A Beautiful Sight

Speaking of freedom (refer to the post prior to this one), I headed out of my Midtown highrise residence this past Friday to a bar for a drink. As I was crossing the street to go into the bar, on the other side of the street I saw two young black gay men holding hands walking down the street. I was immediately struck. It was such a beautiful sight. No pretense, no bullshit, no shouting, just walking down the street quietly holding hands in their own world. They looked so peaceful, content, happy. I really felt something from that. The few people that were with me didn't feel the emotion I felt from it, but I appreciated it because men demonstrating compassion and showing affection towards each other still isn't looked upon favorably by the majority in our society.

I am even still reminded of the words of a very passionate and revered pastor of one of the mega-church's here who stated plainly, "I would rather see two men holding guns than holding hands...".

I will certainly be glad when more of our men of color with same sex desires are empowered in their beings and relationships to where our communities will be transformed into ones more accepting and inclusive (there is a quantum difference between those two words in my mind).

Free At Last!!!!!

The Georgia Supreme Court on Friday ordered the release of Genarlow Wilson, the Douglas County man who has been serving a controversial 10-year sentence for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17.

More at: Atlanta Journal Constitution or CNN.com and Wikipedia

My Thoughts:
I am thoroughly happy that Genarlow has been released on time served and will not carry with him the label of "child molester/predator. I am pleased that the justice system worked in this situation, and although I have some very strong concerns about the 4-3 split on the votes, I think that justice was served. Some politicians and the prosecution are furious with how this case has turned around. I think it should be noted that their concern about widespread appeals based upon this new law should only be considered as applicable as the number of people who have been put into prison based on the old legislation (which based on my research doesn't seem to warrant their proported concern). Congratulations Genarlow on your freedom, I wish you much success in your future endeavors.

Recent Ballroom Community Article

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to "fyi" ya......on a recent article done on the ballroom and community.....


http://www.atllifemagazine.com/gallery.html

*pages 20 - 31*

Blacks Don't Read

For years this article continues to circulate cyberspace, and while I agree with some of its points, I want to share with you all the value of doing even simple research. Dee Lee , the CFP with Harvard Financial Educators is NOT the author of article below.

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"Blacks Don't Read"
~Author Unknown

THEY ARE STILL OUR SLAVES We can continue to reap profits from the Blacks without the effort of physical slavery Look at the current methods of containment that they use on themselves: IGNORANCE, GREED, and SELFISHNESS.

Their IGNORANCE is the primary weapon of containment. A great man once said, "The best way to hide something from Black people is to put it in a book." We now live in the Information Age. They have gained the opportunity to read any book on any subject through the efforts of their fight for freedom, yet they refuse to read. There are numerous books readily available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com, not to mention their own Black Bookstores that provide solid blueprints to reach economic equality (which should have been their fight all along), but few read consistently, if at all.

GREED is another powerful weapon of containment. Blacks, since the abolition of slavery, have had large amounts of money at their disposal. Last year they spent 10 billion dollars during Christmas, out of their 450 billion dollars in total yearly income (2.22%).

Any of us can use them as our target market, for any business venture we care to dream up, no matter how outlandish, they will buy into it. Being primarily a consumer people, they function totally by greed. They continually want more, with little thought for saving or investing.

They would rather buy some new sneaker than invest in starting a business. Some even neglect their children to have the latest Tommy or FUBU, And they still think that having a Mercedes, and a big house gives them "Status" or that they have achieved their Dream.

They are fools! The vast majority of their people are still in poverty because their greed holds them back from collectively making better communities. With the help of BET, and the rest of their black media that often broadcasts destructive images into their own homes, we will continue to see huge profits like those of Tommy and Nike. (Tommy Hilfiger has even jeered them, saying he doesn't want their money, and look at how the fools spend more with him than ever before!). They'll continue to show off to each other while we build solid communities with the profits from our businesses that we market to them.

SELFISHNESS, ingrained in their minds through slavery, is one of the major ways we can continue to contain them. One of their own, Dubois said that there was an innate division in their culture. A "Talented Tenth" he called it. He was correct in his deduction that there are segments of their culture that has achieved some "form" of success. However, that segment missed the fullness of his work. They didn't read that the "Talented Tenth" was then responsible to aid The Non-Talented Ninety Percent in achieving a better life. Instead, that segment has created another class, a Buppie class that looks down on their people or aids them in a condescending manner. They will never achieve what we have. Their selfishness does not allow them to be able to work together on any project or endeavor of substance. When they do get together, their selfishness lets their egos get in the way of their goal their so-called help organizations seem to only want to promote their name without making any real change in their community.

