The Religious Disservice
Inspired by Bluesky user Fingerwh0
Our parents religiously misled us. They gave us a map of Mars & coupled it with instructions on how to survive there knowing we dwell on Earth. I’m not saying religion is a bad thing; but the levels we force it onto our community is cultish, dangerous & highly irresponsible. Conditioning our kids to turn the other cheek when attacked while praying for our attackers is the highest level of lunacy. It’s super foolish to handout road maps about the “afterlife” but neglect to teach our community the way to navigate the terrain we are currently on. By pushing religion harder than we push financial literacy we are conditioning our children & young adults to fall blindly to the rat race & becoming financially broken slaves awaiting on Jesus to come save us.
Our Sad Financial Reality
Take a trip into any Black or poverty stricken area & you will find liquor stores, dollar stores, check cashing places & payday loan offices that offer 100% interest. It’s not rocket science to understand how we are products of our environment. It takes money & financial knowledge to make money. Our sad financial reality is without financal literacy, our communities are being swallowed up & gentrified while we get poked fun of for being in a situation our oppressors dropped us head first in. I actually stopped into a dollar store to buy a soda one day & I noticed this elderly Black American lady smiling because she found a roll of toilet paper for a dollar. Thinking she was “sticking it to the man” she happily purchased 12 rolls for $12. 🥺 It took everything in me not to educate her that she could get a 12 pack of toilet paper from a real store for $5.
I also recall as a child, my mother around tax time would pay almost $500 per year for a Rapid Refund service. That $500 could have EASILY been invested back into the household as improvements to the house, a nice starter for a savings account or even purchase healthier option for dinner. It’s little lessons like these we should be force feeding to our communities.
Black Finances 101 Sylibus
I missed that opportunity to educate that sweet old lady so I hope this post will be used as a gateway into understanding why financial freedom is desperately needed for Black Americans. I listed a few areas for improvements that should be implemented into our homes & communities.
Understanding Value Over Price
Budgeting and Financial Planning
Saving and Emergency Funds
Credit and Debt Management
Banking and Financial Services
Investing Basics
Taxes and Tax Planning
Retirement Planning
Insurance and Risk Management
Consumer Rights and Fraud Protection
Homeownership and Real Estate Basics
The Credit Card Misconception 💳
A firearm in the wrong hands could cause accidental, self inflicting injuries. In the possession of a well trained individual, a firearm could be a lifesaver. I have the same energy when it comes to credit cards. Financial guru, Dave Ramsey aggressively voices his disdained hatred for credit cards. I advise everyone to conduct their own research on any topic. While doing so, I’ve found that advice from Dave Ramsey doesn’t benefit Black Americans; but I’ll let you determine what works for your lifestyle.
My credit cards have helped me out in a crunch from buying lunches, groceries or even gas between pay checks. If you do not have a credit card, your only remedy may be a huge interest pay day loan. A credit card can be a 0% interest loan as long as you pay it back before the next billing cycle instead of the next pay day like a payday loan. I preach that you should NEVER slide your card unless you are 💯 percent sure you can afford the transaction. The average American does NOT have $400 in savings to aid them in the event of an emergency. Having a credit card & an emergency fund will turn a huge emergency into a mere inconvenience. If the tread fell off one of your tires today, do you have a replacement warranty on the tire or something set aside to pay for a new one? Being prepared for such an event may inconvenience you but you won’t have to call around trying to borrow funds to get your car back on the road.
May Credit Cards Unlock Your Financial Locks
I don’t get too wrapped up in credit repair but I will die on the hill of credit preservation. Roughly 6 years ago I was on the phone with a customer. She requested if I could delay her delivery because she was taking her family on an international getaway. My response to her way, “ Wow, I wish I had money to treat my family is such a fashion!” Her response blew my mind. She told me that she got free trips every year with the use of her travel credit card. A top tier card will give you miles or cash back on the purchases you were already going to slide your card for anyways. Once a month, I pay my utility bill with my credit card & once that transaction posts, I take my utility bill money & pay off the card. Depending on the funding bank & style of the card, you will get 1, 2, 3 or 5% cash back.
On average, a utility bill is $300 per month. Even on the lower end of the spectrum with 2%, you are getting $6 back that month off that one transaction alone. Now follow suit & cover your cell phone, car insurance & any other expense you may have in that fashion & watch your miles or cash back credit grow. Some may argue that that 1-5% is pocket change. Well, if you focus on the amount; it is. But when you focus on the value, you’ll discover that playing the credit card game is more lucrative than allowing your money to sit in a low yield savings account that accumulates at 1% per month.
I Thought Somebody Broke Said Something!
It’s no secret that we have a lot of broke & uninformed people in our community so its vital to your survival to do your own research. Broke people tend to find joy in pocket watching you instead of honing their focus & energy into your own financial situation. While doing your due diligence, be mindful that what works for your income bracket & discipline level may be detrimental to the next one. If the church was so concerned about us, they would offer financial literacy gathering. Putting so much emphasis on someone who could walk on water & literally own everything is a communal poison when 97% of us have nothing. So it’s ok to praise yourself & engage in healthy financial conversations. Focus on fixing our homes 1 penny at a time so each home can come together as a collective & repair our communities.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
The 3 P’s of Parenting
Father and Son Sitting with Notebooks on Table
When it comes to parenting, there is no blueprint. A quick search on Amazon would reveal a plethora of books on proper parenting. Imagine compiling advice from a thousand book from a thousand authors with a mixing pot of parenting perceptions. What new parents fail to realize is that children are individuals & what may work for one may not work on another. Even when raising twins, what works for one may not work for the other. So while these is not “right or wrong” parenting style, you could use these 3 P’s of Parenting as tips to form a foundation. Protect! Provide! Prepare!
Protect:
A crucial part of parenting is protecting children from various dangers they may encounter in their daily lives. Parents should shield their children from inappropriate content, harmful peer influence, bullying, physical dangers in their environment, and online threats. By fostering awareness of these risks, parents can equip their kids with the knowledge they need to navigate situations safely when they are away from home. Teaching children how to recognize potential dangers and encouraging open communication can empower them to make informed decisions and seek help when necessary, ultimately enhancing their safety and well-being.
Provide:
Parents have a fundamental responsibility to provide for the children they are raising. Essential provisions include food, water, shelter, clothing, and entertainment, all of which contribute to a child's overall well-being. When parents ensure their children have access to nutritious meals, safe drinking water, a stable living environment, appropriate clothing, and engaging activities, they create a space where children can thrive. This nurturing framework allows children to explore their interests and develop their unique talents, ultimately growing into their God-given personalities. By meeting these basic needs, parents lay the groundwork for their children's future success and happiness.
