1808-This Doesn’t Happen In Wakanda

(Remember, 1808 means this is NSFW.)

I spoke about this story when I first heard about it before Christmas. Click here for that initial tea. See this link for this low-grade fuckery out of Hartford University.

I cannot say what is in another woman’s heart, or their faith, but a girl that put my toothbrush in her ass needs to take an L. I in no way can advocate for her on any level. Help me be better Jesus, because I can’t and don’t ask me to!

Chennell “Jazzy” Rowe went to the sentencing hearing of a broad that wiped menstrual blood on her things and spit in her lotion and put her toothbrush in her ass. The Lord says to forgive, but you ain’t gotta do this here! I can’t do it bruh. I can’t do it!

The problem I have with this is the constant assault on black women. The barrage we are subjected to simply for being melaninated! This silly clear trollop said she did these things to her after she found out Jazzy put a video of her snoring on social media.

Aight. 😒

Even with that being so, this shit is uncalled for. There are different ways to handle a nasty b!tc#. I’m from St. Louis, Missouri bruh, Idda handed out an ass-whuppin once I found out, since we one-uppin!

I am proud of Jazzy’s poise. And restraint. I am over how black women are treated and expected to hold to his Mammie expectation that everything done to us by those white folk that don’t know no better just needs to be forgiven!

I’m not advocating vengeance, but fairness. Do I think this is hate crime? I do actually. If the girl was that mad about a roommate, she could have found another one. Point blank.

Miss me with she didn’t know, wasn’t aware and didn’t mean it. When you set your mind to put something I put in my mouth, in your ass, you aim to get all you got coming to you once I find out. Slap ya mammie, because she just as trifling and could teach you no better.

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RUNITBACK FRIDAY-3/16/18

Jidenna said, “Meet me at The Let Out.” Before y’all go ham at The Let Out, let me get you this RUNITBACK. #IntinityWars #InfinityWarsIsJustBlackPather&Friends #ThereIsMoreBlacknessToCome #IJustCameForChad #TheseGraphicShirtsIn5BelowAboutToBeLit #TrailerEpicGreatness #OtherMomentsInBlackness The …

WEEK 7: WHAT BLACK PEOPLE BE THINKING

Mane, look.

Black people be thinking a lot!

Like a whole lot!

In my over quarter century of blackness, the continuous theme is, “Damn, can I just live?” Like what is really the issue with letting me and all my magic and melanin live?

There are so many forces that would, should let them, diminish the shine that our blackness gives! From movie theaters, to outdoor events, Spades games and graduations, can we just be allowed to be great? I mean…what is it about this magic and melanin that makes cats so nervous we need coded language and separate categories to describe the power of a group or collective of melaninated people?

As far as these right-wing State Fox News Reports, all black people be thinking is, “Damn! Can I just live?!” With the tea being spilt, sprayed and thrown scolding hot through GET OUT, we see that most people would do anything to be us, but destroy us if their ideal of blackness cannot be achieved.

From lips, to accents, to fashion, to innovation or athleticism, non-POC, want to become people of color only to toss us away like rinds of strange fruit, to quote Jesse Williams.

“Damn, can I just live?!”

-Proverb of unregrettable blackness

Black people be thinking, “You wanna be me until you get to be you. What part of the game is that?!”

How about this. In return for us teaching non-melaninated people the value of style, rhythm, minding your own business and seasonings, y’all tell the other colored people in blue, dressed in their wives’ good sheets, and dressed in the skin suits of US Senators, to stop shooting every black person they see, aight?

Nall?

Then we still can’t breathe and still all we wanna do is live. Can we just do that?

Damn!

Black Girl Magic-Part II

“Don’t let anyone steal your magic.”

-Solange Knowles

Black women are complicated. We have learned that we can be many things to so many people, at time at the cost of ourselves. We become our own superheroes–push, hustle and flow to get stuff done. Our magic makes us pillars and targets. Our strength is our vulnerability.

In this age of the new Afro-centrism and pro-blackness, indeed this definition of the strength we house could only be defined as magic! And in that magic, we keep our worlds spinning…because we must. In the preservation of this magic, we often do it at the cost of ourselves.

