Counting My Blessings...

Twenty years ago today on May 19th 2006, I graduated law school. I was a few days shy of 46 years old and ready to take on a new world. It had been a tumultuous 3 years of my life and this was a very proud moment for me. I had at least one hundred guests in the audience that day. I can still see their happy faces screaming as I spoke from the podium. And we had a nice party afterwards also. 

During my first year of law school I had the pleasure of meeting Congressman and Freedom Fighter, John Lewis. While I graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey, I did my first year of law school at University of District of Columbia (UDC). During that year, I had the honor of meeting some really fabulous civil rights folks among them was John Lewis and Dorothy Height.

Congressman John Lewis was there giving a speech and promoting his book. I was just mesmerized by him. I approached and said, I have to have lunch with you. And, as most polite people would, he said, fine, call my office. Of course when I called the office I expected them to blow me off. Not at all... Instead, they asked when did I want to come. I couldn't believe it! It was just that simple y'all. Never be afraid of "no", just ask for what you want no matter how outlandish it may seem. That's been my motto in life. Sometimes I forget. On a day like today I am reminded to ask for what I want.

Fast forward, just a few weeks later I'm on the hill having lunch and spending a good part of the afternoon with our renowned civil rights hero. We talked in his office, we walked through the tunnel to the Congressional dining hall where we had lunch. I met his staff and many of his colleagues. It is a day that I will never forget. He was the nicest and most gracious person, acknowledging everyone from fellow politicians to janitors. He greeted everyone along our way in his beloved community. He was the real deal... 

Fast forward again, three years later I am a part of the student government team looking at potential commencement speakers. I'm more than 20 years older than my fellow graduates. They'd never heard of Congressman John Lewis, sadly, not even the Black ones. Trust me, it was a hard sell but I got them to understand why we should have him as our commencement speaker. 

One of the assistant deans in the law school was married to a congressman at that time. So it was decided that we would allow him to invite Congressman Lewis to be our speaker. After several weeks of him dragging his feet and that not happening, I approached the dean and said do you want me to call. At this point, it's in the interest of time. The dean said sure. Once again, I simply asked and again, "Mr. Good Trouble" said yes. I was thrilled. 

It was agreed amongst us students, class president included, that I would introduce the congressman on commencement day. Of course I would. It was me who got him, who thought of him, it was my idea. Well, one of my colleagues, the class president, worked for that congressman who never made the call to get him. And while she and the others on the committee had agreed that I would do the intro, now all of a sudden she was to introduce Congressman Lewis at graduation. I was being asked to step aside. I could not believe this was happening. This was to be a joyous moment...

The dean actually wanted me, the Black student who thought to bring a noted Black Civil Rights leader to campus, to step aside so Becky from Montana (not her real name, I don't even remember her name), yes Montana, could have the honor. This was race, politics, and the all too familiar paper cut micro aggression of "good liberals", all wrapped up in one punch to the gut. 

Of course, however, I was not settling for this. I gathered several of my female peers of all races and nationalities and along with one of the few Black professors we had on campus at the time, as mediator, we confronted the dean. We were very clear that it was our graduation and we got to decide who we wanted to speak. I was proud they stood up for me.

After agreeing to be our commencement speaker, I had another ask of Congressman Lewis. I asked that my peers and I could come and spend a day on the Hill with him as I did two years before. Again y'all, he said yes. These were the same students that went before the dean with me. 

Over the years I had several opportunities to mix with the Congressman. He knew me by name and face as a result of that one random request during my first year of law school. I remember being at the Democratic National Convention, I didn't have a ticket to get in the main event for Obama's acceptance speech. The good Congressman directed me to his office to get a ticket. Ask for what you want...

A compromise was made for our graduation ceremony that I didn't quite appreciate until the Black female professor explained the power of having the last word. So, Ms. Montana got to briefly welcome to the Congressman before he spoke. I got to publicly pay tribute to him after he spoke, in a way that my colleagues and those in the audience would always know his name and all the good trouble he had started in the interest of the good of this nation. What would he say now? Shame on the US Supreme Court for turning the clock back to erase the work of valiant Civil Rights workers like the Congressman and so many others.

