Being Consciously Thankful Right Where We Are

     As the hours slipped a little past twelve, like a kid awaiting presents on Christmas eve, the spirit of Thanksgiving was felt, except I did not have my complete health. I looked at the clock at twelve-thirty something with a lump in my throat from a coming sickness of a cold, thankful that my son was safe with me, pondered the coming day and took a teaspoon of honey and cayenne before attempting to sleep.

     Let me jump to a little bit of background for your understanding before I dive deeper into a history of truth and thanks.  My first books as a child came from my fathers library, not your typical "Huck Finn," or any of those other classics as I learned the passion and struggle behind Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee and the truths of  Before the Mayflower.  I recall a few early sunrise services at Alcatraz with the Ohlone, a proud nation of people that once inhabited most of the San Francisco Bay Area before the Spanish and American settlers.  I used to hate waking up that early, cold as heck... to go burn sage and say prayers with the elders and whatnot, but understood the purpose was of relieving a pain I didn't quite understand in my youth.  What I did understand was that this land called America was stolen from people that once lived in peace and that millions, women and children included, were massacred in cold blood in the process.

Massacre of Christian Indians on March 8th 1782

After spending a night praying and preparing for the end, the Moravian Lenape were systematically butchered on the morning of March 8† with mallet blows and scalpings. Depending on your source, there were either 90 or 96 scalps to take that morning – women, men, and children in nearly equal proportions. At least one young boy survived the death squad and reported the massacre. Nor were all the militia themselves at peace with their deed. -executedtoday.com

     Just because we have it so good here in the good ol U.S. of A does not mean that we should forget the sacrifices made that got us here, that got us living somewhat comfortably, without hearing mortar shells falling on schoolyards and hospitals, without the fear of boarding a Trolley, BART, Train, or Bus without threat of suicide bomber, or the desperation in the voice from a parent carrying their dead child they just pulled from rubble. That was one long ass sentence huh?  Is it wrong to remind our friends, family... our own children of the truth that millions died so that we might have the slightest taste of what freedom is?   I say No!  Is it a "Buzz Kill" to call Thanksgiving, National Native American Day of Mourning?  No!  Why?  Because it is simply the truth and the truth can't hurt too bad now can it, as I'm told it will set us free!

     So am I thankful for the cake pops my niece made for her first time, or the progress a new shy boxer puppy has made with a bunch of goofy kids, or did I forget about the macaroni and cheese from scratch and the version with goat cheese and sheep's milk for those lactose intolerant and aw man, the bread pudding that you didn't know was actually made from bread, heck yea I am! But I'd be an ignorant fool to forget the sacrifices made that I know of and not say something, something to stick to the ribs like good home cookin and wisdom is supposed to do.

    This is my Happy Thanksgiving family & friends and Native American Week of Mourning.  Enjoy family, for we never know when they might be called. Never judge, for you never know when you might be judged. Pray you have the compassion and strength to give to others even when you find yourself in a difficult place yourself.  For the Pequot, Wampanoag, the Cherokee, the Sioux, Nez Perce, Moravian Lenape and countless other first nations that loved this land before us, and for all living descendants, the fight and struggle against Greed, Intolerance and Oppression continues... Fight On!

P.S. Waste Not.  Donate, give to the needy and make bomb ass Thanksgiving sandwiches with those leftovers!

Persistence, Patience, Prosperity, Purpose, & Inner-Peace

~Ku the Conduit

Moral Obligation and Where it Settles...

Where Do We Go From Now?

What is your Philosophy on Change?

At times we are faced with moral stalemates, reminders that knock on our conscious by way of our simple humanity. It could be a turn of events such as the racially charged atmosphere we have been experiencing or perhaps another issue that brings us close also such as a natural disaster, national outrage or perhaps it was a death of someone close to us. What are we to do when we feel powerless?  Sometimes I feel like the problems of the outside environment outweigh everything however are nowhere present within the struggle happening within my own home.  The way of the land affects the way you land in bed tonight, whether you acknowledge it or not. The political atmosphere as well as the natural environment have a direct impact on the way we are allowed to live our lives.  

We are all capable of using our own mind and utilizing our own logic, when it comes to what we deem right and wrong. What we do and choose not to do will effect not only our children but other generations to come. So it is with dire urgency that we preserve all life and build everyone and every living thing up so that we might know a deeper part of ourselves and plan for the children before it's too late. We turn on the news, see videos on youtube and receive facebook posts all with negativity. This person got shot that person got shot, this person killed their children, this person shot a movie theater up."  We then see the other media stuff, the celebrity distractions and somehow forget about what matters... because we are Taught to! 

Some things such as natural disasters are out of our control but we can plan for our families and can make a difference here at home, in the streets outside by simply picking up a piece of trash or planting a tree. Could planting a tree be seen as revolutionary? Think about it, in a planet where we use technology for everything and tech savvy is how we're all expected to be, to do something natural to create or preserve life other than organize and control it would be seen revolutionary indeed.  We can pick up a book and read to our kids. We can go to a beach, park or museum or see some crazy performance from out of town, if we can afford it right? More than anything when we see something wrong or unjust, we can call it like we see it and use the unfortunate opportunity to educate.  Let's lead by example and show folks different!

I found these small manzanita bushes on the side of a windy mountain by themselves. They were small, yet strong! When determined, nothing can shake you, deter you or cause you to loose footing.  How can we change conditions?  By challenging thought, but explaining things as clear as day in a manner everyone can comprehend, we can make a difference in our lives as well as in those around us.  By having conversations about race, class, money, and the natural state of things as well as revisiting the past, we can help sculpt a future desirable for everyone.  Here's something I did for a class when I was in New York.  You can always challenge old ways of thinking.  By the way, I almost always got an "A," because my logic was sound, arguments arranged well and well sourced. This teacher had to stick to the script and was very cool but I couldn't stand what I was being taught at times or that we were even required or expected to learn this BS. "The Greats" my ass!  How are you going to be great?  To breath alone is a feat in itself, for life is no accident and we have to fight to live!  So live!

Sekou M. Black

Philos 100-9E

Professor Mendoza

12-11-09

The Difference Between Savages and Animals

“I am, therefore,” No! “I am what I am,” said the great philosopher Popeye the sailor man

According to Locke a savage was not

Though justified enough to ravage his lands

Displace natives rape the women

Sell the children for 220 shilling “sold!”

Give others blankets laden with disease

With bloody feet trails of tears were frozen cold

It is these thoughts I venture not on

The canvass they paint where God was reason

Enough to show corrupted souls

Their logic flawed like recently passed seasons

No gifts of thanks only to celebrate

A great massacre of 700 heathens

If I were aboard with knowledge of their ways

No land for days I’d leave not one breathing

Here lies the story of painful pasts

Within this class by blood we share 

These Greek greats were full of shit-

I hope some argue against the loved I pray you dare

To test the tides even Descartes thought

The animals to be without some ethos

Without reason Aristotle’s Ethics

Have no choice thus act sporadic just like my peoples

 Please forgive our conditioned ways

Alienation many lives lost & taken stories tragic

Never forget the past & your families separated made slaves

Unforgivable that dreadful passage

Now many hoods know endless cycles savage acts

Upon occasion only rashness void of prior deliberation

Governments led the desecration of habitats?

Spread across the globe to every nation

So what’s tomorrow? The future we hold

My posteriori solid as animals remain sane

My understanding is beyond reason

My breaths are laxed I can’t complain

Disappointed by what my eyes hurt to see

Often strain to blind my hearts view from the lavish

Who’s executed these truths acts deemed inhumane?

Who’s civil now and who’s the savage?