Prepare:
It's essential to recognize the difference between protecting children and preparing them for the complexities of life. While there are situations where shielding kids from certain dangers is necessary, it is equally important to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate challenges on their own. Overprotecting can hinder their ability to learn resilience and problem-solving, creating an injustice to their growth. Children must be taught how to understand and respond to various situations, fostering their ability to face the world with confidence and competence. By striking a balance between protection and preparation, we empower them to handle life's segmented challenges effectively.
In Conclusion:
Black American parents cultivate a rich cultural and traditional parenting experience that emphasizes love, resilience, and community. Despite the misconceptions and stereotypes that may linger, these parents are among the most nurturing, generous, and loving figures in their children’s lives. They strike a delicate balance between being firm and fair, instilling values and discipline while fostering an environment of support and connection. This holistic approach ensures that children are not only prepared to face the challenges of the modern world but also deeply rooted in their heritage, equipping them with the strength and confidence needed for success in an ever-changing society.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
10 New Year Tips For Black Americans
Happy New Year 🥳 Welcome to 2025. I’m sure by now we have ran into the “New Year, New Me” clique. Every January 1st, humans determine what was majorly jacked up in their life the previous year & they vow to correct those error. It’s usually a new fitness goal or an enhanced financial plan. Keep reading while I give you 10 New Years that Black Americans should implement into our communities to assure a prosperous 2025.
1) Increase Water Intake:
Increasing water consumption among Black Americans is vital for both health and community well-being. Proper hydration supports physical health by aiding digestion, regulating body temperature, and improving cognitive function. Additionally, by prioritizing water intake, individuals can combat prevalent health disparities that disproportionately affect Black communities, such as hypertension and obesity. Access to clean and safe drinking water also underscores the broader issues of environmental justice, emphasizing the need for equitable resources. Encouraging higher water consumption can empower communities to make informed choices, fostering a culture of wellness and resilience.
2) Increase Omega 3 Fats:
Increasing the intake of omega-3 fatty acids is crucial for Black Americans, as these nutrients play a significant role in maintaining heart health, reducing inflammation, and supporting mental well-being. Research indicates that omega-3s may help address disparities in health outcomes, particularly in cardiovascular diseases and mental health issues that disproportionately affect this community. Incorporating foods rich in omega-3s into the diet can make a meaningful difference. Examples include fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as plant-based sources like flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. Additionally, choosing fortified foods, such as eggs or dairy products enriched with omega-3s, can further enhance dietary intake.
3) Increase Walking to 15K Steps Per Day:
Increasing physical activity to a minimum of 15,000 steps per day is vital for Black Americans, as it promotes better health, boosts mental well-being, and fosters a sense of community through shared outdoor experiences. Reducing time spent on social media can create significant pockets of time that allow for more active lifestyles. By shifting focus away from screens and towards walking, individuals can enhance cardiovascular health, lower stress levels, and improve overall wellness. This commitment to stepping away from digital distractions not only cultivates physical fitness but also encourages meaningful connections with both oneself and the community.
4) Decrease Meal Portions:
Decreasing meal portions can have significant health benefits, particularly for Black Americans who disproportionately face high rates of obesity and related chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. By consuming smaller portions, individuals may reduce overall calorie intake, leading to healthier weight management and improved metabolic health. This practice encourages a greater awareness of hunger cues and fosters mindful eating habits, which can enhance nutrient absorption and satisfaction from meals. Moreover, smaller portions can promote a diverse diet by allowing individuals to explore a variety of foods without overeating, ultimately contributing to better dietary patterns and improved overall wellness in the community.
5) Stop Smoking & Vaping:
Black Americans should consider stopping smoking and vaping due to the significant impacts on health and respiratory function. Both habits are linked to serious health issues, including lung cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which disproportionately affect the community. The negative effects on breathing can hinder daily activities and reduce overall quality of life. Additionally, the financial burden of smoking and vaping adds up quickly; the cost of cigarettes and vaping products can strain budgets and divert funds from essential needs or opportunities, ultimately limiting personal and community growth. Embracing a smoke-free life can lead to improved health, enhanced well-being, and economic relief.
6) Decrease Pointless Spending:
Decreasing pointless spending is essential for Black Americans seeking financial empowerment and independence. While a traditional 9-5 job may limit the control we have over our income, every individual maintains full authority over their outgoing expenses. By prioritizing essential needs and cutting back on non-essential purchases, we can redirect those funds into savings, investments, and opportunities that foster long-term wealth. This shift in mindset not only cultivates financial discipline but also enhances our ability to build a more stable future, paving the way for economic resilience and generational wealth.
7) Repair Credit:
Repairing credit and maintaining a high FICO score are crucial steps toward financial health and stability. A strong credit score can significantly lower interest rates on loans and credit cards, leading to substantial savings over time. This is particularly important for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start successful Black-owned businesses, as a favorable credit profile opens doors to better opportunities for obtaining business loans. With access to financial resources at lower costs, entrepreneurs can invest in their ventures more effectively, paving the way for growth and sustainability in their businesses. Prioritizing credit repair and score maintenance not only enhances personal financial well-being but also contributes to the overall economic empowerment of the community.
8) Start Preparing For Home Ownership:
Taking classes on preparing for home ownership can empower Black Americans to make informed decisions about their financial futures. As the cost of rent continues to rise, many find that they are essentially throwing away money each month without building equity or security for themselves. In contrast, paying a mortgage can be seen as a form of investment, as it contributes to home equity that increases over time. Home ownership can also provide stability and a sense of community, while allowing individuals to personalize their living spaces and potentially benefit from tax deductions. Additionally, owning a home can serve as a powerful asset that can be passed down through generations, fostering long-term wealth creation.
9) Plan A Family Reunion:
Planning and attending family reunions and functions is essential for fostering connections and nurturing relationships that may have faded over time. Life is fast-paced, and the unpredictability of the future reminds us of the importance of cherishing our loved ones today. By reaching out to family members, we can repair past grievances and create opportunities for healing and understanding. These gatherings allow us to share stories, laughter, and experiences, ultimately building lasting memories that strengthen family bonds. Embracing these moments together can enrich our lives in ways we may not fully appreciate until reflecting on the time spent with those we hold dear.
10) Create Digital Memories:
Creating digital video and audio memories is a powerful way for Black Americans to preserve their rich cultural heritage and personal stories for future generations. By storing these memories in the cloud or on SSDs and SD cards, families can ensure their legacies remain intact, accessible, and safeguarded against loss. A YouTube channel serves as an excellent platform for sharing these valuable moments with family members, allowing them to connect and celebrate cherished experiences when they feel the absence of loved ones. Capturing and sharing these reflections not only honors the past but also strengthens family bonds and fosters a sense of community that transcends time and distance.