May 19th, 2006, was certainly a day of honor for me, one I will never forget for a lot of reasons. Incredibly, I was damn near 50 graduating law school which you couldn't have told me I was going to be doing at 45. My Mom died at 45... She would have been quite proud!

 

Moreover, I cannot believe that it's been 20 years. Where did the time go? What have I done between the dashes? This is certainly a time for reflection, a time to remind myself of my tenacity, and the positive impact and influence I have had on so many others over the years, knowinly and unknowingly. People often remind and thank me. I am humbly grateful... 

While I did not start out to tell the story I just shared, the moral of the story is to never be afraid of "no". Never underestimate what you can do, Yes, you can! Always, always, ask for what you want for s/he who does not ask, certainly will not receive. 

Congratulations to me 20 years later! 

~ Miss Higgi Says, thank you for taking this stroll down Nostalgia Lane with me. 

Enjoy your day! Do something or ask for something you think out of reach! Go for it! 

Happy Birthday Malcolm X! Celebrate him and Congressman John Lewis today! They both left us a blueprint.

 

She's My Favorite Girl!

Anybody who grew up in the '70s, any Black person who grew up in the seventies, our Mother's Day anthem was, The Intruders singing I'll Always Love My Mama. It was blaring from people's houses, car radios, and I dare say, some version of it, from churches. On Mother's Day especially, it was on the top of everybody's playlist. 

We loved our Mamas and this song demonstrated all the reasons why and gave us a beautiful vehicle to shout it to the world. 

I can remember the pride it gave to Black Mothers everywhere to hear this anthem to and about them and know that it resonated with what they meant to their children. Kudos to The Intruders!

Many a Black Mother sacrificed for the well-being of her children. She is the OG of Mama Bears. She has ALWAYS HAD to protect her cubs...

I will always love my Mama and she's been gone for almost 40 years. I have lived more than half of my life without her physical presence. Still, however, I feel her love...

There is no love like the love of your Mama. I hope that you love your Mama as much as I love my Mama and that if you are blessed that she is still here, you make sure that she knows how much you love her today and everyday. You only get one, you only get one, yeah... 🎶

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. You make a difference and nobody can replace you. Not nobody! Not ever! 

Miss Higgi Says, 🎤 I'll Always Love My Mama, She's My Favorite Girl... 🎶

Happy Mother's Day!

Click here to enjoy The Anthem

https://youtu.be/AGaEceD74RU?si=Dv8exZVzmIFWf0Rk

Leave Them Behind

Today I unfriended and blocked a woman on Facebook who I met a few years back at a Korean Day Spa in Philly. I didn't know her from Eve. She is not someone I knew then, she is obviously not someone I need to know now... 

This woman revealed herself a trump supporter, an anti-Black Black appearing woman who supports this administration. She is the most dangerous kind of "Black" person. I need know nothing more about her. I've got no use for her kind... 👀

Anybody who can support, excuse, try to justify, or make sense out of what happened last week is a lost cause. Don't waste your time trying to convince these people that what happened to Black Americans last week is the manifestation, the culmination, of what Black folks have known was happening to us all along. Don't give them the space or opportunity to try and make sense out of nonsense. Time for dialogue has passed...

Don't let people gaslight you into second guessing yourself on that which is very clear... 

We must stop actively participating in the dance of gaslighting. Let them find another dance partner as you shuffle away, far away, from them...

The sheets are off! klan supporters are free to reveal themselves. Do give them that space. You want to know who they are. 

Recently, I told this self proclaiming, "I'm not a racist" white woman I was working for that I would rather deal with rednecks than liberals because at least with the rednecks, everybody knows where they stand. Meanwhile, liberals are smiling in your face, stabbing you in your back, ALL whole calling themselves your ally. Sometimes the knife wielding backstabber is Black presenting, a human specimen merely dipped in chocolate. What an absolute waste of good melanin... Either way, they've got to go! 

