​It’s mid-morning now and I am running late. It is quite a warm day in the middle of June and I am in Washington, DC trying to get to the Cannon Building to meet with U.S. House Members on Capitol Hill. I’ve got a bag, and my 10 pound oxygen tank, along with medication, water and my inhaler. When I get to the Cannon Building, I have a small flight of stairs to make and then security. I made it. Now I am out of breath. Once I am in the hall of the Cannon Building, I stop to take a rest to catch my breath. Then I realize that my oxygen tank is out of air. I feel panicked and disheveled now. I am tired, I have a heavy bag filled with papers, medicine, the cord to my tank, my bottle of water and a host of other items to get me through the day.

Now I am looking around the hall for a plug, and hopefully a seat so that I can rest and let my tank charge for a few minutes before my next meeting. I am looking….looking….looking…and I can’t find a chair or a bench to sit on. I also can’t find a plug either. What am I going to do? I am realizing now that I cannot go any further without at least a little air in my tank.

I found myself now on the brink of tears. I am frustrated, embarrassed, and just disappointed that I can’t find something as simple as a chair to sit on or a plug to charge my tank in the hallway of the U.S House of Representatives. As an American citizen, and a person deeply invested in the well-being of our beautiful country this is the place where I am supposed to be able to visit, right? This is the place where my member of Congress works diligently on my behalf. This is the place where, as a constituent, I have the right to be to voice my thoughts, right? I am thinking of this as I watched all of the seemingly able-bodied people walk fast-paced up and down the hallway that I am now standing in trying to find a seat and a plug before my next meeting.
I walk halfway down the hall (out of breath) and I finally spot a plug in the middle of the wall. So, I plug in my tank, and with reservation, I just sit on the floor with all my stuff.  I felt so alone. In the mist of all those people walking the hall of one of the busiest places in the United States, I felt very alone and invisible. Why did this powerful place feel so exclusive?

I live with a disability. I also live with the anxiety, pressure, and oftentimes feelings of exclusion that millions of fellow Americans like me deal with daily. My world moves a lot slower than most others. It takes a lot AND I MEAN a lot of planning for me to be involved in many activities. Sometimes even with all my planning ahead, I can still wake up that very day of an activity and not feel well enough to participate. I know most people do not understand that.
It took me more thank a week to recover from my trip to Capitol Hill that day. Once I got back to Detroit, I had another round of doctor appointments and tests to prepare for.  In the last year, I have had a kidney biopsy, a skin biopsy, CT Scans, breathing tests, hall walks, blood tests and more. My legs are scarred from Vasculitis, I have been on very high dosages of steroids, antibiotics, and now chemotherapy. I also wear oxygen everywhere I go. This year I was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disease called Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis or Churg-Strauss disease.

I am 41 years old. I have been dealing with this disease in various forms since I was 25.
You may wonder why I am sharing all of this.

​This is why I fight.

I know firsthand what it feels to be excluded from spaces – all kinds of spaces. Grocery store spaces, sports games spaces, mall spaces, meeting spaces, school spaces, and even Capitol Hill spaces. I know how life can change in an instant when all or even some of the pieces don’t come together and how devastating it can be.  I know and feel the apathy from the people I encounter. I know how it feels to seemingly do everything right in life and still struggle. It is one of the reasons why I don’t believe in the whole “pull yourself up by your bootstrap” idea. It’s garbage. I have three degrees, I have traveled around the world, I have visited the United Nations, I have spoken out on issues in front of local and national audiences, yet I could not find a seat or bench to catch my breath or a plug to charge my tank on Capitol Hill that day in June. It is why I advocate with all of my being for safe and inclusive spaces for everyone.  In my opinion, the “bootstrap” idea assumes that everyone gets a start in life from the same playing field and that is simply not true. There are no even playing fields when we have exclusive spaces.

It is hard to feel excluded, forgotten or left behind. It is why I am determined to be apart of the conversation about advancing human rights for all, especially those within marginalized communities. I am determined to be in those spaces that often, even if unintentional, exclude me.
I am determined to raise the consciousness particularly in able-bodied spaces. Not every disability is visible, and those of us living with a disability do not fit a certain profile. Sometimes it is okay for the world to slow down, open up, and catch up. How else will we be able to include everyone?
I also hope to inspire someone out there that may feel unsure of whether there is a space for them in this fight for human rights and human dignity. Trust me, there is a space for you.
One day, I hope to visit Capitol Hill and see seats or benches in the halls, and a few extra plugs on the walls, you know, for people like me. I know it can be done.

This is why I fight.

fin

​There has always been something very special about Che Guevara to me. It all depends on who you talk to.  For freedom fighters and artists around the world, Che has been a source of inspiration and influence. For the courageous Cuban Americans that fled their beautiful homeland and were separated from their families after the Revolution, he is a monster and a source of pain and anger. For the United States, let’s just say he is not liked.  

Che was a complicated man with quite a few layers of bravery, contradiction, steadfast conviction, and general bad-assery. There are many things he did that I do not agree with at all. But, there are things I believe he did well and I think for the most part his heart was in the right place, even though his actions did not always translate well.

Che’s philosophy and convictions about Pan-Americanism, uniting the poor and indigenous peoples, and fighting imperialism/colonization has helped to shape my worldview tremendously.  It has helped me to see the global issues of the world from more than just my western eyes. It has contributed, among other sources to my deep connection to the African Diaspora, and my identity as a world citizen. It has helped me to understand that there are many sides to the story of revolution, and that everyone’s experience in the revolution must be heard.

