The Barnes Foundation .........

January 26, 2013 [Saturday]


AN OPEN LETTER:

TO: The Barnes Foundation,

Chair, Doctor Bernard C. Watson

2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130

Phone 215-278-2700

info@barnesfoundation.org

And TO: Avenging the Ancestors Coalition,

Care Of, Attorney Michael Coard,

Founder

The Law Office of Michel Coard

One Liberty Place

1650 Market Street, Suite 3652

Philadelphia, Pa 19103

1.215.552.87.51

ATAC@Avengingtheancestors.com

From: Brother Tracy Gibson,

Founder, President and CEO OF:

Brother Tracy Gibson and Associates, Inc.

AND: The Black Millionaire’s Network

213 South 49th Street

Philadelphia, PA 19139-4205

1.215.471.64.94

BrotherTracy11@Gmail.Com

Dear Attorney Michael Coard and Doctor Bernard C. Watson:

We are a developing Public Relations / Education / and Black Advocacy Organization in the Philadelphia area. We like to see Peace and Harmony, especially in situations or instances that have been Historically the center of conflict and bad feelings. I often go by the Barnes Foundation on my Way to the Central Library in Center City Philadelphia. I don’t know all the History of the Barnes Collection, but I do know that many Black Philadelphia's of Merit have a bad taste in their mouth when it comes to the History of the collection and I also know that many Black people of merit [both of low income and / or of extraordinary income] don’t feel they can comfortably visit the collection without feeling that somehow they have betrayed a sacred Trust among Black people and / or betrayed an invisible political bond that may not seem real to outsiders, but that is quite real within Our Black Community.

I would like to use some of the extremely limited resources of my companies to bring some healing and understanding into the for on the matter of the Barnes Foundation and how they are situated right in our backyard in Philadelphia and how they can do so with more support and less animosity among the general Black population. First of all, I don’t think many Black people or Whites for that matter either, have a clear understanding of exactly who Doctor Albert C. Barnes was and How the collection came about, let alone who it was left to or how it got into the present hands it is in. Perhaps this needs to be made clear to the present day population of Philadelphia for starters. Then we can go about the business of finding Ways for the collection to be more readily accepted and embraced by ALL communities in Philadelphia, including the Black community. My understanding is that right now, such positive feelings DON’T exist from the Black community, generally speaking, towards The Barnes Foundation.

I was just looking at the Barnes Foundation Collection on the official Web Page today and I found much of what is exhibited there to be exquisite. As a lover of art, the art world and Black and or African and African American Art in particular, I think such an exhibit should be embraced by ALL Philadelphia's and in a broad and robust Way. What I would like to do is bring Attorney Michael Coard and Doctor Bernard C. Watson together to talk, just for starters, [if at all possible I would like to be in attendance] and see what can be agreed upon and how we can move in a positive direction from there.

Before such a meeting, I would like to volunteer to have a personal meeting with Doctor Bernard C. Watson and Attorney Michael Coard separately at different times. I think such a meeting would help me get a feeling for how far things are apart and how to precede in the most expeditious and positive a fashion as possible. I have made this an open letter and put it on my personal BLOG. This is NOT done to embarrass anyone or seek undue publicity [according to Google, hardly anyone reads my BLOG anyway] and I might send out 30 letters a week, but if I get answers back from 10 I will be lucky. If either Doctor Bernard C. Watson or Attorney Michael Coard have a problem or issue with this Open letter being on the BLOG please call me and I will see about taking it down. Causing a problem BEFORE we even start this healing process is not going to do this situation any good at all.

I thank you for your Heart-Felt Consideration and your help. I look forward to hearing from you both very soon

With Peace, LOVE and Many Blessings,

I Am,



Brother Tracy Gibson,

Businessman – Fund Raiser – and Visionary…

Post Script: I will carry out my duties here on a voluntary basis right now, so as not to have any undue financial influence from either party. It would be nice to have some income for my work to help defray costs, but perhaps that will be worked out in the future from some independent, non-affiliated sources in the near future.

Post Post Script: Anyone interested can log onto the blog where this letter is featured by clicking here: http://thepoliticsofreal.blogspot.com

The Black Millionaire's Network Information and Appliction

The Black Millionaire’s Network

What We Are About….

When you find financial help in your area, we will help motivate you and help you keep focused and on track… to becoming a wealthier you…

(We will work towards becoming Black Millionaires TOGETHER!!)

