entertainment, social consciousness, social media

Blood Stains

June 30, 2014 freethought

There’s a quote that circles the internet regularly that states, “Be the kind of man (woman) who, when your feet hit the floor in the morning, the Devil says, ‘Oh no! He’s (she’s) up!’” A very compelling caption which announces to the world that the goodness of the heart, the kindness of the spirit will banish any evil entities that could be encountered throughout the course of a twenty-four (24) hour timeframe; a declaration that advises that the essence that harbors within the soul will not be corrupted by uncontrollable forces. There’s no denying that the forces of good and evil are real. As children, similar to race relations, we won’t recognize it until it’s brought to our attention. And from that realization, we decide if we will continue to follow the foundation laid by our parents and elders, or choose to venture in a different direction. In the African-American community, religion is paramount; it’s a belief which is worshipped each and every Sunday. Dependent upon the location, people of color will dress up in their finest garb, travel to their church home, tithe, read from scripture, listen to the choir bellow in unison and watch attentively as the pastor delivers his sermon. All unaware of how religion has shaped the fabric of the world at large.

Religion controls the hearts and minds of so many people; and the blood shed worshipping a specific deity is equally heart-wrenching. In the modern era, we focus solely on the wars in the Middle-East (Holy War) between the Arab nations and the country of Israel. June 5^th marked the 47^th anniversary of Israel’s victory of the Six-Day War against Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Algeria. But the war over the region has lasted for the better part of 3,000 years. And during that period, and throughout the world, those who control the “Holy Land” are considered the “chosen people”. Contributing to a society where instead of spreading “love” as all the great prophets advocated, we fight to outdo one another. My faith is superior to yours. Never taking into the consideration or researching what the other religions have to offer. And with that, just like with politics, we draw our lines in the sand and stand firmly entrenched in our positions. At no time wondering how we arrived at this juncture, just accepting the information given to us as is.

Throughout history, wars have been waged and blood spilled. Countless in number; some taught in World History, others concealed from public knowledge. The Crusades 1095 – 1291; the French Wars of Religion 1562 – 1598; the Thirty Years War from 1618 – 1648; the Nigerian Civil War 1967 – 1970; the Lebanese Civil War 1975 – 1990; the Second Sudanese Civil War 1983 – 2005. Wars had between Protestants and Catholics; Islam and Christianity. As mentioned in the movie the Book of Eli, a story which revolves around the main character Eli (a nomad) in a post-apocalyptic world, who is told by a voice to deliver his copy of a mysterious book (the Bible) to a safe location on the West Coast of the United States, (to paraphrase) he who controls the book, controls the minds of the people. If you remember excerpts of the movie, survivors emerged from hiding after the “supposed” nuclear war blaming religion and the Bible for the devastation which took place, and subsequently all Bibles were collected and burned.

Yet the Bible is the most centralized weapon used to engage in the psychological warfare against the masses. There’s differing opinions as to what took place at the Council of Nicaea. On June 19, 325, Constantine the Great held an audience with 318 bishops of the Roman Empire to determine the direction the fledgling faith of Christianity. In what became known as “The Nicene Creed”, a compromise was proposed that Jesus and God were of the same “substance”. In addition, the bishops decided upon a date for the holiest of Christian celebrations, Easter; the council settled on a moveable day that would never overlap with Passover again – which is the first Sunday after the first full moon or after the vernal equinox. Then, in 1492, Pope Alexander VI commissioned Leonardo Di Vinci to recast Jesus in the image of his son Cesare Borgia with the intent of passing off historical Jesus as European in appearance. During that time, Christians were fighting the Holy Crusades against the people who worshipped Islam. This was done, as Jesus was represented in all paintings, carvings and sculptures as the dark skinned man of Middle Eastern origin. Thus, to blind and confuse the masses, you change the history and imagery thereby making it yours. In 1611, under the rule of King James, a modern translation of the Bible was produced. It was the first edition of the King James Version of the Bible. The purpose of this new translation was to provide a version of the Bible written in the common language of the time. It was to serve as a Bible that everyone could understand. And despite all of his transgressions (his homosexual tendencies, Catholic beliefs, being an alleged murderer, etc.) his version of the Bible is considered by many to be the greatest piece of literature and religious work in the world. The Bible was used to enslave the tribes in Africa, the natives in the Caribbean, Central and North America. And despite the manipulation, misinformation and falsehoods of the pulpit, we contribute to the growth and spread of propaganda that doesn’t truly assist the citizens of the world at large. In the name of religion, goliath structures are built as a center of worship, while no further than a block away, people go homeless and starving for nourishment. The coffers of television evangelists fill with the proceeds of hard working followers, hoping to be blessed and granted favor, only to be disappointed by promises unfulfilled. We are all mere marionettes on the strings led by the puppeteer, as we’re lead in any direction that is suitable to assist the powers that be in their cause. “Organized religion is like organized crime; it preys on peoples’ weakness, generates huge profits for its operators, and is almost impossible to eradicate.” (Anonymous) And with most crime syndicates, to enforce their position, drastic measures are often taken to ensure that control is maintained. Therefore, if lives have to be sacrificed, so be it. “The kingdom of God is within you…” (Luke 17:21) Your understanding of that quote simply means, once you have an understanding of your consciousness and the power you possess as a person once enlightened, you’ll raise your frequency and become the light bearing vessel that you were meant to be. When you think of it, there have been more wars waged in the name of God than any ever conceived by the Devil. “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

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entertainment, social consciousness, social media, sports

