” Harrys Headache “

Hi Family,

I was just here savoring the Jets win on a Martin Luther King Day weekend in New York. The mood in the city is very calm because many people were affected by the recent tragedy in Haiti. New York has

the second largest Haitian population in the U.S. to Miami. This is also a weekend to reflect on life because it’s a celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As we sit back and relax lets not forget that everybody

was not in favor of making Martin Luther King a national holiday. It was something that the people of good-will had to fight for. The fight is not over. Each day we have to co-exist and live with people that have a back of the bus

mentality. I can remember being a young black boy growing up in the 60’s when Martin was gunned down. I walked into my mothers beauty salon and noticed all the beauticians with black bands around their arms.

I had only come into the shop to ask my mother for ten dollars to buy a new pair of Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers. Yes, they were only ten dollars at the time. Everybody in the shop had a look on their face like it was the

end of the world. I asked my mother why everyone had black bans around their arms but she never fully gave me an explanation. I understand now that she was just protecting the purity of my mind. She quickly handed me

the ten dollars and off I went to buy a new pair of sneakers. My mother understood that my mind was much to fragile to handle the complexities of what was going on in the 60’s.

As we move forward, it’s time to ask ourselves are we really moving forward in the spirit of Dr.King ? Or are we using Dr. Kings legacy as a commercial window dressing ?

Just last week we had senator Harry Reid all over the news because of comments he made in reference to President Obama. He stated that Obama could win the presidency because he was light-skinned and didn’t speak

with a negro-dialect. Why was everyone so upset ? We should all know by now that this mentality is here to stay. I can’t get upset at Harry because his mind is operating on Windows 95.  In 2010 we’re using Windows 7.

Sometimes change can be frightening . Harry and his co-horts need to understand there’s no reason to be frightened over the mosiac of different shades in America. This was definitely one of Dr. Kings visions. To look

out into America and see every shade working toward the common good. Even as we wake up to our light-skinned non negro-dialect President so much of Dr. Kings vision seems to be unfulfilled.  We are constantly reminded

everyday that  there are some people in the country that have no problem seeing you in chains and shackels. I just recently talked to someone in Penn. She was telling me about the crosses that have been burned in front of her

house by the K.K.K. for dating a black man.  What about that debacle thats been going on in Springfield, N.J. for a few years now involving the racist Police Chief. I wouldn’t even repeat what he called his only black officer.

I actually heard the governor on the radio this weekend. He was talking about his wife growing up in my town Staten Island, N.Y.  She and her brother had to move from Staten Island because of  ” Nigga Day ” .  ” Nigga Day”

was the day people came after you with bats because of the shade of your skin. Who would ever think that we would have a governor that could tell a story like that. There is a bright side to such a horrific story.  The first black

councilwoman just appointed in Staten Island history Debbie Rose. Still so much work to be done. Each day all the shades have to work together to keep Martins dream from becoming a nightmare.

In the spirit of Martin we have to turn our attention to Haiti. I’ve been fortunate to meet quite a few Haitians and I will say on record that they are some of the hardest workers I’ve seen. I was

glad to hear that a young Haitian singer that was working in the studio made it out two days before the quake. I also felt good for my Haitian friend Mel. He was looking terrible that Wednesday because there was no phone communication.

When I arrived the next day he was very happy. All four of his relatives were alive and his house was still in tact. The two houses next to his collapsed and the one across people were buried inside. I talked to my Haitian doctor

Sunday and I could hear the tremor in her voice. She hadn’t had any contact with her brother and feared he was dead. My other Haitian friends I haven’t seen at all and they’re always at work. I wish I could take Pat Robertson or

Rush L. by the hand into my world. Maybe they wouldn’t make such insensitive comments in a time like this. They both need a stroll through the Haitian community to feel what these people are going through. Haitians are very

strong people. They are one of the only groups to free themselves from slavery. Two of the major problems that have impeded growth in Haiti have been corrupt government and lack of support from outside nations. Port-au- Prince

one of the main areas hit by the quake was originally intended for 50,000 people. It is now home to 2 to 3 million people. Ports, airports, and government building have been destroyed. Bodies are all over in mass graves. People may

never get a decent burial or find loved ones. People with injuries like a broken leg could die from lack of medical treatment. They will need billions and billions in help. We have to honestly ask ourselves how much is there to give ?

We lost another legend in Teddy Pendergrass who started out as a drummer with Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes. If I had to make a ladys favorite top three it would be Teddy. Marvin Gaye and

Al Green. Some may argue Barry White and Isaac Hayes but Teddy was it during the 70’s. We will never hear another voice like his. Also goodbye to Willie Mitchell producer for Al Green. Producers never get enough credit but they are

the backbone. We had a request from Amsterdam for twitter and we are up @ twitter.com/poppastep so you can tweet and follow. Shout out to Jonson a student from Australia for his comment………poppas out