October / November 2020
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P4 The Black Agenda
FIGHTING THE WAR by Damita Miller-Shanklin, Publisher/Founder I have been wanting to write about the things that are happening in our local community and on the national stage that involves the Black Community locally and nationally. We have been fighting this war for a long time. The war I speak about is fighting the war on justice, racism, and inequality. This is not a new war by no means. There were many people before us that fought and got us to where we are today. We now have to fight for the next generations to come. I’m not sure how the battles were chosen back in the day’s Martin Luther King, Jr. was fighting. How did he decide what issues to prioritize, where he needed to go? We have wars going in many States. We have lost too many of our sisters and brothers to murder. It’s no other way to say it. There has not been any real justice for any of the people who have lost their lives.
This has to change. I feel many emotions at a given time. From fear, anger, and disbelief because the brutality and the injustice we face each and every day is just unbelievable. We have to continue with the peaceful protesting and working through organized groups to organize and have a cohesive plan and message just as our leaders before us. I understand that not all of us will march but we can do many other things to support the people who are fighting the cause every day. I personally appreciate their efforts and support them. We all can do something that can help the cause. There is no little effort. Let’s keep fighting this war because our black brothers and sisters deserve justice. If injustice happens to one, it happens to all. Remember to always Say Their Name...
NE W S • ART • CULTUR E • EN TERTAI N MEN T • H EALTH & W EL L N E S S • T RAV E L • F OOD
VIE W P O I N T I want to express my thoughts on being Black in America. I have been watching our black men and women die in the hands of police for a while now. All the people who have stopped breathing by the hands of police officers are important. However, the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor have affected me profoundly. When I wake up in the morning I’m thankful for being a proud Black woman. I think about Breonna who was starting her life and all the hopes and dreams she had for herself. I think
about George Floyd who loved his little girl and was a good father. It’s painful that their lives were taken. Being a Black woman in America right now is hard, painful, and wonderful all in one. This issue celebrates being Black and being proud of it. We have to continue the fight for justice and equality. We all can continue to do our part in making sure we say all the names of the people who have been killed by police across the country. Say Their Name!!
Damita Miller-Shanklin PUBLISHER Damita@Ujimamagazine.com
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LIFESTYLE / BEAUTY
DOES CBD-INFUSED SKINCARE PRODUCTS REALLY WORK? By Jacquie Parish, the Jacquie ooh Collection What is CBD? CBD stands for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a nonpsychoactive compound that comes from hemp plants which can be used in a variety of products such as skincare. CBD oil in skincare has a wide variety of “anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties” that can be harnessed as “daily vitamins for your skin.” CBD is getting under our skin, literally as well as figuratively. The market of skincare products featuring cannabidiol as the special ingredient has exploded ever since Congress passed the Farm Bill in December 2018, which legalized the use of hemp-based CBD with less than 0.3 percent THC. THC is what gets you high in simple terms. What are the benefits of using skincare products infused with CBD oil?
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Let’s take a look... CBD infused skincare products can reduce puffiness, swelling, and even soreness. Why? Because the CBD activates the TRPV1 receptor in skin cells. The TRPV1 receptor regulates pain, temperature, and inflammation. CBD infused skincare products are packed with antioxidants (like vitamins A, C, and E), which protect the skin from free radicals, such as UV rays, smoke, and other environmental pollutants. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can be extremely beneficial when it comes to reducing skin blemishes-in some cases potentially clearing them up completely. It works because of the calming effects of CBD which can diminish inflammation as well as breakouts and the redness associate with acne.
