When I found someone leading a petition to repeal Amendment one, this was the person’s argument and I am in full agreement. Here is what it says:

“There are numerous reasons why it is important to repeal Amendment 1 (which states that ‘Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State’ of NC):

1) Because civil unions between one man and one woman will benefit NC

2) Because the legal implications of this amendment can negatively impact health benefits, domestic violence cases, and the overall economic well being of NC

3) Because it stands in contradiction to the 14th amendment of the constitution “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

4) Because equality cannot be given – it must be earned. Numerous laws have been overthrown, and the sense of community that was created in overturning those unfair laws was profound (enough to start countries and expand nations). Our only hope is that repealing Amendment 1 will be the first stepping stone on the path to a new era in the US, much in the same way that the Jim Crow laws being overturned paved the way for Martin Luther King and Barack Obama

5) Because if twitter can start a revolution in Egypt, there is no reason we cannot spark a revolution HERE and NOW.”

End Quote.

The link to the petition:

http://www.change.org/petitions/1-million-against-amendment-1

If you are a true American, you will sign this petition and help lead the way for a better tomorrow. And again the reason that this was even passed is beyond me considering religion has no place in politics. According to a our first right in the bill of rights is the following:

1. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, and Petition

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

This type of vote that I believe was solely based on religion has no place in the American government! I can careless if you are part of a religion but as America is a melting pot of all cultures and religions (Or at least it’s supposed to be…) I can say that I truly believe in separation of church and state!

Let me just state first of all that black people aren’t anymore religious than any other group in the country. Catholics, Jews, and Muslims are deeply devout in their religions, I’m willing to bet you however that within those groups you will find more people who would describe themselves as non-practicing than you would in the African-American community, as a friend of mine once joked finding a black agnostic is like finding a black Van Halen fan, if he exists you wouldn’t know it.

The black experience in America since the first slave ships arrived called for the belief in religion. The notion that one day God himself would make life better was how slaves got through long and arduous days of backbreaking work in 100 degree weather. The modern day Civil Rights Movement led by the Reverends Martin Luther King and Joseph Lowry was tied completely to the black church, so it saddens me on a personal level to see the same black church and black pastors with a thirst for the spotlight engaging in bigotry.

Some idiot named Rev. Emmett Burns, a pastor in Baltimore is on record as saying he and most of his congregation, will not be voting for the President in November. Burns who was quick to say he won’t be casting a vote for the GOP nominee Mitt Romney says that the President’s stance on Marriage Equality is a turnoff. “We would have preferred that he would not have weighed in on this issue, People have come up to me and are saying they don’t support this, they don’t like this and they are staying home”.

If Burns thinks he speaks for every member of his congregation then he himself should be running for president. The other thing is that if you are a black person publicly advocating for people to stay home you might as well spit on the grave of Medgar Evers, James Chaney, Mickey Schwerner, Andy Goodman and countless other people who died so everyone could take part in the democratic process of voting.

Speaking for myself only, these things among others are the reason why I am completely turned off by organized religion. The black church in some segments are now vested in asking us to vote against our interests. This ridiculous stance against same-sex marriage being the latest example. There is also the position that the church is only interested in abstinence only teachings at a time when the nuclear black family is all but non-existent and 70% of black babies are born to single black mothers. To the church kids growing up in poverty is acceptable just as long as they don’t mention the word condom.

Personally I have a problem identifying with a book that has talking snakes, torrential rains that last for forty days and nights, and people living to be 900 hundred years old, and even with that I could debate the most qualified expert on The Bible about God himself mentioning homosexuality and whether or not it’s wrong. The fact is that it is irrelevant. We are supposed to be living in a nation that recognizes a seperation between church and state, yet that’s not happening because some guy wrote a book 2,000 years ago.

As it relates to the black church, that royal asshole himself Jerry Falwell once referred to the Civil Rights Movement as the Civil Wrongs Movement. Imagine for a second if the kind of mindset was still in play. It just so happens that it is. It’s the 1,000 laws that discriminate against the LGBT community. By the way my favorite Van Halen song is “Why Can’t This Be Love”.

