J.C. Anderson's Blog
June 25, 2022
Roe Vs. Wade - What Its Overturn Means To Me Personally
I got pregnant the first time at the tender age of 21. I was in school, pursuing my Engineering degree. My boyfriend and I of two years was strong, and I thought he was the one. He hadn't proposed, but we talked about marriage, and I had happy thoughts of how my new name would sound. I met him at church. He was a musician, and I was a singer. We were both Christians, but we had a healthy sex life... and we knew sex outside of marriage was a sin. So, like the good Christians we wanted to be, we tried to stop having sex. We even went as far as me no longer taking my birth control pills and him throwing out his condoms. In hindsight, our actions were stupid and naive, though well intentioned. Still, as you would guess, lust got the best of us, and we sinned. The consequence, me getting pregnant.
I was scared out of my mind. I had no idea how I was going to tell my mother. I don't think I ever told my father. My mother was disappointed, and she didn't speak to me for a long time. When she did speak to me, she referred to my pregnancy as my "little problem." I was equally afraid for the church to find out. I was well known in my hometown's Megachurch, and my being pregnant would be around within a matter of days, if not moments. I didn't want the backlash. I didn't want the condemnation. I didn't want the pity or to be made fun of by the people who wanted to see me fail. So, my boyfriend and I made the choice for me to have an abortion.
I still remember the day as if it just happened. October 28. My son or daughter would have been twenty-one years old. In college or doing whatever as I type this blog. I often wonder what my life would have been like had I not been so afraid or had an abortion not been an option for me. Would my boyfriend and I be married? He broke up with me not long after the abortion, and got another young lady pregnant with twins. He did marry her, and they are still together. Perhaps, I wasn't the one for him and I dodged a bullet. I'm not sure.
Side Note: I've never told another soul about this except for my mother and my sister. So, thank you to the readers of this blog. You are now my sisters/brothers in secrecy.
At the age of thirty-eight, I was in my second marriage. Happy, in love, and loving life. When I missed my period, I didn't even flinch. My husband and I were beyond excited. Then we found out that the pregnancy was ectopic. We waited as long as we could, putting my life at risk, just to see if that was indeed the case. I was forced to have another abortion, to save my life, this time. I mourned and I cried until the tears ran out. I sat in the doctor's office, watching pregnant woman after pregnant woman walk in with their extended bellies, knowing what I was there to do, and I ran out. I couldn't take it. The nurses apologized to me. When they asked how many pregnancies I'd had, I had to admit that it was my second pregnancy and second abortion as tears rolled down my face. An abortion wasn't my choice then, it was a necessity.
One of my stories would have been changed had the Supreme Court decision that's been made now been made back then. Had men, who don't know me, who don't know my story, my struggles, my fears, my values or my morals, made a decision about my body and my life. If my choices had been taken from me. I graduated from college with my engineering degree. I didn't have my first child until I was thirty-nine, and I cherish him every single day of my life. I have a great job, make decent wages, and my family and I are doing well. But I don't know if that would have been the case had I not made the choice I made. It's a crap shoot, right? We don't know. But that's the great thing about America is we get to make a choice and deal with the consequences of those choices. Well, it used to be the great thing about America.
I know some folks are so happy about this decision. And please don't come for me on this post. It was hard enough to write without you all adding another layer of guilt. I have my own cross to bear, please believe me. I just believe at the end of the day it's about options. It's about safety. It's the government staying out of individual lives and allowing people to make choices that's right for their lives without outside interference. Why has this changed? There is supposed to be a separation, right?
Honestly, I am unphased by this right now. I'm almost forty-three, and due to physical complications, I've had my tubes tied and I'm waiting for my hysterectomy. So, there won't be anymore faux pas on my end. But I have a step daughter. She's 13. We teach her Christian values, but we also teach her how to be smart and mindful of her decisions. Yet, she's human and she will make mistakes. She deserves to be able to make decisions for herself, her body, and her life. I'm sick that if it ever comes down to it, it may not be her choice to make.