The Cost Of Entertainment

June 26, 2014 freethought 1 Comment

It’s amazing the things we’ll overlook for the purposes of entertaining ourselves. There’s a quote that says, “Spend money on making memories, not material things to be happy.” And in some instances that’s what we’ll do to satisfy our desires to capture those moments that’ll linger with us forever. Here in Miami, the “On The Run Tour” featuring Jay Z and Beyonce’, appeared before a sold out house at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. To see your favorite superstars and attend the biggest venues, we’ll often in affect “rob Peter to Paul” just to be a part of the most happening events. To quench our thirst for entertainment, often times we overlook what mechanisms take place to allow those events to happen. This year’s World Cup is no exception. Thousands of Brazilians are living illegally on land near World Cup Stadiums and the impoverished people are blaming the construction of these venues for rent increases that drove them out of their homes. The Homeless Workers Movement, an organized group to combat these measures and fight for residents rights, has participated in helping families set up tents. However, this is nothing new. Homelessness has been an issue during the past twenty (20) plus year at Olympic locations: (Seoul/1988; Barcelona/1992; Atlanta/1996; Athens/2000; Sydney/2004 and Beijing/2008); as well as during Super Bowls or Political Conventions. When a city, state or country is scheduled to be showcased, the “powers that be” will remove the riff-raff off the street, increase the cost of living and disenfranchise their own residents for the sake of presenting a magnificent image of the host location. According to a report, more than two million residents, mostly poor, were displaced by Olympic development in the past two decades, including 720,000 in Seoul and 1.25 million in Beijing. “In Barcelona, some commentators claim new house prices rose by 250 percent between the 1986 announcement of the election of Barcelona as Host City and the actual event in 1992. In Sydney, real estate speculation led to the eviction of long-term tenants throughout the greater city, and the number of homeless nearly tripled over a five-year period.” (COHRE, Fair Play for Housing Rights, 41.) Today, Americans both domestic and abroad, will either be in the stadium, watch from home, stream online or a local tavern, to see if the United States can qualify for the “Knockout Round” against Portugal at 12 p.m. All the while, unaware of what steps took place to allow them to be able to champion their patriotism. We pride ourselves on being a forgiving society; willing to sacrifice for the greater good and for human kind. Although it’s a lofty tasks, as you continue to watch the competition with the country of Brazil being the world’s stage, keep the unfortunate in mind as you cheer your team to victory. “I believe that we will win!” In the broader scheme of things, under these circumstances, humanity loses. “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

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social consciousness, social media

The Rationale, Compromise, The Decision

June 22, 2014 freethought

The caption immediately caught my attention as I scrolled my News Feed on Facebook while in a local saloon. It didn’t help that my mind was in a fog after speaking with executives about the format and direction of my internet radio show. So as I gathered my thoughts in preparation to answer the question posed, I wanted to appear objective and illustrate a conscious point view. At the point of my response, there were upwards of twenty (20) comments posted; I wanted to avoid them all so they wouldn’t have any bearing on my reply. “If you died and came back to this world, would you still want to be Black”, the poster asked. He followed by indicating, “Serious question. Think about it before you answer.” Without hesitation, the words began flowing from my telecommunication device. With my first response, I straddled the fence; trying to maintain a level of sensibility about the question by inadvertently letting it be known that I’d come back as I am, Black. My comment was met with a retort about the state of consciousness amongst people of color and the system put in place to instill that behavior. My second (2nd) response was what I thought was a “beast” to enhance my argument. I argued that overcoming the struggle is what makes the triumph so gratifying. When you prove your detractors wrong; your will overcomes their efforts to maintain their level of superiority, that’s what make things worthwhile. I provided a brief history about our ancestors’ accomplishments; from the Egyptians to the Moors, and how we once were the people to emulate. The response thereafter should’ve just been, “Fuck that shit! You tripping!” The responder basically said that the White race is the “Gatekeepers” of everything we love and hold dear. He brought up the Willie Lynch Letter and how its premise has continued to enslave Black people for over three (300) hundred years. And as I read his text, the emotions within had me on edge; questioning myself and it was uncomfortable. It was similar to seeing my Blackness in a vegetative state on a hospital death bed. I knew the correct answer was to pull the plug. I was trying to justify keeping it alive, but was all too aware of the consequences which lay ahead.

I got a part in a movie in 1986. I called it the “N****r They Couldn’t Kill.” [The character] He raped a white woman; they tried to electrocute him but it didn’t work and he became a cult hero. Then they tried to hang him. There were some Jewish people in the audition room who said, “It is funny.” And I said to them “Yeah, it like you bring some Jewish people into a room and they think it is a shower but it is gas. And they said ‘Right!’ And I said ‘Right!’ That ain’t funny!” So to me it was not funny to put a rope around my MFing neck and I made a point. I called Sidney (Portier) and told him “Man they are offering me $600,000 to play the ‘N****r They Couldn’t Kill.’” And he told me, “I’m not going to tell you what to do. But I will tell you this, the first, two, three or four films you do in this business will dictate how you are perceived.

That was sage advice! And they’re wise words for everyone. When you’re just starting out, you’re eager to get your foot in the door and you think you ought to say yes to anything that’s thrown your way. But you should never leave your better judgment at the door. If something doesn’t feel right, or you find it outright offensive to you or to others, it’s probably best to wait until you find something more in line with your brand of work. – Denzel Washington (Times Talk 2012)

Compromises

So on Thursday my show aired as per usual, and of course I thought I did a pretty good job. I’m growing more comfortable being the only participate sharing the “news of the day” and enjoy relaying that information to the masses. Now by all means, the show wasn’t flawless. Similar to a gymnast performing their floor exercise on the largest of stages; the tumbles, cartwheels and flips were not all crisp, but the entirety of the exhibition was executed as planned. The closing sequence punctuated the show and I felt good as I signed off the air. One of executive producers congratulated me on show and made suggestions as to how to enhance and place it on the platform with others in the industry. He questioned my desire and challenged me as to what lengths would I be willing to go through to make the show a success. It wasn’t an ultimatum, but it was a declaration as to what is to be expected; a push. The goal is to be hipper Tavis Smiley, Ronald Martin and Al Sharpton, all of whom broadcast news on a large scale; challenge and confront guest when necessary; be more entertaining to captivate the audience and drive up listenership. Whether the publicity is negative or positive, if you’re being discussed, you’re making progress and that’s a good thing. If they aren’t talking about you, you ain’t doing shit! We said our good-byes and I departed from the facility. Now mind you, I’m receptive to all of these ideas. This is what I signed up for because it’s my passion to relay information to the masses; especially that in which would be beneficial to your ongoing journey in life. But I couldn’t help but feel “some type of way”. It’s as if I was being asked to change myself to placate to an industry that isn’t enamored with the substance, they’re only interested in the glitz and glamour of the product; if the cake doesn’t taste good, fuck it, it looked good on the outside. And it wasn’t as if the execs were saying this, but I felt like I would have to exploit myself for ratings. The show is first and foremost a vessel to disseminate information; secondly in the course of reading stories, have fun and provide an objective opinion; lastly, when there are interviews, provide the guest a platform to get their message out to the masses. If during the course of an interview, I were to disagree with the guest, in no way was the plan to turn into Stephen A. Smith, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly or Rush Limbaugh. I’m more laid back that way and of the mindset that everyone’s entitled to their opinion. I’m thinking to myself, do White companies have to go to such extremes to receive notoriety? Shit, being Black, you already have to work twice as hard just to be on the same level as your contemporaries, so now I have to be something that I’m not. Damn! So as I left the premises, I needed to clear my head and a nice adult beverage would definitely provide a means of escape.

