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2024-03-28T15:24:13Z
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The Quick Scan by Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-quick-scan-by-mike-ramey-28
2023-06-07T03:22:16.000Z
2023-06-07T03:22:16.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><u>AIN’T IT FUNNY THAT…PART 2</u></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Got a LOT of great responses to the first part of this set. I wanted to keep it rolling with some of the ‘clips’ from the cutting room floor. Just remember, to start off each graph with ‘Ain’t It Funny That…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…more and more well-known corporations are going broke changing their products into billboards for the alphabet mafia and are shocked, SHOCKED that the American public aren’t buying into their propaganda…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…more young men are opting out of going to college and into trade schools…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…the millions of dollars ‘shoveled into’ the pandemic have NOT been properly tracked…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…the same Black women who didn’t give a Black man the time of day when they were on their way up NOW—when you’ve made it (and married wisely) want to brag at the class reunion how much of a crush they had on you ‘way back when’…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…we have leaders in the Motherland of Africa who have told American diplomats to ‘take a flying leap’ on homosexuality and other devilish sexual sins—those abominations are NOT welcome in Africa…but Black politicians of the liberal hue in the USA are supporting such garbage here…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…people post the most idiodic things online about themselves, and are shocked to find out that employers do a ‘deep dive’ into their social media accounts to determine whom to hire…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…Black Lives Matter has been doing more harm to Black people than the KKK while consuming millions for themselves…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…many Pastors must have the latest electronic ‘gadget’ in the pulpit, and still cannot preach their way out of a paper bag because they haven’t been convicted by their own preaching…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…the same feminist and Title IX groups that pressured Men’s college sports to surrender scholarships to ‘help’ Women’s sports are stunned that their programs are being torched by the ‘girly men’ that the ‘feminist frankenettes’ have helped to birth…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…Jesus Christ had no letters, and neither did most of the early Apostles; BUT many Bible Schools and Seminaries lust after being accredited because their faculty members lust after having letters after their names, rather than having Jesus in their hearts…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…many of those associated with Antifa and other modern Socialist groups come from wealthy white families…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…white people are hating on other white people and blaming their hate on people of color…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…Black folk who have been supporting wayward Democrat politicians in Sanctuary Cities are protesting about the ‘unfairness’ of illegal aliens sweeping up the jobs and benefits in said cities…crickets from their elected officials, as you DO get what you vote for, folks…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…officers of the NAACP are putting up a ‘travel advisory’ on a state where not only they live (Florida) but the SAME state where Black business start-ups rank #1 in the country…this coming after the ‘Spring Break’ kerfuffle where young people acted out with guns a-blazing…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…many multi-million-dollar pro-athletes will not invest their monies in educating Black youth, but WILL invest their money in ventures to help corrupt Black youth…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…Jim Brown gave to others and did NOT sell out during his pro career. He took the lumps for taking a stand…crickets for Colin Kaepernick and LeBron James who did little for others and more for themselves…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…many of those who were held to be ‘essential’ when the pandemic raged on are the first ones mistreated and fired now that the pandemic is over.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…how quickly the number of Black-owned newspapers have been corrupted by outside liberal groups with checkbooks to ‘plant’ propaganda in them aimed at keeping the Black community ignorant…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…you can hold someone’s hand and help them through a crisis…and once the crisis is over and they are back on their feet, they lose your phone number and email addy…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…Ozone action days come—amazingly—just AFTER cities have put on major racing events by NASCAR, IndyCar, and other auto racing associations…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…more and more famous Black names are sounding off about the need to leave the Democrat party plantation as—once again—the Black voter is being taken for granted and have received nothing for their past voting loyalty…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…many of the restaurants that begged customers to come back have raised their prices, reduced their staffs, and reduced their portions and hope you won’t notice…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…multi-million dollar ‘talking heads’ expect you to feel sorry for them because they have gotten ‘let go’ from their cushy TV gigs…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…some fact checkers have not mastered the art of spell checking…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…much of the wisdom of our foreparents concerning how to make your way through life—even in crazy times like these—STILL rings true AND much of it comes from the B-i-b-l-e…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…Climate Change warriors boast that they must fly in their own planes, to lecture the rest of us on a fake malady they have created just to get power, money and attention…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *…Lastly…hard work has become such a foreign concept to many—until the layoff notices go out…</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> <em>Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. “The Quick Scan” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996. To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: </em><a href="mailto:mgmikeramey@yahoo.com"><em>mgmikeramey@yahoo.com</em></a><em>. ©2023 Barnstorm Communications International.</em></span></p></div>
The Quick Scan by Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-quick-scan-by-mike-ramey-27
2023-05-26T10:42:09.000Z
2023-05-26T10:42:09.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><u>TOXIC LIES AGAINST MANHOOD—PART 3</u></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> One of the overriding themes of this series is that the mainstream mess—including social media—makes its bones putting forth bad news. Good or uplifting news is not valued by those who oversee editing and putting forth the ‘agenda items for the day’. Instead of informing the public (as American media outlets ‘used’ to be about) the media is all about indoctrinating the public to support their agenda—not yours.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> And, because of the money—their support of the most devilish of sins—or both, those who stand for God, the KJV Bible and plain ol’ morality are seen as the enemy. Here’s the bottom line: Those who are members of the ‘alphabet mafia’—whether they are in sports, social media, politics, education, or social influencing & entertainment—are pushing a sinful agenda against men and they want the majority to bow their knee at their altar and say that they are right at being wrong. I believe this sums the whole homosexuality (sodomite), transgender (transvestite) and overall sexual perversion industry of our modern day in a nutshell.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> As my father used to say: “Don’t fall for the okie-doke!” In other words, don’t be quick to agree with someone who is hell-bent (and hell-bound) and wants you to sign off on their ignorance. Sexual sins are nothing to joke about. Those types of sins are the ones that God—in the scriptures—holds to be the most destructive to man. It is no accident—from a prophetic standpoint—that the attacks on men have gotten worse every year. Now we have arrived at the ‘decade of perversion’ where a small minority of God-hating individuals have made their sins public and delight in trying to ‘lure’ right-thinking people into their web of satanic deception.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> How are men supposed to counter the toxic lies against true manhood? First, stand your ground and face the storm, confident that the truth WILL win out, and your enemies will eventually be swept aside by the God who created you. Yes, you WILL lose friends, property, jobs, freedom or—at the most extreme—your very life. Best die for the truth that live a lie.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Second, make sure you have a firm relationship with God through Jesus Christ and trust that He will ‘steel your spine’ and strengthen you for the battle ahead. God gave Ezekiel a ‘forehead as hard as flint’ so he could stand against the liars and perverts of his day as he stood forth AND proclaimed the truth. Brothers, when liars come our way, it is far better to stand with God. As the old folks used to say: “Noah went into the Ark a minority…and came out a majority!”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Lastly, don’t be ‘shocked’ by the actions of fools in an open society. If you are familiar with Bible Prophecy, the scriptures note that the days may be dark but stand with the light. Be who God created you to be—no matter the cost! Let the fool die in their own pride! Not YOU!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> <em>Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. “The Quick Scan” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996. To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: </em><a href="mailto:mgmikeramey@yahoo.com"><em>mgmikeramey@yahoo.com</em></a><em>. ©2023 Barnstorm Communications International.</em></span></p></div>
The Quick Scan by Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-quick-scan-by-mike-ramey-16
