Home Blog Page 171

 Unraveling the Mystery of Attention-Seeking Behavior: What Drives the Quest for the Attention Spotlight?

DAMON K JONES
-
0
 Unraveling the Mystery of Attention-Seeking Behavior: What Drives the Quest for the Attention Spotlight?

In adult behavior, there exists a phenomenon known as attention-seeking behavior, where individuals consciously or unconsciously vie for the spotlight, often in pursuit of validation or admiration from their peers. This intriguing behavior manifests in various forms, but at its core, it’s all about the yearning for attention and recognition.

Consider scenarios where someone strategically drops hints about their accomplishments, subtly angling for compliments and validation. Or you’ve encountered individuals who thrive on stirring controversy, aiming to provoke a reaction from those around them. Others might embroider their stories, amplifying details to elicit praise or sympathy. And let’s remember those who feign incompetence, hoping someone will aid or watch them in action.

But what motivates people to engage in attention-seeking behavior? The answers lie in a tapestry of emotions and psychological factors.

Jealousy, for instance, can drive individuals to crave the spotlight when they perceive others stealing their limelight. It’s a classic case of attention-seeking as a countermeasure for shifting focus back to oneself.

Self-esteem plays another pivotal role. When people feel overlooked or undervalued, attention-seeking becomes a means to reclaim a sense of importance. The attention garnered from their actions offers a reassuring sense of worthiness.

Loneliness can also serve as a powerful catalyst for attention-seeking. Those who don’t typically exhibit such behavior might succumb to its allure when grappling with isolation. Loneliness can fuel the urge to seek attention to combat feelings of solitude.

But there’s a deeper layer to this phenomenon – personality disorders. Conditions like histrionic, borderline, and narcissistic personality disorders can significantly influence attention-seeking behavior. For instance, individuals with histrionic personality disorder often feel unappreciated if they’re not the center of attention. Similarly, borderline personality disorder may drive impulsive actions to gain attention. In contrast, narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by an insatiable need for admiration, often accompanied by a lack of empathy for others.

The number of adults who remain undiagnosed with histrionic, borderline, and narcissistic personality disorders is challenging to determine precisely due to factors such as underdiagnosis, stigma surrounding mental health, misdiagnosis or co-occurrence with other conditions, limited access to mental healthcare, individual variations in symptom severity and functionality, and cultural or societal influences on help-seeking behavior.

The complexity and variability of these disorders make it difficult to provide a specific estimate of the proportion of adults who may go undiagnosed. However, it is crucial to underscore the importance of seeking professional assessment and help if an individual or their loved ones suspect the presence of a personality disorder or any mental health issue, as early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve one’s quality of life and well-being.

Relationships with individuals who have histrionic, borderline, or narcissistic personality disorders can be fraught with challenges. These disorders often bring about emotional instability, manipulative behavior, and a constant need for attention and validation. Partners may be on an emotional rollercoaster, struggling to maintain boundaries and cope with unpredictable mood swings, leading to emotional exhaustion and insecurity. It’s crucial for those in such relationships to prioritize self-care, seek professional guidance when necessary, and establish clear boundaries to navigate these complex dynamics and pitfalls effectively.

Unfortunately, relationships with individuals with these personality disorders can be emotionally taxing due to their intense emotions, manipulative tendencies, and difficulty with boundaries. Partners should recognize these challenges, prioritize their well-being, and seek support to maintain healthy and sustainable relationships.

In essence, attention-seeking behavior is a complex interplay of personal insecurities, emotions, and, in some cases, underlying psychological disorders. Understanding these motivations can provide valuable insights into why some individuals seek to be in the spotlight.

GC Talks- September 21, 2023 (AJ Woodson Interview)

AJ Woodson
-
0
GC Talks- September 21, 2023 (AJ Woodson Interview)

BW Black Love Series: Improve Your Relationships By Loving Yourself

DAMON K JONES
-
1
BW Black Love Series: Improve Your Relationships By Loving Yourself

The one thing people who seek love rarely consider is that it all starts with YOU. How can you expect someone else to love you if you don’t love yourself? You can only expect a partner to help you if you are confident that you are worthy of love. And that’s where self-care comes into the picture.

There are so many relationships that start great and end up not so great. The reasons for that are numerous: lack of self-love, lack of emotional intimacy, lack of communication, lack of compassion, lack of affection, or a combination thereof.

