All well and good if the circumstances require such an approach, and in general there is much to commend such an attitude; if looking back, going back, or harping for what is behind is detrimental to the achievement of our goals.

This negativity is perhaps what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

However praiseworthy it is to look ahead and press forward, it is nonetheless true that looking back at where you came from, at the challenges you faced and overcame, at the assistance you were afforded in your hour of need, and the people who were instrumental in delivering your hard-earned success, is at times a useful and necessary exercise.

It was essential, time and again, for God to remind his children to remember the past so that they could better evaluate the present, make the necessary adjustments, look forward in hope, and prepare for a better future:

“And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” (Deuteronomy 8:2)

“Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.” (1 Chronicles 16:12-15)

“Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 16:61-62)

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (Revelation 2:5)

Hitherto hath the Lord helped us is an affirmation of vital help given at a crucial time, but it was also a looking back, by Samuel, at where God had taken them from as they battled the warlike Philistines.

In their evaluation, as they reflected on the vagaries of prolonged fighting, after all they had previously fought against fierce enemies including the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, they were now faced with perhaps the most deadly enemy of all; the rampaging Philistines. A people who scared Israel enormously, because among their population were giants.

Samuel had seen the depravity of Israel as the people turned their backs on God, and he instructed them to repent and put away their false gods. Here was his call: “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:3)

The people repented, put away their false gods and turned to God, and Samuel instructed them to meet at Mizpeh, so that he could pray for deliverance from the Philistines. The people gathered as Mizpeh, and when the Philistines heard the news they approached the Israelites and was ready to do battle.

But God had a surprise for the Philistines.

“And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. .” (1 Samuel 7:10-11)

Remember that Israel had fought the Philistines twice in this same place, and were twice soundly beaten, and the ark taken, and now they had at last achieved a staggering victory. So Samuel took a stone, and set it as a monument of the victory obtained by the help of God, and this he placed between Mizpeh and Shen and called it Ebenezer.

Every believer in Christ can joyfully consent to the sentiments shared by Israel as Samuel declared those memorable words, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us…” (1 Samuel 7:12)

Every believer in Christ has come through tough battles, be they physical, emotional, mental or spiritual, and can look back, and if not exactly enamoured with the battles, at least can savour the sweet victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Every believer in Christ has testimony of God’s unfailing grace that has brought them through, even when others were doubtful of their success, and can join with Paul in saying, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Every believer in Christ can look back at the seared landscape, know they have been there, battled in the vicious cauldron of humanity, took knocks and falls, and the many attacks of the enemy, and still emerged trusting God; both now and for the future.

There is absolutely nothing to compare with the knowledge and confidence now that God has brought you through it all. You have been tested and tried, and your confidence in God is undiminished, and you know that he will give you more victories in the future.

This is what, in essence, Samuel was alluding to when he said “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”

All believers in Christ can now empathise with those undergoing struggle, not because we are perfect, or have already attained, we are far from, but because we have been throughly tested, and have survived, and are witnesses to God’s gracious keeping.

All believers in Christ can speak of the highs and lows of discipleship from the standpoint of personal experience, and is able, not just to offer pray and understanding, but where necessary stand shoulder to shoulder with other believers in Christ and, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Romans 12:15)

Every believer in Christ can, because God has hitherto been gracious, say like the Apostle Paul, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) not for any other reason but that you have transitioned to full maturity in Christ through your many tribulations.

Every believer in Christ can be a role model for other Christians, especially the youth, because you have succeeded so far, “…but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

All believers in Christ can look back in awe at what God has brought them through, stand firm and strong in God’s grace that enfold and keeps us, and without a shadow or hint of a doubt know assuredly that, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

So let’s not be discouraged, or get frustrated and dismayed by the prevailing circumstances, no matter how daunting things look. Our God has brought us here, he has guided us thus far with awesome foresight and care; and will take us all the way home. And remember that no one can pluck you out of God’s hand, and that is the ultimate guarantee for all believers.

Staff Writer; Henderson W.

You can contact this Christian brother at: HWard@ThyBlackMan.com.

Not long ago, these were the stories hip hop used to escape. Now they are the stories following it. Offset, one of the key voices behind Migos, is reportedly recovering from a gunshot wound to the leg. Non life threatening, thankfully. But let’s be honest, the fact that we even have to say that says everything about where things are right now.