2023-03-07T18:22:40.000Z
2023-03-07T18:22:40.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><u>SECRETS TO SOLID RELATIONSHIPS—PART THREE</u></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> In our last thrilling installment, we briefly covered the subject of having Christ involved in not only your dating life, but your marriage as well. Yes, I know that the ‘lifting up’ of God may be considered ‘offensive’ to many. Feel free to contact me at my email addy and apologize. This series is on having solid relationships. A solid connection by an individual to God through Jesus Christ AND having relationships with individuals who hold a similar connection in their lives not only makes good sense; it cuts down on ‘relationship drama’ down the road.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Ready to have your blood pressure raised a few more points? Don’t pay ‘lip service’ to the Word of God. The Lord set it up—in black and white—that marriage is to be between a biological man and a biological woman (The Book of Genesis KJV). Further, in marriage, the husband leads, and the wife follows, and the children are to obey BOTH father and mother (The Book of Ephesians, Chapters 5 and 6 KJV). If you don’t want to do it God’s way, then you will continue to fail in your relationships, period. As the old African Proverb says: “Give advice. If people will not take it, let adversity teach them.” Always aim for God’s perfection in building solid relationships. He’s all in. Are you? Otherwise, adversity and sorrow will be your friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Just a few more items and we’re done with the series, brothers:</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *Speaking of Proverbs, this is a Book of the Bible that a man must regularly study AND stay in to keep himself ready to face and reject the temptations and relationship backstabbers of our modern era—including social media. In 31 chapters, a man gets a CLEAR record of the types of women to stay AWAY from; much of this is covered in the first ten chapters.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *In the home, a man is not ‘validated’ as the head of the home. He IS ORDAINED the head of the home by God’s design. A woman who doesn’t ‘accept’ what God has set down is begging for trouble. A husband continuously ‘kicked to the curb’ and/or abused by his wife will, one day, decide NOT to return. <u>Abuse in the home, brothers can be done by women, too!</u> WORD!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *<u>There is something wrong with a man</u> IF he must have a woman to validate his opinions, his mission, his ministry, and his manhood. A woman cannot validate something that she is not equipped to understand, just like a man cannot validate a woman. Husbands are to dwell with their OWN wives based upon their knowledge of them; Wives <u>can win</u> their OWN husbands to Christ by their <u>character</u>. Husbands <u>can win</u> their wives to Christ by their sacrificial love. However, there are some instances that a relationship may be beyond repair, as folks can either accept or reject God’s solutions. IF she walks, let her walk. God can heal you of that hurt.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *Remember: God’s Word is never confused. Social media is confused…but God is NOT!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em> Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. “The Quick Scan” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996. To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: </em><a href="mailto:mgmikeramey@yahoo.com"><em>mgmikeramey@yahoo.com</em></a><em>. ©2023 Barnstorm Communications International.</em></span></p></div>
The Quick Scan by Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-quick-scan-by-mike-ramey-14
2023-02-25T03:37:04.000Z
2023-02-25T03:37:04.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><u>SECRETS TO SOLID RELATIONSHIPS—PART TWO</u></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Continuing from my last column for the men in the house, the first secret to having a solid relationship is to start with God through Jesus Christ. The KJV Scriptures are a wealth of wisdom and information. Not only will the Bible tell you the type of people to meet…it will ALSO tell you the types of people to avoid at all costs. If YOU are a Christian man, brother, a Christian woman is whom you should marry. In fact, a Christian man should not even bother to date non-Christian women. It will save you a LOT in the way of headaches on earth, and in the heavenlies. Remember Samson and Delilah.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Always aim for God’s perfection in building solid relationships. He’s all in. Are you?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Here are some of my dating suggestions for you ‘Millies’ (Millennials), ‘Zippies’ (Generation Z) or even some of you P-School Rangers out there. This will save you a LOT of grief IF you realize brothers that YOU are a man, and God expects you to carry yourself as <u>an upright man</u>. A leader. One who has invested in his character—and it shows. Social media ONLY goes so far, and it is NOT reality; it is a manipulation causing confusion and mistrust between the sexes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *Men LEAD; Women FOLLOW. Open her door. Treat her like a lady! No Booze!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *IF she always wants to fight you and likes to cuss you—she is NOT for you! WALK!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *Brother, YOU pick up the check when you take her out. You ASKED her, remember?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *Brother, LISTEN and OBSERVE everything she does when she is with you.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *Lastly, save the sex for marriage---a real woman WILL respect you for this!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Another point I want to add is that you two should talk, talk, TALK until you feel you understand your sweetheart or steady. Pray for her (yep, THAT is why you should be a Christian) and have her pray for you (which is why SHE should be a Christian)! Dealbreakers at this stage of the game? Denominational differences and unbiblical expectations regarding relationships. Another dealbreaker? How does she treat the men in her family—including Dad. Also, how does her mother treat her husband and what does she say about the men in her family? Too many brothers get hurt down the road because they didn’t LISTEN and OBSERVE her!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Let me say this: Brother you will KNOW that she is marriage material, and, when that time comes you will know when and how to ask. Don’t let her ‘buddies’ and ‘besties’ try to push you to the altar. SHE does NOT ask for YOUR hand in marriage. The KJV Bible makes it clear who does the asking—and it AIN’T her. IF she accepts your proposal, then you and she need to register for pre-marital counseling through YOUR church! Why? IF your future wife will not follow you to your Pastor, it is a sure indication that she will not follow your lead in marriage.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> <em>Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. “The Quick Scan” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996. To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: </em><a href="mailto:mgmikeramey@yahoo.com"><em>mgmikeramey@yahoo.com</em></a><em>. ©2023 Barnstorm Communications International.</em></span></p></div>
The Quick Scan by Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-quick-scan-by-mike-ramey-11
2023-02-16T04:18:16.000Z
2023-02-16T04:18:16.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><u>SECRETS TO SOLID RELATIONSHIPS—PART ONE</u></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> I’ve been checking out some of the ‘relationship’ advice blogs and videos on social media and, quite frankly, have not been all that impressed with the content and the direction. Suffice it to say that God has been left out of many a relationship equation. Without God’s involvement, and heeding the KJV Scriptures, a house will not become a home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Always aim for God’s perfection in building solid relationships. He’s all in. Are you?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Let me state up front that I’ve had my share of ‘ups-and-downs’ when it comes to relationships. I’m no expert, nor do I pretend to be. I give advice based upon the Word of God and what I have observed and lived through in this thing called life. You are always free to take my advice—or not. However, I have learned the second time around to let God lead me in my marital relationship because I am a Christian, and so is my wife. It <u>does</u> matter and make a difference where you BOTH are spiritually at the beginning of any relationship. Further, at the risk of irritating some who may be reading this column, the Bible itself maintains that Christians should NOT marry non-Christians. If you cannot marry a non-Christian, brothers, then you should NOT bother dating non-Christians, regardless of how much ‘social media’ you see.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Many of the ‘relationship’ experts don’t have great track records. Why listen to someone give advice about relationships IF they have a <u>string</u> of broken relationships? Check their ‘RR’ (Relationship Resume) before you ask them to advise you. How many breakups, divorces, or OOW kids do THEY have? Have THEY learned from THEIR mistakes and sins?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> How do the ‘relationship’ experts handle the subject of God and the KJV Scriptures? It is a FACT that those men and women who have a solid relationship with God and follow the teachings of the Bible have stronger and better relationships than the general population. Think I’m making this up? Have the courage to do your OWN homework. A ‘relationship’ expert who makes a mockery of God, let alone lives a life of debauchery and fornication themselves is hardly a person I would trust to give me ANY kind of advice.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> As we wrap up part one of this pep talk, brothers, here are a few items you need to remember:</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *Men LEAD; Women FOLLOW. Open her door. Treat her like a lady! No Booze!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *IF she always wants to fight you and loves to cuss you—she is NOT for you! WALK!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *Brother, YOU pick up the check when you take her out. You ASKED her, remember?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *Brother, LISTEN and OBSERVE everything she does when she is with you.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> *Lastly, save the sex for marriage---a real woman WILL respect you for this!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> <em>Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. “The Quick Scan” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996. To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: </em><a href="mailto:mgmikeramey@yahoo.com"><em>mgmikeramey@yahoo.com</em></a><em>. ©2023 Barnstorm Communications International.</em></span></p></div>
