Jim Kelly: An amazing man!

I would like to offer my condolences to the Jim Kelly family. June 29th the world lost the first African American superstar martial artist Jim Kelly. He was 67.  Jim Kelly was a prominent African American martial artist/actor having worked with Bruce Lee in “Enter the Dragon.”

Jim Kelly and Bruce Lee Training.

He also appeared in many other films with actors such as Jim Brown and Fred Williamson throughout the 1970’s and 80’s. Kelly was also a professional tennis player. He has also been active recently having had starred in a few movies and a Nike commercial with Lebron James. Jim Kelly died from cancer.

Watch the commercial here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q22VEviS-Os

I will most definitely miss him because he helped usher in the popularity of martial arts among African Americans in the 70’s. He also portrayed a confident, skillful black man as well. I remember hearing him be interviewed at 2009 San Diego Comic-Con International, and he was such a humble man. He expressed that he felt moved to motivate his people positively and let them know that they too can become great in whatever they seek.

Jim Kelly with a fan, 2009 Comic Con

I remember the first time I watched Jim Kelly across the television screen. I was watching “Enter the Dragon”. I thought he looked so cool with his afro. He was also very smooth and an excellent fighter. I wanted so much to learn about the man behind the character. When, I learned that Kelly was a world class fighter, having competed in competitions and being trained in  Shorin-ryu karate and trained Okinawa-te karate, I was amazed. He received a black belt in Okinawa karate. He also studied Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and trained in boxing with boxer Muhammad Ali. Kelly along with martial artists Bruce Lee, Joe Louis and Chuck Norris helped introduce the art of mixed martial arts before the existence of the UFC.

Jim Kelly and Muhammad Ali.

Kelly has also been a martial arts choreographer. He also went on to open his own dojo (karate school). He has trained many up and coming African American martial artists.

He was educated in his craft, and sought to teach people about it. He also sought to motivate African Americans into training in martial arts as well. This was a man who strived to become great despite the hurdles of race he experienced. I loved this about Jim Kelly. He will be missed. His confidence and humbleness will be missed. May his accomplishments and life continue to further influence African American/black martial artists and visionaries alike. -M. Millie

She had a Baby, Congratulations! Why do you care again?

So she had a baby I do not care, why do you?

Yes, Kim Kardashian had a baby today. Congratulations to her. Having a baby is a beautiful and special gift. Social media is buzzing about this news and I understand why. She is a celebrity. She is famous, for whatever reason. However, why do we African Americans care?

The question here lies, why are black outlets,. facebook pages, and media reporting her child’s birth. Yes, I remember that she is having a baby with Kayne West. However, the focus the black community has one this non black woman is overwhelming.

Why is her life and story news for us? Why do we care? There is a black woman named Marissa Alexander who is spending 20 years in prison for a non violent offense. Why aren’t we rallying and talking about her?

The constant portrayal and discussion of  Kim Kardashian in a positive, enviable way are a continued trend of black America glorifying this white woman and other white women like her.

Beyonce had a child as a married woman. However, she was ridiculed during her pregnancy and after. There were rumors of her having a fake birth. There were rumors that she did not have the baby. There have even been rumors saying the baby is ugly. Who calls a baby ugly? SMH! That child is gorgeous.

Many of these rumors were fabricated and spread by our own community. We did not welcome Beyonce’s pregnancy or give her positive attention the way we have Kim Kardashian. Why? That is because no matter how much we love Beyonce she is not a white woman like Kim Kardashian, and many of us blacks have the indoctrinated belief and practice of worshipping non black women.

Now before, I get called a hater. I am not HATING on her. I believe that it is a talent to become rich and famous for having no talent. She is talented for she is another white woman who has played the fem fatale, oh woe is me, card to get a fan base. Yes, her privilege of whiteness has helped her of course. The blindness and promote of White America, has also helped her as well. However, she has “hob knobbed”, made connections and used publicity as a way to be one of the most popular people, today.