Member Benefit:.

How to Maintain a Living Standard BELOW YOUR MEANS--NO MATTER WHAT YOUR MEANS ARE!!! [Very Important!!]

• Research for your business or motivation to start a business...

• Open Discussion of your situation.

• Referral to MBA’s with professional experience.

• Quarterly Newsletters [Truth Be Told] / Book Reviews.

• Two Free Tee-Shirts, [for Paid in Full Members].

• On-Going Counseling.

• Access to a Web Page with interactive discussion beginning in March of 2015.

• Access to the President of the Network and his assistants.

Please call if you have any questions. Please forward this information to your friends.

Call me with your questions or concerns at: 1.2159212065….

If you can’t afford membership right now, we will take barter merchandise, reduce your fees or allow you to pay them over time…. The Membership is FREE until November 1, of 2013.

Why do we need membership?

* To be better financial citizens.

• To Stop the Banks from exploiting and walking over us.

• To Build on limited Capital and discover how to save money in this tough economy.

• To Get your business on stronger footing in this tough market.

• To get access to professional financial services in your area.

• To Grow your Business in a positive direction and increase your bottom line.

• To Get access to growing Partnerships and Associate Marketing Opportunities.

• To know what charities are effectively helping the community you live in so you can give back to the community in an effective Way.

• To Network and make effective contacts.

• To know what corporate interests and investments to stay away from or get involved with.

• To Partner with businesses similar to yours or Special Projects that could be very lucrative for you and your company...

• To learn how to get contracts with the government at ALL levels.

``Mission Statement for The Black Millionaire’s Network (BMN)’’

We are here not just to get rich at any cost, but to do so in a responsible, well-managed and reliable Way. We may not be rich now, but we will work to build our savings; learn about money and investing; network with other Black People about finance and money; increase our credit rating; support existing Black businesses; take on reading suggestions in a positive Way; and read our coming Newsletter and our Web Page (March of 2015) . Our motto is to learn from each other and grow with each other. Taking this journey to becoming wealthy alone is one thing, but with a group of Brothers and Sisters, we are in for a ride that includes: learning, pleasure, education, sharing, gifts, and a wonderful and positive life experience.

Our positive and constructive road to wealth Will lead to finding New Ways of building enough wealth to put our children through school; buy a home (or even income property!!); get out of debt; NOT make costly financial mistakes that can have a compounded negative impact over time; and put more money in our pockets and Bank Accounts.

We will also give to struggling Black groups, churches and organizations in our communities that are making a difference in improving Black people’s lives in a Positive Way.

We will have special projects to encourage Black youth to learn about money, economics, finance, accounting and business management. We will, in the very near future, also offer jobs for youth that will lead to good careers and financial compensation…

We will give referrals from five Black MBA’s who we have had positive dealings with in the very recent past.

Please remember if you can’t afford our fee, please know that we are open to barter and fee reductions for those who cannot pay. Please share this with your friends…..

Our journey is not only to build wealth, but also to instill positive financial and personal ethics in our youth; build close relations with Black churches; and give strength to the Black community ethically and financially across the Nation. We hope you will join us!!! The Black Millionaire’s Network Membership is $100.00 per year. (negotiable / sliding scale/ if you so choose)… Please make money orders Payable to: our Brother Tracy Gibson And Associates, Inc., and send to:

The Black Millionaire’s Network

Post Office Box 42878

Philadelphia, PA 19101-2878

1.215.9212065 / BLockBoi75@yahoo.com / BrotherTracy11@GMail.Com

Note: The Black Millionaire's Network is NOT a group of millionaires, but is a group of ordinary, extraordinary people, mostly Black, who want to move ahead with their financial plans by being more thrifty, financially responsible, buying viable Progressive stocks, spending money with stores that are either Black owned or that have the best interests of the Black community at heart, saving money for positive use in the future, improving their credit ratings, sending our young LOVED ones to college or technical school, and preparing to go into entrepreneurship as effectively and quickly as possible, with the proper financing, to bring on a day of Bright Hope for ourselves and our community.

Membership Application for the Black Millionaire’s Network:

Send to: The Black Millionaire’s Network

Post Office Box: 42878

Philadelphia, PA 19101-2878

1.2159212065

BLockBoi75@Yahoo.Com

1)___________________________________________________________________________

Your Full Name

2)________________________________________________________________________________

Current Address
3)_________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number

4)__________________________________________________________________________________

Membership Fee (Waved) or PAID IN FULL

I especially need help with: Circle ALL That Apply and Specify under Other:
1) Increasing My income:

2) Increasing My Credit Rating

3) Supporting Black Businesses:

4) Help with preparing to buy a home:

5) Other: Please Specify_____________________________________________________________

Prison Reform Measures...

