/02/bernice-king-my-brothers-want-to-sell-my-fathers-nobel-peace-prize-medal-and-bible/
Copyright 2014. Natasha Foreman Bryant. The Paradigm Life. Some Rights Reserved. theparadigmlife.com
Category Archives: Love Leadership
Natasha’s Thought of the Day: My Definition of a Coward
A coward is a hilarious yet pitiful sight to see and experience. A coward hides behind aliases, anonymity, avatars, masks, lies, and other people. A coward yells loudly behind mommy’s dress and daddy’s coat, but never stands out and speaks up for the world to see. A coward spits venom like a serpent but is too scared to face those they attack. A coward has little to no self-esteem, self-worth, dignity, or grace, so lacking a spine they sneak around trying to drag others to their level. A coward will hide behind a title but never live up to it. A coward is never dependable, reliable, or consistent…except in their cowardice. They simply exist, but never live, and even in their existence they don’t leave much of an impression.
I’m not too sure if I should feel sorry for the cowards of the world, sympathy, or nothing at all. They are a sad group of people. They can never stand on their own, they can never fight their own battles, they can never truly lead, they always make excuses for their inadequacies, and blame others for their shortcomings. Cowards are always the victim, always the damsel in distress, always the ones needing saving, always the ones complaining about what’s wrong and why they can’t do something. The words, ‘can’t’ and ‘impossible’ begin and end their sentences, and sometimes their days.
Cowards live for revenge, wanting to pay back those who hurt them, but they don’t have the courage to actually face this person head on. Cowards like to pick fights, but never stick around for combat, or they find a way for others to join the fight so their weaknesses are never revealed. They are the ones who spread rumors and cause drama, but in a sneaky, cleaver kind of way–that always make them look innocent. They pretend to be someone they aren’t because they don’t have the courage to be who they were created to be. They are weak-minded, weak physically, weak morally, and weak spiritually. They live in constant darkness; for only in light can one find true strength. It’s no wonder why cowards always prefer playing devil’s advocate, because for them it is too great a mountain to climb reaching up towards hope, possibility, and excellence, when they can use less effort kneeling down towards mediocrity.
I have encountered many cowards in my time, some as recently as today, and I am amazed at how much time they have on their hands to focus their energy on doing absolutely nothing of relevance in our world–except in their minds. It is pitiful that these insecure people spend so many hours of their day thinking about me, plotting and planning against me, and envious of what I have that they wish they had. We all have had our run-ins with cowards like this. See, cowards have plenty of time and energy to spread lies and hate, try to destroy other people’s reputations, families and businesses, yet they don’t invest the time and energy to bring goodness and love into our world. They don’t have the time and energy to make a positive contribution to society, yet they can waste all of their resources trying to drain someone else and destroy their dreams. They don’t have the time and energy to build, create, innovate, inspire, embrace, uplift, and shine. Yet they have the time and energy to tear things apart, destroy, manipulate, deceive, and play childish games. They have time to send stupid messages and make phone calls to others hoping to make them feel as miserable as they do; post idiotic things on the Internet for even the tiniest bit of attention; make claims without supporting evidence; and just take up much-needed space in the world. They eventually leave this world as they entered it and lived it…clueless!
I have more respect for the person who tries and fails, than the one who never tries. I have more respect for the person with bumps, bruises, cuts and burns from falling down in life, because in their walk I see that they found a way to get back up. I have more respect for the person who comes to me directly, without masks, anonymity and code names, and just speaks their mind. I have more respect for the person who comes right out and confronts me with the goal to fight, than sucker-punch me in the dark. I have no respect for a person who isn’t brave enough to stand up and speak their mind. I say what I want to say, and clearly say my name when I’m speaking. I don’t post to my blogs or anywhere else as “anonymous” or with some made up alias, or using a picture not mine, because I have the courage to speak up, speak out, and back up what I say. My parents didn’t raise a punk, so I don’t cower over like one. I’m no bully and I won’t be bullied–never have and never will!
So I have one last thing to say to the cowards of the world…you can say what you want and do what you want, because just like your anonymity, you really don’t exist!
Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. All Rights Reserved.