I just finished reading Che’s “Motorcycle Diaries.” Now, this is the very young Ernesto Guevara de la Serna and before he became the Che that the world over loves and hates. This is Ernesto, the young 23-year-old Argentine medical student who decided to travel throughout Latin America with his buddy, Dr. Alberto Granado who was 29 at the time.

I loved this book so much. These two young men packed their things in 1951, jumped on “La Poderosa” (the Mighty One – their motorcycle) and took the journey of a lifetime. They traveled from Argentina to Chile, Peru, the Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, the United States, and back to Argentina. They visited hospitals, tended to patients affected by Leprosy, spent time visiting and learning about the life of Copper Miners, and got to know the many indigenous peoples of Latin America. It was on this trip that Ernesto and Alberto saw firsthand extreme poverty, discrimination and inhumane treatment of indigenous people, sickness, indifference, apathy, and the generational impact of racism, classism, and colonialism. Ernesto gave a first-hand account of what he learned in Cuzco, Peru for example about one of the greatest civilizations to grace this earth – The Inca Empire. But I will get to that in a minute.

I have to say that there were times Ernesto’s stories made me laugh out loud due to the pure shenanigans he and Alberto would get themselves involved in. There were times that I had to stop and take a break from reading a passage to cry a bit because I could relate so much. There were also times where I would read his words and become angry at the things he saw – the violation of human rights and human dignity of the Miners in Chile, the mistreatment of people who shared different political ideologies, and the one elderly woman he treated that had no money, no medicine and lost her ability to work and support her family. What made me most angry was the way Ernesto described how indigenous people, the original people of these lands, were not considered fully human or full citizens. Here we have the descendants of the greatest civilizations that ever lived, those who have been stewards of Mother Earth, and they endure discrimination and humiliation on a daily basis. Sadly, it feels familiar as a person of color living in the United States. It is the plight of brown people around the world – it is a heaven burden to bear.

I truly felt like the third companion with Ernesto and Alberto on their journey. I felt their hunger, I felt cold when they were sleeping out in the elements, I felt their sadness and frustration when they had to let go of “La Poderosa” and continue to travel on foot and hitch rides. I felt frustrated when they were turned away from shelter or were not always treated so nicely by people they requested assistance from along the way. I felt relieved when they were able to get a good meal, safe shelter and good sleep when they were exhausted. I was happy when Ernesto spoke of the pure warmness of the Chilean people.  I also felt nervous for Ernesto when he would have his horrible asthma attacks and he didn’t have his medicine. How he managed to travel through the Amazon with his lung issues I will never know. I am especially sensitive to lung issues because of my own lung/autoimmune disease. Ernesto was a brave one, man.

I felt most close to Ernesto and Alberto when they traveled to Cuzco, Machu Pichu, and the surrounding cities in Peru. I was with them on the train to Cuzco and Machu Pichu. I felt Ernesto was talking directly to me when he was describing every stone, every animal, every footstep of the Inca and Quechua people, and all the ruins he saw leading to Machu Pichu. I wondered how he physically managed the high- altitude levels as they traveled through Cuzco and the surrounding areas. I listened (read) intensely as he described the heavy influence of the Spanish Conquistadors and the Catholic Church. He also spoke in detail about the possible ways that the Inca Warriors fought and protected their land, for as long as they could.

The most consistent themes from Ernesto’s storytelling is he and Alberto’s resilience, resourcefulness, and determination to finish their trip, even through some tumultuous circumstances. I also believe that their open minds and hearts enabled them to walk away from their experiences even more “woke” and complete human beings than ever before. In kind, they were both able to pass what they learned on to me as their reader and third companion.

​You want to know my favorite quotes/passages from The Motorcycle Diaries? I have two. The first is when Ernesto visited a local poor Chilean woman to exam her for her asthma and heart condition.
For anyone that is poor, chronically ill and unable to carry their weight in the family/community, I think Ernesto speaks truth to life –

“On top of her asthma, she had a heart condition. It is at times like this, when a doctor is conscious of his complete powerlessness, that he longs for changes: a change to prevent the injustice of a system in which only a month ago this poor woman was still earning her living as a waitress, wheezing and panting but facing life with dignity. In circumstances like this, individuals in poor families who can’t pay their way become surrounded by an atmosphere of barely disguised acrimony; they stop being father, mother, sister, or brother and become purely a negative factor in the struggle for life and consequently, a source of bitterness for the healthy members of the community who resent their illness as if it were a personal insult to those who have to support them. It is there, in the final moments, for people whose farthest horizons has always been tomorrow, that one comprehends the profound tragedy circumscribing the life of the proletariat the world over.”  

The second quote/passage I loved from this book is when he was explaining in detail the war for Chile’s natural resources – and especially copper. Ernesto explained the complete process of extracting this mineral from the earth and how it is processed and used. Of all the interested parties, foreign entities, leftist groups, and nationalists, Ernesto asked that we not forget about the miners themselves.

“Whatever the outcome of the battle, one would do well not to forget the lesson taught by the graveyards of the mines, containing only a small share of the immense number of people devoured by cave-ins, silica, and the hellish climate of the mountains.”

I could go on about Ernesto, Alberto, and The Motorcycle Diaries. However, I will stop here for now.

