Desi Williamson - Motivational Speaker

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Momentum Will Shape Detroit

High school physics was not my strong suit but I do remember a few key theorems and natural laws. One that comes to mind often these days is that force equals mass times acceleration and that momentum, an impelling force, is generated as the mass grows and the speed increases.

In Detroit City there’s a change coming; a revision of the status quo by the status quo. This change is gathering strength as it builds speed and critical mass. Most of the time if momentum is not checked by depleting the mass or reducing the speed it will steamroll all who get in the way.

Usually when momentum is stopped or stalled it’s because it encountered a mass bigger and faster than its own force. The resistance created when momentum hits a brick wall will disperse the mass, slow the speed and diffuse the force of its power to shape the way things are.

The Up From the Under Movement can be the brick wall to destroy the gathering momentum, which threatens to keep Detroit citizens powerless, voiceless, and invisible. Right now we’re building the wall brick by brick. We need more mass though and quickly, to create a counter momentum to the politicians and social engineers whose decision and plans don’t include many of us and will result in continued decline for those trapped in “the under”.

Come join us as to provide the mass. We need your talent and expertise to generate speed. Help us build the momentum to chart our own course because if we don’t we’re going to get flattened by their momentum like a bug on the windshield of a fast moving semi. Stay tuned to this spot to get connected and become a force. 

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?

Be The Change - Up from the Under Social Media Movement

http://www.facebook.com/upfromtheunder

Detroit Police: A Picture Worth a Thousand Words

 

East Side Armed Robbery Syndicate, in a picture released Feb. 17, 2010. (Detroit Police Department)

Black History Commentary: The Blueprint to Build Community

I don’t know what it will take to shake the Black community out of its collective apathy but one look at the pictures of the faces of the boys and men arrested and charged with more than 150 felonies ought to do it. If you haven’t seen the story check out www.freep.com; the release date of the article is 2-18-10, the title: COPS “Robbers Terrorize City”. 

Eleven young black men and boys ages 15-22 charged with car jacking, armed robbery, assault with intent to murder, vehicular theft, felonious assault, sexual assault, and more. 

Eleven young neighborhood terrorists, who should have been in school or at work, instead were further wrecking the community with their stupid, arrogant ignorance; condoned by us through our silence and indifference.

East Side Armed Robbery Syndicate, in a picture released Feb. 17, 2010. (Detroit Police Department)

What’s it going to take to focus our energies on the big picture? What’s it going to take to save our own lives?

What will it take to realize that it’s not about how soon Kwame has to pay the piper or how foolish the whole Sam Riddle farce is, it’s about fixing the blueprint black people were made to live by, and it’s way past time for us to get started. 

For the past few days, I’ve been posting excerpts from chapter six of the audio book, ‘Up From the Under, What We Should Do Next’. The chapter deals with how to establish trust and unity. To my mind, that’s the only place to start. Check out these two, then meet me at the Shrine of the Black Madonna Bookstore Saturday, 2-20-10 at 2PM.

Excerpts from Chapter Six of Up from the Under: ‘Trust and Unity the Mortar & the Brick’

5) Without the goal of unity there is absolutely no need for trust. Loners, individualists or outcasts need only trust their own ability to survive. 

Likewise, without community there is absolutely no purpose for unity.  Our American society has evolved now into an identity theft, me- first, fraud alert, lawsuit- happy collection of individuals.  

Without trust, we reap what we sow. 

With it, we get what we give. If a safe community, a secure society or equal opportunities are the desired outcomes, how do we expect to get there without the foundation of trust? You remember the definition of crazy!

7) Unity and trust building share a total need for transparent honesty. 

Liars, cheats, scam artists, thieves or people who have shown repeatedly their preference to take from, rather than give to, though an obstacle to trust, don’t have to become an obstacle to unity.

Indeed that is the very purpose of community, its special strength.

The community erected by unity’s ‘hoist’ has more than enough power to crush or convert the untrustworthy.

The community power is exponentially greater than any force that would hinder its momentum. 

  

Unity in the Community: “Trust Me”, says Wimpy

Most of the time when we hear somebody say, “trust me” we usually don’t. 

Most of the time when the leaders say, “I’ll never lie to you” they usually do. 

Most of the time when the vendor says, “I’ll give your money back if you’re not satisfied” he usually won’t and usually, when Wimpy promises to “pay you back Tuesday” if you buy him a burger today, you won’t collect on the debt because most of the time you’ll never see Wimpy again, if he see’s you first.

Most of the time when trust in our Institutions, our System, our Government erodes, it’s just a matter of time before we start to distrust everything and everybody, then start to doubt ourselves.

What do we do to assure trust? 

How do we regain it if  lost?

In whom or what do we put it?

Trust, the mortar to the brick of unity, is the essential element to build a thriving community, and so in advance of our next SATURDAY ‘Think Tank’ (2-20-10, 2PM) at the Shrine of the Black Madonna (see flyer below), we’re excerpting Trust & Unity ideas from ‘Up From the Under, What We Should Do Next’. 

  I’ve been doing this for the past few days so if you missed the previous tips just navigate to my February 12^th entry. Hope to meet you Saturday at 2pm at the Shrine of the Black Madonna in Detroit.

     Here's excerpt # 4 from Up from the Under

4) Trust is slow to build but can quickly be lost. At first trust is easily given and innocently bestowed, like an infant to its mother or that between new lovers. Trust more often than not is never taken away by the giver. It is repudiated by the actions of the recipient of that trust. Once trust erodes it is almost never regained but if it is fully reciprocated trust can move mountains.