This Is how I see it: New Year for Change ?

This Is how I see it: New Year for Change ?:          As we have now have stepped over into this New Year. We now get a chance to start anew.  Whether it be your  finances, your health...

New Year for Change ?

         As we have now have stepped over into this New Year. We now get a chance to start anew.  Whether it be your  finances, your health, your relationships, your spirituality, or any other part of your life where change is necessary.  We all should have a drive to improve our stance in life. Change is essential in order to sustain success. If one becomes stagnate they stand still. Think of it as water. If water sits in one spot too long it grows algae, it mildews, and in some instances it becomes foul and develops a bad odor.  That’s a microcosm of how your life can become. You want to lose weight, put down the Popeyes  chicken.  You want to improve in your career, go back to school and increase your education. If you play basketball and you’re a poor free throw shooter,  take more shots or tweak your technique some. Changing bad habits will  help you as you progress thru life. Hopefully you see my point.  But as a society we seem to miss the boat in terms of the way we think about change in certain areas of our existence.
        How many innocent victims have to be murdered by those sworn to protect and serve us before there policies change. Change is very prevalent in my occupation and these new policies are often implemented after an unintended incident has taken place.  There needs to be a town hall discussion with law enforcement officials across this country on how to react in such tense situations.  Shooting to kill shouldn’t be your first reaction. There has to be an alternative.  I do recognize that there’s  a fine line to walk with such a dangerous occupation.  For the record, all cops aren’t bad, in fact there are a lot more good cops than bad ones. Problem is several incidents throughout history (statistics tell us this is true)shows  that they target a certain demographic with a lot more frequency and ferocity. Am I saying that this is not sometimes warranted, no.  But what I am saying is just like every cop is not dirty or has bad intentions.  Every black man or boy is not a criminal or at the very least deserves not to be shot at and possibly killed on site when suspected of a crime. We have to change our our preconceived notions. 
        The bible states,  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret – it only causes harm.” (Psalms 37:8).  In some of these incidents the victims felt like they were being harassed and maybe so. But showing your inner strength to diffuse the situation allows you an opportunity to possibly live to see another day.  It doesn’t make you less of a man to handle situations in a calm, non-confrontational manner.  It just means you show control  and that you aren't the menacing, undisciplined person some assume you to be. This is why I was a little turned off by the cops being mad at the St Louis Rams Players hands up game entry and other athletes wearing the I can’t breathe shirts.  These men took a stance that others like them in recent memory have shied away from. Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods stayed clear of social issues to protect their bottom line unlike their predecessors such as Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali.  It was refreshing because although they risked turning off some endorsers and fans. They felt this was bigger than them as an individual. It was all about the greater good.  They know that if you strip away the talent they have to entertain the general  public. What are they, but a black man who could easily be viewed as a criminal,  a thug, crook, etc. instead of a hardworking morally strong person. At the same time I applaud Rex Ryan and Tom Coughlin for wearing the NYPD caps during their respective team's football games last month.  In light of the recent slayings of 2 NYPD officers by some ignorant dupe thinking he was exorcising revenge for Eric Garner it showed support for those who are doing things the right way.  Two wrongs don't make a right. Our mindsets have to change people.  What did killing those cops do? It only infuriated some of the very cops who were guilty of committing excessive abuse against members of the public.  Think they won’t do it again if they can get away with it after such a malicious act.
         We as members of the public, specifically black men, must change how we deal with authority.  We must not always look to fight.  We must do more to change how we are perceived.  Stop the gang violence, drug dealing, the robbing. It sickens me to see the news and see another black man do some heinous crime. All these guys have done is perpetuate the myth. It makes it rougher on those who are good citizens and impactful members of society.

          Geraldo Rivera was called out for saying that the athletes who criticized cops for all of the recent shootings should wear,  be a better father t-shirts. There is truth to that as well.  But fatherhood is a choice, holding a toy gun and getting shot because of it, or getting strangled to death, not so much. Also the player in question was LeBron James, a married father of 3. It is though, an epidemic of sorts that has lead kids from single parent homes to a life of crime. Several make it thru and become a success such as a LeBron James.  So it’s not a guarantee of failure. Putting the father back in the home goes a long way in maintaining stability in a child’s life. Much like we as children of God must maintain our relationship with our Heavenly father. I can attest to the fact that if you don’t maintain a relationship with him you will have fruitless manifestation in your life. For those that pay child support , thinking that your child support payment is all your kids will ever need from you is ludicrous. They need to spend time with you as the male figure in their life.  1 Timothy 5:8 states , But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. God’s intention is for you to be there for your family. Don't ignore them.

          Just think of how much this country of ours has changed since 1776.  Blacks were kept as slaves, women weren’t allowed to vote.  Now one of the richest and most influential people in this country is  Oprah Winfrey, a black woman.  If not for changing of our beliefs there would be no President Obama, no Oprah,  Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.  Diversity and inclusion is paramount when implementing the laws that govern this country. Having different point of views allows us to see issues from different perspectives.  When people reference taking  America back. Taking  America back to where?  The one that enslaved people of color , dismissive of women’s rights, segregated schools. I hope not.  We are all created equal in God’s eyes. Positive change that impacts us has a lasting effect and benefits us all in the long run.  
         Just like the seasons, change is inevitable.  Unless you’re happy with your status in life be proactive and commit to change. Doing nothing guarantees you will get nothing different than you already have.  James 2:17 which says, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. “ in other words talk is cheap.  Having faith for changes in your life is null and void without your action.  Ignorance is committing the same act while expecting a different result.  In the words of Mary Mary, “Go Get It”.