Can We Pause the Walter Scott Video?

The video of Walter Scott being shot in the back by officer Michael T. Slager. The video has been played over and over on every news cast.

The video shows that deadly force was used to stop Walter Scott. The video also shows how causal the officer Michael T. Slager looked right after Walter Scott fell to ground after being hit by five bullets. To many, the video proves that the death of Black and Brown people vary greatly from what the police officers report and what witnesses see. Many have commented that watching a video of someone being shot over and over desensitizes the masses and dehumanizes a human being.

The video is on every countless timelines on  Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms. And every cable outlet and mainstream media news cast have replayed the video of Walter Scott being shot multiple times and dying without ceasing since it surfaced two days ago. At what point does showing the video over and over, from the chase to the Scott falling on the ground to his death is enough? As grateful as the Scott family must be for the video being shared with them, when do we as the public and media say enough with the replays. Or at the very least pause the video out of respect for the grieving family.

#pausethevideo

5 Lessons Learned From Donald Sterling's Horrible Interview

By now, Donald Sterling’s picture can be found as two references in the dictionary; racist and fool. Last week, Sterling’s mea culpa failed its mission. His interview on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 left no doubt he was indeed as racists as the lawsuits said he was from years ago. He confirmed more than the public ever imagined. He solidified his entry into the Fools' Hall of Fame.

Sterling has made millions. If he sell the Clippers, he will make nearly a billion. If he does not sell the Clippers, he will still make nearly a billion. But his despicable words in the taped conversation with V. Stiviano actually paled in comparison to what was said on camera. Surely, he was prepped in some way as to what would be asked of him. But instead of rehashing his failed industry standard “I am sorry you found out I was racist misspeak”, let us looked at five lessons we can learned from the Donald Sterling’s debacle:

5.  Character Should Count

Donald Sterling was taped by his girlfriend. Sterling is married. Sterling had no shame showing the world he had a girlfriend. He didnot sneak around; he openly dated her. I know in the age of I am engaged but I am not yet divorced world, there are many who believe in marriage. If Sterling walks around with his girlfriend on his arms at games while still married to his wife who he also takes to the Clipper games, one can only imagine how well he would honor a contractual agreement with a business client. Or the NBA. Or the community. Even if one can overlook his personal life, the list of lawsuits that Sterling has won and lost over the years reveals he does not care about how business is conducted, just so long as he is making money.  

4. Ignorance is Bliss and Jealously is Obvious

Donald Sterling’s spouted pure ignorance about Magic Johnson’s HIV status. Sterling’s judgment of Magic being with ‘women in every city with AIDS” is said as if his affair with V. Stiviano was blessed by the Pope. Sterling’s disapproval of Magic’s conduct has got to be one of the best examples of pot meet kettle to date. But not only was Sterling ignorant about Magic but asking Anderson Cooper about dating girls sealed the deal that he must live in a gigantic bubble. Cooper is gay…and proud.  If you recall, Sterling requested Anderson Cooper to interview him.  Besides Donald Sterling being ignorant of other people lives and lifestyles, his jealously of Magic Johnson was front and center. The question, “Who is Magic Johnson?” was nothing but a veiled, I do not know why everyone loves Magic so much and not me. It is a classic case of a student of the game is now a teacher and can actually can enter the teachers’ lounge without permission. When one look at the culture of LA, hanging out with Magic Johnson sounds far more exciting than hanging out with old crusty Sterling.  But let us dig even deeper. Sterling’s teeth were kicked out when he needed to play “I am a good white man” race card and trout out a “my best friend is Black” to stand next to him during interviews and Magic refused to be that best Black friend. That knife seem to cut Sterling more than the betrayal of his girlfriend. Who says no to Donald Sterling? Sterling retaliated by reminding the public about Magic’s HIV. Good for magic being willing to set the record straight.  

3. You Are Known By the Company You Keep

In the number of interviews that followed Donald Sterling's disastrous foot in mouth sit down, the one that received much scrutiny was the escort service owner turned rapper named Maseratiet on CNN. Maseratiet shared with millions that he and Donald Sterling had been friends for years. And it was Maseratiet who actually introduced Sterling to V. Stiviano. Whenever a pimp, I mean an escort service owner introduces a man to a woman; there is rarely anything wholesome about that relationship. Pay to play get much emphasis here. The fact that Maseratiet was someone that Sterling considered a good friend who he called to share his version of truth is more than troubling. What type of person has an escort service provider as a confidante? Where was his lawyer or PR people? Surely, he had someone on his payroll to talk this through instead of a pimp. According to Maseratiet, he was the seller of the tapes not his friend, V. Stiviano. Now, a blind man can see Maseratiet and V. Stiviano conspiring to set up Sterling and they are on their way to making millions. There are hours of tapes and they have only sold the first few hours. Someone who sells women for money will sell his friend's taped secrets for money. Stay tune, more to come.

