Bloghttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/en-US2010-03-13T09:38:23ZSquarespace Site Server v5.9.2 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Sarah Kruzan: Sentenced to Life Without Parole at Age 16http://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2010/1/22/sarah-kruzan-sentenced-to-life-without-parole-at-age-16.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2010-01-22T14:10:32ZSarah Kruzan human traffickingFrom the website http://humantrafficking.change.org
When Sara met G.G., the 31-year-old man who would become her pimp, she was 11. Sara's mom struggled with drug addiction, so when G.G. would drive Sara and her friends to the roller skating rink or the mall, it felt like having a real parent around. He gave Sara presents and told her she was special- so special, that she should never give sex away for free. He convinced her she was a product.
G.G. groomed Sara like this for two years before he raped her. By then, his control was complete and he forced her into prostitution. Sara and the other girls who G.G. exploited were out on the streets from 6pm to 6am, every night. Twelve hours a night, seven days a week, for three years, Sara was raped by strangers so G.G. could profit. After three years, she snapped, and she killed him.
Surviving sexual violence is one of the most difficult things in the world. Surviving repeated sexual violence as a child doubtlessly takes its mental and physical toll. G.G. stole Sara's 8th, 9th, and 10th grade years- money and rape taking the place of dances and dates. How can a person ever recover from something like that? But Sara survived.
What Sara did was terrible, and she knows it. But if ever there are mitigating circumstances for a crime, these are them. To tell someone like Sara who has overcome such abuse that her destiny is to die in prison, no matter how much she changes, is cruel.
The vast majority of women in prison have histories of abuse from families and/or intimate partners. Does this mean they are not accountable for their actions? Of course not. Murder should always be punished. But Sara Kruzan's case is one of ludicrous over-sentencing of a young girl who escaped from hell in a heinous way.
Sara Kruzan deserves to be punished. But she also deserves hope. She deserves hope that she didn't survive being raped and sold for three years for nothing. She deserves hope that the darkest chapter of her life has passed, and a horizon lies ahead. She deserves hope that she can change.
But in Sara Kruzan's life without parole, there is no hope.
]]>I am free to be all I wish to behttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/12/2/i-am-free-to-be-all-i-wish-to-be.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-12-02T13:14:49Zfreedom phillippians 4:13A friend sent this to me this morning and it was to profound not to share.
Freedom is more than a condition that exists for me in the physical world. Freedom is the essence of my being. It moves from the spirit of God within me out into my life.
I am free to be all that I want to be. I am free to change and to grow. I am free to release any harmful habit I am ready to release, and to adopt any life-enhancing habit I am ready to adopt.
I am free to grow both spiritually and intellectually. I don't let time or circumstances stand in my way. God has set no limitations on me. Through the spirit of God within me, I have the freedom to be my best and do my best in accomplishing my heart's desire. I live in the truth that I am free!
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.--Philippians 4:13
]]>It's the Climbhttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/12/1/its-the-climb.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-12-02T03:48:19Zits the climb miley cyrusI know it has been a while since I posted, and so much has happened in my life. All good things, even the things that I did not think were good at the time, turned out to be good.
I know some people may think Miley Cyrus is hokey, but she sings a song... the climb.. which has been my inspiration these past months...life is not stagnate it is fluid, it is a journey... it does not matter how long it takes your to get there... its the climb
I can almost see it That dream I'm dreaming but There's a voice inside my head sayin, You'll never reach it, Every step I'm taking, Every move I make feels Lost with no direction My faith is shaking but I Got to keep trying Got to keep my head held high
There's always going to be another mountain I'm always going to want to make it move Always going to be an uphill battle, Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose, Ain't about how fast I get there, Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing, The chances I'm taking Sometimes might knock me down but No I'm not breaking I may not know it But these are the moments that I'm going to remember most yeah Just got to keep going And I, I got to be strong Just keep pushing on, cause
There's always going to be another mountain I'm always going to want to make it move Always going to be an uphill battle, Sometimes I'm gonna to have to lose, Ain't about how fast I get there, Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb (yeah)
There's always going to be another mountain I'm always going to want to make it move Always going to be an uphill battle, Sometimes you going to have to lose, Ain't about how fast I get there, Ain't about what's waiting on the other side It's the climb (yeah yeah ea ea)
Keep on moving Keep climbing Keep the faith baby It's all about It's all about The climb Keep the faith Keep your faith
]]>Our Deepest Fearhttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/10/15/our-deepest-fear.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-10-15T14:22:16Zmarianne williamsonI read this recently and this spoke to me on such a profound level....I hope it does the same for you
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. - Marianne Williamson
]]>Stand out from the crowdhttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/9/17/stand-out-from-the-crowd.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-09-17T14:06:06Zbe you I think there is to much homogeneity around. Why does everyone want to be like everyone else? Why should we try to conform to societal pressures? Why have we taught our children to conform and not stand out. When did we stop appreciating difference?