The Quick Scan by Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-quick-scan-by-mike-ramey-7
2023-01-15T00:31:05.000Z
2023-01-15T00:31:05.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><u>PROFANITY, CLASS & CONSEQUENCES!</u></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> During my teaching days I wrangled grades 6 through 12. You would NOT believe how many warnings and scoldings I had to give the students—even those IN my classes—regarding profanity. It was one thing to hear 16-and 17-year-olds cuss or swear in the hallways. It was another thing entirely to hear profanity from the mouths of 12-year-olds--many of whom had just learned how to find their way to the cafeteria for lunch. The depressing part of teacher enforcement was having to correct young ladies about the dangers of ‘cussing up a storm’ in front of young men and adults around them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Nowadays, even on social media, young women have given up class to be ‘like everyone else’ and sharpen their profane tirades in public—then wonder why they are NOT being sought out by young men as marriage material. As one preacher has noted: “We have a lot of young women—but few young ladies—being raised up these days.” I would advise ANY young man to carefully study the family life of any young lady he may be interested in—especially what comes out of her mouth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> What Mama is NOW, the daughter WILL be in the future.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> But wait…there’s more! It seems that young adults cannot complete a sentence without using profanity. There is a severe outbreak of profanity in social media, in the movies, and on television. Of course, for advertisers to be considered ‘hip’ these days and they spend a lot of time and money ‘trying’ to get as near to cuss words as possible to sell their wares to the public. The more media a young mind consumes, the more the tongue will likely gravitate to profanity.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> What are some of the consequences of a consistent use of profanity in one’s daily speech? Right off the bat, it points you out to having a definite lack of class. Picture this: You go in for a job interview. What do you think it says about you to a future employer if you drop a few ‘F Bombs’ during your interview? Right. They will show you the door and hire someone else. It’s not about race—it’s about how well you represent your employer to the public. Employers do NOT want to hire someone who will ‘damage their brand’.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> No matter how it ‘looks’ on the small or big screen to hear someone cuss someone out, in REAL life, such language is usually given the thumbs down. It shows a weakness in character to constantly use profanity. IF you are a Christian, there are some types of profanity that will hurt your walk with Jesus Christ and block His ability to bless you. It takes a willingness to discipline your mouth. Shelve the profanity my friend. You will find your way brighter and lighter if you shove that dead weight over the side.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> <em>Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. “The Quick Scan” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996. To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: </em><a href="mailto:mgmikeramey@yahoo.com"><em>mgmikeramey@yahoo.com</em></a><em>. ©2023 Barnstorm Communications International.</em></span></p></div>
The Manhood Line: The Gold Files By Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-manhood-line-the-gold-files-by-mike-ramey-5
2021-05-05T05:42:15.000Z
2021-05-05T05:42:15.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">WOMAN, TEACH THY SISTER!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">For many a year, the feminists and their allies in the feminized mainstream coven have been eagerly browbeating men; telling us what ‘we need to do’ with our young men. Brothers, it took us a while to get the message, but we have done the job. The numbers have been trending positive and our young men have been on the grow.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Well, let me be the first to put the shoe on the other foot, and go public with my words: “It’s high time that women get their younger sisters under control! In short, it’s time for women to roll up their sleeves, pull down the hemlines, cover up the over-exposure of flesh, and get back to teaching young women how to become women of quality, rather than someone’s rap video plaything or the head of a criminal enterprise.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Woman…TEACH thy SISTER!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><u>ONLY SO MUCH MEN CAN DO:</u></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Brothers, just as it takes a man to teach a boy how to become a man, it takes a woman to teach a girl how to become a woman. An upright woman does not ‘happen’ by osmosis…Amen? The problem in our modern day is that there are far too many women who are more interested in competing with their daughters for the available men that are out in society, rather than being content with the husband that they have.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Can I get an AMEN from the husbands in the house?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Without proper training from Godly women, young women are heading down a slippery slope from which many may not recover. Before the pandemic, there were many male teachers--young and old--who were been propositioned by girls as young as ten or eleven years old! The favorite question of these young ‘wannabe’ temptresses in many a classroom was not; ‘What’s tonight’s homework assignment,’ but rather; ‘Are you married?’</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> I’ve heard through the ‘underground grapevine’ that, if a teenage boy ‘rejects’ or ‘won’t talk to’ a teenage girl who is interested in him--thanks to our PC society and school environment--the teenage girl will run to the Dean of Students and ACCUSE HIM OF SEXUAL HARRASSMENT! You may think that I am pulling your leg on this. Trust me--I have already seen it happen in my home city. It may be coming to a city near you--and YOUR son may be the target. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Mothers, even if you get the culprit to ‘fess up’, your son’s academic record may be in ruins...unless you have the bank to get a lawyer to clean up such a mess. Plus, if it’s happening in the high schools, you can bet that it WILL be showing up on the college and university campuses.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><u>ESTROGEN AND EXCUSES:</u></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> It is truly sad to see young women progressing everywhere—but IN the home. The funny thing? The home is the place where a woman—a mother--can make their mark for generations to come. Take a good look at the wives of some of the famous men in American history and you will see that they kept their class, ditched the sass, and made the sacrifices where they needed to for their husbands to become all that God intended them to be. Further, there are other successful men who got that way because their mothers poured into them…rather than themselves.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> That is an achievement of which many men and women should be proud.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Today is a different story. The untrained woman of today masters in misery, drugs and mayhem. Even IN the church you have a growing number of untrained Christian women who are ignorant of their biblical roles and wise in the ways of the world. The Bible DOES NOT support women preachers nor women ‘shacking’ with other women. Yet, you see whole denominations that have thrown out centuries of sound biblical doctrine and the destruction that followed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> All for the sake of building friendships with the world, and unsaved wayward women.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><u>‘HOT’ GRANDMAS AND ‘COLD’ COMMON-SENSE:</u></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> With the weather turning warmer, the skirts getting shorter, and modesty becoming non-existent, OLDER women--who have come from families that should have taught them better--Grandmas are out there trying to ‘get their roll on’, just like their daughters--and in some cases, granddaughters!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Say what, Mike?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Remember when Grandmas used to be in their sixties? Well, I have noticed that there are women in their late thirties who are laying claim to this honor! Further, May/December romances are not a thing of the past anymore. Just turn on any TV show, and you can see the host or hostess giving their ‘tips’ on how Granny can ‘shake them hips’ like her granddaughter.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> You know what USED to exist in many of our urban churches? A tight knit group of women known as “The Mother’s Board”. Comprised mainly of REAL saintly, upright older Christian women, The Mother’s Board had a single job: To make sure the younger women in the church were upright in all areas of their Christian living. Younger women in the church had to either shape up--or get shipped out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Members of The Mother’s Board knew their side of the street and were proud to stay on their side of it! IF a young sister did not know the ‘womanly arts’ of cooking, cleaning and sewing, an older sister would take them under their wing and TEACH them. The church Mothers were no one to be trifled with, as many of them were the wives of men who were leaders in the church.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Like I said brothers, getting women under control in our society and in the church is not a man problem. This is a woman problem. And, for you sisters who read my column on a regular basis (and show it to your man), this one is for YOU. Woman--teach thy sister! The lives of your family and marriage may depend upon it, when your sistahfriend—or her daughter--arrive on your doorstep and tries to ruin YOUR home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> You can’t watch another’s house burn, without some hot ashes heading your way.