DV BY: KB 4.4.16

Having grown up in chaos and madness…I am always emotionally triggered when I see cops responding to a domestic situation, which was the case in my morning commute.

I often find myself praying for the people involved and I pray even harder if there are children involved because I knew what conflicted and confused feelings I harbored as a kid. As an adult it saddens me to see how we’ve become so desensitized and how we’ve normalized the bullshit ( I use the word bullshit because that’s exactly what it is) The sick thing about it is that we're taught that it's our secret to keep. As a child you don't feel safe but you have to hold the secret for the adults. I know of at least two people that I speak to on a regular basis who have lost a parent to the insanity.

As a kid…I remember the feelings and the raw emotion of helplessness as I was sheltered in place in another room but hearing the craziness. I remember being pushed aside for my safety while a hulk of a man (my father) put hands on my mother for some of his concocted madness and insecurities.

As a teenager…I threw caution to the wind, no longer giving a damn about personal safety or who said or did what but I wasn’t going to allow the bastard to put hands on my mother; me standing tall with a healthy sense of fear reaching a point of standoff knowing that someone was about to see Jesus. I guess that’s how I obtain the reputation of the “ENFORCER” of the family because I developed a definitive sense of fair-play and right and wrong and I was willing to fight and die for the principle.

I was raised not to go looking for a fight but I damn sure am not going to run from one either especially when I know a person can’t or won’t defend themselves for whatever reason.

I watched how growing up under “war torn” conditions has impacted me and my siblings…as long as I’m drawing breath my sister will ALWAYS have my protection….she’s not a pushover in any way but she’s also not a fighter. My brother has inherited every shady characteristic of my father…bullying and beating every woman that he has ever been with….he talked about how he disliked the actions of my father (when he was younger) only to become a carbon copy.

I’m not one to take hot tempers or insanity….you put your hands on me be prepared to get it back. I’m not one to look the other way or not report it…..that’s some cowardly bullshit….someone’s life may hang in the balance. I don’t get the news reports after where people say they knew something wasn’t quite right or they’ve heard things…….

Be a human being and save a life…get past the point where you care whether a person likes you or not……it costs nothing to be a decent human being.

3 Words BY: KB 3.25.16

I have been busy, in fact too busy with the hustle and bustle of adult life, although I do try to avoid adulthood as much as possible..it's just too much sometimes. All kidding aside...I have been so busy that I almost forgot the significance of three little words that mean so much.

Today is good Friday and the day has the three word utterance "It is finished..." "He is dead..." but SUNDAY!!!! Ah!!! SUNDAY "He is risen..." Don't miss the significance of the grammar  “HE IS” meaning He (Jesus) is in a constant state of exaltation. He is Lord

Oh, I may question a lot of thing that I was taught about the person and the character of God because I know that there have been many, misinterpretations shared and upheld over the years but I will never, ever question who God is in my life because I KNOW what He has wrought. I know the cost of my purchase and if you know me you know that I don’t use the word purchase lightly because it has so many connotations, implications and ramifications.

Just take a few minutes out of your busy today and just think about your cost and what God has done on your behalf……

Might Does Not Make Right BY: KB 3.14.16

Since Trump has become a frontrunner in the Republican party, America has once again turned up the heat on the Big Black Boogey fear factor. Far too many people are using their bias, fear and out and out racism to justify their position for garnering arms and ammunition. Because of the fear that’s being sold and manufactured this particular picture is being circulated around the internet. I’ve seen it in various machinations on various sites.

Let’s scrutinize the quote in its fullness and then and then juxtapose it with the subtleties of racism in America….

So please bear with me as I examine the quote in the historical context. Militia in this context does not mean a randy band of brothers fighting against them, that, those or perceived threats. Militia in this context means military. Please take into consideration the timeline for the events.

The question is, why would the Founders feel a need to codify (i.e., formally regulate) the militias?

Part of the answer might lie in the fact that even though the colonial militia had played an important role in the early fighting of the Revolutionary War, many of those leading the war effort, including George Washington, didn’t really think too highly of the colonial militia and/or its members, including the way they handled themselves in battle.

George Washington himself, upon assuming command of the Continental Army (which in 1775 was comprised entirely of militia), said, “All the General Officers agree that no Dependence can be put on the Militia for a Continuance in Camp, or Regularity and Discipline during the short time they may stay.” He would later say, “To place any dependence upon militia is assuredly resting upon a broken staff.”

- See more at: http://www.thomhartmann.com/forum/2013/04/regarding-pesky-%E2%80%9Cwell-regulated-militia%E2%80%9D-2nd-amendment-what-exactly-did-it-mean#sthash.qrYgrIzp.dpuf

The quote on the picture is also a misrepresentation of what was actually spoken; the actual quote is : "A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies."

The quote in the picture leaves things open for interpretation…who gets to decide what’s a viable threat. The George Washington quote has some rules for governance attached to is – follow the link.

