Many years ago, when I took a cruise to Jamaica, I overslept and missed my paid-for excursion. So, I got off the ship and walked around the port. There were taxi drivers lined up to take people places, and I said to one, "show me around the island. The...
It's February 1st and Black History Month has arrived! As someone who is perpetually stuck in the 20th century, crooning to Earth Wind and Fire and Parliament Funkadelic, I challenged myself to get with the times. We are nearly one quarter into the 21st century and a lot has...
When Republican Tim Scott was elected to the Senate, I was annoyed and intrigued. Scott said that the Republican Party was aligned with his faith. I could guess what that would mean. Homophobia, anti-feminism, anti-abortion. I was right, straight down the line. However, Scott is not anti-black. He’s very...
When I was growing up, my favorite comedian was Bill Cosby, specifically, his Wonderfulness comedy album. My grandfather had it in the parlor under the record player. My grandfather with his membership to the Playboy Club who had probably seen Redd Foxx and LaWanda Page. He just didn’t bring...
This year for Dr. King's Birthday, I want to share two things with you. A speech, and a Jeopardy game board. The speech is "Give Us the Ballot". I listen to it every election year and I'll share a quote to show you why I listen to it. Over 30...
A friend of mine posted a note on Facebook five months ago regarding voter registration. She said that it’s very important to check your registration, and of course, make sure you have a valid ID with the correct address. I was quite perplexed. She was sending this in August...
Happy New Year! I think I have been making New Year’s Resolutions for over 30 years. On New Year’s Day, I would write down everything I hoped to do, from finding a guy, to cruising through Europe, to buying a house, to publishing my stories, to losing 100 lbs. At...
Every day of Kwanzaa provides deep meaning, an opportunity to explore an aspect of our essence that is necessary for us to thrive as individuals and a community. But for some reason, Ujamaa is my favorite. I think that cooperative economics, the start, the growth, and the support of...
Over the past 3 days, I have sent out 60 Holiday Cards. It was quantity over quality. I did not send top of the line $7 cards. I did not send a letter telling my friends and family about our year. I didn’t put personal notes in each card....
In 2024, the last of the Baby Boomers, including myself, will turn 60. As the American population of baby boomers becomes geriatric, we also have an aging population in our prisons. 15% of American prisoners are above 55 and 32% of those elderly prisoners are black men. They may...