Listen both with and without intent, each offers lessons
Consider systemic processes more deeply
Research materials beyond the normal, this is where hidden truths lie
Love so many more people than I’d ever conceived
Evolution must bear resistance to norms
Perceive how twisted peace and love can be
Look in the face of authority without fear
Manifest love through the creations of each day, they should nourish
Home is where I create peace
Normalize the stresses of live, living matters most so make the most from living
So many significant deaths in the decade, which includes both of my parents, more than a handful of activists I was close with during the formational time for Occupy Detroit. Each was like a family member.
The things in life come and go more quickly now, it has forced me to be more liquid in the tools I work with. My sense of self-employment needs a better commitment in the coming decade. Perhaps I’ve waited far too long to set better vision, but here it is 2020 now.
Mobilizing on Climate Crisis - Marianne Williamson
Many people think 5-10 years and more into the future. Some of us act on those thoughts and speak with others. We lend our energy into the worldwide conversation. The ‘ears’ of the world realize the energy shared in forming bigger conversations. Sometimes those that start the conversation aren’t they ones bearing it into formation and action. Please realize we’re all creators of dreams, and sharing them is the greatest power we possess. The human collective consciousness is much larger than we are taught to consider. We’re all each other’s blessings and concerns.
One of the greatest concerns of American corporations at this time is the #EJmovement (Environmental Justice Movement), there is resistance to the #GreenNewDeal in restructuring how our society acts to solve a planetary problem that human activity has exacerbated. Those of us in the movement toward #CleanAir,#CleanWater,#CleanLand work in overlapping roles, it would be wonderful to see more people being active in changing what is around them. Simple actions can lead to large solutions. One person picking up waste can lead to others picking up and even more realizing they shouldn’t drop wrappers and taint the environment around them. When the people are doing well we push these efforts onto corporations as well to clean up their actions. Paying fines for polluting isn’t addressing the root cause as the situation appears again… the fines are rarely enough to shut down a business of pollution.
We do need a #MassMobilization to address #ClimateCrisis, something which the Green New Deal begins and turns up bigger than the shared concerns going into World War 2. Division was put to the side because the existence of fascism was gaining ground… and we should all be aware this is presciently now here in the US. Our country is being observed as Germany was in the 1930s. Our mass mobilization has to eradicate #fascism, #genocide, #SystemicOppression foisted by #WhiteSupremacy, #NeoCons, and others which don’t work well in uniting America’s collective energy. We are Americans and have to say #NotOnMyWatch.
Presidential Concerns
When it comes to the Presidential race into the 2020 elections I’m concerned that you may not have heard this message conveyed in a manner you hear deeply. Please share this video, it’ll help show others that you’ve been listening and are ready to share in making a difference.
I love this clip with recently passed Representative Elijah Cummings interview from January 2019 on 60 Minutes Overtime. It caught him reflecting in a critical time of his own life, having passed just 9 months later. His grandmother told him he should take action on his thoughts, lest they be buried with him without action taken.
Personally, I’ve said the following for a while:
“If you don’t share your dreams you’ll go to your grave with them firmly implanted in your skull and that’s where they’ll be buried and gone.” — Stephen Boyle
Rep. Cummings' grandmother: "Don't you wait"
Excerpt from 60 Minutes Overtime interview January 2019
As part of his own thinking about his legacy, Cummings said he tried to set an example for younger members of his committee, such as the outspoken progressives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.
“One day, they’ll be sitting in Pelosi’s shoes,” Cummings said. “Nelson Mandela said … the greatest person and the strongest person is the one who was able to hold their emotions in when they feel they should strike out. And I believe in that. If you ever hear me raise my voice, it’s because I believe that somebody is trying to get something over on me.” — Baltimore Sun, Oct 17, 2019
Representative Rashida Tlaib has a special hat she was going to give him – The Squad, Chairman it reads, which she post on Facebook the day after his passing.
Before the transition of Chairman Elijah Cummings, I got this hat made for him in Detroit and was going to give it to him this week to show our love for his mentorship. He never got to see it. I placed it in the House Oversight Committee room.
Question asked on Genius: does the song explain intersubjectivity? how?
