You ARE Sorry. . .

Hello Fans:

Do you remember the times when a person would do or say something they truly regretted and apologized by saying "I'm sorry?"  When you were a child, did you ever do something so bad that you thought your mom would give you a spanking for it, but instead she said to you, "you're such a disappointment," and you wished your mother had beaten you because those words left you feeling less than a human and cut you deep down in the core of your soul?

If you've managed to get through life without having to apologize for something you may have done, I'd appreciate it if you would introduce that person to me because I truly do not believe any such person exists.  But, you get the general idea.  There are things we do to one another that sometimes is not our fault, or we didn't realize we were hurting another by our own actions, however, as some say today, "shit happens!"  And, when those things occur, the majority of us were taught to say I'm sorry.

So. . .lets examine just how sorry some of us really are.  Growing up, my grandmother instilled in me so much of her awesome wisdom, which is hugely why I'm the woman I am today~~not to leave out my wonderful mother, who brought me up with the same wisdom that was given to her.  And I can remember, throughout my childhood, one of my grandmother's pet peeves was, "Baby, promise me something.  If you do anything you are sincerely sorry for, you will never do that again!  A person who is truly sorry doesn't keep committing the same offense over and over.  Why, there's nothing in this world that I hate more than a sorry ass motherf*cker!"

If your mouth is gaped open, or if you're blushing or gasping at the keeping-it-real language, one thing my grandmother always did was shoot straight from the hip.  She never sugar-coated her words and she always told it just like it was, whether you liked it or not.  Now. . .I don't know how you feel about that, but those words were deeply rooted into my soul and I never forgot them.  There are so many things my grandmother shared with me in her colorful way of speaking, but her messages were spot on and well received.

I miss my grandma immensely, but she lives on through me each and everyday, and many of you who enjoy 'My Truth' series on Facebook, she's the inspiration behind it.  I just tone down the way in which I say it to be more suitable for my viewing audience, but today since she's been heavily on my mind, I decided to put her words out there just as she did with me because I think that's what this world needs~~some 'real' truth.

We've all read the headlines in the newspaper or watch the news where you've read or heard an athlete or entertainer say or do something only to later on have to come back and apologize for what he/she may have done.  I can't tell you how many times my grandmother's words come to me when I see people making complete asses of themselves, only to turn around and have to say I'm sorry.  But, and that's a huge BUTT, are they truly sorry?

Amy Winehouse, at age 27, died last week, and what a huge loss for the record industry.  I feel terrible that another great musical talent has succumbed to death way too soon.  But what was even more horrific was singer, Keri Hilson, who made some rather insensitive tweet remarks and shared a Twitter Pic of an Amy Winehouse lookalike.  All one has to wonder is, why, and what the hell was she thinking?  Of course, she tweeted later to her upset fans that she was. . .you guessed it~~"sorry," and oh, "she didn't mean any harm!"   I could possibly forgive her for something like that had this been her first time committing such an act, but, unfortunately for her, it's not!  She's sorry indeed~~a real sorry case!

As much as it pains me to bring up my next sorry case, I wouldn't be fair if I didn't.  My favorite linebacker, James Harrison, of the Pittsburgh Steelers, did an interview entitled Confessions of an NFL Hitman wherein he not only spoke horribly of NFL Commissioner Goddell, but posed with two big ass guns (of which he is the owner of) on the front cover, looking like the stereotypical terrifying angry black man~~just the image we want to project to our youth~~Bravo, Harrison!  Not only did he speak ill of the Commissioner, he went steps further to bash his own teammates, Ben Roethlisberger and Rashard Jamal Mendenhall.

