Category: Poems, Quotes and Videos

RIP Aretha Franklin 1942-2018

Aretha Louise Franklin, born March 25, 1942, died at her home on August 16, 2018, at the age of  76 years, reportedly from complications of pancreatic cancer. She was a legend and the indisputable Queen of Soul.

A mother, a wife, an activist, a pianist and a great singer, she was born in Memphis, Tennessee to a Baptist minister father and a pianist and vocalist mother.

In 1970, Aretha Franklin offered to post bail for Angela Davis, a social activist. She said:

Black people will be free. I’ve been locked up (for disturbing the peace in Detroit) and I know you got to disturb the peace when you can’t get no peace.

Jail is hell to be in. I’m going to see her free if there is any justice in our courts, not because I believe in communism but because she’s a black woman and she wants freedom for black people.

I have the money. I got it from black people – they’ve made me financially able to have it – and I want to use it in ways that will help our people.

The best way to remember this great woman is to listen to her music that will live on forever.

As a child growing up in Harlem, her songs were my inspiration.

Aretha Franklin – Respect [1967] (Original Version) [VGA 480p]

Aretha Franklin – Think [1968] (Original Version) [VGA 480p]

Aretha Franklin – (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman [1967] [VGA 480p]

Aretha Franklin – Tribute to Whitney Houston [HD 720p]

Aretha Franklin 1942-2018
Source of image: Pinterest

Stand By Me Courtesy Of Take 2, Playing For Change And The Kingdom Choir

It’s Sunday, the Lord’s day of rest. Take a moment to enjoy three versions of my favorite song, Stand By Me. One version reblogged from OSPREYSHIRE’S REALM that inspired this post.  That version is by Take 2, a summer camp for children, 11-15 years old, with mental conditions.  Another version is by Playing For Change and the final one is from the UK Royal Wedding, The Kingdom Choir, from South East England.

OMG! I had chills after listening to all three. Black people can sing!!! We make music!

Stand By Me has special meaning to me because I want someone special to stand by me.

https://videopress.com/embed/bbEXNKTZ?hd=0&autoPlay=0&permalink=0&loop=0https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1435166243

UK Royal Wedding: Gospel Choir sings “Stand by Me”

https://videopress.com/embed/nsLT2sQp?hd=0&autoPlay=0&permalink=0&loop=0https://v0.wordpress.com/js/next/videopress-iframe.js?m=1435166243

Lyrics for Stand By Me

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No I won’t be afraid, no I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
So darlin’, darlin’, stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won’t cry, I won’t cry, no I won’t shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darlin’, darlin’, stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand now by me, stand by me, stand by me-e, yeah
And…

 

Ospreyshire's Realm

Here’s another video that I took part of recently.

I got to play ukulele alongside my friend Korisa while two teens in the Take 2 Creative Camp (Laron and Jada) got to sing. We all played that timeless classic “Stand By Me”, and they sang while Korisa and I were their backing band. It was a lot of fun performing as I haven’t done music in a while. I even busted out a percussive strumming solo as I used my uke as both a drum and melodic device. Both Laron and Jada are talented singers and I’m honored to have been a part of this project.

Special thanks to YWCA Elgin and Take 2 Creative Camp.

Support Take 2 at http://take2creative.wordpress.com.

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‘Modern Day Debtors’ Prisons’

nyti.ms/2M7d3Q8

In late July, Mr. Sanders introduced legislation that would end cash bail on the federal level. “Cash bail” is the current bond system in which people arrested for even low-level offenses are detained pending trial — unless and until they pay a fee. The fees are often arbitrary and often beyond people’s means ($3,000 for allegedly stealing a backpack, $10,000 for a bicycle), leaving the poorest arrestees locked up, sometimes for years, without being convicted of a crime.

Under this system, freedom comes with a price tag, and those who can pay it get to walk while the rest languish in the United States’ bloated prison system. Citing a statistic showing that over 400,000 people are in jail simply because they can’t afford to pay bail, Mr. Sanders called for the end of “modern day debtors’ prisons.”

Jeff Sessions Bringing Back Debtors’ Prisons [HD 720p]

Every Day 22 US Servicemen Commit Suicide After Fighting Wars

Stumbled on a video by Ken O’Keefe who was a former United States Marine and Gulf War veteran. In 2001 he set fire to his United States passport.
The video highlights the point that 22 American servicemen a day commit suicide due to the wars America fights for Israel. Why are Americans fighting Israel’s war? Why are we at war with the Middle East?  Who benefits from wars in the Middle East?    Look at the image below as you reflect on the questions.

The real estate magnates and bankers in NY are mostly Jewish. Too many of our politicians are indebted to these wealthy powerful bankers.  Again too many support or benefit from Israel’s aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Middle East.

Remember 22 American servicemen a day commit suicide.    On returning from the tour of duties where they commit horrendous crimes, like killing women and children for Israel, they find it difficult to live with the horror of killing innocent women and children in a war.  Why are Americans dying for Israeli interests?

Who are we killing in Syria?

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Trump was on the brink of personal bankruptcy when he was rescued by the NY bankers and  Russia. They saved him so he could help them.  If Israel can afford to bribe our politicians and even President into using Americans to fight for  Israel, why then do we give billions in aid to Israel each year?

#BoycottIsrael

Boycott companies who do business in Israel

Demand an end to US aid to Israel

Ken O’Keefe – Trump & Zionists – KOK QT4 [HD 720p]

 

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Gentiles exist only to serve Jews.

Israeli Newspaper headline
Israeli Newspaper headline
Israeli Newspaper headline
Israeli Newspaper headline

https://www.jta.org/2010/10/18/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/sephardi-leader-yosef-non-jews-exist-to-serve-jews

Suicide Among Veterans and Other Americans 2001-2014

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/2016suicidedatareport.pdf

 

Sources of images: Pinterest and screenshots