Why Enviromental Issues?

Arthur Long Sr. grew up in the segregated south where on one side of the track he was told he has no value or worth as a black man, but fortunately for me, on the other side of the track their stood his parents, who raised him to know that the measure of a man is his ability to provide and protect his family.

Arthur Long Sr. is my grandfather, my grandfather who took a chance and gambled two weeks wages, he wanted to see where his money could take him, luckily he won, went to the bus station in Seale, Alabama and told the station conductor, “take me as far North as my money can take me.” He ended up, in Lima, OH with a new union job working at the old steel foundry, a job that allowed him to send for his siblings and others to join him in Ohio. This new job gave my grandfather an opportunity, an opportunity to provide for his family.

Arthur Long, Sr. passed away July 2001 of lung cancer; we learned that his illness was most likely the result from pollutants he encountered while working a steel grinder. At the time, I was in the 9th grade, I didn’t know anything about the value of work, and I knew black folks were not into environmental issues.
So, fast forward to 2009, I’m watching my mother engage in her daily CNN addiction. Constantly watching in fear to see whether the company she works for would go bankrupt, receive a bailout, or anything to save her job that she has worked at for 30 years.

At that time I knew there was much to do about a new energy economy and how green investments could be the solution to save our nation’s ailing economy. It was honoring my grandfather’s legacy of hard work and ensuring that the environmental pollutants that he faced would not become a problem of the present, and the fear, the pure fear on my mother’s face that motivated me to join the green movement.

Working for Ohio Apollo Alliance has given me the chance to build a booming political voice of labor, environment, business and community organizations that can be heard in every Ohio corridor to the footsteps of the White House.

The work that I do is about honoring my grandfather's legacy of hard work, and a dedication to his family.

Clean Energy Can Renew our Economy

My mom is one of the millions of Americans affected by the collapse of the American automotive industry. For 25 years, she worked at the General Motors Powertrain plant in Toledo, earning enough to provide a decent home for her family and send her daughters to college. A consummate worker with years of manufacturing experience, she was laid off and suddenly faces an uncertain future.

Now in her fifties and with no college education, her options are limited. Go back to school? Invest in herself and start a business? When you’ve collected a paycheck from others all your life, entrepreneurialism isn’t as easy as it sounds. That leaves retirement. But my Mom and others like her would much rather go back to work in the clean energy industry than collect from social services for an early retirement.

The energy bill passed last week by the U.S. House would allow her to do just that. My family is grateful that Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur prioritized the needs of working families by voting for the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.

If we want to put people back to work, we need a new national energy policy that invests in American manufacturing and will allow employers to hire good American workers like my mother. The House-passed energy bill will create strong demand for clean energy and puts the mechanisms in place for that demand to be met by American workers making the components and systems of the new clean energy economy.

During my mom's career, we’ve seen plant closures throughout Northwest Ohio. We are tired of seeing Wall Street get the federal aid that Main Street so desperately needs. We need support for Toledo. The American Clean Energy and Security Act will provide it.

Excuse me, Mr. Smiley, Young Folks Get It!

The State of the Black Union (SofBu) has been appearing on our TV screens for the past 10 years, and still yet, for 10 years there have been the same issues, the same echoes, from the same scholars. In an ever-changing political environment this is unacceptable. Some may say I am being a pessimist, but it is time someone became critical of our black leaders.

I appreciate all that they do for us, but when Tavis Smiley asked Campus Progress’ Deputy Director, Policy and Advocacy Manger Erica Williams (age 24), “Do the young folk really get it?” I was utterly offended. I felt as though Tavis did not get it. Young folks did not vote for President Barack Obama because we thought he was cool, hip-hop songs about him or because we wanted to rock the newest Obama gear. We voted for him because we understood the issues and how they affected us. For 10 years, SofBU has been offering solutions to a series of problems but they have failed to act. You speak about solving Black folks socio-economic issues and have broad agendas, but coming to Kent State University (KSU) to speak about your agenda is NOT the same as being on the ground. Yes, we need academia to find solutions, but we also need them to translate their agendas in to action.

Speaking of KSU, when Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West came to speak they met a group of students who were members of Black United Students (BUS) who had been organizing and mobilizing since 1968. Not only did we get it, we lived it. These are students who forced a predominately white campus to reinstate students (Protest) and marched for a $10 million dollar renovation of their Oscar Ritchie Hall (Renovation). Hell, these students had to fight for $35,000 to bring Smiley and West to KSU because the Undergraduate Student Senate did not understand the cultural need! So next time you want to ask, “Do the young folk really get it?” check those check stubs and the universities you have visited.