See, this is what happens when the NFL dragged its feet on the 'Lockdown'~~perhaps had they been at football camp, this unfortunate incident may not have occurred.  But at any rate, Harrison, while at camp, literally ran to the cameras to give his~~ooh yeah, you know the drill by now~~apologies for his words in his latest interview.  Of course, Harrison says that he was angry at the time, and "wasn't thinking clearly" of what he was saying, and how the reporter took out of context what he 'meant', but he's good with the League and his teammates.  So all is right with the world.  Umm, I may be able to believe my favorite linebacker, had this been his first offense, but, as usual, that's not the situation.  Yes, he's sorry for what he's done.  You're so sorry, it's not even real~~and it's killing me to even say that because I respect his athletic abilities, but boy did he tarnish himself~~AGAIN!  Hmm, sounds like this linebacker is begging to be unemployed for good!

If you thought those sorry cases were bad, well, Tracy Morgan, comedian of 30 Rock, in his stand-up shared with his audience that being gay was bullsh*t and that it's a 'choice' and people aren't born that way.  In fact, he knows being gay is a 'choice' because God doesn't make mistakes, and if God created gay people. . .well that would mean God isn't perfect.  Ooh yeah, Tracy not only opened his big mouth and inserted foot, he swallowed his entire damn shoe.  I'm all about the laugh and talking about all walks of life, because let's face it folks, that's what comedians do, and we all know that no one is safe from their wrath, and I get it, I really do, but to go as far as he did with his anti-gay remarks was not only insensitive~~but downright ignorant.  As if what words come out of his mouth is holy?  He stated opinions, certainly not facts, or shall I say, facts in which he is not qualified to speak upon, as if anyone, for that matter, is.

So what does Morgan do?  Of course, he went on the media circuit to defend his insensitive words and stated simply, "I'm sorry and I apologize," for if he hurt anyone by his stand-up routine, and he in no way believes in violence against gay people nor does he hate gays.  He gave his apology to the gay and lesbian communities and literally begged for their forgiveness.  I don't know if the gay community accepted his apologies, and they are probably right for not doing so, if that is the case, since, yet again, this isn't Tracy's first time at the dance either.  Well done, Tracy, you are more sorry than you know.

Are you now figuring out why my grandmother's words come to my mind so often.  As many of you are probably tired of me always saying to you, "be careful of the words you speak!"  Do you really think I'm kidding when I say that so readily to you.  Just look at the three sorry cases I stated above and I believe I've more than adequately made my point.

More often than not, people commit horrible acts knowingly and willingly, all for the sake of publicity or to get their points across without thinking or rather, thinking very clearly, just to turn around and have to apologize for what they've done.  How can we believe the apology or accept it as truth when a person, more than once, continues to do what they claim they were sorry for in the first place?  Why should we place our faith in your words, when your actions state something completely different?  Why do these things at all, only to come back and have to recant your omission?

Gramma, I loved you then, now and always.  Your words live with me each and everyday and I am so honored to be your granddaughter and truly blessed and thankful to my God for allowing me to share my life with you.  I think of you each and everyday, and especially how you told it like it was.  It's because of you that when I do commit an act that I am deeply sorry for, I never repeat my offense.  I owe a great world of gratitude to you for that little easy lesson, that so many people make extremely hard to master.  My world isn't quite the same without you, but I'm so blessed to have your wisdom within me.  I love you always!

Simply put, Learn to Respect the Power of Words!  And for God's sake, if you do something you're sorry for, MAKE SURE you don't repeat your mistake!~~Until Next Time, Love, Peace and Write ON! Gramma!  I miss you!

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/International Poet
Write ON! Website:  http://www.kimberlyraneehicks.biz
Write ON! Blog:  http://mellojune.blogspot.com
Email:  mellojune@kimberlyraneehicks.com

Under PRESSURE. . .

Hello Fans,

You've heard people say "you're only as good as your last!"  If you've seen a movie that truly let you down, more often than not, people will still go to see another movie of their favorite star, but may be a little hesitant, however, they will give them another chance.  If you bought a CD of your favorite singer and you find that you don't care for most of the songs, odds are, you'll probably buy another CD of that artist.  If you buy clothing or shoes from online and you get excited waiting for your purchases to come in the mail, only to open it up and it doesn't fit right, or the color may not be what it looked like from the site you were on, nine times out of ten, you'll probably buy something else from that site.  But, one thing I've learned, if your book disappoints your reading audience, they are quick to never read you again.

