Friday, October 9, 2015

Thoughts of a Lioness: Hush Money, Reward, and Progress

Thoughts of a Lioness: Hush Money, Reward, and Progress: Peace to all of you. As I write this, my mind is all over the place. I sat in a brief meditation this morning, reflecting on the murders of...

Hush Money, Reward, and Progress

Peace to all of you. As I write this, my mind is all over the place. I sat in a brief meditation this morning, reflecting on the murders of our people by police and the cycle of repeated events and the results sickened me. In the majority of high profile deaths of Afrikan people in Amerikkka at the hands of law enforcement, the cycle is :
1. Outrage by the community 
2. An investigation of the events
3. The vilification of the victim by mainstream media, conversations  on police and community relationships
4. Either the police officer is charged or found to be innocent by way of lack of substantial evidence or assumed guilt by the victim  (He went for my gun and so on), but never any conviction or even admission of guilt by them
5. The family of the victim receives huge amounts of money from the city the victim lived in, often before the criminal case is tried, but certainly after. The latest settlement is in the case of Walter Scott who was murdered by an officer in North Charleston.
6. The officer often is paid by either their own departments , as in the case of Kerrick or by GoFundMe accounts established by their supporters.
7. Rinse and repeat.
In the latest case of Randall Kerrick, he is being rewarded, in my opinion, for shooting an unarmed Jonathan Ferrell in 2013. I watched as a representative of the Fraternal Order of Police Officers express his feeling that Kerrick deserved "more" than his settlement of over $100,000. More of what? Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department "negotiated" with him for a resignation and paid him. It makes zero sense at all but this is white supremacy at its finest. What has he suffered that he deserves to have his resignation negotiated in the first place and then paid severance as if he actually served  in any capacity for those who are the hunted. In the KRS-One song "Black Cop", he calls the officer -- overseer and that is exactly what they are. Overseers were paid to inflict pain, power, and dominance over our ancestors and to keep the “nigras” in line and these "officers" are doing the same; they injure, they intimidate, they abuse their power, and if they kill, they are smiled upon, paid for the collection of black bodies. In our communities, the sight of a police car is a constant reminder that we could be the next hashtag on Twitter, the next one with our name in lights, one of the ones whose life could be stolen, with justice never to be had, our families paid hush money, and our names added to the seemingly neverending list of people murdered unarmed by the police. The actions of these men and women in blue is at best atrocious and has caused for the community to view them as a constant threat and a menace. There has not been any reform for these police departments, no true action taken against any who have unjustly murdered our people, and no true blueprint for what should be done when it happens again.
Our communities are in dire need for transformation. At this time, we find ourselves at the bottom of the totem pole in most areas—economically, educationally, and otherwise. The remedy is not to be found in Washington or any other legislative or judicial body within the stolen nation named Amerikkka. The movement should be to establish independence and unification amongst ourselves. We need to police our own neighborhoods. Our people are dying at the hands of each other and it is high time that we seize our circumstances from those who devalue their own people. We need to establish economic initiatives from every state within this nation in which we shop with our own, create our own, and only support our own. I know some may feel the things I speak about may be a bit lofty but our very existence depends on our unity and collective action. No one is coming to save us. We all we got!

Hetepu!

Andre’a 

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Thoughts of a Lioness: Continued Atrocities and What Is To Come

Thoughts of a Lioness: Continued Atrocities and What Is To Come: Peace to you all I recently ran across an article about the infamous George Zimmerman retweeting a photo of Trayvon Martin's lifeless...

