by Weusi

There are a few sub-topics that contribute to this post. So, I share the following things with you in full disclosure.

FIRST …
My love for Shelli is rivaled only by my love and passion for “community.”

SECOND …
I will always support peace first. BUT … I also believe that violence is an engrained part of our culture and I will not allow myself or others to be victims of violence. So, I will fight for the things that I believe in and against things that I am opposed. I will do this violently, if necessary.

THIRD …
I don’t like to support celebrity talk. I don’t even like the idea that someone is considered a celebrity. Instead, I like to think of everyone as having something special about them.

FOURTH …
I don’t give ignorant acts much thought, energy or time.

AND FINALLY …
I’m not an angel. I’ve been in squabbles, conflicts and altercations in my past. I’ve received a few lumps, bumps and bruises, and have caused a few tears. I’ve allowed a false sense of ego to push me and others into physically unsafe situations. I’ve been in situations where I allowed (and supported) other people’s ignorance and put my life at risk.

Even with almost 42 years of life experience, a few months ago I had a person that I considered a friend do something in a group of people that could have ended up violently. I was a guest of his and in a setting where we would have been ridiculously outnumbered. He had a few drinks and tried to pick a fight. I diffused the situation with the assistance the “party host” and security. Afterwards, while talking about how pissed I was at him he says, “Ok … I know it was stupid, but he challenged my … .” I stopped his sentence there.

I told him, “After admitting that what you did was stupid, there is nothing that you can say to legitimize your actions.”

I mention this because, sometimes, you just find yourself in situations you have to make decisions about.

NOW … with all this said … I’m writing this for you: mothers, aunts, cousins, friends, guardians of young men. Those that may one day be fathers.

This post comes with a very simple message.

There is no reason in the world that could validate what went down between Chris Brown and Drake.

Both of these cats had people around them that I am sure could have stopped that fight. The people who were involved should have known better.

I am damn near POSITIVE that someone told them both something that I know many of you have told the young men around you.

“BE MINDFUL OF THE FRIENDS/ACQUAINTANCES/COMPANY THAT YOU KEEP.
The decisions of others can mean success or failure, life or death … to you.”

That’s all I’m saying. Be smart and use some common sense. Don’t have people around you that don’t use common sense.

Actually, I have a lot more to say, but I don’t want to stay on my soapbox.

Again … BE MINDFUL OF THE FRIENDS/ACQUAINTANCES/COMPANY THAT YOU KEEP.

And PLEASE … if you hear people talking about this, interrupt them and change the conversation by reminding them that over 50 people were killed in ONE weekend in Chicago. The question of why they were killed is damn near irrelevant, because 53 people are gone now. They can’t tell you what happened. What is relevant is that we all know that the violence must stop.

I hope that you all have a Happy Father’s Day.

(REMEMBER, you don’t have to wait until Hallmark gives you permission to acknowledge the fathers, father figures and positive male role models in your life.)

*** Pops, I know that you’re reading this. Thank you for the love, wisdom, experience, money, food, shelter, community, principles, and many lessons … I love you, man!***

SHiNE