I will end this blog post with a few questions I would ask Ernesto Che Guevara if I had a chance to sit with him and drink herb mate with him one on one:

What really kept you from giving up on your journey through the most stressful times of the trip? How long did it take you to physically and emotionally recover from your journey when you made it back to Argentina? In 2018, if you think you could, would you take the journey again? Do you think the circumstances have gotten better or worse in Latin America since 1951? How would Pan-Americanism work in present day Latin America? Did you ever meet Stokely Carmichael in the 60’s? He was a Pan-Africanist and revolutionary too. What are your thoughts on Mandela’s philosophy of using violence only when absolutely necessary and with no human targets, and his co-founding of Umkhonto we Sizwe (The Spear of the Nation)? What are your thoughts of Mandela’s action of forgiveness when he was released from prison? What do you think of Obama? If you had a chance to address the present day United Nations General Assembly, what would you say?

​Fin
 
 

​​I remember when…
I danced to his music as a toddler in my parents’ living room in Detroit. I was about 2 or 3 years old. Summer nights were so nice with our windows open and the album “The Boys Doin’ It” roaring on huge speakers at our house.
I remember when…
My parents first explained to me that the trumpet player I loved so much couldn’t go home. He had to flee South Africa because he was also an activist and his country was under Apartheid rule. It was the first time I had ever heard of the word Apartheid and the struggle of our brothers and sisters in South Africa for freedom. This was also the time I learned that music was much more than just music. I learned that music could be political, spiritual, emotional, and rebellious. I learned that musicians used music to fight back against oppression, just like my favorite trumpet player.
I remember when…
I used to dance my heart out to one of my favorite songs, “Ashiko.” I knew the words by heart and sang them aloud – not even knowing the Zulu translation.
I remember when…
I first heard his song “Stimela” and the way he told the story of men from all over Southern Africa who traveled by train to work in the mines. As I got older, I began to understand the hardship the miners endured through the emotion in his voice. I love to play this song today on the highest volume and sing along. I learn a lot each time I listen to this song – on a deep, spiritual level.
I remember when…
I was in college at the University of Michigan and I found a CD copy of “The Boys Doin’ It” at my favorite used record store. I was so excited that I called my mom and dad. I had never seen a copy of this album anywhere except for at home on vinyl. I still have that CD.
I remember when…
I used to watch my dad hum along to “A Person Is a Sometime Thing” – the horns in that song are intoxicating. It is one of my favorite Masekela songs and I still listen to it when I need to understand humanity more.
I remember when…
I was in my second year of law school in Chicago and I found out my favorite trumpet player and hero was going to be playing at a supper club on the Southside. It was the middle of winter. I bought my ticket, bundled up and stood outside in a snow storm in line to be one of the first to enter the club to get a good seat. I went alone but I met the nicest people while waiting in line. We all sat together and danced and sang to his music. I couldn’t believe how close I was to him. This man that I admired deeply was in Chicago all the way from South Africa. It was an emotional experience for me that night that still resonates with me. It brought me back to my childhood memories of dancing to his music in our living room.
I remember when….
I was getting prepared for my trip to South Africa a few years ago.  I would play “Child of the Earth” and “Lagunta” and dance with excitement. I daydreamed about what South Africa would be like and when I got there it was even better than my dreams. I truly felt like a global citizen.

I used to make playlists – world music playlists that always included my favorite trumpet player.

​I am so heartbroken today to know that he has passed away but I know he has joined the Ancestors and will continue to play like an Angel.

Thank you Hugh Masekela for being apart of my life through your music and helping to shape my worldview. It is because of global citizens and activists like you, Miriam Makeba and Bob Marley that I continue to be inspired to work as a change agent.

I wish you safe travels to paradise Bra Hugh Masekela – thank you for everything and Rest In Power. You are a true Soul Rebel and Global Citizen. 

In 2016 I had the opportunity to meet and get to know some amazing people, as well connect with old friends that I have loved and admired for a long time. This year has also been a year of tremendous transistion because I have also lost several members of my family too. 

With the new year on its way in a few days, I thought it only fitting to honor those in my family that have fought and won their personal battles in life. Those who have joined the Ancestors and have become beautiful guardian angels. 

Everyone that I will honor in my post tonight had three things in common: they lived their lives on their own terms and according to their own rules; they lived out loud and with vibrant colors; and they FOUGHT and WON their battles with defiance, dignity, and a warrior spirit. Each of my loved ones impacted my life in such an extraordinary way. Each of them lived life on their own terms, and they transitioned on their own terms too. If only most of us could be that bold. 

December 7, 2016 - my maternal aunt, Sara Lee Alexander. She was the oldest of my mom's siblings and she helped to care for all of her brothers and sisters, and many of the nieces and nephews (including me) as we were growing up. She was pure joy to be around, with a very vibrant and beautiful personality and smile. She always, and I mean always made me feel beautiful. She loved scary movies, cooking, lauging, and family gatherings. If I could describe her in one word - it is that she was a LIONESS. I learned from Aunt Sara that to be the oldest sibling is a great honor and comes with great responsibility. I am also the oldest of my siblings. I learned that caring for others and protecting those you love is a revolutionary act. 

September 1, 2016 - my Maternal Great Aunt, Ella Mae Buckingham. She was one of my grandfather's youngest sisters. Aunt Ella Mae was the shyest, and most soft spoken person I have ever known in my life. She was the sweetest person in the world, and I always loved when I had the opportunity to see her and talk with her. Even though she was soft spoken and very gentle, she was very powerful. She was a pillar in our family and in the community and I could immediately feel the calm wind in her energy the moment I saw her. If I could describe her in one word - it is ELOQUENT. I learned from her that it is okay for me to be myself and make my mark in this world in my own unique, gentle and powerful way - just like she did. 

