Yes We Are

Yes we are going to talk about it. Because everyone should be talking about it. Because no one should be afraid to join the conversation. Because it is time and long overdue that everyone participate in the conversation.

Since becoming a mother, there have been times I have been plagued with the terror of worry over my son. I've vividly imagined various scenarios in which he is in peril. I have settled on the idea that this is a normal "mother" thing. When he was an infant, I would check his breathing as he slept. Mini movies of him stumbling into danger would play in my mind as I tried to baby proof the house. My heart has skipped a beat as I watched him fall off a chair and couldn't catch him fast enough. I can not fathom the kind of constant inherent danger that is a part of life for young people of color - or know the emotional strain, or tragic grief, of their mothers.

If any of the "privileged" are tired of hearing about it... Try not just hearing about it but also thinking about it, facing it, fearing because of it, waking up with it, going to bed with it, eating with it, sleeping with it, trying to work despite of it, and breathing it in - every waking moment of your life until you breathe no more because of it.

Show some compassion. Out loud. Right now.

Who do I think I Am? I Am privileged enough to speak my mind. I Am somebody's mother. I Am fortunate enough to know the Love of family - some by blood relation, some not - that includes a variety of skin tones. I Am someone who has felt the beauty and warmth of being welcomed into musical families of R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae and Funk musicians for all of my adult life and career. Friends, loved ones, mentors who have faced unimaginable hatred, prejudice and pain have treated me as a sister without EVER holding any malice toward me. Amazing opportunity and Blessings have come to me through African American people, companies, and organizations.  I Am - most importantly and qualifyingly - HUMAN.

His name is George.

I never met him, but he was my brother. He was your brother too.

Love come cover our hearts.

There is a call of duty - for all of us.

https://colorofchange.org

https://nationalactionnetwork.net

https://nul.org

https://www.naacp.org

https://www.splcenter.org

https://www.aclu.org

https://www.obama.org

https://thekingcenter.org

Love,
T

Let It Be

"So in this dream... my mother appeared, and there was her face, completely clear, particularly her eyes, and she said to me, very gently, very reassuringly: "Let it be."

It was lovely. I woke up with a great feeling. It was really like she had visited me at this very difficult point in my life and gave me this message: Be gentle, don't fight things, just try and go with the flow and it will all work out."

- Paul McCartney

Click here for MattAndJojang's Blog: "The Story Behind Paul McCartney's Song: Let It Be."

Early in the week I had an "idea" day. They just started coming to me, so I wrote them all down. I remember having a lot of work to do, but the ideas just kept rolling in and I thought, "Ok... So, this is going to be a creative day." I went with the flow. Every time an idea came, I stopped to write it down. New thoughts for videos, songs, sayings to put with pictures in photoshop and business plans kept popping into my head.

As the week progressed, I kept busy. I made a "to do" list based off of the list of ideas and plowed through the tasks one by one. It was a great week! There was a fantastic gig in the city, a LOT got accomplished, and I managed to get the ball rolling on some great new ideas!

Things seemed to fall right into place.

At church, the minister talked about the process of setting intentions and manifesting what we desire in our lives. She made a clear distinction between going after what we want with forceful purpose, as opposed to relaxing, letting go, and simply allowing. I was reminded of how the ideas seemed to flow so naturally this week, and the amazing number of things I accomplished without feeling frustrated.

When I got home and began writing this, I started singing "Let It Be," so I looked it up and found the great story of its origins (posted above). Staring at me from the coffee table was a book I bought a few weeks ago: "What Do You Do With An Idea" (Written by Kobi Yamada, Illustrated by Mae Besom). I finally picked it up and read it. It is perfectly wonderful!

Click here for "What Do You Do With An Idea" on Amazon.com

"This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps bring it into the world. As the child's confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who's ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It's a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's just getting started."

- What Do You Do With An Idea, inside jacket cover

This week, I will notice the ideas as they come. I will give them some attention and take positive action toward their growth. I will relax and allow them to flow. I will let it be - and it will be...

Namaste,

T