The student organized group that is opposing Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law is picking up a tremendous amount of support. However, it is not the rock star type of support depicted by the imperialist press.
By now, we all know singers, preachers and rappers have visited Florida’s Capitol to speak to student members of the “Dream Defenders” that have been “sitting in” Florida Governor Rick Scott’s office for more than three solid weeks.
The students occupying the Governor’s office seem a lot like the people that occupied Wall Street. Both groups were well intentioned. Both groups were determined, caring and dedicated.
However, neither group had a workable plan, a viable strategy, necessary resources or a clearly attainable goal.
If a blanket repeal of the SYG law by a Republican controlled legislature is the ultimate goal, it will never happen!
The best the students can hope for is a Stand Your Ground “dog and pony show”! That is what committee meetings called to discuss an issue that has already been decided and determined are labeled as by governmental experts and political lobbyists.
The student activists at the Capitol are supported by local activists and the former community freedom fighting members of such groups as the Malcolm X Liberation Front and The Black Federation Alliance who are very proud that this group of young people stepped up and did something.
Any change in Florida law must be voted on by the Florida Legislature. Students need to have a bill drawn up that will address their concerns whether it is repeal, change or something else in between. The students must have sponsors in both the Florida House and the Florida Senate and the student’s proposed bill must be signed into law by Florida Governor Rick Scott.
It is not enough to have a good cause, a right issue, or a just piece of legislation to accomplish a goal of changing any law, you must prevail!
If the Legislative Black Caucus can’t get their own priorities passed it is reasonable to believe a group of students will have trouble getting desired legislation passed in the Florida Legislature also.
I was a lobbyist when State Representatives Tony Hill and Kendrick Meek sat in Governor Jeb Bush’s office years ago. I was even alive when Black college students across the nation sat in at lunch counters.
Well, some students that sat in at lunch counters were beaten and or jailed before lunch counters were desegregated. Bush told law enforcers in graphic language to throw Hill and Meeks out of his office.
The Gantt Report wants the students to have a successful protest. There is no shame in reorganizing and regrouping to name goals that can be accomplished such as setting up groups to protect young people that have to travel at night or raising money to defeat legislators that refuse to change unjust laws.
Not only will sit ins not accomplish stated goals. Sitting in may just cause violence if students are forcibly removed from the Capitol and jailed and believe me one day they will have to leave, voluntarily or by force.
We are proud of the student “Dream Defenders” for taking direct action when other young people merely sought to make Facebook posts.
But success is always the best revenge! Symbolism is sensational and generates press and puppets that want media attention but it doesn’t work.
Remember when the people in Mississippi and other southern states started the plans to march on Washington in the late sixties and then the preachers and the politicians “took over” the march? That is when Martin Luther King, Jr., made his I Have A Dream speech.
If you want to accomplish something in the Florida Legislature, assemble some of the state’s most experienced lobbyists and political activists and come up with a viable political strategy.
If you don’t figure out something that will work, history will look at you not as Dream Defenders but as Dream Pretenders! (Buy Gantt’s latest book “Beast Too: Dead Man Writing” at any major book store and contact Lucius at www.allworldconsultants.net)
Joseph Strider is many things, he is a talented musician, singer - songwriter, radio host, chaplain, humanitarian, and a man I consider my Brother. It has been a joy and a privilege to get to know him over the past few years, and I am honored that he has shared so much of his life with me, for that I am truly blessed.
As this amazing journey takes him to new places and causes imprints of his music on our hearts, I feel so many good things will be opening up for Joseph Strider. His musical talents will reach more and more people. His journey is continuing with his recently released CD "String Theory" and nomination this year to NAMA, Coffee House Journeys...Inspirations from the Red Road his radio show that continues to grow, and his upcoming live shows across the nation...so join me in taking notice of My Brother, my Friend... Joseph Strider...
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The Storm Family has been traced back to Dederick Storm of Wyck in the “Land of Altena.” Wyck was a village settled by Vikings in the Tenth Century. The name Storm is Norse in origin and has remained unchanged for about 675 years. Many Storm wives were Dutch.
Dederick Storm was born about 1390. He had two sons, Jacob, who was mayor of Delft, Holland in 1474, and Hugo, who was born in Delft in 1430.
The father of the Storm family in America (New Netherland) was Dirck, born in 1630 in Leyden, Holland. Dirck married Maria Van Montfoort in St. Gertrude’s Church in Den Bosch. Their first child, Gregoris, was born in Den Bosch as was their son Pieter. Their third son, David, was born in Osch. This family of five sailed from Amsterdam, Holland on August 31, 1662 aboard the ship Devos, known as “The Fox.” The passenger list of 55 people listed Dirck Storm as 32 years old. The voyage lasted six weeks and ended with their arrival in the city then known as Nieuw Amsterdam.
