Opportunity To See Heaven

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2791334/opportunity_to_see_heaven.html?cat=42

American History from Black Contributors

The terms 'African-American History Month', or 'Black History Month', minimize our many contributions to society. The inventors, scientists, doctors, creators of cosmetics, educators, farmers, entertainers - all walks of Americans who happen to be Black who performed their acts of brilliance wasn't just for the benefit of Black folks. Their contributions were for the advancement of all of human-kind. It's about time we stop being a subset in our own nation. So, I stand to disagree with the aforementioned terms that we so proudly use. It should be called, "American History Month - From Black Contributors". Other races, e.g., white, native American, latino, asian, etc., should all identify themselves in the making of American history.

Medical History

Gentlemen! Your temple may need a little inspection. We've all heard that our body is our temple. That is ever so true. When was the last time you had a complete physical examination? I mean complete, with MRI, EKG, blood work and prostate check? Age doesn't matter. Younger cats are shockingly dropping to sneaky and vicious conditions more frequently than in times past. Some of these young and older men alike, are the epitome of good health. So if you're young and don't think you need a complete physical, you may be sitting on a condition that could have been detected sooner.

Another matter that we often take for granted is medical history. Not only knowing your personal history is crucial, but knowing family health history is vital. Parents, siblings, grand-parents, aunts, uncles are all from the same seed. Genetics can have an endless voyage from generation-to-generation, carrying a payload of potentially menacing health conditions. Your own children can be at risk too if you can't tell the pediatrician any family medical history.

One last observation. Before you permit your youngster or teen play strenuous competitive sports, command an EKG, at the least from their pediatrician. Don't rely on the clinic the school or team organizers recommend to provide a thorough exam. The doctor through your medical provider has to honor your request, and your insurance will not dispute the charges if the service is performed during a routine physical. Thank you for reading. We want you around a long time.

Better Than a Tax Return

This was a genuine prayer. It took nine years for me to be ready to receive it. Then it was answered.

Itemized Desire
by Steve E. Masters  -  All rights reserved

The woman I desire
Don't have to be super fine
Not just another berry in the bushel
She has to be one of a kind

One who is genuinely feminine
A lady in every drop
And when she smiles at me
It causes my knees to knock

Prefer her to be smart as a whip
And not swollen with pride
Isn't always insistent on the lead
But is happy by my side

She knows how to handle herself
But humble enough to step back
Is dignified and respected
And wise enough to avoid society's traps

A partner I can trust
That doesn't live in the past
Learns how to respect me
And boasts of me as her man

She has to be my friend
Seeing the benefits of honest communication
Refuses to be petty
And desires to have an adult relation

The girl has a good sense of humor
And can groove to my jungle-boogie
Like only a good intimate knows
I desire nothing less than pure honey

She knows how to manage things
Does it with dedication and skill
Will pray with me and encourage me
To stay in God's will

Not looking for another mother
Already had one of those
Nor do I want the one
With neon flashing "rent-to-own"

It would be nice if she realizes
That the haul may be long
But with real love and trust
We'll grow together and remain strong

Make A Baby, Father the Child

A proud father will desire to be present for every breath their child takes. From the child's first breath to your last. We need more children. Our race is moving more and more toward extinction at a steady pace. But being a father is more than just having a child. A lot of today's men didn't have the privilege of being reared with a father present. Don't repeat that cycle. If your intent is not to have a child, then take the necessary precautions to prevent pregnancy.

We are so predictable to our society. We are not expected to take care of our child. Prove society wrong. Hopefully if you father a child, you have intentions of marriage and keeping the family together. If not, take care of the child's needs - ALWAYS. If the mother gives you trouble about seeing the child, then take her to court. I repeat, take her to court. If your current woman tries to block you from supporting your child that you had in a previous relationship, then shut her down or demand the respect as a father. Stop letting these women punk you into not taking care of your responsibility. If you owe back child support, bite the bullet and make arrangements to pay it.

Keep in mind, that anything that you are supposed to do is not a sacrifice. Your child cannot father himself/herself. A woman is not a man. She cannot take the place of a man. Be a good example. Your friends, your uncle, even your father should not deter you from taking care of your seed. Your nurturing will play a critical role in how good the fruit will be. When you get home from work, spend time with that child. They can't wait to see daddy. On the weekends, forget the game sometimes - take your kid to the park to fly a kite, to a movie, to a science museum. Focus on your child and not the women who will flirt with you. And believe me, they will. Make your goal to consist of doing more for your child than you had growing up.

Brother's, our race needs you. Our survival depends on you. Our place and impact is in your hands. Our children are yours. Your wholeness as a man, in part, is granted when you can say that you were there for your child. If you make a baby, father the child.

New Mattresses

There are two things that I don't like to buy, but they are of periodic necessity. The primary reason that these items are such an annoying purchase is that they can cost a nice little chunk of money. I'm referring to [4] new tires and new mattresses.

