In Celebration ~The Black Candle - Kwanzaa Movie Trailer ~

~ In Reverent Celebration  of  Those Who Have Come and Gone Before Us ~

More Than  a Need for Pride  . . . We Must STRIVE ALAWYS To KNOW Who We ARE . .  .

Do Support  ~The Black Candle - Kwanzaa Movie Trailer - www.theblackcandle.com

Winter Holydays Well Wishes . . .

Tepit Nefert [Supreme Peace] All :

Wishing us all a Glorious, Peaceful & and Abundant KaaSheBaa ™, Kwanzaa, Solstice, New Years & all other holydays which we may be celebrating this Winter Season turning . . .

May we all continue to bravely and lovingly "whip [our] hair . . ." in 2011 . . .

Wishing Us All a Mindfully SistahPeaceful™   2011 . . . AfraShe Asungi

Happy September Equinox All . . . .

Sistahs . . . may this 2010 full moon Equinox 

bring you great SistahPeace™ & insight 

as you now embark on your inward journeying . . .

Moonlight Shining

by Lelly John

Moonlight shining on my pillow

As I lay asleep

Is your skin, new fallen snow

It rests upon my cheek

The shooting stars that are your eyes

Dance and glimmer just for me

The cool and quiet night is wise

With you, O night, I flee

In my world of ancient dreams

That have been dreamt before

My love for you, O mortal, seems

Another ancient door

People love for days and nights

And shall forever care

But you, my heart, eternally white

No other love compare.

Wishes for a WellBalanced KaaSheBaa (tm) & New Year

Beloveds. . .

Tepit Nefert & Peaceful Winter Solstice, Giving Thanks & KaaSheBaa (tm) & Kwanzaa Wellthoughts 2 All. . .!

Just a brief Wellthought to each of you as you too mindfully journey within now, to positively renew and reseed your Awakened & Maat Purposed personal and social intentions -- may they then spring forth, blossom and flourish as fruitful & Knowing Action in the new year . . .

Please join us on our growing Online SistahPeace SisCommunity . . . at http://sistahpeace.ning.com

Take Time to Ask Our Obama Administration 4 Peace. . .

PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME TO GO TO THIS SITE TO ASK   4 MORE PEACE. . .


The Peace Alliance advocates for a cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peace:

The Peace Alliance

The Peace Alliance is a nonpartisan citizen action organization representing a growing constituency for peace. A 501(c)4 organization established in March 2004, our mission is to empower civic activism for a culture of peace.



Our vision is a future in which the practical programs and principles of peacebuilding are the bedrock of our personal, national and global interest and investment.



Our goal is to take the field of peacebuilding from the margins of the political and societal dialogue and bring it to its rightful place: Central to our policymaking, investment and understanding. We achieve this primarily through a massive public education, outreach and citizen lobbying effort.



Our current focus is the campaign for a cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peace.



Peace is not a utopian ideal; it is an issue critical to our national and human security. Either we continue reactively addressing ever-increasing levels of violence and the consequent human and economic costs, or we take a fresh approach. This isn’t about the politics of left or right; it is about what is practical and effective. 

We must create the possibility for applied peacebuilding to identify and resolve conflict before it erupts into violence.

The science of peacebuilding has significantly expanded over the past 30 years, creating previously unavailable tools for dismantling violence. Yet nowhere in the highest echelons of our government is there a platform from which to launch a focused, strategic approach to reducing and preventing violence.

We support a grassroots volunteer network that is active in all 50 states. A new kind of peace activist, Department of Peace campaign supporters work to establish connection and understanding with people from all segments of society and political affiliations, to practice the principles of peace, and to be a demonstration of what we are calling for.

We estimate approximately half of our base has a history of peace activism and half never before considered themselves “politically active.”

These passionate volunteers include Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, Green Party members, former and current military and police, soccer moms, entrepreneurs, senior citizens, youth on high school and college campuses, traditional peace activists, and more. They enroll their elected leaders and the public at large by working with members of Congress, writing editorials, doing local media interviews, organizing local talks and trainings, getting city council endorsements, and meeting with police chiefs, fire chiefs, prison officials, directors of abuse shelters, school boards, and others to discuss how a Department of Peace will benefit their community.

