The Second Death

I watched a movie called Stand Up Guy's staring Al Pacino, where he gives an eulogy for his friend and says "we all die two times in life. Once when we stop breathing and the second time is when no one ever says your name again." Well to my friends that have meant so much to me and have gone on to glory (teary eyed) Mr.Ralph Lockhart, Mr.Cornelius Robinson, Mr.David Monds, Aunt Lee Elliot, Mr. Ell...iot Adams (Slain), Mr. Albert Kirby (A. J.), Rev.Corley Robinson, Cousin Emma Adams, Aunt Julia Adams, Uncle Odell Mayes, Aunt Josephine Mayes, Ms. Joanne Mayes, (sigh) Rev. Samuel White, Mr. Macon Williams, Mr. Gene Hart, Grandpa Jim Hart, Mr. Garland Creighton, Mr. Ronald Sledge, Ms. Margret Coleman, Ms. Hattie Clayborne, Mrs. Dorothy Atkins, and Mrs. Ellen Camhi. In my life these people still live in my thoughts, ideas, lifestyle, decisions, successes and failures therefore through me and many others they still live, they live in my spirit, my soul, and my mind. I will do my part to ensure that they live as long as I do therefore their second death is a long time coming to God be the glory. May they all rest in heaven.

Message to our Youth

Saggin Pants Pass this on to Our Youth, Our Parents, Our Black Men and Women Letter from a college student The other day, a friend of mine visited me in the lobby of my dorm just to chat while her laundry was drying. As we were chatting, two young freshmen came by. One of the boys wanted to 'talk' to my friend (as in date). She asked him how old they were, and both of the boys replied 18. My friend and I both laughed hysterically because we are both 22 years old. After my friend left, the young men were still hanging around and one wanted to know how he could gain her interest. The first thing I told him to do was to pull up his pants! He asked why, and then said he liked saggin' his pants. I told him to come over to my computer and spell the word saggin'. Then I told him to write the word saggin' backwards. S-A-G-G-I-N N-I-G- G-A-S I told him the origin of that look was from centuries ago. It was the intent of slave owners to demoralize the field workers by forbidding them to wear a belt as they worked in the fields or at any other rigorous job. In addition, men in prison wore their pants low when they were 'spoken for'. The other reason their pants looked like that was they were not allowed to have belts because prisoners were likely to try to commit suicide. And, saggin' pants prevents you from running. We as young Black people have to be the ones to effect change. We are dying. The media has made a mockery of the Black American. Even our brothers and sisters from Africa don't take us seriously. Something as simple as pulling up your pants and standing with your head held high could make the biggest difference in the world's perception of us. It is time to do right by ourselves. We need to love and embrace each other. No one is going to do that for us. It all comes down to perception. What people perceive is what reality to them is. We have to change not only the media's perception of us, but we need to change our perception of ourselves. Remember all eyes are on you Black Man. All eyes are on you Black Woman. All eyes are on your Black Child. People point the finger at us and expect us to engage in negative and illegal activities, to manifest loud, boisterous behavior, to spend our hard earned money in their stores, buying goods we don't need, or really want. We have allowed not only the media, but the government and the world to portray us as a 'sub-culture.' They have stripped our culture down to the point where the image of Black people is perpetuated as rappers, athletes, drug users, and consumers of junk food, expensive tennis shoes, expensive cars, expensive TVs, cell phones and not investing in homes for our families. We are so much more!!!!!!!

Mr. Jay H Walder                                                                           

MTA Chairman, CEO                                                                               

347 Madison Ave                                                                            

New York New York                                                                   

                                                                                                         ajmanderson@aol.com  

                                                                                                    

 

 November 10, 2010

 

Mr. Walder,

 

 

     My name is John Anderson and I work in New Haven Connecticut as an Energy Auditor and Inspector. Last month I had car problems and I had to take the 4:24pm train home form New Haven to Bridgeport. I am writing this letter because one of your employees a conductor Mr. Thomas Yuen #110826 made an impression on me that I thought I would share with you. I have traveled using public transportation many times over my 50 years on this earth but when I traveled on the 4:24 last month I never felt more welcomed, or appreciated as a passenger than my time on that train for the entire week. While I only had maybe 30 to 45 seconds in the presence of this conductor his greeting , and the fact that he thanked me for riding Metro North and wished me a nice day before I departed was a breath of fresh air especially because the train was full and he busy carrying out the rest of his duties. The amazing thing is that he managed make me think that I was the only passenger on the train so much that I am impelled to write this letter to commend him for his customer service and public relations skills. As I watched him perform his duties, the stylish way of collecting tickets, greeting people and giving change was very impressive and I am sure that others felt the same way as I did.