It is easy to ask that almighty question that possibly every human in this world has asked at some point or the other: where was God when all of this happened? If He was indeed all knowing and all-powerful, how could He sit by and watch all these happen? If He ‘claims’ to love everybody like the Bible claims He does, then where is that love when folks start dropping like flies in the onslaught of progressing evil; when little children are gunned down on the streets by total maniacs; or when well-meaning advocates for truth, love, and justice are cheated by the system or the very people they are trying to fight for, and taken to the cleaners, their homes, families, businesses, and other means of livelihood not spared in the eroding blitz?

Perhaps, in fact, there may never be a surefire or definitive response to the issue it raises, but there are a lot of thoughts on the matter. This is to get us thinking: on my next article, I will offer deep thoughts on the subject and hope that they help individuals in some way or the other to find peace that may have been lacking since the loss of someone or something dear to something inexplicable. Answers and suggestions will be helpful, however, as they will lend a hand in guiding the tone and direction of the sequel to this piece…

There is no room in this world for bigotry! PERIOD. Oh we all know it has been with us throughout man’s history and sadly will likely always be as long as we live the way we do. But it is inexcusable. However it is sadly more complicated than just racism and prejudicial actions in this case that should anger you.

Let me start with what I think should be obvious to all and yet does not appear to be. Regardless of the racial factors in this case the simple fact is George Zimmerman was wrong on a much clearer level.

This man is part of what is called a neighborhood or community watch. These groups in some areas are very organized and helpful. But there responsibilities are very clear. They are there to help understaffed law enforcement to be aware of suspicious activities. Especially in areas where crime is more rampant. But they are not law enforcement in any way, shape, or form.

So regardless of the motive Zimmerman had to be suspicious and worse yet approach this young man is irrelevant to the fact he had no business to do so in the manner he did. Oh it is not illegal or always wrong to approach a stranger and talk to them. But you never have an excuse to provoke them. NEVER!

What makes this a BILLION times more obvious is that we have public record and proof that the 911 dispatcher tells him TO STOP FOLLOWING THE PERSON IN QUESTION!

Yes! That is the point. He claims Trayvon was suspicious and that bleep holes are always getting away. Whether that means black people, young people, people in hoodies, or whatever doesn’t matter. He made a judgement right or wrong that this kid was suspicious and he made the call to 911. There is nothing else he should have done or considered doing.

Unless someone is being attacked or about to suffer from harm you have no business interjecting yourself into a situation. Why can’t we all get this? Why is this not the main point of discussion of where Zimmerman went wrong?

The fact that he was carrying a weapon makes it a BILLION times worse. Look you legally can carry a weapon if you have done all the law requires and I respect that. But you should not be stupid enough to voluntarily enter a possible confrontation with a gun. At that point you are part of the problem.

Look if you give someone an attitude in any circumstances you risk the chance of altercation. Having a weapon only amplifies that risk. None of this should need to be explained to anyone. And yet the media and general conversation is not pointing to this as the obvious reason for this tragedy? Because it is!

Now again there is no argument that we can analyze the disgusting racial motives here. However AGAIN, I think we are glossing over another huge enormous problem with society.

This type of heinous behavior is happening all the time. And while the general public had to kick and scream for a month to get action we should be happy about that. The question is why are we not kicking and screaming everyday about the injustices happening everyday?

Yes why is Reverand Al Sharpton not present at injustices everyday every where? And while he does appear at many it is not even close to enough! And he should be saying that publicly.

And I have never seen the Rev at a case where a White, Asian, Indian, or Latino person was a victim of racial injustice! Why? Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of all civil rights. Not just the suffering of African- Americans.

And why doesn’t the public insist that gang violence stop immediately? WE know what these people are doing. Why isn’t Al Sharpton talking to them everyday? After all there are innocent Black people being brutalized every day at the hands of gang members who clearly have agenda’s. And often times it is racially motivated!

