black women fear...EDITED

I KNOW WHY BLACK WOMEN ARE AFRAID TO LOVE….EACH OTHER.

By Kyra O. Davenport

We have the pleasure today of having one of the most profound definitions of what a black woman can become, our regal, brilliant, and charismatic first lady Michelle Obama. It is my personal beliefs that not only can a black woman become the first lady, but one sweet day she will be the President of the United States. Black women are very ambitious, I have no doubt in my mind that black women will continue to thrive and succeed, the doubt however sits at the center of my soul, when I ask myself,  “Will black women help each other succeed?”

Magazines such as Ebony, Essence, and Jet constantly scream to black women to love each other, empower each other, help in the cultivation process of young black women, but this may spark inspiration temporarily, but does it truly penetrate the hearts and minds of black women deep enough to provoke permanent change? The evolution or revolution cannot begin until black women look inside themselves, embrace their individuality, appreciate the essence of themselves, and become totally secure. It is in fact the insecurities that lie inside oneself that causes us to be intimidated, jealous, lack confidence, and makes us just plain unhappy.

As the soulful and prolific Lauryn Hill so eloquently states in her famous song “Miseducation of Lauryn  Hill”  “The answer  it was in me, I made up my mind to define my own destiny.” As aforementioned, I have no reservations when it comes to black women chasing success or becoming successful. “defining their own destiny”, but as Ms. Lauryn Hill says the answer to self-love and loving others, out intentions becoming pure toward each other lies, and becoming free of inhibition in our relationships with other black women, creating trust, starts with the Black queen in the mirror.

Love as God as God requires us to love one another.

I KNOW WHY BLACK WOMEN ARE AFRAID TO LOVE….EACH OTHER.

By Kyra O. Davenport

We have the pleasure today of having one of the most profound definitions of what a black woman can become, our regal, brilliant, and charismatic first lady Michelle Obama. It is my personal beliefs that not only can a black woman become the first lady, but one sweet day she will be the President of the United States. Black women are very ambitious, I have no doubt in my mind that black women will continue to thrive and succeed, the doubt however sits at the center of my soul, when I ask myself will black women help each other succeed?

Magazines such as Ebony, Essence, and Jet constantly scream to black women to love each other, empower each other, help in the cultivation process of young black women, but this make spark inspiration temporarily, but does it truly penetrate the hearts and minds of black women deep enough to provoke permanent change? The evolution or revolution cannot begin until black women look inside themselves, embrace their individuality, appreciate the essence of themselves, and become totally secure. It is in fact the insecurities that lie inside oneself that causes us to be intimidated, jealous, lack confidence, and makes us just plain unhappy.

As the soulful and prolific Lauryn Hill so eloquently states in her famous song “Miseducation of Lauryn  Hill”  “The answer  it was in me, I made up my mind to define my own destiny.” As aforementioned, I have no reservations when it comes to black women chasing success or becoming successful. “defining their own destiny”, but as Ms. Lauryn Hill says the answer to self-love and loving others, out intentions becoming pure toward each other lies, and becoming free of inhibition in our relationships with other black women, creating trust, starts with the Black queen in the mirror.

Black Sisters Armed Robbery.

Black Sisters get Life Sentence for Armed Robbery

By Kyra O. Davenport

Jan 17, 2011 marked the Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., and on this noble day comes the question that begs to be answered as we celebrate this prophet, Does racism still exists? Most of us would answer this with a loud and thunderous heck yeah!!! Furthermore we have blatant examples of racism to support our sentiments like the recent injustice in Mississippi.

Evelyn Rasco is the mother of Jamie and Gladys Scott has been attempting to emancipate her daughters from a life sentence due to an armed robbery they committed in which they stole 11 dollars in 1993.(As covered by USA Today). Naturally there is the inclination that most juries will/would feel that “if you did the crime you do the time”, but in this case it is evident, as it has been in many cases that we have all witnessed publicly, that your race determines how extreme your punishment will be. Now when we analyze this story let us not overanalyze the amount they stole, they did in fact commit an act of armed robbery, and no matter what race you are that is purely shameful and punishable.

