Indifference Is A Two Way Street

So many Americans were indifferent to the murder of an insurance company CEO earlier this week. The response was actually quite telling and likely a sign of what's to come in these states uniting America. I haven't seen a more unified attitude of IDGAF' since the death of justice scalia. The above picture demonstrates the likely cause for the display of overall indifference. 

Insurance companies have no business making medical decisions. Doctors should not be secondary in our health care. Lots of Americans suffer or die because insurance companies, not our doctor, deem our demise more expedient while their CEOs take home fat checks garnered from exorbitant premiums we pay. May the CEO and those innocent others who have lost their life, a limb, a child, a fight against cancer or some other, sometimes curable, disease, etc. because of heartless and callous decisions made by companies like his, may they all rest peacefully right alongside one another...

Sadly, his death will do little to change the immoral and unethical practices of the overall health insurance industry, to which we give sizeable monthly donations called "premiums". Having a soul or compassion for others does not have a place in capitalism. Actually, any hint of such characteristics or human-like sentiments are frowned upon. 

While I wonder what might have been the conversation around the dinner tables of executives in this industry, and all other overpaid corporate execs during this past week, I suspect that it had little to do with culpability, accountability, or any examination of the message behind the vast support of the results of an act as vile and as extreme, as was this senseless murder of their colleague. I doubt any consideration was given the response as a sign of Citizen Joe's undeniable waning tolerance of their severe greed and exploitation of the 99%. I don't think they get it. They don't want to get it. Capitalism won't allow them to get it... 

An indifference to humanity is embedded in the very root of America. It is how she was built. It is what makes her "great". I digress... Occasionally, America becomes a casualty of her own doing. The beat simply goes on as loss of a fallen soldier is considered a mere utilitarian sacrifice, collateral damage if you will. The good soldier dies for the good and survival of the others, the others in this case being the execs and the shareholders. The beat goes on, reportedly as did the meeting this CEO was scheduled to attend on the morning of his demise. 

Let it be a lesson to you, We the 99%, it's a job, nothing more. Be clear that your first loyalty must be to you, your family, and your overall well-being. Match the energy you receive. Exit stage left when necessary...

~ Miss Higgi 

Review: Jamie Foxx, What Had Happened Was...

 

I watched the Jamie Foxx Netflix special. It was special because it demonstrated the power of the energy source Black people provide for one another naturally. We are empowered and unstoppable when we come together. On queue, no rehearsal necessary, the audience responded to song lyrics, movie scripts, they understood the humor, they went to church and became a choir. Throughout, there was a natural and unspoken connection. Non Black folks might not have understood, but surely they felt the energy... 

Jamie knew that his healing was with his people. He knew where to revitalize his strength. At times, you could see that he was overwhelmed by the love of the audience. I would imagine he held this Homecoming' in Atlanta for a reason. One thing that's true about the Black community, we are a loving people. There is no joy like the joy we find in one another. Our moments of togetherness are priceless, they are enviable. It is that part of our culture that cannot be stolen, replicated, or bottled up and sold back to us. It is ours. It is innate. We love it when we see it. We love more being immersed in it. People WANT to be invited to "the barbecue" for more than food and fun. There is a belongingness at the barbecue that cannot be sold. Like our melanin, it is not packageable. Thank You God! I can only imagine the euphoria enjoyed by the live audience, just being in community with one another and in celebration of our Brotha'. Priceless...

The special said to me that no matter how far we stray, that no matter how overwhelmed, defeated, hopeless, or challenged we may feel, we need only be reminded to find our way home to be rejuvenated. In our gathering, be it at a wedding, a repast, a concert, a family reunion, church, HBCU Homecoming, no matter the setting or occasion, we will find healing, strength, and reaffirmation in our togetherness. No one else can do that for us. That's what I saw beyond celebration of Jamie's recovery. I was also reminded of my own family's miracle in a similar recovery of our Sister. Thank You God. 

Jamie hosted that special as much for himself as for the community. He did it brilliantly and takes the audience right along with him. It was a pleasure to watch. 

In times like this, if ever we needed to be reminded of the power and energy of our collectiveness, it is now. We need only find our way home, back to our roots. We must channel the spirit of our Ancestors who paved a way out of no way for us and left us a blueprint, literally and figuratively ingrained in our soul. 

Always, well most times, no matter how far we may have strayed or appear to have forgotten from whence we came, once home, we will be received in love and find whatever answers we seek right back there in the arms, and at the bosom, of Big Mama and dem'. We are loving like that... 

Sidechick, I mean side note, don't get me wrong in all this "finding our way home" talk. Despite his declaration, Jamie will not swear off white women. That's who he likes... 🤷🏾

Check out the special. You'll enjoy it and be inspired to know that we have it within ourselves to overcome all things. Jamie's full recovery is proof of that...

~ Miss Higgi

Ms. Giovanni, Now An Ancestor

 

Just a week or so ago, I shared with a friend a recent photo of Ms. Nikki not looking so well. And, it has been on my mind to call another friend who secured her as a guest for an online fundraiser When Black Women Gather held during the pandemic for Dr. Hadiyah-Nicole Green for her work in cancer research. What an honor...  

"I can fly like a bird in the sky..." Growing up, we loved her poetry. Who amongst us didn't Ego Trip' with our dear Sistah' Nikki? I dare say, her poetry, set to the soft sound of drums and played on all Black radio, introduced many a Black child to dream of Africa and to appreciate the melodic flow of poetry, the art and power of spoken word, if you will.

When "rap" was cool and meaningful, it was represented by the likes of Nikki Giovanni, Gil Scott Heron, and The Last Poets. Even as children, we understood the[ir] messaging as words of Black Pride. We were thriving and drunk with Black Pride in the mid to late 60s and 70s. We wore it like a badge of honor in our dress, our music, our 'soul' food, our poetry, our literature, our walk, our talk, our familiar gestures, in our every communication even when nonverbal. Our pride was fueled by the influence, voice, and presence of people like Ms. Giovanni which was fed to us daily on Black owned radio, which now, almost without exception, is a thing of the past.

It is not by accident that Black radio and the positive messaging of Black music have been effectively silenced. Don't get me started on the silencing of the Black church. Black newspapers and Black magazines are essentially nonexistent. Black books are presently being banned, burned, and belittled. Through each of these mediums, Black pride was nourished and affirmed daily. That these mediums and others, have been silenced, is no coincidence. Conversely, it is quite by design and according to a "master" plan which we are experiencing in real time as we live to witness America dangerously dancing with calls for a rebirth and seemingly intentional repetition of the most shameful parts of her history as is demonstrated in tolerance of very loud and deliberate declarations to dismantle valiant, hard fought for, and won, civil rights gains...

May our dear Sistah' Queen Nikki rest in much deserved peace. She definitely did the work. She came, she did the thing, and left her forever mark. She has now earned her wings and her place as a treasured Ancestor. Sleep well, my fellow outspoken Gemini Sistah'. Your work continues to inspire us. Your life was not in vain...  🙏🏾  

Renewed Power to the People!
👊🏾❤️🖤💚👊🏾