My Simple Message to/for Young People
My children are my inspiration, a window and mirror of sorts, as they remind me of all of the possibility that exists within and among our people, and the universe.
The mission that drives me more and more each day is very simple, and very clear...
I just want every young African (African American) girl and boy to see and know the genius that I - that so many of us - see in them, in you, every time I - every time we - look in your eyes. You are the ones we have been waiting for. Please know this, do the hard work of developing yourself in the midst of this crazy world we live in, and transform this world so that it works the way you and we all know it should.
Many in the world see your genius and are afraid of it. Don't let their fear turn you away.
Many in the world hear the boldness and the fearlessness in your voice. Don't let them silence you.
Many in the world see your connection to a legacy of greatness. Don't let them separate you from you.
Many in the world see the power and vision in your imagination. Don't let them distract you. Your mind is the design laboratory for the world our Ancestors also envision.
Become what you are destined to become.
Be courageous. Be of good character. Be of long vision. Be centered within an African historical and cultural consciousness. Be the light that shines steady and bright. Be of service to your people and your community.
Be a seer. Be a learner. Be a listener. Be an observer. Be a thinker. Be a worker. This is what it means to be a leader.
Be you. Be we.
Be alive... truly alive.
Be... Be... Be...
Black Kids Don’t Have to Be College-Bound for Their Deaths to Be Tragic
The piece by Jasmine Banks linked below is something I think folks should read. I agree with the sentiments wholeheartedly. While I understand some aspect of the intent, it absolutely feeds into this hierarchy we create in terms of who is more or less deserving of respect, dignity, compassion, even justice.
Read the entire piece here.
The message is clear...
Let me be clear: Unarmed college hopefuls don't deserve to be shot. Unarmed kids heading to work or trade school don't deserve to be shot. Unarmed kids floundering aimlessly through life don't deserve to be shot. Unarmed kids who have been in trouble—even those who have been nothing but trouble—don't deserve to be shot.
The act of pinning the tragedy of a dead black teen to his potential future success, to his respectability, to his "good"-ness, is done with all the best intentions. But if you read between the lines, aren't we really saying that had he not been on his way to college, there'd be less to mourn?
That's dead wrong.
Out with the ‘Knock Out Game’ Hysteria
Courtesy of mass media institutions wanting to stir up public hysteria, we have a renewed focus on groups of young people, especially Black youth, supposedly roaming the streets looking for people to assault for no apparent reason at all - except for the sheer thrill of it. Truth be told, this Knock Out Game hysteria is the latest iteration of a historical phenomenon, both the reality as well as the fiction surrounding it.
Of the various reports I've read, the one linked below ("Don't Believe all the Media Hype…") is one I've found most helpful in putting this craziness into perspective. With equal parts reporting, sarcasm and disgust, it's an appropriate response to this newest attempt at demonizing African American youth, and stirring up demands for more punitive policing efforts - all while violent crime continues to decline in most parts of the country.
Much appreciation to journalist and Hip Hop activist Davey D for this piece.
A brief excerpt first, and then the link just below...
I could go on listing things, but the larger point I’m getting at is that sadly mob violence is as American as Apple Pie. From the ‘Knock Out Game’ and ‘Beaner Jumping’ to lynchings and vigilante justice. There have always been cowardly folks who hid behind large numbers, weapons and badges who have reigned sheer hell upon innocent people. Its bullying 101 and folks of all stripes have had a hand in this. None of it is excusable. None of it should be accepted. It should not be excused as boys being boys or teens just doing a little mischief-making. This is why the knock out game reporting has been so troubling, because it acts like this is something new and isolated to one group of people vs it being systemic with deep-seated roots in our country’s psyche. In fact the media sensationalizing and outright lying about a trend that doesn’t exist could be characterized as a game of Knock Out by proxy, because the end result will be folks reacting aggressively and maybe even fatally to imagined dangers conjured up by media hype. The case of Jordan Davis, Trayvon Martin and now Renisha McBride are examples of this over reaction.
Don’t Believe all the Media Hype about the Knock Out Game-It’s Propaganda 101
Background
- About Oronde Miller
- Book Table of Contents
- Oronde’s Book: Facing The Rising Sun
- a black love music celebration
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- Happy Kwanzaa – Umoja – Unity December 26, 2018
- THE JOURNEY: “Between the World and Ta-Nehisi Coates” March 17, 2016
- Oprah and Detroit’s Own Shaka Senghor — Full Episode on Supersoul Sunday March 13, 2016
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Civil Rights and Apartheid South Africa – December 7, 1964 in London February 24, 2016
- The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution — TV Premier Tonight at 9 p.m. EST on PBS February 16, 2016
- Black Love, 2016 February 14, 2016
- Notes and Reflections on Mother Earth: Thich Nhat Hanh – Ancient Wisdom Lives January 8, 2016
- Turns Out Monkey Bars And Kickball Might Be Good For The Brain: Old Knowledge Always Returns January 7, 2016
- Professor John Henrik Clarke: A Life in Search of Africa, and Her People Throughout the World January 1, 2016
- Kwanzaa 2015 / IMANI – Faith January 1, 2016
- Kwanzaa 2015 / KUUMBA – Creativity December 31, 2015
- Kwanzaa 2015 / NIA – Purpose December 30, 2015
- Kwanzaa 2015 / UJAMAA – Cooperative Economics December 29, 2015
- Kwanzaa 2015 / UJIMA – Collective Work & Responsibility December 28, 2015
- Exemplar of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Professor John Henrik Clarke – A Great and Mighty Walk December 27, 2015
- Kwanzaa 2015 / KUJICHAGULIA – Self-Determination December 27, 2015
- Kwanzaa 2015 / UMOJA – Unity December 26, 2015
- Kwanzaa: Understanding the History and Context of a Community Celebration December 26, 2015
- Reflections on Malcolm X December 22, 2015
- Timely Speaking — James Baldwin, 1968: “I can conclude what white people think and feel from the state of their institutions…” December 14, 2015
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- Ask a Woman Who Knows
- Colorlines.org – Listing of Colorlines Blogs
- Jaiya John / Soulwater Rising
- Kevin Powell's Blog
- Kirwan Institute – Staff Blogs
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- National Coalition for Child Protection Reform
- New Black Man – Mark Anthony Neal
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