Stand out from the crowd. March to the beat of your own drum. Why isn't individuality appreciated and revered. I AM different and I am happy with that. Go out and be different.Be unique!Be an individual! BE YOU!
]]>Finding God In ALL Thingshttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/9/14/finding-god-in-all-things.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-09-14T15:42:08Zfinding God in all thingsI am embarking on a spiritual exercise that is offered by the organization that i work with. Each day we are given a passage to reflect and pray on. Today's passage was finding God in all things. It sounds so easy to say and it should be really simple to do, but how do you find God in the things or people that bring you displeasure. How can you find God in the colleague who is secretly plotting your demise? How do you find God in the student that you are trying to help but is so unappreciative because, they feel entitled to everything? How do you find God in the person that you trusted but betrayed you and caused you pain?
I don't know the answer, but I simply can say you find God in those people, because you must. We are all creations of God and even within the bad and evil that people do, we must search for the good in them, because somewhere in there, there is good. I commonly say that hurting people hurt people. Maybe the God in them, is that they are need of love and because they lack it, they cannot give it to others. So instead of love and goodness, there is pain and evil. Maybe in those instances, we are suppose to be the God they see and return their evil with love and goodness. Just a thought.
]]>Eagles don't fly with chickenshttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/9/9/eagles-dont-fly-with-chickens.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-09-09T14:35:30Zeagles and chickensYou are the sum total of the people who are in your life. My very wise friend told me this a couple days ago. Take a look at the people in your life. If you are surrounded by persons who are complacent or confused, chances are you are as well. The people that you engage with on a daily basis are a direct reflection of who you believe that you are. Like minds and ideals are usually attracted to each other.
There is a cliché that says eagles don’t fly with chickens. Are you surrounded yourself with other eagles or are you just another hen in the hen house, clucking and making a lot of noise, but going no where at all.
]]>Lazy peoplehttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/9/3/lazy-people.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-09-03T14:33:40Zlazy peopleI hate lazy people, especially when you have to work with them. I am sure you have all experienced the coworker, who does not pull their weight. Who constantly has an excuse why nothing is ever completed and who constantly needs you to do them a "favor". Or the lazy friend, who never seems able to get their life together and constantly wants to sponge of your success, while being secretly jealous of you.
I mean really, is it that difficult to get up of your behind and do something. Really. I am sick of lazy people and I am making a pledge to remove all lazy, trifling people out of my life. You know who you are. You have been warned.]]>The First Dayhttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/9/1/the-first-day.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-09-01T14:01:02Zthe first dayYesterday was my niece's first day of school. Apparently it was not a good first day. She was completely overwhelmed by the new environment, got lost a couple of times and felt afraid and out of place.
Adjusting to change is difficult whether you are a child or an adult. But the only way to ease the anxiety is to take the plunge and jump right in. Even while you are afraid, even while you are anxious, even while you feel overwhelmed. JUMP IN!!!.
Hopefully today will be a better day. I said a prayer for her this morning and I am believing that she like all of us, will eventually settle in and overcome.
]]>Your attitude determines your altitudehttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/8/26/your-attitude-determines-your-altitude.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-08-26T13:27:17ZattitudeYour attitude determines your altitude, my mother would always say this to me and sometimes this saying is true. Respect, courtesy, optimism and resiliency will help you to overcome many obstacles and emerge successful There are times in your life journey when you need to remain positive and resolute in the face of adversity and in spite of the lemons being thrown your way, make lemonade.
However, there are other times, when you need to throw all of that out the window. Sometimes you have to take a stand and make a scene. Sometimes you have to lose yourself and upset the status quo and make your voice be heard. When life throws you those lemons, take a bat smash them and throw them back.