Decision Time

Blasphemous would be the word I’d used if my decision were to return to be White after my death. I questioned the concept for days leading up to this blog. As I weighed my decision I looked no further than the show’s Facebook Fan Page and my personal page. I reviewed and remembered all the posts that have been shared since its advent and the lack of viewership or comments to them; the blogs that are disseminated two (2) per week on a weekly basis; information given out on Friday (Free Yo’ Mind Friday). I thought to myself, are people unwilling to be receptive to new information; is it the messenger (me); or do people simply don’t care about what’s going on around them? I went into Mr. Peabody’s Way Back Machine and thought about all of the atrocities that Black people have faced throughout the course of time. The travels through the Middle Passage during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade; having flesh ripped from the bone by the strike of the whip during slavery; homes, land and wealth stripped away during Reconstruction; Jim Crow; lynching running rampant throughout the south; the quest for reparations; the sting of the water as law enforcement and fire rescue raised the PSI on the water hose; the planned assassinations or incarceration of all the great Black leaders; the emasculation of the Black male and the exploitation of the Black female on television broadcasts; and the lists goes on and on. And during each event, whether it was the destruction of Black Wall Street (Tulsa, Oklahoma); the Rosewood massacre (Rosewood, Florida); the 1985 bombing of the city of Philadelphia (over concern of an organization called MOVE); or when mothers were separated from their children and spouses during slavery, I’m sure they all cried out and thought to themselves, “Why me? Why us?” They prayed to their deities with the hopes of revenge, exoneration or retribution, and in many cases, that day has never come. I pondered, “Who the hell would want some of that? I can see why people would choose being White. They’ve never had to face those issues or concerns.” But the question should then be, “Why not us?” Everybody wants to be with the winners! Those of whom that weld the power and with the stroke of a pen, can change lives. The movers and shakers is what people gravitate too. Being White is the logical answer, but it doesn’t make it right. Think about the joy you feel when the underdog overcomes all of the obstacles in movies, relationships, business and in sports; think about your own accounts of achieving something when there was doubt. We exalt in the achievements and it pleasures the heart. However, the playing field is entirely different when race is involved. If the opposite were to occur, that changes the balance of power; the sleep would awaken and become aware of what’s truly theirs. Nobody liked the Chicago Bulls when Michael Jordan was playing with Granville Waiters, Sam Vincent and Orlando Woolridge. People’s choices are based upon who’s in control, who’s winning, who’s perceived to be on top. It wasn’t until “23” started winning that his cult following grew and reached mythical proportions. To me, the choice is clear. I’ll endure whatever’s necessary to get the message out. My decision isn’t based on “being Black is all I know” it’s based on what I know; there’s a huge difference. When information is being suppressed from you that doesn’t allow you to awaken your spirituality and consciousness, then the alternative is to seek it out. I’ll continue to do that and share it with the hopes that people will enjoy the substance as opposed to the flair. The reason I have a blog and a radio show is to share all of this and more with you. It’s never about the popularity or the money; all of that are bonuses that come from a brand receiving exposure. I’ll never compromise my morals and values for the sake of attention. Shit I hate taking pictures anyway and enjoy playing the back. The format for the show, blogs and Fan Page will remain status quo because I believe that with information, changes can and will occur. The fuck I look like pretending to be holier than thou, acting like I’m being chauffeured in a Maybach, sipping from a chalice and enjoying the spoils of not being true to myself. I close with “We Are The Change” because I truly mean that statement. The great scribes Run DMC eloquently stated it well, “I’m proud to be Black y’all; and that’s a fact y’all!” I’m not unplugging shit! I’m keeping my Blackness alive! “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

Special shout out to: Al Deleveaux and Frank FAMU Rattler

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basketball, entertainment, social consciousness, social media, sports

Bouncing Back

June 19, 2014 freethought

It was a long, grueling season. An attempt to 3-peat fell short as the former defending champion Miami Heat lost to the superior San Antonio Spurs 4-1 in the best of seven (7) series in the NBA Finals. To some, it was considered a five (5) game series sweep, as the only Spurs’ loss came as a result of Tony Parker being temporarily injured and visibly shaken as a result of an elbow from Heat point guard Mario Chalmers. However, the questions were raised as a result of the Game 4 and 5 performances of one Dwyane Tyrone Wade; who shot 7-25 in those contests contributing to the defeat at the hands of the newly crowned champions. This was a bit of a surprise considering that Wade had shot a career high field goal percentage of 54.5%, averaging nineteen (19) points per game. It was tied for the highest shooting percentage by any shooting guard in the past twenty-nine (29) years, and the highest of any player playing the same position since the NBA implemented the three-point shot in 1979-80; something that the fabled Michael Jordan had never done over a full season (53.9% in 1990-91). Even more shocking was the NBA Finals was the stage that the Heat prepared for all season, placing Wade on a “Maintenance Program” to ensure his long-term health and maintain his “bounce” when needed in pivotal moments. But as the Finals footage will reveal, the athleticism abandoned him, and his craftiness used to get by after playing fifty-four (54) games during the regular season was not enough to assist in retrieving a third (3^rd) straight title. The moment has arrived for the artist former known as “Flash” to bounce back; after falling down and appearing broken, it’s now time for him to pick himself up and prove his doubters wrong yet again.

Seems like only yesterday, Wade burst upon the scene as he lead his alma mater, the Marquette Golden Eagles, to the Final Four in 2003 with an epic performance over the Kentucky Wildcats. Wade’s performance during the Midwest Regional Final justified his selection as a First Team All-American, recording a triple double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Wade elected to forgo his senior year and enter the NBA draft. The Heat selected him with the fifth (5^th) overall pick and he has been a mainstay of the team ever since. The 6’4” pocket rocket, filled with quick twitch muscle fibers, swiftly became a fan favorite and during his rookie season lead the team to the second (2^nd) round of the NBA Playoffs, eventually losing to the Indiana Pacers. And though Wade’s accolades includes three (3) NBA Championships, a 2008 Olympic gold medal, all-star appearances and All-Star & NBA Finals MVP trophies, his career has been defined by his ability to overcome adversity and “bounce” back.