However, the capacity to provide what the other person needs for emotional intimacy goes a long way toward making both you and your relationship stronger. When you genuinely love yourself, you can provide what your partner needs to feel loved, understood, and connected to you.

Many of us are so busy that we tend to neglect loving ourselves. We neglect ourselves without realizing that self-neglect causes resentment toward those whom we love in our lives who want our love and attention. What we fail to realize is the importance of putting ourselves first. No, it is not selfish. You cannot have true Black Love with anyone if you dont love yourself.

It is only possible to meet the needs of others effectively by first being balanced in our own lives. Loving yourself will not only prove to be a positive experience, but it will also improve your relationships with others.

It is only possible to meet the needs of others effectively by first being balanced in our own lives. Loving yourself will not only prove to be a positive experience, but it will also improve your relationships with others.

When we realize our needs are not being met, we become resentful and ultimately withdraw the help and support we so freely offered others. If we neglect our basic needs, we will become very quickly drained of our energy, too exhausted to spend any time on ourselves. However, by focusing on putting ourselves first, we can regain that lost energy, giving us endless vitality and love to direct toward others.

Let’s not get this twisted; loving yourself does not mean running from one person to the next, seeking some fix or adrenaline rush. No, that’s a sickness. That’s a broken conscious understanding of loving yourself, and I suggest you seek counseling.

Loving and taking better care of yourself holistically and spiritually develops the cornerstone for you to be in a holistic and spiritually loving relationship with someone else. When we are happy with the level of attention we give ourselves, our energy overflows, and we are anxious to help fulfill the needs of those around us whom we love. Unfortunately, many of us don’t even seek happiness this way; even after all the other foolishness fails, we still dismiss that real Black Love exists on a spiritual level. Everyone wins when we learn to love ourselves holistically and spiritually. I have listed the following tips to get started:

Using Prayer and Meditation to Calm Anxiety and Stress. If you feel anxious from time to time, that’s completely normal. When anxiety overwhelms you, and you have no spiritual outlook, you often take it out on the loved ones close to you. Or you might be tempted to seek solace in prescription medication, alcohol, or drugs. These methods, though, inherently bring problems of their own.

Your worries can be transformed into peace with prayer or meditation. When you start your journey toward personal peace through prayer or meditation, expect to conquer your anxiety, stress, and negative feelings. However, avoid assuming you’ll do it in one day or even a week. It took time to get where you are, and it’ll take time to get back to where you want to be.

Live a healthy lifestyle. How can we expect to accomplish great things if we cannot meet life’s most basic needs? Eat healthy by replacing excess sugar and refined foods with whole foods and lots of water. Give your body the ability to effectively burn the fuel you take in by exercising daily, thereby increasing your metabolism. Make sure to get plenty of sleep as well, as our minds do not fully function if they haven’t been allowed to recharge properly. When you do these things consistently, you will notice your attitude will change; you will see situations clearer and be more open to being loved and loving.

Expressing yourself is one of the best ways to take care of yourself mentally it frequently expresses how you feel. This can be done in several ways. Mentally, we can express ourselves on paper.

Keeping a personal journal where you can vent when needed will help keep emotions in check. Creative expression is also essential, such as allowing yourself to feel and experience a wide range of emotions in a rented movie or working on a hobby that is close to your heart. Photography and other visual arts are suitable for this. Remember, expressing ourselves creatively is as important as doing so mentally.

Lose the need to be right. Winning arguments with your partner are overrated, childish, and unhealthy. After all, what value does being right really have? Insisting that the other person agrees that you’re right and they’re wrong does nothing to increase positive feelings or strengthen the bond between you.

In a relationship with Black Love, it is not about being right, it is about reaching a goal, understanding, and a solution to a problem. It only feeds your ego, and having an ego bigger than the love of you and your partner will only lead to a destructive relationship.

Black love is being a team; stop competing with your partner. If you feel the need to be competitive with your partner, you have to recognize your own insecurity and envy. According to experts, being too competitive leads to resentment in relationships. With competition, partners view each other as rivals instead of being in love. Black Love is Teamwork, and it’s a oneness! The oneness of Black Love is mutual support and unity on multiple fronts, including finances, parenting, chores, sex, and emotional intimacy. Usually, the oneness of Black Love requires an intentional effort from both partners and a willingness to be equal and share power in all aspects of life.

Forgive your past self. Sure, you’ve made some mistakes and probably done and said a few awful things along the way. But that period of your life is over now. Why drag the past into the present? You can make a fresh start each day. Let it go.

