During this holiday season I ask not heaven for transient treasures that money can buy
Purchased gifts of credit card folly bought with essential bill money
Making commercialized Christmas smiles while Christ smile is one of tears
Because of the now lost meaningful message of the birth of the Christ child
During this holiday season I pray not for peace on Earth among men of goodwill
Prayers from mouths with false teeth held in place with Polident denture cream
Mouths that honors GOD primarily for material things
During this holiday season I ask heaven not for the basic life necessities
Why?
Everyday I’m allowed to see the sun shine or to feel the rain
Reach out to family and friends
Share a kind word or hear wisdom speak through a multitude of voices
Smile at a stranger who smiles back
Back me up to remember that this particular holiday season unlike all others
Is the reason I ask not GOD during this holiday season for anything…else
It is a time of reflection as I peer at my reflection in the mirror of life
So as not to forget that the reason for season is to be pursued all year long
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Grateful
On this national day of thanks, I am truly grateful for the love of my sons, the friendship of their mother, the love of my oldest nieces who honor me with their words, my special friend and her family who has accepted me as one of their own, the love and mercy GOD has shown which has made the aforementioned possible. As this day progresses please pause to remember that the choice to make a difference for the good in someone else's life is ours and ours alone.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Press Release ~ North Carolina Ranks 38th in Child Well-Being: Full Impacts of Recession Still to Come
Press Release ~ North Carolina Ranks 38th in Child Well-Being: Full Impacts of Recession Still to Come
MEDIA RELEASE
August 17, 2011
For immediate release
CONTACT:
Laila Bell
Director of Research & Data
Action for Children North Carolina
Office: 919-834-6623 x225
Email: laila@ncchild.org
Latest Kids Count Data Book Ranks North Carolina 38th in Child Well-Being
Picture of the Recession's Impact on N.C. Children Still Evolving
(Raleigh, N.C.) -- North Carolina ranks 38th in key indicators of child health and well-being, according to data released by the Annie E Casey Foundation in its 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book. The state fell from 37th in 2010.
The 2011 Data Book paints a picture of mixed progress for North Carolina children. In a state that consistently receives high marks as business-friendly, more children and families now face greater risk of economic insecurity as a result the recession. Indicators of well-being, which typically lag behind economic indicators, have yet to capture the full impact of the recession, and may not do so for a number of years.
Teen birth rate declines.
The number of births to teens ages 15 to 19 declined 17 percent since 2000. In 2008, there were 49 births per 1,000 teens in North Carolina.
Share of teens not in school and not high school graduates improves.
Just five years ago, North Carolina ranked 37th in the nation for the number of teens ages 16 to 19 who are not in school and not high school graduates, today that rank has improved to 29th. The share of teens not in school and not high school graduates has declined by more than half-from 16 to 7 percent-between 2000 and 2009.
Rate of low birthweight births continues to stall.
The percent of newborns weighing less than 2,500 grams (about 5.5 pounds) has been largely unchanged for much of the past decade. In 2008, low birthweight infants accounted for 9.1 percent of North Carolina births.
Child poverty reaches highest level in a decade.
The number of children living in families earning less than the federal poverty line, $22,050 for a family of four in 2009, grew 21 percent since 2000 to 505,000 in 2009.
"While important gains have been made for North Carolina's children, clear challenges still exist," said Laila Bell, Director of Research and Data at Action for Children North Carolina, home of the North Carolina KIDS COUNT project. "In 2009, half a million children in North Carolina lived in poverty-a particularly sobering statistic since we know that poverty affects children's academic, health and future labor market outcomes."
According to data in the 22nd annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, the economic and social gains for children that occurred across the 1990s stalled, even before the economic downturn began. This year's Data Book reports an eighteen percent increase in the U.S. child poverty rate between 2000 and 2009. This increase means that 2.5 million more American children are living below the federal poverty line ($21,756 for a family of two adults and two children), effectively wiping out the gains made on this important measure in the late 1990's.
In an ongoing effort to track the impact of the recession, there are two new indicators in this year's data set -- the number of children impacted by foreclosure and households with at least one unemployed parent. In North Carolina 90,000, or two percent, of the state's children were impacted by foreclosure since 2007. In 2010, an estimated 253,000, or 12 percent, of children in this state lived in households where there was at least one parent who was eligible for and or seeking employment, but was unemployed at the time the data were collected.