What makes Black Girl Magic so potent is the definite nature of self it grants. We own all who we are, all that has happened to us, and live our lives to determine our own futures–free from the say-so of others (at least that is the plan…). There are so many ways the world outside our windows try to take our magic, siphon it, to disavow its relevance to ourselves and the world at large.

The two ways this occurs this through loss of self-worth, and the loss of identity. Self-worth is what you think, believe, and know of yourself which you value. The loss of identity comes amidst the world which tells a little black girl what they are not, what they can never be, and who they should become. The list begins as such:

• “You’re pretty for a black girl…”
• “You too dark skinned to be pretty…”
• “Your hair is too nappy…”
• “You got a white girl name…”
• “Your name too ghetto..”

And may all-time favorite, “You would be prettier if…”

When we as black women, even as little black girls, begin to internalize these things, these lies about who we are not and should be, with no countering voices, indeed we succumb.  The weapons against the loss of Black Girl Magic are self-love, mentorship and representation.

Never let the world steal your magic. On the off chance that it may try and steal it, you must remember who you are, not what people say. In refilling your magic, make time for yourself, learn what it is you love to do, and preserve your space. Take inventory of friendships, relationships and what you spend your emotional labor on.

All of your is precious, unique and your very presence is a mystique–that’s why they call it magic.

Black Girl Magic-Part I

There is something about the air of the intersection of black and female.  We have the unique ability to make everything around us better, sweeter and lighter. In the era of Temperamental Tangerines, I am reminded of the women of this nation whom helped shape and enforce change in the face of tension, intolerance, and utter craziness.

How we are able to subdue, conquer and reinvent in the face of all that is offensive is nothing short of magical. I believe it was Audre Lorde who said, “Magic is older than writing, no one knows how it got started.” I believe it is the same with Black Girl Magic.  It is the latest version of this mystique, and indomitable nature of Black women.

There is this beat to us, this rhythm by which makes those on the outside looking in, jealous, envious or left out.

Magic. 

Indeed, we are magic. In the face of adversity, we rise up and withstand. We make do when there is no make. We make history on a daily basis–because we must. There is a element to this Black Girl Magic which allows us as black women to become our superheroes.   Indeed, we are magic. We are magic because of how we carry ourselves, reinvent ourselves, and never allow your circumstances to define us.

We make resilience.

From art, to music, to science and fashion and beauty, we make our mark. We excel and make our presence known. We are indelible because we are incredible. Black Girl Magic is a secret weapon, rocket fuel and an anchor to soul. We wield it and harness it as earth hold the sun. We use it, reminded of its power and warmth and pushes what is inside out of us.

What the unfamiliar call magic, we call a normal day. Every black girl is magic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEEK 6: DEFINING INCLUSION, EQUALITY AND EQUITY

 

Racial tension in America has grown and has spiraled out of control in America. With the recent election of our current president, closeted racist trolls have come out of their places of hiding to rear their ugly heads not only behind screens of overpriced electronics, but in our schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, and yes, even in our places of worship! Oh, and by the way in some of our families as well.

Inclusion, equality, and equity in my opinion are words that we tend to use in our everyday language to impress people, and to show how liberal and progressive we are rather it’s political or religiously. They have become words that we just throw around, words like “diversity” or “welcoming”, but, we honestly have no idea what we truly mean when we use these words.

Since I’m currently a seminary student and in ministry, I would like to look at these three words: inclusion, equality and equity from the context of Christianity and the relationship that they have with the local church. According to the dictionary, inclusion is the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure. To be connected to a local church, or most importantly to say that you are a Christian who says they believe in inclusion, but does refuses to open your heart or even the doors of your church to people within the LBTQIA+ community, refuses to take care of widows, orphans, to welcome the immigrant, or speaks hatred towards a person because of their race, I would say you are not an inclusive Christian. I would go deeper to say that you are simply not an inclusive person. To be inclusive is to welcome people as they are without any motive. For people to come into your spaces, whatever those spaces maybe, just as they are without fear of being ridiculed or being asked to change who they are to make you feel comfortable.

Equality is basically everything being equal, and everyone being entitled to the same rights and opportunities. We live in a nation, where we claim everything is equal, but sadly, as an African American male who daily has to walk around in my black body, I would beg to differ. Equality has not been attainable for African American men, for immigrants, for women and for countless others who are forced to live on the margins of society. Therefore, social justice work is so important.

