Exciting Times!

Oh my, I have been such a busy woman! I finished up my collaboration poetry book with my partner in rhyme Mr. Fly Ty Unchained. It is called "Locs, Life, & Love: The Knotty Chroniclez. We are currently working on our sequel and I am working on a separate individual work based on some of my life experiences. I have also created a website that will allow me to connect with my audience, as well as those that may not know who I am on a more regular basis. I am working on solidifying my brand as The Lioness. I want to empower people to believe in themselves, their dreams, and abilities-- to see themselves as conquerors. So, for those of you that read this blog, please go and visit my "starter" website and tell me what you think. I can be found at nappymommie.wix.com/lioness.
I look forward to "seeing" you all!

Much Love, Peace, & Blessings,

Andrea "The Lioness"

Stand Still

Writing has become a true outlet for me. It allows me to cry between the lines, to ease pain deep in the crevices of my heart and psyche. It allows me to vent my frustrations at failing systems and injustices; to memorialize idols that have passed; to express my opinions freely.

I have been going through a very difficult time the last few days and haven’t said what’s really on my heart. I love my children past the moon however, what do you do when your love is not enough? What do you do when all your hard work seems to be getting dashed back into your face? My soon-to-be 17 year old son has run away from home. The mere typing of those words gashes my heart and pierces my side. He left in the early morning of July 5^th and hasn’t called me or come back. A police report has been completed and his young face is now splashed on the CMPD website for officers to see. He has chosen to exert his independence and to in so many words let me know that he thinks he is a man.

I am deeply hurt by what my child has done. At first, I was frantic, crying for hours, and barely able to function. Now, I feel quite numb to be honest. It is very difficult not to imagine the worse when you haven’t seen your child in several days. But, I hear a small, still voice say “Just be still.” “If you train a child in the way that they should go, they will not depart from it.” I have trained my children, all six of them. And I will continue to impart wisdom to them as they continue to mature into the individuals that they were destined to become. I know my son is at a pivotal moment in his life, when he is trying to find his way in the world. I have taught him about the streets and how unloving the streets really are. My son will have to find out for himself what the “street” is really all about. I am praying—constantly for his safety and return. However, sometimes the best lessons are learned without parental interference. Yes, I am hurting but I will continue to live and be mother to the children that still remain under my watchful eye. It’s only a matter of time before this tough time will come to an end. He will be found one day and then hopefully he will understand the lessons I have tried to teach. I am not chasing him. My son has to find his way…..

 

"A mother is someone who dreams great dreams for you, but then she lets you chase the dreams you have for yourself and loves you just the same." Author Unknown

 

One Love,

A

Time for Action

The landscape and culture of the country of the US is returning to a state of blatant discrimination and systemic injustice. The proof of the return of such Jim Crow and segregation-type ideology is being reported on daily, but not on our daily news. We have to seek out the stories, as they are swept under the rug. For those of us that are affected, us that are Africans living in the rugged terrain of America, these stories must be told and we must fight against injustice and for our rights.

I was appalled when I read the story of the 73 year old man in Massachusetts who was jailed for contempt after not being able to pay a debt for $508. His wife is seriously ill and in the hospital and they live on a fixed income. He was still placed in debtors’ jail after the judge found him in contempt for not having the money. Then, there is the video of a white man demanding a black woman to get to the back of the bus and give up her seat to him while they both traveled on a Brooklyn bus. How about the significant changes to the Voting Rights Act.  The high court struck down Section 4 of the act, which establishes a formula to identify portions of the country where changes to elections must be approved by the Department of Justice. The purpose of that section was to ensure that minority voters were allowed to vote without impediment. And as soon as that section of the act was changed, Texas , NC, and other southern states that were known for imposing practices to impede minorities from voting, such as poll tests, have changed their requirements for voters. There has also been a resurgence of the KKK holding rallies and making threats, similar to what they did during Jim Crow.

Now, be advised, the incidences are not few and far between and are occurring at such a rapid pace that it is difficult to keep up with them all. And the time has come to stop talking. It is time for action, of an affirmative nature , to address and extinguish the seed of the such discrimination and hatred. The communities must unite to first identify and then stand against those who seek to hold us down.