Forgiving others. As it is important to forgive yourself, It’s just as important to learn to forgive. Holding onto grudges or resentments only hurts you. It can lead to bad moods, depression, or even health conditions. When you hold onto resentment, you allow a situation to burden the future of your relationship.
Forgiveness is the right choice to make, but it doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten what happened. You might even still hold someone else accountable for the wrong. With forgiveness, you’re simply deciding to move on with your life. It is your superpower to love yourself!

Please spend some time alone. To appreciate ourselves more, we should get to know ourselves better. Some may think this will have the reverse effect, but think positively! You would be surprised what becoming introspective will reveal. Discover yourself and learn to love it. Go for a scenic drive. Take a long bath. Surround yourself with music or quietly meditate. Not only will you appreciate your company more, but the relaxation will work wonders for your state of mind. Your relationships will improve if others sense your renewed energy and love of life.

Finally, F@ck Social Media, stay in your reality! Social Media can become a threat to your romantic relationship when meaning and boundaries are not clearly defined and agreed upon. As well as when couples fall into a comparison trap. Unfortunately, a growing number of us see the world through the eyes of social media. We have been culturally conditioned to believe our lives and our relationships should be like those that post we see. Comparing our lives with others can raise doubts about self-worth and our relationships and potentially lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

The key to living the life you want and finding the partner you want to share it with is learning to love yourself. Loving yourself can help you enjoy more happiness, overcome challenges, and build healthier relationships and Black Love. Make it a habit to treat yourself with kindness and respect. Keep these tips in mind to develop greater self-love, and you’ll find that great things will happen!

NEW ROCHELLE’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF HIP HOP

AJ Woodson
-
0
NEW ROCHELLE’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF HIP HOP

And I can think of many episodes I swung in Lincoln Park…

Almost 1000 people gathered in New Rochelle’s Lincoln Park for the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Celebration on Saturday, September 16th. Hosted by 2 Cool, PJ Splash, and Cuzin Corn, with DJs Pro C, Scram Jones, and Jazzy Joyce on the one’s and two’s as well as a special DJ set by DJ Supreme. There were many dope live performances from Mr. Cheeks of The Lost Boyz, Smif-N-Wessun, Stunna Gang, Pretty Hoops, Capella Grey, The Rough House Surviverz, and CL Smooth just to name a few. But it was obvious who the crowd came to see. There were a whole lotta emcees on the stage that Saturday, but just as the sun set, Brand Nubian came out and showed it was their house. The crowd was thrilled to see the hometown heroes swing another episode in Lincoln Park. Shout out to Nate Adams & Lachonne Williams (SuggarPlums) for putting together a great event to celebrate this monumental year of Hip-Hop. The mural above was done by Signature Savage. I’m told this may become an annual event!

Maryann Carr & Mondaire Jones Run For 17th Congressional District

AJ Woodson
-
0
Maryann Carr & Mondaire Jones Run For 17th Congressional District

City & State Magazine included MaryAnn Carr and former Congressman Mondaire Jones, who are both candidates in the 17th Congressional District. Liz Whitmer Gereghty, who served on the Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education in The 17th Congressional District was highly publicized after the redistricting controversy. The Democrats were accused of inauspicious attempts at gerrymandering, which didn’t just erase the political advantage the party hoped to gain before state courts stepped in to stop them and appointed Special Master Jonathan Cervas. The move led to several Democratic seats being lost, causing Dems to lose control of the House. The New York-based seats are of particular interest to House Democratic leaders, given their Biden-friendly lean and proximity to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ district.

One of the fallouts of the redistricting was that former DCCC head Sean Patrick Maloney decided he would run in Mondaire’s 17th district and Mondaire decided to run for the open seat in the 10th district. Both Congressmen lost. Now former Rep. Mondaire Jones launched a comeback bid for New York’s 17th District in July, seeking to return to Congress after redistricting led to him running unsuccessfully for a different seat last year.

Jones, who was elected in 2020 and served one term, opted not to run for reelection in the 17th District in the New York City suburbs last year after one of his Democratic colleagues, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, decided to run in the redrawn district. Maloney, who chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee last cycle, lost to Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in November. Jones faces competition for the Democratic nomination to take on Lawler, but he represented much of the district when he previously was in the House.

The race for the seat is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country next year. Biden would have won the district by 10 points in 2020, and both parties view it as a priority as they fight for control of the House.

