A Reminder To Be Alert & Safe

 

                     Source: Creative Safety Supply

Good Morning Folks!,

At 1:30 this morning I received a missed a call from a friend. I was unusually sound asleep and didn't get to answer. We had spoken earlier in the evening. She was busy at work when I called her and said she would call me later. I told her I was tired and might not be awake. So, I didn't think anything of missing her call or that she had called so late. People who know me, know that usually I am up at all hours. And people do call me at all hours.

When she called me back this morning at 7:30, I knew something was wrong. She is not an early bird. She does not get off work until midnight and usually gets home between 12:30 and 1:00. Often, we speak at a late hour. 

I will start this story by sharing that it is a beautiful thing to start the day with something to be grateful for. I am grateful that my friend is safe and was not harmed.

She said she noticed when she got out of the car that there were "men" in the parking lot adjacent to her building's lot. She was alert to their presence but didn't pay it much attention. She heard them more than she saw them and said honestly, she could not identify them if she had to. Her antenna went up at their presence because it was unusual to see anyone at that hour.

When she reached the elevator, ironically one of her neighbors who also lived on the fourth floor was there. They rode up together. His apartment was closer to the elevator than hers. As she walked to her apartment and was entering the door she heard footsteps coming up the stairs leading to her apartment area, which is unusual. It's 1:00 in the morning. 

As soon as she closed her door and fortunately locked it behind her, some people first tried the knob and when it didn't work, they started pounding and kicking on her door as though she was going to let them in. She called the cops. Of course they were long gone before the police arrived. 

Her neighbor has a ring camera. Hopefully,  it caught a view of them that can be shared with the police department.

My friend says she is always on alert because she was robbed many years ago. She said once that happens to you, you pay close attention to your surroundings. She has lived in that same condominium for more than 20 years. Naturally, we become comfortable in surroundings with which we are familiar. While that makes sense, it also makes us easy targets for creeps looking for non-suspecting victims. 

My friend recently lost a loved one so she lives alone. She has to come home tonight, tomorrow night, and many nights after. So what do we do to keep ourselves safe? 

First of all, we all pay taxes. It's 1:00 in the morning in a sleepy mid-size city. Not much is going on for the cops to do. So, call and ask them to patrol your neighborhood when you come home. Make your tax dollars work for you. 

Alert your neighbors so that they know that something has happened in the neighborhood and that they too, should be on alert, and maybe they will even keep an eye out for you.

Create a buddy system with friends and neighbors. Many of us live alone. Make sure that somebody knows that you're safe and okay on a regular basis, not only in the event of a crisis.

Certainly lock your door as soon as you close it. Gone are the days where you can leave a key under the mat or walk in and leave your door unlocked. People are just crazy. We have to take precautions even when we're in surroundings that are familiar to us. Again, that's what makes us easy prey.

Do you have mace, pepper spray, or something that can be used in defense of yourself in case of an emergency? Find out if it's legal and don't wait to be in a situation before you try it out. Make sure you know how to use it before you need to use it.

Beyond my eavesdropping phone, I don't WILLINGLY have any of those intrusive electronic devices in my house like a Ring camera, Siri, or whoever that woman is that you guys like to talk to about the weather, turning off your lights, playing good music, etc., etc...  She is not in my house. LOL! 

But a ring camera is helpful in situations like this. My neighbor across the hall has one. I feel like I'm on Candid Camera every time I walk out of my apartment. I guess however, if something happens to me, I would appreciate if the crime is caught on her or his intrusive camera. I've never seen my neighbor. Six months in, I have no idea who lives across the hall from me. 🤷🏾 

I remember in my twenties when I first lived alone after my Mother passed away, my ring camera, if you will, who I previously resented for being a nosy neighbor, was Reverend Harvey. I came to really love and appreciate that Reverend Harvey was nosy. Nothing happened at my house that he didn't see and report, and I didn't mind. LOL! Rest his soul. He became very special to me...

My point is to be cautious of your surroundings. Take nothing for granted. I think we find comfort in a false sense of security where we live and in places we frequent. Naturally, our guard is down, which makes us more of a target to predators with criminal intent. 

So, stay alert, don't take your surroundings for granted, be a pleasant neighbor, lock your doors to your home and when in your car. 

Proceed with caution and keen awareness in this troubled and unpredictable world in which we live. 

👉🏾 I am grateful this morning and that my friend is safe and was not harmed. 

👉🏾 I am grateful for the reminder to stay alert.

👉🏾 I am grateful that I can remind you to take care of you, to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. 

Miss Higgi Says, Good Morning and Have a Terrific Tuesday on Purpose!