When looking for products with CBD oil it is best to look for products that have full-spectrum CBD oil in them. Fullspectrum items work better with your entire endocannabinoid system because they are extracted from the whole plant and contain a diverse cannabinoid profile, meaning they preserve off of the therapeutic cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that occur naturally in hemp. The Jacquie ooh Collection has an amazing CBD infused product which is their top-selling Calming Butter. This whipped butter is filled with essential oils that have relaxation properties, vitamins, and full-spectrum CBD oil used for pain and relaxation. Shop the Jacquie ooh Collection at www.jacquieooh.com
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Community News
What is the Black Agenda? By Damita Miller-Shanklin Source: www.black2thefuture.org What is the Black Agenda? This is a question that has been asked and the answer has not been clear. Some people I have spoken with says there is not a Black Agenda. There is talk that Black people cannot come together to put an agenda forth so that we can get something done. The Black to the Future Action Fund discusses their Black Agenda. The Black to the Future Action Fund is a 501(c)4 that works to transform Black communities into constituencies that build Black political power in cities and states. They work to enact policy that improves the lives of Black people, and to elect Black legislators with progressive values who move progressive policies. Together, they work to ensure that Black people have what all people deserve–dignity, safety, and power. Black to the Future Action Fund is a think tank / act tank that works to make Black communities powerful in politics. This is the agenda that Black to the Future Action Fund has put forth.
BLACK AGENDA For too long, people in power have conspired to rig the game, forcing Black people to work twice as hard to barely get half as far in America. We are falling further behind in health and wealth, safety and well-being.
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NO MORE. Black people can and will take our power back by: 1) Agreeing on the things we want. 2) Mobilizing our communities around those things. 3) Voting our agenda. 4) Holding decision makers accountable to our needs and priorities. Our future can and must be different. Black communities deserve and demand thoughtful, visionary policies and practices that make us powerful in every aspect of our lives. For more information about this organization, visit Black2thefuture.org. This site can be used as a blueprint for other communities around the country. UjimaMagazine.com
Commnity News
#Black Lives Matter: The Organization Source: #Black Lives Matter Facebook Page Around the country, people are organizing and protesting on behave of the people who have passed away from police brutality and some might say murder. There are groups that form and lead protesters and through peaceful, non-violent marches. The one that is most known is #Black Life Matters. The organization was founded in 2013 in response to Trayvon Martin’s murder. It became a global organization whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. Austin has a chapter of #Black Lives Matter. They are fighting to stop the violence inflicted on Black communities around the world. There are many fights in many places. But the presence of this organization keeps the local cities and national attention to the lives that have been lost. As a young lady said “we are not going to stand for this [brutality]. We will fight for justice, we are not afraid.” If you would like to donate, follow, or be a part of this organization, go to their Facebook Page Black Lives Matter Austin. You will find the current information as well as their email information. Say Their Name. Black Lives Matter.
Community News
Tips for Protesting Safely Source: Real Simple.com There have been many people around the world. For the most part, they have been done peacefully. The people who marched for justice and equality did what was right. Sometimes people’s actions become violent which causes injuries and sometimes death. In order to protest safely, here are a few tips. 1. Pack Light 2. Dress Comfortably, with safety in mind 3. Make Your sign 4. Go With A Group 5. Figure Out Your Logistics 6. Bring A Spare Mask 7. Minimize Your Corona Virus Exposure 8. Know Your Rights 9. Find Other Way To Support Your Cause For the full story go to https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/lifestrategies/how-to-protest-safely.
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Health/Wellness
NATIONAL MENTAL ILLNESS MONTH
What is Mental IIIness? October is National Mental IIIness month. You may think Mental IIIness and Mental Health are the same. But it is a difference. Mental illness includes a range of conditions for which there are standard criteria used to diagnose them, such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. A mental illness significantly affects how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and interacts with other people.
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What is Mental Health? Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community. Sometimes our mental health comes under strain from life events – a relationship break-up, difficult work situation, or family problems. All of us have varying thresholds for how much we can cope with before our mental health suffers.
