“Weary: having one’s patience exhausted . . .” — FaithTrust Institute

“Weary: having one’s patience exhausted . . .” — FaithTrust Institute

Yeah; I Said It!

On Saturday, May 10th we celebrated the fourth annual MOTHER'S DAY WALK TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  We call it, "Walk A Mile For Your Momma".  Our goal is to gradually draw our community into a level of involvement and acknowledgement of the 600 pound gorilla in the proverbial room known as domestic violence.  Whether it's known as intimate partner violence or family violence, Black women in Brooklyn are being taken out in the most horrendous ways, by the men they "luh".

We had the largest turn out thus far.  The SOUL TIGERS marching band turned it out! Several schools within the 20th Senatorial District attended: from elementary to high school.  Two SUV clubs; the LADY RYDERZ and the ESCALADE KINGZ, made their presence known in a convoy of over a dozen vehicles.

Our State Senator, Eric Adams served as our first Grand Marshal and sported the specially designed sash with all the dignity and grace we expected.  He was accompanied by his TEAM ADAMS of over a dozen.

Members of the liturgical dance team of the MILLER EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN UNION CHURCH, mesmerized the attendees with their interpretation of Shirley Murdock's, "I Love Me Better Than That."

As always, the hearse donated by Mrs. Doris Bell of the FRANK BELL FUNERAL HOME, brought up the rear with the banners that read: "Stop domestic violence before it ends this way."

Many expressed an interest in aiding JONAH VILLAGE in its preventive efforts.  We left believing our message was well received by "walkers" and on-lookers alike.  

And then we woke up!

Monday morning, reality struck again.  A 27 year old mother, while strapping her one year son into his car seat, was attacked, had her throat slit and was left to die on the street like a hog.  It is believed to have occurred at approximately 7:00 am; outside the building where she recently moved to, to escape the aggression of the suspect who reportedly confessed to the crime.  It is said he attempted suicide by ingesting rat poison.

It has been over twenty four hours since the senseless crime and there has not been one call for a march, a rally, a press conference or a boycott.  Not one bridge entrance or exit has been blocked.  Ain't NOBODY " fi'ed up " and "ain' gon take it no mo'"!

If Black men were being slaughtered by Black women at the rate the converse is occurring, there would be an all out effort on the part of the "bruthuhs" to straighten this mess out.

So, what's up sisters?  Are we to wait around to be slaughtered like hogs in an 'inglorious pen"?Are we hotwired for martyrdom?  Are we so bereft of self respect that we will march and rally and protest against every form of violence except the one perpetrated on us?

Well, something has got to change; and now!

Not only are the sisters being taken out; or maimed; THE CHILDREN are being burned, stabbed, traumatized and abandoned.  So, if you don't want to do anything for the women, why not stand up; step forward for the babies?

Yeah, I said it! It's time to stop domestic violence.

Is There A Limit?

Greetings:

The complexity of human interactions, particularly with regard to intimate partner violence, leads us to the following question: How should we treat men who are known abusers? Before you answer, consider a response that includes ALL men; regardless of their socio-economic status. So, whatever you think should be done to/with "Tyrone" or "Jamel" should apply to a Miles Davis, Bill Withers or Max Roach.

Should we not listen to, "Ain't No Sunshine" anymore? Do we not groove to "Gabriel's surrogate"? The ball's in your court. Take your best shot.

Enjoy each day, y'all.

Peace.
REB

In the Bloggesphere, Y'all!

Good Morning, All:

I have officially jumped out of my comfort zone and into the 21st Century with this blog. Can you believe it? I suspect that somewhere along the way, I will know what the heck I'm doing.

Diary and journal entries never lasted longer than a week but since I check my email messages on a regular basis, this should not be a challenge.

Thank you to Ms. Alice Backer (you can check her blog-www.kiskeyacity.blogspot.com-) for empowering me to take this step.

The goal of this blog will be to discuss issues relating to intimate partner violence. As each of you knows, I founded and am serving as the Executive Director of JONAH VILLAGE; a non-profit, youth leadership organization dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence; particularly, among people of African ancestry.

The complex nature of this topic causes many to avoid discussing its many aspects. Thus--this blog. Feel free to post your thoughts about the many issues surrounding the topic of intimate partner violence: prevention, rehabilitation, religion and violence, teen dating violence; etc.

Thanks for taking the time to check this out. Looking forward to hearing from you. Who knows, Arriana Huffington may be in store for major competition!

Take good care. Enjoy each day. Peace.
REB