The Essence of Politics

Monday, June 09, 2008

The War on our Youth: America’s Education System

Part 3 of 4 Part Series

In the next couple of years, it is predicted that nearly 20-40 million students will have dropped out of high school, according to edweek.org. Thus the question is raised about what America’s educational system is doing to combat this problem. While some might blame this issue on “No Child Left Behind” because it has left thousands perhaps millions of children behind with its rigorous standards and mandates on not only students but teachers, administrators and educators. However the reality is, America’s Educational System was jacked up before No Child Left Behind was implemented but don’t get me wrong, NCLB made it worse.

Thus what do our youth do when the very educational system that exists for them, is set up to fail them from jump street because NCLB was underfunded and not properly planned to deal with the diverse educational system structures of each state in America. Also the mandates and standards that NCLB put into place for America’s education systems really put many students, administers, educators and others at a disadvantage because if the right resources were not there to educate the youth before NCLB than after NCLB was implemented, those same resources are still not there than how can you expect NCLB to be met to begin with.

Now NCLB is not the only problem with why our youth are failing in America’s education system but it is a part of it. The other problem is that educating our youth has become more political than educating. It is as if the schools that did the best get the best resources or an abundance of more resources than those that are failing. This did not just begin because it existed before the civil rights movement when separate but equal was fair. While Brown v. Board was suppose to rectify the problem from two stand points, color and equality, it really didn’t help that much because our educational systems are still separate but just a little less and equality does not exist across the board like many thought it would once Brown v. Board was established.

In fact some might same Brown v. Board is the reason why many African American students or children of color fail because while the educational standards and mandates are equal, the resources are not equal. Thus before Brown v. Board, we had two different sets of mandates for whites and blacks but the reality is that Brown v. Board might have contributed a small amount to America’s educational system problems today but it doesn’t bare the entire blame. Just like NCLB, Brown v. Board has its share in what ails our youth today because it didn’t change the equality factor in education; it only changed the separate part.

So one might say that why don’t parents send their kids to the best schools but what will that solve if their child gets to the best school and fails thus resulting in their child being sent back to the school where they begin or worse being diagnosed as special ed. Today’s education system is quick to label a child now days as special not gifted but special when they are not up to par. So what is a parent to do than other than to believe what the teachers and school says. Therefore the parents are what is wrong with America’s education system as well. Parents need to realize that educating does not begin or end with school but it starts and ends in the home. If parents are not educating their children before they begin pre-school or kindergarten than that’s the first problem to why their child is not up to par to begin with.

Also if parents are not spending time with their kids after school helping them with homework and on weekends exposing their child to other educational venues, projects or activities than you are setting your child up to be behind and not ahead. Parents need to stay involved in their child’s education from elementary school to high school and when I say involved, parents should know their son’s or daughter’s teachers as well as the school’s principal and assistant principal(s) as well as their child’s counselor. It is imperative that parents play a big role in their child’s education as much as they play a role in their child’s extracurricular activities such as sports. I always found it amazing that my teammate’s parents would always show up at their games but never took the time to show up at parent teacher conferences or other school functions for their child.

Now parents get part of the blame just like NCLB and Brown v. Board because statistics have shown that most parents especially in urban cities stop really paying much attention to their son’s and daughter’s education after elementary school and only begin to pick back up close to graduation from high school. Therefore those grades in between are where we find majority of youth dropping out of school because of no parental guidance at home or the right nurturing needed for our youth to succeed.

Clearly America’s educational system has problems but the major problem as I see it is that America’s teachers have become paycheck grabbers and less about educators. While I commend those educators like Mrs. Brandenberg, Mr. Caleal, Mrs. Wise, Mrs. Valentine-Hollie, Mrs. Hollie, Mrs. Brothers, Mrs. Turner, Mr. Shabazz, Mr. Jones, Ms. Jones, Mr. Gibbs, Dr. Jenkins, Mrs. Didlake, Mrs. Maddox, Mrs. Middlebrook, Mrs. Overstreet, Mr. Bolton, Mrs. Hughes, Mrs. D’Angelo, Dr. Kalmendai, Mrs. Connaly and Mr. Hargraves (rest in peace) for all the wonderful years they have committed to educating our youth, they are just a rare few who loved children and cared about inspiring tomorrow’s future to believe that they are today’s future right here, right now. Now I believe that some of those educators still exist but a new breed of educators with that same passion needs to step in because many of the educators that I just named have retired from their posts. So it makes one wonder why did they retire and can they be replaced. The answer, education has become more political than ever and yes we can replace them as long as the new breed of educators don’t use this job as a paycheck but as a moment to change the course of America and the world.

