Tomorrow is too late..

A few months ago Californians headed to the polls to select our current Governor Jerry Brown. During the selection process debate, I spoke with and heard from a many people who were undecided about selecting either Meg Whitman who dumped $150million of her own money into her campaign to buy the Governor’s chair vs. the ailing former California Governor Jerry Brown.  As there was no clear standout, I heard a comment "we must chose the lesser of two evils".

Obviously Jerry Brown is now Governor of California facing the states most challenging budget deficit to date. In selecting the lesser of two evils, I point out an evil decision currently playing out.  Governor Brown has decided to eliminate the State Department of Mental Health and establish a State Department of Hospitals which is likely to be under the authority of the State Department of Corrections.

In eliminating the State Department of Mental Health, individuals and families facing and living in poverty lose a strong advocate for increasing support and funding in these vulnerable communities.  Our Jails are currently considered the States Mental Health facilities since Former President and then Governor Ronald Reagan deinstitutionalized Mental Health Facilities in California leaving many clients homeless or facing incarceration with currently over two-thirds of inmates in jeopardy of facing a mental illness.

Oh, and 33,000 inmates will be release back into the community beginning October 1st due to overcrowding. While there is a scramble to decide the authoritative agency to facilitate this transition with limited funding support it’s not been determined who will be assessing these individuals prior to release. An inmate’s mental state must be determined prior to release to ensure their willingness to comply with the law.

It’s not anticipated these inmates will return and seek mental health services and if they do it puts a strain on an already fragmented system. Not to mention their release at a time jobs are few and far between and the community has already suffered economically.

I point this out because were such a reactive society. Once the back door dealing is done we then will raise hell for a few minutes and quietly comply. While this decision is already made, you can support Mental Health by sending an email to:
dhcsmhmedi-caltransfer@dhcs.ca.gov indicating your displeasure with this new realignment and that mental health should operate and function as its own separate entity to ensure the voice of individuals and families who require these services are not suppressed and lost in the bureaucratic shuffle.

FYI - Governor Brown has also taken $840 million of Mental Health Service Act dollars further decreasing resources to individuals and families in need.  And please understand mental health services are not simply for poor Blacks and Mexicans. What crack cocaine did to the inner city during the 1980's, Crystal Meth is doing to White America today.

If you've read this far please send an email. Thank you!

Independence My Azz!

With today being “Independence Day” and following a comment made yesterday about waiting for “Christ Return”, I woke this morning with multiple thoughts running through my head about what the future of American looks like for African Americans.

As an optimistic person who maintains prayerful hopes that I celebrate my 90^th birthday, I also keep in mind tomorrow is not promised.  I’m certainly no Holy Roller but I love, trust, fear and serve the Lord with all my heart despite my constant failure to avoid temptation. However, I don’t anticipate being around when Christ Returns.

In today’s America, it’s hard not to include racism with Independence as an African American Male.  As a result of the Civil War, Mexican America War, Civil Rights as examples; we will always favor our own race.  

These historical turning points in individual cultures united each to stand strong behind their fight for independence, equality and unity.  As a result we often hold our own race to a higher standard than anyone else because of the selfish pride we wish to see maintained through that which bonded us.

I recently read an article that suggested the federal deficit is the equivalent of our economy being inflicted with HIV.  Given that African American’s have the highest reported HIV cases the writers comment was very insensitive. However, that’s the America we live. Every man for himself!

Well, the better man is one who does not judge another based on their race.  The powerful man is one that seeks to understand the cultural perspective of another’s race without malice.

As America celebrates its Independence today, we have yet to achieve our Independence. Reliant on foreign oil, manufactured good from other countries and an outdated education system that does not prepare our youth for emerging opportunity; I ask what are we celebrating?

America has transformed clearly indicated by the increasing wealth and achievement gaps and African Americans have no agenda for success while one of us holds the most powerful position in the world as POTUS. Despite politics there is a reason, season and time for everything. This may be our first and final call.

By grace as a professional athlete, I’ve traveled the world and met some great friends of English, Mexican, Filipino, Latino, Asian, French, Turkish, Argentinian and Middle Easter descent to name a few.  I’ve learned much from each of them and respect their heritage, commitment to one another and conversations but today I’m mostly concerned about African Americans and the divide within our race at a time we need to be in unison to be united.

We have no collective vision for our families and future existence and we all know it.  We hold one another to an unfair standard as if we’ve forgotten we’re all the same.  In my studies related to System Oppression unfair treatment of people of color; it’s nothing compared to Black on Black Oppression in which Blacks hold one another back.  If we don’t turn our etiquette, mannerisms and attitudes around immediately “Independence Day” will represent nothing more than a back yard Bar B Que among a select social class of friends.

I don’t believe I will be here for “Christ Return” because I know he’s already here and represented in each one of us.  Once we recognize the Spirit of GOD in us as oppose to waiting for his arrival, GOD will immediately manifest.  As African American’s our divine calling is our Spirit which is how we receive our unduplicated rhythm.  

I believe GOD is waiting on us now. Run tell that!