So much to say but I am drained its been a tough week and today sunday being my Sabbath. I will keep it short and sweet. Brooklyn born Staten Island raised! ..Lived in many parts of the world experienced so much culture. Staten Island is home because I love it here the small town feel and many of us community servants know each other. Yet truthfully we are as divided and segmented as the United States economically financially ethnically and culturally. I wish it were different it is what it is we manage we survive we try to work together.I walked away from a career as an executive in the entertainment industry which was financially rewarding but not spiritually. To one that is not financially rewarding but rather spiritually and morally fulfilling community building and development ,youth mentoring,conflict resolution,violence interruption,call it what ever fancy name you will. I started IslandVoice out of the need to give voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless we have collaborated and partnered up with so many diverse organizations locally and globally. We get zero funding and grants say for a few events that get co-sponsored. That said I have sat on so many panels ,planning committees,workshops,created so many positive platforms for community engagement etc. All this work has taught me to be more compassionate, humane,considerate ,grateful, hopeful realizing there is so much that needs to be done on Staten Island in terms of community building and race relations. I have witnessed great injustice on small scales and large scales, I get the social political Bull crap. People want to box and label you because that is the only way they can understand you. These days you can not expect Empathy from those who should it. It is sad and unfortunate but still the world goes round and life goes on. As for me I preach and practice love, Peace and understanding because it feels good inside! If you think that makes me weak you are mistaken I grew up in one of the worst hoods on Staten Island in one of the worst eras Parkhill. I chose a positive path that I have been on and no turning back and if I can save as many youths as I can directly and indirectly then I have been useful to the human race. I want to be clear I have worked many years with our local and State police when it comes to community development and empowerment I have co-sponsored PAL games and donated to the PBA. I love and respect our NYPD and would never be part of any plan to harm any of them. The protest and marches on Staten Island are Anti-Police Brutality!Police Brutality and excessive force is real and alive. The NYPD being one of the greatest police force in the world. Is not perfect nothing is. So there must be an honest approach to dealing with the knuckle heads and bad apples. Pretending they do not exist is part of what is fueling the anger and protest. Peace and love to our brothers and sisters in the NYPD doing the right thing protecting and keeping our communities safe lord knows we need and appreciate them! Peace!
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 17:52:10 +0000
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