With Liberty and Justice for All

These days are super stressful. I'm still working from home because of the pandemic, and I'm still dealing with the feelings of isolation, but that is not the subject of this post. I watched the video of George Floyd's arrest which resulted in his death. I also watched one of his televised memorials and his funeral service. Reverend Al Sharpton's eulogies were moving and served as messages for the living to think about things.

I have been watching the coverage of the protests in different cities. The closest to me were in Mobile and Pensacola. Peaceful protests for reform and change are admirable. It takes a lot more energy to maintain peace while trying to enact change than to go wild and get violent to get that same change. This country needs some positive change to affect her. The change needs to come for race relations. When everyone can sit at the table of true brotherhood and be treated as equal is when this country can begin to be great.

The protests didn't start with George Floyd's death at the hands of police, but they have been perpetual. I remember watching recorded footage of them when they happened in the 50's and 60's. I also remember seeing footage of the riots. That was definitely the wrong way to go. Fast forward to the kneeling of Colin Kaepernick. I thought that was a noble and peaceful protest. This upset the White House and many felt that it was unpatriotic. I saw many tweets and rally speeches about it, but how was he unpatriotic? We are supposed to chastise the ones we love when they are doing wrong. That is how I'm seeing the protests that happened then and are taking place now. Everyone should want America to be the best and greatest she can be. I certainly do. I kept remembering some of the speeches of Dr. King, not just the I Have a Dream speech, but also his speech about Vietnam and his letters from the Birmingham jail. So it is our duty to call America out when she is doing wrong. It can help all of us be better and improve our times.

Things must change. When I was younger, I can't remember who said it, but I heard that the world is white, male, and right handed. If that is true, I have one thing going in my favor, being right handed. I am a black female. I have been DWB (Driving While Black) and followed by the police repeatedly, and yes I have been called that infamous racial epithet by someone in ignorance. Ignorance and fear arm that word, and we all know the opposites of those, knowledge and love. That is what the world needs now, more knowledge, understanding, and love.

I think that some white people have not gotten to know their black and brown brothers and sisters. Well now is as good a time as any. If all lives matter, black and brown lives matter too. We need to sit down and talk and quit assuming and tweeting things that aren't true. Get the lowdown on the hoedown, so we can have some honest, but needed conversations. Black is not a threat. It is beautiful! I have been seeing positives also in the form of the protests with all kinds of diversity among the protestors. I like to stay hopeful for the country, the world, the future. I'm going to close now. I keep thinking of the pledge of allegiance. When I was in elementary school, the class would say it every morning before school officially started. The part that comes to mind is, "One nation under God, with liberty and justice for all." Every American must realize this if this country is going to be as awesome as many think she is.

On this parting note, I urge you to study up on Mahatma Ghandhi, read Dr. King's speeches and letters as well as read Emma Lazarus's poem, "The New Colossus". Until next time, y'all hold it in the road.

Doing Some Reading

I’ve been doing some reading, and I thought this is a good series. I thought the books were a good representation of characters of color. I was a bit reminded of reading Octavia Butler, but Ms. Butler wrote science fiction, and this is fantasy.  I enjoyed reading about the world of Orisha that Ms. Adeyemi built. The first book, Children of Blood and Bone, was sooooooo good that I pre-ordered the second book, Children of Virtue and Vengeance. I enjoyed the second book as well, not like the first, but I must admit that the end threw me for a loop, but it makes me curious to see how the series is going to wrap up. The characters and their journeys are interesting. I admit that I’m usually not a fan of the first-person point of view and multiple points of view, but Ms. Adeyemi manages to weave a great story. I’m glad I picked up that first book in the series and decided to read. If you have the opportunity during this time of shelter in place, I suggest that you curl up with these novels. I don’t think you will be disappointed. 

Interesting Times

It's been a while since I've written a post. Times now have become new and some may even say "strange" with COVID-19, the social distancing and everything that follows. I'm going to call them interesting. I can't be negative, gotta try to see that silver lining. I am working from home until further notice. I must say that I miss my little office with its windows and my Pathos plant. I watered it about a week ago. I wonder how it's doing. They (I don't know exactly who) say that plants in the office need people. They have a symbiotic relationship. I wonder does my Pathos need me. I certainly miss it. Sometimes I feel like I'm going through a bout of grief or some twinge of depression. At times I feel like I'm slogging along, sometimes through mud. Today, I was actually motivated. It was a good day, and I'm glad and grateful for it. This is week two of our work from home policy.

I got a little writing done, after doing my office work. I'm on draft six of Water's Memory. The revisions are coming along. I posted each chapter in the novel workshop at The Write Practice. The people that read and critiqued provided helpful feedback. If you're a writing, you may want to invest in joining the workshop.

I also finished reading The Story Grid. I recommend it for those writers who want to sharpen their skills with plots in certain genres.




I've been reading a few books lately and will give the lowdown soon. In the meantime, you be easy, stay healthy, and safe!