Save After-School Programs

 

In the metro news this morning, there was a article about the growing concerns that parents are worried their day care programs will be cut under the major's budget.  Hundreds of parents and children who attend after-school programs plan to protest the possible cuts at City Hall Park Thursday. The campaign for children says 47,000 children would be from child care and after school programs if the mayor;s budget does not change. Under the Bloomberg's proposal about 75 percent of after school spots will have been slashed since 2008. I stand very strong on this issue especially when it regards kids and education.  After school programs is an essential part of  a kids development. Especially when it comes to keeping them off the street  where they are more likely to be exposed to drugs, sex, and  the harsh realities of life. I believe children need to be in a positive environment where they will have the ability to develop and acquire the skills they need socially and academically . I have also been an advocate when it comes to program for children, because the more opportunities we give them, the less likely they will head down the wrong path. When I was a kid coming up, After school programs gave me the tools to socialize effectively, engage in sports to work well  with others  and develop my passion for writing. Look where I am today! A published author that has written two books. Just imagine my life without the after school program, so why take something away that is going to benefit our kids future. Instead of Mayor Bloomberg taking his 12 million dollars to promote an ad on gun violence, why not invest in something that will help our kids future, that way they don't have to think about ever picking up a gun, because they have other alternatives like the after school program. Just something to think about.

 

More Healthy Endorsements By Celebrities?

I came across an article this morning in the metro news about the growing phenomenon on how foods advertised on TV are unhealthy and can affect a child's health. It went on to say, Celebrities who endorse specific foods in TV commercials are powerful influence on children. I know most times when  I watch a commercials on TV I see celebs advertising beverages and foods  loaded with salts caffeine and sugar. The article also went on to say, past research has shown that kids are more likely to pick foods endorsed by celebrities, even when its fruit.  Which brings me to my point. I would like to see a shift that would eventually lead to a change when it comes to the choices we present to our kids. Since a little bit more than half of the US population of kids are obese. Why not educate them so they have more choices of what they put in their bodies. I would like to see more celebrities pick up a water bottle saying drinking water is so beneficial for your health, it not only good for your skin, but it also cleans their blood eliminating bad toxins in their bodies . How about picking up a fruit or vegetable and talking about the nutrients it has and how it can help them learn in school.  Current advertising is worrisome, since most foods advertised on TV are unhealthy and could affect a child's future weight and health. The visualization of images that celebrities endorse have a long impending affect on kids developing stages. I'm not saying food advertisement are cause of children obesity but its sure a contributing factor. What I would like to see is more celebrities advertise more healthy products so children can  have more choices. There was a part in the article that I found intriguing,  A 2012 study found kids who were offered both cookies and apples where more likely to choose the apple if it had an Elmo sticker on it.

Remembering Kimani Gray

In recent weeks, there has been a spawn of outrage in the urban community regarding the death of  Kimani Gray. Kimani Gray was shot and killed on March 9 by New York police officers for alleging pointing a gun at him. Several days of protest and riots out in East Flatbash Brooklyn has also gathered support from other organization and groups such as the Occupy Wall street Movement and the Black Panther Party. I know for me, It's a tough situation to asses, because police officers have a difficult job on their hands and a  split second decision can spell  fatal, but  the issue I have is with the group organizers. When something happens, we bark, but when the problem goes away, we seem to have a short term memory. Change does not come overnight, and like in war, sometimes in order  to win the war, you  have to engage in a series of battles before the war is won. In the remembrance of  Kimani Gray, We need to organize in our local communities even more and bring these issues to the courts, our mayors and police commissioners, so problems like these don't keep on reoccurring. In order to see change we  must be the change.  When its all  said, we are all soldiers fighting the same battle. In remembrance of  Kimani Gray; Wars come and go but soldiers stay eternal.

Jamaican vs American Sayings

American: Porch                                                                            
Jamaican: Varanda
American: Bathe, Shower                                                                                      
Jamaican: Bade, Hol' A Fresh
American: Collard Greens, Spinach
Jamaican: Callaloo
American: Stick Shift (Car)
Jamaican: Standard
American: Charge It
Jamaican: Trus' It
American: Can You Give Me A Lift To The Corner
Jamaican: Beg Yu A Ride Go Dung Di Street Noh Sah
American: Oh My God!
Jamaican: Lawd A Mercy
American: Excuse Me
Jamaican: Beg Yu Pardon
American: "You Wanna Fight?", Or "You Want A Piece Of Me"
Jamaican: "Touch A Button!" "Touch A Button"
American: Where Are You Going?
Jamaican: Weh Yuh Deh Go?
American: Excuse Me
Jamaican: Gi Mi Pass
American: Sorry
Jamaican: Hush
American: The Shoes Is A Little Tight
Jamaican: Lawd Di Boot A Bun Mi
American: Oh Stop It You're Killing Me
Jamaican: Lawd Ma Top Eh Man Yuh A Go Kill Me
American: I Do Not Practice Oral Sex
Jamaican: Mi Nuh Bow!!!