This is what makes moments like this hit different. It is not just about one incident. It is about a pattern that refuses to break. A cycle where success does not always mean safety, where making it out does not always mean staying out, and where the same energy that fuels the music keeps spilling into real life consequences.

You got a man who made it out. A man who turned ad libs into art, helped redefine flow in modern rap, and built wealth, family, and legacy. And yet somehow, some way, the environment still finds him. Or maybe he never fully left it. That is the part nobody really wants to sit with. Success in hip hop does not always mean escape. Sometimes it just means you are shining brighter in the same dangerous spaces.

Then you got Lil Tjay, a younger voice in the game, representing a different era but facing eerily similar realities. Even if his involvement in this specific situation remains unclear, the fact that his name can even be placed next to a story like this tells you everything you need to know about the current climate. This is a generation that came up watching the last one lose too many of its stars. And somehow, the lessons are not sticking.

What is going on with rappers these days?

That question gets asked a lot, but most people do not really want the real answer. Because the real answer is uncomfortable. It is not just about music. It is about environment. It is about ego. It is about trauma that never got addressed. It is about money coming faster than wisdom. It is about people carrying street rules into spaces that were supposed to be business moves.

Hip hop has always had a relationship with danger. From the early days to the rise of gangsta rap, the music has reflected real life. But there used to be a line. There used to be a separation between the art and the actions. Now it feels like that line is gone.

Too many artists are living exactly what they rap about, not in a poetic sense, but in a literal one.

You cannot build longevity like that.

Offset’s situation, whether all details are confirmed or not, is another reminder that fame does not equal safety. In fact, sometimes it brings more attention, more jealousy, more problems. You become a target not just because of who you are, but because of what you represent. Money. Status. Visibility.

And in a place like a casino in Florida, where money is already flowing and tensions can rise quickly, it does not take much for things to go left.

But here is where the deeper conversation needs to happen.

At what point do we start holding the culture accountable for what it continues to normalize?

Because it is easy to blame individuals. Easy to say this rapper should move different, that rapper should know better. But when the entire ecosystem rewards aggression, when disrespect gets more clicks than growth, when beef sells better than peace, you are dealing with something bigger than one person’s decision.

Hip hop today is caught in a dangerous loop.

Artists come up from environments where survival means being tough, being ready, being respected at all costs. They make it. They get money. They get fame. But the mentality does not always change. And the industry does not exactly encourage that change. If anything, it profits off keeping that edge alive.

So now you have millionaires moving like they still got something to prove.

That is a deadly combination.

And the fans, we have to be honest, play a role too. Not all, but enough. The same audience that mourns when something tragic happens is often the same audience that fuels the energy leading up to it. Hyping beef. Picking sides. Turning real life tension into entertainment.

Until it turns real.

Then everybody wants to post prayers and say it needs to stop.

It needed to stop before the shots were fired.

There was a time when hip hop felt like it was growing into something more balanced. You had artists talking about ownership, mental health, generational wealth. You had glimpses of evolution. But stories like this remind you that the foundation is still shaky.

Because you cannot build something lasting on instability.

And let us be real about something else.

The question of whether rap music is coming to an end gets thrown around every time something like this happens. And the answer is no. Hip hop is too powerful, too global, too influential to just disappear. But what can happen is a decline in quality, a loss of direction, a culture that eats itself from the inside.

That is how genres fade. Not overnight. But slowly, through repetition of the same mistakes.

When violence becomes a recurring headline instead of a rare tragedy, it changes how the world sees the music. It changes how the next generation approaches it. It shifts the focus from creativity to chaos.

And that is not sustainable.

Offset being alive today is a blessing. That cannot be overstated. A leg injury could have easily been something worse. We have seen it too many times. Names we still speak with pain. Careers cut short. Families left behind.

So yes, we are thankful he is recovering.

But we also have to ask what comes next.

Does anything change?

Or does this become just another story that fades after a few days, replaced by the next headline, the next incident, the next cycle of the same conversation?

Because if nothing changes, then the outcome eventually will.

And not in a good way.

The reality is hip hop does not need to end. It needs to evolve again. It needs artists who understand that growth is not weakness. That moving smarter is not selling out. That leaving certain environments behind is not forgetting where you came from, it is honoring it by surviving.

There is nothing strong about dying over pride.

There is nothing real about losing your life or your freedom when you already made it out.

And there is definitely nothing beneficial about fans constantly consuming that energy like it is just another form of entertainment.

