Posts

Showing posts with the label Cultural Identity

Featured Post

The Hammer and the Vision: Wielding Double Creativity in the Season of Faith

Image
The Hammer and the Vision: Wielding Double Creativity in the Season of Faith We are deep in the final stretch of 2025, Fam. Can you feel it? The air is thick right now. It’s not just the winter chill; it’s the vibration of completion. We are walking through the 7th Cycle, the season of Imani (Faith) , and we are marching toward the Great Restoration. But today? Today the fractal of time is doing something special. If you look at the map of time, the math is shouting at us. Here we are, standing in the Year of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) —where we define ourselves and speak for ourselves. We are swimming in the Cycle of Imani —believing in our victory with all our hearts. But here is where it gets interesting: We are in the Week of Kuumba (Creativity) , and today, specifically, is the Day of Kuumba . That’s a "Double-Dose" of Creativity. A double shot of that creative spark. Now, I know what the world tells you creativity looks like. They tell you it’s adding more paint ...

Drop the Qualifier: Reclaiming Our Narrative Without Apology

Image
Drop the Qualifier: Reclaiming Our Narrative Without Apology We are at a pivotal moment in history—a moment of transformation, of collapse, and of rebirth. Like the mythical phoenix, we are being pushed to redefine ourselves, to rise from the ashes of outdated frameworks. A conversation I had recently made me realize something profound: we have been conditioned to qualify ourselves in ways that no other group does. We say Black man , Black woman , Black history , as if our identity needs an extra descriptor to be understood, acknowledged, or validated. But why? When white people talk about their history, they don’t call it white history . They simply call it history. Napoleon is just Napoleon. The Renaissance is just the Renaissance. Yet, when we speak of our existence, our achievements, and our legacies, we feel the need to prefix them with "Black." But this qualifier does more than just distinguish—it subtly suggests that our reality is secondary to some greater, more dom...

Respecting Your Journey: The Essence of Self-Mastery

Image
Respecting Your Journey: The Essence of Self-Mastery Haiku by ha2tim No one will respect/ What is yours, more than you do/ What do you respect?/ Greetings, family! Brother ha2tim here, weaving the tapestry of our journey towards Self-Mastery. Today's Ha2ku reflects a profound truth: the level of respect we command for what's ours begins with how much we respect it ourselves. Let's delve into understanding and nurturing this self-respect, a cornerstone in our quest for personal growth and empowerment. Embracing Self-Respect in the Path of Self-Mastery: Recognizing Your Value : The journey starts with acknowledging your worth. Understand that the unique blend of your talents, experiences, and aspirations is invaluable. Respect for self is the first step in commanding respect from the world. Honoring Your Efforts and Achievements : Every step you take in your journey of growth deserves recognition. Celebrate your victories, no matter how small, and learn from your setbacks....