“Growing up, I didn’t see people like me in Congress. Then I was elected to represent the same people whose homes I watched my grandmother clean,” Jones says in a video announcing his campaign. “I have never been Washington’s choice because I stand up to corruption.”

When he was first elected, Jones made history as one of the first two openly gay men of color to be elected to Congress, and he was immediately endorsed on July 5, 2020, by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. For the first time, Westchester County had two Black Men representing them in Congress. The other is Congressman Jamaal Bowman who unseated longtime Congressman Rep. Elliot Engel to represent CD16.

Many residents of CD-17 were sad to see Jones not run for re-election in his district. In 2020, Mondaire was elected to Congress to represent the Hudson Valley. His colleagues unanimously elected him the youngest member of House leadership, and he was named the most legislatively active freshman in Congress.

Mondaire was part of the most productive Congress in modern history. He took on the pharmaceutical companies, lowering prescription drug prices for thousands of seniors on Medicare in the Lower Hudson Valley. He negotiated the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is bringing tens of millions of dollars to rebuild our roads and bridges, and passed the American Rescue Plan Act, which kept our small businesses open and brought hundreds of millions of dollars to the Lower Hudson Valley for schools, housing, and health care.

Jones will face Liz Whitmer Gereghty, the Westchester County-based cousin of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and former Bedford Supervisor MaryAnn Carr, the only two Democrats to announce so far. City & State Magazine wrote, “MaryAnn Carr has spent the longest time in government, sitting on the Bedford Town Council since 2016, although she lacks the name recognition of her rivals.”

While Carr may not have been elected a congress member like Jones or have a well-known cousin who serves as Governor like Gereghty, we have to disagree with City & State about Carr’s name recognition in Westchester County where it matters.

Actually, until City & State Magazine included her on the list as a congressional candidate, I did not know who she was, that she was running for congress, or that she was the cousin of the Michigan Governor. Many people of color in CD-17 are just hearing her name for the first time as well. (Since this article was published in the August 15, 2023, Six-Year Anniversary Issue, City & State updated their article.)

So who is MaryAnn Carr?
MaryAnn Carr made history as the first African American to serve in an elected office in local government in Bedford when she was elected in a special election on March 15, 2016, for an unexpired seat on the Town Board and elected to a full 4-year term beginning in 2018. MaryAnn was sworn in as Town of Bedford Supervisor, on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, after Chris Burdick’s election to the New York State Assembly created a vacancy in the seat of the Bedford Supervisor.

At their organizational meeting, the Bedford Town Board appointed Town Councilperson and Deputy Supervisor MaryAnn Carr to the position of Supervisor to fill out the term. She became the first and only African American to serve as Supervisor in Westchester County and only the second Black Female to run a municipality in the history of Westchester.

Before her historic appointment, Ms. Carr had a long tenure working on the Bedford Democratic Committee. She continues her long history of working hard to support the many community organizations in the Town of Bedford.

As former Chair of the Bedford Democratic Committee and the current First Vice-Chair of the Westchester County Democratic Committee, MaryAnn has always been dedicated to inclusivity and progress. Her councilwoman and Supervisor tenure in Bedford spurred transformative community change.

Some of MaryAnn’s notable achievements include leading the charge to elect the first Latino to the Bedford Town Board and the first woman of color to the Bedford Central School Board. During her tenure on the Town Board, twelve new affordable homes were built, and sewers were installed in the business districts of the two hamlets of Bedford (Bedford Hills and Katonah), one of the largest projects ever undertaken by the Town. She has been an avid supporter of criminal justice reform and founded the Town of Bedford Prison Advisory Committee, the only such committee known that advises local and state governments on prison relations matters. She made it a priority to recruit and appoint diverse members to serve on local committees, boards, and commissions where there had been a lack of diversity.

She has also been active in Bedford community organizations for many years: Town Board Liaison to Recreation and Parks, Planning Dept., Town Court, Bedford Central School District (BCSD), Chair, Community Organizations Committee, Active Parent Volunteer in Bedford Central School District (BCSD), Committee Member of Bedford 202 Food Forum, Board Member of Rehabilitation Through the Arts, member of the Bedford Antioch Church engaged in outreach programs for the Community Center in Katonah, and volunteering in a leadership role in the Gala Annual Event for the Martin Luther King Scholarship for Youth.