February 29, 2016 - my Maternal Great Aunt Alice Alexander. I used to love visiting Aunt Alice and my Great Uncle Dewey in Detroit when I was little. As I got older, I used to call them and talk and laugh and gossip (Lol) about everything. I always, always, always felt welcomed and loved in her space whenever I was with her. She was a true angel and I have always admired her for her beauty, her grace, and the way she carried herself with true regal authority. Another pillar in our family and community, I learned from Aunt Alice the true meaning of loyalty, bravery, foreberance, and strength. If I could describe her in one word - it is  MIGHTY.

January 21, 2016 - my maternal uncle, Albert Alexander. My uncle Al was the youngest of my mom's brothers. He had a succesful career, he loved going to the movies and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved to travel and he also loved to mentor young professionals. Two years ago when he was home visiting, I had a long talk with him while at my grandmother's house. God must have known that I needed the advice and encouragment because my Uncle Al spent about 3 hours talking to me about my career path. He asked me about my dreams and goals and I had the chance to speak life into my dreams as he listened with no judgment whatsoever. He gave me the most powerful advice --- he told me that everything I was looking to do in my career was coming and going to happen and the only question he had for me was whether I was ready. "Are you ready?" He asked. He told me to focus on being ready to fly the moment the opportunities presented themselves. At that time, honestly I was not ready. But I started to change that. Within months of that conversation, his predictions came true. I am now in a place I never thought I would be with opportunities I never knew existed. Just to give you an idea of what I am talking about - in February 2017, I will be at the United Nations in New York. I will also be apart of important meetings as a National Council Member for the United Nations Association of the United States. I learned from him that dreams come true, and it is of most importance to be ready for what you ask God for. If I could describe Uncle Al in one word - it is that he was a VISIONARY. 

January 13, 2016 - my Maternal Uncle Hal Alexander. What can I say about Uncle Hal? He was my mom's oldest brother. He was cool. He was smooth. He had that swagger that we all know and love. He truly lived his life on his own terms. He set his own rules and he did not apologize for being himself. He did not ask for permission to be himself. He lived his life one day at a time and he truly enjoyed life and brought joy to the people around him. He was funny as hell. In fact, the last time I saw him he had me and my mom and sister laughing to the point of tears. He had been ill for a while, and for most people that would be discouraging. But Uncle Hal found joy in his life, even in the mist of struggle. I will always keep close to my heart the last time I saw him -- it was the 4th Angelversary for my brother Vincent. That was a sad day -- and we drove from Arlington Cemetery to visit Uncle Hal in Maryland that day. I am so thankful to God that we did. Not only did he make us all laugh and feel joy, it was the last time I would see his beautiful smile. Our last words to each other that day were "I love you." I learned from Uncle Hal to always "Find the Good" in my life. If I could describe Uncle Hal in one word - it is that he was RESILIENT. 

They are all with the Ancestors now and I pray that they all Rest In Power.

Ase. 

It has been a year since I last wrote and I am finally able to sit and write about some of the goings on of 2016. 

This year, I stepped out on faith and and launched my own NGO (non-governmental organization) called Bell Global Justice Institute. I spent a lot of 2015 thinking about how to create my own pathways in the human rights and international law and policy field and at the beginning of 2016 I decided that this was the year to manifest my ideas and dreams into action. I decided to name my NGO in honor of my brother Ssgt. Vincent J. Bell, of the U.S. Marines because of his loyal and brave service to our nation, and because of his love of children and his skill of mentoring children and young Marines. He has a strong legacy and he is loved deeply by his brothers and sisters of the U.S. Marine Corps., and I want to continue to honor his legacy through the work of Bell Global Justice Institute. 

So what is Bell Global Justice Institute? It is an NGO based out of Detroit, Michigan focused on advancing and promoting the international human right to education for girls in the Detroit area and worldwide. Our work is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) and international treaties and mechanisms outlining the right to education. We believe that every girl has the potential to change the world and we will accomplish our work through four basic strategies:

• Raising awareness 
• Collaboration
• Zealous Advocacy
• Action

We will work with local, national, and international partners, businesses and governmental agenices to increase girls' access to safe, affirming, and culturally sensitive education AND we will also train girls and young women on using the power of their voices to empower themselves, their families, and their communities. Bell Global Justice Institute is more than an organization - it is a movement to create change agents through out the world on behalf of girls and young women. This is a movement. 

This year so far has been a year of information gathering, meeting people to tell them about Bell Global, and raising awareness about girls' access to education worldwide. 

I am proud to list some of the things we accomplished this year. 

On March 16, 2016, I launched Bell Global Justice Institute to the community via social media and our website. In June, we had our very first event in Detroit for the community. It was a film viewing and discussion of the beautiful and riveting documentary "He Named Me Malala." In October, we held a community discussion in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of the Girl. During this event, we were privileged to have Detroit Police Officer Dani Woods speak about the empowerment of women and girls in Detroit and her own story of growing up in Detroit and discovering her powerful voice for advocacy. We also had dynamic internationally known poet Deidre "D.S.Sense" Smith of Detroit write and perform a poem in honor of International Day of the Girl and for Bell Global Justice Institute. The piece "Ruby - A Poem for Women" is on our website and I highly encourage all of you to read it. It is so powerful. In addition to our special speakers, we also screened the documentary "Girl Rising." It is a film about 9 girls from different parts of the world and the barriers they face while trying to go to school. Our vision for Day of the Girl in Detroit was to have a community discussion to connect the global and local issues that girls face in accessing their right to education. In November, I also had the opportunity to partner with Detroit-based NGO Alternatives for Girls to screen and dsicuss "Girl Rising" with about 15 middle school girls. 

