Speakin' Out

When I began recording my thoughts to share with the general public, I was very selective about what topics I chose to address. For the most part, I shared different experiences, reflections and attitudes about how I lived my life. I was wary of offending people, so I shied away from political and social issues and other topics of potential controversy. Well, I have had a change of heart. No more; I have a lot to say and I am grateful for this platform from which I can speak.

People often question the source of my anger. And, as of now, as for most of my life, I do believe my parentage and the circumstances of my birth significantly impacted me. But I am here to say there is more to me, and my perspective, that derives from my life experiences, over and above, being the “bastard” son of James Brown.

I want to preface my comments here, and for all future blogs as well, I can be very opinionated, but I want to assure my readers that I am not racist. I believe to be racist is very ignorant, and while I am emphatic about some of my beliefs, I am not open to hate, or one to hate.

However, along that train of thought, I need to state some facts about my interaction with the different branches of law enforcement. I see the need for cops on our streets, and that I acknowledge the breaks that have been extended from people in the criminal justice system.

But while I love the diversity of America and the concepts that this country was predicated, as in land of the free and home of the brave, I also know this isn’t experienced equally across this wonderful country. And despite the love I have for this country, I am not deaf, dumb or blind. And my ancestors also experienced their initial introduction to this country very differently than other, shall we say, “immigrants”. Because as Malcom X said, “We truly didn’t land on Plymouth Rock; however, it did land on us”.