Showing posts with label Hurricane Katrina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hurricane Katrina. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

A DISCUSSION ON BULLYING- © 2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.


No Solutions Offered

Introduction


Unlike other posts, there is no intent to provide a solution here.  Why?  Bullying is too much apart of who we are as people, all over the world, and historically.  Bullying happens at every level of society, and any attempt by society to change what has always been would be pointless.  So, why discuss it?  We should discuss Bullying because we should have an understanding of the pros and cons, the victim and the agitator.  We should understand what is often at stake when there is a bullying situation, and if possible, try to muddle through it, because in terms of bullying, it is what it is.

The fact that we have seen situations such as the Columbine shooting in 1999, suggests that despite the tragedy of that situation, it still hasn’t changed our behavior.  I personally think that as a society, we are worse off.  What I think makes it worse for us as a society, is our obsession with guns to resolve our problems.  But when there aren’t guns, there  is still poisoning, hanging, drowning, arson, and suicide, just to name a few ways in which Bullying is handled (none of these are suggested or recommended).

Bullying happens at just about at every level of our American society, but in terms of what I believe is relevant here, as it relates to the Coveted Commandment, the issue of Bullying is also economics and politics.  It’s not just the playground or the locker rooms.  It is the workplace. It is the political arena.  It is the Corporate Boardrooms, and unfortunately, the line that was once drawn to distinguish the boardroom and the playground is no longer.  I believe that as Americans, we know bullying, and it isn’t about to change.  It is class-based; it is sexually-based; it is politically-based; it community-based, and it socially-based.  As Americans, we know bullying and we are not ready to stop it on our  end.

We Know Bullying

We know bullying because it hits us all, whether we pay taxes or not, we know bullying.  We know bullying, regardless of religion, race, creed or color. Here are some examples of Bullying beyond the playground:

©     Hurricane Katrina (2005), saw where homeowners of varying neighborhoods received monies for damages to their homes while others received a paltry amount, if that for their flood-damaged homes.  How did we distinguish whose homes were less valuable if all homes were impacted by the  same disaster?[1]
©     Hurricane Katrina (2005) saw also where (Louisiana and Mississippi) receive funds from the Federal Government to help citizens receive monies for their damaged homes and to rebuild their lives.  Mississippi still holds on to $5.5 million dollars of $8.57 billion given to them to help Katrina residents and businesses.[2]  In many cases, many of those homeowners in Louisiana, to this date, are still fighting to be made whole from the State of Louisiana through its established  Road Home Program and/or the Louisiana Recovery Authority;[3]
©     Superstorm Sandy (2012) occurred along the Northeastern coast, homeowners and businesses are still waiting to be made whole, despite the experience of FEMA in managing disasters;[4]
©     The government is getting ready to cut monies to the poor in terms of food stamps, but jobs are scarce as well as training opportunities for jobs.  While the poor are looking for a way to make a living, our government send millions of dollars to war-torn areas in military aid;[5]
©     Police departments have no problem in shooting unarmed black males, stopping and frisking them at will, and society, more often than not, seems to have no issue with that[6];
©     America’s jails seem to house an inordinate number of black males for victimless crimes, often imprisoning them for extensive sentences while their white counter-parts are given less time, if any time at all[7];
©     Women are denied the right to choose how to handle their bodies with respect to reproductive rights and abortion, irrespective of Roe v Wade[8];
©     Schools in poor neighborhoods are underfunded, if not closed, leaving many young people destined to commit crimes because they will be less-likely to fill already limitedly-available jobs requiring at the very least, a high school education;[9]
©     Convicted felons are denied the opportunity to vote, even as they have met the conditions of their sentence(s)[10];
©     Convicted felons are denied the opportunity for employment, even if their records were for good behavior, or their crimes were no greater than a drug conviction for using;[11]
©     In response to mass-shootings, the National Rifle Association (NRA)[12] has the last word, and their response is “guns in the hands of good people will stop guns in the hands of bad people”[13];
©     In response to an affordable health care program (ACHA 2014)[14], political leaders believe it is better to shut the government down and play chicken with American lives, businesses and investments, rather than work to ensure that every American’s interest is protected.
©     The beginning of American history is categorized between 1492 and 1776, what happened to America’s prior inhabitants?[15]
©     From 1862-1968, 4,793 lynchings occurred, primarily in the American South. 73% of those lynched were reportedly freed slaves. [16]
©     Tax increases on the poor and tax breaks for the rich[17]

