Tag Archives: show up

Nelson Mandela: “Retiring from retirement.”

“I was not born with a hunger to be free. I was born free – free in every way that I could know. Free to run in the fields near my mother’s hut, free to swim in the clear stream that ran through my village, free to roast mealies under the stars and ride the broad backs of slow-moving bulls. As long as I obeyed my father and abided by the customs of my tribe, I was not troubled by the laws of man or God.

It was only when I began to learn that my boyhood freedom was an illusion, when I discovered as a young man that my freedom had already been taken from me, that I began to hunger for it. ~ Nelson Mandela”

Song & Verse: ALL OF ME by John Legend

Recently, I heard John Legend sing his new single, All of Me, live on David Letterman. The song took me away. A beautiful and emotionally eloquent expression of love. I rewound my TV twice to hear the song again and again. I haven’t bought popular music in years – at least I can’t remember theContinueContinue reading “Song & Verse: ALL OF ME by John Legend”

FOR WHITES (LIKE ME): on white kids

Originally posted on formations. // living at the intersections of self, social, spirit.:
Dear parents of white children, I vote that we strike the following from our parental lexicon: “Everybody is equal.” “We’re all the same underneath our skin.” I realize this is counterintuitive. But I’m completely serious. These statements are so abstract they’re mostly meaningless…

Poem: KISS OF LIFE by LaShawnda Jones

Kiss me, my knucklehead Stop running Don’t tease Just be Still Breathe Clear your mind Exhale I’m here When will you See Accept my embrace Relax This is where you belong You’re too far away To kiss me now, my knucklehead Pull me close Closer Closer still So close neither Of us ends or beginsContinueContinue reading “Poem: KISS OF LIFE by LaShawnda Jones”

CHARLES RAMSEY: “I’m the definition of a man, bro!”

I’m glad Charles Ramsey knows his manhood is solid. I concur. This whole thing is coming down to identity to me. Starting with Amanda Berry’s proclamation: “I am Amanda Berry!” The human body and spirit can endure a great deal of abuse, but knowing who you are – the power in how you identify andContinueContinue reading “CHARLES RAMSEY: “I’m the definition of a man, bro!””

CHARLES RAMSEY: An unlikely, but much appreciated, upgrade to the American Black Male image

Charles Ramsey, Amanda Berry, Gina de Jesus, Michelle Knight, Cleveland OH, superhero, courageous, pure heart, good character

Central Park – Looking West

As we debate rather spring has actually sprung or not, I thought I’d share one of my favorite views (any season) in New York City. This is taken from within Central Park on the east side of the Reservoir, looking west. I enjoy walking in Central Park during all times of the year, but the springtimeContinueContinue reading “Central Park – Looking West”

Talk to the hand…

I love the messages people have been writing on hands and posting to the internet. So much so, I’ve started a collection. If you have some to add, please share in the comment section. Today’s lesson: Throwing up your hand(s) is not always a sign of giving up. Sometimes it’s an emphatic command to haltContinueContinue reading “Talk to the hand…”

Progressive Women in a Degenerating Society

I began writing this with the thought that I am a post-feminist woman. My initial outline was geared towards showing how feminism has done more harm to our womanhood than good. However, in the writing, an argument for feminism not doing enough – being far too short-sighted and narrowly defined – developed. This is the beginning of an exploration of the female experience in contemporary cultures.

Summary of Lessons Learned in February 2013

All writings by LaShawnda Jones unless otherwise noted. Click on the “Lesson” for link to the full post. Lesson 1: There is a time for love. When we aren’t ready for it or when we are indiscriminate about whom we give our love to, it can destroy us. But when we are ready and when loveContinueContinue reading “Summary of Lessons Learned in February 2013”