zionspeakz: The political strategy to disenfranchise returning...

zionspeakz: The political strategy to disenfranchise returning...: The founding fathers of this great country adamantly believed that its citizens were born with certain inalienable rights. These rights in...

The political strategy to disenfranchise returning citizens

The founding fathers of this great country adamantly believed that its citizens were born with certain inalienable rights. These rights include: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, freedom of expression, and other sovereign rights that were given to mankind by God. Fleeing the degradation and tyranny of England the founders of America had a clear understanding of the plight of persecution and the harsh reality of brazen oppression. Their beliefs coupled with unfortunate life experiences were written in ink of blood on a canvas of hope. This document serves as a governmental blueprint to build the political foundation of this nation from the ashes of moral ruin. It also serves as a spiritual compass. When it is properly administered in truth and equity it will navigate us back to the heart of God in whom we say, "we trust." You may ask, "What is this essential document?" This document is the cornerstone of democracy. It is the United States Constitution.
Aside from our unquestionable human rights as American citizens we were graced with one of the most important rights known to democracy, the right to vote. As American citizens we have the constitutional right to actively participate in the political process of this country by exercising our right to vote. However, for 2.5 million people in this democratic society their right to vote is somehow suspended. In fact, it is suspended far above the U.S. Constitution. Statistics on incarcerated citizens in this country echoes staggering numbers of 2.5 million and counting. These alarming statistics do not reflect ex-offenders. Thirty-five states deny suffrage to non-incarcerated offenders, such as those on probation or parole; fourteen states disfranchise offenders for life unless pardoned (which is extremely rare). As a result, the right to vote is denied to at least 5 million Americans, a disproportionately large share of whom are African American and Latino.These are men and women who have paid their debt to society by time served, and in many cases rendering financial retribution to crime victims, and to their respective state and local government. It is criminal for one to commit a crime, however it is equally criminal for legislators to snatch away a constitutional and civil right from one who has already paid a balance of a past crime bill. This is double jeopardy. This is an unjustifiable process of re-sentencing millions under the guise of "tough-on-crime punishment." The tradition of banishing criminals from the body politic is an old one, passed down from Roman and medieval regimes in which felons who were fortunate enough to escape torture or death would find themselves cast out into the woods (isolated from society). One history of English law portrays the convict as a "wolf."
The dehumanizing origins of disfranchisement are an acute reminder of how inconsistent the practice is with modern theories of criminal justice. Taking the right to vote away from a lawbreaker has nothing to do with public safety or crime deterrence; if it is a form of retribution, it is unacceptably arbitrary, and many legal scholars believe that the stigma of disfranchisement hinders an ex-offender's rehabilitation and contributes to recidivism. It is both amazing and interesting that of all the rights to be taken from felons, why have legislators chosen to take away the right to vote? Was this accidental, coincidental, or by strategic political design?
If this was engineered for strategic political design then the sole purpose is to eliminate the voice and vote of millions who have the power to elect of reject. There are only two states in America that not only allow ex-felons to vote, but also current inmates serving time. Maine and Vermont have courageously decided not to participate in the damaging and dehumanizing practice of stripping away voting rights of felons. Although there is a significantly lower African American and Latino population in these two states versus North Carolina or Texas, it is inexcusable for all other states to not do as Maine and Vermont have valiantly done.
Many lawmakers inflame public fear, phobia, and prejudice against ex-felons in a malignant attempt to justify the violation of human rights. It is interesting that felons can not vote, yet felons are expected to pay taxes. Taxes that pay the salaries of legislators that are against the voting rights of felons. Ex-offenders are a nation within this nation. Many are law-abiding, productive, and compassionate men and women whose voices have become muffled by the clamor of prejudicial profiles, racial regulations, and media propaganda. If America is truly the template of world democracy then it is time to become what we profess by practicing what we do no possess, true democratic integrity, equity, and forgiveness.


