Sherraye Speaks -- What About The Children?

She said she couldn't breathe. I thought she just wanted to get out of washing the dishes. Later that night, she got worse. I put her in the car and headed to the emergency room. As I was about to hit the entrance ramp to I-95, I thought about the bill. Money was already tight and because I was in the middle of a career transition, I didn't have health insurance. I told my daughter that I would just stop by CVS and get some anti nausea medicine. I thought she just had a stomach flu. She stopped vomiting, but something worse was looming.

The next day, when I got home from work, my daughter was lying in a pool of urine, she was breathing laboriously, and she was non responsive. Still, I thought she was just really, really dehydrated and needed to get some fluids in her system. I called 911, they took her to the ER, I got there a few minutes later and a doctor escorted me to a private area. "Your daughter has diabetes," he announced. "She is in a coma."

I was in shock.

He explained that they were giving her insulin to bring her blood sugar down. I felt so bad and the gravity of the situation had not sunk in. But it was about to.

A chaplain came in to pray with me. That's when I knew something was wrong. I summoned the doctor and asked him why I needed a chaplain. He told me that normal blood sugar is around 140. Your daughter's is 1200. He said that he didn't expect her to make it through the night. She was transferred to Nemours and the prognosis was no better over there. They told me she had 4 maybe 5 hours to live. If she lived, she would be a vegetable because of the swelling of her brain.

It had come to this.

I didn't get her to the Emergency Room sooner because I was worried about the bill. My child almost died because I was worried about how I was going to pay the bill.

Those of you who claim to be Christians but oppose universal healthcare, let me ask you a question. What would Jesus Do? Didn't he say, suffer the little children to come unto me? Doesn't the Bible that you claim to believe in say they who give to the poor lendeth to the Lord? Or did you skip that part? Some of you need to check yourself. You say you are a Christian but you have no compassion for the less fortunate and you have none of the attributes of Jesus. There is no fruit blossoming in your life. You are cold, heartless, and devoid of love. You're not a Christian because you are nothing like Christ.

I looked that doctor in his eyes after he told me my child, my first born, had 5 hours to live and I said to him, "She will be fine." And she was, thanks to the prayers of REAL Christians and the compassion of those wonderful nurses and doctors. My baby is a walking miracle. But you know what? She shouldn't have needed a miracle. I should have been able to take her to the doctor before the crisis hit. In a country as rich as ours, the fact that any man, woman, boy, or girl has died or may die because of lack of finances is ridiculous. If we can spend a billion dollars a month fighting a war then so what if we spend 900 billion dollars to give every American access to quality health care.

So I support MY president in his efforts to provide health care to every American regardless to their financial prowess or socioeconomic status. No one should die or go broke because they can't afford healthcare. If you don't feel the same, then shame on you. Take that cross from around your neck and throw your Bible in the garbage. You obviously don't believe in it.

Sherraye Speaks – Stop Hatin’

As she walked down the aisle of the grocery store, I couldn't take my eyes off of her. She saw me looking at her and she gave me a look like, "B*$#@, what are you looking at?" I wasn't offended. I ignored her obvious annoyance with me.

I simply smiled at her and said, "Your hair is beautiful!"

And with those four words, her entire expression changed. Her face softened and she returned my smile. Her eyes lit up as she said "Thank you!"

Women are so hateful towards each other. We laugh, snicker, giggle, gossip about each other and we are in constant competition. Some of us have attitudes towards women that we don't even know. We often encounter the sideways looks and snooty glances of other women. How sad.

And what is it all about? Why do we do it?

<b1. Because we don't love ourselves.

It is difficult to see the beauty in others when you feel so bad about yourself. So if you feel inadequate, for what ever reason, it seems to be human nature to automatically criticize others to bring them down to your size.

<b>2. Tick, Tock...Waiting on Clocks

I'm ashamed to admit it but I watched the Flavor of Love fiasco, One, Two and Three. It was...entertaining. Full of what I expected. Women cursing and behaving unseemly, breaking their necks to win the clock from a man that they wouldn't give loose change to if they saw him on a city sidewalk. And I watched the show, laughed at their antics, heck...I even DVRed it in case I missed something.

