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Conservatism, Reaction, and the Elder's Responsibility: A Message to My Age Grade

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Conservatism, Reaction, and the Elder's Responsibility: A Message to My Age Grade Great Day, Fam. This one right here? It’s not for everyone. If you’re not at or approaching Eldership—defined in our tribe as about 55 years old and up—you might not feel all of this. But if you’re curious, or if you’re one of those younger souls already walking with wisdom, you’re welcome to keep reading. This message is for the Elders. For those of us who should know better. And yes—I’m including myself. Let’s Start With the Mirror I’ve got to confess something. I’ve been guilty. Guilty of being reactionary. Guilty of falling into the trap of conservatism. Guilty of romanticizing the past. Guilty of looking at our young people and calling them “soft”—as if we were born warriors, as if we didn’t have to become who we are through fire, failure, and guidance. Many of us Elders are stuck in a loop. We remember only the highlights of our youth—the toughest times we survived, the boldest moments ...

Conservatism, Reaction, and the Elder's Responsibility: A Message to My Age Grade

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Conservatism, Reaction, and the Elder's Responsibility: A Message to My Age Grade Great Day, Fam. This one right here? It’s not for everyone. If you’re not at or approaching Eldership—defined in our tribe as about 55 years old and up—you might not feel all of this. But if you’re curious, or if you’re one of those younger souls already walking with wisdom, you’re welcome to keep reading. This message is for the Elders. For those of us who should know better. And yes—I’m including myself. Let’s Start With the Mirror I’ve got to confess something. I’ve been guilty. Guilty of being reactionary. Guilty of falling into the trap of conservatism. Guilty of romanticizing the past. Guilty of looking at our young people and calling them “soft”—as if we were born warriors, as if we didn’t have to become who we are through fire, failure, and guidance. Many of us Elders are stuck in a loop. We remember only the highlights of our youth—the toughest times we survived, the boldest moments ...

Black Power ≠ Black Supremacy: Shifting the Conversation from Distraction to Definition

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Black Power ≠ Black Supremacy: Shifting the Conversation from Distraction to Definition Great Day, Family. This morning hit me with a wave of insight. What you’re about to read is one of three articles that came to me before breakfast. The ideas were flowing so strong, I had to stop, reflect, and bring them to you straight—unfiltered, but focused. Let’s talk about something I heard in a study group that made me pause: “When we talk about Black Power… shouldn’t we be worried about Black Supremacy?” That was the question posed. And I sat with it, not because it was a deep question—but because it’s a familiar one. One of those questions that burns up energy and resources trying to respond to it. And that, right there, is part of the problem. Let’s break it down. The Art of the Goalpost Shuffle Sometimes, people ask questions they haven’t even fully thought through. Other times, they’re intentionally vague— questions designed not to discover truth, but to derail it. The probl...

Out the Mud? Nah. The Myth of Capitalist Merit and the Power of Perspective

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Out the Mud? Nah. The Myth of Capitalist Merit and the Power of Perspective Great Day, Family! This is Brother Ha2tim coming through with another blog—not just any blog, but one born from lived experience, cultural awareness, and unapologetic truth-telling. I'm experimenting with a powerful technique, and I invite you to take notes. What you’re about to read started while I was ironing clothes and recording my thoughts. Through technology, my words were transcribed, refined with the help of Baba AI (a digital extension of the Gye-Nyame mindset), and shaped into this message for the Journey. Let’s get into it. The Tool Is Not the Threat—Your Lack of Use Is People keep asking, “Are robots or AI going to take my job?” Family, the truth is deeper: you won’t lose your job to AI—you’ll lose it to the person who knows how to use AI . The tool isn't your enemy. Your resistance to using it is. I’m pushing out more content than ever because I’ve embraced the tools of the age. This ...

In Between the Opposites: Mastery, Principles, and the Gye-Nyame Way

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In Between the Opposites: Mastery, Principles, and the Gye-Nyame Way By ha2tim | Gye-Nyame Journey There’s a thought that’s been sitting with me lately—something that blossomed during a morning meditation, rooted in reflection, and now ready to be shared with the Family. We talk about mastery a lot in Gye-Nyame Journey— self-mastery, family mastery, tribal mastery, community mastery . And I’m beginning to understand that this isn’t just a sequence—it’s a cycle , a spiral, always turning, always returning, always evolving. At any given time, you’re working on all of them. Getting yourself together while trying to help your family grow. Building family while refining your tribe. Tending to tribe while holding space for community. It's not linear. It’s layered. But here’s the key: your frame matters . The way you view the world determines how you move in it. Sin, Harmony, and the Space In Between In "African Openness to the Tree of Life," there’s a framework that shi...

"Who Are You Responsible To?" – A Blueprint for Belonging, Responsibility, and Respect

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 "Who Are You Responsible To?" – A Blueprint for Belonging, Responsibility, and Respect There’s a quiet frustration that builds when you're walking a path of service, especially when working with young people. You see their brilliance, their questions, their fire—and you feel called to guide them. But there’s also a tension. A generation that’s constantly told the world revolves around them often struggles to see beyond their own immediate needs. This message is for them. For us. For anyone who's forgotten—or never been taught—that there’s a method to the madness, an order to the chaos, and that responsibility doesn’t come without structure. Concentric Circles: A System of Self and Service In the Gye-Nyame Self-Mastery system, everything starts with the individual—the self. But the self doesn’t exist in isolation. The self is connected to larger circles: family, tribe, community, and so on. Each layer expands your responsibility and your support system. But here’...

