THE HELP Must See Movie for African-Americans

I am encouraging African-Americans to reconsider their decision not to support of even view the movie "The Help."  The movie is current available on DVD and Blu- ray and has been nominated for Sag and Golden Globe awards including best actress for Viola Davis.

As a race of people African-Americans are currently losing ground on hard fought battles for equality, jobs, housing, education, and voting rights. We must use our God given talents and common sense to save ourselves. Since the election of this nation's first "Black" president Barack Obama many in politics are openly stating "that they want to take their country back."

The Help is a great tool to use to remind us and our children of some of the possible implications of cries by white politicians to take their country back mean. It is also a tool to use to encourage and educate our children and their friends to strive to achieve academic, political, personal, and financial success from an early age. Lastly is also an excellent tool to motivate us to put on your matching shoes and work to re-elect President Obama in order for him to continue his vision of moving this country forward by achieving equality and justice for ALL Americans including us.

NOTE: Picture of actress Viola Davis and Vera Richardson was taken by my daughter Julieannah in January 2009 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, CA.

Vera Richardson
Author of Screwed by Former Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer

THE REPUBLICIANS CAN’T HAVE THIS COUNTRY BACK

We will take our country back is one of the slogans that Republicans and Tea Party candidates have used to controlled the midterm election debate. Like many other African-Americans the thought of going back is unacceptable to me.

The tone and words of the Republicans and/or Tea Party candidates sound like Governor George Wallace in his 1963 Inaugural Address: “Today I have stood, where once Jefferson Davis stood, and took an oath to my people. It is very appropriate then that from this Cradle of the Confederacy, this very Heart of the Great Anglo-Saxon Southland, that today we sound the drum for freedom as have our generations of forebears before us done, time and time again through history. Let us rise to the call of freedom-loving blood that is in us and send our answer to the tyranny that clanks its chains upon the South. In the name of the greatest people that have ever trod this earth, I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny . . . and I say . . . segregation today . . . segregation tomorrow . . . segregation forever.

On Friday October 29 – October 31, 2010, I attended the 35th anniversary of the Alpha Kappa Alpha establishing a chapter at the University of Florida. Founded in 1853 the University of Florida is the oldest university in Florida. African-Americans were allowed to attend until September 1958. I was accepted to attend Fall of 1972 freshman class at the University of FL.

My recent visit to the University of Florida was one of the best weekends of my life. I enjoyed reconnecting with the women that pledged with me 35 years ago. More importantly I enjoyed and rejoice in the beautiful young women who are currently attending U of F. These women will join other Alpha Kappa Alpha women who are doctors, lawyers, teachers, superintendents of school districts, business owners, and writers as they continue to become more productive American citizens.


The same people who want to take their country back want to abolish the Department of Education. They want to return education to individual states. The possibility that minority children will not have the opportunity to obtain a quality education and minority adults will not have the opportunity to have rewarding productive careers and lives is the reason that the Republican Party Can’t take this country back.

Vera Richardson
Preview and/or buy book "Screwed by Former Governor and Attorney General Eliot Spitzer" to START a factual race conversation that can change Americ

President Obama Is Fired Up and Ready to Go Again!

I believe that perception is everything. President Obama’s performance on September 8, 2010, destroyed the perception that he wasn’t willing to launch an aggressive counter effort to keep Democratic control of Congress. His economic speech in Ohio was wonderful and motivated me even more.

The Republicans are engaged in doing and saying anything to try to control Congress. I believe that President Obama supporters especially African and Hispanic Americans will make the difference during the midterm elections. The urgency is now and the Democratic Party needs to keep both the House and Senate.

Those of you who don’t support Pres Obama because of the agenda and platform that got him elected I understand your pain. I voted for him for the same reasons that you all oppose him and I support and love him for the fact that he is fulfilling his campaign promises. That said I know that we will never agree on this subject but that’s okay.

If President Obama can take the daily verbal abusive and unfair political tactics used by the Republican Party African and Hispanic Americans must do our part by matching to the voting polls on November 2, 2010.

Vera Richardson