REBUILD: The Aftermath Of Rape

Last weekend I was sexually assaulted after a man I met offered me housing. I was so excited by the chance to finally have a place to call my own where I can rest.

I was stupid. I don't even know what else to say. I'm moving on from this.

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EDITORIAL: What Happened to the Republic?

By Christina Fermin
Politics & Society Columnist

I recently took interest in reading our wonderful Constitution of the united States of America and took note of a fact, right there in Article 4, Section 4 in plain text “The united States shall guarantee to every State in the Union a Republican form of Government....” How interesting, especially since school, government and the mediai have always taught that we are a Democratic-Republican form of government. More recently, we are a “Democracy,” so much so that we have to gone to other countries and spread (cough/forced) this democracy onto others. So how have we so silently gone from Republican to Democratic-Republic to Democracy?

One of our founding fathers, John Adams warned us, he once said “Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon exhausts and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” Aside from John Adams, Thomas Jefferson even said, “A democracy is nothing more than a mob rule, where fifty-one percent may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.” What were our founding fathers warning us about? It seems to me, during my investigation, while the difference between a Republican form of government and a Democracy are minor, the one main difference make all the difference in the world.

A Democracy is ruled by a majority period, a Republic controls the majority to protect the rights of the individuals sovereign unalienable rights given to by a Constitution therefore protecting the minority. In short, a Democracy is ruled by a vote, while a Republic is ruled by laws and a Constitution. These are two very different forms of government; why is that television, school, and our current government are so unanimously promoting democracy while right there in our Constitution it says ‘every state shall guarantee a Republican form of government.’ As Thomas Jefferson indicated, a democracy is really nothing more than a mob rule.

Today our “democracy” has very much turned into a plutocracy (mob rule). Today we are ruled openly by a very powerful elite group of people. In 2005 Citigroup release a memo, popularized by Michael Moore titled : “Revisiting Plutonomy: The Rich Getting Richer,” the document has become difficult to track down on the internet, but I was able to get a copy of it here (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4914840/Citigroup%20Plutonomy%20Report%20Part%202.pdf). It goes on about income disparity and how they believe the wealthy will continue to get richer, and that Consumer Finance data indicate “the rich continue to be in great shape. We thought this was good time to bang the drum on plutonomy.”

Wow! As they boast about victory being achieved at the top for plutocratic rule. This is disturbing, and you as the individual not apart of this plutocratic rule should be very worried and see how in danger our great nation really is. While the media tried getting your attention on terrorists and what is happening beyond the borders, what we should really fear is the very men and women who sit in D.C. claiming to be our representatives. Claiming to protect and serve the rights of the people and uphold the Constitution of the united States of America, meanwhile receiving large sums of money and donations from corporations and very powerful individuals to serve their interests.

As “secret” meetings are being conducted without the invite of the media or the people, (i.e. Bilderberg group and Bohemian grove). Who are these plutocrats? What are they discussing? What are their motives and do they at all take our interests into those meetings? Or are we mere sheep and cattle, a number, producers of labor for profit? These are the questions that need to be raised, these are the people who need the attention of the media to answer to the people. We the people are suffering, will you take a stand, will you demand for accountability, will you demand for real transparency? Will you fight for the Republic that was created for free peoples, or will you allow the Plutocratic rule that we have seen take shape more recently creep further into your government, your schools, your healthcare, your religion, your internet and your home? I think not.

Peace & Harmony,
Christina

About the Columnist
With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now.

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The 2011 Rebuild Your Life Project Rental Assistance Grant Winner Grant

The Rebuild Your Life Project presented by MySavvySisters.Com presents the 2011 Rebuild Your Life Project Rental Assistance Grant Winner- Teresita Ortiz. Teresita will receive a $650 grant to pay her rent compliments of the project.

Video Below!

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Your World News Report - July 13, 2011

Berlyne Julmis
News Coordinator

Rupert Murdoch Newspaper Empire in Trouble

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown was allegedly hacked by two or more of Rupert Murdoch’s many newspapers. The newspapers retrieved personal information about the Prime Minister bank account and medical records of the Prime Minister ailing infant son. The Prime Minister was among thousand who were hacked--previous allegations of unlawful activity at Murdoch tabloid “News of the World” has halted plans to takeover British Sky Broadcasting. United States will investigate if Murdoch’s Newspaper targeted any Americans.

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Former First Lady Laid to Rest

Former First Lady Betty Ford, 93, was laid to rest in Southern California. Mrs. Ford was the founder of the Betty Ford clinic which has helped drug and alcohol addicts to recover. First Lady Michelle Obama, Former President George W. Bush, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were among those in attendance. Mrs. Ford’s family will have another ceremony in Michigan where she grew up. Mrs. Ford was also known for her advocacy for women rights.

