paravanes:meditations

Please plan now to wear red on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 . Red is my favorite color and I have never considered it a color associated with "looseness" or the willingness to be loud. Red (for me) represents energy, love, passion, and almost every other emotion that makes life worth living. I've told my friends that when or if I get married again, the color red will be in my wedding dress. I remember shopping with my mother and older sister when I was a child. I'd watch them pull dresses from the racks in the stores and pronounce some colors "too loud" to wear. It seems that red and yellow were always the "too loud" ones. When I grew up, I decided red looked beautiful with my brown skin as a background. One of my favorite summer dresses is a yellow floral. When I'm wearing red on October 31st, I hope I'll have the chance to tell someone why. I hope I'll have the chance to remind someone that too much violence is directed against women

Statistics say 1 of 4 women in the U.S. will experience domestic violence during her lifetime. I'm particularly interested in how some Christian teachings and peer pressure in the African-American community impact this statistic. I think it's useful to have a man's point of view. Here is one, from one of my favorite blogs: What About Our Daughters: WAOD Lets a Brother Speak on Domestic Violence: The Most Common Black on Black Crime ( By: DJ Black Adam)

When I was growing up, the only "special" month I remember was "Black History Month." The celebration originally known as "Negro History Week" expanded to a month long event. My teachers told me February (the shortest month) was chosen by founder Dr. Carter G. Woodson because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were believed to have birthdays during that month. Now we have all kinds of special months and I can't keep up with most of them. Actually, I don't feel an interest or need for keeping up with them. This month, however, is one I feel needs more meaningful attention. Domestic Violence Awareness Month Too many of us have had the experience of interacting with a family member, ex-spouse, or "friend" who feels it is OK to yell, shout, verbally threaten/intimidate, or strike a woman. I had a conversation recently in which I shared my experience with someone I thought would understand. Her responses were completely focused on wha

One writer said it this way: "Isiah Thomas is not the biggest boor at the Madison Square Garden." Now that the jury has decided the plaintiff, Anucha Browne Sanders, made her case and was harassed by Thomas in her executive position at MSG, what happens next? My hope is Mrs. Browne Sanders will find another place to work. In the lawsuit, Browne Sanders requested reinstatement of her $260,000 per year job. During a recorded deposition played back during the trial, Thomas said he would be deeply offended if a white man called a Black woman a bitch, but he personally didn't feel as negatively about a Black man calling a Black woman the same thing. I suppose there's a sense of "ownership" regarding Black women that lives in Thomas' mind . I'm happy the jury picked up on that little clue. The court has ruled: $11.6 million in punitive damages will be owed to Browne Sanders. Everyone, including Thomas, has stated an appeal will be made. Thomas may not be t