Continued Atrocities and What Is To Come

Peace to you all
I recently ran across an article about the infamous George Zimmerman retweeting a photo of Trayvon Martin's lifeless body lying on the grass after the murder. Soon after, a social media storm occurred with people expressing their anger and disgust over his actions. As I sat on my couch on Monday evening, I meditated on how I would feel if I was Trayvon's mother as well as how I feel as the mother of four Afrikan sons. The continued downplaying of the murders of our sons and daughters, the lack of empathy and compassion for our losses, the insensitivity of mainstream AmeriKKKa, and the onslaught of continued violence against our people, coupled with the mass media criminalizing the victims is overwhelming. We live in a country that was built upon the backs of our ancestors and yet has a short memory as to what was truly done. Our people were stolen from their homelands, forced to change their names, forget their religion, and treated as animals. We, as a people , have survived through slavery, wars, Jim Crow, and terroristic acts all of these years. And to have our murders placed on social media sites for white inferiority , which is illogically named white supremacy, cuts to the core of my soul. For George Zimmerman, Daniel Pantaleo, Darren Wilson, and so many other murderers to walk free, to gain riches off their barbaric and murderous acts, is a slap in the face of our warrior ancestors. These acts are less than humane. They feed into the machine of oppression because the images are a constant reminder that death can occur by their hand at any given time. The messages are clear and constant. Our lives matter , but not to them. We are simply tools to keep their pockets fat, their country flourishing--it is all tied to economics. We have secured the lifestyles of the rich and famous and we continue to do so. We work for pennies on the dollar in the prisons, which at this time are plantations, cloaked as correctional facilities. We attend their schools and are trained to work for them in their corporations, again to profit them. We are widely segregated into ghettos and slums, where we die in squalor. We run into religious buildings to worship a god that has neither loved us or protected us and looks just like the men who came on the ships over 400 years ago.
I realize that this message is heavy, but I also realize these words are necessary. This is the age of information. We have access to more information than we ever have before and now is the time to harness the information and free ourselves from slavery once and for all. There is a revolution going on right now. More and more of our people are waking from the comatose state and realizing that we have been in a war for 4 centuries. Now is the time for us to unite and take the head off of the beast once and for all!! As our vibrations rise and align, more and more of us are creating lives outside the matrix. They are hearing the rallying cry . It is my sincerest desire to see all of Afrika unite-- to live amongst each other, to raise free thinking children, to do business together, and to be truly liberated. And it will happen! We will never forget what has been done however, we are not looking back! As our dear ancestor Marcus Garvey once said "What do I care about death in the cause of the redemption of Africa?...I could die anywhere in the cause of liberty: A real man dies but once; a coward dies a thousand times before his real death. So we want you to realize that life is not worth its salt except you can live it for some purpose. And the noblest purpose for which to live is the emancipation of a race and the emancipation of posterity."



Hetepu,

Andre'a The Tru Lioness

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Thoughts of a Lioness: James Baldwin once said "To be a Negro in this cou...

Thoughts of a Lioness: James Baldwin once said "To be a Negro in this cou...: James Baldwin once said "To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time. ” No word...


James Baldwin once said "To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time. ” No words ring truer at this particular point in our history. We live under the constant threat of attack and possible death, if not by our own people then by those who wear and badge and drive cars emblazoned with the phrase "To protect and to serve". These tools of "white supremacy", coupled with the continual reporting of worldwide injustices against our people, the lies of the media, the systems of control, and the silence of those who should be working towards change, are at times overwhelming and too much to bear.


Each day we rise to yet another story , another murder, another loss. It is so disheartening. We are at war and have been in this war for so many years, the majority of us think that our lives are "normal" . I myself dream of liberation for all Afrikans. I dream of a time where we can educate our children, have our own systems of commerce, education, and healthcare, our own self-sustained communities, and are no longer subjected to the whims of oppression and those who support it. But, I realize that idealism has no place in the life of a revolutionary. I am a dreamer but I had to wake up from the dream because my people are living in a nightmare. From the shores of Amerikka , to the islands of West Papua, to the terrain of Australia, to the cities of Europe, my people are all suffering.


It is the duty of each of us of the Afrikan diaspora to do what we can where we are . If each of us in our respective communities would do the needed work in those communities, we would see systemic change. But, we need to start. I am inspired by some of the actions and initiatives of some of my comrades throughout the US. Many are purchasing land (or aspiring to), some have youth groups, some have homeschooling programs,teaching on economics, outreach programs, some are fighting their local governments regarding human rights violations , and so on and so on. These are the every day heroes that the world doesn't recognize. I see you!


I could go on and on but I won't . Instead, I will get back to work. No one is coming to save us and we have to deal with the fact that those who should care do not and the ones who should have our best interests at heart do not. We are the solution. Every day , more and more and facing the harsh reality of life as an Afrikan. We come from greatness. We will return!



Hetepu,
Andre'a The Tru Lioness

Monday, August 17, 2015

Remembering Garvey

Today marks the 128th birthday of one of our most beloved  ancestors,  Marcus Mosiah Garvey. He has left an indelible mark upon the lives of every Afrikan living , as well as the world at large. I wanted to take this time today to reflect upon his life and to share some interesting facts about the man.
Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr. was born August 17th, 1887 in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica to Marcus Mosiah Garvey Sr., a stone mason, and Sarah Jane Richards, a domestic worker. He was the last of 11 children and only he and one of his sisters lived to adulthood. Garvey was largely self-educated.  He became a printer’s apprentice at age 14. He traveled throughout Central America working as a newspaper editor and writing about the exploitation of migrant workers before traveling to London and attending Birkbeck College (now the University of London). He worked for the African Times and Orient Review.
In 1914, Garvey along with 5 other associates, created the Universal Negro Improvement Association.  One month after the first UNIA division was established in New York in 1917, the organization reached 2 million members in the U.S.  By 1914, the UNIA had 4 million members. He also created the Negro World newspaper, which at its peak had over 200,000 subscribers.  Garvey held meetings and rallies as well as conventions, the largest being held at Madison Square Garden with over 25,000 attendees.
Garvey also launched the Black Star Line, a shipping company that would establish trade and commerce between Afrikans in America, the Caribbean, South and Central America, Canada, and Afrika.  In addition to the Black Star Line, Garvey also established the Negro Factories Corporation in 1920. They opened a chain of grocery stores, restaurants, steam laundry shop, publishing house, doll factory, and millinery store. He was a staunch believer in us “doing for self”.
Garvey died in 1940 in London after suffering several strokes. Garvey was exhumed and taken to Jamaica, where the government of Jamaica proclaimed him national hero and re-interred him at a shrine in National Heroes Park.  The accolades for Garvey could go on and on as he influenced so many of our leaders such as the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, Patrice Lumumba, and many others.
Let us do as Garvey spoke, “We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, for though others may free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind. Mind is our only ruler; sovereign.”


