The Journal of an Angry Black Man

Someone who goes by the pseudonym "Giovanni Alexander" on Facebook wrote this article talking about Norcom and a recent riot that I find completely distasteful and biased. I offer my rebuttal below: How dare you say there is nothing more "hood" than I. C. Norcom? Our popularity in recent years as a nominee and winner of a few "Hoodie Awards" only speaks to the most recent part of our legacy, which spans OVER 100 YEARS. (That's a century in case you didn't know) I appreciate you mentioning that our marching band is legendary, which they are. They are not called "The Pride of Portsmouth" for nothing. I hope you understand that band is much more than just music, it's discipline, it's creativity, it's precision. Those things are not only taught in the band room, they are constant themes in every classroom at Norcom. I know, because I went there, unlike you. Oh, and before you assume that everyone at Norcom grew up in pover...

I feel stupid. Like I am to blame for my own unhappiness because I have allowed someone to come into my home who doesn’t respect my way of life, or the fact that we come from different stations so we see the world entirely different. I am mad, not just at myself though, but at my husband for seemingly wanting money over me. I understand tho, because everyone should work and pay bills and do that all their life just to stay above broke. That’s what we’ve been told and anyone who doesn’t follow that design is a bad person, or stupid, or not worthy of respect or even listening to. That’s how I feel. I feel that because I’m not perfect, then I’m fair game for people to say mean things to me and discredit the good that I’ve done in my life, above and beyond anything they could have even imagined for themselves. I’m pissed. I’ve considered suicide today, again. I’ve considered taking the dog and slitting his throat. I’ve considered burning the townhouse to the ground (in the snow). I’ve cons...

So, we have a roommate. He was a friend of mine before we moved in together but as time has gone on I somewhat regret agreeing to the situation. It's nothing severe, but we have such different ways of dealing with life and people that sometimes it creates issues. Today, my issue is him not responding to a text. Not that this is the first time it's happened, there have been dozens of instances. And it's not just about him not responding, but the fact that I know if someone else were to text him, namely one of those ballroom scene faggots, he'd be all on it. How are you telling me you were dead sleep, but woke up because some boy that obviously likes you and you don't like him back texted u in the middle of the night just to come over because he got off work? Really? I see how this goes. I'm not gonna trip, but I will not be returning any of his texts...just to see if it makes him see his own wrongs. My guess is that it probably won't, and what I should do...

In his book Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery (1997), Na’im Akbar explains the importance of understanding the magnitude of the African Slave trauma as follows: “The objective is to identify the magnitude of the slave trauma and suggest the persistence of a post-slavery traumatic stress syndrome, which still affects the African-American personality. It is not a call to vindicate the cause of the condition, but to challenge Black people to recognize the symptom of the condition and master it as we have mastered the original trauma…. It is to call attention to an array of attitudes, habits and behaviors which clearly follow a direct lineage to slavery. It is the hope by shining the light of awareness on these recesses of our past, we can begin to conquer the ghosts which continue to haunt our personal and social lives.” 

So, I've heard of yoga over the years just like everyone else. Recently, though, I've discovered that there's something out there called Kemetic Yoga, that uses the ancient Egyptian poses and pre-dates the better known Indian versions by at least 2000 years.  It's only day two of me even trying it, but I had such a good and positive day yesterday, that I would be a fool to let this go. I saw a quote on Pinterest yesterday that said "You should have three hobbies. One to make you money, one to keep you in shape, and one to be creative." I think I'm on the path to that type of life balance, and I really like the feeling. I don't need doctors and medicine to help control my emotions, I can do it on my own with the right amount of time and attention to my own self care.

And the therapist says it helps with anger, anxiety and depression. 

My nephew, Kameron Rashad Wright. My prince.

My niece, Hailee Isabella Danielle Boykins. My princess!💛💙💜💚❤️

So, I majored in History in college. And I've always loved to hear stories from my elder family members about the "old days." Well, kids today seem to be so very far removed from the truth of our History as an African people that I have been really thinking about what I could do to help in that plight. I don't have any kids of my own but I really believe that as a man I have a responsibility to do something for the children of my brothers and sisters (or basically all Black people). So, after thinking, I feel that I could be a wonderful author of children's history books, especially those tailored for Black children. I think it would be really neat to take truthful historical events and make them into stories children can learn from, see themselves in, and most of all get a sense that they have a long and storied history that covers not just music and sports, but politics, science, military dominance and a deep sense of morals, ethics, tradition and spirituality. ...

So, it's already the second month of 2015. To say that "time flies" is a huge understatement. To think, 1995 was literally 20 years ago... That's crazy! My day has been pretty good. Slow, didn't like the morning rain, but it picked up a little. The dog cooperated today, with a little tough love. And now my husband is home and I'm hoping for a nice evening of tv, food, and our little "family". Valentine's Day, my mom's birthday and my husband's birthday are all coming up soon. I need to stop procrastinating and be about my business of securing gifts, cards, and getting them to the places they need to be. I'm sure it will get done one way or the other...sooner or later. I've downloaded Blogger on my phone and tablet, so hopefully I'll be able to post more often, even if they aren't as long. Instead of trying to write lengthy posts, being technical and all, I want to just write down what I'm thinking or feeling. I f...