Hello Sisters,

We need your opinions down here too.

Sister Queenie is often the only female perspective chiming in.

Why don't you participate more in the discussions taking place?

Is there something we can do to help you feel more welcome and comfortable?

:heart:

Destee

I can only speak for myself. I only respond to topics that I feel strongly about, if the topic doesn't move me...I simply read it and move on.

:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

Thanks for speaking on that...I too also read the threads and they be very, very good and interesting. But from now on I will be both posting and replying to the threads. I really enjoy hearing and sharing idea's with others. As you can see I am a new member...and I plan to be around for awhile...thanks for the invite. :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:


much luv...queentswana

When I first joined this forum I was excited. Things started off good but I felt that I was belittled when I asked a question. I am very picky when I respond to any post. I would really love to get involved in this forum as much as possible. I hardly ever respond to any post because of the fear of someone making feel dumb because of my personal opinions. I will say this I do learn a lot from this forum.

CarrieMonet ... Thanks for your response and that is fine Sister! I was really just looking for some feedback and i appreciate you sharing with me (us).

Queentswana ... Hey Sister! So glad to have met you in chat! Looking forward to more interaction, conversation, and knowledge shared!

Sangofa ... Hello and Welcome Sister! I don't think i've had the pleasure, prior to now, of responding to one of your posts. I'm sorry to hear that you felt belittled. That's not good and that is not this forum's intention to ever have anyone feel this way. There are 4000+ of us, almost 200,000 posts and with every day it becomes more of a challenge to insure that all feel welcome and valued, but we are up for the challenge because it is most important to us. I'm going to go back and read your previous posts / discussions, so i can see what you might have considered offensive. Please know Sister, that with so many of us here, there are just as many passionate opinions on all the different topics shared here. Some of the discussions get down-right heated, but respect must always be maintained. I'll go so far as to say (prior to reading what you considered offensive) that most every Sister and Brother here really want the best for all of us. They'd find it very difficult to remain otherwise. Sister, if you'll give us another chance, and add a grain or two of salt to all that you read, you'll find that this is a very comfortable place to be. Know too that at the bottom of every post, there is a link that says "Report Post," and you are welcome to do that. This will bring the "alleged violation" to the attention of the Moderators and we'll address it. Disrespecting, demeaning, belittling each other is not allowed here. Sister Hug? ... k ... :grouphug: :)

Thank you all for responding. I don't even post to every thread or topic. Often there are many that i intend on chiming in on, but time does not allow me. So it's okay that you can't always participate in every discussion. We just want you to know that you're oh so very welcome to do so!

Much Love and Peace.

:heart:

Destee

Great responses, all of them. Hi there CarrieMonet, you make an excellent point and I've noticed you have asked some great questions in threads you start.

Sister Queen :bowdown: I was in chat last night and noticed you there but we never got the opportunity to meet personally...I'm sure we will eventually. :)

Sangofa . . . Hello there! :wave: It's nice to meet you and we're so glad you're here. What Sister Destee said is so true. Some of these discussions do get heated and one must be prepared to hold their ground when engaged, but we do make a deliberate effort to insure that respect and courtesy are afforded to everyone at all times, even to the tune of us challenging some of our more vocal and opinionated members and sometimes assigning them to electronic "time-out" if they don't uphold the forum rules.

Feel free to speak your minds and anytime you feel you're being abused, don't hesitate to let us know. I do my very best to cruise around the forums along with my co-mods but I don't always see what you and others might see because we're growing in size. But if you bring it to our attention, we'll certainly do our best to bring about peace.

Peace to you all . . . :spinstar:

Hello all! Like someone else said, I only post when something really moves me. I do look around quite a bit and there are a lot of topics that people post that interest me, but sometimes, I still don't get that feeling that I should post. Sometimes, I do worry though, that my post will be ripped to shreads so to speak, just because there are a lot of intelligent people here and sometimes that is what happens. Other times the topics have become so long, I don't anyone really cares to read what the 515th person has to say especially when others have said the same thing.

One of these days, I'll join you in Sister Chat, when I get a mic.

Thank you Destee and NN!! I've been enjoying the site.

Like many others--I respond to topics I can relate to. I try to throw my 10 cents in regularly but when Sistas start with the..."I need help--my man is locked up for beating me like a lazy, one-legged slave". Or "My dead-beat baby-Daddy got 19 kids but he don't wanna take care of little Tae Quan Do". Or "My best friend is jealous of me--she slept with my Daddy AND my man, slapped my Mama, cursed out my 90 year old Nana, etc", I really don't have the patience for that.
I'm not downing anyone or their circumstance but I REALLY ain't trying to get involved in the drama-I got more than enough drama of my own!!!!!!!

Sista Sangofa,
Gurlll, there are people here who try and flex their mental muscle by being condescending or just plain rude. When they try and come at you wrong-show them what you working with!!!!!! :uzi: :uzi: :uzi: :uzi: :uzi: :uzi:
If that don't work--cuss they *** out!!!!

