Inspirational Insights thanks you for a successful year and wishes you good health, happiness, success and prosperity in 2012. I sincerely thank you for your continued support and look forward to bringing you fresh, new, and inspiring articles this year.

 

I'm exploring new ideas to keep you all excited and extending an invitation for your feedback, as well as topics you'd like to read about. There will be guest editors in upcoming issues, such as this one, bringing you powerful messages of inspiration and hope.

Inspirational Insights is dedicated to giving you all the best to inspire YOU to be your very best! 

Warmly,

Sharon R. Wells
Founder & Editor 

Angel Wings Publications, LLC

 

Observance. Some of us do it more than others. Some of us do it on larger scales than others. We've observed everything, from the injustices that have been inflicted on races and cultures deemed as the minority to the triumphs and celebrations of those same communities.
 

Observance. It's a strong word that carries a different meaning to some of us, and yet, it's something that I've repeatedly had to do over the years since observance and objectivity should, but oftentimes does not, run hand in hand.  I've watched my brothers from all races transcend stereotypes...watched them as they loved and lived, and I thought, without trying to come off preachy, maybe I could compose an open letter to them and perhaps open an eye or two.  No, I don't believe for one moment that I'm some know-it-all guru, perhaps looking to be the next Dr. Phil. Those are shoes that I couldn't begin to fill on my best day. Still, I'd like to think that me approaching fifty buys me some wisdom, or at least my interpretation of it anyway.

 

When we elected President Barack Obama to office, we were all in agreement that it was time for a change. However, at the time, I didn't realize the depths of how true those words would be. You see, it really is time for us to change not only how we view ourselves, but how we view our race as a whole. For African Americans, we as a people have been divided for far too long, probably for as long as we as a people have been in this country. It was always us versus us - field niggra versus house niggra, light-skinned versus dark skinned, have versus have nots...and the list continues.
 

We've been taught to degrade our women in music, television and literature. At times, we don't allow for anyone else's opinion but our own, as if an opinion that conflicts with what we believe somehow translates to we are not being disrespected, no matter how articulate the words presented are spoken.
 

Somehow, we as African American men have brought into the hype that we don't have value, as if some how we are not deserving of a high paying position outside of sports or music, which directly impacts our right to live in affluent neighborhoods, afford a comfortable lifestyle and leave a legacy to our children.
 

Somehow, we've taken the terminology of respect and morphed it into something that we are deserving of, but yet we don't always feel the need to give it. This is not to say that all of us live by these principalities, but enough of us do that it warrants a letter.
 

So, here's a thought...and take from it whatever you may. What if we begin and ended everything with love? As simplistic as it may sound, it really isn't as easy as it sounds.  You see, you start off by loving God, or whatever you deem God to be. It doesn't matter what you call God. What works for me may not work for you, but one thing is certain that most of us can agree on, there is something much larger than ourselves at work in our lives. So let's start with loving that. For me, that something is God. With that being said, it doesn't matter what your experience with traditional religion has been. Positive or negative. Religion is just man's way of worshipping God as we know Him.
 

Love yourself. Don't let anyone dictate your worth - and if they try, you don't have to accept it, because no matter what you do, there will always be someone who will think that they are better...perhaps even having a false sense of entitlement, which to them translates in their mind that they are better, smarter and more deserving than you. Give yourself your props, take your knocks and keep on going. If you get hit hard and it knocks you off kilter, dust yourself off and keep it moving. The world will keep turning whether you are on it or not, so hang on with your head held high and know that you were created in the image of love.
 

Love your woman or life partner. This applies to straight and gay alike. At the end of the day, the person that you've committed yourself to is the person that you should be laying down with, and at one time if not presently, they should have your back. So, cherish them. Hopefully, you'll get that love and adoration right back.
 

Love your children if you have them. Teach them, nurture them and lead them. Sometimes, we may associate a bad relationship with them, but they are innocent. They had nothing to do with whatever happened with their mother, so love them because the simple fact is they need you.
 

Love your people. Greet one another. Look each other in the eye...especially at work. Take a stand and lead in your community. Step up and love outside of the box, because believe it or not, someone, somewhere will always have it worse than you.
 

Brothers...and by brothers I mean all of you. Black, Asian, Latino, White or whatever culture that you belong to...gay or straight, it doesn't matter. It really is time for a change. And it starts with you.

 

 

When I started doing book signings at local area stores, the first thing that I thought of was "This is a lot of fun!"  The novelty wore off rather quickly...not because I don't like meeting people.  I love talking to folks.  The challenge was trying to sell yourself in a world where people are more apt to tune you out rather than pay you any kind of mind.  Don't believe me?  Try getting someone's attention while standing beside an elaborate table lined with your own books while you are still yet an unknown.  If they are interested in buying a book, most times it won't be yours unless you're willing to sell yourself...and sell yourself hard. 

Still, I've managed to sell a few books once I was able to get someone's attention and tell them about the story and why I wrote it.

I wrote "Bruthas" because I wanted to tell a story that had good characters and a strong message of family.  The brothers are as different as night and day; each one being a possible genre until themselves.  You have Jai who is the oldest.  He's successful and all about his fiancee, child and family.  He has it together and for most women, he would be the man that they would like to marry.

Ryan is the middle brother who has struggled with his gay identity for most of his adult life.  I didn't want to create another DL character since I don't like the idea of deception.  For me, deception is deception no matter what the sexual orientation of the person involved.  Instead, I tell Ryan's story by creating him as a man who is looking for the great love of his life.  I decided that his character would be reflective of many gay men.  And what I believe is that at the end of the day, gay or straight, most men just want to be loved.