Dwyane Wade v. Rodney Carney

If anyone has that ability it’s definitely Wade. While many others may have crumbled under the weight and burdens placed upon them, D. Wade appears to relish in it; using it for motivation to fuel his desires. Who else could have overcome their parents being divorced, their mother being addicted to heroin, a bitter and public divorce from their high school sweetheart (Siohvaughn Funches), lawsuits filed by former partners over the defunct restaurant chain (D. Wade’s Place), a host of injuries and a love child outside of a relationship with their current fiancée (Gabrielle Union). Wade has dealt with these adversities and in typical fashion, accepted responsibility, used each episode as stepping stones and moved forward.

This may be Wade’s biggest challenge to date. At age thirty-two (32), though not considered old by normal human standards, in the field of athletics it’s considered a lifetime; old; too much mileage and wear & tear. During Game 5 of this year’s NBA Finals, Wade’s attempt at the rim was met by a Tiago Splitter block. There was no lift in his legs and the rejection wasn’t even at the summit of his leap. So now it’s presumably back to the lab with long-time trainer Tim Grover to see if he can revive Wade’s broken body and get him in condition to handle the rigors of an eighty-two (82) game schedule and relieving some of the load placed on teammate and good friend LeBron James. Of course people won’t be expecting the same player that returned from injury during the 2008-09 calendar years that helped lead the “Redeem Team” to a gold medal over Spain in Beijing, China, or who lead the league in scoring, averaging 30.2 and finishing third (3^rd) in MVP voting. The Heat organization, particularly James, assuming that he remains with the ball club, is looking for a healthy Wade to solidify the team’s lineup and be a solid contributor for the foreseeable future. If Wade can accomplish that, the team can continue to make more title runs and he can further entrench himself in the annals of NBA lore. The man who’s moniker was once fall down seven (7) times, stand up eight (8), is being asked to pick himself up, brush himself off and return to greatness. The vultures (the media) have swooped in and are trying to pick at Wade’s battered carcass; many basketball analysts are leaving him for dead and saying he’ll never be the same. If anyone can do it, Wade has proven he can. And the fans of Miami-Dade County, appropriately called “Wade” County, will be anxiously awaiting his bounce back. “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

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love, social consciousness, social media

Black Fatherhood On Trial

June 15, 2014 freethought 6 Comments

In the court of public opinion, the verdict is crystal clear. The jury doesn’t take long to render a decision. There isn’t a need for the twelve (12) to be sequestered; no threat of a mistrial or the jury being hung. From a room adjacent to the proceedings, the bailiff escorts the jurors back to their seats as the crowd anxiously awaits the outcome. The court reporter is patient, yet precisely accurate with the diction being used. The judge has returned from his chambers and grows weary of the litigation before him. On trial yet again is the “Black” male. His crime: accused of being a “deadbeat dad”, an “absentee father”, merely a sperm donor. After enduring the kidnappings from his native lands; surviving the rigors of the middle passage during the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade; being stripped of his name, culture and dignity – forced into a lifetime of servitude; scratching and clawing to be considered equal, once more he stands before his peers to defend his honor. The plaintiffs: The “Black” female, the mainstream media, movies, television and record executives; all of who has contributed to his demise. How did we get here? Can the “Black” male ever be exonerated and forgiven for his transgressions? It’s our job as men to correct these acts and ensure the story is told correctly; show that the evidence is unyielding on our behalf. Prove that the images and data being relayed to the public are the exception, not the rule. We’ll proceed as follows:

When people discuss fatherhood, they assume that African-American men aren’t part of the equation. The media presents figures that show an overwhelming number of men are absent from their children’s lives. For every James Evans from the television show “Good Times” you have Stevie J of “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta”; for every Cliff Huxtable of “Cosby Show” fame, you have Peter Gunz of “Love and Hip Hop New York”. The graphs and pie charts are nothing short of damning when reports, studies, statistics and other data are presented. The imagery contributes to the public’s perception that “we” would rather have a harem of women, father children by each of them, then return to a lifestyle of dysfunction, as opposed to taking care of our responsibilities and being a pillar in a family structure. The negative illustrations supersede the achievements of the men that play active roles in the children’s lives.

There isn’t a need to put “Desperately Seeking Daddy” with a picture of the alleged father on the side of a milk carton. No need for the unfair generalizations that proclaim Black fathers as being shiftless, selfish and the ones who abandon their children. We’re here for our children just as much as any other race. What about the fathers who have been driven away by angry mothers? Or the family law system which does little to defend fathers’ bond for their children? When making their arguments to demonized the Black male, is divorce ever considered? What about the breakups of unmarried couples? It’s bigger than what can be explained in a thirty minute exposé; it’s economic, sociological, psychological, cultural and political. These explanations should be regarded when having this discussion.

When seeing a father taking care of his children, it shouldn’t be considered an abnormality. Data published by the Center for Disease Control revealed that Black fathers spend more time in their children’s day-to-day lives than fathers from other racial groups. If a couple doesn’t get married, that shouldn’t be perceived as the man are absent or he doesn’t support his children financially. Just because he doesn’t marry the child’s mother doesn’t mean he loves his children any less. Commitment to the bearer of the child isn’t necessary to take care of your responsibilities. A father is their daughter’s first love, their son’s first hero. What isn’t shown is the encouragement given during the birthing process; the diapers being changed or late night feedings; tip-toeing in the dark to leave money as the Tooth Fairy or the glow of pride a father has from being present during their child’s milestone accomplishments. There won’t be much fanfare or advertisements honoring the father’s role in a child’s development. Social media posts will run rampant on this day with quotes such as “Happy Father’s Day to the real men who take care of their kids”; or, “Happy Father’s Day to all the single mothers playing the role of both mom and dad.” Both of these quotes are shots at the Black males’ supposed inability to care for their seeds. Even Hallmark, with their Mahogany Brand specifically designed for people of color, has capitalized on the situation. Starting back in 2011, they created designs celebrating Black mothers supposedly carrying the distinction with their “To Mom on Father’s Day” selection. And because of this, the Black male has been placed in a position to defend himself from the atrocities of the world’s view of him as it relates to fatherhood.

