THE BLACK AGES
Written by: Victor E. Moseley
Email: vemoseley@landcause.com
Blue Sky: vemoseley17.bsky.social
Instagram: vemo607
Oftentimes it takes contemplating how Black folks lives have been defined for us throughout all times by people who were not Black. This truth cannot be denied no more than I can change the color of my skin nor allow myself to be categorized and lessened. Therefore, I must take this journey of discovery as all my valiant and resilient ancestors have sojourned in a world where false judgments were presented as the standard of righteousness. Righteousness added to humility with the grace of God may be the answer.
VOLUME 13: ‘Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed’
Why is it that a ‘sour puss’ ends up on all the faces of people that followeth after vain persons? When my time came to learn that lesson something was telling me not to listen to nothing ‘that’ person had to say, but as with all ‘harsh’ lessons that must be learned; I had to succumb to the foolishness, and take my ‘licks’(beating, for all of you that don’t know Ghetto slang). In other words I had to suffer the ‘shame’ that comes with a ‘brash’ heart.
I’ve often compared that petulant period in my life of not listening to wisdom, direction or straight-up warnings to an engine in a large truck that is stuck ‘overspinning’. A semi-truck careening downhill out of control unable to avoid the inevitable crash. That first ‘wreck’ was my last wreck! Politically speaking, I don’t need to be told more than once anything ever again in my life. So when the choice is given to me to support a political party. One, the Republican Party is solidly for the rich, the other party, the Democrats, levels the playing field for everybody. That is not a hard choice for me.
It doesn’t take a lot of ‘supercomputer’ time for me to conclude which political party cares more for the common man. That ole saying, ‘the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away’, should be ‘the Republicans giveth and the Republicans snatches away’!
Nobody is holding your hands anymore Americans to tell you when something is not right. I completely advocate for Americans to get exactly what they vote for. If you think all the ‘boogeymen’ the Republicans have told you over the years were taking your hard earned money were Black people, poor people, Hispanics, and women. I’d say keep believing them. If I were you White people; I’d actually question why the Republicans ‘need’ me to hate others?
That’s the million dollar question I would ask? Republicans. Why do you want me to hate someone I don’t even know? Why should I hate someone that has never stopped me from living my life the way I wanted? I have the life I have now because of my own efforts. Nobody has stopped me. No Black people. No poor people. No Hispanic people.
Why do I hate people that have done me no harm? No one stopped me from educating myself. I did that all on my own didn’t I White people?
Maybe the true boogeyman is a Republican?
Be well.
P.S.
Oh. And one other thing. You’re not here on this Earth to do nothing. Stop crying about having to do a little more than is required of you. I went over to a friend’s house to help her remember how to put on her favorite show. At first I thought, why am I asked to get up off my couch when I was starting to get comfortable? Then it hit me. Well, I’ve chosen to write stories and help people any way I can.
So I told myself to ‘get my ass up’ and go help her. I’m glad I did because you know what. That’s where my next ‘block of instructions’ was stored. You did notice I had to give props to the U.S. Army lingo there.
I helped her, and she bestowed upon me the information she was given to give to me. Lesson learned. I don’t need to be taught the same lesson over and over again. Get it?
Drive on soldier!
_________________Blak Shuus: The Brown Octopus_______________
Book 2: How do I travel so much ocean?
Prologue:
(Blak Shuus is learning about things more and more each day. Where is the best place to eat? What time of day does the water become warmer? How close to the surface of the water can he go to feel the heat of the Sun? How far does this ocean go? Is it connected to other oceans? Are there more octopus families out there? Who knows these things? Blak Shuus has decided to ask his mother.).
Blak Shuus: Bousie Momma I need some help. My question about the ocean. How big is it?
Bousie Momma: Oh my. That’s a big question baby. I don’t know how big the ocean is. The ocean is everywhere I think.
Blak Shuus: I need to know how big if I want to explore it. How do I find out?
Bousie Momma: B. Shuus honey. Go and ask your teachers. Maybe they could give you a more complete answer.
Blak Shuus: I will Momma.
Teacher Ottu: Class is beginning. Keep your arms to yourselves.
Blak Shuus: Teacher Ottu. May I ask a question?
Teacher Ottu: That’s why we’re here. Ask your question.
Blak Shuus: How big is the ocean and where does it end?
Teacher Ottu: The ocean has no end. It is as big as your imagination.
Blak Shuus: It must end somewhere. I can’t imagine it like that.
Teacher Ottu: Mister Blak. Are you limited in your thinking?
Blak Shuus: Limited Teacher Ottu? Limited how? Where?
Teacher Ottu: I mean Mister Blak. Can you imagine beyond the things you’ve already seen and were taught?
Blak Shuus: Teacher Ottu. My understanding is that we can only know what is taught. Is that not how we learn?
Teacher Ottu: Mister Blak. Your awareness is greater than that sir. I think you know what I’m talking about. You are asking these questions because you have gone beyond the limits of where you were told is your home. Yes?
Blak Shuus: Yes Teacher Ottu: I reached out beyond our doorsteps and got scared. What does it mean? I must fear what I don’t know?
Teacher Ottu: Class. Cool it and pay attention. This topic is happening sooner than most of you are ready to comprehend. Mister Blak. The ocean is not for you to fear, but it is a place where caution should be practiced. Some things in the vastness of the ocean are harmful to us. Unfriendly things such as whales, sea lions, and dolphins are our enemies.
Blak Shuus: Is that why my Momma Bousie keeps me close to home?
Teacher Ottu: That’s why your parents keep you close to home. Many lessons you still have to learn. It is not a punishment. It is for your protection. You must still learn many things to survive in your environment.
Blak Shuus: So the ocean is a big place that none of us will never know how big it really is?
Teacher Ottu: Mister Blak. Our nature is to find a home where food is abundant so we can visit family and friends quietly. Octopus do not go far from home.
Blak Shuus: So Teacher Ottu. I can travel as much of the ocean as I like, but beware that the ocean is a teaming sea of aquatic life. Some of that life feeds on octopus.
Teacher Ottu: Correct Mister Blak. So your life will not be about how far you went from home. Your life, as with all octopus, will be defined by what you learned about having a home. As a neighbor that contributes to his environment. Where you can live with as little disturbance as possible.
Blak Shuus: So Teacher Ottu. I should not think in terms of how big or how much ocean to swim, but about choosing a spot in the ocean I can enjoy.
Teacher Ottu: Mister Blak. I’d say that is a good note to end class today.
Epilogue:
(The ocean for an octopus is defined by how much a home the octopus can spread their arms. How much of the ocean is meant to be a playground is determined by their nature. Octopus are family driven and like to stay in places where they are familiar with their surroundings. Blak Shuus has learned that the entire ocean is a vast place to explore. Just being vast is not a valid reason to want to see it all.).