In Closing:
As the new year unfolds, Black Americans can take proactive steps toward enhancing their lives by embracing ten actionable tips focused on financial freedom, improved health, and self-mastery. By prioritizing budgeting and diligent saving, individuals can cultivate wealth-building habits that pave the way for financial independence. Moreover, committing to consistent physical activity and mindful eating can significantly boost overall health and well-being. Integrating practices such as meditation, journaling, and goal-setting fosters a deeper connection with oneself, promoting personal growth and clarity. By harnessing these strategies, individuals can create a balanced life that aligns with their aspirations, ultimately leading to greater empowerment and fulfillment in the year ahead.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
Preparing Our Teens for Safe Police Interactions
Police officers are highly trained public servants that are paid to serve and protect. They are often over worked, under paid and deal with high levels of stress. At the end of the day, both officers & civilians simply want to make it home to our families. But there seems to be 2 different rule books. Law enforcement officers tend to have less patience & compassion when it comes to people in our communities. A quick Google search will show you exactly what I am referring to. Black motorist are 30% more likely to be pulled over while operating a motor vehicle & over 1/2 of those stopped are often arrested on petty crimes.
Over the years, I’ve seen caucasians pull weapons & get uber aggressive with police & get taken into custody while unarmed Black Americans are not that fortunate. It baffles me how a trained public official in a bullet proof vest can fear for his life while dealing with unarmed citizens. My goal is to offer some lifesaving advice that could be the difference between you making it home or to the metal gates & not the golden gates.
Most Cops Do NOT Know The Laws They Are Suppose To Enforce:
I’ve studied a lot of cop cam video & there is one common denominator. Law enforcers do not know the law. Laws are forever changing & can be hard to retain. How is being arrested for resisting arrest a thing? There has to be an arrest able offense in motion to resist before you can be cuffed for resisting. Just like cops, the average citizen doesn’t know the laws either. Screaming that you know your rights & you want their badge number is not the route to go. Stay calm & take your ticket. I can assure you that the badge number will be listed on the ticket. Trying to hold court in the streets is the biggest threat to your life. If you feel your rights have been violated, simply survive to get your day to tell your story to a judge & jury.
Your Rights Are Temporarily Suspended:
Once the blue & red lights activate, you temporarily lose all of your rights EXCEPT your civil rights. Pull your vehicle over into a safe, well lit place & roll down all windows if weather permits. Please turn off the car, remain in the vehicle & keep your hands on the wheel until further instructed. If you do not have your license or insurance, inform them of that once he officer makes contact with you. You are not in control of the traffic stop. If you are asked to exit the vehicle; exit. If you are being told you are detained or arrested, just allow them to cuff you. You are not free to walk off. As I stated, you lost those rights but you still your civil rights. Once again, if you feel your civil rights have been trampled, make it home safe, hire counsel & have your day in court. It’s easier to get justice in a courtroom than it is in a funeral home.
Cops Are Not Trained To Deescalate:
Deescalation and problem resolution are not what most cops are trained in. Police are trained to make contact, give commands, and enforce compliance, often with the assumption that swift control of a situation ensures safety. This lack of emphasis on deescalation can lead to escalated encounters, especially when tensions are already high. As citizens, it's crucial for us to understand this dynamic and prioritize our own safety by following law enforcement commands, even when they seem unnecessary or harsh. While systemic changes are needed to prioritize deescalation in police training, until those reforms happen, compliance is often the safest choice in interactions with law enforcement.
In Closing:
It’s vital for Black parents to teach our youth that following these tips and understanding the dynamics of police interactions could truly mean the difference between life and death. By preparing our children with the knowledge and strategies to navigate these situations safely, we empower them to protect themselves in a world that doesn’t always value their lives as it should. While the responsibility to change systemic issues lies with society as a whole, the immediate safety of our youth starts with education at home. Instilling these lessons isn’t just about survival—it’s about equipping them with the tools to confidently face challenges and come home safely.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
Why We Need More ‘Food for Thought’ & Less Soul Food for True Growth
Soul food has its roots deeply embedded in the history of African American culture, emerging during the era of slavery in the United States. It was born out of necessity, crafted by enslaved individuals who utilized the scraps and less desirable parts of animals that their masters rejected. These resourceful cooks transformed humble ingredients into delicious meals, blending traditional African culinary practices with available local resources. The resilience and creativity seen in soul food reflect a rich legacy of overcoming adversity, turning hardship into a celebration of flavors, community, and heritage.
As humans, eating fuels us and replenishes our bodies of nutrients we lose through waste or sweat. Soul food, valued for its rich flavors and cultural importance, has nutritional drawbacks. Many traditional dishes are high in sodium, starches, and sugars but low in essential vitamins and minerals. Processed meats like bacon and sausage raise sodium levels, increasing hypertension risks. Staples like fried chicken and mac and cheese use refined carbohydrates, causing blood sugar spikes. Desserts such as sweet potato and pecan pies are high in added sugars, contributing to weight gain and type 2 diabetes risk. Additionally, the lack of fruits and vegetables in soul food can lead to nutrient deficiencies, impacting overall health.
It’s Not The What But The How:
Soul food, as well as other American delicacies, aren’t always the easiest of meals to digest. But it’s not the what, but more of the how. Take a simple tossed garden salad for example. You can safely consume as many vegetables as you wish. It’s the sugars & preservatives in salad dressings that kills the benefits. We even take it a step further by transforming our once healthy salad into taco salad by dumped a pound of greasy, ground beef that was fried in canola. Chicken is one of the most popular proteins on the planet. Fried chicken is not the devil. How it’s fried is the real serial killer.
If you crave soul food, look for healthier preparation methods like cooking your chicken in an air fryer or frying it in a natural grease like cocoanut or olive oil. Do your research on artificial sweeteners that do not give you spikes in blood sugar. Sweet potatoes contain complex carbohydrates that elevate blood glucose levels. When consumed, these carbohydrates convert to sugars, offering quick energy. However, adding sugars, syrups, or marshmallows can significantly raise blood sugar, with spikes potentially three times higher than fasting levels.
Opt For Smaller Portions:
Our bodies are able to break down soul food more efficiently when we use cleaner forms of preparations & intake smaller portions. What makes it so dangerous is the amount of salt, carbohydrates & sugars we scarf down in a single sitting. A plate will hold a wedge of buttery, sweet cornbread, cornbread dressing, sugary sweet potatoes, potato salad, Mac & cheese, rice in the broccoli casserole & bacon laced collard greens. After cleaning that plate, a chunk of sweet potato pie is on the horizon. A cold glass of southern sweet tea is used to wash down all that sin. It’s called a balanced diet NOT a balanced “try it”! No one is twisting your arm to try ever since option on the menu.