PRISON REFORM MEASURES Needed Right NOW!!…

Prison reform has to start with prisoner reform first. Warehousing prisoners is not working and has never worked. What ends up happening is that prisoners might go to jail with a minor violation and find themselves caught up in an in-prison lifestyle that includes permissive male to male sex [Without the use of condoms which is, foolishly, socially disallowed]; learning how to do more crimes that are often more illegal and more sophisticated than the crime(s) that the brother came in for in the first place; an overload of violence, physical and sexual abuse; and a building of a level of self-loathing and self-destruction, self-pity and addiction to illegal drugs. Black people, especially in North America, find the current system extremely unacceptable. This is mainly because it is the Black race that finds more and more of their men and women in jail doing hard time. And it is the Black Community that finds these men and women back on their doorsteps when the ``offender’’ gets out of jail. The more former offenders who are fed back into the community find there selves in negative situations and without coping skills and job skills, the more difficult it will be to take in these brothers and sisters in a positive and productive manner... The jobs, presently, just don’t exists because when they are asked if they have a ``criminal record’’ or a ``criminal background’’ they are blocked out of many jobs if they answer in the affirmative. Something drastic and revolutionary needs to be done and done quickly. And it needs to be done very, very soon… It is a situation that requires massive surgery ``before’’ the patient is lost and another generation or two of Black and largely poor people goes down the drain—including hundreds of Black men who can and will be productive citizens if we keep on the case and keep the pressure on ALL formations of government, as well as our social support systems and those in our communities and in other communities who give money to worthy causes……

SUGGESTIONS:

1A) One of the main suggestions I suggest to cut back on AIDS and HIV coming from the Nation's prison sustem is to start a program where the best behaved prisoners get to spend time in a confined, comfortable room ALONE with a video projector and some adult films of their choosing and with lotion and adiquite clean towles as needed.  This will obviously be for the gentlemen to spend intimate time alone and masturbate for a few hours.  Men are taking sexual aggression out on each other way too much and punishing each other through sexual abuse way too much.  THis cycle of abuse needs to end and this is one sure Way to curb it.


1) Start a separation system through which the least likely to recommit crimes are taken away from those who are most likely to recommit crimes. Each prison should have a section for such people who can be given light work to do, the freedom to read books, better food, more open and legitimate contact with the outside, and direct job training that leads to a real living wage job on the outside. The private sector can be relied upon for assistance in paying for these training programs, on a voluntary basis, and allowed to benefit from picking the best employees they want from the people who successfully finish such training programs.

2) Some prisons have already started programs where prisoners who are in same-gender relationships and who are going to be in jail for a long time are respected and allowed to let those monogamous relationships flourish. This is something that seems to work, at least in the TV documentary I saw recently {On ``Lock Down,’’ on MSNBC... } It should certainly be examined and given at least pilot program status in our Nation’s prison systems.

3) Condoms MUST be given out in prison and used by men who have sex with other men. It is a proven fact—and many of our Nation’s AIDS-Fighting organizations have the numbers to show it—that many people who come out of the prison system in North America bring STD’s, including HIV back to the Black community. Many men, for example, begin to take on female partners again once they leave the prison system. This is part of the reason why some Black women are finding themselves HIV positive after they have been intimate with former offenders. Something drastic has to be done here and accepting condom use in the prison system is a good start. Also: more education about STDs and HIV is desperately needed in the prison system and in Black and Latin communities across North America... If you are asking how to off-set some of the obvious political outcry that will come from the Right Wing and more family oriented and conservative elements among the electorate and the body politic, all I can say is they are giving our Brothers and Sisters in the neighborhoods and the communities a death sentence by allowing HIV and AIDS to flourish in our community. Our babies are being born with HIV, partly due to the open sex in the Prison system where condoms are unavailable and not being use with regularity. It is worth taking a political hit for this one and you will be strengthening families and saving lives. This must be explained to the electorate.

4) Rape MUST be disallowed, not encouraged. The level of brutality can be curbed if men are allowed to have training, art classes, access to libraries and even passes out of the prison system for great behavior. [Remember this is for first-time offenders and people who are deemed to be non-repeat offenders, non-violent, not run-away threats, and always with a record of good behavior.]

