If I could replay all the events and experiences in my turbulent life,it is easy to predict where I would end up-in
the grave yard,strung out on dope or in prison.These type scenes reel through my mind often.Another young life spun out of control.I hear sirens and my mom crying. After languishing in federal prison for 24 harrowing years,I rise every morning and tell myself that it's a miracle that I am still alive and that I haven't lost my mind.After all,I come from the mean streets of Baltimore,MD's Murphy Homes Projects,where i was a violent troubled teen.As a youth,I was fearless,craved excitement and hungered for adventure.I was a thug,a hustler and a small time gangster.It was inevitable that the attraction of drugs,sex with fast beatiful women,money and shiny cars would lead me to a federal case and a lengthy sentence.
At the begginning of my sentence,I would gaze about the misery that engulfed me,I couldn't see through the smoke of my own confusion.I had no direction.I only understood what was on the outside of me.Every inmate seemed lifeless,trapped in some frozen dream.One day I decided I had enough,I broke the monotonous state and found my faith in the Holy Koran and in helping others.Some inmates used smut books,played handball and used drugs to ecsape this cruel dream of reality.
I had always found pleasure in helping others so I used that boxed up energy to facilitate a program to assist inmates in positive growth and development in life.The title "Saving Ourselves" or SOS represents what direction the program is aimed.
The idea for the program came about one day while I was sitting in front of my prison cell and noticed all the youths run to the BET tv at 6:00 pm and sing every rap song that came on from 6 to 7pm.I took down some of their names and went to the
education department the following day to investigate how many of those "rappers" had an GED or a highschool diploma and I found out none of them did.
The idea was born.I realized they were missing positive inspiration.That little push or shove that they probably needed in the real world that probably would of saved their lives or kept them out of prison.One even confided to me as much after joining the SOS program via a letter.I must admit the letter touched my heart because I realized that i had the ability to help others change in a positive way.Who could of known that my SOS program would be widely successful in prison,that i could encourage other young inmates to join the program and make a change,that the class would grow from 35 inmates to 90 within 1 year.After all,I'm just a poor black boy from the lawless streets of Baltimore,Md-yet the beautiful act of helping others has provided me with the wings to fly over the bob wired fence that daily secures this prison.
I share this story to solicit others to step up and help young teens and youths with encouragement and inspiration.This my way of giving back to the community.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
(S.T.P.C) STOP THE PAIN CAMPAIGN
This month of December is a very important month for most people world wide,
with the holiday seasons under way,family and friends gets togather give and receive,
share stories ctc.
In time we have this seriouse(epidemic) on our hands with this youth violence,its out
of control and at a all time high in this country the land of the free, this is nothing,but
a disease and we as a community/village we have to find a cure and some solutinos to this
epidemic befor we loss our future. I've been writing about this youth violence on and off for the last (6)
monthsand the statistices are egregious.
According to (familyfirstaid.orgyouthviolence) Homicide is the second leading cause of death among people
age 10 to 24 thats enough right there, let alone gang violence up there as well in all the major cities and
small towns.
Join me in this campaign in finding some solutions to this madeness!!
Help Stop The Pain.
Next weeks content i'll have some of my own solutions, and will be looking forward to yours.
BY.ANTONIO BARNES
with the holiday seasons under way,family and friends gets togather give and receive,
share stories ctc.
In time we have this seriouse(epidemic) on our hands with this youth violence,its out
of control and at a all time high in this country the land of the free, this is nothing,but
a disease and we as a community/village we have to find a cure and some solutinos to this
epidemic befor we loss our future. I've been writing about this youth violence on and off for the last (6)
monthsand the statistices are egregious.
According to (familyfirstaid.orgyouthviolence) Homicide is the second leading cause of death among people
age 10 to 24 thats enough right there, let alone gang violence up there as well in all the major cities and
small towns.
Join me in this campaign in finding some solutions to this madeness!!
Help Stop The Pain.
Next weeks content i'll have some of my own solutions, and will be looking forward to yours.
BY.ANTONIO BARNES
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Lets save our children from obesity, Part 2
Obesity is robbing our children of a healthy life. Parents need to set and example for these children and it will solve most of this problem with our children. Eating healthier will take a big burden off these children and saying No to the food that is not healthy for them will help and not harm in the long run.
Whatever happened to the fruit and vegetables? That's what we need to get back to and drop the candy and cakes leaded with sugar and fat.. Eat meals in the family setting which causes better communication in the family setting. Lets get the soda and candy out of the house.
Lets encourage our children to be more physically active and cut down on the TV, computers, and video games. Encourage outdoor activities such as playing sports like roller blading, bike ridding, etc...
Teach them and steer them towards healthier prepared foods like grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, and smaller portions. Encourage to at least to have "five" servings of fruit and vegetables a day along with regular exercise. If they will eat well end exercise regularly incorporating a healthy eating habit then we can save out children and their further generations. So lets talk to then about the importance of eating healthy and they will love you more than ever.
Save out Children from Obesity...
By Antonio Barnes
Whatever happened to the fruit and vegetables? That's what we need to get back to and drop the candy and cakes leaded with sugar and fat.. Eat meals in the family setting which causes better communication in the family setting. Lets get the soda and candy out of the house.
Lets encourage our children to be more physically active and cut down on the TV, computers, and video games. Encourage outdoor activities such as playing sports like roller blading, bike ridding, etc...
Teach them and steer them towards healthier prepared foods like grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, and smaller portions. Encourage to at least to have "five" servings of fruit and vegetables a day along with regular exercise. If they will eat well end exercise regularly incorporating a healthy eating habit then we can save out children and their further generations. So lets talk to then about the importance of eating healthy and they will love you more than ever.
Save out Children from Obesity...
By Antonio Barnes
Monday, November 22, 2010
Spot A Stroke...
Here's a life-snd -death reality. Some young stroke victims may be sent home fron the ER
without treatment. In a Wayne State University study, one in eight stroke patients under 50
were discharged with diagnoses of migraine, vertigo, or other eisorders-even though later tests
revealed that they had suffered a stroke. If you or a family member experiences,dizziness,sudden
,numbness,a severe headache,or seeing,make sure the ER doctor orders an MIR to rhle out a brain
attack.
Now you know.......
By Antonio Barnes
without treatment. In a Wayne State University study, one in eight stroke patients under 50
were discharged with diagnoses of migraine, vertigo, or other eisorders-even though later tests
revealed that they had suffered a stroke. If you or a family member experiences,dizziness,sudden
,numbness,a severe headache,or seeing,make sure the ER doctor orders an MIR to rhle out a brain
attack.
Now you know.......
By Antonio Barnes
LETS SAVE OUR CHILDREN
Obesity is taking control of our children in this country. Weight gain are skyrocketing among our children, this is a dangerous havit, that really need to be looked at and taking seriously by the parents. Parents it's time to step to the plate and say no to some of the things we let our children put in their bodies, however saying yes to what they shouldn't be eating is nothing but a slow death.
During my research i came accross some startling numbers that really need to be addressed by out partents. Researcher Penny Gordon Larson associate progessor of nutrition at the university of North Carolina at chopel Hill say about half of these teen girls and a third of boys become severley ovese by the time they are 30 meaning they are 80 to 100 pounds over healthy weight other studies have found that heavey children are more likely to be heavy adults.
Researchers reviewed national height and weight records of almost 9,000 people ages 12 to 21 who weere followed for 13 years. Among the finding in todays journal if the Americam Medical Association: 51% of abese ten girls and 37% of obese teen boys became severley obese by age 30. A third of us kids and teens are overwight; two third of adults are overwieght or obese-ex-tra pounds but people at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood presssure, high cholestoral, asthama, joint problems, heart and poor healt status.
This is not what we want fsor our children. They look to us for help when neededc and this is the time to save our children for this obesity problem and what comes with it.
BY: ANTONIO BARNES
During my research i came accross some startling numbers that really need to be addressed by out partents. Researcher Penny Gordon Larson associate progessor of nutrition at the university of North Carolina at chopel Hill say about half of these teen girls and a third of boys become severley ovese by the time they are 30 meaning they are 80 to 100 pounds over healthy weight other studies have found that heavey children are more likely to be heavy adults.
Researchers reviewed national height and weight records of almost 9,000 people ages 12 to 21 who weere followed for 13 years. Among the finding in todays journal if the Americam Medical Association: 51% of abese ten girls and 37% of obese teen boys became severley obese by age 30. A third of us kids and teens are overwight; two third of adults are overwieght or obese-ex-tra pounds but people at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood presssure, high cholestoral, asthama, joint problems, heart and poor healt status.
This is not what we want fsor our children. They look to us for help when neededc and this is the time to save our children for this obesity problem and what comes with it.
BY: ANTONIO BARNES
(S.T.P.C) Stop The Pain Campaign...
Youth violenec is at all time rate now.Dear face book and blog friends, i'm running a campaign on youth
violence the hold month of Decemerand need your help and support. What i need from you all is some
suggestion on a solution for this madness thats wipping out our future.I really need feed back from you all
thats the only way this thing is going to work is for us to come togather and step to the plate for these young
people.
"Help Stop The Pain"
By Antonio Barnes
violence the hold month of Decemerand need your help and support. What i need from you all is some
suggestion on a solution for this madness thats wipping out our future.I really need feed back from you all
thats the only way this thing is going to work is for us to come togather and step to the plate for these young
people.
"Help Stop The Pain"
By Antonio Barnes
Thursday, November 4, 2010
?WHAT IS LIFE?
LIFE IS A CHALLENGE......MEET IT.
LIFE IS A GIFT...ACCEPT IT.
LIFE IS A ADVENTURE....DARE IT.
LIFE IS A SORROW......OVERCOME IT.
LIFE IS A TRAGEDY......FACE IT.
LIFE IS A DUTY.....PERFORM IT.
LIFE IS A MYSTERY.........UNFOLD IT.
LIFE IS A SONG............SING IT.
BY: SOCCUS HENDERSON
LIFE IS A GIFT...ACCEPT IT.
LIFE IS A ADVENTURE....DARE IT.
LIFE IS A SORROW......OVERCOME IT.
LIFE IS A TRAGEDY......FACE IT.
LIFE IS A DUTY.....PERFORM IT.
LIFE IS A MYSTERY.........UNFOLD IT.
LIFE IS A SONG............SING IT.
BY: SOCCUS HENDERSON
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
GROWING FAST
The little boy's life was really starting to take off now though, because he was about to enter the "real house," the "big house,' and not the one that he saw mom and dad in every morning. He received all of the rewards for the choices he made in his life. He wondered if it was all worth it. Was it worth it? That's a good question. I'll answer that for you- being in prison is one iof the most miserable places a person would ever want to be in. Nothing you could have is worth one night of being in prison. The "slick" or "cool" about being in prison. The "slick" or "cool" ones are "out there" with their families and friends, NOT SITTING IN PRISON LOOKING DUMB. I say, "looking dumb" because that's how you're going to be looking. Being away from your parents and your family will hurt you more than anything you could imagine. Just think about someone telling you .when to eat, .when to go to bed, .if you didn't get your G.E.D or high school diploma, they make you go to school, .if you want to go to the store to buy some food or hygiene stuff, they only let you shop only once a week.
