Truth

Whose Philosophy was Better?

I had an amazing conversation with one of my friends who is white. He is really concerned about the frequency of hate that is going on. I assured him that everything would be okay because things will be. He asked a interesting question it was whose philosophy did I agree with the most Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm X? I respect Malcolm X but I choose Martin Luther King Jr. it’s all about peace and love. The way that I think isn’t received well by some of the people of my race however there are some black people who think the same way as I do. A lot of the way that I think comes from the way that I was raised and my education too.

First off what happened in Charlottesville, Virginia was absolutely terrible everyone at least agrees on that. From my understanding the protest that was took place was pertaining to a confederate statue being removed forgive me if I am wrong. I have already written my views on the confederate flag. There are people who view the confederate flag as their heritage both blacks and whites. No,I do Not support hate I find it repulsive however everyone has the right to exercise their first amendment rights. Problems arise when things become violent which is never good.

Here’s the thing yes slavery took place and there was segregation years ago. Even though my mother grew up during the time of segregation; she was not racist. My mother did not raise me to hate anyone but to love everyone. I once went for classes to be able to volunteer at the YWCA one thing that stuck out during the classes was meeting people where they are. Positive things can happen when we meet people where they are. There are people my age bring up slavery and segregation we never encounter that; our ancestors did. There are white people my age and younger who feel like there have to pay for what their ancestors did. I will never forget how one of my Facebook friends apologized for what her ancestors did; it was heartbreaking. No one should have to feel like they have to pay for a debt of someone else’s wrongdoings, ancestors or not.

It is time for our country to start healing together. All white people aren’t racist. All black people aren’t criminals. Healing cannot be done if salt continues to be applied to a wound. When we cut ourselves from a fall or a paper cut the body immediately begins the healing process. I have two sons and I want them to live in a world that is better than what’s going on now. Going into the past doesn’t solve anything if nothing positive is being done about it. Answering hate with hate does not solve anything. As the great Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Darkness cannot drive out darkness;only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

The Child Within

Children can get angry
They can fuss and fight
Yet play again later
I guess their awareness
Of friendship is greater
Than the way we as adults
Look at it
A child enjoys life to the fullest
As if there is no tomorrow
Even though
They are not yet aware
Of how limited time is
And that is why
They act like it
An adult is aware
Of how short time is
Yet we waste our time
On meaningless things
One of the biggest grudges
We have an clear understanding
Of the power of forgiveness
Yet will not use it
Children say how they feel
They keep their feelings real
We as adults many times
Because of past hurts
Conceal how we feel
A child will keep trying
To learning how to ride
A bike no matter
How times they fall
A adult will experience failure once
And never want to try again
What a terrible way to live
It is okay to allow our hearts
To lead as long as our minds
Guide it
It is so important not to forget
To stay in touch with
The child within

Something to Think About

My sistas! My sistas! My beautiful black sisters. The bible says that the truth shall set you free. I am about to speak the truth. Today  I was talking to one of my blood sisters and she was talking about a post that she read on Facebook. The post was by a young lady who is pregnant unmarried and the baby’s father left her. My sister’s response was that she should get over it that most black men dump black women with children every day. What has our community come to? We are becoming desensitized to being subjected to tyranny. Sistas we deserve better and our children deserve better too.

I don’t bash black men but you know what the good ones aren’t saying anything to the bad ones. A lot of black men love to call themselves correcting black women but it’s more like putting us down. Black men put a condom on stop bring babies into the world that you make up excuses for neglecting. Stop sleeping with women who you know that you are Not going to marry. Black men stop degrading black women. Black men stop making up excuses for why you guys abuse black women. Stop complaining about black women not being feminine enough we can’t be soft when we are placed into a hard place. It’s hard to be vulnerable when we have to be in constant defense mode. Many black women are leaders of the household and God did Not intend for it to be that way.