Some of our Leaders Seem to Have a Problem with “Brain-Mouth Disconnect Syndrome”
By Natasha L. Foreman
Some people need to just think before they speak, or simply refrain from answering a question when they have absolutely nothing of intelligence to say in response. Case in point…again… Oklahoma state Representative Sally Kern.
This woman appears to have what I call, “brain-mouth disconnect syndrome” whenever a microphone or reporter is nearby. Her mouth gets to yapping but her brain is totally disconnected from the process. She needs a handler who does a better job screening what comes out of her mouth. Do you remember when three years ago she made the comment that gay people are destroying the United States and were a greater threat than terrorists? If not, I have included the link to this footage at the end of this post. Do you remember Kern’s Divorce Bill that would have made it hard for people to get divorced in Oklahoma? Yes, I included that link below as well.
Well Ms. Kern has really stepped in her own mess last Wednesday during an affirmative action bill debate she back-handed both women and African-Americans by saying that women don’t work as hard and earn as much as men because they are more concerned about raising their families, and the high incarceration rate of Black people must have something to do with them not wanting to work hard in school.
“We have a high percentage of blacks in prison, and that’s tragic, but are they in prison just because they are black or because they don’t want to study as hard in school?…I’ve taught school, and I saw a lot of people of color who didn’t study hard because they said the government would take care of them.”
But let’s hear it directly from the horse’s mouth shall we? Oh and look at the body language and reaction from her constituents in the audience! Thank goodness for YouTube…
Yep, she said it and after coming under attack and her people returning from their extended lunch break (I’m joking about the latter) she tries to clean up her comments by saying that women are some of the hardest workers in the world, and that what she said didn’t come from her “true spirit“. Okay so where did it come from? Will people have to question which spirit (true or false) she’s speaking from every time she opens her mouth?
Maybe it’s time for Ms. Kern to take some sensitivity training, or re-training. Anthony Davis, the President of the NAACP Oklahoma chapter is cutting Kern no slack and is standing firm in his call for her resignation, and urging Kern’s constituents do the same- saying, “Let’s send a message out that in Oklahoma we will not tolerate racism at its ugliest level.”
See the Oklahoma news KOCO report that covered the story and interviewed both Anthony Davis and state Representative Mike Shelton:
I’m all for freedom of speech but when do we draw the line especially when words of hate, bigotry, and racism come from the mouths of our country’s leaders, influencers, and those who intend to lead?
If we are to be the example for the rest of the world to follow why then should we be surprised that there is so much hate spewed about our country and our people? We talk about athletes and entertainers being role models and that they should watch what they say and do, but what about highly visible business people and those in government positions who serve the people of this nation? What standards are set for them, or are they not considered role models?
What are your thoughts?
Oh and by the way here’s the link to her Divorce Bill recommendation: http://youtu.be/tXYKe4gdeRo
And her remarks about gays in 2008 in case you never heard it or need your memory refreshed:
Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. All Rights Reserved.
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>My Kaplan Graduation Part Three: Reception, Followed by Absolute Relaxation then Torture
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As I followed my School of Business and Management line leader to the reception I tried to take everything in. So many emotions were running through me and it seemed like things were moving so fast. Fellow graduates were asking me questions as though I had on one of the red volunteer “helper” shirts…for whatever reason they thought I had answers…I was just as lost and dazed as they were; all I knew to do was follow the leader- and that is exactly what I did.
As I entered the ballroom I immediately grabbed a server-passed hors d’oeuvre and a table for four. I sat looking around the room, waiting for my mom and sister, and anticipating biting into the tasty morsels I saw from afar at the various stations throughout the room (yes, it was a blur but the scent was intoxicating so I presumed it would taste as good or better).
When mom and Alex walked in we were like a military unit; I remained at the table ‘holding down the fort’ while they hit opposite sides of the room, returning with numerous plates of food (yes, I was embarrassed, so I ate quickly to cover up the fact that they were trying to make these “light bites” a full course meal). Let me say, the chicken and beef satay with peanut sauce was delicious, as were the coconut shrimp, asparagus rolls, mahi mahi sliders, and the stuffed mushrooms.
I made sure to sign in at the School of Business and Management table to receive my graduation gifts from Kaplan.
The only instructor’s picture and name I recognized on the board they had posted by the table was that of Rita Gunzelman. My other professors did not make the trip. I really had hoped to see them, but shrugged it off as I returned to my table.