The bailiff addresses the courtroom by stating, “All Rise!” And with palms sweating and a nervousness that can be felt in the pit of his stomach, the defendant anxiously awaits the jury’s verdict to be read. “We the people of the United States and society at large, find the Black father guilty of the charges brought against you for being absent from your children’s lives. Until further evidence is shown to reverse and dismiss this verdict, the conviction will remain. You are hereby sentenced to a lifetime of ridicule and shame. The media will continue to have the ability to exploit this phenomenon and will depict you as being an unfit, unwilling caregiver to your children. We will drive a wedge between you and children’s mother, have you tied up in child support hearings, suspend your driver’s license for nonpayment or any arrears owed and have you disgruntled. You have the remainder of your lifetime to appeal this verdict and change society’s perception of you. I encourage you do so, but feel at this point, with the media at our beckoning, we can keep perpetuating this charade until the end of time!” The judge then strikes his gavel to conclude the proceedings. Being a father is no different than acquiring and maintaining a job. There will be pitfalls, unforeseen obstacles, trials and tribulations. However, the joy that comes from succeeding and raising your child to be a productive individual is an achievement sought after by all men who father children. Fathers I implore you, remain involved in your kids’ lives despite the circumstances. Be sure to nurture, love and groom them. Being a dad is most times a thankless job that often goes unappreciated; and that comes with the territory. More positive stories of Black fathers involvement can render any judge’s decision null and void, and in future hearings the court would have to deliver an outcome of Nolle Prosequi (Latin for unwilling to pursue; do not prosecute). Happy Father’s Day! “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

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entertainment, social consciousness, social media

The War On Melanin

June 12, 2014 freethought 5 Comments

There’s a caption I saw on the internet that states, “If tomorrow, women woke up and decided they really liked their bodies, just think of how many industries would go out of business.” For women of color, that statement should be magnified a thousand fold. Throughout my lifetime I’ve seen Black women chase the dream of being cover girls, the ghosts of being centerfolds, when in essence, they’ve always had the beauty to stand side by side and toe to toe with any of the women on the planet. While most women embrace the skin they’re in, others feel that their melanin is a curse. It hinders them from securing gainful employment; prohibts them from being cast in roles if their pursuits are the arts and fashion; binds them to a time period where the darker skinned women were regulated to physical labors during the time of slavery, while the fairer skinned had the comforts of being in the home as maids and servants, or paraded around as trophies. So as your comsumption of entertainment grows, you hardly notice the lack of dark skinned women in music videos, being cast in television shows or receiving movie roles. There are some exceptions, however you’re oblivious to that fact because you’ve be programmed to believe that beauty is determined by complexion first; everything else is secondary. Don’t attempt to resist, it’s inbedded in your subconscious.

What is Melanin?

As a child you may have heard phrases like “Black don’t crack” or “The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.” All of these quotes can be derived from the fact that people of color produce a large amount of melanin. Melanin is the primary determinant of skin color, hair and iris of the eye. Cells called melanocytes, located just below the outer surface of the skin, produce melanin, which is in higher levels in people with darker skin. Melanin’s primary function is to protect the skin from sun damage, but it carries additional benefits that are enjoyed mostly by those with darker skin; Africans, natives of India, and native Australians. The production of melanin allows the individual to maintain their youthful appearance as they “age gracefully”, reduces the risk of skin cancer and the development of wrinkles. For the purposes of this read, I won’t touch on its spiritual aspects.

Skin Bleaching

So when the topic of skin bleaching is broached, the first person usually mentioned is Michael Jackson. He is thought of as its pioneer; coming to the attention of the masses as his pigmentation lightened from the albums “Off The Wall” and “Thriller” to his appearance on the album cover “Bad” and thereafter. However, in a February 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey and later confirmed by the autopsy report after his death in 2009, the “gloved one” suffered from vitiligo, a condition that causes depigmentation of parts of the skin. It occurs when melanocytes die or are unable to function. So what are the excuses for celebrities like Nikki Minaj, Lil Kim or former all-star baseball Sammy Sosa, as there’s no evidence that they suffer from skin aliments?

The Perception

In an interview recently, rapper Kendrick Lamar told radio personality Miss Info that he fired the original female model chosen for his “Poetic Justice” video and chose another “darker-toned” girl from the pool of extras to play lead. The TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) representative told Miss Info: “We had another girl for the lead but I had an idea where I just wanted a little bit of a darker tone [girl] in the video. It’s almost like a color blind industry where there’s only one type of appeal to the camera. ….. I always kept in the back of my mind like ‘you don’t ever see this tone of a woman in videos. No disrespect, I love all women, period. But at the same time, I still feel like it needs that balance.” In addition, according to the Compton spitter there’s a preference for lighter-skinned models in the entertainment industry and Lamar wants to change that. Now scroll down your mental memory deck and think about all of the music videos you’ve watched that featured light-skinned African American females, women of Hispanic decent or Caucasians as the lead or featured on the cover of magazines as opposed to those that have a darker hue. Karyn Washington, the once inspiring now deceased founder of the site For Brown Girls and #DarkSkinRedLip project, looked to empower women of an assortment of shades by offering them a forum to express their displeasure, boost self-esteem and triumph over any short-comings. Her initiative, #DarkSkinRedLip project, came into existence after rapper A$AP Rocky said that women of darker complexions should not wear red lipstick.

