Tag Archives: poverty

Black Apathy

January 24, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Dr. Samori Swygert: Black Apathy

There comes a time when your genuine care and concern brings your greatest frustration and disappointment. Merriam-Webster defines the word; Apathy, as a lack of feeling or emotion. The more time progresses, I find myself getting frequently frustrated with my conversations among people.

I can bring up Jay-Z, Real Housewives, Scandal, Kim Kardashian, Lil Wayne, some new song, some crazy trend/fad, who’s h**o$*xual, what designer dress Beyonce wore to an award show, a controversial statement made by a star, some Hollywood pregnancy, some Hollywood divorce, what Twitter war is happening, the latest Facebook post, and everybody has a comment. Everybody has a soapbox and everybody has a copious amount of dialogue.

However, when I initiate discussion on issues of substance that has a true impact and ramifications on our lives and future, people become mum. I mean people literally go mute, silent, and comatose.

If a tree falls in the forest does anyone hear it?

You can forward an email with an article about the erosion of your civil liberties and privacy, the misuse of your tax dollars, closing of schools, an elementary school kid gunned down, raiding of your pension plans, government fiscal plans that threaten your retirement, HBCUs closing, corporate control of our food supply and environment, the Neo-Colonization of Africa, urban gentrification, incarceration, police abuse, technology phasing out human labor, or something of historical significance that bares relevance to current conditions, and you’re lucky if you get 2 responses.

It’s like as long as problems don’t affect their immediate circumstance, and disturb the norm of their status quo, then they don’t care. The attitude is like: ”as long as my family ain’t shot”, ” well I have a house, and I ain’t homeless”, “well I’m employed so….”, “he must have done something for the police to arrest him so…”, “well I live in America, not Africa..”. This lackadaisical, cavalier, nonchalant disposition that a good portion of our people walk around with kills me.

I’m not stupid

I’m not stupid. I’m fully aware that people have the demands and responsibilities of their daily lives. Many people have the obligations of work, children, spouses, school, caring for aging relatives. The ease of watching TV, movies, listening to music, and just “kicking it”, allows for a release from the stress. I get it, I really do!! However, where is the balance????

Lawrence Fishburne Screams “WAKE UP!!!!”

We can’t continue to ignore real issues. Ignoring issues doesn’t remove them. At some point in time we have to be proactive and intervene on our own welfare, and the welfare of our fellow human beings. Am I my brother’s keeper? Where is our community? Does, “What you have not done for the least of my brothers” ring a bell?

We are in society where a conglomeration of forces are plotting, dictating, choreographing and orchestrating our future, and we are sitting back unconcerned and mute. Corporate, governmental, media, and social Think Tanks are steadily crafting legislation, laws, and policies to be incorporated into our daily lives and a good portion of us are sitting docile.

Moves are being made incrementally, and gradually, but we choose to smirk and laugh at the nuances as if they are nonthreatening. We sit and believe in this imaginary moral code of our politicians when they are bought by high-paying lobbyists. People even prefer that you not mention or talk about these issues with them.

What will it take for us to wake up? Will the government have to take away our right to vote, lock up our spouse, take our kid, ration our food supply, place us on curfew, move us to the far outskirts of town, prohibit our education, dictate who we worship, dictate how many kids we have, force feed us medication, and put us in a uniform before we click our heals and realize we are not in Kansas anymore? This has happened before you know…..slavery in America, Japanese camps in America, Vagrancy Laws, apartheid in South Africa, certain policies in China, Nazis in Germany. History does repeat itself you know. Don’t think this can’t happen!

The atrocities of dictatorship are only prevented by the vigilance, and diligence of the people it seeks to dominate. Currently we show little interest in vigilance and diligence. It hurts when you have to conveniently “dumb down” your conversation to sports, entertainment, gossip, and other BS to get any communication.

So many people got a wake up call when the debt ceiling and fiscal cliff happened. People were furloughed, out of work and crying. People were trying to figure out how to pay mortgage, student loans, buy food, pay car notes, pay child support, and etc. When congress came to a deal and ended the standoff, people receded back to their old ways and habits. Did anybody learn anything from that? Just as easy as that happened, it can happen again at a moments notice.

