Cashing the CHECK that came back as INSUFFICIENT FUNDS!

"America has given the Negro people a bad check; a check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds'. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice."

The "I Have A Dream" speech has always been identified as that ice breaking moment for African American history. We commonly hear that King's dream is being achieved through barriers that Obama has broken! But has the check been cashed? Are we finally viewed as equals amongst the majority!? Has our insufficient funds been reversed to sufficient funds? Can we say that the division of white and black opportunity diminished? Can we stand by our biological equal and receive the same kindness and respect??? Has there been a change?

Through the eyes of a young African American female, the moment has not occurred! We continue to break barriers and prove our equality instead of inferiority to the majority! BUT the thoughts, snickers, and reality of the division has not changed! Has justice been served? I can say it partially has because on pen and paper everything seems equal! We are repeatedly told that we are all equivalent! That we all have the same opportunity and chance! But as I observe the world around me, the disgusting truth still lives on! It breaks my heart to acknowledge reality! It hurts to see that the world has not changed! It may be concealed and kept in private but the generational cycle continues to spin on!!!!

I read this speech with a sense of realization about my surroundings but optimism about my future! This speech provides me with strength and a means to push forward. So many incidents around me concerning my fellow brothers and sisters not recognizing where we have came from! But I take this speech as a challenge! As a test to receive and accept my difference but embrace it! To live up to what I want to be and fight for what is right! To look for injustice and correct it! To be the pure definition of justice!!! I read this speech with the mindset of receiving the check and cashing it! Not only for myself, but for the world to see that like King, I have a dream! A dream that may seem blurry now but obtainable!

WAR???

Is there a such thing as A JUST WAR or JUST A WAR? A war that has a purpose that constitutes peace and positive outcomes or a war that exhibits negativity without a definite meaning. After reading the articles, it has kind of cornered me into a unsure mindset. Learning more about A JUST WAR makes me realize some things about the world that we live in. From the articles, I have came to the conclusion that A JUST WAR is hard to achieve. Is it realistic? Maybe, but hard to look forward to. People always think in a state of revenge and getting back at others instead of acknowledging who and what is being hurt. Our world is filled with JUST A WAR...people tend to acknowledge and fend towards wars that have no substance or ground. I have grown to realize that the pacifist mindset of A JUST WAR is a little far fecthed and hard to achieve. But if we impliment simple rules and guidelines of the pacifist view..WAR would amount to much more than destruction.

Inspiration within a FIGHTER

Fight! Fight means to strive vigorously and resolutely. When in doubt never give up. To continue to push for what one values or believes in! To stand and trust in what is right. Dorothy Day is a true fighter. An inspiration of pure encouragement. She is the divine example of love, value, and trust for the Lord. She displays the sometimes hard to accept fact that living and leading a life the right way, in the eyes of God, is tough. However, it is possible. A wise man once told me that when one decides to give their life over to Christ, to be a fighter for his love, and to life their day to day life in the image of him is easier said than done. He told me with re dedication comes trial and tribulation. But, as a FIGHTER for the Lord we must stay grounded! I truly believe that and throughout the entire memoir, Day displayed it! The road is truly straight and narrow...many may say that its not cut out for everyone..BUT it can be done!!! Day provided me with hope! In a way, a relief that everything will be alright! Day's memoir made me realize the bigger picture. Everyday I have been told to trust in the Lord and he will guide your footsteps. Or I have been told that the Lord doesn't put more on you that you can't bare. I never believed or even attempted to use this sort of thinking as a way to make me a stronger fighter. But, Day made the saying come to life! She made it realistic and true! She provided that extra push that I need to truly take steps to display and live the life of a fighter!

Trusting in GOD...NO MATTER WHAT

Day's book seems to give me that spiritual fulfillment that I need. Every required reading hits a idea, problem, or issue that I have struggled with. Putting all my trust in God is something that I have had a hard time doing. When things happen, I want to think about what should of happened or how I can change it. Day acknowledges that fact that God has a plan for each individual and the that God wont put more on us that we cant bear!!! WOW!! Only if I can look at life in that perspective. At times it is so hard to try to think of the positivity in a negative situation. Also to realize that God has an ultimate purpose of things happening. IT WILL MAKE YOU STRONGER IN THE LONG RUN!! God has an plan for each individual. I feel that I truly believe that. The more I learn about Day's struggles to get closer to him; the more I fall in love with GOD!!! His love is so undeniable!!! Therefore, I must put all my trust in him so that he will order my footsteps, and guide the way!!!