Hetepu,
Andre’a the Tru Lioness

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Thoughts of a Lioness: What Are We Dealing With?

Thoughts of a Lioness: What Are We Dealing With?: I remember growing up and hearing my grandmother say "We don't hate people, we hate their ways. Some people allow themselves to be ...

What Are We Dealing With?

I remember growing up and hearing my grandmother say "We don't hate people, we hate their ways. Some people allow themselves to be ruled by devilish things and behave in hellish ways." That sentence and its sentiment mean so much more to me now than in years past. My grandmother was a devout Christian however, many of her ideals and ways of conduct were direct from her Afrikan roots. She knew and understood vibrations, higher and lower self, etc , though she never used the terms.

These acts of genocide that are occurring are not new. We have been victimized for so many years by the same groups of people. There is a rationale to the behaviors, though it is not clear to so many people. These groups of people have been conditioned, not for years, but for centuries, and they are the offspring of the same people who lynched, burned, raped, stole, and tortured our people without regard or empathy. We need to overstand that people are spirit, then body and since spirits have no  expiration date, meaning that they do not die, these same low vibration, Set-mentality driven beings, continue to be reborn over and over again , influencing new generations of people. There is a war that is being waged that has been happening for years but we are so consumed with the lies of the media, the overall busyness of the world, that we are missing so many important things.

The blessed ancestors desire for us to truly awaken, ask for their assistance and guidance, and operate on a higher level. We have to find our way back to the old ways. People speak often about being "conscious" and "opening their third eye" but once you have the knowledge, how do you apply it? Are you studying just to know or are you studying to actually do? I am always seeking ways to progress, improve myself, and cause change through my actions. I realize the importance of having a right mind and how thoughts manifest.

We have no more time to waste. We have lost 5 of our sisters while they were in police custody, we have our children being attacked, we have our men being murdered as well. Each one has a duty to work toward our liberation. We have to play for keeps. Time is of  the essence. Vibrate higher and focus all of your energy towards this cause!

Peace & Multiple Blessings,
Andre'a The Tru Lioness

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Thoughts of a Lioness: Pain & Peace

Thoughts of a Lioness: Pain & Peace: Peace and many blessings to each of you! I have been wanting to write for some time now but it seemed as though the words would not formula...

Pain & Peace

Peace and many blessings to each of you!
I have been wanting to write for some time now but it seemed as though the words would not formulate and I just was feeling simply "uninspired". Anyway, life happened, as it will and I felt overwhelmed. I lost a dear family member, ended a relationship, felt consumed by all of my financial responsibilities, all the while I pretended that all was well and I had it all under control.
These past few weeks have been difficult to say the least but, as I sit here , I can feel nothing but gratefulness for the trials. Each experience, negative or positive, can be a very useful tool. First of all, these trying times will reveal people's true intentions towards you. People tend to get very fickle when the sun stops shining and the torrential rains pour.
Secondly, experiences have the ability to build your resilience. For example, many people know that I have had a lot of loss in my personal life. I lost my father and my younger brother in a 2 week time span in 1995. I lost my grandmother in a horrific manner in 2001 and so on. However, I did not allow their passing to hinder my growth. Those terribly sad moments were integral in my development into the Tru Lioness. I was not born strong. I was not born with this unyielding resilience. These character traits are a different response to life experiences.
Lastly, these experiences allow you to become more personable and to more easily relate to others. Everyone has lost someone, everyone has had some type of difficulty in their life. However, some people do not possess the wherewithal to actually successfully overcome the battles to win the war. Some turn to drugs, some turn to relationships and those relationships are usually unhealthy, some become violent. We all have calling in this life. You can inspire others. Your battles can free someone from the mental and emotional prison they have built due to not being able to withstand the pain.
We all desire peace from the woes of life. You may find solace in music, work, art, dance, whatever. I encourage you to pursue those things that bring you peace and joy. Our world in its present state is tough to navigate and tough to survive in. We have to find balance. I myself have to literally make myself slow down and remember that I have one life to live. I do not want to just survive, I want to thrive. Trials and  tribulations will come, but joy, peace, love, happiness can also happen. We have to rise the occasion, raise our vibrations, and cherish the precious moments.


