Category: Black people in America

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ChatGPT: America 

My first session with ChatGPT produced over 30 pages of answers. I could anticipate what most of the responses would be, but I expected better replies for some questions. There is a clear struggle with geography and history that doesn’t support the conquering west’s narrative. Some of the answers improve by rephrasing questions.

LJ: Is America a failed experiment? 

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I cannot provide a personal opinion. However, it is worth noting that America has faced various challenges throughout its history, including political divisions, social inequality, economic instability, and international conflicts. Nonetheless, it remains one of the world’s leading economic and military powers and has made significant progress in areas such as civil rights, technology, and cultural innovation. Whether or not America is a “failed experiment” is a matter of interpretation and perspective. 

LJ: How has America failed to live up to its principles of creation? 

ChatGPT: America has often failed to live up to its founding principles of equality, liberty, and justice for all. This has been particularly true in regards to the treatment of minorities, including Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and others. Throughout its history, America has struggled with issues such as slavery, segregation, discrimination, and unequal treatment under the law. Despite the progress that has been made, these issues continue to be a source of tension and conflict in American society. Additionally, America has often failed to live up to its ideals in its foreign policy, particularly in regards to human rights and the treatment of other nations. 

LJ: What was the motivation for European countries to invade the Western Hemisphere? 

ChatGPT: The motivation for European countries to invade the Western Hemisphere, particularly in the Americas, was largely driven by the desire for wealth and power. Many European nations, such as Spain, Portugal, England, and France, saw the New World as an opportunity to expand their empires, acquire new territories, and exploit the abundant resources of the continent. These resources included gold, silver, timber, and other valuable commodities. Additionally, European countries sought to spread their influence and religion to the New World, leading to the forced conversion of indigenous populations to Christianity. The arrival of Europeans in the Americas had devastating consequences for the indigenous peoples of the continent, including displacement, disease, and exploitation. 

LJ: How likely is it that greed for wealth and power will destroy all civilization on Earth? 

ChatGPT: It is difficult to determine the likelihood of such an outcome as it depends on a variety of complex factors and variables that are difficult to predict. However, many scientists and experts have warned about the potential consequences of unchecked greed for wealth and power, including environmental destruction, economic instability, and social and political unrest. It is important for individuals, governments, and organizations to take proactive steps to address these issues and work towards a sustainable and equitable future for all. 

LJ: Is the United States of America doomed? 

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I cannot predict the future with certainty, but I can provide some perspective on this question based on current events and historical trends. 

It is important to note that the concept of “doom” is highly subjective and can mean different things to different people. While the United States, like any country, faces its fair share of challenges and uncertainties, it also has many strengths and resources that can help it navigate these challenges. 

In recent years, the United States has faced a number of significant challenges, including political polarization, economic inequality, racial and social unrest, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges have exposed deep-seated divisions within American society and raised questions about the country’s ability to address systemic problems and move forward as a cohesive nation. 

However, it’s worth noting that the United States has faced significant challenges in the past as well, including world wars, economic depressions, and social and political upheavals, and has emerged from these periods of crisis with renewed strength and resilience. The country’s democratic institutions, diverse population, and innovative spirit have all contributed to its success over the years. 

Ultimately, the fate of the United States will depend on the actions and decisions of its leaders and citizens, as well as larger global trends and events. While the road ahead may be uncertain, it is possible for the United States to overcome its challenges and continue to thrive as a nation. 

LJ: What is the average length of time empires have lasted in the world? 

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I can provide some historical context on the lifespan of empires throughout history. 

Empires have existed for thousands of years and have varied greatly in terms of their size, power, and longevity. Some empires, such as the Roman Empire, lasted for several centuries, while others, such as the Mongol Empire, lasted for only a few decades. The length of time an empire lasts is influenced by a range of factors, including the strength of its economy, military power, and political institutions, as well as external pressures such as wars and natural disasters. 

It is difficult to determine an average lifespan for empires, as the range of time varies greatly. Some scholars estimate that the average lifespan of empires throughout history has been around 250 years, although this is a broad estimate and should be taken with some caution. 

It’s also worth noting that the concept of an “empire” has changed over time, and what constitutes an empire in one era may be different from what constitutes an empire in another. For example, the Athenian Empire of ancient Greece may not fit the traditional definition of an empire in the same way that the British Empire of the 19th and early 20th centuries does. 

Overall, while there is no simple answer to the question of the average lifespan of empires, it is clear that empires throughout history have risen and fallen, and that the factors that contribute to their success or decline are complex and multifaceted. 

LJ: How old is the United States of America? 

ChatGPT: The United States of America was officially founded on July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress declared independence from Great Britain. This means that as of 2023, the United States is 246 years old. However, the history of the United States goes back much further than 1776, as the land that now comprises the United States was inhabited by Native American tribes for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. 

LJ: What is the oldest known Indigenous group in the United States of America? 

ChatGPT: The oldest known Indigenous group in the United States of America are the Native American peoples who have lived on the land for thousands of years prior to the arrival of European settlers. There are hundreds of distinct Native American tribes and nations, each with their own unique culture, language, and traditions. 

Some of the oldest known Native American groups include the Navajo, Hopi, Apache, Pueblo, and Cherokee peoples, among others. The exact origins and timelines of these groups are still being studied and debated by scholars, but it is generally believed that they have lived on the North American continent for at least 12,000 years, and possibly longer. These Indigenous groups have a rich and complex history, and their contributions to American society and culture continue to be celebrated and honored today. 