PROJECT PROSPECTUS

So, I totally forgot to blog this last night like Dr. LaLonde told me, but anyway I have a couple of ideas about my project. I have always had an interest in justice pertaining to uplifting female empowerment. Females go through so many issues but justice is never met. When analyzing justice being severed for females, I want to focus on domestic violence. My idea is to find out how has justice been severed in the eyes of these females that escaped the violence. Or if it was ever met!! Also, their definition of justice. I plan to go to a Women Home or Shelter for women that suffered this violence. I plan to construct a documentary. Hopefully, it all goes through but I need a little guidance. Where do I find a Home for Women? How should I conduct this project?

A Story That Hit Home

After reading chapter one of the Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day, I felt like her personal story was addressed just for me! Her story of growing up in a home where religion was absent and finding it one her own was amazing! Unlike Day, I was introduced to religion in my home. I knew what it was and had no reason to steer away from it! However, I did! I had to find my way alone! My parents never pushed me to be fully involved with Christianity. I could choose my own path. Day is on that chose her own path without that extra push. I admire and aspire to be that way. I am stong in my faith by myself, without the push. Day is an example that being grounded in faith is possible! This beginning was something that truly hit home for me!!! I get over joyed when I read stories about ones struggles and growing closer to God! It gives me a sense of hope and pride!

On a side not something that was interesting to me was the confessions. I am not Catholic so learning how that works was intriguing. Personally, I would not feel comfortable with sharing my sins with others because I would feel as if I am being judged. But reading how Catholics handled that was eye opening.

INDIVIDUAL FAITH??

First, I am going to start off with Heschel!! The book is a little hard to understand. I stayed one one page for about 20 minutes reading it over and over again. I feel that this novel will have to grow on me!! I think that it will be beneficial because I always wondered about the life of a prophet!! and the information that was given in chapter one was intriguing!!! Never knew that the prophet life would be so gloomy and alone!!!...But understanding his writing style will be a challenge....can wait to see the outcome....

After reading Shane's book, it made me rethink my faith and direction. In terms of Christianity as a whole, my views have changes. The book opened up a wider aspect and vision for my direction of Christianity. I take the religion seriously. Reading the book, his presentation of Christianity and desire to serve became contagious. All of could think about was changing my life to follow God's direction. Shane confirmed that when in doubt God will lead the way. Not only that but gave me inspiration to give to others. His book also caused me to analyze Christianity in America. Growing up in a Christian home, all I knew was God. I had no choice. I remember how simple church was growing up before the advancements in technology. Shane's examples of how churches are changing brought sadness and hit home!!! My church is changing and becoming more materialized!! I wasn't going to include this part but I think that what I encountered should be heard!!! Yesterday night, a spiritual dance group that I am involved in had practice for a performance. We usually use the audio system in the sanctuary to practice but the system was down. So we used a radio for practice. The radio needed batteries, so we went to ask our pastor. His exact words were....every ministry provides their own equipment but if you need batteries you can BUY them from the church!! They are 3 dollars a pack!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT!!! I was so shocked!! It was not a joke!! He was serious!! I felt as if my heart sunk in my chest and I had to leave!!! Thinking of what he said, I immediately thought of Shane and his perspectives of churches "changing"!!!!! This incident made me think about everything else in church that occurs that is ungodly!! My church sells DVDs and Cd's for 3 and 5 dollars a piece!! Instead of giving food to others that need it they sell it!!!! SO HUNGRY FOR MONEY!!! When will it stop? When will it end? Immediately, I consider going to my pastor but I am afraid I will offend him so I back off!!!! Later that night, me not standing up for what is right is ALL I can think about!! I am just adding to the trend not stopping it!!! Is my faith weaker than I thought?? Is God disappointed in me for not standing for him??? And how can I answer to him when I know it is wrong but I continue to go on like everything is right???? I NEVER would have even realized the actions of my church without reading this book. This book is a eye opener for me and ALL. i think that every church should have a copy because there is a individual relation for everyone implanted in the book!!! I pray that Christians will change!! I pray that my church will change!! I pray that the world will change!! Because as each individual relationship with God crumbles....the whole faith diminishes!!!! Can anyone relate??