People please help me ring this bell. Do as they do in church and “nudge your neighbor”, and tell them ” it’s time to wake up”, sleep time is over.

National & Local Politics

America Sends $1.7 Billion To Syria While Americans Go Poor

January 24, 2014 admin Leave a comment

by: Dr. Samori Swygert

John Kerry has just pledged another $380 million dollars to Syria for humanitarian aid, and this brings it to a total of $1.7 Billion dollars… Okay, let that linger and simmer for a second.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/15/world/meast/us-syria-aid/

So what’s all this talk about debt ceiling, sequestration, fiscal cliffs, recession, furloughs all about? What’s all the talk about cutting SNAP, cutting long term unemployment insurance, destruction of pensions about?

We are not in a war with Syria? We haven’t destroyed Syria? So why are your tax dollars going over to Syria, while people are going poor right here in America? America’s priorities are in complete disarray! How many families are getting displaced daily due to increased cost of living compounded with low wage jobs that stubborn companies refuse to raise despite booms in revenue?

Unemployment reports come out that hold no water. They drop a half percent and the news media acts like the citizens should be jumping for joy. They don’t comment on the type of jobs that are obtained. Many of these jobs don’t provide gainful employment. By that I mean this, a job that generates enough revenue to cover your living expenses with adequate surplus for savings and an opportunities to progress in the field. I mean slaves had jobs, and they were paid in food, water, and whips. Yes, the unemployment rate for slaves was extremely low, all of them had a job, right?

Don’t act like 1000 people getting hired at McDonald’s is a step in the right direction. Certainly it is work, but lets be real, you cant work at McDonald’s and support yourself in today’s economic atmosphere. Why do you think McDonald’s employees are striking all over the nation. Their income doesn’t compliment their routine expenses.

So when we can send a total of $1.7 billion dollars to a country we don’t have any ownership to, we are contributing to the bankrupting of America and subjugation of the poor and middle class. We are completely ignoring their issues. Is America being economically and fiscally patriotic to it’s own citizens? This is fiscal negligence.

However, we sit quietly by, assuming or hoping that things will change, but our apathy is shocking. Are you okay knowing that we still have to readdress the debt ceiling of $17 Trillion dollars, but your taxes go to Syria for ___________(you fill in the blank)? So each and every time a foreign government makes poor choices on governing their people, the American citizens have to pick up the tab?

Hmmm lets see,….. we’ve bailed out the banks, bailed out the housing market, bailed out the auto industry, now we’re bailing out Syria. All of this done with our tax dollars. Well who is bailing out the American citizen that is bankrolling the bailouts for everybody else?

I’m not saying that I wish ill will and hatred on Syrian people, because I don’t. However, imagine this ladies and gentlemen. Suppose your baby had pneumonia, your wife is unemployed, and bills are due. How would the husband look taking his paycheck and spending it on a family around the corner to help get their kitchen remodeled? Who is this man’s loyalty, and allegiance to? The only other reason I can think about is if the nation is engaging in “global loan sharking”, lending money to foreign nations at high interest rates in exchange for control, and I hope it’s not that!

Either way I hope we see this. The American citizens can use that money right here and right now in America for job creation, and other social services. I highly recommend that you read my other article to see the perspective I’m coming from as we pop bottles, watch the game, watch TV, but not watching our own destruction. Many of us are in denial and can’t see that we are being slow walked off the plank. How many of you know someone that is unemployed, just laid off, lost their home, or you’re helping a relative get back on their feet from today’s economy?

Until next time… wash your hands, exercise 30 minutes a day, love your family, save and invest your money, help somebody, eat healthy and pray…..Dr. Swygert signing off.

http://financialjuneteenth.com/dr-samori-swygert-explains-corporate-greed-will-destroy-america/

Socio-Cultural Commentary

Author says black people are like chickens being fed into the prison industrial complex

November 19, 2013 admin Leave a comment

By: Dr. Samori Swygert

Chicken has long been an international staple in the dietary menus of many humans for centuries. Chicken provides a high source of protein in its daily nutritional value. In America, blacks have somehow been pegged with the stigma of chicken and watermelon eating folks (but we know that’s nonsense). However, if prepared correctly, this avian delicacy can play a part in a savory meal for all ethnicities in America, and yes whites are included!

