Ripples ©

It's been a while.

A lot has happened since the last time I sat down to write. 

A whole hell of a lot...

On both a personal and societal basis. Nevertheless, change is good. 

Ummm... but it would be a little disingenuous of me if I didn't also say that not all change feels good. As a matter of fact, some of it can be downright disheartening and depressing if you don't view it from the proper perspective.

However, for now I'll just stick with Societal Change. 

The personal changes I've experienced since my last entry are an entry in and of themselves.

In my humble opinion the age old tactics of sit-ins and boycotts alone don't work in the 21st century. This is a digital age. This is a consumer driven era. Only economic empowerment and an evening of the economic landscape will inspire change. Wu-Tang said it best......C.R.E.A.M (For the uninitiated: Cash Rules Everything Around Me). Sadly, in today's society he who has the money makes the rules. We no longer live in a world where resources are reasonably distributed. Notice I said reasonably and not equally. As long as individuals have a Caste-like mindset and structure to their society, resources will never be equally distributed:

Caste: noun, (kast) - each of the hereditary classes of Hindu society, distinguished by relative degrees of ritual purity or pollution and of Social Status.

Your Contemporary Caste System:

The more you know.

The sit-ins of the sixties were to bring awareness to the plight of blacks being denied their civil rights. We no longer need that. Everyone knows that racism exists, some just choose to ignore it because it does not directly affect them or the ones that they love.

Bringing attention to and promoting awareness of civil rights violations and white nationalist atrocities while necessary is still not enough. A plan of action and the proper leadership in our communities is the only way to make effective and lasting societal change. Otherwise we're just gonna be doing what we've been doing since the U.S. was first colonized. I mean let some folks tell it, we chose this way of life anyway though so...... 

Where's my Starbucks? Oh hell?! We're boycotting? Again?! What's the hashtag?

That's cool. 

I don't drink that ish anyway. 

But I digress.....

Ripples.

Got it.

You drop a pebble in a pond and what happens? The area around where the pebble was dropped is immediately disrupted. A shift occurs. A ripple is created. Nevertheless, after a while everything returns to normal. Like nothing ever happened. After a while, you may even forget where the pebble was dropped in the pond. Hell, at some point, you may even forget you dropped a pebble in said pond in the first place. You drop a rock in the pond. Same result. Bigger splash but in the end... same result. Drop a boulder in the pond .... same result.

Now......

What happens when it rains on the same pond. There's a greater effect on the pond. More ripples. More water. A greater disturbance. The structure of the pond has changed and has improved the ecosystem that draws from it.

Organization and structured movement is needed to effect lasting change. A sit-in here and a march there is not going to accomplish that. Unfortunately, the generation following Dr. King and all the countless other Civil Rights activists of his era straight dropped ball. Too busy worrying about making their hair appointments and keeping their side chicks happy I guess. Coordinated actions, properly structured organizations and the proper alliances are the ways to promote and obtain the sort of Societal change that is long overdue for People of Color in this country.

I'm a Contextualist meaning that I believe that everything has a place in the world as long as it remains in its proper context. The Circle of Life or a geographical area's ecosystem for example. However, first and foremost I am a man of God and Servant of the Most High. In His word it states that there is a time and place for everything under the sun. Now, I understand that one may think I lead a contradictory lifestyle in the sense based on their belief that you can't believe that everything is permitted as long as it's in the right context because context is a matter of perspective. However, I disagree.

Simply because I believe the following:

Context is a necessary component of structure. Structure promotes and leads to order (The God I serve is a God of Order). Order is the basis of Stability. Stability is the basis for Consistency. Consistency is the major component of Trust. Trust is the foundation of Love.

As one my heroes so eloquently said:

"Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. ... Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."  - The Late Great Reverend Martin Luther King Jr

Look at it this way.... You can't build a house with only a blueprint but without having laid a solid foundation. Well....I mean you can but don't invite me over because I'm not putting myself in a compromising situation like that. Over there drinking tea with you and a damn wall falls or the roof caves in. Nope....I'll pass. Sorry (not sorry).

Yes, please understand that only organized resistance brings about lasting change. All other resistance is merely temporary and easily dispelled.

For instance, take the Parkland Shooting Survivors. Theirs’s is the first movement against the senseless gun violence that has been occurring in this country for decades that I have seen in my lifetime that I believe has an actual chance to affect lasting change. Why? Because they are organized, structured, determined, focused, disciplined, motivated, well-funded, young and predominately white or non-black. Theirs’s is the ultimate example of when differences are set aside for acquisition of a common goal. One that makes everyone better, not just their particular group or organization.

Black folks still trying to climb out of the barrel.