Food For Thought:
If only we could feed our thoughts in the same fashion we fed our bellies. Take a bite of this food for thought. Self-control is one of the greatest victories in life. Controlling yourself in the kitchen is the first step to healthier eating habits. Whole foods digest better than processed foods & this decreases stress on your digestive system. Eating cleaner also subsides your appetite & keeps you satisfied longer. A rumble in our tummy is nature’s notification that it’s time to eat. Eating based solely on the clock rather than our body's natural hunger signals can lead to overeating, poor digestion, and a disconnect from our intuitive understanding of our body's actual needs.
Unhealthy soul food is not a badge of honor, but a reflection of our ancestors' resilience in the face of necessity. They made the best of limited, unhealthy options, but we have the power to choose differently. If you do find yourself craving southern soul food, remember that smaller portions and healthier preparation can go a long way in honoring your body. Just as important, feeding your mind with reading or research can be just as satisfying and help shift the focus away from food. It's about embracing a holistic approach to nourishment—both physically and mentally—that truly honors our heritage and well-being.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
When Words Fail: Navigating the Loss of Creativity After Losing My Mother
My love for music & writing was gifted to me from my mother. Being from the era where kids were to be seen, not heard; writing became the only avenue of expression. My creations started off as thoughts. Those thoughts then manifested down my pencil til it bottlenecked on the city limits of my paper. I loved it all. Poetry, rhymes, short stories. It did not matter; as long as ink was oozing on the tablet.
Up until the day my mom took sick, she loved her spiral tables. She would send me or my sister to the grocery store & at the bottom of each list there was
Crossword book
Tablet
As she sat in front of her TV, she would jot down bible scriptures, doodle a bit and just simply enjoying the art of writing. My mother loved me & despite being a single parent of 4 young children, she put a lot of energy into keeping us engaged in our education. One Christmas I was told to open a medium sized gift that was under our artificial tree that was labeled to me. After neatly destroying the wrapping paper, I discovered that somehow, my mom got me a typewriter. This was no ordinary typewriter. It was accompanied with a special ink ribbon that had an erase feature! 🥰 It was the gift I always wanted that I never knew I wanted. I may have been around 13 at the time (1990) . That typewriter singlehandedly fed my creative and tech addictions.
Typing on those key gave me a higher dimension of creativity while giving me satisfying clickity feedback. I was able to visit so many places that a greyhound bus ticket could not take me. I could build stories that were taller than any skyscraper. I crafted a poem called “The Seed”. It was about a lonely un-popped kernel that was unwanted by everyone and remained at the bottom of the bag while the fluffy popcorn was sough after. I shared my poem with my English teacher & she told me there was no way I wrote that. Her name was Julie Hines if you want to cancel her 🤣.
I also wrote my first short story. I don’t recall the title but when I close my eyes, I can see the script typed out on the right side of my brain. I, again, shared my story with a friend & was that my story was too controversial & wouldn’t sell. I say all of this to say that with the right tool, the perfect environment and a creativity level bigger than life, you can compose anything. Do not let anyone narrate your stories! The sky is not your limit; but another destination.
In Her Final Days
Carolyn P. Mays
Going to the hospital to visit my mother in late 2021 and early 2022 was an obstacle. COVID was wrecking havoc all over the world so hospital visitations were limited to 1 visitor per day. On top of that, you were NOT able to re-enter the building if you forgot something in the car or wanted to step away for lunch. My sister and I would alternate days. I would take my MacBook Pro 💻 and blog away while she slept. I recall her waking up & asking me why I wasn’t at work. I can hear her4 voice now. “Boy go to work. I’ll be ok!”
Blogging became more of a challenge than an outlet for me. My creativity was on life support & its pulse was decreasing. I used to feel free; like a bird that was not afraid of falling, while I was writing. Then it became forced. My therapeutic writing style became a chore. My focus & drive was deteriorating as my watched my mom slowly transition. And when that faithful day arose, my creativity died with my mother. Her heartbeat stopped at the same time my pen ran out of ink. My mom gave me my love for writing & it felts as if she took part of it when she left.
Its Been 2 & 1/2 Years
I was today years old when it hit me. Yes, my mom took a huge part of me when she left. I was so focused on what I did not have that I neglected the huge gift that she gave me. Carolyn P Mays so a huge portion of me in order for her to make room for new ideas, gifts and and creative avenues of jotting my newly gained life experiences. And old experienced pen can only say so much before it runs out of ink. My mother gave me a new pen, a new born creativeness & a more mature way of captivating my audience. She may have left with something but she left me with something. When someone departs from this world, they carry with them the old gifts of memories and lessons, clearing space for new treasures to bloom in the hearts of those they leave behind.
I love you mama. Thank you for hardwiring writing & music into the essence of my soul. I can see clearly now that its time for me to pick up a new pen and craft new adventures & use my creative voice to feed the addiction of millions.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
Sugar is 100% Pure Evil
Beautiful Sugar DiamondsSugar needs to introduction. Sugar is a crystalized or powdered substance used as a sweetener. Sugar has gone so far to be come a term of endorsement. It can be found in almost every household kitchen. Not only that, it can be found ion almost every other item in the kitchen. It’s been added to everyday household items like milk, bread, ketchup, mayo, salad dressing, processed meats & even your healthy breakfast cereal. But why is this stuff everywhere?
Sugar consumption poses several dangers to our health and well-being. Firstly, excessive sugar intake can lead to weight gain and obesity, increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Secondly, sugar negatively affects dental health, leading to tooth decay and cavities. Lastly, consuming too much sugar can cause a sharp rise and subsequent crash in blood sugar levels, resulting in fatigue, mood swings, and decreased energy.
Avoiding The Sugar Monster
To avoid the harmful effects of sugar, it is crucial to limit the consumption of sugary drinks and processed foods. Choosing whole, natural foods like fruits and vegetables can provide a healthier alternative to satisfy our sweet cravings. Additionally, reading food labels can help us identify hidden sources of sugar and make informed choices. Lastly, replacing sugary beverages with water or unsweetened tea can significantly reduce sugar intake and contribute to overall health and well-being.
Breaking Free: Embracing a Healthier Journey without Sugar
In a society where sweetness seems to be celebrated, it's crucial for black Americans to reevaluate their relationship with sugar. As we embark on a quest for healthier lives, we must recognize the immense impact of sugar consumption on our overall well-being.
While it may be tempting to indulge in sugary treats, it's essential to understand the detrimental effects they can have on our health. Studies have shown that excessive sugar intake can contribute to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even certain types of cancer, posing a significant threat to our community's well-being.
By taking charge of our dietary habits, we can empower ourselves to break free from the grip of sugar addiction. It starts with a simple decision to prioritize our health. By gradually reducing our sugar intake, we open the doors to a wealth of benefits – increased energy levels, healthier weight management, improved mental clarity, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods serves as the cornerstone of this transformative journey. Embracing a diet rich in colorful fruits, vibrant vegetables, lean proteins, and wholesome grains allows us to rediscover the natural flavors of these foods without relying on the empty sweetness of sugar.