Giving racists the key to unlock and dismantle Black Americans right to legislative representation, ultimately our right to vote, a key component of hard won civil rights gains, was all we needed to hear. There is no other explanation than an all out war was loudly declared on Black people last week, make no mistake about it. The days of dog whistling are over. The muzzle has been removed from the rabid dog. He is barking out loud and ready to bite! 

Anybody who will try and convince you otherwise, see them, and be done with them. They don't mean you, or anybody who looks like you, any good. Even sane white people are looking at these negroids like what the f***? It's an illness that we don't understand. 

clarence thomas is their leader. If trump is the cult leader for the magas, uncle clarence is the cult leader for these confused chocolate dipped "Black" people. As my mama once told me about a boyfriend I adored, leave them where you find them. Be done with these folks. Wash your hands of them and simply walk away. I don't care if it's your daddy, he is a danger to the rest of us. Be done with them. 

In the words of Maya Angelou, when folks show you who they are, don't waste your time on dialogue or trying to fix them, believe them and let them be. 

Especially now, you're either with us or you're not. If you're not, in light of all that is happening, there is no wiggling room, no time or need for conversation or explanation. They are hopelessly sunken. Let them sink. You cannot reach them, so do not try. Revoke their card and don't ever give it back to them. They are not to be trusted. 

The chocolate dipped are definitely the ones that our Sistah Harriet would have left behind. In the best interest of you, more importantly, in the best interest of our community at large, Miss Higgi Says, Leave them behind...

Survival Is In Our DNA

Recently I saw an interview of a corn farmer who has basically lost everything. Apparently China was the prime customer for his product. trump's tariffs have killed his business. 

The farmer confessed that he is a three time trump voter. He conveyed receiving a government hand out, I mean, government subsidy or relief package that recouped only 20% of his loss. magas don't take hand outs... 👀  

The farmer is 80% in the hole with no viable means of recovering his livelihood. Still, this white farmer, says he supports trump and does not regret his vote. What is that if it ain't a need to maintain power at any costs, even to himself? 

There is no overcoming such a mindset, so don't waste your energies. If this farmer is your dad or some other loved one, just throw your hands up. There is no penetrating such delusion. These people are guided by blind racism and fantastical ideologies of supremacy. Despite all that tells them otherwise, they have to believe they are the superior race. What else do they have?

They truly believe this is their country and they will stop at nothing to maintain control and power. Never will they surrender or lose their majority status. As he drains the US till lining his and his cronies' pockets with ill gotten loot, their loot, the farmer's loot, trump gives them hope. 

They long for yesteryear with visions of terrorized Black captives and barefoot, pregnant white women with lots and lots of babies, dancing in their heads. Both are fearful. Both are obedient. Certainly, they don't defy them. In this vision, they want their property back. ALL of their property.  She was his property first... 

They yearn a time gone by when all was right in the[ir] world. I guess they forget that not all of them were rich owners of others and/or land and that many were two steps removed from being property themselves.

Many whites then, and now, were poor. Shhh, don't tell them. 

They came here poor, some came by choice looking for a better life, some were discarded by their home country because they were poor, criminal, diseased, and/or derelict. 

But for the grace, not of God, of America's commitment to perfecting racism in her creation of the delusion of white supremacy, they should have been breaking their backs building America working in the fields instead of or alongside the Black folks with whom they shared economic conditions but who they were taught to loathe or feel superior to so not to see themselves. 

What is it that Lyndon B. Johnso said about convincing the lowest white man that he was superior to even the best colored man?🤦🏾

The photo below depicts what they truly see and hope for when they hear "make America great again"... The dog need whistle no more. trump gives them space and permission to bark out loud. They are free to release the venom in their spirit that is ingrained in their DNA...