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><u>WHY WOMEN NEED TO TRAIN WOMEN:</u></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> God does NOT bless a nation with wayward, mouthy, out-of-control sisters at the helm. What REALLY steams my coffee? How ‘allegedly’ Christian women have allowed these disciples of Jezebel, Delilah, etc. to come to power without challenge is a mystery to me. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Further, there are some Christian women who are ‘rooting’ the wayward women on!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Woman, Teach thy sister!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> The biblical mandate is clear. As I have mentioned, it is up to older men to train younger men, and the older women to train younger women. The reason for such an order-setting pattern is simple: there are just some topics which are meant to be shared between women, and some topics meant to be shared between men. In other words: men have been ordained to provide for and lead the home, yet women have been ordained to make a home worthy of provision.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> The New Testament instruction section is The Book of Titus, Chapter 2. However, let us venture back to the Old Testament to observe the principle behind the Scripture.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> In the Book of Ruth, Naomi--the older woman--takes the time to educate, or ‘hip’ Ruth--the younger woman--in the ways of upright womanhood. Naomi, while disappointed with the initial outcome of her life (because of circumstances, reversals, and downturns) still found the time to put away her crying towel to do what she was created to do; help an unsure, awkward, outsider to become a mature woman who would be a blessing to society, rather than a curse.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> In my humble opinion, there are far too many older women in the ‘blaming’ game, rather than getting involved in the ‘training’ game. Our streets are full of young women who know more about Wall Street than how to cook, clean and sew or help the family down her street. As one businessman once told me: “We have an abundance of educated fools; men who are smart and won’t provide; women who are smart and won’t receive.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Eventually, Naomi trained Ruth to such a point that Ruth went solo, and landed the man of her dreams, Boaz--a mighty man of wealth. Naomi trained Ruth to know the difference between the ‘punks, skunks, and drunks’, and the little foreign girl who was hated by the insiders, wound up married to the wealthiest man in town! As a bonus, Ruth and Boaz were firmly imbedded into the bloodline of Jesus Christ--all because Naomi stopped thinking about her past and reached forward to a better future by helping a young woman in need (Philippians 3:13-14)!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong><u>WOMEN OF OLD WHO WERE BOLD:</u></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> When an older woman helps to shape the life of a younger woman, she could impact the destiny of an entire nation of people! Harriet Tubman, Phyllis Wheatley, Sojourner Truth, and other sisters from our past were raised on God and the Church and a host of unknown and unnamed women! Their courage inspired dozens, if not hundreds of women, and supported untold dozens of men. When we look at THEIR exploits in history, there is not a modern woman who can hold a candle to them! What modern innovation compares to the Underground Railroad?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Yes, these were real, flesh and blood women. However, when the going got rough, they didn’t ‘opt out’ for a seminar on self-esteem. They remembered how they were ‘raised’ by other women, and faced the day at hand, working as a team with the men around them! </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> If only many of the modern women of today had such courage! </span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Brothers, we need to encourage our women to get back to their basics. We need to pry them loose from the young men on OUR side of the street and refer them to our ‘younger sisters’ on THEIR side of the street. The need exists. Quality women--just like Upright men--don’t just happen. Someone has taken the time to get involved with them and helped them see that they don’t have to be a statistic, but they can be an inspiration!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><em> Mike Ramey is a Minister, Syndicated Columnist and Modern Street Gangs Specialist and Consultant from Indianapolis, Indiana. Ramey is the author of THE MANHOOD LINE: THE GOLD FILES. Bringing back some of the classic THE MANHOOD LINE columns for a new generation of men. THE MANHOOD LINE was and is a syndicated, monthly column, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective for men. Email welcome to <u>manhoodline@yahoo.com</u>. ©2001, 2021 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications International (5).</em></span></p></div>
On Line Book Reviews By Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/on-line-book-reviews-by-mike-ramey-1
2019-10-31T17:29:49.000Z
2019-10-31T17:29:49.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">“A man’s love goes through his stomach. A woman’s love goes through her purse.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">--South Africa</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> There seems to have been a welcomed re-surfacing of interest in proverbs from the Motherland of Africa. The electronic frontier has been criss-crossed by a variety of websites, each one worthy in its own right to bring the truth of what our ancestors stated in brevity on the subject of the day from ages past. However, for those who still into reading books and turning pages, such written works seem hard to come by.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Enter Gerd de Ley with the work: “The Book of African Proverbs: A Collection of Timeless Wisdom, Wit, Sayings & Advice” (2019, 328 pages, Hatherleigh Press).</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">“Where there is an old man, one doesn’t ask the advice of a young man.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">--Ho</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> The book has a durable feel, meaning that it will be one of those books that will be handed down from generation to generation. Gerd de Ley has come up with a great reference work, based upon his study of what has been passed around African nations and peoples for years. Assisting him in the translation of some of these ‘wisdom nuggets’ was David Porter. “The Book of African Proverbs” is one of those works that can also serve to ‘spice up’ speeches, term papers, or general conversation. Each proverb is, of course, grouped into nine categories…sure to please even the most dedicated proverb fan.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">“What a child says, he had heard at home.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">--Nigeria</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> “The Book of African Proverbs: A Collection of Timeless Wisdom, Wit, Sayings & Advice” by Gerd de Ley may be found through your favorite on-line bookseller, or may be found through Hatherleigh Press at <a href="http://www.hatherleighcommunity.com">www.hatherleighcommunity.com</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Mike Ramey is a Minister, Reviewer and Syndicated Columnist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. He brings current and lesser-known titles to light to re-kindle a love for reading and thinking in a sea of modern technology. Feel free to reach him via email at manhoodline@yahoo.com. © 2018, 2019 Barnstorm Communications. Remember: If it’s On Line…It’s On Time!</span></p></div>
From Player to Coach by Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/from-player-to-coach-by-mike-ramey
2019-07-18T13:47:55.000Z
2019-07-18T13:47:55.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> I might get into a little trouble with this month’s column, but it is an overdue subject concerning women and coaching. I realize that there may be some that think that my column is a little one dimensional. Believe me, there are three dimensions when I put keys down to electronic paper. So, I warn you in advance…get out the smelling salts.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Women SHOULD be coaches, too! However, the need is for women to coach OTHER women, more than men, and vice versa. There are certain things that ONLY a woman can teach a girl, and a man can teach a boy. I realize that in our current, sixth wave of feminism in American culture this may not be a popular statement…but it is still the truth, nevertheless.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Let me repeat myself: Women SHOULD be coaches, too!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> True story. At a church on one warm, summer day, one of the younger women decided to sit on the front row. She was improperly dressed, and was actively ‘showing’ her wares in front of the pulpit. The wives of the pastor and another minister quickly escorted the woman out of the sanctuary, and ‘schooled’ her on proper church dress. Needless to say, when the young woman returned, she was properly covered with a colorful shawl. All of this in accordance with the biblical guidelines set down for men AND women in Titus, chapter two.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> There will be some who will dispute the mention, use, or even citing a biblical source concerning women, dress, coaching, behavior. Some believe that a woman having the skills of cooking, cleaning and sewing are old fashioned. However, just a cursory look at other major religions readings state otherwise. Older women have a firm duty to school their younger counterparts. Further, based upon the recent antics by some visible young women in entertainment, politics, and media, one has to conclude that--possibly--these young sisters have forgotten not only their home training, but have shunned wisdom and advice from older women around them.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Make no mistake--God DOES put older women around young women for a reason, and a season.