what to consider after the storm...

It was funny, and dark in the context of the sketch when Key and Peele said it, but it’s true. Black people are not a monolith (a large and impersonal political, corporate, or social structure regarded as intractably indivisible and uniform.) No one is.

We all have varying thoughts and feelings and emotions about what is happening to us. As history has shown us, we might have a Malcolm X approach or an MLK approach, or an unclear but day-by-day-you-wake-up approach. They’re all valid. As long as the end goals are similar.

These are a few of my thoughts on things to consider during and after the storm. They are in no particular order:

Check on ALL of your friends and listen. Intently.

We are no longer doing that thing where we lose someone in the collective and that viral thing goes around. No. We are all suffering and some of us more than others. You know who they are. They are in your community, strong and silently suffering.

What do you want to happen?

Write this down maybe. After all of this, what does your world after protesting and/or rioting look like? What do you WANT?

Who are your community leaders?

What are they saying/doing? Do you agree with them? If not, when is the next date for you to vote them out? (Write that down or put a reminder in your phone)

Remember: YOU CANNOT WAIT UNTIL THE PRESIDENCY TO CARE ABOUT POLICY.

This starts from your HOA all the way to your state government. Who are your sheriffs and deputies? Who are your judges? Do you have their numbers and emails? (Write them down.)

Speaking of legislation, what laws are being written, lobbied for and, passed?

Are there any present laws that are way past due to be abolished or updated?

Remember that Sandy Hook happened and that nothing changed.

Even white children were slaughtered and nothing changed. How do you feel about that? (Write that down.)

Do you donate, give, support, sponsor, or volunteer at a local charity?

If so, who are they? Write those names down. Now, see if there are others that may need your attention, too. One that might be outside of your immediate network.

But fine. You don’t have money? Again, have you volunteered?

Where can you volunteer in your city? Food banks, shelters, schools? Maybe try volunteering once a month. Bring a friend. Recruit.

What are your information sources?

The mainstream media CANNOT BE IT. I am so sorry my love but it is bought-bought. Where else are you getting your news from? And are they diverse? (That’s a hard one). You know what YOUR people are saying but what are the OTHERS saying? How are they reporting it? This will keep you on your toes.

Revisit history.

Everyone could use a good brush-up on not just American history but WORLD history. What have others countries and leaders done in the past? Compare those to the present leaders now. What are you learning or re-discovering?

Accountablity is Key.

We need to find leaders that are open to listening and interested in humanity and compassion and empathy while also holding themselves and others accountable when they make mistakes. If your present leaders aren't accountable, they are dead weight. Remember, Harriet could take everybody.

It’s ok to be wrong.

It’s the best thing to be because you have an opportunity to learn and grow. Embrace being wrong. Stop shaming yourself and others. Grow with them and make sure that they are now informed. What have you been wrong about? (Write it down, own it, and promise to make the change now that you know better.)