As far as name recognition, Carr can be seen at various Democratic events throughout the county and is well known for her support of various Democratic candidates and her work with the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus (WBWPC). It was her vision that helped her establish a Greater Bedford Chapter of the WBWPC for the northern part of the county.

When Democrat MaryAnn Carr threw her hat in the ring for the 17th Congressional District, she announced her candidacy to News 12’s Tara Rosenblum.

“I’m excited to be in this race. I think I bring a lot to the table,” she told Tara.

In her first interview as a candidate, the former Bedford Town Council member told News 12 why she decided to throw her hat in the ring in the hotly contested race that helped the Republicans flip control of the House last year.

“The reason I’m running is because I just feel like people like myself, who are working middle class, are not meeting the moment,” said the single working mom and a Westchester County information technology director.

While this has the feel of a heavily contested contest with a potentially crowded cast of candidates, this has been Black Westchester’s First Look at the 2024 17th Congressional District Race. Stay tuned to Black Westchester for further updates on the list of candidates!

Volunteer Ambulance Service Offers Home Visit For COVID Booster Shots & Flu Vaccines

AJ Woodson
-
0
Volunteer Ambulance Service Offers Home Visit For COVID Booster Shots & Flu Vaccines

If you are homebound or know of an elderly resident who is homebound and you want to get a Covid booster shot, flu vaccine or need a home visit – you are in luck! Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service has started a new service –housecalls like the old fashioned doctor. It is a community paramedicine program. They will stop by at your house and provide you with the vaccines and booster shots.  Email covid@scarsdalevac.com or call 914 722-2288. This service is available to anyone, anywhere in the county.

It’s a great service that many people will benefit from.  My mom is almost 99 years old and has benefitted from the service. The paramedics are fantastic, caring and efficient. House calls for the elderly is also safer for the frail elderly. It’s a better option having someone go to your house than having to  wait for a Doctor in a waiting room with other sick people. 

Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service provides the community with exceptional service  – no lines, no waits, VIP service for all.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

The Kela Tennis Interview

AJ Woodson
-
0
The Kela Tennis Interview

Kela Simunyola of Kela Tennis and his attorney James Borkowski dropped by the Black Westchester Power Hour on Thursday, April 20, 2023, to discuss his recent lawsuit and judgment against the city of Mount Vernon for the illegal eviction and bubble deflated in the dead of night.

BW Makes City & State Magazine’s Westchester Power 100 List for 4th Consecutive Year

AJ Woodson
-
0
BW Makes City & State Magazine’s Westchester Power 100 List for 4th Consecutive Year

City & State Magazine released their 2023 Westchester Power 100, on Monday, August 21st, Black Westchester’s Publisher Damon K. Jones and Editor-In-Chief AJ Woodson made the prestigious list for the fourth year in a row.

“There may be no more dynamic journalistic duo in Westchester than Damon Jones and AJ Woodson, who collaboratively run one of Westchester’s largest Black publications, Black Westchester. Woodson has used the platform to comment on the happenings of New York, diving into the rise of white vigilantism and public safety within the county. The pair have also interviewed a series of influential leaders on the People Before Politics Radio Show,” City & State Magazine wrote.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized for our unwavering commitment, determination, sacrifices, and unwavering faith that have fueled our journey thus far. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support of our amazing readers and community,” Damon said when the list came out.

“It is humbling and an honor to be recognized by City & State Magazine as one of the Top 100 Power Brokers and ‘remarkable leaders powering Westchester,’ and to be highlighted for all our hard work as we celebrate our 9-year anniversary of giving you the News With The Black Point of View and that Real Talk For The Community. Thank you all who have been riding with us. Like my brother Damon said we would not be here without all of you, we appreciate you and thank all of you for believing in us.”

The list included a plethora of heavyweights in politics, business, and community advocates like Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who forever destroyed the phrase Three Men In A Room, as the first female legislative conference leader In New York State history, who calls Yonkers, NY home. She tops the list at number one.

“Numerous Westchester elected officials bemoaned Gov. Kathy Hochul’s sweeping housing proposals, which would have required New York City’s suburbs to speed up the building of new homes. State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins held firm in negotiations with the governor, putting the ambitious housing plan on hold. That’s not the only time this year the Yonkers Democrat has stood up to Hochul, as she played a key role in blocking the governor’s nominee for state chief judge.”