I was scared out of my mind. I had no idea how I was going to tell my mother. I don't think I ever told my father. My mother was disappointed, and she didn't speak to me for a long time. When she did speak to me, she referred to my pregnancy as my "little problem." I was equally afraid for the church to find out. I was well known in my hometown's Megachurch, and my being pregnant would be around within a matter of days, if not moments. I didn't want the backlash. I didn't want the condemnation. I didn't want the pity or to be made fun of by the people who wanted to see me fail. So, my boyfriend and I made the choice for me to have an abortion.
I still remember the day as if it just happened. October 28. My son or daughter would have been twenty-one years old. In college or doing whatever as I type this blog. I often wonder what my life would have been like had I not been so afraid or had an abortion not been an option for me. Would my boyfriend and I be married? He broke up with me not long after the abortion, and got another young lady pregnant with twins. He did marry her, and they are still together. Perhaps, I wasn't the one for him and I dodged a bullet. I'm not sure.
Side Note: I've never told another soul about this except for my mother and my sister. So, thank you to the readers of this blog. You are now my sisters/brothers in secrecy.
At the age of thirty-eight, I was in my second marriage. Happy, in love, and loving life. When I missed my period, I didn't even flinch. My husband and I were beyond excited. Then we found out that the pregnancy was ectopic. We waited as long as we could, putting my life at risk, just to see if that was indeed the case. I was forced to have another abortion, to save my life, this time. I mourned and I cried until the tears ran out. I sat in the doctor's office, watching pregnant woman after pregnant woman walk in with their extended bellies, knowing what I was there to do, and I ran out. I couldn't take it. The nurses apologized to me. When they asked how many pregnancies I'd had, I had to admit that it was my second pregnancy and second abortion as tears rolled down my face. An abortion wasn't my choice then, it was a necessity.
One of my stories would have been changed had the Supreme Court decision that's been made now been made back then. Had men, who don't know me, who don't know my story, my struggles, my fears, my values or my morals, made a decision about my body and my life. If my choices had been taken from me. I graduated from college with my engineering degree. I didn't have my first child until I was thirty-nine, and I cherish him every single day of my life. I have a great job, make decent wages, and my family and I are doing well. But I don't know if that would have been the case had I not made the choice I made. It's a crap shoot, right? We don't know. But that's the great thing about America is we get to make a choice and deal with the consequences of those choices. Well, it used to be the great thing about America.
I know some folks are so happy about this decision. And please don't come for me on this post. It was hard enough to write without you all adding another layer of guilt. I have my own cross to bear, please believe me. I just believe at the end of the day it's about options. It's about safety. It's the government staying out of individual lives and allowing people to make choices that's right for their lives without outside interference. Why has this changed? There is supposed to be a separation, right?
Honestly, I am unphased by this right now. I'm almost forty-three, and due to physical complications, I've had my tubes tied and I'm waiting for my hysterectomy. So, there won't be anymore faux pas on my end. But I have a step daughter. She's 13. We teach her Christian values, but we also teach her how to be smart and mindful of her decisions. Yet, she's human and she will make mistakes. She deserves to be able to make decisions for herself, her body, and her life. I'm sick that if it ever comes down to it, it may not be her choice to make.
March 28, 2022
The Slap Heard Round the World: Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock on Live Oscar Recording
Like one of a million last night, I cozied up in bed to watch the live recording of the Oscars. Granted, I missed the first half-hour, but I was enjoying the portion where I started. Later that night, my husband calls out, "Oh no. I can't believe it," and proceeds to show me what I'd missed: Will Smith slapping Chris Rock.
If you missed it like I did, let me recap for you: Chris Rock was presenting the Best Documentary award. As Chris Rock does, he starts roasting the crowd to get a few laughs. He gets to Jada Pinkett Smith, and makes the comment, "Jada Pinkett Smith is up for the next G.I Jane" or something to that affect. When the camera spans to Jada and WIll, Will is laughing, Jada is rolling her eyes. Next few seconds pass, Chris continues with his presentation and Will walks on the stage and slaps him. Chris is flabbergasted of course, but tries to keep going. Will then yells from the audience, "Keep my f*cking wife's name out of your mouth." To which Chris Rock replies, "I will, sir," as he calmly tries to get the show back on track.