After taking several pictures we decided we had our fill of food and it was time to return to the hotel to relax by the pool. Outside the ballroom were signs for the School of Business and Management so we stopped and took several pictures.
A fellow graduate, who earned her Associates degree in Business Administration walked up and asked me if she could take a picture with me. I was not sure why but agreed to honor her request. While we waited for my sister to get the camera ready I asked her where she was from, “Los Angeles” she said with a strong Asian accent. She was originally from China. She said she wanted to take a picture with me because she admired me and my accomplishments and that she hoped to one day earn her Master’s degree.
I thought she only wanted one picture, instead we took several. She beamed brightly as she thanked me, and seemingly skipped away with her boyfriend/husband. I figured if she said my name I’d know she was a process server or I was on some TV show like a knock-off of “Punked”. I later discovered back at the hotel that my camera did not capture any of our images my sister had snapped. I am very disappointed because that was a memorable exchange that would have been nice to capture in a digital image. Hopefully as the young lady looks at her camera she will have fond memories of that day.
I noticed that while I was taking pictures a man and woman were standing a few feet away and staring at me. They approached and I quickly saw that the man had a Kaplan lanyard and badge around his neck. He engaged me in a pretty lengthy conversation congratulating me and asking me about my degree, future endeavors, etc. The woman looked at the two of us with a puzzled look on her face…I think I looked at both of them with a quizzical look because I had no clue who he was and why he approached me of all the students who stood within three feet of him (and no I wasn’t the only Black student in the area LOL). Once they walked away I looked at my mom and sister and they had the same look I believe I had on my face. We shrugged our shoulders and then proceeded outside to take scenic pictures. I kept looking around for a shorter, goofier version of Ashton Kutcher to hop out with a camera crew.
My sister pointed to the Alumni table and before I made it within 10 feet of the table two of the girls said something and then in unison they all said “Congratulations Natasha Foreman, let’s give it up for her…” and started screaming and clapping. I know they said more than that but I was so thrown off that they knew my name- that the rest of their cheer was like on Charlie Brown “waa waa waa”. Come to find out the girl closest to me has some awesome vision and could read my identification badge from that impossible-for-me distance.
I accepted my alumni package and signed up for something that I still can’t recall…hope it doesn’t require a great sum of money because they will have a better chance at squeezing a 1793 Chain Cent from a turnip 200 feet below sea level! Wow that was kind of intense…but you get my drift!
My sister and I casually walked around and took pictures by the water and the yacht that was docked there.
It was time to go, we were anxious to bask in the sun…well I was…I’m so in need of a tan- I know this to be true when my white friends laugh uncontrollably at my pale legs…and theirs is darker. As we approach the doors to re-enter the hotel I snap a picture of my mom who looked like she was holding up one of the walls she was so exhausted (serves you right mom for loading up on all that food).
(like thinking a dress I wanted didn’t cost more than $500 and found out it was over $5,000)…this picture will be the closest thing I get to owning these sculptures and the even taller versions I saw throughout the lobby.
Well, after admiring the sculptures a few more minutes, we walked outside to valet; and one quick cab ride later we were back in our hotel room, quickly changing out of our clothes into swim suits and flip flops.
Mom opted to stay behind, read a bit from Love Leadership, by John Hope Bryant and then crash in her bed to get some much-needed rest.
After our mini-photo shoot of about 10-15 pictures, Alex and I quickly left and headed to the pool. I toted my laptop bag filled with school books, binder, bottled water, and my iPod.
The pool area was relaxing and the attendant was sweet as could be. I wish we had taken a picture with him. I reclined back with my books and enjoyed every sun ray that kissed my body. “Thank you Lord for this wonderful weather” I said. What is amazing is that a storm was supposed to have rolled through that weekend and thanks to the Lord not one drop fell from the sky…wow I guess He knew I needed the warmth and some color!
My sis stepped in the pool and the most beautiful look came across her face. The water was warm and she was happy. After leaving 30 degrees (and lower) weather, we felt like we were in heaven on earth in Miami’s 70-plus degree weather. It didn’t take long for Miss. Goof Ball to get out of the water and return with floaties and tubes.
>Sharing and Experiencing Love Through Leadership
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