Umoja -Unity in 2014

Happy Kwanzaa!! Today is the first day of Kwanzaa 2013. Blessings of Umoja/Unity to my family, friends & fb peeps!! Unity is truly about "unifying" or working together for common goals. As we approach another year 2014 - the Universe is calling on each of us to unify with like-minded people - to help care for one another, protect, teach and prepare our children, treat our elders with honor & respect and SAVE our planet. 

We all have unique gifts and different paths in which to make a difference during our short stay in this physical existence!  Our individualism is the beauty of Creation. Some of us are meant to bring new life into the world - while others prepare the physical "shell" during the transition back to spirit. Some are meant to care for the sick, or teach the children, or build the homes. Some use their hands to create structures, tend to crops, or work with wood, metals and tools. Some create the music and sing the songs that move our soul, or write the words in books that transform us, or lyrics in poetry and spoken word that resonate with us -  while others still use the gift of a brushstroke to produce images that engage and stimulate us!  It all shows the beauty of the Creator to bless us with such incredible variety, creativity and talent.

In 2014, tap into your CREATIVE ENERGY (if you haven't already)! Try doing different things, participate in diverse activities, or creative venues/projects. Do you...Do what moves you positively! Pay attention to what you are drawn to - that's the voice of spirit whispering in your ear - if you just still yourself and listen to that little voice...(some call it "first mind"). To me that whisper is the voice of Spirit and my Ancestors guiding me to my destinies...

In the spirit of Umoja/Unity - know that through art we can connect...art can be the catalyst and tool that heals the ugliness between people on this planet based on skin color!  Art is transformative! I recognize the power of art as a tool for discourse, political engagement, education, activism, appreciation and transformation. Art is powerful. When we use & connect our creative and artistic gifts to foster unity, educational enlightenment, artistic appreciation and documentation of our stories - we honor and preserve our history. 

How can/will you explore your creative gifts in 2014?

Honoring the victims of AIDS on World AIDS Day

Today December 1, 2013 marks the 25th Anniversary of World AIDS Day. We have lived with the reality of AIDS for so long, that there are many people who don't even remember a time without the devastation of AIDS. As a child who came of age in the 60's & 70's – this was the era of experimentation and "anything goes." As a result many, many people experimented with some aspect of the "goodies" of the era. This runs the gamut from both legal mind-altering substances like wine and "hard liquor" to illegal drugs, such as: weed, hash, angel dust, psychedelic drugs - (including mescaline, LSD-25 or acid in all its forms {blotter, black acid, orange sunshine, etc.}, THC, cocaine, and the MONSTER of them all King Heroin! 

Growing up in Englewood, NJ, (in Bergen County), 5 minutes from NYC - presented an exciting opportunity as well as a sad negative reality for my generation. At a young age folks started hanging in NYC - often in Harlem. All of the exciting places and happenings of NYC were readily available to us (only a bus away); but on the negative side so were the drugs. Heroin distribution was targeted in the Black community, so Harlem was a heroin dealer’s playpen. You could easily "cop" a bag of "dope"- (heroin) all over the area; and "shooting galleries" - spots where people got high were plentiful. Additionally, Bergen County was an area targeted for heroin distribution, and this was even mentioned in the film- American Gangster.

So many people of my generation started out experimenting for fun and wound up paying the ultimate price.  It hit home for me and my family at an early stage - when I was 15 years old, my beloved brother Billy Tinsley, a nationally recognized, star basketball player, died tragically from a heroin overdose at the tender age of 17 years old. A video remembering and honoring his legacy by a former basketball coach was created by Sam Lee and can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR2OR_yw-bo 
 

Although his death deeply shocked and affected our family and community, and may have deterred some people; others were already to deep into the drug addiction path to stop. Some thought it was still was a "party" and unfortunately, they stayed at the party too long. I am so thankful because there but for the grace of God goes I. In high school I remember reciting the poem/rap King Heroin by James Brown from memory. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07SWjWaOxc4&list=RDowJGSyhMT0U  

(King Heroin for those unfamiliar with it)

Then along comes AIDS. Whew!!! It devastated our little community - and many of our former classmates and peers died from this deadly "man-made disease" - (which in my humble opinion, I believe without a shadow of a doubt, was man-made from the start). We have lost so many people in my community, throughout our country and throughout the world to this disease. Entire major cities and surrounding suburban towns throughout the US, and countries throughout the world have been devastated, and many countries in Africa have been wiped out. We have lost some of the best, brightest, talented, intelligent, insightful, artistic, funny, good people to this disease! On a national and international level, we have also lost some of the most talented, creative, artistic geniuses to this disease. I have attended many funerals over the last 30 years of people who died from this horrible disease.  I even remember attending funerals before the name "AIDS" was even coined - and folks said the person died from a problem with their immune system. (We barely knew what an immune system was at that time). 

