Rant: And Justice For All?

Way back when I was in high school, my homeroom teacher wrote me up on a referral for refusal to stand and say the pledge. I did not believe in the words in the pledge. I could not willingly say "...and justice for all" and mean it. I was about 14 and I knew those words were a lie. They did not extend to me or my people. It is 20 years later and I still feel the same way. As a matter of fact, I am even more sure that those words do not include Black people. How could I? I am alive and conscious and intelligent so I know the truth. After watching Trayvon Martin's killer walk and Michael Brown's killer avoid even an indictment, I am so over it. Malcolm X once said "I'm black first, not interested in being American because America has never been interested in me." This quote speaks to me on such a deep level right now. 

That day in my homeroom class, I took a stance. I decided that I wasn't going to say words I did not believe anymore. My teacher made me stand in the hall when the pledge was being said as a punishment. I did not see it that way. I felt it was a victory. By the end of that week, my entire class was in the hallway with me. I remember that she wrote "Kenda knows that she is a leader and that people will follow her. She needs to use that power in a better way." Those words have always stuck with me. I loved that she had such a high opinion of me and that she saw something in me. I believed, then and now, that I was using my power in the correct way. I have never said the pledge since then and I never will. Because I no longer believe. I'm just so tired of seeing Black mothers on tv crying over their slain children. Tired of Black bodies dead in the streets. Tired of white people not seeing past color into the humanity of a person. Just tired. Every day, the world shows us that we as Black people are all we have. It's us versus everybody and that is why I am beyond tired. 

Historical Day

Today is the second inauguration of our 44th President Barack Hussein Obama. It is also Dr. Martin Luther King Jr National Holiday. I will not get on a soapbox about Dr. King. But, we all can say that his dream in some sort has been released in the re-election of President Obama. The people of the United States of America saw past the color of his skin and into his soul. I feel the same way today that I felt 4 years ago. I am bursting with pride because I know my vote counted. I helped elect this man twice. I have been interested in politics for as long as I can remember. Nothing has made me more prouder to be an American than I have been the last few years. I watched the inauguration the same way I did four years ago: happily. I am proud of my country today. Today will also go down in history. Just wanted to speak on that. I hope you guys watched it as well. Today is also a day of service. So, you guys should get out and do that as well. Happy Inauguration day & happy MLK day!!

Malia & Sasha Obama. In 09 and today.

5 Is Too Young

I am not a fan of Black History Month. I think it divides us even more. It is my belief that Black History is American history. It should be taught daily in all history classes. That's a discussion for another day. My issue today is something I read on Facebook. My friend's 5 year old son's class was ask to bring in pictures of an influential Black person. My friend is upset because he had to have a discussion with his son about the difference in Black and White.

I think 5 is a bit young for this discussion. The world is full of racism and dividing lines. I think that kids should be sheltered from the ills of the world. Things were so much easier and simpler when we were kids. My nephews don't know the difference. Why should they? Their school friends are just their friends. From Pre-K through college, my friends were diverse. I did not chose them based on their skin tone. I was taught that all people are equal. This is the only lesson kids should know.

I remember being a kid and thinking that everyone was just different shades of brown. That everyone was just like me. I remember the day I realized that people were different. I remember the first time another child called me a "nigga." Those moments still stand out in my mind. They cut like a knife. They made me feel less than. Kids shouldn't be exposed to that level of hurt. That form of racism begins in the home. That ignorance is passed down. I am totally against that. I'm not against Black History being taught. It should definitely be incorporated into every history lesson all the year. From slavery to President Obama, all of its American history. I am against introducing the labels Black and White to 5 year old. That's too young. I'm sort of disgusted with the whole topic. What say you? Let's discuss.

"You’re going to relegate my history to a month?" - Morgan Freeman

Yeah, I Said It: My Unpopular Opinion

Today is February 1st. It is officially Black History Month. Herein lies my dilemma. I am clearly a Black woman. I love my race, my people, and my culture. I've never dreamed of being another race. The older I become, the more disillusioned I become with the entire idea of Black History Month. Yeah, I said it. This may be not very politically correct but it is my opinion. Every day, we are Black people. Every day, we as Black people, make history. Our stories and accomplishments deserve praise all the time. I get the reason why it was established. I just don't think that reason still holds up.

I think that all kids should learn all history all the time. I attended a predominantly white high school. All of the Black history that I learned was all self taught. My school wasn't big on Black history. I mean even during the month of February the information I received was minimal and repetitive at best. It's as if the school board didn't know that there were other Black history makers outside of Martin and Malcolm. That there were more stories other than that of Medgar Evers and Emmett Till. All Black people weren't Black Panthers or refusing to move on buses like Rosa. We are more than these few retold stories. I am not downplaying any of these people. Their stories are important too. They are not the only stories that need to be told. We desire more than that.



Furthermore, Black history is American history. It is all of our history. It's our past. We deserve to know it all. The children need access to all of our history. We owe them that much. My nephews and nieces are all under 7, but I tell them things about our history because knowledge is definitely key. We need to know. My thirst for knowledge is insatiable. I plan to pass that thirst on to them as well as my own kids whenever I have them. We cannot move froward if we never study what out ancestors did in the pass. That is evident.

We cannot pretend that race relations in the U.S. aren't still a big issue. People who ask the ridiculous question of "Why isn't there a white history month?" and "Isn't that reverse racism?" all can take a seat. There is white history month. It's called every day of the year. Black History should be treated as such. It should be taught all throughout the year in schools. Because people who do not know from which they came are bound to repeat it. I love being a proud Black woman. Extremely proud of my history. What are your takes on Black History Month?



"Make Black History every day, I don't need a month." - Kanye West