Try This Today…

Fear over immediate threat is okay; it’s understandable. Anxiety is the build up of fear and frustration of the “what-ifs” and the “shoulda’s” which oftentimes are out of our control because the past we cannot revisit and fix, and the future hasn’t occurred. We’re in a state of limbo, dangling in a space that we cannot control. And many of us have control issues.

So rather than stress over this reality, which is unhealthy, we need to focus on letting go and letting things be as they are.

Breathe.

Noticing your breathing means you are aware of the now; you are present. Rest in being present. Don’t struggle straddling fences. Breathe.

“Take in each moment as it comes. Don’t focus on the time. Focus on the moment”. Those are words of wisdom from my aunt Debborah Foreman, and she’s never steered me wrong.

I would love to hear from you by the end of the day or even tomorrow with an update on how well you handled your stress today. Did it build or dissipate? Please share.

~Natasha L. Foreman
P.S. Thanks to sis Arleen for forwarding the image used that motivated me to share with all of you 💗

How Does He Fix This, Now That He’s in Office?

Our children are the most precious, innocent, valuable, and fragile things that we have in our world.

In the United States they have heard for four years, but with the greatest intensity, the last two years, that there are groups of people either inferior or superior to them simply because of their race, religion, or gender.

We’re supposed to be protecting, nurturing, guiding, and uplifting them. We’re supposed to be allowing them to spend this time as kids, before adulthood takes over and the mountain of drama tumbles in.

How now after four years of ugliness and hate can this person now right these wrongs? How can he now heal the pain he caused? How can he fix the wounds and the breaks he created? How can he unify what he intentionally divided? How can he possibly instill hope when he’s spent more than four years injecting fear into our homes and schools?

Maybe his secret weapon is Melania. She says she wants to take on bullying and specifically cyber-bullying.

It took four years to get here. Hopefully it doesn’t take that long or longer to mend, fix, and heal this disaster.

Voting in Favor of Bombing “Agrabah”, a Fake Disney Country: The Lows of Islamophobia

When we still had 14 candidates running in the GOP Primary, here’s where our country stood as it dealt with Islam and Muslims [December 2015 Public Policy Polling]…

• 46% supported a national database of Muslims, to only 37% opposed.
• 54% supported Trump’s proposed Muslim ban, to only 25% who opposed it.
• 36% thought thousands of Arabs in New Jersey cheered when the World Trade Center collapsed to 35% who didn’t think that happened.
• Only 28% of GOP primary voters went so far as to think mosques in the United States should be shut down to 47% who were opposed to that.
• Overall 53% of primary voters thought Islam should be allowed to just 26% who didn’t think it should be. Just 33% of Trump supporters thought Islam should be legal to 42% who thought it should be illegal.

Looking specifically at Trump’s supporters on two other heavy topics:

• 41% of his voters thought Japanese internment was a good thing, to 37% who didn’t.
• 41% of his supporters would favor bombing Agrabah to only 9% who were opposed to doing that.

Agrabah is the country from the Disney animated movie, Aladdin.

More polling about Agrabah:

Overall 30% of Republican primary voters said they supported bombing Agrabah to 13% who were opposed.

But let’s be clear…Islamophobia isn’t just a GOP issue, Public Policy Polling asked the same question of Democrats, and 36% of them opposed bombing Agrabah to 19% who were in support.

You did just read that Agrabah is a fake Disney country, correct? If you don’t believe me, then look on a globe, map, or just Google it… A-G-R-A-B-A-H.

Which makes me wonder where the country stands now with four remaining GOP candidates in the running, and the frontrunner spewing so much hate about Islam, Muslims, and Immigration (and Rubio and Cruz sharing similar sentiments)–have these numbers increased, decreased, or remained steady when it comes to Muslims?…

Watch this video to hear someone’s commentary about this poll and what it says about our country, the hypocrisy of those who claim to know and support the US Constitution, and the hypocrisy of those who want constitutional freedoms to only apply to “us” and not “them”. When the word “terrorist” is only aligned with a Muslim-sounding name, we’re in huge trouble.

 

We’re in a sad state of affairs right now people. Our country is divided based on color, race, religion, and class. The “land of the free and home of the brave” is clearly shifting to the “land of the enslaved and home of the ignorant”. Some people are mentally, spiritually, financially, and physically enslaved in the US, and the comments that we hear from GOP candidates and their supporters prove that there are large numbers of people walking around blindly ignorant–and like the flu, it is contagious!

 

 

 

Sources:

Public Policy Polling: http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/main/2015/12/trump-leads-grows-nationally-41-of-his-voters-want-to-bomb-country-from-aladdin-clinton-maintains-bi.html

Secular Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0OMDiWqH5c

 

 

Copyright 2016. Some Rights Reserved. Natasha Foreman Bryant. The Paradigm Life.

