You Can Have It All... Says Who? Says Arnold Patent

Arnold Patent, author of the book “You Can Have It All”, will be my guest this week (7/1/07) on the Called2Action radio program. We will be discussing the basic laws (principles) of the universe. These principles have been recognized for many years, but relatively few people know them and even fewer use them in their daily lives, per Mr. Patent. He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey TV program, and several of the major morning TV programs. He’s conducted these type trainings for 18 years throughout the US and the world.

He will be joining me my telephone. This gentleman is dynamic in his thought process, and will have much to share that can be applied to everyone’s life.

A Bird's Eye View On Maryland's New Laws

The Honorable Delegate Rudy Cane, Maryland's 37A district discussed several major new laws that will be going into effect October 1, 2007. Upon briefly discussing the structure of our government the following new laws were discussed: 1) Expungements - Someone that is arrested but not charged, record will be automatically expunged. 2) Maryland has passed an expression of regrets for Maryland's role in Slavery, 3) Living Wage law is being considered, 4) others new law areas discussed were identity theft, Smoking Ban - Clean Indoor Air Act, Higher Education Tuition Freeze, Health Care Access, Electricity - Solar Energy. To read each of these laws and many others passed this year visit this link to the Maryland Legislature.

Fathering or the Lack Thereof In the African American Community

Soon to be best selling author, Jimmy Dumas, author of the book 24 Reasons Why African Americans Suffer, joined me from Alabama this past week, (Fathers Day) to discuss this important topic. We both congratulated the men in our communities who have regarded their children more important than themselves. They have supported them emotionally and financially, and they have likewise supported the mother of their children. These fathers have been pillars in the African American community. Their influence on their children have been long benefiting of our community.

On the other swing of the pendulum are those fathers who do just the opposite. They are absent in the lives of their children. Brother Dumas shared the following bits of information from the book "America Has Lost A Generation of Black Boys" by Phillip Jackson. Black men in Jail have become as common place as Apple pie. Other countries are looking at America and adopting America's social policies that encourage the incarceration and destruction of young men. More worst is the passivity that exist in the African American Community. On the program we discussed the Black Star Project, and how they are addressing the problem. We also discussed the church's role in this "mess". The statistics (see link) of our failures are astonishing. I should take time and cite the statistic here, but use the link above for more details. Great job Brother Dumas.

Does Religion Empower or Imprison?

Isaac White, (in studio) and Adhim Deveaux (in Mt. Vernon, N.Y.) discussed this interesting topic this past week. The subject matter remains unfinished, but was definitely headed in the direction that religion as is practice has done more to hurt us than it has to help us. Churches are the wealthiest institution in the black community, but we must still go across town to borrow money at high interest rates; Most women in the church are obese. Obesity leads to many illnesses. The church does not address these things. Who do Christians follow in the Bible? Can you look at them and tell? An interesting discussion that will continue during the third week of July 2007. Stay tuned, if you haven't been tuned then get tuned.

Does The Church Empower or Imprison Its Congregants?

Does the Church Empower or Imprison...? What do you think? We address that issue this weekend, (6/10/07). The persons that will be on the program this weekend will take a definite position on the topic. No responses along the line of it depends. Why haven't we been able to achieve more in our personal and corporate lives? Why aren't we able to heal? Why are so many of our people obese? Why do we suffer more from all of the maladies of life and attend church more regularly? What is the role of the church in the lives of the people? This should be a lively discussion.

Juneteenth Is On The Way

A Few Comments on Juneteenth ----- June 3, 2007 Radio Program --- with guest Organizer Kimberly Dumpson, Esq.

clipped from www.juneteenth.com Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society. © 1996-2007 Juneteenth.com.

Juneteeth Celebrations Throughout Our Nation

Attorney Kimberly Dumpson will be in the studio this week (6/3/07) to talk about Juneteeth, What is It? Why Do We Celebrate it? What is it's historical significance? Why is this event of signigicant importance to African Americans? Sunday night at 8:00pm on Clear Channel's Magic 98.9.

