hope

2021: It’s About to Go Down! Not Literally Speaking! by Klassy K

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2021: It’s About to Go Down! Not Literally Speaking! by Klassy K

Home Skillets! Happy New Year to all of you. Yeah, I know it has been a minute, but I know you can probably understand why. With 45’s followers trying to attempt to shut down the government not to certify President Biden’s win, they decided to start a ‘revolution,’ but some ended up getting arrested and killed. It’s a disgrace to our democracy, to say the least, but I guess I was trying to figure out what were they trying to accomplish?

Maybe you can feel me in Home Skillets because I often wonder whether it was an “inside” job to try to stall the certification of the electoral votes. Well, guess what, their antics did not work. On Wednesday, we all witnessed greatness and history, and I am so happy that my children and I could see it. I wish my father were here, but I know he was looking down from above and smiling, saying, “This is how you make America GREAT again.” I agree, Dad.

Now that the inauguration has come and gone, some of us showed respect to the First Madame Vice President, Mrs. Kamala Harris, by wearing “pearls” and “Converses.” I thought that was really creative! Women, girls, and young ladies from all over the world witnessed a bi-racial African American and Asian woman sworn in, and if that alone does not give you chills of excitement, then you’re a hater! Just kidding! I cried a little because I never thought that this day would ever come, but I am a living witness that “her” story will go down in history. Now I must throw in there that she is an HBCU graduate (Howard University) and a member of the first African American sorority of Alpha Kappa Alpha, founded at Howard University. I think First looks good on Kamala, wouldn’t you agree?

2020 was an awful year, and I hope that 2021 will be WAP (Worthy and Prosperous)! Gotcha! People died, 45 lied, racial injustice, people unemployed, businesses shut down due to the coronavirus, Lions fired head coach Matt Patricia, Pistons record continues to suck, which is now 3-11, and the Red Wings are still trying to find their leader in Captain Dylan Larkin.

The good news is the Detroit Lions have hired new head coach Dan Campbell who is already being scrutinized for saying some “anti-gay” remarks back in college. Really? Why does the media always try to dig up some controversy from back when cassette players were the only thing we could listen to music back in the day? I hope Dan doesn’t coach the way he played when he was on the Detroit Lions. The Lions also hired a new general manager Brad Holmes. Home Skillets he fine, only 41 years old, African American male and a tall glass of hot cocoa. Sorry, ya’ll he married and with children. I know got ya’ll all hot and bothered, and then I rain on ya’ll parade.

I will be optimistic about 2021 Home Skillets, hoping that President Joseph Biden Jr. keeps his campaign promises. Trust me, I have them archived, and I am prepared to remind him that Sallie Mae is waiting by the phone, and all they need in writing is permission to delete all Americans’ student loans. Well, except those who still believe that 45 would get four more years and will never claim President Biden as their president, let them suffer! I’m not going to lie.

I hope President Biden would hurry up and send that $1,400 expeditiously! To all the 46 haters that don’t want anything from our 46th President Biden and 1st Madame V.P Harris, please return that money to sender, the Department of Treasury. Better yet, you can give it to someone that would greatly appreciate it. Stay safe!

-Klassy K’s Sports Korner: a contributing writer for http://www.aheartfullofconversations.com

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Gotta Do Something by Chellyz View

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Black woman screaming

Gotta Do Something by Chellyz View

I would be telling a story, but I guess this is what blogging is about telling stories. Right?  Anyway, I would be telling a story if I told you I was feeling like a Champ and everything smelled like fresh roses.  From social injustice, police brutality, crime in the neighborhoods, COVID-19, systematic oppression, overcoming depression damn…. I just got exhausted typing this all!!!  Last week, it felt as if the walls were caving in on me.  I was pissed.  I was angry.  I was suffocating.  Mentally a Sistah was weak.  I was about to faint.

Lately, the whole world has been in an uproar.  Daily marches and protests, virtual meetings, and discussions, social media flooded with feelings of frustration, and the news chatters of another incident, another death, and another life lost too soon.  This pain is piercing like the nails of a crucifixion.  I heard the squeals of a mother on repeat who is saddened by losing a child.  I saw the tears of children who are grieving because they keep trying to comprehend why their momma, daddy, or someone they cared about won’t be returning home. I experienced the hopelessness from families, friends, and the community losing their grasp because they are too weak to keep holding on from the attacks we face as a Black race.

warrior

This struggle started before I was pushed out of my momma’s womb.  Racism, poverty, and discrimination have been causing labor pains before my great, great, great, and let me add another great grandmomma even graced the earth. Heroin, Crack, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, broken homes, and gunfire have plagued these streets like the Bubonic wreaking mad havoc.  The stench is strong.  As soon as the black community gets a whiff of what it feels like to be stable the Earth shakes and knocks us down on our backs.  There’s smoke everywhere and it ain’t from the riots. We are being smothered by hate, destruction, and violence.

Though I felt weary last week, I know I “Gotta Do Something!”  So, from time to time I must power down.  I haven’t participated in any protests or marches but that doesn’t mean I won’t do anything.  Many of us have been doing what we can for a long time.  The weight of the cries, heavy hearts, and sorrows cannot be carried alone.  We all “Gotta Do Something” in our own time and in our own way.  We volunteer.  We speak.  We pray. We donate.  We organize.  We move.  We are always moving in hopes of better days, better tomorrows, better years, better decades, and better centuries.

I ain’t giving up but every now again I must pause so I can contribute to the cause. Your actions may be subtle or you may attack the issues while roaring like a lion.  Either way do something. Yes!  You “Gotta Do something!”

-Let your heart be full of new ventures that will lead you to the possibilities of limitless conversations!

