Beyonce, Black is King
Humanity, strength, power, belief, support.
I'm conflicted. The past eight months have been like being inside a snow globe shaking and settling and shaking again; like being in the middle of a 150 mile an hour hurricane wind. Life as we know it is changed forever.
In many many ways I feel deep in my heart that it is teaching us that we must do better. Think smarter. Learn deeper. Uncover our true selves. As Beyonce says in her amazing Black is King song "Find Your Way Back." There is a line in it that says 'don't let this life drive you crazy, find your way back... remember who you are.' If you strip away social media, TV, film, advertising, rhetoric, who would you be then? We need to find our way back.
Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) (1940-2020)
Respect
We need to find our way back to humanity, truth, reality. I'm guilty of being formalized in how I speak, write, act. But is that who I am, really? Growing up I learned that there is a 'way' to be when you are with a boss or someone in positions of 'power.' To not speak your mind, to 'know your place.' And there is something to that. There is a level of respect and deference made to those who have worked hard to get to a higher status than me. Respect is powerful. But what do you say or do when there is someone powerful but not respected? Do you still defer to them or treat them with respect that they have not earned?
No one is perfect. That is truth. We've all done things we're not proud of. How do you utilize that experience in your future interactions? Do you repeat those actions, words, behavior, or do you improve. One thing I say to my boys all the time is that no one is perfect but you can and must improve. There is space for us when we stumble but if you aren't improving then you haven't learned and will remain, in my mind, forever in a low rank.
Actor Chadwick Boseman (1976-2020)
Humanity
Wikipedia states that 'Humanity is a virtue associated with basic ethics of altruism derived from the human condition. It also symbolises human love and compassion towards each other. ... That is, humanity, and the acts of love, altruism, and social intelligence are typically individual strengths while fairness is generally expanded to all.'
It also says, 'A virtue is a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. Personal virtues are characteristics valued as promoting collective and individual greatness.'
Where is our humanity? Basic decency, morality, collective and individual greatness? Have we lost that? I'm drawn to people that act in ways that are humane. My brain cannot compute hypocrisy. Maybe that's why I've been having so much trouble the past few months listening to words that are not backed up, are untrue, deceptive. We aren't stupid but some people choose to look the other way and make a decision to believe the lies. Do they think the words are true? My mind can't compute that. Intelligent people agree with the deceit? Nice people? Accomplished people? How is that possible? How can we disagree so wholeheartedly? The math doesn't add up.
Serena Williams, Winner 23 Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments
Grace
My black friends, black celebrities, black athletes, are showing their humanity and truth by unveiling several lies that have been told for decades, centuries. Conscious lies, historical events that have been told from a point of view that is either inaccurate or maybe just one-sided. We believe it because we learn from those that are in power or in positions that make us feel that we need to believe them.
Humanity; this is what Bosisi Designs is about. Black women (and men) that could not easily get educated or earn decent wages cannot be made to feel less than when they have been systematically pushed down. Underserved people do not choose to use incorrect grammar, live in poor conditions, eat what some might call undesirable foods because they decided to. So why do some look down on them, make fun of them because of differences? If you were put in a struggling society perpetuated by those in power would you have survived as well? Grace, strength, survival are traits of humanity. I wish people in power could feel that.
I stand with my black sisters and brothers and strive to be as great as they show us they truly are.
Let's stand together to promote the humanity in each of us and make a better society for ALL. In Beyonce's words, 'you're part of something way bigger.'
In humble gratitude,
Deana