5) The level of illegal drug use and illegal drug abuse can also be curbed greatly when men see other men getting real training in carpentry, electric, journalism, computers, housing construction (electronics), administrative office work, and engineering etc. Women should have full access to such training as well and be rewarded for great behavior as well. ALL programs should reach across gender, race, religious and sexual orientation lines…

6) People will have access to this training and an outside job as they are pulled out of the general population for great behavior. There must be separate places for the best prisoners far away from people who find themselves in situations where they want to destroy people, property and themselves. Low level violators who display such ``great behavior’’ should have access to healthcare, dental care, eye glasses, and other benefits as well such as those mentioned before in this document….

7) What to do with the real hardened criminals will be discussed now. I feel that such people DO NOT benefit from harsh treatment. They should get psychiatric treatment and be allowed to stay alone as much as possible. The entire North American society needs to take a real hard look at the level of violence within our borders and find ways of stemming it through less violence on TV and in movies, more educational programming on TV and greater emphasis on education in the school system and through other avenues such as churches and Mosques.... For example, in Philadelphia there are only about seven percent Black male teachers in the school system. This is ridiculous!!! Black males serve as great positive role models for our Black young men who are considering illegal behavior, often for economic and peer pressure reasons. WE HAVE TO GET MORE BLACK MALE TEACHERS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. There are always people who just break all the rules while being detained for major crimes in the prison system. They must have limited if any access to the general prison population. They should get a daily dose of access to the stories of people who have broken the law and who have decided to go up the correct path in life and change their lives. They should also be in confined quarters and not allowed to have ANY contact with prison guards, the police, other prison officials and so forth because they are a threat to such personnel. They SHOULD NOT be fed ``nasty’’ food or sexually or physically abused in any way. Some of these people are just mentally ill and must be given proper treatment for such problems as depression, bipolarism, schizophrenia and so forth. Such people cannot be around others openly and often because they cannot be trusted to not physically and sexually abuse others. Mental health professionals, Community Advocates, Progressive clergy, Social Advocates, Progressive Political leaders within the political system and from outside the system, should be called upon and relied upon to consistently create a positive program for the rehabilitation of and assistance for such prisoners. Such personnel MUST be paid proper living wages. As such programs are devised and implemented we will see the rates of imprisonment in our nation decrease and the humanity with which our prisoners are treated increase. Such programs MUST be protected from political manipulation by elected officials, corruption and other processes that would destroy the integrity of such programs. Male, female, gay, straight, bisexual and transgendered, and all races of people and all religious groups must be allowed to freely, openly and equally take part in such programs. Such programs should also NOT be impinged by any local, state, or National budget cuts.

8) Violence coming from staff, guards and other formal prison officials is deeply unacceptable and should be met with criminal charges and financial liability.

9) Prison populations are now, in North America, as diverse as the general population. Diversity should be respected and differences should be celebrated and understood as much as possible, not punished and repudiated. An increase in cross-cultural experiences should be emphasized, not de-emphasized.

10) Celebrations in prisons, for birthdays, holidays, and better food for such events should be given out according to great behavior as well as access to TV, radio, libraries, computers, music and movies…

11) As mentioned earlier, there should be an emphasis on ``family and friend’’ visits, better food and other benefits for people who want to work and who have ``Great Behavior’’…. Prisoners who exemplify such great behavior should also be allowed personal intimate time {within reason} with outside visitors, other inmates and family members within guidelines to be set up by the prisons themselves and each prison MUST have uncorrupted community representation on all official boards and for ALL decision-making processes.

12) White collar crimes must be deemed as hurtful and illegal as community crimes such as bank robbery, theft, muggings, etc. and punishment for such crimes, which cost our economy billions of dollars each year, must be equally punishable by law.

13) The formation and existence of in-house race gangs MUST be deemphasized, disallowed, discouraged and grounds for the taking away of privileges such as TV, Movies, good and better food, library privileges, interaction privileges, visitation privileges, gym use and access to the field and or yard, etc.

14) Any and ALL legal challenges derived from the prison population and their advocates, families, friends and advisors must be taken seriously by the prison authorities and ALL authorities such as the judicial branch, the legislative branch and the executive branch of government {on the local, state and National level}, especially when such legal challenges are approved by the prisoner in question.