It gets better than that, because you will be around some of the nastiest, greediest, dirtiest, disrespectful, uncaring, unfriendly, and murderous people in the world. That's most of the people in these places. All of the things that you see on TV and in the movies about prison are true. People get stabbed, busted in the head, and get into fights over little or nothing. You can lose your life over a "book" of 42 cent stamps (stamps are money in here.) I know it sounds crazy, but that's prison life and it's real. There is negative tension around you most of the time and you can get into any gang you want to and go to the place of nowhere! That's what you get out of the prison life.
The biggest thing about all of this is that you still have the try to make choices in life despite all of that negativity. Because that's what you're going to get when you make it to the "big world" (of "big house" or whatever you want to call it), it's a negative place to be. So, if you come here because of your choices, don't think you're coming to a happy hang-out house with your homeboys. When you get around most of your homeboys, if you don't have something to give them, they usually act like they don't even know you.
I gets better than that! If you like working, it won't be a problem finding a job, because they will MAKE YOU (yes,make you) work, and the pay is not all that bad- 12 cents an hour. THIS IS THE REAL DEAL OF PRISON LIFE. The one second it took to make a bad choice can get you this kind of life. Is it worth it? I'll let you decide. I know this- the little boy wishes he could turn back the hands of time and make his choices over again! The little boy of our story missed being a child. He just many people along the way....parents, family, children,and friends, as well as other families. He tried to grow up too fast, going out there and trying to "get life," but life doesn't work that way, it comes to you in due time.
The little boy is now a grown man and a grandfather. He knows that every child loves their mom and dad, but what about him? The grown man hasn't seen his parents in person for 20 years all because of the choices he made in his life. Sadly, he will never get to see his father. His father passed away in 2008 at the age of 78. His mom is still holding on at the age of 80. He feels so sad and hurt sometimes. He does miss his mother an that hurts him so much he can't even put it into words. It hurts him because he hurt them because of the choices he made in life to get himself where he is now- prison. He loves mom very much, but he can only call her on the telephone. Is that what he wants? no, but the choice was his. The man know that other boys and girls have the chance to be something in life. You can make him proud for being better and smarter than he was or you can go to prison like him and join the dumb-dumb club.
PART 4........EDUCATION
"EDUCATION"
This one of the most important steps in our life. To be successful in life, you need an education. Without one, your chances of being successful in any way are slim to none. One thing about life is -WE HAVE A CHANCE TO BE ANYTHING WE WANT TO BE IN LIFE. With an education on your side, you could be the next president Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. Whoever or whatever you may want to be in life, the sky is the limit.
Growing up as a child, school can be fun. As time goes on, it starts to get a little harder and the fun is gone. That's when the negativity starts to set in, because some children start to feel the same way. Once the fun of learning leaves them, what do you do? It all starts with what your parents taught you.
Everything in life is not east, so use your brain and ask yourself, "will this choice benefit me?" The result of good choices and an education is a career, less problems and less pain in your life. So, we need to find ways to keep school fun and enjoyable, so it will be successful for you. Don't forget- THE FRIENDS YOU HANG AROUND WITH NEED TO BE THE POSITIVE ONES. If you are willing to put in the time, keep focused, and stay positive, YOU CAN'T GO WRONG. Friends with a positive attitude are the ones you need to keep in your company. Any other kind of friend will take you downhill, trust me. If you don't believe me, they have a room in the "big house" for whoever wants to go down the negative road. DON'T BECOME A NUMBER, that's all you will ever be to them. Everything you wear in prison will have your id number on it, not your name.
IT'S UP TO YOU TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE. Don't take short cuts in life, because they don't pay off! Some things in life are hard for us, and we have to give in a little, BUT NEVER GIVE UP. As long as you keep a positive attitude, and keep fighting, you have a chance at a good life. Always keep in mind that THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR YOU, and you can go as far as you want to. It's up to you, because YOU CONTROL YOUR OWN DESTINY. So get out there and make your parents proud of you....you owe them that much!
The little boy that you have been reading about is me, Antonio T. Barnes, (a.k.a. Bird). I've written this little story about my life because i want the young child reading this to be a better person than i was and to make better choices in life. I hurt my parents very deeply, even though they have taught me to be 10 times better than the choices that i have made in life. They did their part at home with me.....the rest is on me. For the last 22 years I've been paying for the bad choices I've made in life. Did i know better? Of course i knew better, just like you know better. But the hurt goes on from me to my parents to my family, children, friends, and other families.
I am a good person. I'm fun, loving, caring, and all the rest that goes along with being a good person;n, i just made some bad choices in life. Because of those choices i have to pay the price for the choices i made. I was sentenced to life plus 3 years in prison for my brim -conspiracy to commit murder. I had one big problem and knew better. I looked up to the WRONG role models, and that's where i went wrong i had the best role models in the world rightly in from of me every day - my parents, but i looked to others instead my parents taught me the RIGHT things and the RIGHT choices to make in life, the rest was on me. I was looking to the streets for my role model and i got all the wrong things that go with the streets.
If you're in those streets, I'm here to tell you- YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO GET OUT OF THEM. This story is REAL and prison is the prize you have waiting on you. It is a might mare. Trust me, I've been there and I'm still here even after 22 years. I get to see the parole board in less than a year. What that means to me is i get to see if they will possibly let me go home to be with my 80 year old mother. God willing, they will give me a second chance at life. If they do and I'm allowed to do so, I'll be going to schools and girls and boys clubs so i can share my story with young people. The other thing that could happen is that there is another plan for me and i don't get out of prison. If so, i have to live with their decision and i will continue to try to help the young guy behind these walls! As you have tead, when i was younger, Istarted hanging with the negative crowd in school. I knew better, but i just wanted to fit in. I started "playing hooky", and before long, i started to not like school, because it wasn't fun anymore. Since i didn't go, i lost out on a child's education, it should have been one of the best times of my life. I have "gotten my house in order"- meaning my head. It took me coming to prison to get an education.
I can proudly say that I've gotten an education and I'm still getting it. It might be in prison, but i can proudly say that i have mine and can produce them as well.
I have received:
.my G.E.D., .E.P.A. license under the clean air section 609 mo tore vehicle E.P.A. 608 technical, . HVAC levels 1,2,3, and 4 licenses, . carpentry license levels 1 and 2, construction craft laborer one, . Residential Carpentry 1 and 2 under the national center for construction education and research affiliated with the university of Florida, .serve safe certification, food protection manager certification examination by the national restaurant association, .I have certification in handling of bio hazard waste disposal and blood-borne pathogens clean- up and i am certified to handle the blood spill clean- up kit and the disposal of same, by the university of Texas medical branch at Galveston, .I'm certified under occupational safety and health training course by the U.S. department of labor, .I'm certified in soldering under mile standard 2000, .I was certified under the napoleon hill foundation in 1990 as an instructor and i teach "keys to success, 17 personal achievements", .I have recently graduated from a culinary arts program.
Culinary arts is a trade that i truly love. I must stop here and thank my teacher, instructor, and mentor- Chef David Bishop. Chef Bishop gave me the inspiration to continue to do something i really love and i excel in- baking and cake decoration. He deserves a very special thank you for showing me anything i needed and helping me, any way he could. He has always been there for me. Chef Bishop encouraged me always and often told me, "it might be your calling." I can proudly say that i got my certification from century college in culinary arts and restaurant management. I look back over the years that have passed and i never thought in a life time that i could have achieved the things i have. I guess that goes to show you, IF I CAN DO IT,after the life i was into, ANYONE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE! This is something i have wanted to do for many years now, and i had to be honest and truthful with other and myself. The meaningful thing is having your own "house in order" before trying to help others. I can honestly say that "my house is in order," and i can help others make the right choices. I pray that whoever reads this comes away with something positive and "does it better than i did." That's how you can make me proud of you. Always remember- "THINK BEFORE ACTING." Follow this one simple bit of advice, and YOU'LL WIN IN LIFE EVERY TIME.
It gets better than that, because you will be around some of the nastiest, greediest, dirtiest, disrespectful, uncaring, unfriendly, and murderous people in the world. That's most of the people in these places. All of the things that you see on TV and in the movies about prison are true. People get stabbed, busted in the head, and get into fights over little or nothing. You can lose your life over a "book" of 42 cent stamps (stamps are money in here.) I know it sounds crazy, but that's prison life and it's real. There is negative tension around you most of the time and you can get into any gang you want to and go to the place of nowhere! That's what you get out of the prison life.
The biggest thing about all of this is that you still have the try to make choices in life despite all of that negativity. Because that's what you're going to get when you make it to the "big world" (of "big house" or whatever you want to call it), it's a negative place to be. So, if you come here because of your choices, don't think you're coming to a happy hang-out house with your homeboys. When you get around most of your homeboys, if you don't have something to give them, they usually act like they don't even know you.
I gets better than that! If you like working, it won't be a problem finding a job, because they will MAKE YOU (yes,make you) work, and the pay is not all that bad- 12 cents an hour. THIS IS THE REAL DEAL OF PRISON LIFE. The one second it took to make a bad choice can get you this kind of life. Is it worth it? I'll let you decide. I know this- the little boy wishes he could turn back the hands of time and make his choices over again! The little boy of our story missed being a child. He just many people along the way....parents, family, children,and friends, as well as other families. He tried to grow up too fast, going out there and trying to "get life," but life doesn't work that way, it comes to you in due time.
The little boy is now a grown man and a grandfather. He knows that every child loves their mom and dad, but what about him? The grown man hasn't seen his parents in person for 20 years all because of the choices he made in his life. Sadly, he will never get to see his father. His father passed away in 2008 at the age of 78. His mom is still holding on at the age of 80. He feels so sad and hurt sometimes. He does miss his mother an that hurts him so much he can't even put it into words. It hurts him because he hurt them because of the choices he made in life to get himself where he is now- prison. He loves mom very much, but he can only call her on the telephone. Is that what he wants? no, but the choice was his. The man know that other boys and girls have the chance to be something in life. You can make him proud for being better and smarter than he was or you can go to prison like him and join the dumb-dumb club.
PART 4........EDUCATION
"EDUCATION"
This one of the most important steps in our life. To be successful in life, you need an education. Without one, your chances of being successful in any way are slim to none. One thing about life is -WE HAVE A CHANCE TO BE ANYTHING WE WANT TO BE IN LIFE. With an education on your side, you could be the next president Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. Whoever or whatever you may want to be in life, the sky is the limit.
Growing up as a child, school can be fun. As time goes on, it starts to get a little harder and the fun is gone. That's when the negativity starts to set in, because some children start to feel the same way. Once the fun of learning leaves them, what do you do? It all starts with what your parents taught you.
Everything in life is not east, so use your brain and ask yourself, "will this choice benefit me?" The result of good choices and an education is a career, less problems and less pain in your life. So, we need to find ways to keep school fun and enjoyable, so it will be successful for you. Don't forget- THE FRIENDS YOU HANG AROUND WITH NEED TO BE THE POSITIVE ONES. If you are willing to put in the time, keep focused, and stay positive, YOU CAN'T GO WRONG. Friends with a positive attitude are the ones you need to keep in your company. Any other kind of friend will take you downhill, trust me. If you don't believe me, they have a room in the "big house" for whoever wants to go down the negative road. DON'T BECOME A NUMBER, that's all you will ever be to them. Everything you wear in prison will have your id number on it, not your name.
IT'S UP TO YOU TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE. Don't take short cuts in life, because they don't pay off! Some things in life are hard for us, and we have to give in a little, BUT NEVER GIVE UP. As long as you keep a positive attitude, and keep fighting, you have a chance at a good life. Always keep in mind that THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR YOU, and you can go as far as you want to. It's up to you, because YOU CONTROL YOUR OWN DESTINY. So get out there and make your parents proud of you....you owe them that much!