Educators are suppose to inspire not just the best and brightest but the ones who really need the educator more than others, you know those, we call them trouble makers or lost causes. Educators look at trouble makers not as lost causes but misguided souls who need more nurturing, patience and love than others. Now everyone has seen the movies Freedom Writers, Lean on Me or Dangerous Minds and in those movies, the educators inspired their students to be more than what their critics thought they were. Therefore it is no wonder why when you look at today’s education system, you begin to wonder do any of those educators exist when you hear that 6,829 students per day are dropping out of high schools all across America. You ask yourself why are we losing so many youth in our educational systems and some of the answers you might get is gang violence, drugs, and the usual lost causes answer in the sense that they don’t want to be educated.

The reality is that when you have majority of our 50 largest school districts in America graduation rates below 60% and some of those school districts in major cities such as Chicago, New York, Detroit, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Nashville, Memphis, Houston, Miami-Dade County, and Austin, Texas than it makes you wonder what is really going on in America’s educational system. Then when some of our congressional leaders such as New York Congressman Joseph Crowley didn’t know that his district had the lowest graduation rate among congressman at roughly around 24%, it really makes you scratch your head in disgust. So why are so many youth dropping out each and every day in America and what can be done about it? Those are the questions that need to be answered so that parental involvement, NCLB, and Brown v. Board can be fully addressed. The answer to what ails America’s education system is simple and it starts with politicians stop using our youth as political pawns but start using them as what they are, the future by giving educators, administers, and school districts the proper monetary aid and resources needed to educate children today.

Secondly it starts with big corporations and other people sitting on school boards to step down and allow educators and those who actually deal with kids and have taught in the classroom to have those seats because they know what is in the best interest of our children. Thirdly, it starts with educators who don’t want to educate but collect a pay check to resign and find a new profession because our kids need inspiration and need to be taught thought provoking, stimulating information. Fourth our youth need the proper resources from textbooks to computers to after school tutorial programs so that they can continue to learn beyond the classroom.

Lastly America’s educational system needs counselors who will do their jobs to better guide our youth on the right career and educational paths and hold counselors responsible to a degree for not properly tracking students’ successes and failures. However at the same time, we need attendance officers or truancy officers in America’s schools. While some schools have them, others don’t. Each school needs its own truancy officer or two where teachers can properly give attendance records to counselors who in turn attempt to contact the student and the parents before the truancy officer is contacted to take legal action against the student and the parents. Therefore if politicians want to help our youth than pass a national and state laws making it illegal for our youth to drop of high school before their 18th birthday. In fact, I would take this law a step further and say that if a student drops out, they must quickly obtain their GED within 6 months of the day they dropped out or be forced to enroll in one of America’s Armed Forces.

This way, we will not have a bunch of uneducated 18 years olds simply dropping out and they will at least obtain some type of equivalent to a high school diploma. A national data base for those who drop out of school and have to obtain a GED within 6 months should be established for military offices to access and be able to see who they can contact in order to recruit to the Armed Forces. Thus, this would not only help our educational system but our military as well. It is a bite much but sometimes, we need bold stances to show our youth we mean business. Our youth need help as well as tough love at times and that tough loves begins with all of us working together to ensure that they finish high school no matter what.

If it becomes illegal for our youth to drop out and if parents can get locked up for their child(ren) dropping out before their child(ren) turns 18 than it will make parents force their child(ren) to go to school and it will make parents take a more active role in their child(ren)s education than usual. With parents seeing what could happen if their child(ren) drops out than it would be beneficial to schools in terms of more parents being more involved in the school. However we might have a few students who might not care if their parents get locked up for them not going to school that’s when the legislation should include penalties for the child to pay as well as be forced to perform several hours of community service until their 18th birthday and after they turn 18 they have 6 months to get a GED or they have to join one of America’s Armed Forces. Either way it will benefit our educational system and our military as they get young fresh recruits every year that they can mold into better American citizens in the long run. Also it would help us as America to stop wasting our money on those youth who don’t want to be educated properly but rather want to be forced to be educated through our military ranks thus teaching them America’s core values of patriotism, freedom, justice, pursuit of happiness, liberty, discipline, respect, honor and loyalty.