This isn't always the case, but readers are a tough group to keep motivated.  If you're a writer, you know exactly what I'm speaking about.  When you set the bar high for yourself, you have to constantly outdo what you did before, and it can be quite a challenge for yourself.

So you ask yourself, what next?  And, that's the million dollar question.  I'm struggling with this new book I'm writing, and I'm not exactly sure why that is?  Well. . .that's not entirely true, I know why, it's just that I have to keep my eye on the prize and that can be difficult sometimes.  When I find myself in a writing rut like this, I usually sit back and do nothing.  For me, I find when I stop worrying with my storyline, eventually ideas will filter through my mind.  So far, I've had one character reveal herself to me, and she's a weird one.  I'm not sure what she wants me to do, and I'm not sure about the people she's revealed to me.

Have you ever stumbled upon a character that was so out there that you have no idea just where the hell this character is taking you?  If not, consider yourself lucky.  I've written about 12 pages that I read out loud, something I very rarely do, to my husband and when I finished, he had this look on his face.  I wasn't quite sure what the look meant, and his silence scared me a little.  I suppose I got the wrong impression too quickly because he loved what I had written.  He asked me to read some more, but I explained that I hadn't gotten any further.  He appeared a little disappointed.  So I inquired, "do you think my fans would like something like this?"  And a huge smile crept up on his face.  He responded, "if they don't like it, something has to be wrong."

The reason I'm sharing this with you, my fans, is because I'm doing something so out of my element that it frightens me a little.  I'm going outside of my formula that I've mastered for my last two novels, and it's hard to tell if it will work or not, but I'm daring myself to write harder and stronger, and so far it's working.  The pressure is on and I can feel it and sometimes I put extra added pressure where it doesn't need to be, but that is because I'm a perfectionist in every sense of the word.  And I bet many of you who write, do that to yourselves.

Knowing that I'm competing with millions of writers doesn't bother me.  The only person that scares me is myself.  I compete with myself all the time, and she's the only person that I ever try to outdo.  I don't worry about what other indie authors are doing, and I don't bother myself with what works for them, I only worry about what it is I can do, and how to better my craft.  If you're just starting out in this game, you have got to stay focused and worry about what it is you can do to change the playing field.  I love competition, and when you compete with yourself, that's the ultimate fight.  It then becomes, may the better one win, and if you think about that, you will win all the time, because you're focusing on your abilities, instead of concerning yourself with what others are doing.

So, when you have moments where you're afraid of what it is you're writing, take a step back and regroup.  Try not to add too much pressure on yourself, nor take yourself too seriously because it's really not that serious.  When you take it easy, your story will flow, and that's all you should worry yourself with.

Until next time, Peace, Love and Write ON! writers.

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/International Poet
Write ON! Website:  http://www.kimberlyraneehicks.biz
Write ON! Blog:  http://mellojune.blogspot.com
Email: mellojune@kimberlyraneehicks.com

BabysiTTin' Ghosts. . .

Hello Members:

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of watching Charlie Murphy, brother of famous comedian, actor and singer, Eddie Murphy, in his stand-up show, I Will Not Apologize on DVD, wherein he made a joke explaining with 6.5 billion people on planet earth, that whatever it is you are thinking of currently in your mind, no matter how wild, or innocent, somewhere in the world, there is a person doing exactly what you have dreamt up.  May sound crazy, but he’s right.  May have been told for laughter sake, but that’s some serious thought.  Think about that before you read the next paragraph.

While I reflected on how deep Charlie's revelation was, I began thinking of when I turn on the TV and watch the news, I’ve noticed within the first 10 minutes, it’s so horrible and depressing, I find myself asking, why the hell am I watching this? 

