Self Delusion In Detroit?

I need some input; have I lost my mind? Take a look at this flyer then tell me if I’m crazy for thinking that Detroiters can spark a brand new civil movement and drive it’s momentum throughout the world.

Let me know if you think I’m deluded for believing that Black folks have what it takes to lift ourselves, and each other, from “the under”.

If you don’t think I’ve “lost it”, meet me on Tuesday, 3-30 in the Old Fine Arts Room at the Detroit Public Library at 6PM.

Ps. even if you think I sound a bit like a squirrel’s favorite food, come anyway. The conversation just may open your mind.

From Detroit to D.C.: They Just Don't Get It

In Detroit Mayor Bing wants to radically alter the City by shrinking it, then employ the remaining residents as urban farmers.

In D.C. President Barack has signed the National Healthcare Bill, which will radically alter the Nation, first by shrinking the clout of the medical insurance industry, then reducing the influence of the Doc’s and the committees to dictate, delay or deny treatment.

It all sounds plausible but neither of these politicians gets it. A downsized Detroit or an upsized health system won’t fix what ails us nearly as much as having enough money in our pocket or purse to meet our personal goals.

But since neither Bing nor Barack has the power to manufacture enough jobs to go around, downsizing and revising will have to appease us for now except… they won’t. Bill Clinton got it almost two decades ago. It was the economy then and it’s still the economy. Entrepreneurs not politicians produce jobs. Risk takers with vision make their own opportunity and create economic momentum for others to ride.

Entrepreneurship is the vehicle to take us where we want to go. Vegetables from urban farms, or healthcare for all won’t mean a thing if we can’t afford to buy it.

Social Media, "Late to the Game"

I’ve come late to the Social Media game and admittedly have a lot of catching up to do. My learning curve has been steep and confusing because the rules of this game are still evolving as new players enter the arena. Should I be on Face Book or Linked In, BlogSpot or You Tube; produce podcasts or upload live video streams? When to tweet, when to digg or when it’s best to text has me perplexed, sometimes a bit vexed because communication shouldn’t be this complex.

I mean, what’s the point of this ‘social media’ phenomenon? Are we trying to network or share ideas or get connected? Is it to create a fifteen minute of fame moment for ourselves, or a vain attempt to follow the lead of the kids whose social media skills are changing everything, including our vocabulary and our daily habits?

No doubt I’m missing the big picture and sweating the small stuff. Trying to figure out how many “friends I’m supposed to have. Who’s a fan versus who’s a friend or a follower and, is it more effective to write on my wall or should I post on yours?

Questions beget more questions. Who’s watching, who’s plotting; who’s getting ready to steal my identity, my passwords or infect me with some dread virus? Should I even be playing this game? I mean, what’s the point?