There is so much more to come with Bell Global Justice Institute. I will continue to work to make Bell Global a true global organization -- and I will take Vincent with me on every step and every milestone. 

Here is an important fact: Did you know that according to UNICEF, there are about 62 million girls worldwide not attending school in primary and secondary education. These are 62 million lives, dreams and potential change agents that we need to advocate for -- and this must continue to be a global priority. 

This is why I started Bell Global Justice Institute. 

I look forward to 2017 and all of the opportunities it will bring. 
Below are a few photos of our International Day of the Girl Event in Detroit on Saturday, October 15, 2016. 

See you in 2017 and I hope you will join our global movement to empower girls and young women! 

Keep Going

Keep going……..because your life, your ideas, your presence is needed.

2015 has come and gone and I can honestly say that I am grateful to have lived it. I learned a lot, and I began setting my goals for my future in this year. It has not been an easy year. However, I am so happy that I got to live each day.

This holiday season I had the pleasure of attending three holiday parties. During this season I also had the chance to talk with several friends and family that I hold dear. In all of my encounters this season I walked away feeling even more sure of where I am and where I am headed.

It is not always easy to pursue your calling. Roadblocks happen and can be so discouraging – maybe even enough to think of giving up on your dreams.

I am writing today to encourage everyone out there reading this to do one thing in 2016: Keep Going.

Keep going because you are almost there. Keep going because you can’t turn back. Keep going because the world needs your brilliance, your ideas, and your help in making it better. Keep going because your struggles and challenges are making you stronger. Every day you are stronger. I know of what I say because I am going through the same thing. Our stories may be different, but our journeys may connect us more than you know. Keep going.

I had the chance to do some awesome things this year. In March, I joined more than 150 lead volunteers from around the country in Washington, DC for the ONE Campaign Power Summit. I spent an entire day on Capitol Hill advocating for the continued support of three global health programs: GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and PEPFAR – The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. On that day I also advocated for the Electrify Africa Act, a bill that would bring sustainable energy resources to 50 million people on the African continent.
I also helped to organize a very successful United Nations Day event in Detroit in honor of the UN’s 70th Anniversary. It was so exciting to be a part of planning an event about the UN in my hometown of Detroit. As the Board Secretary of the United Nations Association of Greater Detroit, I really have a chance to connect with people to talk about the principles and work of the UN.
I also did a petition delivery on behalf of the ONE Campaign in support of the Electrify Africa Act. I visited the Southeastern Michigan offices of Congresswoman Candice Miller and Congressman Sander Levin and delivered petitions of constituent signatures in support of this important Bill. Oh and by the way, with the efforts of ONE Campaign volunteers nationwide, the United States Senate has passed the Electrify Africa Bill. Now we wait with hope that the House also passes the Bill. As a volunteer for ONE, I feel very proud.

In between the challenging days of 2015 – I got to do some awesome things and I got to meet some awesome people.
I know 2016 will bring good news and an abundance of Blessings. That is why no matter what, I plan to keep going.
I hope you do too.

​Happy New Year everyone and May Peace be upon you.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.” ---- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Hello Global Citizens -- I am so excited to be nominated for the Liebster Award and today my blog will be dedicated to accepting this wonderful award!

I would like to humbly thank Jodi at The International Social Worker who nominated me. Jodi is an international social worker and she blogs about social justice and international issues impacting people from all corners of the globe. I especially appreciate her blog post in November this year called "Remembering Refugees." In this post she spoke about her experience in Guatemala when she met a man named Gaspar. Gaspar became a refugee at age 11 and at the time Jodi met him, he was still trying to rebuild his life. Her post about refugees and especially Gaspar's story is a most compelling read and I highly encourage everyone to take some time to read it. 

The Liesbter Award is an award given to up and coming bloggers by other bloggers in the blogging community. Personally for me, it is a great feeling to know that I have been recognized by a fellow blogger and it encourages me to keep writing about what I am passionate about. This is one of the reasons the award is important - to encourage bloggers to continue to write. It also highlights great work. 

So what happens when you accept the Liebster Award? 

• Thank the blogger that nominated you and include a link to their blog in your acceptance post. Thank you again Jodi!!
• In your acceptance blog post, be sure to include the Liebster Award logo -- I have posted the logo at the top of this blog post.
• Answer the 11 questions provided to you by the blogger that nominated you
• Also -- be sure to provide the rules to accepting the Liebster award so that your nominees will know what to do!
• Nominate 11 new bloggers for the Liebster Award (I am most excited about this part) 
• Provide 11 questions for your nominees to answer when they accept their award.
• Notify your nominees.
• Finally, be sure and post your blog accepting the Liebster Award in the comments section of the blogger that nominated you. -- This way, they will also be able to see the answers to the 11 questions they provided for you.

Here are my answers to Jodi's questions for me:

What's the best compliment you've gotten about your blog? For me, the best compliment I have gotten so far is that I write with passion. I feel very passionate about international human rights and I am happy to know that it shows in my writing. 