Why Can't We All just get along ? Religious Conflicts Continue

Sadly, 

the article below is a perfect case where newly generated rigid religious attitudes/Dogmas are causing fear-driven over-reaction. Yoga as a form of well-rounded exercise has been practiced for more than a century by practitioners of various faiths, without major conversions to Hinduism because the physical components are universal.

My question is why would a faith that has strongly-anchored followers forbid their being healthy? Why do so many practitioners of the Judeo-Christian persuasion fear what is little more than religious broadmindedness among their followers? My only hope is that we one day move pass this notion of insular religious authority among are theistic kindred. . .

I believe that when faith-based community of any persuasion allows their fear of spiritual to generate such intolerance against de rigueur religious diversity (essential to end the current global trend of religious-based conflicts which irretrievably ravage person, life and property) that we dishonor what tends to the Founding Truths that are at the heart and soul of these same religious theonomies.

For those of us who adhere with any theological principles, lets us pray for peaceful change and increased tolerance for our disputing and fearful kin. For those of us who are not of theistic persuasion, let us reason and strive for the furtherance of religious flexibility and tolerance for the religious freedom and tolerance. . .

Many Thanks to Eileen Ng at Associate Press for the sharing. . .Peacefully. . .



Please, do let us know what you think will increase the peace theologically speaking around issues like this ?

A wise man who knows proverbs can reconcile difficulties.    Niger

++++++++xxxxxxxx++++++++++xxxxxxxxx++++++++xxxxxxxx

Malaysian Council Bans Yoga for Muslims KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Nov. 22, 2008)

Malaysia’s top Islamic body, fresh from banning tomboys, issued an edict Saturday
that prohibits Muslims from practicing yoga, saying that elements of Hinduism in
the ancient Indian exercise could corrupt them.

The National Fatwa Council’s chairman, Abdul Shukor Husin, said many Muslims
fail to understand that yoga’s ultimate aim is to be one with a god of a different religion
— an explanation disputed by many practitioners who say yoga need not have a religious
element.

“We are of the view that yoga, which originates from Hinduism, combines physical exercise,
religious elements, chanting and worshipping for the purpose of achieving inner peace and
ultimately to be one with god,” Abdul Shukor said.

News of the yoga ban prompted activist Marina Mahathir to wonder what the council
will ban next: “What next? Gyms? Most gyms have men and women together. Will
that not be allowed any more?”

The edict reflects the growing influence of conservative Islam in Malaysia, a multiethnic
country of 27 million people where the majority Muslim Malays lost seats in
March elections and where minority ethnic Chinese and mostly Hindu ethnic Indians
have been clamoring for more rights.

Recently, the council said girls who act like boys violate Islam’s tenets. The government
has also occasionally made similar conservative moves, banning the use of the
word “Allah” by non-Muslims earlier this year, saying it would confuse Muslims.

Analysts say the fatwa could be the result of insecurity among Malay Muslims after
their party — in power since 1957 — saw its parliamentary majority greatly reduced in
elections because of gains by multiracial opposition parties.

Malay Muslims make up about two-thirds of the country’s 27 million people. About 25
percent of the population is ethnic Chinese and 8 percent is ethnic Indian, most of
whom are Hindu.

“They are making a stand. They are saying ‘we will not give way,’” said Ooi Kee Beng, a
fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.

Decisions by Malaysia’s Fatwa Council are not legally binding on the country’s Muslims,
however, unless they also become enshrined in national or Shariah laws. But
many Muslims abide by the edicts out of deference, but some, like Putri Rahim, plan
not to follow the latest fatwa.

“I am mad! Maybe they have it in mind that Islam is under threat. To come out with a
fatwa is an insult to intelligent Muslims. It’s an insult to my belief,” said Putri, a Muslim
who has practiced yoga for 10 years. In recent years, yoga — a collection of spiritual
and physical practices, aimed at integrating mind, body and spirit — has been
increasingly practiced in gyms and dedicated yoga centers around the world.

There are no figures for how many Muslims practice yoga in Malaysia, but many yoga
classes have Muslims attending. In the United States, where it has become
so popular that many public schools began offering it in gym classes, yoga has also
come under fire.

