It’s been quite a month...and what a wild emotional and draining ride it has been. On one hand our hearts were broken by what occurred in Ferguson, MO. Another shooting of an unarmed young black man at the hand of a policeman, protests, looting, riot gear being worn, tear gas being used, arrests, rifles pointed at protesters, setting of curfews, civic disobedience, and military … [Read more...] about The big little league
Perspective
The emotional toll of growing up Black in America
Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, a brilliant Black Ohio State University professor, recently opened the Educational Testing Service and Children’s Defense Fund co-sponsored symposium on Advancing Success for Black Men in College by sharing a question his 14-year-old son asked him: why did he get in trouble for speaking out of turn when he jumped in to answer his teacher’s question, but … [Read more...] about The emotional toll of growing up Black in America
We have some house cleaning to do (part 3)
Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC) How is it that when you describe anything bad it usually has the word … [Read more...] about We have some house cleaning to do (part 3)
Media created misery
Anxiety is the drug of choice for 90 percent of the population. The media creates anxiety and fear in the masses by dosing them with problems from all over the globe. Because of this media blitz the masses transform the created anxiety and fear into worry. The media has created a need in people to worry. Since worry has never solved a problem why worry about anything? Better … [Read more...] about Media created misery
Let’s get it right
It cannot be said enough. In order for change to occur all of us must participate in the process and create the reality we seek and so deserve. Every step we take and every opportunity we have to make our collective voices to be heard... everyone must be engaged to ensure that outcome. We can’t wait or depend on others to understand, appreciate or embrace our values, culture, … [Read more...] about Let’s get it right
It’s time to do some house cleaning (part 2)
Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC) Last week I tried to describe the state of the Black community in peril … [Read more...] about It’s time to do some house cleaning (part 2)
The new normal
We all know that it continues to happen... no one should be surprise by it. But each time it happens... something else in the narrative just seems unthinkable. In a nutshell, gun violence in America should be officially labeled as a disease and treated as such. We need to find a cure for this new disease that is affecting our quality of life and certainly plaguing our … [Read more...] about The new normal
Our paralysis is tied to our hopelessness (Part 1)
Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC) Given the downward spiraling out of control of every negative demographic … [Read more...] about Our paralysis is tied to our hopelessness (Part 1)
The good ole USA
The Fourth of July is one of the most revered holidays in the United States. The day is a celebration of the creation of the country that rules the world. The USA was created to be a melting pot of all nationalities in order to form one country. Many say the United States' impact on the earth is over rated, but where would the world be without the USA? If one looks at the … [Read more...] about The good ole USA
Closing the gaps
It is hard to believe that in the 21st century that there are still too many “gaps” in our society to count and with each passing day, they continue to get wider, deeper and more dangerous. Many of these “gaps” are historical, generational and systemic. The listing of “gaps” continues to grow especially in terms of gender, education, livable wage employment, affordable housing, … [Read more...] about Closing the gaps