Then you have County Executive George Latimer next in the number two slot and Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano next in the number three. Assembly Member Amy Paulin (#4), State Senators Jamaal Bailey, Nathalia Fernandez, Pete Harckham, and Shelly Mayer collectively are listed in the number five slot. U.S. Congressman Jamaal Bowman is holding down the number six slot.

“Rep. Jamaal Bowman doesn’t shy away from conflict. The former school principal has gone viral for denouncing gun violence in standoffs with Republicans and joined fellow progressives in boycotting Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s address to Congress in July. Some observers have speculated that the progressive politician could mount a strong challenge against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, but Bowman has said he isn’t interested. A primary standoff may be headed his way regardless, as rumors suggest Westchester County Executive George Latimer may challenge him.”

Congressman Mike Lawler sits at number seven; Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah sits in the number eight slot, Marsha Gordon (President & CEO) and John Ravitz (COO) of the Business Council of Westchester share the number nine slot, and Assembly Members Chris Burbick, Dana Levenberg, Steve Otis, J. Gary Pretlow, Nader Sayegh, Maryann Shimsky, and Matt Slater collectively round off the top spot.

Others on the list include Ken Jenkins, the first African-American Deputy County Executive (#17), Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and Comptroller Darren Morton (#18), Congressional Candidates Mondaire Jones, Whitmer Gereghty and MaryAnn Carr (#20), Yonkers President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, the first Black Woman to serve in the council’s top role (#22), Acting Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor shares the 23rd spot with the county’s Director of Operations, Joan McDonald and Chief of Staff Andrew Ferris.

Vivian McKensie, Peekskill’s first Black Woman to serve as the city’s mayor holds down the 32nd slot. Belinda Miles, Westchester Community College’s first Black president, comes in at number 37. New Rochelle Councilwoman Yadira Ramos-Herbert, who is attempting to become the city’s first person of color and first woman to be elected mayor in November, sits in the 40th slot. The Honorable Ruth Hassell-Thompson (#40) and Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus President Subomi Macaulay sits in the 51st spot.

Other prominent leaders on the list include Grace Baptist Church Sr. Pastor Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson (#53), WCA Exec. Director Allison Lake (#57), Purchase College President Milagros Pena (#58), Tai Johnson (#70), Westhab President & CEO Rich Nightingale (#81), Community Voices Heard Exec. Dir. Juanita Lewis (#82), Westchester Community Health Center CEO Judith Watson (#84), Lifting Up Westchester CEO Anahaita Kotval (#85), M&T Bank Tarrytown regional President Tyre Robinson (#86), ArtsWestchester CEO Janet Langsam (#91), Black Westchester Publisher Damon K. Jones & Editor-In-Chief AJ Woodson (#92), WESPAC Foundation Exec. Director Nada Khader (#96), Gov. Hochul’s Regional Representative, Lower Hudson Valley Brandon Lloyd is #99 when the list came out.

People Before Politics Radio – Episode 383 The Women of WBWPC

AJ Woodson
-
0
People Before Politics Radio – Episode 383 The Women of WBWPC

The Women of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus join Damon K. Jones on Black Westchester presents The People Before Politics Radio Show on Sunday, October 15, 2023, to discuss their upcoming gala and all the great work they have been doing

The Diebities Factor: The difference in your body processing sugar in fruit than sugar in meat and processed foods

DAMON K JONES
-
0
The Diebities Factor: The difference in your body processing sugar in fruit than sugar in meat and processed foods

There is an overwhelming amount of information in the media suggesting that sugar harms our health and that we should avoid all types of sweets. However, it is natural and acceptable to desire meals with a sweet taste. 

The consumption of fresh fruit, which provides natural sweetness, is beneficial to our health and a good source of calories for the body. There is a solid explanation for why our tongues have a high concentration of sweet receptors. Therefore, I strongly recommend incorporating substantial fresh fruit into your diet. 

You should also know that creating a whole meal using natural sweets from fruits is perfectly fine. If you have never tried this before, you might be pleasantly surprised by how fulfilling it can be.

Our sweet tooth was initially developed to encourage the consumption of fruits for long-term health benefits. Unfortunately, in their quest to make their products more appealing, food corporations often exploit our natural affinity for sweets in ways that harm our health. Processed or extracted sugars do not contribute to human health like natural sugars from whole fruits. 

Refined food strips it of most nutrients, including water, fiber, and other essential components. Only sugar remains, devoid of the nutrients it should have been packaged with. This extracted sugar has a higher calorie density, providing extreme pleasure and satisfaction. 