Ase',
Andre'a the Tru Lioness

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

A Little Humor

It is a known fact between my mother and I that we will inevitably have some type of catastrophe or mishap when we travel any distance over an hour. Over the years, she and I have had many ups and downs, but we have had some of the most hilarious and strange trips together as well. So, I want to just share a quick story with you.
I lost my father in 1995 and we were contacted by the family’s lawyers regarding a deposition. We had to travel to the law office which was located in Ft. Lauderdale. I was so excited to be going back to Florida, even though it was still painful thinking about my father.
It was the summer and as expected, the weather was hot. We listened to music as we rode singing and rapping to the lyrics of Mad Lion, TLC, KRS-One, and Boyz-2-Men. We stopped and ate at fast food spots, got drinks and gas at convenience stores, and rested at rest areas. Everything was going as planned and we were, as my mother said “making good time”. When we reached Florida, we were both hungry for a sit down meal so we pulled into Ryan’s Steakhouse.
We hopped out Mustang and began our walk across the scorching hot parking lot. As we walked, I began to notice people looking at us strangely. I wondered what the issue was. I looked down and noticed my shoe was untied so, I stopped to secure the strings. I ran to catch up to my Mother and she said “It’s cool out here. I feel a breeze.” I did not. I happened to catch a man looking at my mom’s rear end and I followed his eyes to her bottom as well . Mommy’s entire a#$ was out. Her shorts had somehow torn down the seam and her pink Hanes briefs were in full view. I began to laugh hysterically. Mommy still did not know what was going on—that is until she reached back and felt her behind!!!
“Oh my goodness! My whole butt is out!!” She screamed in horror, while I convulsed in laughter. After I got myself together we walked to the car. We went to a local store where Mommy bought a new outfit and threw the old one in the trash. We have laughed about this many times down through the years and this is just one of many travel stories we have.  I never will forget that outfit or the view in the Ryan’s parking lot.

Peace & Blessings,

Andréa The Tru Lioness 

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Writers Block

     Peace and blessings fam! I am suffering right now with something I thought would never happen---writers block. As I sit here and stare at the screen, I realize that my creativity is being blocked by life and I cannot allow this to continue. Writing, drawing, painting, singing, dancing, every "artsy" aspect of life has been my life for as long as I can remember, I created my first mural on paper my mother was given from her job at the local school. I drew with various colored chalks an underwater scene--my very own world under the sea, complete with sea horses, sea turtles, sharks, and all. I wrote my first poem at age 5 or 6. It was all about my red wagon and the books I loved to read. And Mommy always told me that I danced in her belly the entire time! Dance is so freeing!! But now the words seem to be caught up at the end of my pen and the inspiration has flown away like a bird heading South for the winter. I do not feel like inspiring others, I have no witty stories or anecdotes, I have no words of wisdom, and it is killing my spirit. 
      But, what I am realizing is that when one's heart is in pain and Sun doesn't seem to shine as brightly, your creativity can be held up. I realize that I am only human and only one individual. I have a terrible habit of putting more on my plate than I could ever eat, but at least I have identified this as an issue. Once upon a time, I would never, ever, ever admit that I was overdoing anything, overwhelmed, or over-extended. I would work 16 hour shifts, run errands for mom, go and read books at my son's school, and still hang with my sisters after hours. But today is a new day. I know I cannot do all things. But, I still struggle with saying no and I digress.
       So, at this point in time, I am feeling absolutely uninspired and I know why but now I must determine what course of action I need to take. I have always been a reader and lately I have been reading a book written by Queen Afua named "Sacred Woman". That book has certainly given me a new perspective on my situation. Remember, knowledge without application is not helping anything. So, I am learning about how a woman's womb is directly connected to her creativity as well as her heart. I am also learning how important my heart is to my creative process so, I am getting back to basics. Meditation, healthy eating, exercise, affrimations, dance all have been helpful in the past. 
        We have to find our peace within our situations and life and we cannot allow circumstances to stall our progress into greatness. I am saying "we" because I have to remind myself of the same thing daily. Negativity gives birth to self doubt, decreases our confidence, and incapacitates our creative stream. Negativity can be a cancer but we have the solution. Keep moving!! I see greatness in the future. Can you see it?




Peace,
Andre'a The Tru Lioness

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Discouragement and Enlightenment

Peace and blessings fam!

I hope my words find you in a state of peace. Finding peace in this world as it stands is a difficult task. As for me, I have been having difficulties managing and balancing all of my responsibilities. I am a perfectionist by nature and when things do  not go as I plan them, I become discouraged. It causes me to feel disconnected and depressed. This time of change is different though. This time , the trials have caused me to "see" my life and those involved more clearly and not all of it is pleasant. 
I am seeing people's true intentions towards me and I am having to end relationships with some because they have been misusing and abusing our connection. It is painful but necessary. I am also seeing my own flaws and that is also not easy. It is quite painful. People have a hard time acknowledging the character flaws we all have but the older that I become, the more I realize that self-realization is necessary for growth and progress. I look in the mirror and see who I am but more importantly, who I am to become. We have to learn to accept ourselves for who we are and work on being a better "ME". I read somewhere that life is not about growing up but growing in, growing into who we were created to be. Self-actualization is an enlightening experience. I am much stronger that I ever thought. And so are you. We are capable of so much more than we can imagine. Circumstances do not dictate your greatness. Keep moving forward! I am.......