They are content to sit in conferences and conventions in our hotels, and talk about what they will do, while they award plaques to the best speakers, not to the best doers. Is there no end to their selfishness? They steadfastly refuse to see that TOGETHER EACH ACHIEVES MORE (TEAM).

They do not understand that they are no better than each other because of what they own, as a matter of fact, most of those Buppies are but one or two pay checks away from poverty. All of which is under the control of our pens in our offices and our rooms.

Yes, we will continue to contain them as long as they refuse to re ad, continue to buy anything they want, and keep thinking they are "helping" their communities by paying dues to organizations which do little other than hold lavish conventions in our hotels. By the way, don't worry about any of them reading this letter, remember, 'THEY DON'T READ!!!!

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Read The William Lynch Speech here: http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/William_Lynch_Speech

…although, if memory serves me correctly, I think the “Willie Lynch Papers” may be something quite different - more extensive and elaborate; a written, instructional guide, and I remember that it was at least two or three pages long. I have a copy in storage that I can’t get my hands on at the moment. If anyone has or has seen that copy, please let me know.

This group questions the authenticity of the Speech, although they make no reference to the Papers: http://www.takeourword.com/Issue060.html They may have some points in terms of language, but some of that may be due to translation or reinterpretations. (Even The Bible loses some of its original meaning with each translation.) Take Our Word is a cool word-origin website nonetheless.

National Black Out Becomes Widespread

Many people marched in Jena , La last month in support of the 6 young men unjustly charged with attempted murder for a school yard fight. There are many situations all over the nation that scream of injustice and unfair treatment of people in this country. There is the woman in West Virginia who was raped and tortured for days with barely any national coverage. They called her the N word but as of this writing, they still had not confirmed they are treating this as a hate crime. We all know the young groom in NYC who was murdered by the NYPD on the eve of his wedding. There is the teenage girl in Texas who was sentenced to jail time for an altercation with a school official. How about the teenage girl who was sprayed with mase for missing curfew. You can see her in the video restrained by a police officer twice her size. She was in handcuffs when she was sprayed. Maybe you heard of the California girl who had her arm broken by a school security official when she refused to pick up a piece of cake from the floor. It was filmed by a school mate and is all over You Tube. You may have heard of the young man in Georgia who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for having consensual sex with a young girl. He was 17, she was 15. There was also the young brother in Florida who died in the custody of the state when he was admitted to their boot camp. They said he had diabetes but they couldn't explain his battered body. All of these stories happened within the last year or two.

Those are just a few instances where peop le in this country have been treated unfairly, while 4 young men in Raleigh , NC sue the state for 10 million dollars each because they were "falsely" accused of rape. There are people who spend YEARS in prison and are exonerated that don't get nearly that much coin. By the way, who else is tired of the Princess Diana wrongful death inquiry? I mean, come on, it's very sad how she died but does her death need to be the top news story 10 years and 2 months after her death?

On Friday, November 2, 2007, Warren Ballentine, Reverend Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders are calling for a national boycott . Black people alone spend 2 billion dollars a day in the United States and we are only approximately 12% of the population. 2 billion dollars a day, lining the pockets of companies that have shown no interest in our interests. We ARE living in the new civil rights movement. We cannot allow the march in Jena to be only an event. It MUST be a movement. In the 1950s, the bus boycott was only supposed to be for a few da ys or weeks. It ended up being over a year. The goal was for fair treatment and bus integration. Our parents and grandparents sacrificed and showed that with faith and strength, they could show corporate America the power of the community and demanded fair treatment. As we know, those buses were integrated. This is not about color. This is about class. The middle class and poor people in this country are not treated as the Declaration of Independance says we should be treated. It states that "all men are created equal". Clearly the governing class of the United States disagrees with their document.

Join us on on Friday, November 2, 2007 and don't spend ANY money. If you have to shop, do i t the day before or the day after. If you need gas, get it the day before or the day after. We have to join together as a community . You may be thinking, it's only one day, what difference will it make? I had the same thought at first, but just think about it. If we all save our money that day, it WILL make a difference. That day may become a weekend. That weekend may become a week and that week a month. As we showed in the 1950s, we can make a difference if we do this together.