LJ: What do you know about the histories of the Navajo, Hopi, Apache, Pueblo, Cherokee, Seminole, Potawatomi and Iroquois? 

ChatGPT: The Navajo, Hopi, Apache, Pueblo, Cherokee, Seminole, Potawatomi, and Iroquois are all distinct Indigenous groups with rich and complex histories. Here is a brief overview of each: 

  • The Navajo people are the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States and are known for their art, jewelry, and weaving traditions. The Navajo language is also one of the most widely spoken Indigenous languages in the country. 
  • The Hopi people are known for their traditional villages, which have been inhabited continuously for centuries. The Hopi are also known for their kachina dolls and intricate pottery. 
  • The Apache people are divided into several distinct sub-groups, including the Western Apache, Chiricahua Apache, and Mescalero Apache. They are known for their fierce resistance to Spanish and American colonization. 
  • The Pueblo people are known for their intricate pottery, which is still made using traditional techniques. They also have a rich spiritual tradition that is closely tied to the land. 
  • The Cherokee people have a long and complex history, including their forced removal from their ancestral lands in what is now the southeastern United States to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) in the 1830s. The Cherokee Nation is now one of the largest federally recognized tribes in the United States. 
  • The Seminole people are originally from Florida and have a unique history of resistance to colonization. They are known for their patchwork clothing, which is made using traditional Seminole techniques. 
  • The Potawatomi people are originally from the Great Lakes region and have a long history of political and cultural engagement with non-Indigenous people. They are known for their basket weaving and beadwork. 
  • The Iroquois Confederacy is a political and cultural alliance of six Indigenous nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora. They are known for their longhouses, wampum belts, and contributions to the formation of American democracy. 

These Indigenous groups have faced many challenges throughout history, including forced relocation, assimilation policies, and loss of land and resources. However, they continue to preserve their cultures and traditions, and their contributions to American society and culture are widely recognized and celebrated today. 

LJ: Why are Black people so hated? 

ChatGPT: There is no single answer to this question as there are multiple factors and historical events that have contributed to anti-Black sentiment and racism. Some of these factors include: 

  • Historical legacy of slavery: For hundreds of years, Black people were enslaved and treated as property in many parts of the world. This legacy of slavery has had long-lasting effects on the treatment of Black people and the way they are perceived by others. 
  • Colonialism and imperialism: The history of colonialism and imperialism has led to the exploitation and oppression of many non-white populations, including Black people. This has contributed to systemic racism and the dehumanization of Black people. 
  • Systemic racism: Systemic racism refers to the ways in which policies, laws, and institutions perpetuate inequality and discrimination against Black people. This can include discriminatory practices in education, housing, employment, and the criminal justice system. 
  • Stereotypes and biases: Negative stereotypes and biases against Black people have been perpetuated in the media and popular culture, which can lead to discriminatory attitudes and actions. 

It is important to note that racism and hatred towards any group of people is unjustified and unacceptable. It is crucial to work towards dismantling these systems of oppression and promoting equality and justice for all individuals. 

LJ: Can racism be eliminated? 

ChatGPT: While eradicating racism entirely may be a difficult task, it is certainly possible to reduce its impact and promote greater equality and respect for all people. It requires sustained effort and a commitment to change at both an individual and societal level. 

There are several strategies that can be employed to combat racism, including: 

  • Education and awareness: Providing education about the history of racism, its effects on individuals and society, and the benefits of diversity and inclusion can help to raise awareness and promote understanding. 
  • Challenging stereotypes and biases: Addressing negative stereotypes and biases, both in the media and in personal interactions, can help to promote more positive attitudes towards marginalized groups. 
  • Promoting diversity and inclusion: Encouraging diversity and inclusion in all aspects of society, including workplaces, schools, and communities, can help to create a more welcoming and equitable environment for all people. 
  • Advocacy and policy change: Supporting policies and legislation that promote equity and fairness can help to reduce the impact of racism and create more opportunities for marginalized communities. 

Ultimately, eliminating racism will require a sustained effort from individuals, communities, and governments. While it may not happen overnight, it is certainly possible to make progress towards a more just and equitable society. 

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ChatGPT: Who and What Am I? 

https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

From my first session with ChatGPT   

LJ: Who am I? 

ChatGPT: As an AI language model, I don’t have access to personal information about users. Therefore, I cannot answer your question without additional context. Can you please clarify or provide more information about what you are asking? 

LJ: Who created me? 

ChatGPT: As a user of a computer or mobile device, your device and its operating system were likely created by a company or group of developers. However, if you are asking about your existence as a person or sentient being, that is a philosophical and theological question that has been debated for centuries. Different cultures and belief systems have different ideas about the origin and purpose of human life. From a scientific perspective, human life is the result of a complex series of biological and evolutionary processes that have been ongoing for billions of years. 

LJ: Are humans stardust? 

ChatGPT: Yes, in a sense, humans are made of stardust. The atoms that make up our bodies were created inside stars billions of years ago through nuclear fusion processes. Elements such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and iron, which are essential components of all life on Earth, were formed through the fusion of lighter elements in the cores of stars. When stars reach the end of their lifecycles, they can explode in supernova events, scattering these newly formed elements into space. Over time, this stardust can come together to form new stars, planets, and ultimately, life. So, in a way, we are all made of the remnants of ancient stars. 

LJ: Is eternal life based on our composition? 

