Skillrunner's Blog

Political Piece

by Maurice Skillern; _____________________________________________________________________________________

In this day and age, I find myself compelled to comment on the Obama-Wright situation. It is an unfortunate situation that illustrates the diverging thought on the direction of the black community, as well as a break down of a friendship. Whereas everyone else has sided Obama or Wright, I find myself on the side of the house that covets common sense and the right thing to do. This is America, and every man and woman has the basic right to believe as they please as long as it does not affect the rights and liberties of those around them. That being said, I must also add that I do not promote or support hate no matter what color it is spoken from. I will further endeavor to illustrate what exactly this apparent duality of thought really means. ____________________________________________________________________________________

I, myself, am a medical provider (a practicing Physicians Assistant), and in my studies, I have yet to see any evidence of a people or government creating the AIDS virus. I also have the added benefit to have been a nurse in my lifetime, and I have taken care of both black and white individuals unfortunately afflicted with the AIDS virus. I can assure, all without doubt, (having seen the AIDS virus up close) that the AIDS virus cares nothing at all about the color of the skin of the people that it infects. It is simply a deadly virus that has taken up housing in the bosom of man and has become one of the most damaging afflictions of man since the Black Plague of so long ago. Along this vein, also being a military man (22 years in the Army), I have known of no strategist who would release an affliction to kill an enemy or people that could also affect his or her own people. So, in effect, with this "common sense" evidence, I think it can be safely said that there is an almost none existent probability that white people created the AIDS virus to kill black people. I don't take or make that statement lightly, and I do have great knowledge of the atrocity that was perpetrated against the victimized black men in Tuskegee with syphilis. _____________________________________________________________________________________

From the "right thing to do" side of my thoughts, I feel that if a man or woman believes strongly in what they think and thinks strongly in what he or she believes then they as an individual should say and stand behind their own thoughts. I, furthermore, believe that this strongly thinking individual should claim his or her own thoughts leaving others free to acknowledge their position without implying any complicity with any other individual. In doing this, friendships would not stand in any danger, and everyone can exercise the freedom of accepting (joining) a belief or ideology or refuting it outright. When one implies or allows others to believe that someone other than themselves (without clarifying) agrees with their thoughts, they truly betray the relationships between themselves and those around them. A true friend would say from the start, "these are my beliefs; if you wish to ask my friend what he or she believes then put the question to him or her and respect their answer". This in essence simply is "the right thing to do". _____________________________________________________________________________________

I feel very strongly about this subject matter (divisiveness in the African American Community), and in fact, I wrote a piece inside of "Messages" that hits upon it. The piece is called "Blade of Execution," and it can be heard on my spoken word page http://maurice-skillern.com/Spoken_Word_Page.htm or on my MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/moskill . I ask that you listen to this piece and that you too find forgiveness in a heart that may have hardened on one side or the other, and lets "as The African- American Community" move forward with a unification of thought and a progressive focus. In the end, a decision of thought or position on this unfortunate episode in American history will be an individual thing. I pray that all reading this truly seek peace; for this world has had enough war. _____________________________________________________________________________________ "Blade of Execution":

http://maurice-skillern.com/Spoken_Word_Page.htm

http://www.myspace.com/moskill _____________________________________________________________________________________ View My latest Newsletter at:

http://maurice-skillern.com/People%20I%20Know%20May%202008%20Newsletter.htm _____________________________________________________________________________________ View My Videos at:

http://maurice-skillern.com/maurice_skillern_video_page.htm

We walk in the darkness created by them of diminutive thought. We have thus far followed a destructive path fueled by the blood of fallen heroes. Yet, those who currently have the wheel suffer little from their fruitless pursuits. But instead, wish to add fuel to the already raging fire that eats away at the core of our fractured moral standing like cancerous growths. Let us not be mislead in the reality of the over-bountiful harvest that has been enjoyed by some. But instead know the truth of the mindset of those with plenty. Seldom can the truly know the plight of those of lesser means. So be careful in your choices; for the phrase "let them eat cake" was not uttered by one who truly knew hunger; but was voiced by one who knew the freedom of plenty.

Today is Yesterday in the eyes of Tomorrow.

This is an interesting piece from the book "Messages". It gives promise of tomorrow with a warning not to be caught in yesterday. We have many challenges facing us now; social; political; religious; racial. I truly cannot wait until man as individuals accept the basic principles of acceptance and piece then war will have no place; tolerance wont just be a word inside of the dictionary but a practiced absolute. I pray that individuals reading this will learn to walk in peace and truly rebuke malice from their hearts; then we as a people can truly overcome and we as mankinds spawn can avoid the destruction awaiting at the end of our tempestuous actions. The peice "Blade of Execution" captures a bit of this mentality; listen to it and let the words release the self hate that is truly our adversary.

Have a peaceful Journey