15) There must also be much more legal and social advocates for prisoners and prison rights across the country and such advocates MUST be supported by various charities, social movements, social activists, churches, thinkers, scholars and academicians, and average citizens. Such advocates MUST be paid a living wage. People who have the financial means to contribute to such causes MUST have open and legal access to giving the funds they wish to contribute to such causes available to them on a regular consistent basis.

A scaled-down version of these Prison Reforms were Submitted to the Obama Transition Team in November of 2008 by Brother Tracy Gibson; They will be Re-submitted to the President of the United States Mr. Barack Obama, on November 11th, 2012.

Reach Brother Tracy Gibson @ BlockBoi75@Yahoo.Com




Address:
Brother Tracy Gibson
213 South 49th Street
Philadelphi, Penn 19139-4205
1.215.471.64.94

[As soon as I'm financially able I will send these suggestions to the Correction Manager for the State of Pa.]

The Black Millionaire's Network--What We Are About and An Application...

The Black Millionaire’s Network

What We Are About….

When you find financial help in your area, we will help motivate you and help you keep focused and on track… to becoming a wealthier you…

(We will work towards becoming Black Millionaires TOGETHER!!)

Member Benefit:.

 * How to Live BELOW Your MEans [Very Important]...

• Research for your business or motivation to start a business...

• Open Discussion of your situation.

• Referral to MBA’s with professional experience.

• Quarterly Newsletters [Truth Be Told] / Book Reviews.

• Two Free Tee-Shirts, [for Paid in Full Members].

• On-Going Counseling.

• Access to a Web Page with interactive discussion beginning in March of 2013.

• Access to the President of the Network and his assistants.

Please call if you have any questions. Please forward this information to your friends.

Call us with your questions or concerns at: 1.215.471.64.94….

If you can’t afford membership right now, we will take barter merchandise, reduce your fees or allow you to pay them over time…. The Membership is FREE until November 1, of 2013.

Why do we need membership?

* To be better financial citizens.

• To Stop the Banks from exploiting and walking over us.

• To Build on limited Capital and discover how to save money in this tough economy.

• To Get your business on stronger footing in this tough market.

• To get access to professional financial services in your area.

• To Grow your Business in a positive direction and increase your bottom line.

• To Get access to growing Partnerships and Associate Marketing Opportunities.

• To know what charities are effectively helping the community you live in so you can give back to the community in an effective Way.

• To Network and make effective contacts.

• To know what corporate interests and investments to stay away from or get involved with.

• To Partner with businesses similar to yours or Special Projects that could be very lucrative for you and your company...

• To learn how to get contracts with the government at ALL levels.

``Mission Statement for The Black Millionaire’s Network (BMN)’’

We are here not just to get rich at any cost, but to do so in a responsible, well-managed and reliable Way. We may not be rich now, but we will work to build our savings; learn about money and investing; network with other Black People about finance and money; increase our credit rating; support existing Black businesses; take on reading suggestions in a positive Way; and read our coming Newsletter and our Web Page (March of 2013) . Our motto is to learn from each other and grow with each other. Taking this journey to becoming wealthy alone is one thing, but with a group of Brothers and Sisters, we are in for a ride that includes: learning, pleasure, education, sharing, gifts, and a wonderful and positive life experience.

Our positive and constructive road to wealth Will lead to finding New Ways of building enough wealth to put our children through school; buy a home (or even income property!!); get out of debt; NOT make costly financial mistakes that can have a compounded negative impact over time; and put more money in our pockets and Bank Accounts.

We will also give to struggling Black groups, churches and organizations in our communities that are making a difference in improving Black people’s lives in a Positive Way.

We will have special projects to encourage Black youth to learn about money, economics, finance, accounting and business management. We will, in the very near future, also offer jobs for youth that will lead to good careers and financial compensation…

We will give referrals from five Black MBA’s who we have had positive dealings with in the very recent past.

Please remember if you can’t afford our fee, please know that we are open to barter and fee reductions for those who cannot pay. Please share this with your friends…..