In this great megatropolis, the king of urban sprawl - Los Angeles, for most of us, it takes roughly about two years to drive 40,000 miles, so the need for tires is more digestible, because a brother gotta roll. But mattresses, on the other hand...that's another story. How many mattress stores do you see in the hood? Think about it. You may see a mom and pop furniture store with a big sign out front offering mattresses as low $99. You know, the kind with the button tuck. It's not just rap that keeps you angry, its those uncomfortable mattresses that prevent you from having a restful sleep.

Many years ago there was a top brand mattress store in Inglewood on Manchester Boulevard, you remember that one in the curve, across from Von's, up the street from the Forum where Magic and Kareem use to make us happy. Yeah, that one. It was owned by a very nice couple who happened to be American black. Well, it was there all of about a year. Why? Because we refuse to spend a grand on mattresses. We want the biggest bed we can find, but dread to replace the mattresses.

Whatever happened to the good old days when you visited mama's house and you saw mattresses out on the curb. In shock and awe you ask, "Mama? Whose mattresses are those out on the curb?" "Oh those are my old one's baby," mama so graciously explained. "Those are for the junk man. Mama just bought some new mattresses. You know we had those since you was in 2nd grade. Me and your daddy got them at the White Front store that use to be over there on Avalon. We got your bike there too."

With the utmost of urgency you plead, "Mama, me and BeBe need some mattresses. Good thing I drove my truck." Bebe never told you, but she wants some new mattresses. Now, after five [more] years, BeBe begs you to get some NEW mattresses. Isn't she lovely?

The moral of this story is, brothers, buy your woman some NEW mattresses. From a reputable store. Take her with you to pick the right set - together. The night of the day of the delivery she will thank you in a mighty fine way. Oh, and don't forget to take the old mattresses back to mama's house for the junk man. He knows someone who needs them.

The Coffee Has Turned To Ice

WARNING: The truth will be told in this blog.

American Black men have been systematically squeezed out of the workforce for many years. We are faced with new competition approximately every 10 years. First, there was calling the white female a minority. Not only did she become our competition, she got the promotion we worked for and then she became our boss in a lot of professional positions. Then came the Asian boom, primarily in technical positions. A lot of black men had technical degrees and expertise at the time. We were engineers, field service techs, data center managers, etc., pushed out because we didn't wear thick glasses or wear a smile for 10 straight hours a day. Big time politics. Dig what I'm saying?

Currently latino's are driving the bus. Joblessness for qualified black men has reached it's pinnacle. The once hot coffee in the office has turned to ice [coffee]. Those who had been fortunate to work for many years are scratching to survive, dipping into retirement funds, annuities, and other once treasured resources to keep their heads above water. Not to mention the pressure that our women are faced with. For better, for worse; for richer or poorer is being tested now more than ever.

As the workplace continues to make its changes, we are now seeing other minorities in positions that control hiring that we once had. Back in the 80's and early 90's token positions were created for black men, and later black women, i.e., VP of Diversity, Manager of Conflict Resolution, and Assistant HR Manager, which were high paying jobs in most cases, but the difference was that these black men had 'better not' hire or promote other black men to policy changing positions or open the flood gates for black in general. However, the new minority non-black recruiters and hiring managers are hiring his own to get the jobs we once had or still desire. Bilingual is now a new prerequisite. Spanish, Korean, and Farsi are currently the 'must know' languages as part of job requirements. A lot of these jobs have absolutely nothing to do with serving the general public.

American black men, we have shot ourselves in the foot being more concerned about the cars we drive, the clothes we wear, the clubs we frequent than working your way into the board room, or setting your eyes on a policy changing position. Don't get me wrong, we work hard for the things we want, and we deserve it, but don't take your eye off the prize.

Let's talk a little man talk now.

Example:

Remember several seasons ago the Clippers made it to the playoffs, going toe-to-toe with the best of the west. Elton Brand was a monster. The team was clicking in over-drive. They were less than a minute from making it to the conference finals when then Clipper and perennial seasoned championship caliber pro named Sam Cassell cost them advancement to the next round. With a big ole kool-aid grin, thinking they had the game in the bag, Sam took his time advancing the ball past the half court line in the required eight seconds. The violation was a turnover, giving the opponent momentum to score and ultimately winning the game. The all-pro took his eye off the prize.

You don't take your eye off the prize until you have it in your hand. Even then you have to protect it to keep it. American black man, we will always have an opponent. Take the prize back. And remember, the coffee will always be black underneath all that cream.

What Is Courage?

  A Warrior's Creed   

by Steve E. Masters  -  All rights reserved

Courage is doing what you must do in light of the circumstances 

and despite the consequences. Since God has not given us the spirit of fear, there can be no courage where there is no faith.

Is Gay the New Black?

Is this an insult to every American Black person? Being gay is a choice. Being black is not. Its disgusting how some don't want to even try to understand black's, but are ready to compare their plight to that of American blacks. Share your opinion.

Do You Know Your Mate?

Do you truly know your mate? There is more to knowing her than just merely knowing her habits, likes or dislikes, how well she handles the children, etc. Do you know her heart. To really know her heart, you have to know your own. So, the real question is, do you know you? Doing what you're supposed to do as a man and mate, will bring out where she is truly at in heart and the relationship.