Some Christian fundamentalists and even secular parents have argued that yoga’s
Hindu roots conflict with Christian teachings and that using it in school might violate
the separation of church and state. Egypt’s highest theological body also
banned yoga for Muslims in 2004. Yoga drew the attention of the Fatwa Council
last month when an Islamic scholar said that it was un-Islamic.

A top yoga practitioner in India, Mani Chaitanya, said the Malaysian clerics seem to
have “misunderstood the whole thing.” Chanting during yoga is to calm the mind
and “elevate our consciousness,” said Chaitanya, the director of the Sivananda Ashram in New Delhi.

“It is not worship. It’s not religious at all. Yoga is universal. All religions can practice
yoga. You can practice yoga and still be a good Christian or a good Muslim,” he said.
Malaysian yoga teacher Suleiha Merican, 56, who has been practicing yoga for 40
years, also denied there is any Hindu spiritual element to it. “It’s a great health science
that is scientifically proven and many countries have accepted it” as alternative
therapy, said Merican, a Muslim.

Associated Press writer Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur and Muneeza Naqvi in New Delhi contributed to this report

President OBAMA in the White House--where do we go from here?

And Now Where Do We Go From Here . . .?

Together, we can keep making history !!!

I took the online survey, after being emailed by the Obama-Biden transition team which advised me that, “Now it's up to you to decide how we move forward.”

I believe this is possible and hope you do too. Here is an excerpt from my own answers to the Online Obama-Biden Transition Project Survey… enjoy and then go online yourself to add your own 2-cents or don’t complain about what does or does not get changed over the next term of office.

Please tell your own folk & please be mindful, reasonable and forward thinking. . .
and remember to
THINK PEACE, TOLERANCE & JUSTICE FOR ALL AMERICANS. . .
as a learn to truly unite and stand together as the wonderfully diverse and unique people we are. . .

Please . . .CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE PEACE. . .

AfraShe's Survey Response:

Q:  How would you like to see this organization move forward in the months and years ahead? And how would you like to be engaged as a volunteer and organizer?:

AA:  I would like to see a truly realizable plan for change around the issues that will help stabilize the working and middle class.

I would like for the party to keep the public aware of exactly what can be expected by their efforts, transparency around what changes will result in economic and social equity. Grassroots councils that report the REAL issues and make real change from the bottom up. I want a council for reform around Church/ State involvement that keeps politics free and our laws and government policies free of the current trend of religious tyranny.

I hope we can see a council which informs faith-based citizens about the essential need to preserve this constitutional anchor and why it is essential that we respect how true diversity makes our country what it is the land of freedom.

I like the idea of a peace council locally, state, national and globally so that we make real change from war politics to a world of peace politics.

I would like to see a peace & tolerance council to address the social divide which is often faith-based driven to build a social climate where our citizens fully understand that our constitutional freedoms should not be subject to individual religious mandates and that real diversity can only happen when ALL American citizens feel they are treated equitably under the local, state, federal and international laws. I trust that this will remain a real focus of the party as we move forward.


Q: What first inspired you to join this campaign?:

AA:  I saw a video of Sistah Obama speaking to a Gay and Lesbian leadership counsel and was impressed by her speech, so I looked into PE Obama’s policies and watched him and was convinced hat he was a man who walked his talk and that his campaign of change, hope and national diversity was a genuine one and decided that I wanted to be a part of his campaign for change so that we have a nation I can be proud of too. I like the diversity and inclusiveness of his campaign.


OPTIONAL: What was the best part of your volunteer experience?:

There were so many Best Parts of my volunteer experience. I started out giving money and the phone and one-on-one support til I finally wanted to be more directly involved with others who were volunteering to help get PE Obama elected. I was delighted to go there and make calls at the Long Beach center because there was a real micro community there and I feel that if this sort of diversity of people could come together and bond together despite our often apparent ethnic, age, social, gender, educational religious, economic and political differences.

My experience at the local Lakewood/long beach center was inspiring and more than I could have expected because the volunteers cared about the campaign and each other in ways that I can only hope will spend nationally. We were working hard when the call came in at 8 pm that PE Obama had won, as I returned home and watched the gathering in Chicago I was proud of my country for the first time in my life and finally I believed that I was fully included in this country’s title: American Citizen. I felt that change that would make this a free and equitable and just country was possible. . . I pray that those who currently feel alienated will also come to feel as I do, that this is a fully inclusive administration as was intended by our founding government intended.