……And yet as I write this, another “misunderstood” white boy carries out another mass shooting in my hometown of Nashville, TN. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families of said victims. Sadly, we are having far too many instances of these lone wolf domestic terrorist attacks (Let’s just call a spade a spade, shall we.) with little to no genuine effort to corral or even stop them. Possibly because the demographic that seems most responsible for these acts has turned a blind eye to them. Wonder how long it’s going to take for the media and law enforcement officials to label him mentally unstable and good kid who has lost his way (Let me answer that one for you…. as I type this). I mean come on, let’s be honest the media narrative and borderline bias for Caucasian perpetrators of some pretty heinous acts is pretty “soft” to say the least. Had the shooter been non-black they would have contributed it to some form of extreme terrorism and heaven forbid the guy had been of Muslim decent.

My bad…. examples. *stay focused*.

The #MeTooMovement. Initially started by an African-American woman but seemed to only gain traction after individuals that came from a totally different demographic joined the fight. Not throwing shade…just stating facts. This movement is serving notice to people that the old antiquated ways in which women have been viewed and treated for as far back as anyone can remember will not be tolerated any longer by the fairer sex. A movement that is seriously overdue not only in this country but the world over and I’m here for it. Why? Yet again because they are organized, structured, determined, focused, disciplined, motivated, well-funded, young and predominately white or non-black. I just hope that we can stay focused on actual victims of Sexual Harassment and Abuse and exclude those that just are upset because the thirst trap landed them a cat with weak cunnilingus game.

Not throwing shade…. just stating facts.

The “War” on “Opioid Crisis” in America. Notice the quotes. Now granted, it is a problem. A serious one. However, it’s not a new one. Hell, just ask anyone that resided of South Central Los Angeles oh say between 1980 and 1990. The so-called War on Drugs had a completely different narrative than the one that exists today…. but then again, those suffering collateral damage from the newest War look a little different too.

Not throwing shade…just stating facts.

There’s that word again …Facts.

Actual Facts though…. not alternative ones.

Folks are so sensitive and in their feeling these days that just stating obvious facts upsets some people’s brittle spirits and may even get you branded as anti-social or something considerably worse (ex. Google: Black Identity Extremist).

Unfortunately, society is experiencing a seriously rapid decline in people’s Emotional IQ. I mean the standard IQ of the average America was already questionable anyway. Folks tend to think to they are a lot smarter than they actually are and have little to no common sense these days. Yet with the explosion of Social Media Platforms like Facebook and Twitter, folks of marginal intelligence now have a platform to put their ignorance on full display. Discretion is a term that does not seem to apply to anymore. Gone are the days of “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all” or “Better to let people think you’re dumb as hell than to open your mouth and remove all doubt (Something like that). People are perfectly content in their ignorance and that to this writer is some concerning sh*t. People nowadays act like if they don’t acknowledge how bogus and disrespectful something they do is, that that exempts them from reaping what they’ve sewn. Just because you don’t acknowledge that you took a swing at me doesn’t mean you can’t and/ or won’t get your ass kicked. You will….. Just in case you needed confirmation. 

The current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has a certain segment of the population in the Matrix. Creating their own reality. The Wachowski Brothers were ahead of their time. Those of you that remember when that movie first dropped how radical a concept “Augmented Reality” was. Now we’re living it….every single day. Been living it actually. Only difference between then and now is that we now have daily reminders via Social Media. Your timeline is a daily reminder of just how detached people have become from humanity and reality. People’s lack of discretion and need for constant affirmation and attention from people they do not know has caused a shift in people’s perspective on what is or is not acceptable social behavior. Thanks, Mark Zuckerberg. No seriously….I appreciate that dude. He gave people the outlet to be themselves ..... for better or worse. Some folks call Facebook, "Fakebook". I actually disagree with that. People’s true nature is on full display when they can’t suffer any immediate consequences for their actions. For example…. How many people on the Book would actually spew some of the hateful and vitriolic stuff they say if they knew it would be followed by a backhand or a roundhouse kick to the face. If I had to venture a guess…not very many. SO…..guess what they do? Become Facebook Gangsters ….. And I know quite a few Facebook OGs. Ahh yes!  Those folks that talk cash sh*t on the Interwebs but are quiet as Church Mice when a real OG run up on ‘em in their apartment complex parking lot. You can occasionally peep that on your timeline too (…..and I ain’t gonna lie folks, that stuff is highly entertaining). All of the aforementioned factors and behaviors can distinctly be traced to one’s Emotional IQ. Simply put, when you know better you tend to do better. Now ….. There are those individuals out there that are straight assholes. 

Act accordingly.

