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May have to print my thesis through pdf.
 

263 Alden Street

PO Box 2837

Springfield, MA 01109

518-928-6086

chapple12a@yahoo.com

1960's

Everyday I secretly thank God that I was not born before 1987. I am grateful that I was born when I was born. I was born in a time of great music, (80's hip-hop, 90's hip-hop and R&B), semi-cool style of clothing, Micheal Jordan at the top of his game, and the list goes on. I honestly can't or at least should not complain about my life.

The reason I decided to write tonight is because I am watching a movie on TV One. The movie is called Brian's Song 2 or something like that. It seems like a pretty good movie. This move takes place in the 1960's and beyond. Its about the Chicago Bears when they were the first NFL team to room a white and black player.

What really gets me about this movie is the time period and how bad racism was. Racism is alive and well in 2009 but back then it was just terrible. The player Brian read his roommate a letter that his mother wrote. She just had all these ugly names for his roommate and all these reason of why he shouldn't be rooming with him. My blood began to boil and the sad part about it is its only a movie. Then after this Brian and some other teammates invite the black player "Gale" to go out to dinner with them. Gale accepted but was only joking, the teammates didn't get it at first. They knew he couldn't go out with him in public especially down in the south. They suggested to order take-out. That's something that also bothers me, a player couldn't be seen in public with his/her teammates because of the racism that existed in the United States.

I am grateful that I was not alive during that time period. Even the ignorant people that I have to deal with now are not as bad as the people in the 1960s. My blood boils now and I have trouble control my anger and words. If I lived back then I would have probably been killed. I do not think I would be able to peacefully protest and quietly go about my life trying to make it better for me and those around.

My request, be grateful and thankful for all of God's gifts and the gifts that your parent(s) gave to you.

I am both thankful and grateful.

Ignorance doesn't discriminate

Its funny how we assume that the more education some has the less ignorant they will be. I sit in class today, my professor is a soon to be doctor and he is Asian. It is not that hard to understand him but some of my ignorant classmates make it seem like he isn't speaking english. I had this one dude, who's father is a discrimination lawyer say "I hate people who can't speak english". I wanna say dumbass he is smarter than you and he is speaking english. Don't be mad because he wants to hold you and the rest of us accountable for our actions. Grow up and take a few seconds to honestly listen to what he is saying.
What do you think? Do you think I am being to sensitive? I just honestly feel bad for the guy. To me and probably many of you who love Madea, at times he sounds like her. For example he says "datter" instead of "data". I think its funny because of madea not because he pronounces words differently.
I have a lot to learn about people.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Family Greatness

As I explore life and meet new people I begin to really reflect on life. I have honestly come to really appreciate my background and my family,specifically mom dukes. Today a girl I met called to see if I wanted to go to dinner. Of course I was knocked out and talking gibberish so I didn't go. But, when it was time for dinner I found there was a stir fry program going on my floor so I stayed in.
Later on that evening I went to this girl's suite to possibly watch Grey's. I told her and her roommates about the stir fry session. She said I should have called her because she was hungry and didn't eat. I assumed she ate when she went out to dinner with her "friends". Come to find out she didn't eat, didn't have money nor did she have a meal plan. I honestly felt bad for her possibly regretting not going to dinner with her and her friends.
Here is when the realization set in. If I was ever hungry I know I could call my mom and she would order food for me or I could use one of my cards that are in her name or my nana's name. So I am grateful for my family because they honestly won't allow our family to honestly struggle. I'm glad my mom when I was younger fostered my obsession with money. She brought fake/play money and my grandmother gave me her old check books and deposit slips. My grandfather and uncle bill taught me how to write checks. What has helped me out the greater was the banking system we had when I was at Giffen. All of this put together I learned how to value money and save money. Now I'm sure others have had similar experiences but I am truly grateful for mine.
I am happy that I am fortunate enough to be able to save my money and not have to live paycheck to paycheck. I hope in the future I can continue to be as fortunate as I am now or even more. So tomorrow I will go get two thank you cards and begin reaching out.

