Black Woman: Choose The Struggle That Will Benefit You Most

A picture speaks volumes.  What do you see?

Please realize that each time the black community does something to create cohesion and unite, the efforts are dismantled by the old "divide and conquer" tactics. 

In the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement was overshadowed by a Women's Movement that seem to come at a time when national focus was finally being devoted to our cultural struggle.  When the Black Panthers were at their height of effectiveness, it was largely run by women.  Women ran the free lunch and WIC programs.  Women outnumbered the male membership as many of the males were incarcerated or slain.  Sadly, these same women would be enticed to abandon our movement in order to join their voices with yet, another Women's Empowerment Movement.  When the buses were loaded and the Million Man March took place in Washington, almost immediately, a Women's March took place and removed the focus from the plight of African Americans and the accomplishment of the dialogue created that could begin to heal our communities. 

A Black Mother's Milk

Recently, I was looking through my InstaGram account and I stumbled across what I thought to be an interesting picture.  Putting aside the obvious celebrity factor of it being a photograph of Blue Ivy and Beyonce, I saw a poetic transition of wealth, power, and might.  Because of this, I was immediately inspired to write this poem.  

You see, a picture speaks volumes, but it's interpretation is always up to the viewer.

Please enjoy this observation in iambic pentameter, but be sure to  let me know your thoughts as well....

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A Black Mother's Milk

Sean C. Robinson

A Black mother's milk is an amazing thing;

It nurtures the soul, it empowers the brain.

It is a natural, sweet nectar of pure DNA,

It connects the past to the future, don't give it away.

For 2.5 centuries, this black nectar was used

To feed master's children: making them strong, wise and infused.

But, at the same time, we were told to stop feeding our own;

Leaving young minds to be altered as enslavement built clones.

You see, our captors knew the importance of connections through health;

How vital those stem cells are to strong mental wealth.

Instead, they convinced you that drugs in chalky, white paste

Can replace your true nurturing when you're consumed with haste.

But still, the most beautiful thing that there ever could be

Is the passing of knowledge to a branch from a tree,

So, let's return to old ways and nurture our seeds

Because a Black mother's milk is all this world needs.

381 Days

381 Days…

The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted for a total of 381 days….

Initially, the movement started slowly.  Not everyone was willing to forsake their livelihood to join, yet, another movement that may yield no result.  As time marched on, more and more joined the effort and – through organization of resources – the marchers were able to orchestrate carpools and taxi services.  This, too, was attacked but the movement was uninterrupted.  Finally, the movement began to impact the income potential of the city as a whole.  Bus drivers were getting laid off, stores were closing, and revenue was lost. 

 

You see, for 381 days, Americans of color sacrificed a convenience to show their disdain for the level of disrespect shown them. The boycott was a visible demonstration that held an economic impact that took a year to be felt in the pockets of the entire community.  As long as we walked in the rain and snow, they were unmoved.  As long as it took hours to walk to and from work, they were unmoved.  As long as it took hours to walk to feed our families, they were unmoved.  The boycott was only effective when it began to cause other Americans to lose jobs, lose income, and face the probability of having to, finally, “go without”. 

Sore Winners: Let The Side Show Begin

Have you ever dealt with a “sore winner”?

In sports, we'd call it "un-sportsman-like conduct".  It entails taking one bow too many, a victory dance on the other team's logo, or going to an extreme when taunting your competition.   Essentially, a “sore winner” is a person who does not know when a battle has ended and maintains an argument long after the discussion is over.  They may continue to bring up old facts that strengthened their beliefs after you have already conceded to allow them to “win” a given argument or assume a certain role.  They may continually brag about their “being right” or their “being better” at something so much until you begin to regret receding to them because you thought that, by doing so, you would avoid your current situation.

What is worse is when you have a sore winner who wins based on treachery and deceit, then proceeds to act as an antagonist who brags about their deceitful win.  When you see people who are rewarded based on favoritism rather than skill, yet they remain arrogant; it can be disheartening.  But then, you have to realize that maybe – just maybe – they are oblivious to just how foolish they are making themselves appear to others.  You see, you cannot remain arrogant and still focus on your required tasks at hand. 

Sooner or later, favoritism wears thin. 

Women Don't See What Men Actually Want

I am fortunate enough to work in an office filled with beautiful women.  They hail from the coasts of Africa, Haiti, the Bahamas and almost every major city within these United States.  Every day is an international parade of beauty - but, their beauty is so much more than what meets the eye.

When I was a child, my older brother told me to always acknowledge any change in a woman's appearance, any enhancement to her profile, and every smell and color that will bring blush to her cheeks.  According to Larry, "Women take the extra time each day to do something worthy of your attention.  If you fail to notice, you have done yourself a disservice."

My brother passed away in 2006, but he lives on in the words and actions with which I choose to interact with others each day.


Today, I am a firm believer that every woman is beautiful.  Women hold the cradle of life in their stride and each one has the ability to control the palpitations of any man's heart with a simple glance in their direction.  They are mystical, magical, and yet, mysterious; intriguing in every way.   You see, no two are alike and therefore; women are to be treasured for their differences rather than measured by their similarities

In saying that, I had to encourage a co-worker one day because she insisted that she was gaining weight.  I told her she was beautiful just as she was. She turned to me and said, "I don't believe you.  You say that to every woman."  I agreed with her and then, I expounded.

"Every woman has a value that differs from the next. A "good man" isn't looking for the woman with the perfect shape, the perfect hair, and the perfect libido.  Although each or all of these things could be an asset, they are not the qualities that a real man uses when he is searching for a "good woman" to call his own.  A truly "good man" wants to know that you can engage his mind and challenge him to want to achieve more.  In essence, you have to be able to arouse his intellect as well as his loins..."