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44 Boys Die in Accident in Bangladesh

44 boys killed in Bangladesh in route from a soccer game when the truck they were in lost control. The boys ranged from 10 to 13 years of age--officials suspect the death toll to rise as the truck was carrying as many as 70 students. The deaths have affected three villages in Chittagong, Bangladesh nearly every household in the villages were affected. Divers from the Bangladesh Navy, Fire, and Civil Defense team have recovered 32 bodies in the canal.


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Casey Anthony Release Date has been Altered

Casey Anthony release date has been changed from jail July 17 instead of her original release date of July 13, due to a recalculation in her sentencing. Anthony was acquitted from murder her daughter Caylee Anthony, but still had to face jail time for lying to detectives and was also ordered to pay $1000 fine for each count of false information charges and $600 in court fees. Anthony’s attorney Cheney Mason has publicly stated he fears for her safety as Anthony has received several threats on her life.

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My Savvy Sister of The Week- Aisha Jackson

Aisha Jackson
Sagittarius

Aisha Jackson is the 29-year-old owner of several businesses including a recycling business, marketing firm and a productions & entertainment company.

Aisha believes her personality has been the main factor in her success. “I have a go hard or go home personality when it comes to my work ethic,” she explained. “I believe that we should strive to do our very best at whatever we are involved in, whether that be our education, our work life or our personal lives. I am a woman who wins!”

Born and bred in a family that generally wins in life, Aisha is proud of her lineage of success. “My family are all go-getters. My parents are doctors and they made sure all of their children would be over achievers and conscience enough to use their talents to help others,” she explained.

She said her biggest triumph has been being a business pioneer and working on her book, Retire by 35, A Blueprint to Financial Freedom for Generation Y.

Life hasn’t always been a crystal stair for Aisha. “I had a divorce that was especially difficult and extreme sickness that I overcame in 2008 - 2009. So much happened at once that I didn't think I would make it to 2010,” Aisha recalled. “But, God helped me to rebuild myself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually and I am happier than I have ever been in my life.”

“Being a sawy sister is important because we women all have a gift of influencing the world and leaving our mark. To me, sawy sisters are women who have it together and want other women to succeed as well, thereby empowering more women to shine.”

To learn more about Aisha Jackson and her work, please visit www.aishajackson.com

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VIDEO: Redefining Loss

How can we change our perception of a loss? Watch this video and see.

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Why You Don't Have To Be Number One

You may feel like there is a lot of pressure to achieve something great during the course of your life. We are a society raised by television that glamorizes celebrity which causes most little boys and girls to daydream of being actors or actresses or rappers.

While these people seem to live the ideal lifestyle, having millions of fans and riding in the most luxurious vehicles alongside beautiful people, is that what really creates happiness?

Being number one at anything requires a certain amount of dedication and sacrifice. You won't be able to enjoy the many adventures of life because you are so focused on being the best at that ONE thing. Some people do undertake this level of sacrifice by choice but you shouldn't allow it to make you feel badly about who and where you are in life.

You are the author of your own life story. You can define greatness for yourself. Your version of greatness doesn't have to match the woman you read about in the fashion magazine. These people, once they reach the top, have to put in even more work to stay there. They sometimes set their ability to love themselves by how many fans they have or how many awards they receive.

Awards are man made objects. I know because I have created many awards programs throughout my life. All it takes is a computer and a printer and then I go out and buy a frame and there it is. The value people place on these awards is the meaning behind it. Receiving an award and valuing it simply means that you value someone else's appreciation and acknowledgment of who you are and what you can do.

Do you really need that to feel good about yourself?

No, you don't. You don't need anyone else's validation to know that you are indeed a worthy and valuable human being. You don't need anything outside of yourself to help you place a sense of self worthiness within your being.

Stop trying to impress people. Stop trying so hard to be great in another man's eyes. Stop trying to win love. Stop pressuring yourself to do something great.

You will achieve greatness when you follow your bliss. When your passion is reflected in the work you do, they will all come knocking to acknowledge you. Your passion doesn't have to expose itself in the boardroom. Your passion can be expressed by the way you show love to your children. Your passion can be expressed by the generosity you show to those in need. You will receive an inner reward that is unmatched by any wooden plaque I could buy for you. Your applause will be self generated and won't end when its time to cut to a commercial.

You don't have to be number one.

You don't need outside validation to know you are a worthy human being.

It's okay to redefine your version of success. You give definition to everything that happens in your life. Call yourself GREAT right now and it will be.

For My Savvy Sisters: Can you recall a time when it was better not to be the top gun?

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REBUILD: Slurpees on 7/11

Today is 7/11/11.

When I realized it I immediately began to imagine driving a nice new car and picking my sons up from summer camp and driving to Seven Eleven to buy slurpees. Then I shook my head at that vision wondering if it could ever happen again. Then I thought, "It can happen again since it happened before."

I don't know how it could happen. It would take a miracle it seems.

