Category Archives: Global Afro Woman Protagonist

Global Afro Woman Protagonist

Tarana Burke founder of #MeToo

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Activist and writer Tarana Burke is the creator of #MeToo and founder of a movement ‘to radicalize the notion of mass healing… we as a people do not do enough to address healing and connection’. She states in a CNN video that this movement was founded for black and native women and based on her personal story. To ignore the fact that MeToo, which was founded for women who voices had been censored on sexual harassment, is to miss the purpose of the organization. Ms Burke wants these women to know they are heard.  She is concerned about the present day climate of name-calling, sexism, and racism drowning out the real reason for the MeToo movement and voices of marginalized women. Her work was started over a decade ago and ‘the message has not changed’. She noted that sexual harassment knows no color and that today’s recognition of this fact (Time Magazine cover of the year for 2017) makes it especially important certain groups of women are not overlooked.

Women have experienced sexual harassment almost as a matter of course throughout this nation, at work, at home, everywhere. Think of the times as a child growing up, in school, and at work. No matter what level, Tarana Burke has been reluctant to keep speaking about her painful experiences. Nevertheless, she lifts all of us up because she felt passionate enough to create a platform for her peers and thus for all women to stand on. From Hollywood to Congress to the workplace, to the home we now have her work to keep this cause in the forefront. Thank you protagonist.

 

 

Article and art is by Lillian Thompson at Lillianonline.us

 

 

Global Afro Woman Protagonist

Mignon Clyburn

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Mignon, is daughter of Congressman Clyburn from South Carolina, was nominated by President Barack Obama and appointed by the senate to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2009 to serve out a vacated seat and appointed again in May of 2013 for five year term which ended in June of 2017. She will remain in the position until someone is appointed or until January 2019 according to Wikepedia.

She is an advocate for Net Neutrality and limiting cost of calls for inmates which have been exorbitant. She has since, the new 2017 Trump presidency, been in battles to resist rollbacks of Obama consumer rights protection regulations. Ajit Pai, now Chair has sought to eliminate regulations that required internet provider engagement in providing broadband to rural areas and Lifeline programs for low income citizens since 1980. Mignon Clyburn has been a voice of defense for consumer protection and access. The recent Net Neutrality vote was 3-2 to repeal along party lines. She continues to speak out against this vote and repealing of other consumer protections for a more open internet instead of the Trump selected Ajit Pai’s directive to deregulate in favor of internet providers. Her twitter account is twitter.com/mclyburnfcc. 

Mignon Clyburn is front and center in the Net Neutrality/Open internet battle where so many of us are on the fringes of understanding. The big issue will be the downside of repealing Net Neutrality. What is the impact of this new ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?

Ms Clyburn’s extended time on the FCC has been fighting for the internet to continue being a level playing field. It was one of those opportunities for many to build wealth by running small successful businesses that compete with the giants.  With Net Neutrality we all rolled together. The repeal of Net Neutrality is like a main highway being dominated (according to the new ruling) by internet providers like at&t, Spectrum, Verizon, etc. and you can’t get on a ramp (they are closed) so you will have to use the side roads to get to your destination, which will take you longer and may even cost you more for less. This gives more control and license to the providers to affect your access to the faster internet and in some cases where you are able to travel as well. Of course the other giants affected like Apple, Google, Microsoft, etc. need the providers to deliver content; add in dot com companies like Go Daddy and now you have fierce competition for access, cost of services, and slowed traffic. For example, if you live in a high traffic area like DC/VA/MD then you are familiar with separate fast traffic lanes for rush hour traffic. Once upon a time a single driver could get on before or after the designated times for heavy traffic for free. Now everyone has to pay something and don’t even know how to qualify during certain hours to use the fast lanes.  A sticker is also needed so I stay in and negotiate the heavy traffic in the free lanes.

Okay. Imagine, Google gets on (exist on) the internet provider’s highway, they can afford to pay. How do we pay to use Google? If you want faster internet speeds and you are a little guy you may end up having to search less or spend more money, do early morning or late night internet, use your company’s internet, or plan longer times on the slower lower cost effective internet options. Thus far I have been told that things won’t change, this coming from an at&t employee. Ever since the ruling, my phone has been acting up. My one gig of data is used up in no time and my phone is slowed down with all those apps (Is that  the Apple battery?).

