So another black man was killed in the streets the other day by law enforcement. It spiraled the country, and even the planet, into an outpouring of emotions coming from every side. There’s protests, riots, healthy dialogue, vitriol, violence, and outright hate-mongering and shit is burning down - literally and figuratively. My thoughts and feelings are all over the place and I’m finding myself in need of balance and centering, like every few hours. I just feel icky. Do you know what I mean? I just want to go somewhere for a minute and not be here. Just for a minute. Someone posted a picture of a serene setting somewhere in the mountains and I tried to will myself to be there. It didn’t work. Lol!
This is where we are as a country. We are in a space of racial division, gender division, class division, age division (see the ‘OK Boomer’ movement), and political division. It’s basically every kind of division you can think of. I hope we can all see a pattern beginning to emerge. I titled this post “What do we believe?” but there’s so much to dissect inside of this George Floyd incident that seems to be sparking more chaos and destruction than anything. Let’s start with the actual situation.
George Floyd, an unarmed black man was killed by a police officer on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis. It was reported that the officer had his knee on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Two autopsy reports confirm that Floyd died by homicide. So that’s the official story.
The issue is that this incident compounds with a looooong list of other similar events where a black person is killed during an encounter with police officers using excessive force. These events highlight a growing need for reform in various systems that uphold our society and impact the lives of everyday citizens. Just a quick look on social media showcases the need for us to come together on these issues and establish resolutions instead of fanning the flames. I’ve made a few posts on Facebook and immediately I saw that a handful of people started unfollowing me. I talked about working together in unison, I talked about the Bible, I talked about embracing diversity. If that scares people away, then that is what’s necessary. I’m an artist and I will highlight things that may make you uncomfortable. That’s what we do to affect social change in our communities. Additionally, art affects the fundamental sense of self. Therefore, if you’re not in agreement with my fundamental values as an artist, you’re going to be triggered.
Moving beyond my individual space as an artist, it’s important to understand the fundamental values of everyone you follow. If you’re consuming any art from any artist who has values and beliefs contrary to yours, you’re possibly risking the foundational systems that uphold your sanity and sense of value and place in the world. Unless you’re seeking and open to new ideas and thought paradigms, that’s a dangerous spot to put yourself in because you could unintentionally be unraveling the framework that makes you who you are. This includes movies, visual art, and music. Guard your spirit.
Take the time to get to know your favorite artists or any artist you’re considering following. Read their lyrics, read their blogs, watch their videos, and test them. How does their body of work settle in your spirit? Does it settle at all? How do you feel afterward? Is it refreshing or does it drain you? Music, in particular, is not just a series of beats and rhymes. Music can set your mood, elevate (or demote) your thinking, and put you in an entirely different mode. There’s influence in music and art that goes unseen. However, it is felt on a deep level by our souls, minds, and spirits.
So with the recent events that have taken place and in anticipation for what’s to come, I’d like to share with you my personal beliefs, my values, and my purpose as an artist for such a time as this.
I believe in equality of all persons no matter skin color, religious beliefs, sexual preference, or social status. Everyone should be treated equally. That means I will champion for civil rights and sound an alarm if I see inequality going on.
I believe that in America, there is a system of oppression in place that has been targeting minority communities and the poor since its inception and that we can overcome this injustice if we work together.
I believe in harnessing personal power and working together as a collective to overcome systems of enslavement, dysfunctional family environments, and spiritual bondage.
Most of all I believe in YHWH, Yahshua HaMashiach, and the Ruach HaKo’desh the Hebraic names for the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. I believe in observing the Sabbath and practicing Biblical Holidays. I also believe in spiritual deliverance. My mission as an artist is to share the love of Yahshua through music. Therefore, all of my music, merchandise, and writings reflect Biblical principles and teaching.
My purpose is to create artistic content that edifies people and points them to their higher calling, their purpose, and their mission in life. I also have a heart for celebrating and uplifting women through spiritual growth, healing foods/herbs, and just being the phenomenal queens that we are.
If you can accept and/or come into agreement with these values, you’re my tribe! Are you in my Inner Circle yet?
The recent events have given me the opportunity to revisit my values and re-commit to how I want to show up in the world. How can I be a better person than I was a year ago? How can I make a bigger, more positive impact on my family and my community? Some new ventures have already come out of me asking myself these simple questions. I hope you’ve taken the opportunity to do the same.
For example, a lot of us are asking what can we do to promote peace and equality? Well, there are a lot of ways in which you can participate. Here are some resources and ideas…
8 Everyday Ways to Fight Racism (for whites)
10 Ways You Can Fight Racism in the Workplace (for whites)
Talk to your black friends (for whites)
Pick up the phone, ask questions, and listen. Some good questions to ask are…What are your experiences with racism? How is the George Floyd killing impacting you personally, your family? Are you protesting? How do you feel about the protests and current events? What do you think we can do as a society to fix racial injustice and racial division? Listen and be supportive. These are tough conversations to have but desperately needed.
Do not use racist jokes or slurs and do not tolerate them in your presence. This includes black people using the N-word. Let’s #cancel this word once and for all.
Educate yourself in all areas including heritage, finances, communication, business, and health. (For Persons of Color)
Engage in or start programs/policies that lift and edify the black community.
Donate to and/or join charitable causes that promote racial equality
Get to know people from other races
Support minority-owned businesses
Seek out or start a Diversity Committee at your church and workplace
Read! There’s tons of literature available for whites and persons of color to learn, gain insight, and get empowered to champion for racial equality internally, within your family, and in your community! Here’s a reading list to start with.
Love and hugs to you all. A few people bent on destruction doesn’t mean we all are. There is love, compassion, harmony, and peace in humankind and it starts with the heart. Let the Most High Heal your broken parts. And share the best parts of yourself with others. That’s how we connect and grow together.
