Hey y’all

I hope you all are having a great day so far. Once again, I am under the weather ( these darn summer colds keep getting me) So this is just a quick post today. I was recalling an incident that happened about two weeks ago. It angered me then and now that I’ve had time to think about it, I’m even more irritated that there are people in the world that think things like this are okay…
So here is the scenario: Sitting at a restaurant after a successful soccer win! ( This is a co-ed adult soccer league)  The group is involved in two different conversations. The conversation at the opposite end of the table is led by “Alex” ( not his real name). I didn’t hear the conversation but I thought I overheard the word “n****r*. ( Keep in mind I am the only person of colour in the group at the time) I brushed it off because I didn’t think It would be possible for someone to be so brazen given my known hot temper! ( lol) I had noticed the table had gone quiet and people were glancing my way. I then heard *Alex* repeat his statement once again using the term *n****r*. I snapped my head towards him and in a very confrontational way encouraged to repeat and explain his statement. He then proceeded to tell me that he was talking about a segment from an episode of the Chappelle Show and he was just “repeating what the character says”.

I tried to explain to him that it wasn’t appropriate for him to use that word, to which he began to argue with me about it!! ( he tried to tell me that he was saying “niggard” which he told me was an article of clothing. I googled it and found no such thing. A niggard is actually a an excessively parsimonious, miserly, or stingy person according to dictionary.com) insert eye roll here….

 Well I then had to tell him in a not so nice way that It was not okay with me and while he was in my presence he was not to use that word again ever, By my tone I believe he got the picture and he wont ever slip up like that again ( around me at least.)

In hindsight, I probably could have expressed my anger about his choice of words a little better, but it just got my blood boiling! Why do people think its okay to use terms like “nigger” or “nigga” ? I’ll tell you why… All these popular men ( and women) of colour use those words on the regular. Some say its a term of endearment ( Tupac Shakur actually has an acronym for the word nigga : Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished ) But the song of the same name talks about murder and “punk police” and gun use….. nothing positive about being black. People glorify these rappers and actors and political activists that use this word freely which has now led society to believe its socially acceptable to use in conversation.

I wish we could bring back the days where our Black men were revered. I hope that one day there will be a time where the black man is globally respected. However, for that to happen, black brothers need to stop feeding into the negative stereotypes. Carry yourself in a way that people can look at you with pride and admiration. Be the kind of man who people look up to,or would want their children to be like. I am the product of a black man . A black brother who did everything to provide for his kids. A man so far removed from the negative connotations associated with the word “n****r*.  A man who made sure my standards were set so high, that anyone who considered himself or carried himself like a *n****r* could never step to me… I honor that black man for instilling that self-love in me. My black brothers stand strong. Keep your head up. Hold your faith. Change isn’t always immediate, but it is coming!

My black brothers, I love you, I cherish you and I thank God for you!

Angie Stone said it best in her song ” Brotha”. The lyrics read:

He is my King, he is my one
Yes, he’s my father, yes he’s my son
I can talk to him, ‘cuz he understands
Everything I go through and everything I am

He is my support system, I can’t live without him
The best thing since sliced bread
Is his kiss, his hugs, his lips, his touch
And I just want the whole world to know, about my

Black brotha, I love ya and I’ll never try to hurt ya
I want ya to know that, I’m here for you forever true
‘Cuz you’re my black brotha, strong brotha, there is no one above ya
I want ya to know that, I’m here for you forever true, you’re my

He’s misunderstood, some say that he’s up to no good
Around the neighborhood
But for your information, a lot of my brothers got education
Now check it

You got ya wall street brotha, a blue collar brotha
You’re down for whatever chillin’ on the corner brotha
A talented brotha, and to everyone of ya’ll behind bars
You know that Angie loves ya and my

Black brotha, I love ya, I’ll never try to hurt ya
I want ya to know that, I’m here for you, forever true
‘Cuz you’re my black brotha, strong brotha, there is no one above ya
I want ya to know that, I’m here for you, forever true, you’re my

Black brotha, I love ya, I’ll never try to hurt ya
I want ya to know that, I’m here for you, forever true
‘Cuz you’re my black brotha, strong brotha, there is no one above ya
I want ya to know that, I’m here for you, forever true, you’re my

You mean so much to me, you give me what I need
I’m so proud of you
I love you for stayin’ strong, you got it goin’ on
I’m so proud of you

Going through thick and thin, brothas you gonna win
I’m so proud of you
Whenever you’re facin’ doubt, brothas gon’ work it out
I’m so proud of you

‘Cuz you’re my black brotha, I love ya, I’ll never try to hurt ya
I want ya to know that, I’m here for you, forever true
‘Cuz you’re my black brotha, strong brotha, there is no one above ya
I want ya to know that, I’m here for you, forever true, you’re my

Black brotha, I love ya, I’ll never try to hurt ya
I want ya to know that, I’m here for you, forever true, ‘cuz you’re my

Everyone of ya’ll, you know that Angie loves ya
For everyone of ya’ll, you know that Angie loves ya

Be blessed
xoxo