This is a moment. Another one. And like all the ones before it, it can either be a turning point or just another entry in a long list of missed opportunities.

Offset is recovering. That is the headline.

But the real story is bigger than one man, one incident, or one night in Florida.

It is about a culture standing at a crossroads, again, asking itself the same question it has been asking for years.

When are we going to do better.

Because at some point, surviving is not enough.

At some point, we have to start living.

I ask you this, is Lil Tjay a b@tch for attacking Offset? Speak up!!

Staff Writer; Jamar Jackson

This brother has a passion for poetry and music. One may contact him at; JJackson@ThyBlackMan.com.

It starts with momentum. A young man gets hot, not just for a season, but in a way that feels like it could last. The streets recognize him. The industry backs him. The numbers line up. The fans lock in. For a moment, everything is moving the way it is supposed to.

Then something shifts.

Not always overnight, but fast enough that you feel it. The music is still there, the name is still buzzing, but the focus starts drifting. The business gets complicated. The pressure builds. And somewhere between the expectations of the streets and the demands of the industry, the foundation begins to crack.

That is where we are now.

The situation involving Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane is not just another headline to scroll past. It is not just gossip. It is not just another “rapper in trouble” story for folks to debate for a day and forget by the weekend.

This one cuts deeper because it touches business, power, and control.

A reported dispute tied to a recording contract has now turned into something much darker, something that forces you to look at the entire system around these artists. Because when things escalate to this level, you are no longer just talking about music. You are talking about decisions that can change lives, careers, and legacies in real time.

And the question that keeps coming back is simple, but heavy.

How does a man get this close to having everything and still end up risking it all.

This is sad.

There is a certain kind of hurt that comes when talent and self destruction collide in public. Not the usual disappointment you feel when an artist drops a weak project or misses a moment. This is deeper than that. This is the kind that sits heavy because you can clearly see the opportunity, but you can also see how fast it can all slip away.

The situation surrounding Pooh Shiesty is bigger than headlines. If the allegations are even halfway true, then this was not just about ego or street tension. This was about business. Contracts. Ownership. Control.

And once business gets mixed with street pressure, things tend to spiral fast.

By any real measure, Pooh Shiesty had positioned himself to win long term. Even after prison, his name still carried weight. His music still moved. His fan base was still there, waiting. That kind of second chance does not come often in Hip Hop. Most artists lose momentum and never get it back.

He got it back.

That is what makes this hit harder.

Because when a man still has value, still has demand, still has the machine ready to profit off him, you start asking a real question. Why does success fail to protect the very people it was supposed to elevate.

People will say it is just bad decisions. And yes, decisions matter. But that is not the full story.

Hip Hop has always rewarded proximity to danger. That is the uncomfortable truth nobody wants to fully sit with. The culture tells young artists to make it out, but never fully detach from where they came from. Stay real. Stay connected. Stay official. But also be a businessman, a brand, a corporation.

That contradiction breaks people.

You are expected to think like a CEO but still move like you have something to prove. You are supposed to be polished enough for endorsements but raw enough for credibility. And when you are young, coming from pressure, coming from survival mode, that balance is not easy to hold.

It is almost designed to fail.

Now when you look at the contract side of this situation, things get real cold, real fast.

If a contract or release was allegedly signed under pressure or fear, that document does not hold the same weight as a normal agreement. Business law does not respect deals made under intimidation. That is not negotiation. That is force. And force does not create a clean contract.

So even if something was signed in that moment, it likely would not stand as a legitimate exit from a deal.

That means the original recording contract could still technically be in place.

But here is the part people miss.

A contract being alive on paper does not mean the relationship is alive in reality.

Trust is everything in the music business. Once that is broken, especially in a situation like this, the paperwork becomes secondary. Labels are not just looking at clauses. They are looking at risk.

Can we release music
Can we promote safely
Can we put money behind this artist
Can we depend on stability

Those are the questions that matter.

And if the answer to those questions starts leaning toward no, then the label will move accordingly. They might suspend the deal. They might try to terminate it. They might just sit back and let the legal system play out while the momentum fades.

Because momentum is everything in music.

And once it slows down, it is hard to get back.

That is where the real loss comes in. Not just money. Not just contracts. Momentum.

Albums get delayed. Features disappear. Opportunities dry up. The public moves on. And in today’s game, people move on quick.

That is the part that hurts the most.

Because this was avoidable.

