Hey, all! I am back for another week to share with you what’s in my heart.
Although, I am a Black American of African descent. Despite my ancestor origins, I was born and raised in America. I am no less American than any other race that was born and raised in America. And I am no more American than those from other cultures who have chosen, against enormous odds and at incredible costs, to make our great nation the place they call home.
I believe that all lives matter – all races, creeds religions, and colors. We all bleed the same color blood and, whether American or some other nationality, we have to live with one another on the inhabitable planet I know of. Becoming united as a human race should be everyone’s goal because, let’s face it, no one is born a racist, a bigot, a feminist, etc. This division that we may sow, cultivated via our upbringing and feed by indifference and the company we decide to keep, is as devastating and silently traumatic to the bearer as it is the recipient of such nonsense.
Surely we can “act” like it doesn’t matter, but it is acting nonetheless which is sometimes so well played and well versed, even the actor has himself or herself fooled into believing that it doesn’t matter. As Americans, we cannot afford “take the low road” lest we self-propel ourselves into the likes of a third world country. Yes, America is the land of the free and opportunity, but our laws, our government and our justice system is all unjust, bias, and unfair.
My hope is that we, as Black Americans / African Americans, make a greater effort to come together to help one another instead of being jealous of one another or tear each other down rather than building each other up. Yeah, we bitch and moan when someone of another race shoots one of our kids, but if you look closely, it is we who kill the most Black Americans / Africa Americans.
Yes, I am pissed at educational and economic inequality which leads to fewer opportunities which lead to despair and lost hope. Then, we have the audacity to have kids and, by example, put them on the same course in life. But change starts with us – now – in America. We have to start holding ourselves accountable, but more so, we have to start holding each other accountable to doing what’s right instead of doing what’s easy. We are large in numbers, so if we do this, we may be able to reset the racial tone for our entire nation. Just imagine.
Sometimes I hear people talk about coming from Africa and how we were brought over here on slave ships. All that was back before my time. I didn’t come over here on any ship. As a matter of fact, there are some of Africans that do not care for the Black American cultures. Sure, we may have the complexions and hair textures born of Africans, but those born in Africa and us born in the United States are two different cultures. But I would no more be able to go to Africa and fit in with my traditional Black American ways than Africans could easily fit in America. But I still consider Africans as my sister and brothers because this is where both our roots began.
Watching the Mandela story, even while in prison he requested that all Africans and colored were treated as that of the white prisoners. Also, when he gave his speech, he sought equality for all Africans, Colored, Indians and Whites. Therefore, we are of the separate culture. Don’t forget there are those who consider themselves white Africans, maybe not born of African descent but born in Africa. We have others that are the same shades of brown complexions, same hair textures, but of different cultures, to name a few: Britain, and London, and the UK, and Jamaica, and Haiti, and Spain and so on. Still, as an American, you could not go to any of these countries and expect to live in your traditional American ways. Hey, I am just saying.
Which box do you check? We all mixed up in here one way or another.
And, by the way, I noticed while Mandela was in prison their daily prison routine was sitting outside chipping away at white rocks, why was this? 
Can someone answer this question for me?
And speaking of slaves, I cannot image what the slaves had to endure and suffer through to survive. But will the struggle and the fight ever end? It seems like we are still fighting that same many of the same things as we did 50+ years ago – racism, hatred, and injustice. But we must continue to hold on to our hopes and dreams that, one day, all the fighting will finally make a difference. I know it’s sickening to hear almost every time you turn on the TV that another black life was taken or the unfairness of the justice system. But the answer is NOT realized by going out in anger, hurting others, rioting or burn down our neighborhoods. Just another way of how we destroy ourselves. Was this the ultimate plan by the powers that be?
We have to change our way, we have to change our attitudes, and we have to do the unexpected. I can talk about this, but I have no plans to go out and protest for fear of the uncertain. Things have a tendency to get escalated unnecessarily, and peaceful quickly turns to unpeaceful. Dr. Martin Luther King promoted peaceful protests of non-violence so that our voice and our issue are heard. Something we should all strive for as we collectively make our thoughts known. It is not just a “black thang,” because many other races face the same or worse struggles with homelessness, poverty, deplorable living conditions, lack of clean water, adequate clothing, unemployment, etc.
If we take the time and make an effort, to look beyond skin color and really get to know one another, we just may find that we have more in common than you know. Isn’t this the same thing that Maya Angelou quoted?
I do not see skin color. However, I do see people. And if another person who doesn’t know me don’t like me, I DON’T CARE – they just don’t know me.
Again, there are just my feelings and opinions. Freedom of speech is AWESOME!
Until next week when I speak of more what’s in my heart.
Be safe and have an enjoyable weekend. 
Share your thoughts and comments but play nice.
Petite Breaux aka just Deirdre. 