Until next time...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Racism

I will continue my story on how alive racism is in Feb 2009. In Albany, a few weeks ago. A White woman hit a pedestrian near The College of St. Rose and then she flees the scene. Well guess what? She came back to the scene and reportedly she said she left the scene because she thought she hit a dog or some other animal. Now what kind of person doesn't see a body fly up in the air or over their car? I know you have to know the difference between hitting a person and hitting an animal. This isn't the worst part. Guess what happened to her? She received a ticket. Yes you got it a ticket. No she didn't get arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter and sentence to spend some time in prison especially because she left the scene of an accident. This is some true BS!

The boys in Jena were being charged as adults for fighting not even killing someone. A young boy who was probably about 13 in the 90's was being charged as an adult for accidentally killing his little friend that was a girl. He was wrestling with her and she died. He didn't mean to kill her, he didn't do it on purpose but he was charged as an adult at the age of 13. I am pretty sure other people know of other instances when White people have gotten away with murder, literally, and some Black people go to prison for selling illegal drugs.

I do believe that change will come but it is a process. The achievement gap between Blacks and Whites is even larger than it was twenty years ago. Everything takes time look how long it took for Black people to get the right to vote. Look how long it took for Native Americans to be considered citizens of the United States of America even when they were here before any of us. Just think about all that we have accomplished and how that success did not happen over night. President Obama did not just become president over-night [inauguration happened during the day :-)]. With time and patience things will begin to change. We cannot just sit on our couch and on blog sites expecting change to happen without our help. One man or one group of people can not make change for everyone in the USA or the world, we all have to be on the same page. Just like MJ couldn't win his six NBA championship rings without the Bulls program.

Remember Be Active because you want to see change.

Actions speak louder than words.

Women with Octuplets

So on January 26th, this women in California gave birth to eight babies. Everyone was so excited and thought it was sooo wonderful. Things changed once people who knew this woman spoke to the press. The press found out that this woman lived with her parents and what really set them off is that she already had six other children. The worst part (I do not think its that bad) is that she was already on welfare or something. Now that she is not some middle class white woman the media has all types of problems. Now they want to question how she got all the babies, some wonder why she did not opt to abort some of the babies, others want to know what doctor put all of those embryos in her.
You want to know what I think, I think that if she was the Goslins (Jon & Kate plus 8), or the Duggar's (17 Kids and Counting; TLC TV show) she would have gotten more positive publicity. People would be reaching out to her, she would be on rachel ray, dr. phil, good morning america...etc. But because she is a regular American people are complaining and now they think they know what is best for this woman and her family.
Heres what I think, I think its great that she had eight children plus the six that she already has. I would love to have a huge family like that. Do you know what you could do with that many children of that age. No matter the gender, they would definitely play basketball/football/baseball/softball/track...etc. They would practically be the team especially on a basketball team. It would be wonderful to have four boys and four girls. Of course they would all be starters and everyone would want them. lol
Back to the issue at hand, stop hatin' and let that woman and her children live life. As the old saying goes "don't playa hate, participate". With that said don't hate on this woman, offer her some assistance, shoot she is definitely going to need a babysitter. If you have a problem with her living with her parents in a two bedroom house, then how bout you let them move in with you or buy them a bigger house. Otherwise, shove it because no one wants to hear it.

Until next time...

Good Music

So I may be months late but of course I do not care what so ever. Today my cousin asked me to put some young jeezy on his ipod (who knows where he got it from) but anyway I finally heard Young Jeezy, My president. So after hearing that song I knew of another song about Barack Obama. I remember the varsity coach trying to tell me that Will.i.am has a song as well. I listened to it and you know what...it really touch me. If you know me I am not a person who really expresses happiness real well. Of course I know how to get madd and pissed off but excitement and happiness are not my strong points. Well anyway, when I heard Will.i.am's song about Obama I just got this feeling of what a great song this is. When I get this feeling I know when a song is really good and touches its audience. That is what Will.i.am's song does to me, it hits home and forces me to experience happiness and excitement, I can probably go as far as saying hope. Anywho I think both songs about President Obama are great and I really hope change does come to America and everywhere else.

Until next time...