Question...

I was talking with my husband and had a thought. Well, it morphed into a question.

If my husband had a history of beating. Supposed he started beating me shortly after we'd started dating. Would you consider me a fool or at the very least weak minded for staying with him? What about if he cheated from the beginning of our relationship? Y'all would be talking straight trash to my face and behind my back about how dumb I am for staying with him right?

Why then do we continue to trust our enemy? Why are we so blind to the fact that from our first encounter they have beat and cheated us? I realize that periodically somebody will have some "testimony" of how God delivered their husband/wife from some lude lascivious behavior. Does that mean that we should all stay in bad situations and wait for the same turn around? Hell no. Even then if you take that person back, shouldn't you make them work their ass of to prove that things have changed?

All I'm saying is that I'm not going to put myself, my family, etc purposely in a situation to trust a proven enemy. I believe that I can forgive you, interact with you, but still not trust you as far as I can throw you all while keeping my character in tact. I won't come to your house if you don't like me, nor will I welcome you into mine. I won't cook for you or eat your food if we are angry whether overtly or covertly.

I am unapologetically Afrikan and as such I will not expose myself willingly to anything that has been given to me by my enemy.

How to begin our healing...one...step...at...a...time.

This story begins in the grocery store. I went major food shopping this morning about 8am. Of course that means that I was in the crowd with those that are grabbing snacks for work and only one register was open. As I filled the belt with all my goodies and sale items I noticed a sista walk up with one item. "Go ahead Sis." "You sure?" I nodded. "Oh, thank you so much." "You're welcome." (insert I-love-you-and-feel-your-heart smile here) I kept loading and noticed a sista in scrubs with a couple of items. So, the first conversation repeated itself. Why did I do that? Didn't I have things to do? Sure. I'm a homeschooin-jewelry making-natural hair carin'-wife-mama. I always have something to do. What's the difference then? I feel that it's my duty to make my people feel loved in whatever ways I can.

You see too often we treat each other with subtle hate and scorn. A lil eye roll here, a lil head to toe glare there. All of these things have a cummulative effect. I've often been accused of believing that I could "save the world". I know now that I can't save the world. I mean, I am a lot of woman, but not that much woman...yet. I do know, however, that I am suppose to heal all the hearts I can while I'm here even if it means that I get hurt, disappointed, or used periodically. Yes, I love my people that much.

What about my white brothers and sisters? I've been asked this a time or two. To be honest, I just ain't even there yet. I don't see the point in extending myself in the same way. The investment is not the same and the return certainly has NEVER proven to be the same to this southern girl. Even on a world scale at any chosen point in history the track record just doesn't look too good. Remember what happened the last time we tried to teach and heal the Eurpean with love? Remember what happened the last time the Native American tried to teach and heal the European with love? Remember what happened the last time the Asian tried to teach and heal the European with love? Um...yea, didn't go so well and for most of us and it still isn't going to well. I'll leave that meanding in the "you show me and I'll believe it" category.

Anyhoo, just thought I'd share. Some other things I suggest are. Leaving your change for the Sista behind you with all them kids. Off the buy a child a piece of tasty fruit with the mother/father's permission. When you are at these festivals this spring/summer and have extra tickets left over, find a single mother to give them to. Find a cypher to give your gently used hand-me-downs to and make sure they understand the pay-it-forward concept.

Intro to Afrikan Spirituality-www.blackpowermedia.com

F.T.P Street Codes

I found this on http://steadymobbbin.blogspot.com/. I've read it before, but it just became relevent today. Maybe it will be relevent to you too. If not now, maybe later. Also, please go check out the blog because there is a lot to be gleaned there.

F.T.P. STREET CODES

1. NO SNITCHING The Police, Capitalism, the State, etc. are an enemy to the people and to work with them is criminal, Ancestral Treason! Loose lips sink ships, snitching is unforgivable.

2. NO RAPE To Rape is a violation of a person’s physical, mental and spirit. It is Barbaric and anti-African. Rapist should be dealt with.

3. BANG FOR UHURU (FREEDOM) Warriors can only be initiated by an enemy. If you are going to bang; bang on the system, not on other Africans.

4. NO EXPLOITATION Don't exploit your people. You live in the hood, they live in the hood and chances are they don't have anything more than you do. We have enough community leaches and pork chop preachers robbing the people.

5. WARRIOR CODE Security first! Protect Women, Children & Elders. Train; work out, get your fighting skills up to par. Police your own community. We don't need pigs overseeing us.

6. NO FALSE FLAGGIN' Red, white, and blue ain't never did shit for you. Don't be a star-spangled slave. Get on the right team; rally round the flag on some Red, Black and Green.

7. DISCIPLINE Get your mind right, focus and organize your life. Be committed.

8. BUILD SURVIVAL PROGRAMS The People come first. You are your Brother/Sisters keeper. Capitalism teaches individualism, which is anti-African. We have to create programs that are for the best interest of the people (especially Food, Clothing and Shelter).

9. P.E. (POLITICAL EDUCATION) EACH 1, TEACH 1! It is important for African People to have knowledge of self. We have to be able to articulate why we are in the conditions we are in, who put us in these conditions and how can we get out of these conditions.

10. YOUR WORD IS BOND (DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR) Warriors are only as good as their words. Make your word your bond!