2. White Privilege is Golden 

In his CNN interview, Donald Sterling showed us that white privilege lives and breathes. And it is lined with gold. Sterling is one of the wealthiest men in the country and he says on national TV what he really thinks without any true consequences. Donald Sterling did not have to mount a legislative agenda to take away voting rights, he did not have to back a campaign to get his will done, nor did he have to form a PAC that is meant to raise billions to elect puppets who will make less $200,000 a year to send to Washington to look after his interests. No, Donald Sterling only has to own an NBA Team with mostly Black players, sell them homes from his real estate company, let them play  a few rounds of golf with him, and have them deposit their money (that he negotiated for them) in the bank where he sits on the board. With white privilege, he can proudly tell you “I is what I is” and fuel the passion of those who are longing to bring back the Old South in every way. Donald Sterling makes the Koch Brothers seem like toddlers crying in their crib.

1    1. The Truth Can Set You Free

      Donald Sterling’s words about Magic Johnson seem to catch all the heat, but very few are addressing his statements about the Black Community. Donald Sterling does not believe the Black Community takes care of its own. He did not pull that out of the air. He has been around more Black people than most and is sharing his observations whether Black folks want to accept it or not. The fact that someone as lewd and racist as Donald Sterling has been given an NAACP Image Award is not lost on anyone. Especially, those who rather send a little cash than make significant changes in how business is done in the community of color. Sterling knew if he bought enough tables at events and gave away enough ‘free’ tickets, those actions would buy him clout in a community that has become more event centric than solution oriented. More galas, balls, and luncheons are held by civic groups, fraternities and sororities, and social organizations in the Black community than any other community. Yet, the Black community continues to have higher disparities in healthcare, consume more than is produced economically, and is lagging behind in education than any other group.  Sterling was not held accountable by the NBA but nor was he held accountable by the Black community.

Let the lessons from Donald Sterling’s confessions of a wealthy racist be a driver of what needs to change as a whole. One person can be toxic to an entire community and our country, but one person can also be a change agent in their community. If one can be a change agent, imagine what can be done if several groups came together to do and be. Sterling should be a reason for the Black Community to examine itself more closely and be willing to address and change what can be done from within. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

Mainstream Media Asks Why Lack of Initial Coverage Of Nigerian Kidnappings: Answer, Mainstream Media Ignored The Story

"What came first, the chicken or the egg,” is the age old question. Now that the extremely tragic and horrific events that are taking place in and around Nigeria have been brought to light via social justice advocates storming social media to vent their outrage, the media has the unmitigated gall to inquire about why this story was under reported. 

Before addressing that head on, let us give proper acknowledgement to the use of the hash tag #bringbackourgirls with its trending around the globe to get networks to start reporting on the kidnapping that was first reported by media outlets like The Guardian on April 15, 2014, a day after the girls were taken by terrorists. 

So, what comes first, the public interest or the media’s coverage bringing to the public the story that will ignite their interest?

While the media has started to give more coverage to the kidnapped Nigerian school girls over the last several days because of world wide protests demanding the girls be found, each story was accompanied with a media personality asking why the media did not pick up the story initially. When the question is asked, "Why has there been very little coverage of the kidnapped Nigerian school girls?", the network asking the question is trying to exclude itself from the media (the other guys)  that did not reported on the kidnapping. The network news black out on the kidnapping is a stark contrast to the 24 hour coverage that has been given to the missing passengers on MH370 since March 8, 2014. With unpredictable seas, lost of confidence in the Malaysian government's transparency, and the likelihood of any survivors, many have accepted the fate of the passengers while still hoping MH370 is found. But the missing MH370 still receives widespread coverage on most cable networks.

When networks question its lack of informing the public, it shows how far the media has loss sight of the role of journalism and how today's media rather entertain the public than inform the public. Journalism is a method of inquiry and literary style that aims to provide a service to the public by the dissemination and analysis of news and other information. Today's rating driven media fails miserly in its duties to the public. This weekend as part of the reporting on kidnapped Nigerian school girls, the media hid behind that failure by asking questions about the lack of coverage in the reporting. The answer to their staged questioning is very simple, the networks did not see value in covering the story and begun reporting more frequently after being shamed by social media and the rallies held around the world over the weekend.

