Niyonu, Wake Up!

Greetings dear ones, haven't written on here for a long while (again) but, my son, Tai Amri woke me up with this video rendition to one of my songs.  Here are his words and a link to the video: "11 years ago my mother's singing group, Tribe 1, performed a song called the Saddest Thing about the tragedy of 9/11, and they ended it with a prayer, "Mother/Father help us end this cycle." My life since then has been about just that, trying to end the cycle of violence.  I believe that our destiny is a continuation of the journey of our parents, and their parents, and their parents and so on.   I've created this video from the song of my mother as a small offering to the cause of peace.  May it be found holy and acceptable, and if you should weep, may you weep tears of transformation.  In peace,  Tai Amri" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl1EQCwqFRw&feature=colike

I woke this morning with the refrain from this poem going through my head mixed with thoughts of the mother of a friend who had a massive stroke yesterday. [I just learned that she passed away.] Though she was a white woman whose cultural background would seem to have little to do with those referred to here by poet Maya Angelou....even yet, I quote the poem below and send it in honor of Dottie Sines, Deb's mom. Still I Rise You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries. Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you t...

What a year this has been! ~ a personal update Some of you know, in quite intimate ways, just how I set out to respond to the calls from our brothers and sisters ~ to respond to The Call ~ that voice that guides from within. I've had my heart broken wide open by the living conditions of many in two cities this year ~ Chester, Pa and New Haven, CT. At the same time, these communities have brought me abundant joy. The ride has been tremendous as I dwell in the living waters of possibility and responsibility. HIGHLIGHTS OF 2011 * With partner, Chester Eastside Ministries ( CEM ), I ran a Life Skills, Mentoring and Arts Program for youth of the Chester Upland School District * We co-sponsored and coordinated a Spring event called, Making a Difference which featured speaker, Euware Osayande ( osayande .org) * In April, I traveled with CEM Pastor/Director Rev. Bernice Warren - a fact finding trip to the Bokamoso community in Winterveld , South Africa (www.boka...

A truly co-creative process assumes that as reality unfolds, each person plays a part and each part is significant. Its about use of POWER

Hey ya'll. I know. This twice a year bloggin's got to go. But, as the tears of joy and hope streamed down my face while I listened to these fellow travelers, I had to tweet, fb, email and yes blog it out. Peace to you all ~ Ni Listen | StoryCorps

What can I say? http://99problems.org/2009/09/a-message-from-van-jones/

Here are some of the excuses that I hear going 'round and 'round in my head for not responding to the siege in Gaza: 1. I don't understand the history 2. People have a right to defend themselves 3. I should read a book first about the history before I open my mouth 4. Well, people are dying right here in Chester, PA 5. Maybe they are only exaggerating the number of civilians being killed 6. Well, if Hamas would just stop their violence then the Israelis could be peaceful 7. If I speak out about the injustice that I see there, someone will call me out as a fraud, not really knowing what I'm talking about 8. Other black folk will be looking at me saying, "how do you have time to focus on those people, when our people are so oppressed?" 9. I'll be dismissed so, why bother? 10. It's all too big - too complex - been going on for so long that nobody can speak about it with any clarity - 11. I’m not living in the fear that the Jewish people endure, or the d...