Welcome to the first My Take the New Year. Or it states that many don’t want to begin this in a fashion on TV that dealt with Trauma.
Spolier Alert: Trauma is not new. I’ll clarify on why it is.
Throughout our history growing up in various circumstances, the issue of Trauma really hits us early. No matter if it’s in the family, neighborhoods, churches, jobs, or any other matter of speaking that many already know. Traumatic experiences come in many forms. Many examples and many angles. We all read about them and we all summarize it and usually don’t have answers. We don’t have ideas to convey the solutions at times. But there are some solutions that can cope with the valor of the effects of Trauma. In 2018, my home church had the third installment of Trauma that was about Healing the Family. And one of the speakers, laid in very well detailed information about trauma ranging from Slavery, to family conflicts, and the haunting memories of the pain and suffering about the use of trauma that stays hidden, but the wounds open up years later during adulthood. The speaker said over and over again: “Trauma is not new!” It’s not!
There were several clauses that compelled the issue of trauma ranging from Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, Racism and Oppression, Stockholm Syndrome Traumatic Bonding, Psycho-Physical Trauma, and Psychological Warfare, just to name a few. And what does this have to do with the black community? Part of this is not new in the black community because many of us know this very well. And it ties into today’s era that many are still scared to talk about. But why???? Is it fate? Is it going to break the family apart forever? Or is it just happenstance? And many wonder why it’s so hard to break that pain of traumatic stress NOW!
Speaking of that, there was a special that was aired on the Lifetime Channel regarding R. Kelly: Surviving R. Kelly. This special aired on three consecutive nights that the women in the special had all their say or commentary about their experiences in regarding R. Kelly. Many have said over and over again that R. Kelly had “sexual advances” towards the young girls over and over many times. And even “marrying and sexual advancing” the late great Aaliyah. Which was a false statement. As I’m watching this, many had to be like why it took this long for the women, who were traumatized by all this pain and suffering had to be succumbed to stay silent and tell their sides of the stories later on as adults? Why do the women who had to sit in front of the camera tearing up are doing this? I get it that it has hit hard on them, and many had to feel for them, but many are asking, why now? Why not then?
Many had to keep quiet about the secrets. Many had to keep quiet about the claims, or the backdoor politics to allow the alleged to walk scot free. Yes, many claimed that R. Kelly probably told the women of now, girls then to keep their mouths shut and never break a word to anyone getting all hyper-emotional years later. Well, guess what, their silence is broken. Plus in all the long traumatic commentary, it seems that also that many are calling this foul ball: It’s all fake, trying to get money, trying to be famous or just yet just want to exploit the real deal about R. Kelly that many feel it’s false. Or speaking of that, many black women and black men are actually defending R. Kelly! Are you kidding me?!!! And not only that, many folks whom have Spotify, probably logging in so many times to play R. Kelly’s music in positive aspects. But these are the folks whom probably don’t care, they are still going to play his music, watch his videos online (music videos) in all. And many still are doing it. I have some of R. Kelly’s music in my collection and I haven’t played them in a long while. Just never did. I just left them alone.
When I looked at all the segments, it brought me back to all the talk about Trauma and the effects of it. The women in the special had a traumatic reaction from the past and it’s something that they can’t shake. Many also had to ask, what compelled R. Kelly to do these things that many are assuming or believing? What is causing the matter of this to occur so many times before? Was this done to him when he was younger growing up in Chicago? As a matter of fact, when he was younger according to a previously recorded footage in the special, he was sexually approached. By one of his sisters! He said it! And he also said that it was a common thing in his family. So what do we have here is a long mental health problem. A Psychological Traumatic Problem. A problem being messed up in the community that has been aware for a long time. Especially in the black families!
This sort of reminds me of a old Chris Rock joke; no pun intended. About not leaving the kids with Uncle Johnny. He summarized about those molesting Uncles that many need to watchout for. This probably was about 2004, during his “Never Scared” segment. It may seemed funny in all, but in reality, as everyone knows, it’s the truth!
So why I’m posting about trauma here on the spot? Many of us probably encountered Trauma in various ways. Families, the workplaces, organizations, the Church, and many many different groups and cliques that we associate with EVERYDAY! Even memories being tormented or attacked of ANY KIND, even embarrassed. No matter the feeling or angle it’s all related. So again, Trauma IS NOT NEW!!!!!
And even this has nothing to do with R. Kelly alleged Sex Scandals with the young girls (now adults) you have 800,000 workers in the U.S. Government that can’t get paid due to the crappy stuff about 45’s Wall. They can’t feed their families, getting the bills paid, and any other necessity that folks need everyday. And oh, even the U.S. Coast Guard under the Department of Homeland Security! Talk about TRAUMA! This crap of this so-called president taking away paychecks for a useless wall is just that: USELESS! And this is called Making America Great Again?! For all you 45 Trump Supporters about this, are you happy about this?! And don’t even front.