Our journey is not only to build wealth, but also to instill positive financial and personal ethics in our youth; build close relations with Black churches; and give strength to the Black community ethically and financially across the Nation. We hope you will join us!!! The Black Millionaire’s Network Membership is $100.00 per year. (negotiable / sliding scale/ if you so choose)…

Please make money orders Payable to: our Brother Tracy Gibson And Associates, Inc., and send to:

The Black Millionaire’s Network

Post Office Box 42878

Philadelphia, PA 19101-2878

1.215.471.64.94 / BLockBoi75@yahoo.com / BrotherTracy11@GMail.Com

Note: The Black Millionaire's Network is NOT a group of millionaires, but is a group of ordinary, extraordinary people, mostly Black, who want to move ahead with their financial plans by being more thrifty, financially responsible, buying viable Progressive stocks, spending money with stores that are either Black owned or that have the best interests of the Black community at heart, saving money for positive use in the future, improving their credit ratings, sending our young LOVED ones to college or technical school, and preparing to go into entrepreneurship as effectively and quickly as possible, with the proper financing, to bring on a day of Bright Hope for ourselves and our community.

Membership Application for the Black Millionaire’s Network:

Send to: The Black Millionaire’s Network

Post Office Box: 42878

Philadelphia, PA 19101-2878

1.215.471.64.94

BLockBoi75@Yahoo.Com

1)_______________________________________________________________________________

Your Full Name

2)________________________________________________________________________________

Current Address

3)_________________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number

4)__________________________________________________________________________________

Membership Fee (Waved) or PAID IN FULL

I especially need help with: Circle ALL That Apply and Specify under Other:

1) Increasing My income:

2) Increasing My Credit Rating:

3) Supporting Black Businesses:

4) Help with preparing to buy a home:

5) Other: Please Specify_____________________________________________________________

Queen Latifah Presents Mama Africa.

Uno's World, from Namibian Director Bridget Pickering centers on a young girl and her no-so-promising romance with a young man who Father's a child with Her and leaves Her with responsibilities she is unprepared for. This familiar North American theme, especially in Black communities, is made more ethnically enriched through the use of African actors.  This series f films by Queen latifah is a real fresh splash of cool water compared to the general fair of Male-Oriented action yarn and Lifetime ``ALL WHITE'' films that our young people can't relate to. From 2001.

11 IMPORTANT MONEY TIPS

11 Economic Commandments To Live By…   1) Share with others.

2) Always search for a bargain if you have time.

3) Save 10 % of your money.

4) Invest in your own businesses!

5) Invest in your own people, especially the poor.

6) Don’t do anything too crazy.

7) Always own Real Estate.

8) Fight to improve your credit rating and your credit score and keep it up once you get it up (So pay your bills on time where-ever possible.)

9) Never exploit workers or rip off Anyone [AND don't ALLOW OTHERS TO RIP YOU OFF].....

10) Give as you would be given to.

11) Don’t support stores or individuals that don’t adhere to these rules (No Excuses). That means Macy's; Monsanto Products [posted here].....Wal Mart; Coca Cola; Chick Fellet [homophobic]; Pepsi; Haliburton[war contractors]; McDonalds [ Killing Black; Latin and Poor White People with tainted, poor quality and chemically treated food.] I am NOT the only one calling for a BOYCOTT of these stores...!!!

Rosetta DeBerardinis

http://www.rosettadeberardinis.com/ rosettagallery@aol.com

(From Brother Tracy Gibson of Philadelphia but for EVERYONE!!)

Media Educator / Writer / Businessman

Kickin Around Boots About Acceptance ...

Listen Up, Before You Give Me the Boot...

By Brother Tracy Gibson

Before you give me the boot because I am Same Gender Loving or a Homosexual there are a few things you should know about my history, motivations, goals, aspirations, and my acceptance and or non-acceptance of my so-called ``lifestyle''... I am a Pro-Black Family Man, I may not have children myself {That I know of} or a wife, but I want our children to grow up straight and have families--I DON'T want them to share my lifestyle. I love Black Men AND Black Women.. I love Black children—but only in positive, progressive, holistic, spiritual and appropriate Ways {I pray about this ALL the time, and I mean ALL the time}-- and I have dedicated my life to our black children’s betterment and advancement.