Consequences

I went to a beauty supply store the other day. It was closing but it was pretty empty and I could tell the owner was just ready to go home. She was an Asian woman. As I was checking out, I asked her how was business. She said, "it's terrible since donald trump". She complained that because of the price of gas and food, people weren't so concerned about hair products. I looked at her and understood what she was saying. It took everything in me, however, not to ask her who she voted for. 

I don't know what people were thinking. Black folks tried to tell them, especially Black Women. For all 3 elections, we never waivered in our objection to donald trump. As a result, we are under active and aggressive attack. Folks didn't listen. Oh well, so here we are. Who doesn't remember what our parents told us about the outcome of having a "hard head"...

All over social media, maga voters, including very influential supporters, are having voter remorse. They are claiming not to have anticipated that current circumstances were inevitable with a trump presidency or that he is not the same person they voted for. 👀 He is EXACTLY who they voted for. For reasons unknown, they CHOSE not to consider him fully, nor what his rhetoric would mean for them, even when their own community had been maligned. Make it make sense. 

trump has lied about many things but never about who he is. Be it by word or by deed, he has always revealed himself, long before descending on that escalator being openly vile. Folks CHOSE not to see or hear his evil.

If ever in recent times, there is cause for God to bless America, it would be now. But I understand if He doesn't. Karma is real and every devil has his day. Sadly, we will all pay, affiliation with the cult of maga or not. Its just the way things go...

Inflation is but the tip of the iceberg of problems America is facing today. Thankfully, there is a thawing, an awakening in America, if you will. This, too, shall pass but not before or without the consequence of dire casualties...

~ Miss Higgi Says

An Awakening...

There has been an unexpected, but certainly necessary, awakening following the tragedy of October 7. Long overdue, but is it too late? 

In the past, all who called out or objected to Israel in any way, no matter how irrelevant or miniscule, was immediately demonized, destroyed, dismissed, discredited, deemed anti-semitic and cast aside. 

The threat of public castigation, however, is steadily losing impact. People everywhere openly condemn Israel without reservation. They are coming to believe their "lying eyes", not the words of mainstream media, nor purchased politicians.

Thankfully, many in the Jewish community are also waking up and speaking up, realizing they, too, have been manipulated, lied to, used, and bamboozled. Finally, the jig is coming to a close for netanhitler and his hateful regime, and they know it. 

They now operate in a state of urgency fully understanding that they must expedite their mission to annihilate their neighbors in the middle east and take their land whilst a compromised, woefully ignorant, unintelligent, incompetent, immoral, corrupt, and fully complicit POTUS is in place. 

Israel recognizes this may be their final chance to complete said mission. So, full steam ahead, despite doing universal damage to Israel's credibility and respect as a nation, despite open condemnation of their tactics, not to mention the risk of potential harm and mayhem they bring to Jewish communities everywhere. 

Sadly, in the process of ruining their reputation globally, they have made life less safe for all Jews, to include those who don't support their inhumane behaviors. Americans will find ourselves similarly judged in association with our current administration. 

American voters and taxpayers are openly rejecting continued funding and preferred treatment of Israel. The pressure is on for American politicians to follow suit. Denouncing support of Israel will be a litmus test for those seeking office in pending elections. 

AOC recently announced that she will vote to oppose continued funding of the Israeli war machine. She is not the first, she will not be the last. There has been an unintended, but long overdue awakening in America and beyond, something to be grateful for this Easter morning. 

May the awakening spread to other matters of human suffering, indignity, and gross exploitation, especially of our children. Next stop, the Congo and release of the epstein files. Save and Protect Children EVERYWHERE! 🙏🏿 

~ Miss Higgi Says, Amen & Happy Resurrection Day!

Not So Fast, Brotha' Jamal!

 

Ya' know, I'm really glad Brotha' Jamal got on board with the Target boycott but I never quite understood what made him think that it was his idea or that he was spokesman for the Black community on this matter.

The beauty of the Target boycott, that we as a community need to embrace, is that it was a grassroot effort launched by independent activists, reportedly in Minnesota. It spread like wildfire on social media. 

There was no church, no Pastor, no civil rights organization, none of that, in charge of the movement to boycott Target. At best, they were the Johnny Come Latelys, which is fine, but somehow Pastor Jamal, and maybe some others, took ownership of it. That was never the case. 

Earlier this week, Pastor Jamal Bryant announced that the protest against Target was over. The Johnnies' may speak for what is being described as the "Target Fast", that might be over. But no matter what the good pastor and others may say, the Target boycott ain't over. This was not a fast where shopping at Target was to be resumed. Target seems done in the Black community. I am not alone in my intention to never shop at Target ever again. Certainly Target isn't the only retailer or big business that doesn't value it's Black consumer. But Target is the one that got made the example. 