Well, here we are 25 years after World AIDS Day was started. I have been deeply touched by the lives of those who perished in this disease.  I first saw the AIDS Memorial Quilt almost 20 years ago and I was moved to tears. For more info on the AIDS Memorial Quilt and the Names Project:
 http://www.aidsquilt.org/about/the-aids-memorial-quilt 

Fortunately, people are now "living with AIDS" instead of dying with AIDS. I am thankful for the friends I know and people I have met who are living with the disease and are comfortable sharing their story to enlighten others. As an educator, I have worked with many students over the years that have lost their parents, and some even grandparents to this disease. In many communities, both in NJ and throughout the country, it is unfortunately common for young children to no longer have a mother or father alive. As an educator I was fortunate to serve on a panel several years ago on World AIDS Day at Bank Street Graduate School of Education in NYC (my Alma mater) as an educator who has created curricula material to teach about AIDS. As an educator, when I see a need, I feel a personal responsibility to address it. This was the inspiration and motivation that led me to write: Me and My Grandma – A story for children about AIDS. Copies are available at: www.htinsley.com/publications

I acknowledge those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives to drug and AIDS. I give the highest honor and respect to those who have carried on the job of raising the children who lost their parents. I also honor those who are HIV positive or have AIDS who have suffered the shame, embarrassment, fear and abandonment of your friends and loved ones (especially in the early days of his disease). What affects one of us, affects all of us! 

 Know your status, make wise choices and always protect yourself! 

Thoughts on war...

Today, September 2, 2013 it seems as though America is ready to engage in yet another war - this time against Syria. The media is preparing the America public with rationale for why this should happen. I can objectively look at the media and see exactly how they use the power of persuasion to manipulate people in believing the ""pre-determined America agenda". I sincerely hope and pray that this "war" against Syria does not come to fruition, as war kills thousands and ruins countless lives - while greedy politicians and investors of war products make millions. This poem expresses my personal sentiments against war...

enough

Copyright 2011 by Helen Tinsley

it was quiet

the earth was sleeping

darkness covered her

like a cozy blanket

the night air was cool

& the moon cast a soft glow on the land

the people below...

the villagers

the simple people

the children

 & the elders

drifted in & out of consciousness

when it happened

the sound was jolting

it shook their houses

frightened their animals 

& awakened their babies

the screams pierced the stillness of the night

their eyes told of fear & helplessness

that was the night that bombs rained 

from an afghanistan sky

leaving behind shards of metal marked USA

doused with human blood.

young suicide bombers

raised on the gaza strip

stroll thru public eateries

 government buildings 

& overcrowded city buses

laden with dynamite sticks

neatly hidden behind cotton shirts

or tightly tucked under twisted turbans

willing sacrifices

human missiles detonating

to make a statement

and reclaim the west bank 

as palestinian land

in the name of jihad

orphaned iraqi children

gulf war survivors

sift thru bones & rubble

playing new games 

with spent bullets

& american warheads

that stole their parents lives

and ended the one they knew

young people representing

the red, white & blue

the few & the proud

being all that they can be

are proudly & unknowingly 

manipulated & sacrificed

on foreign shores

over alleged weapons of mass destruction

as corporate predators 

& greedy politicians

play chess with international lives

when will this madness end?

this thing called war

where there is no winner

& the stakes are human lives.

this must end now

abruptly

quickly

immediately

do not pass go

do not u-turn

back pedal

or hit reverse

listen up united nations

no more unpeaceful...peace treaties

congressional hearings

or international delegations

change this practice called foreign policy

& stop policing the world

America

stop conquering other people's land

while ignoring the homeless man on the streets,

the pregnant woman with no medical care

the AIDS patient who can't afford meds

the unjustly convicted in US prisons

& the sick, poor & tired on american streets

homeland security 

should secure a home for all

promote international peace

bring about global unification

& bury this animal called war.