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Doubt me? Visit any middle or high school. Take a quick look at the number of women teachers and administrators on site. Next, take a look (if you can find it) at the dress code for the school district. Then…if you dare…examine the dress of female students on campus, and compare them with their adult female counterparts. Can you spot the pattern? As a former teacher myself, let me tell you something. I can NOT understand how mothers (and fathers) let their children out of the house dressed in some of the get-ups that passes for clothing these days.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Let’s move on to the college or university campus. I never could understand how many of the most successful women’s teams at colleges are coached by men. Where are the women who are going to ‘step up’ to show other women athletes how its done? Now, I know that there are some successful teams in the college ranks that are led by female coaches…but those numbers are not vast by any stretch of the imagination. Why? Because there is more money to be made in other segments of academia. It seems that female coaches who coach female athletes at the college/university level doesn’t pay that well, when other segments of the campus--including administrative posts--pay a lot better AND have a lot more in the way of power and visibility.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> What about women helping women? Wasn’t that what we were led to believe was the ‘driving’ force being feminism when the latest incarnation surfaced in the seventies--bra burning and all? Sadly, based upon my observations and experience, women of color have been ‘left off’ the help line by their Caucasian feminist sisters. Get a copy of the 1995 Beijing, China UN Women’s Conference report, if you doubt me. I’ve got a copy…and reading about what went on at the ‘Fling in Beijing’ is just plain brutal. But, I digress.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> What brought this column to fruition? What kicked my switch? The first portion I mentioned, that being young women behaving badly in public. Secondly, it was a local TV news story about the Girl Scouts. Back when I was growing up, the Girl Scouts taught a LOT more skills to young women in the ways of building a home and raising children. The TV news story that I viewed spent a lot more time proclaiming skills for young women to build careers and not even being guided to marriage and family.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Aren’t marriage and motherhood worthy careers? Think about it, folks.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> What has been the unintended result? This has really burned the biscuits--pardon the pun--of Girl Scout leadership. Sadly, more and more girls are not bothering with the Girl Scouts. They are joining the Boy Scouts. If you think that boys can teach girls how to be girls, then you need to see if you can bottle sunshine at your next sunrise.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> I’ve seen this trend before…and the ending thereof is not pretty.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Back in the day, there were some women who entered male dominated fields merely to find dates and husbands. I know, I know, but the truth is the truth. Women stormed--for example--the college campus and academia. The old saying was: “Some women went to college for their ‘B.S.’ degree, and some went to college for their ‘Mrs.’ degree.”</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Allow me to continue. These women ‘figured’ that they would have ‘exclusive’ access. When the men ‘saw’ and ‘treated’ these women as fellow professionals, and not just women (which is what women of the seventies and eighties said that they wanted), many of them got frustrated and left these professions. I mention this because I read a recent study about the number of women flowing OUT of the STEM fields, that caused me to reflect upon this history lesson. Twenty-five percent of women who entered STEM fields have left…supposedly with more following…because they could not use non-logic skills tied to emotion or empathy in their STEM environment.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> However, all is not lost. There are older women who are on the job as coaches for younger women. Oh, they are not that hard to find…IF a young woman wants to take the time to look for them. There are still older women in schools, in the church, in the neighborhood, and in the extended family in the home who can teach the skills needed to build a home, strengthen a marriage, and raise children. These older sisters don’t get much in the way of visibility or even credibility. But on the job, they are. And, they get my ‘tip of the hat’ for being great coaches!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Here’s another observation and thought for this social media age. The numbers of these older women are GROWING and not slowing down. Why? Well, just like young people are ‘discovering’ the typewriter, the vinyl record, and the need to read books, there are more and more young women who are discovering that they need something that you can’t find on a video screen. They need an older woman to show them the righteous road to go.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> If you happen to be an older woman reading this, you may soon hear a knock at your door from a younger woman. Don’t look at her as an interruption as she comes into your world; look at her as an opportunity. For, you were as young as she, at one time in your life. Who helped you to grow, mature, and make a difference in YOUR home?</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> That’s right. An older, righteous woman. A woman of quality in a sea of copies.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"> Mike Ramey is a Minister, Book Reviewer, P-School Ranger, Modern Street Gangs Specialist and Syndicated Columnist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. Feel free to reach him with your comments at manhoodline@yahoo.com. ©2019 Barnstorm Communications.</span></p><p><br /></p></div>
Africa’s leading technology innovators are gathering for the Inaugural Africa Summit on Women & Girls in Technology in Accra, Ghana
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/summit-on-women-girls-in-technology
2016-09-12T13:00:00.000Z
2016-09-12T13:00:00.000Z
Sun in Leo Global
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/SuninLeoGlobal
<div><h1><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828587921,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828587921,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3828587921?profile=original" /></a>Hundreds of Leaders to Gather in Accra for Inaugural Africa Summit on Women and Girls in Technology, 13-14 September, 2016</h1><p><strong>● African policymakers and technology leaders - including some of the continent’s most prominent women - will meet to determine the policy steps needed to close Africa’s growing digital gender gap, which is the largest in the world<br /> <br />● High-level panels and lightning talks will focus on issues around affordable broadband, digital skills and entrepreneurship, and women’s rights online </strong> <br /> <br />Over 200 of Africa’s leading technology innovators are scheduled to gather September 13-14 in Accra, Ghana at the Labadi Beach Hotel for the inaugural Africa Summit on Women and Girls in Technology .<br /> <br />The two-day event will feature lightning talks from young African female technologists, as well as high-level discussions with many of Africa’s most prominent ICT policymakers and technology leaders today, including:<br /> <br /> <strong>Dr. Omobola Johnson</strong>, former Nigerian Minister of Communication Technology<br /> <strong>Funke Opeke</strong>, CEO of MainOne<br /> <strong>Angelique Weeks</strong>, Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority <br /> <strong>Anne Githuku Shongwe</strong>, Founder and CEO of Afroes Interactive Learning<br /> <strong>Nnenna Nwakanma</strong> of the World Wide Web Foundation<br /> <br />Sessions will highlight the need for gender-responsive ICT policy in Africa, and will aim to design the solutions needed to enable millions of African women and girls to benefit from greater access to technology, and to use their skills to build a better Africa for all.<br /> <br />The 2016 Summit will also feature the launch of a new framework from the Web Foundation to audit the digital gender gap, along with 10 country-specific assessments that analyse the policy efforts and progress made across these countries toward reducing barriers to women’s online access and use. <br /> <br />The Inaugural Africa Summit on Women and Girls in Technology is a collaboration between the <strong>Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI)</strong> , <strong>The World Wide Web Foundation</strong> , <strong>The Ghana -India Kofi Annan Center of Excellence in ICT (AITI -KACE) , The African Development Bank ,</strong> and <strong>UN Women. </strong><br /> <br />For more information, visit <a href="http://a4ai.org">a4ai.org</a> and follow A4AI on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/A4A_Internet">@A4A_Internet</a> and follow the conversation online through the hashtag #TechWomenAfrica .</p><p></p><p>About the <strong>Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI)</strong>: The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI) is the world’s broadest technology sector coalition. Initiated by the World Wide Web Foundation in 2013, the Alliance today comprises over 80 member organisations from across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. These diverse actors have come together to advance the shared aim of affordable, universal access to both mobile and fixed-line Internet in developing countries, primarily through policy and regulatory change. A4AI’s global sponsors include Google, USAID and SIDA. For more, please visit: <a href="http://a4ai.org" target="_blank">a4ai.org</a><br /> <br />About the <strong>World Wide Web Foundation</strong>: Established by the inventor of the Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the World Wide Web Foundation seeks to establish the open Web as a global public good and a basic right, creating a world where everyone, everywhere can use the Web to communicate, collaborate and innovate freely. Represented by more than a dozen nationalities working from hubs in London, Washington DC and Cape Town, the World Wide Web Foundation operates at the confluence of technology and human rights, targeting three key areas: Access, Voice and Participation. For more, visit: <a href="http://webfoundation.org" target="_blank">webfoundation.org</a><br /> <br />About <strong>AITI-KACE: The Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE)</strong>, Ghana's first Advanced Information Technology Institute works to stimulate the growth of the ICT Sector in ECOWAS. Established in 2003, through a partnership between the Government of Ghana and the Government of India, this state-of-the-art facility provides a dynamic environment for innovation, teaching and learning as well as practical research on the application of ICT4D in Africa.