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zionspeakz: Hip Hop is on life support....

zionspeakz: Hip Hop is on life support....: Hip Hop is on life support. Her vital signs rapidly diminish with every attempt to catch a distant breath. Death has released his foul frag...

Hip Hop is on life support....

Hip Hop is on life support.
Her vital signs rapidly diminish with every attempt to catch a distant breath. Death has released his foul fragrance in the atmosphere as he crouches behind the hospital door thirsting for the opportunity to snatch a precious and gifted soul. In his ghastly museum lies a multitude of cold lifeless bodies known as fallen soldiers. According to the testimony of key eye witnesses many rappers were prematurely slain due to gang warfare. Some were fatally wounded by rivals after a nightclub altercation. And many others have been savagely gunned down by the pursuit of power, money, and sex. For those rappers who have escaped the jaws of untimely physical death, jails and prisons have become their plantation graves. Truly, Hip Hop is on life support. I mourn for Hip Hop while many other opponents scream, "pull the plug!" Hip Hop must live! By faith I believe that she will rise from her bed of moral affliction and breathe again. Contrary to popular belief Hip Hop is more than presenting the black woman as a bitch or a ho. And we call each other Niggaz more than the KKK. Hip Hop is more creative than engineering songs of self-indulgence which perpetuates ignorance rather than songs of self-consciousness which stimulates intelligence. Surely Hip Hop is more talented than marketing products without the benefit of receiving revenue from the designers of the products. I realize that for the past decade Hip Hop has been iced-out and smoked-out while sitting on 24's that cost more than the car that's being driven. I love Hip Hop. She is engraved upon my soul. I was raised on the sounds of Run DMC, Kool G Rap, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, Rakim, Nas, Tupac, and yes even NWA. The entire world is under the creative and soulful sway of Hip Hop.
Hip Hop has been solely responsible for the financial upswing in fashion and media. However, during her 10 year illness she has glamorized the dope game, prison life, trap houses, and thug living. Hip Hop is not lawless. Unfortunately she has become conformed to the ideas of this lawless society which is governed by many lawless men. Hip Hop is not only the voice of the inner cities in America. It echoes the muffled cries of the rejected, dejected, neglected, and disenfranchised people on a global level. Hip Hop is much more than rhythmic music it is an unprecedented and unapologetic mentality which by nature connects to the heart of God and to the soul of His people. I will not assist in suicide by pulling the plug on Hip Hop. I will hod her accountable and responsible for bearing the mantle of hope and freedom for the forgotten. I will remain by her side until the respirator becomes obsolete. Hip Hop will once again become a revolutionary and passionate instrument of; economic, political, social, and spiritual change in this country.
Love live Hip Hop....

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zionspeakz: Flip that switch!

zionspeakz: Flip that switch!: After the passing of my step-father on August 28, 2008 I inherited one of his prized possessions. It is a 26 year old classic GMC pickup tru...

Flip that switch!