Upon arriving in New Netherland in 1662, Dirck1 Storm turned to innkeeping in New Amsterdam. He was a precantor of the Brooklyn and Flatbush Churches and a farmer in New Lots and Bedford, Long Island. In 1691, he was made Clerk of Sessions for Orange County, New York. In 1697, he moved to Philips Manor in New York, which is now Tarrytown. In 1715, he was selected to make up a Church record from memoranda kept by Abraham de’Rivier. The record was for the Dutch Church in Philipsburg and the Dutch Church in Cortland Manor. These two churches consolidated about April 21, 1697. This was the first record book of “The Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow.” His listing of baptisms from April 21, 1697 to April 18, 1716 comprised 319 names of children, their parents and sponsors. Dirck Storm died in Tarrytown in May or June of 1716. There were nine children.
The first son, Gregorus,2 married Engeltje van Dyck, who bore him a son, Jan, in 1704. Jan married Rachel de’Rivier, whose second daughter, Engeltje of the fourth generation, born in 1730, married Abraham Jurckse.
The Storm Family Crest was reflected in a field by a ship at sea under storm sail. The Crest, the helmet of a knight with visor closed, Affronte, surmounted by eagles’ wings with a motto, “Vertouwt,” otherwise translated, “In God We Trust.”
Reference for some of the material quoted comes from “Old Dirck’s Book” A Brief Account of the Life and Times of Dirck Storm of Holland, His Antecendents and the Family He Founded in 1662. The book was privately printed in 1949 by R. W. Storm. The references to the book can be found in the New York Public Library.
It would appear that Rachel’s father, Abraham, had married twice. First, to a Rachel Van Weert and secondly, in 1705 on November 6, to Wentje Crantje Harrickson, who was baptized in 1684. She was the daughter of Eunis Crantje Harrickson, who was baptized in 1684. Yoentje was also the daughter of Eunis.
The Zen adventure was life changing for me. My intention was to dance. I danced. I was healed as I opened myself to the experience. I came home transformed! Deep bow of gratitude for all that transpired. I was touched at a very sacred soul level and received so much more than I came to the Zen Cruise for…I desire more and will be joining again!
When I begin to review all the gifts I received by participating in this trip, I dribble into tears of joy and cannot find words to describe the magic and alchemy of the moment. I want to participate more and volunteer my time in helping fill a whole ship and help facilitate the intentions of the Zen Cruise. I don’t think I can ever miss a Zen Cruise now. It would be missing a family reunion. Love you Family!
I came on the Zen Cruise initially to spend time with positive people. I had no idea what I was about to experience. My face hurt by Day 2 from smiling continuously!!! I have never experienced so much GOODNESS, kindness and PURE JOY in my life!!! I was sad to see it end. Not enough time with such incredible people!
I attended the cruise last year 2014 and enjoyed it. Actually, it altered my journey tremendously by offering liberation breathwork, which I have now been practicing since last year’s cruise. This year I went willing to let go of self judgment and experience new things with a wide open heart. Oh, what a journey it was. Attending as many workshops and classes as I could (and there were LOTS to choose from) my heart exploded with love and gratitude. The atmosphere of positive energy was intoxicating, warm and welcoming from moment one when Val remembered my name as I checked in to board… Can’t wait till next year!
Home from The Zen Cruise – had The Time of My Life!!! One of the Top… most Amazing experiences EVA!!!! Made such incredible new friends – when I got off the boat and came home yesterday – I went into the shower- and cried like I was 12 leaving my friends from Summer Camp!!! Thank you Lisa Pumper and Val Silidker for putting together this ROCKSTAR line up…can’t wait for Zen Cruise 2015 – when we take over the ship!!! I LOVE YOU MY NEW FAMILY!!!
The overall experience was magical! Val Silidker is a masterful event alchemist. She choreographs a beautiful, fluid, uplifting, soul expanding and heart opening experience the whole way through! The Zen Cruise is a next level transformation, no matter where you are in your life, it can be the deepest unforgettable celebration, and as timeless as the blink of an eye!
We just got back to Miami after 6 days of bliss on The Zen Cruise ! It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life no lie! I made so many new friendships and learned so much about my self and felt so much love from everybody in our group! It was such an honour to be invited to play on board! Thank you so so much Valerie Silidker and Lisa Pumper for having us, you both created something so powerful and wonderful! It was even more amazing than I would have ever imagined!
One moment, one breath; that’s all it took to capture the powerful spiritual oneness of this Zen Cruise experience. I called it the “Winds of Change” since it transformed our lives into a better place of consciousness…one that unites! Namaste
A few weeks before I saw the advertisement for the Zen Cruise, I had made an intention to go on a vacation. As a result of my new branding “Mortgages The Zen Way”, then seeing the advertisement for “The Zen Cruise”, that was my cue. I made a commitment right then and for this experience. I went solo. As a result, I was completely opened up to a state of vulnerabilty, peace and joy. One of the greatest experiences of my life! Combine that with meeting and building new relationships that will last a lifetime of like minded people, I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in taking their consciousness to the next level. Even if you go by yourself like I did, you will be welcomed with warm and open arms like I was. An amazing journey! Go with an open heart. Have fun! Peace and love!
