Tag / #writing

by Uprising Experience

2020 Presidential Candidate, Kamala Harris: Is she Black Enough or Naw?

K. Love | Race Matters | Women’s History & Social Work Month

Are we really (still) concerned if a Black person is “Black enough” to get our support? Do we hold non-Black individuals to this high standard when they run for office?

I’ll wait…

No, we do not. Once an individual becomes a public figure, we criticize them for showing up claiming to be “Black Black”.

I think we have it all wrong. Especially when it comes to scrutinizing a Presidential candidate who is a woman, a Black woman.

Kamala Harris, on MLK Day, Jan 21st, 2019 announced her bid to become the next President of the United States for the Democratic Party. She went back to “The Mecca”, her Alma mater, Howard University (surrounded by the Student Government) to make her announcement.

Kamala-Harris1

We (Black folks) immediately went into attack mode. Questioning her blackness, her intentions, her marriage to a White man. Really y’all? Do we have to tear each other down and when we do, do we have to do it publicity? We stay ready to provoke a person’s Black Card, no questions asked.

Please don’t get confused. I’m not saying, “Vote for Kamala because she is Black”.

I am simply questioning your motive behind this higher standard you place on Black people than we do for others. I understand that some of us were hurt by the seemingly disregard that former President, Barack Obama had specifically for the Black Community during his presidency.

Most of his policies did not directly affect us positively or negatively. He did more for other individual groups than for us (i.e. Prison reform, Immigration laws, LGBTQ). I understand that pain, however; what has any President done specifically for our community to directly strengthen us in terms of wealth, equality, education, or health care?

What is our agenda anyway?

What is it that we actually want from a Black politician? If we do not know we can’t expect them to fight for us. Even still- who cares how Black a person is. Kamala Harris is Black- born to a Jamaican father (Professor) and an Indian mother (a scientist and civil rights advocate). Born and raised in Oakland, CA. Spent her high school years in Montreal then attended Howard University (Washington, DC), a Historically Black College/University.

Who are we to take her Black Card away? What constitutes if a person is even Black enough anyway? Please show me the rule book of standards, because we are doing too much.

When your decide on a candidate try this formula:

  • Visit the candidates website and read their platform
  • Understand how they have voted for policies in the past
  • Know their slogan
  • Support them financially, volunteer, or share via social media

“Study to show thyself approved”

“We perish for lack of knowledge”

We will not agree with every issue (policy) candidates are concerned about. However, what matters are the issues you’re concerned about. How are candidates addressing issues important to you? Look at the present Presidency- seemingly, folks agreed with one or two policies he “promised” while IGNORING  his character, his antics, and his lack of experience. Yet he is in office.

Kamala does not have to prove herself or spend time on “how Black she is”. Blackness is too broad for us to sit here and debate about it. Lastly, who really cares that she is married to a White man. That does not dismiss her ‘blackness’.

Kam & Doug

Today on the first day of Women’s History & Social Work Month , consider what really matters to you. Critique yourself on these issues as you plan to support a candidate

  • Race Relations
  • Climate Change
  • Criminal Justice
  • Equality
  • Pro Life or Pro Choice
  • Religious Freedom
  • Immigration
  • Global Affairs
  • Military
  • Voting Rights
  • Taxes
  • Education

Here is a list of individuals who have announced their bid for the Democratic Candidacy so far

Do your own research this time around. Yes, race matters- but let’s not criticize and tear down our brother(s) or sister(s). Support, vote, show up to town halls, and hold them accountable. Visit her website https://kamalaharris.org/

*Set aside time this month and beyond to read a book written by a Black woman and buy from a Black owned business. Share your experience.

Peace

by Uprising Experience

A Poetic Journey of Our (Black) Love

Uprising | Love | 2019

Our love is uncompromising-

we will not apologize for it.

Our love is uninhibited.

We are a community and we bring magical powers throughout the world.

Our love empowers; therefore our love is healing.

Some fear our love because our roots were planted (on solid ground) through strength and in truth.

Our love is Contagious. Bold. Courageous.

Our love brings life.

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Black love is far-reaching.

Black love is creative.

Our Black love is restorative.

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Our Black Love is Universal

By: The With Great Care Team https://www.withgreatcare.com/

(@justdrena @yushaassadsmusic @shyshowbob_  @equanimous_soph @cameliajanelle & @iamkristilove)

by Uprising Experience

Just throw all the “R. Kelly’s” away

Uprising | 2019 | With Great Care & Justice

…or not. Do we really need to mute him and throw him (them) away? How do we make sense of this and where do we go from here?

