"NO MORE EXCUSES,JUSTIFICATIONS,RATIONALIZATIONS OR REASONS NOT TO GET INVOLVED"!

I've heard all the pros & cons on why inner city communities plagued with Gun Violence refuse to take their communities back.How many more youth & young adults have to die before those who live in the communities at large say to themselves "Enough Is Enough".Does death have to knock on their door?Maybe they've bought into the lie that it's hopeless,that the young won't listen. Depending on Grass root Orgs. to make it happen without the community being involved,will not work.Mothers who've lost their sons to Gun Violence standing on the front line,meanwhile where are the men of the community?When will people get it,our youth & young adults are waiting for us to show up for them.Praying every Sunday at church for help without work equals zip.Yes there are solutions,that can be put into action,so stop saying they won't work.Just be honest with yourself and admit your afraid or a coward or part of the problem.We must "Stand Up",if not us who will stand up for our children?Political figures are not going to do it,this has to be a "People Movement".Strategies such as boycotts,sit ins.Speaking up,"If You See Something Say Something",too many young killers still at large.More attendance at PTA & Community meetings.Donations to Community Orgs..Volunteering when called upon to mentor youth & young adults.A consistent Gun Violence Prevention campaign.Demand that the flooding of Guns in communities be stopped. Working together,not just going along with whats popular.Recognizing when the naysayers speak,they're just distractions.To keep us from the primary agenda.Promoting Critical Thinking Skills is a must,our young need it.Blaming is over,accountability is "What's Up".This is simple stuff,are we that complicated we can't make it happen.I don't believe that.If we want better, then we must do better.We can empower ourselves,by believing we can inspite of the odds.Whats happening in our communities is outrageous,so we must be courageous in order to "Save Our Children"...No Violence-Know Peace!

"TRUTH IS"!

Truth is,We need to take our communities back.
Truth is,We need to be more proactive,instead reactive.
Truth is,Blaming racism doesn't justify not being accountable.
Truth is,Our communities are being sold to the highest bidder.
Truth is,Black businesses in Black communities,are a thing of the past.
Truth is,Black men & Black women are still blaming each other.
Truth is,Black family structure is weak.
Truth is,Gun Violence is a Crisis in America.
Truth is,We're failing our children.
Truth is,We've given up on troubled youth & young adults.
Truth is,Spirituality is a dollar in mega churches.
Truth is,Unity is not happening,due to selfish people.
Truth is,We need jobs.
Truth is,We're hiding in our homes.
Truth is,Guns are being flooded into our communities by those we least suspect.
Truth is,The prison population is growing with our sons & daughters.
Truth is,Teens have guns cause their parent/parents can't protect them from the street violence.
Truth is,Black pride,self respect & love needs to be promoted more.
Truth is,Black men need to step up more in their communities.
Truth is,Self hate is consuming our young folk.
Truth is,Local elected officials have limited power.
Truth is,Genocide is in effect,by way of homicide.
Truth is,People are preying on one another,just to eat.
Truth is,We show up for death,more than we show up for life.
Truth is,We refuse to change our ways.
Truth is,We are allowing the re-gentrification of our communities.
Truth is,Black folk don't believe in themselves anymore.
Truth is,We need to reeducate ourselves.
Truth is,There is no true Black leadership.
Truth is,We consume more than any other race,and still own nothing.
Truth is,The enemy within is us.
Truth is,Anyone who speaks the truth is frowned upon.
Truth is,When we see something,we need to say something.
Truth is,We make too many excuses.
Truth is,We need a kick in our butts,to "Wake Us Up".
Truth is,It's time to teach our youth Critical Thinking.
Truth is,Our troubled youth & young adults need more options.
Truth is,If we stand together,we'll build together.
Truth is,When we demand what we want,we'll get what we want for our communities.
Truth is,There is hope,even though some feel it's hopeless.
Truth is,Sacrifice & commitment is needed for change.
Truth is,Until we change,our conditions won't change.
Truth is,Black women need to stop having babies that they can't take care of.
Truth is,Black men need to be fathers,instead of baby daddies.
Truth is,Denial is detrimental to the advancement of  Black America.
Is all this being done by design "Truth Is" yes.
No Violence-Know Peace!

"EVEN IF IT'S YOUR CHILD,YOU WON'T TELL.GOD HELP US"!