Back in the day, there was more structure around artists. Not perfect, but better. You had people in position who understood that protecting the artist was part of protecting the investment. There were mentors. There was guidance. There were people who would step in before things got out of control.

Now it feels like the machine is fine watching things fall apart as long as it can profit first.

And that is dangerous.

Because young Black men are stepping into million dollar situations without million dollar guidance. They are expected to navigate contracts, fame, pressure, and expectations all at once.

That is a heavy load.

And when there is no real support system, when there is no one pulling them aside and saying slow down, think, move different, then situations like this become more common than they should be.

This is not just about one artist.

This is about a pattern.

Too many talented young men get the opportunity, but do not have the structure to sustain it. They make it out, but cannot stay out.

And that is the real lesson here.

The goal is not just to get on. The goal is to last. The goal is to build something that cannot be taken away by one moment, one decision, one situation.

Because once everything starts crashing, the contract is the least of your problems.

Contracts can be fixed. Reworked. Fought over.

But lost time, lost freedom, lost momentum, that is harder to recover from.

And that is why this whole situation feels bigger than just a dispute.

It feels like another reminder that in Hip Hop, the opportunity is real.

But keeping it

That is the real challenge.

Staff Writer; Jamar Jackson

This brother has a passion for poetry and music. One may contact him at; JJackson@ThyBlackMan.com.

And what did she get?

Like her brunette Cabinet twin, Barbie, she got unceremoniously dumped. According to published reports, she wanted a graceful exit. He wanted her out. So out she goes.

Of course, Pam Bondi deserves to be fired for what she has done to the Justice Department. It is a disgrace. But that’s not the reason she is being fired, and nothing is likely to change with her departure. Will the President suddenly become less vengeful? Not a chance. Will he give up his efforts to control the Department? Why? Will any policies change? Todd Blanche is President Donald Trump’s personal attorney. He has been by Bondi’s side for everything that has gone right or wrong. Will Lee Zeldin, another Trump loyalist to the core, be able to resist the president’s demands any more than Bondi did? Or will he just be less “visible” than Bondi?

Bondi wasn’t the only big news this week. There was the president’s big speech on Iran, his chance to explain to the country what we are doing there and how long we’ll be doing it. Stephen Colbert had the best line on April Fool’s Day. “It was concise, intelligent, and brought the nation together with shared purpose,” Colbert said before the laughter started. It was, to say the least, none of the above.

What shared purpose? Regime change? Keeping the oil lanes open? Dealing with the potential nuclear threat? Will there be a ground invasion as soon as this weekend? Is our future engagement measured in weeks, months, or years? The president simultaneously threatened to hit Iran even harder and to be done in weeks. Done with what? Where next?

Then there is the defense budget. On Friday, the White House asked Congress on Friday to approve about $1.5 trillion for defense in the 2027 fiscal year — a 40% increase over this fiscal year, and the highest spending level in modern history. And who will pay for that? We will, with a call for $73 billion in cuts spread across many domestic agencies, including the elimination of key federal health, housing and education programs, many of which serve those most in need. With most Americans facing literal affordability crises every day, how can we possibly afford $1.5 trillion in defense? The New York Times reports that at a private lunch, Trump said military spending needed to be a national priority, even at the expense of federal safety-net programs and other government aid.

“It’s not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicaid, Medicare, all of these individual things,” he said. “They can do it on a state basis.” He added that the focus had to be “military protection.”

The states cannot do “all of these individual things,” like Medicaid and Medicare, on their own. They certainly cannot and should not bear those burdens so that King Donald and Prince Pete can conduct their foreign adventures unlimited by acts of Congress or the support of the American people. It is time, past time, for Congress to say no to Donald Trump.

Written by Susan Estrich

During the campaign, Trump promised to “bring prices down, starting on Day One.” How he would do this was left to our imagination. It seemed something along the lines of using his awesome powers to freeze prices and even make some melt. That and a pack of lies.

Two days back in office, Trump issued a “Fact Sheet” headlined “President Donald J. Trump Delivers Emergency Price Relief for American Families to Defeat the Cost-of-Living Crisis.” Oh? Did you feel that instant “price relief” by virtue of Trump simply walking over the White House threshold once again?

His loyal defenders argued that, hey, that’s how Trump talks. Give him some time and he’ll bring the cost of living to heel. Trump has had well over a year to work his magic, and so let’s see how his promises to enrich ordinary Americans have panned out.

