Monday, December 22, 2014

Fighing a Mammoth

I woke up this morning as many mornings with an acute awareness of the condition of my people and how there is so much work that needs to be done. I realize that it is so systemic that the wake up call to action is needed now and requires much work, dedication, and diligence. There are many things I could discuss but there are several major factors that I see as consistent themes within our communities that require swift and consistent action.
 1. The continued acts of genocide against our people by police. We need to bring charges against the police and continue to highlight the injustice in every form and way possible. Struggle does not occur without a fight.
2. Building our communities economically; we must control our money, spend with our own, and be deliberate about it.
3. We must continue to speak and bring the truth to those who are asleep. We know we cannot save everyone but, we will do a disservice if we do not reveal the truth.
4. We must challenge the corporations to treat us fairly or withhold profits. Our communities are the biggest consumer.
5. We must know our power. If we weren't a threat, why would we continue to be killed? We are the original Man.
Lastly, we must love. We must love each other, through the ignorance, through the violence, through the pain. Our sisters and brothers need us so much-us who continue to fight, us who are revolutionary. Huey Newton once said "A revolutionary is a doomed man". We know and understand. But, it is my sincerest belief that we are at the cusp of a great tide of change and restoration. We must stand and stand strong!

Saturday, December 13, 2014

I Have Been Chosen

I realized today that maybe I am not as in control as I may believe. I am a mother, was a wife, am a writer, an entrepreneur, I am a fighter. But , how many of the roles did I truly choose? Initially, I thought my life as "Lioness" was one that I took on my own, that I had chosen as I matured in my life. But, as I sit here in reflection,  I determine that "Lioness" and the path of the Lioness chose me. I have not had a charmed life and that in itself does not make me unique. What does make me unique is that I have not allowed hard times and oppression to warp me into a bitter person with total disdain for life. I am quite the contrary. I find the silver lining in every cloud and I love people to a fault, even after having experienced so much loss and heartbreak in my own life. I now am almost obsessed with fighting against injustices in life, sometimes to a fault. But, it is always about balance. I have to take care of me as well. But the fight is never-ending, I just need to be here to fight another day.
In reflecting on my present life, I also realized that the Universe has brought certain people into my life, fighters like myself, who are my support system. They are awesome people and I am blessed beyond measure to be able to be connected with them. We are all focused on changing the lives of generations to come, one small battle at a time.
And that is why I know I was chosen for this place and position in life. Hardly any of these people are close to me in proximity and many I have never physically met, yet we are close as family could be and fiercely protective of one another. They need me and I need them--bottom line. I am "The Tru Lioness" and they respect the warrior in me. And I must live up to who she is.


Peace & Love,
Andre'a