     Many of us in our busy lives we just do not take the time to notice, or praise people when they seem like they are performing beyond their call of duty. I just though that I would be your eyes out here in the field and report back to you that Mr. Thomas Yuen is out there representing your company well. He has left an impression upon me that will last a lifetime, and to be quite honest I do not know if there is another conductor in the United States that can impress me more than he did that week. Could you please tell him for me to keep up the good work.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

John Anderson 

 

 

Abuse of Power

Tell me something are we not all humans? I ask this question because I have recently had a run in with local law officials in my state which is Connecticut. From the moment I had contact with them I was presumed guilty. Yes I was driving without a seat belt but what came next is down right appalling. The officers checked my ID and returned to inform me that there was a warrant for me in a nearby town. To make a long story short this police department had been looking for an associate of mine for over four years unsuccessfully. Well someone at the Shelton Police Department can up with the bright idea of arresting the friends and associates of the fugitive in an attempt to squeeze information about the whereabouts of this individual. Low and behold I became a victim of what I call an abuse of authority. I was detained without clean water and a phone call. They charged me with conspiracy and placed a $25,000 bond. My only crime was that I knew this guy and I communicated with him pretty regularly. The detective out right said "We have no problem with you but we are interested in you friend and if you tell us where he is them all this will go away." my immediate reaction was I know you are not interested in me cause I committed no crime. Anyway I was arraigned and my bond was reduced to $1500. Now as a result my job is in jeopardy, car towed and I will have lawyer expenses all because of what I will call a gross abuse of power. First of all I was not aware of any criminal activity of this person, secondly I didn't know his whereabouts, and If I did I would not have told them anyway. We are all humans and should be treated as such. In my opinion they could have come to me as adults and to seek my assistance there is a good chance that I could have approached my friend to discuss ways of working this out like turning himself in and going through the customary process. That would have been a win win situation for all involved. Now my life is in torment because a few over zealous detectives either don't know how to do their job or just don't give a damn about destroying innocent peoples live as an end to their means. This country is going to hell in a hand basket, and something needs to be done about it. Not all police lead by bad example but my experience say's Don't Trust None of Them Bastards.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Ashley and J J Daddy loves you.

Something to Think About

My daughter Ashley sent this to me last week she said she found it on the internet the author is not known.

"Everyone says love hurts, but that isn't true. Loneliness hurts. Rejection hurts. Losing someone hurts. Envy hurts. Everyone gets these things confused with love, but in reality love is the only thing in this world that covers up all pain and makes someone feel wonderful again. Love is the only thing in this world that does not hurt."

What do you Think ?

Happy Birhday Nellie

As you celebrate one more year making this your 87th birthday, I take my hat of to you and, thank God for being so kind and giving me the privilege of knowing you the way that I do. When I first met you, I knew that there was something special about you. I watched you support your husband in everything that he did all the way up to and even after his death. I saw you as a strong black women sitting on top of Richmond Hill Avenue supporting your community, advising both adults and youth on how to be good citizens, advocating education and a good work ethic. As an Eastern Star, you are a leader of women and always had a level head. You maintained your dignity, respect and character whether you were wearing the hat of a member or as The Worthy Matron. You always did what was right and I respect you and love you for that. You have received many awards and citations for the work you have done in Stamford and the State of Connecticut while at the same time you have affected hundreds of lives behind the scenes and seek nothing in return.
You saw something in Ina and me and adopted us as your children. When times got rough for me you were there with kind words of encouragement, advice, prayers and even money I am grateful to you for everything. Because of you I have moved on to continue my education at the University of Phoenix and when I graduate in January It will be because of your words of reason and your mild but stern encouragement. You are my guardian angel, full of knowledge and wisdom with a keen ability to take nothing for granted. You claim to have a stick somewhere around the house that you will use on me, or anyone you love that fails to meet their unique capabilities due to laziness, lack of motivation or down right stupidity. Your faith in God and strong Christian beliefs has afforded you the ability to be nonjudgmental and find the good in everyone. You Nellie Lockhart are a great women and I love you.
To this day at the age of 87 you still somehow manage to continue touch the lives of people around you. What the black community of Stamford lost in your moving the good people of Center Cross have gained a leader, a good neighbor, and an honest friend. You never cease to amaze me with your ability to know what is going on in Stamford and for that matter in Connecticut before most of us who actual live here in Connecticut know. We can call you in Virginia and get the scoop on the pressing issues that occur in Connecticut, which speaks wonders for your network of friends, communication and devotion you have for the relationships you have developed over the years.
Mrs. Lockhart, Sister Lockhart, Nellie, and Mom you have been all these labels at one time or another for me. I have called you Mrs. Lockhart as the wife of my best friend Ralph, Sister Lockhart because you are my Masonic sister, Nellie because you are my friend, and, Mom because you have accepted me and treated me as if I am your son. Happy Birthday, I Love You.