Labor Day weekend 2013 as with previous Labor Day weekends.Babies were killed by reckless shooters.This is what we have allowed to continue in our communities,like clock work.It's so terrible that even a father who witnessed his own 1yr old son's murder.Refuses to cooperate with N.Y.P.D. The question I ask is why?Is it fear of being killed himself or seeking personal revenge himself?Whatever the answer may be,it's still insane to me. Their are many mothers & fathers in NYC,who's children have been killed.The killers of their children remain at large.I truly believe if they knew who killed their child,they would cooperate with N.Y.P.D. to help apprehend the killer.There are so many parents in NYC and other inner city communities in America,who suffer anguish not knowing who murdered their child,along with knowing that there are those that do know and refuse to help.What have we allowed to happen to us as parents in our communities?Where is our courage as a community?Our community cowardice is costing the lives of  our children.Communities living under siege due to gun violence,are sending a message of fear to those responsible for the daily murder of our children.This can't continue,our children's lives are at stake.We as a community cannot allow the death dealers in our communities,to continue to kill our children.Without worry of repercussions. Communities of color a too busy complaining about what others race are doing to them. Meanwhile in those communities of other races if someone see's something, they say something. Communities of color it's time to catch on to being fear less.It's time to start sending a message of we will no longer standby and witness our children be murdered and say nothing. Instead we as a community will stand up and do what's right.No more of empowering murderers in our community,some of whom are children themselves.Local Law-enforcement can't stop it,without community intervention & prevention.Too many children's lives have been lost and no justice served.We march,we rally when one of our own is killed by way of racism.There's anger & outrage.It's way past time for that same enthusiasm when comes to our children,being murdered by those who look like them. We must empower ourselves as a community,and do things differently to save our children's,youth & young adults lives.God helps those who help themselves....No Violence-Know Peace!

"I UNDERSTAND BLACK AMERICA"

The verdict has been read,not guilty and the judge says your free to go.Justice was not served.So I need to say I "Understand" angry Black man & Black woman.I "Understand" angry Black youth & young adults.I "Understand" being classified sub-human by racist.I "Understand" the emotional turmoil and hopeless mindset.I "Understand" that our spirit as a people has been broken.I "Understand" that right now we have tunnel vision.I "Understand" we are afraid for our children and ourselves.I "Understand" wanting an eye for eye.I "Understand" that our children being targeted by design. I "Understand" how we're being sent into desperation mode.I "Understand" why our status in society is at the bottom.I "Understand" how and why whole Black families have turned into single parent homes.I "Understand" no jobs for Blackmen. I "Understand" the rage inside.I "Understand guns being flooded in to Black communities,so that our children will continue to kill each other.You see in order to be understood,I have to first "Understand".Understanding is something many people don't have.Those we expect to "Understand" rarely do.I "Understand" the mindset of always the victim.It gets so bad that victims start to victimize others who believe they're always victims too.I "Understand". Black youth & young adults believing their lives are not worth anything,cause that's what they've been witnessing in today's society.I "Understand".Black leaders,Activist,Advocates & Clergy who are trying to gather the masses,the struggles and frustration in convincing a people who have been broken spiritually,mentally,physically & financially.That there's still "Hope".I "Understand".Black America is reeling from economic woes.Prisons & graveyards being filled with Blackmen.I "Understand".Parents burying their children and the killer is still on the loose,or when the killer is found not guilty,asking God for strength.Some even asking God why.I "Understand".I say this,Black people are a resilient race. We've come from slavery,fought for civil rights.Black people helped build America,we now live in the White House.Black people we are being distracted from accomplishing more in America,by those who know we can.Their tactics are obvious. Black people we are Americans,the American dream is still alive for us.There's somethings we have to do differently first.Accountability & Unity followed by a spiritual remix,education & economic empowerment.This is not going happen over night,still Black America must begin to do something different. We've come from the cotton fields to the White House.Let's not give up on ourselves,we can't afford to.You see I remember as little boy,being told by my elders because of the color of my skin.I was going to have to go the extra mile to succeed in America.At the time I didn't "Understand",today I do.Know that there is hope for us Black people,inspite of  trials & tribulations.God has got our backs.For those of us who have lost faith.I "UNDERSTAND"!..................No Violence-Know Peace

"ELECTIONS 2014 IN S/E QUEENS NY,WHO CAN THE CONSTITUENTS TRUST"?