This is a partial list, but I hope we all get the idea that in regards to Bullying, it is not limited to the playgrounds, the locker rooms, or the classrooms between teen boys and girls.  Bullying, however otherwise classified, is integral to our American way of life, our American history.  Unfortunately, we see bullying as something ill-categorized and disguised as activities that will go re-classified and filed away for statistical purposes, perhaps to bury someone, or imprison another rather that resolve our on-going dilemma.   We much rather call it something else, and dismiss it as nagging, rebel-rousing, trouble-makers, or worthless complaining.  For example, our leaders will dismiss the following and work very little in the way of societal change to offset the impact of:

©     Police Brutality;
©     Mud-slinging;
©     Domestic Violence;
©     Politics as usual;
©     Gay-bashing,
©     Failing to provide assistance to the mentally ill;
©     Cutting the budget or,
©     Outsourcing jobs overseas

As a society, we can’t possibly expect our young people to change their ways when they observe us adults, political leaders, law enforcement agencies, parents, and other adult leaders conducting ourselves in a manner that suggests that bullying is a way of life.  From those who conduct gay bashing; to thousands of homeowners who have been impacted by disaster and have to wait until the government considers them worthy to be made whole; to citizens who are denied an opportunity to participate in the political process because of laws imposed to restrict them because they are convicted felons, we know bullying, all too well. 

As far as corrective action is concerned for bullying, there is none.  There is no recommendation to change anything because we are too content to believe that actions such as that which we outlined here, is the norm.  Our laws reflect condescension, arrogance if not a dismissive attitude toward citizens in every aspect of American life, as to how we treat one another, even if as we cut benefits to the poor, while the rich ship jobs overseas.  There is no need to change our perspective on bullying, because police brutality more often than not, is justified because it only disproportionately targets people of color, and we know that their value as a people is immaterial to any form of America’s way of life.  

In Conclusion
Continue to watch how our children handle bullying. Continue to watch as our children are the ones who act without disregard for the well-being of others.  Dismiss it as child’s play.  Or, be in shock when one of our children commits suicide or become the aggressor in response to countless hours of taunting that we could never have imagined.

Whether our children commit suicide, or go out and shoot up their classrooms, we should know that they are the victims of each of us who believes that everything that we do has no consequences.  But don’t look for a solution from me.  This has just been a discussion.  No more. No less, on Bullying. 

Any intent to draw a suggestion that we cease and desist our behavior as adults is speculative and without proof.  In the meantime, our children will continue to model our respective behavior as we continue to demonstrate in every aspect of life that we live, that bullying is just as important as pushing someone down a flight of stairs, just for the hell of it.  Bullying is as important as filibustering on the floor of Congress to prevent citizens from getting needed healthcare[18].  Bullying is as necessary as employers who shutdown employee hours, or terminate them because, well, it’s business. 

Bullying is as important as the Supreme Court’s ruling on gutting the Voting Rights Act of 1965[19].  We should not expect, nor look for any corrective action on bullying, because Bullying, at every level is paramount to our American way of life and there is no resolution that we should be ready to make, until it is one of us who stands stunned by the effects of Bullying. Until then, Bully on!

Disclaimer:  No information provided here should be considered as legal information.  Please consult with your respective attorney or counselor as it relates to your particular situation.


[1] Pre-Katrina Values wer
[12] National Rifle Association (NRA)- http://home.nra.org/
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Saturday, March 16, 2013

THE COVETED COMMANDMENT and The Root of All Evil © 2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr


According biblical scripture, Moses was given 2 tablets of stone by God with what was reported to be the 10 Commandments inscribed on them.  According to scripture, Moses was charged by God to use those commandments to lead the children of Isreal to the Promised Land[1].   Nothing herein, or forthwith, shall be deemed to be in conflict with what biblical scholars have revealed to date.  What is in question however, is what biblical scholars have not revealed.  What is in question is the fact that there are other books of scriptural value that were not included in the Bible as we know it today. [2]  These books were eliminated after much consideration and were never allowed to be printed as we have come to know the Bible.  These books that were excluded were often referred to as the “Lost Books” of the Bible. [3]
 
These so-called “Lost Books” were said to be lacking in some context to those 66 which were eventually allowed to be incorporated into what we now know as the Bible.   The “Lost Books” were reportedly lacking in scriptural value and were not in keeping with the inspiration of bringing men to God.   Further, we know that the Bible has been interpreted and revised many times, all in an effort to ensure that those who are believers in God’s Holy Word, receive the most clearest of information in order to live their lives accord to the word of the Lord. 

