Mobilize
The last call to action Killer Mike mention was to mobilize. After all the unification and organization, there must be a call to action. Wars are won by strategy. It isn’t always about the size of the army. Sometimes, it's about the skill of the army. When Public Enemy said, “Fight the Power!” It's a call to action. The attack must come from all fronts. It must be social, political, judicial, and financial. To truly mobilize, there must be active service. Everyday is a deliberate attempt to change the system. We must spend strategically. We must speak strategically. We must vote strategically. We must protest strategically. We must mobilize.
Strategize
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, “we can’t progress until we are unified and we need allies.” The reason South Africa was able to eradicate an apartheid was because they had a collective agenda that included a financial impact. Corporations began to divest in South Africa. The reason certain boycotts were effective was because it was a collective effort that affected a financial institution. In order for real change to occur, it has to affect our economy. It has to hurt financially. Most wealthy Americans, Black or otherwise are not trying to lose their wealth. They are willing to protect their pockets not matter the collateral damage. We aren’t unified. Yes, there are historical reasons for this, but we don’t all have the same goals. We don’t all want the same things. I've seen divisive posts about the Black LGBTQ community as if they aren’t Black first. I’ve seen disparaging posts about the disconnect between Black men and women…and yes there is a reason for that as well, but we have to strategize. We have to have an agenda. We have to get on the same page. We have to truly want the same thing. We can’t protest. We can’t boycott. We can’t be effective until we unify and strategize collectively.
Plan
What’s next? We’re gonna need a plan. We need to organize. We need an agenda. What are our goals? How do we collectively achieve them? What do we do now? How do we affect change on a larger scale? After the protests, do we rush the polls? Do we have anyone in office who represents our interest? What economic impact do we have nationally? How can we leverage our power? We need a voice. We need a collective plan.
Plot
verb
secretly make plans to carry out something.
devise the sequence of events in (a play, novel, movie, or similar work).
I think the biggest issue we have as a people is organization. We typically find ourselves divided on most issues. We can't agree. We don’t properly plan. We always find ourselves on opposite sides of the fence. How do we find common ground? How do we find a place where we can agree to disagree and still move forward? We can’t overcome in a perpetual state of solitude. We need each other. We need to plan. We need to scheme. We need to prepare. We need to plot. What’s our next move?
Enough
When is enough, enough? The signs have always been there lurking in the background. Fuel has been added. The country is on fire. The writing is on the wall. The bodies are adding up. The hate is real. The cheek has been turned. Not again. Not another name. What else needs to happen? Killer Mike said it best..."plot, plan, strategize, organize, and mobilize." If you don't know what that means, no worries. I got you. I will be breaking those down over the next few weeks. We got to be strategic. This is not the time to be in our feelings. Enough already!
Obstacles
Part of being successful is acknowledging the obstacles in your way, and to the best of your abilities planning for them. There will be unforeseen circumstances, but for the most part we know our challenges. It is important to set realistic goals. It is important to evaluate resources. We must always count the cost. Some journeys require you to travel alone. Some roads are long and narrow. No matter what path you take this year, count the cost. Evaluate and acknowledge your obstacles...so you can overcome them.
Prepare
I’m a planner. I have several digital “to do” lists. I have alerts on my phone. I have multiple organizers. I have shared calenders, the whole nine. It makes it easier for me to manage my household and keep up with everyone’s schedule and budding social calendars. You don’t have to go to this extreme, but anything of value in your life is going to require preparation. You will need to prepare for every major step in your life. Some preparation requires physical training. Other preparation requires mental and spiritual conditioning. While other prepartion is financial. No matter what area in your life requires preparation, do your due diligence to properly prepare. Plan. Prepare. Proceed. Perform.