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The Locked Door with No Key: Why Ohio’s SB 153 Threatens Our Voting Rights

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The Locked Door with No Key: Why Ohio’s SB 153 Threatens Our Voting Rights Imagine being told you must enter a building to access your rights—to speak, to be counted, to shape the laws that govern your life. The door is locked, and you're told you need a key. But no one will tell you what kind of key you need. Some folks bring house keys. Others arrive with driver’s licenses, birth certificates, even passports. They jiggle them in the lock—nothing works. They aren’t denied because they’re unqualified. They’re denied because the rules changed without explanation. This is the danger behind Ohio’s Senate Bill 153 (SB 153)—a bill that hasn’t passed yet , but is already knocking on our community’s door. What Is SB 153? SB 153 is a proposed law—not yet passed —currently being considered by Ohio’s state legislature. It would require all voters to prove their citizenship before casting a ballot. That may sound fair on the surface—but the bill doesn’t define what “proof of citizenship” ac...

What Are You On? The Power of the Underground Railroad in Our Journey

What Are You On? The Power of the Underground Railroad in Our Journey


Oh man, great, great, great! It’s a powerful day on this Gye-Nyame Journey, and today, we’re diving into question number eight. Now, before we get too deep, let me give you a little history—because, you know, everything we do is rooted in legacy.

See, question number eight was actually the first question I came up with when I was putting together the Underground Railroad Rites of Passage Program. That’s right—before all the other questions, this one set the foundation. And for those who might not know, the Underground Railroad (UGR-R) was one of the early organizations I put together—maybe my second, maybe my third. Either way, it was crucial to building what we now recognize as Gye-Nyame Journey.

This series of questions we’re working through? These are the original ones, the ones designed to connect us back to our history, our struggle, and ultimately, our mission. Because what is self-mastery without knowing where you come from? Without understanding the battles our ancestors fought to get us here?


The Power of the Question: "What Are You On?"

So, let’s get into it.

The question is simple: What are you on?

And the answer? The Underground Railroad.

Now, you might hear that and think, "Okay, cool, but why?" But family, this ain't just a call-and-response. This is a doorway—a portal—into a deeper historical and cultural conversation.

When people hear Underground Railroad, their minds immediately start working:

  • They think of Harriet Tubman, one of our greatest freedom fighters.
  • They think of enslaved Africans escaping to freedom in the North.
  • They might even connect it to the Civil War and the larger fight against oppression.

And that’s the point! This question ain't just about words—it’s about sparking thought, reflection, and discussion. It’s about grounding ourselves in the tradition of struggle, resistance, and transformation.

Because let’s be real: we’re all on an Underground Railroad of some kind, escaping from mental slavery, economic bondage, spiritual emptiness, and cultural erasure. The Underground Railroad isn’t just history—it’s an ongoing journey.


Why the Underground Railroad Matters to Gye-Nyame Journey

When I say Gye-Nyame Journey was built on the Underground Railroad, I mean that literally. The structure, the principles, the methods—so much of what we do today was first tested and refined in that program. It was, without a doubt, the most successful Rites of Passage collective I ever had the pleasure of working with and building on.

  • It gave us the foundation.
  • It taught us commitment.
  • It showed us the power of community and accountability.

Without the Underground Railroad, there would be no Gye-Nyame Journey as we know it today. And that’s why this question—What are you on?—is so important. Because the answer reminds us that we are part of a long tradition of movement, of struggle, of freedom-seeking.


Looking Ahead

Now, this is just the beginning. See, question number eight opens the door, but the next question? Oh, that one takes us even deeper. If this question connects us to our history in America, then the next one will take us further back—to the deeper roots of who we are.

So, what are you on?

The Underground Railroad.

That means we ain’t just standing still. We ain’t waiting for change to come. We’re moving, we’re building, we’re growing.

Stay tuned, family. Tomorrow, we take the next step.

Peace.



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