After the passing of my step-father on August 28, 2008 I inherited one of his prized possessions. It is a 26 year old classic GMC pickup truck in almost mint condition. This particular model comes with a dual fuel tank which is positioned on both sides of the truck. The left or right fuel tank can easily be activated by the flip of a switch located beside my radio. One day while running errands the truck completely stopped in the middle of a major road. I attempted to start the truck countless times, but to no avail it would not crank. As my temperature begin to rise in the midst of a fog a frustration, I carefully stepped out of the truck. Cars were closely racing by me as if they were competing in the Daytona 500. While analyzing the problem the light bulb in my head finally lit! Then I remembered....my gas gauge did rest on the E mark as I  passed by THREE gas stations thinking that I could make it to the cheapest one, which was the fourth one. Have you ever done something so ridiculously foolish that even you had to laugh at yourself???
Now it really gets interesting because I am about 3 miles from the nearest gas station. In the blazing southern heat of North Carolina I grab the gas can from the bed of the truck to start my journey. After walking a total of 6 miles in breathtaking humidity that's designed to make you cuss, I returned to empty the gas into my truck.   In a sigh of relief I climbed in to start the truck, but wait! Nothing happened. In panic I stomped the gas petal before turning the key a second time, then a third, then a fourth, then finally on the tenth time out of sheer disgust and fatigue I quit. After being stranded for some time my truck was towed to a nearby garage to determine the problem. The garage owner was "confident" in his diagnosis that I needed both a carburetor and a fuel pump. However, after talking with several mechanics they all agreed that it could not be both the carburetor and fuel pump, it had to either be one or the other. The garage owner was very eager to quickly cash in by making the needful repairs, but at the brink of making a very costly decision another light bulb went off in my head! As I mentally traced the day my truck died I came to a decision that I only wished I had come to before I had the truck towed and the fuel pump replaced. I would have saved time and money. When my truck ran out of gas I filled the left tank located on the driver's side, however I always use the right tank located on the passenger side because by doing so I never have to flip the switch to transfer the fuel to that particular side.  Out of frustration and not thinking clearly in a critical moment I added gas to a tank without flipping the switch to transfer the fuel to both ;the line ,and the carburetor, to start my truck!!!
Just as this was a natural lesson God constantly teaches us spiritual lessons. We oftentimes miss the spiritual lessons because we are too focused on a natural situation. God taught me a valuable spiritual  lesson through a misfortune of a natural situation. How many times have you felt helpless and hopeless about a situation? How often have you prayed earnestly about an issue only to give out and quit? If you have God's promises and His word on the inside of your spiritual tank (heart) when you have stalled on your journey of life, just flip that switch! Regardless of where you are and how lonely you may feel on your deserted road of trouble if your tank is full with God's word of ;peace, power, provision, joy, wisdom, and deliverance,you don't need a second opinion just flip that switch! Everything you need is ready to be used inside of you, just flip that switch! And keep it moving...

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zionspeakz: MOVE!!!

zionspeakz: "The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain."                                            ...

MOVE!!!

"The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain."
                                                                                                                      - Deuteronomy 1:6



Imagine driving to an important event in a dark and severe thunderstorm. The deafening sound of thunder rattles the windshield as flash flood warnings indicate impending trouble and the blanket of rain handicaps visibility. Suddenly, your car hits an unexpected pothole then violently spins out of control, only to come to a halt in a muddy ravine. In a state of fear and panic you hit the gas. Your engine revs to 50 mph, yet you are still stuck. You quickly hit the gas again as the rpm climbs, but there is NO forward motion. As the temperature of anger and frustration rapidly rise you snatch the gear into reverse, then overdrive, but you have only sunk deeper into a muddy ditch of despair.
Question: What do you do?
Answer: A. Keep spinning your wheels and flinging mud, only to sink deeper.
              B. Call an emergency vehicle for help.
              C. Wait until the rain stops, the sun come out, and dry the mud so you can move on.

So many of us traveling on our journey to purpose as sunlight illuminates our path, suddenly find ourselves in an unexpected and violent storm. At that moment we often entertain the thought of making a U-turn, however we've come too far and traveled too long to turn around. Therefore, we grip the steering wheel of self-control and drive into the fierce storm while praying for a favorable outcome. Have you ever been on a quiet and peaceful journey only to be radically disrupted by the overwhelming presence and pressure of a storm. Storms and hurricanes come in all atmospheric categories: 1. Minimal (winds of 75 to 95 mph). 2. Moderate (winds of 96-110 mph). 3. Extensive (winds of 111 to 130 mph). 4. Extreme (winds of 131-155 mph). 5. Catastrophic (winds of 131-155 mph).

Just as there are natural storm categories there are emotional and spiritual storm categories that we find ourselves engulfed in, storms of: financial hardship, foreclosure, layoffs, social injustice, divorce, death of a loved one, family turmoil, incarceration, addiction, health issues, sexual abuse, domestic violence, etc...