Facebook erupted with comments not seconds after Will's display. Some agreed with his actions, stating that he was right to defend his wife, and that Chris Rock would indeed keep Jada's name out of his mouth now. Others thought that Will's display was sadly misguided and out of character... and this is where I stand.
I've had the upmost respect for Will Smith for many years. Not just because of his movies, but I've always thought Will was a cool guy. Supportive father, loyal to a fault husband. Of course, I don't know these things firsthand, but like most, I've made my own assumptions based on the portions of his life I've been privy to. His actions last night made me lose some of that respect and here's why.
If you've ever seen Chris Rock live or seen one of his shows, you already know he's going to roast the crowd, and he's amazing at it. Mostly, its harmless comments about outfits, hair, glasses, whatever; and for the most part, the audience laughs it off, even after being the brunt of the joke. The Oscars was no exception. I found out that the reason Jada shaved her head was because she was recently diagnosed with alopecia which was causing her hair to fall out. I get it. I recently had a hack job haircut that left me traumatized for a few days. So, I can only imagine how it feels to lose your hair because of an illness. However, its alopecia. Not to downplay the disease, but she isn't dying. It's not like Chris was making fun of the affects of cancer treatment. Plus, I don't know about you, but GI Jane was a badass. I loved that movie, and Jane's strength. The joke could have been taken many of ways. But I suppose when you're already on edge about your life and appearance, you miss the goodness behind the joke and go straight to the defensive.
Now, the part that is really disturbing to me is that Will was initially laughing at the joke. It wasn't until he saw Jada's reaction that he decided to act accordingly. Some said he was right to do so and I disagree. Black male and female talent is horribly underrepresented in Hollywood, as it is. I could jump on the racial disparities here, but you understand that blacks don't get many opportunities to stand on that stage. I mean, Will was the only one to walk away with an Oscar that night though there's been many black films that deserved one. That being said, I think Will set the black Hollywood community back even further with his display. The idea that we don't know how to act in mature company comes to mind. Not to mention, Will hit a man that couldn't fight back. Had Chris hit him back, the Oscar's would have faded to black, and only God knows the implications of the Oscar's being cancelled because two black men couldn't control their emotions. My hat is off to Chris for maintaining his composure, because had he not, it would have been detrimental on many levels.
After WIll's act, his tears and heartfelt speech when accepting his award fell on deaf ears. Please don't talk about God's plan for your life after you've just hurt your fellow brother on live television over a joke. I'm not here to judge, but I think there was another, more impactful way to address Chris than what Will did. It darkened the whole mood, and the Oscar's felt heavy and uncomfortable from that point forward. I don't know if Will can come back from this one. At least, not in my eyes.
March 22, 2021
Christian Cussing
So, some of you may have heard the hubbub about famous gospel artist, Kirk Franklin, being recorded cursing his son out. Or rather, cussing his son out. It was a big deal for some. Why? Because some Christians get off on holding people to a standard they can't even meet, especially ones who represent the church.
Melodies from Heaven
Smile
Stomp
Jesus Is the Reason
If you've heard these songs, then you've heard of Kirk Franklin. And this short list doesn't even begin to represent the hundreds, maybe thousands of songs, that Kirk Franklin has written, produced, or co-produced. Let's be honest - the man is a musical genius when it comes to writing gospel or hip-hop oriented gospel music that either makes you cry in worship or jump up and jam. That's him. It's who he is, and its who we have always loved.
For the most part, Kirk stays out of the media. Only one instance comes to mind and that's in his interview with Oprah Winfrey, where he confessed to be addicted to porn at one point in his life. Of course, in judgemental church fashion, we blew it out proportion because how can someone so anointed struggle with his humanity? Kirk is awesome, amazing - his songs take you behind the spiritual veil. How could he struggle with porn??? Despite the chastisement of church people, Kirk went on to produce grammy-awarding winning albums suggesting that his open struggle was identifiable. Some people needed to know that even with an issue, God can still use you. It worked for him.