If you can pass the many dumb jokes and forwards we all get, you most certainly can pass this important email to all your friends and family.
Show a sign of solidarity.

No Amnesty for Phone Companies

I thought you might want to know about something. There is one Senator who holds the key to making sure phone companies are not rewarded for unlawfully spying on innocent Americans - Senator Jay D. Rockefeller.

Instead of pushing to hold phone companies accountable for violating Americans’ privacy, Sen. Rockefeller is rushing to give them immunity. Rockefeller needs to hear from every American who wants him to stand up for our privacy and not let phone companies off the hook.

We must gather 50,000 petition signatures by Monday, October 29th when the ACLU and other organizations will deliver these petitions publicly on Capitol Hill. Only this kind of public outcry will get Sen. Rockefeller's attention.

Join me in signing the ACLU’s “Don’t Let Lawbreakers Off the Hook” petition to Senator Rockefeller now:

https://secure.aclu.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=Rockefeller_petition

URGENT: ENDA vote this week!!!!!!!

URGENT – IN LESS THAN 48 HOURS CONGRESS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADD PROTECTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER WORKERS IN THE FINAL ENDA.

TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO SUPPORT THE BALDWIN AMENDMENT!

Dear Friend,

I need your help in the next 48 hours.
Congress will vote Wednesday on H.R. 3685, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) plans to offer an amendment to ENDA to add protections based on gender identity. This amendment is crucial! This is our last chance to get gender identity back into the bill. We need your help right away to make sure your representative supports the amendment. We've called and emailed, but now we're sending faxes to show we mean business. Send an automatic fax to your representative in support of the Baldwin amendment to ENDA, to make sure gender identity is included in the bill.

There is not a moment to spare – this is your last chance to speak out on behalf of each and every member of the GLBT community. Once you've taken action, please forward this message to your friends and family to help us get the word out. This is a historic vote. For the first time ever, the House of Representatives is poised to vote on employment protections for the GLBT community. Help us make sure every member of the GLBT community is included in those protections. Fax your representative to support the Baldwin amendment, before the vote happens, and go to HRC.org to follow ENDA's progress through the House this week! Thank you for all that you do.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
President

Having trouble clicking on the links above? Simply copy and paste this URL into your browser's address bar to take action today: http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/enda_baldwin_final
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Stephaun Elite Manolo Blahnik
Community Activist-Health Educator-Empowerment Specialist

SOVO's 2007 Best of Gay Atlanta- Reader's Choice "Up & Coming Activist" Award Winner
2007 Recipient of Icon Kevin Ultra Omni's- Ballroom Community Leadership Award

www.stephaunelite.blogspot.com
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/southeast_ballroom_scene

"Love is the ability and willingness to allow those that you care for to be what they choose for themselves without any insistence that they satisfy you."- Wayne Dyer

Releasing The Reigns

I found this insightful and wanted to share it with you.

Changing Others
Our perception of humanity as a whole is, to a large extent, dualistic. We paint people with a broad brush—some are like us, sharing our opinions and our attitudes, while others are different. Our commitment to values we have chosen to embrace is often so strong that we are easily convinced that our way is the right way. We may find ourselves frustrated by those who view the world from an alternate vantage point and make use of unusual strategies when coping with life's challenges. However ardently we believe that these people would be happier and more satisfied following our lead, we should resist the temptation to try to change them. Every human being has been blessed with a unique nature that cannot be altered by outside forces. We are who we are at any one point in our lives for a reason, and no one person can say for certain what another should be like.

The reasons we try to change one another are numerous. Since we have learned over time to flourish in the richness of lives we have built, we may come to believe that we are qualified to speak on behalf of the greater source. The sum total of our knowledge will never compare to what we do not know, however, and our understanding of others’ lives will forever be limited. The potential we see in the people who are a part of our lives will never be precisely the same as our own, so we do these individuals a disservice when we make assumptions about their intentions, preferences, and goals. Our power lies in our ability to accept others for all their quirks and differences and to let go of the need to control every element of our existence. We can love people for who they are, embracing their uniqueness, or we can love them as human beings from afar.

Your ability to influence people may grow more sophisticated because others sense that you respect their right to be themselves, but you will likely spend more time gazing inward, into the one person you can change: yourself.