And where is the media in all this? I’ll make my point using another case. During the Casey Anthony trial the media and the public were so sad and angry and yet there are a number of unsolved murders of children where it appears the mother or father may be guilty and you don’t hear one peep from the media or public outcry!

The fact is if these people protesting for Trayvon and the media writing about it truly cared about racial crime and injustice in general we would be listing all the cases that are being mishandled! We would use our resources and platforms to influence the authorities to be more thorough about all crimes!

In my opinion all you people are hypocrites! Trayvon Martin had his life taken out of the pompous arrogance of a reckless fool. He also was a victim of deep seeded racism. He was also a victim of injustice and lazy police work. Or maybe police have far too much work and not enough personnel. But we know this has happened too many times before and is happening with “Trayvon’s” all over the country!

The worst part is what I am saying will be laughed at because most people don’t want to address the root problems they just want the flashy emotional parts.

This is why NOTHING will change and every day somewhere a “Trayvon” will be a victim!

The Battle for Civil Rights in the United States was a beast with many heads.  While each section of the movement had its own distinct means of moving forward, they each had the singular goal of advancing Africans American’s as a race at their heart.

            The NAACP is an organization founded in 1909 whose main intentions were “to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.”  During the Civil Rights era this organization would serve as the legal arm of the movement, ushering in legislation using its growing political power.  The immense size and amount of resources this organization had during his era also enabled it to perform actions such as bailing out imprisoned freedom riders that allowed the individuals in the movement continue to protest for their rights.  The NAACP also reach out to African American celebrities of the time such as Sammy Davis Jr. and Jackie Robinson for help spreading public awareness of their movement and for monetary reasons.  The NAACP cannot be solely credited with the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, they can be given major credit for it passing as their political presence and pursuits allowed for much of the progress to occur.  The NAACP, like many other Civil Rights organizations had major setbacks whenever Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.  With his loss, the movement as a whole lost a lot of public support, so the NAACP lost a lot of notoriety. 

Martin Luther king Jr. was one of the most empowering historical figures in African American History. He was a civil rights leader who strongly believed that violence was not the key to solving our problems. He chose to fight the battle against segregation with words not weapons. All because of his famous “I Have A Dream” speech African Americans were liberated and felt it possible to dream of making a better future for themselves. Today we now exist in a world living the dream in a nation where our President is black. Who would have known that one day this man’s vision could come true? Martin Luther King Jr. gave us hope for a better tomorrow and today his vision still lives on. His words empowered us then and still inspire us now. His vision has and will still continue to reign throughout history.

Martin Luther king Jr. was one of the most empowering historical figures in African American History. He was a civil rights leader who strongly believed that violence was not the key to solving our problems. He chose to fight the battle against segregation with words not weapons. All because of his famous “I Have A Dream” speech African Americans were liberated and felt it possible to dream of making a better future for themselves.

Without visionaries such as this man, where would we be; If no one showed the integrity and bravery to step up and make a change how could a nation survive? In life everyone needs an example or role model as to how things should be done. I admire him and have the utmost respect for his decision to make change. Within his time he has made some decisions and done some things that no one would ever dare to do.

Dr. King was a man of action, but in the course of his actions along with his bravery came heavy risks: such as his family, protesters and personally himself. It takes a- -lot of guts to stand up for what you believe in, but at that time to be a person of color it took even more. Men and women were hosed down in the middle of streets like dogs, each opposing race was told they couldn’t even share the same fountain, and could front entrance of a restaurant? I can’t and neither do I want to; but these are all the reasons Dr. King believed so much in ending the struggle of segregation, and for a good cause it was.

Martin Luther Kings dedication to his cause has even put his personal life at risk. His family was constantly in jeopardy of being harmed on a daily basis. There were times when crosses were burned in front of his home as a resemblance of prejudice hatred against his cause. It almost makes me wonder how could someone hate such a positive thing so much. I guess it can also be true that sometimes people can fear a new thing, when maybe what they truly feared could have been their loss of power and feeling of importance.