However, the culinary processing of poultry is not what this article is about! There is a deeper tie in to this correlation between blacks and chicken. First, before taking offense, I challenge you to look deeper and have an honest introspective review of us as blacks in contemporary times, and the plots on our lives. The question I challenge you with is this, “Are you a chicken or an Eagle”?

Scan your local city terrain, and you will see pigeons, in parks you may see or hear the presence of owls and other birds that fly around. However, you will not see a chicken flying around the streets of L.A., Harlem, D.C., Miami, Chicago and etc. Chickens like Owls, Ravens, Eagles, Hawks, Doves, and Pigeons, have wings to fly, but you don’t see them flying. You can even go camping in your nearest forest or State Park, and you will not see a chicken flying around. Why is that?

Chickens have been mentally conditioned that they can’t fly, and/or don’t have the ability to engage in prolonged flight, or are fattened to the point that their wings can’t support their weight. Subsequently, they spend the majority of their life walking the grounds subjected to the will of their farmer. THEY HAVE BEEN DOMESTICATED! The farmer controls the farm and has constructed a chicken coop to warehouse his commodity, the chicken.

The chicken is unassuming and unassertive and relies on the farmer to provide chicken feed for its food supply. The farmer does not feed the chicken because he is nutritionally philanthropic. The farmer has goals and financial objectives for each stage of life of each chicken in his coop. The savvy farmer routinely feeds the chicken to fatten and plump it, to the maximum desirability for the consumption of his customers and profitability of his business. When the chicken is at maximum potential, it produces the highest quality and quantity of eggs and meat.

The unassuming chicken allows its offspring to be taken, processed, and sold to the market. The other plumped chickens are sold for the slaughter of wings, breast and thighs. Lastly, a select few are choicely preserved for the continuum of breeding and preservation of his business. By preserving some live chickens, he will always have production. When he slaughters or sells eggs, he will create two markets of commerce. This is quota control and inventory management. The chickens and eggs grow under a well regulated and controlled environment specifically for the financial aggrandizement of their master.

Furthermore, the female chicken is referred to as the Hen and the male chicken is the Rooster. The Rooster is known throughout the farming community for being a polygamous fowl and will have many Hens nesting at one time. The Rooster is also referred to as the, “c**k”. The farmer also will sell Roosters or breed Roosters for entertainment purposes of, “Cockfights”! This is where other Roosters fight each other and the winning owner gets paid.

Because chickens are unassuming of their ability, potential, and independence they are captured, caged and domesticated, and subsequently their whole lineage is subjected to domestication. In human terms, domestication equals incarceration and control.

Who are the customers of this farmer? The customers are now the private prison corporations, the military, careless educational systems, and other correctional facilities.

What does this American farmer feed his chickens to plump them for maximum desirability? The chicken feed is Crack-cocaine, alcohol and other designer drugs that keep us unassuming, noncompetitive, complacent, docile, and in violation of the law (fattened and prepared for prison).

Who are the Hens that watch over and control the coop? The Hens are preselected black leaders and entertainers that urge us to remain in the coop, or men that exert physical control of homes and communities, but provide no quality influence over family and community structure or future progress. We are engaged in “cockfights” as military soldiers for big government desires for global control, and domestic benefit of slave labor in prison when we kill each other.

I believe we are eagles, capable of our own freedom of flight, and keen perception of independence to feed and provide for ourselves and families. Eagles build their own nest, determine their future, and will fight to the death for their offspring. I favor the story of Rev. CL Franklin about The Eagle Stirs Her Nest. I encourage us all to be eagles and teach the power of flight to our fellow friends, and family to get off this farm. Peace!

National & Local Politics

Humanity versus Hu”money”ty

November 18, 2013 admin Leave a comment

Humanity vs Humoneyty = American Hypocrisy

By Dr. Samori Swygert

The secret is out! The government of the United States of America is officially SHUTDOWN! This may come as no surprise to many citizens. The Democrats and Republicans have come to a stalemate yet again. The citizens are again the collateral damage in the clash of egos, arrogance, philosophy, and greed.