What did I learn yesterday? I learned that the app Periscope is a great way to learn about the world through the eyes of others. It's awesome! 

Who are your teachers? I have so many teachers. So many people that have encouraged me to continue to reach higher. My maternal grandmother Clara --- she is wise, beautiful, and she is the library of history in our family. My mom, Pamela - who is a constant mentor and friend and teaches me about being of service to make the world better. My Dad, James, who taught me how to read! I was 4 and when he did that my whole world opened up! He also continues to teach me about world music. My sister, Andrea -- she is a social worker and a true advocate for people who suffer from mental illness. She teaches me to always listen to my intuition when doing human rights work. Finally, My brother Vincent, he was a U.S. Marine and was killed in action in Afghanistan on November 30, 2011 while on his 5th tour of duty (4 to Iraq). He continues to teach me about living my purpose and creating a legacy that is honorable. I am always a student in awe of these folks.

What are you excited about right now? I am excited about 2016 and all of the possibilities it has to offer! 

How do you define "success" for your blog? I define success for my blog by knowing that I have created a space to write about international human rights and social justice in a way to potentially engage readers and to encourage them to become advocates. 

Any blogging advice? Always write from your heart. Whatever topic your blog is about, be sure and reach people by being as authentic and creative as you can. As a reader of several other blogs myself, I always appreciate the writer exuding their true uniqueness. I think many readers are drawn to that. 

What book has been most impactful in your life? Nelson Mandela's "Long Walk To Freedom" has impacted me most. He is one of my heroes and his autobiography not only details his life, but life in South Africa during apartheid. I was most impacted by his time in prison at Robben Island. He is truly one to be admired and his book is one of many blueprints for civil rights and human rights activism.

What keeps you up at night? I am up late at night with ideas on starting my own international non-governmental organization (International NGO). I am up late tonight thinking about it!

What do you wish you were better at? I wish I was better at blogging more often. I have so many topics I want to write about, but life can get really busy at times. In 2016 I will be focused on a more regular blogging schedule. 

What do you hope people will do different after reading your blog? I hope people will turn concern for a particular human rights issue into action. In many of my blog posts I also post ways that people can become advocates. There are ways for all of us to get active for social justice. 

What blog post are you most proud of? I am most proud of my blog post on the international treaty body process. It is one of the most fascinating areas of international law in my opinion. Here is a link to that post.

Here are my nominees!!!
Lisa at LisaRCharles.com blogs about self-love, acceptance, marriage, motherhood and all things inspirational. Simply put, when I visit her website or Instagram page I feel a very positive and healing energy. Awesome all around.

GG at All the Many Layers writes about growth and self discovery. On her website, she tells her story of how she stepped out on faith to truly live her authentic self. She is an inspiration. 

Jessica at World Music Travel Blog writes about all things world music. She is a music journalist and travel writer. I love world music and I am glad she writes about musicians I can learn more about!! 

Eboni at My Beloved Books is a great blog for book lovers. She even has a cool page where she lists all of the classic books that she intends to read. I also love the fact that she has a book review corner for her blog as well. 

Carrie Amber Rheingans, MPH, MSW, is not only a friend of mine, but a fellow activist as well. She is a social worker and world traveler and she has done great work in HIV/AIDS activism. She writes about her work and her life on her blog and website. She is also a fellow University of Michigan Wolverine! Go Blue! 

Don at Flinteresting is also a friend and fellow University of Michigan Wolverine. Don is an Engineer and product manager in Silicon Valley in California. He blogs about the latest tech products and hip hop music, a passion of many in our generation! 

Ila at Rasta Wife Line is a Rastafari wife, mom, and designer and she focuses her blog on her life and the principles of Rastafari. She writes about her culture, her designs, and I especially love that she writes about healthy eating. She includes recipes for healthy meals and advice for overall healthy living. Her designs are beautiful and reflect her deep love for Africa and the diaspora. 

The Partnership with Native Americans is an organization that partners with Native American communities across the U.S. to assist with community building, capacity building and sustainable development. Their blog consists of guest writers that blog about Native American life and culture and the needs and challenges of indigenous people in remote areas of the United States. 

​Jasmine at Amazing Natural Hair writes a blog to affirm and honor women of color and natural hair. Her blog is a place for encouragement, natural hair care tips and healthy living advice. I appreciate her blog very much because I also wear my natural hair. I have been wearing Locs for about 10 years. 

Linda at The Book Cottage writes reviews about books she has read. I absolutely love her blog because I am a fellow book lover and her blog is a great way to learn about books to add to your reading list! 

Robin at Native Notes writes about her indigenous culture and I love her blog. She has gracefully created a space on her blog for people to write to her and ask questions about Indigenous cultures. I really appreciate her for being open and willing to answer questions and to educate all of us. Also, She includes photos and links to videos as well. 

Here are my questions for my nominees -
1. What inspired you to start your blog and how has blogging enriched your life?
2. If you could go back into time and into any period of world history where would you go and why?
3. If you had the chance to travel to any country in the world and learn about a different culture, where would you go and why?
4. Tell me about your favorite music artist and that artists' best album in your opinion.
5. What is your favorite film of all time and why? 
6. What is the best advice you have ever received about love?
​7. What do you think are the most pressing human rights issues the world community should be addressing right now? 
8. What are the top three questions you would ask one of your ancestors if you had the chance?
9. Where is your favorite place to write when you blog and why?
10. What good deed did you do for someone else today?
11. Tell me about one new healthy habit you plan to adopt in 2016. 