The Hypocrisy in Hate: From Anti-Obama to Anti-Immigrants

Jason Thompson, whose father, Tommy Thompson, is running as the GOP nominee in a tight contest in Wisconsin, is caught up in a web of hypocrisy and ignorance for his ‘birther’ comment he made this past Sunday that may cost his father some much-needed votes. Jason stated that, “The election here in November will chart our course as a country not only for our generation, but our kids’ generation. We have the opportunity to send President Obama back to Chicago…or Kenya.”Thompson’s words were captured on video at the Kenosha County Republican Party fall brunch in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Attendees were not stunned or silent as he spoke, to the contrary, he was interrupted several times by applause and comments from attendees. One woman even yelled out, “We’re taking donations for that Kenya trip.” 

Thompson’s father was not at the brunch but supposedly had a ‘talk’ with his son according to the GOP nominee’s communications director, Lisa Boothe who emailed a statement to CNN that said, “The Governor has addressed this with his son, just like any father would do. Jason Thompson said something he should not have, and he apologizes.“

But you have to ask yourself, “what is he apologizing for?”

If Jason Thompson truly feels this way about the President and he believes like others (who speak and act the same way he does) that is okay to utter such ignorance (repeatedly), then why apologize? He knew before and after he said those words that his father is in an extremely close race against Democratic Rep. Tammy Baldwin. He knew after the woman chimed in with her comments about taking donations for the Kenya trip that what was being said was cruel. He knew that he was not only speaking to a group outside of the confines and comfort of his home, but that he was being videotaped. He knew that this video could be released to the public and media. Yet it didn’t stop him from saying it or stopping it.

So then why did he say it? Because that is obviously what he thinks, believes, and feels. So is his father’s apology on his son’s behalf sincere or is it vote-motivated? Why isn’t Jason standing in front of more cameras and making a personal apology?

The Hypocrisy

Why do we have all of these educated people saying the most ignorant things as though they are not intelligent enough to filter their thoughts and the words that come from their mouths, or better yet, just think? Why do these people have uncontrollable mouths one moment and then later they want to apologize? Because the truth can never be hidden. Your true self will always be revealed. You can only fake it for so long. People like that want to apologize for their inability to hide their beliefs—based on ignorance, bigotry, racism and sexism—they are not apologizing for being ignorant bigots, racists or sexists. They want to apologize for revealing their true selves because they have done such a great job at showing only the mask that they want voters and supporters to see. They are not apologizing and seeking atonement, and an opportunity to right their wrongs. They are embarrassed for being found out and exposed. Let’s not even start on the so-called Christians out there flapping their lips while they are brewing up hate.

It must be painful that they spend so much time smiling in the faces and shaking the hands of people they despise, fear, and hate. They tell lies to get votes and financial support. Then they have the audacity to tell someone else to be honorable and truthful. A bunch of hypocrites is what I see. So you apologize for speaking what is on your mind and in your heart, and then you later apologize because the reality of losing a political race (or financial support) is now your focus.

Gotta get those votes. Gotta get that money. Gotta love this country—because if we were in several other countries that I’m thinking of right now, many people would not have the luxury of the First Amendment or any bill of rights. Some people would be punished for treason if they (were in other countries and) said and did what they do here in the U.S. 

I say to anyone who has no problem speaking, breeding, and nurturing hate behind closed doors to stop being cowards and liars in public (especially after your ignorance has been highlighted on the Internet and TV). You said what you said because you meant it and you still mean it—isn’t that the right you claim to have under the First Amendment? Isn’t that what they yell, scream, and fight over when they are in their rallies, conventions, and meetings? 

It’s Not Isolated

No different than the person in Morgan Hill, California (within the county of Santa Clara) who was protesting against President Obama last Tuesday with a “birther” sign (designed to look like a teleprompter) that read “Go back to Kenya you idiot“. Nearby was a chair that held watermelons with nooses around them, and a sign supporting Mitt Romney posted on a fence behind the chair. The Santa Clara property owner, Blake la Beck refused to comment when contacted by the media but did say that the display speaks for itself and didn’t mind if a picture of it was posted online. I agree, it definitely speaks loud and clear. Check it out for yourself.

Thanks to Blake, now you and I know that Morgan Hill, California exists. Go Blake!

Some people think that maybe Blake wasn’t being racist, that somehow it’s tied to Halloween approaching. Yeah okay. Hmmm or maybe Blake and others around the country placing nooses on/near watermelons with “Go back to Kenya” signs are actually telling the government and consumers to send watermelons back to Africa (the origin of watermelons). Maybe their message is speaking directly to the President so that he can make an executive order to no longer import or produce watermelons. Maybe that’s the real reason for the hanging watermelon and signs. Maybe just maybe. I hope you can truly sense my sarcasm here.

