OFCI Report Editorial: No Justice, Just Peace (Silence)

Prior to the Zimmerman verdict I posted on Facebook that after it was read, and if found not guilty, that nation wide there would be protest and people on Facebook would voice their opinions of outrage. Then, after a few short weeks, 2 at the most, the outcry and outrage would drop to silence. An just as I predicted, it happened. No longer do you see the blogs, the post, the articles, news reports, protest, etc. about how the Stand Your Ground Law needs to be challenged and changed in America itself. No Longer do you hear the cry for Justice for Treyvon. An that amazes me because with all the social injustices going on everyday in our country, you would think that the fight for Justice, not just for one young man, but for all that has felt its cold touch, would fight on until a solution is reached. Rome wasn't built in a day, and just as long as it took to build Rome, it may take just as long for change, but we have to push harder and harder until it happens. But what I have noticed is that it seems that mainstream has pacified us into submission of leaving this story alone by giving us football, and Scandal, and the new Fall Season of television so that we can focus our attention on things less productive instead of thing that will bring about productivity and change. No need to ask what happened to the Warriors of yesteryear that would fight for change even if it meant losing blood and spending time in jail. In these days and time it makes you wonder if all the marches and speeches were for show given the fact that it seems like everyone that did them wanted to capitalize on the situation for their own self indulgences and get their 15 minutes in the spotlight as if they were doing something spectacular by photo opting with The "Rev" Al Sharpton and Jay Z at a Justice for Treyvon rally. Long gone are the days when protest meant fighting until the fight is finished and the victory is won. Now it is all about turning your news interview into a book deal or a reality show. Listen, we were taught that the only way to get respect is to earn it. But how are we supposed to gain it if the ones we are trying to get it from sees our arguments as full of fluff and inconsistence. We need to step up our game and show the world that in our outrage and outcry that we mean business by Standing Our Own Ground when it comes to Civil Equality and Justice. Not backing down because they threaten us with Words. When has it gotten to the point that we have become more afraid of words than we are of weapons? I am pretty sure that anyone from the 60's can tell you that in their time and struggle, that words meant far less to them when they would be fighting, because they knew the words could not harm them. Now it seems that everyone has become more delicate and fragile, worried more about their Social Image than their Social Rights. What have we become and when did we become it.....No Justice Just Peace (SILENCE), Justice For Treyvon and Many, Many, More!!!!

OFCI Report Editorial: The Lazy Black Man....

I always get excited when  I have found inspiration to write a blog after I have come from the barbershop. One thing about the barbershop is that you will find inspiration there whether you're looking for it or not. And today I can say that I was looking for and found it. For the past I would say 4 years or so I have been opening and closing the barbershop, and without fail with accurate consistency the same things have been happening. 1). The same Barber is the only one on time every morning and 2). those guys will complain that they are not making any money. Now you may be asking yourself what does that have to do what a lazy black man, well hold tight and continue reading and I will tell you. I am a student of entrepreneurialship and I believe that if you put in hard work and time in your craft it will pay off in the long run. Now that being said, I am also not a barber, but I have been in customer service almost all my life so I can pretty much tell you how to keep them coming back besides having them being impressed with just your cutting skills. These guys are pretty decent barbers, but the one thing they lack that they do not seem to get is what is holding them back from getting a decent customer flow is their work ethic. When you are in a business where you are serving thee public, the one rule that governs your whole business is "Time is of the Essence". I know you open at 9 am and I also know that I don't have to be to work until 10 am. Now if I am at your shop when the doors open and it takes about 35 to 40 minutes for me to get a cut, and about 15 minutes for me to get to work, why is it that I am on time and you are not there until 3 or 4 hours later. How about, I call you to see what time I can come in to get a cut and you don't answer your phone all day. You say you need money, but when it comes time for you to be there or answer the call to make the money you are no where to be found. How long do you expect for folks to put up with this foolishness until they decide to go somewhere else where they are on time and professional. I've experienced that at least once or twice in the past. But with these guys, they take the cake.