It's Monday morning y'all. Know that we shall survive. We always survive. Be inspired that survival is in our DNA...

~ Miss Higgi Says 

Source Unknown

Don't Steal My Flowers...

On most Sunday afternoons I host online live discussions, a podcast I suppose, on various subjects, mostly involving Black women, all involving subjects of interest or relevant to Black people. 

Ironically, or maybe not, last Sunday I hosted a conversation with Black women only about how we treat and respond to one another. It's a conversation that we tend not to have amongst/about ourselves. It was well received. A good discussion was had...

We don't talk enough about how we treat each other. There's a code that's unspoken, presumed known, and expected to be respected by others in our community. Sometimes that doesn't happen.

In the last week I have had two incidents where someone failed to give credit for work I've done. That's not cool y'all... 

One person derailed a group trip planned and coordinated by me. A friend of hers is now being credited for "coordinating" the trip. 👀 

Someone else on Facebook reposted my work which went viral absent acknowledgement that it was written by me... 👀 

It's rough out here in these creative streets. Protect your turf... 

I am addressing both issues. Below is the Facebook post I made in response to my written work reprinted absent author recognition.

Social media is a new animal, indeed. It's a phenomenon of its own, but it does not negate respect or protection of one's creative work. Often ownership of work is not indicated. But when it is, give the creator their props. Put some respect, some limits, on use of other people's property...

Here is my Facebook post:

Good Morning Folks,

I know that when we post intellectual property, our written or graphic creations, on social media platforms, we don't have a whole lot of control over what happens with it, who reads it, who reposts it, etc. I get that... 

So, I started adding my byline, Miss Higgi Says, to most of what I write. 

I respectfully ask, if in fact you share my creative work, please don't remove my signature byline, Miss Higgi Says, and do tag me, if you will... If I wrote something and didn't add any byline and you are so moved to share it, please indicate that I wrote it and not you, add the byline and tag me. This seems a small request, a professional courtesy...

I just realized that the piece I wrote the other day regarding the White House Correspondence Dinner was shared by 16 people from my Facebook page. I don't always make my posts shareable, my page is private. A friend asked me to make the piece shareable, which I didn't mind. I know when she shares my work she's going to indicate I wrote it. I would like to ASSume that friends, even most Facebook friends, will do the same. The emphasis on "most". I get that part too... I enjoy writing and appreciate any appreciation of my craft. 

A person in my Facebook friend group shared this particular piece and received over a thousand comments, most agreeing with or thanking her for what they presumably thought she wrote. It was shared 655 times from her page alone and likely by many others from there. In other words, my writing went viral. 

One problem...

My signature byline was removed from the post, simply replaced with a random tag of my name. No indication was given that I wrote it. That bothers me y'all...

Again, if you share something I wrote or created or anybody else wrote or created, boldly give that person credit for their work. That's all I'm saying. 

That's what's on my mind this morning... 

~ Miss Higgi Says,

Good Wednesday Morning & Do Unto Others...

It's Exhausting...

So we're supposed to believe that this random Black appearing guy strolled into a formal event hosted by this klan administration and nobody stopped him? 

Are we to believe that with all the people who hate him, all the wars he has provoked, all the lives he has ruined as he holds a seat of such high importance, that security around him is so lax that some random guy just strolls into a black tie affair he is hosting and shoots?

Are we to believe there was no security and that said random Black appearing man could just walk right into the hotel, much less the event, while packing?

Really? Is that what we are supposed to believe?

Anyone who lives in or who has ever lived in Washington, DC or been in the vicinity of anywhere any POTUS was scheduled to be, knows that the above is just not possible. Civilian lives are totally disrupted even when POTUS is just passing through.

But let us pretend, however, that this guy has some integrity and would never stage stunts, incidents, or "news" to distract the public or depict himself as a victim, denying him fodder to feed the warped minds of his hangry' base - Hungry and angry, hungry for regular feedings of hate to fuel their anger.