Oh yes, I presume that there will be more successful applications than others. All these data hogging game apps require high-speed internet if they can afford it (rich kids) or even get access (not so rich kids). Of course, this is a blog and my take on what will happen to change your experience of the Wi-Fi, broadband, on the internet, (some businesses have already migrated to ‘internet two’ that is more secure and paid for by the corporate users to protect information like IBM.) Who’s staying and who’s going? Will you be able to download that assignment fast enough to work on it and upload it before the deadline? If it takes one to three minutes to get on Facebook are you going to use it? What about access to the cloud?

What about ‘Snapchat’ quick contact video? How many people will drop off YouTube? How will we know what is going on in the world? Who will know what’s up?

Mignon Clyburn’s tenure may be ending at the latest in January 2019, but the battle she had forged will hopefully help you and I better understand when someone says GO VOTE and you don’t bother, the domino affect will be more than you or your relatives and friends bargained for. (The banana republic!) In a global economy you cannot afford to check out if you want to make a living. You need the internet! Mignon Clyburn understands this and is still actively advocating and defending against the repeal. Look her up! She is knowledgeable and our protagonist on the impactful Federal Communications Commission (FCC). We at lillianonline.us salute her passion and advocacy.

Global Afro Woman Protagonist

Amanda Davis TV Pioneer Career Woman

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Amanda Davis, TV journalist will be known for her 35 plus years career as a professional in the Atlanta GA news media market. If she had spent that many years and only 62, her work began around age 27 starting in Charlotte, then 

Amanda Davis, Journalist

moving to Washington, DC working for a Satellite TV competitor of CNN then to Atlanta where her career flourished at Fox affiliate. She will be remembered as a trailblazer and inspiration to countless journalists. Ms Davis was engaged for eight years. That relationship ended leaving her to struggled with substance abuse. Eventually a DUI charge would contribute to early retirement in 2012. Knowing the youth driven market competition, Amanda made a comeback based on her belief in purpose as a journalist. She was a mother of Melora Rivera, actress and writer.  

When a woman dies suddenly of a stroke at age 62, it begs to inquire, why? Amanda was a dedicated career journalist her whole life. Not finished in 2012, she made a come back in 2014 though she stumbled again, entered rehab, and developed a special at CBS about ‘alcoholism’ that included her story. Her career spanned from 1979 to 2017. What is the cause of a stroke and does alcoholism contribute?  According to WebMD.com ‘Too much alcohol in middle age can increase your stroke risk as much as high blood pressure or diabetes,…’ Amanda had rebounded her career solidly as working with a local CBS affiliate. She faced a holiday season, after the recent death of her biological father in early December, her mother had recently recovered from pneumonia in November and now news on the loss of her stepfather ‘Pop’. Amanda was traveling to the funeral when she collapsed in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and was taken to the hospital and died a day later on December 27, 2017. The events during 2017 and particularly during the holiday season can take a toll in unknown ways. Amanda Davis will be remembered for her successful career as a journalist, her dark DUI record due to alcoholism, and her professional comeback only to suffer a sudden tragic death from a stroke.

She teaches us to keep overcoming our frailties, continue striving, and to watch your health. She found purpose and achievements in her career where fewer women especially those of color were in the TV News media field. Her legacy will benefit those who came behind her, as a pioneer in programming working decades as a successful newscaster in the Atlanta television market. We salute Amanda Davis as our ‘Global Afro Woman Protagonist’ and pray for her family during this deeply heartfelt time in their lives.

The article and art are from Lillianonline.us 

 

Global Afro Woman Protagonist

Erica Garner found purpose in Justice for her Father.

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Erica Garner, activist, daughter of Eric Garner, who suffered death by chokehold of a police officer in the streets of New York. Her father was a victim because he did not commit a crime worth dying for in the street. He also suffered from asthma. His daughter who was not clear on her mission took up one after the death of her father to fight the cause against loss of life of African American Men at the hands of white police officers. Though not charged, investigations did yield that the officer violated Eric Garner’s due process rights during an arrest; a chokehold was excessive force ending life.