The Season of Cancellation by Chellyz View

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Canceled

The Season of Cancellation by Chellyz View

I woke up one day and felt like major events disappeared. Can you believe it? At this moment, there will be no proms or send-offs, graduations, senior trips, baby showers, weddings or receptions, shopping for that new Easter (Resurrection) Day outfit, most likely the school year, and the Auto Show. Ok, you know what I am trying to say. Canceled!!!

What a difference a day, a season, or a whole moment makes! I was excited. Not one, two, but I had three trips planned this year, not including the one recently taken in the ATL. In February before the widespread pandemic, the children and I went to Georgia to celebrate my brother-in-law’s 40th and nephew’s 17th birthdays!!!! Feeling a little nervous at the time, we still took the trip with prayer in my heart and hope in my head that the Holy Spirit would protect us on the journey. Thankfully, we made it, but the war on Covid-19 is still raging.

The enemy is attacking, and the number of casualties on the battlefield keeps rising. I keep hearing Hot Spot. Hot Spot. Detroit is a Hot Spot. Not too long ago, we were becoming one of the hottest spots as it related to regrowth in certain areas. That’s up for another discussion. Cobo Hall, now known as the TCF Center, is being transformed into a temporary hospital to house the sick and shut-in. I am trying to shut out the news and my addiction to scrolling through social media because a Sistah is getting Anxious.

As this goes on, I am thinking about how I keep hearing canceled. What about people who need treatment for ongoing illnesses? What about people who might be experiencing a Heart Attack, Stroke, or need immediate attention. You can call 911, but they ain’t trying to take you to the hospital. They stress you don’t want to go if you don’t need to. So what happens when you are sick, but it may not be related to the Cov?

What else is going on in the world? Did all other situations, crimes, and so on and so on stop? What about bills? Don’t worry! Right? I hear you need to call and make payment arrangements. Evictions are temporarily put to a halt. Cell phones and internet services are not being disconnected at this time. Utilities are not supposed to be touched. What will happen eventually? Will are debts be canceled, and we start from zero?

Businesses are closing. Will many survive? For example, damn the ones that did stay afloat on Detroit’s Westside Avenue of Fashion from the recent construction feel like they are drowning once again. Who will make it through? Employers are laying off. That means some paychecks are canceled. This is some historical ish, and I don’t like the look or smell of it. Hey, we don’t want to face tough times, but it’s something we must go through to be more humble, rediscover our purpose, and understand the Divine Plan.

Well, though this is the season of Spring, it feels like the Season of Cancellation. Right now, I am canceling out Corona and demanding once it’s gone that it never returns. I know the clouds are hovering over the universe, and people feel this is a losing battle. However, I need you to cancel those negative thoughts. Those of us left are soldiers who must continue to fight!!!! Affirmative!!!!

New beginning

After all of this, please believe There’s a Higher Power!!!!! All that is happening is going to be canceled out. If you need to break down and cry out for a minute, please do so!!!!!! Hell, the Earth is hurting, but we must do our part to ensure this thang gets canceled. This is the Season of Cancellation!!! However, once it’s over, be ready to welcome the cycle of New Beginnings. Be Blessed!!!!

-Let your heart be full of new ventures that will lead you to the possibilities of limitless conversations!

What the World Needs Now by Butch Ford

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World needs now

What the World Needs Now by Butch Ford

As I look at the state of the world today, I can’t help but think about how things used to be.  When we respected our elders, education was paramount and there was unity and structure among families.  The neighborhoods and communities policed themselves.  Peace and harmony were a way of life.  But things are very different now.  And it’s difficult to watch how far we’ve fallen as a People (African Americans).  It’s deeply concerning.  Our Civil Rights Pioneers are probably rolling over in their graves.

We’re so accepting of mediocrity and underachievement.  What happened to the once proud, determined race who were driven by Faith?  A lot has changed since those days.  Currently, that’s too lengthy of a discussion.  But sadly, we lack direction.  And it’s going to take a lot of hard work, a change of philosophy/focus and some positive leadership to restore our purpose.  Radio, television and video games are poisoning a whole generation.

Today…in the social media era, people are more concerned with likes, followers and views…more so than they are with morals, values and self-respect.  The world is extremely selfish and monetarily driven.  Our role models have dissolved…or just refuse to lead by example.  The love of money is the root of all evil.  And it’s killing us.

Controversy surrounding a sandwich from a fast food establishment, females twerking on video and the recording of physical altercations in public have trumped the more serious issues in our community…i.e.: the kidnapping of our black women and children for the purpose of sex and illegal black-market organ trafficking.  This shit is real.  And we are in danger.  I haven’t even mentioned the resurgence of The Klan yet.

We must find a way to take back control of our communities.  And it starts in our homes.  Parents…we must do a better job of preparing our youth for the real world.  Teach them right from wrong.  They are our offspring…not our equals.  They are products of their environment who mimic what they see…unless we show them a different way.  We must also allow our educators to effectively do their jobs unapologetically, without stress or worries.  We must hold our children accountable!  Use tough love and discipline!   They yearn for it.

Activities such as: Team Sports, Mentorship Programs and Church Involvement, will help us rebuild decades of hardship and blight that has robbed us of who we are and who we’re meant to be.  Bring back Home Economics, Art, Music and Workshop in schools. Our youth need an outlet.  Allow them to use their minds creatively and utilize these skills to excel.  The trap has been set.  The path has been laid out.  But we can’t continue to fall victim anymore.  This should motivate, and not hinder us anymore.  We must rise above others’ expectations of us.  Let’s do better.

Let’s be more than we’re expected to be.  We are still those same proud, strong and determined people.   What the world needs now is a lot of love and compassion mixed in with a little guidance and direction.

 

Butch Ford