Also, I would like to give a huge thank you and shout out to my very good friend Hana Romer. Hana is a retired Staff Sergeant of the U.S. Marine Corps. (I Love Marines!) and she has a blog called Domesticated Combat Boots. She writes regularly about her life as a Marine, and as the wife of a Marine and her beautiful children. I appreciate her blog very much because she is so open and honest about what life is like for our American military families. I think that all Americans should spend some time in the new year and get to know more military families to gain a better understanding of what life is like for those that selflessly serve and protect us. And you know what? You can start right now by visiting Hana's blog! Hana won the Liebster Award some time ago, but I wanted to let everyone know that her blog is one of my favorites. She is a gem y'all. 

Peace - 

Today I had the great honor of attending a Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) workshop at the Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit. The event was held at the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights and focused on how Global Goals #2, #3, #6, and #11 are relevant to the issues in Detroit. We also discussed how we can all work together in metro Detroit to implement the global goals on a local level.

Let me take a step back and talk a bit about the Global Goals in general. The United Nations General Assembly recently convened in New York in September this year and adopted 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals)  for the world to implement by the year 2030. All 193 member states came together at the UN's General Assembly in September and agreed to implement goals that focus on health and wellness, food security, access to justice, safe housing, and more. These goals are in essence a continuation of the Millennium Development Goals that were adopted by the General Assembly for the years 2000-2015. 

The new Global Goals are a deep reflection of the state of the world today and the kind of world we all need in order to have a full, healthy quality of life. The Global Health Initiative of the Henry Ford Health System partnered with Wayne State University School of Law in order to begin the important conversation of how the Global Goals fit within the framework of local communities in America. 

Since the focus was on health, Henry Ford thought it was most appropriate to focus on Global Goals #2 (Zero Hunger), #3 (Good Health and Well-Being), #6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and #11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

We discussed whether the goals were relevant to local communities in Detroit and whether these goals in particular need to be modified to fit Detroit's needs. We also began to develop action steps guided by SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-Focused, and Time-Bound). We even added to the group of sub-goals outlined in Global Goal #11. We added that in Detroit we need to work on reducing violence and increasing violence prevention in order to create healthy, safe and sustainable neighborhoods in Detroit. 

There were a variety of professionals present for this discussion from Detroit area NGOs, Wayne State Law School staff, Henry Ford Health System staff, and Detroit Public Schools. I was there on behalf of the United Nations Association of Greater Detroit. We are one of many chapters of the UNA of the United States working to raise awareness about the principles and work of the UN to local communities.

What I found to be most helpful and most intriguing was sitting in a room full of professionals across cultures, and generations to learn about the city that I grew up in and how to use the Global Goals to make life better for all Detroiters. I have been following the cultivation of the Global Goals for some time now and I was so excited in September when the goals were adopted at the UN General Assembly. It is one thing to know the Global Goals and promote them. It is another thing entirely to actually sit in a room full of professionals, many of them elders, to discuss how four of the Global Goals are particularly relevant to Detroiters. 

Today I had an opportunity to partake in a real world conversation about what Detroit should look like by year 2030 through the lens of four of the Global Goals.  I hope The Henry Ford Health System and Wayne State Law School will continue on this journey and have all of us back to discuss the additional Global Goals and how they may impact local Detroit neighborhoods. 

When they decide to have that next discussion, I will be there. 

I encourage everyone to learn more about the Global Goals.

​What will your city look like by year 2030?  

Ten years ago today I watched the news as thousands of my fellow Americans suffered through Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Moment by moment was filled with intense anxiety for all of us that watched in horror of this storm unfolding. 

People were on rooftops fighting to live.

People were in boats floating on lakes that were once residential streets...fighting to live

People were in hospitals, senior citizen homes, youth centers, grocery stores, and everywhere else you can imagine....fighting to live.

People sought shelter and safety in sports arenas - fighting to live.

Many left the South - especially Louisiana to escape the storm and its aftermath, never to return to their homes. Generations of family history and tradition for many Americans had to be left behind for new beginnings in other parts of the country.

About 2,000 people did not survive the storm at all. 2,000 fellow Americans.

I remember crying through the days following the hurricane. I nearly made myself sick watching the news stories of people missing, families being separated, and the overall despair and fear I saw in the eyes of the people being interviewed on television. I was frustrated about the slow response of our government to bring supplies and assistance to the people. I was even more frustrated that the levees in New Orleans ever broke in the first place.  

It was also one of the first times I think I had ever heard of news media outlets referring to Americans as "refugees."  

It was 2005, and at the time many people were arguing that referring to American citizens, (many of whom were poor and people of color) was offensive because of the negative connotations of the term refugee from the American perspective. 

However, I know now that use of the term refugee to refer to Katrina survivors was not correct because the survivors did not fit within the legal definition of "refugee" under international law. Article 1 (A)(2) of the 1951 Refugee Convention defines "refugee" as a person that is outside of his or her country of nationality and unable to or unwilling to avail him/herself to the protection of their country due to fear of persecution based on certain characteristics (race, religion, nationality, etc.) So, it was not correct to refer to Katrina survivors as refugees because they did not fit within the legal definition of refugee. They were not outside of their country of nationality at the time of the hurricane. The term "evacuee" or perhaps "internally displaced" were more proper ways to refer to Katrina survivors. 