But breaking free from sugar doesn't mean a life devoid of deliciousness. Black Americans can reclaim their cultural heritage by incorporating traditional and contemporary recipes that reduce or replace added sugars. Rediscovering the natural sweetness found in fruits or using alternative sweeteners like stevia or agave allows us to enjoy our favorite dishes without compromising our health.
Moreover, it's crucial to emphasize the role of education within our communities. Equipping ourselves with knowledge about sugar's impact on our well-being empowers us to make informed decisions and inspires others to join us on this transformative journey. By providing accessible resources, hosting cooking classes, or sharing personal narratives, we can foster a culture of health and wellness within our communities.
Ultimately, prioritizing our health and reducing sugar consumption is not just an individual endeavor, but a collective movement towards a brighter future. By taking small but meaningful steps towards a healthier lifestyle, black Americans can lead by example, inspiring others to break free from the shackles of sugar addiction and embrace a brighter, healthier future for all. Together, we can empower our communities to unlock the full potential of our lives, nourishing our bodies, minds, and spirits on this incredible journey towards optimal well-being.
Introducing Fitness Over 40: Prioritizing Health and Wellness in the Black American Community
Posted by iLL
Hello iLL Community, and welcome to Fitness Over 40 – a YouTube channel dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and fitness among black Americans. I am incredibly excited to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share the mission behind this new venture. As a fitness enthusiast and a member of the black community, I firmly believe that it's crucial for us to prioritize dieting, health, and fitness for the betterment of our lives. Join me on this journey as we strive to make a difference together!
Why Focus on Black Americans Specifically?
Historically, black Americans have faced numerous health disparities, including higher rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. These troubling statistics underscore the urgent need to address and rectify this situation. It is imperative that we, as a community, start taking matters into our own hands by adopting healthier lifestyles and embracing the benefits of regular exercise and balanced nutrition.
The Importance of Dieting, Health, and Fitness
1. Empowering Ourselves - By making positive changes in our diet and exercise habits, we empower ourselves and take control of our health. When we prioritize wellness, we not only improve our physical health but also boost our mental and emotional well-being.
2. Setting an Example - Our actions have a profound impact on future generations. By prioritizing dieting, health, and fitness, we become role models for our children, teaching them the value of self-care and inspiring them to lead healthier lives themselves.
3. Overcoming Historical Challenges - By acknowledging past injustices and disparities in healthcare, we can use our determination to overcome them. When we embrace fitness and wellness, we break free from the limitations that systemic issues may have imposed, giving ourselves the chance to enjoy a fulfilling and vibrant life.
Discover the Fitness Over 40 YouTube Channel
Now that you know why we're embarking on this fitness journey together, it's time for you to dive deeper into the world of Fitness Over 40. On our YouTube channel, you'll find an array of engaging and informative content tailored specifically for black Americans seeking to improve their health and well-being.
From workout routines and nutritional tips to motivational speeches and success stories, our content is designed to inspire, educate, and motivate you along your fitness journey, regardless of your current fitness level. We firmly believe that it's never too late to make positive changes and achieve your wellness goals.
Watch Our Introductory Video To Learn More
Without further ado, I invite you to watch our captivating introductory video to get a glimpse of what Fitness Over 40 is all about. In this video, I share my personal journey and the inspiration behind creating this platform.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post and learn about Fitness Over 40. I am thrilled to have you join our community and embark on this transformative journey towards better health and wellness. Together, let's empower ourselves, inspire future generations, and overcome the challenges that hinder our well-being.
Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, hit the notification bell, and join our mailing list to never miss an update! Stay tuned for regular content, including workout routines, nutritional advice, motivational speeches, and success stories shared by others in our community.
Let's rewrite the narrative on health and fitness in the black American community – starting today!
Until next time,
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
Note: To watch the embedded video mentioned in this blog post, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Attention Black Content Creators…
A gourmet chef will always give you a sample but NEVER his recipe. I’ve noticed a new TikTok trend where the recipes of Black creators is being stolen, replicated & somehow this whitewashed material that lacks seasoning & soul reaches a deeper audience. Folks will argue that a system can not be racist but a person who programs an algorithm can. Do me a favor & complete your due diligence & protect your digital artwork. It could be a dance, a skit or whatever! Don’t let someone with less talent steal your recipe just to repackage it & eat off your ideas.
Where To Begin?
Creating content can be pricy but do not get too concerned with the price of equipment but focus on the quality of your creativity. You can literally buy a $50 android phone that’s 10 years old & a $20 microphone to capture decent audio & create some amazing content. Most phone are 4K capture capable but don’t entertain the 4K hype too much because most of your audience won’t have a screen to enjoy the enchanted visuals. Furthermore, 4K material have larger file sizes. This means longer upload times. The tradeoff isn’t worth it because the little bit of extra details doesn’t constitute the times to publish it.
Refine The Raw Footage!
Depending on your smartphone, you may be able to edit on the fly without the need for a computer or tablet. Call me old school but in my expect, editing from a computer offers more options & an unmatchable level of creativity. Editing on a 7” screen is doable but refining your content on a 15” laptop or a 30” monitor separates an enthusiast from serious creator. If you decide to purchase a new computer or laptop, I suggest investing in an M1 Mac instead of buying a Windows machine. Buying from gives you so much power & free programs that Windows charges you for.
Serve Your Audience!
Now that everything is editing to your satisfaction, you have to upload it to somewhere. YouTube or Facebook are examples of sites that will host your material for free. There are pros & cons to using a no cost platform so depending on your level of seriousness & the amount you are able to invest, I would look into getting your own domain to share your work. Sites like Squarespace offers a host of different features at a fair price.
In Closing…
There’s money to be made out there so put your heart int your digital assets & eat off it. We have to put a stop enemies sucking us dry of our talents & creativity & capitalizing off our God-given gifts.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
Welcome to 2023
Happy New Year to my iLL family. I pray that you are a better person today than you were yesterday.First & foremost, I want to apology for a lack of content in 2022. I lost my mother just 7 days into that year & I lost my drive & motivation to carry on. My writer’s block was converted into a lack of interested for my writing, content creating & my photography. I’m sure you understand my need to take a step back & reevaluate a few things.
I have a lot of big things lined up for this year. I have all the equipment, talent & knowhow to bring you content that will peak your interest. I just need to refuel my drive & hopefully find a few extra hands to assist me with the interviews & videos I’m planing this year. For those who are new here, we cover all topics that will benefit our Black Community. Feel free to indulge in a few of my posts from the past. Also, spread the word & ask your friends & family members to join our monthly mailing list.