There is always more behind a story then the story itself. Erica was a mother of two children, one born this past August. She was in advertisement for the Bernie Sanders campaign. She was part of the Black Lives Matter movement. She expressed disappointment and anger at the Obama Justice Department for not doing more for the civil rights of her dad. She had a full plate. She had finally found purpose and meaning. Her father’s death brought her as the eldest child into the national spotlight, a speaker, a bearer of the experience of loss and victimization.

In the myst of all this she has a child. Recent research shows that black women are three times more likely to die shortly after childbirth than white women. In 2017 a study that looks at the level of healthcare during pregnancy and follow up care are demons for the African American Woman’s survival rates. It does not matter the social economic situation of a mother. The institutional racism, prejudicial attitudes, and dismissive postures of health professionals contribute to the psychological well being of a pregnant mother, whose anxiety causes her to not interact with the system for proper care, and in some cases a rush to get away from traditional care in hospitals or even visit clinics. Erica Garner was actually typical. Imagine only 27 years of age, not knowing that a heart attack after child birth which became enlarged was not something on her radar screen. For that matter, more than likely no one else around her or those pulling on her new found purpose to be on this or that program to advance a cause that gave her passion. She could do it all. Right? After all she is only 27 years old, child bearing age. Erica had no knowledge that her heart had enlarged after having a baby and first heart attack. She probably did not give much thought to this newly researched phenomenon of black women low survival rates after childbirths and all the causes that bring on stress. Even as she was celebrating over the holiday season which is known for being one of the most stressful times of the year for parents, after addressing activists issues, her body was a ticking time bomb.

Asthma was the culprit. What triggers asthma attacks? While stress is not the most common cause like being allergic to things, ‘non allergic causes involves stress, exercise, a cold or flu, or exposure to extreme weather, irritants in the air or some medications’ according to the College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. She according to reports could not breathe, it shut off oxygen to her brain and caused a massive heart attack her second one in months. She was put into an induced coma state and never recovered. Who was paying attention? Erica will be remembered for her response to her father’s death, as an activist, thus achieving her life’s purpose. She was also a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a leader. Because of her role and importance to movements like ‘Black Lives Matter’, and speaking specifically about her non-violent father under attack by over zealous and aggressive force from NYPD, she will be remembered. The inadvertent memory she will also leave and hopefully not lost in the heat of moment was her health and support systems for her sustainability as a life force for her family and her passions. She could also be the poster child for black birth giving women death statistics. Something coming onto the radar screen that says to healthcare system and professionals that racism may be more life threatening to our people than police violence in the justice system.

article and art by Lillian L. Thompson, visual artist at Lillianonline.us

 

 

Global Afro Woman Protagonist

Diane Rwigara Candidate for President of Rawanda

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Diane Rwigara ran as an opponent in the recent high profile Rawanda presidential election against successful third termer (seven year term) Paul Kagame, former guerrilla leader. He had been in power since 1994,  just after the 800,000 genocide of the Tutsi people. His successful election keeps him in power potentially until 2034. He is now 59 years old. Ms Rwigara at 35, is the daughter of a successful Tutsi industrialist, who was killed in a questionable truck collision with his Mercedes in 2015. Since that time his hotel property was declared improperly built and demolished as well as other properties seized. Diane had a very close relationship with her father as the first of six children. Her father helped with homework, who was particularly good with math. The family fled the country, during the genocide of Tutsi people to Belgium in Europe then on to the California where she attended State Universities at Sacramento and San Francisco receiving an undergraduate and an advanced degree in accounting.

Diane Rwigara also happens to like politics, something that the Rawanda culture does not encourage women to pursue, especially since her family is apolitical. Being compared to Rosa Parks, in terms of impact, is a significant and possibly a profound comparison. Her courage and passion to address freedom of speech, hunger in the face of the ruling party living like kings, disappearance of opposition, wealth concentration at the top, building of luxury hotels while people are in poverty, the arrogance with cronyism and illegal grabbing of business properties. She is a rare voice, when so many are fearful to speak against the government. Rwigara has endured the release of nude photos on the internet as part of a smear campaign. Her reaction was to let the source explain the nude photos and moved against claims that her self financed campaign was being helped by money sources outside of the country. She ran for President of Rawanda, without being under an established political party, making her run a long shot.

