“Wadler Forever!”

On Saturday, March 24, 2018 11-year-old Naomi Wadler stood before a crowd of hundreds of thousands of protestors who formed the powerful “March for Our Lives” march on Washington. This march was organized in 5 short weeks by youth who have been deeply impacted by the school shooting in Parkland, Florida where 17 people—students and staff—lost their lives to a former student who showed up on campus with an assault weapon. The march also looked at the culture of gun violence that has plagued our schools and youth in general.

Naomi spoke truth to power when she pointed out the unnamed, unspoken Black girls and women who have been victims of gun violence. Naomi pointed out that Courtlin Arrington of Alabama was senselessly killed at her high school right after the Parkland shootings but hardly any news agency carried the story. Naomi called out the names of Hadiya Pendleton and Tianna Thompson, two young Black girls killed in Chicago and Washington, DC, respectively. Naomi along with her friend Carter organized a walk out at her elementary school in protest of the recent school shootings. However, rather than walk out for 17 minutes, they walked out for 18 minutes—adding that additional minute on behalf of Courtlin Arrington.

In an interview Naomi said she was unsure if her speech would be considered “off topic” but she said it anyway. Naomi’s courage is what this next generation is all about. For far too long Black children have been deprived of an authentic childhood. Instead of having the ability to run and jump and play they are dodging bullets. Instead of dreaming and playing make believe they are hiding under desks and in closets. Instead of being seen as a part of the human development continuum, Black children are treated as if they are men and women by educators and law enforcement that should know better.

Naomi’s speech shows what happens when children have to fight for their own childhood. If we are going to make them become grownups, then we are going to see what kind of grownup message they intend to deliver. They will not forget who listened to them and responded. They will not forget who put their own political futures ahead of the people’s lives. They will not forget the names of the thousands of Black people—children and adults—who lose their lives to senseless gun violence.

I am encouraged and excited by the Naomi Wadlers of our nation. She may be just 11-years old. She may be from an immigrant background. She may be Black. None of these facts about Naomi Wadler diminishes her voice and her power. In the conclusion of her talk she quoted Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison when she said, “If there is a book that you want to read that hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one who writes it!” Naomi, thank you for re-writing the gun violence narrative. Thank you for including my grandchildren. Thank you for including the children in my church. Thank you for including the children in my community. (Naomi) Wadler Forever!

Stay Black and Smart!

“The ‘Dora Milaje’ Must Scare Trump”

For the 10 people who read my blog and haven’t yet seen “Black Panther,” the King of Wakanda has a powerful fighting force of fierce Black women called the “Dora Milaje” who have shaved heads and an unwavering dedication to the nation and culture of Wakanda. Anyone with an ounce of sense would not mess with the Dora Milaje. The writer and filmmaker understand some important aspects of Black culture. One such aspect is that Black women are not afraid to fight for their own—their children, their culture, their families, their faith, their dignity and self-worth. And, it appears that the current occupant of the Whitehouse is really afraid of the Dora Milaje!

The pattern of attacks against Black women by this man is relentless and I understand why. First and foremost Black women were NEVER a real part of his base. Despite being faced with a less than ideal presidential candidate, Black women voted OVERWHELMINGLY for Hillary Clinton (94%) in the 2016 election while 51 percent of White women voted for Trump. With the exception of Diamond, Silk, Stacy Dash, and Omarosa we were not in the Trump camp! As clueless as Trump is he can see that we are not his base and it is unlikely that he will make any inroads with us. White women, on the other hand, cannot be counted on to stand against his excesses, his incompetence, his infidelities, his racism, his sexual assaults, and his outright dangerous decisions that place the nation (indeed, the entire world) in jeopardy. His attacks against Black women are not coincidental. There are at least 3 reasons why he fears us.

Black women WILL vote: In the Alabama special Senate race Black women mobilized and fought hard to ensure that Judge Roy Moore, an accused pedophile did not earn that seat. For the first time in decades, a Democrat defeated a Republican in a very “red” state. Despite Donald Trump’s endorsement, the “Dora Milaje” of Alabama closed ranks to make sure their voices were heard. If other Black people are discouraged from the ballot box and/or disenfranchised because of past felony convictions or lack of “government issued ID,” the sisters will find a way to go vote. Our mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and church mothers taught us long ago that we HAVE to vote. Too many people fought and DIED for our right to do this and to not vote is to dishonor their sacrifice. We got that message loud and clear!

Black women WILL organize: Although there are male organizations that are wonderful counterparts to women’s organizations, nothing beats the organization of women. The Divine 9 sororities (AKA, Deltas, Zetas, SGRhos), the Links, Top Ladies, National Council of Negro Women, 100 Black Women—hey even the Bey Hive—will get it together to mobilize, organize, and act for the culture! Twenty-seven years ago Professor Anita Hill was under attack for speaking up about the sexual harassment she experienced while working for Clarence Thomas. Over 1,000 Black women academics took out a full page New York Times ad, titled, “African American Women in Defense of Themselves,” (https://www.thenation.com/article/black-women-still-defense-ourselves/) to express our solidarity with our sister. Now with the co-optation of the #MeToo movement people are re-thinking Professor Hill’s testimony and realizing she bravely stood up and told the truth! She was a real Dora Milaje!

Black women WILL speak truth to power: Last weekend, Trump traveled to whiter than white western Pennsylvania (says, a girl from Southeastern Pennsylvania, aka Philly) and 2 of the people he decided to attack were Oprah Winfrey and Congresswoman Maxine Waters. He claimed to know Oprah’s “weaknesses.” Seriously? Oprah has told the world about her personal pain and trauma. Oprah’s weakness is bread! And, O…girl, so is mine!!! There is nothing to see here folks. Oprah is an open book, warts, billion dollars, and all. Then Orange Cheeto had the nerve to take on Auntie Maxine! No! No! No! The Congresswoman has called this man on his “stuff” (it’s a blog read by young folks, too) from day one! She refused to attend his inauguration or his State of the Union address. She’s not trying to kiss up to someone whose ethics, morals, and sense of loyalty are more than questionable. Auntie Maxine is a real Dora Milaje!

Trump is afraid of Black women and it was clear in the midst of the 2016 campaign when he went to speak at a Black church in Flint, Michigan (https://secondnexus.com/news/politics/trump-shut-down-by-black-pastor/). When he took to the pulpit and started disparaging Hillary Clinton, Pastor Faith Green-Timmons stood up and tapped him on his arm and “low talked” him. “Mr. Trump, we didn’t bring you here for that.” Every Black person I know knows what it means to be “low talked” by a sister. Trump started stumbling over himself and was clearly flustered. She was telling the reputed billionaire, “I don’t care how much money you have and who you think you are… you not coming up in THIS church with no foolishness. She was a true Dora Milaje!

So, we have the 2018 mid-term elections starring us in the face and once again the Dora Milaje will strap on their “vibranium pumps” and knock on doors, staff call centers, and register folks. And then we will pick up our spears and head to the polls. When you ask, “Will you kill me, my love?” We will respond, “For Wakanda (our culture)…without question!

Stay Black & Smart!