One Love, 
Andre'a The Tru Lioness

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Revolution

Peace and blessings to all!
On this journey of mine, I have seen, heard, and experienced much but what is now becoming more and more apparent, is the fact that the revolution has not come to fruition yet because the people have not revolutionized their minds. When one begins to speak about revolution, people in to think of guns, blood, and death and that is partly true. I will not sit here and say that any revolution that has occurred, such as the Haitian revolution , occurred without bloodshed. It most certainly did and it is necessary for people to attain the freedom they so desire. But, before that part of the revolution occurs, the people must have a total change of mind. The mind is a powerful thing. It has the ability to create our universe. But, until we can actually "see" ourselves free, we will not have it. Our people are slave to the ideals of our slave ancestors. They have lost all knowledge of self and any inkling of desire to be self sufficient. They are fearful of change and do not see any value in nation building or even having cultural pride unless it is Black History Month.
I am pleased over some of my brothers and sistars awakening and sharing knowledge but we must continue to push for more to awaken. We have to make every effort that we can to unify the people as well as unity is necessary for revolution. The task is arduous but it is a matter of life and death. Our children, their children, and all of our descendents deserve more . They deserve to be free and we should not look to the next generation to fight this fight. We are more than capable!

Ase'

One last thought, in the words of Fred Hampton, "Why don't you live for the people? Why don't you struggle for the people? Why don't you die for the people?

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Life Lessons



This past week has been one of extreme stress, loss, pain, death, and tension. Although not all of the incidents happened to me personally, they all affected me greatly. Let me begin by telling you a little about me. I am a sponge that soaks up the emotions and vibes of others. Being this way at times has served me well, especially when the individual was in need of an encouraging word, a hug, an ear, a shoulder---I am naturally a nurturer. But, being this way can be very taxing on me spiritually and emotionally.  I sat and thought about where my life is headed and where it currently rests and have come to realize that the life cycle is very cyclical in nature, as is the universe and in order to move from the current wavelength, I have to master the lesson at hand.
When I was growing up, my grandmother used to tell me that if you “travel the same dirt road, you will end up at the same place”. She was so right! In reviewing my life currently, I realize that in some areas in life, I have not progressed because I have traveled the same road. I felt unlucky, used, stupid, all at the same time but, none of those things hold true. I have been misguided and simply needed to change paths.
Life itself is a series of events, some beautiful, some scary, some painful, some mundane. And with life, there will be lessons that each of us must master before progressing to the next level in life. The tricky thing is when you are living life, is the fact that the lesson is learned after the event, almost in what we see as reverse. But, as we navigate, we must analyze each situation and not only see the lesson but apply the outcome.  Now, you are probably thinking: what lesson did she learn? Well, I learned that in matters of the heart, always follow your gut instinct about a person, you should only allow a person once to correct a major issue, repetitive benefits of the doubt are a sham, and always identify and address red flags. If I had only read the writing on the wall, I would not be in this predicament. But, again, now I know and to know is to be free. Mastering a lesson provides peace of mind, even if you are not totally free of the situation, and to have peace is be powerful.  

Ase’
Andre’a “The Tru Lioness

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Unsympathetic....

