Sunday, October 18, 2009

VICTORY TIME

October 18, 2009
 




Victory-noun,
a success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war.
the ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or contest
a success or superior position achieved against any opponent, opposition, difficulty, etc.


Morning!

At some point you have to claim “IT” for yourself - I know you may be tired, preoccupied with life, don’t have time and the list may go on but repeat after me:

I know what I want,
I'll rewrite the rules
I know my value,
I’m(Insert:______________)’s precious Jewel”
(name of Renewal Source/Higher Power)

When I heard this song playing today, I was tempted to do the same thing I did two years ago which was to shout and say Yes, Thank You Karina, beautiful song indeed. You are more then welcome to say those words above every morning or just when necessary, I don’t mind.

Music can be a gateway to healing, I would leave this alone because that in itself is a statement but I want to explore with you further, so for Today only when you read this, at whatever time it comes across your eyes do me a favor, yes YOU take a moment by yourself, in your car, with friends then, PAUSE.

Okay, find that one song , you know the one, when you hear it compels you to move from the inside, the one that makes you want to rock, nod your head, fist pump, jump, the one thing that will make you scrunch up your face because it starts to feel good umph, it is about to catch you, permission granted..get ugly with it !

Are you ready ? Would you like to suggest or exchange ideas ? You can tell me, well while I’m waiting for you to share and get comfortable. I must admit this to you, I have several songs that fit this category, I will share my Victory Song first because we are in this together.

Are you with me ladies? Do I have your attention men?

Let’s practice with your choice… say it, hum, write it down or sing it . I love it! If you are like me you just may be belting it out WORK IT!

My song today is: “CAN’T BRING ME DOWN” by Karina P.(young lady is a powerhouse) feel free to utilize. Here are some words from the song:

“Trust me, I know they will try
But they won’t bring me down
I know what I’m made of inside
They can’t bring me down
It ain’t over until the last round
Will they bring me down? No!
If I stumble I won’t hit the ground
They can’t bring me down”
- Lyrics from Can’t Bring Me Down by Karina


 
The song you pick for your moment will start to move you in the smallest of ways, feel the momentum, maybe even a slight smile on your face, ladies and gentleman at that point it should feel organic, familiar. What is that? Your core, a feeling, your inner-self ,that connection, that says YES…I am ready today.

Go ahead! You have my permission to Enjoy, Tap into it and ROCK OUT.
Remember, When you are unafraid and unashamed to LOVE yourself , you HELP to create a small opening where ___________(fill in the blank) can meet you right there as if to say Jamila,(put your name silly)

I recognize your power, I acknowledge you strength, your potential, your gifts...
I want in
I want a piece
I want you”

**Believe me, they “whoever” or “whatever” it will be, rightfully should want that newness.

Success is only truly measured from the inside, congratulations, the road to healing has never felt so good.

I appreciate, celebrate, applaud YOU because you, yes YOU all by yourself picked a great day to enrich yourself and start again.


Jamila

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Justice Denied Revisited

This was originally reported on in May 2009 but I thought it was worth revisiting in case you missed it. Not only in New York but around the country shadows of the same issues continue to go on across the U.S.

I want to thank the Voices of Women project for be willing to not only take a vested interest but willing to broadcast it,so we all may benefit from it and hopefully in return, act accordingly.

Jamila


The Voices of Women Organizing Project has released a report titled "Justice Denied: How Family Courts in NYC Endanger Battered Women and Children." The report found that women who have been abused by the father of their children lose custody thirty-seven percent of the time.




It also found that battered women are retraumatized when forced to confront their abusers in court, and that custody is often given to the abuser even when the woman is the primary caregiver. The organization made four recommendations to address these problems: create and fund a court watch project; make sure court decisions are made in the best interest of the children; consider seriously any abuse allegations; and be sure that court proceedings are just.


Research for the report was conducted over two years and consists of approximately 75 interviews with domestic violence survivors, focus groups of battered women and foster care teens, and meetings with court personnel.

