A POWERFUL AND PRODUCTIVE WAY TO PROTEST

POWER: THE ABILITY TO DO WORK! WE EMPOWER THEM BY HOW WE WORK WITH THEM! 

Disturbed with the way things are going? Upset with the current political climate or culture? Don't just blame the president! By expanding our targeting to the products, producers, promoters, purveyors and providers we engage with, it will affect change. "Putting our money where our mouth is," has a greater influence on politics and policies then just protesting. When exercised properly, boycotts are a better method of reform. In order to effectively speak against the things that offend us, we must focus on the economic realities that form the conditions we object to. A true conscientious objector will protest with their mouth and wallet. We should not do business with any organization that opposes our core values or promotes policies contrary to our standards. How can a black man realistically do business with the Klu Klux Klan? How can the American Cancer Society do business with tobacco companies? Anyone or anything that knowingly affiliates itself with other people, processes or products helps to promote them. This is why the Bible says to let not our good be evil spoken of. Isn't it true that birds of a feather flock together? This is why celebrities are paid for their endorsements. When O.J. Simpson was disgraced Hertz parted company him. When Micheal Phelps was photographed smoking weed the Kelloggs company dropped him. We all act as little celebrities; we all represent miniature billboards and commercials that promote products and agendas. There is no country, state, organization or person that is not subject to being scrutinized by the things they "appear" to represent. Even the state of North Carolina now has to deal with the economic damages self-inflicted as a result of Their HB2 law. With Pay Pal, Google Ventures, The NBA, The NCAA and dozens of others withdrawing their business; the state has already lost over $400,000,000. It wasn't that long ago when U.S. presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton faced impeachment for their improprieties. Association breeds assimilation. These are spiritual principles. The Bible says to reprove the unfruitful works of darkness.  Our moral compass as a people and a nation is defined by who or what we support. The Bible also says that we should not be associated with anything that seems to be corrupt.  This is why Pastors, Preachers and Believers cannot be closely associated with Players, Pimps and Prostitutes! The recent presidential election speaks volumes when we consider the response from voters who were willing to overlook the "alleged" derogatory and sexually explicit remarks OUR president made in the past. We should be sensitive to and understand the conditioning some members of the female population suffer. There are many women who carry some signs of a syndrome called "Scared selflessness." Our constitution allows us to influence and exercise control through those who represent us. We can choose to be victims or victors, if we're willing to pay the price. We should not focus on any person or personality in particular, we should fight for principles. let's fight the powers (of darkness).

ANOTHER WAY TO CREATE EFFECTIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGE

Products and branding have taken on a whole new meaning in our "new age" of multimedia. The average consumer must become aware that he or she represents the associated brands they use and wear. Along with our personal appearance the logos and symbols we display speak to how we feel about the world we individually represent. Media including social media continues to emerge as a real force of influence. Our impact both individually and collectively has grown by leaps and bounds. As power shifts we all have the responsibility to hold it accountable. We must insist that everybody answers to somebody at some level. Our ability to invest in one another has grown by leaps and bounds. Where and how we spend our money matters. Rather than investing in name brands, how about supporting "OUR" local and private brands by buying, sporting and wearing our own local stuff. If we don't support our local businesses, they will eventually disappear. People have the power to promote the prosperity of their neighborhood businesses. The people united control what they've decided! The "little guy" needs loads of little purchases to last. We may save more at the larger store, but we lose lasting relationships in the long run! Megamarkets and Superstores are not evil, but they do bring upheaval. People and populations are usually picked apart by segregating them. Historically speaking the most persecuted, downtrodden and suppressed segment of our population has not been the Jews, blacks, gays or poor. Let's pinpoint the most prevalent and predominate victims of all people worldwide. It is and has been women.

FOCUSSING ONE OF THE FORGOTTEN

It is time to diligently advocate on behalf of our female population on the planet. Most women are unaware of the subconscious psychological conditioning perpetuated in our male dominated society. Subliminally, many naïve men have become unwitting participants in a misogynistic mentality. Many women are victims of an underground patriarchal society that exists across multiple countries and cultures. It has infiltrated into most of our mainstream populations. This is evidenced by various manifestations of pornography, prostitution, pimping, sex rings, and spousal abuse. Although most men are not active participants in these offensive practices, many turn a blind eye and deaf ear to it. "Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, declared in a 2006 report posted on the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) website that Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime by an abuser usually known to her. ​Domestic violence can take a number of forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, and sexual abuse, which can range from subtle, coercive forms to marital rape and to violent physical abuse such as female genital mutilation and acid throwing resulting in disfigurement or death. Domestic murders include stoning, bride burning, honor killings, and dowry deaths. Globally, the victims of domestic violence are overwhelmingly women, and women tend to experience more severe forms of violence. In some countries, domestic violence is often seen as justified, particularly in cases of actual or suspected infidelity on the part of the woman. In many countries it is legally permitted. This is akin to an incident recorded in the Bible when they brought a woman before Jesus caught in the act of adultery and wanted to stone her. What happened to the man? Surely no woman is capable of committing adultery by herself! After writing some things on the ground, maybe they were the sins of the stoners, Jesus said that whoever was without sin should cast the first stone! WE ARE NOW OUT OF ROCKS!  There is evidence that there exists a direct and significant correlation between a country's level of gender equality and actual rates of domestic violence. Domestic violence is among the most under-reported crimes worldwide." Women and men unitedly should propose, promote and protect their own civil, healthcare and reproductive rights. Who can better represent a cause than those who are the directly involved with and related to it. Regardless of gender it is the responsibility of us all to be our brother and sister's keeper. Remember silence is consent!