— DOGE checks. Remember them? Trump said in February 2025 that he was “considering” a plan to send taxpayers some of the savings achieved by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. He threw out the number $5,000.

The number of DOGE checks issued: Zero.

— Tariff checks. Come August, Trump floated the idea of sharing the fruit of his trade war with the people. He talked of sending some tariff revenue back to Americans in the form of dividends.

The number of tariff dividend checks issued: Zero.

— Prescriptions 1,500% cheaper. Trump’s negotiators did get drug companies to “promise” discounts on a small number of drugs. That led Trump to immediately announce something that was demonstrably untrue: “We now are paying the lowest price anywhere in the world for drugs.”

Meanwhile, our median price for hundreds of brand-name drugs has risen 4% this year.

Not to quibble with Trump’s math, but a 100% reduction would drive those drug prices down to zero. A 1,500% reduction is a mathematical absurdity.

— Credit-card interest rates capped at 10%. On Jan. 10, Trump posted his call for that 10% limit on credit-card APRs (annual percentage rates). It was to start 10 days later and last a year. He added a threat to his decree: Credit-card companies would be “in violation of the law” if they didn’t lower their rates as ordered. As it happens, presidents don’t have the legal authority to force credit-card companies to slash their interest rates.

Spring is here, and the average credit-card APR is about 21%. That’s higher than 10%, don’t you think?

— Gas under $2. Trump promised that, but the war with Iran is incompatible with cheap gasoline. The U.S. average price for a gallon of regular gasoline currently stands at over $4.

— Lower grocery prices. On the campaign trail, Trump said, “A vote for Trump means your groceries will be cheaper.” Since Trump returned to office, the consumer price index for “food at home” shows grocery prices up about 2.4%. That’s not a huge jump, but in no way does it translate into “cheaper groceries.”

Joe Biden inherited messed-up supply chains in the wake of COVID. That was the main driver of his inflation numbers, though the stimulus spending didn’t help. But when Biden left office, the inflation rate was down to 3%. For the record, it’s now 2.4%.

There was much I didn’t love about Kamala Harris, but Trump’s attempt to violently overthrow the results of the 2020 election was the ultimate deal-killer for reelecting him. To me, the sanctity of American elections mattered more than the price of a hamburger. Many others, obviously, disagreed.

Written by Froma Harrop

Official website; https://twitter.com/FromaHarrop

Surely, then, it is about something deeper, more ancient and indispensable, something our ancient sacred texts tell us is inherent in the conception, creation and functioning of the world – the complementary and species-compelling need for male and female love, presence and cooperative practice in the world. For the Husia and Odu Ifa speak to the need we have not only for each other in spiritual, natural and social ways, but also the need of our togetherness to create and sustain the good in family, society and the world. And it is within this ancient and ongoing African understanding that we must conceive, build, sustain and make flourish our relationships and teach our children likewise by the most careful instruction and self-conscious example.

There are so many things that block the road toward realization of the togetherness in love we long and live for. There is racism that degrades and devalues, sexism that teaches submission and domination, and materialism that makes things and money the measure and meaning of everything. There is also unemployment and vulgar individualism, Eurocentric drama, drugs and unrealizable dreams, the prison system and broken promises, the media and the mean and merciless streets, and a long history of Holocaust, horror and other forms of oppression at the hands of our oppressor. So, the wonder is not that we have problems, but that so many of us have survived and solved them and went on to build rock-strong, stable and loving relations worthy of the highest praise and promise. Indeed, the point is not that we have problems – for that’s only human; the issue is how we solve them in the most gentle, loving and effective ways.

Love is the heartbeat and hope of any real, reciprocal and enduring relationship, and we must understand it not simply as an emotion, but also as a practice. For at its best, love is ultimate appreciation, attentiveness and consideration that expresses itself in the mutual investment in each other’s happiness, well-being and development. It is ultimately a reciprocal, deeply rewarding and awesome giving of ourselves and receiving the same from another as a sacred exchange.

Here it is important to make a distinction between pleasure and happiness. For pleasure is satisfaction of the senses, but happiness is satisfaction of the heart and mind. Pleasure is a time and space limited satisfaction of desires by external events and experiences, but happiness is an enduring inner satisfaction. And love, as mutual giving, engenders such an enduring inner satisfaction, enhances our sense of well-being and enriches our development as persons and human beings.