Storms can oftentimes cause us to go into an uncontrollable tale spin, only to find ourselves stuck in a muddy ditch of; despair, hopelessness, anger, rage, bitterness, unforgiveness, shame, guilt, condemnation, rejection, loneliness, suspicion, paranoia, inferiority, deep inner sorrow, regret, and isolation. It is NOT your fault that lack of visibility; due to the storm, and its strong wind, hurled you into a ditch that you can't get out of by yourself! However, it is your fault if you stay there! It is not God's will for us to remain in a ditch spinning our wheels and wasting our resources going no where. Equally, it is not His will for us to waste valuable time in waiting for a brighter day to shine through the darkness of our storm. For this reason, God wants us to press beyond pride and pity to call a trustworthy person of strength to help pull us out of our current condition of immobility. This is where; prayer, emotional therapy, intervention, intercession, deliverance teaching, accountability, and a plan of action, will help us get back on our road to purpose. So the next time you find yourself lying in a muddy ditch from a violent storm, remind yourself that where you must go is far greater than where you are. MOVE!!!

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zionspeakz: Black America: Billions of dollars and no $ense

zionspeakz: Black America: Billions of dollars and no $ense: It is both shocking and amazingly sad how much money African Americans annually spend, yet have very little to show for it. Our spending p...

zionspeakz: Sagging: The history, the message, the madness

zionspeakz: Sagging: The history, the message, the madness: The term sagging actually refers to the practice of wearing pants below the waist, in such a manner that it reveals some part of the person'...

zionspeakz: You are much more than Ho and a pimp!

zionspeakz: You are much more than Ho and a pimp!: We currently live in a time where it is; culturally, socially, and fashionably acceptable to be labeled with negative titles and activities....

zionspeakz: Prison Break!

zionspeakz: Prison Break!: When you think of a prison break, what comes to mind? I'm sure many of you are envisioning inmates jumping a barbwire prison fence or busti...

Prison Break!

When you think of a prison break, what comes to mind?
I'm sure many of you are envisioning inmates jumping a barbwire prison fence or busting out of a confined fortress. However, I am using a prison metaphor to describe the fortress of the institution of church. There are many churches and pastors that have an immense love and compassion for God and His people, and they dedicate their lives to empower the lives of others. Many of them are overworked, underpaid, and under-appreciated. Nevertheless, the mandate upon their lives is greater than their own lack of comfort. However, there are some pastors who milk vulnerable people dry while selling them illusions to support their own personal kingdoms. This has become a religious epidemic.

Many Shepherds have developed a ravenous appetite for lamb chops as they place many of their congregants under the hypnosis of pulpit theatrics and emotional drama before they feast upon their souls and finances. As the curtain closes for the final scene there is a money trail to the pastors gated community which reflects the silence of the lambs. The black church of the 1800's to the 1960's which focused on the; salvation, healing, deliverance, discipleship, and economic development of its community has left the building like Elvis. Only to be replaced with Mr Bojangles and other forms of minstrel acts. These colorful and powerless acts are both entertaining and amusing, however they lack the true power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives and break generational bondage of ignorance and poverty. These realities reflect the mass exodus of many black men from the black church, as well as those who are dying to meet the Christ and are outside of the fortress walls of our churches.
According to recent Church of God statistics, churches in America are slowly dying, and the main reasons for the death is lack of evangelism and community service.
Stats reflect that every month 1,700 pastors quit.
Annually 4,000 new churches start, however 7,000 closed.
Only 5% of the church population focus on evangelism.
Only 2% of the unsaved attend church.
90% of boys who are raised in the church will abandon it by their 20th birthday.
67% of American churches have a population of under 100 members.
The fortress mindset of many church leaders is to teach their ministers to convoy from the church and ascend upon the unsaved with spiritual guns drawn, forcing them to receive Christ or "die and be hell bound." These ridiculous and crusader-type tactics lack compassion and biblical merit. This does not reflect the attitude nor the teaching of Jesus "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36). The Christ clearly shows us how we "should" engage others in conversation and demonstration by showing an earnest interest in them. If the institution of church had more of a vested interest in people, then people would have more of a vested interest in the church.

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You are much more than Ho and a pimp!

We currently live in a time where it is; culturally, socially, and fashionably acceptable to be labeled with negative titles and activities. Such titles as: "Pimp ( an abuser and entrepreneur of women), Playa ( having an entourage of women), Ho (using what you've got to get what you want), Frying chicken (having sex with no commitment nor strings attached). We have become conditioned to accepting false and destructive identities that have nothing to do with our greater purpose.  Society tells us what to wear, how to wear it, wear to buy it, how to walk nasty, what to drink, where to party, and  who to party with. We have developed a, "I'm doing me mentality." This selfish mindset promotes a predator- prey relationship between men and women. It also perpetuates juvenile and reckless lifestyles. When we don't have a clue who we are- society will tell us. When we look for completeness outside of ourselves and God, we open the door for counterfeit joy and long lasting pain. Regardless of your past or even your present state you have the power of choice! Only you can set the course for construction or destruction concerning your life. When a man finally embraces MANHOOD he has no concern nor interest in still trying to prostitute women because he understands that in the end she is not the Ho, but rather he is the Ho. He understands that he is not defined by people, places, nor things, but he takes the divine responsibility to define or redefine who he is as a son of God and protector of all life. When a woman finally embraces WOMANHOOD she refuses to continue to be someones; bitch, ho, or punching bag. Her blind eyes become open to the reality of "new" sights. She finally sees her self-worth, and out of it she develops standards that will never again be compromised. You are much more than a Ho and a pimp. You are royalty. Now open your eyes and see!  

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Sagging: The history, the message, the madness

The term sagging actually refers to the practice of wearing pants below the waist, in such a manner that it reveals some part of the person's underwear. Although sagging has been accredited to the prison system. However, historical facts proves that sagging was first instituted on American plantations. This was a demonic and degrading system which was imposed by many overseers upon slaves. Many black male slaves were raped just as the black female population. The male slaves who were raped were made to wear their pants sagging which became a sexual sign of homosexuality for other slave holders and overseers to make note once the slave was shipped to surrounding plantations. Perverse slave holders were always delighted to see sagging pants. This became their sign to seduce and rape. Some young me don't even know the sexual signals they are sending to me who are attracted to saggers which is more widespread than you think. Your son probably doesn't realize that he's the silent focus of lustful eyes as he walks down the street with his jeans sagging.
According to Dr. Mark Oliver Mansbach, continuous wearing of sagging pants severely impacts sexual performance causing erectile dysfunction. "In our study we discovered that sagging pants wearers are 70% more likely to prematurely ejaculate during intercourse. There is a 78% likelihood that sagging pants wearers have erectile dysfunction." Mansbach estimates that 75 to82% of the men who wear saggy pants have some sort of sexual dysfunction. However, because of machismo associated with Hip Hop and urban culture, they mask their sexual inadequacy by displaying fits of anger and rage-like behavior toward each other and toward women who they can not please. It's the dirty little secret in urban communities that no one wants to talk about.

Sagging is not only a display of plantation perversion it is also a contributor to a health crisis. We must reach our young men with truth and compassion, one person at a time as a father would reach his son.

Black America: Billions of dollars and no $ense

It is both shocking and amazingly sad how much money African Americans annually spend, yet have very little to show for it. Our spending pattern has flourished every community except our own. According to the target group it is estimated that we have a purchasing power of 913 billion dollars. We have proved that we are adamant consumers rather than producers and spenders rather than savers and investors. It is selfish and foolish to not leave a financial legacy to the next generation. "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children."