 

Some of you not from California are probably a little shocked to see a lynching scene displayed in California. I’m not. With so much anti-Mexican, anti-Latino, anti-immigrant, and neo-nazi nonsense throughout that state, nothing surprises me. Heck, American Third Position Party is a political party that was launched in California with a mission to protect the political interests of White Americans, and it is on the radar of numerous watch groups. Fear and ignorance is everywhere and comes from even the unlikeliest of people. 

Some of you have an expectation of racism and bigotry coming mostly from the south, such as the stories that I recently read that came out of Texas (Bud Johnson’s lynched chair) and Virginia where property owners created their own lynching scenes with wooden chairs and anti-Obama signs. I chuckled when I read that someone in Iowa spray-painted on the building of Obama’s local headquarters, “Muslim Lier” and misspelled ‘liar’. That’s a shining example of the ‘other side’ of what we’re dealing with.

So it seemed as though Bud Johnson from Texas was going to stand by his First Amendment rights when he told a journalist, “I don’t really give a damn whether it disturbs you or not. You can take [your concerns’ and go straight to hell and take Obama with you. I don’t give a shit. If you don’t like it don’t come down my street.” He even later added an American flag to the chair. Maybe Bud would be one of those I’m-gonna-speak-my-mind kind of people who have no problem telling you how they feel even if it’s mean. But Bud changed his tune, somewhat, days later when he takes down the hanging chair and flag, and then claims that the symbolic lynched chair representing the President was not racist. Some of his neighbors were upset by the image and said that they are glad he took it down. Watch Bud taking down the chair here

A Solution

We have a ton of imbeciles amongst us my friends, both educated and uneducated. If I had the money and resources I would give them all DNA tests and then tell them, “Now go back home to Africa!”Now that’s a sight I would love to see and experience.

 

Sources:

Jason Thompson video: http://youtu.be/ahav7acT30E

Thompson “apology”: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/political/jason-thompson-obama-birther-joke-tommy-thompsons-son-apologizes#ixzz29TfqFHhR

 

Morgan Hill/ Santa Clara article: http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/political-display-morgan-hill-home-called-racist/nSX3C/

Bud Johnson article: http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/12756/republican-lynches-empty-chair-in-racist-presidential-effigy-in-northwest-austin

Virginia article: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/20/13989510-empty-chair-lynchings-anti-obama-protests-gone-too-far?lite

“Muslim Lier” article: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20121005/NEWS01/121005003/-Muslim-Lier-Poor-speller-vandalizes-Obama-s-Iowa-HQ?nclick_check=1

 

Copyright 2012. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved.

Spiritual Quotes of the Day: Hope

“You may be experiencing an extremely painful or difficult moment in your life right now, and you aren’t sure what to do, what to say, where to go, or who to turn to—I encourage you and pray that you would turn to God for strength and restored hope”- Natasha L. Foreman

“In those desperate times when we feel like we don’t have an ounce of strength, He will gently pick up our heads so that our eyes can behold something—something that will keep His hope alive in us.” -Kathy Troccoli

“The choice for me is to either look at all the things I have lost or the things I have. To live in fear or to live in hope…Hope comes from knowing I have a sovereign, loving God who is in every event in my life.”- Lisa Beamer (her husband Todd was killed on flight 93 on September 11, 2001).

Copyright 2012. Natasha L. Foreman. Some Rights Reserved.

Natasha’s Quote of the Day: Courage

“Courage is not absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” -Ambrose Redmoon

Reader Comment About Tulsa OK Race-targeted Shootings

Below is a comment I found online and read, that was posted by a concerned citizen who fears a repeat of past events, current-day. Please read what she wrote, then intelligently share your thoughts:

Kimberly S.
April 7, 2012 at 9:45 pm

Readers;
There is a bad feeling in the air! It’s the same feeling I felt a long time ago, when Martin Luther King was shot down, and I had to walk to school where on every corner there was a Soilders clad in their Army fatigues, in a stance with weapons ready to shoot!

There is a feeling in the air, like when President Kennedy was shot, and you saw people walking around like zombies, crying! Yall, Black, White, Africans, Puertoricans, Irish, Muslims, American Indians, who ever; wake up; that nasty feeling is in the air, making us overprotective of our children, especially our male children.

There is a feeling in the air that makes us distrust our government and what they are not saying and/or doing.

We live in fear that we are being played off against one another for a grand purpose and/or bigger picture!

I fear public, large gatherings, for fear of something breaking out like Tulsa; a copycat type of thing!

I fear another Rodney King incident that hurt everyone who witnessed it either in person, on television, or heard play by plays on the radio.

