History is replete with accounts from the Eurocentric perspective. Specifically speaking, on how European and American history rationalizes slavery, colonialism and imperialism as the white man's burden to civilize and Christianize the barbaric people of the world (black, brown and yellow people). As the online dictionary states, the white man's burden is:
The supposed or presumed responsibility of white people to govern and impart their culture to nonwhite people, often advanced as a justification for European colonialism. (Answers.com)
However, the truth is dramatically different; the so called white man's burden created one of the black man's greatest burdens - black rage/anger.
No serious historian would overlook the psychological effects of slavery, sexual exploitation of black women, reconstruction era terror (the formation of the KKK), Jim Crow, and economic apartheid had on African Americans - especially an emasculated man.
Modern social observers would even say that black on black hatred, crime and violence results from rage/anger turned inwards. Additionally, they may acquiesce that while progress of African Americans is on biblical levels, our even greater progress is hindered because of our self loathing spirit.
Hence, with our knowledge and understanding of metaphysical principles - negative energy attracts more negative energy - the challenge becomes, how to transform or channel the negative energy into positive energy. I believe the first step of this process is to forgive. I am not referring to a naive attempt to convince ourselves that the leopard has changed spots; I am referring to a spirtual and psychological release of this negative waste. Just as a colonic purges the body of unnecessary toxins, we must purge ourselves of the toxins of anger.
A man steeped in anger can not clearly see opportunity or his blessings. A man steeped in anger can only focus on what other people have done to him. God can not place a blessing into a clenched fist. The act of anger transformation benefits the forgiver and begins with letting go of negative vibes.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Saturday, December 8, 2007
ANGER MANAGEMENT 101
For a plethora of reasons, I have decided to dedicate the next few posts to the topic of anger. Anger and lack of anger management are very destructive forces in not just the African-American community, it is, without question, the most destructive force of our world. Anger destroys relationships, friendships and households. Anger brings about violence,domestic abuse, child abuse, sexual crimes and wars. Although, anger is part of human nature, constructive and/or destructive methods of managing anger are passed from adult to child. But what is anger?
The article continues to state:
Pain alone is not enough to cause anger. Anger occurs when pain is combined with some anger-triggering thought. Thoughts that can trigger anger include personal assessments, assumptions, evaluations, or interpretations of situations that makes people think that someone else is attempting (consciously or not) to hurt them. In this sense, anger is a social emotion; You always have a target that your anger is directed against (even if that target is yourself). Feelings of pain, combined with anger-triggering thoughts motivate you to take action, face threats and defend yourself by striking out against the target you think is causing you pain.
The above rings true from my personal experiences. For several different reasons, I was an angry child, teenager and young adult. I was consumed with unresolved issues. Hence, it did not take much to set me off. I used personal pain as a reason to vent my frustrations. I did not concern myself with the targets of my anger because I was wronged and felt justified to spray all those around me with the pellets of my wrath.
It was not until I received therapy did I begin to better understand the forces that lead me to destructively express my anger. Therapy helped me to better understand the root emotions behind my anger; once I better understood the root emotions, I was better able to manage my anger.
For me, my anger was triggered by personal assessments and my interpretation of situations. I struggled with my perceived short comings; unable to forgive myself for my perceived flaws - being black in a white community. As a young black boy and latter black man, I felt the constant sting of racism projected at me by society. I was taunted, teased, bullied (by older boys) and ridiculed on a daily basis in the community I was raised in. In elementary school little white girls cried if they had to be my partner in any activity. My classmates had a song they chanted whenever I acted to physically protect myself: fight, fight a nigger and a white.
There were birthdays, sleepovers and swim parties I never received invitations to. In fact, on one occassion my neighbor accross the street asked me to leave her house because her grandmother did not want any negroes in her house. Quite naturally, I began to develop self-loathing feelings. I began to question my self worth. I felt ashamed and embarrassed. My targets of my anger were often the people closest to me (my three sisters). My thoughts were negative so consequently my actions followed suit.
