YOURVOICEHEARDHERE INTIMATE INTERVIEW WITH SIEBRA MUHAMMAD (1526 hits)

Siebra Muhammad is a native New Orleanian. She currently holds an Associates Degree from Delgado Community College in New Orleans, LA. A registration specialist with the New Orleans Public School Systems, she is now planning to add author to her resume. YourVoiceHeardHere had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Muhammad this week on healthy living, growing up in New Orleans, and her views on education.

YourVoiceHeardHere: Let's begin with your childhood. Will you describe what it was like growing up in New Orleans?

SM: New Orleans is a beautiful city. There's the uniqueness and sassiness of the people. The sights and sounds of the city. The many culinary masterpieces. The way we celebrate life and honor the passing of loved ones. Our defiant refusal to allow Mother Nature to make us give up our way of life. The flavor and vibe of nights here, where the sacred and the profane are constantly intertwined. I grew up in a predominantly black community, with both parents having a hand in my upbringing. One of the lessons my parents taught me is to always think carefully about a topic or situation and then arrive at a conclusion. And also to not just change my stance or position just because another person might disagree or hold a different opinion. They taught me how to listen to others, take into consideration the other person's point of view, and then compare it against my own. Another value my parents instilled was the value of reading. I was required to read the newspaper every day, in addition to doing other assignments that were given by my school teachers. I think that it is good as Black people to share our child rearing techniques, not just mothers, but fathers too.

YVHH: You seem to live a very healthy lifestyle. What are some of the ways you stay fit?

SM: I try to walk on the treadmill at least 2 miles a day. When I do this I fell so alive and full of energy. In addition to the treadmill I have included basic house cleaning as part of my work out. From doing laundry to dusting and sweeping and mopping I have notice a definite toning. I don't want to look masculine, but I am proud of the results so far. One thing I have noticed is it’s not so much the work out as it is the dietary laws. When I use natural days events such as shopping and unloading and using can goods as weights it doesn’t seem to me that I am working out. I also use lemons to detoxify the mucus, I also use cod liver oil to eliminate toxins that my body has accumulated.

YVHH: I understand you are considering publishing a book of poems in the near future?

SM: Yes I have taken it into consideration. The title will be Soul Of A Butterfly, and it will be an 130-page book which will include some of my writings I have published on the BlackInAmerica.com online blogs and its syndicated sites, as well as some newly released material. The book will touch on the subject of love: of self, of family, of a mate, of friends, of the spirit. I'm currently talking to a few agents for advice and I have studied three women writers for inspiration: Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, and Sonia Sanchez. These women are intelligent, bold, humorous, and courageous!

YVHH: Tell us about the NOLA Family Community and Resource Center you are supporting.

SM: We have 4 community centers and are planning to open an additional 13 in the neighborhood for children ages 7-17 years old. The FCRC offers coaching in basketball, football, cheerleading, tennis and the like. We also have GED preparation, job seeking skills, and computer literacy classes for the parents. With recess being eliminated from our public schools many of our children are choosing to stay indoors, lulled by television and video games. The decline of play is closely linked to violence, teen pregnancy and other behavioral problems. We hope that you understand our passion and support us in our effort for building this center. Playing outside and interacting with other children is where self esteem is built and children are being kept off the streets.

YVHH: What does the phrase "Knowledge Is Power" mean to you? And what advice do you give the youth?

SM: Knowledge all about how you personalize your experience. Whether you attend an HBCU, Ivy League school, trade school, etc, knowledge is knowledge. Some knowledge is best learned online, some knowledge is best learned in a military unit, some knowledge is best learned in a classroom setting. I am always reading, researching, studying, and keeping up with with the latest news. It's how you use the knowledge that is given to you as an example of what to do, and in some cases, what NOT to do. Set some goals, and reach for the sky. Put God first, and you will reach them.
Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Friday, December 14th 2012 at 12:11PM
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