The key to success, however, is knowing when to be polite and reserve and when to let go and make a scene.
]]>Life is Like a box of chocolateshttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/8/25/life-is-like-a-box-of-chocolates.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-08-25T15:43:44ZchocolateLife is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. Reall I think you do, because if you took the time and stopped and looked at the directions you would be able to tell exactly what type of chocolate contains what.
I think sometimes this is what we all do; we become trapped in a situation because we initially did not stop to observe the signs. I truly believe that if we paid more attention to the subtle clues that our hearts and intuition tell us, rather than explain or excuse them away, we would avoid many mistakes. In nature every animal survives because of their instincts, humans however talk themselves out of listening.
Today, let’s all become more mindful and listen to that still quiet voice within.
]]>Change, we can't believe inhttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/8/21/change-we-cant-believe-in.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-08-21T13:28:20Zchange we cant believe inI think it was Maya Angelou who said, when people show you who they are believe them. Really, BELIEVE THEM!
I am not saying that people cannot change. However, change requires work, discipline and a commitment to make that change. There are people who make the commitment and do the work and achieve this, but sadly the majority do not.
It is never what a person says, because words are meaningless, it is the actions that follow that make words powerful.
If someone is constantly telling you one thing, but their actions are contrary to their words, believe them. Stop making excuses or lying to yourself believing that they will change. Accept that they are who they are. You cannot change another adult, you either accept them as they are or move on.
]]>CAN I BE JUST A HUMAN BEINGhttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/8/19/can-i-be-just-a-human-being.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-08-19T12:48:58ZI mean really can I just be me, a female, a human being, a person walking this planet. Why am I the voice of the black community? I mean really people, really. I don’t know how many of you have had this pleasure of being the only person of color in your office, class, professional organization etc. But, it seems that every time there is a question or concern about people of color, all eyes seem to turn to you. I intentionally don’t respond, my non response is usually followed up by, so we were wondering what you thought about this? Really because I do represent every black person in the world, we all are homogenous and have the same thoughts and actions, so whatever I think everyone else will think also. So there you go this is my opinion ,the black consensus. Really people are we still there in 2009? I guess I should not ask because apparently we still are. SMH!!!!!!!!!!]]>DROWNINGhttp://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/8/18/drowning.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-08-18T13:33:35ZdrowningHave you ever felt like you are drowning? Like you are surrounded and engulfed by life and that you slowly feel yourself being overwhelmed by all that you have to accomplish. Every where you turn the problems keep surmounting and you begin to feel like you are drowning in a sea of uncertainty. That there is nothing constant around you and the possibilities are swirling like a tidepool going down a drain. Even though this is how you feel, you KNOW you have to keep kicking and keep swimming because eventually you feel that you will break through and reach the surface and then finally you will be able to breathe. I am still kicking, I hope I reach the surface soon.]]>RAPE: ITS YOUR FAULT!http://www.bustabitch.com/blog/2009/8/17/rape-its-your-fault.htmlBUSTABITCH.COM2009-08-17T14:24:14Zgary fricker rape stamford marriott hotel and spaThe Stamford Marriott Hotel and Spa attorneys, in response to a lawsuit, filed by a patron who was raped at gunpoint on its premises in front of her two children, stated that the female victim "failed to exercise due care for her own safety and the safety of her children and proper use of her senses and facilities." The mother of two was assaulted in her minivan in the hotel’s parking garage as she and her children left the premises. Initial reports also show that hotel employees saw the assailant, Gary Fricker, loitering and acting suspiciously earlier, but failed to question him or contact authorities. Fricker was convicted of the assault and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The thing that is particularly disturbing to me is this trend of blaming the victim. I am aware that the Marriott has to mount a defense, but to chose this route is particular reprehensible. The Management of the hotel has since come out and apologized, but I feel it is to little to late.
It is traumatic enough when someone is assaulted and has to deal with the physical, mental and social ramifications of the assault. But, to now have the additional burden of proving that the assault was not your fault is a new low even for attorneys. I hope this case shines a light on the way we view and legally respond to rape. No one deserved to be victimized, by an assailant with a gun or by an attorney with a law degree.
A friend sent this to me this morning and it was to profound not to share.