Thus America’s education system can be reformed so that our youth no longer drop out and fail. However it starts with taking the necessary steps to cut down on drop out rates. As long as our youth see no penalties to dropping out of school than they will continue to do it no matter the consequences later on down the road in terms of careers. However if penalties and consequences are set up now to prevent that and show our youth that dropping out of school in America will no longer be tolerated than a new culture could develop where our youth would rather finish out high school than to be forced to join the military for not finishing high school or obtaining a GED. Just think of the educational dollars that could be saved and the type of response this could get in terms of building up our military forces.

We must think of the children and save them before 20-40 million students in America drop out in the next couple of years. Save our youth now because a mind is a terrible thing to waste!

SAVE OUR YOUTH!

Resource: Education Week report on Diplomas Count 2008: School to College, www.edweek.org and CNN’s Lou Dobbs show on Failing Grades, http://loudobbs.tv.cnn.com/.

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Jay-Z - History



(Jay-Z - History)Jay-Z - History with Lyrics

LYRICS : [Chorus: Cee-lo]
Now that all the smoke is gone
(Lighter)
And the battle's finally won
(Gimme a lighter)
Victory (Lighters up) is finally ours
(Lighters up)
History, so long, so long
So long, so long

[Verse 1: Jay-Z]
In search of victory, she keeps eluding me
If only we could be together momentarily
We can make love and make history
Why won't you visit me? until she visit me
I'll be stuck with her sister, her name is defeat
She gives me agony, so much agony
She brings me so much pain, so much misery
Like missing your last shot and falling to your knees
As the crowd screams for the other team
I practice so hard for this moment, victory don't leave
I know what this means, I'm stuck in this routine
Whole new different day, same old thing
All I got is dreams, nobody else can see
Nobody else believes, nobody else but me
Where are you victory? I need you desperately
Not just for the moment, to make history

[Chorus: Cee-lo]
Now that all the smoke is gone
(Lighters)
And the battle's finally won
(Lighters)
Victory is finally ours
(Yeah)
History (yeah), so long, so long
So long, so long

[Verse 2: Jay-Z]
So now I'm flirting with death, hustling like a G
While victory wasn't watching took chances repeatedly
As a teenage boy before acne, before I got proactiv I couldn't face she
I just threw on my hoodie and headed to the street
That's where I met success, we'd live together shortly
Now success is like lust, she's good to the touch
She's good for the moment but she's never enough
Everybody's had her, she's nothing like V
But success is all I got unfortunately
But I'm burning down the block hoppin' in and out of V
But something tells me that there's much more to see
Before I get killed because I can't get robbed
So before me success and death ménage
I gotta get lost, I gotta find V
We gotta be together to make history

[Chorus: Cee-lo]
Now that all the smoke is gone
(Lighters. Up.)
And the battle's finally won
(Lighter. Up.)
Victory is finally ours
(Lighters. Up.)
History, so long, so long
So long, so long

[Verse 3: Jay-Z]
Now victory is mine, it tastes so sweet
She's my trophy wife, you're coming with me
We'll have a baby who stutters repeatedly
We'll name him history, he'll repeat after me
He's my legacy, son of my hard work
Future of my past, he'll explain who I be
Rank me amongst the greats, either 1, 2, or 3
If I ain't number one then I failed you victory
Ain't in it for the fame that dies within weeks
Ain't in it for the money, can't take it when you leave
I wanna be remembered long after you grieve
Long after I'm gone, long after I breathe
I leave all I am in the hands of history
That's my last will and testimony
This is much more than a song, it's a baby shower
I've been waiting for this hour, history you ours


[Chorus: Cee-lo (2x)]
Now that all the smoke is gone
And the battle's finally won
Victory is finally ours
History, so long, so long
So long, so long



Man in the Mirror--By Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson - Man in the mirror

I'm gonna make a change,
for once im my life
It's gonna feel real good,
gonna make a diference
Gonna make it right...

As I, turn up the collar on
my favorite winter coat
This wind is blowing my mind
I see the kids in the streets,
with not enought to eat
Who am I to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs

A summer disregard,a broken bottle top
And a one man soul
They follow each other on the wind ya' know
'Cause they got nowhere to go
That's why I want you to know

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
(If you wanna make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)
(Na na na, na na na, na na, na nah)

I've been a victim of a selfish kind of love
It's time that I realize
That there are some with no home, not a nickel to loan
Could it be really me, pretending that they're not alone?

A willow deeply scarred, somebody's broken heart
And a washed-out dream
(Washed-out dream)
They follow the pattern of the wind ya' see
'Cause they got no place to be
That's why I'm starting with me
(Starting with me!)