So yes, this is how 2019 got started, where the ending of 2018 was left undone: devolving the ability to suck out the soul of the middle class. And I know that the new House members are in place. We got a fight on our hands now which is NOT familiar! And as far as R. Kelly is concerned, already he’s feeling the heat of all this scandalous checkered past of the accusers and also recently, Sony has cut ties with him since the #SurvivingRKelly special aired on Cable TV. And about the Spotify rating that got R. Kelly’s music on rotation, I’m scratching my head on that one. Really I am. (Spoiler Alert, there will be a first Scratching my Head of the year)
If these things are not being called out or being mentioned, I’m just saying. The backdoor has been left WIDE OPEN and many folks just come in like it’s nothing. Time to fix it and shut it down!
Happy New Year.
Scratching my head all this time: The 2019 Father’s Day Edition.
Posted: June 16, 2019 in #TwitterShare, African American Stories and Viewpoints, Black Issues, Black stories that all should know and realize, Celebrations, Commentary by all means, Decision Factors, Health and Wellness, International Men's Day, Local News and Politics, Male Issues, Men's Health Month, Midwest African American Commentary, News and politics, Scratching My Head All This Time, Southeast Wisconsin Matters, The Black Church, The Church, The Issues, Unapologetically Speaking, Wisconsin African American CommentaryTags: Black Fathers, Black Men, Black Music Month, Fathers Day, International Men's Day, June, Men's Health Month, Pride Month
Before the annual tribute to father’s in all begins, this blog is for all the Fathers young and old. Happy Father’s Day to the men whom are Dads, Grandfathers, Uncles, Great Uncles, Great Grandfathers, God-Fathers and many other father on the planet that deals daily with being a FATHER ALL DAY EVERY DAY! Oh yes of course, this is the part where many go hard and stupid on the men who don’t step up and raise their kids as much as the women. Look here: there are real daddies out there that DO and I mean DO HANDLE THEIR BUSINESS! There is no question in that. Also for many like me, another father’s day will be hard because my father is deceased for two years. And yet the memories will never die in vain. So even though I’m new to this being without my Dad, the hard thought of him never dies out. And also for those who sympathize and your Dad is still living and you’re somewhat understand that, you really don’t know the feeling until YOU go through the experience.
And also for all the women who tell the single men without kids Happy Father’s Day, STOP. You know darn well not every man is a FATHER! If you say it, we’ll tell you: “I’m not a father.” Don’t tell us Happy Father’s Day because we don’t earn it until it becomes a hard job for us to try and accept. Of course you can wait until November 19th for International Men’s Day. Or some honorable thing of celebrating Men in the church or community that don’t have kids.
With all the hoopla of Men’s Health looming for June, Graduations, Black Music Month still being celebrated, Juneteenth Day that must be examined, 45 still acting a freaking fool, and the start of the Summer Season that will commence on the 21st. Oh yes, I’m scratching my head again. Time to get the questions flowing.
Well it seems were in the month of June, and yet Pride Month is in full effect. Take a look at this courtesy of OnMilwaukee.com via Instagram:
This scene is Downtown Milwaukee. And our Iconic buildings of the US Bank and Northwestern Mutual Tower are lit in the Rainbow Colors for Pride Month.
Hold on, wait a second. Check this out:
This picture is outside of the Chase Bank Plaza also Downtown Milwaukee with the Rainbow Flag waving.
Or wait just one more courtesy of Today’s TMJ Channel 4 (dang that rhymes):
At the state Capitol in Madison last week Friday, the Rainbow Flag Flies over. All of this really was expected and unexpected.
And here at the Milwaukee State Office Building in Downtown Milwaukee:
But…..many have asked since “when are they going to raise the RGB Flag? Or to symbolize the other ethnic festivals with celebrations of Black Arts Fest MKE? Now we should know how to write letters, Milwaukee. Do we? Better get the writing! Better also take it to the CEO’s and Organizers and ASK! State your reasons why this should be necessary as an idea why they should consider this thought for every Festival Season! Don’t talk among yourselves on Facebook to get a reaction! Get to the table and conversate the idea! Heck, point me to the table! And while we’re at it, write this same letter to the Wisconsin Governor and Lt. Governor. You know their names!
Another question: If you have graduated so far to enjoy the smelling of the roses of your achievement, congratulations. Now you realize that you have to give back to your Alma Mater, right? And if your Alma Mater screws up with Alumni events planned: HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!