That fiasco was 16 years ago and from that point, Kirk hasn't been mentioned in a negative light, until a couple of weeks ago. Kirk was recorded threatening and cursing at his son, Kerrion Franklin. The reason Kirk is estranged from his son is unknown, but based on this recent event, I think I can guess. But the grand question is, why did Kirk behave the way he did on the recording? And I've got a couple of ideas:
1. No one can push you to your limit like your child I don't know Kirk personally, but as a mother to a toddler and an eleven year old, I understand. Children, regardless of the age, can push your buttons like none other; and considering that Kerrion is in his 30's, I am sure he pushed every button he could reach because he's grown. The part of the conversation that wasn't recorded was what Kerrion said to anger Kirk past his normal behavior. Not to mention, it was a set-up from the start. I call my mother everyday and I don't record any of our conversations, because they are private. I share personal things with her and she does the same. Why would I break that trust by recording her, especially if at some point she chose to act out of character? Kerrion was setting his father up. Maybe to prove a point or maybe to be a jerk. I don't know, but it wasn't cool.
2. Its a toxic relationship Mother, father, child, cousin, grandma, aunt - it doesn't matter. Some people are just toxic to be around and they cause you to become someone you're not. And try as you may to not allow their ways to get to you, they just do. Frankly, a person who does things just to get a rise out of you so they can present themselves as the victim is passive aggressive and borderline narcissistic. Toxic - Kirk should probably continue to stay away.
3. He's just a man My opinion of famous, Christian stars is they aren't allowed to travel their journey. So many people want them to be perfect. They can't fail because their failing is public and unforgiven because people have placed their hope in them. Its not fair. Perfection is a myth created by those who want to be the first to throw their stone. We all strive to be 100% ourselves. But on just the right day, or just the right situation, or just the right words, we can morph into a darker version of ourselves. Its the concept of the angel on the left side and the devil on the right side. We all strive to reconcile the theory, but its there nevertheless. To expect Kirk or any other christian, famous or not, to act outside of their known nature is ridiculous. And maybe we should stop acting like we are God.
Kirk posted an apology, which I quickly commented to tell him he didn't owe me or anyone an apology; and that situation was between him, his son, and God. The problem with talent like Kirk's is his fans put him on a pedestal, leaving a long distance for him to fall. I love his music, but I don't worship him because at the end of the day, he is just a man. A human, just like me and you. He deserves God's grace just like all of us do, despite the platform that he operates on. We have to be careful holding up an unbreakable banner that we dismantle behind closed doors. What would our conversations sound like if someone recorded us?
To Kirk, keep your head up; keep writing; and keep doing you. The finger-pointers just needed someone to take the limelight and you just happened to be there.
Melodies from Heaven
Smile
Stomp
Jesus Is the Reason
If you've heard these songs, then you've heard of Kirk Franklin. And this short list doesn't even begin to represent the hundreds, maybe thousands of songs, that Kirk Franklin has written, produced, or co-produced. Let's be honest - the man is a musical genius when it comes to writing gospel or hip-hop oriented gospel music that either makes you cry in worship or jump up and jam. That's him. It's who he is, and its who we have always loved.
For the most part, Kirk stays out of the media. Only one instance comes to mind and that's in his interview with Oprah Winfrey, where he confessed to be addicted to porn at one point in his life. Of course, in judgemental church fashion, we blew it out proportion because how can someone so anointed struggle with his humanity? Kirk is awesome, amazing - his songs take you behind the spiritual veil. How could he struggle with porn??? Despite the chastisement of church people, Kirk went on to produce grammy-awarding winning albums suggesting that his open struggle was identifiable. Some people needed to know that even with an issue, God can still use you. It worked for him.
