Let’s be Clear ....

This happens too!!! My family is in Law Enforcement.   Compassion exists.  Their job is not easy. They should lead by example.

Happy 95th Birthday Grandmother

HAPPY - 95 - GRANDMOTHER!!! You are a shining example of a life well lived.  Though nothing has come easy.  With this current administration trying its damndest, to take you back to your childhood.  You remain unscathed. The stories that you continue to share with me. You have treated me to a life of culture, decorum, glamour and decency. ‘We never look down, you never know, who might be your savings grace’. ***SideBar*** Grandmother graduated from Berkeley High.  One of the criteria’s to graduate, you had to be able to swim two laps(Same as Harvard). All seven of the Black students graduated in her class. It wasn’t blatant, but the expectation, was not for them to succeed, legend is that ‘we’ don’t know how to swim.*** I’m happy to say that my Grandmother spoke of never experiencing any racism at her school. She loved it!! Makes me love the Berkeley community even more.
Today we honor YOU, We revel in YOU. Today at the Claremont climb, we’ll dance a gig, just as your C’est LaVie club did in 1955.  Grandfather is looking down smiling.
I love you and appreciate every single sacrifice. That you made, in order, for ‘us’ to be just as ‘great’ as anyone ... #equals.  Happy Birthday Grandmother Cora.

Enough IS Enough ....

This unjust war is NOT something people of color created.  400 years of oppression.  The conversation can’t be fully addressed, without nervous unrest accusations, that deviate the TOPIC at hand.  Facts show the world  collectively, witnessed the death of George Floyd at the knee/hands of Police Officer Derek Chauvin.  That’s the obvious topic.  Add in our current directive administration, led by The President of the United States, who clearly approves of Racism and Discrimination on a daily basis. 

Please understand that looting is an act of  FRUSTRATION and angst. It’s a PLEA to hear our cry. How much longer can Police bully and dominant a race, based merely on the color of our skin? That’s the long-standing QUESTION.  Isn’t it time, we get an answer? 

Share this truth with the Babies, especially young men, but with all, we must have dialogue with them, answer their questions.  Knowledge is KEY. Make sure that your children understand, the right and fair opinion, not your opinion.  Educate them, teach them to govern themselves accordingly and within the law.  It’s starts with knowing your rights.  Visit Police stations, have conversations with the Officers.  You have RIGHTS, find out what they are, address them.  We must band together.  It’s essential! We’re soooo much better than that.  Growth is ONLY achieved when discomfort is addressed.  Let the conversation begin.  Do I make you uncomfortable? Well your silence makes me uncomfortable 🥵.

A Stephens NOT a Legend ...

John STEPHENS

I am a Black man LOVING self ...

To ALL my Beautiful Black, Brown, Tan, Yellow and  Beige Brothers ... LOVE yourself.  Please understand the current Administration give zero phucks about our view points and our plight.  Let’s UNITE and not DIVIDE.