Introduction

My name is R. E. Floyd, Jr. aka RamesisX, those who know me and my story have suggested for many years that I share my thoughts, hopes, and insights on how I view the constant struggles that some of us have to overcome on a daily basis.  The struggles that push us to the edge of insanity, seeking only to find peace with every decision we make concerning our family, our nation and how we as a people continue to move forward even though many think nothing has changed in our country since Jim Crow. This is my attempt to share how I deal with the drama we call life; in the workplace, our social circles, our house of worships and family in general.  So button your seats because I intend to be both honest and critical when discussing issues that affect the growth, prosperity and health of our people.

Since this is my first honest attempt in sharing my perspective on some of the thoughts mentioned above I probably should start with defining Black Consciousness as I see it. Webster defines Consciousness as "A sense of identity, including the attitude, beliefs, and sensitivities held by or considered characteristics of any individual or group." For me consciousness is more of possessing knowledge of who you are, what your beliefs are and possessing the courage to stand up for them no matter how folk may perceive you. It is also important that you be sensitive to the spiritual and emotional state of people who surround you. In other words whatever you constantly expose yourself to, will eventually become embedded into your psyche and you will begin to exhibit the exact traits and characteristic you once found to be offensive. So be extremely careful involving negative people in your life on a daily basis or you will find yourself being negative, angry, and filled with a sense of hopelessness before you realize what has happened.

I only say this because this is so true when it comes to developing our children. Think about it you spend time your children attempting to instill in them the same values that have been your proven guide for success, yet once they leave our charge they can succumb to peer pressure and eventually some of us will have moments we don't even recognize our children. The way they dress begins to change, they speak to us differently , in some cases they become disrespectful to the point that we end up needing a "time out"(LOL), and let's not forget the cases where they rebel because we don't afford the same freedoms that their peers may be given by their parents. Therefore it is important that we be diligent in what we do or say in the presence of our youth, yours and everyone else's remember; "it takes a village to raise a child."

 

I'll close this edition with a poem it has a special meaning to me because it is about our hope, our joy, our children.

 

Children of Tomorrow

by RamesisX

Children of Tomorrow, what do you dream of today?
The world may not be fair but life is like a play.
Your journey ahead may be long it seems,
because today's adults have done nothing but dream.
The obstacles before you may seem very tall,
but so many things may cause you to fall.
Set goals for yourself and strive to be strong,
for your world is a fill with ideas that can steer you wrong.
Avoid the pressure your peers lay down.
When asked to try drugs tell them to step away clowns.
Instead tell them about life and the things you seek,
because in reality drugs will make them weak.

Children of Tomorrow your future can be bright.
For the injustice done you today will be viewed in hind-sight.
So reach out and take hold of your own destiny,
Because in years to come you will control society.
Always remembering the years you struggled to be safe in school
When weapons, not education were the homeboys tools
The times in your life when drugs were ruling the streets
But the determination in your heart; helped you stay on your feet
Remember not to let your children suffer in these ways
By offering them some assistance we will be amazed
The things most will accomplish will be helpful to us all
But without our children we have no future and we all shall fall.

Shalom

It is my hope that we continue to see change in 2011 and remember these words if you remember nothing else "Baby if you keep doing what you have done, you will always get what you have gotten" -- Jackie "Moms" Mabley