MY HEART BEATS FAST AND MY STOMACH HURTS

Think again before discarding ‘black’ label

First, we were slaves, then colored people, then Negroes; we fought to call ourselves “black,” And now we have that seven syllable term, “African American,” laid on us.

Most don’t realize it, but once they accept the label “African American” they are no longer connected with black people all over the world, i.e., Jamaicans, Haitians, Dominicans and Africans from Africa, etc. When we accept the term, we limit ourselves to the North American continent and become a minority. When we accept being black, we can identify with all black people of the world and join them in realizing that we are a majority.

The next step I see is granting us the option to claim a particular country in Africa i.e., Nigerian American, Ivory Coast American, Ghanaian American etc. This is going to be confusing because most black people, thanks to slavery, have no idea where they come from.

When whites want to be sassy with pride they call themselves Russian American, Italian American, Swedish American, etc. Where is our specific country on the continent of Africa? I am not using whites as a role model here, I just notice that they haven’t been through five terms in deciding what to call themselves. And, if we still don’t know what to call ourselves, we can’t begin to deal with problems that concern our people.

So, what is it for my people, now? Haven’t we had enough names given to us? I like black, one syllable, “black.” Our mirror is not biased. Let our mirror tell us who we are!

Diabetes a problem for black Americans

Many black Americans are diagnosed with diabetes. Genetics? No. blacks in other countries are not affected, as are black Americans.

Diabetes is a disease where the pancreas stops functioning; it shuts down and stops sending out insulin needed to lower the body’s blood sugar.

So, what is this blood sugar and why is it affecting black Americans? Blood sugar is simply a condition where the food you eat is converted to sugar. Many black Americans eat foods high in carbohydrates that convert to sugar in the body. Too much sugar in the body will raise blood sugar levels and put the organism in danger of death. So, when our pancreas is normal, it acts as a lifesaver, comes in at the crucial time, secreting insulin to save our life. When this works, blood sugar is lowered. Then, it happens again, high carbohydrates and sugar intake - insulin saves us again! The pattern continues - high sugar intake - pancreas’ insulin lowers blood sugar.

Pressure is on the pancreas to continue to lower high blood sugar. Imagine that one day the pancreas gets tired of working so hard for this individual who carelessly eats sugar-rich food. Imagine that the pancreas decides that it is not going to be overworked anymore. It shuts down and walks out! No more insulin? You are diabetic! And, this tragedy didn’t have to happen.

Doctors will diagnose the disease and prescribe synthetic medications but are not likely to advise black people nutritionally.

Colleges must better protect their freshman

Howard, a black university, is very protective of its freshmen. The freshmen from out of state are required to live in “on .campus” housing, usually dormitories; meals must also be included. Administrators will not bend on this issue! Also, freshmen cannot pledge for fraternities: pledging is reserved for the sophomore year and up. A nurturing environment is what parents can expect.

A very sad story came up in news again. A young white freshman student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology is dead because he did not have a place to stay at school. He hoped to live in the fraternity house where he was pledging. A brilliant young student, accustomed to achieving, he was in a new environment with this fraternity. He tried to please, and did everything that the fraternity “brothers” asked of him.

He drank enormous amounts of liquor because it was required. He passed out and lay in a bed turning “blue.” The boys, fraternity “brothers,” saw him but decided to go downstairs for more liquor. No one took him to the hospital, which would have saved his life.

I was interested in this story because I believe the child did not drink, and died