<br /> <br />About the <strong>African Development Bank</strong>: T he African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is a multilateral development finance institution established to contribute to the economic development and social progress of African countries. The overarching objective of the AfDB is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs), thus contributing to poverty reduction, and works to do this by mobilising and allocating resources for investment, and by providing policy advice and technical assistance to support development efforts.<br /> <br />About <strong>UN Women</strong>: UN Women is the organization within the United Nations System responsible for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. It works in over 80 countries and with governments, UN partners, civil society and private sector partners to advance women’s rights through advocacy, policy and concrete actions on the ground. UN Women focuses on women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women and women’s political participation and leadership. ICT for development is a cross-cutting area of work and critical to women’s empowerment in the digital age. UN Women is committed to ensuring that women are actively leading, contributing to and benefitting from the digital revolution. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.unwomen.org" target="_blank">http://www.unwomen.org</a></p></div>
Teaching Millennial Young Women…OMG
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/teaching-millennial-young-women-omg
2015-11-05T13:30:00.000Z
2015-11-05T13:30:00.000Z
C. Lynn Williams
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/CLynnWilliams
<div><h4>I have been absent from this blog for the last month. Hard to believe, but it’s true and I <span style="font-size:1em;">apologize to those of you who look forward to my weekly posts. I have a good excuse though; I’ve been teaching a group of young ladies that have given me a run for my money. Call them young female millennials. <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828576015,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828576015,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-right" height="263" alt="3828576015?profile=original" /></a></span></h4><h4>These young women are outspoken, opinionated, oppositional and hard to love. Many of them have dysfunctional relationships with their mothers – they have said “I hate my mom”, don’t respond well to rules and have very short attention spans.</h4><h4>I took it personally at first and couldn’t understand why I was dealing with this type of student. Then I realized that many of you have these young girls or women in your home. These are your daughters and they are not easy to parent or get close to. There are many reasons explaining why our daughters appear distant from us. It could be the fast pace of social media; how women and girls are portrayed in the media, or the inattention that they receive at home from us their mothers and fathers when we’re busy.</h4><h4>I know we have to change our mindset in order to reach this generation. They love technology. That means we can’t hate technology and expect to stay in touch with our girls. Whether it’s through texting, emailing, Face-timing or Facebook messages, talk to your girls and let them know you love them and are there for them.<br /> <a href="https://authorclynnwilliams.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/millennial-women-2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1230 align-right" src="https://authorclynnwilliams.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/millennial-women-2.jpg?w=300&h=200" alt="millennial women 2" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /> While the attitudes of these students were enough to make me think about retiring early; I realized that I was being given an opportunity to do what I love to do – get close and share my love with this millennial generation – your daughters. There are all kinds of things going on in their young lives. Some good; some not so good. They just need to know that someone really cares and is listening. No matter what type of outward attitude they give off.</h4><h4>Keep the lines of communication open Moms…your daughters really are listening.</h4><h4>Interested in learning more about your family’s dynamics? Contact me – Ms. Parent Guru to receive information about my inspiring parenting programs for millennial daughters, aging parents, or mothers and sons.</h4><h4>Email me at: <a href="mailto:info@clynnwilliams.com">info@clynnwilliams.com</a></h4><h2>C. Lynn Williams, #MsParentguru</h2><h3><strong>Author, Coach & Family Dynamics Specialist</strong></h3><h4><a href="http://www.clynnwilliams.com/">www.clynnwilliams.com</a></h4><h6><a href="http://clynnwilliams.com/site/trying-to-stay-sane/">Trying to Stay Sane While Raising Your Teen</a> (St. Paul Press, 2010)</h6><h6><a href="http://clynnwilliams.com/site/the-pampered-prince/">The Pampered Prince: Moms Create a GREAT Relationship with Your Son</a> (St. Paul Press, 2012)</h6><h6><a href="http://clynnwilliams.com/site/raising-your-daughter/">Raising Your Daughter Through the Joys, Tears & HORMONES!</a> (220 Publishing, 2013)</h6><h6><strong>NEW:</strong> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1513604813">Yours & Mine: A Winning Blended Family Formula</a> (220 Publishing, 2015)</h6></div>
The Courage To Change The World - Five Universal Proposals (FUP)
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-courage-to-change-the-world
2014-02-16T17:30:00.000Z
2014-02-16T17:30:00.000Z
Charles E. Campbell
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/CharlesECampbell
<div><p style="text-align:center;">The Courage To Change The World<br /> (A Call To Action)<br /> By <br /> Charles E. Campbell</p><p style="text-align:center;">It is my Business! It is your Business! It is our Business!<br /> Consciousness calls one to have the moral courage to “Square Up” against wrong and injustice. Let cowards be afraid, but not me! Not us!</p><p>Personal Responsibility demands the defense of the weak. I/We will defend our children from abuse, our women from bad love, the elderly from being victimized and our humanity from tyrants at home, in our community, our nation and this planet. There is no place where our enemies can safely live, work, play or hide.</p><p>My life is for service and longevity is not the mark of having lived well. For We would rather live short lives of struggle against oppression and being killed by my enemies, than sit cowardly in old age, knowing that innocent human being suffered and die while We did nothing.</p><p>I/We pledge my/our lives to Justice, Fairness, Truth, Compassion and Human Progress, without Fear or Greed. I/We hear-by grant any individual, leader, corporation or government the right to kill Me/Us, if I/We should fail to take Personal Responsibility, but also I/We reserve the right to kill you for violating the fundamental human rights of our children, our women, the disable, our elderly or any racial group. A Life For A Life!</p><p>I would prefer a Non-Violence Alternative, but that hasn’t and won’t work without the threat of loss of the lives of those who benefit and profit from the abuse, suffering and death of others. Those who are drunk with the “Illusion Of Power” will never concede and operate with Justice and Fairness for those they consider powerless and disposable, unless they fear for their own dam lives.</p><p>We, who are conscious, take this pledge for a better humanity, because the unnecessary suffering caused by Poverty, War and Greed is toxic to this planet and must be stopped. Like so many before us, who willingly sacrificed their lives for a better humanity, I/We, now do the same. For there are trues that we hold to be self-evidence, that all human being are created unique and endowed with gifts and talents, that no individual, group, leader, corporation or government should have the power nor the right to use their wealth, knowledge, laws, technology, law enforcement or military to deny them liberty, justice and fairness or to cause their suffering and death. To knowingly do so and refusal to immediately stop, invites your death and no one will come to save you, when this happens. However, there is one option! Voluntarily support the implementation of these Five Universal Proposals (FUP)!</p><p>Five Universal Proposals (FUP)</p><p>One: The Implementation of a Global Treaty that bans All Wars with no more than a three step transparent process for resolving any international conflict.</p><p>Two: The Implementation of a Global Treaty that ends Poverty and Ignorance funded by the sharing of resources between the wealthy, rich, middle class, poor and destitute.</p><p>Three: The Implementation of a Global Treaty that bans All Laws, Customs, Policies and Practices that restricts the Rights and Aspirations of Women.</p><p>Four: The Implementation of a Global Treaty that bans All Racist Policies, Practices and Laws that negatively impact or restricts the aspirations of any groups of human beings based on their race, ethnicity or geographic origins.</p><p>Five: The Implementation of a Global Treaty the makes a Universal System of Free Education, a Human Right guaranteed for All Human Beings, regardless of birth, race, class, income, nationality, location or family beliefs.</p><p>All Five Universal Proposals should be paid for with a Voluntary 25% tax on the Wealthiest Individuals and Corporations on the Planet. In return, they will receive: 1. A Universal Passport that offers them global dual citizenship and free and unrestricted travel for life to and from any country in the world and space. 2. Diplomatic Immunity for themselves and three generations of their family.</p><p>A Reality To Be Considered:<br /> There are an estimated 7.1 Billion People on this planet and it is projected to reach 10 Billion by 2050. The current strategies used by individuals, corporations, leaders and governments to repress, kill or incarcerate its citizens are unsustainable now and in the future. You will never be able to incarcerate or kill enough human beings to feel safe anywhere and your religious programming is no longer an effective control method. I/We offer you a better way forward, but the choice is yours. We already know who you are, where you live, where you work and how you make your money. I/We want an end to human suffering and believe that solving our mutual problems should be a collaborative effort.</p><p>Warning! For those who plan to refuse this opportunity, consider who in your family, corporation, office or government will agree to this opportunity, after you and I/We are sacraficed! I/We encourage reform and offer the ultimate sacrifice, my/our and your life. I am Charles E. Campbell and We are anyone of the 90% of 7.1 Billion People on this planet, who are becoming consciously aware of you and Wealth and Income Inequality.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div>