The little boy that you have been reading about is me, Antonio T. Barnes, (a.k.a. Bird). I've written this little story about my life because i want the young child reading this to be a better person than i was and to make better choices in life. I hurt my parents very deeply, even though they have taught me to be 10 times better than the choices that i have made in life. They did their part at home with me.....the rest is on me. For the last 22 years I've been paying for the bad choices I've made in life. Did i know better? Of course i knew better, just like you know better. But the hurt goes on from me to my parents to my family, children, friends, and other families.
I am a good person. I'm fun, loving, caring, and all the rest that goes along with being a good person;n, i just made some bad choices in life. Because of those choices i have to pay the price for the choices i made. I was sentenced to life plus 3 years in prison for my brim -conspiracy to commit murder. I had one big problem and knew better. I looked up to the WRONG role models, and that's where i went wrong i had the best role models in the world rightly in from of me every day - my parents, but i looked to others instead my parents taught me the RIGHT things and the RIGHT choices to make in life, the rest was on me. I was looking to the streets for my role model and i got all the wrong things that go with the streets.
If you're in those streets, I'm here to tell you- YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO GET OUT OF THEM. This story is REAL and prison is the prize you have waiting on you. It is a might mare. Trust me, I've been there and I'm still here even after 22 years. I get to see the parole board in less than a year. What that means to me is i get to see if they will possibly let me go home to be with my 80 year old mother. God willing, they will give me a second chance at life. If they do and I'm allowed to do so, I'll be going to schools and girls and boys clubs so i can share my story with young people. The other thing that could happen is that there is another plan for me and i don't get out of prison. If so, i have to live with their decision and i will continue to try to help the young guy behind these walls! As you have tead, when i was younger, Istarted hanging with the negative crowd in school. I knew better, but i just wanted to fit in. I started "playing hooky", and before long, i started to not like school, because it wasn't fun anymore. Since i didn't go, i lost out on a child's education, it should have been one of the best times of my life. I have "gotten my house in order"- meaning my head. It took me coming to prison to get an education.
I can proudly say that I've gotten an education and I'm still getting it. It might be in prison, but i can proudly say that i have mine and can produce them as well.
I have received:
.my G.E.D., .E.P.A. license under the clean air section 609 mo tore vehicle E.P.A. 608 technical, . HVAC levels 1,2,3, and 4 licenses, . carpentry license levels 1 and 2, construction craft laborer one, . Residential Carpentry 1 and 2 under the national center for construction education and research affiliated with the university of Florida, .serve safe certification, food protection manager certification examination by the national restaurant association, .I have certification in handling of bio hazard waste disposal and blood-borne pathogens clean- up and i am certified to handle the blood spill clean- up kit and the disposal of same, by the university of Texas medical branch at Galveston, .I'm certified under occupational safety and health training course by the U.S. department of labor, .I'm certified in soldering under mile standard 2000, .I was certified under the napoleon hill foundation in 1990 as an instructor and i teach "keys to success, 17 personal achievements", .I have recently graduated from a culinary arts program.
Culinary arts is a trade that i truly love. I must stop here and thank my teacher, instructor, and mentor- Chef David Bishop. Chef Bishop gave me the inspiration to continue to do something i really love and i excel in- baking and cake decoration. He deserves a very special thank you for showing me anything i needed and helping me, any way he could. He has always been there for me. Chef Bishop encouraged me always and often told me, "it might be your calling." I can proudly say that i got my certification from century college in culinary arts and restaurant management. I look back over the years that have passed and i never thought in a life time that i could have achieved the things i have. I guess that goes to show you, IF I CAN DO IT,after the life i was into, ANYONE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE! This is something i have wanted to do for many years now, and i had to be honest and truthful with other and myself. The meaningful thing is having your own "house in order" before trying to help others. I can honestly say that "my house is in order," and i can help others make the right choices. I pray that whoever reads this comes away with something positive and "does it better than i did." That's how you can make me proud of you. Always remember- "THINK BEFORE ACTING." Follow this one simple bit of advice, and YOU'LL WIN IN LIFE EVERY TIME.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
"TELL ONE HELP ONE"
In this day and age a lot of women takes this serious issue for granted until it hits home! This is a two week campaign I'm challenging everyone who reads this blog to ask a family member and friend, when was the last time they had an mammogram if any?
It just might save a family member, friend or your own life; with one word mammogram. About 207,090 new cases of invasive BREAST CANCER will occur among women in the united state during 2010 and an estimated 39,840 women will die from BREAST CANCER this year.
Also about 1,970 men will be diagnosed and 390 men will die of BREAST CANCER during 2010 in the united states.
In addition to invasive BREAST CANCER an estimated 54,010 new cases of is sitin BREAST CANCER will occur among women in 2010.
"TELL ONE HELP ONE"
BY:ANTONIO BARNES
In this day and age a lot of women takes this serious issue for granted until it hits home! This is a two week campaign I'm challenging everyone who reads this blog to ask a family member and friend, when was the last time they had an mammogram if any?
It just might save a family member, friend or your own life; with one word mammogram. About 207,090 new cases of invasive BREAST CANCER will occur among women in the united state during 2010 and an estimated 39,840 women will die from BREAST CANCER this year.
Also about 1,970 men will be diagnosed and 390 men will die of BREAST CANCER during 2010 in the united states.
In addition to invasive BREAST CANCER an estimated 54,010 new cases of is sitin BREAST CANCER will occur among women in 2010.
"TELL ONE HELP ONE"
BY:ANTONIO BARNES
Monday, October 11, 2010
FROM TO BE CONTINUED GOING FORWARD MOM AND DAD
"The little boy of our story loves his mother and father very much. They taught him the values of love, respect, friendliness, self-discipline and loyalty. One of the first things they taught him was love, because they loved him very much. His mother and father taught him that caring goes beyond loyalty and respect. They taught him that caring meant love for friends and neighbors and a lifelong commitment of love for family! Therefore, this little boy had love in his heart and the principals to got with it." parents love us because we are the force that is going to make our society a safe and workable place to live in. Why do we believe them? We believe them because they right. Our parents have a head start on schools and friends when it comes to teaching us anything in life, because we are around them for the beginning of our lives. Oure parents want us to learn from their experience. When we're around them they are doing the right things. So why do we go out and listen to others and do the things we do? Therefore, we see that this little boy knew love and loved himself. As he got older, he stopped trusting his love and stopped being honest with himself. It started with the LITTLE LIES, which is a start to something bigger. You can't tell little lies because they will become big ones. It is very important to tell the truth and be truthful with yourself! Having self-discipline and controlling yourself and your temper, is it hard? no, just think of what tyour momand dad taught you. One of the reasons it becomes hard is because they don't want to take the time to remember what their mom and dad had taught them. RESPECT,FIRST. We have to respect our parents and have a respect for life! This little boy was taught all of these values so what went wrong? What went wrong was that he followed the short cuts the world offered and wanted to go forward fast. Bad choices are a side effect of wanting to go too fast, and not listening to mom and dad. Our parents sometimes get onto us lots and tell us, "don't do this and that," THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT. They love us and want the best for us, because of that; they try to ghuide us in our choices. Keep it in mind and never forget when your parents tell you something. What they tell you is for the best and it's for your own good. They're not going to tell you something that's going to hurt you in life, but when you don't listen to them and things happen, the first thing that come to mind is your parents. So many men and women have said to themselves, "They told me so. If only i would have listened." This happens a lot in the back of our heads. We tell ourselves, when our parents are trying to tell us something, we tell ourselves, "They think they know everything." Well, they do have about a 20- year head start on you. When you start questioning yourself and the balues you were taught, sometimes, that's all it takes. "That little boy started questioning his values he was taught. He started with the small things, like a little lie, and he got away with it. He knew in his heart that it was wrong. Did his parents tell him not to lie? Sure, but in the back of his head he thought wthat it was "slick" to get away with that little lie as some of his friends did. The little lie turned into stealing a little something when he went into stores with his parents. Getting away with it was a big thrill. Next came "playing hooky" from school. At the time, he thought that was fun because his friends were doing it as well. He started making choices that would change his life forever. He forgot all about self-discipline and self-respect." When the selling of drugs came into the little boy's life and that was the worst thing that could have happened to him, because when a person gets int that life, you don't just hurt your parents, you hurt the parents of other families and friends as well. You can't say you love yourself and sell someone poison, something that you very much know could make them ill, if not kill them! All of that evil for a dollar- that's value a person is willing to put on a person's life! You weren't taught like that, so use what your parents gave you, common sense and good values, because in the long run, they ar ethe ones that will pay for it. "next, for the little boy, came the girls and the cars. He wanted every so-called "good-looking" girl he could see. He had to bring many people and a lot of families pain and grief to have the things he wanted. So....that's the way that little boy got his. There was no other way of getting around it. He had to jurt people to get the things he wanted; people didn't just give him the girls and the cars for free." " It's time like that when you have to put your self-discipline into play. You know what to do, because your parents taught it to you. Some things in life are not worth having right now, you just have to wait your turn. If you wait your turn and get it the right way, by hard work, staying focused and not giving up on your dreams, you will enjoy then and appreciate them more, because you won't have to look over your shoulder. Before you know it, greed sets in, and that's the worst thing that can happen to a person. All of the values that you we taught go right out the window. When greed is in your heart, it becomes the only thing that you know and have place in your heart for. The short cut world that leads to a short lifespand becomes your life. When greed jumps on you, it's hard to even love yourself, because it's not jsut words coming out of your mouth, IT BECOMES A PART OF WHO YOU ARE> A greedy person stops caring for people, everything becomes "all about you." When you become a greedy person, you feel that it's "my way or the highway." and YOU WILL MEAN IT from your heart. Greed can make you do some very bad things ; to people, friends, as well as your own family. Trust that little boy, he's been there. Greed will make you "know it all" and want even more. A greedy person has a HARD HEART, something i wouldn't wish on anyone. Who pays for it? You pay for it. Your parents pay for it. At the end of the day, you will hurt your parents more than you hurt anyone else. The first thing they taught you is to love life and people. Always respect that teaching. Think about it- how would you feel if your child was that evil person that went against everything you taught them? When we choose to ignore the teachings of our parents, there is no limit to the evil we can do. Is that what you want our of life? Don't get defeated so early in life wanting to be something that you were not raised to be. You were raised to be better that that little boy who went against everything that he was taught. Give yourself a chance at life. It's our there waiting for you, so do the right things in life and get it. "The little boy saw so many people he grew up with died or were killed. In the kind of life he was involved in, it was a sad world, lots of killings, and families hurt over poison being soft for an easy life. The little boy hurt his parents and other parents so badly with what he did that is shames him to think about it. So many members of his family and his friends that were in their graves.....it made him sick to think about it. This was the life he wanted? He didn't think so.
All of it came from that first little lie that he told. That lie grew just like any other living thing, and it took him to places that he didn't want to go. It took him to places that he wished he never went! Trust me, that little boy learned it first hand.
TO BE CONTINUED...........
This is a real story so feel free to ask questions,and comment on the story. Thank you:By, A Barnes
All of it came from that first little lie that he told. That lie grew just like any other living thing, and it took him to places that he didn't want to go. It took him to places that he wished he never went! Trust me, that little boy learned it first hand.
TO BE CONTINUED...........