Thanks to Our Veterans

Tom Kimball, the Maryland State Commander of the of the Veterans of Foreign War, gave me an opportunity to representatively say thank you to all those who have served our country so well over the many years of our American history. Tom joined me on Memorial Day weekend. One of the questions I directed at Tom was, why do we have Black VFW's and White VFW's? Tom dispelled the notion by saying, essentially, that veterans all work together to support each other. He also cited a few examples. Thanks Commander Kimball.

"Fight The Power...Company"?

John Allen, Vice President of Delmarva Power - the premier Power Company in the Del Mar Va area, joined me this week on Called2Action. I wanted to talk to John to have him address the high rate of our electric bills. Though John explained the difference roles at play -- the distributors and suppliers --- the bottom line is the same --- our electric bills are higher. Within the last year our electric bills have increased by 70% or better. John shared with us that electric rates have been frozen for a while, and the higher rates are now enabling Delmarva Power to function in a manner that's consistent with existing expenses. He also share that there have been six companies approved in Maryland by the Public Service Commission to provide power in this area. Interested persons should contact the Public Service Commission to find out more about how they can go about signing up for another power sources.

Upcoming Called2Action Program

Tonight's Program ----- A Tribute to Mothers with Councilwoman Shanie Shields and Alethia Nichols (joining us from Detroit Michigan)
Next Week ---- Delmarva's Power Company's Vice President --- John
Allen (scheduled)
Memorial Day Week End---- A Tribute to Our Soldiers - Tom Kimball Maryland State Commander of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars (Previously Taped)
First Sunday In June ------ The Historical and Contemporary Implications of Juneteeth with Kimberly Dumpson, Esq.
Second Sunday in June ---- Have We Allowed the Church to Emprison or Empower Us As We Work towards Justice in the Social, Political and Economic Order of Things? This will not be a philosophical middle of the road discussion. It will however be thought provoking.

Strenthening Our Community: A Charter School Approach

Ordinarily I take these pixs with my high priced Canon camera, after before or during each radio program. However, on this program that dealt with Strenthening our Community: A Charter School approach, I used by cell phone to take pixs. In looking at the pix's quality I was pleasantly surprised. Anybody want to buy a high priced camera?

Now for the subject at hand. My guests this week were Rev. Julius Thompson, and Dr. Bess McAllister. These folks are spearheading starting a charter school in Somerset County Maryland. They are in the process of appealing a rejection to a request to start a charter school. The intent of this school is to offer an alternative to the public school system. A system in which our young children are behind in every educational aspect. Currently there are 23 charter schools in Maryland, with 10 additional prospective schools, (source of this information is the State Board of Education's Website). None on Maryland's Eastern Shore. On the program we defined what a charter school is, the process for becoming a charter school, and the challenges from Boards of Education and "our people" in trying to get it going. An interesting program. Stay tuned.

Securing the Right To HealthCare and Well Being

I initially met Peter Stanford, MPH, PA-C at a State of the Black Union conference in Easton Maryland in September of 2006. He spoke on the topic , "Securing the Right to Health Care and Well Being", the topic he addressed on this week's Called2Action radio program.

We cited a number of statistics that shows Af-Am suffer from all kinds of illnesses more than their counterparts.

On this week's Called2Action program we discussed a few solutions --- exercising daily, eating fruits daily, stop smoking, encourage health agencies to capture statistics locally that shows racial and gender differences. For additional information read the chapter by the same name in the book, The Covenant, or email my brother at pmstanford@umes.edu.

Blacks Working In Predominantly White Work Environments

Jason Newton, formerly of CBS affiliate Channel 16 was my guest on April 22, 2007 Called2Action program. We had a good discussion on the subject matter. Jason was the news anchor on Channel 16. He did a super job in this capacity, but after a short stint he is no longer there. We talked about the challenges African American encounter while working in a White environment, in light of the fact that our cultures are different.

Jason was a gentleman in his approach to the subject matter, essentially he said, --- in my own words, --- money makes the world go 'round. We must be exceptional in what we do.

Towards a Better Understanding of Our Haitian Brothers and Sisters

Messrs. Habaki Payte, Fritz Jeudy, and Antoine LaGuerre, brothers that grew up in Haiti and now live in Salisbury, Maryland were my guest on Called2Action this week. We discussed Haiti's historical leadership role in liberating the oppressed. Haiti served as a model for the world. Today she pays a price for that. She is in economic distress; arguably the most improvished county in the Western Hemisphere. One caller felt that America is behind it. I asked the question of the role of self centered dictators of its past in this dismal economic straits.
Coming into this land of the free and the brave has brought with it many challenges and an integral part is the language barrier. We will continue the discussion in a few weeks. I am particularly interested in hearing more about this.