Finally the long period of boycotts, marches and speeches ended with the downfall of his assassination. At that moment in time it was considered a tragedy but the outcome of his journey is a beautiful thing; because although they tried to kill a dream the dream still lives on.

Today we now exist in a world living the dream in a nation where our President is black. Who would have known that one day this man’s vision could come true? Martin Luther King Jr. gave us hope for a better tomorrow and today his vision still lives on. His words empowered us then and still inspire us now. His vision has and will still continue to be an unforgettable legacy within history. “ If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X meet before a press conference. Both men had come to hear the Senate debate on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This was the only time the two men ever met; their meeting lasted only one minute. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Malcolm X was also known for his speeches. He empowered black people and mad them feel proud of themselves. As I said before Malcolm X was known for his amazing speeches. With the power of his words people felt motivated to make a difference. He even convinced some people that whites were the devils children.

He was one of the most influential people in the world. One of my favorite quotes is “As long as you are convinced that you have not done anything you can never do anything.” which is telling African Americans to be proud of who they are, what they have accomplished and what they can do. Malcolm was an unspoken voice for the people. He made people rise up and stand for what they believe in, and everyone followed his words and believed what he had to say. To help strengthen his speeches he used the power of other, higher people when he talked. He was a private mentor of Elijah Muhammad, the president of Islam, and referenced him several times.
I also mentioned that he spread the Islamic Religion in black communities across the united states. He converted many people to Islam and in front of everyone said that Islam was the best religion because it taught unity and equality on national television.
The main topic of his speeches was equality.  He spoke out against racism and even mad a public appearance with Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm was convinced that the “white man” was a devils child. He also went on television and explained the evils of the white man. Saying that instead of fessing up for what the slave owners of America did they tried to make it look like they didn’t do anything wrong. Due to these strong messages he was often described as a controversial leader, and in the end it was these messages that led to his assassination in 1964 by the own group that he promoted.

Nichelle Nichols Twitter the Vulcan greeting with Obama

And how does the, got U.S. President Barack Obama (50) of Lieutenant Uhura shown himself: “Star Trek” star Nichelle Nichols (79) visited him at the White House.

It was already February. Nichols got the photo sent a week ago and now decided to share it with the “Trekkies” on Twitter, as it wrote there.

In the role of the highly intelligent spaceship officer Uhura, Nichols wrote in the 60-year history of television.

The civil rights activist Martin Luther King called her a role model for black women. In 1966, he persuaded them to continue on “Star Trek” although Nichols would actually get.

Never forget the kiss between Uhura and Captain Kirk (William Shatner) in a series dating back to 1968 – the first kiss between a white and a black man in U.S. TV.

After the end of “Star Trek” series, Nichols was working at the space agency Nasa. There, she helped e.g. in the recruitment of the first female astronaut and the first black astronaut. In addition, the actress continued to play for television and cinema, as in the “Star Trek” movies.

On Wednesday April 4th 1968, only four years after Dr. Martin Luther King had delivered his iconic I Have a Dream speech – in front of Washington Lincoln Memorial – to  almost 300,000 civil rights protestors gathered there – this legendary figure was gunned down and killed.

The immortal words of that iconic speech were among the most moving and powerful imaginable, forever to be foremost in the minds of black Americans the idea that they had the right to be treated as equals, all due to the powers of oratory of Baptist minister King.

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was shot to death on a motel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee, at only 39 years of age, the victim of a cruel and wanton act that was deplored from one end of USA to the other. There was about this assault on King the same wanton senselessness that had destroyed the man he tried to follow, Mathatma Ghandi.

It is an awful truth that men of good will, noble purpose and pacific impulses are not immune immunity from violence, no matter how they personally conduct themselves. King’s death caused uproar, riots spreading through Memphis to the extent that 4,000 National Guard troops were sent in and a curfew imposed.