It feels like the morning of 911. I walked among the people, and I saw people crying, people who were in shock & afraid, thinking of only getting home to loved ones, and there again, there was this feeling in the air yall !

What will happen this time? Is this near the end of time that it talks about in ” Revelations”? It says no one knows the hour that all of this will be gone! At the end, ” None of this nonsense will mean anything, except how you lived and how you treated your brothers & sisters all over the world, of every color, faith, and creed!

We all need to wake up! It’s later than we think!!!!!

Copyright 2012. Some rights reserved.

Sean’s Thought: Trayvon Martin Case Part 2

Below is part two of a series that my friend Sean wrote about the issues surrounding Trayvon Martin’s murder, and the events that have taken place since. Please read, reflect, and then share your thoughts:

When one decides to look the other way on what is right and just in the name of justice for a wrong doing they have proven without a doubt that they are no better than those they have protested.

Back to the Trayvon Martin case, my fear of ignorance spreading like wildfire to the sheep that have followed this case in the bias media form of laying crumbs out for ants have been founded. I find it hard to believe that people just shake their head in agreement to the Black Panther Party putting a hit on Zimmerman. I find it shocking that few have called Spike Lee out for posting on Twitter the address he believed was Zimmerman’s because he was “angry”.

When is ok to say no justice no peace? So many people have turned injustice into Justified Ignorance and Hate. Would we stand by and support the KKK putting a bounty on a Black man accused of killing a white kid like being reported about the Black Panthers?

Would we stand and support a media that reports stories for their fantastical nature rather than its accuracy of reporting? Once the word is out it is out it can never be changed and the minds of the ignorant will continue to go unchallenged.

How many of us have sat in our living rooms or our cars and spouted our racist views about cases like this without ever considering the impact on your kids, teens and young adults?

Many adults would swear on a bible that they would never put a loaded gun into their children’s hands because they or someone else might get hurt. When we spread the disease of hate we are loading our children themselves with bullets that can only hurt them and others. Why would we load our kids with some much more dangerous than any gun?

People need to understand that gaining a victory while giving up your moral and ethical ground is not gaining a victory at all. What happens if some young teenager decides that $10k would be great for his family and kills Zimmerman? Would the same people who are screaming so loud wish to have those who set this act in motion punished too or will we turn our eyes and say “he had it coming”?

What happens if then if the KKK puts out a hit on an accused Black, Hispanic or even Asian male for killing a “innocent white person”? Do we turn the other cheek and say “eye for an eye”?

The point of today’s thought is to say demand justice for those who have been done wrong but do not lose your principles, morals and sense of humanity in pursuit of it. The slope we walk as a people (that means all races) is a dangerous one when we start justifying evil to combat evil.

Just A Thought my friends!

Copyright 2012.

Sean’s Thought: The Trayvon Martin Case Part 1

My friend Sean has shared his thoughts about the Trayvon Martin travesty, and the issues and drama that has popped up over the weeks. Please tune in and share your thoughts.

Sean’s Thought:

The Trayvon Martin case has reminded me of one undeniable thing. We are all blind sheep. I grew up with friends shot and killed in gang violence. I saw young girls prostituted on the streets and beat up by pimps and johns. I watched police canvass the neighborhood for clues only to have no one speak up. Yet, when it is a black vs white thing the nation is in an uproar. The media and those with a hidden agenda are playing us like fools and we are simply smiling and saying “Thank You”. I don’t know if Trayvon was a menace, a gang banger or a threat all I know is a man killed him and that needs to be properly investigated. I don’t know if the man is a racist, a bigot or even a tax evader all I know is he chose the role of neighborhood “protector” and in that he has repercussions like any of us that are sworn to protect. He chose to shoot like he was a police officer and thus he must be accountable like one if it was unjustified.

All that being said, I want to know how many of the people “reposting” this divisive issue has also been speaking out against the filth in their own neighborhoods? How many would lie and protect a relative who committed murder of an innocent person? How many times have we looked the other way when it was a black on black, white on white, Hispanic on Hispanic or similar crime? Am I the only one that finds it remarkably sad that the only time we get in an uproar is when we can place a “Racism” tag on it? How many Muslims and Arabs have been beat and killed in this country since 911? Where is the uproar?

Copyright 2012.

Natasha’s Thought of the Day 12.20.11

Life is like giving birth. We sometimes have the most excruciating pain that we could ever imagine, and we’re not sure if we will make it through– but then after it’s done we have peace, joy, and a gift–whether it be wisdom or something tangible, or both. We must remember that even the worst experiences are only temporal. So take life head on, face your fears, and fight your best fight ever!     – Natasha L. Foreman                                              

 

 

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. All Rights Reserved