"Foreclosure and parental unemployment threaten the well-being of our children," said Bell. "Evidence shows that stable, economically secure homes are critical components of child development, and are essential to children's life success."
Community-Level Data Available
In addition to the 10 key measures tracked in the Data Book, the KIDS COUNT Data Center
(http://datacenter.kidscount.org) provides easy, online access to the latest child well-being data on hundreds of indicators by state, county, city, and school district. It serves as a comprehensive source of information for policymakers, advocates, members of the media, and others concerned with addressing the needs of North Carolina children, families, and communities.
Visit the Data Center to download the complete Data Book, and create interactive maps and graphs, or view from your smartphone, such as the Droid, BlackBerry, or iPhone using the new mobile site launched in conjunction with this year's Data Book.
Action for Children North Carolina is a leading statewide, nonpartisan, nonprofit policy research and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that North Carolina children are healthy, safe, well-educated and have every opportunity for success. Action for Children is home to the North Carolina KIDS COUNT project and the state affiliate for the Voices for America's Children network. Visit http://www.ncchild.org for more information.
# # #
MEDIA RELEASE
August 17, 2011
For immediate release
CONTACT:
Laila Bell
Director of Research & Data
Action for Children North Carolina
Office: 919-834-6623 x225
Email: laila@ncchild.org
Latest Kids Count Data Book Ranks North Carolina 38th in Child Well-Being
Picture of the Recession's Impact on N.C. Children Still Evolving
(Raleigh, N.C.) -- North Carolina ranks 38th in key indicators of child health and well-being, according to data released by the Annie E Casey Foundation in its 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book. The state fell from 37th in 2010.
The 2011 Data Book paints a picture of mixed progress for North Carolina children. In a state that consistently receives high marks as business-friendly, more children and families now face greater risk of economic insecurity as a result the recession. Indicators of well-being, which typically lag behind economic indicators, have yet to capture the full impact of the recession, and may not do so for a number of years.
Teen birth rate declines.
The number of births to teens ages 15 to 19 declined 17 percent since 2000. In 2008, there were 49 births per 1,000 teens in North Carolina.
Share of teens not in school and not high school graduates improves.
Just five years ago, North Carolina ranked 37th in the nation for the number of teens ages 16 to 19 who are not in school and not high school graduates, today that rank has improved to 29th. The share of teens not in school and not high school graduates has declined by more than half-from 16 to 7 percent-between 2000 and 2009.
Rate of low birthweight births continues to stall.
The percent of newborns weighing less than 2,500 grams (about 5.5 pounds) has been largely unchanged for much of the past decade. In 2008, low birthweight infants accounted for 9.1 percent of North Carolina births.
Child poverty reaches highest level in a decade.
The number of children living in families earning less than the federal poverty line, $22,050 for a family of four in 2009, grew 21 percent since 2000 to 505,000 in 2009.
"While important gains have been made for North Carolina's children, clear challenges still exist," said Laila Bell, Director of Research and Data at Action for Children North Carolina, home of the North Carolina KIDS COUNT project. "In 2009, half a million children in North Carolina lived in poverty-a particularly sobering statistic since we know that poverty affects children's academic, health and future labor market outcomes."
According to data in the 22nd annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, the economic and social gains for children that occurred across the 1990s stalled, even before the economic downturn began. This year's Data Book reports an eighteen percent increase in the U.S. child poverty rate between 2000 and 2009. This increase means that 2.5 million more American children are living below the federal poverty line ($21,756 for a family of two adults and two children), effectively wiping out the gains made on this important measure in the late 1990's.
In an ongoing effort to track the impact of the recession, there are two new indicators in this year's data set -- the number of children impacted by foreclosure and households with at least one unemployed parent. In North Carolina 90,000, or two percent, of the state's children were impacted by foreclosure since 2007. In 2010, an estimated 253,000, or 12 percent, of children in this state lived in households where there was at least one parent who was eligible for and or seeking employment, but was unemployed at the time the data were collected.
"Foreclosure and parental unemployment threaten the well-being of our children," said Bell. "Evidence shows that stable, economically secure homes are critical components of child development, and are essential to children's life success."
Community-Level Data Available
In addition to the 10 key measures tracked in the Data Book, the KIDS COUNT Data Center
(http://datacenter.kidscount.org) provides easy, online access to the latest child well-being data on hundreds of indicators by state, county, city, and school district. It serves as a comprehensive source of information for policymakers, advocates, members of the media, and others concerned with addressing the needs of North Carolina children, families, and communities.