I have very little to work with right now but I'm trying.

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REBUILD: Something Is Wrong

I can feel it.

My sons called me yesterday to check up on me and when I told my younger son I was sitting outside he asked, "Are you going crazy?"

I hesitated before responding, "No, baby. I'm okay."

But I'm not.

Since being here I realize that if I do happen to be mentally ill, it's definitely not that bad. But people have been saying that I'm crazy for so many years. It's usually people who don't understand me or people who dislike me, as most people who meet me dislike me. Average people with basic expectations hate me. But I don't mind. It's all a weeding out process.

Anyway, yesterday when I was at work, I had this thought, "After this shift I have to go back to the shelter." Then my eyes began to tear up and my chest tightened. Then I started to feel really sad. The sadness spiraled until I felt stuck in a black hole. I'm beginning to be paranoid again. I used to suffer from that very badly and it only went away once I stopped being around people and sat happily at home working on my website and learning.

I was a hermit until I started this project and now look at what I got myself into. I'm constantly surrounded by people and the MEN are constantly criticizing this project and questioning my motives. It's annoying and frustrating.

I am having regrets. Yes, I have them every single day. Part of me fights inside to give myself kudos because although nothing went the way I planned it, I stuck it out and met my expressed objectives. But the other part of me just wants to go and hide somewhere because I feel like a complete failure at life and I find myself constantly asking myself, "Where was I the day that they were giving out whatever it is that makes people be fake and phony and adjustable and satisfied with the status quo?"

Why didn't I get some?

I am dysfunctional.

And the only thing I can do about it is glamorize my dysfunction and make the most of it hoping that somehow I can figure out how to make it work for me.

But today. Today. I am feeling mighty low, mighty low. This shelter living is not the way. I don't see how anyone could do this long term. It takes a certain mentality to be able to handle it and I don't have it.

I feel even more like an alien than before. But it's okay. I'm going to do some more research and present more information so that no one, NO WOMAN, will ever have to feel like I feel right now.

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EDITORIAL: Vacation Time

By: Christina Fermin

Political & Social Columnist

I make it a point each year to take a vacation, between everyday life in a city and work, stress can too often hit hard. When stress hits, it can take many forms and be damaging physically, mentally and spiritually. I had noticed that the weeks prior to taking my vacation I began getting headaches regularly, feeling off and down, and my back was hurting more than usual. Now that I am back to my everyday life, I notice the small changes in myself and my attitude. I know that not too many employers offer paid vacations and the ones that do are too often hard to take off more than a few days at a time. We really need to get on our representatives in Congress to make legislation requiring employees to offer at minimum 4 weeks vacation each year.

Among most of the developed countries around the world, the U.S. is last in the amount of vacation days employees receive. Number one would be Italy with a whopping 42 days each year and number two would be France with 37 days. When it came to the United States we came in last at 13 days per year and second to last was Japan and Korea with 25 days. For U.S. employees to even get to 13 days you have to had worked at your job for about 5 years, assuming your employer gave vacation time. Europeans enjoy far more vacation leisure time than Americans do by about 10 days more. Imagine if your employer was mandated to give you a 2-4 week vacation, what would you do, where would you go, how much better would you feel, and how much better would you work?

It has been proven that happy employees are more productive employees and more productive employees are more profitable. Does it not make business sense to give employees at minimum 20 days off each year, that is about 1 month off of work. I mean we do work 12 months a year, minus a week for Holiday. If you work full time and work for an employer that offers vacation time you usually get 5-10 days, but you usually have to be there a minimum 1 year to qualify for anything more than a few days off each year. Here in the U.S. unlike many developed nations and some undeveloped nations there is no law that requires an employer to give vacation time. Here in the U.S. we work more than the Chinese. Too often than not we are working more than 8 hours a day and in some cases more than 5 days a week just to make ends meet.

In the current economy and the financial mess we are all in, stress is extremely high and living in the city makes it even higher. With the fast pace of the city and high density living it does not surprise me that the standard of living has dropped along with a rise in medical issues. Issues that affect us mentally, physically and spiritually. When working in the city especially, I highly recommend taking at minimum a vacation where the pace is much slower than the city you reside in. When vacationing on a budget camping is always a wonderful alternative and very relaxing. Aside from the 7-10 day vacation I take each year, I like to go on weekend getaways and camp at the state and county parks that are usually a few hours drive away.

By doing this I am able to stay centered, focus and refreshed. My best ideas come after a vacation or weekend getaway. Like many of you I do not gain an astronomical amount of money each year, I am in debt, and I drive a clunker, but I make it a point to save a few dollars each week to make sure that I can go away when the itching comes and the time is right. Without these vacations and weekend getaways I would have suffered from many ailments and been in a lot of pain physically and mentally. My vacation out to the mountains was more than relaxing and refreshing, it was a great learning experience. I understand wholly what Mark Twain meant when he said “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

Peace & Harmony,

Christina

About the Columnist

With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now.

