Alone in a room...

          There was a song that my mother used to played every Sunday morning. I'm certain I'm not the only kid that heard it all of the time. It started with Gospel Singer Yolanda Adams beautifully stating that she was alone in a room. Don't we all experience that? We are all, at points in our lives, alone in a room, reaching out for help. These are some of our most pure moments. These are the moments of reflection, the moments that we truly acknowledge our mortality. Sometimes our loudest cries go unheard because of our pride. Sadly, pride is louder than any cry for help. But, dare I say, there is no pride when you are alone in a room. That room is where men cry, where children that have grown up too fast wish they were kids again, where the single mother breaks down, where the addict tries kick his habit, where the young woman wishes she waited, where the teenage boy hopes to be his own man. Do you see it now? We are most alike when we aren't in another's presence. Stripped down to the very core, removed from any kind of affiliation, be it race/ethnicity, religious background, nation...we are all one. We have the same desires to right our wrongs and seek redemption. Neither of the two are easy. If you try to fight these demons alone in a room, you'll surely lose. You don't have to be alone. Fight together. Then again, I'm just a guy with a blog...What do I know?

Growing Pains

There are times in life where it may make the most sense to quit. There were boundaries that were set in place long before you even began your journey. You may want to say to yourself that its not even worth trying. These are the exact reasons you should keep going. Imagine a journey without struggle. What part of your character wouldn't exist if you never had to overcome trials? The failures of others can become the examples in which people live by. Sometimes, those closest to you will find it odd for you to branch out on your own. A lifetime of colonization is extremely difficult to overcome, but its not entirely impossible. You can't be afraid to unlearn the very things you were taught growing up. Though they meant well, some of the very things your families held up to be truths can hold you back. Don't be afraid to let go of some of that baggage. It is definitely ok to travel lightly. Then again, I'm just Lorenza...and this is my blog.

Better Left Unsaid???

     There are many moments in life that you freeze in order to preserve them in your mind's capsule. These are moments that are both treasured and regretted. The instances that you hold in the deepest corners of your mind, i.e. the regrets, help shape your psyche as much as those you hold highest in regard. Bad experiences should never be repressed. Repression only allows you to be hurt over and over again with the mere mention of the topic; each time cuts with the exact sharpness of the initial encounter. Instead of subjecting yourself to such pain, deal with the problem and the source if applicable. Confrontation isn't a strong point for most, but true comfort only comes after understanding is obtained. Everyone fantasizes about a moment they wish would have gone differently and sadly, we don't revisit those times so that we may save face. Our goal should be to minimize those moments in order to experience the maximum result of all of our relationships. Maybe this doesn't apply to you...it definitely applies to me, though...and that is why this is MY blog...


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One love...

Why do we seem to be fighting for different sides? Why are we even fighting at all? We are far beyond finding fault within one another. The war between black men and black women is and always has been genocide. We’re only hurting ourselves. When single mothers tell their daughters that black men aren’t any good and black men praise each other for promiscuity, the destruction of black love is inevitable. This epidemic cannot be cured overnight, but a healthy dose of understanding can combat the symptoms. First of all, instead of saying men vs. women, we should say men and women. After all, we’re in this together. Secondly, putting pressure on a man/woman to become someone that you want them to be, is the fastest way to cause dissention in any relationship. Therefore, fall in love with who the person is and not what YOU want them to be. Lastly, remember that the ability to unlearn is as important as the ability to learn. Everything you hear about men and women should be taken in context. When someone says that “niggas” or “hoes”” ain’t shit”, take a long look at them. Maybe their decisions created their situation. How does saying go? Fool me once…Then again, I’m just Lorenza, but this is MY blog…

Intellectual Coward...

     If you were in a club and you scuffed someone's shoe, you'd probably have to fight. If you bumped into or 'eyeballed' a young brother in the 'street', you would definitely have to prepare to defend yourself. This has to do with that male bravado that says to never let anyone punk you. Well, there is one source that punks even the hardest dudes you know. Trust me. I've seen it happen and its not a pleasant sight. Fast thinkers may believe that I'm about to say that the source is the dreaded police...not so fast. I'm referring to the classroom. That same brother that pounds his chest and talks loudly when he believes that he has been challenged as a man, will more than likely cower in his desk when asked his thoughts on the current topic of discussion in the classroom. It's not his fault, though. It's expected. Who is he to change the status quo? Its been like this for a very long time.This isn't a new phenomemon. Then again, this is simply MY blog...I could be wrong,,,right?

Sometimes...

     So, my classmates organized a walk out to protest the misappropriation of funds that seemed to hinder students from collevting refund checks. Less than 300 students on a campus of more than 5000 participated. The good news is that the demonstration seemed to work. Students are already finding refund balances posted to their accounts. Also, the administration has decided not to drop the classes of those who still have financial aid problems until after Sept. 17. I was proud to see students come together for a common cause. Our voices are definitely stronger as a unit than as individuals. I look forward to the rest of this senior year. Maybe this is the year we'll have enough participation to build clean wells in Africa, or host a debate between District Rep. Candidates and or rally around the Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate(who supports a lottery; Lottery in Ga gives students more funds for school..aka...Hope Grant). Maybe it's time to address crime on campus, or pin point the reason our graduation and retention rates are so low. Or, maybe not...After all...even the great Lil Wayne says that "Money is the motivation." This is my blog...just saying...

Family First...

     There have been countless instances that I've heard people say you can't choose your family. It took me quite some time to realize how "completely" wrong they were. It is true that you cannot choose your birth mother/father, but you definitely have the opportunity to decide who consider your mother/father. The same goes for siblings as well. Basically, there is no family title that cannot be replaced. You do have the power to choose. If you can't consider friends and mentors family, those of which you have chosen to be around, then you have definitely failed yourself. Make the impossible possible. Look around you and then start to place your family among you. It's ok to substitute. You must supplement for what you lack...Then again, this is MY blog...