This is a difficult piece to write and difficult for you to read because our opinions may differ. And that’s ok. Difficult for some because of their life situations and for others, the mass media has told you what and how to think about various subjects.

Let’s start with this

Facts to consider about Robert Sylvester Kelly:

  • He has (allegedly) slept with women who were under the age of 18
  • He has gone to trial on several occasions for sexual misconduct with women under 18
  • He has settled out of court and paid unknown sums of money to individuals and families
  • He went to trial for child pornography
  • He was sexual abused from age 6 or 7 to the age of 14

Here are questions to consider when thinking about #muterkelly:

  • What should adults do in the moment when they know “wrong” is happening?
  • How many of us (or people we know) are victims of sexual misconduct/abuse?
  • Have we decided to mute Harvey Weinstein? Burn all Playboy magazines? WIll we mute Michael Jackson or Elvis Presley?
  • Women- when you were between the ages of 14-17, did you ever desire a man that was too old for you (men that that were 18-25)?
  • When will sexual misconduct end?
  • After the age of 21, “Age Aint Nothin But A Number” is received with open arms. Men and women usually see no probably with a 5-20 year difference when dating.

Again, these are statements and questions to consider. They are not here to imply or lead you to think a certain way. There is a problem in the minds and hearts of some (if not most) people and that has to change.

Lisa Van Allen

Lisa has been vocal since 2018 about her accounts with singe, R. Kelly. She too appeared in the Docuseries, “Surviving R. Kelly”. Recently, she sat with Jada Pinkett Smith at the Red Table Talk Facebook TV series. Van Allen encourages young girls & woman to “Love yourself first”.

We must address the root of the problem and put an end to negative generational behaviors. Where do we begin to heal as a people?

There is a history of sexual predators way before R. Kelly. If we speak racially and historically, people of color are fairly new to this behavior. Whatever the case, the reality is, hurt people, hurt people. Individuals who were not protected as children, became adults who are hurt, abused, and need healing.

We cannot throw Robert Kelly away, nor can we throw all of the “R. Kelly’s” away. Why? Because they are our brothers and sisters. They are people who were and still misguided. Are we going to put the woman (who sexual abused him for years) under the jail cell? Should we have killed the man who tried to force R. Kelly to perform fellatio on him when he was a young boy?

r-kelly

We must start over with love and compassion. Healing and forgiveness. Justice and understanding.

We do NOT excuse his behavior. We do NOT condone his behavior. If he abused his power to do illegal sexual behaviors with teenage girls, take him to court.

Faith Rodgers

Faith Rodgers is suing R. Kelly for threats he (and his team) made after she testified to her experience(s) w/ Kelly on the lifetime Docuseries, “Surviving R. Kelly”.

This information is not new. We’ve known for years about his behavior, yet we went to his concerts, bought his albums, and played his music. He was “sick” then and today, he’s still “sick”.

The people around him should stand and say, “No, not anymore”. #timesup True friends or family members must say, “Brother, you need help”.

We have to take responsibility for our own thoughts and behaviors. We should show compassion. NOT just for R. Kelly. Compassion for EVERYONE in his circle- from the girls (now women). His children and ex-wife. His brothers, family members. His managers, lawyers, everyone.

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL, 21: Portrait of Tracy Sampson in Chicago, IL, (Photo by Whitten Sabbatini/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Tracy Sampson, former intern at Epic Records, shares that she was sexual abused by Kelly. It started when she was 16 years old as an intern.

Let us take a different approach at how we handle “monsters”.

May justice be served. May healing for all begin. May we handle human beings with great care, purpose, and intention.

Don’t mute him, them, or us. There are billions of stories to tell when it comes to sexual misconduct. Unmute them all.

 

 

 

Disclaimer-We believe all women and their stories. Especially Black women, we believe you and justice should be served
by Uprising Experience

Align To Define

By: Luronda T. Jennings | March 2018 | Celebrating Women- Women’s History Month

 

Wandering through life distracted with no view

Allowing your past to repeatedly bruise you

Seeking direction from those who are unauthorized

Ignoring the signs to align so you can define

 

Door after door slamming in your face

You’re looking into the mirror at empty emotions you want to replace

Choosing to remain, allowing fear to fog your mind

Blocking the signs to align so you can define

 

Complacent insecurity traditionally acquired

Transparent incompatibility unconditionally hired

Your soul is yearning for true definition

But your mind is avoiding alignment with your divine destination

Tree-woman

Stop accepting what is meant to be neglected

Start embracing what is meant to be protected

Stop suppressing what is meant to amplified

Start aligning what is meant to be defined

 

The definition of your purpose aligned with the needs of this world

His power giving you strength to lay down and give birth

Nurturing the whole woman He created you to be

Seeking Him, loving everyone, and serving others until you reach your destiny

She could

 

by Uprising Experience

7 Ways to Guarantee YOU Win in 2018

chess-1483735_960_720By: Kristi Love 
Friday, January 5, 2018
IG @Uprisingwgc

Do you want to win in 2018?! Of course, we all do and we are in this together. We are all working on self and we do not have to do this alone.