This morning, I saw a brief summary of a situation that a white man is going through that truly made me think and in turn, of course, write. Basically, he is dating or married to a Sistar. Now they want to have a child. He works in a restaurant and while at work , he enjoys playing music. Apparently he was listening to some rap music and someone he works with mentioned “Niggers, that’s what they say all the time right? Nigger this, nigger that.” Well, this white man was offended and is thinking of taking some type of action against the individual.  I know you are probably thinking that I would say that we should boycott the restaurant or take some action to bring this racist to light, however, I am thinking something a little deeper.
Would the guy be as offended if he was not involved with a Sistar? Would he have defended an Afrikan stranger against the same type of abuse? What has he done to effectively combat and address racism as it exists in his community? I can answer for him. The answer is a resounding no. I will take it a step further and say that he has heard white people call Afrikans nigger before and it probably did not bother him , not until he had a Queen on his arm and is considering having a baby with her.
What White Amerikkka needs to understand is that we are not going to be sympathetic if you only show interest when the issue at hand is dealing with your personal issue. We need you to give a damn ALL THE TIME—not just when it inconveniences or hurts you. Your sympathy is not needed. If you really want to help out this racial issue in this country, how about challenge your people to deal with us fairly. How about asking the school system to change its policies when dealing with our children? How about lobbying for our people to get reparations that are so justly owed to us? How about providing resources for us to establish our own sustainable communities? Work with us for the greater cause for ALL of us-not just when it affects the one you love!
The racial divides and the oppressiveness of the systems in place in this country and abroad is deplorable.  We are significantly under-education, mis-educated, victimized, murdered, etc. We are told to “forget”, “to move on”, to “let the past go”. We are blamed for our condition when our condition is a direct result of the atrocities of the past. I could go on and on and on about what was done and how we are still suffering from “post slavery syndrome” but, I will not.
I do challenge white people who claim to care about our condition and who are not blind to the injustices that they see to stop being complacent and be truthful about their position. No you do not own slaves, but you benefit from the wealth that slaves built. Having a “black” friend does not mean you are not racist—face it! Stop feeling like Afrikan people should “move on”. Do you ask Jews to forget Hitler? And most of all, when you see injustice, do not be so quick to assume the Afrikan is guilty of something to cause this to befall them. Do  your part! Stop pretending to be “legally blind” every time you see the people being done wrong and encourage your people to do the same. Realize that the Amerikkka that you know is NOT the Amerikkka that truly exists.

Hotep,

Andre’a The Tru Lioness 

Friday, March 13, 2015

Lately, I have had some very interesting conversations with Sistars on their relationships. And what I have seen is that their situations mirror my own  life in many ways. They are dealing with men who refuse to acknowledge their feelings. The men continue the same behavior thus leaving the woman feeling disappointed, hurt, and betrayed. I have had to realize that I am speaking to myself when I provide them insight on how I view the situation. Relationships are tricky things and have periods similar to high tide at the beach, highs and lows. What we have to do is learn to ride the waves. But, there also lies the decisions that can be most difficult--is this relationship worth it?

I was married for 7 years and was with my husband for a total of 10 years-- a whole decade. In retrospect, I realize I shortchanged myself ; denied myself the things that I needed as a woman--affection, attention, and most of all, genuine love. I had to come to the conclusion that I was merely a convenience to this man and that at the end of the day, our marriage was a farce, a beautiful illusion, complete with children, family van, and holiday fare. I lost who I was trying to please him. Once I decided I was done, I began to see with different eyes. I realized that a relationship is not supposed to drain you, it should enrich your life. It is the deepest of partnerships.

So, when I hear how much pain my Sistars are in, when I hear the depth of love they have for their men--it pains me. What our community lacks is strong, black families and I for one, hate to see us disjointed. But, a Sistar should not deny her feelings and the man she is with, should acknowledge those feelings. I feel that if your mate truly wants to be with you, they will do whatever is required. When you love, you love purely and the happiness of your mate becomes of the utmost importance. Will there be disagreements? Most certainly. However, the "hot button" issues will be laid aside and the level of consideration will be present.

Sistars, I implore you to search your heart and be strong enough to walk away if that man is not the King for you. Brothas, I implore you to soul search. If this is the Queen that you desire, treat her as such. We need each other. Anything other than unity would be uncivilized.


Peace & Blessings,
Andre'a

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Nation Building

Each and every morning, I read the top stories on Atlanta Blackstar and The Root , and each and every day, the weight of oppression seems to hold me hostage. We have people in Flint, MI who do not have access to clean water, we have a DOJ who refuses to hold police officers accountable and have the audacity to attempt to pacify us with rhetoric regarding racist routines of officers, we have people who remain deaf, dumb, and blind, who are consumed by shows such as "Empire" , unknowingly supporting terrible stereotypical images of who we are as a people. Our children are miseducated and labeled, our health suffers due to lack of insurance or money as well as poor choices. We are in an absolute mess. Our community lacks substantial leadership from our men; so many of them slaves in the penal system. Many of our people are zombies, totally brainwashed and conditioned by the oppressors. 
It is high time for a total and complete transition and return to our roots. We must strive to first unite and then build. We desperately need our own communities. There has been an increase in the number of our people who are homeschooling their children. We need community organic gardens so that we can eat healthy foods free of  GMO's. We need to build a nation. Nation building begins at home. We are all responsible for the children. We know better so we need to teach them appropriately. They need to not only know of the atrocities of slavery but of the glory of Kemet, Nubia, Kush, etc. We need to be accountable for our elders. They should be held in the highest esteem. We need to care for our homeless and our sick. We have people dying from HIV and AIDS. Each one needs to teach many!! 
For those of you who are "conscious" and working to awaken and unite the people, much love and respect to you! I need for each of you to think of what you can do to help build the nation. Our forefathers and mothers have written the blueprint--we only need to follow and apply the knowledge. Land purchase, wealth generation, boycotts, proper nutrition, Afrikan-centered lifestyle, and resuming Afrikan spirituality are priority. The knowledge is free and many Sistars and Brothas are more than willing to lend a hand and help you find your way. We are not going anywhere!  There are many of us coming forth every day. We are waiting on you. 