ChatGPT: Eternal life, in the sense of living forever, is a concept that has been explored in many different cultures and belief systems. From a biological perspective, our ability to live indefinitely is limited by the natural processes of aging and death. Over time, our cells and tissues accumulate damage that can eventually lead to the failure of vital organs and systems. However, some scientists and researchers are exploring the possibility of extending human lifespan through advances in medical technology and genetic engineering. 

In terms of our composition, the idea of eternal life is often linked to the concept of the soul or spirit, which is believed by many religions to be an immaterial aspect of human consciousness that persists beyond physical death. The nature and existence of the soul is a topic of much debate and speculation, and its relationship to our physical bodies and composition is a matter of belief and interpretation. 

LJ: What is the percentage of single Black Women in America? 

ChatGPT: According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, as of 2020, 47.4% of non-Hispanic Black women over the age of 18 in the United States were unmarried and had never been married. 

LJ: What is the percentage of single Black Men in America? 

ChatGPT: According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, as of 2020, 54.1% of non-Hispanic Black men over the age of 18 in the United States were unmarried and had never been married. 

LJ: Why are Black Women and Men not marrying? 

ChatGPT: There are a number of reasons why some Black women and men may not be getting married, and it can be difficult to pinpoint any one specific factor. Here are a few possibilities: 

  • Economic factors: Black Americans, on average, face significant economic challenges that may make it harder for them to find and maintain stable relationships. This can include higher levels of poverty, unemployment, and underemployment, as well as systemic issues like discrimination in the job market. 
  • Education: Education is also an important factor when it comes to marriage rates. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Black women are more likely than any other group to have a bachelor’s degree or higher, which could be contributing to the lower marriage rates. 
  • Social factors: There are a number of social factors that could be contributing to lower marriage rates among Black Americans. These could include cultural attitudes towards marriage, the availability of potential partners, and changes in gender roles and expectations. 
  • Systemic issues: It is important to note that Black Americans have historically faced systemic racism and discrimination, which can impact their ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. This can include everything from lower access to healthcare and other resources to a higher likelihood of experiencing trauma and stress. 

LJ: How likely is a Black Woman to marry for the first time after age 40? 

ChatGPT: The likelihood of a Black woman marrying for the first time after age 40 depends on various factors such as cultural norms, education level, socioeconomic status, personal preferences, and location. However, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of never-married women aged 40-44 was 15.4% for Black women, compared to 11.6% for White women and 10.4% for Hispanic women, as of 2019. The percentage of never-married women aged 45-49 was 13.5% for Black women, compared to 9.3% for White women and 9.2% for Hispanic women. It is worth noting that these statistics do not provide insights into the reasons why women in this demographic group are not married, as these reasons can be complex and multifaceted. 

LJ: How likely is a Black Woman to marry for the first time after age 50? 

ChatGPT: According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the likelihood of a Black woman marrying for the first time after age 50 is relatively low. In 2019, only about 2% of Black women aged 50 and over who had never been married eventually married. This is lower than the corresponding figures for White women (7.3%), Hispanic women (6.5%), and Asian women (4.2%). However, it is important to note that marriage rates and patterns can vary widely based on a range of factors, including geography, education, income, and cultural norms. 

LJ: Where on Earth is the safest place to live as a single Black Woman? 

ChatGPT: It is not possible to definitively identify a single location on Earth that is universally the safest place for all single Black women to live. Safety can be influenced by a wide range of factors, including local crime rates, economic opportunities, access to healthcare and education, and social and cultural attitudes. 

However, there are some places that may be considered relatively safe for Black women based on certain factors. For example, some cities with lower crime rates, higher levels of diversity, and strong support systems for marginalized groups may be good options for Black women seeking a safe and supportive environment. Some of these cities include Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal in Canada; Copenhagen in Denmark; Wellington in New Zealand; and Sydney and Melbourne in Australia. 

Ultimately, the decision of where to live should be based on a careful consideration of individual needs and preferences, as well as an awareness of the unique challenges and opportunities presented by different locations. It may also be helpful to seek out the advice and guidance of trusted friends, family members, or professionals with knowledge of local conditions and resources. 

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Barbershop Theology

Rebutting Black Men on the Woman King

It’s disappointing & infuriating to see Black Women constantly attacked by black men. The common theme is: a strong Black Woman erases the Black Man. i.e. there’s no need for a man if a woman can live in her own strength & purpose. This line of thought usually leads to what a woman’s role and place are (spoiler: obedient & beneath a man).

One IG poster started in on Wakanda Forever. He was outraged by all the powerful Black Women in the trailer. Where are the Black Men, he screamed! I would rather they replace Chadwick Boseman than put a woman in the panther suit, even though that’s how it happened in the comic book!” Ok, bruh. He went from outrage with Wakanda Forever (we all know it hasn’t even been released yet), to outrage with Woman King. He loves Viola, of course he does, but how dare she call herself a king! His Woman King post is at the end of my video commentary. Pause/screenshot it to read.

Part 1: Rebutting Black Men on the Woman King https://youtu.be/PwKgb5PDAL4

For those who have seen the movie, what are your thoughts?

For those who don’t want to see the movie, what are your reservations?

Threat of Equal Partnership

I was able to verbally rebut this idiocy in a barbershop. The loud and wrong men called me sexist for insisting that Black Men are not the only ones in danger. “Why you gotta keep bringing up Black Women,” they yelled. They called me a bougie Christian for saying I want an equal partner in marriage. “What, you think you’re white? Talking about a partner… why don’t you want a HUSBAND or do you mean you’re a lesbian,” they laughed uproariously. They kept repeating in different ways that men and women are not equal as something ordained by God. I asked for scripture, they had none.

