Skeletal Diadem

The fanfare felt enforced
To deflect from the catacombs that fueled a coronation
An intercontinental legacy of blood was buried
One doesn’t have to be from America to face potential book-burning
Jewels, artifacts, and human beings
Illegally exported
“But we [took/stole] it fair and square!”
Shouted the sycophants’ ghosts
To harbor this uncommon wealth
One didn’t have to be part of the Axis (saying nothing about a lineage from that “house”)
To set up concentration camps decades ago
Carte blanche set to bury the crimson oceans
Beliefs, languages, and jobs
Enforced for these forms of erasure
The so-called Gold Coast made their funds ever stronger
This antiquated cash bought the ancestors of many, including on this soil
Even those in the modernized Baratanac had their rightful qualms
The crowned ancients didn’t look like those who ruled for centuries
The old coins and art-facts speak for themselves (afros and cornrows?)
An apology is only a sliver of what needs to be done
The rest is rightfully owed cash
Despite an unexpected abdication, it’s still a skeletal diadem no matter how adorned the wearer is

Pondering my own opinions and observations

I had been thinking a lot today and I’m trying not to give into an old habit of caring (too much) about what other people think of me or what I say. Sometimes I wonder if the things I post have some kind of important impact on people. Sure, I get some likes and positive comments here and there which is cool, but there are times when I wonder if people are either trying to be nice or badmouthing me behind my back (figuratively and/or literally whether offline or online). I’ve actually been surprised that I haven’t had certain reactions whenever I talk about severe subjects or have controversial insights on society or forms of entertainment. Yes, I am aware that I have gotten a certain reputation when it comes to my thoughts on various movies and anime series, but I won’t be going there in that post. I have to do my best to stick to my guns, especially when I know I’m right or when I can back up the opinions I have with evidence and logic.

Have any of you had those thoughts before on your blog like when you get specific comments or get attention for certain posts you’ve typed?

601 In Crisis

The magnolias wither by every drop
Throttling the life out of the purest essences
Erasing souls slowly in the city with soul
While seen in Flint before
The environment is larger
The eighty percent are afflicted
Like in other cities and towns (regardless if they get reported)
The situation is at a crossroads
Not just the moniker in this part of the South
Bottles become treasures and lifelines
For something that is a human right
As they drown in carcinogens
Watch the outrage should this happen in Madison
Or other hubs where melanin is lacking in the majority
How many of the aforementioned regions had this happened for this long?
Environmental apartheid strikes again

Perpetual Dismissing

Why bother crafting
New worlds or weaving some notes?
Inspiration falls

This Rant Had To Happen From This TikTok Creator About People Questioning Her Parentage

I hard relate to this rant since this woman and I have a few things in common. Both of us have a lighter complexion and are descendants of interracial couples where we have Caucasian dads and African-American moms. What really grinds my gears is when I see people questioning people like us when it comes to talking about racism or specifically Black issues. Give this woman a freaking medal for calling that nonsense out. Not every person from a mixed family acts like a sellout or is (god forbid) a “tragic mulatto”. That is one term I will not tolerate being addressed as such. She was on point by talking about how she deals with racism even with the so-called “light skin privilege” and how even Black people with two Black parents question her experiences. Don’t get it twisted, I don’t lie about the fact that I have a white parent, but I sure as heck have NEVER been treated like I was white and it’s not just because I have a noticeable amount of melanin despite having a lighter skin tone. That didn’t stop me from getting called the N-word, getting profiled at some stores, people low-key and overtly discriminating against me, and so on. Also, not everyone from a mixed family has lighter skin such as Jordan Peele, for example. One’s parentage isn’t their fault! I’m also glad that Phil called out those people as well and also mentioned how some people who would be considered biracial have been harder on white supremacy and racism compared to some people with two Black parents (the footage of Candace Owens during that part of the video to prove his point was too hilarious even if she’s an easy punchline). You can even throw Larry Elder, Herschel Walker, and Whoopi Goldberg (yeah, I said it!) to that portfolio, but that’s a story for another day. Don’t these trolls know that this categorization and name-calling about “not being Black [enough]” only adds to the division and discord even when those who could be considered biracial/multiracial are genuine in fighting against bigotry?

I’m just sick of this litmus test imposed on people like me and it needs to stop. Just because you have some people from mixed-race families who act like sellouts doesn’t mean everyone else is. So what? Are you going to bash Colin Kaepernick or even the late Frederick Douglass because they have white parents? Those haters deserve to be ignored. This woman should keep on speaking the truth. Seriously, I’ve been frustrated like her whenever I was bashed just because of my parentage when I’m not even being confrontational or rude. It disgusts me whenever I get excoriated just because I have a white dad, but actual racist jerks don’t get that kind of energy from those same people.

