Mass Incarceration

• 1921 -Black Wall Street Internment Camps
• 1934- Holocaust Jewish Internment Camps
• 1942 -World War II-Japanese Internment Camps
• 2018- Immigrant Child Detention Facilities

There is nothing new under the sun. The world has an ugly history of hate. This hate has been directed at minorities for years. Fear what's different. Rape. Pillage. Colonize. We've always stolen each other's resources. We've always been afraid of change. We've always enslaved. We've always murdered and lynched under the guise of medical experiments or government sanctions. We have a history of oppression and privilege masked as tradition and laws. This is America. This is the world we live in. What are we gonna do about it?

Maverick

I've always rooted for the underdog, the misfits, and the misunderstood. I've always respected the independent-minded. I understand that alternatives and unorthodox routes can sometimes lead to better destinations. We are all mavericks. We all find ourselves on roads less traveled. We have to march to our own drum. We are individuals whether we like it or not. We will not always understand our path. We may kick and scream and fight it, but change is necessary for our evolution. Here's to the unexpected. Here's to the surprises. Here's to embracing individuality. Here's to being a maverick!

Learn

They say you learn something new every day. I can say that I really do learn something new every day. I learn new information. I learn about myself. I learn about my triggers and my limits. I learn to listen when my body speaks. I learn how others respond to me and how I respond in return. I learn to pay attention to everyone around me. What did you learn today? Pay attention. Every day is a new opportunity to learn to learn every minute of your life. 

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored." -Earl Nightingale
 

Laugh

I think one of the best sounds in the world is to hear a child laugh. Their laughter comes from a place of pure joy and contentment. Many times we may find ourselves laughing to keep from crying. Our laughter is tinged with pain and regret. I challenge you this week to play a game. Do something you enjoy. Laugh until your side hurts. Experience joy. Giggle. Smile. Laugh. 

The Issue of How

We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you this special announcement. "It's already done." You don't have to worry about the how or even the when. Trust that nothing has taken God by surprise. We spend time worrying about how this is going to get done or how we are going to get the money for this or when is this going to happen. We spend time majoring in the minors. God never said he would disclose the plan. He said he knows the plan. I'm not saying stop working towards something. I'm saying trust that when you get to the end of yourself know that God is there to fill in the gap. I'm saying that when you get to the end of your resources and connects know that God is a provider. We never have to worry about the issue of how. We have to have faith and know, "it is already done." God never gives a vision without provision. God gives seed to the sower. If he can clothe a flower, clearly he can clothe you and supply all of your needs. Be mindful that you are created in the image of God. He said, "let there be" not "how can there be?" Trust God and don't worry about how. 

Just

To be just has taken on a drastically different meaning since I have gotten married. It is no longer about who's wrong or who's right. Fair is no longer the moral standard. Compromise supersedes fairness. Humility trumps being right. Silence in some cases has become my portion. God is my judge and prayer is the jury. To be just is not just about justice, but inclusive of God's grace and mercy. Thank God that we do not have to suffer all of the consequences of our actions. Thank God for the grace of God. Thank God that he is just and forgiving, and merciful, and mindful.

Icon

I grew up when people paid for HBO just to watch Moonwalker or any Michael Jackson concert. I remember that the first 20 minutes were a bunch of people crying and Mike just standing there. I remember a lot of pyrotechnics and flashing lights. The same flashing lights that Kanye wrote about. The same flashing lights people hope will save Kanye from the sunken place even though most of us recognize its probably too late. Fame does something to people. Michael was an icon to my generation, just as Kanye is an icon to another generation. Both have tragic stories of loss, and in many ways, they both ultimately lost themselves. Mike died an unrecognizable drug addict and pedophile and Kanye has not been right since his mother died. Kanye is no longer the College Dropout who spit rhymes with his mouth wired shut. Instead, he spits on TMZ about slavery being a choice without giving clout to the systemic mental slavery that still occurs. For someone, who grew up watching the Cosby Show, dancing to MJ tracks and rapping Kanye lyrics... it's a sad day for Icons. Maybe being iconic shouldn't be idolized because it's costing our Black men their legacies and their minds. Free thought ain't free!