I pray 2023 bring our people better health, an increase in finances & strength to keep pushing towards Black excellence.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
Weights or Wings
One of my favorite quotes is, “ If you can not change your friends; change your friends.” Everything in life comes to a fork in the road & some sort of decisions has to be made. Wether it’s paper or plastic or deciding to continue what is for dinner will be a simple decision. But some of these forks in the road will come with more complex choices. The removal of self from a toxic friendship is one of the more difficult choices we have to make in life. People outgrow each other so it’s very common to drift away from someone you may know as a friend.
When you are a great friend to someone, 1 of 2 things will happen. That “friend” will either appreciate you or take advance of you. While determining what card they have up their sleeve, you too will have a decision placed upon you. 2 things people off you in life will either be weights or wings.
Adding weight will postpone your flight & cease you from soaring to new heights. Weight comes in the form of stress, drama, disloyalty, lies and etc. When a friend adds wings, they free you from all shackles & assist you in gliding to your highest possible level.
When Weight Is Applied
Life gives us our own baggage to carry but when we are forced to carry unwanted luggage, it always comes at a cost. The airlines are infamous for letting you know that carrying unnecessary luggage comes at a cost. A real friend would never apply unwarranted pounds on your back knowing you are trying to free your self from every day stress, pain and suffering. Surround yourself around people who keep you sane & help keep the mass light. Jealousy & envy were weights that were applied to Shanquella Robinson by “friends” & she paid those fees with her life.
When Wings Are Applied
But when wings are applied, you are able to freely flight to new heights. Everything from a bird’s eye view is obtainable & can easily be in your grasp. Birds of a feather flock together. If your friends are NOT enabling you to reach your potation & are not up in the sky with you, then a reevaluation should be prescribed & leaving the flock is ideal.
Nas said it best when he said a caterpillar could never imagine what an eagle envisions. So if your immediate circle isn’t offering you wings to take you to new & amazing places, then they can only offer you weights to keep you stagnated. You can never reach new nights in that circle.
An Authorized Credit Hack!
A lot of the credit lessons that we learn in our community tends to happen after we have been declined for a card. It’s impossible to be approved for a line of credit when you have little to no credit. I was baffled when I was told that bad credit is better than no credit. But how are you suppose to acquire a credit card when you have no credit? It took me enrolling to college & applying for cards at a career event. I was instantly approved for 3 cards. The down side was I didn’t fully understand how credit cards worked & the cards I was approved for had very low credit limits & extremely high APR’s.
My mother did not know about credit cards & wasn’t able to provide me lessons on how to preserve my credit. I was out aimlessly swiping my heart away not knowing the damages I was doing to my financial footprint.
Let Me Let You In On A Little Secret
Imagine your 18 yr old applying for a line of credit fresh out of high school & being blessed with a 750 fica score with no effort. In my opinion, the is one of the GREATEST gift you could give your child. This is truly a key to open up financial doors that were not available to us. The advantages of adding an offspring as an authorized user is endless. With this power, they are able to purchase a vehicle with a lower interest rate or have higher chances of being approved for a business loan. With minimal effort, you can add your children as an authorized user to any credit card account that is in good standing.
Simply log into your account & look for the option. Once you have them added, a card with their name will show up in your mailbox. I find it a best practice to just dispose of the card to prevent it from ending up in the wrong hands. All you have to do is just continue being a responsible card user. You can add a child as soon as they get a social security number so at any age, they can start building credit.
If you need more detailed information, I’ve added a video below from Water Your Soil. He’s a YouTuber who speaks of setting your kids up for success.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
3 Steps To Cope With Death
The further we journey down the street of life, we discover that we have more deceased friends & relatives than we have alive. Just this year alone, I've met more people who will be spending the holiday season celebrating the fallen opposed to celebrating the holiday. Holidays come & go but once we lose a loved one, they are gone forever. It can be overwhelming attempting to observe a holiday if you are not able to channel your emotions into a place of peace. Here are 3 ways to help you cope with mourning a loved one during the holiday season.
Do As They Would Do
One way to cope with the loss of a loved one is to do as they would do. Try listening to their favorite song or crafting up their favorite food. Wear attire that they would be wearing this time of the year or partaking in an activity that they loved. A lot of people believe that occupying themselves to keep someone off their mind is a healthy approach but it's more therapeutic to keep your special person fresh on your mind & not bottled up. Honoring them by doing the things they would be doing is an awesome & beneficial approach to coping.
Reach Out To Them
Coping mechanism #2 is to reach out to your deceased loved one. Talk to them before you meditate or writing a letter to them is great way to un-bottle emotions. Balloon release ceremonies allow healing individuals attach last word letters to a balloon & whoo-saw as they let it all go. Mediating is the most effective way to clear your mind & listen for a response. Everyone on the planet holds on to words they wish they would have said & releasing these words will brighten your mood.
Happy Thoughts
Remember when we did so & so? Keep all of your happy moments of a loved one on deck. Busying yourself to keep people off your mind is a terrible approach. Sit back, close your eyes & remember things that your loved one did to make you smile. Reminisce fun stories & breathtaking moments will construct never-ending joy that will warm the heart.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
The Irreversable Results of Swirling
Racial Insensitivity!
One of my favorite memes is of the crying Michael Jordan face placed on an office worker claiming to have lied in his interview about knowing how to fully use Excel. When you pour lies into your resume, its similar to swirling multiple colors of sand into a single canister because if you change your mind, its IMPOSSIBLE to separate. Ok, that may not be the best example because once your new employer realizes that you are not fluent in Excel, you will be terminated but will have a new canister to start from scratch. Mixing lies with your work knowledge doesn’t result in a loss of life… but I know what type of swirling can.
The level of suicides during this global pandemic has been cringe-worthy. A simple Google search will reveal an influx of Blacks being hung & been deemed as suicides with little to no investigation. If I recollect correctly, there were 4 hanging within a week & they all were classified as self inflicted suicide. Anytime a Black American dies, their death is always justified & the victims have always “gotten what they deserve” . It’s never foul play; especially when the victim is murdered by someone of non color.
Queen Asia Maynard
Queen Asia Maynard Died Feb. 19, 2022
Our Queens are literally the least valued creatures on this planet. It pains me our Queens feel dating outside of their race is a better option. Disclaimer: I’m not debating anyones rights to cross interracial lines, I’m just here to bring awareness to an increase of deaths while doing so. A lot of folks will deflect my views by saying that Black men kill more Black woman than white men do. Because of how crimes work, this may be somewhat true. But when a Black man takes the life of one of our Queens, he’s investigated fully & will indeed serve time. With these new crimes of white men luring our Queens to their deaths via dating apps, murdering them in the most heinous of ways & end up walking away scott free. Tyron will spend the rest of his days in jail but Isiah Crown’s rarely even see a day in court.