"Choices" by SKYY

Greetings,

In my work, I am not just a political and community activist/advocate nor do I solely work in public health. I actually love a good book (when I can sit down long enough to read it...lol). Here is an excerpt of a review of a book that I will provide a full review of when I finish reading it. So far, I am hearing the book is HOT!!! So, GO PICK IT UP AND HELP THE SISTAS OUT!!!!!
********************************************************************************

Choices by Skyy gets four lips and two hot peppers on TwoLipsReviews.com.
You can access it at the following url:
http://www.twolipsreviews.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2517&Itemid=36
--
Lena heads to Freedom University to be with her man, but the education she receives from a trio of new gay friends has her longing for higher learning. In the school of life and love, what choices would you make? Pick up your copy of "Choices" by Skyy on sale now at your local bookstore or online at www.kingscrossingpublishing.com.

- "This fresh voice will entertain readers for years to come." - Laurinda D. Brown, "Walk Like A Man" 2006 Lambda Literary Award Winner.

- "From the first few paragraphs of Choices you become so attached to the characters and storyline that you can't put your eyes to rest, not even to blink." "The book is fabulous." - Sincere, The Myne Spotlight, www.pmyner.com.

- "Choices, the debut novel by newcomer Skyy, is an excellent read. It depicts raw, honest and real lifestyles, emotions and friendships...I definitely look forward to reading more from this author." - S. Reign, www.TwoLipsReviews.com

Just A Thought....

Something I wrote and wanted to share it with everyone:

As you walk through this life, take note that you are living your life through your own mind, body and soul. Although you are the only person a part of "that" space, always know that those that care for you and truly love you for being who you are are NEVER too far away, even if only in spirit. Cherish the memories you have, as they become your columns of support. Cherish the expression of love in your life, as it will become your truth and reality. Cherish the people who you encounter, as they become your motivation, and always know that no matter where you are in your life and no matter how far you have gone....that love will always be right beside you....

Stephaun Elite Manolo Blahnik

Second Sunday Session- Online Dating

Online Dating, Meeting & Greeting:

Have you logged on to any of the websites where brothers are meeting, hooking up and connecting? Do you have an amazing or horror story to tell about meeting a brotha online? Have you had problems meeting brothers OFFLINE?

Join Second Sunday of Atlanta, Inc.
Sunday, October 14,2007 from 3:00PM - 5:00PM
as Montee Jamal Evans facilitates a discussion about the
most popular “hook up” sites and raises key questions
about the quality of connections made online.

Is there value in setting up a profile on these sites?
What language do we use that helps or hurts us?
Are there any other ways of connecting with brothas?
Can you have a healthy relationship with someone you met online? If so, how?

Second Sunday of Atlanta, Inc. was founded some 15 years ago as a support organization working towards advancing the growth and development of same-gender-loving men of African descent through cultural, educational, social and spiritual activities. We are "Brothers Speaking Out" about our lives, our relationships, our communities and our concerns.

Southern Voice: Best of Gay Atlanta- Reader's Choice

Here's to putting MANOLO BLAHNIK on the map.....

(read up & coming activist of the year: "readers choice")

Southern Voice Best of Gay Atlanta

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Greetings,

It is so awesome to have your work valued and appreciated. I thank all of those who continue to support me and the work that I do. For me, the job is never over, but the path that I have laid course on, has taken me to and through some excellent experiences that I might in totality share with everyone at some point in a book about my life.

I was watching the Pursuit of Happiness this morning starring Will Smith, and boy, even though this was like the 30th time, it still hits me so close to home. The struggles depicted in this film resonate something so familiar and close to my childhood experiences that I always get teary eyed. Anyway, my experiences make up part of who I am as a person, I appreciate my past and am thankful to have you all in my present experience. Thank you Southern Voice and the readers for your acknowledgment.

In Solidarity,

Stephaun Clipper-Wallace
(Stephaun Elite Manolo Blahnik)

The BUSH Vetoes Child Insurance Bill

Here is the story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21111931/

And here is how you can address this situation:

There's an easy way to contact your representatives and persuade them
to overturn Bush's veto. Go to this site:

http://www.democrats.org/RejectBush

All or None???

Greetings Community,

I have been pondering a really serious concern to creation of a safe space for our community in the larger society. Something very important and yet controversial happened late last week. Late last week, House leaders announced their decision to change the language of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) so that it only includes sexual orientation and not gender identity. These House leaders have said that they do not have enough votes to move forward with the original fully-inclusive bill.

