When I first met Dick Gregory I was a seasoned teenager with a thirst for success. By this time, I’d already been choreographing, teaching in at least one after school program, doing speaking engagements through my teacher’s referrals, and launching my own community service projects. My life was also busy because I was at that time, living out on my own.
I remember seeing this picture years later and thinking of how mature I looked. I had already endured childhood sexual abuse. I had already been molested. I had already worked a full time job and was helping people because of my own pain. By the time of this photo, I had already experienced, witnessed, and endured domestic violence.
I had no idea the amount of opportunity I would have to fight for and all I would have to go through to walk into the fullness of who I am called to be.
If I hadn’t told you, you would never know because the strength I have had to carry wasn’t made for everyone.
We all have something we carry that carved purpose out for us.
Mr. Richard Claxton Gregory AKA Dick Gregory spoke to me that day for about 45 minutes and I felt like I could fly! I felt as though his wisdom was soo far beyond comedic virtue, although he was mostly known as a comedian and civil rights activist. The world needs more elders who are unafraid to speak the truth. Those who are candid within their own life experiences and intentional about celebrating what has truly worked and what wisdom has taught does not.
Those who are willing to guide the high levels of intellect that our societally superficial, frustrated, envious, messy, mentally unstable, and racially broken hearted narrative continues to prioritize above the healing that is required.
In 2023, we are unable, as a race of people, to knock on the wrong door. I am absolutely heartbroken for the family of Ralph Yarl and all the years of life he will never experience.
What makes this post my throwback is because Dick Gregory made us laugh while telling the truth. Whatever we need to do to get to the actual truth of this worldly pain has to happen. It just has to happen, because healing must no longer be put off and justification can no longer be wrapped around the stinch of ignorance. Change is good and it is simply past time, by several decades, to change.
I don’t know who has knocked on your door recently, or rang your doorbell, but I hope you don’t kill them because of the color of their skin. I pray that all of you reading this post see the value and weight of the world in that statement.
Sincerely,
A Black Mother having to raise her Black sons in a world where this topic is a realistic possibility of lifestyle awareness. The trauma of many things in this life can keep us from peace.
Everyday I fight for peace in a world where some people who look like me would rather not see me succeed above their perception of success and some people who don’t look like me would rather shoot me on sight, with their false narrative, racial bias, or gender exclusion. Navigate through those challenges during your morning breakfast.
Really and truly, what are you fighting for?
#ChildAbusePreventionMonth #dickgregory #RalphYarl
#winning #throwbackthursday #the90s #mother #businesswoman #poet #model #singer #actor #choreographer #author #gnfcc #risingstaraward #traumasurvivor #speakresilience #caibusinessgroup #toseimaj #peace #purpose #prosperity
I remember seeing this picture years later and thinking of how mature I looked. I had already endured childhood sexual abuse. I had already been molested. I had already worked a full time job and was helping people because of my own pain. By the time of this photo, I had already experienced, witnessed, and endured domestic violence.
I had no idea the amount of opportunity I would have to fight for and all I would have to go through to walk into the fullness of who I am called to be.
If I hadn’t told you, you would never know because the strength I have had to carry wasn’t made for everyone.
We all have something we carry that carved purpose out for us.
Mr. Richard Claxton Gregory AKA Dick Gregory spoke to me that day for about 45 minutes and I felt like I could fly! I felt as though his wisdom was soo far beyond comedic virtue, although he was mostly known as a comedian and civil rights activist. The world needs more elders who are unafraid to speak the truth. Those who are candid within their own life experiences and intentional about celebrating what has truly worked and what wisdom has taught does not.
Those who are willing to guide the high levels of intellect that our societally superficial, frustrated, envious, messy, mentally unstable, and racially broken hearted narrative continues to prioritize above the healing that is required.
In 2023, we are unable, as a race of people, to knock on the wrong door. I am absolutely heartbroken for the family of Ralph Yarl and all the years of life he will never experience.
What makes this post my throwback is because Dick Gregory made us laugh while telling the truth. Whatever we need to do to get to the actual truth of this worldly pain has to happen. It just has to happen, because healing must no longer be put off and justification can no longer be wrapped around the stinch of ignorance. Change is good and it is simply past time, by several decades, to change.
I don’t know who has knocked on your door recently, or rang your doorbell, but I hope you don’t kill them because of the color of their skin. I pray that all of you reading this post see the value and weight of the world in that statement.
Sincerely,
A Black Mother having to raise her Black sons in a world where this topic is a realistic possibility of lifestyle awareness. The trauma of many things in this life can keep us from peace.
Everyday I fight for peace in a world where some people who look like me would rather not see me succeed above their perception of success and some people who don’t look like me would rather shoot me on sight, with their false narrative, racial bias, or gender exclusion. Navigate through those challenges during your morning breakfast.
Really and truly, what are you fighting for?
#ChildAbusePreventionMonth #dickgregory #RalphYarl
#winning #throwbackthursday #the90s #mother #businesswoman #poet #model #singer #actor #choreographer #author #gnfcc #risingstaraward #traumasurvivor #speakresilience #caibusinessgroup #toseimaj #peace #purpose #prosperity
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