No matter where you live, you've heard the horrific stories about mothers leaving their children in hot locked cars, mothers who forgot their children were left in the car, mothers who left their children on the sidewalk, as if they were last night's garbage, mothers who give birth and wrap the baby up in whatever is at their discretion and leave them for dead, mothers who fell asleep while their little babies left their home to go wandering around the neighborhood, and who can forget about the mothers who left their children, home alone, and a terrible fire started, only to later hear the mother's excuse that she left them with the babysitter, who either doesn't exist or cannot be located.

Hmm, if you aren't shaking your head by now, then obviously those situations I described above don't bother you, or perhaps you don't care, but no matter how you slice it, we have a serious problem today with women giving birth to these innocent bundles of joy that somehow turn into guilty torturous acts!  The only crime those babies committed were being born into the world by the wrong mother. 

It's getting to the point now that these stories are so prevalent in our news and society, that they start to run together and get confusing.  Anytime you sit in a hair salon or a nail shop and women are conversing about the horrible stories they've read about or heard on the news and we begin to start correcting each other on the facts, only to learn that the story one girlfriend is telling, is, in fact, a different one altogether, than the one you're speaking about, that's not a good thing.  What this tells me is there is a huge problem with women bringing children here they don't want or either don't give a damn about, which makes me wonder, why bother having the child in the first place?

But the stories that are really bothering me most, as of late, are the ones where the mother has to go to work, and has about two or more babies at home, and she leaves them, only to return home and find her home has burned down to the ground and her children are dead.  So many things run through my mind, when I hear these news stories.  Who was responsible for watching their children?  Why did the mother leave little babies ranging in age five or less to watch each other?  Where the hell are the fathers?  Why aren't they there with their children?  (I have a theory on that~~perhaps out making more children with another woman?)  When the mother was pregnant, why didn't she have a babysitter in place before the baby arrived?  Or, if she knew she wasn't going to get any help from the father or close relatives, why not put the baby up for adoption, if she didn't believe in abortion?  Maybe when you watch the news, those kinds of questions don't pop up in your mind, but more often than not, they do in mine.

My mind is in a whirlwind when I see this on the news.  I just can't help but to feel so sorry for the little babies who didn't ask to come here, only to later learn that their mother was careless and left them with the ghost babysitter.  Let's talk about that for a moment.  Who are these babysitters?  Why don't the mothers have a name for the police, when questioned?  Why don't they have a valid address for them or a phone number?  Where did these babysitters come from?  How much do we really know about them?  And the short answer is, they never existed.  These mothers who say that so easily use that as an excuse because they knew before they left their babies behind, they were wrong.  This clearly tells us that, so why do so many of these women do it anyway?

It's simple really.  Much like the person who hits a crack pipe for the first time who says, I won't get hooked or an alcoholic who says I can stop drinking at anytime or the smoker who says this isn't a problem, I can quit when I want to, and these same individuals continue to do it anyway, it's because they never feel it could happen to them.  Why. . .those things happen to other people, but never me?  Do you think those same mothers haven't seen the stories on the news, much like we do.  Of course they've seen them, and again, they don't feel it would happen to them, so they continue to act irresponsibly.

A few months ago, there was a mother who left her baby, while strapped in a stroller, on the curb for the 'babysitter' to come and pick the baby up!  Umm, is there something seriously wrong here?  What happened to waiting until the sitter arrives at your doorstep, and handing the baby over that way?  Do we no longer do those things anymore?  You know, that little thing called being 'responsible?'  What happened to that?

Bringing a life into the world used to be an exciting time for families.  Mothers and fathers used to have a master plan, well before the child entered the world.  Nowadays, it seems that some parents could give a crap about their kids, and they let the children practically raise themselves, if they even make it that far.  It's a sad day we live in~~truly sad.