Society is experiencing a shift in consciousness. The Old Guard is being served notice that the way things have been done in the past is played and “Time’s Up”. The Universe reacts according to energy transfer. What you put out you typically get back in some form or fashion. With that being said you have to understand that the Universe will always hold you accountable for your actions. Karma is debt that never goes unpaid. You reap what you sow in this life. Which is why you must try to remain on its good side. Why? 

Simply because Karma is not a respecter of persons.

Everybody and anybody can get it.

Karma doesn’t care about your schedule. Karma does not need an invitation. Karma is persistent…..very persistent. Nerve wrackingly so. Karma will wait in the cut right up until you think you got away with it. Then that mofo shows up with receipts, dates, times and dares you to act like you don’t remember what you did.   “Yeah, mofo that was you”….with a smirk. You have no choice but to own that sh*t. Otherwise, Karma is gonna pitch a tent and forward their mail to your address until you do.  Trust me….Karma has been my houseguest a few times. I try to keep her visits short though. Which is why I suggest that you go ahead and own your Karma. Hell, you know you got it coming anyway. May as well be proactive. I can tell you from experience that being proactive and getting in front of what’s coming is a lot better than having to do damage control. Unless your Karma resembles a Bus or a Train. Umm yeah….you may want to just go ahead wait for the aftermath then put your big boy/ girl pants on. Karma’s arrival isn’t all bad though. We just tend to let the guilt that comes along with our indiscretions give Bad Karma more power than it actually has. Sometimes all of the good you put out in the universe comes back to you too. Maybe not directly from where you’ve sown good seed but from another source. Just accept it and remain humble. For the uninitiated, Humility will open the doors that arrogance gets slammed in your face.

Ripples…...

Societal Change. 

What type of impact are you making in your environment? Are you a Change Agent trying to make the world around you better? Or are you that individual trying to sow divisiveness by building walls between your fellow man/ woman both figuratively and literally. Your answer to that question determines your Karma. Everyone that has EVER sought to divide people and cause chaos or disorder ends up broken, regretful and remorseful. It may take a while for those that you’ve hurt to see you reap what you’ve sown (HOWEVER as of late, Karma has been out here straight serving cats instantly….on sight!) but that bill always comes due and those that you have cause any sort of pain of discomfort will get to watch your demise. Especially those servants of the Most High. He promised it to those that follow and serve Him:

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” says the Lord – Romans 12:19

I mean not that we would take any pleasure in that.

Ok…... maybe just a little.

Sadly, it has been my experience that people are a lot faster to take something or accept something from someone than they are to give anything to anyone. In today’s society, there is unfortunately less interest in being benevolent.  The reasons vary….

 Maybe you have been burned one too many times trying to help the next man. Maybe you have taken time out of your schedule to assist someone yet when it comes time to reciprocate, the person you provided aide to comes up with one hundred and one reasons why they can’t. Maybe you gave someone your last because they said they truly needed your help with a solemn promise to pay you back with interest, only for you to still be waiting on them to pay you back (Meanwhile, you see ‘em poppin’ bottles on The Gram). Maybe …. just maybe you stood up and defended someone’s honor only to have that very person talk behind you back……while stabbing you in it. There are any number of reasons why individuals may have trust issues and have basically decided fixing the ills of society is the next man’s/ woman’s problem because of how the world has treated them. Trust me I struggle with that daily. To see people of less than moral character on the “come up”, while my kindness is taken for weakness can be maddening at times. Nevertheless, it’s not my job to judge anyone. In the grand scheme of things, people are only going to do what’s best for them. After all, the first rule of survival is self-preservation. If you don’t look out for yourself, no one else will. The key is ensuring that you “doing you” doesn’t complicate or deteriorates anyone else’s quality of life. Make sure that your ripple – the impact you have on the world around you – is one that transmits positive vibes. Unless you’ve been under a rock for the last twenty-four months, I’m sure you’ll agree that we could use a lot more of that. Spread love, not hate. Sow good seed, reap a bountiful harvest.

The moral of the story, make sure you remain on the good side of Karma. Always strive to make a positive impact on the environment you inhabit. Make sure that the energy that you expend not only furthers your own individual agenda, but it also serves the greater good of those impacted by said agenda…...a.k.a the rest of us. I leave you with some of the last words of wisdom bestowed upon me by my father:

The mark of a mature and truly grounded individual is that they tend to leave any environment or any situation better for them having been a part of it.

If you’re going to be a part of someone’s life, make sure that you add value to it. If you want to make the world a better place, fully commit to becoming a better man.

One person alone can’t change the world. They can only provide the spark. However, with the collective effort of likeminded individuals positively influenced to make the world around them better…. there is no limit to the amount of good they can do in this world.

Like rain drop ripples in a pond.