In therapy I was able to sort out the feelings and stop blaming myself for the actions of small minded and racist people. I worked on accepting myself just the way I am. Additionally, I did not have to fight force with force as I attempted to do in high school. I did not have to become a staunch black militant that hated all white people as I did during my college years.
I learned how to forgive even as I ask for forgiveness (see the lord's prayer)
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Amen.
Anger is a basic human emotion that is experienced by all people. Typically triggered by an emotional hurt, anger is usually experienced as an unpleasant feeling that occurs when we think we have been injured, mistreated, opposed in our long-held views, or when we are faced with obstacles that keep us from attaining personal goals.(mentalhealth.net)
The article continues to state:
Pain alone is not enough to cause anger. Anger occurs when pain is combined with some anger-triggering thought. Thoughts that can trigger anger include personal assessments, assumptions, evaluations, or interpretations of situations that makes people think that someone else is attempting (consciously or not) to hurt them. In this sense, anger is a social emotion; You always have a target that your anger is directed against (even if that target is yourself). Feelings of pain, combined with anger-triggering thoughts motivate you to take action, face threats and defend yourself by striking out against the target you think is causing you pain.
The above rings true from my personal experiences. For several different reasons, I was an angry child, teenager and young adult. I was consumed with unresolved issues. Hence, it did not take much to set me off. I used personal pain as a reason to vent my frustrations. I did not concern myself with the targets of my anger because I was wronged and felt justified to spray all those around me with the pellets of my wrath.
It was not until I received therapy did I begin to better understand the forces that lead me to destructively express my anger. Therapy helped me to better understand the root emotions behind my anger; once I better understood the root emotions, I was better able to manage my anger.
For me, my anger was triggered by personal assessments and my interpretation of situations. I struggled with my perceived short comings; unable to forgive myself for my perceived flaws - being black in a white community. As a young black boy and latter black man, I felt the constant sting of racism projected at me by society. I was taunted, teased, bullied (by older boys) and ridiculed on a daily basis in the community I was raised in. In elementary school little white girls cried if they had to be my partner in any activity. My classmates had a song they chanted whenever I acted to physically protect myself: fight, fight a nigger and a white.
There were birthdays, sleepovers and swim parties I never received invitations to. In fact, on one occassion my neighbor accross the street asked me to leave her house because her grandmother did not want any negroes in her house. Quite naturally, I began to develop self-loathing feelings. I began to question my self worth. I felt ashamed and embarrassed. My targets of my anger were often the people closest to me (my three sisters). My thoughts were negative so consequently my actions followed suit.
In therapy I was able to sort out the feelings and stop blaming myself for the actions of small minded and racist people. I worked on accepting myself just the way I am. Additionally, I did not have to fight force with force as I attempted to do in high school. I did not have to become a staunch black militant that hated all white people as I did during my college years.
I learned how to forgive even as I ask for forgiveness (see the lord's prayer)
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Amen.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Health Alert: Kidney Protection
I found this important heal information @
http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm/2/code_24712/cmi_2430657/
Kidney Disease & Diabetes
By Christine Miller
eDiets Diabetes Expert
As the epidemic of diabetes continues to grow, so too does the number of people who are affected by complications of their condition. Although positive lifestyle strategies, including tight control of blood glucose, can greatly reduce the risk of complications, they may still occur.
With more and more people living longer and being diagnosed with diabetes at younger ages, chronic kidney disease has become a reality for an increasing subgroup of those affected by diabetes. Fortunately, the presence of kidney disease does not mean that a person will necessarily progress to the most advanced and serious stage in which dialysis or kidney transplantation is needed.
The first step in protecting your kidneys begins with regular medical screening tests. Screening is essential because chronic kidney disease does not result in symptoms until very late stages. There are two specific tests that should be done annually and are recommended by the American Diabetes Association: urine microalbumin and Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR).
