PICK & SHOVEL:
A BLACK MAN’S POLITICAL LOVE AFFAIR
Written by: Victor E. Moseley
Email: vemoseley@landcause.com
Blue Sky: vemoseley17.bsky.social
As I sit comfortably, I wonder what thoughts would arise in my mind in this particular moment of serenity on my couch? Would the ‘crease’ of information cast a shadow over which thought would rule in that moment? Is that the most important ‘concern’ that must be addressed, or that thought that would make humanity lose ‘decency’ and ‘order’ rule the debate?
It is long known that Black people make calculations based on spiritual clarity for all given situations. Now the keys to this discernment was taught to all of us long ago in the ‘fold’. The ‘fold’ is the place, the energy, where the two choices lie. The barrier between the ‘fold’ is the darkness that separates called the ‘crease’. As Black people, we don’t necessarily chose the option that is free of ‘shadow’. Black people choose wisely between the two choices available because no choice is worse.
So, we use a ‘pick’ to break the surface to know what’s underneath, or we use a ‘shovel’ to remove the debris and clutter that hides the ‘purpose’ beneath.
Issue 3: When no Bacon Grease, Lard or Butter is at the Bottom of the Skillet
You got it. The cornbread will be burnt! I listened to a little of the questions asked of our President after the United States Supreme Court did their job ruling against the President’s tariffs, and you know what I heard? I heard one woman reporter ask Donald J. Trump did he regret nominating Justice Barrett and Justice Gorsuch. What? That’s the first thought that flashed in my mind. The second thought was, of course; that’s typical of hard hitting journalists in our vaunted ‘Free Press’.
The question is irrelevant. Everyone with a little knowledge of American Government knows that the only power a President has over a ‘potential’ U.S. Supreme Court justice is the nomination. After the Justice is seated the President has no authority over them. Ever!
That’s what I mean by wishing the ‘cornbread’ comes out right because I don’t know what I’m doing. Hasn’t that been the problem in America? Bacon grease lining the skillet makes for a tasty side of cornbread. That’s why most endeavors in our lives fail. They fail because we don’t want to learn how to make our lives better. We don’t know how to ‘PICK’ the right ingredients, and how to cook the ingredients properly to make or create what we want when we’re done!
In the Authorized King James version of the Holy Bible. Luke 12:34…For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
I have pondered that short verse in my head now for decades. Literally. I have meditated on that verse. I saw my father falter in the face of evil White men in Birmingham, Alabama. His cruelty and bulling never faltered a day with his family. Not for one second. I contemplated the contrast as I looked at this man ‘preach’ fiery’ sermons on Sundays and literally rip the flesh from my body with an extensive cord.
I swore then, no I promised myself then that I wouldn’t ever take out my frustrations, trials, troubles, hardships or setbacks on anyone. I thought at the time looking at my Dad that that was the soul of a weak man. Where did he bear the burden for his family? What did he shield us from in reality? I didn’t learn from him Colossians 3:1.
Let me tell you why I’m writing this. I am still under threat from my mortgage company PHH Mortgage Services. They are attempting to steal my house away from me. Don’t worry I have proof I have paid all my bills and applied for relief when I had to over the last 17 years. The paperwork has all the documentation. That’s not the main point here.
I am finally in that place of what should be first in my life. My affection is fully on things above. Oh, I’m going to fight for what’s mine because that’s about right and wrong. My skillet will always be lined before I pour in the cornbread batter!
This next statement will blow your mind! I have gained that peace and serenity that comes from trusting in God when you know you haven’t done anything wrong. I have even let the process get close to a default judgment against me so that PHH Mortgage Services would do the right thing. They have not, so I’m going through an attorney and let the ‘chips’ fall where they may. That’s an old saying that means, ‘When fleeing with a bag or shirt full of coins, some of your coins will fall out because you stole them’.
When I saw a different side of people; I knew it was their true nature. Their true face. I looked upon what I saw and vowed never to let others know I wasn’t a source of strength for them. I had to be genuinely strong. But how? I know how now. It is by what I’ve explained above.
I have learned to bear my own burdens! I have learned to do this by setting my love to love the spiritual things above my flesh. The spirit ‘outranks’ the flesh. Turn towards the spirit and never turn back. Then and only then will you begin to ‘practically’ use the spirit to become a better human being to yourself, your family, your friends, your enemies.
I personally would use butter though. That bacon grease and lard sounds like they would raise my blood pressure through the roof.
Be well.


