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.
theparadigmlife.wordpress.com
paradigmlife.blogspot.com

>This is one of the Most Powerful Letters I have Heard

>By Natasha L. Foreman, MBA

It was brought to my attention that a group of young girls wrote a letter that was made into a song, and later a video, addressed to rapper Lil’ Wayne.

I had to see it and hear it for myself. Through love, a concern for Black women and Black people, and a desire to change the current conditions we face as a nation of people- these young ladies reached out to Lil’ Wayne and asked him to stand up and change his ways; if not for himself or his people, then for his young daughter; and without saying, his other children.

Their group is called Watoto from the Nile, and the letter now song is called “Letter to Lil’ Wayne“. For those of you who don’t know Swahili (and my comprehension has fallen off considerably) “Watoto” means children. These young girls, the eldest is age 10, are rooted in a love and appreciation of their culture, heritage, and history; and it is clear that these impressionable young girls understand the power of language and imagery.They have been raised to consider themselves beautiful, Black queens of the future; but images, references, and endorsements for sex, drugs, and alcohol contradict what they have been taught. So their question to Lil’ Wayne directly and other rappers and entertainers indirectly is who should these young girls believe and follow. The message is deep and as clear as the waters in the Caribbean…we must stop the self-hate, forgive ourselves and others, and begin the healing process.

Watch this video yourself and see why this is one of the most powerful letters that I have heard….

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved.
paradigmlife.blogspot.com

Source:
Watoto from the Nile “A Letter to Lil’ Wayne” retrieved from YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-T-FVR0WZw

>Walking in Their Shoes

>When you're honestly thinking only of yourself, then you can't possibly be concerned with anyone else. Being selfish means being exactly that, concerned only or mostly with self. When we stop, take off our shoes, and walk in the shoes of someone else- we see things from their perspective. We gain an idea of what they are going through, the load that life has placed on their back and shoulders. We see how others treat them, and the nonsense, cruelty, and injustice they must endure. We hopefully also see that life isn't just about us, our wants and needs, our issues and hang-ups, and our years of psychological baggage. There are billions of people in the world with their own baggage they are lugging around, so we need to walk through life without slamming our bags into each other, or dumping them off on someone's door step.

Consider something…Maybe if everything we considered doing (or not doing) in a relationship was done to us before we had a chance to act upon it, would we opt against it? What if every lie we told, every secret we kept, was presented to us first? What if the pain we inflicted was placed upon us before we had the chance to damage someone else? What if all the tears you caused (or are about to cause), you had to shed first?

Think of the people that you have or could harm by your actions or lack thereof. In our personal and professional lives we come in contact with many people who deserve the same respect and dignity that we do. Let's live ethically, honestly, respectfully, and consciously thinking of how we want to be treated by others…then let's treat people the same way. This doesn't apply to the sadomasochists in the world…you guys have your own unique rules- work that out amongst yourselves!

Ciao!

Natasha

Copyright 2010. Natasha L. Foreman. All Rights Reserved.
paradigmlife.blogspot.com