The Little Rock 9, Their Efforts and the Contemporary Impact

David Miller Sr., a member of the 101st Airborne Unit that was deployed by President Eisenhower to bring peace to a turbulent situation as 9 Black Student attempted to enter Central High School, was my guest this weekend (April 8, 2007). ARTICLE TO BE COMPLETED.

Are Coaches Exploiting Our Kids?

Adhim Deaveaux joined me from Mount Vernon, New York on our April 1, 2007 program. Below is a summary of our discussion.

Many coaches are more concerned with money than the welfare of our children. The attitude is to win at all cost. Coaches are more concerned with winning records than they are concerned about the welfare of their players. The stories of several functionally illiterate professional football players were discussed, i.e. Dexter Manley. A discussion pursued on how Dexter Manley and other players achieved their social status, while not being able to read. Our community cherishes the high scorer, though he/she may not be able to read. The dropout rate of several colleges was shared, i.e. Ohio State University has one of the highest dropout rates of any university in the nation. University of Maryland also has a high dropout rate. Solutions: We must “called out” coaches that are not tracking kids grades, and school behavior. Playing sports must be a means to an end. The end is to be properly educated. So what if you make 40 million dollars, but you cannot read nor write. Because this mis-educating begins at an early point in kids lives, parents must be involved in holding the schools (coaches accountable).

Continuing The Discussion on Building Wealth

We continue to tackle wealth building. Mark Townsend, a young brother that resides in Salisbury, Maryland joined me. We focused on 1) repairing credit and 2) homeownership. Many of our people still continue to struggle financially by limiting themselves financially. We stressed the importance of credit repair and talked about how to go about addressing this malady. Knowing your credit score is important. We also discussed steps to homeowership.

Upcoming Called2Action On Air Educational Seminars

Called2Action programs are generally scheduled every three months. Depending on the availability of guest some changes are made. Below is a list of topics we'll be discussing during this quarter. All guest have not confirmed nor have been identified through today.

• Credit and Homeownership March 25th 2007

• The 24 Million Dollar Slave April 1, 2007
• The Little Rock 9 and It's Contemporary Affects on Education April 8, 2007
• Aides In the Black Community April 15, 2007
• 40 Development Assests of Youth April 22, 2007
• The State of Health In Shore's Black Comm. April 29, 2007
• Building a Community ... Alice Coles May 6, 2007
• Mother's Day Celebration May 13, 2007
• Does the Church Empower or Emprison May 20, 2007
• Substance Abuse in Our Community May 27, 2007
• Closing the Digital Divide June 3, 2007
  

Return Visit With Drew Brown

After receiving several positive comments about Drew's Brown's last appearance on Called2Action, I invited Drew to a return appearance; besides our last discussion was unfinished. This time we talked about a number of different issues, --- Bill Cosby's controversial comments about our youth --- the solutions to our educational challenges. Solution according to Drew --- in my our words ---- put your money where your mouth is. Drew is a motivational speaker. If you would like to have more information on Drew, visit his website.

Highest Ranking Education Policy Makers In Region Visits Called2Action

The three men in the set are the three highest ranking policy makers in our Education system on Maryland's Eastern Shore. They were my guest this past weekend on the Called2Action radio program. Their policy making decisions affect (directly and indirectly) several hundred thousand people in our region. Here's who they are, in the lower right hand corner is Mr. Gary Mumford, President of the Worcester County Board of Education; in the lower left hand is Mr. Mark Thompson, Vice President of the Wicomico County Board of Education, and in the upper right hand corner is Rev. William Miles, Vice President of Somerset County Board of Education. We reviewed the data that showed African Americans are on the bottom of all educational endeavors in each of the county's. Dropout rates highest of any group. We discussed the 10 reasons we students are sent to the office, and here again ----- we're on the bottom of the totem pole.We discussed how the school budget is discussed, and community input. Solutions: Currently there is mentoring programs in place, and an Ombudsman. We will continue the discussion this week.