 

American: Look There!
Jamaican: Koo Deh
American: "Whatever"
Jamaican: "Man, Yuh Backside Yah Man"
American: Your Mother Is So Ugly...
Jamaican: Yuh Mumma Ugly Lakka Mi Nuh Know Wha...
American: Perm Hair
Jamaican: Cream Head
American: 10:Pm, 10:30, 15 Of 10
Jamaican: 10 A'clack, Half Pass 10, Quarta To 10
American: Attention Deficit
Jamaican: Hard Ears!
American: Dyslectic
Jamaican: Dunce Bat!
American: 4x 4 Truck
Jamaican: Van
American: Open The Hood
Jamaican: Fly Di Bonnet
American: Fly Guy
Jamaican: Cha-Cha Bwaay
American: Can I Have A Loose Paper
Jamaican: Beg Yuh A Folder Leaf
American: Pants Leg
Jamaican: Trousers Foot
American: Freeze Ice
Jamaican: Kisko-Pop
American: Dynatap, Theraflu, Robotussin, Midol, Tyenol
Jamaican: Mint Tea
American: Close The Cupboard
Jamaican: Shet Di Cabinet
American: Shooping Cart
Jamaican: Trolley
American: I Am Going To The Movies
Jamaican: Mi A Goh A Show
American: I Really Do Like You
Jamaican: Yow Baby! Mi Check Fi Yuh Bad Yuh Noh Star!
American: You Mean That Really Sexy Girl From Out Of Town?
Jamaican: You Mean Dah Strang Bady Gyal Deh From Country?
American: Homosexual/Lebsbian
Jamaican: Batty Bwoy/Sadamite
American: Birth Certificate
Jamaican: Bert Cer-Fi-Ticket
American: That Happened By Chance
Jamaican: A Buck Up Dat, A Buck Up!
American: Viagra
Jamaican: One Guiness, One Stick A Weed, One Bowl A Peanut Parriage, Or Simply A Piece A "Stone"
American: He Is Impotent
Jamaican: A Ole Wutless Bwoy, Yuh Nuh si seh him nuh have nuh

Stop And Frisk Unconstitutional?

The NYPD's stop and frisk crime fighting tactic isn't rubbing off too well with some groups and organization. Many are calling it racially motivated. The new policy which the major praises, because it cuts down on crime and targets criminals and those carrying unregistered weapons.Others are not buyng into it, saying in recent months they have noticed more African-Americans and Latinos being stop and frisked by police, which has caused civil right leader Jessie Jackson to part in a protest against the NYPD's. Some who have been a victim to this practice has called it unconstitutional because its a violation of the right against unreasonable searches. Advocates of "Stop and frisk" says it has helped reduced  crime. The stop and frisk law is its violation of  the code and ethic which  police swear when they take oath. To serve and protect  the people. This situation down the road is only going to create distrust and disturbance  between police and the community. Thanks to the Patriot Act of 2001, the federal and state governments has more rights on our personal lives.

Japanese Green Tea and Coffee Prevent Strokes

New study from out of Japan shows that people who drink both beverages everyday have a lower risk of stroke than those who just partake in one or the other. Antioxidant not only boost your energy levels, but fussing them together can help with you health benefits. This means blood which is responsible for the flow of oxygen through your body can help regulate blood pressure and improve blood flow. Counting down on your chances of strokes. Given that tea and coffee are both consumed in both the USA and in Japan, its comes down to portions in which we take on a daily basis. A typical cup of coffee or tea in Japan is just 6 ounces, while a grand coffee at Starbucks is 16 ounces. Reap the benefits of nature and use it to your advantage,everything in moderation.

The X Factors To Success

When it comes to success, there are many contributing factors that will determine how far you will go. During my 31 years, I have found my method to ensure these contributing factors form a winning strategy. 

Focus: Identifying what you want and setting short and long term goals gives you a sense of purpose and will.  The key to this is stay the course, because there will be some high tides along your journey.

Be Consistent:  Ask yourself, what personal skills do I need to sharpen to reach my goal. When it     comes to meeting your goal what are you doing everyday to make sure they are met. Make a do list and stick with it. Daily, monthly, yearly, make sure your check them off as you go, the more progress you make the better you will feel about yourself.

Keep Going: Life can give us as unexpected twist of fate, but the secret to it is never give up.
 Once you achieve a goal, make a new one . Once you accomplish that make new ones Continual practice will affirm your goals creating your routine over a lifetime.


Accountability:  Take pride and ownership in your success, by placing the ones on yourself to see it
through to completion.  Differentiate  what are your long-term goals and short
term goals. Establish a system that works for you. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and declare your goals to family and friends. Its not enough to be talented, but you have to develop winning traits to help you get to the next level.