We live in an era where the mass media determines what beauty is, and the customers are forced to follow suit. From the covers of People, Style and Vogue magazine, commercials ads that unbeknownst to the viewer depict cleanliness with the removal of “dirt and grime” to have perfect skin with a bar of soap or bath gel, to television shows like “Project Runway”, vanity is always clear and present, and for people of color, especially those of whom provide amusement to the public, it’s an never ending race to remain relevant and use the resources available to remain in the public eye. For those of you that watched Spike Lee’s movie Jungle Fever, do you remember the round table discussion that the women had after it was discovered that Wesley Snipes’ character “Flipper” cheated on his wife his White (Italian) mistress. The sentiments in that discussion are the anger and pain felt by many women in the Black community. A constant battle between shades of brown and sometimes those of an entirely different skin tone. So not only do Black women have to contend with the battle of keeping their natural hair, perming or putting weave it, they also have to remain diligent within themselves to remain self-confident with their own exquisiteness. All the while, corporations bank on the fact that you’ll go to their stores, purchase their products, alter your appearance in an attempt to become something more than you already are. I often ask women why do they feel the need to purchase eye lashes, weave, skin lightening cream, get clip on toe/finger nails, etc? The response I receive is “For me! I wanna look nice.” I then counter by saying, “If you were truly happy with yourself, there shouldn’t be a need to enhance what your deity has already given you. People should accept you the way you are. You don’t put rims or paint an exotic car. The value alone should tell you its worth.” I’m usually met with silence after that. “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

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entertainment, social consciousness, social media

The Burden Of Greatness

June 8, 2014 freethought

On the onset of each day we awaken with a new sense of purpose. All of the events which have transpired in the previous twenty-four (24) hours no longer quantify the person we aspire to be in the present. Despite our classifications, be it financial, race, gender or religion, we gather ourselves, lace-up our bootstraps, and walk out the door with the intensive purpose of creating a more comfortable today and a better tomorrow. Sacrifices are made, relationships are sometimes severed to reach the pinnacle of success. And upon reaching that summit, we believe that we’ll be absolved of all of our problems and the problems that come from achieving satisfaction will be remedied. However, this is only the beginning. Regardless of your accomplishments, the applause you seek will never come in the form of a standing ovation; the people will clap with you, not for you. They chastise you saying you can’t swim because you walk on water; crucify you for wanting to soar to new heights as opposed to the cumbersome tasks of walking hand to hand, side by side with them as they drag their burdens like an overweight suitcase. Damn… Unpack!

In an age of twenty-four (24) hour news cycles, people’s successes and failures are chronicled instantly on the internet and social media for all to view. This is no more evident than the scrutiny that fell at the pristine feet of LeBron James Thursday night during Game One of the NBA Finals. Ironically, a person who slogan throughout the season has been “Strive for Greatness” couldn’t summon the energy necessary to “will” himself to the finish of his last game played. Throughout the course of the fourth (4^th) quarter, at the time was a “hotly” contested game, James began experiencing cramps which eventually lead to his removal from the game and could have possibly contributed to the outcome of a 110-95 defeat of the Miami Heat by the San Antonio Spurs. The pain must’ve have been overwhelming; the grimaces on his face spoke volumes of an individual’s body who had failed him at the most inopportune time. And as he was carried off the floor to the bench by staffers and teammates, the cyberverse burst into outrage. There were talks that LeBron wasn’t tough enough; he’s soft. During the television broadcast ESPN analyst Mark Jackson uttered the following, “If you’re LeBron James, the great ones find a way to tell their body, ‘Not now … I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’” There were individuals trying to create an internet sensation, dubbing it #lebroning, where photos were being taken of people mimicking James being carried off the court. Then of course, there were the pundits, lead by ESPN’s First Take host Skip Bayless leading the chorus as to why the self-proclaimed “King” wasn’t properly hydrated like the other competitors who also endured the almost 90 degree heat felt in the arena. The comparison of other greats poured in; Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) making two (2) free throws after tearing his Achilles tendon in 2013, then walking off the court on his own power; Michael Jordan had the “Flu Game” in 1997 where imagines of “23” collapsing in Scottie Pippen’s arms being lead off the court in a Chicago Bulls’ victory over the Utah Jazz. Asked about the criticism, James simply stated “I’m the easiest target in sports.”

And such is the burden of being dubbed “King” and the best player in the NBA; ruler of all you survey in the basketball universe. You have people you couldn’t walk two (2) flights of stairs without becoming winded, sitting at home behind their keyboards or on their telecommunications devices eating hot dogs, loaded baked potatoes, drinking beer questioning an individual’s toughness. Knowing damn well if they were to receive that same criticism by their peers or superiors for poor job performance, they too would be equally upset and want to file a grievance with their union representative. Or better yet, what if their significant other chastised them for underperformance in the bedroom and an inability to satisfy their sexual desires, boy the rage, alcohol induced tirades and arguments would skyrocket; if that already isn’t the case. We place Michael Jordan on the Mount Olympus of sports icons; convincing ourselves that he would’ve played under the same circumstances as LeBron, and with the current rules, would’ve dropped 60 on Kawhi Leonard. And as the years pass, we make Jordan an indestructible force; comparable to the Juggernaut from the X-Men movie and comic book series. However, we forget that in March of 1995, upon making his return to the Bulls from spending time away playing minor league baseball for the Birmingham Barons, in his first game back, Jordan scored 19 points against the Indiana Pacers, but shot just 7-of-28 from the floor in a 103-96 overtime loss for the Bulls in Indianapolis. Sports Illustrated’s Phil Taylor wrote at the time: “But on Sunday, before the first quarter had ended, the 32-year-old Jordan was bending over and tugging on his shorts, the universal symbol for fatigue, and in the overtime he developed leg cramps. Asked if he was disappointed that he didn’t get a chance to dunk, Jordan replied, “I was cramping so bad I didn’t really want to.” Ah… so MJ too was merely human; subject to all the ills of ordinary men. We expect greatness from those we have adulation for. If Dave Chappelle isn’t funny during his comedy routine, Brittany Spears is discovered to have lip-synced during her music performance or LeBron James fails to deliver in the “clutch”, our dissatisfaction leads us to voice our displeasure by “Boos” or a keyboard tongue lashing on any social media outlet that’ll assist us in championing our cause; and when the venom dissipates, and the event is no longer a story, we aren’t held responsible for our comments; whether the sentiments were justified or in error. We go back about our lives waiting on the next success story for which we can find just cause to tear it down from its pedestal. So for James, the backlash that comes from being a child prodigy, the savior of a city (Cleveland) that hasn’t won a championship in any of the four (4) major sports since 1964 (Cleveland Browns – NFL Championship), and the remnants of “The Decision”, for which he has yet to return to the level of White fans which he had prior to joining the Heat is all encompassing. He’s currently the most polarizing athlete in sports. So as Game 2 approaches and the storylines from the previous game are rehashed, be mindful that you too have a story you’re living on a daily basis; and you’re equally liable for any unfortunate outcomes that take place on your journey. Because we all know, any missteps taken will be compared to past spouses, employees, parents and situations; and how does that make you feel? “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

