Author: thenaturalprofessor

Wife, mother, God-follower, professor, natural hair wearer and student with an interest to follow servant leadership principles. Learning & educating others lover.

Do You See Now?

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PSA – Now do you see why I am so serious about jury duty and voting?! Some refuse to go or find some way to get out of going. Well, did that grand jury reflect the community makeup? We have to make sure we do not miss an opportunity to be on a jury. I want to be judged by a jury of my peers, not folks who have no idea what being Black in America means.

Voting is essential. Specifically, voting for local government officials. When we don’t vote, we risk having people in positions of power that don’t care about all of the people in the community. We risk having police that are afraid of Black skin, so they shoot first and ask questions later.

The reality is a White person doesn’t understand my plight because he or she is not Black, and I don’t understand the plight of being White because I’m not White. What I can do is try to understand a White person’s plight by imagining how I would feel in the same situation and vice versa.

I am tired of White people saying why it’s always about race! It shows a lack of cultural and historical knowledge, when these words are uttered and saying you have Black friends means what?! Imagine being Black and walking in my shoes, then answer your own question.

The rioting saddens me. However, some don’t understand the need for change until their almighty dollar is impacted. Maybe a store owner will stop racial profiling Black customers after seeing his or her store in ruins. Maybe what rises up from the ashes will be a better Ferguson – a better America. Stay tuned. IMG_5495.JPG

Image courtesy of stock images at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Daddy, I Have A Lot To Tell You

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Daddy,

Since you’ve been gone, so much has happened. I almost don’t know where to begin. After you passed, I still expected the phone to ring and you to say how’s daddy’s little girl; even though I was fully grown with a husband and children of my own. Almost every day I think about you. When I look in the mirror, I see you. I see you in my children and even in my granddaughter.

That’s right!! I didn’t have the opportunity to tell you about all of the life changes. Kenny and Kendra are grown, and Kenny has a daughter. Kendra is married! Kwinton is grown and still trying to find his niche.

I earned my MBA in 2005, and you know I love school, so I’m working on another degree. You would’ve been so proud to attend all of our graduations and special events that have happened, since you’ve been gone.

I am so glad I had a dad like you. You represented everything good about daddies. You knew me better than anyone. You could tell in my voice, if something was wrong. I could depend on you to be there for me. You sacrificed for my siblings and me.

Because you are gone, my life has never been the same. People say time heals all wounds. I don’t believe that. I believe the wound doesn’t heal. I have just learned to keep living my life without you. I miss you so much and will forever be appreciative of your love.

With infinite love,

Daddy’s Lil’ Girl

This can’t be happening!

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 Writing 101 Day Five: Be Brief

You discover a letter on a path that affects you deeply. Today, write about this encounter. And your twist? Be as succinct as possible.

 

I heard a knock at the door and then running feet.  Someone had pushed a note under the door.  The note was addressed to “Babe.” 

My curiosity took over and I couldn’t resist reading the note:  “I should have told you this a long time ago.  My HIV test results came back and I’m…”  The word is unreadable due to smudged ink. 

My heart begins to beat fast!  Who is this note for?  I have two roommates and at one time or another our boyfriends have called us “Babe.” 

I quickly dial my boyfriend’s number and receive his voice mail.  Oh, I forgot he’s in his big meeting today about his scholarship.  I text him – CALL ME ASAP!  I text my roommates 911 – COME HOME NOW!

Loss – In Three Parts

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Damaged Heart

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 It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything. Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

When we think of the word loss we immediately think something negative has happened, or something negative is going to happen. These thoughts have some truth. However, have you ever paused to fully analyze who you are because of the loss?

Loss doesn’t always have to be negative. There are times loss compels us to change things about ourselves and our lives. Loss can cause us to reassess our character and change for the better. Loss brings others into our lives that we may have never known cared about us, or that we could help.

When we suffer loss, we have two choices: succumb to the loss or fight! A loss requires us to fight for our lives, families, beliefs and values. A loss will help you see who you really are, and determine if you’re happy with the reflection you see in the mirror.

Take a moment and reflect: what did you learn from the loss? What did you learn about yourself from the loss? How are you better today? Who have you helped because of what you learned from your loss?

Three Songs

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There are three songs that have been pivotal in my life. These songs have helped me through some rough, good and uncertain times. These songs have been a source of encouragement and inspiration to me.