One example of justification for lack of reporting on ghastly events in Nigeria was given by CNN's Reliable Sources host, Brian Stelter. Stelter credited CNN for having reporters in Nigeria before asking Nigerian based CNN correspondent, Vladimir Duthiersis, more about the story. During Vladimire's segment, he  made the following statement regarding lack of coverage:

In Nigeria - in Africa, but specifically in Nigeria - there are a lot of challenges when it comes to reporting a story like this. This has happened in a part of the country that is very remote. There are challenges in getting signals there.

CNN, a network that reported for over a decade from the harsh barren terrain of Iraq and Afghanistan, countries known for rocks and 120 degree heat in the shade, does not have equipment to cover kidnapped school girls in Nigeria, a country that is known for rocks and heat? During Operation Iraqi Freedom, CNN had embedded reporters who actually lived with the troops for months in some of the most desolate parts of the world. Because of their reporting, we saw war up close and personal. All the time. The kidnapped girls' story has elements of many stories CNN has profiled around the clock other than MH370 plane. CNN and Headline News has given unprecedented coverage to missing children. In the case of Florida's missing toddler, Caylee Anthony, we learned every detail about a child whose mother, Casey Anthony, was charged but was found innocent of her death. We also learned everything about her mother, dubbed "Tot Mom" by the network, as well. Casey Antony's  monthly cycle, her mother, her father, her brother, her boyfriends, her clubbing were all part of the 24 hour news coverage of that case for several years. JonBenet Ramsey and most recently, Jodi Arias, all have received relentless news coverage on CNN and Headline News.

CNN is not alone by any means in 24 hours coverage of a particular storyline favored by a network. Fox News maybe not be known for covering many issues outside of politics but no one can not deny their devotion for covering terrorists and helping promote the war on terror. Long after 9/11, Fox News keeps their loyal audience prepared for possible terrorists activity around the globe. Even after nearly two decades at war, Fox News hates the audacity that our country has been slow to intervene with military force to help save those fighting against Islamic extremists in recent years. When innocent school girls are kidnapped by terrorists who can find a wireless signal to shoot a You Tube video boasting about their crimes (when CNN can't), this should have been a story competing with Fox's coverage of Benghazi.

The kidnappers, terrorists named Boko Haram, which means Western education is sinful, seems to have all of the requirements for an all out religious extremists color coded Fox News coverage. Fox News has had an insatiable appetite for the United States to send troops in the following conflicts:  Syrians rebels fighting against Assad, nuclear stand off with Iran, unrest in Egypt, Arab Spring, Russian Urkaine. Fox News covering the kidnapped school girls would have been a reminder to its base that the world is under constant threat of terrorism. Boko Haram should have received non stop coverage complete with Sunday talk shows with Senator McCain and military experts pounding their fists to bomb the region, raid the palace of the incompetent Nigerian President and help arm the parents with weapons to fight for the children.

The MSNBC Network covers women issues often  and had several segments on this past weekend discussing the kidnapped Nigerian school girls as well. But in each segment, the reporting slipped in the question of lack of coverage the media has given the kidnapping. MSNBC has devoted hours to pay equality, legislative restrictions on women reproductive rights, numerous GOP gaffes on "rape rape", and has interviewed many women politicians and candidates than most cable channels. With MSNBC championing women rights as fiercely as Fox promotes military muscle against terrorism while CNN break ins with trial updates of cases they have helped sensationalized, women and girls seeking an education kidnapped by terrorists and sold to the lowest bidder should have had MSNBC working around the clock investigating the facts of the story within the first few days of the kidnapping.

With each network, profiling stories should inform and educate the public. As networks have moved into ratings wars vs. informing the public, often the news is cherry picked by what the network executives, producers and hosts think will draw numbers that benefits stockholders not the public. With this form of journalism, stories like Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, and now the missing Nigerian schools girls are only given coverage after there is uprising because of the absence of national network interest in reporting the story. Once picked up, deeper scrutiny of the lack of initial coverage is often forgotten until the next outrage breaks on Twitter. When it comes to stories of social injustice, nationally and internationally, we have to wonder will "what comes first the chicken or the egg" continue to be asked about news coverage. At this point, world wide outrage for lack of coverage must trend first on Twitter before a story is covered. Especially, if the stories involve social injustice towards people of color.