Can’t You Tell I’ve Been Very Frustrated Since Blogging Again On Here?

Maybe I’m just too angry to do something creative on here. Wow, what a massive divergence from the original intent of the blog, right?

There have been too many stories that make my blood boil (the Carolyn Bryant one was a major example, as you know). I keep on seeing people giving passes to various individuals and companies when they clearly don’t deserve it. The trademark game has become maddening when I found out months ago that the word “Juneteenth” got trademarked with that now-discontinued Wal-Mart ice cream flavor. It seems like everyone wants to appropriate Africa and the diaspora at large with the culture, ethnic groups, and languages. I don’t want to come off as shallow to the point where I would feel awkward talking about positive things or stuff that I like on here. Oh…this is the internet. It’s where people bash everyone for daring to like something unless you have “protected interests” and hobbies like mainstream sports or Disney. God forbid you question anything, yeah?

I really need to do better with posting good content even if I’m raising awareness about certain issues. Life is maddening.

When the Word “Woke” Becomes a Dog Whistle. Exhibit A: Ron DeSantis

Before we get to the subject at hand, we can all agree that the word “woke” has these specific meanings if you pardon me for getting a bit Mirriam-Webster on all of you…

1: The past tense version of the word “wake” (I woke up at 8 AM today).

2: It is a term to become more aware of important issues (Miriam became more woke when she learned about Black Wall Street). It can also be contextualized as “wokeness” whether in a literal sense of being conscious or when companies pretend to care AKA corporate-wokeness.

I’ve noticed since the Summer of 2020 that the term has been used in a derogatory and racially-charged way. Leave it to Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis to help lead the charge of turning that term into an anti-Black dog whistle much like previous examples such as “welfare queens”, “superpredators”, “lowering the property taxes”, and most famously “thug”. DeSantis has been on some bigoted jihad with trying to get anti-CRT laws in his state, so it’s not surprising that he would make a claim that he and others should “fight the woke” in schools, businesses, and other establishments and that Florida should be the state where “woke goes to die”. His words, not mine! Watch the video and tell me if I’m lying.

DeSantis, your klan hood is showing!

To paraphrase Phillip Scott: Mr. Governor, do you want Black people or any potential individual ally who wants to fight against racism to die? I’m just asking questions here. Oddly enough, Ron DeSantis is a 4th generation Italian-American and (not going to lie, it’s weird learning about this fact) Italians weren’t always considered to be white in this country until decades ago, so he really shouldn’t be talking. I learned that from the book Birth of a White Nation by Dr. Jacqueline Battalora who talks about the history of the classification of whiteness going back to pre-Independence America starting with the aftermath of Bacon’s Rebellion (check out that book whenever you can). So this guy and others who think like him want there to be oppression full stop and for Black people to be subjugated and killed with impunity? Yeah, but DeSantis is too cowardly to curb white supremacist terrorists and mass shooters running around in his home state, that’s for sure! It’s why you have to question media and really look at the context of what is being said. It’s a shame that I was told I was “overanalyzing” things if I suspected someone having negative connotations with what they say and do when I realized in hindsight that I apparently wasn’t allowed to question anyone while blindly listening to what people say.

Just watch the wording and what is really being said. It could lead to dangerous implications in the future with various laws.

Sometimes I Question My Creativity

Feels like I’m more known for my rants and news commentary than I do with anything else.
Yes, I know I’m not just a one-trick pony, but I haven’t been consistent.
I’m sure I’m a punchline in other realms.
I wish I never had to prove myself to anyone with whatever I do.
We’ll see what happens when I bother creating something…

A Long-Delayed Rant About Someone

Apologies for not having a meaningful post like what I’ve been having recently, but I have to get something off my chest.

I made a short thing in passing among other subjects in a post long ago, but I need to vent about someone online who shall remain nameless.