The women interviewed for the report had all experienced abuse and had family court cases in 2005 or 2006. Eighty percent said their abusers used the courts to carry out a threat to gain custody of the children and keep them from having contact with their mothers.

Approximately thirty percent of the women said they did not feel safe in the courtroom, and forty percent said they did not feel safe in the waiting areas. In twenty-five percent of the cases women were told, sometimes by lawyers, not to bring up domestic abuse or to challenge custody because it might make the situation worse.

The report concluded that when the mothers appear in court a combination of factors, such as fear of the abuser, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder create a negative image of the mother's capability.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Proclamation by President Obama re: Domestic Violence

10/15/2009


Hello,

it is never too late to get involved and do something for yourself or someone else. As you know, Domestic Violence is highlighted nationally once a year in October so we here at BUILD to BLEND would like to extend our thank you to Individuals,Community Programs, Churches, Businesses, Service Providers, Allies and Advocates for taking time out to recognize, speak out, coordinate and take personal action against Domestic Violence. We would like to encourage you to not stop, we all can do our part everyday to aid in awareness against Sexual Violence, and Domestic Violence.

I love my president, for many reasons and this proclamation excites me, hopefully you can be moved as well by his words and deeds. You can read the entire Proclamation but what we will do is highlight(in Green) a few areas that excited us about what can still be done everyday.


Jamila and everyone here at BUILD to BLEND




THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release October 1, 2009
September 30, 2009
NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, 2009

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION




Domestic violence touches the lives of Americans of all ages, leaving a devastating impact on women, men, and children of every background and circumstance. A family's home becomes a place of fear, hopelessness, and desperation when a woman is battered by her partner, a child witnesses the abuse of a loved one, or a senior is victimized by family members. Since the 1994 passage of the landmark Violence Against Women Act, championed by then Senator Joe Biden, our Nation has strengthened its response to this crime and increased services for victims. Still, far too many women and families in this country and around the world are affected by domestic violence. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to ending violence within our homes, our communities, and our country.




To effectively respond to domestic violence, we must provide assistance and support that meets the immediate needs of victims. Facing social isolation, victims can find it difficult to protect themselves and their children. They require safe shelter and housing, medical care, access to justice, culturally specific services, and economic opportunity. The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act supports emergency shelters, crisis intervention programs, and community education about domestic violence.


In the best of economic times, victims worry about finding a job and housing, and providing for their children; these problems only intensify during periods of financial stress. That is why the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $325 million for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). This funding will supplement the Federal VAWA and VOCA dollars that flow to communities every year, and enable States, local governments, tribes, and victim service providers to retain and hire personnel that can serve victims and hold offenders accountable. These funds will also bring relief to victims seeking a safe place to live for themselves and their children.

Victims of violence often suffer in silence, not knowing where to turn, with little or no guidance and support. Sadly, this tragedy does not just affect adults. Even when children are not directly injured by violence, exposure to violence in the home can contribute to behavioral, social, and emotional problems. High school students who report having experienced physical violence in a dating relationship are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, are at greater risk of suicide, and may carry patterns of abuse into future relationships. Our efforts to address domestic violence must include these young victims.

During this month, . By providing young people with education about healthy relationships, and by changing attitudes that support violence, we recognize that domestic violence can be prevented. We must build the capacity of our Nation's victim service providers to reach and serve those in need. We urge community leaders to raise awareness and bring attention to this quiet crisis. And across America, we encourage victims and their families to call the National Domestic Violence Hot line at 1-800-799-SAFE. Together, we must ensure that, in America, no victim of domestic violence ever struggles alone.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 2009, as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I ask all Americans to do their part to end domestic violence in this country by supporting their communities' efforts to assist victims in finding the help and healing they need.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.




BARACK OBAMA



BUILD to BLEND wants to help you stay involved and abreast of issues,rights,details,advocacy and services surrounding Sexual and Domestic Violence

Click the links:


http://idvaac.org/

http://womenofcolornetwork.org/

http://buildtoblend.org/

http://www.vowbwrc.org/

http://www.ncdsv.org/

http://www.domesticabuseproject.org/

http://breakthecycle.org/