This is a real story so feel free to ask questions,and comment on the story. Thank you:By, A Barnes
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Making The Right Choices
PUT THIS PARAGRAPH IN THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK EXCERPTS I AM SENDING NEXT.THIS IS LIKE A FOREWORD:
Making the right choices in life can go a long way .The bad choices can determine your future as well.In the following pages,you will read about how a little boy from Murphy Homes housing projects in Baltimore,Md made one bad choice that cost him his life of freedom.In addition,you will learn how the federal prison system raised him and taught him to think before making any decision in
Making the right choices By: Antonio Barnes
Part 1 Choices we makes A little boy lived in the MURPHY HOMES HOUSING PROJECTS in Baltimore Maryland.Life was fun for him just like any other boy his age. He had a nice family,mother,father,sister,and brothers.There was lots of love in that apartment.He had many friends and they played together,went to school together,and everything else that friends do together. It was also one of the toughest housing projects in the city.Everything you can think of went on in plain view; people using drugs,drinking alcohol,and smoking everything you can think of.
This little boy had choices to make in life, just like every other little boy and girl in that project. The little boy knew right from wrong,his parents taught him that part of life.Gr owning up and seeing all of those things going on around him,there was a lot he could get into; he saw plenty going on right out in the open.The boy had many big dreams in life,in what he wanted to be when he grew up(like any other boy his age.) He was the only thing that was holding him back though,that and the choices he made for himself. The little boy made some very bad choices,because the stuff the saw he wanted to have right then. Life doesn't work like that,as he very well knew.However,he wanted to be like some of his friends and take short cuts in life. That's where he went wrong.
One bad or wrong choice in life can determine your whole future in a second. When you have to make a choice in life,don't be ashamed to make the RIGHT CHOICE in front of your friends. The shamefulness that causes many people to make the wrong choices can cost you your "LIFE" or your future. So many young people out there right now are paying the price (and some have paid with their life) because of the choice they made to impress a friend,who loses out in the long run.Our loving parents that taught us right and wrong about life and making choices lose too,OUR CHOICES AFFECT MORE THAN JUST OURSELVES! If you are still a young mam,be that little boy and take your time and grow up, don't try to rush life! You will get your chance at life and can become anything you want to become with HARD WORK and GOOD JUDGEMENT! Some choices you make early in life ,you might not like those choices at the time, they're the BEST and RIGHT CHOICES for you. That's why there call CHOICES. You have the choice to mold your own life and NO ONE CAN DO IT FOR YOU, because when it comes down to it, you;ll be the one that is making the choice. To make some of these choices easier and to be able to work toward some of our dreams,we must want to achieve them.
The" Keys To Success "are: . Making the right choice in life, . Surrounding yourself with positive minded people that want something out of life-- not just with their talk,but with actions.Being around positive people will rub off on you. Your whole thinking will change and your thinking become positive ones.
Before you make a choice, take a minute and think about it. Ask yourself, "IS THIS WHAT I REALLY WANT OUT OF LIFE?IS THIS WORTH IT? just one minute of thinking things out can save you and your parents a lot of pain and grief(as well as other families and friends.) It's not that hard to be smart.Take a minute and think about it. If you are around positive people,9 out of 10 times you wont have to THINK about choices that will bring your family and someone else's family grief and pain. If only that little boy we read about would have taken that minute to think about his actions, we wouldn't be reading about him today. However, because he made the wrong choice when he didn't have to, we are reading about him. We have a brain for a reason. USE IT AND THINK, if don't let it go to waste. It all goes back to choices. You have a choice; use it in the right way. Don't make choices when you're "vulnerable." Making a decision when you're upset about something or someone is a poor time to do so. Here's an important thing about "life"-YOU CANNOT GET BACK THE PAST, so think first, because you are going to live with your choices, good or bad. The little boy we read about would love to erase parts of his past, avoiding his mistakes and change certain decisions he made, but life doesn't work like that. That's when that ONE MINUTE OF THINKING comes in to play. Give yourself that much of a chance at life because he didn't. That little boy wants you to be smarter than he was and he knows that you will be. People that give themselves time to think have gained success at all education levels, from elementary school through college. TIMELY THINKING IS CREATIVE THINKING combined with intense questioning of yourself. It is well founded, structured and reinforced thinking that leads to good judgment, which in turns leads to wisdom. SO THINK FIRST, ACT LAST.
.......................TO BE CONTINUED PART 2 MOM AND DAD
Making the right choices in life can go a long way .The bad choices can determine your future as well.In the following pages,you will read about how a little boy from Murphy Homes housing projects in Baltimore,Md made one bad choice that cost him his life of freedom.In addition,you will learn how the federal prison system raised him and taught him to think before making any decision in
Making the right choices By: Antonio Barnes
Part 1 Choices we makes A little boy lived in the MURPHY HOMES HOUSING PROJECTS in Baltimore Maryland.Life was fun for him just like any other boy his age. He had a nice family,mother,father,sister,and brothers.There was lots of love in that apartment.He had many friends and they played together,went to school together,and everything else that friends do together. It was also one of the toughest housing projects in the city.Everything you can think of went on in plain view; people using drugs,drinking alcohol,and smoking everything you can think of.
This little boy had choices to make in life, just like every other little boy and girl in that project. The little boy knew right from wrong,his parents taught him that part of life.Gr owning up and seeing all of those things going on around him,there was a lot he could get into; he saw plenty going on right out in the open.The boy had many big dreams in life,in what he wanted to be when he grew up(like any other boy his age.) He was the only thing that was holding him back though,that and the choices he made for himself. The little boy made some very bad choices,because the stuff the saw he wanted to have right then. Life doesn't work like that,as he very well knew.However,he wanted to be like some of his friends and take short cuts in life. That's where he went wrong.
One bad or wrong choice in life can determine your whole future in a second. When you have to make a choice in life,don't be ashamed to make the RIGHT CHOICE in front of your friends. The shamefulness that causes many people to make the wrong choices can cost you your "LIFE" or your future. So many young people out there right now are paying the price (and some have paid with their life) because of the choice they made to impress a friend,who loses out in the long run.Our loving parents that taught us right and wrong about life and making choices lose too,OUR CHOICES AFFECT MORE THAN JUST OURSELVES! If you are still a young mam,be that little boy and take your time and grow up, don't try to rush life! You will get your chance at life and can become anything you want to become with HARD WORK and GOOD JUDGEMENT! Some choices you make early in life ,you might not like those choices at the time, they're the BEST and RIGHT CHOICES for you. That's why there call CHOICES. You have the choice to mold your own life and NO ONE CAN DO IT FOR YOU, because when it comes down to it, you;ll be the one that is making the choice. To make some of these choices easier and to be able to work toward some of our dreams,we must want to achieve them.
The" Keys To Success "are: . Making the right choice in life, . Surrounding yourself with positive minded people that want something out of life-- not just with their talk,but with actions.Being around positive people will rub off on you. Your whole thinking will change and your thinking become positive ones.
Before you make a choice, take a minute and think about it. Ask yourself, "IS THIS WHAT I REALLY WANT OUT OF LIFE?IS THIS WORTH IT? just one minute of thinking things out can save you and your parents a lot of pain and grief(as well as other families and friends.) It's not that hard to be smart.Take a minute and think about it. If you are around positive people,9 out of 10 times you wont have to THINK about choices that will bring your family and someone else's family grief and pain. If only that little boy we read about would have taken that minute to think about his actions, we wouldn't be reading about him today. However, because he made the wrong choice when he didn't have to, we are reading about him. We have a brain for a reason. USE IT AND THINK, if don't let it go to waste. It all goes back to choices. You have a choice; use it in the right way. Don't make choices when you're "vulnerable." Making a decision when you're upset about something or someone is a poor time to do so. Here's an important thing about "life"-YOU CANNOT GET BACK THE PAST, so think first, because you are going to live with your choices, good or bad. The little boy we read about would love to erase parts of his past, avoiding his mistakes and change certain decisions he made, but life doesn't work like that. That's when that ONE MINUTE OF THINKING comes in to play. Give yourself that much of a chance at life because he didn't. That little boy wants you to be smarter than he was and he knows that you will be. People that give themselves time to think have gained success at all education levels, from elementary school through college. TIMELY THINKING IS CREATIVE THINKING combined with intense questioning of yourself. It is well founded, structured and reinforced thinking that leads to good judgment, which in turns leads to wisdom. SO THINK FIRST, ACT LAST.
.......................TO BE CONTINUED PART 2 MOM AND DAD
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
A Real Solution
Not long ago I watched a talk show having discussions about teen violence.In the discussion,they spoke on one young teen girl who had committed suicide after being assisted by someone she met on the internet.While the talk show discussion centered on who's at fault or who's responsible,no one discussed a possible solution to the teen violence.It's true that there are people to blame and,to me,those people are the ones in our communities as they raise our kids.Naturally,the most logical place to start for a possible solution is our own communties.The internet has become a virtual community,but it does not replace the human presence which is more significant in our "real"communities. We have stopped getting physically involved with our youths which has led to other things taking the lead in the form of support-BET,internet,video games,and drugs.....These numerous distractions has become vital in our youths lives and the role model title has added different contours to it's shape,that , it is almost impossible to identify one in the communities.A real role model is someone kids look up to,who they can learn from and who they can seek advice and guidance.I was lucky growing up:I had one.The community I grew up in was basically my role model as they took extra steps to ensure,we as youngsters,did things in the "hood" with respect.We have to replant this old fashioned tradition in our communities and it should help curve the teen violence,and to me, that is the real solution.
By A.Barnes
By A.Barnes
Sunday, September 12, 2010
911 And the Attempt of Burning the Holy Qu'ran
The 911 attacks was devastating and one of the saddest days in our country history! I'm a American Muslim and a proud one, and what happened on that day everyone felt that pain and muslim don't condone what happened on that day.
The burning of the holy Qur'an is very dangerous at a time like this and very disrespectful to the country. Other countries and religious faiths. Two wrongs don't make it right it makes it worst.
BELIEF IN THE NOBLE QUR'AN
The muslim believes that the noble Qur'an is the book of Allah revealed to the best of his creatures, the most eminent of his prophets and messengers- our prophet Mohammad as he revealed the other books to the previous messengers. He believes that the rules in the noble Qur'an abrogated the rules and regulations of the previous divine books. He also believes that messengership ended with the message of Mohammad.
It is the book that comprises the most comprehensive divine law. Allah guarantees happiness in this life and in the hereafter for those who adhere to its commandments. He threatens those who turn away from it with wretchedness in this life and the hereafter.The noble Qur'an alone is the book that Allah guards against additions and omissions, alterations and distortions. It will last intact until this life ends. This belief rises from the following textual and rational proofs:1. Allah the almighty said about the Qur'an: Blessed is he who sent down the criterion( of right and wrong, i.e. the Qur'an) to his slave (Muhammad that he may be a warning to the alamin (mankind and jinn).And: This is based upon Allah's saying: Whoever follows my guidance; then he will not stray. We relate unto you the best of stories through our revelations unto you, of this Qur'an. And before this, you were among the heedless, those who knew nothing about it (the Qur'an)
And: Surely we have sent down to you (o Mohammad) the book (ThisQur'an) is the truth that you might judge between men by that which Allah has shown you, so be not a pleader for the treacherous.
And:O people of the scripture (Jews and Christians)! now has come to you our messenger explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the scripture and pass over (i.e leaving out without explaining) much. Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light and a plain book (this Qu'ran). Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek his good pleasure to ways of peace, and he brings them out of darkness by his will unto light and guides them to the straight way.