Dr King’s ultimate sacrifice, in pursuit of his dream, will never be forgotten, but despite a black president in the White House today, everyday reality for black Americans is still nothing like the dream about which Dr King dreamed so forcefully.

His dream was deeply rooted in the most basic American ideal – all men are created equal, a truth that is self evident – King dreamt that one day descendants of both slaves and owners could share a table one day, in a country where people would be judged on ability instead of color.

His dream had it that equality was normal behaviour in society – that the highly valued freedom would apply to all, irrespective of color or creed – a vision so powerful it inspired a generation of Americans to force change on an unwilling white population, which has, to a large extent, become a fact of life in the USA, at least in theory

That immortal dream so eloquently described by Dr King undoubtedly lives on, but only time, and changing attitudes within US society can prove how real it will become in time. That he died at the height of his influence was a tragedy that truly changed the face of American society, but whether it ever really changed enough remains an open question.

As a youngster this writer can still recall riding the city bus with my mother;and we were not allowed to sit in the back of the bus that was reserved for the colored folks. No we couldn’t sit in the front of the bus that was reserved for the white folks we sat in the middle. 

Mama would say don’t look no one in the eye just mind your own; back then we didn’t question what our parents told us we just did what we were told. Sitting in the bus along side Mama I couldn’t help but look at the people on the bus and wondering why we were made differently. I suppose many children had the very same thought.

You see my families roots go way back to Spain as a descendant of Spain our skin was not as brown as that of the people of Mexico nor is most of the eye color in our family brown as some would assume all Hispanic people to have. No my Mother has green eyes and her hair was a fiery red when she was a young girl over the years her hair color changed to a darker chestnut brown.

While my own was a honey brown in color as was that of my youngest sister, while my eldest sister had the jet black hair. What has this to do with any of the Dr. Martin Luther King movement? Well hold on I will explain this to you I promise it will all tie in together shortly.

I was eleven years old when Dr. King was assassinated this writer had seen a lot of his work through out her young life. When our school became one of the schools to have kids bussed in there was a lot of fear and anxiety in the air it was so thick you could have cut it with a knife.

But for this writer with a rebellious nature and an equally curious side I was a bit excited to be honest with you. There was as much fear as there was hatred an ugly word that this writer would have preferred to not use but it was how most folks felt back in those day’s.

This was a scary time for a young girl growing up in this era especially when the riots started and the protesting of school busing got heated up. For kids who really didn’t belong in either culture we were afraid that the Black’s would think us white and we were equally afraid the whites would gang up on us I know that may sound silly to you but you have to keep in mind we were growing up in a very scary and uncertain time.

Being fair skinned and with light colored hair and not looking anything like the pictures of the people of Mexico that made Spaniards stick out like a sore thumb! You may think this writer is exaggerating not in the least. We lived it we feared it; we woke up with that fear every day of our lives! We had blond  and red hair and green and blue eye’s in our family tree.

We were asked on many occasion what nationality we were, and asked why we wore lipstick as a kid! We never wore lipstick we were just blessed to have ruby red lips one more thing that made us stand out yikes during this era it was  not what a kid wanted  to do;no we wanted to blend in and not be noticed.

While in school we watched many of the protest and heard many of Dr. Kings speeches in our class rooms, our teacher would wheel that big ole television set to the front of the class and together we would watch the happenings of the greatest movement of all times!

Yes indeed this  writer was very fortunate to have been born in this ERA, to have been given the opportunity to watch a great civil leader with a dream for equality for all people  of color! Dr. Martin Luther King’s I have a dream speech is still the best speech to date.

His dream was that  his children would one day live in a nation where they were not judged by the color of their skin, that is the dream of every minority parent! While growing up in a minority household it was a place of refuge a place of safety where every one was the same color no one judged you.

Hispanic children were no different than that of our African American brothers and sisters; we faced name calling and racial assumptions. Many have this misconception that all Hispanic people speak Spanish and only eat beans and rice! That couldn’t be further from the truth; or at least in my home and that of the many friends I have known along the way.