Many of you asked me where I got the idea to write SILENT KNIGHT?  As you see, it really wasn't that hard.  I began to see back in the 70s just where we were headed today, and I was a kid then with that much insight.  With all the wrong in the world, I couldn't make up half of the stuff that actually happens in real life.  This is why when I heard Charlie Murphy's stand-up, I couldn't stop laughing because he hit the nail on the head.  Whatever you can dream up, there truly is someone somewhere in this world doing that exact thing, and folks, that's scary, when you really think about it.

So, the world has been rid of several babies all for the sake of their mothers who were careless.  And the ghost babysitter who is watching over them now is the Lord, and what better hands to reside in.  I have to believe in that because otherwise I wouldn't have any hope or faith for those lost little souls who were taken back way too soon. 

If you're interested in learning more about children and some of their backgrounds, pick up your copy of my latest book, Silent Knight and read about Clarence Knight and his crew.  What those children went through and why will remind you of where we are today.  And, if you're thinking about starting a family, or you're in the family way currently, please STOP and THINK about having a master plan in place for your child before he/she arrives.  If you are unsure as to what you want to do, please do us a favor and talk to someone and get the help that YOU and your baby deserve.  There are so many couples who are unable to have babies of their own, and if you know you cannot provide a good home base for you and your child, think about adoption.  Or better yet, make sure you take the necessary steps to protect yourself so you do not get pregnant before you are ready!

Every baby deserves to be loved, cared for and nurtured, and if YOU aren't going to do that, do society a favor and STOP having them!  Because I am so tired of hearing the horror stories.  I'd like to see some positive news stories for a change.  Until next weekend, Love, Peace and Write ON! Responsible Parents!

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/International Poet
Write ON! Website:  http://www.kimberlyraneehicks.biz/
Write ON! Blog:  http://mellojune.blogspot.com/
Email: mellojune@kimberlyraneehicks.com



GeTTin' GROWN. . .

Hello Fans:

You know, there comes a time in everyone’s life when you truly realize what it means to be an adult.  I don’t know when that point comes for many people, but when it happens, you’ll chuckle to yourself, as you realize just how much older you’ve become and how different your mind-set is.

My most recent revelation of just how much older I’ve become came for me over the 4th of July weekend when I watched the rebroadcast of B.E.T.’s Music Awards.  I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I can tell you after having watched the Award show, a very strange feeling came over me.  Ooh, what was the feeling. . .umm, can’t quite put it into words!  No, I can put it into one word.  I felt ‘shame,’ plain and simple.

Why, you ask?  Well. . .years ago I stopped watching award shows because I realized just how political they are, and how many of my favorite artists got passed over, when in fact, they should have won many, so for that reason, and that alone, I stopped watching~~couldn’t handle the blatant unfairness.  I can recall when B.E.T. began having their music award shows to showcase African-American artists in the music and film industries, and I was just elated with this news.

The three-hour long program was pretty exciting watching artists I admired receive awards for their hard work and achievements, and I’d sit in my living room as if I was at a live concert~~clapping my hands and stomping my feet to the many great performances, and it was awesome, and I enjoyed the natural high.  But, as time marched on, and the music industry changed (Hip-Hop) to be exact, came into play, I noticed some very drastic changes to B.E.T.’s format and the format of their award show.

Don’t get me wrong.  I like some Hip-Hop (especially old school rap), but I am a fan of some of the newer wave of rappers, and I most certainly do agree that they deserve to have a platform and an award ceremony for their contributions to their genre of music, but to overindulge a R&B Music Award show with Hip-Hop being the main focal point, I cannot agree with that.  Actually, I laughed when during the commercials, B.E.T. would advertise that the Hip-Hop Award Show would be coming later in the summer.  Hmm, from the looks of what I was viewing, I thought I was watching the Hip-Hop Awards.