And:Then whoever follows my guidance, he shall neither go astray nor shall he be distressed. But whosoever turns away from my reminder, verily for him is a life of hardship, and we shall raise him up blind on the day of resurrection.And:And verily, it is an honorable well-fortified respected book. Falsehood cannot come to it from before it of behind it, (it is) sent down by the all-wise, worthy of all praise (Allah).
And:"Indeed! i have been given the book and the like of it along with it."
And: "The best among you is he who learns the Qur'an and teaches it."And:"There should be no envy except for two men: A man whom Allah has taught the Qur'an and he recites it during the hours of the night and during the hours of the day, and a man whom Allah gave wealth and he spent (in good) during the hours of the night and the hours of the day. And:
"There was no prophet among the prophets but he was given some signs that would cause humanity to believe in him. The one given to me was what Allah revealed to me, so i hope to have more followers than them on the day of resurrection."3. The belief and certainty of billions of Muslims that the noble Qur'an is the book of Allah and his revelation to his messenger- along with their recitation and memorization of it, and their adherence to its rules and legalization.
RATIONAL PROOFS1. In spite of the illiteracy of the prophet (Mohammad) who never read, wrote, or joined a school, the noble Qur'an comprises unquestionable facts related to various branches of knowledge, like astronomy, history, legislation and law, the sciences of war and politics. The presence of such various field of knowledge is a strong evidence that it is the word of Allah revealed by him. Reason rejects the idea that an unlettered man could know all of these branches of knowledge.2. The challenge of Allah, the one who revealed to mankind and the jinn to produce the like of it. As he said:
If mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.3. The Qur'an foretells many events of the unseen, some of these events already took place as informed without discrepancies.4. As long as Allah the almighty has sent down books other than the noble Qur'an to the messengers other than Mohammad, such as the Tawrah to musa, the injil to isa, it should not be denied that Allah has sent down the noble Qur'an likewise. Does reason reject or deem impossible the notion of sending down the noble Qur'an? Nay, reason implies that it would be revealed.5. All the prophecies of the noble Qur'an came true as they were foretold by the noble Qur'an. All of its information and narrations were (carefully) scrutinized and found to be non-contradictory. All of its rules, regulations, and laws were tried and proved the security, dignity, and glory they were designed for. What proofs are required beside these to prove that the noble Qur'an is the word of Allah revealed to the best of his creatures and the last of the prophets and messengers?[Among these is the case of the roman victory over the Persians. During the time of the revelation about it, the Romans appeared to have no chance to outdo the Persians. But no more than two years passed before the Romans defeated the Persians. Allah said: The Romans have been defeated in the nearer land. And they will, after their defeat, be victorious. Within [three to nine] years.
By: Abu Bakr Jabir Al-Jaza'iry
The burning of the holy Qur'an is very dangerous at a time like this and very disrespectful to the country. Other countries and religious faiths. Two wrongs don't make it right it makes it worst.
BELIEF IN THE NOBLE QUR'AN
The muslim believes that the noble Qur'an is the book of Allah revealed to the best of his creatures, the most eminent of his prophets and messengers- our prophet Mohammad as he revealed the other books to the previous messengers. He believes that the rules in the noble Qur'an abrogated the rules and regulations of the previous divine books. He also believes that messengership ended with the message of Mohammad.
It is the book that comprises the most comprehensive divine law. Allah guarantees happiness in this life and in the hereafter for those who adhere to its commandments. He threatens those who turn away from it with wretchedness in this life and the hereafter.The noble Qur'an alone is the book that Allah guards against additions and omissions, alterations and distortions. It will last intact until this life ends. This belief rises from the following textual and rational proofs:1. Allah the almighty said about the Qur'an: Blessed is he who sent down the criterion( of right and wrong, i.e. the Qur'an) to his slave (Muhammad that he may be a warning to the alamin (mankind and jinn).And: This is based upon Allah's saying: Whoever follows my guidance; then he will not stray. We relate unto you the best of stories through our revelations unto you, of this Qur'an. And before this, you were among the heedless, those who knew nothing about it (the Qur'an)
And: Surely we have sent down to you (o Mohammad) the book (ThisQur'an) is the truth that you might judge between men by that which Allah has shown you, so be not a pleader for the treacherous.
And:O people of the scripture (Jews and Christians)! now has come to you our messenger explaining to you much of that which you used to hide from the scripture and pass over (i.e leaving out without explaining) much. Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light and a plain book (this Qu'ran). Wherewith Allah guides all those who seek his good pleasure to ways of peace, and he brings them out of darkness by his will unto light and guides them to the straight way.
And:Then whoever follows my guidance, he shall neither go astray nor shall he be distressed. But whosoever turns away from my reminder, verily for him is a life of hardship, and we shall raise him up blind on the day of resurrection.And:And verily, it is an honorable well-fortified respected book. Falsehood cannot come to it from before it of behind it, (it is) sent down by the all-wise, worthy of all praise (Allah).
And:"Indeed! i have been given the book and the like of it along with it."
And: "The best among you is he who learns the Qur'an and teaches it."And:"There should be no envy except for two men: A man whom Allah has taught the Qur'an and he recites it during the hours of the night and during the hours of the day, and a man whom Allah gave wealth and he spent (in good) during the hours of the night and the hours of the day. And:
"There was no prophet among the prophets but he was given some signs that would cause humanity to believe in him. The one given to me was what Allah revealed to me, so i hope to have more followers than them on the day of resurrection."3. The belief and certainty of billions of Muslims that the noble Qur'an is the book of Allah and his revelation to his messenger- along with their recitation and memorization of it, and their adherence to its rules and legalization.
RATIONAL PROOFS1. In spite of the illiteracy of the prophet (Mohammad) who never read, wrote, or joined a school, the noble Qur'an comprises unquestionable facts related to various branches of knowledge, like astronomy, history, legislation and law, the sciences of war and politics. The presence of such various field of knowledge is a strong evidence that it is the word of Allah revealed by him. Reason rejects the idea that an unlettered man could know all of these branches of knowledge.2. The challenge of Allah, the one who revealed to mankind and the jinn to produce the like of it. As he said:
If mankind and the jinns were together to produce the like of this Qur'an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they helped one another.3. The Qur'an foretells many events of the unseen, some of these events already took place as informed without discrepancies.4. As long as Allah the almighty has sent down books other than the noble Qur'an to the messengers other than Mohammad, such as the Tawrah to musa, the injil to isa, it should not be denied that Allah has sent down the noble Qur'an likewise. Does reason reject or deem impossible the notion of sending down the noble Qur'an? Nay, reason implies that it would be revealed.5. All the prophecies of the noble Qur'an came true as they were foretold by the noble Qur'an. All of its information and narrations were (carefully) scrutinized and found to be non-contradictory. All of its rules, regulations, and laws were tried and proved the security, dignity, and glory they were designed for. What proofs are required beside these to prove that the noble Qur'an is the word of Allah revealed to the best of his creatures and the last of the prophets and messengers?[Among these is the case of the roman victory over the Persians. During the time of the revelation about it, the Romans appeared to have no chance to outdo the Persians. But no more than two years passed before the Romans defeated the Persians. Allah said: The Romans have been defeated in the nearer land. And they will, after their defeat, be victorious. Within [three to nine] years.
By: Abu Bakr Jabir Al-Jaza'iry
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The Fasting Of Ramadhan
Fasting the month of Ramadhan is obligatory according to the book (Al-Quran),the sunnah and the Ijma' (consensus) of the ummah (Muslim community). Verily Allah the almighty said:
The month of ranadhan in which was revealed the Qua'ran, a guidance of mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of ranadhan), he must observe saum (fasts) that (month) (Sunah) (2:185)
And his messenger said:
"Islam was built upon five (pillars): The testimony that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, the establishment of the prayer, paying Zakah, pilgrimage (Hajj) to the house (the ka'bah) and fasting ranadhan." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
By: Antonio Barnes
The month of ranadhan in which was revealed the Qua'ran, a guidance of mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of ranadhan), he must observe saum (fasts) that (month) (Sunah) (2:185)
And his messenger said:
"Islam was built upon five (pillars): The testimony that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, the establishment of the prayer, paying Zakah, pilgrimage (Hajj) to the house (the ka'bah) and fasting ranadhan." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
By: Antonio Barnes
The Virtue Of Ramadhan
Ramadhan has great virtues and numerous merits that none of the other months have. The following Hadiths verify and affirm this:
The prophet's statement:
"The five prayers, and Friday prayer to Friday prayer,Ramadhan (fasting) to Ramadhan (fasting) are expiators for whatever was between them (of sins), as long as the major sins are avoided." (Muslim)
And his statement:
"Whoever fast Ramadhan with faith and seeking reward, he will be forgiven for his previous sins." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
By: Antonio Barnes
The prophet's statement:
"The five prayers, and Friday prayer to Friday prayer,Ramadhan (fasting) to Ramadhan (fasting) are expiators for whatever was between them (of sins), as long as the major sins are avoided." (Muslim)
And his statement:
"Whoever fast Ramadhan with faith and seeking reward, he will be forgiven for his previous sins." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
By: Antonio Barnes
Going Forward
Next month's contents will be focusing on teen violence and finding solutions to these problems. I also will be putting my booklet on the blog about my life story something I think will be very interesting to my followers. The name of it is (Going Forward). Hope you all enjoy and feel free to send comments.
By A Barnes
By A Barnes
Monday, August 16, 2010
A Real Hero
When we hear the word hero many think of Super heroes;Batman,Superman, etc.Through the years , the word has been transformed into many forms.In my opinion,a hero is a person who does something that makes a positive difference in someones life.I had the actual chance to see a real hero in action on the 9th day of May 2009.On this day,an incident occurred in prison on the recreational yard where one inmate was assaulted/attacked by another during an outdoor basketball game.After the attack took place,the injured inmate lay sprawled unconscious,bleeding out his mouth and the back of his head,and due to the impact of his head with the concrete. Upon noticing the inmate was bleeding through his mouth and choking on what appeared to be his own blood,Barnes immediately turned the injured inmate over so that his breathing pathway would not be blocked by the inmates own blood.Barnes further checked the inmates vital signs and kept all of us spectators idol indicating that the inmate would be alright.Later on the next day,I heard that the inmate would be alright and he would make it.In addition,I learned that absent Barnes conduct,the inmate surely would have died by choking own his own blood.after hearing all of this,I went and found Barnes and thank and congratulated him for saving a life.This situation taught me that a hero is defined by the positive difference he makes in a person's life,and that day on May 9th,2009,I got the chance to see a real hero with my own two eyes.