Target execs remain unapologetic and steadfast in their support of the trump agenda, having done nothing different when given opportunities to course correct. While under fire for abandoning DEI and Black vendors, they thought it appropriate to allow ICE to use their locations to stage their violent attacks on marginalized communities. Actions speak louder than words. We see you...

Speaking of words, has Target spoken on this deal reached with Brotha' Jamal or is he the sole mouthpiece and presumed "leader" on the details of this matter for the Black community? It is the people who have the last word...

Sorry Brotha' Jamal, we're not going back to Target. You can meet us at Costco...

~ Miss Higgi Says 

On This Day, Bloody Sunday

Today marks the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday Selma 1965, one of many stains on America's history that she would like to erase.

 

I remember in school hearing about the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Of course, however, it wasn't portrayed as the total atrocity that it was.

In 1986 I drove across country for the first time, I've done it several more times since then. I was barely 26 and it was my first time going further south than Washington DC, which is a whole other story within itself. After I got over the shock of having to pump my own gas, cuz' Jersey Girls STILL don't pump (smile)! Seriously, self-service is technically against the law in NJ and we love it! Back to the story...

The deeper I drove into the south, the more nervous I became. Emphasis of overt racism in the south was used as a scapegoat to deflect from equally potent anti-Black racism in the north. The impact was the same...

I remember my visceral reaction of disbelief when during my drive I start seeing street signs indicating 50 miles between Selma and Montgomery. Instantly, I had visions of my people being kicked, stomped, spat upon, beaten with billy clubs, bitten by dogs, violently hosed, trampled, etc. It had never occurred to me that they were willing to risk 50 miles of pure hell for the right to vote. My anxiety of being in the south skyrocketed. I found myself somewhere between angry, sad, and quite frankly, a little scared.

I was driving alone with no shortage of stories in my head and a concerned Black  Mother back in Jersey anxiously awaiting my daily call to let her know my whereabouts and that I was safe in a hotel before dark. Only then, could she go to bed...

Since then I've taken several southern treks exploring my history. I travel solo and I've taken groups on tours, twice to Alabama where we make a point of crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge, stopping midspan to honor our ancestors. I'm actually hosting that trip again in November. If you're interested, let me know.

As we say farewell this week to Reverend Jesse Jackson and Dr. Bernard Lafayette, two civil rights heroes from this era, let us be reminded of our resilience as a people and be proud of our history. Let us also be reminded that our elders and ancestors literally went through hell for the rights we tend to take for granted, specifically the right to vote. Did you vote last week? There are primaries happening this week, March 10th, are you registered and ready to vote? Take someone to the polls with you.

Take a moment today to refresh or familiarize yourself on Bloody Sunday. Here are a few key points as shared by the Smithsonian (NMAAHC):

👉🏾 On March 7, 1965, approximately 600 marchers, led by activists including John Lewis and Hosea Williams, aimed to march from Selma to Montgomery to demand voting rights.

👉🏾 The march was violently confronted by law enforcement at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, resulting in brutal attacks on the peaceful demonstrators.

👉🏾 Following the violence, President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed the nation, leading to increased support for civil rights legislation.

👉🏾 The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was subsequently passed, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting and marking a significant victory for the civil rights movement.

✊🏾 We did that! Oh, yes we did...

~ Miss Higgi Says

Miss Higgi Said...

This was my response to the video of a white woman content creator from Texas pondering support or electability of Jasmine Crockett. It was posted on February 3, 2026.

I wrote:

I'm late to this party. It looks like this video was posted a month ago. But the argument continues. 

As we are living through the worst of incompetent white folks being put in the highest of positions, including president of the United States, still we question the ability, capability, electability, likeability, of a qualified and proven Black woman.

Meanwhile, we woke up yesterday to our children, yours and mine, being ordered to put their lives on the line in another senseless war that has nothing to do with us. Do we want change or not? When do we want it? I digress...

At some point we have to ask ourselves, do we believe that Jasmine is not going to win because she can't win or have we been so indoctrinated to believe that she can't win, that we've told ourselves, we can't vote for her? Not voting for her guarantees fulfillment of that prophecy.

I saw an older white woman on another video crying because she "wanted to vote for Jasmine but she wants to win" so she voted for James. What kind of sense does that make? WHO taught her to believe that?

Surely we will not see change if we don't vote for the change we want to see. If you want to maintain status quo, then keep listening to the very loud rhetoric tap dancing in your head, keep doing what you're doing and expecting something new, keep surrendering your control...

One thing that's for sure, of the two candidates the one the trump administration does not want to have to deal with is Jasmine Crockett. Upon command, your governor changed a whole voting district intending to remove and silence her. If she's not competent or electable, then why such extremes? Don't tell me, ask yourself...

