10,000 Couples

I can’t believe it has been a week since I’ve posted content. It has been an extremely busy week full of meetings and networking. Over time, I strongly believe that my hard work will definitely pay off. In fact, it has already began. Over the past 2 weeks, I’ve been working with the folks over at 10,000 Couples. If you’ve noticed, they were recently added as a LTWO sponsor to the left. I’m extremely happy and excited to be working with them as a Contributing Author, as well as their Webmaster.

10,000 Couples is a monthly-online magazine that is dedicated to celebrating, affirming, and strengthening the commitment of gay and lesbian couples. Considering that I have a Real Love section that profiles lesbian couples, 10,000 Couples offers resourceful information and content that impacts positive decision-making and feelings by and between gay and lesbian couples.  What encouraged me to reach out and work with them was that we shared a common interest and goal, which is to inspire and destroy the negative imagery that is used to diminish the LGBT community. In fact, my first article was on the racial tension and divide that exists in a community suffers from discrimination on a regular basis, and includes ways that we could work together in bridging the group.

There is so much in store for 10,000 Couples and LTWO. This is truly the beginning to amazing things. So, I encourage you all to stop on by and show them some love by subscribing and uploading your profile to be featured in their couples’ gallery.

Diversity’s Finest

“I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color.”

– Malcolm X

Yesterday, while looking through the timelines of the people I follow on Twitter, it was Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) who reminded me that yesterday marked the 45th anniversary of the death/assassination of Malcolm X. No wonder the movie was airing on BET the night before! I watched a little bit of it on Saturday before I went out with a few friends, and it got me thinking.

It amazes me how much people recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but fail to give the same respect and recognition to Malcolm X. The reason this bothered me was because both men were fighting for the same cause…freedom and equality. What disturbed me even more was that, even though Malcolm X had a way with words in how he spoke of the white people, it was those who shared the same race as he who assassinated him.

I continued to think about this for a moment, which led into a full length discussion with my mom, with whom I was spending some of the day with. I talked about one scene in particular from the movie where he had gone on a pilgrimage in Mecca and immediately saw the brotherhood between people of all hues who shared the faith. There was no segregation or discrimination. In fact, they all prayed and worshipped together, and even drank from the same cup. It was then that Malcolm X came back a different person who wanted to work WITH everyone, not against, and wanted to stress the importance of black people learning how to work together before they began to focus on working with others.

As I’ve previously mentioned on Facebook, I’ve noticed that I’m more drawn to those who follow their own path and are shined from the media and society, such as Kanye West and Michael Jackson. Yesterday, I noticed that I was becoming even more drawn to Malcolm X. Even though I don’t condone violence, self-idolization, and some of their lifestyle choices, I was intrigued by their strength to go against the grain for what they believed was right.

I chose to share a couple of Malcolm X’s quotes regarding racism because it was perfect timing, given my experiences and social settings over the weekend. I mixed and mingled with people of all ages, backgrounds, and races at Between The Lines’ Mardi Gras party on Friday, I even met Dr. John Corvino who I was slightly intimidated by (this rarely happens). On Saturday, I met with a friend of mine from middle school at a bar that was predominately white. Both environments were extremely diverse in a sense that I did not stand; I was welcomed. Then today I had a Skype meeting with Lauren Michelle Kinsey from Earth Nourished Women who is clearly the polar opposite of me on the outside, but on the inside, we connect so well.

I’m always speaking on diversity and being open to learning more or befriending someone from a different background or culture because it opens the mind for opportunities that many may have thought never existed. I feel that in order to truly experience the success that we all desire, we must open our minds and our hearts. Yes, there has been tremendous progress over the past 45 years; however, I still feel that there is work that still needs to be done.

I tend to call myself “Diversity’s Finest” not because it sounds good, but because it is the truth. Let’s continue to make progress in our society with big open arms, open hearts, and open minds.

“I am not a racist…. In the past I permitted myself to be used…to make sweeping indictments of all white people, the entire white race and these generalizations have caused injuries to some whites who perhaps did not deserve to be hurt. Because of the spiritual enlightenment which I was blessed to receive as a result of my recent pilgrimage to the Holy city of Mecca, I no longer subscribe to sweeping indictments of any one race. I am now striving to live the life of a true…Muslim. I must repeat that I am not a racist nor do I subscribe to the tenants of racism. I can state in all sincerity that I wish nothing but freedom, justice and equality, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people.”

– Malcolm X

How diverse are you? What attempts have you made recently to expand your multicultural network?

1st Video Blog

It took me about 16 takes to record this video. I’m not anal, just a perfectionist. I like for things to be “right” when I post them for the world to see. However, after about the 10th take, I started thinking that if my overall message is to step out of your comfort zone no matter how uncomfortable you feel, then I must do the same. Yes, I was uncomfortable. I even stuttered a little more than usual in a couple spots. But like with anything, the first time is always the hardest or the most difficult. I wanted to make sure that my tone was clear, my posture was straight, and that I was articulate. But after a while, I said “Forget it…just be yourself.” LeadTheWayOut.com is just a small representation of me and what I’m about it. So, it was imperative that I remained organic.

Now, after it’s all said and done, it wasn’t so bad after all, lol.  It’s amazing and so ironic how we tend to get in our own way.

What have you done recently that was out of your comfort zone? How did you feel afterward?

People Pleasers

Have you ever been in a work meeting and there was always this one person who was overly excited about everything the boss stated? This person would raise their hand high to answer every single question, sometimes posing a question themselves, and just seemed to be extremely happy about missing their kid’s birthdays or other family gatherings because they were too busy pleasing the boss? I know a few of these people in and out of the workplace. I’ve seen students flirt with professors in order to get a good grade out of the class, despite the lack of knowledge they refused to obtain. Then there are women (or men) who dress provocatively to attract attention, the kind of attention that may do them more harm than good. And I’ve seen fellow members of the LGBT community do whatever they needed to do in order to be accepted in the environment of their choosing. Whether it was their home, in which they shared with their parents, or the workplace. I’ve seen people who were extremely unhappy, do whatever it took to please someone else, thinking that it would result in their own happiness. [Read more]

Ready…Set…Go!!!

It feels really good to finally put my best foot forward and giving 200% towards my goal of making LeadTheWayOut.com one of the most successful, well-known, and elite websites that caters to intellectual and mature women of the LGBT community who may need a little inspiration or motivation throughout the day. I have a lot of plans and ideas for the future that seems a little overwhelming at times, but I know that with consistency and perseverance, I will get through it. Even though it seems overwhelming, the results are definitely rewarding. [Read more]

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