 Moreover, It is rather odd that two African American Women who committed armed robbery are given life sentences as if they are animals that need to be caged forever, when there are (for example) registered sex offenders of all races who all free to roam the earth, with the unpredictability of if they will assault or rape a woman, man, or child again. The color of their Scott sisters black skin apparently made them more tainted and subhuman coupled with them committing an appalling crime. Did they even stand a chance in a state known for racism and hanging black bodies as Billie Holiday thought provokingly called the “strange fruits”? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. instilled in us as African Americans to hope for change be empowered by the dream, in this world today, we most certainly have to walk by faith and not by the sight of constant injustices. The Scott Sisters have been granted an early release if Gladys Scott donates a kidney to her sister Jamie Scott in need of a transplant. (As covered by Aolnews.com/Mara Gray).

To learn the latest on this story please read: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/30/AR2010123002930.html

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and African-American Veterans

Troops Are Seeking Support

By Kyra O. Davenport

 Former Marine Christopher Wells, 25, now a D.C. National Guardsmen, did not expect to serve in  Fallujah, Iraq and return home with nightmares, sleep apnea, and alienated from his family. “I had a hard time sleeping; other soldiers were on medication” Wells said.

According to the examiner.com,( a website devoted to local news)  1 in 5 soldiers are returning home suffering from symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress disorder.   

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD is defined as an anxiety disorder that develops after exposure to a violent or life-threatening ordeal, such as violent personal assaults, natural disasters, accidents, or military combat. Health practitioners say African-American veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are not getting enough support. Assistant Primary Military Instructor SFC Charles Atkins Jr., 42, says, “African Americans are suffering more because we tend to underestimate the disorder and ignore the warning signs.

. On the bright morning of Veterans Day, Howard University Army R.O.T.C. cadets visited the Soldiers Home in Northeast D.C. When the cadets arrived they were asked to read heartfelt letters to our veterans, followed by a moment of silence for our troops who made the ultimate sacrifice. Following the ceremony cadets were instructed to disperse among the group and talk to various veterans. The veterans were eager to interact with the young cadets. Interaction is imperative for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as it is a coping mechanism. Atkins says “ I (was not) scheduled to come in to work today, but the least we can do as troops is pay our respects to those who have paved the way for today’s troops, and they appreciate our efforts to visit and spend time with them.”

Not only must soldiers endure psychological warfare during combat, but also homesickness, depression, anxiety, and racism. The Journal of Depression and Anxiety says African Americans suffering from PTSD may experience higher rates of depression, or anxiety than whites. Older troops understand the experiences the younger troops are having. Soldiers’ home resident and Veteran George Smith, 88, who fought in the Vietnam War, says, "I had a lot of dreams that would scare me to death.” He said most soldiers that go to combat will experience PTSD but they can overcome it with the proper treatment “Soldiers need an outlet,” Smith said, “if the community could provide PTSD meetings, soldiers could talk about the challenges they have faced.”

 The Department of Defense has released a “Mental Health App”, for android phones, which allows soldiers to enter information about their feelings of possible depression, anxiety or symptoms of PTSD, and have it assessed by medical personnel, to get a possible diagnosis.

 The African-American Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Association, an organization devoted to public education and lending support to veterans, is available for veterans and their families. Community support for veterans could have profound effects on a soldier’s ability to cope with PTSD. For example within local neighborhoods there could be a “support our troops” meeting once a week. It is simple steps like this that can help troops cope with PTSD.  “Along with medical services, soldiers also have to find the strength to find peace of mind within themselves.” says Wells.

Women being Raped in the Congo (edited)

Congolese Soldier justify raping women

By Kyra O. Davenport

Congolese soldiers believe that as a means of survival they should behave like savages and dehumanize themselves, it is just another tool to be effective in combat. Even more appalling these soldiers believe that raping women is just a way of life, a custom of the average soldier.

