At first I felt naked, exposed with all my flaws visible for all to see. Some people around me sneered in jealousy and others didn’t mind at all seeing all of me. That’s what it felt like when I dared workout without my mask on for the first time at the gym. In Oregon, fully … Continue reading COVID Confidential: Vol #9 – Face Value
As an adult, I'm truly embarrassed by the naivety of my juvenile thoughts as a young child. I was a Black boy raised and taught to respect the authority of the police and that they only took away the “bad” people. In my little head, I didn’t understand the deeper complexity around my misconception of … Continue reading A Cycle of Pain
Happy Anniversary! Well, it’s not really a “happy” one, but it is definitely our anniversary. It’s okay if you didn’t remember a gift, I’m not bitter. I won’t even blame you for forgetting. Traditionally for the first year anniversary the gift is paper, so you can print this edition out for your keepsake! You’re welcome. … Continue reading COVID Confidential: Vol #8 – The Prick!
Well it’s here, the year Two Thousand Twenty One or Twenty-Twenty-One, and many of us (a majority) have waited four years for this date (1-20-21) to arrive. Did you realize that inauguration day was also a palindrome? A new year where we gaze into the unknown and upcoming 365 days with a renewed sense of … Continue reading COVID Confidential: Vol #7 – In Memory
Representation is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as, “an artistic likeness or image”. I love television producer Shonda Rhimes. Everything that she pushes to the screens crosses the barriers of race, sexual orientation, and gender. With every project and program I eagerly wait in anticipation of what and who will lead the show. Her characters … Continue reading What About Me?
It’s hard to believe that after almost nine months of being in a pandemic, hope appears to be on the horizon with the Federal Drug Administration’s approval of two vaccines to battle the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This is the best present ever! It’s a one-size fits all gift idea that everyone can use, but not everybody … Continue reading COVID Confidential: Vol #6 – The Gift
I really hate this place, this space I'm in right now. I feel lost and helpless as if I'm tumbling head over foot down a never-ending bottomless pit afraid of that sudden stop. The place I’m alluding to is the dark. The dark is usually my friend. This place where I'm supposed to rest and … Continue reading The Deception of Darkness
Clad in my Golden Girls mask, I make my way to the security checkpoint at Portland International Airport (PDX) awaiting my Alaska Airlines flight to Las Vegas, NV. This was a surprise trip to celebrate my mother’s birthday. She and my older sister Sonya were flying to Vegas from Washington state and Jean (Auntie Jean), … Continue reading COVID Confidential: Vol #5
I am baffled and confused by the ignorance of some (White) people when it comes to the acceptance of racism in America. What makes it worse, are the things that are said (or sung) which are blatantly racist and the one’s delivering the message, think there’s nothing wrong. Sound familiar? For those of us that … Continue reading A Scout’s Song
Photo credit: Stan Lim I have a strong dislike for politics. Honestly, I always feel uneasy when I have to navigate the unpredictable waters of seemingly “qualified” candidates in an election year. With the name-calling and trash-talking that happens between the leading candidates, I grow quickly fatigued. This year is different and all I can … Continue reading The Hood of Leadership