I can see that taking to the streets will become more prevalent. We must protest these abuses. We must let it be known that we will not allow our people to be treated as second class citizens. We must strengthen our communities and become self-sufficient. We must raise our voices. Let them know that these incidences have not fallen on deaf ears nor to blind eyes. Protest marches and rallies have their place. Now, it is my belief that  we must dig deeper within ourselves and see  our power. It lies within our souls and runs along with the blood of our ancestors pulsating through our veins. It is time for the leaders in our communities to stand up boldly in the face of this beast. Brothers and sisters, exercise discretion in your support of those that seek to hold up down. Remember the whole Louis Vuitton ordeal.  Pay attention to the trends and most of all—remain conscious!

 

 

One Love,

A

Excitement in the Air

I am so ecstatic! My first book was released today. It is a collaborative poetry book featuring my comrade FlyTy Unchained and myself. This book is comprised of poems spoken from a female and male perspective. The topics range from love, longing, sex, even tough topics such as abortion. It is truly an experience and it was such a blessing to my life to have completed such an awesome work. It is my hope that this book be spread to the masses and touches many lives. So, I hope that you will take this journey with us!

Just click the link below:
http://www.lulu.com/shop/fly-ty-unchained/locs-life-and-love-the-knotty-chroniclez-by-andr%C3%A9a-deberry-fly-ty-unchained/paperback/product-21693134.html


Peace & Blessings,
Andre'a

New Endeavors

It has been a while since I blogged and for good reason. I have been supremely busy, which for me, is great. And I have taken the plunge and am working on my first book. I learned a few things since I began. First of all, writing a book is truly a process, especially the type of book I am writing. My book is an autobiography but not in the traditional sense of Andréa Danielle DeBerry was born March 15^th, 1981, blah, blah, blah. My book will be periods of times in my life, sectioned into smaller sections. The reason I decided to structure it this way is because there were some pivotal periods of time in my life that I need to share with others. I feel deep down that this book is going to be life-changing for me and life-saving for those that read it. I know that this book was destined to happen. I had a loved one ask me yesterday why was I writing the book and what was its purpose. At first I wanted to get angry but then I remembered something about having vision. People , even those closest to us, will not understand the vision or why we have chosen to endeavor  such things. I do not hold this against those who do not understand, it’s not their vision—it is mine. So, for now, I am working diligently on this work of mine. There have been tears shed, frustrating moments, and times in which I just did not want to write but I am continuing on my path and praying that God continue to guide and direct me. I am setting  a deadline of December 31^st for this first work to be completed. I will update you guys on the progress!

One Love,

Andréa

“The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious."

— John Scully

Missing Maya

The world has lost a jewel in the death of Dr. Maya Angelou. She was an activist, a poet, an intellectual, an inspiration, a mother, sister, friend, and

daughter. She epitomized the quintessential artist; a beautiful, intelligent, black woman—someone I personally idolized for her abilities. The first time I read the book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, I was a young girl who loved to read, as Maya had often said she did. My very soul was stirred by her sharing in her life and as a consequence of my reading that book, I continued to seek out her work. Her poems were sometimes sweet as honey, as raw and gritty as a city street, or as lighted-hearted as children at play. Reading her works inspired me to continue to work at my craft and give me hope that maybe one day something that I have written or said will change a life as she had changed mine so many years before. Maya Angelou was one of the voices of a generation that has gone on to glory and though we sorrow in her passing we rejoice in her living. Her words breathe life into dead situations and provide a voice to the forgotten. I love her and all she has given to the world. I am so glad and blessed that she found her voice and made the decision to share her voice with the rest of us.

 Rest in Peace Maya Angelou! You truly will be missed and surely never forgotten!

Support Your Community

Over the years, I have read many works on the topic of Black Wall Street and I am one of the few who actually seeks to support black owned business. Although there were more than one of these "wall streets" in the US in the 1920's-1940's, the one in which I have studied the most is the one that existed in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is a fact that one of the reasons the people there were so wealthy was because of the length of time that it took for the dollar to leave the community. It circulated over 100 times before it left the black community. My people have lack because we refuse to learn our history and apply the lessons of those who have come before us. We often repeat negative history but we do also have the ability to repeat positive history also, it only takes conscious effort. I hear people say that they give black businesses a chance, but often are not happy with the goods or service. Well, they are your brother, they are your sister, pull them to the side and tell them with love what you did like about what they provided, then provide them with constructive criticism, but do not stop supporting them. We need to unify. It is not a racial thing, it is a pride and a love thing. There is no way that I can help any other groups, until I take care of home first.

One Love,
A