I’m not going to dig too deep into the story of Queen Maynard. I will say that theses no way a healthy 29yr old mother of will that had no preexisting conditions can possibly die of natural causes after one date with a white guy. The spit to the face was how police knew our Queen was dead & never told her family when they called & reported her missing. On top of that, the murderous white man wasn’t even questioned or investigate. Google our Queen’s name or click one of the hyperlinks here if you need more detailed references of the story. Isiah Crown has been reported to have murdered other women but on one views him as a person of interest. I won’t dig being the surface yet. I want to state my argument that when our queens are murdered, limited effort & resources are spent while investigating. Not giving our community the same focus & energy that Gabby Petito received is racial insensitivity.
Queen Lauren Smith-Fields
Lauren Smith-Fields is another unfortunate case of swirling gone wrong. The racial insensitivity is jawdropping. Lauren went on a date with a white guy by the name of Matthew LaFountain. They connected on the Bumble dating app & agreed to meet IRL for a nice night on the town. Afterwards, the 2 returned to Lauren’s residence where they dozed off. The following morning LaFountain awoke to a non responsive Fields. He called 9-11 & her death was ruled an accident. Fields was merely 23 years old & was deemed healthy by family & friends. The investigators quickly determined Fields died of an alcohol, an unnamed prescription drug & fentanyl overdose. The case was closed & LaFountain was never questioned questioned on any role he may have had on her death. The department carelessly mishandled evidence & Queen Lauren never got justice.
Queen Brenda Lee Rawls
The Beautiful Brenda Lee Rawls @ Age 53
In the same city of Bridgeport, Connecticut & on the same night of the murder of Lauren Smith Fields, a 2nd case of racial insensitivity reared its ugly head. Another Queen died in the same fashion & she always received the same limited attention & investigating as the last Queen. Brenda Lee Rawls also went to see a man who lived near. I was unable to find any information on the gentleman so I can’t tie Ms Rawls’s case into the swirling but this is the perfect example of racial insensitivity. She was found dead in her apartment on 12-12-21 & her death was swiftly ruled as natural causes. Sisters of Rawls always stayed in close contact with her & reg flags went off when the sister never got a response from their beautiful sibling.
Brdgeport law enforcement NEVER notified the family. It was only when they went looking for answers when they were met with the devastating news. This truly raises an eyebrow for me & makes me question how many Queens have we really lost to foul play & no one cared enough for their Black lives to properly investigate & give our Queens the respect & justice they deserve.
Dear Kings
As protectors of our communities, we have to do a better job as a collective at showing our Queens the value of dating within our race. Treat them as the Queens that they are. Guide them if they go astray. Assist them in self healing while showing them that we genuinely care for their souls. Honoring & cherishing our women will kill any desire to peep over the fence & wonder if those greener pastures of artificial grass offers a better quality of man. Nowhere is my passage am I condemning swirling or getting to know other cultures & races. This keeps an open mind & could be a great learning experience. I just vehemently ask that IF you do decide to play the game, you will NOT get the Gabby treatment. SO just please be careful. As a collective, we all NEED our beautiful Black women to show us the power of Black Love.
I will end this by posted an interview with Asia’s siblings.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
Banking While Black
Joe Morrow
Being that America LOVES to say that Black folks are lazy & don’t want to work, it’s a mere slap to the face when doing something as cashing a paycheck becomes a crime. Joe Morrow worked his job all week & went to cash his check like all Americans do. Who knew that such a normal process like cashing a check after a long day at work could land you in cuffs. And with every camera in the bank & tons of cop cam footage, the police reports still conflicted with what was shown on camera. Its going to be a crime to breath while Black!
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
Any Action Verb + While Black = A Crime
I see we are at it again. The 14% of the US population is still committing 50% of the crimes. In my blog post Sadistic Statistic , I touched on how such a small portion of the population is conducting a majority of the crimes. Everything seems to be a crime if you are doing it while Black. Walking while Black, driving while Black, banking while Black & once again cycling while Black. Take any basic action & add the words “While Black” & you instantly have a committed a crime.
Little boys were always taught to never put hands on a female. That has always been a rule but somehow these grown ass “men” seem to have forgotten. Its always disturbing when we see paid public officials masterminding policy misconduct, abuse of force & straight up assault. So what if this child was “speeding” on an unlicensed mini bike. White kids from suburbia freely ride these toys without being harassed so why is it a crime when a Black child rides on? IF her speeding was a safety concern to the cops, her safely sure went out the window when they slammed & choked her. There isn’t a word on this planet that could upset a grown man to the point where he felt the needs to assault & traumatize a child. I have literally seen armed murderers give treated with more respect & delicacy than the victim in this video. Please take a look at the news article & let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
The Innate Instinct To Protect
The media is at it again. They took an image of a positive incident & captioned it appear as if a Black man shot a got for no reason. They love depicting Black men as thugs & not the responsible, protecting gun owners that most of us are. These 2 dogs were mauling an autistic Black child & this king sprang into action & laid the dog down & saved this kid. I’m sure there are a lot of dog lovers of non color who feel the dog should not have had its brains blown out but here is what the world fails to realize. When something harms our youth, that Black mama bear or papa bear will instantly show up & neutralize any threat.
The caption should have read, “Black responsible gun owner saves innocent child from vicious dogs!” Check out the video below for more details on this heroic event. The content as been listed as age restricted so the link will take you to Youtube.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
In Business While Black
This year I would like to cancel Black history month. Every year we hear the same stories of heroes from our past & the amazing things we have accomplished. I want to do things different this February. I would like to take all that Black history month energy & direct it to fueling our Black future. If you are unaware of your history, a quick google search or a trip to a local library will answer any question that you may have. I know we can not predict our future but we can steer our present into the traffic flow of a more successful & sustainable future by supporting a Black Owned Business. (BOB)
WHO BENEFITS
Society will tell you to steer clear of BOB’s because of poor customer service, attitude & a lack structure. Its irresponsible to spread this notion! Everyone benefits from supporting a BOB. Customer will receive faster shipping, larger portions & better prices due to less overhead. Just do not shop there expecting a “kin folk discount” knowing you would spend double the amount with a white establish without questioning or batting an eye. Business owners also win because serving new customers grows business, confidence of course generates more revenue.
HOW MANY DID YOU SUPPORT?
Shame on you if you can count on 1 hand how many BOB’s you supported in 2021. So many Black owned companies offer some of the best goods & services available. By following this formulate, we can nurture businesses in our communities & sprout new ones. Take the number of BOB’s you supported last year & multiply that by 3. Then multiply that number by 3 in 2023.
I have supported a nice Black owned online gift shop that sold the cutest nicknacks & Black owned companies that sold chemical free soaps that were great for keeping melanin healthy. I plan on supporting 12 Black owned businesses this year in hope of keeping our hard earned dollars in our communities & creating a massive chain reaction of others following suit.