The first verse leads the listener to know the perspective is higher than personal, it is a social perspective reached. In this 3rd person perspective social conditions could be discussed, however people don’t break the silence. Such as a failure to hold conversations that matter – condemning those to the “wells of silence”. In the intersubjectivity we allow silence to destroy discussing changes needed in society. We allow a normalcy to silence. More
The first verse leads the listener to know the perspective is higher than personal, it is a social perspective reached. In this 3rd person perspective social conditions could be discussed, however people don’t break the silence. Such as a failure to hold conversations that matter – condemning those to the “wells of silence”. In the intersubjectivity we allow silence to destroy discussing changes needed in society. We allow a normalcy to silence. More
The first verse leads the listener to know the perspective is higher than personal, it is a social perspective reached. In this 3rd person perspective social conditions could be discussed, however people don’t break the silence. Such as a failure to hold conversations that matter – condemning those to the “wells of silence”. In the intersubjectivity we allow silence to destroy discussing changes needed in society. We allow a normalcy to silence. More
Let’s get honest here – white privilege America has adopted a colloquial phrase that needs to STOP. “Pulling The Race Card” showed up as a manner of marking an action foul to the person judging it with the statement. It rests on exacerbated “racial difference”. It continues to propogate in part it is because what you resist will thrive simply because of awareness.
I’ve even been told “that was very white of you”, as a reminder that I do carry white privilege. At first I rebuffed the statement, but giving it pause and reflection I’ve learned more deeply about white privilege. [pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“that was very white of you”, as a reminder that I do carry white privilege[/pullquote]I’m thankful for being with elders that had courage enough to speak up and teach. Each day we should be able to learn something and appreciate life’s lessons.
One of the most apparent differences we have is the color of skin. Our genetic composition offers visual features that relate our ancestory. Beneath those features we are all human with muscles, bones, and organs that function in a very similar manner. Even our skin and hair is similar in structure.
Culture is something we gain from society, the environment into which we are born and adopt as our own. If aa newborn is raised in a different culture from which they originated, that newborn will grow up with a different culture than their parents.
Male Un-Fair Campaign poster
Un-Fair campaign poster 1
Un-Fair Campaign poster 3
Race doesn’t show up unless society perpetuates it. We have created something called “race” in society today as a matter of saying there are physical differences between us. The phrase “pulling the race card” has been stretched to include cultural differences. Those with more power (or privilege) in society have greater access to create the structures it follows. As those whom have been racially challenged in their path to success gain recognition and position we’ll be seeing positive change in society accepting difference instead of dominating to repress it.
SOLUTION:
Stop using the colloquial phrase and let it be buried as history.
Accept gentle reminders that privilege is being used in an undesirable manner.
NOTE: I realize this post is NOT burying the phrase in history. This post is bringing up awareness of something being resisted. However it is offering solutions. Perhaps it gets shared, or simply taken in as something you’ll personally work on (preferred).
Imagine being hit with the statement as a person oppressed by the fact they are categorized by race. It works in every direction to increase divide between people and cultures.
I have lived more than half my life in an embedded system that I learned little to nothing about having privilege as a white male. I never sought out privilege and there was no education regarding this topic. However white male privilege is present, I have been granted it without question. At some point, when your mind clears enough to hear and be aware, you then discover how the world encounters your existence.
Sometimes you’ll be declaring that you hear clearly in response to the affront from those stating you still haven’t heard. Slow down in the frustration, open up more listening, embrace with empathy where you might be missing connection. It is a bit like balance, you might have it one moment and slide off it the next. The next question is how to be responsible with that awareness, and not shy away from being in the conversation fully.
Can those whom are more oppressed accept assistance from those carrying privilege responsibly, or does that mearly seem like a cheap facade to those oppressed? We have to learn to accept where the oppressed find themselves and see those with some awareness of privilege. Leading and organizing to do something about racism from inside the ranks of privilege can be powerful. Leading can be easily dismissed as grand-standing on privilege especially when there is no visible acknowledgement of partnering with the oppressed. Checking in on acceptance with humility is important.
Contaminated By Fear
The following was post by ROCKET (!!!) MAN along with a new music track opener.
