Starlight, Starbright, In Search of Madonna... excerpts from T. Semakula's upcoming book titled "The Food Stamp Bandit"

Starlight, Starbright, In Search of Madonna...excerpts from T. Semakula's upcoming book titled "The Food Stamp Bandit"

Has anyone seen Madonna? She was the material girl that kicked it in thrift store clothes, lace hand gloves with the cut out fingers, mismatch earrings, and a fake mole. She was the one that sashayed across the stage in her lace drawers, worn out Doctor Martins, and a bullet bra. I’m talking about the Madonna, the one that had me hooked when she belted out “Borderline” and showed any respectful black chic how to wax poetic to an r&b cut. She was the New Yorker that was from upstate, an undercover Italian who was too cool for her hometown. She was soo fly that the diehard urban Nuyoricans claimed her as the queen of the city.

...So, where is she?  It would be a joke to say that she has popped up inside the guises of Lady Gaga. Any diehard Madonna fan would be quick to say that there is no comparison. Lady Gaga, the new Madonna? What?

The Tongue (an excerpt from T. Semakula's upcoming book titled The Food Stamp Bandit)

The Tongue (an excerpt from T. Semakula's upcoming book titled The Food Stamp Bandit)

The tongue sits in one’s mouth like a neglected apparatus; its goal is to create. The tongue holds much prowess. This tongue of ours, so small, so loose, and so hidden. The Bible summarizes the tongue as a spark, or a catalyst, that if used correctly, creates an abundant life. However, if it is wielded in the wrong direction, it can compose total destruction.

The tongue is so powerful; that if we are apt to speak death over ourselves, without fail, we will find ourselves void of oxygen. So, why is it that very few folk heed to this bit of wisdom that graces the pages of the greatest book ever published? 

We speak so we are. We speak ourselves into poverty, divorce, depression, loneliness, black holes. We blame our situation on outside circumstances and forget that our tongue has spat out most of our destiny.

God was the first example, as to the power of speech. As the boom of his voice formed the word light, the earth became exposed to the glorious sun, the tint of the stars, and the huge glow of the moon. We thank God every day for the light as there is not much that can be achieved once the sun goes down. Without the light, we find that darkness creates the balance between start and stop, activity and rest.

The Folk In The City of Cars..

The Folk In The City of Cars

an excerpt from T. Semakula's upcoming book..The Food Stamp Bandit

          As usual, I am waiting for the 23. It’s a quarter till eleven at night and my behind is gripping the small plastic seat that is shoved inside a plexi glass bus stop shelter. The stop is housed on Fourth and Broadway, which sits across from Brown Bros. Cadillac. The famous lot is known for its’ shiny color pallet of blue, brown, red, and white caddies. I am amazed that the lot hasn’t fallen prey to the recession that has placed a choke hold on the once vibrant, River City. From the stop, I can see folk popping out of their cars and strolling up Fourth Street, headed toward one of the many restaurants that decorate the downtown. The pedestrians that flank the well-known Fourth Street Live! give the appearance that Louisville hasn’t succumbed to the recent economic back slap that has left a trail of bankruptcies, foreclosures, and sold out homeless shelters.

The Folk in the City of Cars

The 23 is one of those routes that many working folk depend on to get them to their usual gigs. I watch these folk as they board the bus donning grease stained McDonald uniforms, steel toe boots, or flowered covered nursing assistant scrubs. The route also houses unruly youth who try to impress their friends with four letter words and fancy touch screen cell phones, seniors with monthly bus passes that hang on a cloth chain around their necks, and teen mamas who board the bus with fat strollers, painted on skinny jeans, and short tempers.

As I view the mobile landscape, I attempt to fit myself into this urban community that is held together with paper transfers and updated bus schedules. Let’s face it; Louisville is a city of cars. Even the poor feel that riding the bus is beneath them and they do their best to scrap up change to purchase a ride. I have seen folk driving cars with no doors, no windows, no gas, no bumpers, no plates, outrageous dents, and dragging mufflers. To them, a car represents status and mobility.