For us in Milwaukee: does it feel naked not having a NBA Finals here?
If those asking about Milwaukee again, (Toronto) when will you make that visit to see the city? Got plenty of time.
Just recently, we have commentated the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. In which we honored and appreciate the Men that fought along with the Allied Forces to take down Hitler’s Forces. And yet it was a positive thing. HOWEVER: Many missed the boat when African-Americans whom also served and/or died in the battle was not acknowledged! For those whom are in the dark, the African American soldiers had to fight on two fronts: Abroad and Home. And many of the African-American soldiers never had awarded the Medal of Honor due to discrimination and being racially target just because they were black. So who’s at fault? And who is still not listening?!
On CNN, W. Kamau Bell hosted United Shades of America in which the spot light was certain cities facing the struggles of racism and systematic segregation. This time, he chose to highlight the problems of a city that is not below the Mason-Dixon line: my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. You all know that Milwaukee is hyper segregated, etc. A major concern that looms the dangers even today for employment, housing, economics and many other concerns. So after all of this, and yet many still ask about black folks in Wisconsin?
For us Milwaukeeans, Summerfest will start up the core genesis of the Summer Musical Season. Which acts that you know personally should be on your radar?
Dang Wisconsin GOP Republicans: that Rainbow Flag must got your goat, huh? We all know that when Scott Walker was in charge, he didn’t do it. So what?
Again: is Lil’ Nas X’s Old Town Road that disrespectful to country music?!
Speaking of Black Music (after all, June is Black Music Month) which Music in Black History that many know so well that it will not die through the depths of time?
Ok, this I need to know: Which artist is really looking forward to perform for the 2019 BET Awards?
As of June 25th this year, it will mark 10 years since Michael Jackson’s death. How would he feel after his legacy being interrupted again by those accusations of him and young boys, and on a lighter side: seeing his first born son graduating from college?
For baseball: there is an opening pitcher, and a closing pitcher. In regarding Juneteenth Day 2019, that is the closer. The 4th: opening pitch. Why you ask?
For all of my Pride Readers: that’s the LGBT folks. Is your Pride Month good this year so far?
Does the United Methodist Church really have to examine its own self before splitting off with the LGBT? As also with black folks?
Education! So AEW’S Double or Nothing PPV was a hit. I need to see more than just one show. So my question is what else is next?
Seriously, why is 45 is hooking up with Mexico after another hurdle with the trade agreements?
Word is that Sarah Huckabee might be gone from her White House Post. And how so we’ll know about this?!!
Which or many of us Men have on the Light Blue for Men’s Health Month?
You realize that the host city of Tampa is also WrestleMania?
And now: a moment for the Fathers.
For all the Dads that are just now coming out, what will be your reaction for your OFFICIAL first Father’s Day?
For all the Dads that are still around kicking knowledge, what is your best advice for the new Dads coming up?
For those of us who miss our Dads. This is hard as we know. How do we go through the storm yet again that our Dad’s memories will not die? No matter when and where? May all of our deceased fathers rest in power for eternity and in peace. Mine also.
What is up with this attitude that when Father’s Day comes around, females get an attitude? Oh especially around this time of year?
When church comes on Sunday, what will be the estimated percentage of Men coming for Father’s Day? It ain’t big for many!
How many Men have actually wore Light Blue for Men’s Health Month on Father’s Day like the MLB?
CALLOUT: What is up when females telling all Men “Happy Father’s Day”, BUT MAINLY MEN WHOM ARE NOT FATHERS?! Especially those of us whom are single, unmarried, no kids of our own and just living the single life that many feel are bad and miserable. Be careful, ladies. Don’t snag us like that.
After this Father’s Day is over, Men you do realize that International Men’s Day is about 5 Months away after June 19th? For those of us whom are not fathers with no kids, let’s celebrate that! No matter what we do or say.
Should all Churches and Community Groups have an All Men’s Day? At least for men whom are not fathers in all? Unsung, perhaps?
Ok, this needs to be asked: what kind of a man is an “Unofficial” Father? You heard of Honorary Degrees that might be fake. Just saying.
Another need to be asked: no disrespect to Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, but why we have slept on Children’s Day? Which is every second sunday in June?!
And………the final question of Father’s Day 2019: what will the Father’s take from this year and the last Father’s Day 2010’s Decade, into the first Father’s Day Decade of the 2020’s? That’s is even worth celebrating for the next generation to ponder in all.
For all the Dads that read my blog, ENJOY YOUR Father’s Day. Be blessed at it. Don’t let none of the disruptive folks hate the thought you got this day. If your Dad is still around kicking knowledge, hold him close! You never know when the day or the hour when it might be his last.