Additionally, foods with the highest levels of added sugars also tend to contain high amounts of added fats, salt, refined flour, and animal products, making them harmful for various reasons beyond just their sugar content.

To make matters worse, food manufacturers add these highly concentrated and flavorful sugars to unhealthy, high-fat diets, making them even more appealing to our taste buds and contributing to diseases.

 Here are some examples:

  1. Obesity: Processed foods and meats often contain high added sugars, unhealthy fats, and calories. Regularly consuming these foods can lead to weight gain and obesity, which increases the risk of several diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
  2. Type 2 Diabetes: Diets rich in added sugars, especially in the form of sugary beverages and processed foods, can contribute to the development of insulin resistance and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Excessive sugar intake can lead to chronic high blood sugar levels, which strain the body’s ability to regulate insulin effectively.
  3. Cardiovascular Disease: A diet high in added sugars, particularly when combined with unhealthy fats, can contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases. This includes conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
  4. Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Excessive consumption of added sugars, especially fructose, can contribute to fat accumulation in the liver, leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. If untreated, NAFLD can progress to more severe conditions like liver inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis) and liver cirrhosis.
  5. Dental Problems: Frequent consumption of sugary processed foods and beverages can lead to tooth decay and dental cavities. The bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars, producing acids that erode tooth enamel and lead to dental problems.
  6. Metabolic Syndrome: Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of conditions, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels. Diets high in added sugars, mainly processed foods and meats, can contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome.

It is crucial to recognize that the sugar naturally present in whole foods, including fruits, is not a problem. It is necessary and should be embraced. The real issue arises when sugar is isolated from its natural source and consumed excessively.

In the United States, people of African American descent have a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those of other races and ethnicities. The greater frequency and severity of diabetes in the African American community can be attributed to several causes, including the following:

Higher Prevalence: African Americans have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans are approximately twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.

Obesity and Lifestyle Factors: Obesity is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and African Americans have higher rates of obesity compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. This can be attributed to a combination of genetic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors, including diet quality, physical activity levels, and access to healthy food options.

Socioeconomic Disparities: African Americans experience higher rates of poverty and lower socioeconomic status, which can limit access to healthcare, healthy food options, and resources for managing diabetes effectively. These disparities can contribute to challenges in diabetes prevention, management, and access to healthcare services.

Diabetes Complications: African Americans with diabetes may also face higher rates of diabetes-related complications. This includes a higher risk of kidney disease, lower limb amputations, vision problems, and cardiovascular complications.

It is essential to address these disparities and provide equitable access to healthcare, education, and resources for diabetes prevention and management within the African American community. This includes promoting healthy lifestyle habits, improving access to nutritious foods, increasing awareness about diabetes, and ensuring culturally sensitive healthcare services.

What Black People Should Eat More Fruits and Vegetables and Less Meat and Processed Foods 

A whole food plant-based diet has been shown to have significant benefits for individuals with diabetes, and in some cases, it may help manage and even reverse the condition. However, it’s important to note that the effectiveness of any dietary approach can vary depending on individual factors and each person’s specific circumstances.

Several studies have suggested that a whole food plant-based diet can improve blood sugar control, reduce insulin resistance, and reduce weight loss, all essential factors in managing diabetes. This diet focuses on consuming minimally processed plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds while minimizing or avoiding animal products, refined grains, added sugars, and unhealthy fats.

By emphasizing whole plant foods, which are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and various beneficial compounds, a plant-based diet can help regulate blood sugar levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and support weight management. Additionally, the higher fiber content in plant-based diets slows down the absorption of sugars, which can help prevent blood sugar spikes.

Several studies have shown positive outcomes for individuals with type 2 diabetes who adopted a whole food plant-based diet. For example, research by Dr. Neal Barnard and colleagues at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine demonstrated that a plant-based diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes led to significant improvements in blood sugar control and even partial or complete reversal of diabetes in some participants.

It’s important to note that dietary changes should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian, especially if you have diabetes or other underlying health conditions. They can provide personalized guidance and monitoring based on your needs and help you create a well-balanced plant-based meal plan that meets your nutritional requirements.

While a whole food plant-based diet can be beneficial for managing diabetes, I strongly suggest you talk to your doctor. It should be seen as a supportive approach that works with other aspects of diabetes management, regular monitoring, and physical activity.

1...170171172...184Page 171 of 184