What bothers me is the worship. The worship of the black community of people like Kim Kardashian. She is not a black woman. She is not even someone who cares about the black struggle, besides the obvious, her spouse choices.

There are so many black woman who accomplish great feats and do so much everyday, who do not get recognized. If these women do get recognized, their stories do not get shared with the same ferocity as Kim K’s life and story. Fame is just one part of it but worship is the bigger part of it. Our admiration for Kim K overextended our pride for our people.

We black people have always focused on people outside of our community more than those inside of it. Yes, it’s that Willie Lynch, slave mentality, self-hatred combo that seems to always stifle our development.

Our worth, our being and who we are CANNOT, be mirrored against a mirror of unattainable, and undeniable self hatred. Many black women want to be this woman. They want her body. Umm, we have had Real, hips, lips, but and hair since the beginning of time. Next! We need to learn to love and appreciate who we are and those like us who have risen against all.

We need to see role models in our communities, who look like us, who come from our struggle and know what we are and are capable of as people to admire. These people do not have to necessarily be famous, There are black woman everyday, locally, who are teachers, police officers, politicians, lawyers, etc. who cultivate the contemporary accomplishments of black woman.

Lets appreciate these women. Lets remember these women, and stop the worshiping of who are not US. Lets  be proud of ourselves and proud of our people. ~Know Your Worth~ -M. Millie

 

When History is a Lie, what do you do?

Yes, our history. Black History spans centuries far before the Civil Rights movement and slavery. We were the first. We were the first people in Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Antarctica. This is ludicrous? There is no proof to validate this? This is what people who want to keep you from your true history will say. They will try to make you  believe this because they want to continue to use systematic tactics of oppression and degradation. They want us to believe that we are powerless. They want us to question our abilities and value. Have you ever heard of the Willie Lynch syndrome? Well, it is real, and it is alive and working through the minds of many of us.

What do you do to combat this? Look for history books that are not made by the oppressor. Visit the walls of tombs in Europe, India and Africa. Look to find that there are images of us as champions of success, rulers, leaders and warriors before that of the European. Look to immerse yourself in the knowledge that we were the first creators of Mathematics, Literature, Science and Architecture.

There is a wonderful two-part documentary called Hidden Colors. This movie gives factual traceable evidence of the greater lineage we blacks, African-Americans, Caribbeans, Africans and Afro people come from.  You can find the link here to the website  www.hiddencolorsfilm.com Upon watching this movie I thought it was 30% true, with exaggerated details. Oh, was I wonderfully surprised.

As I began to research some of the topics in the movie from the true founder of the art Karate, to the destruction of the Tasmanian people, to the Moors of Ethiopia, I learned how much history has been distorted. When I learned about the truth with Michelangelo and the Sixteenth chapel I could not believe my ears. You see, our image is worshiped throughout the world. Our great contributions to the development to life on Earth is known by everyone else, but us. Our contributions were stolen, because they feared us as they do now.

Here is that question again. What do you do when your history has been a lie? What do you do when the feeling of insecurity, the feeling of worthlessness, the feeling of degradation has been indoctrinated in you throughout your educational, family and societal experiences? What do you do. Reclaim the truth. Educate yourself with our real history and teach others. Teach your daughters, sons, husband and wife. Teach them that greatness is in their veins.

Yes, we were kings and queens. Yes, we were rulers, but we were and are still so much more than that. We single-handedly created the seeds to flourish all the conveniences that people enjoy today, We set the foundation. We were the brains behind it all. Stop allowing fear to cloud your mind. Stop allowing fear to subjugate you from learning your real worth. Learn where you come from and be a vessel for change and continued greatness.

Our ancestors, with the mark they have made and the accomplishments they have reached have sewed within us all we need to survive, achieve, maintain and win at life. Use the gifts, knowledge and understanding of our past to propel you forward always.

-M. Millie