Now just suppose for one second that Blacks followed the quote are initially posted. Do you think for one second that the “powers that be” would allow such actions? I can tell emphatically HELL NO!!!!! Marcus Garvey tried and he was held up as a subject for scorn and ridicule; systematically dismantled by the government and press. The Panthers tried and they were systematically destroyed by government infiltration and smear tactics to taint public opinion. Thirty years ago the police and government officials burned down an entire block in Philadelphia fire bombing, men, women and children in order to destroy an anti-government movement (MOVE). Seriously look at your history through A CLEAR LENS and tell me one time that any people of color who began to make noise about becoming self-contained or self-sufficient has not been over scrutinized by a biased media system? The press and the government had files on Dr. King, Malcolm X, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Caesar Chavez, Delores Huerta, Dennis Banks, Leonard Peltier…the list goes on….

We cannot irresponsibly call for militia or pander to fear!!! Shame on ALL the flag waving CHRISTIANS who seem to think that their racism and bigotry can be called nationalism and patriotism!!!!! I’m growing tired of the issues that people drape in the name of Christ and call it sanctioned and sanctified. God gave you a brain too………if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything

How Ya Livin’?!

Southern Discomfort by: KB 3.8.16

I’m sitting at home today…don’t know if I’m sick or just worn down from witnessing blatant acts of racism and bigotry on a daily basis. Let me say I may have to check out for a breather from time to time but I’ll use my last breath fighting it. I just watched a very disturbing documentary Southern Rites.

http://www.southernritesproject.com/

First let me say the documentary was an excellent piece of work; it captured the essence and core of the deeply ingrained thoughts and actions of racists and bigotry in the South. The documentary also, I think inadvertently, captured the trauma and PTSD that Blacks respond to based on the actions of racists and racism.

I found myself both angry and moved to tears because I see this (pardon my language) shit day in and day out. I was taught 2 things by fearless people 1) know your history and 2) DO NOT let your silence or inaction co-sign the insanity of racism.

The documentary started out attempting to address the issue of segregated proms but accidentally fell into a time warp. I all of a sudden felt like I was watching something from the 60’s civil rights march or an old blaxpliotation flick. I guess the movie hit me so hard because of my personal awakening to the racist business as usual attitude in this country. I had to acknowledge that I had become desensitize to the issue based on my thinking that I'd arrived and my material striving. I can now say that the "bombing" doesn't stop....I can only imagine how Palestinians and Syrians respond to their conditions. My personal awakening has made me more sympathetic and empathetic to the people struggling to hang on to the fringe of society where they have been relegated by various "isms."

Both Blacks and Whites need to watch this film together and begin to have dialogue about their thoughts and feelings after seeing this film. From my understanding, there is a book ….book clubs need to get busy with this one.

Free thinkers…get busy!!!!

Things That Make You Go Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?????????

So, I’m having a discussion with my mother yesterday and I posed something to her. I explained the Kemetic “Bible” basically the story of Heru (Egyptian God Horus). I explained that the story paralleled the Christian story of Jesus….now keep in mind that Christianity was introduced to Egypt 60 AD….makes you wonder huh? Think about how we view the timeline for history using BC  and AD

It is commonly thought that B.C. stands for “before Christ” and A.D. stands for “after death.” This is only half correct. How could the year 1 B.C. have been “before Christ” and A.D. 1 been “after death”? B.C. does stand for “before Christ.” A.D. actually stands for the Latin phrase anno domini, which means “in the year of our Lord.” The B.C./A.D. dating system is not taught in the Bible. It actually was not fully implemented and accepted until several centuries after Jesus’ death.

Saying all this to say…..I posed the question what if the Bible that we cling to, quote and use to divide people is the same vein of all of our African history? How many Black churches have a White Jesus because a colonizer has taught us that Jesus was white because they could never accept a Christ out of Egypt? What if the story was changed to place Christ in a lowly place but just lowly enough for White pride to accept? (Bethlehem of Judea)….Think of the painting The Black Madonna painted by Evangelist Luke

Know what my mom said? Absolutely nothing….

I am not speaking against God or Christ….I’m a believer,  but, what I am saying is look at the facts and what you’re willing to accept

Football Fanatics Go Beyond the Black & White Of the Ref’s Shirts BY; KB 2.8.16

Let me just say that no aspects of racism and bigotry catch me off guard. I’m shocked when it shows up in the words and actions of people I associate with…..let me tell you…there are no greater showcases for racism and bigotry than politics and sports.

Let’s take the Super Bowl…it was obvious that both black and white hate Cam Newton…blacks because he won’t assume the role of the grateful docile negro. His talent, his braggadocio, his exuberance for the game he loves has somehow been interpreted as a slight to whites. He’s a talented player who knows he’s talented and he won’t celebrate the way whites and subjugated blacks want him to….How is Cam any different from Deion Sanders (Prime Time)? Didn’t hear too much about him. Sports enthusiasts, bigots and racists allowed a Thomas “Hollywood” Henderson? He admitted to sniffing cocaine on the sidelines in his oxygen mask….all you ever heard about him was people hated his outlandish fashion sense. Now let’s talk about football busts like Brian Bozworth…the crazy haircuts and sideline antics but his talent in college was a result of steroid injections that also killed his career. Let’s talk the insanity that is Johnny “football” Manziel…domestic violence, an addict out of control, and a major team distraction…very little press….then we look at Ray Rice, Ray Carruth,  Ray Lewis, Shawne Merriman, Andre Reed,…tons of press on their sordid details…..but you don’t hear too much about Alex Smith’s drunk driving, Joe Thiesman having his wife and mistress show up at the hospital when his leg was broken on televised game….