The first medium I will discuss is a YouTube clip entitled “Congo soldiers explain why they rape” This short clip entails multiple reporters interviewing Congolese soldiers and each interview is more shocking than the other. For example one solider says “We know it’s not a good thing but what do you expect when a spend a long time in a bush and when we meet a woman and she resists us we have to take it by force.” Another soldier says “it’s all about control, before raping I make sure they are in good health, I can tell when they are weak and are not in good health. Comments like these make the Congolese soldiers appear to be none other than monsters.
Another short documentary that can be found on Youtube.com is entitled Congo: My life is just rape every day?” A woman expresses how she has been raped repeatedly and expects it to happen; she has tragically accepted rape as a way of life, culture. How difficult it would be for the average woman in the United States to imagine this brutality on a daily basis, for this to be natural to a woman is mortifying.

There is also an episode of Law and order Special Victims Unit, which had a character, a woman from the Congo who had been raped repeatedly and she was also shot in her Vagina by one of her attackers. Women in the Congo are being exploited, tormented, and this in turn causes long term psychological damage.  The questions now are who is fighting to stop the rape crimes in the Congo? What is really being done to eliminate this tragedy? What is being done to bring justice to the victims? It will not only take coverage on CNN, local news, blogs, (even mine), and the Clinton Campaign to fight rape in the Congo, it will take communities and individuals to take a stand, write the president, make it an issue in this country for change to come in the Congo. In the meantime as you search heart after reading this story, starting with a simple prayer for these women, and praying for the eradication of sexual violence in the Congo is a step in the right direction.

Women being Raped in the Congo.

Congolese Soldiers justify raping women

By Kyra O. Davenport

Congolese soldiers believe that as a means a survival they should behave like savages and dehumanize themselves, in their minds, it is just another tool to be effective in combat. Even more appalling these soldiers believe that raping women is just a way of life, a custom of the average soldier.

The first medium I will discuss is a YouTube clip entitled “Congo soldiers explain why they rape” This short clip entails multiple reporters interviewing Congolese soldiers and each interview is more shocking than the other. For example one solider says “We know it’s not a good thing but what do you expect when a spend a long time in a bush and “when we meet a woman and she resists us we have to take it by force” Another soldier says “it’s all about control, before raping I make sure they are in good health, I can tell when they are weak and are not in good health. Comments like these make the Congolese soldiers appear to be none other than monsters.
Another short documentary that can be found on Youtube.com is entitled Congo: My life is just rape every day?” A woman expresses how she has been raped repeatedly and expects it to happen; she has tragically accepted rape as a way of life, culture. How difficult it would be for the average woman in the United States to imagine this brutality on a daily basis, for this to be natural to a woman is mortifying.

There is also an episode of Law and order Special Victims Unit, which had a character, a woman from the Congo who had been raped repeatedly and she was also shot in her Vagina by one of her attackers. Women in the Congo are being exploited, tormented, and this in turn causes long term psychological damage.  The questions now are who is fighting to stop the rape crimes in the Congo? What is really being done to eliminate this tragedy? What is being done to bring justice to the victims? It will not only take coverage on CNN, local news, blogs, (even mine), and the Clinton Campaign to fight rape in the Congo, it will take communities and individuals to take a stand, write the president, make it an issue in this country for change to come in the Congo. In the meantime as you search heart after reading this story, starting with a simple prayer for these women, and praying for the eradication of sexual violence in the Congo is a step in the right direction.

HIV and STIGMA

HIV/AIDS STIGMA:

Howard University challenges the community to remove the stigma

By Kyra O. Davenport

“People look at me like I am garbage, a piece of trash when I tell them that I am HIV positive says Maryland Resident Sandy Blackwell, 55 Member of National Association of People with AIDS. The stigma of HIV/AIDS can prove to be detrimental to society. The stigmatizing nature of the disease can cause people to fall in to depression and it can also lead to suicide. There are many complexities involving stigmatization caused by being diagnosed with HIV. Howard University and the local community came together to bring awareness to this issue at the HIV/AIDS Stigma conference on World AIDS Day.