Hotep, 
Andre'a The Lioness

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Play Your Position

Peace everyone. The importance of each of us in this fight against racism and the oppressive forces that be must be looked at on a case by case basis. We must know what our position is and where we are best able and equipped to perform. Some of us are born leaders and have strength in motivating others to be active, some of us are marchers, some of us are speakers and powerful orators, some of us are strong administratively, but we all have a role. You must be willing and able to identify where you fit and go hard at the task at hand. Often we get caught up in the titles and the limelight; just because you don't get any press, does not mean you are not valued or valuable. We need security for events, we need people writing and petitioning, we need strategists. There will always be "grunt work" but as long as we are reaching our goals, we should find satisfaction. Ancient Afrikan civilizations functioned as a community and that is why they were so successful. We must reclaim our Afrikan  consciousness and properly apply the principles of our people. We will see more progress when we attack as a group! Remember, true unity is key. So, the idea that you have had and that is being held hostage in the recesses of your mind may be your role. If you feel inclined to go out and feed the protestors--do it! If you want to speak to the youth about their history--do it! Find your niche because everyone has a position in the nation !


Peace & Blessings,
Andre'a

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Being Wealthy

According to Dictionary.com, wealth is defined as "a great quantity or store of money, valuable possessions, property, or other riches", as well as  "an abundance or profusion of anything; plentiful amount". Lately, I have been feeling overjoyed because the reality that I am wealthy. I have also come to the conclusion that although my money may not be "long" as some people describe monetary wealth, my relationships and position in the world has made me wealthy. Over the past few years, I have met and developed relationships with some of the most intelligent, wise, and dynamic people in my life. They are activists, writers, poets, philosophers, etc. They have opened my eyes to the things such as African spirituality, ancient texts, living life in a more healthy manner by eating correctly, etc. I have also reconnected with some people in my past and realized that they were most important to my development into who I am today. There were some things that had been brewing under the surface for many years,but because of these individuals, I have allowed myself to come fully into myself. I am who I am--a multi-talented, loving, emotional, strong, opinionated, educated, intellectual. I think the thing I am loving most about my life right now is that I have found Andre'a and I love her. I have not always loved her as she is. But, she is a great person, flaws and all. I had to learn to accept the things about myself that I hate and as a result I have found strength in my weakness. We all must learn to truly love and accept ourselves. And once you love yourself, you can truly love others without condition. 


Peace to All,
Andre'a The Tru Lioness 

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Growth

This past month or two, I have had the air literally snatched from my lungs. I have uncovered some things that have rocked me to my core. I have had the truth shoved in my face in a way that was any thing other than subtle. My life as a revolutionary has taken a change and that change has caused me to experience a level of isolation I have never felt before . However, in looking over my life, I realize that I was placed in the position that I am in today by divine design. Let me explain. All my life, I have felt a disconnect from my family and those closest to me. I have never quite "fit in". I remember being about 4 or 5 years old. I was watching our old Teknika television and a commercial came across the screen about adoption. The child looked happy but she did not resemble the people who were holding her hands as the walked down the crowded New York street. I instantly felt that I must been adopted too. It would explain why I was interested in things my family cared nothing about such as art (sculpture, paintings, etc), why I felt at home with nature as though Mother Nature herself may have been my mother, why I had such a huge imagination, etc. I felt like a black sheep. So, I must be adopted. So, I went to my mother and I asked her. She laughed and said no I was not adopted. However, the feeling of not belonging never left me. In school, I talked to everyone and was never "clique-ish". It seemed I was always last to know, last to see, always off to myself. But, now I overstand that my life was designed as such. Being fully awakened to the true history of my people, my spirituality, the very root of my family, is tough. But, it is necessary. The chain is broken from my seeds going forth. They will know the whole truth. The will overstand who they really are. The basis of African consciousness goes back further than I could have ever imagined and I know it is true. It is essential that I continue to grow into my true self and do away with old ways. It is not an easy task but it is necessary. My ancestors have spoken.