Whether you are on the frontlines of a protest, making phone calls to politicians, making your voice heard on social media outlines, or even preaching social justice from behind the pulpit, a person’s work in the fight for justice and equality to ensure that all people have an equal slide of rights and opportunities in important. Do not allow a person to tell you your work is not as important as their work. There is plenty to go around!

Equity is simply being fair. In our nation, our minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and in Missouri where I live, it is $7.70 per hour. The higher ups who make the rules expect every day, hardworking people to live off these meager wages, when the average cost of everything continues to go up! That’s not far. That’s not being equitable to people who just want to go to work and take care of themselves and their families.

It has been researched that employers overlook qualified candidates for job opportunities just because of how “ethnic sounding” their names are. “Jabari Coleman” who graduated top of his class in high school and has a college degree can and my get overlooked for a job interview, but “Mark Thomlinson” who may have graduated high school, but dropped out of college gets called in for a job interview, and more than likely for the same job that “Jabari” applied for. How is that fair?

Inclusion, equality and equity, words that we all need to seriously take a look at ourselves and how we look at others within the different context of life that we serve in, and see if we are truly living those in action and in deed.

by Phillip A. Harris, Guest Firestarter

WEEK 6: DEFINING INCLUSION, EQUALITY & EQUITY

Let us consider buying a house. You want the house to be just right, even dreamed it may be. However, in the buying of the house there are these three stipulations:

Inclusion:

Where is it?

Inclusion let’s you know there is something else yet beyond your grasp. There is something else to be sought after, worked for and to aspire. In short order, inclusion opens the door for consideration and opportunities. Without inclusion, there cannot be room for progress, mobility or consideration for future endeavors.

Equality:

Can you have it?

Let’s say you have found your house. You have your money saved, realtor picked out, and even have the new carpet picked out. The realtor you chose tells you that you cannot have it, even though you have all the criteria met, just like everyone else. What gives?

Equality says and demonstrates by virtue of my existence, I am just as a good as anyone else can be. I am worthy of all good things, I am entitled to all things worked for. Despite race or economic status, I can have what I desire of this life because I am worthy to have them.

Equity:

If you know where it is, know you can have it, and will it be fair?

You protest with your realtor and tell them you have all the qualifications necessary to buy the house you picked out. You have saved and borrowed and waited. You want this house!

The realtor in turn tells you he has a house in the same area, but it’s not exactly what you wanted.

Equity is to make something accessible, and almost/just like something else. Equity makes it fair, grants you a skeleton key–yet not every lock you open will be what you want.

That’s the catch, Firestarters!

What is inclusive, may not be equitable (prime example: education). What is supposed to be a source of equality may not be inclusive (prime example: voting.). There are gray areas about these topics, and as long as you live you will intersect.

In that intersection, you still are granted access. That’s the promise and premise of this nation: access–which, too, is not equitable, inclusive or boast of equality.

Yet…go buy your house.

RUNITBACK FRIDAY-3/9/18

A Wrinkle In Time makes a black girl shine. Go out and support Black Girl Magic! It is essential this movie be supported as well as BLACK PANTHER.  But here goes everything beloveds! Buckle up.

#JemelleHill #MichaelSmith #ESPN #WhoTheyPlayingWith #BlackGirlMagic #WeHaveToBeBetterThanThis #ThisIsRidiculous #NoPlantationPolitics  #WeFreeBawse #GoAndConquer #BuildAndTrust #Allyship #BlackMenSupportBlackWomen #WhatsYourMotivation #ThisIsNonsense #IStillRideForJemelleAndMike

So…the saga continues. Jemelle Hill has left ESPN and now Michael Smith has. In reviewing, Michael and Jemelle had hosted The6 (SC6) for over a year, and thanks to the added racism and sexism of Chris Berman,  it’s evident that since the passing of Stuart Scott, ESPN isn’t as clean and tolerant as we think they are.

As a sportsfan, as a black woman, as a writer, as the daughter of a football player (and my Daddy was a DITKA ERA FOOTBALL FAN!), I’m about over ESPN. Clearly, ESPN likes their negroes quiet and docile. Not boatrocking, not creative, not assertive, and not politically aware.  Clearly, that does not include Michael and Jemelle.

