Teen Book 1: Breaking the Silence

Donna Kshir and Sandra Dawn Potter wrote a new book series dedicated to teens and their social issues and struggles.

Book Concept: High school students, Nicole Rogers and Jack Roberts had everything going for them. They were both attractive, popular and straight "A" students, but little did either of them know, in just six short months, they would go from the couple every kid at school looked up to and wanted to be like, to victims of Teen Dating Violence.

Breaking the Silence: One girl's story of surviving teen dating violence.

Seventeen-year-old high school student, Nicole Rogers, had everything going for her, but little did she know in just six short months of meeting the boy of her dreams, she would be a victim of teen dating violence. Nicole hid the violence from her family, but that secret almost cost her, her life.

Purchase your copy @ http://books-4-teens.webs.com/

Teen Book 2: I Was A Teen Abuser

I Was A Teen Abuser: One boy's struggle to gain self-control

Seventeen year old high school senior, Jack Roberts had everything going for him. He was popular, an Honor Society inductee, Homecoming King and Captain of the basketball team, but little did he know, the abuse he witnessed as a child, at the hands of his parents, would dramatically affect the relationship with his girlfriend, Nicole, and he, too, would become an abuser of domestic violence. Share Jack's journey, in his own words, and follow along as he explains how he broke the cycle of abuse.

Get your copy @ http://books-4-teens.webs.com/

Music Review: Mikey J

Summer may officially be over, but that doesn’t mean hip hop is in hibernation.

Last night, I was blessed with the honor of attending a live music event at The New Way Bar in Ferndale, Michigan.

As I watched my friends Mikey J and the crew of Ray Lo Entertainment take center stage, I couldn’t help but think about the last year and how hard they have worked since they became a part of my life.

It’s a blessing to be both a fan and a friend of a music artist. There’s nothing in this world quite like it. The best way for me to describe it is, it feels like an incredible bolt of energy shooting through your veins and you are instantly filled with excitement and pride when you see your friend up on stage, but that energy is magnified by ten times when you see their natural, God given talents and abilities rocking a crowd. Probably because I had seen Mikey J’s talent from the very beginning, and I know just how far his talents can take him.

When Mikey J took the stage, I was nervous. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him perform live in front of a crowd, and I had never seen him perform live with the whole Ray Lo Entertainment crew; Eric Rayner, Mark Rayner and Jason Lollie.


I kept looking at his face from the front row of the crowd. I focused on his eyes trying to gauge in on his true emotions. I saw a bit of nervousness. I even saw a little bit of fear, but in truth, it looked good on him. He appeared eager and hungry, as the young artist I had first met over a year ago. This made me feel good about his performance.

I saw him rock a crowd in fifteen minutes, leaving them intoxicated by his rhythmic, innovative use of instrumentals combined with a dose of pure lyrical genius that allowed on looking fans to understand his dedication, share his enthusiasm for hip hop, while validating his beliefs and expressing himself. In fifteen minutes he made me believe in Michigan and more importantly in hip hop.

He recently told me that an article I wrote about him was one of the best he had ever read about himself. Me an emerging writer and him a future superstar. He has thanked me many times for my work and he has consistently rewarded me with his friendship. And now, as he takes his first step forward to new beginnings, fortune and fame with his hot, new mix tape, “On Deck,“ I walk with him. And from the turnout at last night’s event, I am not alone.

For more on Mikey J, check him out at his Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/mikeyjayay

Does Eminem's new video promote or glamorize domestic violence?

Since the release of Eminem's controversial new single and video "Love the Way You Lie," I have received thousands of emails asking my opinion as an abuse expert.

Does the song promote or glamorize domestic violence?

To be honest, in the beginning as an abuse advocate I had very mixed feelings about the song. Eminem has been known for violence against women, and Rihanna, a young woman who is famously known for the abuse she endured at the hands of Chris Brown.

As the video begins, the young couple, Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan sleep wrapped in each others arms, but within seconds, after she notices a phone number from another woman on his hand, they are violently hitting and shoving each other. As the video continues, the couple are once again affectionate towards each other, kissing passionately, while pressed up against the wall. The same wall Monaghan's character puts his fist through. All along while, Rihanna sings, "That's all right because I like the way it hurts."

Many people are questioning the song. Is it deflecting Eminem's real life relationship with ex-wife Kim Mathers?

In my personal opinion, if the song/video is indeed deflecting the relationship of Marshall and Kim Mathers, I believe through the song Eminem is telling his fans, domestic violence is wrong. If you are in a bad relationship it is better to walk away than to continuously hurt someone you love.

I believe the song is a voice against violence, and the video is insight. The two combined creates awareness and depicts the cycle of a typical abusive relationship. I believe the song/video is extremely potent towards young people since Eminem and Rihanna have both struggled in the past, and because both are very influential towards young people in today's society.