The urine microalbumin test reveals whether protein is leaking out of the kidneys. Healthy kidneys act as a filter and keep essential components from the blood, such as protein, in the body. If the kidneys have been harmed by high blood glucose, high blood pressure, poor circulation, or other conditions, protein will begin to escape from the filtering system of the kidneys.
Normal results for urine microalbumin are <30 (ug/mg of creatine). Elevated values of 30-299 indicate that small amount of protein are leaking into the urine. This is called “microalbuminuria.” Values over 300 signify that large amounts of protein are undesirably leaking into the urine, indicating that the kidneys are compromised even more.
The second essential screening test, GFR, is normally calculated and available on lab reports from your physician. It can also be easily determined by entering your gender, age, race, and a blood measurement of a substance known as “serum creatinine” into a GFR calculator. A normal GFR is approximately 90-125. The five stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on this measure are detailed below:
Stage of CKD Description GFR
1 Documented kidney damage with normal or increased GFR = 90
2 Documented kidney damage with mildly decreased GFR 60-89
3 Moderately decreased GFR 30-59
4 Severely decreased GFR 15-29
5 Kidney failure <15 or dialysis
Diabetes Care 2007;30 (supplement 1): 54-541 If you are diagnosed with any stage of CKD, there are several essential steps to halting the damage, or at least slowing down its progression. The most critical factors for preserving kidney function are keeping blood glucose and blood pressure levels under optimal control. According to studies, the A1c (2-3 month average glucose level) should be below 7 percent and blood pressure readings should not exceed 130/80 mm/hg.
Controlling blood fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides is also essential for protecting your overall health and your kidneys in particular. Poor circulation from high levels of blood fats not only affects the brain and heart, but can also impair blood flow to the kidneys, compromising their function and leading to kidney disease.
Smoking cessation is also a high priority for all aspects of health, but has also been identified as one of the five strategies to prevent and avoid accelerating chronic kidney disease.
Finally, controlling protein intake has also been shown to be an effective strategy for preserving kidney function. Protein-containing foods including poultry, fish, meat, and milk products form a waste product known as “urea” that must be filtered by the kidneys. As a result, higher protein intakes can accelerate CKD. Vegetable proteins such as soy, nuts, and seeds appear to be less harsh on kidney function than animal-based protein, but still have some effect.
This begs the question, how much protein is too much? Luckily researchers have provided some answers. Recommended protein intakes for people with diabetes who have stage 1 or 2 CKD are .8 to 1 gram per kilogram of body weight of protein per day. This can be calculated by multiplying your current weight in pounds by .45 for the upper limit and multiplying that number by .8 for the lower limit. For example, if you have stage 2 CKD and you weight 150 lbs, this would be a minimum of 54 grams and a maximum of 68 grams of protein per day.
An important point if you are watching protein intake: The protein goals include dietary protein from all sources, even the smaller amounts found in vegetable and grain products. Additionally, further reductions of protein below recommended levels do not result in additional benefits. Avoiding protein or eating insufficient amounts may actually result in malnutrition, which can compromise your health.
For those with CKD at stage 3 or beyond, you will need a referral to see a Registered Dietitian (RD) who can personalize a specific dietary program for you since other dietary parameters besides protein will need monitoring and adjustment on an individualized basis.
Protecting your kidneys begins with early screening. If you are affected by CKD, you can take steps now to keep your kidneys stable in the future.
Would you like to learn more about this topic and chat with eDiets.com Diabetes Expert, Christine Miller? If so, please join our live chat on Thursday December 6th at 9 PM/EST.
http://www.ediets.com/news/article.cfm/2/code_24712/cmi_2430657/
Kidney Disease & Diabetes
By Christine Miller
eDiets Diabetes Expert
As the epidemic of diabetes continues to grow, so too does the number of people who are affected by complications of their condition. Although positive lifestyle strategies, including tight control of blood glucose, can greatly reduce the risk of complications, they may still occur.
With more and more people living longer and being diagnosed with diabetes at younger ages, chronic kidney disease has become a reality for an increasing subgroup of those affected by diabetes. Fortunately, the presence of kidney disease does not mean that a person will necessarily progress to the most advanced and serious stage in which dialysis or kidney transplantation is needed.