That fiasco was 16 years ago and from that point, Kirk hasn't been mentioned in a negative light, until a couple of weeks ago. Kirk was recorded threatening and cursing at his son, Kerrion Franklin. The reason Kirk is estranged from his son is unknown, but based on this recent event, I think I can guess. But the grand question is, why did Kirk behave the way he did on the recording? And I've got a couple of ideas:
1. No one can push you to your limit like your child I don't know Kirk personally, but as a mother to a toddler and an eleven year old, I understand. Children, regardless of the age, can push your buttons like none other; and considering that Kerrion is in his 30's, I am sure he pushed every button he could reach because he's grown. The part of the conversation that wasn't recorded was what Kerrion said to anger Kirk past his normal behavior. Not to mention, it was a set-up from the start. I call my mother everyday and I don't record any of our conversations, because they are private. I share personal things with her and she does the same. Why would I break that trust by recording her, especially if at some point she chose to act out of character? Kerrion was setting his father up. Maybe to prove a point or maybe to be a jerk. I don't know, but it wasn't cool.
2. Its a toxic relationship Mother, father, child, cousin, grandma, aunt - it doesn't matter. Some people are just toxic to be around and they cause you to become someone you're not. And try as you may to not allow their ways to get to you, they just do. Frankly, a person who does things just to get a rise out of you so they can present themselves as the victim is passive aggressive and borderline narcissistic. Toxic - Kirk should probably continue to stay away.
3. He's just a man My opinion of famous, Christian stars is they aren't allowed to travel their journey. So many people want them to be perfect. They can't fail because their failing is public and unforgiven because people have placed their hope in them. Its not fair. Perfection is a myth created by those who want to be the first to throw their stone. We all strive to be 100% ourselves. But on just the right day, or just the right situation, or just the right words, we can morph into a darker version of ourselves. Its the concept of the angel on the left side and the devil on the right side. We all strive to reconcile the theory, but its there nevertheless. To expect Kirk or any other christian, famous or not, to act outside of their known nature is ridiculous. And maybe we should stop acting like we are God.
Kirk posted an apology, which I quickly commented to tell him he didn't owe me or anyone an apology; and that situation was between him, his son, and God. The problem with talent like Kirk's is his fans put him on a pedestal, leaving a long distance for him to fall. I love his music, but I don't worship him because at the end of the day, he is just a man. A human, just like me and you. He deserves God's grace just like all of us do, despite the platform that he operates on. We have to be careful holding up an unbreakable banner that we dismantle behind closed doors. What would our conversations sound like if someone recorded us?
To Kirk, keep your head up; keep writing; and keep doing you. The finger-pointers just needed someone to take the limelight and you just happened to be there.
December 22, 2020
NOT a Christmas Fan
I kinda, sorta, maybe hate Christmas. Now, before you burn a Santa in my front yard or hog tie me with garland, let me explain. When I was younger, Christmas was everything to me, like most children. I’d be good all year - good grades, no calls from my teachers, clean room, dishes happily washed. No task was too big or small, because neither would my Christmas list be. I’d ask for clothes, dolls, the latest shoes, toys and for the most part, I got what I asked for. Christmas was fun and exciting. I remember my mother would rush my sister and I off to bed because Santa wouldn’t come by the house if we were awake. And we would oblige, squeezing our shut, even as I hearts beat with anticipation of what the morning would be. We would wake around 7 in the morning and force our parents out of bed so we could open our gifts, while listening to Christmas music playing on the local radio station. Those memories were amazing!
Sadly, the ruse was up when I was around eight years-old. I woke up to use the bathroom and found my parents laying out all of my toys and clothes. It’s funny, I don’t remember being overly disappointed to learn that Santa wasn’t real. But, my mother and I have a good laugh about her not wanting to wrap the gifts and deciding it was better to just lay the stuff out on the couch. *sigh*
Fast forward a few years and my sister, who is eight years older than me, moved out of state. I was devastated and had my first experience with obssessive compulsive disorder. I couldn’t control her leaving, but I could control everything around me, and EVERYTHING had to be just so for me to feel comfortable. Although she would come home on Christmas Day, Christmas took a turn for me at that point. I no longer had her there to share the excitement with, to compete over who got the most gifts or guess what box contained what item from our list. And pretty much, from this point, my love of Christmas continued to take hits.