At the heart of the practice of love is active commitment to an Afrocentric value system which teaches and reinforces our essential identity as bearers of divinity and dignity, and requires us to approach and treat each other and our relationships as sacred and worthy of the highest respect, care and consideration. Since the Sixties, I’ve taught that the Nguzo Saba is that African-centered value system and that we can use it to build our relationships and community and enrich our lives.

The first principle is Umoja (Unity) which stresses the good and need of togetherness in the most principled and purposeful ways. It teaches us to remove all thoughts, emotions, speech and conduct which undermine our togetherness and pull us apart. At one with each other, we will see ourselves in each other and sense our divinity, reaffirm our dignity and develop an identity meriting a high respect and place among men and women.

Kujichagulia (Self-determination) teaches the right and responsibility to choose, to choose who we will be and it requires that each of us be allowed and encouraged to be who we are in the most positive and progressive sense without crass criticism, hindrance or negative questioning, but always within the framework of the requirements of togetherness and common ground. And it teaches us that the ground of our choosing must always be from within the context of our own culture and its highest values. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) teaches us active working, building and struggling together to clear space for our love to grow, to transform ourselves so that we feel and fit right and rightfully together and to take collective responsibility for the good and bad, right and wrong, the beautiful and ugly that strengthen or undermine our relationships.

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) teaches us the principle and practice of shared work and shared wealth, that we not make money the measure and central meaning of all things and to reject debilitating disputes and disagreements about it. And it requires us to avoid materialism and consumerism of the dominant society, value each other more and those qualities that reflect strength of character and depth of commitment.

The principle of Nia (Purpose) teaches us that we must live purposeful lives, share goals, aid each other in realizing our different yet interrelated goals and work toward things that strengthen each of us. At the heart of this practice must be the goal of building a friendship defined by our thinking good of each other, wanting and working for the good of each other, doing good to and for each other, and sharing good with each other as a fundamental principle and practice of love and life.

Kuumba (Creativity) urges us to pursue the positive, avoid the negative, to constantly reaffirm the dignity and worth of each other, and our need for each other and to avoid all conversation and acts that degrade and violate the sacredness of each person and the relationship itself. And it means that we, as the ancestors taught in the Husia, must strive always to quickly and eagerly to raise up what is in ruins, repair what is damaged, rejoin what is severed, replenish what is depleted, set right what is wrong, strengthen what is weakened, and make flourish what is insecure and undeveloped in our relationships.

Finally, Imani (Faith) urges us to trust and believe in the good, and in our capacity to create it and share it. It encourages us to produce a new paradigm and practice of Black love and live it as a conscious need and undeniable necessity of life. And this means bringing into being a new man and woman who truly live for and through each other and pass on this lesson and legacy to future generations.

Written by Dr. Maulana Karenga

Official website; https://www.maulanakarenga.org/

They hoped we weren’t paying attention.

While the country was watching fighter jets and debating troop deployments, while the administration’s shock-and-awe news cycle churned through one manufactured crisis after another, a quieter and far more dangerous move was playing out in plain sight.

On the first day of his second term, President Trump signed an executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship in the United States. Not through Congress. Not through the constitutional amendment process the framers required. Through a stroke of a pen.

This is one of the most brazen assaults on American democracy this administration has attempted. And it was designed to slide through the noise.

It must and will not.

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, includes a citizenship clause that confers citizenship on anyone “born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” The amendment simply constitutionalized centuries of precedent based on English common law.

And let us remind America, that this was a direct repudiation of the Dred Scott decision, which denied Black people the protections of U.S. citizenship. The amendment was the nation’s promise to itself that never again would the government get to decide that a person born on this soil was something less than American.

That promise is now under attack.

Trump has argued that the amendment “was meant for the slaves, for the children of slaves.” Let that land for a moment. The administration’s own framing acknowledges the 14th Amendment was written to protect Black people, and then argues that its protections should be narrower than the text plainly states.

This is not a legal argument. It is a political ideology, rooted in White Supremacy, seeking to legally discriminate who really counts based arbitrarily by a select few.

The assault on birthright citizenship is anti-Black not only in its history but in its logic. When you establish the principle that citizenship can be conditioned on the legal status of your parents, you create the infrastructure for a permanent underclass. You open the door to generations of people born in America, raised in America, who are American in every lived sense, but who can be told they do not belong.

If Trump’s order were allowed to stand, an estimated 2.7 million additional people would be unauthorized by 2045, and 5.4 million more by 2075.  These are not abstractions. These are children. And disproportionately, they are children of color.