Q: What could have been improved about your volunteer experience?:

AA:  Availability of campaign info and materials. more comfortable seat.

Q: What was your greatest achievement as a volunteer? What was your greatest challenge?:

AA:  My achievement was that i went to the local phone bank to engage with other who were different from me so that I could " be the change I wish to see in the world “ and I feel that this was more that I had hoped for as a purposeful/ memorable life experience.

My greatest challenge was to pace myself and focus on the entire campaign to the extent that I did not burn out or get sick from over-volunteering and maintained my health, wellbeing, faith, hope and determination in this wonderfully diverse and inclusive national grassroots-based effort by the kind of Americans that I am (finally) proud to be identified as being.

Q:  Did you meet a fellow volunteer or field organizer who inspired you? How did they inspire you?:

AA:  Yes, I met so many. Our phone bank was awesome. Charla Shelton was also a great inspiration. I met her in Carson and was inspired by her dedication and commitment and how she had opened 2 phone banks a mere few weeks before I met her because she could not find a local campaign office in long Beach. I committed to work at her Lakewood phone ban and did so. I was very inspired by her dedication and intelligence and compassionate inclusiveness and found myself going far beyond my initial intention to work for Change and to be a productive part of our phone bank.

I hope the campaign will acknowledge her gargantuan efforts toward getting PE Obama and VP E Bidden elected. She was tolerance and encouraging to all who came to the phone bank to make a difference, and we had a very diverse group, some who had never been close to others who were very different from themselves, politically, socially, economically, etc.. everyone was made to feel valuable and fully included under her watch which made me believe that this was a serious part of the success of this campaign. She worked with others who had been leaders themselves in the primaries and they all worked hard under her leadership.

Additionally, I was very impressed by the efforts and strategy which the internet, funding and email, public, grassroots and volunteer organizational framework and delivery system that the staff created and maintained, it was genius and I was proud to be a part of such a people-powered and organic process.

Finally, I knew that if the process of change that we would see under the Obama/Bidden administration was anywhere near the one I found myself so completely dedicated to; then I knew that the slogan of hope, diverse inclusiveness and meaningful social change was truly a well intended and realizable promise. My deepest gratitude and thanks for all who gave such great effort, determination and possibility to America's future !!!



NOW Please DO Also Pause to Give Your Own Feedback & to Contribute Whatever You Can. . .

       A Message From the Obama-Biden Transition Project:

              “Thank you!

You proved that change can happen. You built an unprecedented grassroots organization in all 50 states that brought a record number of people into the political process -- many for the first time, many for the first time in a long time.

Our success required unprecedented resources, and the Democratic National Committee played a major role in the on-the-ground efforts that generated record turnout up and down the ticket.
Please make a donation to the DNC to help fund the efforts it undertook in 2008.

Your hard work and passion created this opportunity for change. But we only have a few weeks to assess the state of the federal agencies, prepare our agenda, and staff key positions in the new administration.

Your support right now will be crucial to helping us accomplish these goals.
For the first time, transition efforts won't be financed with donations from Washington lobbyists and PACs. We're committed to building the White House team the same way you built this campaign -- from the ground up.

Will you make a donation of $5 or more today to support the urgent mission of our transition team?”

Join the cause for change/ Take the survey:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stateupdates/gGxt8D

Please Donate at:
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php


The OBAMA-BIDEN TRANSITION PROJECT is a 501(c)(4) organization operated exclusively to promote and ensure the proper functioning of the federal government by ensuring a smooth transition from one administration to the next.

Contributions to the OBAMA-BIDEN TRANSITION PROJECT are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes and do not count against federal campaign contribution limits. Contributions to the OBAMA-BIDEN TRANSITION PROJECT are limited to a maxium of $5,000 per individual.

As a condition of receipt of appropriated funds under the Presidential Transition Act, the OBAMA-BIDEN TRANSITION PROJECT must publicly report the source, date, and amount of every donation. The PROJECT will also publicly report the city and state of residence, and employer of each donor.