The first step in protecting your kidneys begins with regular medical screening tests. Screening is essential because chronic kidney disease does not result in symptoms until very late stages. There are two specific tests that should be done annually and are recommended by the American Diabetes Association: urine microalbumin and Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR).
The urine microalbumin test reveals whether protein is leaking out of the kidneys. Healthy kidneys act as a filter and keep essential components from the blood, such as protein, in the body. If the kidneys have been harmed by high blood glucose, high blood pressure, poor circulation, or other conditions, protein will begin to escape from the filtering system of the kidneys.
Normal results for urine microalbumin are <30 (ug/mg of creatine). Elevated values of 30-299 indicate that small amount of protein are leaking into the urine. This is called “microalbuminuria.” Values over 300 signify that large amounts of protein are undesirably leaking into the urine, indicating that the kidneys are compromised even more.
The second essential screening test, GFR, is normally calculated and available on lab reports from your physician. It can also be easily determined by entering your gender, age, race, and a blood measurement of a substance known as “serum creatinine” into a GFR calculator. A normal GFR is approximately 90-125. The five stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on this measure are detailed below:
Stage of CKD Description GFR
1 Documented kidney damage with normal or increased GFR = 90
2 Documented kidney damage with mildly decreased GFR 60-89
3 Moderately decreased GFR 30-59
4 Severely decreased GFR 15-29
5 Kidney failure <15 or dialysis
Diabetes Care 2007;30 (supplement 1): 54-541 If you are diagnosed with any stage of CKD, there are several essential steps to halting the damage, or at least slowing down its progression. The most critical factors for preserving kidney function are keeping blood glucose and blood pressure levels under optimal control. According to studies, the A1c (2-3 month average glucose level) should be below 7 percent and blood pressure readings should not exceed 130/80 mm/hg.
Controlling blood fats such as cholesterol and triglycerides is also essential for protecting your overall health and your kidneys in particular. Poor circulation from high levels of blood fats not only affects the brain and heart, but can also impair blood flow to the kidneys, compromising their function and leading to kidney disease.
Smoking cessation is also a high priority for all aspects of health, but has also been identified as one of the five strategies to prevent and avoid accelerating chronic kidney disease.
Finally, controlling protein intake has also been shown to be an effective strategy for preserving kidney function. Protein-containing foods including poultry, fish, meat, and milk products form a waste product known as “urea” that must be filtered by the kidneys. As a result, higher protein intakes can accelerate CKD. Vegetable proteins such as soy, nuts, and seeds appear to be less harsh on kidney function than animal-based protein, but still have some effect.
This begs the question, how much protein is too much? Luckily researchers have provided some answers. Recommended protein intakes for people with diabetes who have stage 1 or 2 CKD are .8 to 1 gram per kilogram of body weight of protein per day. This can be calculated by multiplying your current weight in pounds by .45 for the upper limit and multiplying that number by .8 for the lower limit. For example, if you have stage 2 CKD and you weight 150 lbs, this would be a minimum of 54 grams and a maximum of 68 grams of protein per day.
An important point if you are watching protein intake: The protein goals include dietary protein from all sources, even the smaller amounts found in vegetable and grain products. Additionally, further reductions of protein below recommended levels do not result in additional benefits. Avoiding protein or eating insufficient amounts may actually result in malnutrition, which can compromise your health.
For those with CKD at stage 3 or beyond, you will need a referral to see a Registered Dietitian (RD) who can personalize a specific dietary program for you since other dietary parameters besides protein will need monitoring and adjustment on an individualized basis.
Protecting your kidneys begins with early screening. If you are affected by CKD, you can take steps now to keep your kidneys stable in the future.
Would you like to learn more about this topic and chat with eDiets.com Diabetes Expert, Christine Miller? If so, please join our live chat on Thursday December 6th at 9 PM/EST.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)