Advocates have warned this risks creating a “permanent underclass” for some immigrant groups,  transforming the cultural and civic fabric of the country. Communities of color, already navigating the cumulative weight of structural inequality, would face an additional burden; proving their belonging in the only country they have ever known.

That is not America at its founding promise. That is America at its worst.

Every federal court that has considered a challenge to the executive order has struck it down. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara this week, and a majority of the justices appeared skeptical of the administration’s position.  Even Chief Justice Roberts noted that we may live in a new world, but we have the same Constitution. We agree. A Supreme Court ruling is expected by the end of June or early July.

The National Urban League has stood against every attempt to diminish the citizenship, dignity, and rights of Black and brown Americans since 1910. We know what it looks like when government uses the machinery of law to shrink the circle of who belongs. We have seen this before, and we have fought it before, and we are fighting it now.

To the communities living under the shadow of this executive order, we see you. To the children whose citizenship should never have been in question, you are American, and we will defend that truth.

And to those in power who believe the noise of the moment will drown out accountability, it will not.

We are watching the courts. We are watching the Congress. We are watching the ballot box. American democracy has survived every attempt to hollow it out from within, because the people it was built to exclude refused to stop demanding what was theirs.

This generation will be no different.

Written by Marc Morial

Official website; http://twitter.com/MARCMORIAL

Independent restaurants are often the foundation of a city’s food identity. They introduce new flavors, preserve traditional cooking methods, and create the kind of dishes that people go out of their way to try. When someone says a city has a strong food scene, they are almost always referring to the influence of its locally owned restaurants.

From Detroit and New Orleans to Houston and Atlanta, independent kitchens continue to define what makes American food culture so diverse and interesting.

Independent Restaurants Prioritize Flavor Over Consistency

Large restaurant chains are built on consistency. Every location needs to produce the same menu items in the same way, regardless of location. While this creates reliability, it also limits creativity.

Independent restaurants operate with a completely different mindset. Chefs and owners are not tied to standardized processes in the same way. They have the flexibility to experiment with ingredients, adjust recipes, and introduce new ideas whenever they want.

This freedom often leads to better food. Dishes are refined over time based on customer feedback, seasonal availability, and the chef’s own evolving style. A meal at an independent restaurant feels more intentional because it reflects real decisions made in the kitchen rather than a fixed corporate recipe.

Menus also tend to evolve naturally. A dish might start as a special, gain popularity, and eventually become a signature item. This kind of organic development is one of the reasons independent restaurants feel more dynamic.

Personal Backgrounds Shape the Menu

One of the biggest differences between independent restaurants and chain establishments is the influence of personal history. Many restaurant owners build their menus around recipes and techniques they grew up with.

These dishes often reflect regional traditions, family cooking styles, and cultural influences that are difficult to replicate in large-scale operations. In many cases, the food tells a story that goes beyond the ingredients on the plate.

This connection to personal experience makes independent restaurants more memorable. Customers are not just eating a meal; they are experiencing a specific perspective on food that comes directly from the chef or owner.

Over time, these restaurants become known for signature dishes that cannot easily be found anywhere else. That uniqueness is what drives people to recommend them, revisit them, and share them with others.

Local Ingredients Lead to Better Food

Independent restaurants are also more likely to work with local suppliers. Instead of relying entirely on national distribution systems, many small restaurant owners build relationships with nearby farms, fisheries, and specialty producers.

This approach improves both quality and freshness. Ingredients can be sourced at their peak rather than being shipped long distances and stored for extended periods.

It also allows chefs to design menus around what is available in their region. Seasonal vegetables, fresh seafood, and locally produced goods often play a bigger role in independent kitchens.

As a result, menus feel more connected to the local environment. Diners are not just eating food; they are experiencing flavors that reflect the area they are in.

Menus Are More Flexible and Creative

Another advantage of independent restaurants is their ability to adapt quickly. Owners can test new dishes, adjust portion sizes, and introduce entirely new menu sections without needing approval from a corporate structure.

This flexibility encourages experimentation. Chefs can combine different culinary influences, try new cooking techniques, and respond to trends as they emerge.

It is common to see independent restaurants blending cuisines in ways that would not typically appear in traditional dining settings. These combinations often lead to entirely new dishes that gain popularity within the local food scene.