If you have a BOB or know of someone who does, PLEASE link them in the comment section. I’m dying to try new & unique business that are For Us By Us.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
The Lapdog Syndrome
Hollywood has a fascination with the lapdog syndrome. They will spend so much time & invest millions of dollars to convey to you that Black mothers are unfit & that a Sandra Bullock has to come in a save the day. Something about white couples adopting Black children doesn't sit well on my stomach. If they are looking to adopt a child & happen to end up with a Black child is one thing. But when they contact an adoption agency with the sole intent of adopting a Black child ...it truly gives me slave trade vibes. Like what do they look for in a Black child that makes them decide or reject them? I imagine the song How Much Is The Doggy In The Window going thru their head while going child to child determinin which one they will be taking home. So many questions arise like why do so many white adult look to adopt Black children & why are there not a lot of Black couples that adopt Black children? And how are so many Black children ending up in these adoption agencies?
In my popular blog post about why does so many Black women die during child birth, I touched on how a lot of our future leaders end up in adoption agencies. When a Queen loses her life giving birth, social services will more than likely place the new born with a stranger before placing it with other blood family. A very close friend of mines recently went through the ringer trying to adopt a child. Both him & his wife are Christian & both are gentle college graduates with no criminal backgrounds & the system made it near impossible for them to be awarded custody of the child they wanted to adopt from a mutual friend. The sad part was the judge was a Black female. 🤦🏾♂️ But this is a story for another day. Its like adoption agencies are handing over Black seedlings to white couples like halloween candy while scrutinizing Black couples.So much can go wrong & has gone wrong with these people taking in Black children & feeding their Lapdog Syndrome.
Some great advice is to NEVER acquire something that you are unable to maintain. How many times have you seen someone go for broke buying a foreign vehicle & is unable to cover expenses on maintenance? This is a similar scenario when whites adopt Black young ones. It sickens me to the core when I see a Black princess in public & her newly adopted parents have been using haircare products that was not formulated for Black hair. Or seeing these kids dressed in clothing not designed for their frames. I’ve recently seen photos online of Black boys wearing dressing & rocking bows in their hair. Black children are not lapdogs that you dress up at your leisure & parade around in public trying to role-play some slave-master fantasy. Even in the photo above, master is looking up & proud of her new puppy & the puppy dare not make eye contact with its owner!
This adopted Princess was not fed during a family outing.
The purpose of adopting a child is to give them a better life. How can you give a person a better life when they are not offered the same love & resources that others receive? The minor in the photo above looks unhappy, mistreated & not given the proper care she needs. Her white family has no idea how to care for Black hair. They even have her dressed as if she stepped out of the movie The Color Purple. The lady who noticed this heinous actives & documented this caught the backlash…not the child neglecting white parents. Just the look on her face explains how far she is from her sense of self. She has no idea what it means to be Black nor will she find it if she remains in this household. White family think that shielding their newly adopted kids from the Black experience is the ultimate benefit in creating an enriched life for them. Neglecting to give a soul the nourishment requited to flourish should be a form of 1st degree child abuse.
Just like our history was purposely hidden & destroyed, this is the same fatality these adopted kids are receiving. Being disconnected from self works as good as a television being disconnected from the power outlet. The kids go off to college & are lost. They may meet other Blacks when they go off to further their education & won’t know any thing about Black self or about Black pop culture. I ask our ancestors to watch over this princess for the entirety of her life. As lot of our future leaders were not fortunate enough to survive the grasps of lapdog syndrome.
LAPDOG MENTALITY
White parents use Black adoptees as a way of showing they are NOT prejudice. Its similar to the, “I’m not racist, I have 1 Black friend!” rebuttal. A lot of white people may love their Black coworker or the little Black girl who works at Starbucks that “doesn’t act like the rest of them!” but has a strong dislike for Black folks in general. And with aid from the media, they are able to push this “I love 1 Black person so I’m not a racist” narrative. Being friends with 1 while hating an entire race indeed marks you as racist. The media circulated this photo around giving it a false sense of racism healing. The white mother intentionally dressed this child in a lapdog outfit fully equipped with accessories for a photo opportunity. This image was used to show Black people that cops are not bad people & are loving & you should not hate or fear them.One thing the media outlets did NOT do was use this photo on this poor child’s obituary.
THE HART FAMILY MURDER 💔
The Colorful Hart Family
Just like buying a car, you have to be approved to adopt children. Are you able to house them & give them the space to grow? Are you able to feed & clothed them? The main objective to being an adopting parent is to remove the child from a bad situation & place them in a better suited one. The Harts, a white lesbian couple, thought it was a great idea to adopt 6 kids & drive them off a cliff. I’m pretty sure whatever situation these kids were in prior to this wasn’t as terrifying as falling to a death. People who were associates with the family stated that the kids were mistreat & were not able to do simple things around the house like laugh at the dinner table or wish each other happy birthday. Other reports from therapist & school personnel state that for punishment , the kids were not fed & repeated hit with belts until they had “oowees” on their backs stomaches. Only God knows what other brutal activities went on behind closed doors. The Harts actually pulled the kids from public schools due to being exposed and yet, no one questioned or followed up on the reported allegations. The adoption agencies should be held reliable for these deaths as well. 6 innocent children were placed with these wicked white women while well qualified Black couples get treated like criminals.
The inserted video shows exactly what these people are looking for. They love that false sense of accomplishments from taking care of something they feel is inferior. All the feeding scraps & petting Black kids like lapdogs needs to stop. I bet if an influx of Black parents wanted to adopt white kids, they would be fully investigated & turned away. Black families that are looking to adopt children should do anything in their power to adopt a prince or princess. The community members who are not looking to adopt should create Black Big Brother programs or other similar places to donate & help keep our children out of the homes of these sickos. They love to bring up the dangers of Chicago but will turn a blind eye to the organized crime connections these adoption agencies indulge in while handing over these defenseless children over to these ill intent excuse for parents. If you have any ideas on how we can limit our future leaders from becoming lapdogs, please comment below. Only our community can protect our children from these dangers of the lapdog syndrome.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
Travel Tuesday: Navarre Beach
I’ve been planning this post since July but for some reason Ive been putting it off & procrastinating. Back in Junes, the week of Father’s Day, I booked an AirBnB & took a nice road trip to Pensacola FL. I’ve never taken a 9 hour trip before so I was curious of how road fatigue would come into play. I left home About 3:30am & after stopping for gas twice & one stretch break, I pulled into Pensacola about noon. I sweat I’m the biggest homebody on the planet so It was a change of pace for me to hope up & plan a spontaenous vacation. I truly had a blast & some of the views I saw were soul cleansing. Rewatching this footage of my trip while compiling this video truly reminded me of how my trip was a redefining moment for my life. Here’s the link to the episode. Navarre BeachTrip.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.