As I got older, my mother, who was the primary shopper in our family, lost her zeal for buying gifts that my sister and I didn’t like. How often did she try to get an outfit and it was the wrong size or just the wrong style? So, she began to have us order our own gifts and when they arrived, she wrapped them up. We were tasked with pretending surprise when we took what we’d ordered out of the prettily wrapped box. When I got my license, my mother would hand me her checkbook and have me go purchase gifts for all my aunts and cousins. I’d be gone for hours each day up until Christmas trying to track down the items she wanted. Pretty soon, Christmas just became an unpaid job.
Then, I went through a stage in my twenties where Christmas just reminded me how lonely I was. I wasn't attached, with no prospects and I completely forgot how to enjoy my family and be okay with being single. Those years were some of the worse Christmases I can recall. I hated all these Lifetime, and happy couples wearing matching pajamas in their Christmas photos. It all reminded me that I wasn't with anyone for Christmas. Those days have long since passed. Now, I’m married with children, a 3-year old and an 11- year old. But I find my luster still pretty dim when it comes to Christmas. I’ve lost family members, my father isn’t in great health, and a pandemic is stopping us from getting together like we normally would. This season is a painful reminder of all the changes, good and bad, that’s happened over the years. Yet, I smile and shop with the best of them to put the smile I used to have during this time of year on my children’s faces. Spending all that time shopping for my mother has definitely taught me a few tricks like: Amazon is your friend. Never shop the week of Christmas. You won't find anything that you want and you'll have to fight through droves of people to figure that out. You can't buy gifts for everyone, and you have to be okay with that. Besides, they weren't expecting anything, anyway.
So, I’ve got my reasons as to why I don’t have my tree up before Thanksgiving and why I’m annoyed at the people who do (my sister included). Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I press through this “joyous” time of year. Newsflash: it ain't joyous for everyone.
Sadly, the ruse was up when I was around eight years-old. I woke up to use the bathroom and found my parents laying out all of my toys and clothes. It’s funny, I don’t remember being overly disappointed to learn that Santa wasn’t real. But, my mother and I have a good laugh about her not wanting to wrap the gifts and deciding it was better to just lay the stuff out on the couch. *sigh*
Fast forward a few years and my sister, who is eight years older than me, moved out of state. I was devastated and had my first experience with obssessive compulsive disorder. I couldn’t control her leaving, but I could control everything around me, and EVERYTHING had to be just so for me to feel comfortable. Although she would come home on Christmas Day, Christmas took a turn for me at that point. I no longer had her there to share the excitement with, to compete over who got the most gifts or guess what box contained what item from our list. And pretty much, from this point, my love of Christmas continued to take hits.
As I got older, my mother, who was the primary shopper in our family, lost her zeal for buying gifts that my sister and I didn’t like. How often did she try to get an outfit and it was the wrong size or just the wrong style? So, she began to have us order our own gifts and when they arrived, she wrapped them up. We were tasked with pretending surprise when we took what we’d ordered out of the prettily wrapped box. When I got my license, my mother would hand me her checkbook and have me go purchase gifts for all my aunts and cousins. I’d be gone for hours each day up until Christmas trying to track down the items she wanted. Pretty soon, Christmas just became an unpaid job.
Then, I went through a stage in my twenties where Christmas just reminded me how lonely I was. I wasn't attached, with no prospects and I completely forgot how to enjoy my family and be okay with being single. Those years were some of the worse Christmases I can recall. I hated all these Lifetime, and happy couples wearing matching pajamas in their Christmas photos. It all reminded me that I wasn't with anyone for Christmas. Those days have long since passed. Now, I’m married with children, a 3-year old and an 11- year old. But I find my luster still pretty dim when it comes to Christmas. I’ve lost family members, my father isn’t in great health, and a pandemic is stopping us from getting together like we normally would. This season is a painful reminder of all the changes, good and bad, that’s happened over the years. Yet, I smile and shop with the best of them to put the smile I used to have during this time of year on my children’s faces. Spending all that time shopping for my mother has definitely taught me a few tricks like: Amazon is your friend. Never shop the week of Christmas. You won't find anything that you want and you'll have to fight through droves of people to figure that out. You can't buy gifts for everyone, and you have to be okay with that. Besides, they weren't expecting anything, anyway.