Screen shot photos: MSBC, Fox News, CNN

Impact Church on Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes

Join Living Your Best Life with Genma Holmes during the month of December as we hear stories of faith that will "empower, inspire, and motivate you to live your best life". Hear powerful individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the country share how their faith have shaped their lives as well others.

Tune in as we hear how they have soared and taken others with them. We will also hear how they have overcome personal struggles that affected their leadership.
Living Your Best Life can be heard every Saturday on 760AM in the Nashville-Middle Tennessee region and on worldwide on Ustream.TV from 9-10AM CST.

On Saturday, Dec 3, 2011, Living Your Best Life will kick off this exciting series on faith in the marketplace with Impact Church of Atlanta. Impact Church believes firmly in "Doing Church Differently".

Founded January 2007, Impact Church is a multicultural gathering of people who come together regularly with one common purpose--to share the love of Christ. Throughout their journey, they have impacted schools, community organizations, and the lives of countless individuals. They have been committed to making a global impact by sticking to the basics and taking the "churchiness" out of church.

Impact Church was recently featured on CNN for allowing members to text in church and having social media infused services. Hear how the church leaders have embraced technology and uses it throughout their ministry to grow their church and to connect with the “unchurch”.

Olu Brown is the founder and lead pastor of Impact Church. He is married to Farrah Brown and they are the proud parents of Daya Brown. A native of Texas, Olu graduated from The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta and was Associate Pastor at Cascade United Methodist Church for six years prior to starting Impact Church. Pastor Olu can be contacted at olubrown@impactdcd.org.

Sunday Worship Experiences are held in Brown Middle School, 765 Peeples Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30310. The church can be contacted by phone at 404-577-2826

Looking for a gift idea for the holidays? Impact Church has a wonderful Christmas CD and published book by Pastor Olu Brown titled “Zero to 80”. Living Your Best Life is giving away ten sets of the Book and CD. Text INSPIRE to 99000.

Why Blacks Watch Fox News and Listen to Rush Limbaugh

Often, I turn on Fox News and Rush Limbaugh to hear their points of view on hot topics. Whenever I repeat Rush Limbaugh’s name or mention Fox News to some of my Hispanic and Black friends, I get two responses; bewilderment or disgust. Then, I am peppered with questions as to why would I listen to “those racists people.” This usually leads to long discussions about the latest comments from Limbaugh about the President or how Fox News is trying to destroy our communities.

This happened last week with me and a longtime friend as we discussed the knee-jerk reaction to the Sherrod debacle by the Obama Administration that led to more criticisms by Fox News and Rush Limbaugh. As I was railed against for even mentioning Fox News, I told my friend that many Black folks listen to Rush Limbaugh and watch Fox News for various reasons. She stared at me as if I fallen off a turnip truck and could not believe that anyone would listen to “those racists”. I informed her that Rush Limbaugh’s producer, James Sheldon, is a Black man who Limbaugh depends on to keep the show going. In disbelief she said, “No Black man would work for someone who spits that venom?” I agreed that Rush Limbaugh “spits venom” but I do not listen to him for news or information. He gives commentary from his point of view. I want to hear what he has to say whether I agree with him or not. My grandfather often said, “Even a broke clock is right twice a day!” Rush has built an empire that generates millions and gives his opinion on everything from a kitchen blender to the President. He makes money by being controversial not because of his fact finding revelations. As a business owner, I am not mad at him. My friend continued to share her views about programs that she do not watch or listen too until I interrupted her to ask has she turned on MSNBC to hear their resident bigot, Pat Buchanan. I stated that Pat Buchanan gets a pass for his ever-ready racial statements by the press and is far more damaging to Blacks than Rush Limbaugh or anyone Fox News has on their airwaves.

MSNBC is the cable news arm of NBC news. Both, NBC and MSNBC, are part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi, which are publically held companies.