By,E-Lance
By,E-Lance
Friday, August 13, 2010
Taw heed (monotheism,oneness of Allah god)
Once a person believes that there is nothing worthy of worship except Allah (God) alone and he has no partner and Muhammad is his messenger and last of the prophets, then one must follow Taw heed (monotheism oneness of god) Taw heed is a part of faith which one must adhere to because if a person has no Taw heed (monotheism) he has no faith. The Muslim is one who retain a firm belief, pronounce the declaration of faith (shahadah) and maintain apparent righteous deeds. Taw heed is nothing new, all the prophets as from Nuh (Noah) to Muhammad came with Tawheed monotheism advise the people to worship one god. We as mankind was created by god and solely to worship him nothing else. So when one is having a religious conversation one has to invite and speak about Tawheed (oneness of god) because if a person has no Tawheed, doesn't believe that god is one and he has no associates he has no faith. Tawheed has three aspects: 1. Oneness of the lordship of Allah (god) tawheed-ar-rububiya: To believe that there is only one lord for all the universe, it's creator, organizer, planner, sustainer, and the giver of security, etc. and that is Allah (God).2. Oneness of the worship of Allah:(god) tawheed-al-uluhiya: To believe that none has the right to be worshipped (e.g praying, invoking, asking for help (from the unseen), swearing, slaughtering, sacrigices, giving charity, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.) but Allah (God).3. Oneness of the names and the qualities of Allah (God): Tawheed-al-Asma was-sifat: To believe that:(i) We must not name or qualify Allah (God) except with what he or his messenger Muhammad (Saws) has named or qualified him.(ii) None can be named or qualified with the names or qualifications of Allah (God)(iii) We must confirm all of Allah's (God's) qualifications which Allah has stated in his book (the quaran) or mention through his messenger (Muhammad (saws)) without changing them or ignoring them completely or twisting the meanings or giving resemblance to any of the created things. Muslims believe in all these aspects of tawheed wholeheartedly and believe in their heart and profess with the tongue laa illaha ill allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (God).
By: Jalil Abdul Muqaddim a.k.a Chris washington
By: Jalil Abdul Muqaddim a.k.a Chris washington
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Meaning Of Islam
Islam means one who submits to the will of god (Allah) with Tawhid (monotheism: believing in the oneness of god).
When one submits to the will of god (Allah), you separate god (the creator)from his (God) creation all that exist. God is one he has no children and nothing is comparable to him. By submitting and adhering to the will of God one is ready to make a covenant with god with sincerity by belief in the heart, speech of the tongue and action of the limbs this is faith (Iman).The covenant is the Shahadah that one must make upon entering into Islam which is testifying with your tongue that "I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah (God) and Muhammad is his servant and messenger. Upon making this covenant one enters into the Islamic faith.(Muslim).
By Jalil Abdul Muqaddim aka Chris Washington
When one submits to the will of god (Allah), you separate god (the creator)from his (God) creation all that exist. God is one he has no children and nothing is comparable to him. By submitting and adhering to the will of God one is ready to make a covenant with god with sincerity by belief in the heart, speech of the tongue and action of the limbs this is faith (Iman).The covenant is the Shahadah that one must make upon entering into Islam which is testifying with your tongue that "I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah (God) and Muhammad is his servant and messenger. Upon making this covenant one enters into the Islamic faith.(Muslim).
By Jalil Abdul Muqaddim aka Chris Washington
Monday, August 2, 2010
DISEASES OF THE HEART
1. You believe in ALLAH(GOD) but you do not fulfill his commands.
2.You believe in the messengers of the almighty but you do not follow
their way.
3. You enjoy all the blessings of the creator but you are not thankful of him.
4. You read the divine scriptures but you do not put it into practice.
5. You acknowledge Satan as you enemy but you do not go against him.
6. You want to enter paradise but you do not work to attain it.
7. You do not want to be thrown to hell but you don't run away from it.
8. You believe that every living thing will face death but you do not prepare
for it.
9. You find fault in others but you don't recognize your own faults and bad habits.
10. You bury the dead but you don't take a lesson from it.
"Then, which of the favours of your lord will ye deny?"
Sura Al-Rahman 31
By A Barnes
2.You believe in the messengers of the almighty but you do not follow
their way.
3. You enjoy all the blessings of the creator but you are not thankful of him.
4. You read the divine scriptures but you do not put it into practice.
5. You acknowledge Satan as you enemy but you do not go against him.
6. You want to enter paradise but you do not work to attain it.
7. You do not want to be thrown to hell but you don't run away from it.
8. You believe that every living thing will face death but you do not prepare
for it.
9. You find fault in others but you don't recognize your own faults and bad habits.
10. You bury the dead but you don't take a lesson from it.
"Then, which of the favours of your lord will ye deny?"
Sura Al-Rahman 31
By A Barnes
The Blame? Our Communities
While watching CNN,the Ricklist,about a week ago.I came across their debate involving,"Who's responsible for the youth violence in Chicago?" One debater blamed the youth and lack of respect,another blamed the parents,the last blamed the communities.In my opinion,the last guy was correct.
The debate centered on the death of a Chicago youth,13 year old shot 22 times.I sat and listened to all sides of the debate and came up with my own conclusion of why the last guy was correct.For one,In my opinion,the blame does not fall on the parents because no parents raise their kids to be killers,drug dealers or robbers.Parents mold their kids by teaching them manners,conversational skills,etc.Parents do more than teach ,most lead by example.However,when kids leave the house and go off into the communities they have to be disciplined enough to employ what they learned at home,i.e.manners and respect.They definitely ain't taught to kill and rob,etc.
This brings me to the real blame of the violence-our communities.Most metro,urban and inner cities have poverty,crime,bad role models etc. These are the type of environments that our kids wind up socializing in and they often learn habits of those in this environment:those who often aren't employed,those who sell drugs,those who kill.Now,to a youth routinely hanging in this type environment,violence and crime becomes as easy to employ,it's almost like a normal part of life to them,like playing a pick up game of basketball.And,like most things that are routine,it becomes an instinct.
So now,we have over 3/4 of the inner city youths across the country entering this same cycle over and over again.Even the suburban and small cities youths are falling victim to this cycle because of the countries economic conditions.
So,again,like stated earlier,the communities are the blame not the parents.last but not least,our country is at fault for the depreciating of our communities.On the last and final note,I wish more people would pay attention to the seed of our youths problems and step up to take a stand in shaping our communities to make them better.There is still time,step up.
PS
I am calling out all community role models and mentors to step up and make a difference in a youths life.
When you do,contact me back and tell me what you did to help the community.
by A.Barnes
The debate centered on the death of a Chicago youth,13 year old shot 22 times.I sat and listened to all sides of the debate and came up with my own conclusion of why the last guy was correct.For one,In my opinion,the blame does not fall on the parents because no parents raise their kids to be killers,drug dealers or robbers.Parents mold their kids by teaching them manners,conversational skills,etc.Parents do more than teach ,most lead by example.However,when kids leave the house and go off into the communities they have to be disciplined enough to employ what they learned at home,i.e.manners and respect.They definitely ain't taught to kill and rob,etc.
This brings me to the real blame of the violence-our communities.Most metro,urban and inner cities have poverty,crime,bad role models etc. These are the type of environments that our kids wind up socializing in and they often learn habits of those in this environment:those who often aren't employed,those who sell drugs,those who kill.Now,to a youth routinely hanging in this type environment,violence and crime becomes as easy to employ,it's almost like a normal part of life to them,like playing a pick up game of basketball.And,like most things that are routine,it becomes an instinct.
So now,we have over 3/4 of the inner city youths across the country entering this same cycle over and over again.Even the suburban and small cities youths are falling victim to this cycle because of the countries economic conditions.
So,again,like stated earlier,the communities are the blame not the parents.last but not least,our country is at fault for the depreciating of our communities.On the last and final note,I wish more people would pay attention to the seed of our youths problems and step up to take a stand in shaping our communities to make them better.There is still time,step up.
PS
I am calling out all community role models and mentors to step up and make a difference in a youths life.
When you do,contact me back and tell me what you did to help the community.
by A.Barnes
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
MY BIGGEST FEAR:ABUSE IN NURSING HOME
Every family has dealt with a member of their family getting old and no longer able to care for themselves because of medical reasons whether it's physical or mental.Those families that have,usually have to face a tough decision of putting their loved ones in a nursing home.My family is one of those who had to face this difficult decision.Our decision was difficult because we've heard so many stories of abuse in nursing homes etc.,and the fear of it actually happening to our loved one overwhelmed us.
This led me to do some independent research to learn of what to look for when detecting abuse.While researching,I stumbled across an article by Angela Atkinson that contained details of what to look for when detecting this type of abuse:broken skin,new bruises,mood swings. I learned also that there are a lot of abuse cases reported by families and friends.However, I didn't see how those reports were being handled.This only enhanced my concerns and fear about my mom's stay in the nursing home since I am not in position to actually monitor her stay and treatment in person.I pray that her stay will be pleasant although I'm hurt because I can't be there to protect her in person.Overall, we must not overlook the abuse in nursing homes because you never know,you or your loved one may be there one day.
By A.Barnes
This led me to do some independent research to learn of what to look for when detecting abuse.While researching,I stumbled across an article by Angela Atkinson that contained details of what to look for when detecting this type of abuse:broken skin,new bruises,mood swings. I learned also that there are a lot of abuse cases reported by families and friends.However, I didn't see how those reports were being handled.This only enhanced my concerns and fear about my mom's stay in the nursing home since I am not in position to actually monitor her stay and treatment in person.I pray that her stay will be pleasant although I'm hurt because I can't be there to protect her in person.Overall, we must not overlook the abuse in nursing homes because you never know,you or your loved one may be there one day.
By A.Barnes
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
STILL MY MOTHER'S BABY
March 13, 1991 when i was born,
Two of the best families i joined.
My mother first and my father last,
It's crazy how time is moving so fast.
Growing up in D.C wasn't the ideal place for me,
only thing happening' is pain and a lot of misery.
Comin' up my ass was always red,
cause i didn't listen to a word my mother said.
My father was strict and always right,
I refused to listen, but i never put up a fight.
When i turned 14, i though i was a real "G",
my mother saw me growing into a man she didn't want me to be.
I wish i knew then what she had on her mind,
Cuz these streets is starting to take a toll on my behind.
She would always scream at me, but i never got mad at her,
cause when it's cold, she's my fur, damn, i wish i had listened to her.
These police and judges don't care, to take someones life, they think
it's fair.
They sit there with that cold hard stare, then your life is changed when the judge says, "get his ass out of here."
My brother called me up saying that it was important that he come see me.
So much went through my head when i hung up, and sat looking at t.v.
When i got in the car he had i normal look,
i calmed down some, but was still kind of shook.
He said ma just had a heart attack, she in the hospital,
my body grew numb and cold like an icicle.
But my family stuck together, like bullets and lead,
you wouldn't believe how many tears i shed.
As i sit in that hospital room, i could only look at her,
it had grown so cold, because i had no fur.
In a deep sleep, my mother stands in front of me,
she said Marcus don't worry, one day we'll all be free.
I say,"ma not right now, that's to hard for me to see",
i awoke, there she lay so peacefully.
Two years have gone by and i think I'm starting to go crazy,
but i pull myself together, because in my mind i know,
I'm still my mother's baby.....
By
Marcus Harrison
Two of the best families i joined.
My mother first and my father last,
It's crazy how time is moving so fast.
Growing up in D.C wasn't the ideal place for me,
only thing happening' is pain and a lot of misery.
Comin' up my ass was always red,
cause i didn't listen to a word my mother said.
My father was strict and always right,
I refused to listen, but i never put up a fight.
When i turned 14, i though i was a real "G",
my mother saw me growing into a man she didn't want me to be.
I wish i knew then what she had on her mind,
Cuz these streets is starting to take a toll on my behind.
She would always scream at me, but i never got mad at her,
cause when it's cold, she's my fur, damn, i wish i had listened to her.
These police and judges don't care, to take someones life, they think
it's fair.
They sit there with that cold hard stare, then your life is changed when the judge says, "get his ass out of here."
My brother called me up saying that it was important that he come see me.
So much went through my head when i hung up, and sat looking at t.v.
When i got in the car he had i normal look,
i calmed down some, but was still kind of shook.
