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We see what is happening.  We do nothing.  We complain. We scream. We even kill ourselves and each other. At some point, someone told us we can't.  Someone said, we are limited. A mystery force opened its mouth and said No and we listened.  We start to say, its [they] and [them]; that did this to us but is OUR children who can't read. It is us who live beyond our means. It is us who choose to stay blinded. The trickery is the line laid out of us.  It is understood that we are being coerced into believing fairy tales of what success should be and is. It has been laid out that some neighborhoods will have better schools, better grocery stores, better housing. Trickery doesn't mean we are to be so easily tricked.  Even after being beat down, some slaves knew freedom was still a possibility but America is made up of millions upon millions who don't know they are slaves, to paraphrase Harriett. Keep one eye open on governmental mind games and the ot...

There are days when isolation seems to be like a perfect heaven no noise, no unkind words to cut my heart no human beings believing they have the right harm, hurt, and hinder Alone seems to be a like a destination of calm and beauty that still never leads to loneliness Today. Leave me alone.

This week is National Suicide Prevention week and not that I've been thinking about committing suicide but I have been thinking about the topic. A very well respected community leader committed suicide last week.  I attended his memorial service and I was so moved, confused, and sadden. This was a man that has served people globally and yet decided it was time to go.  I can't say that this person had some underlying mental illness. I don't know. I don't know what was on his heart and why he chose this time to leave but he did. Mental wellness is the last frontier of health.  Even with the mind, body, spirit concept, the body and the spirit get much attention while leaving the mind left alone as if its not a part of the equation.  We think about our bodies in terms of what the scale says and we think about our spirit in terms of what god we serve but miss the connection with the mind.  Being mentally well effects everything we do, believe, and how we live. ...

Live From The Color Complex, Part 1 Please read the above blog.[click] I can tell of the story of a mother, beautiful and alive, but told she was "black and ugly" for most of her childhood. I loved this blog. I'll share my mother's story another day.

my eyes grow tired mind still races God sends messages of correction and focus directing my prayers to and fro mostly about one telling me more things than I want to know but I pray my mind grows tired my shoulders ache God tells me to pray more things never look like they seem especially about one wanting to be ok with, thinking and even daydreaming but I meditate [to be continued]

I woke up this morning sick. Can't breathe. Chest hurts.  But on my mind, streaming like a movie......"Beauty is where you find it!" [scratches head] I quickly realized that I had not channeled Madonna but God is telling me something but what? First, what is Beauty?  I've always said that I would rather be perceived as "Beautiful" than "Pretty" any day.  Pretty is fixed. Its stationary. Its...well....boring.  Beauty can be packaged in so many ways. Its diverse.  Its magical. Its wondrous. Looking through your own lens of life.....what do you see? Where do you find Beauty? To Some, there's no difference in this thing called "Pretty" and "Beauty".  Its the same. Its all about the aesthetic. Its mostly visual and based on some deep brainwashing. Only a certain look, hair, skin tone, weight, and flair needs to apply.  Personality and spirit are secondary.  For me, Beauty is deeper.  Beauty is how a person views the ...

More dreams about waiting on God and allowing him to do all and be all. But yo, wait....I'm a workaholic.  I'm a doer. Just let me....right? This is the oddest revelation that's come to me this week. I've truly have rested. I've enjoyed every moment on some level. I've embraced the huge possiblity of moving and yet God needs to tell me to "let go 100%".  100%?  This doesn't fit well with my control issues. They are feeling WEIRD and concerned.  Can God handle this on HIS own? I mean, I know me.   I am me, right? hmmmmm....ok.  Back to Indy.  Letting God do HIS thing.....[crosses fingers] ;)

Just a quick little blog.  I'm in my most favorite place on Earth, NYC. I'm enjoying my friends and the City. I've enjoyed meeting new friends, helping others with their dreams, and RESTING.  A revelation from the trip: I need to let the Rhonda light shine more. I'm more than CWUW, Social Networker, HIV/AIDS activist, and even Mother.  I'm cool.   No really....I'm really a cool chick but I hide it. I hide it behind my work ethic.  I hide behind my focus.  Why? I'm waiting for Part Deux of this revelation to occur but I had a dream that made me think to.....slow down and enjoy all parts of ME and allow God to do HIS thing. The Dream : In my car and the brakes go out. I can't even switch it to drive. I can't turn the steering wheel....I had NO control. Freaky but I understood the dream.  Let go Rhon. Be Free.  Enjoy who you are. I'm fly . :)  You should know me.

I'm listening to some of the best intellectuals we have in Black culture make their cases for why Essence magazine has done a bad thing.  I'm reading women and men screaming out about this injustice of our beloved magazine hiring a white woman as the Fashion Director.  Normally, you would see me ready to go to battle over any injustice, any issue where I can see that one group will be held down, held back from being able to actively participate equal at the table. I'm not ready for battle.  Black's only?  Is the issue simply around her being white  or do we know more about her qualifications for being a fashion editor? I understand the disappointment and anger about this but I'm concerned that we've solely wrapped this commentary around her whiteness and not included any discussion about work history and qualifications. Admittedly, I haven't stayed up on this particular issue with Essence other than the immediate responses given once the word got out...

The one thing I'm not cynical about is LOVE .   I love Love . I love being in Love , I love showing Love , I love watching others in Love .  Its so beautiful and its the one thing that we're messing nowadays.  Pure love escapes so many of us.  To think that some have no idea what a mother's love feels like is so sad.  I've seen loveless marriages take place and why, because we're all truly searching for Love and yet have a hard time really identifying what love means, feels like, and is. "You take the bitter with the sweet!" - Grandma That was my grandmother's advice to her children when they would complain about their marriages. You don't see too many staying in for the bitterness. Love isn't always about being HAPPY and gitty .  Its acceptance of your partners imperfections and flaws and a willingness to persevere through trials. Somehow, we want perfection even when we're not perfect ourselves. I desire and will have the Love of...