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Ooh!)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
(If you wanna make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change
(Take a look at yourself, and then make a change)

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
(Ooh!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Change his ways - ooh!)
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make that..
(Take a look at yourself and then make that..)
CHANGE!

I'm starting with the man in the mirror
(Man in the mirror - Oh yeah!)
I'm asking him to change his ways
(Better change!)
No message could have been any clearer
(If you wanna make the world a better place)


Michael Jackson - Man in the mirror

A Change is Gonna Come by Sam Cook






It's been a long time coming but a change is surely going to come in America and the World! I am the Future of America and the World and that is the message that each of us must carry with us each and every day that we wake up on Earth! I am the Future! You are the Future! We are the Future of America and the World! That is way every election is important--primaries, special elections and general! So vote every year and hold our politicians accountable. Hold our political officials accountable by writing them, calling them and making sure they attend meetings that we the people have. "The Time for Change is not Now but Right Now!"

"EmPOWERment By Any Means Necessary" should be our anthem and should be our creed as we make the positive differences in America and the world that so many people beg for and hungry for year after year! A Change is Gonna Come, A Change is Gonna Come, that's what we must say as we say "God grants us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, Courge to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference" each morning before we go about the task of making a positive change in America and the world a reality.



Born In The U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen


“When will people realize that we are Americans first and foremost, not Democrats or Liberals, not Republicans or Conservatives, not Independents or moderates. We are Americans. Stop putting a political party above America and stop putting any politican above America. America succeeds because of us the people holding our government responsible no matter the political party because the main two political parties are to blame for the condition America is in."—Hodari P.T. Brown

America with its flaws and all is a country I am proud to have been born in. America is not perfect but my love for it is perfect. That’s why all Americans must realize that we are all Americans. In fact we are Americans first and foremost. We are not Democrats or Republicans. We are Americans.

We are not Muslims, Christians or Jews. We are Americans. Too many times we recognize our differences with others rather than appreciating our similarities which are, we are Americans. We are Americans first and foremost, no matter if we were born here or moved here legally. We are all Americans, here in this country to make not only our lives better but the lives of other Americans better so future Americans can enjoy the rights and freedoms that make us all Americans.

We are all Americans. We are one party united under God. We are Americans and this is the only political party that matters. We are Americans and this is our country so let’s make sure that we make America better than how we found it so future Americans can live prosperous and joyous lives. We are Americans and must not ever forget that.

America will prosper as long we make sure we are doing our part to make it prosper and that means we can’t put any political party or politician above America. Long live America forever and long live America’s service to the world. Together, America and the world will prosper for future generations to enjoy America and the world we live in.


Lift Every Voice and Sing


This video of the ' Negro National Anthem' was originally screened at the historic African-American Church Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC on January 18th, 2009. Many of the esteemed individuals featured in this video in attendance and we presented with the ' Keepers of the Flame' award for the monumental contributions to social justice.

This version of the song was performed by the Grace Baptist Church Cathedral Choir, conducted by Derrick James. The video was produced and donated by Ascender Communications, LLC (www.ascender-c.com) at the request of The Balm In Gilead, Inc.

If I Was President--Wyclef Jean




If I was President that is the people's anthem. We all have ideas of what we can do as President and through this website, we will fulfill our deam as a people!

Somethings Gotta Give--Big Boi ft Mary J Blige



Somethings Gotta Give people and it begins today for all us to make sure that something is us. We the people are sick and tired of suffering. Where is our piece of the Dream that so many people dead for so that we all could see today. This is our time people to change America and the world so that the Next Generation has a better future than the past we inherited.

This is our call to service. This isn't about one political candidate or one political figure. This is about us as people coming together to finally leave up to our potential and achieving the great feats that those before us have achieved. This is our moment to lead our nation and our world to greater heights.

Somethings gotta give people and it starts with us the people making it happen. We have to improve our education system in America. We have to rid the world of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We have to go to the streets and lift a hand to another in order to decrease poverty in this world. We have to take a stand today and make sure that the future of America and the world is brighter than it has ever been.

Somethings Gotta Give and that is why we must "Remember Each One, Reach One and Teach One so America's future and the World's future continues to prosper."

John Legend - "If You're Out There"


If you're out there than you need to get started in helping to change America and the world. The world and America won't change until you get involved in making the changes you want to see in this world. If you're out there, than you must know that tomorrow started now and today started yesterday so you are behind in helping to the change. If you are tired of hatred, racism, poverty, war, and violence than the time to change it is now. If you want universal health care, world peace, democracy for every nation, equal rights, and happiness for all than you must get involved now to help the save world.