He said ma just had a heart attack, she in the hospital,
my body grew numb and cold like an icicle.
But my family stuck together, like bullets and lead,
you wouldn't believe how many tears i shed.
As i sit in that hospital room, i could only look at her,
it had grown so cold, because i had no fur.
In a deep sleep, my mother stands in front of me,
she said Marcus don't worry, one day we'll all be free.
I say,"ma not right now, that's to hard for me to see",
i awoke, there she lay so peacefully.
Two years have gone by and i think I'm starting to go crazy,
but i pull myself together, because in my mind i know,
I'm still my mother's baby.....
By
Marcus Harrison
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Lend A Helping Hand
We all are going to get old one day.This is a reality that we as people have to accept.Every person has some type of fear of this reality or fear that someone they care for may die from old age.Alot of us overlook the problems that our elders have to deal with,such as abuse and the possibilty of someone taking advantage of them.
Many of us just turn a blind eye and take the easy way out by acting like we didn't see something that we know we saw.For instance, you happen to ride,walk or run past an elders home and you see them in front yard struggling to push the lawn mower to cut the lawn.Instead of stopping to lend a helping hand, we continue on down the rode by acting like we didn't see anything.
When i was young ,It was the nice things I did for the elders that made me feel good.Like,taking out the their trash ,cutting their lawns and even taking them to the store.Me,personally,I never turned a blind eye but I know plenty of people that have.If you happen to be one that may have turned a blind eye,in the past,make sure you don't do it again because always remember-one day you too will be old.
This article is note meant to criticize anyone in particular,it was created as a wake up call for the public to help our elders.
By A.Barnes
Many of us just turn a blind eye and take the easy way out by acting like we didn't see something that we know we saw.For instance, you happen to ride,walk or run past an elders home and you see them in front yard struggling to push the lawn mower to cut the lawn.Instead of stopping to lend a helping hand, we continue on down the rode by acting like we didn't see anything.
When i was young ,It was the nice things I did for the elders that made me feel good.Like,taking out the their trash ,cutting their lawns and even taking them to the store.Me,personally,I never turned a blind eye but I know plenty of people that have.If you happen to be one that may have turned a blind eye,in the past,make sure you don't do it again because always remember-one day you too will be old.
This article is note meant to criticize anyone in particular,it was created as a wake up call for the public to help our elders.
By A.Barnes
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sun Light Is No Longer Shining
The sunlight is no longer shining through the
Windows of our minds
Because we are now trapped into this
dark environment with many real brothers
Of the same kind.
Where we no longer embrace the black
Sisters in our lives to call our own
Because the government is killing two birds with
One little stone and now our girls are gone
But many brothers are still holding onto faith
that one day freedom will come
Despite the demonstration that the "terminator" dis-
Played when he executed
"Tookie Williams" on the front page
Where it was so plain for the eyes to see
That our roots are getting killed off along with time
Which should be all the right reasons in the world
For us to stop the black on black crimes
The sunlight is no longer shining through
The windows or our minds
Because we are now trapped into this dark
environment with many real
brothers of the same kind
Whose anger is constantly building within
this world of danger
Because we haven't yet to find any light
at the other end of the dark chamber
So one must prepare for his death at any
given day or time
And pray for the kids that may not ever
reach to see their primes
O'lord they treating us so wrong
But will you please continue to give us the
Strenghth to move on strong
By answering our prayers and blessings
Our future seeds
Who will soon be ripping and running
Throughout the ghetto streets
Because we must make our kids road
in life smooth, where there is true love
So they all will know that there is only
One true god up above
Cause there have been trillions of casualties
behind religious wars
That effected many generations with a
lifetime of scars
Leaving the sunlight to no longer shine
Through the windows of our minds
Because we are now trapped into this dark environ-
ment with many real brothers of the same kind
Where our hearts are now fully loaded,
From carrying too much consecutive time.
By Robert Sawyer A.K.A RAH-RAH
Windows of our minds
Because we are now trapped into this
dark environment with many real brothers
Of the same kind.
Where we no longer embrace the black
Sisters in our lives to call our own
Because the government is killing two birds with
One little stone and now our girls are gone
But many brothers are still holding onto faith
that one day freedom will come
Despite the demonstration that the "terminator" dis-
Played when he executed
"Tookie Williams" on the front page
Where it was so plain for the eyes to see
That our roots are getting killed off along with time
Which should be all the right reasons in the world
For us to stop the black on black crimes
The sunlight is no longer shining through
The windows or our minds
Because we are now trapped into this dark
environment with many real
brothers of the same kind
Whose anger is constantly building within
this world of danger
Because we haven't yet to find any light
at the other end of the dark chamber
So one must prepare for his death at any
given day or time
And pray for the kids that may not ever
reach to see their primes
O'lord they treating us so wrong
But will you please continue to give us the
Strenghth to move on strong
By answering our prayers and blessings
Our future seeds
Who will soon be ripping and running
Throughout the ghetto streets
Because we must make our kids road
in life smooth, where there is true love
So they all will know that there is only
One true god up above
Cause there have been trillions of casualties
behind religious wars
That effected many generations with a
lifetime of scars
Leaving the sunlight to no longer shine
Through the windows of our minds
Because we are now trapped into this dark environ-
ment with many real brothers of the same kind
Where our hearts are now fully loaded,
From carrying too much consecutive time.
By Robert Sawyer A.K.A RAH-RAH
Friday, July 9, 2010
Thought Of The Month
Try not to become a person of habits, but a person of value..
Being successful in life,comes with values..
A failure is a person who have blamed,
A winner is a person who keep fighting until he/she wins..
You will never embrace the future if you keep hold on to the pass..
There is no job in the future, the future is in you..
The best thing that happened to you today is you woke up, some people didn't! By
waking up you still have a chance to make a difference!!!
By-Antonio Barnes
Being successful in life,comes with values..
A failure is a person who have blamed,
A winner is a person who keep fighting until he/she wins..
You will never embrace the future if you keep hold on to the pass..
There is no job in the future, the future is in you..
The best thing that happened to you today is you woke up, some people didn't! By
waking up you still have a chance to make a difference!!!
By-Antonio Barnes
Friday, July 2, 2010
Showing My Appreciation
Recently, my fear and pain have been placed at ease due to the job the university of Maryland's hospital staff,specifically the CCU unit, has done on my mom's behalf. About one week ago, my 82 year old mom had a procedure done to remove a gall stone. While it was not an operation procedure, it still had effects on her old frame.For instance,as a result of the procedure, she had kidney complications,problems breathing and high blood pressure:things that could very well have been derived from old age.Nevertheless, the hospital staff worked in unison to remedy her health problems.Further, they have been very informative to me in my continuous efforts to get her health updates.
To show my appreciation for the hospital staff's work,I decided to write this article.My mom is my best friend and I had routinely talked to her on a daily basis for the last 15 years.It is very hard on me being 500 miles away and not being able to be present at her bedside.Thanks to Jen and Ruff and the rest of the hospital staff as well as the doctors,who all took my place in being there and showed a genuine care.This should come as no surprise to me, after all, I was born in this very same hospital some 43 years ago.
For what it is worth, thanks and I appreciate the care shown towards my ailing mom and me. This is my only way to show my gratitude and many thanks.
by A.Barnes
To show my appreciation for the hospital staff's work,I decided to write this article.My mom is my best friend and I had routinely talked to her on a daily basis for the last 15 years.It is very hard on me being 500 miles away and not being able to be present at her bedside.Thanks to Jen and Ruff and the rest of the hospital staff as well as the doctors,who all took my place in being there and showed a genuine care.This should come as no surprise to me, after all, I was born in this very same hospital some 43 years ago.
For what it is worth, thanks and I appreciate the care shown towards my ailing mom and me. This is my only way to show my gratitude and many thanks.
by A.Barnes
Monday, June 21, 2010
IS BET BRAINWASHING OUR YOUTH?
As I sat at a computer in the leisure room of my unit, I noticed two young guys wearing walkmens with the music playing,blazing from the headphones. One of the guys began to recite the words of the rap song playing,"I need a westside chick, or an eastside chick....." I just looked at them both,in amazement, wondering why this kind of music has such control on our youth. I tapped one of the guys on the shoulder,"excuse me, didn't I see you in the education dept. yesterday?"Aren't you in school over there?"I asked
He responds,"Yeah, i am in GED classes."
I nod.It figures, I say to myself. I got up and walked out heading toward the tv area when I noticed a video on BET. I stopped, glared at it for a moment and then put my headphones on to hear the music.Lil Jeezy raps"Lost My Mind", he talks about sexing two young girls, having deranged thoughts, smoking 1000 swisher sweet blunts and about his car in the parking lot being the hottest. I looked around and noticed all the youth singin,smiling and bobbing their heads in a trance from the music.If only education had this appealing sound.
The guys sat there in front of the Bet tv watching every video that came on for an hour straight practically lipsynching every song. Sadly, most of those watching Bet, don't have a GED or a highschool diploma.Further, they can't even tell you when was the last time they sat down and wrote their parents, children or siblings.Two years ago, it was reported that 70% of the federal prison population didn't have a GED or a highschool diploma.Education is not a priority to our youth, they are motivated by fantasies derived from television videos. New music videos come out every other day, attracting new young viewers and those same young viewers are the ones w/out a GED or an education. This leads to our overall graduation rate and self respect declining while the crime rate is rising.
Is it BET videos or Rap music that's causing this?
by A.Barnes
He responds,"Yeah, i am in GED classes."
I nod.It figures, I say to myself. I got up and walked out heading toward the tv area when I noticed a video on BET. I stopped, glared at it for a moment and then put my headphones on to hear the music.Lil Jeezy raps"Lost My Mind", he talks about sexing two young girls, having deranged thoughts, smoking 1000 swisher sweet blunts and about his car in the parking lot being the hottest. I looked around and noticed all the youth singin,smiling and bobbing their heads in a trance from the music.If only education had this appealing sound.
The guys sat there in front of the Bet tv watching every video that came on for an hour straight practically lipsynching every song. Sadly, most of those watching Bet, don't have a GED or a highschool diploma.Further, they can't even tell you when was the last time they sat down and wrote their parents, children or siblings.Two years ago, it was reported that 70% of the federal prison population didn't have a GED or a highschool diploma.Education is not a priority to our youth, they are motivated by fantasies derived from television videos. New music videos come out every other day, attracting new young viewers and those same young viewers are the ones w/out a GED or an education. This leads to our overall graduation rate and self respect declining while the crime rate is rising.
Is it BET videos or Rap music that's causing this?
by A.Barnes
FOCUS
Last month we tried to focus on youth violence and the problems as well as some solutions.
In the month of July we will focus our content on the Lost and Forgotten Elderly.
In the month of July we will focus our content on the Lost and Forgotten Elderly.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
"As soon as you trust yourself,you will know how to live."
"You can't give love away to others if you don't have any yourself."
"Learn to close the door of your mind on all failures from your past.Try to clear your mind of any influence which does not support your new goals to making that change to freedom."
"Your thoughts create your reality,so getting control of your thoughts is the first step toward freedom."
--A.Barnes
"You can't give love away to others if you don't have any yourself."
"Learn to close the door of your mind on all failures from your past.Try to clear your mind of any influence which does not support your new goals to making that change to freedom."
"Your thoughts create your reality,so getting control of your thoughts is the first step toward freedom."