 By Kevin Powell "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." --Abraham Lincoln And the drama of Congressman Charlie Rangel continues to unfold with 13 charges of misconduct, even as I type this essay: Mr. Rangel faces a range of accusations stemming from accepting four rent-stabilized apartments and misusing his office to preserve a tax loophole worth half a billion dollars for an oil executive who pledged a donation for an educational center being built in Mr. Rangel's honor. In short, Mr. Rangel, one of the most powerful Democrats in the United States House of Representatives, has given his Republican foes much fodder to attack Dems as the November mid-term elections quickly approach. While this saga continues, two questions dangle in the air: First, where did it all go so terribly wrong? And, second, did Mr. Rangel begat the lack of ethics also present in the career of his colleague, friend, and...

 Its time. Its time for change beyond just a campaign slogan but for the Hip Hop generation, the post civil rights generation to take our place as leaders. We are late bloomers. We are now in our 30's-40's and are still having to push aside some of our civil rights leaders who have not willingly pass the baton. We respect them. We honor the path set before us and yet we recognize that times are different and  we need different leadership. I sincerely support Kevin Powell for Congress.  His sincerity and compassion are to be honored. He has put together a strong campaign staff full of smart, savvy, articulate leaders who understand the needs of the Brooklyn community.  September 14, 2010 - Vote for Kevin Powell for Congress, 10th Congressional District, Brooklyn, NY. Who is Your Congressperson? from Kevin Powell on Vimeo .

Dear You: I've yet to hold your hand or see your smile but I know, you are meant for me. I know your eyes will swim in my soul. I know your hand will provide protection. Your lips will love me right.  You have been made for me and not other. You've waited patiently for me as I have prayed and longed for that moment when I can hear your spirit call my name without the utterance of a single word. Your heart is towards God and towards his people. Service is your driving force. Love is your fuel. I'm busting out of my seams just thinking of when and where you will arrive. Who are you that has been created to love me? My twin soul understands the passion and longing of this letter. He knows its not out of loneliness, not out of desperation but one spirit calling to another.  I'm being prepared for you. I'm more than your helpmate. As the trees need the life force of the air I exhale, you need my presence to stand.  I send love vibrations.  I send my desires. I've ...

Silver shadow Glowing shadow Shining brightly For all to see I remember gazing on this quiet night The stars were bright as they could be Wonderin' if things would ever go right And if there was a spot up there for me Then one star got brighter by the minute Strange that it seemed to have my name written in it I reached for the star and it kissed me with it's light It made me cast a show that was silver and bright Silver shadow Glowing shadow Shining brightly For all to see I never had any good reason To thank my lucky stars But now I got a pretty good reason cause I know I'm gonna go so far I believe in magic, I really do With all that's happened It's got to be true I cast a silver shadow from the kiss of the light I knew that I was destined Starting with tonight Silver shadow A glowing shadow Shining brightly For all to see Silver shadow My future show Trying to tell me Of a star I would be Since I was chosen ...

Working in HIV, I've always had the battle of trying to educate my people on being preventive when it comes to their sexual health. I'm use to the excuses, the blame, etc.  I understand the issues around HIV but what about heart disease?  What about diabetes? What about taking preventive measures to reduce the risk of getting certain cancers?  Why are we the last to understand that our health IS something we can control no matter your economic situation. Yes, NO matter your economic situation.  Barriers There are barriers to access to fresh fruits and veggies BUT you still have access to fruits and veggies. Its called harm reduction.  Its used in substance abuse treatment.  You do what you can to reduce HARM by making the best choices you can make.  Using your EBT card and buying better foods is possible.  There are farmer's markets that accept EBT cards and even WIC.  No excuses.  Make better choices when you can. Advocacy is ...

One mo time.... If you dig through my Myspace blogs (gotta be my friend to dig), you will find a lot of blogs on Sisterhood, women getting along. I've worked with women and girls all of my life.  I come from a family filled with strong women.  I understand the importance of female relationships.  Its very important for women to connect with other women. So why do we still have this breakdown in sisterhood? Why do we still have women saying, "I really don't get along with other females"?  Why do we roll our eyes at each other? Why are we afraid to show love? I'm not about to write an essay because there are so many reasons why we are were we are today. Sexism being one of the top reasons but lets move toward some solutions with first like simply -  looking in the mirror . Healing starts at home.  When you see another beautiful woman, do you immediately pass judgment or can you appreciate her beauty AND tell her she's beautiful? When you see a man...

Bottom line - God knows best. I'm all for being the one to bring about all that I want through the manifestation of will. I understand it and God works in that but God is our GUIDE .  He will point to the road we must travel to live happier, more fulfilling lives but he will give us the desires of our hearts even if its not in our purpose, if we protest much.  This is the manifestation of will. What are you summing unto yourself through your own desires that may not be good for your soul?  Or what are you rejecting out of fear and confusion? Obedience is better than sacrifice and yet I believe so many would rather sacrifice so they feel they can do what they want. This is the harder road traveled and I've been there. Allowing my spirit to heed to the Supreme Love, to Divine order, to God's plan, its sometimes hard but always necessary. We may want to call ourselves gods but we are not the Creator of all things. So, God knows best.  Yeshua provides life.  I...