Pakistan, Afghanistan or Blackistan - It's All the Same for Black Women
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/pakistan-afghanistan-or-blackistan-it-s-all-the-same-for-black
2013-09-01T19:00:00.000Z
2013-09-01T19:00:00.000Z
Deborrah Cooper
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/DeborrahCooper
<div><p>Last week a piece circulated the internet written by a young woman about the three months she spent in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/20/world/american-student-india-sexual-harassment-irpt" target="_blank">India</a>. She'd travelled there as part of the University of Chicago Indian Civilizations Program. That in itself isn't the part that made the story viral – it was her description of the sexual harassment and physical abuse she suffered at the hands of Indian men that got everyone's attention.</p><p>The young lady in question recounted frightening tales of having her breasts and crotch clawed at by total strangers, having her butt felt up in crowds, being followed by strange men for almost an hour, having men masturbate in front of her, and film and take photos of her body without permission.</p><p>Though she says she completely followed the University's suggestions for women: “dress conservatively, to not smile in the streets” she was still not prepared for the onslaught of male entitlement to her body.</p><p>The author of the piece was so affected by her experience in India that once back home, she fell into a deep depression, She reports feeling that she “wanted to die.” She shared: “After a public breakdown I ended up in a psych ward for two days held against my will, and was released on the condition that I took a "mental leave of absence" from school and went to live with my mother. I thought I had lost my mind; I didn't connect any of it to India-- I had moved on. But then a therapist diagnosed me with PTSD and I realized I hadn't moved a single inch. I had frozen in time. And I’d fallen. And I’d shattered. ...And I am not the only woman who is on a mental leave of absence from the University of Chicago for reasons of sexual assault and is unable to take classes.”</p><h2>What Bothers Me Most About This Story...</h2><p>Though this story was certainly horrific, and her experiences something that no one should have to go through, I felt an interesting mixture of emotions. I took some time to ponder what I was feeling and why I was feeling so conflicted about an obviously traumatizing experience.<a target="_blank" href="http://survivingdating.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/egyptharassment.jpg"><img title="" class="align-left" src="http://survivingdating.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/egyptharassment-300x168.jpg?width=300" width="300" alt="egyptharassment-300x168.jpg?width=300" /></a></p><p>Then I realized that what bothered me her shock... her unquestioned expectation that because she was white and had blue eyes that she would be treated like a normal human being.</p><p>Bam! There it is.</p><p>Cause see, her story is not unique if you are a brown-skinned woman living in Pakistan, or Egypt, or Bangladesh, or Yemen. It is certainly not unique if you are Latino or Black and living in a large city in the U.S. If you are female here, you've experienced sexual harassment on the streets by men. Black and brown women all over the United States and the world are treated in these tawdry, animalistic ways by men EVERY SINGLE DAY OF THE WEEK.</p><p>Yet, their stories do not make it to CNN ireports ... well frankly, because no one gives a damn. It's not NEWS. Reporting on what men do to black and brown women doesn't serve a GOP agenda. But since this story covers a WAP being mistreated by brown skinned men, it makes her special and unique?</p><p>I believe the reason this Caucasian student had a meltdown and white women like her are running around shocked that this could happen to one of them is because they were stunned to realize that outside the U.S., white skin provides them with with no favors or extraordinary privileges. I suppose it's a real surprise to most white women when they travel to other countries discover they will get treated like they are nothing special. Outside of the U.S., no one cares about their whiteness. Outside of the U.S. white women are on the same level as black and brown women - the bottom.</p><p><em><strong><a href="http://survivingdating.com/street-harassment-is-the-same-worldwide" target="_blank">Click here to read the full post</a> <br /></strong></em></p></div>
The Manhood Line
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-manhood-line
2010-02-25T02:48:14.000Z
2010-02-25T02:48:14.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div><p></p><p align="center"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">MEMO: TOUGHEN UP, BABY!</span></p><p align="center"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><i>BY MIKE RAMEY</i></span></p><p align="left"></p><p style="margin-right:0px;" dir="ltr" align="left"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Three quick things off of this month’s memo, right from the outset. First, our economy is in DEPRESSION not RECESSION. I make this statement to prepare the brotherhood for the ugly truth, rather than to believe the beautiful lie that the economy is going to get better in one or two cycles. Second, to be counted a man of quality, you have to learn how to toughen up in hard times! ‘Males’ who spend more time worrying about where their next video game is coming from won’t survive in the arena of economic warfare.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Can I get an AMEN from the sisters who ‘skeet’ my column every month?</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Lastly, learn how to share the joy of living by simply giving above and beyond every once in a while. Brothers, it is truly good for the soul, and a great witness as to where (and in whom) you have your treasure stored.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><b><u>WAIT: DID YOU SAY ‘TOUGHEN UP’?</u></b></span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Oh, yes I did!</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">It seems that more than a few brothers have become feminized and are hooked on their feelings--even some who claim the mantle of Christ! Men, we need to remember what natural cruelness the Master suffered BEFORE He got to the cross, in order to reap the blessings of life eternal, DURING a time of national hardship under the Roman occupation.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Men are built to RISE in tough times.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Bookmark this one for the feminists and ‘wishy-washy’ males in the house: “Where a nation stops listening to upright men, a roadway into Hell is paved--and opened--for immediate use. Until righteous men are heeded in the public square, the national suffering CONTINUES!”</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">And the righteous brothers said: AMEN!</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">The late Reggie White’s 1996 book: “In The Trenches: The Autobiography” does a great job in the armor restoration department. The ‘Minister Of Defense’ pens several lines among a few dozen that stand out for the brotherhood this month: “Trench warfare is rugged and dirty, but wars are won in the trenches…It isn’t always fair. It isn‘t always just. Sometimes you get punched, you get held, you get clipped from behind--and you just have to get back on your feet, bind up your wounds, line up in the trenches, and do it all over again.”</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">White took risks on and off the field. I’ll never forget his public stand against Homosexuality. White caught a lot of ‘media flack’ for his views. But he went to his grave with the one award that many ‘feminized’ male members of the mainstream and entertainment media WISHED they could claim: The mantle of manhood.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Too many men have been ‘hoodwinked’ into believing that without an ‘earthly’ father in their lives, there is no venue for interacting with upright men. Balderdash! There are brothers who are doing the right thing everyday, and are willing to teach you what you need to know for the journey. You don’t need a ‘Big Brothers’ program to heed the advice of an older man who is right in front of you explaining why you don’t dance in the middle of the street during rush hour!</span></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Want more out of your life, brothers? Listen to older, upright men! If you don’t, you may be missing out on a tremendous blessing because of your lack of humility. In the words of one African proverb: “An old lion is NOT old--by accident!”</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><b><u>THE TIP CONNECTION:</u></b></span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">On my voyage to manhood I learned the joys of being a good tipper, from hanging out with my own father. My Dad made it plain: “If you WANT good service, you have to be WILLING to pay for it!” That advice has served me well over the years. From the boys who come by to shovel my walk to my barber, our household is known for not being ashamed of tipping for good service.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">No matter how bad times may get, the lesson is worth learning and sharing.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">A teacher friend of mine told me about a how she passed the lesson on to some of her students during a field trip. She rebuked a group of them for not leaving a tip for the waitress after they ran up a healthy tab. Not only did she leave a good tip FOR them, she put EACH of them on the hook to pay her back by the end of the week--or she would be calling each of their parents about their ‘restaurant transgression’.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Cheap parents breed cheap teens. This is NOT a good quality to instill in your children as they go out to make their way in the world. Some time or another they will be working in a job where tipping makes the difference between a good paycheck and a mediocre one.