I don’t know whether to walk tall or sag my head. I don’t know whether I should be encouraged by the above picture or should I be disheartened and discouraged. I do not know whether I should be bristling with pride or shrinking with shame. That young lady with the incendiary sign is very probably your grandchild or grandniece or daughter.
We feel the righteous indignation. Jimmy Baldwin, author, and social prophet once said that to be black in America is to be in a constant state of rage. Trauma is internalized and cuts to the bone and marrow. Trauma can’t be repressed or suppressed forever. Billy Reece struck a chord and a nerve when he said at the MLK workshop that nothing is so dangerous as unresolved trauma. This trauma started before 1619, around 1441 when the Portuguese slavers arrived on the coast of Africa. Since 1441 we have been involved in a war, sometimes high intensity, sometimes low intensity but always defined by man’s destructiveness, man’s inhumanity to man. Sometimes white on black, sometimes black on black.
Did the little sister just accuse the ancestors of being cowards and wimps, fading and withering before oppression? Did she know about how our ancestors fought back during the red summer of 1919? Did she know that our ancestors jumped overboard from the slave ships into the jaws of sharks? Did she know that that between 1865 and 1910 that there were 3500 recorded lynching’s of black people in the US? Did she know that we just didn’t sit on a stump and sang strange fruit on southern trees, we organized and protested? Did she know that while we were shuffled as cattle into floating dungeons that we were singing BEFORE I will be a slave, I will rather be dead and in my grave? Does she know of TITANS Nancy Helen Burroughs and Ida B. Delaney? They put in the work and were greater than the Gods. These sisters took the anti-lynching fight to the dark forces and had to flee for their own lives? Countless John Browns and Nat Turners kept the mighty freedom candle lit and beaming like the North Star. Where did my little sister get her information about the lack of fight among our ancestors? BECOME A BLACK FUTURES THINK TANK BY EDUCATING YOUR PEERS ABOUT OUR SANKOFA moments.
Have you researched local icon ADA EDWARDS and SHAPE center leadership in the fight for justice for Ida B. Delaney., a grandmother and mother who was murdered by a deranged off duty policeman in Houston in 1989?
Maybe I am insulted and representing a thin-skinned group of old timers but if you are criticizing the ancestors, at least do the investigation.
Did the little sister not accuse the ancestors of not being courageous but stated that she represented a generation that had the means to retaliate? Fire hoses, cattle prods and dogs would not deter her nor civil disobedience. I want my little sisters and brothers to know that Malcolm did say ANY MEANS NECESSARY AS LONG AS IT IS INTELLIGENTLY DESIGNED
Nevertheless, my little defiant sister is part of the solution and not the problem? She reminds me of myself at 18. Perhaps, we are the biggest part of the problem for not having Freedom Schools that would teach her our story. The Nigerian saying is true. If children do not feel the warmth of the village, they will destroy the village seeking the warmth that they were denied.
Part of our challenge is to channel the destructive volcano power of the denizens of the streets. Help me find this 100-pound bundle of intelligence and energy. Our message to her is that this is truly your moment, our moment, George Floyd family, Eric Garner, Trayvon and Tamir Rice’s family moment.
Remember, we don’t want to bring down a monster by becoming a monster. Focus on living for black people rather than dying for black people. Get with the veterans of the great struggles of the 1960’s and 70’s and create the future by building it brick by brick. We cannot afford to lose our Moral compass= NORTH STAR. Study Birmingham and Albany during the 1960’s. Children of past generations filled the jails. They were MAD, DIGNIFIED and DISCIPLINED. Keep your righteous anger and unleash it to build a MORE PERFECT UNION.
Find us before we become dinosaurs and we can do it better together. We will plant a shade tree so that the unborn and next generation will receive the breeze and the shade.
WE LOVE YOU FOR REPRESENTING AND FIGHTING THE POWER.
Don’t forget to VOTE for an improved America November 3, 2020.
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October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com
As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.
Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.