If Destee didn't love me and my sailor-mouth she woulda banned me like Bin Laden but sometimes people will test you if they think they'll pass--FAIL THEY ***!!!! Much love.....................

I haven't posted lately because of lobbying for bills in the state legislature. Hopefully soon, I can join all of you in the sister chat.

Some of the sisters, specifically NNQueen, thinks I am a little too hard on my sisters. But that's cool, she is entitled to her opinion.

I feel that participation is important in what ever we do in life,
Especially when it comes to unity, we all live in a complex
society but we must first understand that many of our views on life
are based on aspirants as well experience as here say.
Unity is the form of strength
It is when we can all bring something to the table big are little.
I find that many circles when getting together,
are not there to build but to show case, nevertheless it is not the source
Of the information, but how it strengthens families and communities..
You may not agree with the concept but a wise man gather knowledge
Within understanding, respect for the circle and the contents which it delivers.

It is not the insecurity of the people, but the forces that makes great warriors, Sisterhood is bonding, spirituality and respect.
I my self breed on positivey nevertheless the spoken words shall be herd,
But the importance is how it is delivered.
In every circle of prophesies there must be order.
I my self an old warrior gravitate to positively,
Within the concept of sisterhood as well as brotherhood
Shall be equally yoke. The foundation of respect and order.
It is not the big man are the little man.
It is what we can bring to the table as one.
Strength comes in wisdom, understanding comes in respect
For each other, knowledge comes in how to apply self,
Within the circles of righteous, insecurities is the source
Of destruction.

I participate when I think i have something to add to a discussion..but to continually repeat what is or has been stated seems unnecessary.
Sometimes the discussions really center around two or 3 personalities who seem to know each other and understand fully each others language.
Sometimes people assume you are judging them - and the discussion should not get caught up in "I didn't mean" or " don't assume"
also like monet some of those "my man done this or my lover is that" really don't interest me, nor do i have the time for it.
And the concept of discussion for discussion sake takes time from the doing and one gets caught up only in the talking (or in this case) the writing.

I participate when I think i have something to add to a discussion..but to continually repeat what is or has been stated seems unnecessary.
Sometimes the discussions really center around two or 3 personalities who seem to know each other and understand fully each others language.
Sometimes people assume you are judging them - and the discussion should not get caught up in "I didn't mean" or " don't assume"
also like monet some of those "my man done this or my lover is that" really don't interest me, nor do i have the time for it.
And the concept of discussion for discussion sake takes time from the doing and one gets caught up only in the talking (or in this case) the writing.

Deeply I agree with some of your assumptions, but many in this group borrow and share from one another, there are many who don't come to my site, but I see the inspirations changing a few words are two in there poetry, I don't judge them it makes me feel good that the seed has been planted, we are all on different levels of intellect as well as personality, if people don't work in accordence of the circle, this is why there is so much division, jealousy, ego, in security, its all about me.


I feel that if there is no order in any circle you will always have division
this is why I veiw and leave, but also give respect to those who come and comment I return. There will always be conflict. One persons
garbage is another mans treasures, everybody has there own concepts
of how they feel, this group I assume is about sharing thoughts, working together, african american unity it is why one choose to join in a group of poets, some are hobbys and some are careers. We must motivate one another and learn. Ignorance is always intimadated by knowledge, there are some great poets on this site, and being an author one's know them when they see them, I try not to judge people until I know there back ground.
There are many authors I give respect, but you will never know who they are until they tell you. When you write from the heart you really don't care what people say because you can't please everybody.

There will always be clicks where ever you go, but its the spoken words from the heart that makes the treasures grow within the minds of all. Its call maturity .

ashanta
your point >>"one persons garbage is another mans treasures" is well taken.
I was speaking specifically about the discussion groups and why i don't find myself and active participant. When I first came to destee, and it literally was through the spirit, i didn't think of it as a poetry forumn..but a place where people of color were beginning to have dialogue with each other. Each of us from different parts of the diaspora coming together to share information, to share creative energy, to have the possibility of active participation in a collective idea of true human rights, of finding the humane and spiritual sides of each other.
and yes their will always be "clicks" (we tend to respond to certainkinds of energies) and true "the spoken words from the heart" can make the treasures grow within the mind...but for me the maturity is allowing those words to activate one into doing -- not necessary continually talking about it..

My sister I agree with you everything you said I know truth when I hear it I have been there. Respect my sister and deeply it is so sad, I find it in music as well as art. We as black people continue to wave the flag and in reality it is just and illusion, because many of us refuse to allow unity to come across, divided and conquer is the name of the game.

thanks ashanta..
hopefully that spirit/energy will begin to permeate ... i'm a brooklyn girl/women too! born here...a soulful place. filled with the omnipotent's spirit..and, in general, a large group with great consciousness

Like many others--I respond to topics I can relate to. I try to throw my 10 cents in regularly but when Sistas start with the..."I need help--my man is locked up for beating me like a lazy, one-legged slave". Or "My dead-beat baby-Daddy got 19 kids but he don't wanna take care of little Tae Quan Do". Or "My best friend is jealous of me--she slept with my Daddy AND my man, slapped my Mama, cursed out my 90 year old Nana, etc", I really don't have the patience for that.
I'm not downing anyone or their circumstance but I REALLY ain't trying to get involved in the drama-I got more than enough drama of my own!!!!!!!

