Greetings!

I am praying that each and everyone of you have a very beautiful weekend.

In light of the verdict in the Zimmerman trial, it has only served to increase my determination to educate, inspire, and work towards lifting the consciousness of all people; but especially people of color.

We must educate ourselves and our children, arming them and ourselves with the necessary tools to fight injustices everywhere. Injustice for one, is an injustice for all. I have learned long ago, we are our brother's and sister's keeper.

Do what you can where you stand. Start a petition, organize a group, organize your family and friends. Encourage one another and love on each other. It is time to bring our voices together and make an impact on legislation that will affect generations to come. One voice can make a difference.

My heart and prayers go out to Sabrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, the parents of Trayvon Martin. Even in their heartache and suffering, they are inspiring and leading examples of how we can come together and fight, peacefully, for a change. Trayvon's life was not in vain, nor is his death. His purpose lives on each time we come together and fight for what is right.

Don't give up the fight, but fight on and let's do it together!

Blessings!
Ruthe

Here's the latest article from the African American Culture site at BellaOnline.com.

The Cost of Being Black in America
There is a cost for being Black in America. The majority of the bill falls upon the shoulders of our Black sons and men. We must arm and educate our Black children; especially our sons, arming them with the knowledge of their rights and the laws of this land and how they can protect themselves.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art181094.asp

Please visit africanamericanculture.bellaonline.com for even more great content about African American Culture.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about African American Culture located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=181

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Ruthe McDonald, African American Culture Editor
http://africanamericanculture.bellaonline.com

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com