You must believe in the change that you want to see and you must act on making that change a reality. If you're out there than say it aloud and show the rest of America and the world that you're out here to make a real positive change in the communities we stay in. If you're out there than get involved now. I'm calling every women and men to join me as we take back our country right here, right now. If you're out there than the future started yersterday and we are already late so we have lots of work to do but I know we can do it together as one.

YES WE CAN



Yes We Can accomplish anything that we set out to do! We don't need charismatic or inspirational leaders to believe in ourselves and to take responsiblity for our own faith, we just need each other. Yes We Can build a new America and a new world if each of us would take action now to make the changes that we want to see in the world. Yes We Can control government by holding our political officials accountable for their actions by calling them out when they don't pass legislation that supports the common good of all man and by voting in every election to ensure that we have people representing the people locally, state wide, nationally and in the world.

Yes We Can be great! Yes We Can be what we want to be! Yes We Can be glorious in not only America but the world! Yes We can put action behind our worlds and change the world starting right here, right now! Yes We Can as Republicans, Democrats and Independents become one as we freely think about our fellow men and women and make decisions that will be in the best interest of all people and not one single group.

Yes We Can be the change that we want to see in the world! Yes We Can show the world that the youth are ready to lead! Yes We Can put our egos, our social economic statuses, our religions, our educational statuses and our skin color to the side for the better good of the world! Yes We Can be Greater than we have ever been and help others be Greater than they have ever be!

YES WE CAN and YES WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS IN ALL THAT WE DO! YES WE CAN, no matter what others may say, we will be glorious! YES WE WILL and YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN is what will be sung from every mountaintop, every riverbank, every household, every school yard, every factory, every sporting event, every college campus and even every place you can imagine in the world is where YES WE CAN, will be said and heard!

YES WE CAN!

Keep On Pushing - Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions


Wake Up People! No matter who is elected to any public office, we have to “Keep On Pushing” as a people to make sure they don’t leave us in a worst state than what they inherited. We as a people have to “Keep On Pushing” to make a difference in the lives of others. We have to have an “EmPOWERment By Any Means Necessary” attitude as we continue to push our agenda that we the people deserve and want better. We have to “Keep On Pushing” to bring about change in a positive way that will benefit all Americans no matter their age, their religion or skin color. We have to “Keep On Pushing” to bring about change that will improve our education system, improve our military, improve our national security, improve our healthcare system and improve our economy. We have to “Keep On Pushing” to bring about change that will leave America’s future in a better than how we found it and that will leave the world’s future in a better state than we imagined we could live it. We have to “Keep On Pushing” to make life better for our neighborhoods, our families and even our quote on quote enemies. We have to “Keep On Pushing” to inspire, to uplift and to guide those who need help spiritually, physically and mentally. We have to “Keep On Pushing ” so that our lives, our future generation’s lives and the lives of those who came before us does not die in vein.

“Keep on Pushing”

A War For Your Soul

A War For Your Soul-regular version from Erisai Films on Vimeo.


The moment has come for us as a nation of people to finally wake up and realize that our destiny and fate in society has rests on our shoulders. We cannot allow the forces of evil and darkness to drain us out. We have to continue to overcome all odds in order to make the future of our nation better and the future of future generations of Americans better. We have to continue to pray to our Lord and we have to continue to uplift each other in prayer as well as take action against those things that are trying to destroy us. We have to stand up once and for all and be the future that we want to be. Now is our time and we shall do together by any means necessary.

This video was created to inspire young African-Americans not to fall prey to some of the problems they face in society. The use of the voice "Master of Darkness" represents evil, which is where the blame of all problems should be placed, and not on any one group of people. This video should not to be used to divide people (Black & White), there are images of heroes that are white in this video, and there are images of Black & White coming together with the words of Dr. King in the background. Some of the images from the past can be unsettling, but they are used to show all Americans how far we have come, and how far we still have to go. This film is being strategically placed in school systems, churches and youth orgs around the country, in hope of helping a lost generation of kids that we as Americans have forgotten. As fellow Americans we must continue to love each other, and take that love and spread it to the rest of the world. **THIS VIDEO IS NOT FOR SALE & I AM NOT ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR THE FILM, I ONLY WANT THE MESSAGE TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT ANY HIDDEN POLITICAL OR FINANCIAL AGENDA.

