Is a strip of land smaller than the size of New Jersey, worth world destruction? Is a country the size of California, more important than world unity? To the wealthy, to be comforted by the growing number of digits on your bank statements worth the thousands of lives lost for Black Gold or Texas Tea?

And if we survive the tumultuous crisis in the Middle East, is America on its way to being the first business- controlled conglomerate Imperialist Nation because it is rolling up the red carpet that promises self- actualization to every citizen?

With all that is happening in the world today, instability seems to be growing like a balloon expanding from the air pressure of the helium machine -will air stop pumping before the brink of explosion or will we continue to deny the fact that if something isn't done quickly by everyone, that volatility will pop a disastrous blow to mankind?

The war in Israel, the war with Iraq, the war for control of oil, and the war to protect every citizen's right to a democratic society are all on the brink of being stretch too far and too wide that a deadening blast will soon be inevitable.

Yesterday, I unexpectedly ran into a friend that was getting a divorce, whose wife is a friend of mine from high school. While discussing their relationship issues and child custody battle, he slipped in a stingingly shocking comment, "we are in our last days anyway", as if he felt powerless with the future of the world and the future of his family.

All I could do was stare at him and say, "then why would you allow your family to be split apart under these unstable circumstances?" He paused looked deep into my eyes and stated, "well, you know your friend, she's hard-headed." I responded, "then you be MORE hard- headed and get your family back." We continued to talk for a few minutes and the last thing he said was, "it's not over til it's over", which told me that I gave him hope for a better day as well as a duty to fix what is wrong.

As an activist involved in the Black movement for awareness, growth, and equality, I had to connect the dots between world events and my activism.

Considering the vast coverage of the Israeli and Lebanese conflict or let's call it a potential catalyst to end this world as we know it, I've connected the dots reflecting on the faces of Hurricane Katrina victims, who were mostly Black US citizens that were obviously abandoned to fend for themselves when the government purposely chose to drag their feet and keep Blacks contained as if to cage the savage beast.

Before, during and after the biggest nature- made disaster in American history, I observed the high number of single mothers with small children, I couldn't help but to think, if we had a stronger family institution: father, mother, and children, would that sturdy foundation have lessened the pain of governmental failure to expeditiously aid their citizens in their time of need. The answer is "yes".

Black men and women joined together to help each other in their most vulnerable condition--no mass rioting, only small pockets of lawlessness, and a death count that came in 90% lower than expectations. Imagine joining together as a way of life in matrimony and family unity and not waiting for the next tragedy to temporarily support one another; what a permanent positive change for the Black population that would be. Relationships, hmmm! Too many of us have minimized the importance of this essential building block towards security, success, and prosperity.

As I watched on TV the most unbelievable event in American history and crying my eyes dry in my calm California home, I decided to rewrite one of my books, "How To Tame A Dawg: The Pussy Kat Ain't Doin it!" and rename it, "Black Women Need Love Too! Exposing the Conspiracy to Keep Black Women Without Love". My aim was to explain that without the strong and solid foundation of family, nothing can adequately grow and prosper nor provide and protect for the sake of prosperous longevity.

The essence of Blackness is strength, but that vigor is being weakened with messages of destruction, like the glamorizing of incarceration, disrespect for women, and the dumbing down and disinterest in being educated, moral, and forthright. We are being bamboozled, hoodwinked, misled, and lead astray to borrow a phrase from a 1960's Malcolm X speech.

What will we do, as Black people, when another inevitable disaster happens? Who will be there for us- -the vulnerable, the poor, the powerless? Can we depend on other wealthy and perceivably powerful members of the Black race? No, I think not! Those Blacks with money have integrated into the very fabric of White society so deep that to openly and unapologetically speak up for Black folk's best interest, without the expressed permission of the White Power Structure that pays them, will be paralyzed, perplexed, and torn between offending those that have allowed them their wealth AND race loyalty.

My book, "Black Women Need Love, too!" is the most important book you could ever read. This is more than a book; it's a movement for growth and prosperity for the entire Black race. It's fun to read and offers to Black women "how to" rules that work to get the man of your dreams and build a solid family structure that is simply a part of our human nature.

Let the reality of Hurricane Katrina empower us to know that when the chips are down, we truly have ourselves to depend upon. Let's make it easier for ourselves in the future.

Go out and love someone and be loved. Have someone to help you with household finances, someone to cuddle with at night, someone to organize and build a solid foundation, increase the number of two parents households, so to halt the vulnerability of the Black race family. Start your new life today to build on what is present or create what is absent.

Black folks, playtime is over! We have to plan for what is coming. We are true survivors! Let's keep it that way!

"Black Women Need Love, Too! Exposing the Conspiracy to Keep Black Women Without Love" by author Pearl Jr. will change your life and the Black race family.

Available on http://www.amazon.com | www.BlackWomenNeedLoveToo.com

© August 2006 By Elbow Grease Productions 2006