Living Fresh in Va Day by Day: July 2007

Alright, not sure how to even start this one off today, but we'll see where this goes. I remember distinctively in the fall of 1995 how certain events unfolded. My family was very involved in my childhood and in teaching my brother and I information on our history as well as the struggles that many before us encountered in order to pave the way for the blessings I was bestowed in my own life. The scenery was much different from what it is now. I don't remember ever hearing the word "Nigger" I don't ever remember feeling out of place or like I didn't belong. This was back when I lived in South Carolina in a mostly black area and went to a mostly black school. I never understood exactly what my father was trying to say nor did I understand everything that he was doing, but as I sat here and reflected today after running across this picture on the Internet it all makes sense............

Both my parents come from a struggle. They've both encounter many things I've never experienced. My father grew up in what some call " the Ghetto" my mother was a farm girl from rural South Carolina. Each saw racism in different ways. I remember my mom telling me stories of growing up and not being able to cross over the fence in the backyard into the White families yard behind them because she wasn't allowed there. I think of the times when she remembers when schools in the south were integrated and the pain she had to endure on a day to day basis. I've never been through anything like that never felt THAT kind of FEAR. The Million Man March took place in October of 1995. I recall my Dad saying that he was going to go March For OUR people for OUR NATION. NO not for Blacks, but for the unity of America and the equalities of our rights.

He must have known I didn't know what he was saying, but new it would touch me profoundly some time later in my life. We have a War going on outside no one is safe from. Brother killing brother sisters killing sisters communities killing communities. On this day A million+ Black, white and men of other ethnic backgrounds marched together to show America that WE could ALL come TOGETHER. I wonder what it would have been like to have been there. To march with my fellow brothers and Americans for something I believed in. Everyday it is a fight to be able to be a black man in this country. Would I trade it for anything? No not in my wildest dreams. Why? because it has made me appreciate life and it's blessings. Coming where I'm from it wasn't any manicured lawns, school buses, blacks AND whites, or toys to play with. I'm blessed and thankful for how far we have come over the last 40 years. I remember my Mom telling me stories of growing up and never having any toys. That her and her sisters had to make their own dolls and other toys to play with. I admire her struggle as well as others struggle whatever it may be. It's like I just want to say thank you for all those who came before me for all those who continue to pave the way to allow me to be what I am and who I plan to be. My mother always told me "I raise you in order for you to provide a better life than I have provided for you to your family" and her mother told her the same thing. I guess what this all means is that we can come together and we can be thankful for our surrounding and to never take anything for granted..........This kind of got away from the Million Man March, but that's how it goes when your typing from the heart.