Independence Day: But for Who?

Taking in the wisdom

So much to celebrate today however; probably not for the same reasons as most.  As the holiday weekend approached, I initially felt a bit bummed that I was missing the happenings since I decided to cancel my Essence Music Festival plans.  When I really sat back and thought about how and why I came to the decision to not take that trip to NOLA, I had to admit that I felt both proud and accomplished which gave me the assurance that I made the best choice.

Bright and early this morning and for the second year in a row, I was blessed with the opportunity to see my eldest son off on a month-long trip abroad to Morocco and Spain.  Last year he traveled to Senegal, Africa to study solar panel energy and this year he’ll be learning about immigration, again on the land of our ancestors under the guidance of the International Youth Leadership Institute (IYLI).  There is true joy as a parent to be able to provide your children with the absolute best opportunities that will help shape them into grounded, successful adults.  I was personally unable to experience the opportunities that I have been able to expose my children to yet I understand the value of teaching them to become global, socially responsible citizens as early as possible.

By now my readers know that I don’t believe in coincidence and as I am stepping out of my comfort zone and walking into my purpose,  opportunities and situations continue to present themselves. On this very Independence day and Essence Music Festival weekend, while at the airport with my son, I not only had the chance to see but had the amazing opportunity to engage in conversation on a topic that is near and dear to me with the incomparable Susan L. Taylor, Editor-In-Chief  Emeritus, Essence Magazine.   I initially met Ms. Taylor several years ago when an organization that I worked with honored her as a Woman of Distinction.  Many still don’t know that since leaving the magazine, Ms. Taylor has founded the National Cares Mentoring Movement which was in essence (no pun intended) established, to address disproportionality by way of mentoring.  Interestingly, I recently read an article that announced the BrooklynCares Mentoring Movement just opened a home in our beloved borough.

Honored | Humbled |Blessed

In our brief yet poignant conversation, both Ms. Taylor and I  acknowledged today’s holiday and it’s place in the history of black people. Ms. Taylor reminded me of that Frederick Douglass speech, “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro”, given on July 5, 1852.  The words of the speech ring true today, just as they had then:

“What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”

We can’t waiver and must remain steadfast in not allowing our history to be misinterpreted or forgotten.  All across the this nation, we continue to fight for the basic human rights, so as we commemorate the Fourth of July this weekend, let’s not be distracted that it’s Independence Day; But for Who?  

#Staywoke ………..Spread Love It’s the BrooKlyn Kisha Way!

“Hands that SERVE”