“What shoes come out this weekend brah?”
“You see what happened on Housewives and Basketball LA?”
“Watch this video on World Star”
“Do it for the Vine”
“OOoooo Scandal is back on”
“Progress pic. (pics of ass in the gym)”
“Paula and Robin split? Whatttttt”
“You see such and such on Instagram?”
“Who hittin’ the bar tonight?”
Yadddaaaa Yaaadddaaaa blahhhhhhh blahhhh blahhh bullSHIT!
Yo! What are we talking about? On an average day, I think I may spend about 30 minutes actually talking about something that could potentially add some value to my life or some one else’s. The other 1,410 minutes is straight BS to pass the time, whether it’s my job or with my friends. On a good day, I may be engaged in decent conversation forabout an hour. I like to talk but, unfortunately it’s rare that I can pick up the phone or talk to someone face to face about anything substantial. We gather around the TV to hold “Scandal” viewing parties, we check sneaker news websites to find out what shoes coming out, and send group messages if we want to know something we heard or seen on Instagram. But ask somebody about the Jordan Davis case or to go to church with you and see how they swerve on you. (#BYEFelicia)
Last month, I had the opportunity to sit down with senators and delegates and talk about what we can do to improve our communities. I met the 1st African American governor to be elected since the Reconstruction era Douglas Wilder (my grandma said his hands are soft lol) and Michael Rao, the current President of my alma mater, VCU. Then, I attended the Black Youth Matter Rally in Charlottesville. It was about 12 of us who had dinner afterwards at Mel’s Diner in Charlottesville. We spent hours getting to know each other and expressing our passions. Here I am in the midst of a high school sophomore, a young couple who own 2 successful businesses and home school their children, 2 cancer survivors, grad students, the man who put together the rally and operates a non profit organization, a future political game changer, and a rising humanitarian. Don’t mistake, we had our share of laughs but it was so amazing to be amongst young people who were doers. Actually, it was more of a relief!! I think the oldest person there was 32. You know how much we can accomplish by having meaningful, actionable, and substantial conversations? Do you know how many of us walked away with inspiration, motivation, advice and new associates because of that conversation? It’s rare that I have the opportunity to talk to people who I can learn from, be inspired by and, challenge me to think. I’ll be the first one sometimes to spark up a group chat or gossip but it’s all about balance. I like chatting about celebrity gossip at work, being able to talk to friends via group chat about absolutely nothing but I YEARN for the opportunity to discuss social issues as well. We definitely can’t rely on social media or TV shows to provide that balance. I challenge you (and myself) to engage in meaningful, actionable, and substantial conversation with someone at least once a week. Connect with people who share similar interests outside of your main network. Out of 1,440 minutes that we have each day, how many words do we say that have some value? Today, I leave you with 2 things: a poem written by a friend of mine and a small piece of the conversation that took place in Charlottesville by William Jones.
Be blessed
-grannyBee
Backwards Oppression
I’m a part of a generation expected to save a nation
Where I’m told I’m free and taught to love my brother
And to raise my right hand say united we stand
But instead we choose to use abuse and kill one another
This is the era of the lost n every action has a cost
And a mans interest is considered thirst
Women televise ass with a shortage of class
Where everything black is perceived as the worst
The struggle is real as the pain I feel
For my brothers and sisters in the fight
It multiplies along with the lies
As we tell ourselves what we’re doing is right
We spit on the graves of runaway slaves
I swear Brother Martin would be ashamed
We love to complain and hear ourselves talk but hate to explain
Always in the wrong but are the last to be blamed
We chase cream and will kill a dream
As fast as a human blinks
We live for the tree and probably wouldn’t be free
If the chains were made of Cuban links……..
-Sheron Jones