The thing that choked me into a stutter was that each of them claimed they were good men. Truly stunning to me. Nothing they said represented goodness. How can you be a good man when you don’t even see the goodness you’re claiming for yourself in the woman God created? What’s good about inferiority? You think women are less than – how is that honorable? How is that praiseworthy?

Part 2: Equal Partners

#womanking #thewomanking #ruler #advisor #vision #leader #violadavis #hollywood #men #women #gender #politics #moviereview #igtv #reels

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Print Series: Juneteenth 2022

Background

On June 19, 1865, a Union Army general rode into Galveston, TX with General Order #3 to inform the African American enslaved population, and their enslavers, that they were free and had been so since the signing of Proclamation 95 and presidential executive order dated January 1, 1863. Two years, four months and 18 days earlier. Nearly six months after Congress passed the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery on January 31, 1865. And a couple months after the Civil War ended on April 9, 1865.

The general also advised the people who were just informed of their freedom that they should remain on the plantations they had been enslaved on and wait for wages from their former masters who were now deemed their employers with whom they had just been granted equal rights under the law. Yada, yada, yada. We can all see how this played out over the last 157 years.

Ironically, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified on December 6, 1865, was presented as confirmation that slavery was abolished in the United States. Yet the very law that abolished slavery in plain sight, made it legal out of sight. The 13th Amendment allows for slavery and involuntary servitude for those convicted of crimes.

AMENDMENT XIII

Section 1.

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2.

Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation

On June 19, 1866, Juneteenth was observed for the first time as the end of slavery in America. [Technically forced prison labor and human trafficking are forms of slavery still thriving in America today, but the unvarnished truth is nothing to celebrate.]

Juneteenth becomes a Federal Holiday

On February 25, 2021, Senator Edward Markey sponsored Juneteenth National Independence Day as a legal public holiday in Congress. The act was signed into law on June 17, 2021. On June 19, 2021, everyone in America enjoyed a new federal holiday – many of whom had no idea of the roots or significance.

For the 156th Juneteenth aka Emancipation Day, and the second Juneteenth National Independence Day, I observed in the silence of my creative space. I chose to edit three pieces from my catalog that speak to me about the foundation of exploitation in the United States of America and the continued impact of capitalist malfeasance on our existence today.

Though my most recent work focuses on Black Women, the harm is felt throughout all of society.

As much as people want to think that the least valued and unappreciated people don’t matter in the larger picture, the history of the world shows that what a society accepts for the least of their members will become the norm for all.

We are all the same in differ ways.

The Juneteenth Print Series

It may seem late for #Juneteenth, but #freedom is actually late.

The prints in my Juneteenth 2022 Print Series are titled:

• The Crossing: Blood in the Water
• Built on Cotton
• Black Women Stand Alone

Each image is available as 5×7 & 11×14 print on silk paper. They can be ordered on this site and via my Square Store.

The Juneteenth 2022 Print Series: Built on Cotton depicts Lady Liberty walking towards mainland USA across New York Harbor as a sea of cotton.

The New York Slavery Records of the City University of New York dates slavery in New York back to 1525. They cite the 1830 census as recording 75 enslaved Africans in the state, despite an 1817 law emancipating the enslaved in the state.

The Crossing: Blood in the Water depicts a mother & daughter holding hands across the Atlantic. There’s blood enveloping a ship-like structure behind them that stretches from the African continent to the USA.

Between 1500 and 1900, it’s estimated that approximately 15 million Africans from across the continent were taken by European enslavers. There are no exact numbers as no one kept detailed records. Approximately 10.5 million enslaved Africans arrived in the Americas and the Caribbean. Some estimate that close to 2 million are buried in the Atlantic Ocean with the remainder dying in Africa during their transport to the coast.

Black Women Stand Alone depicts a lone Black Woman sitting in front of the White House as a police officer approaches her. Barricades with signs reading *Do Not Enter* are barring her entry to the seat of power.”

State violence against Black Women happens in many forms and infiltrates every level and theatre of society. Black women are treated as inferior humans, wives, mothers, employees. They are neglected in education, healthcare, business, government and society. They are targeted by men, women, science, police, and government programs. There are truly no safe spaces at any level for Black Women.

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Juneteenth: General Order 3

General Order 3 was read to the enslaved African American population and their enslavers in Galveston, TX on June 19, 1865 by Union Major General Gordon Granger.

General Order No. 3 states: 

“The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

The proclamation he’s referring to is Proclamation 95 which is commonly known as the Emancipation Proclamation dated January 1, 1863.

He didn’t tell them they had been legally free for two years, four months and eighteen days. Or that the Civil War had ended two and a half months earlier which codified their freedom. There was no offer of income, or other funds to allow them to move about freely. No employment offers. No suggestions on where the free could live freely. He didn’t even tell them that their former enslavers would be compensated by the government for the loss of their forced laborers. However, he made sure to tell them to return freely to the plantations they were just freed from and expect wages from their new employers/former masters. He made sure to tell them not to bother approaching the military for any assistance. And he clearly told them they would not be supported anywhere.

This is how the last of the enslaved African American population was informed of their freedom in the failed experiment that is the United States of America. No grace. No urgency. No mercy. Even from the side that wants to be celebrated as emancipators.