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REBUILD: They Don't Know I'm Homeless

Wow.

Last night was an awesome night at Denny's. I worked my first overnight shift and it went by so FAST that I don't know what hit me. The two ladies that I worked with were REALLY good and REALLY helpful and I was blown away by their helpfulness.

They are NOT like that at Chili's at all!

Anyway, after we all got off at 6:30 we stood around in the parking lot talking and one man who works there who is also homeless drove up in his van. He sleeps in his van with his disable girlfriend (wife) and she is always screaming at him. Everyone feels sad for him.

The girls I worked with last night kinda laughed at him and our GM drove up and told us jokingly to get off the property before he calls the police. Everyone laughed and one of the girls said, "Oh we HAVE homes to go to, we don't live here." referring to the homeless man.

I just shook my head and kind of smirked.

They offered me a ride home and I was like, "Oh shit." LOL

Do I really want them to know where I'm staying? It's not like I'm really worried about what they think. It's more that, you know I haven't told anybody I work with that I'm homeless so I don't like having to explain but, I know it's gonna be so much DRAMA gossip about me but oh well.

So I let them give me a ride home. On the way to the shelter, this guy noticed the homeless people on the blocks and said, "There are so many BUMS on this street." I almost gagged.

This time of the morning is the time of the morning when all the people at the shelter who go out to ask for donations (begging with the buckets) stand outside to wait on the vans to leave. So when we pulled up to the shelter EVERYONE was out in full affect.

Inside, my heart was DIEING LAUGHING!

I was just imagining what they were thinking as we pulled up and they saw all of these homeless people or maybe they don't look homeless, I don't know what they look like to outsiders but to me they're my roommates.

I didn't say anything after we pulled up. I just said thank you and hopped out of the car. Right now I am DIEING inside LAUGHING because I can only imagine what they will think of me now. I am NOT embarrassed, just tickled by the whole thing and I wonder who is going to say something first. I wonder if they will shun me or feel sorry for me.

It doesn't matter really. It's time to start working for ME and every penny is going to my next place to live. There are so many options on how to move out of homelessness quickly and I won't explore them all but I'll explain them in a later video.

I love that I'm amusing to people. LOL

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REBUILD: Conflicting Desires

I went to South Beach today. It was good to get away from the shelter for a bit. I strolled down Lincoln Road and reminisced about all the times I spent there in my past.

Dinner at Pasha's with Nicole. Filming my talk show on the top of the Sony building. My first spoken word performance in Miami was all down there.

I don't know. I ran into the old crew from the magazine I used to work for. I was so delighted to see all of them, sincerely. It was a good feeling. I had lunch with Terry and we went to a seminar the magazine hosted during the American Black Film Festival.



I'm a bundle of nerves and emotions lately. I'm at the point in this project when it's really all about ME and I'm nervous for some reason. I have to save enough money to find my own place to live and then move in and furnish it.

I'm so used to going and starting over that putting down roots seems so foreign to me. But I have to get out of the shelter because I'm starting to get anxiety from being in one place for so long.

Although I have noticed the darkness in character of some of the people here, I think I'm falling in love with most of them. Even when I think about leaving I get kind of sad because, for the most part, everyone has treated me well. I see their mental illnesses and their addictions and I see through all that.

I meet the people who only stay for a night and then move on. I've said goodbye so many times. I'm in conflict inside because I'm rebuilding my life and I've accepted that maybe for me, there's nothing more than being a waitress and being happy with that. I can be happy with that but there's something missing.

Maybe I'll find peace when I have my own place again and I can focus more on my sons and get back to really pouring my heart out into this website like I used to. I'm trying to keep up with the editorial but it's hard to do that with so much going on. I hope my videos are enough.

I'm still wishing to find a place where I am valued and appreciated. A social group would be nice. Stable income. All the regular stuff people have.

I miss my friends too.

I don't know. I'm a little under the weather right now, my stomache hurts and I've been having those pains in my back again.

I'm okay. Just, wishing I can keep my smile though it seems that being ME is not the best thing to be because I can not find my own place in this world.

I think I am getting a bit depressed. I know depression is a choice but it seems that I am falling into the habit of being frustrated by my environment. I look around me and I see such nice people but I want to share my successes with them and to celebrate theirs but most people here have no goals to share with me.

I want to celebrate success dammit!

I want to hear stories of progress and blessings instead of misery and complaints and desperation.

I love them, all of them. I feel connected with them in a way. All the people here are people I want to help, to love, to share with yet, I'm in conflict because I want them to want more and to go for it. But I can't make them want more and I can't take away the obstacles that stand in their way either.

This place is getting me down. I'm so lonely here and I feel guilty for looking at the people around me and wanting more.

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