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Showing posts with the label Community Empowerment

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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 ...

Aspirational Danger: How Our Dreams Are Used Against Us

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Aspirational Danger: How Our Dreams Are Used Against Us Great day, family! Today, I want to dive into a topic that many of us have been trapped in without even realizing it— aspirational danger . I’ve spent years thinking about this, and I know how deeply ingrained it is in our society. It’s a mindset that has us chasing dreams that are often illusions, distractions designed to keep us from recognizing and addressing the real issues in our communities. It’s time we talk about it. History Is Revolutionary, But It’s Not the Revolution Before I go deeper, I want to clarify something. I recently wrote about how history is revolutionary, but it is not the revolution itself. That doesn’t mean history isn’t important—it is crucial. History informs culture. It shapes governance. Dr. Greg Carr and his crew highlight this in their Africana studies framework, discussing governance structures and cultural continuity. I love that knowledge. I love learning from the past. But knowing history alo...

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

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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...

Unlocking the Power of Honor: A Guiding Light for Our Tribe's Future

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  Unlocking the Power of Honor: A Guiding Light for Our Tribe's Future In a world where words often lose their meaning amidst the noise, "Honor" stands tall, embodying a profound truth that resonates deeply within the soul of our community. As we navigate the complexities of modern existence, it's essential to return to the roots that define us, leveraging the timeless principles of Honor, Loyalty, and Sacrifice to forge a path forward. This exploration isn't just about understanding a concept; it's about redefining our collective destiny through the lens of integrity and truth. As a community committed to empowerment and personal growth, we dive deep into the essence of Honor—dissecting its impact on our lives and our interactions with each other. This isn't just an article; it's a manifesto for those ready to embody the true meaning of Honor in their lives, propelling our tribe towards unprecedented heights of unity and strength. The Core of Honor: H...

Under the Stars: Transforming Our Tomorrow with Camping Fundraisers and Soul Growth

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  Under the Stars: Transforming Our Tomorrow with Camping Fundraisers and Soul Growth Camping and growing Peace, Family. Brother ha2tim here, weaving a vision for us—a vision where the great outdoors becomes our classroom, our sanctuary, and our source of strength. As we navigate the concrete jungles of our daily lives, there’s a yearning in our hearts for connection, for peace, and for a space where we can truly grow. Imagine, if you will, a series of camping trips planned with intention and purpose, not just as escapes but as powerful tools for fundraising and personal evolution. This is about tapping into the ancestral wisdom of nature to fuel our journey from merely surviving to thriving, from individual to collective empowerment. Let’s dive into how future camping trips can be the fertile ground for nurturing our community's roots and branches. The Road Ahead: Our map is drawn with trails leading us through Ohio’s scenic parks to the uncharted terrains of the Midwest. Each de...

Embracing Acceptance: The First Step on Your Journey to Resilience

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 Tribal Quotes Revisited Embracing Acceptance: The First Step on Your Journey to Resilience Resilience in Harmony: Rising Above with Pan-African Strength. Peace and strength to you, Brothers and Sisters. It's Brother ha2tim here, bringing forth a beacon of light to guide us through the shadows of adversity. Today, we stand together, drawing wisdom from the profound words of William James: “Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.” Let's unpack this profound proverb and understand how acceptance isn’t just about acknowledging our reality—it’s about empowering ourselves to rise above it. The Power of Acceptance: Understanding Acceptance : Acceptance is not a passive surrender, but a courageous acknowledgment of reality. It's about seeing our circumstances without the veil of denial or despair. When we accept, we align ourselves with the truth, setting a solid foundation for healing and growth. Acceptance as a Gateway ...

Tribal Quotes - Embracing Innate Wisdom: Unveiling the 7 Pillars of Self-Mastery

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  Embracing Innate Wisdom: Unveiling the 7 Pillars of Self-Mastery In a world brimming with knowledge and philosophies, the profound words of Friedrich Nietzsche echo a timeless truth: "There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy." This powerful statement serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path to understanding and harnessing the innate wisdom that resides within each of us. As we embark on this journey of self-discovery, we align ourselves not just with our personal aspirations but with a heritage rich in wisdom and a community moving towards empowerment and growth. As the Dean of Students and the visionary behind GNJMedia, I invite you to delve into the depths of your being, to uncover the wisdom that transcends the confines of conventional learning. Through this exploration, we will unveil the 7 Pillars of Self-Mastery, a roadmap to harnessing your inner knowledge and transforming it into a tool for personal, cultural, and community empowerme...