For more info on ENDA, click here: ENDA

Many people are caught up in this issue on both sides, and I would like to get your opinion. Throughout history, change and the inclusion of oppressed cultures (however partial) has typically happened over time and in incremental steps.

Some proponents of removing the "gender-identity" clause might probably ensure the passage of this bill, but would exclude Transgender persons from protection at this point (there is discussion about adopting a provision after the passage of ENDA that would protect Transgender persons). So for those people, it seems that the passage of this historic and controversial bill even in fragments is ultimately a step in the right direction.

Then there are those who have been in the trenches fighting to get this bill passed, who feel that if the "gender identity" clause was removed, that it would circumvent the purpose (to be inclusive) of this bill and then no longer warrant its passage or the support of its passage.

I want to know how do you feel about this? Do you feel like the clause should be removed or should it remain? Strong arguments on both sides.....any thoughts?

John Edwards Addresses Black AIDS Epidemic

Fail to plan, and plan to fail
October 1, 2007

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards became the first candidate in either party to substantively address the Black AIDS epidemic on Sept. 24 by publishing a comprehensive HIV/AIDS platform. Black America must now demand that every candidate similarly explain how he or she will end this epidemic.

Edwards wisely makes the development of a "National HIV/AIDS Strategy" a priority in his platform. The U.S. government rightly insists that any country receiving foreign aid for HIV/AIDS first craft a national strategy, but 26 years into the epidemic the U.S. shockingly still doesn't have its own overarching plan. Edwards highlights the consequences of this failure in his AIDS platform.

"In 2001, the CDC set a national goal of reducing the annual number of new infections in half by 2005," the Edwards platform reads, "but the actual number of infections has barely budged. A 1998 presidential initiative set a goal of eliminating racial disparities in HIV/AIDS by 2010, but disparities are as bad today as they were then. Our disappointments can be explained in part by the failure to create a national strategy, backed by necessary funding and with clear and bold goals, specific action steps, real accountability and broad participation and buy-in from stakeholders both inside and outside of government."

Edwards' platform goes on to stress that "any serious effort to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic must begin in the African-American and Latino communities," including addressing the impact on Black gay and bisexual men and inside the nation's prisons.

Edwards vows to develop a national strategy with these goals in mind, which will coordinate inter-agency programs and make the secretary of Health and Human Services responsible for publishing an annual progress report.

In addition to his call for a national HIV/AIDS strategic plan, Edwards vows to support "fully funding" the Ryan White CARE Act, which is the federal government's primary vehicle for AIDS care programs, and to "put an end to waiting lines for HIV drugs." Every year, state-run AIDS Drug Assistance Programs face massive budget shortfalls, leading to service reductions and hundreds-deep waiting lists. In 2006, at least four people died in South Carolina awaiting AIDS drugs; the state announced this week that it had finally cleared its waiting list.

Edwards further stresses the need for science-based prevention policy. Specifically, he vows to lift the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange programs and to promote "comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education."

Edwards highlights his broader universal health insurance plan as the primary tool for securing adequate treatment for all, and he promises to support the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which would expand Medicaid to include those who are HIV positive but not yet diagnosed with AIDS. But his platform does not discuss how he'd resolve the ongoing crisis for Medicaid overall. The massively expensive program has forced every state in the nation to consider ways to reign in costs, including restricting services.

It may be that Edwards' larger health insurance plan relieves the pressure on Medicaid. But he must tell voters how he'll reform the program to make it both affordable and accessible to all of America's poorest, whether he achieves universal coverage or not.

The Institute continues to urge all candidates, in both parties, to publish an AIDS platform.

Black journalists have put candidates on notice by questioning them on their response to AIDS, and some have been able to answer with positions on individual AIDS policy questions. But without an overarching plan, those efforts are wasted.

Black America's message to any candidate seeking our votes in 2008 must be clear: First, show us the plan.

Click here to read the Edwards plan.

Learn More at BlackAIDS.org

MEDIA CONTACT
Phill Wilson
Executive Director
Black AIDS Institute
213-353-3610
phillw@blackaids.org

Black AIDS Institute

HATE ON ME??