Academia vs. Creativity – Finding Balance

         I am a storyteller and writer by spirit, an artist by passion, an educator by vocation, a life-long learner and a full-time student in a doctoral program. Yes, like many of us I am a multi-dimensional person - I am WOMAN – hear me roar (lol) and I also a mother and grandmother! Needless to say, I like everyone else am busy! I have all the usual routine - daily and weekly tasks that must be done, cleaning, shopping, cooking, laundry, etc. Many of our routines are simply a matter of time and energy – providing we are blessed with the health to accomplish our needed tasks!  Yet, sometimes we fill our lives with so many activities and projects that we soon find ourselves on a whirlwind or a never-ending merry-go-round – I know I have always been there, and I still am on another level.

In this post I hope to explore with you – the readers - the complexity of finding balance in your life while being actively engaged as a full-time student in a demanding doctoral program and still being true to yourself as a creative spirit, while working in a demanding and time-consuming job. To me, it seems the higher one goes up the academia ladder, the less it is about personal engagement and creativity, and more about theoretical and analytical data. I am a pragmatist and I strongly believe in personal connections, meaningful engagement and practical application. Can one find that in schools of education in academia? Is it possible? Where does it exist? Are their online or hybrid doctoral programs in education that provide that?

Far too many times I am working on a paper or assignment for school and spirit begins talking to me, or ancestors and angels start whispering words in my head of stories of long ago, or inspirations and ideas that I NEED to immediately meditate on and write about. But, in the midst of a paper or assignment and a tight deadline – I have to make a practical choice – and in order to actually meet the assignment deadline, I have far too many times made school the first priority. Now, perhaps for the average person, that may be a good thing or no big deal. But, for me as a spiritually led woman and “inspired” writer that is so limiting to my psyche and spirit – because I understand the voice of spirit! I know better - when spirit tells me to jump – I jump!  I have to! My spirit demands it!! So, as a result I have many, many sleepless nights – writing papers and completing assignments for school; and also sitting quietly and letting spirit talk to me and then writing inspirations and poetry, or making collages. It is a major juggling act for me!  Yet, I know I am not the first person to be at this crossroad, and we can all benefit from hearing others stories, strategies and solutions to creating that sense of balance! So, I hope to hear from you because the sharing of diverse stories enriches us all!

In my sphere in life, I am blessed to know many people in different walks of life - Ase’!  I enjoy interacting with many activists, artists, writers, educators, academics, filmmakers, talkers, and good people from all over the United States and around the world in both real time and cyber space. Every artist or creative spirit can probably relate to the juggling act I refer to; and the need for making choices and/or finding that perfect niche’ or balance on a level that works for you between: money or creative arts/ 9-5 job or creative arts/ academics or creative arts/ scheduled life or flexibility.

So, I am reaching out to you – family, friends, conscious folks, and my email and Facebook friends – you my “peeps” who represent the pulse of many communities - to share your thoughts, ideas, and creative suggestions on following your passion and/or finding that “balance” – while working in a full-time profession and pursuing an advanced degree: (such as: a doctorate, medical, law degree, etc) and also letting your creativity flow! What are your thoughts?

Saving the Children: A revelation in black...

God is so amazing...when you are in harmony with your purpose, there is truly a silver lining beneath ever person you meet, and every experience you encounter in your journey! They are all lessons that can drive and propel you forward when you focus. My path was revealed to me some 30+years ago... to devote myself to the empowerment and elevation of all marginalized people, but Black people in particular. My heart is tied to CHILDREN - I love 'em all to pieces; and my passion lies in making ties to our history, building on those threads and telling the stories through poem, prose, story and images.

So today I had a real epiphany. As I look at the hidden agendas in certain aspects of education, I realize the political aspect of the structure throughout this country is going to be what it is. It is far deeper than I realized and I am still amazed by new political realizations. Yes, we should continue to try and effect meaningful change by strategizing, organizing, speaking up in masse, having our voices heard, etc. There is also a greater need for community development, community tutoring programs, enrichment opportunities for children - giving them exposure to diverse, relevant experiences (African American Museum, Black in Wax Museum, Schomburg, National African American Museum, Plays, other cultural events...etc).