My sistas many of you are educated, strong, brave, beautiful etc. You deserve happiness, faithfulness and loyalty. Happy marriages and relationships doesn’t consist of drama, heartache and struggle. Seek more and expand your horizons. You Are Worth It! Believe that!

Here’s My Cover of Like a Stone

I love all of Chris Cornell’s songs. Like a stone is one of my favorites song. I am NOT a professional singer. I just wanted to sing one of Chris’s songs.

But You’re Still Black

Ummm. Okay. Thank you for confirming what I see in the mirror on a every day basis. It’s a no brainer my mother and father were black not sure about the exact percentage I need to take a heritage DNA test. I get taken back by some black men when they find out I’m into dating outside of my race they always feel the need to remind me of what my race is. Whatever dude.

Some black men need to think of how it comes off when they say “but you’re still black”. As if there’s some invisible obligation clause black women can’t see like sister you’re chained to us for life. Sista you are subjected to being disrespected, a struggling single parent and lots of turmoil remember you are black. It is really frustrating because many black people fought for our rights to be seen as individuals beyond our color. Yes I am black but that’s only a small fraction of who I am. Some black people think really small it’s okay for people to be themselves and Not follow a trend. I used to say that I was different but that’s far from the truth. I am Tameeka simple as that. I am me. The world would be a much better place if people would walk into their chosen purpose without fear. There is freedom in being who God called you to be.

I’m not sentenced to do what people of my race sees fit for me to do. They can call me names like coon and sellout it’s just a control tactic that I won’t fall for. I’m not alone when it comes to these feelings it’s refreshing too. It’s always amazing to me when some black men speak of racism yet treat their own women like dirt. It’s a new day and age people are being true to themselves and dealing with people who celebrate them not tolerate them.

 

 

 

 

 

Only Way Out

Today is Chris Cornell’s birthday and some devastating news occurred Chester Bennington took his life. Chester was the lead singer of Linkin Park. He was a close friend of Chris and was the godfather of his youngest child. Today was incredibly sad for me I had planned to listen to Chris Cornell sing all day.

I know a lot of people think that suicide is a selfish act. I believe that it’s a cry for help. Chester sang at Chris’s funeral perhaps it devastated him more than we all knew. I feel sorry for his wife and children. When a person commits suicide they not only leave the people who loved them behind but with unanswered questions. I know that there have been reports of Chester abusing alcohol and drugs. He also battled with depression. Whatever the case was with Chester we will never know what was going on in his head. He was hurting so bad that he saw suicide as his only way out.

We never know what a person is going through if you can’t be kind to them then pray for them. We never want to be responsible for pushing a hurting person over the edge. It doesn’t matter who the person is. It doesn’t matter how rich they are. It doesn’t matter how famous they are. Just like REM sang everybody hurts sometimes. We must reach out to people. If a person shows signs of suicidal tendencies seek help for them immediately. Do not take it lightly.

Why Are You Angry?

There are some black men who are walking around angry and they hate black women. The worst part is some of them call themselves men of God. They claim that they want to help correct black women but that’s highly doubtful. Yes, God corrects people but He does it in love.

I don’t hate black men but when someone speaks on it they get slammed. The black community is chaotic, poverty-stricken, and dysfunctional I’m not sure if the chain will ever be broken.

When I hear a angry black man speak ill of a black woman immediately I wonder why are they so angry. Did they fall off their bike and their mother didn’t kiss their boo-boo? Did a girl who they wanted to go to their first dance with turn them down? Did their first love break their heart? It’s important for us to figure it out because many of them have a vendetta against black women. Many of them feel better by degrading and demeaning black women and it must stop. The only way the anger will stop is if we can all figure out why. I think that it’s because of broken homes after all 72% of black fathers do not reside with their children and 73% of children are born out of wedlock.

I’m not bashing black men but I’m not working for Scooby snacks and empty praises from men who hates us either. I want to know why are they so angry I don’t want any of my beautiful nieces or any of the upcoming beautiful young ladies to experience disrespect from hateful men something has to be done.