Not only is it a new month, a new week, more importantly, it is a new year and this year feels different already. This feels like The Winning Season. It feels as though everybody around me is going to win in bigger ways and that includes me.

New Year’s resolutions and setting goals are not foreign to me. I’ve done it in the past, however, I have not always believed in it. This year I believe in the goals I have set for myself and it will happen.

Even if 2017 was an awesome year or a tough year for you, 2018 is truly a year filled where all of us Win!

It doesn’t have to be filled with only huge wins because small wins throughout the year mean an overall gigantic win in the end. Transformations are in order.

Below are 7 ways to guarantee a WINNING SEASON in 2018.

7 Ways to WIN this season

  • Write in your journal/dairy

“I write in order to emotionally release so that I can mentally be at peace. Writing has allowed me to maintain a healthy emotional balance in my life.”

-Luronda T. Jennings

Just write. It can be for 3 minutes or 30 minutes. Write to you and about you. Stay focused on you. Writing allows you to be the real you. No edits needed when you are writing in your journal. So much of your thoughts, fears, dreams, and goals come through when you write. Writing allows you to win because you feel comfortable being you- when you are yourself you learn more about who you are and how you can better serve the world.

  • Create a vision board

“It is important to envision what you want first before it can come to pass.”

 -Raji Rankins

We often tell ourselves (in our head) what we want to do and time goes by and we still have not done those things. Your vision board is your vision’s roadmap. Say it. See it. Believe it and receive it. Daily, look at your vision board and months down the road you will be able to say, “I did that”. Your vision becomes your reality.

  • Meditate daily

“One very basic reason to mediate is to increase self and emotional control, while also enhancing critical thinking skills. Second- it allows us to unplug and create a space for MINDFULNESS to plan our life, confront our weaknesses, and work on our strengths.”

-E.R. Johnson

Sit still and be quiet. This is hard for many of us. I am a work in progress. My mind is always on GO! Think of one thing (i.e. Peace or gratefulness) or of nothing at all and be still and know…. When you are still it allows space for clarity. We are bogged down by stress, work-life balance, friends and family, and hobbies. When we relax our minds, we win in the end. Start off with 5 minutes and increase your time when you feel comfortable. It takes time. Try It!

  • Pray continually

“Nothing is going to protect you more in life than staying in remembrance of God. That’s what prayer does…along with fasting and serving others.” -Anonymous

Whoever you call on (Yahweh, Allah, God, Jehovah) be sure to pray. It releases you from your inner thoughts. It allows you to take off the pressure life brings us daily. God gives us the desires of our hearts and free will. Talking to God is simple and it is easy. We win when we pray because we are not in this alone. Give thanks. Ask. Seek. Knock.

  • Speak positive affirmations to yourself daily

“Believe in your imagination. Say only what you want to happen. Think happy thoughts. Work and fly.”

-Yusha Assad

Simply put, the universe is listening to you. We must pay attention to what we are thinking about. Les Brown once said, “Think about what you’re thinking about”. Negative thoughts have to flee our minds. Be careful about what your inner self is saying.

  • Surround yourself with like-minded people

“I hang with people who are working and winning because it provides a positive outlet to grow. It gives us the strength to always give hard work and dedication.” -A. Route

Who are the five people you spend the most time with? Are they encouraging you, building you up, holding you accountable? Are you doing that for them? In this winning season, we are in a place of growth. Individually and collectively your team has to win and you will see the fruits of your labor.

  • Make yourself a priority

“Love yourself first- because when you put YOU first, you begin to see the greatness in yourself and what you deserve. It can also be a guide for what you will and won’t accept in future situations.”

-F.N. Jones

Learning how to love yourself can be one of the hardest things to do for some. We can give and love others easier than we love ourselves. In order to win in 2018, we have to take time to get to know ourselves because without self-care we are no good to others.

When you win, we all win. 2018 is different from other years because you (I) will make it different from before. We will be intentional, purposeful, doing everything with great care. The opportunity is available to you each day- just don’t put it off another day.

Don’t give up. One more thing- Read A Book (or an article or a blog). Whatever you do, don’t stop doing the right things well to get your win in 2018!