Let us pretend that the occupant is really presidential and that, on the heels of him ending the investigation of a previous "threat to his life", we should treat the drama at the White House Correspondence Dinner like a real occurrence or some serious newsworthy event,  never calling it by it's name, a high tech sham. 

It's exhausting y'all. Just exhausting... 

If the intent is to keep us distracted, confused, anxious, depressed, angry, fearful - take your pick - it's working. 

Shame on the media, elected officials, judicial figures, to include Supreme Court justices, and all others who prop this guy up as though he's presidential but must be obeyed, feared, and unchallenged like a king. 

Shame on them for their dereliction of duty to protect the nation from harm, especially from within. 

Shame on them for behaving as though there's anything normal about him, his presence in Washington, or his representation of America on the world stage. 

We know, as according to the press, at first, it was profitable for them to ignore his lies and buffoonery. For the sake of money and ratings, they chose to not question or challenge his vile behavior and comments, to pretend he was a real candidate. But at this point, it is anti-American, ethically and professionally irresponsible, and downright dangerous. Their lack of journalistic integrity puts us all at risk. I no longer respect the American "press" at all anymore. Social media pundits have more credibility.

He is so damn exhausting as we know is the game plan. Exhaust Americans by keeping us in a perpetual state of anxiety, depression, confusion, uncertainty, fear, anger, whatever it takes to distract us from what he's doing or not doing, like releasing the epstein files, inundating us with unenforceable executive orders, killing innocent fishermen and school girls, kidnapping presidents, erecting monuments to himself, tearing down the east wing and existing history, creating wars unnecessarily, robbing the coffers of the American public, putting our lives and the lives of our troops at risk.  So on, and so on, and so on...

WHEN, WHERE, HOW, but more importantly, WILL it end or this to become the new norm? Are you OK with that? 

maga, this is what you voted for? This is how we make America "great"? A great what? A great laughing stock? Mission accomplished.... 

Americans cannot REALLY be this stupid, this gullible, or so easily manipulated. Can they? I just refuse to believe they are the majority. At this time, it must be the dumb ones controlling the mic and occupying the larger stage.

Iran, a more reliable media source than American journalists and mainstream news networks, will have a field day with this. Already, before dawn of the new day, they have released a highly anticipated Lego mega hit about last night's fiasco at the dinner.

His only response has been to make an appeal for the ballroom. He's exhausting...

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!!!

Another Soldier Gone...

 

I remember meeting Jesse Jackson on the campaign trail in 1984. It was pre cell phone so of course I don't have any pictures to prove it. We weren't wired like that yet. LOL! 

He was running for president, campaigning somewhere in Atlantic County, New Jersey. I remember being excited to drive the 45 minutes or so to see him. Of course, we supported him. He was going to be our first Black president. We believed that if anybody could do it, Jesse Jackson could do it.

It didn't hurt his candidacy that he was very easy on the eyes. Jesse Jackson was a very handsome Black man and who didn't love his fro'? We saw you and we heard you Reverend Jackson. ✊🏾

Reverend Jackson ran again in 1988. I remember wearing the campaign sweatshirt to my 10-year high school class reunion. Unlike now, we never discussed politics when we were in school. That was left to our parents I suppose. I remember getting a grown up wake up call at that reunion. I did not reunite with the kids I grew up with and was so excited to see. The pushback was real. Was it the sweatshirt? 🤷🏾

My sweatshirt screamed who I was politically. It was clear that the kids I had grown up with were mostly not Democrats and probably didn't support Jesse Jackson's candidacy. Ironically, it was the same many years later when we had another reunion during President Obama's campaign. The 10 year reunion, however, was indication to my younger self, that our lives had taken very different paths. We were not the same kids from Clayton High School oblivious to politics or leaving politics to our parents. We were adults now, some were parents themselves. Politics did matter and whether we had discussed or realized it as children or not, politics had shaped our lives and who we had become.

