Page 6 - Florida Sen tinel 2-17-17

Editorials/Column
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Hard Lines Can’t Form Circles
few months ago, I saw a friend from my past being profiled in the paper for her ac- ademic achievement. While I wasn't surprised by her accom- plishment, it did strike me as odd that her name was exactly the same as I remembered it
when we were young adults. There was no "Mrs." on her title or even one of those trendy hyphenated last names women use these days to signify that their identity is still intact. While there was a possibility that she may have been married and di- vorced during the years we weren't in touch, since I never caught wind of a wedding taking place, I assumed that her name remaining the same was due, in part, to her never being invited
down the aisle.
To me, it just didn't make
sense that a woman, who was still as drop-dead gorgeous as ever, hadn't been taken off the market. That's when it occurred to me that her single status could be attributed to one of two things: Either she'd turned into one of those super career-ori- ented women who’s found con- tentment with the solitude that often comes with the constant pursuit of upward mobility or she just hasn't loosened her grip on the infamous "Mr. Right" list she came up with 20 years ago. If I had to wager, I would defi- nitely go with the latter.
I think we're all familiar with these lists aren't we? You know the kind that some women con- coct when their young, idealistic, somewhat delusional and actu-
ally believe that the male lead from their favorite romantic comedy will one day come knocking at their door?
Unlike men, who usually keep their companionship criteria to four basic qualities; loyalty, trustworthiness, good sex and a level of attraction that, at least, makes us look better, women have a tendency to complicate things by being overly particular when searching for that special someone.
This seems to ring particu- larly true for the average profes- sional female The minute she's able to place a degree or two under her belt she appears to become more determined than ever to have any potential long-term love interest pass her 25-point inspection. In her eyes a man doesn't just become a life partner, he's also a status sym- bol on par with her Lexus or Mercedes parked in the drive- way.
To these women, perfectly straight, white teeth and so- called "good hair" are no longer simply preferred traits.
Along with excellent credit, an income that equals or ex- ceeds her own, a college educa- tion, no children from a previous relationship, no previous mar- riages, over 6 ft in height, six- pack abs, an extremely dark or light complexion (depending on her preference), a willingness to take the backseat to her leader- ship, a Cosby Show type fami- ly pedigree, above average bedroom skills, handy-around- the-house-skills, bullet-proof
skin, the ability to walk on water etc., they become a mandatory part of the complete package she's desperate to find.
If any person she meets doesn't fulfill every one of these qualifications all bets are off be- cause, in her mind, she always feels as though she can do bet- ter.
Don't get me wrong. I have no problem with someone main- taining high standards. But, at some point, there has to be a re- alization that the ideal we're searching for may not exist out- side of the world we visit while we're sleeping.
The irony for many of these women is that, by the time it dawns on them that they may have been a little to rigid in their requirements, it's often so late in the game that they end up set- tling for far less than they ever imagined. The impeccably sea- soned and sophisticated older woman who totally confused you when she married your good-for-nothing uncle who can't keep a steady job, this is typically her story.
To be honest, as sad as their situations sound, I can't say that I feel too sorry for these middle- aged ladies. The fact of the mat- ter is that many of them could have been in meaningful rela- tionships long ago but, due to their stubbornness and unwar- ranted elevated sense of self, they missed those opportunities.
They had to learn the hard way that, in order for someone to complete your circle, you first have to be flexible enough to curve.
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C. Blythe Andrews 1901-1977 (1945)
C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. 1930-2010 (1977)
Street War Killing Our Babies!
Perhaps, what shook us most was Ciarra Hickman’s clos- ing comment when, at a vigil for the recently slain Tee’on Milledge, she said, “This is not over. That’s what scares me the most.” And then she said, “The streets talk.”
What in God’s name could she have meant? We suspect we know what she meant.
Not Donald Trump with his far right rhetoric . . . not the Ku Klux Klan . . . not white supremacists with a Nazi agenda, but our own babies are killing each other. Our beautiful black babies, who only yesterday we brought home from the hospital nursery ... the ones whose cute little smiles and in- fant antics flooded Facebooks to the extent that everyone -- - family, friend or stranger – knew our babies’ names and seemed to take ringside seats as they watched our children grow from tiny tots to tall teenagers. Those are the children who for some strange reason are being plucked from life like apples from a tree. And the harvesters of our children’s lives are other children who look just like them. What’s the an- swer?
Where are Black Muslim Brothers and leaders who used to patrol our streets and mentor wayward young men and women? But most importantly, where are the mothers and fathers, uncles, big brothers and sisters, friends, and teach- ers whose responsibility it is to tell children right from wrong?
So, Tee’on Milledge lies cold in a morgue that was never reserved for children. He is joined by an army of little ones his age who will never know the joys of growing up.
Meanwhile, a disease of self-genocide ravages our race. And the police can only watch and shake their heads as the usual suspects shoot each other, stash their guns and then go back home to live with their mothers.
Yes, Black lives matter, especially when they are being taken by Black people. Let every pulpit echo the names of our murdered Black babies.
Rule 2: Land Managers’ Rule requires oil and gas companies with rights to operate on pub- lic lands to limit the release of methane into the atmosphere.
Rule 3: Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Rule requires federal contractors to report previous labor law violations.
Rule 4: SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) rule (overseas corruption rule) that requires companies to publicize payments made to the United States or foreign governments for commercial development of oil, natural gas or minerals.
Rule 5: Gun Control Regulation was intended to block mentally ill citizens from obtaining firearms.
Rule 6: Dodd-Frank Regulation was enacted to keep banks and investment firms from re- peating speculative investments that led to the 2008 – 2009 housing and global economic crises.
Rule 7: Family Planning organizations were protected from losing federal funding. By the way, where are those jobs Trump and Republicans promised gullible voters? Why aren’t Democrats widely publicizing these changes? Wake up America!
Capitol Hill Watch: No Rules
hile our readers were distracted by the Super Bowl,
Congressional hearings on Trump’s Administration nominees and General Michael T. Flynn’s lies about what he did not say to the Russians, the rest of Congress was busy rolling back eight Obama environmental, financial, unem- ployment and energy regulatory rules that protected work- ers, our air, water, and citizens from another economic meltdown similar to the 2008–2009 housing market col- lapse and global economic crisis.
Of course, none of these rules supported the business protectionism platform of the GOP, so, they were at the top of the Republican agenda for repeal.
Among the rules that were rolled back or placed on the table to be rolled back in the near future are the following:
Rule 1: Stream Protection Rule keeps waste from coal mines from being dumped into waterways that could con- taminate drinking water and cause health problems.
W
A Moment In Black History:
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the star- less midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
PAGE 6-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017