And while I’m on this subject, something else I’ve noticed over the years that deeply disturbs me is all the sexual connotations to B.E.T.’s award ceremony.  This year, there were so many ‘beeps’ because of the curse words and vulgar language, I thought the audio on my television was acting up, but then I quickly realized, “ooh, that’s because of what this particular rapper is saying.”   There are four to five rappers on stage barking and grunting their words out, giving orders to the audience while half-naked, saggin’ jeans displaying their Ralph Lauren underwear, six pack abs, piercings everywhere, and tatted bodies.  Or, there are a few overweight rappers on the stage opening their shirts displaying ‘breasts,’ and I’m thinking, “Wow, women aren’t allowed to bare their breasts so openly, yet and still, there’s a man on stage baring his.”  Hmmm, what’s wrong with this picture?

So, Fans, this is when some revelations hit me.  I must be getting old.  I'm no prude, by any means, and when I was younger I went through what I like to call my "hoochie mama days," but I always did it with class and taste.  But, if I see one more wiry, hard-body, half-naked rapper, with piercings and tattoos all over his damn body with saggin’ jeans or an overweight rapper, with a gut that looks like he's about to give birth to twins, bobbing up and down trying to keep up with the smaller size rappers, breathless and running around on stage like a buffoon, or a woman singer gyrating her body parts in the camera, (i.e., ass, vagina and breasts), whipping their weaves around and vogue-ing like a model, serving it up to us like food on a damn platter, I swear I am going to scream.  Where is the class?  What happened to tastefully?  They all could learn something from the old days of Burlesque dancers, who knew how to show and tell without showing and telling~~they left it up to the viewer to imagine what they were doing.  But these artists today leave nothing to the imagination.  They put it all out there for us to see.  And I'm personally sick and tired of it!  You don't have to have talent today, just a greased body, mix in a rapper's vulgar lyrics, add some sexy stripper moves, and you're an overnight sensation. All that's missing is the damn pole!  Is this all there is to selling CD’s today?  Whoever can grind the hardest in a video, and sing/rap the most vulgar language possible, or how many sexual positions the human body can get into or how many orgies one may delight in.  This is talent. . .really?  You’ve got to be kidding me, right?

But the sad thing is, I know this is what sells because otherwise, artists wouldn’t be doing it, record labels wouldn’t push it, and we wouldn’t be buying it!  Well. . .I don’t buy it, let’s say that.  I called myself catching up with Music Choice on Demand to see what music is out there and watch some of the newer videos, and Dear God, did I get quite an education.  Each video I selected got raunchier than the last, if that is even possible.  I do mean, ev-errr-ry video was about screwing somebody, whether they want to screw you, or the vast masses, trust me, the point was received.  The artist did a magnificent job in relaying a visual how-to, if you will, on how to get your rocks off.  You get my drift.  Immediately I began thinking, what happened to love?  Where did ‘real’ lyrics disappear to?  What happened to ‘real’ talented artists?

There are a handful of artists out here today that I love and respect, and Fans, I did say a handful, so that’s not many.  When I realized that the lovely and talented Ms. Patti Labelle was B.E.T.’s Lifetime Achievement Recipient, I could have cried.  Not because Patti didn’t deserve it, because she most certainly did, it was the shame I felt knowing she had to sit out there in that audience and be subjected to this new school wave of artists gyrating, and dry humping the air with their suggestive dances and vulgar lyrics.  An artist who has been in the business for 50 years had to be subjected to that?  I was beside myself.  If she didn’t feel shame, I did for her.  And to know one of her dearest friends, Gladys Knight, handed the award to her, meant she, too, had to be subjected to that madness that B.E.T. called entertainment.  My soul cried for hours.

Folks, to say the very least, I haven’t been the same since I saw that award show, and after seeing how horrible this year’s show was, I don’t believe I’ll be watching any others.  There were a few great performances, i.e., thank God for comedian Kevin Hart, Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight, Cee-Lo, Marsha Ambrosious and Alicia Keys (before the rappers came out and destroyed her beautiful medley), so all was not a total loss, but everything else was jaw-dropping to me.  It was great to see Anita Baker, Cherrelle, The Five Heartbeats and Alexander, but some of them wore the wrong type of clothing bearing their out-of-shape bodies, fat stomachs, cellulite and not to mention, some voices were a little weak from partying in their youth and not taking care of themselves, and some couldn't even remember the lyrics.  As I watched, I just had a blank stare.  I couldn’t believe I was watching my people behave like that on TV for millions of viewers.  What has happened to Black artists?  Do we no longer care about pride or how we're perceived to the world?  It's all about that mean green!  Is this truly all we care about?