Self-Help Tips for Managing IIIness 1. Acceptance- accept your yourself, your condition, and take care of yourself 2. Deep Breathing- learn to breathe in and out for 5 seconds 3. Use your 5 senses- focus on what your senses are experiencing at the moment 4. Mental Reframing- when you feel a stressor, look at it a different way to help cope with your stress you are feeling 5. Emotional Awareness- if you feel a certain way for example, anxious allow
yourself to feel it for a minute and then meditate. Just be in touch with your emotions and once you feel the emotion, then find a solution to help diminish the unhealthy feeling. If you need assistance, please contact your local Mental Health Authority. In Austin, it would contact Austin Travis County Integral Care.
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FOR SENIORS | ACTIVE LIVING MARY LINNEN | EDITOR
ALZHEIMER’S INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
TELEMEDICINE APPOINTMENTS
A tool that makes healthcare more accessible, cost-effective, and that increases patient engagement with their medical physicians. Physicians and patients can share information in real time from one computer screen to another. And they can even see and capture readings from medical devices at a faraway location. Using telemedicine software, patients can see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment without having to wait for an appointment. Patients can consult a physician at the comfort of their home. This has been a great asset for patients as well physicians during the coronavirus. Ask your doctors office about this service. It works well if you are a caregiver and are in need of appointments for a senior family member.
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Caregiver Resources We try to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and address the burden it places on individuals living with the disease. In addition, we also provide resources and information to caregivers statewide. Below you will find a list of resources and documents we hope caregivers will find helpful as they navigate the disease. Aging and Disability Resource Centers: https://dshs.texas.gov/alzheimers/ aginganddisabilityresourcecenters .aspx Silver Alert Guide: https://dshs.texas.gov/alzheimers/ pdf/TSAP_PhysGuide.doc
BREATHING EXERCISE What is 4-7-8 breathing? The 4-7-8 breathing technique requires a person to focus on taking a long, deep breath in and out. It has been advised that it could reduce anxiety, help a person to get to sleep, or manage cravings.
Stress Busting Program: https://dshs.texas.gov/alzheimers/ Stress-Busting-Program.doc Respite - When You Need a Break: http://www.dads.state.tx.us/taketi metexas/ Options for Care: https://dshs.texas.gov/WorkArea/l inkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=ID&ItemI D=5067 Helpful Contacts: https://dshs.texas.gov/WorkArea/l inkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=ID&ItemI D=5060 Alzheimer's Association Chapters of Texas: https://dshs.texas.gov/WorkArea/l inkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=ID&ItemI D=4943
How to do it Before starting the breathing pattern, adopt a comfortable sitting position and place the tip of the tongue on the tissue right behind the top front teeth. To use the 4-7-8 technique, focus on the following breathing pattern: ● empty the lungs of air ● breathe in quietly through the nose for 4 seconds
Another very helpful program is Meals on Wheels. Aside from providing hot, nutritious lunchtime meals to older adults and persons with disabilities, they also offer many other programs designed to keep people healthy and living in their own homes, for more information regarding their program Contact them at 512476-6325.
● hold the breath for a count of 7 seconds ● exhale forcefully through the mouth, pursing the lips and making a “whoosh” sound, for 8 seconds ● repeat the cycle up to 4 times Sounds as if this could be valuable information to try and practice for relaxation. Source: Medical News Today
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ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS Crusty garlic bread and a nice light Chianti wine complement this meal very well. Ingredients: • 1 tablespoon salt • 2 tablespoons lemon-pepper • 1 tablespoon dried basil • 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 6 Cornish game hens, about 1 1/2 pounds each, rinsed and dried thoroughly • 1 green bell pepper, large dice • 2 stalks celery, large dice • 1 onion, large dice
Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a small mixing bowl, stir together salt, lemon pepper, dried basil and poultry seasoning. Rub olive oil all over the hens and season each with the salt mixture. Place the hens on a baking sheet pan with plenty of space between them. You may need to use 2 pans. Loosely stuff the cavities of each hen with some green bell pepper, celery, and onion. Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the
juices run clear. Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving
Yield: 6 servings Recipe Courtesy of Patrick and Gina Neely | Food Network