30 Day Writing Challenge Days 1-3

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So you all know how I am with these challenges (#EpicFailures) but, I'm a persistent person. I will keep trying until I get it right. So, I found this challenge via Pinterest and I figured I would give it a try.  So wish me luck on successfully completing this writing challenge.

Day 1: Five ways to win your heart.

My husband may not believe it but, I am very easy to please. He might not even realize it but, he won my heart simply by doing the following:
1. Make me laugh. Why? Because Laughter is good for the soul. I prefer comedies over chick flicks any day.
2. Be honest. I can't stand people who lie. It's an ugly habit and shows weakness.
3. Buy/ cook/ bring me food. No explanation necessary.
4. Be a good kisser. Again, this needs no explanation but, if you need one- a good kiss can make you forget your nightmares and relive your dreams. (I know, I'm deep.)
5. Keep your promises. Being able to follow thru on your word shows character and strength.

Day 2: Something you feel strongly about.

This is a very vague statement that can be interpreted many ways, but being in the social climate that we are in, I would say that I feel strongly about racial intolerance. I do believe that racism still exist. People who say, "I don't see color" are not helping the situation. I'd rather you say, "I see people of a differ color and I still respect them despite, and because of our differences." That would be more acceptable and let me know that you get it.

I also believe that other races will respect us more when we start to respect ourselves. I wrote a post about this some time ago. You can read it here.

Day 3: A book you love

As an avid reader, it's hard for me to just pinpoint one book that I love. But, the book that has given me the most guidance in recent years is Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success by Steve Harvey. His information was timeless and it got my gears going and inspired me to not give up after my business failed.




 Chime in! Do you have any input on any of today's topics? Or will you join in with me for the writing challenge? Share your blog info below.

Wishing you Love, Peace and Soul Deep Beauty,
Rhonda

The Value of a Black Life- Praying for our Streets

This is a repost from November that I wrote on my parenting blog. At the time there was looting and rioting happening in Ferguson, but my message still remains the same. Five months ago it was Ferguson, today it's Baltimore, next week it could be your city. Don't let the media distract you from the real issue. 

It's starting to become the norm: a young  life gone while his murderer walks free. I can't help but to wonder why? Why is this okay? Why is this happening? Why is a system that is supposed to be here to protect us, holding the deaths of so many black men as just another criminal who got what he deserved? Anyone who tells me that racism doesn't exist is in denial and anyone who says that the man who killed Michael Brown deserves to walk away unaffected and uncharged is a fool.

I don't agree with the looting that's going on in Ferguson but I understand their desperation. I understand what it feels like to be hurt and angry, feeling like your voice is not being heard, like nobody cares about the struggle our black youth go through everyday. Where they can't wear their hooded sweatshirts and walk in their own neighborhoods.This is the result of decades of peaceful protests that gave us an inch, yet take a mile.

I pray for them. I pray for my children, and I pray for the men in my life, who because of their skin and husky build automatically fit the profile. My husband and brother have both felt the black man's plight for DWB (driving while black) , handcuffed, slammed on top of police vehicle hoods while their cars were illegally searched. They left with sore wrists and bruised egos, but still, they walked away. Far too many is the story of those who don't get that privilege. And far too many is the story of those who don't know what to do about it.

How many protest, petitions, sit-ins and marches do we have to do before society truly sees us as equals? I don't know if that day will ever come. What I do know is that the black community needs to stop playing and open their eyes to the reality of the situation. Michael Brown, Travon Martin and Ricky Bell where just regular guys until the day they were killed and their murders went free. This clearly can happen to anybody and we have to change our mind set and be our brother's keeper. We have to teach our youth that ignorance is not bliss.

As any true parent knows, education starts at home and we need to instill in our children the values we grew up on. It's time to stop being friends and be parents. Stop buying video games and start buying books. Stop worshiping rappers and movie stars and follow a true and living God. So where do we start? Like anything that is being built, we have to start with a good foundation, and for me and my household that foundation starts with God. Whether you call Him God or not, there has got to be a higher power, a belief in something bigger than yourself that gives you that ray of hope that everything you need is in His hands.

Next, we must teach respect: for ourselves, our peers, those in authority and respect for life. We should care about how we look and how we carry ourselves and take priority in taking care of our health. We should be able to disagree with our peers and still respect them. We should be able to respect our elders and those in authority. We need to teach our children how to respond to police when confronted or pulled over. We need to drill it in their heads that life is not fair and things are going to happen, but it is how you deal with these things that show your true character. You can't fight a negative with a negative and think that something positive is going to be the result.

Most of all, we need to teach them respect for life. Death and violence should not be a part of the norm. We should not be desensitized, but instead feel prompted to make a change. This way of life where killers of children get to roam free because they have a badge has to end and we can't wait for justice to just happen. The track record speaks for itself. We have to get involved in our political systems, know the law and stand up for our American rights. How can you complain when you won't go out and vote? How can you be mad about the Ferguson decision when you won't do anything to help your community, you hate your fellow peers and you don't even have respect for yourself or anyone else around you?

We have to be our own civil rights leaders and stand for equal rights for all people. When it seems like the system is not made for us, we have to make the first step and value our own lives. That's my two cents, what's yours?

Praying and Forever Loving My BADD Kids,
Rhonda