One Love,
Andre'a

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Let's Use the Blueprint

Back in 1922, Marcus Garvey spoke of the true solution of the Negro problem. He listed 3 main issues in America: lynching, peonage, and disenfranchisement. Now, why is it that we still have these issues today. We are being lynched by our police officers and our own community by guns at an alarming rate. We are disenfranchised most certainly. We have little to no power over the economics of our communities, over the education of our children, over how our communities are governed and policed. We suffer from peonage as well, slaves to debt caused by college loans, cash advances, and short term loans at companies charging exorbitant interest fees—all in an attempt at survival. So, what is the solution?
Garvey felt the solution was for all African people, no matter the continent they resided on , to unite, return to Africa, and build a true nation of our own people. He stated “If the Negro were to live in this Western Hemisphere for another five hundred years he would still be outnumbered by other races that are prejudiced against him. He cannot resort to the government for protection for government will be in the hands of the majority of the people who are prejudiced against him, hence for the Negro to depend on the ballot and his industrial progress alone, will be hopeless as it does not help him when he is lynched, burned, jim-crowed and segregated. The future of the Negro therefore, outside of Africa, spells ruin and disaster.” And at this point in time, I agree with his sentiment. It may not be feasible for all of us to move to Africa today, but it is pertinent and urgent that we unite. We must support each other’s businesses; we must build our own schools to teach our children to be financially responsible, to know their history beyond Massa’s house, to respect and love each other and to build strong communities. It starts with each of us. 
Garvey spoke of building national independence—an African nation including the whole African diaspora. I know that this is needed. This is survival of the fittest and only the strong will survive. His writings are still relevant. He, Malcolm X, and other leaders have already given us the blueprint for success. We just need to execute the plan.
Peace & Blessings,
Lioness

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

A Call for Love

There has been another life taken too soon; another life lost to senselessness. But, again lies the question of what next. What are we going to do to change our condition? And when will change come? I learned long ago that people do not change because things happened or because we ask them to. People change when they choose to. I can only speak from my position as a black woman, an African woman living in this desolate country of America. And this morning, I am angry. I am angry that we as a community, the diaspora has not found the love that was lost back on the plantation. We still are suffering from the effects of slavery. On the plantations, we were property and a life could be taken at any given moment. Years of abuse, rape, and forced servitude caused our psyches to morph until the point of us now being uncaring for one another. Our lives were not valued and we began to believe the same as what was given, that we do not matter and a dead black man is the best condition for a black man. We lack love because to love is to sacrifice and to lose that which you love can break you. We were sold away from family, stripped of every bit of our identity, and thus, we never recaptured the essence of true community. So, we stopped loving. We stopped seeing each other as brothers and sisters. And many of us still see each other as 3/5 of a human being. Many of us still have a “crabs in a barrel” mentality, in which envy and jealousy drive us to depths of instant insanity. That momentary insanity is why right now we are killing each other.
The systemic genocide of the people has caused a huge rift and we continue to feed into the curse. And our men are being murdered by their own African family at an alarming rate.  But, there is hope, as long as there is life, there is hope. We must begin to love on one another. Teach our children the value of their lives, as well as the lives of others. We must resolve clean up our neighborhoods and communities. My grandmother used to say “Sweep around your own front door before you tell your neighbor to do so.” Demand that the elected officials of the towns and cities in which we live are held accountable. Make them get the guns off the street! And when you see those in your communities who are breaking the law and acting a fool, report them. Go to your city and county council meetings and let your voice be heard. There are city council meetings for a reason; instead of these officials focusing on drugs and nonsense, let’s work towards getting the guns off the streets, economic development, and educational programs and outreach. Let the religious leaders come forth and assist. There are far too many talkers and not enough doers.Call your Senators and congressman and request bills for stricter gun laws and for reform. Be active in your local and state government.
Black man rise up! There used to be a time when you protected us. We need you in our communities right now. Your presence is so needed. It has been proven that communities that have a strong male presence have lesser crime. You must be the model. Time out for childish games! And we as a people must begin to focus on the issues—our people are struggling for survival. Instead of hating your brothers and sisters, love them. When will we realize that we are all we that we have? Help them when they need it. When you see these teenagers doing things that you know they have no business doing, talk to them or at least reach out to their family so they can. Don’t your dare turn a blind eye for another day!  And for those of you who walk around with rose-colored glasses on, it is high time that you took them off and faced facts. We are dying! And if you are going to be complacent, you are a part of the problem!
At the end of the day, someone else has been killed. The blood is calling out from the streets asking for change. Let’s not go another day without starting to change. Please hear me. If we do not take a stand-who will?




--Lioness

Monday, January 5, 2015

2015

Well, it is now 2015 and I am super excited about all the things to come this year. Last year, I met and connected with some of the most amazing people on the planet--activists, poets, black nationalists, warriors, just great people. I read something today that 15 is a number of deliverance. So, this year can be the year of coming out from under oppression, strongholds, and anything that has been hindering our growth and progression. The universe is powerful indeed and it took me years to realize that our words are powerful and we have the ability to speak things into existence. I have many people connected to me that have big dreams. They aspire to greatness. And so, in order to attain those things in which they desire is to begin to talk the talk. We must say, believe, and work towards our goals. We must believe without a shadow of a doubt that we can and we will complete the work in which we were truly created to do. Faith is defined as "complete confidence or trust in something or someone." We must believe with complete confidence that our dreams will be a reality. This is my hope for each of you for 2015. All that you desire, that you have worked so hard for, that you dream about, happens for each of you. I truly believe that you can have that which you desire. 
If you believe........

Peace & Blessings, 
Andre'a The Lioness