I believe with their pasts, people, especially young people, will hear the song or see the video and get the message, loud and clear. Domestic violence is wrong! You don't hurt the people you love! This song and video is clearly a warning sign for anyone in an abusive relationship!

The images of fire and crumbling into pieces is very symbolic. Anyone who has been in an abusive relationship, over time feels small and slowly, piece by piece crumbles, until they have lost every ounce of power and strength they once possessed, until they feel hopeless (as the characters depicted) and their life is no longer their own.

The song clearly shows personal growth within the real life of Marshall Mathers.

If you or someone you love is being abused SEEK HELP!

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children:

Child abuse is a deadly epidemic. Some people are naive to the words child abuse. Those same people believe abuse only happens in poverty stricken homes and to uneducated people, but the truth is abuse does not discriminate. It happens in the best of homes by both men and women, regardless of race, color or sexual orientation.

It becomes very disappointing day after day to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television and see the dramatic increase in child abuse headlines, but what really disturbs and angers me, as a parent and as a advocate, is not one of these media sources provides a solution to families, victims or survivors. The mere thought of education and awareness to prevent child abuse has never crossed their minds, and if it had, it too, went unspoken.

It's hard to rationalize, but there are 309,198,229 people in the United States and 6,818,849,423 people in the world, and statistics show 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be molested by the age of 18. Currently there are 60 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse, every 10 seconds a child is abused in the United States and today, 5 children will die from abuse or neglect.

How can we as a society fail your, my and our children, and continue to empower abusers and pedophiles? How can we allow these monsters to succeed, and rob our children of their childhoods, youths and innocence?

I am pleased to write to you about a wonderful organization I am proud to represent, Dreamcatchers for Abused Children. Dreamcatchers is a 501 (c) 3 Michigan based non-profit child abuse and neglect awareness organization, dedicated to educating the public on the signs, symptoms, statics, intervention, prevention to assist victims and survivors in locating the proper resources to help achieve and enable a full recovery. This amazing organization was founded by best selling child abuse author and expert Sandra Dawn Potter in February 2007.

I strongly believe in this organization and the knowledge it can provide to be in the best interest of men, women and children around the globe.

Dreamcatchers for Abused Children has enjoyed a significant growth within the last two years. Last year, Dreamcatchers provided services and resources to the community reaching over 35,000 members; an outstanding record of achievement. Dreamcatchers staff has doubled in an effort to effectively administer new campaigns, as well as manage the organization's growing responsibilities.

Over the last three years I have worked one on one with abused children and their families. From experience, I know the only way to fight child abuse is to expose the truth and secrets pedophiles use to lure innocent children into their deceitful web. The public needs to know how manipulative and cruel abusers can be, how to fight back, and how to survive. Education and knowledge is power, and the sole key to prevention of child abuse.

Over the last two years our organization has proven the effectiveness of leadership, development and advocacy. Our organization has helped demonstrate that community outreach programs make an impact on victims, survivors and their families.

Dreamcatchers is seeking to expand our successful campaigns to provide educational materials to give families, victims and survivors information about child abuse & neglect, treatment for recovery, coping skills, family and peer support, prevention, communication skills, empowerment, and the power of advocacy.

The need for awareness education cannot be overstated. Dreamcatchers for Abused Children is a national role model, in hopes of building a bright future and a better quality of life by creating advocacy and empowering children.

Sincerely,
Donna Kshir

Preserving Our Freedom to Worship:

I want to thank all the men and woman, past and present, who have proudly served our country and made it what it is today. God bless each and everyone of you and may God keep you safe.

It has long been a tradition to commemorate Veteran’s Day on November 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I. By celebrating Veteran’s Day, it pays tribute to our ancestors who have un-selfishly fought, struggled and lost their lives to give us the freedom and rights as we American’s have, as well as what makes America stand out as the best country on earth.

On Saturday, when I picked up my copy of the Lock Haven Express and read Mr. Clarence Blessard Jr.’s letter to Mr. Donald Willis of the Keystone Central School District, my heart was deeply saddened.

Mr. Blessard’s letter to Mr. Willis was a result of notification that the invocation and benediction was to be eliminated from the Veteran’s Day program at Bucktail Area Junior/Senior High School. It had been eliminated under the threat of eliminating the program completely, if they were included.

How can you deny any one the right to speak openly and freely about God or anything else they believe in. For those of you who do not know or understand it is called the first amendment; it allows you freedom of speech, press, assembly and religion.

It allows us the right to express ourselves openly and freely without discrimination or judgement. Freedom of religion is considered a fundamental of human rights. How can anyone prohibit freedom of religion, when that is what our country was built on.

Remember the pledge of allegiance... "One nation under God" or how about the Declaration of Independence... "Endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights."

"The first amendment is one of the nations fundamental normative and cultural symbols. It reflects vital attributes of the American character and is the cornerstone of the nations liberty.

"The first amendment is known and cherished by virtually all citizens, who comprehend its essence even if they may not be able to recite its precise phrasing."