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What I Know about Coaching

Coaching is a build-up process.

If someone is tearing you down or making you feel less-than, they are not coaching you. They are attempting to deconstruct you to better acclimate you to their nature and tolerances.

What I Know About Coaching

Criticism is not coaching

Last week, I was pulled into an impromptu meeting at 8:30am by my manager. He called it a “coaching” session, yet began by telling me I had gotten into a full-on argument with a client on the phone and was condescending, combative, and argumentative. I interjected with, “I did not argue with anyone.” He then told me I was being defensive and he wasn’t going to battle back and forth with me.

I’m rarely in the mood to be called names, but nonsense at 8:30am before coffee by someone who had none of my respect due to their lack of management skills made for a very succinct and direct rebuttal.

I didn’t appreciate having my character, personality and tone mischaracterized. Most definitely not in words commonly used to stereotype, demonize and dismiss Black Women. And absolutely not by the only Black Male manager on the open floor he was dressing me down on.

He didn’t appreciate me speaking up for myself. He actually said he was stunned at my response. Meaning he was stunned that I didn’t quietly accept what he called “criticism.”

He claimed that the caller had called back to complain. He said he had listened to the call and heard me sounding argumentative, condescending, combative and defensive. Because he seemed so surprised that my voice was calm throughout the call when he played it back for us both, I concluded that one of the white women sitting near to me flagged the call time because they took offense at my confidence (the caller had hung up while I was transferring her to a colleague). I did make comments about the call with the person I was transferring to after I realized the caller had hung up.

While the manager listened to the call for what seemed to be his first time, he said with surprise, “I agree with everything you’re saying. It’s clear she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” However, he eventually clung to my drawling the word, “Yes.” As a very condescending inflection.

He kept asking me, “You don’t think you’re being condescending?”

I kept replying adamantly, “No, I don’t.”

I’ve been in customer service for 30 years. Birthed and bred in McDonald’s customer care where the customer is always right and when they’re not, we refer back to rule #1, smiles are free and listed as such on the menu. I matured on executive floors with extremely entitled personalities and received compliments on my professionalism, discretion and diplomacy throughout every level of service.

The only people in all these years to ever call me “defensive” are who were set on diminishing and silencing me. Managers and teachers who didn’t want to be questioned or corrected. Those who didn’t want any standouts or freethinkers in their ranks. 

The 8:30am critical “coaching” session is now viewed as a marker in my life.

Building Self

One of my favorite self-esteem boosting quotes in high school and college was, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent,” by Eleanor Roosevelt.

One of my favorite affirmations when I began Bible Study years ago was, “This is my Bible. I am who it says I am.”

There have been many times where I have simply bit my tongue to allow a conversation to end with no fuel from me. Most of those times I would ruminate on what was being said and come back the next day with a calm measured rebuttal or follow-up questions. The time I took to think was also a cool down period. For most of the last twenty years, I’ve had managers I’ve highly respected… with a job I loved at a company I wanted to stay with. It may go without saying, but I’ll say it: my former managers did not call me names. If they needed to correct behavior, they spoke their mind plainly – told me what the issue was, what my actions were and what they should have been for their desired outcome.  

If I go further back in life, there were very few points during my formative years when I spoke up for myself. I looked to my parents and elders hoping they would speak on my behalf. At an early adolescent age, I realized my parents were not interested in defending me with their words. They didn’t really value words as defense or guidance. Mostly because they stayed in scrappy survival mode.

In my early teens, I began to actively reject words people tried to forced into me. My way of rejecting at the time was telling myself I was not what they were calling me. I would then tell myself who and what I was. It was an internal process.

Back to now. Here I am in my late forties, finally speaking up in the moment, telling someone they can keep their negative words about me. All while he’s basically begging me to agree with him that I’m a difficult and unpleasant person.

Honestly, as unpleasant as the experience was, it is an absolutely amazing illustration of how the enemy cannot destroy us without our complicity. What is someone trying to get you to agree to that is counter to who you are?

He pseudo-manager fired me. Of course, he didn’t tell me directly. I got a call from my agency thirty minutes before the end of my shift. He told them the reason was because I couldn’t handle criticism. I told the rep, “That’s a lie. I literally just finished an hour of coaching with another manager who knows how to speak to people and got a good amount of guidance from him.”

That being said, I don’t think there’s been anywhere God has allowed me to stay that did not benefit my spirit. If a place is turning me dark, He cuts the cord. I always think I can hold on for my material goals, but my goals have never held any weight with His will and plan.   

Good coaching makes all-stars out of novices

I ran track and trained in field sports throughout my youth. I played basketball throughout high school and into college. I understand teams and individual performance. I appreciate coaching and training.

I started playing basketball at the age of fourteen. Prior to trying out for the freshmen squad, I had never held a basketball. I was made to feel very awkward in my skin. I was tall, skinny and often tripped over my long limbs. My family called me clumsy and uncoordinated. I believed them.

During the first two years of high school I lived with an aunt. During freshmen year, shortly after I joined the basketball team, she attended one practice game. Afterwards she told me she wasn’t going to bother coming again since I couldn’t play anyway. She never saw me improve. She never witnessed the athlete I developed into. She wasn’t a coach.

My coach didn’t believe what my aunt said I was.

My three coaches turned me into an all-star by junior year. Senior year I was co-captain of the Girls Varsity Basketball Team.

I know what good coaching will produce. Good coaching creates results previously unimaginable.