We grew up on pot roast and fried chicken mashed potatoes on occasion we would have Hispanic foods especially when we went to our Grand Fathers home where the traditional beans and rice along with a side of chilie was served. Our Grand Father would only speak to us in Spanish, though he spoke perfect English he chose not to.

My Grand Father was a very proud man, he worked hard in the fields to support his family in latter years he worked for the Pacific Union Rail Road he was equally prejudice as he was proud! How he felt about the African American people we will never know he never spoke about it; he was adamant that his daughter were never to bring home a man from Mexico or he would have disowned them!

Yes there is prejudice for ones own people even if we were not born to the Mexican culture we are still the same in  this writers  humble opinion. This writer was not only fortunate to be born in the Dr. Martin Luther King Era; but to be born colored blind, to see all people as one.

This writer attributes that to the Dr. King’s and Ms. Rosa Parks and the many brave men and women who stood up for equality; those who have paved the way for a better way of life for all people of color; where we are not judged by the color of our skin but rather we are united as one.

This writer has tasted the bitter pill of prejudice where folks assumed you only spoke and read Spanish; where you were given all paper work in Spanish only to have to ask for them in English. To be called racial slurs such as degrading as the unspoken (N) word.

Hispanics hate being called beaniers; and wet backs just as much as our African Brothers and Sisters despise the  (N) Word! Why must we as a society use such ugly name to describe a people? This writer is tiered of having to ask for forms in English and answer that same old question of what nationality are you? I am a proud American who has long roots to the country of Spain!

No I did not swim across the boarder and no my back is not still wet! My Father fought in the United States Navy along side his brothers and they too were born in the United States of America! He comes from a long line of Spaniards his Great Great Grand Father came here from Spain; he came here and rode along side the Dominguez and Escalate expedition.

Don Bernardo Miera Y Pacheco a man with a vision and a gift to make detailed maps of the land; some sit housed in the Smithsonion Institute well as Harvard University my heritage is one that I am proud of and one I share with my children. When this writer looks at the stained glass portrait that sits in the tundra of the Denver State Capital I see a man with a vision not a man of color!

When some older generations look upon this writer they don’t see this they only see the color of the skin to date this writer has been asked how long has she been in this country! I only reply with a smile on my face and a sting of sadness in my heart born and raised here; Father a vet of the United States Navy proud descendant of Don Bernardo Miera y Pacheco.

Trust this writer when she states I do get a very surprised look upon their face’s, is it because they know who Don Bernardo is hardly it’s because the assumed I came from across the boarder and my back is still wet! Some  folks will only see the color of the skin, which is pretty sad because they miss out on knowing many good people that pass through their lives.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,  I have a dream that one day that this Nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of it’s creed: We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal.

This is the dream of every minority parent; to have their children seen for the good men and women that they will become to know that they are our  future generation who will shape our world. Isn’t that the dream of every parent regardless of the color of their skin?

It’s up to us to teach our children the true meaning of equality; to share with them their past in order to show them their future. Share with them their heritage give them their roots; so they can be proud of who they are and know where they came from.

Yes this writer has lived and  swallowed the bitter pill of prejudice; but like Dr. Martin Luther King I have a dream that this will be a thing of the past and my children’s children will never have to taste that bitter pill called prejudice; nor will they ever have to answer that dreadful question of what nationality are you?

In this writers dream no child will ever hear those ugly slur words; nor will they  be looked down  upon because of the color of their skin. This writer was blessed to have been born in an Era where a man with a vision started a movement of equality his I have a dream is a legacy that will live on.

Perhaps this writer will not be here to see prejudice as a thing of the past; but she sure was here to see many of the great Rev Dr. Martin Luther King’s dreams become a reality. Boy’s and girls of color are holding hands and the are sitting down at the same table making babies and loving one another.

We as a society have to take his dream a bit further and squash all hatred and strive for equality to ensure that his legacy lives on. It’s up to us to carry the torch that Dr. Martin King entrusted to all people regardless of the color of the skin!