While I laid peacefully sleeping in my bed last night, all hell was breaking out in north Charlotte just hours ago.
I would not have had any clue except that I decided to take a quick peek at Facebook. Not something I usually do until I have done all the things important to me.
I have a morning practice which sets me up for my day.
I saw what were live video after video not just showing the aftermath, but these videos were taken just before, during and after a mass shooting in north Charlotte on Beatties Ford Road.
Black-on-black shootings!
I started counting shots after I realized they wasn’t stopping.
I counted 61 pops before it was all done.
Before the shots started, I heard several cars screeching , and revving.
It sounded like the beginning of a drag race.
It was the beginning of something.
It seemed like a normal night in the “hood” where people just hung out not doing much besides just being there on the streets.
Shots rang out but the people stayed.
Some were looking for family members because people were shot and killed.
I guess there really was no where to run to since many people live here.
Then again, maybe there is safety in numbers.
Not really.
People were shot in their head sitting in cars.
People on the street were gunned down.
Innocent people?
Random people killed.
Why?
I don’t have the answer.
This is the first weekend of the summer.
This was also the Juneteenth weekend.
Juneteenth is a celebration commemorating announcement of the end of slavery in the United States.
There is nothing worst than mental slavery!
The shackles have been physically removed yet that vice grip chained around our mind is difficult to remove.
My people!
You are a brilliant, creative, amazing force to be reckoned with when you can see this about yourself.
Without this knowledge about ourselves, we are a lost people wandering in the wilderness, frightened, lashing out in our fear.
It is true my people die for lack of knowledge!
So sad.
So true.
I pray and preach continually for the empowerment of my people.
Those I know and those I will never meet.
Guns may be a source of power in a reckless, superficial not real way.
Why are we so afraid to talk with each other.
To just have a conversation.
Brother you made me feel like this. Can we talk?
Sister, why can’t we just get along?
I would wave my magic wand over those of us who are confused and lost as a people.
But I don’t have a magic wand that can touch my people who so badly need to know this truth about who we are.
Guns are not the answer.
Guns are not the way.
Even a good ole fashioned ass whupping is a better choice to at least start the conversation about why you may feel like you have been wronged.
Facebook bought this up close and personal into my life on this otherwise bright, sunny, peaceful day in my life.
Although the news media will have a field day with this, they were not there while this for real shit was happening.
Why are we so filled with hate?
I understand feeling and being challenged.
I know life seems hard sometimes.
We got through the worst parts of slavery and still we stand.
I know the emotional, mental, spiritual scars our history in America can leave deep inside of us.
At the same time, our history should be that guiding light showing us how to be the resilient, industrious, proud, achievers we are as people who have always made a way out of no way.
No matter how you look at it, we are all family.
At the very least, the golden rule everyone is taught is “Treat Your Brother And Your Sister The Way You Want To Be Treated!”.
It really can be as simple as this!
My heart is overflowing with love for those of us lost in the abyss of not knowing what a powerful people we are.
I am thankful I get to share my message of inspiration, love and empowerment.
I am thankful these really are isolated incidents, which does not lessen the pain and the loss.
I am even more thankful and appreciative of the protection surrounding those of us not directly affected by these choices and behaviors.
Yet there is no way not to be affected.
Stand up my people and remember you are a chosen people.
You really are!
No matter what you are facing, you were built to overcome, rise above and conquer everything.
No matter what, you are designed to be, have and do any good thing you choose.
Choose life!
Heart. Based. Sharing
Peace. Love. Blessings
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