So, I’ve got my reasons as to why I don’t have my tree up before Thanksgiving and why I’m annoyed at the people who do (my sister included). Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I press through this “joyous” time of year. Newsflash: it ain't joyous for everyone.
October 11, 2020
Voting 2020
This blog won't be long. It's just me encouraging all who will, to vote. I registered to vote as soon as I turned eighteen. I've lived in a few different states, so each time I moved, I registered again. It's always been an important part of my life and I don't understand those who don't vote.
I saw a post on Facebook asking if "you would date someone who didn't vote". Controversial but honest conversation ensued. Most women agreed that they wouldn't because a man who didn't vote indicated someone who couldn't make decisions about his household. One man chimed in and said he would date a woman who didn't vote because its a freedom choice; and our ancestors died so that we would have the right to choose. I agree and disagree.
Yes, our ancestors fought so that we had rights, but they also fought so that we would have a voice, and voting is our political voice that allows us a say so. Does it always work in our favor? Hell no. But, I believe it is a grave disrespect to those who died so we could stand in line and check the box. This may stir some feathers, but I think our culture (i.e. black people) has a bad habit of screaming for a bowl of soup, then throwing the whole pot away because it wasn't the soup we wanted.
Bad analogy. Maybe. But my point is we fight for growth then squander it when we get it, chocking it up to our right to do what we want. Is it fair to complain about things not changing when we don't use the avenues provided to enact those changes? No, we can't do it alone, but we can be a part of it. This rant isn't for everyone. Most will vote without blinking an eye - I am in the "most" category.
This blog is for those who are complaining that Biden and Harris aren't good enough while allowing 45 to slowly push our progression back. Hey remember these words,
"Stand Back and Stand By." That was the advice our President gave to the white supremacist group when asked to denounce white supremacy. Not only did he not denounce it, he basically told them to prepare for whatever it is that he is planning. It brought back to my memory when blacks were threatened, beaten, even killed just to keep them from voting. I wonder if, but probably when, we will see that this election.
Please, please, please, I beseech you. If you want change, even small change, vote. It's the one weapon we have we hopefully won't get shot for.
I saw a post on Facebook asking if "you would date someone who didn't vote". Controversial but honest conversation ensued. Most women agreed that they wouldn't because a man who didn't vote indicated someone who couldn't make decisions about his household. One man chimed in and said he would date a woman who didn't vote because its a freedom choice; and our ancestors died so that we would have the right to choose. I agree and disagree.
Yes, our ancestors fought so that we had rights, but they also fought so that we would have a voice, and voting is our political voice that allows us a say so. Does it always work in our favor? Hell no. But, I believe it is a grave disrespect to those who died so we could stand in line and check the box. This may stir some feathers, but I think our culture (i.e. black people) has a bad habit of screaming for a bowl of soup, then throwing the whole pot away because it wasn't the soup we wanted.
Bad analogy. Maybe. But my point is we fight for growth then squander it when we get it, chocking it up to our right to do what we want. Is it fair to complain about things not changing when we don't use the avenues provided to enact those changes? No, we can't do it alone, but we can be a part of it. This rant isn't for everyone. Most will vote without blinking an eye - I am in the "most" category.
This blog is for those who are complaining that Biden and Harris aren't good enough while allowing 45 to slowly push our progression back. Hey remember these words,
"Stand Back and Stand By." That was the advice our President gave to the white supremacist group when asked to denounce white supremacy. Not only did he not denounce it, he basically told them to prepare for whatever it is that he is planning. It brought back to my memory when blacks were threatened, beaten, even killed just to keep them from voting. I wonder if, but probably when, we will see that this election.
