Peace and blessings fam! As always I do hope that my message finds you well. Sometimes, I think I my approach is perceived as not being authentic. I have even had people ask me if I am always happy. Let me clear something up—no I am not always happy. I have struggles, days I don’t feel my best, but I do always feel joyful, even when things are not as I want or desire them to be. I find myself laughing at old jokes, smiling at the laughter of children, grinning at an old hip hop song that I found on YouTube. I find joy in creating art, poetry or prose, dancing, singing, telling jokes, etc.

I have discovered that joy is what sustains us and with that joy, comes resounding peace. I realize that I am among the lucky ones. I am not rich but I am wealthy. Bob Marley was once asked if he was a wealthy man. He asked the reporter what he meant by being wealthy. The reporter asked if he had material riches at which point he replied, no, his riches his life. I feel the same. I may not have a fat bank account but I am wealthy and my life is rich. I have met amazing people in my life, made wonderful friends, and I have a beautiful family. I am no braggart but I have been blessed with multiple natural abilities, am able to learn things quickly, and I have peace, love, and joy in my life. I am rich.

I realize that my writings as of late have not been on topics that are the norm for me such as police brutality, privatization of prisons, the destruction of the black family, and liberation of the people. Writing is salve to the wounds of a woman who has fought for her entire life. I am evolving rapidly and yes liberation is and must always be at the forefront of my mind, but I realize that I have to live also. Huey Newton once said “The first lesson a revolutionary must learn is that he is a doomed man.” Since I am a revolutionary, I am allowing myself to live my doomed life to the absolute fullest. Until my last breath, I am going to live.

Peace, Love, & Light,

Ashaki Ma’at Mirembe Ali