Happy MLK Day!

Happy Monday! Today, we acknowledge and honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was one of the greatest leaders of all time who fought for equity for all. He showed the world that one person can make a difference!

Happy MLK Day 2018!

Today, we acknowledge and honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was one of the greatest leaders of all time who fought for equity for all. He showed the world that one person can make a difference!

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/12/us/mlk-relevance-today/index.html

Women's March on Washington - January 21st!

On Saturday, January 21, 2017, thousands of women are marching for women's rights. They are sending a loud and strong message to the new administration that they will not tolerate their rights being taken away!

Ashley Judd's EPIC "Nasty Woman" Speech At The Women's March On Washington 

 

  Women's March on Washington 2017

 


 Live coverage on Women's March on Washington Youtube Channel:

https://youtu.be/XC9hTrX9oNk

About:

This is the official, national page for the Women's March on Washington. The march will take place on January 21st in Washington D.C. starting at 10AM.

General Information

The Women's March on Washington will take place on January 21 in Washington D.C. starting at 10AM

STORY:

The Women’s March on Washington will occur on Saturday, January 21, 2017, beginning at 10:00 am.

The march will occur in Washington, DC near the Capitol. Specific location and details are soon forthcoming. Professional organizers are working with all relevant agencies and there should not be any issues with securing necessary permits.

The Women’s March on Washington is a grassroots effort comprised of dozens of independent coordinators at the state level. The effort is helmed by four national co-chairs and a national coordinating committee who are working around the clock to pull it all together.

A program featuring nationally recognized artists, entertainers, advocates, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and others will be announced in the coming weeks.

MISSION:

On January 21, 2017 we will unite in Washington, DC for the Women’s March on Washington. We stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families, recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country.

The rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonized, and threatened many of us: immigrants of all statuses, Muslims and those of diverse religious faiths, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Native people, Black and Brown people, people with disabilities, and survivors of sexual assault. Our communities are hurting and scared. We are confronted with the question of how to move forward in the face of national and international concern and fear.

In the spirit of democracy and in honor of the champions of human rights, dignity, and justice who have come before us, we join in diversity to show our presence in numbers too great to ignore. The Women’s March on Washington will send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world, that women’s rights are human rights. We stand together, recognizing that defending the most marginalized among us is defending all of us.

We support the advocacy and resistance movements that reflect our multiple and intersecting identities. We call on all defenders of human rights to join us. This march is the first step towards unifying our communities, grounded in new relationships, to create change from the grassroots level up. We will not rest until women have parity and equity at all levels of leadership in society. We work peacefully while recognizing there is no true peace without justice and equity for all. HEAR OUR VOICE.

Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Civil rights leader. Activist. Orator. One of the greatest leaders of all times. He showed the world that one person can make a difference.

If you don't think you can make a difference in the world or that you don't have anything to offer, think again. Dr. King showed us that you can change the world by doing the right thing. His legacy lives on. Always strive to be your best - the world needs what you have to offer.

 The life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

-- Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"


http://benitacharles.com


 
MLK Day 2017 - One Person Can Make A Difference! from Benita Charles on Vimeo.

Pray for America!

Pray for America: This past week has been a trying week for those of us in the US. I've been in a state of shock for the last couple of days with the police shootings of Alton Sterling of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the next day,  Philando Castile of St. Pal, Minnesota - in this case a 4-year old child was one of the witnesses in the car at the time of the crime. Both horrific crimes were caught on camera for the world to see. It was incomprehensible!

I woke up Friday morning to learn that there were 5 police killed in Dallas during a protest that was peaceful moments earlier. It was reported that the lone gunman, Micah Xavier Johnson, 25, of Mesquite, Texas, was a military veteran who'd served in Afghanistan. He told negotiators that he killed because he was upset with white people and he wanted to specifically kill white police officers. He was shot and killed by a bomb robot after negotiations broke down with police.

It's all been hard for me to understand this level of hate in all instances this week. I'm just not wired that way. I spend my days helping people in one way or another. I love people. I have family, friends, coworkers, associates, artist friends, classmates, fans from all walks of life, ages, religions and backgrounds. I live in New York City, one of the most diverse places in the world that houses millions of people from all over the world. I don't always agree with what everyone says, posts or believes. However, I do respect them as people and their opinions. Somethings, I have agree to disagree. We are all humans - we eat, live, love and basically want the same things. To be respected. To matter. To be important. To be acknowledged. To count.

I have ran across evil, hateful, racists people in my life but never to the extent of what Alton, Philandro and the millions of others in extreme situations have and/are facing. I can't imagine what that could feel like. I'm not a mother so I can't imagine what the millions of mothers and fathers felt like when they saw the videos of these horrific acts. One of my cousins has retired from law enforcement so I could only imagine what our family would be going through if something happened to her. I can't imagine what the families of the officers killed this week are going through. My heart goes out to all those people today.

Something has to change and it has to change fast.  We, as a country, can't continue on the path we are going. This is what we are seeing with all the unrest that we are experiencing now. I don't condone crime to fight crime. There is a better way.

People are protesting all over the country in the streets and on social media. Some have proposed to boycott the NYC transit system on Monday, July 11th as a day of solidarity. Some are rallying with the NAACP and National Action Network to take action. Others have propose having a peaceful conversation between the police and the community to bridge the gap and to help mend fences.

All these things are great and a wonderful step in the right direction and I'm sure will make a difference. However, I would like to see the laws change! I want to see justice in the US Justice System. I don't want to see another police officer not be charged for killing a civilian unlawfully. Unless this change, all the efforts you are seeing now will go in vein. You will see more rioting and an even greater riff between the police and the community and total civil unrest.

We are in need of prayer more than ever now.

I pray for all the family, friends and loved ones of all the people who were killed this week. 

I pray for all the fathers and mothers who are afraid for their children and loved ones because of what has happened.

I pray for the officer's families who lost their loved ones this week.

I pray that the US Justice System is overhauled to truly enforce justice for all.

I pray for America that we will one day become a nation that is unified and respects all its inhabitants.

I pray for everyone who is reading my words that you have peace and love in your life during these troubling times.

-- Sending love & light to the world,

Benita Charles

" Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles 

 References:

About Alton Sterling: http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/06/us/baton-rouge-shooting-alton-sterling/

About Philando Castile: http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/07/us/falcon-heights-shooting-minnesota/

About the Dales Police Shootings:  http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/08/us/philando-castile-alton-sterling-protests/index.html

A special Happy Birthday to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A special Happy Birthday to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Civil rights leader. Activist. Orator. One of the greatest leaders of all times. He showed the world that one person can make a difference.

If you don't think you can make a difference in the world or that you don't have anything to offer, think again. Dr. King showed us that you can change the world by doing the right thing. His legacy lives on. Always strive to be your best - the world needs what you have to offer.

 The life & legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

-- Benita Charles Music

"Spreading love through music for your inspiration and entertainment!"

http://benitacharles.com

Prayer for Ferguson, MO!

Tonight, let's say a prayer for the citizens of Ferguson, MO for peace. My heart goes out to the family of Micheal Brown. I know justice will prevail. It has to! #TheProwerOfPrayer #unity

http://7ny.tv/VBSBIN

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Today, we honor a man who dreamed of a better life for all. He taught us that one person can make a difference!

http://www.thekingcenter.org/