Show Me The Mo'ne!

Mo'ne Davis, a 13 year old baseball playing, 70 mph right-arm throwing -- Philadelphia native, is the first female in Little League World Series history to throw a shutout with only two hits, while striking out eight batters and walking none against Tennessee. 

And although the little leaguer has already made a name for herself and garnered world wide press along the way, she remains humble in knowing who she is but most importantly -- what equality should like look as she stated, "it does mean a lot to be the first American girl, but more girls should start joining boys' teams," Davis told the Philadelphia Daily News. 

"The attention should not just be on one girl; more girls should join boys' teams so it is a tradition and it won't be so special." 

There you have it; beauty, brains, brawn, and a stellar bright star for all little girls who love sports and wish to participate.

Mo'ne's future goals require being the first female in MLB, or playing basketball in the WNBA -- although baseball is her priority.

Her team plays against Las Vegas, 2-0, on Wednesday night.

2014 LA

First Woman NBA Assistant Coach Makes history

Becky Hammon, a point guard for the San Antonio Stars was recently chosen by coach Gregg Popovich, to stand beside him while offering up her basketball expertise as a means of accelerating the advancement of the 2014 basketball champions -- the San Antonio Spurs.

This is not only a historical moment in the NBA, but an empowering example for so many females who may have dreamed of one day being able to coach within the NBA. 

I've always had an issue with men being able to coach women in the WNBA, but wouldn't allow the same equality for women to coach in the NBA. To me I saw no difference -- only in gender, but talent speaks for itself. 

Maybe it's the feminist in me but I always felt that women should've been able to coach men in the NBA, and I constantly made my argument during friendly debates.

So now to see it actually happen is simply elating, although I'm still pushing for a woman to become an NBA head coach one day. 

#ICanDream

2014 LA

Michelle Howard Makes 'Four Star' American History

Adm. Michelle Howard, flanked by Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, left, and her husband Wayne Cowles, accepts her new rank during a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Armando Gonzales)

Have you ever seen the movie Captain Phillips starring legendary actor, Tom Hanks?

In this particular film a group of Somali Pirates surrounded and invaded a US Cargo ship, while taking the captain (played by Hanks) hostage.

Well, what you probably didn't know is that a woman by the name of Michelle Howard, was behind the rescue of that captain. She not only was the brains behind the entire rescue operation serving as a female naval officer, but has recently been appointed as the US Navy's vice chief -- making her the first woman and first black person to reach the rank of four star admiral ever in the history of the United States! 

How's that for female power?! 

Kudos to Ms. Howard for standing strong in the face of adversity and for furthering the cause and mission, that women most definitely deserve a seat at the table. Thank you Ms. Howard, for your heroic work and sacrifice to our great nation; females everywhere young and old should be inspired and very proud.

2014 LA

PBS Freedom Summer Documentary

After watching the PBS documentary of Freedom Summer 1964, I gained more clarity and much more compassion for the white race. 

Taking into account mine and others' discriminatory experiences it almost always felt like a constant fight between "us" verses "them", but taking in those two hours of historical revelations I realized that it wasn't just black people being oppressed -- it was also white people.

Not just the white people that came down to Mississippi to volunteer for Freedom Summer, but the white people who fought viciously against both the black and white Freedom Fighters. You see, those white people that displayed such hatred in their eyes and such disdain for the black race prevailing, they were following their races' ideology because they thought it was the right thing to do. Even if deep down they felt a twinge of compassion for the black race there was no room for tolerance, as they knew their people well and the violent streak that would ensue should they decide to "change" direction. With regards to the misinformed, the saying of "They know not what they do" makes even more sense.

Although white people in Mississippi had it better than black people livelihood wise, they were still oppressed because their entire way of life was dictated to them; women were to look and behave a certain way, children as well and there was no room for anything different. Everything had to remain the same with white men having all the money and power, because this was the true way of America. The only people that were truly free in this great nation were the white men that ran it, period.

Moreover, it took for white and black people to come together in order to initiate magnetic change, one race couldn't do it without the other race -- hence, the reason President Obama was elected twice. 

We will always need each other and we'll always be stronger for it, but it's imperative to stay united against the fear mongering and hateful rhetoric -- for this is what's used as the great divider amongst the races. Now in the 21st century, it should no longer be a fight between black and white but a fight between good verses evil or truth verses lies. For people aren't bad or evil unless it is taught to them -- therefore, color becomes completely irrelevant and the hostile feelings is what remains at the forefront.

Hostility is what the Freedom Fighters were met with until it brought about miraculous change within The White House, where President Johnson won a second term and was compelled to stand up for what was right by writing into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (which key parts of the VRA was struck down just last year by the SCOTUS). 

Lyndon B. Johnson had a tremendous weight on his shoulders, not wanting to stir up a second civil war among the races -- especially since Freedom Summer was deemed to be the most violent acts of domestic terrorism since Reconstruction. But the integrated Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party couldn't be ignored, no more than its electrifying leader, Fannie Lou Hamer.

Freedom Summer brought about sacrifices -- those who were willing to give their lives in order for democracy to prevail, but the deaths and injuries of both black and white people wouldn't be in vain as true change most certainly came the following year with the VRA. 

Change is hard yes, but change is also inevitable in which it most surely promises the progressiveness and betterment of future generations. How fitting that our first black president is literally "two sides of the same coin"; black and white, the two races which have been in constant feud for centuries.
 

One thing is for sure, as long as we stay privy to mainstream politics by engaging the electorate with our voices and votes, hope will never be to far behind.

We shall overcome, we will overcome and we must continue to overcome -- or die. Americans, in this upcoming November election let your conscience be your guide, just like Mississippians did in this past primary.

2014 LA