Praise God always. We don’t have to know or see anything as long as He is in charge of our lives. Give thanks and be blessed as you go.

#allihavetosay #thankyoulord #morningreflection #fired #job #woes #toxicworkplace #keepmovingforward #harvestlifer #harvestlife #joycomesinthemorning #love #peace #joy #nofucksgiven #zerofucks #unshakeable

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Poem: Bury Me in a Free Land by Frances Harper

Frances Ellen Watkins Harper

Make me a grave where’er you will,
In a lowly plain, or a lofty hill;
Make it among earth’s humblest graves,
But not in a land where men are slaves.

I could not rest if around my grave
I heard the steps of a trembling slave;
His shadow above my silent tomb
Would make it a place of fearful gloom.

I could not rest if I heard the tread
Of a coffle gang to the shambles led,
And the mother’s shriek of wild despair
Rise like a curse on the trembling air.

I could not sleep if I saw the lash
Drinking her blood at each fearful gash,
And I saw her babes torn from her breast,
Like trembling doves from their parent nest.

I’d shudder and start if I heard the bay
Of bloodhounds seizing their human prey,
And I heard the captive plead in vain
As they bound afresh his galling chain.

If I saw young girls from their mother’s arms
Bartered and sold for their youthful charms,
My eye would flash with a mournful flame,
My death-paled cheek grow red with shame.

I would sleep, dear friends, where bloated might
Can rob no man of his dearest right;
My rest shall be calm in any grave
Where none can call his brother a slave.

I ask no monument, proud and high,
To arrest the gaze of the passers-by;
All that my yearning spirit craves,
Is bury me not in a land of slaves.

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I AM WOMAN: An Introduction

Looking Back to Move Forward

In February 2018, I quit my corporate job with a determination to work and live as a writer and photographer. A few months later, several interests coalesced into a photo essay book idea that has become I AM WOMAN: Expressions of Black Womanhood in America.

I AM WOMAN comes from a desire to give women a platform to say who they are and express their womanhood with no strings or ulterior motives.

Everyday something has tried to kill me

A prime catalyst for launching this project was the state-sanctioned assault by police officers on Chikesia Clemons at a restaurant in Saraland, Alabama. In the video of the assault, two male police officers are seen yanking on her arms to pull her out of her seat and throw her to the dirty floor of the Waffle House she was eating in. They sat on her, threatened to break her arm, choked her, exposed her breasts (she was wearing a halter top), then flipped her around by her neck and belt to put her face down on the ground. A third officer stood over Chikesia and her assailants the whole time. Somehow more disturbing is the fact that the restaurant was full and patrons continued to eat without pause. Without looking. Without objecting. Without demanding the police officers treat the young woman humanely or with a modicum of respect.

Police had been called because Chikesia had asked about a fifty cent charge on her receipt for utensils to eat the food she had purchased. The server took exception to the question and an argument ensued. Chikesia asked for upper management contact information but the police were called instead. Waffle House stood by the actions of their employee and the police violence against Chikesia.

Despite society being inundated with videos of egregious violence against black bodies, seeing male patrons in the background continue eating as if a dehumanizing racial, physical, and sexual assault was not taking place in their presence was beyond infuriating. There is no way I can imagine men of any race sitting so calmly as a white woman is similarly brutalized in their presence. There’s absolutely no precedent for such a visual. Yet it’s so common for Black Girls and Women to be brutalized, a live viewing doesn’t even interrupt a meal.

The only person who tried to help Chikesia was her friend, Canita Adams, another young woman, who helplessly filmed the assault.

Throughout my life, there has certainly been a build-up of understanding as to how little the world values me. The assault on Chikesia came after several years of me trying to break out of an administrative support role at a global bank. I even went back to school for a Master’s degree to make my internal applications more attractive. My high-ranking female manager had the opinion that I should be happy to have a job. I was in a respected support role working for a respected senior executive in a top firm. What more could I possibly want? Certainly not a role that challenged me or working with people I could learn from and grow with. She was not concerned about me leaving because I couldn’t possibly make as much money as I was making working for her. Hearing that was pretty much the nail in the coffin of my corporate career. Realizing my dedication, experience, performance, and education weren’t enough for me to be considered for promotion within a company I had been with for a decade was enough for me to finally walk away. It was made clear my upward mobility was solely dependent on the whim of one person and that person wasn’t me. It was someone who considered my only value to be the service I provided her.

It became painfully evident that there is no environment in which Black Women are seen, respected, or valued as human beings with enough intelligence to form plans for their lives. We are treated as if we have no right to our bodies, our feelings, our thoughts, or our future. We are disregarded as if the past never happened and the present wasn’t created for us. We are constantly told who we are, who we aren’t, who we should be, what’s expected of us, what we can and can’t do, and what’s enough for us. Yet at no point are we able to just be who we are as we want to be.

What’s in a name and a word?

Isabella Baumfree, born into slavery in a Dutch-speaking household in Ulster County, New York, changed her name to Sojourner Truth after converting to Christianity. She said of the change, “Sojourner because I was to travel up and down the land showing people their sins and being a sign to them, and Truth because I was to declare the truth unto the people.” In 1851 she gave the speech she is most famous for, commonly referred to as, “Ain’t I A Woman?” at the Woman’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio. More than a hundred years later her words, “Ain’t I A Woman” morphed into a more declarative statement, “I AM A MAN” for Civil Rights campaign signs in 1968. The speech and the sign are clear inspirations for I AM WOMAN: Expressions of Black Womanhood in America.