The results of the election were strongly in favor of the President in the ninety percentile, who has an international reputation for making Rwanda a stable and clean country. It is his authoritarian style which continues to impose on the freedom of speech for his people. Ms Rwigara, has insisted that her interest in running for president was not about her father’s death, despite her family’s continued efforts to regain their loss properties. Diane Rwigara was a baby when Rwanda’s president took office. It was not stated what her next steps would be after this crushing defeat, however, her passion for helping her people by speaking out against injustices and taking a stand does put her on the path of influence as Rosa Parks. Diane’s family has become more accepting of her pursuits, while maintaining their positions of avoiding politics. She will continue as a business woman and speaking out against the government injustices against the people of Rawanda. We are watching, because she represents the ‘Global Afro Woman’ protagonist and possibly the future leadership of her country.  www.lillianonline.us

Global Afro Woman Protagonist

Esther Stanford Xosei, Global Reparations Protagonist!

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“I am Jurisconsult, passionate public lecturer and broadcaster. However, I am most recognized for being a long-standing researcher, campaigner, spokesperson and public opinion former on holistic reparations for Afrikans and their descendants worldwide.” 

Her webpage quote is at www.esterstanford.com. I have been able to discern from readings that Esther is a citizen of Britain a result of her parents seeking stability as immigrants from war torn regions in Africa. This may have robbed her of being a born on the soil, yet her spirit, passion and determination places her in the heart and soul of the continent and the desire to repatriate the homeland.

Her focus on reparations (financial compensation for the atrocity of slave trading) has as much to do with self-repair whereby the African consciousness is at the level of awareness to address conflicting issues such as poverty on the most abundant continent. She believes that serious assessment is needed of our deep knowledge base and inability to use it to uplift the continent. Because of this, she insists that Pan-Africanism would engage all people of African descent to come together to tackle and undo the harm done by the Transatlantic Slave Trade that divided countries unnaturally based on European nationals’ interest. Further she points to redefining what works best for the continent in terms of laws and governance. Her experience as an attorney in Western culture recognizes that policies may not work for Africa. She envisions different systems than what is perceived as most appropriate today: ’rule of law’ and democracy. What of a ‘Pan African State Union’? A ‘Black World League of Nations’? Self repair that does away with land grabbing, planting on land for non-continent countries, managing immigration of Europeans, eliminating food riots, and poverty. Her work is raising consciousness and global awareness including the development of curriculum to educate at the university levels worldwide on reparations, racism and discrimination for people of African descent. She is now considered one of the top leaders for the Global African Diaspora. Her speaking ability and visionary thinking enlightens many who may not have given much thought to a movement for the history and sake of maintaining our rich cultural heritage on the African Continent. She is a ‘Global Afro Woman Protagonist’. www.lillianonline.us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Afro Woman Protagonist

Rachel Lyndsay – 2017 Bachelorette

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Rachel Lyndsay is the first African American Bachelorette in the franchise history. She got chosen by the nation of fans who have kept this show so popular for over a decade. This evening (air date June 26th) as she was evaluating one of her pursuers, admitted to being in the shadow of her sister, who was out there as the prettiest and more popular before she came into her own. That process kept her self confidence from blooming at the same rate as her beauty and charm and may have kept her from showing more of her feelings instead being a skeptic. Despite all of this she had come full circle, showing us her realness, ‘keeping it 100’ by opening up completely to a group of men with an open mind and heart. This takes courage folks.

She is showing us what it takes to confront, dig deep, be observant, curious, questioning, while peeling back layers of the personalities who present  them best selves to her. It is not entirely clear how she feels about each person, as what we speculate from what is seen on camera. All one can do is watch her actions and project which guys are preferred.

The beauty of this show are the number of ‘brothers’ (black men) who are willing to come onto a program of this nature to risk a high level of exposure to compete for her affections. It also gives up a glimpse of their unique qualities and personalities. On the other side of that coin are the young white men who are equally as open and vying for Rachel’s love. Most are solid too and open to finding love.