I may well be and definitely am a Homosexual, but that doesn't mean I want others in our community to take on this lifestyle. I want to see our young men and young women grow up to be straight, responsible, caring, loving, respectable, law-abiding, trustworthy, non-drug using {Illegal drugs I mean}, and honest people. If they do turn out to be Homosexual or Same Gender Loving, I don't want to see them ostracized by our community and hated or disrespected, but accepted and given the chance to accomplish what they can for the short time we are all here on this planet earth. So-called Gay people or Homosexuals are a secret weapon in our fight for liberation and a secret Way to help finance our struggle and movement—especially black gay and lesbian and black transgendered people, but they need to be trained, respected and loved and appreciated…. [A TALL order, I know.] {Many of us—as Gay people--have disposable income because we don't have children and the medical bills, food bills and tuition costs that comes along with being parents..} To be ostracized for being Same Gender Loving is just the same as being ostracized for being disabled, Black, left-handed, or into an addictive lifestyle such as having a food addiction or a drug dependency... We all need to not only have more tolerance of ourselves and each other, if we want to be accepted ourselves, we also need to learn to take on the nature of LOVe, Peace, Understanding, Self-Acceptance, Growth, Kindness and Sharing--not the non-virtues of greed, hatred, deceit, repugnance, guilt, and deception.

Yes, Yes, Yes, all this is very hard to discuss because I am right in the heart of the Black community of West Philadelphia and I can be targeted like anyone else. But I have to be honest with the community because I not only want your emotional support, but I also want your financial support and I want to be looked upon as an ethical leader among the Black men of the community.

As you may or may NOT know, I was sexually molested as a black child growing up in West Philadelphia. I was about eight or nine and I was working for a shop-keeper helping him run a general store. One day we were sitting in the back of the store watching ``Gomer Pile,'' –I swear this is true--and he must have been board or something and he decided to put his hands where they didn't belong. I was way too young to know what the heck was going on so I let things occur. After the incident {Which didn't include any penis penetration on either of our parts} I left the store and never went back. Talking about this to you is no joke and it should signal to you the importance of what I'm getting at. Sometimes, for the good of the community, we have to get over embarrassment and talk about the difficult things.

I thought my childhood was a great thing, a great time, but a few years later I started to have the issues of anger and resentment for no apparent reason. I finally talked with my Mom and Dad about the incident when I was about 17. They were shocked and saddened by what had happened, but it was something that, even then, they didn't really want to talk about.

What I'm getting at here is the fact that now I want to help other youth, especially Black youths, who have been ostracized by their families because of the fact that they are Homosexuals. I also want to help Black families deal with talking more directly, openly and clearly to their young men and young women about sex in a positive, honest and forthright way {without fear and embarrassment. So what happened to me doesn't have to happen to them so easily and so quickly without something like therapy and prison time happening to the perpetrator (s). I want more forthright talk and discussion on ALL the issues that face us, not just ones surrounding sex. It is interesting to note that according to some statistics, something like 50 % of Gay or Same Gender Loving men were sexually abused when they were children--often at the hands of a Father, Uncle, Family friend, Employer or someone else like a Step-Father or cousin. This is something we don't want to talk about and something that still gets swept under the rug. In case you haven't noticed lately, there are a lot of lumpy rugs in the Black community. My self-proclaimed job has been to lift those old rugs up and start a cleaning and dusting process that will help us look at not only our sexual abuse issues more clearly, but also other issues such as how we deceive ourselves about our finances; how we abuse ourselves and each other physically and mentally; how we obsess over food, clothing, cars, diamonds and other material items and how these obsessions are NOT healthy mentally, financially or even socially and physically; how we waste millions of dollars each week on the Lotto; and how we have allowed drugs {legal prescriptions and illegal drugs} to take a hold of the ethics in our community and turn our entire community upside down. I want to see us turned right-side up like Farrakhan does, but I DON’T think we have to hate Jewish People or Lesbian and Gay people to get there. {I do think Jewish People have taken advantage of us as black people. They have helped exploit and oppress us, but we can boycott their stores, research and find out what stores they own and stop purchasing the diamonds and gold chains that they are mining in Africa. That is the Way to get at them, not just bad-mouthing them and hating them. That is childish and silly.}

It is time for a fresh start. It is time for fresh discussions. It is time for fresh and new people to get a chance to lead our people and our nation. The Old Guard has largely been manipulated, at a real expense to our community and to our oppressors. Our old guard taught us a lot, but considering the state of our community they have, at least partially, failed Big Time. It is time for a New Look... It is time to bring truth to light, as the Brilliant Reggie Bryant, formerly of WRTI Radio and WURD Radio used to say. There are thousands of men and women in our community who want to bring more truth, understanding and light into how we deal with each other and how we deal with our own oppression. I have dedicated about 35 years of my life to this struggle--the struggle for human rights, civility, Civil Rights, decency, Women's Rights, and even Gay rights {I know some of you don't like that one, but I'm trying to explain why we should take a second look at that instead of allowing the Right Wing to control the debate and listen to them. We should make up our own minds on this subject. } The Black Church, at least some sectors of it, have allowed themselves to be manipulated and moved to right wing actions like chastising Gays and Lesbians, ostracizing gays and lesbians and transgendered people, and even supporting the killing of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people in Africa, which, by the way, is something I deplore and something I plan to fight actively against through presenting positive information that will help to internationally criminalize taking physical action against people who have different lifestyles.