Overall, in the larger Sisterhood of Womanhood, I know the struggle is universal. Across the United States, no matter what demographic groups we fall into, Women are essentially telling the same story. We aren’t seen. We aren’t valued. We are not respected. We have to fight for any measure approaching equality to a standard set by men. We may have different starting points, but for the most part, we are all chasing the same goals: love, acceptance, appreciation, and respect for our individual wholeness.

I want my work to combat the visceral hyper-sexualization and objectification of womanhood, girlhood and the feminine form everywhere. Closer to home, Black Women and Girls are hyper-sexualized, objectified, used, abused, and discarded without even the acknowledgment or defense of our humanity. On one hand, we’re lauded and imitated as sexual icons, on the other hand we’re reviled for our fertility and physical versatility with no respect for our sacred femininity. It’s such a destructive dichotomy that we can do great harm to ourselves simply trying to figure out how to navigate society for survival.

Societal and media messages destroy us before we can appreciate the need to protect our self-image. Sometimes we’re stunted by our closest family and friends feeding us what they chose to believe from the negative things they were exposed to. Stereotypes, curses, expectations, misunderstandings, traditions, and ignorance are the foundation of many stories that are told about women who rarely have the opportunity to share their point of view. I AM WOMAN is the antithesis to all of that.

My overall goal with I AM WOMAN: Expressions of Black Womanhood in America is to honor Black Women collectively and individually. The perspectives of women who live in a society that is hostile to their existence is necessary to improve life for everyone within that society. It’s exhausting being exposed to what the world thinks of Black Women. What do Black Women think of themselves?

With this on my heart, I narrowed my project focus to my primary audience: Black Women. I set out with a list of questions.

  • Are you always fully present in your womanhood or do you hold back to move forward?
  • How do you navigate in or through different spaces?
  • What does your womanhood mean to you?
  • Where or how do you find your joy?
  • How do you nurture your spirit?
  • Do you use your voice to call out, improve or destroy?

After a few conversations in the field, these questions consolidated to: “What word would you use to describe yourself?”

I AM _______________

This collection belongs to every life it touches. I wanted to produce a book that readers can see themselves in and insert their stories into. To accomplish this, there are pages where the book owner can write themselves into the overarching story.

A call for poetry and essays was met with some very poignant submissions. Several women contributed poems and essays sharing insight into their experiences of womanhood. The intimacy of their sharing led to me adding a storyline collection of my poems which span thirty years.

Though the initial call for written submissions targeted content from Black Women, the complimentary portrait sessions were open to women of all ethnicities. I spent my 2018 summer photographing nearly sixty women in Chicago, Gary, New York City, Milwaukee, Monument Valley, and Phoenix.

The women’s assignment was to represent the word they identify themselves with within their images. Their declarative prompt was, “I AM WOMAN. I am _________________.” Of the written descriptors I received, I’m happy to report “sexy” was never mentioned. The most common words were Strong, Powerful, and Love. They answered with questions, statements, and monologues. Most endearingly, the women answered with their presence and personality. Some of their declarations are preserved on video, but all are sealed in my heart with gratitude.

421 Years of Black Women Using Their Words

It’s incredibly humbling to be able to weave together words from African Women in America throughout the last four centuries. Our struggles, unfortunately, have not changed much through the years. There is no period in which we simply accepted the yoke the world shackles us to. Black Women have never been silent. We have never been inactive in our communities. Despite the abuse, neglect, habitual sexual violence, human trafficking, and a stifling minimum of economic opportunities, we have continued to elevate ourselves and move forward. Even from disadvantaged and unsupported positions, we speak up for ourselves, our communities, and against injustice wherever we see it.

To support what I know in my bones, I began searching for historic instances of Black Women in America speaking up for themselves – using their voices to answer accusations and oppression. Documents, poems, and speeches about, and from, several women who were bold and outspoken in defiance of the time and space they occupied are also shared. This collection serves to amplify how strong and resilient Black Women have always been and continue to be.

Researching documented historical material authored by Black Women was a test of endurance. Fortunately, I was able to locate chronologies of African Americans in general and African American men specifically. Searching for experience-based content by Black Women consumed a good portion of my development focus, but it’s a necessary part of the continuing story of our roots and trajectories, our struggles, and our joys. The way we make do and make better no matter our starting point. We, Black Women, are magnificent in all our statuses, throughout any affliction or oppression, we not only continue to rise, but we also shine. We illuminate our surroundings, and provide routes of escape for others to follow.

A Timeline and A Book List

As I began adding historical figures to this book, it became apparent that we’ve done far too much to cover within the scope of this project. So I created a timeline to acknowledge their lives and their work. The varied richness of their short biography lines is both humbling and encouraging. The timeline is full of authors, poets, abolitionists, singers, educators, organizers, politicians, and leaders. It’s by no means a full list of creative works or published/recorded documents by Black

Women in America, but it is a praise-worthy highlight reel of significant historical works, most of which are in the public domain. Some of the women were prolific writers with multiple publications which are not listed within this work.

Looking Back to Move Forward

I AM WOMAN began as a declaration of my womanhood. It began as a reflection of who I am in conjunction with the awareness of what the world would have me be. As I explored what my womanhood means to me, my internal questions returned me to memories of my mother.

Though she left the physical world nearly twenty-five years ago, my mother’s spirit has never left me. She has remained a consistent guide and teacher in all things love & light. Looking back, I marvel at how she maintained grace, character, and patience throughout a life filled with adversity and hardship. We were a working poor family but we never felt poor because she provided absolutely everything we needed: love, shelter, food & clothes.