Please, please, please, I beseech you. If you want change, even small change, vote. It's the one weapon we have we hopefully won't get shot for.
September 23, 2020
Letting it Out
I am sure I am not the only one blogging tonight about the injustice surrounding Breonna Taylor's murder. Yes, I called it a murder, because that's what it was. I know some may not agree with my assessment because of the part of Webster's definition that says murder is premeditated. But, I love Wikipedia's definition of murder (pasted below):
Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought.
No one can argue that Breonna's murder was without justification or valid excuse. According to GoLawEnforcement.com, a police officer's training can last, at a minimum, thirteen to nineteen weeks, but can last up to six months. A detective goes through even more training, some sites say up to a year. That's more training than most career positions will ever receive. So, that leads me to believe that an officer or detective should know protocol, rules, and the do's/dont's of a raid. Otherwise, the length of training time is futile. A better assessment is, why do we have so many "trained" officers/detectives making so many deadly mistakes? Or are they mistakes at all?
I was listening to the DL Hughley show and the topic for the day was does black life have a value? Most believe that life is priceless, but Breonna's family was awarded $12 Million for her senseless murder. Does anyone wish we still lived in the old days where you were punished in the same manner of the crime you committed? There was no money involved, you paid the price with some part of your being. The money was great, but it wasn't enough because Ms. Taylor's family has lost something that money can't replace.
I am saddened, though not surprised by the resolution Louisville, KY came to. Kentucky has always been known for standing on the sidelines and never choosing a side. History tells us that during the Civil War, rather than choose the side of North or South, Kentucky chose neutrality to preserve the state from the damage of war. Rather than stand for right, or even stand for wrong, Kentucky has never stood for anything other than itself. Even now, rather than choose to convict Breonna's murderer, it chose to give the family money and wash its hands of the tragedy. I call on scripture in times like these.
Revelations 3:15-16 says, “[He] knows thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: [He] wish thou were cold or hot. But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, [He’s] going to spew you out of [His] mouth.”
See, even God can't stand someone who won't make a decision. Riding the fence isn't an option. Oh, that someone would be hot for the justice of all people, including those of us who don't fit into America's ideology of what a "people" is supposed to be.
Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human with malice aforethought.
No one can argue that Breonna's murder was without justification or valid excuse. According to GoLawEnforcement.com, a police officer's training can last, at a minimum, thirteen to nineteen weeks, but can last up to six months. A detective goes through even more training, some sites say up to a year. That's more training than most career positions will ever receive. So, that leads me to believe that an officer or detective should know protocol, rules, and the do's/dont's of a raid. Otherwise, the length of training time is futile. A better assessment is, why do we have so many "trained" officers/detectives making so many deadly mistakes? Or are they mistakes at all?
I was listening to the DL Hughley show and the topic for the day was does black life have a value? Most believe that life is priceless, but Breonna's family was awarded $12 Million for her senseless murder. Does anyone wish we still lived in the old days where you were punished in the same manner of the crime you committed? There was no money involved, you paid the price with some part of your being. The money was great, but it wasn't enough because Ms. Taylor's family has lost something that money can't replace.
I am saddened, though not surprised by the resolution Louisville, KY came to. Kentucky has always been known for standing on the sidelines and never choosing a side. History tells us that during the Civil War, rather than choose the side of North or South, Kentucky chose neutrality to preserve the state from the damage of war. Rather than stand for right, or even stand for wrong, Kentucky has never stood for anything other than itself. Even now, rather than choose to convict Breonna's murderer, it chose to give the family money and wash its hands of the tragedy. I call on scripture in times like these.
Revelations 3:15-16 says, “[He] knows thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: [He] wish thou were cold or hot. But because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, [He’s] going to spew you out of [His] mouth.”
See, even God can't stand someone who won't make a decision. Riding the fence isn't an option. Oh, that someone would be hot for the justice of all people, including those of us who don't fit into America's ideology of what a "people" is supposed to be.