This repetitive battle has become an infuriating conundrum among the people. As citizens, we work hard, sacrifice, and pay taxes. The government’s payroll, and services operate off the tax base of our hard earned money. However, members of congress are embracing the belief that they can operate with impunity, unaccountability, and still receive a paycheck for not doing their jobs.

Tea Party members and Republicans have a consistent complaint of their American tax dollars going to welfare programs. Many of these individuals feel that their money will be funding citizens that won’t work, and just collect a paycheck! Ironically, they are exercising the exact accusations they make of individuals on welfare now. Our congress men and women decided not to work, and still collect a paycheck for services not rendered.

We’ve been indoctrinated with the hypocrisy of cliched patriotic slogans, and mottos. Routinely we hear: “Liberty and Justice for All, In God We Trust, Be Patriotic, Provide Humanitarian Aid, This land is your land-This land is my land”. When do we get past the platitudes and elegant rhetoric of an American Utopia? The fact is, America is broken, been broken, and is currently breaking!

Where is the true sense of God, humanity, and patriotism? Our elected officials should be harangued, and lambasted out of office. Their actions demonstrate that they have no HEART or CONSCIENCE. Approximately 890,000 individuals will be out of a job due to their lack of commitment to the citizens they pledged to serve. I say, “even one day out of work is too much!”

Many people are so financially strapped in this economy, that each dollar of their paycheck is itemized and accounted for in their household budget before it’s spent. The wealth gap has expanded tremendously that the line between middle class and poor has dissolved. I have long felt that we are a society of “haves and have nots”, but this makes it evidently clear if you had prior doubts.

How do we continue to embrace these insults? They have dismantled Affirmative Action, which was put in place to show some form of acknowledgement of wrong done to blacks, and that got watered down and diluted to the point that anybody fits the criteria. They have dismantled the Voting Rights Act. They have dismantled the SNAP program that provided welfare and public assistance to struggling families. They have closed public schools and allowed the privatization of charter schools to flourish.

They have tried numerous times to increase the interest rates on student loans. They have allowed the proliferation and privatization of prisons. They have allowed the shipping of manufacturing jobs overseas, which increases the U.S. unemployment rate, and allow multinational corporations to warehouse $32 Trillion dollars in offshore accounts, but then complain about a debt ceiling! They allow companies like McDonald’s and Walmart to profiteer off employees with out paying them wages that are congruent to the contemporary living standards. Families are going into bankruptcies and foreclosures from predatory loan lenders.

They allow banks and other financial institutions to operate while conducting all kinds of monetary malfeasance, and get away with Golden Parachutes and slaps on the wrists. Many CEOs have even been given bonuses. We want wars overseas, and still haven’t processed the VA hospital benefits of over 860,000 veterans. So 860,000 veterans benefits have yet to be fully processed, and about 890,000 citizens are out of work? Urban renewal and gentrification is occurring nationwide. IS ANYONE TALLYING THE ENORMITY AND TOTALITY OF THIS DATA? Is this America?

Members of congress have amassed so much in pay, and have accumulated so much from corporate lobbyists that they feel they are above the fray ,and are immune or exempt from any kind of scrutiny and punitive actions. Maybe they feel secure because they have insulated their family, friends, finances, and partnerships from the impending collapse of the American economic system. Maybe they are comfortable and able to retreat to the security of quiet luxury homes, estates, condos, private schools, and suburban fortresses.

It’s convenient to embrace these “Disneyland Kumbaya Moments”, when there is national tragedy such as hurricanes, earthquakes, mass shootings, and acts of terror. However, what happens to the continuum of humanity and care for your fellow citizen, neighbor, and brother when the National Day of Prayer is over, and individuals go back to their separate realities of life?

890,000 citizens out of work is unacceptable and represent 890,000 households affected by these political wargames. Our congressmen and women need to comeback to the negotiation table or need to be kicked out the house. American families, children, elderly, and infirmed have no time for this grandstanding. STOP PLAYING WITH OUR LIVELIHOOD, and that goes to both political parties!