Terry Ann was the purest representative of life, love, and nurture. The ultimate provider and doer. A pragmatist who did not allow the flaming arrows flying at her to pin her down She laid the groundwork for a non-judgmental outlook and forgiving spirit to develop within me. She bequeathed me her hard-working, do-what-needs-to-be-done attitude. She instilled a confidence in my inherent value that the world has yet to rob me of. I am who I am, and am becoming who I will be, because of her. She is my most incredible blessing, yet I only knew her from one angle.

Throughout the making of this book, I’ve wondered how my Mom saw herself. For me, womanhood has been a struggle. Learning to view my Mom as a person independent of any labels or identities has helped me become comfortable in the totality of me. Truly looking back to move forward without restraint or apology. This break-through allowed me to show up in different ways to sculpt out the work before me.

Influences during the process

As part of my preparation, I asked to tag-along to events by other creators who were courting Black Women. This allowed space and opportunity to practice my portrait photography and test my concept. These events were awesome and are embedded in this work.

In March 2018, The New School hosted Inequality: An Observance for a Just Future 1619-2019. It was a day-long symposium focused on reflection, connection, workshopping, seeding, and networking. My first version of I Am From… was a workshop activity shared within a group of attendees. A blank template of the poem is included so readers can be contributors also.

A few days later, Medgar Evers College hosted The National Black Writers Conference in Brooklyn. The theme was “Gathering at the Waters: Healing, Legacy, and Activism in Black Literature.” What can I say? The desire to incorporate historic texts was most likely seeded within that space.

In June 2018, Women in the Black hosted their Who’s the Boss Conference in Harlem. In between sessions, I approached women to ask if I could photograph them for my project. This was the beginning of the portrait sessions. A couple of weeks later, I saw Renata del Carmen’s ad about a photoshoot she was hosting in Brooklyn for her Bold, Black Beautiful project. The intention was to create positive stock images of Black Women for multi-media use. I asked if I could shadow her photographer and possibly use some of the images for my project. She, the ladies and the photographer were okay with my request. This group of vibrant women made the book cover.

In September 2018, Black Women’s Blueprint’s March for Black Women took place in Lower Manhattan. I marched and photographed the participants. One of my favorite sign images from that day simply says:

Respect Black Women was taken during the March for Black Women in Brooklyn, NY in 2018 (LaShawnda Jones for Harvest Life Photography).

  • RESPECT BLACK WOMEN
  • PROTECT BLACK WOMEN
  • ELECT BLACK WOMEN

I’m grateful for all the inspiration and collaboration that has propelled me forward with this heart work. The indomitable spirit of Ancient Black Womanhood prevails in every status we have throughout the world. Whether we are called slaves, servants, employees, women, or leaders, we are aware of our inherent role as birthers, nurturers, and protectors of all humanity. We may have been captured and subjugated, but we’ve never been conquered.

I hope this collection enriches you as much as it has enriched me.

Continued blessings, LaShawnda Jones

Click to purchase your copy of I AM WOMAN: Expressions of Black Womanhood in America.

I AM WOMAN: Expressions of Black Womanhood in America Front Cover
Cover photography and design by LaShawnda Jones.

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I AM WOMAN Covers

I have a release date for the I AM WOMAN: Expressions of Black Womanhood in America! It will be available for purchase on June19, 2021 via Amazon. YAY!

The low pre-order price is available until the release date. All pre-orders will be shipped from me so they can be signed copies if you wish.

I’m pretty psyched finally seeing this project come together! The photography and design are my work. Stay tuned for more posts throughout the week.

What do you think of the covers? Any critique on the back cover blurb?

Photo and design by LaShawnda Jones
Photo and design by LaShawnda Jones

Click to purchase your copy of I AM WOMAN: Expressions of Black Womanhood in America. 

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POEM: I Am from…

I am LaShawnda, sister of Kim and Nicolette.
We are daughters of Terry Ann, the daughter of Bessie Mae,
The daughter of Lizzie, the daughter of Mae Emma, the daughter of
Many Unknowns.

I am from coconut oil and bergamot grease
From pinto beans and bananas.
I am from the light.
From home-cooked meals and shadowy corners,
From Thanksgiving feasts are for week-long leftovers.
I am from the iris;
The majestic maple tree,
Whose thick trunk I remember climbing and falling from.

I am from nowhere and everywhere.
From many mothers and no real fathers.
From silence, violence, solitude and perseverance
From hard work tempered with spots of joy.

I am from share-croppers and life-long toilers,
Farmers, gardeners, strong women, and providers.
I’ve been formed through the oppression of my ancestors
The generational resilience of my grandmothers and
The unruffled pragmatism of my Mama.

I am from lies and “keep it in the family”
And God is trying to tell me something
and do unto others as you… well, just do as I say.
I am from stardust and grace, refined in the fire of supernovas.

I am from Gary, Indiana by way of Mississippi and Arkansas
By way of Virginia, South Carolina and Louisiana
By way of Cameroon, Nigeria, West Guinea, and Britain
By way of One Africa seeding the World.

I am from the beginning and the end.
From all that is and all there will ever be.
From salvation and damnation, prophecy and legacy
I am from abundance and sufficiency. I am existence.

~ LaShawnda Jones
from I AM WOMAN: Expressions of Black Womanhood in America