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social consciousness

40 Acres And A Mule – Why Now?

June 5, 2014 freethought 8 Comments

The year was 1989! It was my freshman year at the campus on the highest of seven (7) hills; Florida A&M University, located in Tallahassee, Florida. A virgin to college life from Miami, Florida, I walked the facility’s grounds on a daily basis taking in the essence of being in an environment with my peers from all corners of the United States, away from home for an extended period for the first time. The variations of complexions, the array hues, the beautiful women, the sternness of the men, the overall history surrounding my every being was overwhelming. I can remember a young man approaching me, no older than 19, leather jacket (this was in the summer, late August mind you), afro with his pick deeply entrenched in the back pocket of his blue jeans, handing me a flyer, looking me squarely in my eyes behind the lenses of his sunglasses and asking me if I were ready for the “Revolution?” “Hell yeah”, I responded. (What?) Man… what da hell am I talking about? I’ve just arrived on “da yard” and I better not sh*t on my parents money or this little scholarship I have trying to be radical. That would soon come though. As the days passed, I noticed people wearing college apparel with a patch that read, “40 Acres and a Mule”. The clothing was fashionable and I wanted to learn more about it since I was unfamiliar with the brand and the slogan. I would come to learn to that the merchandise was owned by an aspiring director by the name of Spike Lee and the concept was based on a famous episode during the Civil War/Reconstruction era where in 1865, Union General William T. Sherman issued “Special Field Order 15”, which ordered distribution of lots of forty (40) acres to freed black families and could be lent some surplus army mules. This was the first systematic attempt to provide a form of reparations to newly freed slaves by redistributing property formerly possessed by Confederate land owners.

As the story goes and what has been taught in school, the policy of “40 Acres and a Mule” was that General Sherman issued the Order on January 16, 1865, after his famous “March to the Sea” where his military campaign began in the captured city of Atlanta, Georgia on November 15, 1864 and ended with the capture of the port of Savannah, Georgia on December 21^st of that same year. However, what isn’t told is how the idea of the Order was generated by black leaders. A discussion was had between Sherman, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton and twenty (20) leaders of the Black community in the City of Savannah, where Sherman was headquartered four (4) days before the Order was issued. Abolitionists Charles Sumner and Thaddeus Stevens and other Radical Republicans had been actively advocating land redistribution “to break the back of Southern slaveholders’ power.” The Radical Republicans were a faction of American politicians within the Republican Party from about 1854 until the end of Reconstruction in 1877. They called themselves “radicals” and were opposed during the war by moderates and conservative factions led by Abraham Lincoln and after the war by self-styled “conservatives” and “liberals”. Radicals strongly opposed slavery during the war and after the war distrusted ex-Confederates, demanding harsh policies for the former rebels, and emphasizing civil rights and voting rights for freedmen. The meeting was held at 8:00 p.m., Jan. 12^th, on the second floor of Charles Green’s mansion on Savannah’s Macon Street. The Black leaders were all ministers, mostly Baptist and Methodist; eleven (11) of which had been born free in slave states, of which ten (10) had lived as free men in the Confederacy during the course of the Civil War. The question was raised by both Sherman and Stanton as to what did the Negro most wanted? Land! “The way we can best take care of ourselves,” Rev. Garrison Frazier began his answer to the crucial third question, “is to have land, and turn it and till it by our own labor … and we can soon maintain ourselves and have something to spare … We want to be placed on land until we are able to buy it and make it our own.” And when asked next where the freed slaves “would rather live — whether scattered among the whites or in colonies by themselves,” without missing a beat, Brother Frazier (as the transcript calls him) replied that “I would prefer to live by ourselves, for there is a prejudice against us in the South that will take years to get over … ” Rev. Frazier was the group’s chosen leader, a Baptist minister, who at the time was sixty-seven (67) years of age, who had been born in Granville, North Carolina, and was a slave until 1857, “when he purchased freedom for himself and wife for $1000 in gold and silver,” as the New York Daily Tribune reported. Rev. Frazier had been “in the ministry for thirty-five years,” and it was he who bore the responsibility of answering the 12 questions that Sherman and Stanton put to the group.

Upon the Order being issued, the response was immediate. When the transcript of the meeting was reprinted in the Black publication Christian Recorder, an editorial note indicated that “From this it will be seen that the colored people down South are not so dumb as many suppose them to be.” Baptist minister Ulysses L. Houston, one in the group of men that had met with Sherman, led 1,000 Blacks to Skidaway Island, Ga., where they established a self-governing community with Houston as the “Black governor.” By June of that year, “40,000 freedmen had been settled on 400,000 acres of ‘Sherman Land.'” Sherman later ordered that the army could lend the new settlers mules; hence the phrase, “40 acres and a mule.” Below are excerpts of the Order:

Section one: “The islands from Charleston, south, the abandoned rice fields along the rivers for thirty miles back from the sea, and the country bordering the St. Johns river, Florida, are reserved and set apart for the settlement of the negroes [sic] now made free by the acts of war and the proclamation of the President of the United States.”

Section two specifies that these new communities, moreover, would be governed entirely by black people themselves: ” … on the islands, and in the settlements hereafter to be established, no white person whatever, unless military officers and soldiers detailed for duty, will be permitted to reside; and the sole and exclusive management of affairs will be left to the freed people themselves … By the laws of war, and orders of the President of the United States, the negro [sic] is free and must be dealt with as such.”

Finally, section three specifies the allocation of land: ” … each family shall have a plot of not more than (40) acres of tillable ground, and when it borders on some water channel, with not more than 800 feet water front, in the possession of which land the military authorities will afford them protection, until such time as they can protect themselves, or until Congress shall regulate their title.”

With this Order, 400,000 acres of land — “a strip of coastline stretching from Charleston, South Carolina, to the St. John’s River in Florida, including Georgia’s Sea Islands and the mainland thirty miles in from the coast,”

So you then ask yourself, if all of this transpired, what happened to cause people of color to continue to feel disenfranchised and left in a state of suffering and misery? After Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, Andrew Johnson, Lincoln’s successor and a sympathizer with the South, overturned the Order in the fall of 1865, and, as Barton Myers remarked, “returned the land along the South Carolina, Georgia and Florida coasts to the planters who had originally owned it” — to the very people who had declared war on the United States of America.

