RALLY OF CHARISMA AND JESSE JACKSON - USE YOUR CHARISMA FOR GOOD!

When I was young, I was fortunate enough to see Jesse Jackson give a charismatic rally at my school.  My school was in a predominantly white and affluent neighborhood.  We were all packed into the huge gymnasium and then onto one of the multiple bleachers. This occurred at a time when people thought Jesse would become the first black president. Jesse was able to make everybody "go to church" , vibing Southern black Baptists, with many people saying "Preach!" or "Yes, Jesse!" each time he said, "Up with Hope, Down with Dope!"  He called people down to repent or renounce drugs and alcohol.  People walked down to meet him on or near the stage, crying and hoping to receive forgiveness.

It may seem a bit over-the-top now, but it still remains as one of the most powerful memories of my childhood: people of different ethnicities and cliques, coming together because of a noble ideology.   They bought into the message and it may have changed lives.  I know it reinforced my resolve not to be an underage drinker and I have definitely stayed away from drugs.

I have reached out to another powerful man to do a rally at a school that I deal with now.  I want him to use his charisma for good.  I reached out to him directly and to the people around him, hoping he would see my detailed ideas as plausible and wonderful!  If he could get our students to focus on the world of technology and desire to become creators, instead of spectators, then it would be worth it!

If you have a gift of charismatic word in the name of positivity, please use it to help others. If you can reach one person, it's worth it!

If you think you can change someone's life for the better then....TRY IT!

CARRIE FISHER - GOODNIGHT, SWEET PRINCESS

The original Star Wars trilogy was the best!  As a young girl, I was obsessed with the franchise.  Carrie Fisher was the centerpiece: a strong, defiant woman who represented women in the real world fighting to take positions of power which they deserved. How wonderful was it to see her again in the last Star Wars which finally brought back the bravado and ambiance of the originals?  Well, she didn't leave without making a noticeable comeback, including leaving a new memoir. Thanks, Carrie.  Goodnight!

George Michael, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston -Music Barrier Breakers

 In the late 80's, music was still segregated racially.   Basically, African Americans did soul and R and B.  White people sang rock. However, three people came along to challenge these notions.

The leader, Michael Jackson, got MTV  to change its policy about what music it would play due to the overwhelming popularity of MJ  and Thriller.  Then Whitney Houston appeared with the overarching appeal and popularity of her pop ballads for all races.  Then George Michael's "brother-from- another-mother" soulful, dulcet tones broke apart the remaining rubble.  

These people were singing what they wanted to sing. It wasn't about race, it was about music. That's what it should be about.  As a singer/songwriter, I know that I write what my soul moves me to write, whether it be jazz, pop, electronica, etc.  What comes out, comes out and I and everybody has the right to express themselves in the way they see fit.  Thank you trailblazers.  RIP.

SOOTHING LETTERS - TIM COOK AND HADI PARTOVI- CALMING YOUR FLOCK

I TOOK A BREAK BECAUSE THIS ELECTION THING TOOK ME FOR A LOOP!

Well, the day of uncertainty is almost upon us: Donald Trump will be sworn in as president. My feelings of anxiousness are creeping back up, feelings made even more intense knowing some of the cabinet picks and their histories.  It makes me think of what I call “soothing” letters that some tech company leaders issued and that I put on my site: Hadi Partovi and Tim Cook. 

At first, I was a little surprised that they felt they needed to put out such letters, and then I felt sad because I realized that more company leaders should have done this action. You see, in New York City, it was disturbingly quiet the next day. I could see people on public transportation visibly numb.  It was so scary and disheartening.  Then when all the traffic and commotion started because Trump was at Trump Tower and needed a lot of security and protection, which garnered traffic jams and disruptions.  Was this a signal of things to come?

I shouldn’t have been so shocked because the fact is that my experience working in the tech sector and that of my friends has been a positive one because the companies seem to follow a path of inclusion and diversity.  It was the first time in my life in which I worked somewhere that had a variety of people in a variety of different, high/well- paying positions. There was respect shown to all. It seemed as though merit was the only ticket you needed to enter.  I loved my days in that world.  I really felt appreciated as a human being.

I think now, more than ever, we need more soothing letters. Heads of companies and heads of families, talk to your flock and try to quell their fear and nervousness.  There may be strange times ahead or maybe nothing new or something in between.

Be strong America.  Be strong world.

LOVE,

LORI A. CALBERT