But, we also have to shift this situation at hand and flip this thing around- QUICKLY!. We are loosing too many of our children and young adults to drugs - STILL - and to the streets, to jail (earlier and earlier with longer sentences) and to getting killed on the streets . Some of the kids nationwide are now grown and "out there drifting" and at that stage, sometimes all we can do as parents/elders is cover them in prayer - to find their path and stay out of harms way. But, there are many others ...from babies - on up to teenagers/young adults that need us to step up to the plate "old skool style" and mother/father the children of the neighborhoods. Set an example for them, talk to them, check them when needed. We need to do this from a young age, so by the time that baby is 15 and ready to talk junk, he will already be calling you Ms. or Mr So & So. We have to turn this thing around. God did not bring Black folks this far, through all these trials and tribulations for us to fizzle out like this....Oh No!

"Each on reach one, each one teach one" Queen Mother Moore
(RIP & God bless this sister soldier!)

1

Save the Children

Our children are truly our most precious resources. They depend on us - the adults to help them find their place in life, to care for them, guide them and prepare them for the world that awaits them. We all have a responsibility to the children. Each day, I strive to make a difference in the life of someone, especially children. So many children and families feel "voiceless" - "powerless" in the educational arena in America.  My next book - "Who Speaks For Me" tells many of the stories of the voiceless people in education; with the goal of helping to give voice to them.

who speaks for me

Copyright 2011 by Helen Tinsley

i am the voice of the voiceless

i am the voice of those students 

who are uneducated, miseducated

or simply not given the tools 

to be successful in society today.

i am the voice of those students 

who languish in special ed classes,

remedial programs, alternative classes

or other structures that marginalize

 & demoralize their essence.

i am the voice of students 

whose spirit is squashed

by uncaring adults, low expectations 

& pervasive disregard

in inner city schools throughout america.

i am their voice & this is their story.

stop 

u don’t know me

u only make money off me

yea, tho i walk thru the valley of public schools

i shall fear no evil for i am black 

& my God is with me.

i sit in classes, raise my hand, draw my pictures,

want to read my story & u don’t call on me

music teacher – u give out instruments & u bypass me

math teacher ― u have calculators i never see

art teachers – your closets r full of papers, paints & clay

u think r too good for me

principal – u create cracks to push me in

breed academic gaps & try to limit me

what is your problem 

& whose agenda do u follow?

i am strong, powerful & smart & i’m gonna do me

i read the books u hide

understand the knowledge u deny

& recognize today is the day we will not be shy

we will take this information & fly

today we are revolving, slowly evolving 

& the lies are dissolving

the revolution was televised 

when the levees broke & america choked

langston hughes wrote the ways of white folks

& the Hon Elijah Muhammad spoke 

told us wake up black folks

this is the final Call!

Monologue - Peace

 

  Monologue from: and the beat goes on...

     It was a long weekend and I was looking forward to a change of pace from my daily routine of driving up and down the state of NJ doing school walkthroughs and the usual meetings that result in more talk and little change or action. So I downloaded Phoebe Snow’s greatest hits and Gil Scott Heron’s – Pieces of a Dream album. These two gems that had recently made their transition were going to be my musical accompaniment for the ride to Brooklyn. I threw my weekend bag into the back seat and headed out on the NJ turnpike right after work on Friday.  Listening to the lyrics of The Revolution will Not be Televised took me back to the early 70’s when Gil and his drummer Bob would hang out with us at Lincoln University and we would get into these deep philosophical conversations while sipping wild irish rose and enjoying the other stimulants that were the fashion of that era.

     After about an hour of driving in bumper to bumper traffic with other folks probably also seeking to escape their usual routine, and sweating bullets in a car with no air conditioner - I had second thoughts about going after all. But I knew I was going to have fun seeing folks in Jersey at the Memorial Day parade. I also wanted to hang out – NYC style. There was a weekend festival at BAM and I knew I would run into some folks I hadn’t hung out with in years – clothing designers, textile and jewelry artists, painters, musicians, and fellow poets – we were an eclectic group that used to frequent cafes and poetry spots on Fulton Street.