In the world of stockholder satisfaction first, news second, MSNBC Cable News puts on several programs in a 24-hour cycle. The actual journalism arm of NBC Universal is NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. It is on one time of day-5:30 in the evening. The narrative of the MSNBC may appear to lean more towards the NBC news side but on further examination of its programming like, Joe in the Morning, hosted by Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, one will find that it showcases its racial extremist, Pat Buchanan, front and center. Pat Buchanan is one of Joe in the Morning’s political commentators. Buchanan is not limited to Joe in the Morning; his colorful commentary is sought after for input time and again on MSNBC’s midday programs and Chris Matthew’s Hard Ball. In my opinion, one of the worst offenders is Chris Matthews who gives Buchanan uninterrupted space at the table frequently. Hard Ball airs at 4:00 PM and is repeated twice in MSNBC’s rotation. Buchanan’s resume includes being an author, a syndicated columnist, and a broadcaster. He was a political advisor to Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Regan. Buchanan also sought the Republican nomination for President in 1992 and 1996. He ran in 2000 as the Reform Party’s candidate.


MSNBC took Fox News, Andrew Brietbart, and the NAACP to task over the Sherrod video last week and is well, they should have. However, while judging from on high they ignored the headlines that Buchanan has generated while commentating at MSNBC that received little or no rebuke from the network that gives him a seat at the table on racial discussions. In March 2008, Buchanan authored “A Brief for Whitey”. When “A Brief for Whitey” was penned, the country was at the height of the Rev. Wright controversy. Never one to miss an opportunity to keep the races divided Buchanan stated:

First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known.

I take it Buchanan is telling Black folks they should be glad to have been slaves. I could be wrong; however, it would be nice if MSNBC and Chris Matthews asked him exactly what did he mean. With a constant eye on Fox News, MSNBC gave Buchanan unlimited access to its viewers to shape opinions on Rev. Wright by focusing on some of his statements from one speech while ignoring Buchanan’s constant barrage of race baiting. One look at the titles of Pat Buchanan’s articles shows you why he was so successful with the Southern Strategy. Pat Buchanan’s article discusses racial prejudices in the ugliest of terms. Andrew Brietbart is a baby by comparison.

· Whitey Need Not Apply

· PBS is Hiring – Blacks, Whitey Need Not Apply

· The Color of Crime

· How Liberals Play Race Politics

· Pastor to the President?

· Uprooting the New Racism.

· To Advance Diversity: Should Chelsea Quit Stanford?

Many are offended by his comments but MSNBC allows him back day after day without any repercussions. Now look at the swiftness that MSNBC handed Carlos Watson a pink slip when he dared to utter the now infamous statement, “Socialist is the new N-Word”. Carlos Watson words in August 2009 led him out the door the following month. His show was abruptly ended without much explanation. Watson tried his hand at racial commentary that was off limits for people of color at MSNBC. He learned the hard way race baiting is Pat Buchanan’s territory, do not trespass.

Since the election of the President Obama, MSNBC has become less diverse than Fox News. When it comes to diversity, Fox actually has the other networks beat when it comes to commentators and guests that support their view point and even those who disagree with Fox’s narrative. You can find Julie Banderas, Linda Chavez, Wendell Goler, Lauren Green, Marc Lamont Hill, Michelle Malkin, Star Parker, Uma Pemmaraju, Jesse Lee Peterson, Al Sharpton, and Juan Williams on the network on fairly consistent bases. Glenn Beck has had town halls filled with Blacks and oddly, has had bible study on air with a member of the King family. By contrast, MSNBC allows visits from Eugene Robinson who often can not articulate what he wrote in his own column in the Washington Post. Appearances from Charles Blow of the New York Times are announced on Twitter when “balance” from the ever critique of the Obama Administration is needed and Harold Ford drops by to hold a cup of Starbucks. Professor Melissa Lacewell Harris was a regular at one point in the morning but is often found on the Rachel Maddow Show now here she is usually limited to race relations discussions. As for the Rachel Maddow, its gaining respect from fans and adversaries for actually investigating the issues before giving an opinion. Maddow’s show is taped for the 8:00 hour and repeated once before midnight. To Maddow’s credit, Pat Buchanan has been on her show, I believe, once.

This week the National Association of Black Journalists, NABJ, is having its annual convention in San Diego. Hopefully, honest discussion about how journalists of color have helped create this atmosphere by not challenging news organization to get back to journalism and less opinion led talk shows that give little specifics and all hype. I hear more protest from NABJ members about the color of the anchor instead of the substance of the news given by the media outlet. If there were more stories about how to move the country forward, more investigative news pieces and less talk about racial hate, folks will start to watch the news more for information and less for entertainment. Until then, MSNBC will continue to slip Pat Buchanan into its lineup while telling us that the Fox News has a diversity problem.