I wish Jemelle and Michael the best of luck going forward, the best life offers greet them. There is no reason left to watch ESPN now is Unc on Undisputed (NFL HOF Shannon Sharpe) get Skip together.

#DotardTrump #StormyWeather #SheAG #BagGrabbingAintGolddigging #SomethingGoinOn #OutsideBaby #AreTheWhitePeoplePleased #DoesThisPleaseWhiteJesus #SayWhatchaWantSheAintATrollop

So..CHILE!

This non-disclosure agreement is EVERYTHING! In the life of someone who thrives on words, their analysis and interpretation, something is afoot here, Watson! There is something to this! Granted, she took this first money ($130,000), but she coming for the rest of these bags, doe! From what The Rachel Maddow Show shared last night (3/8/2018)? Dude! There is something going on! Barron may have a sibling! You can’t tell me otherwise! You cannot tell me different! This bastard was messing around on Hoe-2, who just had a baby, with this woman, and JUST NOW she get this check cut not even 2 years ago?!

NALL.

The game is afoot, and she smells money, power and influence. This is–nall. C’mon now! Think about this, y’all! Think! Why would she come out now, and then a year later say it’s not enough money. There are two reasons for this:

1.) MONEY. Stormy may have been/is a kept woman, and she came up on something that required some more money. For all the sexual antics he may have required? She gon need ‘adequate compensation’. And all she want is the rest of her ‘adequate compensation’.

2.)  A BABY. There was a phrase in the document that said ‘or paternity information’. Hmm. Of all the phrasing, why this one? If there is a baby, there may have been a lump sum given or agreed upon to help her raise this child–or did he pay for an abortion? B mad. I’m not the only one whom thought about it! Pay attention, y’all!

Pay attention.

Stay Woke, Firestarters! Stay woke. Critical thinking is still free.

The Roux

If you ask Google what a roux is, it will say it is a mixture of fat (usually butter) and flour that is used for making sauces.

Black women are the roux.

Our presence is a roux.

Our magic is our lore and myth.

We are an elemental part of what makes this nation what it is. From the first enslaved woman whom was captured from West Africa, and her mother that could do nothing but watch it happen. And to her descendants who taught her children the ways of white folks that they may live, to the foremother who fed her children with boiled leaves and meal with a egg she pocketed. And we and her grandchildren who fought to be free, read and vote…black women make history every time our eyes open.

From abolition to suffrage, to education to civil rights to integration to Black Lives Matter, there is a black woman, a black girl, a black woman was a girl, that knew the story and saw. There was a black woman whom organized, lead or survived.

We are the roux.

We are those that are alive and remain where and when the world tried to kill us all.

As long as I can trace my roots back to the flow of women before me, I know how deep my roots are and how far back they stretch. I know I have been Queen, slave, maid, doctor, spy, hero, villain(?), advocate, wife, widow and teacher.

As my life and present history stretch before me, I understand as I work and push accomplish, I add to this life and the life of my children. I will become the roux. I am the roux.

The Divine Feminine

“If the black woman wasn’t made, she would have to be invented.”

-Nikki Giovanni

Black women are saged. There is no way around that or to explain it. There is an air to us that is no short than mystic, mythic and amazing. What we do, how we move, how we can be everything all at once keeps us formidable and the phenomenal women which Maya Angelou told us we were.

In this move towards the celebrating of women, especially during Women’s History Month, there can be no celebration of all women until all women are seen. Especially women of color! For the better part of the history of this nation, there have been women of color in the background, in the forefront, and on the sidelines of every major movement which has defined this nation. From Deborah Simpson in the Revolutionary War, to Harriet Tubman  whom was a Union army spy and nurse (when she wasn’t being a superhero!), to Mary Cady Shadd whom helped Susan B. Anthony argue the cause for women’s sufferage, to Mary McCleod-Bethune whom founded what is now known as Bethune-Cookman College in Florida.

Black women, women of color, are no stranger to adversity and making a way out of it. We does these things, ma’am and sir. We are experts in making out of whole cloth, and making the cloth when none is available.

I honor the black women in life, sung and unsung. I honor the women in my life and line that loved, lived and imparted to the next woman whom would be a grandmother to my grandmother whose shoulders I stand. I honor them. I remember them. I write for them, and the ones to come behind me.

I am a black woman, beautiful and unapologetic. I am here to take over.