For centuries it has been easy for white Americans to selectively tune in and out of conversations or strategic planning to combat racism. They tuned in when the brutal murder of George Floyd wouldn’t allow those avoiding the label of “racist” to turn away. But they quickly tuned out when the demands for participation to help build an anti-racist society became too bothersome to continue.
Black people were not surprised by the white flight since the battle for equity has always been delegated to us, even though we’re fighting against a situation that none of us created.
We are all too familiar with being hunted, taunted, attacked, and unfortunately, seeing our beloved family members and friends murdered in cold-blood by white vigilantes or racist police officers. This has prompted our communities to become warriors for justice because we’ve had to be for generations. We will survive this current situation because of the strength passed down to us from our ancestors and our ability to quickly mobilize to protect our families. …
You wake up and log on to your computer.
As it loads your applications, you excitedly anticipate visiting your Medium account since yesterday you posted (in your humble opinion) one of the most brilliant and clever articles you’ve ever written.
Surely everyone will love it, surely each person will give it 50 likes, and surely they will all flood your comment section with adulation and well wishes.
You can see the new followers flocking to you already and can hardly contain yourself as you prepare for the rush this will undoubtedly bring.
You take a deep breath, hover over the Medium icon and click it, barely suppressing your unadulterated glee and satisfaction. …
Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday after attending a rally held by lame-duck president Donald Trump, who incited this savage display.
The protestors-turned-rioters invaded the area designated for President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris’ inauguration on January 20th, occupied the steps of the Capitol building and neighboring streets, then broke windows to gain entrance into the Capitol building.
Several rioters entered the Senate chamber with one person taking a seat in President’s chair.
I thought I was going to die.
When I saw the 20-pound weight raised high above his head, I went into self-preservation mode and subconsciously left my body. The thought of dying that way was just too much to absorb.
I could see a 28-year-old woman who looked just like me with the fear of death in her eyes. I wanted to help her, to comfort her, to reach out and tell her it was going to be okay but at that moment, I knew I couldn’t guarantee her safety.
My mind raced to figure out how to stop my ex-husband from slamming the weight into my head and crushing my skull while my two small children lie sleeping in the next room. The thought of them finding their mother in that condition filled me with a dread deeper than any of the physical and emotional pain I’d already endured. …
Happy 2021!!
If you’re reading this, you survived 2020 and lived to tell about it!
I don’t think any of us could have imaged the past 12 months in our wildest dreams, but making it to the new year should tell every single person in the world something very important about themselves:
You are SPECIAL.
You are RESILIENT.
You are UNBREAKABLE.
I hope anyone who ever doubted their abilities never entertains those self-defeating thoughts again. You made it through the storm, lived to see the dawn, and guess what? You’re STILL STANDING.
Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change — Wayne Dyer.
The human mind is so powerful. Whatever we tell it to believe, it will grant our wish with the ease of a benevolent genie in a bottle. We are never powerless over our thoughts and because of free-will, we can simply offer up another concept to entertain if our current mindset no longer suits our needs.
I may not have a magic wand to change the mindset of racist people around the world, but for those who do care enough to contribute to the creation of an all-inclusive, anti-racist society, here are five thought patterns to eliminate completely in 2021 to help get us a little closer to freedom and justice for…
Michigan Representative Cynthia A. Johnson shares racist voicemails from community members who opposed her views at Rudy Giuliani’s hearing and receives backlash from her Republican colleagues.
Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, participated in a bizarre press conference on December 2nd with Michigan’s House Oversight Committee to discuss claims of mass voter fraud for the 2020 presidential election.
Besides subsequently testing positive for COVID-19 which caused the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration to site the Michigan House of Representatives with COVID workplace violations, Giuliani and his motley crew of witnesses proceeded to spread wild falsehoods regarding the integrity of the ballot counting process. …
I recently watched a movie called Meet Joe Black.
The story was centered around the angel of Death (masterfully portrayed by Brad Pitt) who decided he needed a holiday break to experience the feelings of being human. He had become weary of people perceiving him as a frightful presence, which subsequently moved them to avoid him at all costs. He knew he couldn’t change who he was, but he could use his power to assume the body of a mortal and attempt to blend into society.
He befriended a man named William Parrish (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins) whose death was imminent and made a deal with him. If William agreed to keep Death’s identity a secret and help him experience life as a normal human being, he would extend his time on earth before taking him. …
Imagine it’s your first day at your dream job as a public servant.
You’ve worked hard, you’ve studied, you’ve honed your craft, and now you are being recognized for your dedication. Your new employer has awarded you the opportunity to put your talent and skills to good use to create a better, more equitable society.
When you walk into your office, a small smile plays around your lips as you realize how often you’ve envisioned this moment in your wildest daydreams. You fight the urge to pinch yourself because everything you’ve wished for has finally become your reality. …
You were once a beautiful, smart, and curious little girl who grew into an amazingly PHENOMENAL woman. You now stand proudly on the shoulders of your remarkable ancestors whose bloodline you share and who paved the way for your greatness. Your ability to capture every dream your heart desires has already been solidified and promised to you.
No matter what society dictates, never attempt to define your worth based on your physical appearance or your ability to attract the opposite sex. That creates conditional self-love and puts your precious self-esteem in the hands of others. …
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