Sista Sangofa,
Gurlll, there are people here who try and flex their mental muscle by being condescending or just plain rude. When they try and come at you wrong-show them what you working with!!!!!! :uzi: :uzi: :uzi: :uzi: :uzi: :uzi:
If that don't work--cuss they *** out!!!!

If Destee didn't love me and my sailor-mouth she woulda banned me like Bin Laden but sometimes people will test you if they think they'll pass--FAIL THEY ***!!!! Much love.....................

Ah, huh, a sister with an ego!(smile!):garbage:

But this is a phenomenon I've noticed for a bit, particularly when brothers start to throw their weight around... It's interesting because when not on a discussion board, this is not the case, and it definitely is perplexing...

Why is it that sisters aren't afraid to tangle one-on-one, but in this setting are sheepish about being "embarrassed" and "belittled?"


Peace!
Isaiah

I participate:kiss1:

Des, you know I can go when it comes to sharing my opinon. :yawn: I just haven't had much time to hang out here this past year but it sure feels good to be back and see some "friends" I've made here over the years! Does a heart good, yanno? :love:

Luv ya sis!

Des, you know I can go when it comes to sharing my opinon. :yawn: I just haven't had much time to hang out here this past year but it sure feels good to be back and see some "friends" I've made here over the years! Does a heart good, yanno? :love:

Luv ya sis!


Ida Mae? Is dat you??????

Ida Mae? Is dat you??????

Heeeeyyyy Toby, whas up? Right, I couldn't believe my eyes either when I saw your name. Who did you have to bribe to get a key to the house? :lol:

I hope you remember the rule....don't start none and there won't be none! :witch:

Heeeeyyyy Toby, whas up? Right, I couldn't believe my eyes either when I saw your name. Who did you have to bribe to get a key to the house? :lol:

I hope you remember the rule....don't start none and there won't be none! :witch:


I gits to cuss and expose myself at will. NAH ! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

hey sis welcome back.. havent seen u round' in a while! You were missed!:missu:




Heeeeyyyy Toby, whas up? Right, I couldn't believe my eyes either when I saw your name. Who did you have to bribe to get a key to the house? :lol:

I hope you remember the rule....don't start none and there won't be none! :witch:

hey sis welcome back.. havent seen u round' in a while! You were missed!:missu:

Hey there, Sister Poetic! :wave: It's good to be back and yes, it's been quite some time since I've had the time to spend here. I had some things to do that required a great deal of my attention and now that I have successfully managed it, I look forward to being here more.

Thanks for the warm greetings and I hope all is well with you.

Peace,
Queenie :heart:

Des, you know I can go when it comes to sharing my opinon. :yawn: I just haven't had much time to hang out here this past year but it sure feels good to be back and see some "friends" I've made here over the years! Does a heart good, yanno? :love:

Luv ya sis!

The Queen is back, and a big welcome to you:bowdown: ...it's wonderful to see your name up in lights,
You have been missed greatly.

The Queen is back, and a big welcome to you:bowdown: ...it's wonderful to see your name up in lights,
You have been missed greatly.

My Sister QueenT...it's wonderful to see you too. Every once in a while when we get thirsty, we have to find our well and take a drink. I've been on an interesting journey lately and in the end, life is good. It is so good to see that the community continues to grow in members and support. It truly feels like I've come home.

Thanks for the queenly welcome and I look forward to getting my groove back soon! ;)

Peace,
Queenie :heart:

My Sister QueenT...it's wonderful to see you too. Every once in a while when we get thirsty, we have to find our well and take a drink. I've been on an interesting journey lately and in the end, life is good. It is so good to see that the community continues to grow in members and support. It truly feels like I've come home.

Thanks for the queenly welcome and I look forward to getting my groove back soon! ;)

Peace,
Queenie :heart:

Say What...Say WhoDAT! The Long Lost Prodigal Sista QueenNN???? DAng, I done died and gone to heaven, must be???:hi: Wow, nice to see you in the house again, sister!:luv:

Peace!
Isaiah

Say What...Say WhoDAT! The Long Lost Prodigal Sista QueenNN???? DAng, I done died and gone to heaven, must be???:hi: Wow, nice to see you in the house again, sister!:luv:

Peace!
Isaiah

Heyyyyy there Brother Isaiah....it's good to see you again too! I'm noticing that things haven't changed much since I've been away...you're still a master at "stirring" things up! :) I'm trying to get back into the rhythm of things but give me a minute and I'll be right in there with you.

:weights: 1....2....3...4......

See you around...Queenie :heart: