Weblog
Wednesday, 06 May 2009
-
Beat Streets - Hit a child - Lose your life
APWire - Chicago man dragged and beat by mob after car strikes child
An East Coast associate of mine recently blogged about unsupervised children running into the streets on her block. One woman is even being sued for hitting a a 2 year old that ran into the street - clearly, the childs mother should share the co-defendants table
Maybe it's a sign of the times but until I was a tween I wasn't allowed to be out of eyesight of my mother. If my sister and I were outside we knew not to play near the curb or the corner (only in front of OUR OWN home) and if we ventured out we knew that If we went past the streetlight or other landmark it was our arses.
I regularly see kids chasing cars in the streets or playing without an adult in sight. It saddens me. You don't want to see children hurt (and I will ultimately act to save a child's life or prevent harm) but If you say something to a child, even as a caring, responsible adult odds are you will have to deal with the dna donors and their attitudes or worse.
There have been quite a few hit and run accidents involving children lately and onlookers and residents have mobilized to apprehend and detain the usually drunken drivers - but this community effort has gone from just detaining suspects to nearly beating the suspects to death. It has gotten so bad that people who may hit a child that darts into the street are afraid to stop in fear for their own lives. Where were these concerned citizens moments, minutes, hours before the child was hit? Sitting on the porch drinking 40's? Where is this sense of community involvement when it comes to the positive? Seriously? - we wont allow our neighbors to even look at our children but we can come together for a mob beating?
I would hope that by Obama being elected and even the hardships of this recession would help us to come together as a people but I doubt it. I was surprised once this century - Surprise me again, America.
Tuesday, 17 February 2009
-
“Black History isn't some stale tale of yore - it's America and it's present and relevant."
First, let me publicly express my joy and admiration to President Barack Obama and Family. I am humbled and inspired by this historic accomplishment.
Earlier this year, my 9 year old daughter Nicky told me that her class had to do Black History reports and naturally everybody wanted to do Obama. I asked the rest of the kids in the house who they were doing and I really wasn't surprised that the only people they could think of were Dr. King, Rosa Parks, Dr. George Washington Carver ('for inventing the peanut' one said. Wait- I've heard it from adults also) and Harriet Tubman. Everyone knows about the accomplishments of these great heroes but what about the unsung heroes, the lost legacies and the living and up and coming legacies. Black History isn't some stale tale of yore - it's America and it's present and relevant.
Frustrated, but inspired I thought about making a little calendar that would give just enough of a daily taste of African-Americana to whet the appetite and inspire the curious. I started researching and cross-checking facts (I guess that was the news reporter sneaking out of me) and reading about African Americans in media, sports, politics, business, education, hip-hop history - everything. I was so surprised, shocked and yet not shocked by the inventions, innovations and just learning about the things I simply did not know. At 32, with a degree in communications and having studied Black History I just had to tell a few people about what I had learned. I finished the calendar and showed it around and before I knew it people were trying to buy them from me. On a workday I picked up my first order of 25 calendars from the UPS store on my lunch break and half were gone before I clocked out.
Soon, I was invited to talk about the calendar on the radio in Chicago and the rest as they say.....so here I am. Check out the calendar at RocktheBarack.com. Even if you don't buy one- tell someone else that at least something like this exists.
Here's how I wrote the ad copy:
Own the Official Commemorative Calendar inspired by President Barack Obama's message of change, hope and unity that rang throughout his historic campaign. This 12 month calendar features 9 photo collages, 3 large 8.5x11 digital quality photographs and 365 days of quotes, facts, and quips about renowned African-Americans like Maya Angelou, Kanye West, Jennifer Hudson, Arthur Ashe and many more. Discover what President Obama and many other African Americans have to say on everything from war & peace to family.
You will read it all the way through the first time and every time!
Be a part of history with this exclusive offer from RocktheBarack.com!
"I'm asking you to believe...Not just in my ability...I'm asking you to believe in yours." -- Barack Obama
“For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country...hope is making a comeback.”-- Michelle Obama
My first email: "This was my favorite Christmas gift. I'm 28 and this was the first time I VOTED, never before did I feel my voice mattered as much as I did this time. This calendar is a daily reminder that I made a difference in 2008!" - Erica S., Portage Park, Illinois
Publisher's challenge: If you can find any other calendar with more current facts about African Americans, more pictures and more quotes, for less - Buy it!
Available at RocktheBarack.com or call 773.598.0430
Remember Black History is History EVERYDAY!!
8.50" x 11.00" 12 month calendar
Digital quality photographs
3 photo collages - more than 175 pictures
Premium 100lb text high glossy card stock with aqueous coating
RocktheBarack
-
- Name: RocktheBarack
- Member Since: 2/17/2009
Connect
Archives
About Me
-
John H. Whitehead, President/Creative Director - John is a marketing and advertising executive with experience in creative strategy, development and execution. He founded whiteheADPROductions in 2008. His client list reflects his talent for relating to diverse industries and includes marketing research companies, municipalities, political candidates, non-profit organizations and local businesses. Prior to founding his own business, John was Executive Producer of Chicago Today Television - a news/documentary program focusing on the minority experience in 21st century Chicago - and is currently President of the Whitehead Media Group. John trained at and is a graduate of Chicago State University. In addition to his celebrated work in the professional arena, he is also a motivational speaker. John is currently a member of Real Men Read and a Director on the board of trustees of People Against Sexual and Domestic Assault (PASADA).
Chatboard (0)