     When the view of the NYC skyline came into view my heartbeat accelerated and my energy level increased. NY has a way of doing that to folks. I always love the rush. Well, not to go into all the details – I had a blast, lots of conversation – foods I’ve been missing in Philly (west Indian patties, Sengelase - tiebou jen…and mafe. The party didn’t stop so neither did I. Therefore, I was one tired, partied out lady by Monday morning – after doing too many late nights and having a few more shots of cognac than I needed. But being the old trooper I am – I still knew I had to get up and get to Englewood, NJ (my hometown) by 10 am for the annual Memorial Day Parade.  I rushed over the GW bridge, missing the parade by about 20 minutes. I was told the parade this year was only about 15 minutes long.  Wow. What happened. It got me thinking.

     Now Englewood is this little town 5 minutes from Manhattan –a small town with all the nuances of a small town  - a place where everybody used to know each other, the house you lived in and who your people were. The Memorial Day parade used to be huge. Shoot, growing up we used to get a new “memorial Day” outfit each year. It was really just a cute little short set, but it was new and I would wear it first to the parade. My dad was a proud World War II vet who was sent to Germany at 18 years old and he always told us stories of his struggles in the segregated army overseas while there was no peace for him – a black man at home. So I grew up hearing the stories about the seriousness of this day called memorial day – a day to honor those who had gave their lives for our freedom.  It seemed to me that everyone in my town and neighboring towns would march in our parade back in the day. Men in blue, nurses in white, daughters of the American revolution, marching bands, cheerleaders, boy scouts and girl scouts, elks and masonic, steel bands, dance troupes, baton twirlers, rifle squads – you name it. Now how could it be reduced to a 15 minute parade? That question lingered in my mind.

     The real celebration always took place after the parade in the parking lot of the Elks and a local park.  Cars would drive through the park, and churches would set up tents. Barbecue grills would be blazing and you could eat chicken, corn bread, potato salad, peach cobbler from anyone’s table – you just said who your people were and they fed you. Today, some remnants of that celebration remain – but food today is in the form of vendors who serve up measured portions for a fee and they never ask who your people are.  But we still gather, and enjoy good conversation, food, drinks and catch up with folks that come home on this day just to see other folks. But, you know, today is a more serious day.America as a country is in the midst of two major wars, and has her hand in politics all over the world. In the midst of tyranny, and oppression why aren’t we coming together as a people not only to commemorate our dead who gave their lives for our countries freedom and greed – but to speak out for the rights of the poor and oppressed who join our armed forces in mass numbers today just to survive. Why aren’t we all wise enough to see that the real reason behind this war is green – while our young brothers and sisters come home in body bags? Why aren’t we having those conversations? Our folks are dying in mass numbers in Iraq and Afghanistan, while America continues to lie about the numbers; and yet there is no end in sight to this madness. If we don’t learn to care for this planet, share its resources and co-exist in peace we will all come to an end in violence.

Poems inspired in Jamaica

Dawn

Copyright (c) 2013 Helen Tinsley

first light/dawning day

ancestral energy infusing the air

ancients roaring with each crested wave

awaiting the summon - alert for the call

present

we are here

announcing your sons & daughters have arrived

asking your permission we begin

giving honor & respect

on tongues from lands of different waters

spirits of long ago uplifted

we give thanks

collective voices remember

Margaritaville, Jamaica

Copyright (c) 2013 Helen Tinsley.

island breezes

rastaman proudly rides

strong stallion

into

salted waters

Wellness Journey – Real talk from my heart…

After a busy life in a long-term marriage, mothering 4 children, teaching full-time, and a graduate student for 11 years – I now find myself living alone. Alone…not lonely…there’s a difference…okay, some times I’m lonely…but often I’m pretty content in my space. It’s peaceful, I am surrounded by the simple things I love …plants, books and more books…my Mac Book Pro, Ipad and Ipod (smh - but it’s true – I’m a gadget girl - smile) my figurines…and trinkets from 57 years of living. I still have a bookcase from my childhood that has been everything from a cabinet for baby accessories, to a display shelf painted over many times. But, it still reminds me of how precious my childhood was and how special my little Beatrix Potter books looked to me on the shelves when I was little and got them from the good ole’ Englewood Public Library. (For those that don’t know…my hometown is Englewood, NJ – about 10 minutes from Manhattan and it was a wonderful, small-town, right-out-side-the big-city kind of place.)  Any rate back to my journey…