As I continuously listened to Smiley question, “how do we dance with the nation’s first black President?” My reaction is “we dance the same way have always danced, except maybe with a little more funk, add a Cleveland Hustle.” In my mind, it has been proven that black leaders can navigate through America’s complicated, often times troubling legislative system. The best approach we can take is to continue to be active on the ground. This does not include community service at your local homeless shelter, which is a great a service. Being active means to engage the legislative process.

You will never understand why American Governors are using 4^th grade reading scores to determine number of prisons they plan to build or why the level of funding for corrections his risen 30% and higher education’s budget has decreased by 18%? We see our brothers going from Classrooms to Cell Blocks but never question how this legislation has occurred and how we can change it!

Want to know more about Kent State’s Smiley/West event? Read Alexia Harris’ article here and check out her blog at http://progressivehealth.wordpress.com/.

Blogs to Come...

Today’s Relevancy of MLK Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign

How Energy Efficiency & Environmental Justice Can Revolutionize our ‘Hoods

Life Update

July 26, 2006 was my last posting...I'll assume that I thought because I discovered something new in my life that I did not need to write anymore. Well, I was wrong, and I am back! Back for GOOD!!! This blog is keeping its rather personal appeal, but it's about to get way more political. You can expect a rather political commentary on my personal life, and the daily intricacies of politics! So...here we go....

What's going on in my life...

Growing up, saying it is so much easier than doing it! I am finishing up my M.A. degree at University of Toledo, and writing my thesis on higher education and public policy. Maybe, I'll post it when it’s complete, or give you guys a little excerpt. I also work at the Toledo Botanical Garden as their Development Coordinator. As you can see, I have this career thing on lock. Sorry, for the lack of humility, but I have worked hard. Like a good friend of mine says "humility is for those who don't do anything!"

Personally, I lost at love, but it's okay, I still have my head up. But, I constantly hold the fear of being that strong black woman with a great career, and a single family home, with no family. This is a fear that I will leave in my prayers. I know this is something that I should not worry about, but I find myself wanting that imperfect marriage that my parents have. I am trying to remain optimistic by dating. Which is the most hectic thing in my life! How can something that seems to be so simple...boy likes girl, girl likes boy, they date...be so hard?? Oh it’s hard, borderline an obsession. In my political mind, everything should be and can be analyzed to the 10th degree, including text messages!! As much as I love this ability to scrutinize, I hate it, because I find myself looking for context clues in a text that simply says "ttyl babe!" From talking to my female friends, I think we all suffer from this horrific career of Text-Messaging (TM) Analyzers.

Text-Messaging (TM) Analyzer Job Description:

Ability to text rapidly in order to forward the loser’s TM to your girl friends.
Be able to perform a psychotic outburst for when you over analyze the text.
Knowledge of lexicons on your mobile device in order to quickly apologize.
Identify whom else the text message has been forwarded to (great for BlackBerry users).
Save all messages, in case you need them for proof.

Okay, I am getting carried away, but if you would like to apply for this position, please forward a resume and cover letter to getalife@gmail.com.

This is all for today, maybe.

Stay Strong-SLS

Trust my SISTAHS!

Trust has always seemed to be a major issue for me. Allowing someone into my world completely - and letting someone divulge into the complexites of my life has been the hardest task for this Gemini.

I wish I can say that I have been able to give in and let all my sisters into my world...but their friendship is a step to my freedom.

The advice given to me from all the strong black women in my life is to "trust no female." And I am starting to believe that their wisdom is a guide, not advice that is set in concrete. Now that I am a 22 year old on trying to make her own path...I choose to follow my own truth.

My truth is to be cautious with females, which seems to be the same truth for every individual.


To my girls: Your friendship and trust is truely apprecited! You guys are the

funniest
smartest
CRAZIEST
most down to earth
ride or die

women I have ever encountered. You guys have always been holding me down since the begginning.

Can't wait until AUGUST 12,2006!

Love...

Love....and its complexities...

Love is so complicated to me and many others. As a generation we are constantly finding ways to identify it, and find the "one" that exemplies our definition. We are so quick to jump mention those 3 little words, I love you, without realizing its effects....and most importantly the reasons for loving....

My experiences with love have been very short and few, and I have come to the understanding that love---is something you can never really grasp. Love is a never ending search ...a search for self-discovery....

To me...Love is the ability to stand on your own..and once you can do that...then the "one" will come...

Today, I find that I am in love with someone who doesnt have the strength to love me back. Which is making me question my own self love, and my ablity to form a relationship. --- I am a walking constradiction.

