Dearest,

I respect your writing skills more than you could know but when it's wasted trying to influence opinion rather than uplift or educate I get offended. The black mind is a shattered glass and while we are picking up the pieces we don't need our leaders being criticized by the very people he's trying to lead. It's not defending Jay Z as much as it's protecting the image of our leaders that our oppressors so diligently destroy.

Your assistance isn't needed in the devaluing of a black man because they have a whole system in place for that. If you can't feel what I'm saying then cool but I do know I'm right. My defense of Jay seems simple. I don't want a writer I respect talking bad about an artist I admire. Let the white people take shots at him and say what ain't good enough. Who gave you the gavel to decide what behaviors he should engage. I'm leaving it here. Like I said to you, when it's fake I don't gotta respect it. Feed your audience. Do your job.

I stay away from black women for this very reason so please knock every black man you know. What you'll notice is how many black men move away from these supercritical women who in most cases have nothing to offer but a mouth.

Dear Dearest, 

My financial situation is in shambles. I have a 12 year old daughter and I was just laid off from a job in Florence, SC. She is ready to go back to school but other than that every thing is falling apart. I don’t even know how I’m going to buy food. My car was reprocessed and I am about to get evicted from my apartment. I only have an elderly Aunt who I was helping while I was working. I’m so depressed and it’s only been 3 weeks without work. I have been looking.  Do you have any suggestions to save my situation?  

Sinking Fast

Dear “Sinking Fast”, 

Dear Dearest, 

I read your posts everyday and you are truly inspiring. But sometimes you sound so sad. Are you depressed? 

A faithful follower. 

Dear “Faithful Follower”,  

My depression fits me like a glove. It appeases my lazy and strokes my pity. It confirms what I see when I look in the mirror. It excuses me from doing housework. It gives me permission to pop these pills. It makes it ok not to pay these bills. My depression loves the dark and feeds off of make believe. My depression tells me where I can go and all the things I can't achieve. My depression has taken the form of a man, the form of death, the form of sand. Yes sand I said, like in the hour glass of time. It not only plays with my psyche but ravages my mind. My depression is mystical and has many faces. Going to work each morning but never leaving any traces. My depression will tell me to never seek help. My depression lives off of secrets, shame, and guilt. My depression is strong and loving at times, allowing me to sleep knowing there are no answers to find. My depression wants me all to itself. Our relationship is toxic, our relationship is toxic, our relationship is toxic, so toxic that when you ask me how I am doing, my depression answers, "Fine". 

Depression is real

Don't Ignore in our family, our friends, in ourselves.

~ Dearest 

​Every month I write a letter or post a statement to my child’s charter school (Movement in Charlotte, NC).  You see I am only giving them 1 job to do. The rest Dad and I will give him the tools. The job is to teach my baby to read. He is an exceptional boy if I must say. He is open to learning but his test scores are pre-premier and that’s where this mamma don’t play. 

He is so handsome, they often take his photo to post. I believe this is to make the school shine. But they all out live their cuteness and we need to not focus on their looks but only their minds.  

He brings about $10,000 each year to this Movement because he has an IEP. I am trying to figure out does this lower his standards and will he grow up to the man he was called to be. 

My letters and posts have been consistently ignored. I guess for them to try to save face but I will fight to the death for education reform. They won’t leave my child out the race. 

There are those that leave us star stuck, while others put on a good face. There are those that have big titles but this blog is about Londa’s Grace. I entered her doors amazed, of how a woman could be such a boss. I watched as she served tables keeping in mind it all had a cost. She carried no big ego. She makes no one feel ashamed. She makes me want to strive for this because business is her name. She always provides great service and keeps a smile on her face. I write a lot of controversy but I’m so proud she is a part of my race. She makes room for families to gather, she provides a boardroom to “ball” and although I’ve never interviewed her, this blog still won’t say it all. She is undeniably God fearing, she is beauty, certainly a Queen. Some of you say we don’t have hero’s but Londa is mine you know what I mean. Last night I was honored to meet Anthony Hamilton and see Black Folks Out doing it big but first I have to thank Londa, because it’s her vision that blows this off the lid. Now she will give the credit to God and say her husband and children have done it all but it’s the Grace of Londa in our community that ensures we will never fall.

I love you sis. We will get to that interview. �‚�‚�‚