Anyway, as entertaining as the show was or as pathetic as it was, the truth is, most women, not all, but most women have experienced their own Flavor of Love moments. We may not have played that drama out on TV for millions to watch, but we have all starred in a very similar show.

Don't think so? Well, let's see. If you have ever argued with a woman over your no good cheating man, then you've had a Flava moment.

If you have ever watched your man kick it with another woman in your face and he become indignant when you question him about it, then you have had a Flava moment.

If you've ever had sex with a man, or cleaned his house, or washed his clothes, or paid his credit card bill or lowered your standards, went against your better judgment, turned your self inside out and upside down to make him give you a chance, then you have had a Flava moment.

The circus called "Flavor of Love" and subsequent shows after it, is a microcosm of what women experience on a regular basis. We mostly hate on each other because we are after the same man. So we will claw another woman's out, belittle her, lie on her, start rumors about her, because we want the clock.

<b>This is how we can stop hatin' on each other.

Recognize that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and you are a jewel. When you recognize that, you will stop being intimadated by other women who are fabulous as well. In fact, you can celebrate who they are. You can tell them they are wonderful, beautiful, gifted, talented...

You can also get the revelation that you don't have to compete. What's yours is yours and nobody can get what's yours. And if anybody tries to take it, you go to the One who gave it to you and say, "Look, God. You gave me this and Sister Watermelon over there is trying to take it. Let her know it ain't happening and bless her what her good thing so she can leave mine alone."

Uh, but you can't do that if it's not yours. So make sure what you are trying to hold on to is what you are supposed to have.

Sistas and "Sisters", let's stop the hate. Let's build each other up and stop letting petty differences keep us at each other's throats.

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Let's use our hands to build each other up, not tear each other down.

Sherraye

Sherraye Speaks: Gay Rights, Civil Rights -- NOT the same thing

Speaking on CNN's "Late Edition" Sunday, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed disappointment at Proposition 8's passage.

"It is unfortunate," Schwarzenegger said. "But it is not the end because I think this will go back into the courts. … It's the same as in the 1948 case when blacks and whites were not allowed to marry. This falls into the same category."

Ummm...Excuse me? It is NOT the same thing and gay rights activists will have a lot more success if they would get that straight...no pun intended.

I voted Yes on 2, which is parallel to California's Proposition 8 here in Florida. After it passed in Florida, and I saw the protests behind it, I began to feel like maybe I'd made the wrong decision. After all, who am I to judge who anybody chooses to love? I wanted a do over.

But now, I'm starting to get ticked off.

First of all, I've read and heard where gay activists are blaming black folks for why gay marriage bans passed. Well, let me help you out...black folks do not now, nor have they ever had that kind of power. Don't let the Obama presidency fool you.

The fact is that numerically MORE WHITES and other non-blacks voted to ban gay marriage so go and protest in the suburbs. Stop using us as your scapegoats.

Secondly, yelling, shouting, and and screaming nigger to the top of your lungs is not going to make me sympathetic to your cause. That's gon' get your ass kicked.

Third, your struggles ain't like mine so stop trying to piggy back off of a movement that has nothing to do with you. Civil Rights was about black people being treated as humans, not about a piece of paper.

Fourth, and I can only speak for myself on this. When I voted "Yes on 2" I wasn't trying to take away your rights. I was voting my conscience. I was voting my beliefs. I believe in the Bible and I believe that marriage is meant to be between man and woman. I do realize, however, that at the same time, I am forcing my beliefs on you. For that, I am sorry.

Now, I'm trying to be understanding. If I were a lesbian and I fell in love, I'm sure I would want to express that love by getting married. Maybe. Because let me let y'all in on a little secret. Marriage is not all that. Trust.

So I'm trying to put myself in your shoes, but understand something. You can never walk in mine. There is merit to the gay struggle, but there is no merit to placing that struggle on equal footing with the struggles of Black Americans. It is NOT the same thing.

Let the hateration begin. I ain't scurred.

Sherraye Speaks: The South Will Rise Again

Haven't been feeling well but I got out of bed to post about Jennifer Hudson.