Forgive me, yall, but was I the only one that  noticed it appeared some of the black female recording artists were in a race to see how much of their big asses could be squeezed into a tight fitting dress?  What. . .are some of them insecure that Kim Kardashian gets so much media attention because of her derriere, so now my sistas got to put theirs out there to let the world know they got back too?  I mean what the hell is going on?  What happened to nice free flowing dresses or gowns for Pete's sake?  Queen Latifa looked elegant.  Taraji P. Henson was gorgeous, as usual.  If those women could look beautiful, what were the others thinking? Chris Brown dressed like he was going to a neighborhood barbeque or something~~a T-shirt, jeans and sneakers~~come on. . .really, dude?  Diddy was dressed in a handsome white suit. After all, wasn't this supposed to be an 'Award' show?  I don't know what that was B.E.T. presented before me, but it damn sure wasn't about the music!

It seems like each year my people feel they have to come up with something different and unique so they stand out from the rest.  The more weird and eccentric you are, the more you'll get media play.  And what is so funny to me is, they didn't do anything new.  In fact, I don't see much originality in the artists today, but I see a whole lot of Grace Jones wanna-be's, and poor imitators of Jodi Whatley's flare and style.  Hell, these artists today all sound the same.  Lots of times I find myself asking (with pained look on my face), who is that singing~~is that Kelly Rowland or Rihanna? I guess this is my WTF moment?

Needless to say, I am appalled and ashamed of many of my people in the music industry.  I am not happy at all!  The images that some project to the youth today is downright despicable and tasteless, but this is what the record labels want, and yet and still, some rappers/singers today criticize other black artists who keep it real and have the audacity to call them sell outs.  I give kudos to the gospel group Mary Mary who refused to change their image and sound to fit in with the rest of the lot.  They love the Lord and sing and praise His name in all their songs, and if their music happens to crossover into other genres, well so be it.  So. . .one has to ask, just who are the real sell outs?  Think about that!

Until next weekend, Love, Peace and Let's Get It Together, My People!

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/International Poet
Write ON! Website: http://www.kimberlyraneehicks.biz
Write ON! Blog: http://mellojune.blogspot.com
Contact: mellojune@kimberlyraneehicks.com

How AMERICAN Are YOU?

Hello Fans:

Recently, I heard on the nightly news that if someone were to come in any American's home and remove all products not made in the U.S.A., every American's home would be bare.  Do you realize what this means?  Does that blow your mind, as it did mine?  If not, it should.

When you shop at the grocery store, how many of you pay attention as to where the food was processed or grown?  When you shop for electronics, how many of you check to see if that device was made in America?  When looking for a car, do you immediately go to a foreign dealership, or do you check out American-made cars?  What about the clothes you wear or the toys you buy for your children, do you know where they were made?  Odds are, they weren't made in the U.S.A.

With our economy at an all-time low, and jobs scarce, home foreclosures, healthcare next to none for some of us, American jobs being outsourced to other countries, it begs the question, just how American are we anymore?  I must admit, I own many products from other countries, but in the last few years, I've been trying to be more conscious of how much that hurts my country, and its people.

I read a report that since 2008, the last few college and university graduates are still looking for work in their chosen fields.  I have many friends that have a glowing resume with their Masters and Doctorate degrees, and some of them are working in Wal-Mart just to have some income, and to start paying their voluminous amount of student loans.   Education used to be a great field to go into, but I can't tell you how many educators are losing their positions, or those who are unable to even find a teaching job. 