(Pardon my language in advance, I am not feeling like being politically correct or tactful today)

Well folks,

Well one of the things I would have never expected to experience just occurred. I have haters...oh yea! Haters! You know, the people that exists out there whose sole purpose is to make your life miserable, or the people who go out of their way to make sure that your light doesn't shine. In theology, those spirits have a name...but for the sake of this point, I will just reference them as haters.

So, by now I am sure you are wondering what the hell had happened? The synopsis is this:

I am a member of an lesbian yahoo group, which I have been a member now for quite a long time now (which one is not important). Since being a member of this group, I have made some great contacts both personal and professional, and I have done my best to ensure that my participation in the group regarding message posting is relevant to the group. Recently, however, (a few days ago), several messages started circulating around the board about a "lurking" male presence and the "covert nature of men" and how we are only on there to push our agenda and all of that bullshit. Now I have to be honest, this isn't the first time that someone has expressed their concern regarding men being allowed into the group. The other times, I honestly didn't pay them any attention, because the messages that I post in that group are centered around the same purpose that is outlined in the groups description and bylaws (which I did read prior to joining). So if the groups purpose is to unify a segment of a community, and the information I am presenting is consistent with that (of said community) then what the hell is the fucking problem.

Some of these women hardly even understand what it means to be a lesbian, and the fact that I am certain that I possess more historical and cultural perspective on the term "lesbian" some people are using this as some sort of punchline to dictate who is and who isn't a part of "the club". My response to the group of haters is below:
**********************************************************************************
(This message is not intended for the entire group....just those that it applies to)

Greetings Community,

Never in my 30 years on this Earth do I ever remembering encountering the internalized hatred towards gay men from an equally disenfranchised community. Some of the messages that have been communicated in this group are not only divisive but they are hurtful and do not at all perpetuate the spirit of the group that I thought I was joining.

I guess some assumption is that I don't read emails, as there are some pretty disheartening statements in the posts below about Transgender, Bisexual Women, and Men that concern me greatly. I joined this group to show my support for the Lesbian, Bisexual Womens, and Transgender Womens movement, not to assert some mysterious agenda that is personal to me. My agenda is not covert, and it involves the ENTIRE Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Community; not just a segment of it. I happen to be very connected to the Lesbian community here in Atlanta and to many women who identify as such, and I feel that directing me towards the exit door out of a social networking internet group is not only divisive, but does not promote the harmony and unity that this group suggests.

I feel somewhat slapped in the face to be honest. For those who actually know me, instead of speaking about me as if you do, you know that my life has been and continues to be of service to the ENTIRE LGBT agenda. As I have said in private emails to some of my personal friends regarding this matter, I am truly offended and displaced that ANYONE could even speculate that my intentions in this group are some mysterious, covert, and malicious attempt to suppress Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender women. I have a sincere love for lesbian women that supersedes most of what many of you could possibly even know about the word "unity".

I further DO NOT appreciate being referred to in this group and having discussions brought up around my presence in a vacuum and as if I am not here. The mature thing to do, would have been to ask me personally what my business for being in this group pertains to, instead of launching public debates when I assure you....there are CERTAINLY more pressing things going on that could be discussed. I joined this group, after reading the groups description (and later read the bylaws), because I support us moving and empowering us. We will not get ANYWHERE in this society slamming doors in each others faces, trust me! And considering some of the platforms (social and economic) that some of you imply you sit on....I would assume that you would know that.

I have neither the time nor the inclination to defend my right to be present and at the table, to disseminate information to a community of people who are obviously oblivious to how TRUE community is formed and in which some of you still live in the past and in bitterness probably experienced from then. The community exists outside of this particular yahoo group, and it is really sad that it appears some can't see that.

I will remove myself from the group immediately, because it has become vibrantly apparent that my presence here, although non-obtrusive and informative, is apparently infringing upon the egos of some. If anyone is interesting in staying in touch with me, feel free to email me at: stephaunelite@yahoo.com or check out my blog: www.stephaunelite.blogspot.com.

In Solidarity,

Stephaun Clipper-Wallace (ELITE MANOLO BLAHNIK)
COMMUNITY ACTIVIST/HEALTH EDUCATOR/EMPOWERMENT SPECIALIST


Stephaun Elite Manolo Blahnik
Community Activist-Health Educator-Empowerment Specialist
www.stephaunelite.blogspot.com
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/southeast_ballroom_scene

"Love is the ability and willingness to allow those that you care for to be what they choose for themselves without any insistence that they satisfy you."- Wayne Dyer