Assumptions are Self Deception

Identifying a problem, an issue, a gap, a trespass, a systemic breach, barrier, exploitation, suppression, oppression, offense, brutality, violence. Calling it out, calling it what it is, and shining a light upon it is an important first step in any critical process. How else will we begin. But we dare say the process must continue, because chances are someone has highlighted this very matter previously. The key is what happens next? Do we stop there? Do we ride the wave of recognition for simply being bold enough to report what is obvious? That’s reporting the news. Then what? Exposing problems (gaps, breaches, exploitation) is crucial, but it's just the start. What happens next, or what we do next is. We must move beyond awareness to building solutions.

If not, then what? Do we only have an obligation to call out problems? Great, it's on the radar now. Now, do we stand in a corner, demanding change, claiming there's another way? Yet, we haven't walked that path ourselves, nor channeled our energies to support the change we talk about?

Or maybe we want to see everything collapse...and then what? Do we think we'll rise from the ashes like some mythological Phoenix? Stop fooling yourself. The privileged (we all have some degree of it) have no idea what it means to survive the projects, the trap, slums, poor towns or the hood (it’s all relative). We're too easily deceived by smooth-talking leaders who claim we're special. Guess what? All those "special ones" get burned or x’d out with cointelpro, leaving the masses lost. Check the history books. We need widespread change, so if not you, then someone else must step forward, and then another, and another. Or better, All of Us. Stop playing checkers, see past egos and misguided pride, and level up.

Too many assume we haven't been there, sunshine, but the truth is: we've lived the bottom, in depths many cannot fathom. And from those depths, we continue to rise to heights not imagined. Witness, Watch us, sunshine. Watch Us.

Be a Pillar of Change.

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Pillars of Change

Working for a better World. We strive to advance inclusive democracy for the human family. We achieve this through progressive education, transformative change, a commitment to justice, and fostering authentic belonging. We advocate radical equitable access to social, political, and economic resources as essential for the constructive improvement of people's lives.

Shabazz Rah-Khem, Ph.D.