When I am home, I spend a lot of time in silence. Yes, I love music…and still love to get down and dance. I am a life-long party girl. BUT, in silence I hear the voice of God and the ancestors. And I listen...and the Creator speaks to me in hushed tones in the stillness, and tells me words and stories to write, people to connect with, projects to make, and directions in my life to take. And I OBEY! And my ancestors speak to me…they guide me…they direct me and especially they WARN me…from dangerous situations, behaviors and people. And I am learning to obey them more fully. For me, the ancestors are that little voice that talks to you “when you getting ready to do something that you know ain’t no good for you”, (yes, that was an intentional grammatical slip – for those academic folks that may judge me…lol) or you know that guy you checking out that seems like he’s up to no-good, and you don’t listen; and then you think back and say – ahhh, I should have followed my first mind. In African tradition, that first mind is your ancestors working in your behalf. I still don’t listen as fully as I should…but I am getting better.  I’m a work in progress…

We also have our own intuition and life knowledge. And we know that at this stage in life our health is essential. I have buried so many family members, classmates and near and dear friends. Many of them got caught up in life…not taking care of their health over time. Those of us Baby Boomers (in particular), but everybody in general – know it is time to get our health and lives together. I have studied herbs since 1975, used to be a vegetarian and once lived a totally health-conscious lifestyle. At one time, (a long time ago) I didn’t buy any foods in packages…I got freshly churned peanut butter, honey from a local beehive, fresh veges and fruits from the farmer’s market…juiced 25 pounds of carrots a week and ate nothing processed. I was healthy but fell off over the years. Thank God I gave up getting “fish meals” at McDonald’s after I used to rationalize to myself “but it is fish”. I still don’t eat red meat, mostly eat fish (occasional turkey), don’t eat eggs or drink milk…and grow and use herbs regularly…but I admit I eat processed foods when pressed for time, and I frequent Dunkin Donuts so much they know my order by heart. And this too must stop! All that sugar being ingested must stop!! And over the years, the pounds start to add up…5 per year or so - well hell, in 10 years that’s 50 pounds. HELLO – sound familiar anyone? I am very observant as I ride around communities, and I notice in West Philadelphia, where I live - a large number of well-chair accessible homes; and I see elderly folks and not so elderly coming out the homes. Then I notice the wheel-chair traffic on certain streets, and a lot of those folks are young people…my age or younger, and it makes you think. Well, as I talk to people…most of these people have high blood pressure, and diabetes, and have crippled or amputated limbs. Everyone I talk to has either high blood pressure or diabetes, or knows someone who does. I see the handwriting on the wall for me without making a major life change. I have high blood pressure, and was told lately that I was borderline pre-diabetes…my sugar was 1 point higher than the normal range, not too high but a real WAKE-up call big time for me. My family issues are heart attacks and diabetes. So, I know I need to loose weight, have a healthier diet, exercise, and take-in natural supplements. I didn’t want to follow a set diet. I wanted to change my life…and take supplements that “feed” my body and boost my immune system. So, I started by looking at the quality of the existing vitamins I was taking, and I took out my Centrum-silver Vitamin (a healthy vitamin, multi-mineral supplement I thought). Woah, when I read the label, it listed ingredients I didn’t know of and couldn’t pronounce, but I do know one thing - Red dye # 40 and Blue # 2 are not good for you!!!  So I got rid of the Centrum. I began researching nutritional supplements that are all natural, holistic, balancing to the body and promote detoxifying and healing. The best company I found is the one I chose. The products are all natural, they help your body detoxify, burn fat, increase energy, balance hormones, and build your immune system. I am hooked! I am on a serious mission. I am getting ready to get fit! I know of people who use these products and they have changed their lives…and so will I. I am claiming it!  I ordered my RED BOX and can’t wait to begin my journey and I would love to take some of my friends on the journey with me to getting in the best shape of our lives. JOIN ME….INBOX ME and we can take it from there….Peace & Blessings to you, Your Sister Friend Helen (Habeebatullah)