While I was watching CNN to see what, if anything, else I could fiind out, I listened to Ed Hunter telling about how a man came up to him in a bar and told him that this is not over because McCain is going to win. Hunter asked him how he thought McCain would win. The man replied, "The South will rise again. The South will rise again." The man repeated the phrase several times. That sent chills down my spine because it strengthened what I have been feeling for the last few days.

I believe Barack Obama will win but I also believe that his Presidency will spark a backlash across the South. I believe that the presence of the Klan and skinheads will become more visible. And I say more visible because I know that the Klan is in full force. They are just laying low. All of that, however, will change with an Obama win.

I believe that there will be violence perpetrated against black citizens by some of these neo-nazi, white supremist groups to send a message to the N-words that they need to get back in place.

I'm also looking to see an increase in the case load at my law firm [we specialize in Employment Discrimination] because I believe that some emplyers will need to show some of these uppity N-words who really runs this country.

I hope I'm wrong but I don't believe I am. So I am writing this to tell all of you who believe in prayer and know that prayer is powerful to begin to pray over your family, your friends, your neighborhood, your country and YOUR PRESIDENT. Don't be afraid. Be vigilant. When the South rises again, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against it.

But I hope I'm wrong.

Sherraye Speaks!

In My Life Time

I screamed to the top of my lungs, then I clutched my stomach and wailed like a woman in travail. I was not overcome by grief due to tragedy. I was overcome by joy and amazement. Barack Obama has clinched the nomination even though Hillary won't concede. While the tears of joy rolled down my face, I began to chant over and over, "In my life time..." A Black man may be President in my life time.

I was not a Barrack supporter. I wanted Hillary to win. But when I read that he was projected to win the nomination something in me leaped. In my mind, I went back to the sixth grade when I attended an almost all white "Christian" school. I had a crush on one of my white class mates and when the principal heard the news, she told me that God did not approve of interracial dating and marriage. From that day forward something in me died. I began to hate white people. But at the same time, though I could not articulate it, I also developed a complex about myself and my people. I rejected my principal's ignorance but I accepted it at the same time. I felt that I and those who looked like me were less than white people. I believed that they were all powerful and would always be more powerful than me. It made me angry and for years I struggled with a strong belief in myself along with a feeling of never being good enough.

But tonight, as I watch Obama address his supporters I believe that someone who looks like me may become the most powerful man in the world. I'm still a Republican but I'm also still Black. It can happen in my life time. And because that can happen in my life time, I believe that I can do all things. I believe.

Note: I will be on hiatus for a few weeks but I'll be back in August. I'm back on the grind for a while.

Sherraye Speaks -- Authority isn't always right

I hate authority. I have no respect for authority. I don't like anybody telling me what to do and I definitely don't tolerate being talked to any kind of way. For that, I do not apologize.

A few weeks ago, my daughter was accosted by a teacher. The teacher told my daughter that she couldn't go in the gym but my daughter explained to her that she had to get her books. When she went in the gym she noticed that other students were in the gym playing basketball. Apparently, the teacher felt it was okay for them to be in there. My daughter looked around, made an observation, and said under her breath but loud enough for the teacher to hear it, "Oh, I can't come in the gym but these white kids can, huh?" She was actin' like her mama. The teacher put her hands in my child's face and was bumping her with her chest. You know I hit the roof don't you?

Then some of the school officials tried to lie. Um huh. After I got through pulling a Johnnie Cochran on 'em they acted like they had some sense.

I don't like authority. Things like that happened to me all the time when I was a child. Grown folks act like they can say anything they want to you just because they are grown. Police officers act like it's okay to beat the crap out of suspects just because they are police officers. Pastors act like anyone who doesn't bow down and worship them will be struck down by God Himself. Please

I can't stand authority. People in authority kill innocent people, frame innocent people, enslave people, and imprison innocent people. I fight against it, I speak against it, I rebel against it.

Really, it's not that I don't like authority. I just hate when it is abused.

Just a rant for the evening. Clearly I'm ticked off about something.

Sherraye Speaks!

I welcome all comments even if you disagree with what I post. However, I will not be disrespected nor will I allow you to disrespect ANY race of people, my people included. I have gotten a number of rude commenters who are too cowardice to post with a name. Please know that your comments will be deleted. We don't have to agree, but you will not be disagreeable. Not on my blog and not on my watch. Sherraye don't play that.