As you know there have been more and more people coming out about their own experiences. There is a former NFL player who is a Homosexual and has been speaking out about his experiences. He is also Black, as I am also. There are other activists like Keith Boykin who have written books on the subject such as ``One More River to Cross: Black and Gay in America,’’ ; and there are films coming out about the subject such as ``Noah's Arc: The Complete First Season,'' {Cable TV Show}, Starring Nick Arquette, Jensen Atwod and Rodney Chester; ``Dirty Laundry,'' starring Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Devine, and Jenifer Lewis; ``Tongues Untied,'' directed by Marlon Riggs; ``Looking for Langston,'' Starring Ben Ellison, Matthew Baidoo and Akim Mosaji; ``Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom,'' Starring Darryl Stephens and Jensen Atwood, {2008} ``Brother to Brother'' (2005) Starring Anthony Mackie, Larry Gilliard Jr., and Duane Bouttle; ``A Litany For Survival, '' by Lesbian filmmaker Michelle Parkerson, {A play cousin of mine who I know personally}; and ``Adodi--25 Years

Later, The Legacy.. '' a film by filmmaker Rod Patrick Risbrook for which I was interviewed and which is due out next August {2013}..

There are also several books on the subject such as: ``Brother to Brother,'' By Essex Hemphill ``In the Life: A Black Gay Anthology’’ by Joseph Beam {The first such know book in history...} ``Another Country,'' by famed Black writer James Baldwin and ``Sister Outsider,'' by Poet Audry Lord...

When we as Black thinking people see a subject that people are squabbling, fighting, arguing over and that is driving a shaft of hatred and anger through our community, the best thing to do is to take time and read about the subject and NOT take on angry and hateful position that only causes consternation, disgruntlement, anger and more hatred. That leads us nowhere fast. Elections have been lost by us on a National level, like in 2004, when the Republican Party manipulated this ``GAY'' issue and used it like a rope around our necks. Knowledge loosens the rope and lets us breath and reach agreement to work together on what we can and not feel hatred about different sectors of our community.. Reading and research also allows us to understand points of view different from our own.

I have noticed the very obtuse ways in which we are living in North America. We are letting a culture that basically hates us raise our children by letting them freely watch the muck and mire on TV; we are allowing our children to run free and curse us, disrespect us and not attend church or Mosque when we know they will greatly benefit from some constructive, consistent religious experiences; we let our society say we should not allow our parents, grandparents and trusted and respected elders and guardians and other such trusted and respected friends and extended family members and our children experience time together and read together and learn to respect each other. We have lost this part of our African root and our African culture. We can win it back and re-institute such positive cultural and social advantages back into our communities. It will take time, It can happen, but we ALL have to work at it. It may mean replacing some politicians and some churches who are about profits and not people, but if that is so, let it be and let it happen, or get out of the Way. We must and can do better.

The ``Doing Better'' part is where me and my company come in. I am not alone. There are literally thousands of activists who want to help Black people reach more unified, understanding and work together where we can. I hope you will read several other articles in this BLOG:

http//:thepoliticsofreal.blogspot.com…

so you will understand the level of dedication I have shown in helping resolve and work on community problems on a local, statewide, national and international level. Give me and us as part of the Vanguard of the community a chance. Open your mind. Read. Listen to others. Read Progressive writing like: ``The Nation Magazine,'' ``The Progressive,'' ``Mother Jones,'' ``The Crisis,'' and ``The Worker's World Newspaper,'' and ``The Final Call,'' which have liberal and even radical perspectives on this issue of Gays and Gay Rights and other issues. There is also an organization called the Black Radical Congress, which is a Black radical Organization {Which I have worked for, for a brief time in the past} which has a more open and understanding policy in dealing positively with Gay, Lesbian and Same Gender Loving issues and people. I thank you for reading this and I wish you well...THIS ARTICLE IS POSTED on my blog, BUT STILL BEING EDITED!!!