Sitting On the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding



"The time for sitting is over! The time for action is now! The time for hope without action is hopeless! The time for change without a positive attitude is a change that we can't believe in! We need change that is positive of helping all people! Our time for action is now, our time for hope is now, our time for change is now and our time to believe that we can do whatever we set our minds to is not now but right now!"

STAR SPANGLED BANNER


The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming;
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?


On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;
'Tis the star-spangled banner; O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of flight and the gloom of the grave;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!


O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land,
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.
And this be our motto— "In God is our trust; "
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

Black President



Our Time is not now but Right Now! Our Time has finally come to change the world not now but Right Now! If you don't believe that we can change the world than watch as we do it by changing your mind into believing in us and what we can do! This is OUR TIME RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

FIGHT THE POWER



We got to FIGHT THE POWER! We can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch injustices take place. We can no longer sit by and allow our right to vote to become unexercised. We must FIGHT THE POWER for our past, present and future! We can no longer allow our rights to be oppressed and our voice to become drained by the powers at be. We must FIGHT THE POWER and show that we have a lot to say that needs to be heard by the mainstream media. We must FIGHT THE POWER and live up to our potential as dynamic, unbelievable and phenomenal people.


We must not believe the hype but we must become the hype. We are not Harriett Tubman, Marcus Garvey, MLK, Malcolm X, Booker T. Washington, Carter G. Woodson, W.E.B. DuBois, the Black Panther Party, SNCC, or any other activists but we are the fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, uncles, aunties, and relatives of those who came before us to pave the way for us to FIGHT THE POWER! We are not next Generation of leaders who will not be honored and praised until they die but that’s the fight we accept. We are not fighting the power for glory or fame but we are fighting the power for just causes that most men and women will not understand until years or decades later.


We are fighting for our sisters and brothers in Darfur, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, China and Mexico. We are speaking for those who are poor and have no food or water. We are fighting for those who are sick and dying. We are fighting for universal healthcare across the world and human rights for all people. We are fighting for rich and poor! We must FIGHT THE POWER no matter how hard and tough the road may be. We must FIGHT THE POWER for a better today and an even greater tomorrow!


FIGHT THE POWER!

PEOPLE GET READY


“People Get Ready” our time is coming! We have come too far to turn back now. Our train is coming and it is coming in waves. “People Get Ready”, we don’t need a ticket but we need faith and the Lord will help guide us as we take back America and the world. “People Get Ready” our moment is now and we are ready to see the change we want in America and the world. All we got to do is have faith, hope and prosperity. “People Get Ready” to face your fears. “People Get Ready” to face your demons and the challenges of yesterday because today and tomorrow we will conquer & be victorious. “People Get Ready” a change is coming and our actions will make sure that change is a real positive change that lasts forever.


“People Get Ready” because we have had enough of just talking but now is our time to show action. “People Get Ready” to take back America and the world. “People Get Ready” to take back our communities and to make our streets safer and schools better. “People Get Ready” to make all our dreams come true. “People Get Ready” to see a better present for everyone and a better future for future generations. “People Get Ready” to live up to your potential and to help others live up to their own potential. “People Get Ready” to move past hatred, bigotry, racism and sexism. “People Get Ready” to fulfill the dreams of those who came before us and those who will come after us.


“People Get Ready” as we make our actions speak louder than our words. “People Get Ready” to make words mean something again as we put action to back up our rhetoric. “People Get Ready” as we embark on a new journey that will re-write America’s history as well as the world’s history. “People Get Ready” as we make the lives of others better and the lives of future generations better. “People Get Ready” because all we need is faith, hope and action to make this world a better place. “People Get Ready” to make a difference. “People Get Ready” to fulfill the American dream. “People Get Ready" to live out the American Dream as our founding fathers wanted us to live it. “People Get Ready” because our time is now, our moment is now and our moment in time to change America & the world is not now but right now. “People Get Ready” because a change is coming!


Alicia]
(Let me tell you now)
People get ready, there's a train comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
You don't need no ticket, you just thank the lord

[Lyfe]
People get ready, for a train to Jordan
Picking up passengers coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board them
There's hope for all among those loved the most

[Alicia]
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all man kind just to save his own (believe me now)
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there's no hiding place against the kingdoms throne

[Alicia & Lyfe]
So people get ready there's a train coming
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels humming,
You don't need no ticket, you just thank the lord


“PEOPLE GET READY!”

God Bless the U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood


Lee Greenwood-god bless the U.S.A