I’m sorry for trying to relate to you and some of the struggles that you’ve mentioned (especially with being literal vs. being sarcastic or some mental health issues). I’m sorry for enjoying some of your posts about different topics to name a few. It’s insulting that you have cussed me out in one comment or think I’m somehow wrong with whatever I believe or think about. Just because something isn’t your reality doesn’t mean it isn’t someone else’s. I hated how you gaslighted me and downplayed my personal experiences. You have some nerve only caring about issues that affect you just so you could retain some (toxic/delusional) optimism. How selfish and narcissistic of you. Let’s take your words and logic to their logical extreme. Let’s say (this is a hypothetical situation I clearly wouldn’t wish on ANYONE) that some melanated individuals who happen to be on the Autism spectrum are abused or killed in a hate crime. If that happened, you wouldn’t give a crap unless they looked like you or your family members. Don’t lie to me. You know I’m right. I know you’ve praised one abuser and made an excuse for not knowing her that much except for a role in a certain superhero movie. Would you say that if that person was a man? I have never disrespected or trolled you, yet you got big mad when I made a comment that wasn’t about you to begin with about how some of the same people who tell me not to overanalyze fiction’s implications are the same ones who will defend any kind of bigotry or abusers out there. I thought it possibly went into spam or I forgot to hit “enter” at first, but I didn’t know you deleted it until you ranted after the fact. I wasn’t talking about you, but your actions proved me right and you became EXACTLY like the people who have psychologically manipulated and BULLIED me! You know what they say…The guilty dog will bark first and loudest if you pardon the slight twist to that saying. I guess separating the art and artist is your free get-out-of-jail card for people you like who do or say bad things. I wasn’t even attacking you this whole time and I’m tired of you being superficial. Don’t even use your mental or emotional health as carte blanche to be disrespectful because I never had that excuse despite having actual neurological issues. If I wanted to diss you to kingdom come, I’d be a lot more vindictive, but you better thank whatever god you believe in (but if you’re agnostic or atheist, I won’t judge you if that’s the case) that I suck at insulting or bullying people. You should also be thankful that I’m not some troll who is confrontational to everyone even if I have controversial opinions. I’m no saint, but don’t act like you’re an innocent victim when you’re more offended by me mentioning my experiences of being bullied, victimized because of my ethnic heritage (something you will NEVER experience in your freaking life!), or talking about horrible things involving popular media than more severe forms of injustice just because they never happened to you!

I never insulted you, yet you’ve treated me like garbage just because what I’ve said doesn’t fit your narrative even when I wasn’t talking about you. I hope you get a moment of clarity where you realize what you did and said was wrong. It’s a slim chance that will happen, but I don’t know if I’ll ever forgive you unless you have a sincere apology for me. Shame I’m not used to seeing people actually owning up to THEIR misdeeds.

WOW! This Makes WAY Too Much Sense Why We Don’t Have Free Health Care In America!

Regardless of what side of the political aisle you’re on in America, can we at least agree that health care should be easier to access especially when you truly need it? It’s also weird how so many other countries including those that people would consider “developing” have free health care, cheaper doctor visits/surgeries, or at the very least is seen as a human right. When I was in Ecuador a few years ago, the tour guide was talking about basic facts about the country while driving around in Quito (the capital city, for those scoring at home) about the cost of living and health care. Since Ecuador uses the US dollar as its main currency everything made so much sense with the various rates. It was cheaper to get a house in a good area there than in most parts of America, and health care was seen as a basic right in their laws. The tour guide was shocked that in this alleged first-world nation we didn’t have that kind of access to medical care unless you had insurance as a benefit from a full-time job or something you had to pay every month for premiums and whatnot.

This brings me to the point of the video by The Black Congregation. There was a white woman on TikTok who mentions having a conversation with someone from Germany and the German was confused about why Americans wouldn’t vote for free national health care. She mentions that there are white people (mainly of the right-wing variety) who don’t want to see Black people get the same medical care and they would rather die slow painful deaths than let Black people get that kind of thing. There was talk about “freeloaders” getting free stuff which is beyond insulting to me not just because I’m not an immigrant (no offense to those who are immigrants in this country, obviously), but because I’ve worked multiple simultaneous jobs most of my adult life so far and my mom’s side of the family was taken against their will to be enslaved in America centuries ago. So I guess it’s “socialism” for the majority only and “picking one’s self up by their bootstraps” for those with melanin in their minds? That’s not even getting into the classism stuff there! It’s another aspect of medical racism and it’s just plain fallacious. Besides, you have doctors in European countries where free health care is available who are paid less than their American counterparts but can still afford nice cars and houses with their salaries. This was a very eye-opening video and this could grab attention of everyone. Like Phillip said in the video, I wouldn’t mind paying a little bit more for taxes if it is going for something useful like free health care or other essential services to help anyone who lives here. Again, I’m sadly not surprised how you have people who think about that in this nation.