Nate is the bad boy.  He has risen to one of the highest ranking positions within the notorious drug lord Marco Carrera's empire and he seems to have everything that he ever wanted...at least from a materialistic perspective.

This story is about family...with all of it's triumphs and setbacks.  Brothers don't always get along.  There are conflicts that arise.  Issues of acceptance, forgiveness and family loyalty run rampant through the pages...but most people don't buy a book to receive a message; unless of course it's the Bible.  It is for this very reason that I had to write a murder mystery around these men.

Will this work?  The reviews that are coming in suggests that the people that read it got the concept and liked the fact that this is not the typical crime novel.
 

Purchase a copy of "Bruthas"

 

We have witnessed Black American Men and a Women run for the Presidency of the United States of America just because they wanted to awaken the sleeping giants, like the Black American man that became the President of the United States. It takes positive and inspiring thoughts to take initiatives like these and it takes dedication to make them happen. All of these are "Profiles in Black History" and there are many more profiles about Black American people that should be learned about. These are profiles that our children should see to understand that "We Are Royalty".

Our children need to see that they are royalty and they need to start using labels like "Royalty" to describe their self. We must begin to show the benefits and importance of the many different roles that Black Americans play in our communities. Our children are watching, so it is time to stop fighting one another if we want our children to do the same. The positive actions that we take need to be promoted by each other the same way that songs are played on the radio and shows are promoted on television. We must help those that take the initiative to do positive things in our community and show the positive lights that are being shined in the neighborhoods that we live in. This must be done so that we can begin to build stronger structures in our communities. This allows our children to see positive actions on a more consistent basis, and it enables everyone to witness the power of common-unity while we overshadow the negative things that are present. While everyone watches, we can say "Label Me Royalty".

 

By showing and sharing strength, we can begin to be examples of key positions in society that are waiting to be claimed by our children. We are the remedy for our present wounds and it is our responsibility to heal our communities with more than temporary pain relief for symptoms, instead of cures for the problems. Hope needs to be present even when situations seem hopeless or a part of life that is destined to happen. The positive parts of our history must be shared in confidence and with the support of others. We must be able to tell our children "I am important! This is my kingdom that will soon be yours! I Am Royalty: a Profile In Black History!"

 

Emmanuel Brown is the publisher of the I Am Royalty: Profiles In Black History anthology series which is available at LabelMeRoyalty.com.

Emmanuel Brown 

Publisher and Editorial Director

I Am Royalty: Profiles In Black History
Seeing Growth
PO Box 412
North Chicago, IL 60064-0412
www.SeeingGrowth.com

 

I remember watching the movie Notorious, based on the life of the late hip-hop star Notorious B.I.G. There is one part where he is speaking about Tupac Shakur.

Biggie mentions, "If you were to ask 10 different people who was Tupac, they would all have different answers."

Tupac himself stated on many different occasions he was a reflection of the many different realities he was faced with as a young blackman in America. A part of him was a revolutionary who loved all black people, recognizing that no matter the social economic class they all shared a common struggle. Another part of him was a gangster who recognized that evil lurked in the mind of all groups of people. So there were even some black people who were his enemies just as much as the Klu Klux Klan or any other white hate group. Self Destruction and Progress were the two opposites he faced daily.

My point for using Tupac as a catalyst for this article is to state that if someone of his mental caliber of awareness could still seem to be trapped. Then the average young black male who doesn't possess the proper knowledge of self and awareness really is out gunned.

At the root of human development is the same necessity which resides in survival. This key is Knowledge of Self. Knowledge of Self is the foundation of all knowledge. The root of young black men's problems in America derive from their lack of not just Knowledge, but Knowledge of Self. The lack of love, self respect, and no regard for human life is a result of all the negative imagery portrayed verbally, visually and through every day world experience, starting from infancy onward to the public school education, and media indoctrination via radio, tv and internet.

From personal experience, having been through foster care, a troubled teen life which ultimately landed me in prison. Then the ups and downs of finally finding my way. I realize that responsibility for one's own life is a realization all humans must accept. When one puts all the responsibility for what happens to them on themselves, then one realizes they are the master of their own ship. From this point the 'Rules of the Game' change, the good and bad one faces become the equation of what one thinks and does.

Young black men are faced with the reality that they must become men whether they have a father figure or not. At some point as individuals we take accountability for our actions and how they affect us as individuals, our families, communities and the human race.

The tides have turned, black men were once the Source of Knowledge all the human families looked up to. They would come from places far and near to study under black male high priests and scholars, at schools of learning in what is now called Africa. Now young black men question their identity, masculinity, speak ebonics, and wear their pants half way off their butt. This isn't to generalize all young blackmen. Yet it is to openly recognize that it is going on, and it does need to change.

Young blackmen I challenge you Change the Rules of how you view yourself, treat yourself, and you will change your life.

Therone Shellman is an author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. He is the author of Love Don't Live Here, No Love Lost, The Secrets of Self Publishing and his autobiography Survivor I Changed the Rules Pt. 1 Expect several new releases from this author in 2012. All of his works can be purchased from his amazon.com author page:

 

Inspirational Insights would like to extend an invitation to authors, writers and poets who write inspirational and empowerment articles, and would like to showcase their work.  We also invite you to be a guest editor for upcoming newsletter issues. If you have any interest, please send an email to: sharon@angelwingspublications.com.  Please also email your feedback, and topics you're interested in reading about.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter, and if you like what you've read please click the FaceBook "Like" button and forward this issue to your friends.

Sincerely,