If we were to do a quick-study, we would find that there is, at least, 30 or more versions of the Bible.[4]  And why is that?  Why do we need so many variations of the Bible?  Are our languages so much different, that our sins too, may differ?  And if there are more than 30 versions, whose to say how many translations there are?  And if there are various translations of the Bible, then, it is possible, that those who determined those translations could have very easily, deleted, overlooked, or removed from the Bible, wording that focus more on man’s personal development, rather than man’s commitment to God.  Is that possible?

If there are books, or were books that were excluded from the making of the original Bible, is there a possibility that there were commandments as well?  Is it possible that there were 2, 3, or more commandments that Moses and God worked out to encourage and inspire man to not only worship God, but also to live with and build wealth among men?  Is it so improbable that there was at least one other commandment that encouraged man to improve his life by investing not only in gold, silver, or other riches, but also in himself?  And if that commandment existed, would it have also encouraged man to do that which would have made him more marketable, or worthy to others of his community?  Would not it be better if any man if he could produce for the community something of value, in exchange for something of further value?  Wouldn’t such a commandment have made an impact on the lives of those who otherwise believed that there lives had no other meaning except to exist or to serve God by way of other men?

I contend that there was such a commandment, and that that commandment, like the so-called lost books of the Bible, was eliminated or prevented from being apart of biblical teachings.  Speculative for sure, but it is not out of the realm of possibility that that one commandment was: Thou Shalt Build Wealth.[5] 

The Bible for many is subject to literal interpretation.  However, for many of us, we are able to read it, and then take from it what we will.  And if I may, I ask that you reference that portion of the Bible that says, “it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven” (paraphrased, but it can be found in Matthew 19:24).[6]  This passage suggests for those who would take a literal interpretation, that to be rich here on earth, is a sin.  This passage, that quotes Jesus, suggests that one has a better chance of being poor and getting into heaven, and that to be rich is a consequence, not a benefit.

Another passage of the Bible references Lazarus and the Rich man, which follows:

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. -- Luke 16:19-25 [7]

As we review this passage, the rich man is condemned because he is alleged to have failed to provide to the poor.  What is not clear, and certain subject to further interpretation is, what is rich and what is poor, in the Bible?  Further, what is rich and what is poor today?  I am not a biblical scholar, and will prepare for my daily beatings for those who are willing to subject me to them, but to be rich is seemingly frowned upon while being poor is seen as noble from various readings of the bible.  There is a strong possibility that neither the rich nor the poor are necessarily going to heaven, for situations such as these, as these kinds of actions surely cannot be the total measure of any man’s life.  If getting into heaven requires giving to the poor, then there perhaps are more rich men in heaven that you can shake a stick at.  And if being poor is all there is to getting into heaven, then we have a lot of men and women laying around ravaging our sympathy under false pretenses so that they can get into heaven. 

The problem is, is that the rich, as far as the Bible is concerned is undefined, and are cast in a wide net as being irreverently qualified to go to, or to be in heaven, just because they are perceived as rich.

Further, what we don’t see, is how the Bible rewards those who become rich.  As such, for those who acquire riches and wealth, no doubt earned their wealth, and possibly provided opportunities that these parables or examples fail to take into account.  Whether rich or poor, the Bible seemed to suggest that there should be a division between rich and poor.  The Bible seems to suggest that the poor should feel honored at their station in life, and that they who have acquired wealth, will be cursed, just because they are rich. 

These examples are indicative of the importance of the Coveted Commandment[8] and why this supposed, or proposed commandment, maybe some how secreted and locked away for only a select few to be inspired by.  For it appears that exposure to such a commandment, would discourage anyone with wealth, to not let their achievements encourage others.  By exposing others to the wealth of the rich, would be cumberson on those who are privileged.  In other words, “Build your wealth, you select few, but be sure to place a seed of doubt, that to possess wealth is bad, and certainly not spiritually beneficial. 