Good Woman Down (MJB) – This song has been my relationship inspiration. When I have been made to feel less than enough or wondered why I was going through, this songs reminds me that I’m a good woman that will not remain down! This is my “hear me roar, I am woman” anthem.

Your Steps Are Ordered (Fred Hammond) – Anyone that knows me personally knows I love Fred Hammond! He is my all-time favorite music artist. This song helped me deal with the death of my father and everything else in my life that happens, but I don’t have an answer. This song has helped me to return my feet to my foundation – God – and know that He has ordered my steps.

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow – I do not know who sings this song, but I have heard this song in church for years. I have heard it so much that it became one of the songs that I sing. This song has helped me remember who is really in control. When I sign this song, I am calmed and can relax in my unchanging God. He has my back and He knows my future.

Music will continue to be the symphony and harmony of my life.

My Special Place

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If I could be transported, I would like to be transported to a place that’s very special to me. There’s a place that I love. I came of age in this place. I learned about sex, love, friendship, relationships, evil, jealousy and even other continents. I learned that I could feel all of these emotions and go to different places without ever leaving this one place. This place was my home away from home. I went to this place so much that the workers knew me by name, and my mom would call and ask to speak with me. I spent many hot, humid days in this place. I could hear myself think in this place. One of the greatest days for me was when I could go to the area of this place for those who were more mature in age. I felt safe and secure in this place. I could be myself in this place. Even now when I see this place, I am reminded of coming of age in this place. This place is the library in the town I grew up in – Cairo Public Library.

Where would you like to be transported?

Cairo Library

Hope Prevails!

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I signed up for a blogging challenge:  Building a Blogging Habit.  My first challenge is to free write for twenty minutes.  Free writing is beneficial in expressing yourself and just allowing your thoughts to flow.  I want to write on a more consistent basis because I have a lot to say.  I’m always thinking about something and have something to say about everything that I read.  Recently, I have been beyond shocked by the number of young people committing violent crimes.  I wonder what could go so wrong in a person’s mind that he or she thinks it is okay to attack others.  I know I will probably never find the answer, but I still think about it.

Two stories stood out to me:  the recent killings by the young man in California and a story I read today about two 12 year-old girls that plotted to attack another 12 year old.  The young man in California wanted vengeance and decided to be the source of retribution.  He took the time to write an entire manifesto about his intentions.  The young girls led another young girl to the woods, on the premise to play, and one held her down and the other stabbed her 19 times!  I can’t fathom the level of insanity in these young people’s thoughts.  I am not saying their crazy, but I am saying their thoughts were crazy.  How did they think this would end?  How could they think their actions made sense?  These are just two of the stories that have troubled me.

These stories cause me to pause and think of the world that my granddaughter will experience her childhood.  Her childhood is so different from her dad’s.  Her dad could go to the park and I believed he would make it home safely.  My granddaughter has to be supervised.  Not just because of her age, but because of pedophiles and predators.  The people who lay in wait to wreak havoc on others.  Because of these people, no one is safe.  This lack of safety manifests itself in our daily actions.  We have to always be aware of our surroundings and take precautions all the time.  We can do everything right and still can be a victim.  This harsh reality could cause us to feel hopeless, and decide to be a hermit.

However, I refuse to allow predators and pedophiles to dictate my life! I will not leave in fear because I am confident in the one that is still in control.  I know you may be wondering who I am talking about.  I’m talking about God.  He is still in control!  He holds my destiny in his hand.  He is concerned about me and this comforts me.  I know there are so many times I could have been harmed, but I have to pause and think of all the times I didn’t know danger was present.  I am grateful for God caring about me, and being concerned about everything that concerns me.  God is the source of my hope!  I love Him because He loves me!  I love Him for being the source of my strength and happiness.

Even though we live in a world that provides reasons to feel hopeless.  I yet have hope.  When I read a good story, my hope is strengthened.  When I view my facebook newsfeed and read about all of graduates, I have hope!  When I brows IG and see the graduations pics, I gain even more hope!  When I read the news, and read about someone doing something good for another human, my hope is strengthened even more!  Even though evil is ever present, good always wins!  I still believe in treating others the way I want to be treated.  There is still value in taking the time to be concerned about someone other than myself.  I choose to be a source of encouragement and positivity.  I want encouragement and positivity to be synonymous with my name.

Each of us can choose to be a source of encouragement and positivity.  It only takes one person to make a difference.  Will you choose to be that one?