A Change Is Gonna Come

 #BaxtersBuzz

Song of the day  - A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke.

The story goes that Cooke was inspired to write this song because of the racism that he experienced back in 1963. Cooke made reservations at a hotel for him and his wife, and band members. When he got there to check in,  they were told that there were no vacancies. He was livid and had some words for the staff there. When he was finally talked into leaving the establishment, they were arrested for disturbing the peace. The city was Shreveport, Louisiana. 

In 2019 (not a typo), the mayor of Shreveport formally apologized to Sam Cooke's family and posthumously gave him the key to the city.

It took them 56 years just to apologize (Chris Rock's voice)!

The amount of hateful acts and racism that has been captured on camera since this pandemic is maddening, only adding to the anxiety and depression that many are feeling since covid-19 has hit the scene and changed the way most of us live.

Some of my friends and I have started to do something. We are recording our conversations to hopefully provide a perspective that isn't unique necessarily, but one that the people who will watch it have yet to hear. I pray that people have their own conversations around it and come up with a plan for how to positively impact this society. 

We all have people on our social media, with a lot of opinions. Poking holes in what others are doing, but don't seem to be doing a damn thing themselves. Don't seem to be interested in any action. Just criticism. If we have the same goal in mind, we can get there in different ways, but you have to be moving towards something for me to engage in a conversation. Folks regurgitating some old, stale, talking points that they've heard, but haven't researched are not my type of folks.

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Don't You Worry About A Thing

#BaxtersBuzz

Song of the day - Don't You Worry About A Thing by Stevie

 

As the morning of January 1, 2020 was ending, I was ready to make myself a new year Playlist and start the year off right. There were a number of songs that I felt were appropriate. I was listening to a lot of Wale lately, Maze is never too far away. Rick James. A little Bobby Brown. And the greatest of all time, Mr. Stevie Wonder. Now, what is the first song that I'll play for the first day of the new decade? As my eyes surveyed the choices in my newly formed list, Stevie jumped out of the cell phone. Don't You Worry About A Thing felt like words to begin each day of your life. On October 12, of 2020, who would have guessed what this year would bring and the new "worries" that have surfaced?

We decided to send Bryce back to the pre-k program at his old daycare. The same one that had Zara reading and writing before starting kindergarten. With him missing out on seven months of socialization and any formal curriculum, we made the tough decision to send him back. We know how privileged we are to be allowed to make that call on our own. Condolences to all of the folks who've lost loved ones from covid. 

Raising children isn't easy. There's so many mistakes. So many things to worry about. One of the things that I am very sensitive to is raising black children in this world. And I am especially sensitive to what my son will face as a black man. God willing, we all survive this pandemic and things get back to normal. Let's say Bryce enters kindergarten not fully prepared. Socially or academically. Do I believe he'll get the benefit of the doubt. Absolutely not. I will do my best to ensure that he's prepared and putting his best foot forward. 

Read more. Learn more. Change the globe.