Now lets fast forward to today. Again one of the barbers was talking about making money. So I mentioned to him that he should lower his prices a little and be to work on time. Right after saying this he came up with almost a thousand excuses on why he couldn't do either. But you say you need money. Time and time again when special holidays roll around, or when graduation and prom come up I suggest to them about putting on specials for the kids. That seems to go in one ear and right out the other, but they say they want and need money. Now to the lazy black man. It's to often that I talk to other young brothers about how they want to better their lives and how they want more that when I suggest to them roads and avenues to take to get what they want they seem to just want to "take the easy way out"  Become a rapper, sell drugs, or for some, be a pimp. None of them want to put in hard work any more. Hard work to them if like a fat man trying to lose 200lbs in 2 days. It ain't happening.... Some of them would soon cut of their arms and legs then put in an honest days works. Now before you go criticize and say not all black men or like that. Notice I didn't say all black men, just the ones I tend to talk to on a daily basis.  An I know nothing is wrong with being a rapper, but it that all their is to our young black brothas, saying rhymes or running a ball. There is so much potential inside of our Young Black Males that is being untapped, but because we see dollars instead of destiny many of our so-called friends and family members only encourage you in doing what is best for them and not what is best for you. An in the end you wind up wondering what if while they are out spending your hard earned cash. So you need to follow what is in your heart and if you need solid advice on the road you may want to take then I advise you to talk to someone who has nothing to gain from your success but knowing that they gave you good advice and that is why you are where you are today. But time and time again with our young Black Brothas they just want the easy way out. What upsets me the most is when you hear brothas talk about trying to find a job and you cannot get hired. Well here is a tip, Don't show up to to fill out an application 3 o'clock in the evening when the notice says they are taken between 9 am and 1 pm. Don't show up wearing hood gear, dress for success. And lastly Learn how to speak proper English, you are looking for a job working with professionals, not auditioning for Yo! MTV Raps....get it together. But my gripe is, as I talked to this barber, again it irked me that he came up with all these excuses on why he couldn't get to work on time, and his other mess. Now true I understand that these guys have personal lives and things need to be taken care of, but at the same time when the bulk of your problems is financial then you need to be at the front and center of the line when it come to you making the money that you need to solve that problem, not making excuses on why you can't. Brothas look, if you want to be on top of the world then you have to actually go to the mountain and climb it. There are no elevators there to take you to the top, you actually have to do some work to get there. Don't hate on the next man cause he got his success by actally working for it while you still in the mailroom sorting his mail and bringing it to him. Initiative is the key to your success, actually getting up and doing something about your situation. But, until you do that, Society will always view you as what they think you are, A Lazy Black Man....

Editorial: In (insert Your God's name Here) We Trust....

Lately if you have been watching the news or reading your local newspaper,  you may have noticed a lot of talk about religion, especially pertaining to the Muslim Religion and Christianity. And some of that talk has been about religious tolorance towards each other. I'm all for respecting the rights given by the 1st Amendment towards religious freedom and all, but does it seem that we as America is moving away from it's founding principal of serving the One True God, to paganism and serving many gods. All throughout high school we have been thought how the "Founding Fathers" were strong in their belief in the God of the Bible, and how those beliefs help shape America and it's laws around the country today. We also learned about how as this belief was spread throughout the country many also came to believe and follow this God of our "Fathers" and trust in Him. Now it seems that America, with those residing here from other countries, cultures, and religious beliefs, is becoming as diverse as its settlers are. The question is, Are we as a country founded and built on Christian Beliefs and values moving away from its core and moving towards incorporating other values into our system? Like I said before, I support the 1st Amendment and how it gives us the right to worship and serve any god we choose. But do we back away from what was and follow what is just because times are changing and people are changing, and opinions seem to rule the world? I was always thought to stand strong in what I believe and never waiver from it no matter what others may say, but it seems that in this day and time everytime a new opinion comes about or the popular flavor of the month come around we as americans are changing more than a chameleon in a tree. The Statement used to be: In God We Trust, now it seems to be: In Which god Do You Trust....