Jasmine has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with and that she will not be silenced. James Talerico is not proven in that way. The Senate is a good ole' white boy system where he will fit right in. Since reconstruction there have only been 14 Black senators, 5 were Black Women. This is not by accident. #6 sure looks good on Attorney Crockett. She can handle it...

So again Texans if you want to see change, then be the change. Believe in yourself and stop believing the hype, stop promoting the untested rhetoric. Accept the challenge, roll up your sleeves, and vote for the candidate who's going to make a change not only for Texas but for the country. We're either genuinely concerned and committed to saving the soul of the country, or we're not. When we play passive politics, it says that we're not... 

White women, this is on you! You talk a good game and then you do something else. You claim you're oppressed and then you vote for your oppressor. Remember, you were his property first. He wants his property back. ALL of his property. 👀 We don't need you to say one thing publicly, vote another thing privately, and then show up after the fact tears streaking your face and pink hats on your head wondering why Black women aren't joining you... Do you really wonder? If you don’t like the song, change the lyrics! The song is yours to write. Write something different! Do something different. Start with believing in you! 

Black women voters have proven ourselves politically sound and astute. Our Sister Jasmine has proven herself to be a fearless fighter for all. So, what's the problem? Don't tell me, seriously engage in self-talk and ask yourself why you really have reservations about voting for the change you say you want to see...

#TeamJasmine for Texas, for the country!

Videos:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D15kXWxzW/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVJZvjBEZno/?igsh=MTF0YWNzZXp2bHp4NQ==

Black Women Will Always Be Too Loud...

Given a choice between Talarico and Crockett, I think it's clear who trump would rather have to deal with in Texas and it ain't the Black Woman, too loud, too unafraid, and who he knows will not look away at his villainy.  

The red party is cold, calculating, and never do they sleep when it comes to maintaining power and control. They  are devious and will stop at nothing. As the Dems take pride in going high, the republicans have no shame in going low. There is no bottom...

CBS, like other media sources, has been commandeered by maga operatives. Taking control of America media is but one tool intended to limit or end free speech as we know it in America. 

The "controversy" where CBS refused to air an interview with James Talarico on The Steve Colbert show, has given the candidate for Texas state senate a huge bump in visibility in his race against Jasmine Crockett. The interview ultimately aired on YouTube. 

The contrived "controversy" resulted in igniting more views, undoubtedly fueled by anti-maga/anti-trump sentiment, than Talarico could have ever imagined or realized had the interview aired on the network. Talarico could not have paid for better publicity. Cold calculation is real.

Early voting has begun in Texas. How will the calculation compute at the polls? 🤷🏾 We'll see...

While we know that trump hates Black women, I surmise that his hate of Black women is driven by his fear of Black women. He fears Black woman strength and her ability to influence. 

Three times, and counting, the Black woman has been right. Since trump came down that escalator in 2016, the one group that has held fast and not been bullied, bamboozled, or threatened to waver in a decision to not support him, is Black women. 

There was no physical convening of Black women to make this near-unanimous political decision. Black women just instinctively knew...

In 2016, 96% of Black Women voters voted against him. In 2020, Black women stayed the course and overwhelmingly voted against trump again in the 90 percentile range. 2024 was no exception, 92% of Black women voters voted against donald trump. Try as he may, Black women cannot be swayed. 

Congresswoman Crockett is a Black woman... 

Ms. Crockett is so effective at showing up to represent her district with the fearlessness and tenacity expected of a Black woman, that the governor, encouraged by trump, decided on extreme measures to silence her. He redistricted Congresswoman Crockett's district such that her home was deliberately excluded from the district she serves, severely diluting her power. Call it fear... 

Not to be deterred, the Congresswoman decided to run for Senate. Oh, yes she did! 

If ever there was a good ole' boys club, it's the US Senate. Historically, since reconstruction when there were two, from 1870 to 1967 there has only been 14 Black senators. Denial of access to this exclusive club is not by accident. 

In that time, since 1972, there have only been five Black women in the senate. Trust me, they do not want to have to deal with Ms. Crockett in the halls of their exclusive club. Her already loud voice would be even louder in the Senate. The good ole' boys don't want that.

Again, those still fighting the civil war will stop at nothing to win and maintain control of a land founded and tilled by others, stolen to be forever governed by their rule. Silencing a Black woman is par for the course and, as quiet as it is not kept, appeals to many well beyond the halls of Congress and its vast network of "good" boys. 

So, if you live in Texas, or if you know folks who live in Texas, you know what you've got to do. In the spirit of civil rights victories behind us, Don't Let Nobody Turn You Round'. All souls to the polls!

Stand strong, determined to win in Texas, and in all other states. Show up on election day fully intending to be fearless and loud with your vote. Enter that booth and Vote like a Black woman! You can do it! Oh, yes you can...

Fix it y'all!

Go Jasmine!!!