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:

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