As a matter of fact, the Bible speaks in this last passage, as I conclude this message. 

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.[9] 

Frank J. Thomas[10] recently noted that the passage is often misquoted, as I was about to do in this piece. I too was focused on the passage as I had often heard it, that “money is the root of all evil.”  The passage above is the correct version based on the New International Version of the Bible.  But, I will not be undone by the mistaken understanding of the passage, and here is why.  You see, regardless of our station in life, the actual passage speaks exactly to how we, as man choose to do that which pleases us.  We have heard for too long, that the root of all evil is money, or anything similar thereto.  And such, even the corrected version, ‘the love of money is a root of evil’ has no different meaning.  In essence the message, from the Bible has always been:  “money is the root of all evil”. 

But money being the root of all evil or anything similar thereto, is not my point.  My point is that money, by and large, and the possession of it, seems to have gotten a bad reputation.  Whether I blame the Bible, the interpreters of the Bible, or even some of those who have been quoted from the Bible, that the acquisition, the maintenance, or the aspiration to acquire wealth, seems unfairly denigrated. 

Money, wealth and riches have been unfairly targeted as being associated with evil, or something bad.  I disagree and I believe that the absence of a commandment that encourages wealth building contributes to that perception, or a stereotypical view of the possession of wealth.

If we want to talk about evil, then let us look at the real culprit:  man.  My contention is that man is the root of all evil, and here are my examples:

  1. September 11th, 2001-Attack on America[11];
  2. The Holocaust[12];
  3. Slavery in America[13];
  4. Increasing population in America’s Prisons favoring low income citizens[14];
  5. Homelessness in America;[15]
  6. 6.13 million unemployed [16]
  7. Ethnic Cleansing [17]
  8. Black on Black Crime[18]
  9. The introduction of drugs to poor  and black communities [19]
  10.  Government Response to Disasters-Hurricane Katrina-2005[20]
  11. No Child Left Behind Act[21]
  12. Rape[22]
This list could go, and on.  While it may seem selective, it is more indicative of man’s inhumanity to man, not only historically, but as we speak today.  The point of this message today is that any association, or love of money, however direct, or indirect, to be paired with evil, is immaterial.  That to overlook man’s history of evil, inhumanity to his brothers and sisters, where money is less an object and power is the ultimate weapon, makes either the love of money, or money itself, irrelevant. The list above shows that man is capable of dastardly deeds, whereby the accumulation of wealth is secondary.  Because in many cases, money was never the object, power was.  So the accumulation of wealth should not be frowned upon, discouraged, or left to the belief that its acquisition or the possession of money is far worse than the acts where man has no love at all, particularly for his brothers and sisters.  What can we hope to accomplish that puts the act of acquiring wealth, or even the possession of wealth in a more positive light?  Here are three options:

  1. We can unearth The Coveted Commandment.  We should travel back to the heights of Mt. Sinai, all 7,000 plus feet[23] where, according to biblical scholars, Moses met with God, and spent 40 days and 40 nights, not once, but twice, only to bring down only 10 Commandments.  The commandments were not revised, shortened, or even longer after Moses destroyed them the first time. They were the same, original 10 Commandments, as we know them today.  I encourage you to go back to those mountainous peaks, those cracks and crevices, with pickaxs, shovels and brooms, and unearth what is most likely to be one more commandment: The Coveted Commandment. Or,
  2. We can unlock the biblical vaults where there are stored many scrolls, stones, and books, all in their attempt to share stories of old, including the one commandment that will uplift not one man, but millions of men, to build a life that they are most deserving for themselves and their families.  Search deep within those vaults, in dark corners, where no light dare shines, search deep under shelves where spiders and rats work feverishly to feast on decaying papyrus[24] or brittle stones;  search honeycombs hewed out of the walls for storage and look deeply within; search high on stacks and rolls, knowing that there is but one commandment, that will make open the door for a dying child to receive medical care that has evaded her all of her young life.  Search behind tables, and chairs, where possibly, there is that one commandment, long thought to be unscripturally relevant, or deemed to be too insignificant to be apart of the original 10 Commands.  That if found, will feed not only a family facing hunger and homelessness, but a city in ruins;  a state facing bankruptcy, or a nation facing economic instability. Or,
  3. We can propose the legislative process.  We can propose that our council representatives convene to propose an ordinance; we can propose that our state representatives and federal representatives enact a law that raises the hopes and dreams of every citizen within their districts and states.  It would be a law no less equivalent to the 6th Commandment[25], that prohibits murder; it would be a law no less equivalent than the 7th Commandment[26] that adultery; it could be a law no less effective than the 8th Commandment[27] which forbids stealing, or, it could be no less effective than the 10th Commandment[28] itself which forbids coveting.   We can propose the equivalent of anyone of these commandments because we know that the power lies within you as leaders to protect the common good. But is it not in the common good to make law that encourages, inspires, and uplifts a community?  Is it not reasonable to pass a law the encourages building wealth?
That if such a law were to be passed, that its equivalent be to the as yet unearth, or unreleased, Coveted Commandment:  Thou Shalt Build Wealth.