I strongly believe we live in a time where we need God the most. Open your eyes and take a look around, look at our country’s current situation. I’m not just speaking of America’s finest serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Look at our country’s crime rate, the prison systems are not full of innocent people.

I think it is a sin we can not pray or express our love of God at a Veteran’s day program, but people who do not believe in God or any other religious belief can express their opinions. Where do you draw the line, by giving in and allowing them their beliefs and sweeping mine under the rug? What you are doing is a breach of my first amendment rights.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of."

As with anything else, if you do not agree with a situation, eliminate yourself from it. For those attending the Veteran’s day program at Bucktail Area High School and who did not wish to take part in the prayer, remove yourself from the situation, but don’t take your beliefs and values and put them on everyone else.

During this time, we have so many men and women all over the world in harms way, we need to get our priorities straight and in order and realize prayer is important in and outside the classroom. How can we properly honor these brave men and women, who fought and are still fighting to preserve our rights, one of the most important being freedom to worship.

If we keep pushing God into the background and out of our lives, the time will come when we will not have the freedom or maybe he will no longer choose to answer our calls.

Pennsylvania Primary:

As the Pennsylvania Primary grows near on Tuesday, Pennsylvania finally steps into the lime-light as voters will finally have their say on who they think should be the next president of the United States.

This election has been anything but pretty. The candidates have been working overtime on finding fault with their opponents. There has been a lot of mud throwing and attacking of one’s character, that the candidates are forgetting about the real issues... the American people, their needs and what is best for our country.

I think as the candidates run for the presidency they make a lot of promises, but once they are elected into office their promises are easily broken and almost immediately forgotten.

There has been so much judgement and talk about race, age, gender and religion, it seems to over ride the real issues, health care, border patrol, rebuilding the economy, education and the high gas prices.

As we elect government officials into office, we have to remember they are no longer like the average American. They no longer have to struggle or pinch pennies. If they feel their pockets are being pressed, they have the opportunity to vote for their own pay-hike . Which really upsets me.

When was the last time, you were allowed to vote to increase your weekly pay? With all the jobs I’ve had over the years, I have never had the privilege to raise my wage and I bet you never did either. Yet, government officials do it all the time.

They forget or they just don’t care, we have men and women struggling to raise families on minimum wage, when a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk or gas, cost one half of what they are making an hour.

How can these men and women afford to feed their families, let alone put clothes on their kids backs, afford healthcare and drive back and forth to work on a daily basis. In my opinion, it’s impossible and we need a president who is going to look after and care for these families.

As former president Bill Clinton reminded Pennsylvania voters on Sunday, it’s all up to Pennsylvanian’s as this election all comes down to their votes.

Many American’s feel we should not have a woman or a black president, but I have to ask why? In my opinion, it all boils down to change.

I personally don’t care about one’s race, age, religion or gender. All I care about is, who is going to be a better leader for our country and steer us in the right direction of helping what matters the most, the American people and their needs.

The last thing this country needs is another four years with a president that’s fighting the wrong agenda and not doing what he was elected to do... help the American people and find an appropriate solution to solve our country’s problems.

The next president’s first agenda needs to bring America’s finest home from Iraq and Afghanistan. We need to concentrate less on foreign affairs and concentrate more on taking care of the American people and their needs.

I’m not suggesting in any way, shape or form we run from terrorism. If someone invades your country, fight terrorism and defend yourself, but we need to stop answering so many 911 calls to help foreign countries.

We have our own problems.

We need to find a way to end poverty, violence and hunger. We have men, women, children and American veteran’s who are homeless. Over half of the United States does not have health coverage.

We need to focus on rebuilding the economy. At some point, the government needs to realize the low and middle class suffer the most and put an end to pointless spending. If they don’t, where will that leave future generations? They will never learn to be independent or become more prosperous. The continuous cycle of debt will never end.

There has to be a way to develop an alternative source of fuel that is both safe and affordable, so the government is not begging oil companies over seas to continue our oil supply.

With the cost of living so high, the price of college tuition is through the roof. Every child deserves a good education, college should be acceptable and affordable to everyone. Your families income should not determine if you go to college or not.

There needs to be a way to solve illegal immigration, and not by giving them drivers licenses.

America stands for land of the free and home of the brave, yet we are a judgmental country. We need allow and understand change, so people can live openly and freely. People need to realize just because you do not agree with something, doesn’t make it wrong.

We have to accept laws that allow freedom of choice so all people can live their lives openly and freely without judgement or persecution. Whether it be choice of gun control, abortion or same sex marriages it is there choice, not yours.

Most importantly, we need a president that will not take their role for granted, not for one single second. One who will understand, their main concern is the American people and they represent and work for them 100% of the time.

When I cast my vote on Tuesday, I will be voting for the candidate I feel has the solution to solve our country’s problems and do their best for the American people.