--A.Barnes
Monday, June 14, 2010
AIDS AWARENESS:DON'T BE AFRAID TO KNOW
FEAR RACED THROUGH MY MIND AS I SAT IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE WAITING FOR MY HIV TEST RESULTS TO COME BACK.THROUGH EARLY YEARS OF LIFE I FAILED TO PRACTICE SAFE SEX LIKE SO MANY OTHERS MY AGE,AND , AS I SAT IN SUSPENSE, I WONDERED WOULD I END UP PAYING FOR MY MISTAKES WITH MY LIFE.
TEN MINUETS LATER, MY QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED, THE DOCTOR CALLED ME TO THE BACK AND TOLD ME MY RESULTS WERE NEGATIVE.I TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND THANKED THE DOCTOR WITH A HANDSHAKE.TWENTY MINUTES LATER AS I WALKED BACK TO MY UNIT, I CONSIDERED THE ALTERNATIVE:MY TEST RESULTS BEING POSITIVE. JUST CONSIDERING THAT POSSIBILITY PRIOR TO GETTING TESTED IS ENOUGH TO THWART THE AVERAGE PERSON FROM GOING TO GET TESTED.MANY INDULGE IN THE THEORY OF DENIAL-IF I GOT IT ,I DON'T WANT TO KNOW.THIS THEORY OF DENIAL CREATES ENOUGH JUSTIFICATION IN THE MINDS OF INDIVIDUALS TO STOP THEM FROM GOING TO GET TESTED.
THESE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT ALLOW THE AIDS EPIDEMIC TO CONTINUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.FEAR AND PERSONAL INSECURITY PLAY A PART AS WELL.NO ONE WANTS ANYONE TO KNOW THEY HAVE HIV AND NO ONE WANTS TO KNOW THEY HAVE THE DISEASE.WE HAVE TO SHAKE THE COAT OF FEAR AND SECRECY AND TALK ABOUT IT,CREATING A SOCIAL FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE IT EASY FOR THOSE AFFECTED TO TALK ABOUT IT.BY NOT CREATING THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT FOR THOSE AFFECTED TO TALK ,WE ARE AMPLIFYING THEIR CLASSIFICATIONS AS"OUTCASTS" AND ALLOWING THE EPIDEMIC TO GROW.
BY INTRODUCING AN EXAGGERATED AWARENESS TO THE COMMUNITIES, WE ALLOW THE EPIDEMIC TO BE DISCUSSED AND CAN ENCOURAGE THOSE AFFECTED WITH THE DISEASE TO PARTICIPATE IN OPEN DISCUSSIONS.THE NEXT TIME YOU CONTEMPLATE ON HAVING SEX WITH A PERSON OR WITH YOUR PARTNER ASK THEM,"WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD AN HIV TEST? DEMAND THAT THEY BE TESTED AND SHOW YOU THE RESULTS.THIS TYPE OF DEMAND IS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF A POLICE OFFICER WHEN ASKING FOR ONE'S DRIVING LICENSE.THINK ABOUT IT!
"LEARN TO TRUST YOUR INTUITION"
BY ANTONIO BARNES
TEN MINUETS LATER, MY QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED, THE DOCTOR CALLED ME TO THE BACK AND TOLD ME MY RESULTS WERE NEGATIVE.I TOOK A DEEP BREATH AND THANKED THE DOCTOR WITH A HANDSHAKE.TWENTY MINUTES LATER AS I WALKED BACK TO MY UNIT, I CONSIDERED THE ALTERNATIVE:MY TEST RESULTS BEING POSITIVE. JUST CONSIDERING THAT POSSIBILITY PRIOR TO GETTING TESTED IS ENOUGH TO THWART THE AVERAGE PERSON FROM GOING TO GET TESTED.MANY INDULGE IN THE THEORY OF DENIAL-IF I GOT IT ,I DON'T WANT TO KNOW.THIS THEORY OF DENIAL CREATES ENOUGH JUSTIFICATION IN THE MINDS OF INDIVIDUALS TO STOP THEM FROM GOING TO GET TESTED.
THESE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT ALLOW THE AIDS EPIDEMIC TO CONTINUE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.FEAR AND PERSONAL INSECURITY PLAY A PART AS WELL.NO ONE WANTS ANYONE TO KNOW THEY HAVE HIV AND NO ONE WANTS TO KNOW THEY HAVE THE DISEASE.WE HAVE TO SHAKE THE COAT OF FEAR AND SECRECY AND TALK ABOUT IT,CREATING A SOCIAL FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE IT EASY FOR THOSE AFFECTED TO TALK ABOUT IT.BY NOT CREATING THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT FOR THOSE AFFECTED TO TALK ,WE ARE AMPLIFYING THEIR CLASSIFICATIONS AS"OUTCASTS" AND ALLOWING THE EPIDEMIC TO GROW.
BY INTRODUCING AN EXAGGERATED AWARENESS TO THE COMMUNITIES, WE ALLOW THE EPIDEMIC TO BE DISCUSSED AND CAN ENCOURAGE THOSE AFFECTED WITH THE DISEASE TO PARTICIPATE IN OPEN DISCUSSIONS.THE NEXT TIME YOU CONTEMPLATE ON HAVING SEX WITH A PERSON OR WITH YOUR PARTNER ASK THEM,"WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD AN HIV TEST? DEMAND THAT THEY BE TESTED AND SHOW YOU THE RESULTS.THIS TYPE OF DEMAND IS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF A POLICE OFFICER WHEN ASKING FOR ONE'S DRIVING LICENSE.THINK ABOUT IT!
"LEARN TO TRUST YOUR INTUITION"
BY ANTONIO BARNES
Thursday, June 10, 2010
A sibling murder: a brother kills his sister
When will this madness going on stop?
Doing some vintage reading two days ago, I came across yet another article in the Miami Herald that described another youth killing. On Oct 21,2009 a 14 year old kid named Ronald Salozar was found guilty of raping and killing his 11 year old sister in which he sliced her throat. The jury gave the "sister killer" two life terms and according to the article, he did not flinch when the verdict was read.
The youth violence is a serious crisis in this country.Yes, we are the land of the free, but not crisis free.While the BP oil spill seems to be the national headline, in my opinion, the youth violence also qualifies as a national headline.Is our future's crisis serious enough to warrant more attention, after all, our kids are our future.
We,as adults,have to be the difference makers.We have to install old values in the kids.Our parents did not raise us to be killers and gang members. We were taught to love and respect each other and the community.What happened with that part of life? Some of us took "short cuts" in raising our children and it reflects our communities.Kids acting out,killing,robbing,raping,etc.Pain and suffering is the derivative effect of this and prison is the light at the end of the tunnel for our children or death. In the end, we all lose.
How can we stop this madness and go forward?Tell me.
(welcoming all comments and answers)
We need help and you do have the answers.Help us help ourselves.Lawyers,doctors,police officers,teachers,ball players, and all of you who are kids look up to, they will listen to you if they know you care.I've been there.
Doing some vintage reading two days ago, I came across yet another article in the Miami Herald that described another youth killing. On Oct 21,2009 a 14 year old kid named Ronald Salozar was found guilty of raping and killing his 11 year old sister in which he sliced her throat. The jury gave the "sister killer" two life terms and according to the article, he did not flinch when the verdict was read.
The youth violence is a serious crisis in this country.Yes, we are the land of the free, but not crisis free.While the BP oil spill seems to be the national headline, in my opinion, the youth violence also qualifies as a national headline.Is our future's crisis serious enough to warrant more attention, after all, our kids are our future.
We,as adults,have to be the difference makers.We have to install old values in the kids.Our parents did not raise us to be killers and gang members. We were taught to love and respect each other and the community.What happened with that part of life? Some of us took "short cuts" in raising our children and it reflects our communities.Kids acting out,killing,robbing,raping,etc.Pain and suffering is the derivative effect of this and prison is the light at the end of the tunnel for our children or death. In the end, we all lose.
How can we stop this madness and go forward?Tell me.
(welcoming all comments and answers)
We need help and you do have the answers.Help us help ourselves.Lawyers,doctors,police officers,teachers,ball players, and all of you who are kids look up to, they will listen to you if they know you care.I've been there.
Friday, June 4, 2010
A LESSON ON RESPECT
Now a days our youth lack self respect.In my opinion, this stems from the lack of knowledge regarding what defines respect. The youth,for decades, have been confused by the real meaning of respect. The real definition of respect is a state of being held in honor and esteem, or to show consideration for.
Before you can show someone else respect, you have to respect yourself,hence, the seed of self esteem. Do thingd in your everyday life that makes you feel good doing. Whether it's helping someone, making the right decision at the right time, to just doing something as simple as telling your loved one that you love them. Once you build honor and self esteem within your self, respecting the next person becomes easy. In fact, you begin to value the respect you show to the next person and it becomes routine. Most important, it's a wonderful feeling, and that's real!
"Your attitude towards life determines lifes attitude towards you, your future and past."
by Antonio Barnes
Before you can show someone else respect, you have to respect yourself,hence, the seed of self esteem. Do thingd in your everyday life that makes you feel good doing. Whether it's helping someone, making the right decision at the right time, to just doing something as simple as telling your loved one that you love them. Once you build honor and self esteem within your self, respecting the next person becomes easy. In fact, you begin to value the respect you show to the next person and it becomes routine. Most important, it's a wonderful feeling, and that's real!
"Your attitude towards life determines lifes attitude towards you, your future and past."
by Antonio Barnes
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
"Stop Killing Our Children:Take A Stand"
We have a big problem on our hands, our children are dropping like flies. While reading the Miami Times(1-27-10), I came across an article by Sandra Charite that described three senseless killings of youth. Based on the motives for the murders, I 'm inclined to say that they were senseless.
In one instance, two young men ages 15 and 18 were walking to a freinds house and was gunned down and 7 others were injured, apparently, by gunmen who opened fired with an assault weapon on this group. One year later, the families of the victims made a public plea for help for information in assisting in capturing those responsible.
In Jan of 2010, a 15 year old girl was killed in a Liberty City drive by shooting and three others were injured. After I finished reading the articles;I gathered my thoughts,trying to think of a universal solution to this national evolving policy of violance inflicted upon our youth. Initially, I thought that Chicago was the only city that had big problems regarding the killing of our children but as I know now-It is a national problem.
Instead of sitting around grieving abouthte violence, we have to take steps in the community to save our children. We are just as responsible for the violence if we do nothing to curtail it from occuring,again, and for those of you who have yet to encounter youth violence in your community or city,don't sleep-It can happen.
The time has come for us to take a stand, not only for the kids but for our communities. After all,"you are your community.
wake up!!!!!!
by Antonio Barnes
In one instance, two young men ages 15 and 18 were walking to a freinds house and was gunned down and 7 others were injured, apparently, by gunmen who opened fired with an assault weapon on this group. One year later, the families of the victims made a public plea for help for information in assisting in capturing those responsible.
In Jan of 2010, a 15 year old girl was killed in a Liberty City drive by shooting and three others were injured. After I finished reading the articles;I gathered my thoughts,trying to think of a universal solution to this national evolving policy of violance inflicted upon our youth. Initially, I thought that Chicago was the only city that had big problems regarding the killing of our children but as I know now-It is a national problem.
Instead of sitting around grieving abouthte violence, we have to take steps in the community to save our children. We are just as responsible for the violence if we do nothing to curtail it from occuring,again, and for those of you who have yet to encounter youth violence in your community or city,don't sleep-It can happen.
The time has come for us to take a stand, not only for the kids but for our communities. After all,"you are your community.
wake up!!!!!!
by Antonio Barnes
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