Upon arrival at the conference, I was confronted with compelling academic posters such the stigma of HIV positive pregnant women and “How the media affects the self-esteem of HIV positive black men”, these bright and eager students were ready to engage onlookers and educate participants on the damage stigma is causing and how we can slowly but surely eradicate it. As I continued to browse I ran into a poster by displaying HIV positive men with a voice, telling a story of how they are living with HIV today. Rodney McCoy Jr, 49 says, “This program was created for community mobilization, a concerted effort, we have a coalition NAPA. He also says it’s time to confront the Stigma, and I happen to be living with HIV myself, and a lot still needs to be done as far as community outreach, furthermore, there needs to be representation for both genders ling with HIV.” Another participant expressed feelings of underrepresentation, “A lot of the times people focus on men living with HIV/AIDS and let them go on in society, but women get treated as if we are nasty and we deserved what we have. The community needs to focus on women more because we are the population bearing the brunt, and we are not getting proper representation, there is a prejudice still out there.”  D.C Resident Yvette Lindsey55.

“The conference was very informative, they even covered stigma issues on an international level, stigma is not only about the gay population it’s about all of us” says N.W. D.C resident Linda Murph, 49.The conference was not only about stigmatization, while some participants were in workshops others were getting Free HIV testing Freshman Courtland Lacky, 18 says, “I was so nervous, definitely get tested it’s like a weight has been lifted! As the conference charged the community with supporting those who are infected, it also focused on HIV prevention.” “ Let’s get involved Go Get Tested!,” says Lacky.

The conference also held a series of workshops such as “Understanding Impact of Stigma on families and Us”, “The Layering of HIV Related Stigma within a community”, and “Faith, Spirituality and HIV”: Barriers and Facilitators to HIV prevention. In one particular workshop labeled “How Stigma and lack of Disclosure a young African American woman felt so liberated that she approached the microphone passionately and stated that  her family treats her as if they do not care for her and went on to say that she feels that believe if she use their toilets they may fear being infected, she continues by saying that, “ a lot of people do not want to disclose their HIV status, but the brave individuals on the panel at this particular workshop help her to get the courage to come before all these strangers,” says anonymous speaker. This is just one of many inspiring workshops that participants were encouraged to attend.

More community involvement and public education on HIV/AIDS will make for a better community, society, and world at large. Ignorance as to how the disease is spread causes many to ostracize people living with the virus. The main message that the professors, media scholars educators, activists, patients, and community members wanted to articulate was that people living with HIV are human they have feelings, they are leaders, and they are capable of making a positive  difference in society. There is the inclination that people fail to realize the impact stigmatization is causing, I am living with HIV and stigma says Blackwell.  

 

Nikki Giovanni:Busboys and Poets DC

Busboys and Poets host renowned poet Nikki Giovanni

By Kyra O. Davenport

The snow did not stop D.C. residents from attending the event entitled “The 100 best African American Poets, hosted at Busboys and Poets located at 5^th and K in Northwest D.C., Tuesday night,this is one of three locations. When Ms. Giovanni entered the room the crowd roared and clapped with anticipation as they dined. When she was finally introduced she began to greet the crowd with humor as she spoke about the road rage she experienced in route to the restaurant due to the snowfall. She then began to unapologetically discussed politics, racism, sex, money, voting rights, and other issues facing our country.

After her opening, she then began to discuss her latest work “The hundred best African American Poets.” “When I was asked to edit this book I said yes without hesitation, I viewed it as a great opportunity, says Giovanni. She shared one poem in particular called “ entitled “Train Rides” that had the crowd engaged because she also coupled the poem with a real life experience that inspired the poem, the crowd was immersed, and they drank their glasses of wine and hung on Ms. Giovanni’s every word.

The poetry session ended with a question and answer session and a book signing as one fan approached Ms. Giovanni, she yelled out Omar!! How have you been? It was her former student from her tenure at Fiske University. “It such pleasure to see my former professor, taking her course was truly an experience that I will cherish all my life!” says D.C. resident Omar Battle, 27.