Rachel has done an amazing job of weeding out the players, sorting her true feelings, and bringing a value system in conjunction with her lawyerly skill set to evaluate, listen, and trust her instincts. While there may have been breakdowns, frustrations, disappointments, and tough decisions, she has definitely shown a great amount of poise. All the men say she is the complete package: beauty, brains, and personality. She is also has a very charming look and is by nature seductive in her style. She says being physical is important which means a lot of kissing and hugging. She is doing what so many women struggle with and that is being open without prejudice to find a husband amongst qualified guys.

She has shown intent and integrity in her voyage expressing self reflection, and her self assurance. Rachel is not just the first this or that on the Bachelorette, she is perhaps one of the best that has been on the show. I hope she finds the true love of her life that will make her very happy. I understand that she is already engaged as we watch weekly on delayed TV viewing. This means she found someone who met her criteria of ‘not boring’ her, and offering a fun filled  life of excitement and adventure.

I am so proud of this version of the Afro Woman Protagonist, beautiful, charming, authentic, strong, clear headed, and mature. Go Rachel Go! Thank you for having the courage to take the Bachelorette to another level. We appreciate you. (Drawing by Lillianonline) lillianonline.us 

Global Afro Woman Protagonist

‘Badassboz’ Self-Branded Instagram Sensation

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Bozoma Saint John, became Chief Brand Officer at Uber June 8, 2017. A power house marketing super star rises from within Pepsi to close a deal with Beyonce, then moves into Beats before a three month later Apple acquisition. Bozoma Saint John increased Apple Music’s subscriber base  by 20 million during her three year tenure, before moving on to Uber. Her claims of seeking danger and being a change agent puts her squarely in the eyes of many who have come to expect great things.

It is clear to those who admire Saint John, like recent Uber CEO, Travis Kalanik, quoted, “Boz has a long track record of successfully creating emotional connections between people and the products they love…” “Her creativity and deep understanding of consumers will allow us to build the same love and appreciation for Uber’s brand as we’ve built for Uber’s service.” This challenge with Uber is within Bozoma’s ‘danger’ zone where the arrogant male dominated leadership culture’s unfair treatment of women (even drivers), had become legendary.

Our protagonist (leading lady), Bozeman Saint John, along with her own brand on Instagram as ‘Badassboz’, is a force to be reckoned with. Being the opposite of the culture she now represents, in almost every way (‘have you seen her?’), naturally makes her as disruptive as it gets. Let’s watch and see how her brand reinvents Uber. We have confidence that Saint John’s influence will raise the bar very high for Uber in appealing to a wider consumer base. Bozoma is showing us that a personal brand could supersede any job, and this new trend according to LinkedIn is where top professionals are going. “Hone what you have inside” is a quote and advice from Saint John. At Lillianonline, we declare her next level executive. Visit our website at lillianonline.us.

Global Afro Woman Protagonist

A National Hero! – Crystal Griner

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Crystal Griner, Capital Police Agent, was just doing her job, the day she yelled, ‘drop your weapon’. A very private person became public. She attended Hood College where she played basketball. She is an athlete at 5’9” height and stature. Many say all we experience and learn comes together in one moment. The gunman from Illinois brought forth that moment for Officer Griner, who’s competitive spirit under pressure, raised her voice yelling at the shooter to ‘drop his weapon’, thereby bringing attention to herself, distracting the gunman, and taking a bullet in her ankle.  By springing into action, running towards the gunman, and just doing her job, Crystal saved the lives of many U.S. House Representatives.  Her actions were epic .  Crystal’s moment of truth prevented a massacre of ‘monumental proportions’ exemplifying unparalleled bravery. 

Crystal is our protagonist!  She is an example of a lead character coming from obscurity into the national limelight. Her demeanor, discretion, focus, and commitment makes her a national model and overnight sensation and shows the best of what America has to offer in the mist of crisis!   Lillianonline acknowledges Crystal Griner as an ‘influential’ woman and deserving of appreciation and recognition. Thank you for your service to our nation. (Drawing by Lillianonline.) See more art at lillianonline.us.