Wednesday's Wisdom..Blog-ver-sa-tions to Action

Today was a good day, "I sat with planning organizers, an experienced organizer and urban peacemaking organizers. A surreal action, more than just a feeling." Our recent blog-ver-sa-tions about Getting Pass the Salaams in order to alleviate Social Apprehension, is not just blogging. Currently in our exploratory phase of building an organization, we sat with 3 of Los Angeles personalities to discuss plans, family value and acknowledgement.

The first of three was a weekly staff meeting currently planning an action, for the Responsible Banking Ordinance. On Tuesday November 21, 2011 the Los Angeles City Council will review and hopefully vote this ordinance into law, regulating and holding banks accountable to empower local residents and business owners with opportunity. Reading a faith reflection started this meeting into a discussion, and sharing personal insight on this verse, 1 corinthians 21-26. 

Expressed sentiments were not just about physical aspect of a body; but the essence of teamwork and how organizing operates like a body systematically, as mentioned in the verse.This first organizing personality definitely set the tone and served as a good reminder for the day's journey.

A family is also a body of teamwork. My next appointment, at a beautiful family home in Los Angeles' historic Adams area. Lining their kitchen wall is a timeline of photos, showcasing the family's joyful evolution. This 1-1 discussion was with a mother/ grandmother, a wife, a recent University of Southern California graduate. She's an organizer of experience with helping families have healthier lives. We simply began a discussion by sharing our personal narratives, work and a community vision. We enjoyed a surprising conversation full of commonalities, lessons, and wise values; which inspired this thought...

"Actions on how people perceive us" Sistah A.

A lesson was taught in our conversation, that people are ready to join a purpose for a meaningful timeline. The legacy of this family is education and social justice which has become their family's intrinsic value. Leaving there journeying to Occupy LA in Dowtown Los Angeles, with an intention to survey the area for a November 21st press conference. Upon reaching I observe a local occupier, who was enforcing the community policy around maintaining a clean and ethical environment among the occupiers. Explaining his case, occupiers re-acted in a positive manner, adhering to his peaceful request. Completing my task after picture taking and a little bit of networking, I proceeded on.

From Koreatown - into the Adams area - over to Downtown LA and now our 3rd and final appointment in Inglewood home of the Forum which once housed the Los Angeles Lakers. Meeting with Stop The Violence, a 20 year organization on providing gang prevention and teaching social skills training.

This is special because we are discussing honoring a beloved community leader, a mentor to many, a man who have affected and deepened relationships - a true peacemaker. Our objective is to acknowledge his narrative and connect two generations during a dinner of Los Angeles best urban movers and shakers. This person has personally nurtured many with strong quotes such as this African proverb...

• "When the elephants war, the grass suffers..."
• "Hold the line and do not let go!"
• "You are an iron fist in a velvet glove, be smooth but firm."
• "Just making sure I'm checking on you" and so on...

In African American communities there exist an older generation of people with amazing narratives that helped guide, develop and sustain Urban America after the Civil Rights Movement. Men and Women we see everyday, but in actual life they are Super-friends of a Justice League. People who continue to maintain dignity and not allow the experience forgotten and/ or perceived wrong.

So we are not just posting to Create A Voice, by the Mercy of the Creator, it's about putting blog-ver-sa-tions to action. I encourage everyone to continue deepening relationships with family, friends and the young people and alleviate our communities of social apprehension. Let's change the way the world perceive us.

A timeline of deep relationships towards progress.

Wisdom Wednesday are thoughts for social conversations; Sharing honest opinions, ideals, and Wisdom. All of us have a value worth sharing; it may motivate another to stop, continue and/ or begin a certain process in our personal or social development. 

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