Peace, love, and light fam!  I hope you are enjoying your weekend thus far. I typically reserve my weekends for other pursuits but, I had to drop a post as quickly as possible today. I govern myself by vibrations and resonance. The vibe I am feeling at the moment is one that is inclined to expression and so here we are. There is much going on in the world and one of the current topics at the forefront of my mind is the Shad Moss AKA Bow Wow fiasco.

Once I read a few stories of his tweet, all I could do was shake my head. Then, I began to analyze the situation and attempt to establish a cause for his action. Why does he feel the need to detach from his obvious Afrikan identity? Is it because he does not want to have to deal with the societal labels that have been placed on us from the beginning of what is now known as race? Is he afraid of having to answer questions and show some concern for social issues? Is he fearful of not being eloquent enough, compassionate enough, to answer questions relating to the Afrikan diaspora and the monster that is white supremacy? Or is it simply too hard to be black?

Newsflash Mr. Moss—this world is not colorblind as many would have you believe and when the masses view you, they see a black man. Your attempt to illustrate your “mixed blood” is misguided. The millions of people who live their life comfortably in white supremacy cannot and will not attempt to make any differentiation because you made such an announcement.

Ossie Davis once said “I find, in being black, a thing of beauty: a joy, a strength, a secret cup of gladness.” Shad Moss does not understand the that by announcing his so-called mixed ethnicity, he is in fact affecting his very spirit. To be a member of the Afrikan diaspora is a magnificent thing. Some people may say why? We are the oldest living group of people on Earth, we have accomplished so many wonderful things. And though we have literally been the victim of worldwide genocidal tactics, we continue to thrive and survive. Are we perfect? No hueman is but our resilience is undeniable.

I used to joke about trading certain Amerikkkan Afrikans in the “racial draft” (If you are not familiar, it was a hilarious skit on “The Chappelle Show”). Shad’s actions are the saddest thing I have seen in  a very long time. He traded himself. I wonder that when he posted the tweet, did he think of his beautiful black mother.

I strive each day to unify my people, be a resource for others, give of myself for the betterment of all. I truly believe that if we all did our part, liberation would be ours for the taking. But, it is impossible to unite with those who deny who they are. I know we all will not fight. I know we all will not go. Shad Moss needs to sit and take a long look in the mirror. Peace will not be his until he faces the fact that “mixed heritage” will not save anyone from the effects of oppressive societies and systems. I am a proud Afrikan wombman—no matter what day you ask me. I love my people and I always will.

 

Hetepu,

Ashaki Ma’at Mirembe Ali

 

 

 

 

 

Photo cred: http://dolcezzasweet.blogspot.com/2011/03/bow-wow-shad-moss-turns-24.html

 

 

 

 

Peace, love, and light as always! Today is the day we celebrate the bEarth of one of personal heroines and one of the most famous revolutionaries, Assata Obugala Shakur. I was first introduced to Assata by dear friend years ago. He was one of the few people that I could converse with on topics such as social change, revolution, ancestral blueprints left by some of our beloved heroes such as Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X etc. One day when we were kicking it at his house, he placed her autobiography Assata in my hands and my perspective on life changed. Assata’s story was very important in my development as a revolutionary Afrikan wombman. Her story illustrated her growth and development from Joanne to Assata and in the same token, I have grown from Andre’a to Ashaki.

I actually purchased the book about six months ago and reread it. New jewels were garnered for me re-reading the book this time. On this literary journey, I gained a fresh perspective on embracing my culture even more as well as legalities and the system that has raped and murdered indigenous people in this country for years. I feel her book should definitely be required reading for all Afrikan people across the entire diaspora. Her personal story of struggle against the machinations of white supremacy and the illustration of blatant racism within the Amerikkkan judicial system is a testament to the undeniable strength and inextinguishable spirit of Afrikan people.  In times such as these, when we are continually exposed and victimized by videos of police murdering our people with no repercussions, violent crimes ravaging our communities, our women being seen as overly sexualized sex puppets, preschool to prison pipeline, and the list goes on, it is easy to become disheartened and overcome with feelings of hopelessness. But, we must hold fast to the spirit of all of those who have come before us and apply the wisdom provided to us by Assata and all of our other elders.

We must continue to fight and we can never give up on ourselves or our people. We have to learn that our identity is completely tied to Mother Afrika and our hearts beat to the rhythm of the drums of the whole of the diaspora. This wombman was assaulted, abused, beaten, shackled, shot, and almost murdered but she persevered. Assata faced an impossible situation but she never gave up and she never gave in. And neither shall we! In the words of sistar-queen-goddess Assata “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains. “

 

Hetepu,

Ashaki Ma’at Mirembe Ali

I have been debating whether or not to even write about how I truly feel about the senseless murders of our people both by the police and by those who are members of our community for days. With each passing moment, I am confronted with thoughts of what I would do if one of my four sons or my fiancé was taken away from me by either some brainwashed hoodlum or by a so called officer of the law and I honestly don’t know. From where I sit this morning as a mother, I am afraid to “go there”. In the deep recesses of my spirit I know and recognize that my fury would not be extinguished by marching, singing, praying, or protesting. I would be out for blood and would essentially give away my freedom for a few moments of unbridled revenge. There would be no peace because I know I would not have any justice.

But what is the solution? I have read and listened to endless arguments about the best or most effective course of action. Is is boycotting the racist corporations and systems that continue to feed off our communities like vampires? Is it to initiate violence against those that are violent against us? Is it to pack up and leave Amerikka altogether and start anew in Africa, Costa Rica, or another country? Is it separation?

In my heart of hearts, I honestly believe that unity on all levels must occur before we will ever see any real change. And I am not talking about just uniting to talk—I am talking about uniting in all areas and becoming self -contained. But most of our people will not give up the comforts of their present slavery to join with their own people to become autonomous and therein lies our problem. We see the problems but are not willing to go the extra mile to affect positive change. We will support a black owned business once or twice but not consistently. We will not pool our resources because we fear someone else may get more than we do. We cannot even have a disagreement without throwing our own sistar or brotha under the damn bus. There is so much work that needs to be done within our communities, it is ridiculous. But, there is no excuse for the lack of progression. Yes, social constructs have been built by design but there is information readily available for us to learn and grow.

So, where does that leave me? I am positive that I know enough brothas and sistars who will work to improve our conditions and they are my focus from now on. Time is of the essence. I am going to focus my energy on making sure my Tribe in equipped to face this world and be liberated and for my family abroad, we will be connecting to initiate change. I don’t have any energy to work with people who are filled with emotion but refuse to put in any work for the benefit of our greater good. They would rather wait on some guy to come down from the sky that to tackle the issues at hand. As I have said so many times before, no one is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves. Maybe the videos of our people being murdered before our eyes has shaken the core of some and caused them to desire to do something, maybe not. Either way, the ball is in our court.

 

Hetepu,

Ashaki Ma’at Mirembe Ali

 

 

Photo Credit: http://www.eurweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/black-pic.jpg