Pardon Perception

Continue Living.

[theecandidate]

I’m sitting here in a puddle of tears, watching the way you all are reacting now. And I can’t stop and think about how much we needed you before. And I know that’s not helpful. But damn, we needed each one of you all backing us then. I needed you all before. In reality, I did. Back then, when the Albany police assaulted me. Back when I organized in Beacon for justice and peace. Again when I fought for policies to be changed, I used my voice, strength, and brain when we had a seat at the table.

Now I justifiably do my best to control my emotions and anger because a lot of you seem to get it. Now. For now. Yet this isn’t a momentary, fleeting feeling. It is not a fight. It’s a standoff—a standstill.

I’m 11 years in, ten toes down - I’m 32 years deeply rooted in this life sentence of being black in a society that wants you to be in the back or 6 feet underground. Or worse, feeling these feels from my people.

People are relative. It doesn’t matter your skin complexion. Where’s your mind at your reflection? Where’s your action at we can’t detect it.

Please don’t let this fade away. Pull up straight, with your 23’s laced.

The day that politicians, artists, and athletes are on the same level as those of us in the nose bleed seats, is a day of reckoning. Do not relent. Be relentless in your demonstrations.

Please don’t pull up now and then fade away.

I can’t take the pain and sorrow another day.

[theecandidate]

Suns rise, and sons fall. Set on a world unbeknownst to most. They are never settling at any cost.

[theecandidate]

My mum has demonstrated to me how to be a leader by choice. For that, I will forever be indebted. My purpose and passion, my life, lay at her feet. “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” - Maya Angelou

To the ten mothers that I have depicted in this post: Wanda Cooper Jones, mother of Ahmaud Arbery, Geneva Reed-Veal, mother of Sandra Bland, Allison Jean, mother of Botham Jean, Valerie Castile, mother of Philando Castile, Laney Sweet, wife of Daniel Shaver, Leandra Feliz, mother of Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz, Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, Jacqueline Lee Kennedy Onassis, wife of President John F. Kennedy, Betty Shabazz, wife of Malcolm X. Shabazz, Mamie Elizabeth Till-Mobley, mother of Emmett Till, your children, or husbands have guided me along my way.

Your losses are our losses, but I can’t fathom how you feel (how you’ve felt). I apologize for the injustices shown to your families. Our humanity is strengthening due to your courage and our subconscious bonds. I'm grateful for your lives, you phenomenal women!

[blvckandwrite]

distance > speed


in other words: focus on your path more than your pace.


no matter how fast you go, if you’re going the wrong way, you’ll never get to where you want to go — or where you need to be.


invest your time in determining your direction. 
when you’re going the right way, you can travel with confidence and patience. this way, it’ll only be a matter of when you get there — not if you make it. the surest way to get where you want to go is to move in the right direction, not go as fast as you can.


change your direction.


remember “journey > destination”? this is it, your journey. sometimes you’ll make wrong moves in the wrong direction. you’ll make a left turn instead of a right one. but don’t panic, and especially don’t speed up and keep moving in the wrong direction. slow down and change your direction.


the faster you travel on the wrong road, the farther you go in the wrong direction. BUT, if you’re moving in the right direction, sooner or later, your destination will be reached.


it’s better to take your time and be confident of not only where you’re moving, but also how you’re moving.


s l o w d o w n


stop. take a moment to look within and ask yourself for direction before heading nowhere fast. don’t worry about how long it’s taking you to achieve your goals — all that matters is you’re moving in the right direction.


remember, every journey starts with that first step. take it slowly and in the right direction so that your destination isn’t a dead end.

peace,

[blvckandwrite]

journey > destination 

i used to be a destination-oriented person — the process never bothered me, but the outcome did. it took a few setbacks for me to understand and realize the substance and importance of my process. there are milestones i want to reach, and things i want to experience. i’ve learned that nothing is more important than achieving these goals except everything about how i get there: my journey. 

those setbacks taught me that the path i take to reach my goals is more important than my goal itself because it’s where learning and growing take place. these same setbacks also taught me that there would be more. 

destinations change, constantly. they can become obsolete, or new ones may even appear. but your journey never changes; it only continues. for example, you graduate high school, you graduate college, you get a job, you settle, it goes on, and that goal or milestone (i.e., destination) changes as we move from one phase of life to another. what’s important to keep in mind is that it happens differently for everyone. it’s what makes us unique, what makes us special, and gives us purpose. we grow, we heal, we win, we lose, we learn. think about the person you become, the connections you make, the lessons you learn, the habits you un-learn — all of that inner growth that has room to take place during your journey. 

now, i’m not saying destinations aren’t important. they very much so are, and necessary as they are milestones that give direction in life. but the journey is life itself. destinations will make you proud, but the journey will make you wiser and stronger. destinations will give you a sense of temporary achievement, but the journey will provide you with happiness. 

so, don’t worry SO much about your destination. make good use of every day: spread smiles, show love, make friends, sing, dance, enjoy life to it’s fullest. you are going to make it. you are going to be successful. so be present, focus on now, and you’ll be sure to have a success story to tell.

peace,

[theecandidate]

My new favorite writer.

[theecandidate]

Be conscious of those peripheral to your vision. 🏴 (at Reflecting Pool)

[theecandidate]

‘‘Tis the season for thanks and giving! #first #pickup #today #beaconny #clothing #drive #bethechange 💚🏴♻️ (at Beacon, New York)

[theecandidate]

We were only playing football yet another lesson learned that All governments and organizational structures need to apply practically: the more we involve women the more we evolve. #thefutureisfemale #doitnow 💚 🐐

[theecandidate]

#blackboyjoy 💚 (at Beacon, New York)

[theecandidate]

It was so much fun playing football today with friends! We reestablished this Tree City tradition with class. 🙏🏿#turkeybowl #thanksgiving #grateful #treecityfam #wolves #goats #beaconny (at Beacon Memorial Park Athletic Field)

[theecandidate]

Have you been looking for somewhere to donate your used or new clothing, blankets, and footwear to people who need them? #beaconny #ittakesavillage #bethechange 💚 (at Beacon, New York)

[theecandidate]

[theecandidate]

If you’re not hangry then you’re not paying attention. #representation #without #participation #equals #selfpreservation #bethechange #plan #organize #participate #letusbegreat 🖤🤝🏴 (at Unknown Location)

[theecandidate]

I am grateful for my birthright of freedom and to those who have fought to and continue to fight to preserve it, thank you. One way I can demonstrate my gratitude is by voting in every possible election and being informed on the issues that matter to me most. Another is being engaged well before any election cycle in order to exact the change I desire to see in myself and the society I'm living in. Exercise your right to elect who legislates your quality of life today by joining our voting ranks! Voter registration #links #in #bio: http://www.elections.ny.gov/VotingRegister.html https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote 🙆🏿‍♂️🏴#bethechange (at United States)

[theecandidate]

Welcome to our family E-💸, we are our sister’s keeper. #itwaswritten #siempre 🖤 (at Beacon, New York)

[theecandidate]

L e g e n d s o f t h e F a l l 🤝🍁🏴

[theecandidate]

My best friend’s wedding. #kiss #wwed 🐐 (at Unknown Location)