Reverend Jackson had charm, he had wit, he had grace, he was smart, he had worldwide appeal and presence. He became known for his slogans. He was the first politician on the national scene to preach a message of hope. He told us to raise our fist, lift our head, and be proud as we echoed in call and response his inspiring chant of, "I am somebody". We believed him. His chant was reinforced by James Brown telling us to be Black and Proud. And, proud somebodies we were. There was cause to hope for change. We we were witnessing it.

Reverend Jackson, and his Push for a Rainbow Coalition, will be forever remembered as a soldier in the Army for Civil Rights in America and beyond. His efforts and his influence were global. The world revered him, as did we. He did his part and certainly, he made us proud.

In commemoration of him, I think, I will pull out that old sweatshirt from the 1988 campaign and wear it today in his honor. May he rest in eternal peace.

Thank you Rev. Jackson.

🙏🏿

A Pedophile, Is A Pedophile

 

I remember some time ago hearing the term "minor attracted person". It was being pushed as an alte..rnative to use of the word pedophile to describe adults sexually attracted to children. My reaction then, is the same as it is now, WTF? 

The epstein files reveal to us why and by whom the term was created. At this point, the appropriate question is, who is not in the epstein files? With the trickle down release of even highly redacted files, we are learning that calls to normalize the perversion of sexually assaulting children come from very high places from people deeply rooted in our society. The cover up is real.

The level of collaboration required for cover up of this proportion is epic. It seems clear that the interest and protection of very rich, largely white, "men", far outweigh the interests and protection of children. The practice of abusing children seems an open secret known and supported by many that extends far beyond the borders of America, globally and historically. 

The history of Black folks in America teaches us that Mothers of enslaved daughters dreaded their baby girl coming into womanhood understanding that "the talk" she would inevitably have to have with her daughter would be to prepare her for being raped by the male who owned their family, or his designee. This adult male demanded that he take the virginity of a young Black girl before any Black man she might later need his permission to marry.

Sally Hemings was but a child of 14 who ultimately bore six children for the president of the United States. Still, white writers and historians, if they acknowledge this travesty at all, will describe the rape of this child by thomas jefferson as an "affair". In current reporting on the epstein victims, I constantly hear them referenced as young women. They, too, were girls (and boys), not women. Words matter... 

There continues, in this country, to be an obsession with child brides and ongoing manipulation of the age of majority. Incredibly, 34 states still permit children under 18 to legally marry, some without parental or legal consent. 

Try as you may, there is no normalization of sexual depravity, certainly not with minors. Children cannot give consent. Proponents of the term, "minor attracted person" argue it's intent to give space for treatment of such adults who have not acted upon said desire. There is, however, no space in the universe providing allowance for redefining or renaming adults who sexually abuse children. Make them own their perversion. Call them by their name. They are PEDOPHILES! They are PREDATORS! They prey upon the most innocent, vulnerable, trusting, and precious, of us, our children who must be protected at all costs.

Sometimes the predator is your father, your brother, your husband, your religious leader, your scout leader, your boss or corporate leader, your teacher, your elected official. Sometimes the predator is a woman. Always the victim is our children, innocent girls and boys. 

Currently happenings in our nation beg for examination of ourselves as a people. As a society, we must ask ourselves, what is the morality of a society that fails to protect it's children? What kind of society tolerates, tries to rationalize, protect, ignore, explain away, redefine or rename abuse of it's children by adults, sexually or otherwise, seemingly with impunity?

Miss Higgi Says, a pedophile is a pedophile. Call them by their name...

Here is an excerpt from the article referenced below:

Why “minor-attracted”?

The term “minor-attracted person” emerged a few years ago as an alternative to “pedophile.” In the eyes of the world, the term pedophile means someone who has abused children. At that time, there were many people who realized that they felt sexually attracted to children. But it was a feeling that they never asked for and never wanted to act upon. They felt that they needed another term to describe themselves in a way that would show them as people who wanted to get help so that they would not hurt anyone. An important goal in our field is to prevent harm by supporting people who want to change their behavior before it leads to victimization. When it comes to preventing the sexual abuse of children, Safer Society believes in using the kind of language that encourages those at risk to get the help they need to prevent offending.

