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

Complacency--One of Our True Enemies

I am one who has fought all my life. I have had to fight poverty, I have had to fight statistics, I have had to even fight homelessness. Now, I fight for change--each and every day of my life. The older I become, the more I have noticed that I am now more observant of people and what I have noted to be a consistent pattern within the black community is complacency. Complacency is defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary as "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies". And within our communities, our have been born into complacency that is generational. They are asleep and some refuse to be awakened and become irritated when confronted with the truth and severity of our condition. We, the descendants of stolen people , who were deprived our basic human rights, and continue to be oppressed by the machinations of a nation built upon the backs of our ancestors. The Willie Lynch syndrome, a psychological warfare, continues to be waged and large numbers of our people, are willing participants. They purchase millions of dollars in retail and services with companies that were financed with slave money and who continue to mistreat our people (i.e. Wal-Mart).
Then, there is the subset of people who talk a good game but take absolutely no action. With the growing popularity of the internet and social media, we have individuals that boast to be revolutionaries, always talking about what our community needs, but they never are present. They live on 1000 Facebook Avenue and never venture beyond the virtual corridors and neighborhoods and step off the porch. They remind me of a dog owned by one of grandmother's friend. To hear his bark, you would think he had heart and that he had to be tied but, truth be told he was a sissy and was not even tied down  (his bark was always bigger than his bite)! I have absolute no patience for that type of inactivity. It is my hope that for us that are awake that we continue to come forth and make a difference. Let's leave this place in a better condition than it was when we were brought into it. 

Peace & Blessings,
Andre'a "The Lioness"

United We Stand

Another son taken. Another shooting in Missouri. Several weeks ago, a dear friend and comrade of mine posted that every 28 hours, a black person is murdered by the police and the vast majority of those who die are black men. Now yet another victim, an 18 year old father was killed by an off-duty police officer. The officers of course claim he had a gun but witnesses to the shooting said he only had a sandwich. A sandwich. So, not only will a pack of Skittles, hoodie, tea, and being in “the wrong neighborhood” even though your father resided in the area, but a sandwich can be mistaken for a gun, a “loosey” cigarette is deemed resisting arrest, you can be tasered for not identifying yourself, even though you are a passenger in a vehicle, and also shot for walking in the street. You have to question yourself as to what you as a black person can do. Must we become hostage in our homes and choose not to venture out because we may be shoot under the cloak of ridiculous suspicion and absolute and total hatred for your skin color.

What a difficult life it is to be black! To live in a world that sees you as ugly, inconvenient, ignorant, threatening, and most of all –unworthy. Yet, the world desires to be us and often steal our culture through cultural appropriation. And then there are those of us who choose to remain passive, who are either totally blind to the reality of life or have chosen “not to get involved” because fear holds them captive. It is sad that so many of our brothers and sisters seem not to “get it” and do not think that we need change.

Then there is me and my “family”. We are fighters. We are set to act and we do not and will not stop. Even as I type this, my adrenaline runs high because I know the stuff we are made of. We march, we boycott, we protest, we educate, we stimulate, we are united and it is scaring people. We have joined together and we are solidly standing and looking the face of our oppressors in the eye. We never tire when it comes to the liberation of our people. Join us in the fight! Everyone has a role to play and each of you are very important to this struggle.

Unite. Organize. Deploy.

Peace & Blessings,

Andre’a

Acts of Defeat

They burned down Michael Brown's memorial today and before I became enraged, I felt myself become tickled. Why you ask? Because one thing I know from experience is when someone is defeated, they will seek to do anything to gain attention or some footing. Black people are becoming more and more organized and unified and with that comes change but also a threat to the powers that be. Oppressive forces that have worked in this country for many years are feeling the shift of impending change and with that they throw a tantrum. It is like a child who is told no. They fall to the floor, kicking and screaming, wanting to get their way. This is the action of the oppressors is one of a coward. They do not want to confront the truth, they desire for us to forget the fallen youth, but we will not. We are fighting and organizing every day. We are progressing. We are about to change the face of Black America and they see it! We are coming! And we are growing larger everyday!

Thoughts of a Lioness: Where in the World?

Thoughts of a Lioness: Where in the World?: I have been thinking a lot lately about what my place is in this world. I have always that we who are here, are here for a purpose. No life...

Where in the World?

I have been thinking a lot lately about what my place is in this world. I have always that we who are here, are here for a purpose. No life is created and brought forth in the world in vain. I also believe that each of us has a specific purpose in the world and we owe it to the world to bring forth our gift. So, what is my contribution to the world? What am I here to accomplish? I believe that it is not one single thing but rather a succession of gifts I am to give. I know the person I am today is not who I was last year as I have grown more and I am sure I will continue to change as I allow and accept things and continue to have experiences. I am often victim of my own stubbornness to succeed and to do many different things at once. I am admittedly slightly OCD and certainly a multi-tasker by default, finding solace in work, whether things I enjoy, such as writing, and also at my place of employment.  I have determined though that at this point in time, I need to focus on my passions only. The struggle of those with “sun-kissed skin” as Mama Taye so eloquently describes us of darker complexion and also being the best writer/poetess I can possibly be. These two areas of my life bring me the greatest level of satisfaction. So, as the beloved Maya Angelou once said ““You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.”

One Love,

Andre’a “The Lioness”

RIP to the Young Brothers & Sisters

The violence that exists within the community is sickening to me. We live in a time in which money is hard to come by, where “that’s not my business” is the mentality, and  peace is even harder to find. The people that should be working together to improve things are the perpetrators. You are brothers and sisters, bonded by time and blood. I feel nothing but sorrow at the news of another young one being killed but, I am never going to give up hope that we can be and do better. I know it may be nearly impossible, but we can make things better by holding each other accountable. I personally can’t support anyone that sees wrong and won’t do anything about it. No, I am not your sister if you don’t love your people. We have time and attention for everything but when these things happen, everyone is sad but you see wrong going on every day and it’s always ok until it affects you. It’s not. We need to destroy and rebuild!

Make public servants work, if you see someone breaking in a house, call the cops, if you hear a gun go off, call them. Go to meetings. Do something other than shake your head and saying it’s a shame. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Talk to our young people. Let them know they are loved. Let them know they are needed. Let them know you care. Stop trying to be their friends. You need to maintain a level of respect with them and stop turning a blind eye to what they do or have done wrong. No the mentality that exists is not totally on our shoulders but we are the only ones that can change our condition. Wake up! RIP to the lost lives in the streets! Stop the violence!