It’s time. Human beings must not continue to allow our spaces to be so contaminated by #FEAR that we dwell in the darkness of our differences. If we can plainly see that no one wants more of what is happening and people are willing to have the kinds of conversations in their environments that can induce or provoke positive change, why shun them? Embrace what you perceive as their ignorance.
The only way to achieve the needed change is to enhance perspective; that is what true revolution is about. The only way to do that is by finishing the conversation and understanding that even if we don’t agree with someone’s point of view, that does not make it invalid; that is how they currently see things. No one who feels disrespected or as if their opinion is being invalidated is interested in finishing the conversation.
You think somebody’s opinion is bullshit? Well, now you have a real life decision to make, don’t you, oh “aware” one? Are you a messenger of The Way or just a different shade of #FEAR?#WAGELOVE. #ZOOM
Our minds bring so much confusion to our hearts. Far too often the tough work of being fully aware is denied. We surround ourselves with a supportive society that condones separation – claiming to be our support network. Many fear breaking free from this bonding relationship as it offers us some form of identification. It is dangerous in our minds to be both independent and interdependent.
WageLove, face FEAR without shame, but get to know fear well. You don’t get to know fear by standing inside it. There is a certain sense of knowing in that mode, however observing how it functions, thrives and is created are vital – especially as a peace maker!
The emphasis in peace making is to observe first, get to know the inluencing factors and how to assist a person caught to see those influences and the role of influence that bind better. When you are armed with knowledge, truth can liberate.
The ah-ha moment not lost Shared experiences not tossed.
It is all interconnected Society recognizing and disconnected.
Quotes Collection
I’ve been aware that I need to start compiling quotes that have inspired me as well as those I’ve been creating. You’ll find a new sidebar on the website sharing a random quote that I’ve entered into the collection. This is powered by the Quotes Collection plug-in. I’ve also created a Quotes page where this collection can be found. Not every quote will be a blog post as this one is.
GoodReads Quotes
There is an existing sidebar item pulling a random quote that I’ve liked over at GoodReads.com. Feel free to add my profile as a friend and lets share inspiration.
Some will draw a line between Hip Hop and spoken word. For the sake of reading to your fullest enjoyment, please set aside this divide to enjoy this post fully. I was fortunate to be tagged by a Facebook friend on a share of this article on The Spiritual Age of Hip Hop in the Syracuse New Times.
Hip Hop is extremely diverse, cultured, educated, emotional and is constantly evolving. The next evolution is taking us to a higher plane, one where more artists are expressing their spiritual views of life in their music. Welcome to #TheSpiritualAgeOfHipHop.
The article lists so many Detroit talents within whom we #WageLove in our communities locally and globally. The awareness to what we face at home seems to be overlooked by far too many. We need #FireSpit to clear the misconceptions that maligned mainstream media have clouded the truth from general consciousness.
Truly raising consciousness is what we must request of our talent. We can acknowledge the divide which society drones into our existence and overpopulizes through marketing and fiat currency value. But we must rise above with a higher message. Those from human compassion and dignity. Our society is no better than how we treat the least among us. Those people and situations which are the “least common denominator” are the claims we must own and raise up. Surround them with love and seek to perceive what can be when united in peace. Peace is far more than silence, it is moving and active, forging bonds of interconnectivity and trust.
Detroit State of Mind
Listen in on “Belle Isle Bountiful” conversation with 5ELA artists DJ LaJedi and Ambiance. These are the situations, thoughts, conversations and unity that bring higher consciousness in our music and lives.
Spoken Word and Cypher from The Raiz Up at #ISMG15
Several of those who were on stage are what I consider the best talent Detroit has to offer. Bringing truth and revelations through their words to those who take the time to soak their soul in them.
ISMG15 is the International Social Movements Gathering, bringing people from Detroit, our region, nationally, and internationally together focused at this time on the Water and Housing situations we face in Detroit and in our society. We have to pay particular attention to the words of introduction for Governor Snyder on Wednesday at the Mackinac Policy Conference – “the template that he is building in Michigan is being watched across the country and internationally”. Are the conditions we encounter of sacrificing the most poor by violating our human rights truly the template to push globally?