Most startling is that reparations were paid to former slave owners during the Civil War. The District of Columbia Emancipation Act began just after President Lincoln signed the bill to end slavery in the district on April 16, 1862, and during the next nine (9) months, 930 former slave owners were compensated by the Board of Commissioners. According to the National Archives and Records Administration, the former slave owners were given up to $300.00 emancipation compensation for each slave they owned, after being forced to give their captives freedom. This amount was given to cover any loss they may incur for not having their slaves to work their land and make money for them. They were also compensated for their loyalty to the Union throughout the duration of the conflict. Ain’t that some sh*t!

So in reading all of this information, and grasping all of this history, you ask yourself why now? Why am I being inundated with all this talk of reparations? On May 21, 2014, Ta-Nehisi Coates, writer for a publication called The Atlantic, published an article called “The Case for Reparations – Two hundred fifty years of slavery. Ninety years of Jim Crow. Sixty years of separate but equal. Thirty-five years of racist housing policy. Until we reckon with our compounding moral debts, America will never be whole.” And in this compelling article, it focused on the atrocities which have befallen people of color since their arrival on the shores of the Atlantic those hundreds of years ago; how housing discrimination, the inability secure loans, areas in which people are forced to live, all play a role in the current plight of the so-called African-American. Since then, the subject has been broached on our show and Melissa Harris-Perry’s show on MSNBC. So why now, because advocates such as Representative John Conyers (Democrat – Michigan) have suggested the creation of a Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for the African-Americans, H.R. 40. It doesn’t matter that African countries also sold their own kind into slavery; the descendants responsible and those who were victims have long since passed. Those wrongs of yesterday continue to have adverse effects on the present and will have long-standing consequences well into the future. It’s amazing how a piece of clothing and an individual’s dream to shed light on the “Black” experience can jog the consciousness and spark a “revolution.” “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

Note: Information was gathered from Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s article “The Truth Behind 40 Acres and a Mule”.

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love, loyalty, social consciousness, social media, trust

D-Fense (clap, clap) D-Fense (clap, clap)

June 1, 2014 freethought 2 Comments

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No not just for some but for everyone

Lord we don’t need another mountain
There are mountains and hillsides
Enough to climb
There are oceans and rivers
Enough to cross. enough to last
‘Till the end of time” – Diana Ross “What The World Needs Now Is Love”

There aren’t too many occasions where you can turn to social media and not find a post that does not quote something with positive affirmation. Whether the message focuses on remaining diligent in the quest for greatness or striving to enlighten others, there are those amongst us who try to give off a positive aura of caring for their fellow man and spreading the wealth of abundance. When the message is delivered by your favorite celebrity, pastor, or star icon, the words are met like a scripture; liked, quoted, commented and retweeted thousands of times without a second thought. It’s as if we need the assurance of others to allow us have a particular opinion as to how to feel when certain subjects are broached. Once they’ve approved, then surely we can follow suit because a person of that elevated status wouldn’t lead me astray.

“Did you know that your feelings show
You thought your love was locked up inside
But when your senses start to overload
Love is something you should never hide

You’ve got to believe in love
It’s a feeling that’s next to none
Can’t stop until we are one
With the power of love

Tell everyone to try
I promise you’ll reach the sky
One thing that we can’t deny
Is the power of love” – Luther Vandross “Power Of Love / Love Power”

When the subject of “love” is brought up, it’s as if the conversation is taboo. People appear openly afraid to express those emotions in the general public. Around friends, men would rather appear before a firing squad as opposed to declaring that phrase in the presence of their peers. However, at funerals, those same men will use and exceed their two (2) minute time frame championing their fallen comrade and stating that “we” should voice these feelings because “life’s too short” and “tomorrow isn’t promised.” During courtship, because the relationship is new, the euphoria of expressing one’s feelings reach new heights. We need that affirmation from each other to determine if the bond is real and felt mutually. However, once the expectations are met and the feelings satisfied, we become complacent and all the acts that had us feeling that way no longer apply. The love remains but those feelings of ecstasy fade. Perhaps that’s the reason why so many people stray in their relationships, as they continue to chase the initial high of being happy in those moments. People must understand that love ebbs and flows; it’s never the same. Love isn’t singular to an individual, it’s the passion and devotion to “all” things. Not just an affinity for a person, but for the animals, the trees, the universe at large. That’s what love is; not Romeo & Juliet but the one that’s described in the scripture of your chosen religion.

Hypothetically speaking, what if all the religions were brought to together and had one message. The words of the Bible & Quran; the messages delivered by Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad & Confucius were all brought together for one specific reason. To share the power of the thing we defend ourselves against. Think of the feeling you have after a Sunday morning of worship. The message is delivered by the pastor/minister and the word that is heard by ear resonates through your soul. Upon your exit, your spirit is renewed. But after the pixie dust wears off, similar to the complacency in a relationship, we defend ourselves from expressing those feelings until called upon unless when there’s a dire situation. Any sense of vulnerability reveals a chink in the armor. We crave the feeling, yearn for the warmth it provides, yet shun from it at times; hide from its embrace and run for shelter for fear that it’ll continue to hurt us; time & time again as with incidents past.

“Are you trying to find a beginning.
Or something just to hold on to.
Always know that love will find a way.

Is it hard this life you’re living.
Does the world seem so unkind.
Don’t you worry love will find a way.

Some say we’ve lost, our way.
Some say the world has gone astray.
But if you know where you’re going.
There’s nothing you can’t do.
’cause problems will come.
And they will leave you.
The world will try to deceive you.
But the truth will always be in your soul.” – Lionel Richie “Love Will Find A Way”

Corinthians 13:4-8 states the following: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs… Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves… Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” Once we understand the concept surrounding love’s essence. We will enjoy its embrace and realize the fears of expressing it is propaganda played in our mind. Stop placing your feelings on a leash and let them roam free to enjoy life’s pleasures. And if someone can’t or won’t accept you for the person you are after being sincere and genuine, it’s an indictment of them not you. Namaste! “We Are The Change!” I’m gone! (b)

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Brandt Edwards

Monthly Archives: June 2014

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