You don’t hear about how much time and money was utilized by the NFL to cover up CTE and how their legal machine damn near destroyed a black doctor’s career. You don’t hear about how much money goes to breast cancer every year when they throw a few pink garment in the game for the month of October….I never knew, until a couple of days ago, that the NFL was tax exempt. This is the same entity that has the power to make and break a city’s economy based on the greed of owners…case and point the Oakland Raiders…

Now, getting back to my point on racism, bigotry and my friends….I am preconditioned and predisposed to listen for the subtleties…saying things like He’s athletic -…excuse me isn’t he supposed to be an elite athlete? He’s in the pros! He’s brash and too outspoken….he’s been around yes men and future leeches  telling him how great he is…all the while waiting to capitalize on the greatness. Why isn’t he allowed to believe what he’s told, what is written about him? What is really being said is that people are afraid that he might wake up and interrupt their cash flow so he must present a certain way so that everyone can continue to get paid (sounds like slavery to me…)

What’s my point here?!!! We all love sports…it’s a way for us all to be “armchair active” either in the sport or be fake moguls in fantasy football…but we all need to look at the level of hypocrisy, greed and dirty dealings that keep the games going…

My Thought On Black History BY; KB 2.2. 16

Wow, so I happened to catch the tail end of Dr. Phil yesterday – the show was on the OJ miniseries. I don’t know who said it but I overheard one of the panelists say that Mark Fuhrman says the LAPD trained him to think as a racist….I heard that statement and completely lost all my cool. You can believe that “ish” if you want to….racism stems from a deep seated belief system….so if anything the LAPD enhanced what was already there.

We are ALL predisposed to some thinking that our parents taught us and their parents taught them….when we know better or learn better we respond accordingly. I have heard stories of white friends using the word NIGGER…one of my sisters friends did it and then told my sister she doesn’t see her as one. My questions are what is your line of demarcation? What defines that epithet for you?  How do you proceed with a friendship knowing that this ugliness is part of your belief system….and the sad part of it all is that this was a person from church…..you can talk and sing about Goad and love but the word NIGGER flow just as free.

My equally irksome experiences involve the PC people who will never come right out and say anything blatantly derogatory but all their actions and carefully scripted talk lets you know where they are coming from. I also have major angina with people who are so friggin’ liberal and understanding but still enjoy sipping from the cup of white privilege. To me it’s the equivalent of an “uncle Tom”  you know better but you just don’t want to make waves to mess up your good thing.

Black snobs and elitists…oh no I’m not leaving you out….some of y’all are brainwashed into believing that home ownership and designer labels are an entre…..check your mortgage rates and then check the times and statutes under the money lending…..I’m willing to bet some slick talking broker snapped you up under a minority lending deal which spells profit for a lending institution and that same entity will kick you to the curb with the quickness should their little housing bubble burst. 

There are many of you dedicated to the Greek community than you are to your ethnic community…..like the old joke goes…what do you call a black man or woman with a PhD? Dr. NIGGER….just ask Ben Carson! Always identified as Black Republican candidate or Black Neurosurgeon…..

Remember this from the movie Malcolm X :   Malcolm X: I must emphasize at the out start that the Honorable Elijah Muhammad is not a politician. So I'm not here this afternoon as a Republican, nor as a Democrat; not as a Mason, nor as an Elk; not as a Protestant, nor a Catholic; not as a Christian, nor a Jew; not as a Baptist, nor a Methodist; in fact, not even as an American, because if I was an American, the problem that confronts our people today wouldn't even exist.

So I have to stand here today as what I was when I was born: A black man.

Before there was any such thing as a Republican or a Democrat, we were black.

Before there was any such thing as a Mason or an Elk, we were black.

Before there was any such thing as a Jew or a Christian, we were black people!

In fact, before there was any such place as America, we were black!

And after America has long passed from the scene, there will still be black people.

I'm gonna tell you like it really is. Every election year these politicians are sent up here to pacify us! They're sent here and setup here by the White Man!

This is what they do!

They send drugs in Harlem down here to pacify us!

They send alcohol down here to pacify us!

They send prostitution down here to pacify us!

Why you can't even get drugs in Harlem without the White Man's permission!

You can't get prostitution in Harlem without the White Man's permission!

You can't get gambling in Harlem without the White Man's permission!

Every time you break the seal on that liquor bottle, that's a Government seal you're breaking!

Oh, I say and I say it again, ya been had!

Ya been took!

Ya been hoodwinked!

Bamboozled!

Led astray!

Run amok!

This is what He does....

Wake the hell up!!!!! We’ve got to get this right and come together to work for the greater good of man or perish as individuals remaining a collective of fools. An oxymoron in stupidity