Visit the Data Center to download the complete Data Book, and create interactive maps and graphs, or view from your smartphone, such as the Droid, BlackBerry, or iPhone using the new mobile site launched in conjunction with this year's Data Book.
Action for Children North Carolina is a leading statewide, nonpartisan, nonprofit policy research and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that North Carolina children are healthy, safe, well-educated and have every opportunity for success. Action for Children is home to the North Carolina KIDS COUNT project and the state affiliate for the Voices for America's Children network. Visit http://www.ncchild.org for more information.
# # #
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
THANKS FOR MAKING IT EASY byJudi Marie on Wednesday, July 20, 2011
THANKS FOR TELLING ME HOW HORRIBLE I AM
THANKS FOR LOOKING AT ME AS IF I DISGUST YOU
THANKS FOR ALL THE NIGHTS I CRIED THINKING
I WASN'T THE BEST
THANKS FOR THE NIGHTS YOU STOLE MY REST
AND KEPT ME UP
MY MIND RACING
THE PEOPLE IN MY HEAD PACING THE FLOOR OF MY HEART
THANKS FOR THROWING DARTS
AND USING ME FOR THE TARGET
THANKS FOR THE SCARS
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE SO DAMN HARD
BUT THANK YOU
THANKS FOR MAKING ME FEEL SMALLER
THAN A THOUGHT
YOU WISHED NEVER CROSSED YOUR MIND
THANKS FOR HELPING ME WASTE MY TIME
DISLIKING MYSELF
HIDING MYSELF ON YOUR GLASS SHELF
BEHIND WHAT YOU WANTED
FOR ME
THANKS FOR HELPING ME SEE
WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO SEE
THROUGH A TWISTED WINDOW
THANKS FOR MAKING ME BELIEVE
I WAS A SHADOW
THANKS YOU JUST DON'T KNOW
HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THE LIES YOU TOLD ME
OR THE WAY YOU WOULD HOLD ME
AGAINST MY WILL
THANKS FOR ALMOST LETTING ME
KILL MY DREAMS
FOR YOURS
YEAH THANKS FOR KEEPING SCORE
OF MY MISTAKES
THANKS FOR TELLING ME I DIDN'T HAVE
WHAT IT'D TAKE TO PLEASE YOU
THANKS FOR HATING ME
DEGRADING ME
THANKS FOR ALMOST
MAKING ME BELIEVE
I WAS NEEDY
BECAUSE YOU JUST DON'T KNOW
NO, YOU NEVER WILL,
THANKS FOR TELLING ME YOU'D
LEAVE ME,
BECAUSE IN THE END
YOU JUST MADE ME LEAVING YOU
EASY.
.
THANKS FOR LOOKING AT ME AS IF I DISGUST YOU
THANKS FOR ALL THE NIGHTS I CRIED THINKING
I WASN'T THE BEST
THANKS FOR THE NIGHTS YOU STOLE MY REST
AND KEPT ME UP
MY MIND RACING
THE PEOPLE IN MY HEAD PACING THE FLOOR OF MY HEART
THANKS FOR THROWING DARTS
AND USING ME FOR THE TARGET
THANKS FOR THE SCARS
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE SO DAMN HARD
BUT THANK YOU
THANKS FOR MAKING ME FEEL SMALLER
THAN A THOUGHT
YOU WISHED NEVER CROSSED YOUR MIND
THANKS FOR HELPING ME WASTE MY TIME
DISLIKING MYSELF
HIDING MYSELF ON YOUR GLASS SHELF
BEHIND WHAT YOU WANTED
FOR ME
THANKS FOR HELPING ME SEE
WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO SEE
THROUGH A TWISTED WINDOW
THANKS FOR MAKING ME BELIEVE
I WAS A SHADOW
THANKS YOU JUST DON'T KNOW
HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE THE LIES YOU TOLD ME
OR THE WAY YOU WOULD HOLD ME
AGAINST MY WILL
THANKS FOR ALMOST LETTING ME
KILL MY DREAMS
FOR YOURS
YEAH THANKS FOR KEEPING SCORE
OF MY MISTAKES
THANKS FOR TELLING ME I DIDN'T HAVE
WHAT IT'D TAKE TO PLEASE YOU
THANKS FOR HATING ME
DEGRADING ME
THANKS FOR ALMOST
MAKING ME BELIEVE
I WAS NEEDY
BECAUSE YOU JUST DON'T KNOW
NO, YOU NEVER WILL,
THANKS FOR TELLING ME YOU'D
LEAVE ME,
BECAUSE IN THE END
YOU JUST MADE ME LEAVING YOU
EASY.