I hear Americans complaining all the time about not having jobs, and the possible reasons for this.  Some blame the unions, some blame our President, some blame American corporations for outsourcing our jobs, some blame Wall Street, some blame the big corporate banks, and some blame corrupt politicians.   No matter who you blame, the fact of the matter is, as bleak as America's future appears to be, there is something you can do!

First off, if you're one of those people who complain and criticize the problems in America, make sure YOU are a voter!  And I could care less what party affiliation you belong to.  Those who don't vote, your complaints fall on deaf ears (mine, to be exact).  You have no leg to stand on when you do nothing to try and change the situation.    Start paying very close attention to what you spend your money on and who processes and makes the items you are about to purchase.  America makes a lot of great products, but how many of you even know about them?  How many of you really care?  (Please check the links below to assist you in learning what is made right here on your own soil!)

Secondly, instead of worrying about celebrities and reality-made TV stars, who don't give a damn about you, they are only interested in making more paper, while your money continues to shrink, your home or possibly many in your neighborhood are falling prey to foreclosures, public schools are closing all around you, and start paying attention to your own reality happening right in this country.  I've outlined some serious problems we have, but why aren't we partaking in our future.

Our reality works much like the scripted ones you watch on TV, with the exception there are no edit or delete buttons to push to change what we don't want people to view.   We vote for politicians, and when those people we've voted for don't do what was promised, or they make too many errors, we should vote those politicians out of office, but too often, we don't do this.  (But, we'll call an 800 number or text to vote for our favorites in a reality show).  It's so easy to point the finger at this Administration, but don't forget, three of those fingers are pointing back at YOU!  Where does your responsibility lie?  What have YOU done to make changes in this country?  How many Americans do you help to keep employed by buying those products which are made in our country?


If you want to see this country get back on top, and help avoid our country from defaulting on its loan by August 2, 2011, WAKE UP!  Start being the change you claim YOU want to see in this country.  Get involved in this REALITY~~your life, your well-being, your future, our children's future because America is at stake~~WAKE UP!  Time waits for no one, and if YOU sit back and let these situations continue to overtake us, the America we used to know will forever be erased.  Is this what we want?  I don't know about you, but I know I don't want this to happen.

America's independence will be 235 years on Monday, July 4, 2011.  Lets get it together Americans and start acting like we love this country.  Show some love to your country by participating in what YOUR country offers.  We are still the best nation in the world to live.  I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, and yet, little by little, the American dream is turning into a hellish nightmare.  So. . .what do YOU plan to do about it?  Continue to complain, or will you STAND UP for your country?  Be active in your reality~~America's future depends on it.  This is your life people, and you better start taking these issues seriously, or the America that you've come to know will die and wither away.  If you don't believe me, take a look around you.  Open your eyes!  That's reality!

So, before you make a purchase for electronic devices, food, clothing or transportation, ask yourself, who made this?  Ask the store if they carry American-made products?  When you buy American-made, you helped feed and clothe an American~~you helped keep an American in their home~~you helped that American keep his job!  Our military works hard to keep our country safe, and the least WE can do is assist them by purchasing our own products, so they have a job to come home to, and by not making their hard efforts be in vain.

Think about those things the next time you shop, and ask yourself, just how American am I?  You may surprise yourself with the answer!  Until next weekend, Keep the American Dream alive, Let Freedom Ring, and make sure YOU do your part to keep our country flourishing.  Write ON! America~~I love my country, and the men and women in the Military who serve to keep me and my family safe!  God Bless America!  Happy Birthday!

<> <>

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/International Poet
Write ON!: http://www.kimberlyraneehicks.biz
Write ON! Blog: http://mellojune.blogspot.com
Contact: mellojune@kimberlyraneehicks.com

Here are some sites to visit for American-made products:





Proud American Trading Post

Made In U.S.A.

Americans Working

Made in America Buy American

I Buy U.S. Made

Made in the U.S.A. Matters to Shoppers