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><b><u>AND…ONE PLACE YOU DON’T:</u></b></span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Tipping brings out the best in workers and employees. Tipping also gives an indication as to the quality of man (or woman) one may be attracted to for a potential relationship. Brothers, I’ll make it plain: “If she’s CHEAP, head down the STREET!”</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Tipping--going above and beyond what is expected--is a great witness of your faith in God. How one can be a bad tipper and THEN want to leave a gospel tract for a waiter or waitress is beyond me. Your witness goes as far as your ability to open your wallet.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">And the restaurant workers said: AMEN!</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">I’ll catch some ‘hate mail’ on this next point, but I’ll ‘say on’ regardless.</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">There is one place that tipping is NOT allowed--in God’s church!</span></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">God gives those who are His the power to get wealth. The Tithe (10 percent of your weekly earnings before taxes) is the Christian’s way of public identification with the cause of Christ. Salvation is THE way. Baptism is next. However, if the Lord truly has YOU, your WALLET is also SANCTIFIED! Let the naysayers and excuse mongers stay BROKE! As men will stay away from cheap men, God WILL stay away from non-Tithers…including Pastors who talk one way, and give LESS than their best!</span></p><p></p><p></p><p><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><i><font size="4">RAMEY is the Pastor of The Forward Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, and is the author of THE MANHOOD LINE. This syndicated column appears on fine websites and gracious blogs around the world. To correspond, email to him at</font> <u><font color="#0000FF" size="4"><font color="#0000FF" size="4">manhood</font></font></u></i></span><a href="mailto:line@yahoo.com"><i><u><font color="#0000FF" size="4"><font color="#0000FF" size="4"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">line@yahoo.com</span></font></font></u></i></a><i><font size="4"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">. © 2010 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications.</span></font></i></p></div>
An American Black Woman Identified As An Immortal
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/an-american-black-woman
2010-02-02T03:26:21.000Z
2010-02-02T03:26:21.000Z
Mike Ramey
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MikeRamey
<div>This one just in time for Black History Month...how a Black woman has been 'used' for years in medical research and has been identified as an 'immortal'...according to a new book. The story comes from Smithsonian.com...***********************************************Henrietta Lacks’ ‘Immortal’ CellsJournalist Rebecca Skloot’s new book investigates how a poor black tobacco farmer had a groundbreaking impact on modern medicineBy Sarah ZielinskiSmithsonian.com, January 22, 2010Medical researchers use laboratory-grown human cells to learn the intricacies of how cells work and test theories about the causes and treatment of diseases. The cell lines they need are “immortal”—they can grow indefinitely, be frozen for decades, divided into different batches and shared among scientists. In 1951, a scientist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, created the first immortal human cell line with a tissue sample taken from a young black woman with cervical cancer. Those cells, called HeLa cells, quickly became invaluable to medical research—though their donor remained a mystery for decades. In her new book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, journalist Rebecca Skloot tracks down the story of the source of the amazing HeLa cells, Henrietta Lacks, and documents the cell line's impact on both modern medicine and the Lacks family.Who was Henrietta Lacks?She was a black tobacco farmer from southern Virginia who got cervical cancer when she was 30. A doctor at Johns Hopkins took a piece of her tumor without telling her and sent it down the hall to scientists there who had been trying to grow tissues in culture for decades without success. No one knows why, but her cells never died.Why are her cells so important?Henrietta’s cells were the first immortal human cells ever grown in culture. They were essential to developing the polio vaccine. They went up in the first space missions to see what would happen to cells in zero gravity. Many scientific landmarks since then have used her cells, including cloning, gene mapping and in vitro fertilization.There has been a lot of confusion over the years about the source of HeLa cells. Why?When the cells were taken, they were given the code name HeLa, for the first two letters in Henrietta and Lacks. Today, anonymizing samples is a very important part of doing research on cells. But that wasn’t something doctors worried about much in the 1950s, so they weren’t terribly careful about her identity. When some members of the press got close to finding Henrietta’s family, the researcher who’d grown the cells made up a pseudonym—Helen Lane—to throw the media off track. Other pseudonyms, like Helen Larsen, eventually showed up, too. Her real name didn’t really leak out into the world until the 1970s.How did you first get interested in this story?I first learned about Henrietta in 1988. I was 16 and a student in a community college biology class. Everybody learns about these cells in basic biology, but what was unique about my situation was that my teacher actually knew Henrietta’s real name and that she was black. But that’s all he knew. The moment I heard about her, I became obsessed: Did she have any kids? What do they think about part of their mother being alive all these years after she died? Years later, when I started being interested in writing, one of the first stories I imagined myself writing was hers. But it wasn’t until I went to grad school that I thought about trying to track down her family.How did you win the trust of Henrietta’s family?Part of it was that I just wouldn’t go away and was determined to tell the story. It took almost a year even to convince Henrietta’s daughter, Deborah, to talk to me. I knew she was desperate to learn about her mother. So when I started doing my own research, I’d tell her everything I found. I went down to Clover, Virginia, where Henrietta was raised, and tracked down her cousins, then called Deborah and left these stories about Henrietta on her voice mail. Because part of what I was trying to convey to her was I wasn’t hiding anything, that we could learn about her mother together. After a year, finally she said, fine, let’s do this thing.When did her family find out about Henrietta’s cells?Twenty-five years after Henrietta died, a scientist discovered that many cell cultures thought to be from other tissue types, including breast and prostate cells, were in fact HeLa cells. It turned out that HeLa cells could float on dust particles in the air and travel on unwashed hands and contaminate other cultures. It became an enormous controversy. In the midst of that, one group of scientists tracked down Henrietta’s relatives to take some samples with hopes that they could use the family’s DNA to make a map of Henrietta’s genes so they could tell which cell cultures were HeLa and which weren’t, to begin straightening out the contamination problem.So a postdoc called Henrietta’s husband one day. But he had a third-grade education and didn’t even know what a cell was. The way he understood the phone call was: “We’ve got your wife. She’s alive in a laboratory. We’ve been doing research on her for the last 25 years. And now we have to test your kids to see if they have cancer.” Which wasn’t what the researcher said at all. The scientists didn’t know that the family didn’t understand. From that point on, though, the family got sucked into this world of research they didn’t understand, and the cells, in a sense, took over their lives.How did they do that?This was most true for Henrietta’s daughter. Deborah never knew her mother; she was an infant when Henrietta died. She had always wanted to know who her mother was but no one ever talked about Henrietta. So when Deborah found out that this part of her mother was still alive she became desperate to understand what that meant: Did it hurt her mother when scientists injected her cells with viruses and toxins? Had scientists cloned her mother? And could those cells help scientists tell her about her mother, like what her favorite color was and if she liked to dance.Deborah’s brothers, though, didn’t think much about the cells until they found out there was money involved. HeLa cells were the first human biological materials ever bought and sold, which helped launch a multi-billion-dollar industry. When Deborah’s brothers found out that people were selling vials of their mother’s cells, and that the family didn’t get any of the resulting money, they got very angry. Henrietta’s family has lived in poverty most of their lives, and many of them can’t afford health insurance. One of her sons was homeless and living on the streets of Baltimore. So the family launched a campaign to get some of what they felt they were owed financially. It consumed their lives in that way.What are the lessons from this book?For scientists, one of the lessons is that there are human beings behind every biological sample used in the laboratory. So much of science today revolves around using human biological tissue of some kind. For scientists, cells are often just like tubes or fruit flies—they’re just inanimate tools that are always there in the lab. The people behind those samples often have their own thoughts and feelings about what should happen to their tissues, but they’re usually left out of the equation.And for the rest of us?The story of HeLa cells and what happened with Henrietta has often been held up as an example of a racist white scientist doing something malicious to a black woman. But that’s not accurate. The real story is much more subtle and complicated. What is very true about science is that there are human beings behind it and sometimes even with the best of intentions things go wrong.One of the things I don’t want people to take from the story is the idea that tissue culture is bad. So much of medicine today depends on tissue culture. HIV tests, many basic drugs, all of our vaccines—we would have none of that if it wasn’t for scientists collecting cells from people and growing them. And the need for these cells is going to get greater, not less. Instead of saying we don’t want that to happen, we just need to look at how it can happen in a way that everyone is OK with.**********************************************</div>