.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Open Your Eyes and Listen is a tribute and jouney of multiple voices
Open Your Eyes and Listen is a tribute and jouney of multiple voices The section Family highlights some of the joys and sorrows of my life as a Harrell man and the power love, patience and determination to push forward knowing life is filled with more beauty than ugliness. For the example the poem The Outer Limits pays tribute our family andthe African-American family and the poem Black Queen honors African-American women I've known and the spirit they manifest in a country and society than often under values thier worth.
The section Spirituality delves into issues of faith that we sometimes struggle with by means of the poem Live In Fear...Die In Silence and the love GOD has for us all is highlighted in the poem You Cared About Me as a collaboration with Tangil Smith.
Finally the last section Social Issues closes out with the title poem Open Your Eyes and Listen written about socially disturbing events that I observed in downtown Greensboro but happens in small towns and cities around the world, problems truly that deserving of our concern as human being.
Also in this the Purple edition is meditative page.
This is truly a book that speaks in multiple many of whom are tagged below either because I've been in one of their workshops, converse with and grown in wisdom because of our conversations or I been honored by their friendship.
Alfred Harrell, Author Open Your Eyes and Listen Copyright 2009
The section Spirituality delves into issues of faith that we sometimes struggle with by means of the poem Live In Fear...Die In Silence and the love GOD has for us all is highlighted in the poem You Cared About Me as a collaboration with Tangil Smith.
Finally the last section Social Issues closes out with the title poem Open Your Eyes and Listen written about socially disturbing events that I observed in downtown Greensboro but happens in small towns and cities around the world, problems truly that deserving of our concern as human being.
Also in this the Purple edition is meditative page.
This is truly a book that speaks in multiple many of whom are tagged below either because I've been in one of their workshops, converse with and grown in wisdom because of our conversations or I been honored by their friendship.
Alfred Harrell, Author Open Your Eyes and Listen Copyright 2009
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Judy Wilkinson:Her last communication with me-Missing Nieces: Part 2(Not about drama-About family)
Judy Wilkerson:Her last communication with me-Missing Nieces: Part 2(Not about drama-About family)
.by Alfred Harrell on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 7:53pm.
Judy Wilkerson:Her last communication with me-Missing Nieces: Part 2
(Not about drama-About family)
Does following sound like person whose disavowed their blood relations?
This is also being posted at verbalxpression.blogspot.com minus my nieces e-mail address.
Judy Wilkinson
mailto:tomraharrl@gmail.com
dateSun, Mar 27, 2011 at 3:33 PM
mailed-byyahoo.co
signed-byyahoo.com
Important mainly because of the words in the message.
hide details Mar 27
Hey uncle!!! It's been forever since we talked and I apologize for the silence (such a long story.) Anyway I was hoping we could talk via e-mail for a little while about some things... Before I get into that, HOW ARE YOU DOING??? You're married now right? Wow, it's been so long and we have catching up to do. How's Desmond and Terrell? I wish I could've been to his graduation :( I hope your all ok... How's aunt Monica? Things have changed ALOT for me, and you'll see what I mean in other messages. Haha, don't worry, I'm not pregnant or on drugs. I miss you and have got a few looks at your blog Verbal Expression (which I like.) I actually wrote a little bit for Northside last year and one of the poems I read was featured in the newspaper (at least one that I know of.) One was in tribute to Red Ribbon Week the other, Veteren's Day... I'm trying to find a job now (and get some other things squared away.) Please cross your fingers that things go well for me. (By the way, I don't know if you talk to mom "Ms. Paula" or not, but if you do, I'd rather you not say anything to her about me talking to you, Thanks.) Let me see, what else... I have a boyfriend, his name's Shaun and we've been dating for 3 months- there's a story with that too. He's a really sweet guy and he's going into the Navy this August... As for me, I've somewhat decided what I think I may possibly want to major in when I go to college and also which schools I'm interested in (High Point University; UNCG; ECU) and yes they're listed in the order of my preference lol. I'm strongly considering interior design and journalism, but don't be surprised if I change it in a year. You'll know if I do anyway, because I DON'T INTEND ON LOSING CONTACT WITH YOU AGAIN! Trust me, I'll be giving the same speech to Desi and Terrell. I can't wait to talk with you and them again. I suppose this is enough to rack your mind with for now :P but believe me, there's much much longer stories after this. Please e-mail meee!!! Love always, your niece Judy :) :) :)
p.s. I'll be sending you some of my poetry!
