Virginia Sanhouse.

The PW2 Project.

Ciera Rogers.

Introducing Ciera Rogers. 

Now this is one woman who takes pride in 

who she is & embraces self. 

Thick & beautiful.

Yep!...that's it.

The PW2 Project.

Betta.

There’s been many social changes since The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960’s with the struggle for human equality but remains difficult 2 comprehend how another person can ever claim superiority over another.

The audacity.

 Fast forward to 2016 where rights remain violated due to the color of a person’s skin, gender & faith. 

Seriously?

This is why I see an importance of keeping this particular segment of history alive & brought to the forefront. 

With the recent pulse of bold ignorance exhibited by insecure grumpy men young & old, the sacrifices of those before me who laid their lives on the line cannot & will not be dismissed.

Betta. (1955-1965) from The Weddington Adventures. on Vimeo.

Despite the dangers during that period, peaceful demonstration displayed the power of the human spirit & exposed the foul attitudes of those who oppose. 

Regardless, heads remain high….  

Sprayed with high powered water hoses, beaten with police batons, mauled by dogs, even killed clearly shows the true face of injustice that continues 2 this very day. 

So ask yourself, are you part of the solution or part of the problem?

C’mon man!!

Why should we even have to explain such a basic life principle that should be considered common decency?

History has the tendency to repeat itself but is our responsibility 2 prevent such painful events from reoccurring. 

So now is the time for all of us 2 do “betta” yall.

Here is the first installment of a series explaining the relevance of that time & what it means 2 be me.

Peace!…with 2 fingers;)

X-Man.

Growing up in the inner city of Chicago with gangs, 
violence & hopelessness, there wasn't much much 2 look 
up 2 on the positive spectrum. 

Options were extremely limited while diligently 
searching for something truly impactful until one day 
getting my hands on a small paperback 
Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley 
at a local thrift store....

A thrift store. Really? (lol)...

things surely happens for a reason;)

This is when things began 2 open up with the ambition 2 read about history, culture & identity. Amazed at how such a book about a young man with a troubled past while facing the odds during the 1960's could make a massive impact. 

One thing that stood out about Malcolm was his motivation 2 teach self while incarcerated making him one of our prolific thinkers of that time.  

X-man. from The Weddington Adventures. on Vimeo.

If he could achieve such a task, 
then what's my excuse?

From that point, life drastically changed knowing despite 
the condition in which lived, perseverance 
with a bold fearless approach would 
pay off 2 be so much more.

Knowing this, it become my duty 
& responsibility 2 ensure that his life is remembered with a greater appreciation. 

Hmmph...I wonder how would things be today
 if someone like him ever existed for he wasn't 
just any ordinary man....he was.. 
X-man.

(Yep!)...

Peace!...with 2 fingers;)

Scars.

When 29 year old actor Lee Thompson Young didn’t show up on the set of TNT's Rizzoli & Isles, the show’s producers were concerned and contacted the police. Soon after, Young was found dead, believed to have shot himself. He didn’t leave a note.

Perhaps the “mystery” was depression  Sources close to Young claim that he suffered from it for months leading to his death.

Young isn’t alone. Over the past few years, we have lost a number of Black men to suicide: Soul Train’s Don Cornelious, Capital Steez, Freddy E, Violator Management founder Chris Lighty and Kansas City Chiefs player Jovan Belcher.

And yet, this issue isn’t often talked about. But what more do we need as a community to start taking this issue seriously

How long are we going to keep labeling mental health issues as The Other Person problem?”

The unwillingness to discuss & acknowledge mental health has become another unfortunate hurdle especially given that the data is clear that suicide rates are on the rise.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the third cause of death among African-American males between ages 15 and 24, behind homicide and accidents. And while suicide rates among Black men are lower than their white counterparts, the rates have increased dramatically.   

Meanwhile, Black men are least likely to access mental health services. Why?

Poor access to quality health care/counseling is a major factor to why seeking early detection is a nonpriority. Another barrier is the cultural stigma that states no need for therapy / medication for 

religiosity will make a way.

But one unseen factor that deserves attention is how Black masculinity serves as a huge barrier to seeking care.

Whether the media or just daily conversation, Black men receive messages daily to be hyper masculine, super strong & angry.

“Man up!”

“Real men don’t cry.”

“Showing emotion makes you soft.”

“Being vulnerable makes you weak.”

These types of attitudes continue to help foster a culture of silence that allows for Black men to sit and suffer alone.

There's a greater need to begin serious dialog where people are able to express themselves, be vulnerable & speak about the pain. 

So...lets stop equating being "devoid of emotions" with manhood & step up.




Peace!...with 2 fingers;)