S/E Queens N.Y. political machine is in shambles due to corruption,indictments & convictions of several Senators.Wires worn by some Senators to trap other Senators. I've heard it said,there's no loyalty amongst thieves,is this the case in the political arena in S/E Queens N.Y.?Hmmm I wonder,one thing is for sure though. It's not a good look for candidates running for office.What will candidates have to do to gain the voters of S/E Queens N.Y. trust? Clearly their actions will have to match their words.Or are the candidates counting on voters to blindly cast their vote.What issues are the candidates willing to commit to,without selling out the constituents.Partitions are in effect for new candidates and candidates seeking reelection.Can the voters trust some candidates past records and what about the new candidates abilities to do a better job? I say we must choose carefully and hold candidates accountable this election.We need guarantees from whomever is elected.Our communities lack real leadership.Major changes need to be made concerning Gun Violence Prevention, Community Safety & the stopping of guns being flooded into our communities.Candidates agendas must address the voters main concerns.I insist we the voters do not drop the ball this election.No more selected political leaders,it's time for real elected political leaders.As voters we must make sure this happens.Lets make our vote count this election,our children's lives and community safety is at stake..........No Violence-Know Peace!

"SHOWING UP FOR DEATH & FAILURE BY US"

Today I attended the home going service of a 14yr old African American young girl.Her life was ended tragically by "Gun Violence".Upon my arrival I immediately notice the high number of youth & young adults.I assume some were friends and friends supporting friends.Some were probably relatives.They filled the entire 2nd level of the Cathedral in which the service was held.As I sat amongst them,I looked into their many faces.There were expressions of sadness,pain,anger and even puzzlement! As I listen to the best friends of the deceased young girl speak of how much they missed her.One nearly collapsing from grief ,I could feel emotions creeping up inside me.But I held it in,I felt I needed to be strong for the young whom I sat amongst. As I continued listen to the different pastors who spoke at the service.There was one pastor who really caught my attention.He stated to the youth in attendance that it wasn't their fault that Gun Violence was killing  our youth & young adults.Still he never said who's fault it was.Was it gangs or drug dealers or even rap music?He called on elected officials who's districts are filled with Gun  Violence to step up their efforts to prevent more death of our youth.I began to realize the fault was ours,for we are not involved in what is going on in our communities as we should be.Some of us have given up on our youth,especially if there not our own children.Some of us somehow believe they are immune to the Plague of Violence in the community.Some are fearful and some are in denial.We as a people who occupy the communities at large are failing our youth.We're showing up for death,when we should be showing up for life.How many more youth have to die,before we decide "it's time to do something different".Other than showing up for death! Now some may disagree with me,which I have no problem accepting.I will ask them this though,to prove me wrong!I don't want to bury my child or yours.What about you? All our youth in our communities need us,not just our own.So here we are today,"Showing Up For Death" again! Now I ask all of you,"what are we going to do tomorrow?...No Violence-Know Peace!

"WHO'S FUELING THE "NEW JIM CROW"MACHINE"?

Are African Americans unknowingly fueling the "New Jim Crow" machine? Are troubled black male youth & young adults the new commodity in the stock market, for shareholders who have invested in Corporate Corrections prisoners for profit agenda? Can the fact that the high unemployment rate for black males,not be by coincidence?Now let's look at why African Americans are the primary fuel for the "New Jim Crow"machine.Unemployment of black males forcing some to choose crime,in order to survive.Uneducated black males coming from dysfunctional backgrounds,who are in Gangs. Perpetrators of Gun Violence & Drug dealing in African American communities.Black children being primed in schools,who's staff diagnose them as ADHD. Which lead to ADHD meds being prescribed,that cause serious behavior side effects,which effect their thinking process.Poverty leading young black males into male prostitution.The lack of black fathers stepping up for their children.Black women who continue to have babies by men who abandon them and the child.What about black males who are listening to those on Urban radio. Thinking they're being schooled by them,are really fooled by them.Attraction by distraction is how the "New Jim Crow" machine is being fueled. Separation by frustration.This is all happening by design."Oh" did I mention the lack of African Americans paying attention.Time to catch on to what's in effect as I write this blog.That young African American's future across the nation is in a "State Of Emergency".............No Violence-Know Peace