I brought the issue of refugee up because it further displays the discussions that Americans need to have about what we understand the term "refugee" to be and why there are such negative connotations behind this term. At the time, many argued that referring to American citizens (survivors) as refugees meant that they were second class citizens. To many, it meant poor, black, and in need.  This is not the definition of a refugee. The issue of terminology also, in my opinion, took attention and energy away from saving lives and restoring the respect for the dignity of Katrina survivors. 

But I digress 

I think ultimately for me, to see fellow Americans endure such catastrophic conditions without proper resources was a very painful experience. It was especially painful to see poor, black Americans from already depressed communities on rooftops and rafts narrowly escaping death. Those are images in my memory that I will never forget. 

And I only watched in horror from Michigan.....I could only imagine being a person who lived through the horror. 

Thank God for our Nation's first responders. Without them more lives would have been lost. Even the United Nations stepped in to offer aid to Katrina survivors. About 90 other nations offered aid to the United States after the hurricane as well. 

10 years later, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are still rebuilding. However, the tragic memories of Hurricane Katrina will always be. 

World Humanitarian Day is a day the United Nations and world citizens take time to honor and remember 22 humanitarian aid workers tragically killed during the bombing of the United Nations office in Baghdad, Iraq on August 19, 2003. 

It is also a time that we come together as a global community to honor, remember, and celebrate humanitarian aid workers that have given their lives trying to help others in their darkest hours, and those who are currently serving others during some of the most trying times the world has seen. 

Humanitarian aid work is a calling that few people are able to do. They leave their families - and sometimes for long periods of time to travel to areas of the world that most us will never see. They enter conflict zones, natural disaster zones, and health pandemic zones in order to provide life saving services to the world's most vulnerable populations. They leave for work - and may never return home to their loved ones due to the risks of violence committed against aid workers. One such young aid worker that had a tremendous impact on the world was Ms. Kayla Mueller, an American humanitarian aid worker kidnapped in Syria and held more than a year by ISIS, and eventually killed. Her family is devastated and our nation has lost a bright, young, beautiful citizen that only wanted to do good in the world. 

This year's World Humanitarian Day theme is #ThanksHealthHero -- to honor health workers throughout the world that risk their own lives to provide health services to those in need. According to the World Health Organization, during the Ebola crisis in West Africa, 875 health workers contracted Ebola while caring for Ebola patients and sadly 509 of those workers died. Yet still, health workers around the world, including the United States, continued to travel to West Africa to help fight this deadly disease. Why? Because it was necessary. It was very necessary. 

Where would the world be without our health workers? 

Where would the world be without our humanitarian aid workers in every sector?  

Each day, we must remember that humanitarian aid workers are considered to be "non-combatants" in conflict areas and are protected under the Geneva Conventions in International Law. This means that any violent act taken against humanitarian aid workers are in direct violation of international humanitarian law (the law of armed conflict) and those that perpetrate these heinous acts must be brought to justice.

I want to continue to support our humanitarian aid workers in any way that I can. Whether it is writing a blog, or donating to an international organization such as Doctors without Borders or helping to raise awareness about the incredible work of aid workers and the risks of this work through social media. This year, we can all support the work of aid workers by going to the World Humanitarian Day website to sign-up to donate our Facebook and Twitter newsfeeds for a day. This way, the United Nations will be able to tell the story of a humanitarian aid worker in the field through our news feeds. The hashtag is #ShareHumanity.

I already donated my newsfeeds for a day - and the UN told the story of an aid worker in Afghanistan and an aid worker in Colombia. I plan to go back to the website to donate my newsfeeds once more. This is an innovative way to help educate everyone on my Twitter and Facebook pages about the important work of our aid workers.

I highly encourage YOU to visit the website and donate your newsfeeds for a day. This can be a great way to support our aid workers and educate everyone on your social media at the same time. 
 
It is your time to be active. 

I would like to close out this blog by listing the names and nationalities of all 22 aid workers killed at the United Nations Office in Baghdad on August 19, 2003. On this day and everyday, we honor and remember. 

• Sergio Viera de Mello, age 55 - Brazil
• Nadia Younes, age 57 - Egypt
• Fiona Watson, age 35 - United Kingdom
• Jean-Selim Kanaan, age 33 - Egypt, Italy & France
• Richard Hooper, age 40 - United States
• Manuel Martin-Oar, age 56 - Spain
• Christopher Klein-Beekman, age 32 - Canada
• Reham Al-Farra, age 29 - Jordan
• Martha Teas, age 47 - United States
• Leen Assad Al-Qadi, age 32 - Iraq 
• Ranillo Buenaventura, age 47 - Philippines 
• Reza Hosseini, age 43 - Iran
• Ihsan Taha Hussein, age 26 - Iraq
• Basim Mahmoud Utaiwi, age 40 - Iraq
• Raid Shaker Mustafa Al-Mahdawi, age 32 - Iraq
• Gillian Clark, age 47 - Canada
• Arthur Helton, age 54 - United States
• Dr. Alya Ahmad Souza, age 54 - Iraq
• Khidir Saleem Sahir, (civilian) - Iraq
• Saad Hermis Abona, age 45 - Iraq
• Omar Kahtan Mohamed Al-Orfali, age 34, - Iraq
• Emaad Ahmed Salman al-Jobody, age 45 - Iraq

Continue to Rest In Power


I dedicate this blog entry in honor of all 22 aid workers killed in Iraq on August 19, 2003, Kayla Mueller and all humanitarian aid workers that have given their lives to help others. 

Ase