In closing, my post is to show it is easier to allow the news to drive the storyline than to actually view the facts even when it comes to reporting on itself. I always appreciate a person who tells me they dislike me upfront rather than one who smiles in my face while plotting my demise. When I see Pat Buchanan on MSNBC, I find myself totally disgusted that his history of race baiting while wearing a Christian halo (smiling in my face) is accepted by anyone let alone a news organization that spends a lot of time sitting naked in glass anchor chairs. With Fox and Limbaugh, I am told upfront who or what they dislike. With MSNBC, I am given racial commentary from a serial racist who plays a political commentator on TV.

Nashvillians From All Backgrounds Work To Bring Area back to Life

On Thursday, April 29th , 2010, it started raining and for several days the rains from the sky did not cease. On Saturday May 1st, our city started feeling the effects of that rain. It rained more in three days than it had all of last year. On Monday, May 3rd the skies were crystal clear and a beautiful blue and the devastation from the weekend storms were evident for all to see. Our city, the city of Nashville and the Middle Tennessee region were declared disasters area along with twenty-two counties. Flood waters had gotten as high as 52 feet.

From Hermitage to Donelson, Bordeaux to Brentwood, Hendersonville to Rivergate, Metro Center to Metroplex, Uptown to Downtown, West Hamilton road to Gallatin Road, Main Street to Charlotte Ave, Briley Parkway to Old Hickory Blvd., I-65 to I-24- to I-40, Robertson County to Hickman County, Antioch to Ashland City, every inch of this area was impacted in some way; some areas more so than others. If it was not water from the Cumberland River, Old Hickory and Percy Priest lakes, creeks, or streams, water from tears touched all of us.

Nashville is called Music City, USA. It was called Music City because of the hearts of several talented young students, known as the Jubilee Singers, at Fisk University led by Ella Sheppard. They were on a mission to raise funds for their school. They could not get concert bookings because they were Black living in the segregated South. The traveled North and was heard at a convention. From there they were invited around the country to perform. In 1872, they sang at the World Peace Festival in Boston and then invited by President Ulysses S. Grant to perform at the White House. In 1873, they invited to sing before Queen Victoria. When she heard the beautiful acapella voices of the Jubilee Singers she proclaimed, “They must come from Music City.”

Our beloved city is rich in diversity and culture that is not often reflected in national or even local media. The Flood of 2010 ruined not only national landmarks like The Grand Ole Opry, and known businesses like the Opryland Hotel and Opry Mills Mall that employs thousand or destroyed historical documents and musical artifacts or damaged the homes of country stars that were seen nightly on the news once the national media showed up, but everyday working people who make this city great. Many, many lives were disrupted or devastated. Black, White, Brown, and Yellow people showed up to help each other. Budget strapped non-profits opened doors to assist not only those newly homeless but their own people lives were turned upside down. Counselors needed consoling. Politicians stopped political rhetoric and campaigning and helped their fellow neighbors and constituents. Jews and Gentiles, Catholic and Protestants, Republican, Democrats, Independents; all worked beside each other these last two weeks.

I visited with several pest control operators who businesses are under water. There were no need for words; I knew firsthand what they were feeling. Tears flowed from men I know and respect greatly in this business unashamedly. I met overwhelmed moms who just got out of the hospital with newborns with no diapers, formula or personal toiletries for themselves. I saw elderly folks who were bedridden with soiled diapers on for days. Your desire for dignity does not go away in the middle of a national disaster. I spoke to several soldiers in Iraq serving our country wondering if their families are being served. Men protecting us abroad were feeling helpless because they were not there for their families. The needs are endless and consuming but I believe in the goodness of people. I saw folks from every economical, racial and ethnic background bewildered, shocked, and speechless but determined to get through this tough time. We are the Volunteer State, we will recover!

The photos you are about to see are not tagged. I chose to let you see for yourself a small fraction of who we all. Pictures tell stories. Unfortunately, those stories can be manipulated by a press that does not always give the whole story. There are more photos that will be going up later. I have hundreds of pictures that reflect our diversity, our generosity, and our courage in times of adversity. I saw neighbors being neighbors to each other, without hesitation, without question. I don’t know what the future holds but I know WHO holds the future in HIS hands. Hang in there!

(Ludye N. Wallace suffered a tremendous amount of damage to his home. While waiting for the water to reside in his residence, he gave sacrificially of his time to photograph the pics you see. You may contact him at Ludyeonduty@gmail.com)
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