Guiding Energy & Fake Adults (A Timeless Rant from 2021)

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Peace, Family. Three years ago, I hit the mic and went in on something that's still burning in my spirit today. The video you're about to watch — “Guiding Energy & Fake Adults” — was recorded back in June 2021 , but the message remains just as urgent now as it was then. In that rant, I was fired up about the systems we keep handing our children over to — systems that don’t reflect our values, don’t serve our communities, and never truly loved us. I broke down the idea that childhood is a sacred phase for the guiding of energy , not just about chasing jobs or credentials. I asked the hard question: 👉🏿 Who are we preparing our youth to serve? But I didn't stop there. I turned the lens on us — the so-called "grown folks" and "conscious community." Too many are out here walking around like lone wolves, refusing guidance, avoiding community, and staying uninitiated. That’s dangerous. It’s childish. And it’s time we stopped pretending otherwise. ...

Embrace Your Heritage All Year Round – Discover Your Dayborn Superpower!

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  Hey Family, Brother ha2tim here! Kwanzaa might have passed, but the spirit and wisdom it brings should guide us every day. Our exclusive Dayborn T-shirts celebrate this enduring spirit, uniquely connecting you to the principles of the Nguzo Saba. The Superpower of Each Day Monday (Umoja - Unity): Your superpower is uniting people, creating harmonious connections in our community. Tuesday (Kujichagulia - Self-Determination): Asserting your identity and shaping your destiny – that's your strength. Wednesday (Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility): Building our community together and solving problems collectively is your forte. Thursday (Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics): Your power lies in uplifting our economic well-being through mutual support. Friday (Nia - Purpose): Focused and purpose-driven, you guide us towards a collective vision. Saturday (Kuumba - Creativity): Your creativity beautifies and improves our community, leaving a lasting impact. Sunday (Imani - Faith): You k...

Principles Ain’t Protection: Why Black America Must Rethink Loyalty in a Rising Dictatorship

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 Principles Ain’t Protection: Why Black America Must Rethink Loyalty in a Rising Dictatorship Family, we need to talk. Something's shifting beneath our feet, and if we don't stop milling around in a dream, our children will be the ones left to wake up in a nightmare. Let’s stop sugarcoating it: America might have already crossed the threshold—from a quasi-democracy to a full-fledged dictatorship. I’m not trying to be hyperbolic, but when truth feels more like a whisper and power moves unchecked, what else can you call it? And here’s the kicker: for Black folks, this so-called “American experiment” never really prioritized us in the first place. We Gotta Get Specific About Our Struggle One of the biggest mistakes we’ve made—and continue to make—is assuming that everyone operates by our principles. We've been extending kindness, fairness, justice… to people who don't respect or reflect those values back. That’s why I push for specificity. Let’s call anti-Blackness w...

The Illusion of Magical Thinking in American Politics: A Wake-Up Call

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  The Illusion of Magical Thinking in American Politics: A Wake-Up Call In a recent political rally, I found myself delving deep into an unsettling trend in our society—one where legislation and ideology seem to be steeped in magical thinking. As I examined a bill from Ohio aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives from K-12 public education, I realized that America is in the midst of a profound cultural shift. The Rise of Magical Thinking It appears that, much like in certain spiritual circles, some Americans believe that if you focus on something hard enough, you can manifest it into reality—or simply make it vanish by ignoring it. This mindset, reminiscent of the principles behind “The Secret,” has infiltrated not only our spiritual lives but also our political discourse. Leaders and influencers are beginning to suggest that the failures of our society are not the result of systemic issues, but rather a lack of personal belief and commitment. In this v...

Tricks Are for Kids, But Stories Are Not

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Tricks Are for Kids, But Stories Are Not We live in a world shaped not by facts, but by stories . And somewhere along the line, we made the mistake of thinking stories were just for kids. At Gye-Nyame Journey , I’ve been saying this for years: the stories we tell ourselves shape our lives . The stories we hold about ourselves, our families, our communities, and our nation—these aren’t just words floating in our minds. These stories direct our behavior , mold our worldview, and set the parameters for what we believe is possible. But the problem is, most of us didn’t write these stories. We inherited them. We absorbed them. We consumed them like junk food—unaware they were feeding us poison. Narratives Are Weapons In today’s world, narratives—or “stories” as we used to call them—are some of the most powerful tools being used against us . And what’s worse is, we let it happen . We let others tell our stories for us. We allowed systems, media, and outside forces to define who we are,...

Unity Ain’t Just a Word: Practicing What We Pledge

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Unity Ain’t Just a Word: Practicing What We Pledge Today, I found myself musing on the principle of Umoja , or Unity . I went through my morning meditation and workout, but something was missing — I forgot to recite the Gye-Nyame Pledge . That may not seem like a big deal to some, but it made me pause and reflect. Why do we pledge? Why do we say these words each day? The Power of a Daily Pledge A pledge is more than recitation — it’s a daily reminder of who you are, what you stand for, and what you’re building. Whether you're building a business, raising a family, strengthening a tribe, or transforming a community — Unity is required . Umoja is not passive. It’s not a cool word to post. It’s not just a hashtag. It’s a practice . Or maybe the better word is praxis — not just belief, but action . Daily. Deliberate. Intentional. Practice Over Perfection A pledge helps ground that action. It reminds us not just of where we’re going — but who we must become to get ther...