What Should We Know About the Term “Minor-Attracted Person”? Click here for access to the article. 

Black History Month 100 Years Strong!

100 years ago, February 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson was compelled to launch an annual celebration of the often overlooked, unknown, or deliberately dismissed achievements and contributions of Black Americans to the US and beyond. He was intent that Black Americans, as well as others, know the truth of who we are, our accomplishments, and our contributions to the world. 

100 years later, in 2026, the attacks on erasing Black achievement are relentless and targeted. Books are being banned. Historical data is being discounted, distorted, or discarded. Artifacts are being removed from Museums. All in vain. Black Americans are America's history. She cannot replace or erase us or our history. We live in a global society. Books, photos, movies, griots, and documents know no boundaries, geographic or otherwise. Our response is to preserve and protect our personal historical artifacts and memories and to passionately tell our story. We must be deliberate and diligent in passing our history to future generations.

What began as Black History Week in February 1926, over the years, has expanded into Black History Month. The Black community is now adamant that our history, America's history, be observed 365 days of every year! 

The theme for Black History Month 2026 is A Century of Black History Commemorations. The evolution of honoring the impact of Black history on the modern world will be explored in terms of how the culture and contributions of people of African descent have transformed not only the world, but also the status and presence of Black people globally. 

Thank you Dr. Woodson. Your vision lives on...

Happy Black History Month! 

✊🏾❤️🖤💚✊🏾

#BlackHistory365

Don't Believe Your Lying Eyes

I am transported to a time when, as a young woman, I was traumatized by repeatedly being forced to witness the brutal beating of Rodney King by LA cops in the middle of the night. It was caught on camera by an observer with a camera long before we all had cameras in our hands. Still, the country could not allow itself to believe it's lying eyes.

Despite the video, the response of the nation was to make it his fault that he was brutalized such that self respecting Americans, Black Americans specifically, were traumatized daily by being subjected to looping media coverage of depiction of the opposite. A Black man who, despite being mercilessly beaten by LA cops, who had no idea they were being filmed, who called for peace and understanding and pleaded "can we all just get along", was still vilified and dehumanized for a crime committed against him.

I am mournful for what happened to Mr. Pretti, a white male who, like George Floyd in the same state, has been murdered by law enforcement in plain view for the world to see, as was Renee Goode, a white female, just a few days before him, also in the state of Minnesota. I can't help notice, however, the difference in the response. Rodney and George were not seen as fully human. Supporters were criticized for daring to suggest that their lives mattered.

What we see happening to white folks now is what has always happened to Black people. They are being made the villain in their own death. Let us not forget Trayvon Martin, a young, innocent Black boy with a full life and limitless dreams before him. Certainly, too young to have a past behind him. Still, his character was assassinated, his and that of his family. He was made responsible for his own murder. Briana Taylor, killed in the sanctuary of her bedroom, was made responsible for her death. Her boyfriend defending her and their home was arrested. Likewise, Mr. Pretti and Ms. Goode are being made the villain of crimes committed against them by those presenting themselves aa law enforcement.

America has accepted that Black folks are hyper vilified in the media for commission of the most petty of crimes, and never are we victims, especially when the perpetrator is white or a cop. A double standard in reporting crime has been normalized. Black folks instinctively know when there is no mention of race, a white guy did it. I wonder if that is evident to or even considered by white folks. 

Black folks hear news of a heinous crime and hold our breath until we know it was not committed by a Black person. Often, we breathe a collective sigh of relief finding comfort in knowing that it was not one of us who did the dreadful deed, as we watch the media literally whitewash coverage of the crime and offer excuses for the perpetrator who is often white. When the perpetrator is Black, s/he and their entire family is smeared no matter their age or absence of a background worthy of mention. The media will create a stir removing emphasis from the crime committed against a Black victim when the perpetrator is white.

