WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT at 51, I would be looking at my schedule and trying to figure out how to cram all that I WANT to do and NEED to do into 20 hours per day?  I realize that I need at least 4 hours to sleep.  Well, that’s where I am now and it is not a fun place to be.  I used to have more time to plan ahead, think things through, proof everything, meet deadlines, and sit back while sipping a nice cup of Earl Grey.  Part of me wants that back but reality says that this is the season for experiencing new ventures and possibly adjusting current ones.  Still praying about how to make these adjustments.  Still looking  for an answer in my Jesus inbox.

AS FOR THE NEW VENTURES, I am discovering that my local political involvement is going to ramp up to another level.  I have never been one to sit back, watch foolishness take place, and not address needs that MUST be address.  My community is at a crucial point in it’s almost 60 year existence.  It breaks my heart to see how apathetic many have become in my city.  GENTRIFICATION is creeping closer and closer to our community like an evil fungus dead set on engulfing the historic African American communities that I live in and those surrounding.

WHY CAN’T WE GET MORE PEOPLE TO FIGHT ON THE FRONT END instead of waiting until plans have ALREADY BEEN MADE and the ‘dog and pony show’ begins. What do I mean by ‘dog and pony show?’

Elected Official:    “We are having this meeting to SHARE some ideas with you

and we need your feedback.  THESE ARE ONLY IDEAS

that we have.  NOTHING IS FINALIZED AND CAN’T BE

without your input.  Your voice needs to be and must be

heard because THIS IS YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.  YOUR

HOME.”

Resident:                 “Well, we are tired of seeing ‘folks on the other side of

town receiving CONSISTENT city services and ours are

sporadic.  We say this EVERY TIME YOU COME TO US

WITH SOMETHING ‘NEW’ YOU WANT TO DO.”

That is the usual script.  Lies in the form of ‘poisoned feathers’ are used to tickle the ears of the residents, putting them into a state of paralysis.  They are awake and witnessing the gentrification that is taking place but are paralyzed from doing ANYTHING ABOUT IT.  What do you do when you have NO VOICE?  I know that I WILL NOT DRINK THE RED KOOLAIDE that they are serving and NO FEATHERS ARE COMING CLOSE TO THESE EARS.  I WILL NOT BACK DOWN!

“A luta continua, vitória é certa!  THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES, VICTORY IS CERTAIN!”

~~~~Malinda~~~