Sailing the Zen Cruise 2014 was a deeply inspiring experience… Being immersed in the presence of powerful individuals together in community, everyone with their own unique gift to offer to every moment we shared. The workshops were empowering, the music was uplifting, the places we visited were exquisite in their own beauty and the boat was very much fun! Indeed a luminous addition to my life’s journey! And the transformation continues at the ZenCruise 2015…
In July, the UK announced a new £7 million plan to relocate almost 20,000 Haitians from camps to safer rented homes. This gesture emphasises the need to tackle the danger and injustice of these living conditions. But it also calls into question why 300,000 people were still in tents, 3 years after the devastating 2010 earthquake. Of the $9 billion already pledged by the international community to rebuild Haiti, why was investment not made into securing these people's livelihoods? Where has this money gone?
These questions are pertinent because donors proclaimed and Haitians hoped that this enormous response would deliver more than short term emergency relief; that through long-term planning and permanent reconstruction aid, it was the boost Haitians needed to finally break free from chronic disadvantage and poverty. But this has not materialised. The destructive hurricane seasons continue to show that Haiti remains exceptionally vulnerable to future disasters. The UK mitigating the effects of camp flooding is just one example of a response to an emergency that could have been planned for. Moreover, poverty and unemployment continue to remain at some of the worst levels in the world, and many Haitians (not only those without permanent homes) still rely on foreign aid for basic necessities.
The following 6 figures indicate how much of the promised money was delivered, and how only a small amount went towards 'building back better' and making Haiti stronger from within:
This is the estimated figure invested in short-term solutions to the earthquake's destruction, such as displacement camps, tents, temporary shelters and grants for a years' rent. Only $215 milion has gone to safe, permanent housing. Aid money funded the construction of small, unstable shelters that lack electricity, plumbing and kitchen facilities, for tens of thousands of homeless people who have had no option but to settle there.
USAID pledged a total of $1.15 billion, but the Center for Economic and Policy Research found that the majority of this went to US companies or organisations. Just 0.7% went directly to Haitian organisations or businesses. The largest recipients were the World Bank, the U.N. and Chemonics International Inc, a for-profit company. A third of the initial $379 million promised by the US for Haiti went back to the US as reimbursement for having sent its military.
Remarkably, over 300 farmers who were out of the earthquake's reach in 2010 now join the millions it displaced. They have been evicted (with compensation) from prime, fertile farming land in north-east Haiti to make way for the development of the Caracol industrial park. Costing $300 million, with the US as the biggest investor, the Haitian government predicts that the park will generate tens of thousands of jobs. Yet the project has been met with controversy as they call into question the government's commitment to its conservation plans, since Caracol Bay is deemed by environmentalists to be a conservation priority.
The nonprofit healthcare organisation, Partners in Health, received just under this amount in private donations for their Haiti relief fund. When the earthquake struck, they had an existing 5,000 staff, mostly Haitian, in the country. Compare this with the American Red Cross who had 15 staff in Haiti, but who received 6 times the donations of Partners of Health. This represents a skewed distribution of funds, begging the question of how much, or how little, the overall international response was serving Haitian interests.
The World Bank promised this amount to help fund the £2.2. billion 10-year project led by the Haitian government for a long-term upgrading of water, sanitation and health infrastructure. Another $36 million grant was approved just last month by the Inter-American Development Bank and Spain has contributed $100 million to water projects. But Haiti is 3 years into a cholera epidemic and still only has a fraction of what it needs to fund these initiatives that are so fundamental to combating the spread of the infection.
Only $1 in every $100 of international aid has gone to the government of Haiti and less than 0.05% has gone to non-governmental Haitian organisations.
In many cases, foreign aid rescues lives and livelihoods that are put on the line when disaster strikes. But these figures paint a picture of how the reconstruction of Haiti has mainly been limited to short-term needs and often implemented around, instead of through, local channels.
It is true now, as it was in 2010, that long-term development designed by Haitians for Haitians is both possible and more efficient. Evidently, it is best achieved with transparency and accountability of both Haitian institutions and foreign NGO's, and coordination between the two. This way, plans that are counter-productive to protecting and strengthening Haiti's environment, civil society and infrastructure, can be avoided. Donors can instead invest in those that benefit lives now and in the future. In fact, it is crucial that they do. Rebuilding a less vulnerable, more prosperous Haiti is not yet a broken dream, because the energy, resilience and creativity in Haiti has shown that things can and do get done. The global community must keep believing this and supporting projects that will help make it a reality.
IMAGE: The neighbourhood of Fort National in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. Picture taken from Mere Louise School, Av Poupelard.
Thank you to our sponsors, guests and volunteers for making it a wonderful evening #HaitiEarthquake7 #ThinkingGirls https://t.co/3XZa2cJ2DB — 1 year 10 months ago
Thrilled to have the newly launched @UCLHI's support for our celebration & fundraiser on Thurs! Last tickets here: https://t.co/v0vtpIlXVw — 1 year 10 months ago