I can't seem to figure out the solution to my situation.

What I Really Want...

Have you ever sat down and thought about what you really want? Well I have and it goes a little something like this....

As far as my personal life. I dont even know if I want to have kids and the white house with a picket fence. But I do know I want a husband, someone to travel with and love...all that mushy stuff...Which leads me to wonder what the hell do I want in a man....

He would have to be sucessful, independent, and strong. And intelligence is a major factor! Have a sense of self, and to know who he is without any regrets. He has to be funny and able to handle my smart mouth, and my Gemini ways. The man must love his momma too! Goal oriented!!! --- well thats all for now. lol

To be sucessful. Eventually when I am done at Kent I plan on moving to North Carolina to attend DUKE Law or receive my Masters/Phd in Poli Sci. Possibly become a professor or lawyer. Either would make me happy.....I dont necessarily have to move to NC to do these things..but it would be nice.

An Oridinary Day

here we go....

Nothing angry for yall tonight. I am feelllinnnggg gooooooddd! I had an okay day. I was kind of tired but it was worth it. Got up around 9am, made brunch for my parents...Then we went shopping for there vaction. But they bought me school clothes and facial cleanser lol, from Origins. Then..my mom and I argued a little, which is typical. Then I came home talked to some folks online...went to Target and bought school supplies. Damn this is a boring Blog! lol --- I need some excitement in my life.

I have my scedule for the first week of school @ Kent. I wont be that busy afterall! Thank Goodness.

I got something good for you guys...I overcame my fear of rejection and just went for it. I dont really know whats going to happen. But I SO PROUD OF MYSELF! Such a damn relief...now I am not so nervous and I can chill and be me. You know??

hell there is nothing else to say. oh my parents are leaving for the weekend..so ANYONE come and visit me..so I won't be bored.

yours truely,
shanelle

True Friends

what to write about today..... hummmm

In my 21 years of life I have come to the realization that there are very people in this world you can honestly trust with your deepest darkest thoughts. I have come to know what there are different kinds of friends that I have....from my best friends (the crew), my kick-it friends, my girls and my "friend(s) with benefits".....I wonder is the same for all??

It takes awhile for me to be able to call someone my friend. Some may say this is a trust problem but its a good problem for me to have . I will do anything for my friends and I expect them to do the same for me. I am sorry but I cant trust everyone. Not I.

I truely value my friendships, they mean the world to me. My friends are like my family when "i have," "they have". Especially the crew....there is no stronger bond. These are my friends for life, they are my brothers and my sisters. You fuck with them, you fuck with me! So if you call you my friend, I honestly mean it no matter what circumstances we go through, and dont take it for granted.

------ As far as how my day went........
Today was a good day. Hung out with Chad before he leaves for school on Wed. Chilled with my Dad as usual and we went to the mall. I went on a goose chase for a damn planner (thats another story in itself). Let see what else......oh I know......

have you ever had those days when you can't stop thinking about someone? well that happen to me today, and well yesterday and right now....I wish I could get him out of my head!!!....Like kick his ass out of there! I can't help but to wonder what would his reaction be if he knew I liked him (that sounds juevenille,but you know).........the fear of rejection is holding onto me --- plus I dont want to push him away...after all he is my friend. bahhhhhhaaaaaaaaa.....

the funny thing is that i still miss zahir...but i cant compare every guy to him for the rest of my life..that wouldnt be fair..........

leave a comment let me know what you think..please

Things on my mind...

this is my first posting i dont even know what to talk about....

I had an interesting conversation with my dad the other day. We actually talked about guys, and I realized I want someone like my dad, the way he looks at my mom with such love and trust is truely amazing. My dad is so strong and he loves his girls to death. I want a man like that. Are men made that strong anymore these days?? My dad says that "A woman should be chased..not chasing," and I suppose he is right. Is he?? I wonder because shouldn't I tell someone if I am "feeling them?" Yeah right, the only thing I fear is rejection...I hate telling anyone how I feel, its always seems to turn out in the worst ways for me...So if a man wants me...Like my Dad says chase me...

I just want what my parents have. And eventually it will come...in due time. They have been through a lot together. My dad being gone for 6 years, and my momr holding her own and staying faithful. My parents are the smartest people I know. Although they get on my nerves, deeply I know that they are always right.

My mom is the strongest person I know, and If I can be half the woman she is...I will be aight. Any woman who drives an hour to work for 20+ years and works 60hours a week so her kids and have a good education is truely a strong woman. I love my momma to death, with all my heart.

My parents have shown me the world...and I am truly greatful.