I long to find a community of writers, thinkers, dreamers, and entrepreneurs, in Louisville, who don’t mind riding the bus. In cities such as Los Angeles and New York, this is the norm. As a budding entrepreneur, the expense of a car is not a priority, as I set my sights on a house, and an office space. I choose to invest in things that would give me a return on my hard earned change. This train of thought has made me an alien to the Louisvillians who cherish their rides. Because I ride the bus, I feel more connected to the city and the people. My view is expanded as I take in the sights of Louisville, which I feel would benefit from more enlightened and progressive straphangers.

How To Start A Non Profit

How to Start a Non Profit/ Online Workshop

How To Walk On Water

How to Walk on Water/ What It Takes To Be A Community Entrepreneur/ Online Workshop

Pigs

Pigs

by T. Semakula

This is my first post of the New Year. I thought that it should be inspirational. This is as close to inspiration as I am gonna get. I decided to focus on the subject of pigs otherwise known as swine and or the pork swathed portly creatures that wallow in the mud and oink on occasion. Their snouts give them a peculiar look. Their parts are used for consumption and their hooves are parted in fours.


For the vegetarian, they are a non issue, for the Muslim, an aberration; however, for a future entrepreneur, minister, community activist, or a way maker, they very well may be the very thing that has caused a project to stall, a community to crumble, or a ministry to fall by the wayside.

You may ask, what is she talking about? I am talking about human pigs…the ones that are referred to in the good book, as it relates to who we should not pass our pearls onto. Matthew 7:6 goes on to state…Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Pigs are omnivores and are highly social and intelligent animals(i). You will usually find them wallowing around at social functions, associating themselves with folk who are usually considered influential or prominent. So, if you consider yourself a leader, a minister, or an activist, beware, a pig may be trying their best to befriend you. You may have to rely on the power of discernment, as they are highly intelligent animals who have a gift for gab and possess a certain degree of knowledge.

“Feral” pigs …are major drivers of extinction and ecosystem change… have been introduced into many parts of the world, and will damage crops and home gardens as well as potentially [spread] disease. They uproot large areas of land, eliminating native vegetation and spreading weeds(ii) . Pigs destroy the landscape and everything along their paths. They destroy homes, reputations, visions, and plans. They feed off of other folk’s ideas and dreams and can suck the life out of a ministry that was once considered viable to a group of parishioners. They leave nothing but destruction.

Pigs can harbor a range of parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to humans(iii). Watch your associations, as we often take on the character of those we hang around. If we are not careful, other folks’ actions, thoughts and beliefs may become our own. We may find ourselves developing piglike qualities, if we allow these creatures to take up space in our lives. As Victor Sweatt, a talented visual artist, stated in his recent Facebook post…If you have nine broke friends, guess what, you are the tenth one .

How can I uncover a pig? Check the landscape. Pigs often return to the mud that they love to slough in. They abhor things such as cleanliness, discipline, order, stability, and harmony. After a while they will hunger for some discord, become hostile toward peace and start to rebel or retreat, let’s face it, it’s their nature.

How much damage can a pig really do? A conservative estimate of the cost of wild pig damage to agriculture and the environment in the United States currently stands at $1.5 billion annually(iv) . Pigs come in all forms and have stifled the progress of some of our urban communities. For example, a gang leader is a pig that seduces others to assist in wrecking havoc inside a selected neighborhood. The results of gang activity include; drive by shootings, murders, drug trafficking, petty crime, lawlessness, and civil unrest. The amount of crime one gang can produce is staggering. Seven percent of youth, mostly gang members, are responsible for 70 percent of juvenile crimes(v).

I understand how important it is to start the year off with a fresh view on how the year will bring promise, hope, and life to a new project, business venture, or ministry; however it is important to proceed carefully, as one moves on to better things. So with this in mind, I say, beware of the pigs that snort about in your life. They are real, and they do exist. If you are worth your weight in gold, they will seek after you, your pearls, and your ideas. Proceed toward the New Year with hope and expectation, but proceed with caution.

Article References

iWikipedia/Pigs

iiWikipedia/Pigs

iiiWikipedia/Pigs

ivMississippi State University/Wild Info

vThe National Center For Victims of Crime


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