.
.by Alfred Harrell on Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 7:53pm.
Judy Wilkerson:Her last communication with me-Missing Nieces: Part 2
(Not about drama-About family)
Does following sound like person whose disavowed their blood relations?
This is also being posted at verbalxpression.blogspot.com minus my nieces e-mail address.
Judy Wilkinson
mailto:tomraharrl@gmail.com
dateSun, Mar 27, 2011 at 3:33 PM
mailed-byyahoo.co
signed-byyahoo.com
Important mainly because of the words in the message.
hide details Mar 27
Hey uncle!!! It's been forever since we talked and I apologize for the silence (such a long story.) Anyway I was hoping we could talk via e-mail for a little while about some things... Before I get into that, HOW ARE YOU DOING??? You're married now right? Wow, it's been so long and we have catching up to do. How's Desmond and Terrell? I wish I could've been to his graduation :( I hope your all ok... How's aunt Monica? Things have changed ALOT for me, and you'll see what I mean in other messages. Haha, don't worry, I'm not pregnant or on drugs. I miss you and have got a few looks at your blog Verbal Expression (which I like.) I actually wrote a little bit for Northside last year and one of the poems I read was featured in the newspaper (at least one that I know of.) One was in tribute to Red Ribbon Week the other, Veteren's Day... I'm trying to find a job now (and get some other things squared away.) Please cross your fingers that things go well for me. (By the way, I don't know if you talk to mom "Ms. Paula" or not, but if you do, I'd rather you not say anything to her about me talking to you, Thanks.) Let me see, what else... I have a boyfriend, his name's Shaun and we've been dating for 3 months- there's a story with that too. He's a really sweet guy and he's going into the Navy this August... As for me, I've somewhat decided what I think I may possibly want to major in when I go to college and also which schools I'm interested in (High Point University; UNCG; ECU) and yes they're listed in the order of my preference lol. I'm strongly considering interior design and journalism, but don't be surprised if I change it in a year. You'll know if I do anyway, because I DON'T INTEND ON LOSING CONTACT WITH YOU AGAIN! Trust me, I'll be giving the same speech to Desi and Terrell. I can't wait to talk with you and them again. I suppose this is enough to rack your mind with for now :P but believe me, there's much much longer stories after this. Please e-mail meee!!! Love always, your niece Judy :) :) :)
p.s. I'll be sending you some of my poetry!
.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Empower
To be complacent to the worlds mechanisms
why fear
Past Chains remain on our wrist, necks, and ankles
why fear
Walking in the divinity that I am meant to BE
why fear
Activating Change
Creating the world that I want
Why Fear?
The power that exist within me
The power to choose
The power to manifest
The power to speak words
And Life, And Change
So, Why Fear???
What is the significance of seeing what needs to be done
What is the significance of seeing the changes that need to be made
What is the significance of standing behind the mental cage
The Cage that is unlocked and you are just sitting there wondering
Wondering if I should be loyal to the enemy that imprisoned me
Loyal to the suffering and the oppression
Loyal to the pain
Hell No....
Not me........
Are you coming??
why fear
Past Chains remain on our wrist, necks, and ankles
why fear
Walking in the divinity that I am meant to BE
why fear
Activating Change
Creating the world that I want
Why Fear?
The power that exist within me
The power to choose
The power to manifest
The power to speak words
And Life, And Change
So, Why Fear???
What is the significance of seeing what needs to be done
What is the significance of seeing the changes that need to be made
What is the significance of standing behind the mental cage
The Cage that is unlocked and you are just sitting there wondering
Wondering if I should be loyal to the enemy that imprisoned me
Loyal to the suffering and the oppression
Loyal to the pain
Hell No....
Not me........
Are you coming??
Monday, March 7, 2011
Educate: Innocence Lost
"Everyday childhoods are stolen in the name of freedom of expression with all of paying the price of lost innocence."-Alfred Harrell