Many black men aren’t getting married but have children everywhere women have to play bounty hunter like they are Dog (TV show guy) to get support for their children. The child support payments that women receive most times isn’t enough for a week’s worth of groceries. Quite frankly it’s despicable especially how they blame black women for how they behave it’s all too much. It’s just too much unnecessary drama from hateful and unfaithful men. I don’t know about anyone else but I’m not signing up for struggle love. Which is why I choose not to date them anymore I refuse to go on a scavenger hunt to look for a good black man aka IBM but that’s another post for another day.

I’m just curious about how they can hate black women but love their mom and sisters. Or maybe they just don’t love any black woman at all. It just doesn’t make sense men of the world I expect them to be harsh and cruel but not the men who calls themselves a man of God. I pray that God softens the hearts of hateful men.

Happy Birthday Chris

July 20th is Chris Cornell’s birthday. I wrote something special in his memory.

I woke up feeling so sad that it was overwhelming. I don’t believe that I will be getting over his passing anytime soon. The year was 1991 my mother purchased Temple of the Dog on cassette and Badmotorfinger later that year for me.

When  I discovered Soundgarden it was one of the best moments that I will never forget. I remember staying up late to watch Soundgarden appear on headbanger’s ball. My favorite time watching Soundgarden appear on headbanger’s ball was when they went bowling. We got the chance to witness Chris’s sense of humor and radiant smile.

Chris had such an amazing voice. Such an extraordinary songwriter. Such an out of this world guitarist. Such a gorgeous man. Such a beautiful soul. What a profound loss.

I can’t believe that I missed so many opportunities to experience seeing him play live through my eyes and not through someone else’s camera len’s. I was guilty of taking time for granted thinking that I would have a chance to see him one day. Well that someday will in no way happen now.

I remember how badly that I wanted to see Soundgarden. I would be riding in the car with my mom and I would look over at the Boathouse and say mom I want to go there. Since then my mom has passed away, the Boathouse was torn down and Chris Cornell has passed away.

Chris Cornell had a great voice that carried a great message. One of those messages was being shown how to live which is something that we all must do. Live and not take anything for granted especially time. Live and not hurt anyone. Live and inspire. Live and let everyone you love know that they are loved while they are still here. Live and have no fear. Live and write something memorable. Live and listen to your favorite song really loud. Most importantly live in a way that there are less regrets and more joy.

Happy Birthday to Chris Cornell the voice of our generation. Thank you for all that you have shared with us. We miss you.

Happy Father’s Day

It’s not easy being a single parent, it’s something that no-one signs up for. Parenting isn’t about just the easy stuff like picking something from out the refrigerator for the children to eat or taking them to the park. Parenting is about the hard stuff too like staying up all night when a child gets sick or for me helping your autistic son to understand what puberty is. Indeed, parenting can become a frustrating job at times and some mothers want to claim father’s day too.

Believe it or not there are a lot of excellent fathers who are in their children’s lives. Some fathers are still with the mothers of their children and are a positive entity. There are fathers who weathered the storm of the ups and downs in a relationship or marriage. There are also fathers who aren’t with the mothers of their children but his presence is still felt. There are fathers who don’t only see their children on holidays but often. There are fathers who take their children to school who knows their children favorite foods and colors. There are fathers who are making memories with their children not just making children who dream of seeing them. There are fathers who don’t just pay child support and feel that’s enough. There are fathers who put their children first and it stays that way regardless of whatever happens.

There are fathers who want to see their children but can’t. There are fathers who are single parents too. Is it really okay to rob the excellent fathers of their day because some of the mothers are in their feelings? Mothers day is in May. Father’s day is in June. Single parents day is in March we must understand the difference. Happy Father’s day to all of the great fathers around the world you are appreciated truly. Blessings!