What we see happening now are reverse tactics being applied to white victims of police violence as is also being aggressively and incredibly applied to racism. Although ice agents are not trained police officers, they have been given like authority, a license to kill non-whites with damn near impunity. This administration uses the media to divert public outcry and ultimate responsibility and condemnation of the ice agents. As when the public witnesses the murder of a Black man, they are buying in to not believing their lying eyes and it seems to be working.

The media is running wild with lead stories classifying white victims of police terrorism as domestic terrorists. How will this play out? Is killing a squeaky clean white male the bridge too far? What impact does questioning or demeaning his humanity have on the psyche of those both reporting and receiving such narratives when the victim looks like them or could have been them, their son, their brother, their husband, their father, etc? Will white America be forced to come to terms with how she has judged Black victims and what Black victims have been saying for decades, if not centuries? Why is it that we have to wait until the crisis knocks on our door to truly see it as important or relevant? Is it too late?

Where and how does the madness stop? Miss Higgi really wants to know when will America believe her lying eyes? 👀 

Am I the Jinx?

You know that podcast, Am I the Asshole? I'm asking, Am I the Jinx?

Last summer I moved out of Florida for very sound reasons and would like to have returned to the life and fabulous apartment I'd left in New Jersey, which is home, but I decided I was over long, cold winters. So, instead I moved to North Carolina after considering South Carolina and the Tidewater area in Virginia. My reasoning was that while I didn't want a cold winter, I certainly I didn't want snow. So I considered places  that don't really get snow and if they do it's a dusting that only they think is real snow. If the temperature drops, it very quickly rebounds, or so I thought...

It was explained to me pretty early when I got here that the weather in North Carolina is bipolar. I was warned to expect wild fluctuations in temperature, nothing about snowstorms. From what I'm hearing, they have not had a real snow storm like the one we're expecting since 2000. It was believed that there would not be another such storm "in our lifetime". Here we are 26 years later and they're bracing for another snowstorm the magnitude of the 2000 storm. 👀 Some people say there was a big snow in 2014 as well but apparently 2000 was the whopper. So I'm asking myself, "so why didn't you go to New Jersey"? If they're going to have snow like this in NC, I could at least be home with my peeps. LOL! Although, I do have quite a circle here, which was part of the draw to NC, that is ever growing! I have met some really good people. I am content...

Turn the clock back a little bit. In 2009 I moved to Binghamton, New York. I know, I know, make it make sense... I keep making these moves but that one was really out of sorts for a summer bunny like me. But there I was in Binghamton, New York where they get this predicted flood everyone 100 years. Three rivers meet in Binghamton. It's called a confluence of rivers. So, it's a thing...

Binghamton had just had the centennial flood a few years before I moved there, I think 7 years before. Well, lo' and behold, what happens? They have this 100-year flood 93 years early and the whole city is a hot flooded mess! I take my car across town to higher grounds and return to my my high rise apartment where I rationlize if the water reached my apartment, it was gonna' be a wrap for most of us. I didn't get meet my maker vibes at all... So I perched myself on the rooftop where I could see what was happening from a prime vantage point. It was horrible! I even wrote a blog about it, There's A River A Rising in Binghamton.

So here I am in two different places where these natural disaster events that are only supposed to happen every blue moon decide to greet me with a spontaneous welcome party. So, Am I the Jinx? If you say yes, I'll be moving to your city soon. LOL!

Be safe, stay warm, and dry! Do all the precautionary things we're told to do, fill your gas tank, make sure you have batteries, flashlights, candles, blankets, and ample food. Somebody told me if the lights go out, put my food on the balcony because it'll stay frozen out there. Fill your tub with water in case your toilet stops flushing or something to that effect. But most important, eat your snacks in moderation. We may be in for a while...

Am I the Jinx? 🤷🏾 Miss Higgi really wants to know. (smile)...