As I close, I don’t fully disagree that the love of money is at the root of all evil.  What I disagree with is our association with money and the power that it has to affect a positive change, not a just a negative one.  I disagree with the idea that money should only be limited to the rich and powerful, while those in need are left to suffer.  I disagree with man’s portrayal or perception of being wealthy as evil, while acts of evil by man are overlooked or considered business as referenced in the above list.  I disagree with the little known, perhaps unsubstantiated fact, that there are only 10 commandments.  I believe that we have just one more commandment that is wealth -oriented, and that if it were unearth, released, or enacted, we would all be better off.  

Right now, we can only hope that a commandment is reborn, or discovered that encourages man to work together, to collaborate, to create, or to partner with his fellow man in building wealth.  Right now, we can only hope that our leaders will one day take the time to look at where we are as communities and know that we can all be more productive, and successful, because we have one more tool in our arsenal to improve the quality of our lives.  That one more tool is, the Coveted Commandment:  Thou Shalt Build Wealth.


[1] God speaks to Moses about leading the children of Isreal our of Egypt-http://www.bibleview.org/en/Bible/Moses/BurningBush/
[2] “Lost Books of the Bible” http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/lost-books-of-the-bible-faq.htm
[3]  Books that were excluded from the Bible  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_apocrypha
[4] How many versions are there of the Bible? http://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-versions/
[5] The Coveted Commandment: Thou Shalt Build Wealth. © 2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr.
[6] Rich Man; Eye of a Needle-http://bible.cc/matthew/19-24.htm
[7] Lazarus and the Rich Man Luke 16:19-25 -http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/16_19-31.htm
[8] The Coveted Commandment © 2013 by Wayne Dan Lewis, Sr. - http://thecovetedcommandment.blogspot.com/
[9] Root of All Evil-http://bible.cc/1_timothy/6-10.htm New International Version
[10] Thomas, Frank J. http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Love-of-Money---Root-of-All-Evil?&id=3098152
[11]   9/11-http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks
[12] The Holocaust-http://remember.org/educate/mtimeline.html
[13] Slavery in America-http://www.pbs.org/wnet/slavery/timeline/index.html
[14] Increasing Prison Population-http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/02/u-s-prison-population-seeing-unprecedented-increase/
[15] National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty- http://www.nlchp.org/
[16] Unemploymentin America-Unemployment Statistics.org
[17] Ethnic Cleansing-http://www.crimesofwar.org/a-z-guide/ethnic-cleansing/
[18] Black on Black Crime-http://news.msn.com/politics/video?videoid=10eedfe0-cebe-4838-979d-ab4c1aa94e6e&ap=true&ap=true
[19] Introduction of drugs into poor and black communities-http://niemanwatchdog.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=background.view&backgroundid=00486
[20] Government Response to Hurricane Katrina- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_government_response_to_Hurricane_Katrina
[21] No Child Left Behind Act-http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml
[22] Rape and Sexual Assault- http://www.rainn.org/
[23] The Height of Mt. Sinai-http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_height_of_mount_sinai
[24] Papyrus- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papyrus
[25] The 6th Commandment- http://godstenlaws.com/ten-commandments/index.html
[26] The 7th Commandment- http://godstenlaws.com/ten-commandments/index.html
[27] The 8th Commandment-http://godstenlaws.com/ten-commandments/index.html
[28] The 10th Commandment- http://godstenlaws.com/ten-commandments/index.html
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