Because of this, independent restaurants are usually at the forefront of food trends. What starts in a small kitchen can eventually influence menus across an entire city.

Neighborhood Restaurants Create Stronger Communities

Independent restaurants often become central parts of their neighborhoods. They are not just places to eat; they are gathering spaces where people connect with each other.

Regular customers build relationships with staff, chefs, and owners. Over time, these interactions create a sense of familiarity that is difficult to replicate in larger chain environments.

Many independent restaurants also collaborate with other local businesses, host events, and participate in community initiatives. This involvement strengthens their connection to the area and helps build a more cohesive local economy.

Because of this, independent restaurants often reflect the personality of their neighborhoods. Each one contributes to the overall identity of the city’s food culture.

Great Food Cities Depend on Independent Restaurants

Cities known for their food scenes almost always have a strong base of independent restaurants. Detroit, New Orleans, Houston, Atlanta, and Philadelphia are all examples of cities where local chefs and small business owners drive culinary innovation.

These cities offer a wide range of dining experiences because independent restaurants are constantly introducing new ideas. Some focus on traditional comfort food while others explore modern techniques or global influences.

The diversity of these restaurants creates a more interesting and dynamic food scene. Diners can explore different styles of cooking, discover new flavors, and support local businesses at the same time.

Many of these restaurants are built around cultural traditions and personal cooking styles, which adds even more depth to the overall dining experience.

For readers who want to explore more of these locally driven food scenes, Huffity has put together a curated guide to black owned restaurants across major U.S. cities, highlighting independent spots that contribute to the character and diversity of their local food communities.

Independent Restaurants Take More Creative Risks

One of the reasons independent restaurants stand out is their willingness to take risks. Without corporate oversight, chefs can experiment with bold flavors, unique presentations, and unconventional menu ideas.

Some of these ideas may not work, but many of them lead to standout dishes that define the restaurant. This trial-and-error process is part of what makes independent dining so exciting.

It also encourages innovation across the broader food scene. When one restaurant introduces something new and successful, others may adapt or build on that idea.

Over time, this cycle of experimentation pushes the entire food culture of a city forward.

Authenticity Is What Makes Food Memorable

At the core of every great food scene is authenticity. People remember meals that feel genuine, whether that comes from traditional recipes, creative expression, or a strong connection to local ingredients.

Independent restaurants are uniquely positioned to deliver this kind of experience. Their menus reflect real decisions, real stories, and real creativity rather than standardized processes.

This authenticity is what keeps customers coming back. It is also what drives word of mouth recommendations, online reviews, and social media attention.

When people search for the best places to eat in a city, they are usually looking for restaurants that offer something different. Independent restaurants consistently deliver on that expectation.

Why Independent Restaurants Will Continue to Lead Food Culture

As the food industry continues to evolve, independent restaurants will remain a key part of what makes dining experiences interesting. Their ability to adapt, experiment, and connect with local communities gives them a lasting advantage over larger chains.

While corporate restaurants will always have a place in the market, they are unlikely to replace the creativity and individuality that independent kitchens provide.

For anyone looking to explore a city’s food scene, the best starting point is almost always locally owned restaurants. These are the places where new ideas are tested, traditions are preserved, and memorable meals are created.

In the end, independent restaurants do more than serve food. They shape the culture of the cities they are in, one dish at a time.

Staff Writer; Fred Parker

And as an American Black man, that question truly resonates with me. I know I am not alone.

I find it quite hypocritical and laughable that the Marxist leftists of today are arguing in support of something they did not support when it was first introduced: the 14th Amendment. Matter of fact, the party of the jackass, aka the Democrat party, did not support the 13th, 14th, or 15th amendments when they were introduced. These were the amendments that ended slavery in these United States, a goal for which the Republican Party was established, granted citizenship to the freed slaves, and their children, and prohibited federal and state governments from denying a citizen (see 14th Amendment) the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude (slavery, see 13th Amendment). Now, the leftists are saying to American Blacks that the lives of those for which these amendments, especially the 14th, were originally created and intended, mean nothing…except to be exploited for the left’s ideological agenda of fundamentally transforming these United States of America through an open borders agenda.

Yes, this absurd argument and perversion of the 14th Amendment is a slap in the face to me, and should be to other American Blacks. What we are being told is that the correction of an immoral wrong, the institution of slavery, is nothing more than a pickleball in the leftist game of manipulating the constitution for their support of illegal immigration. The jurisdiction thereof was never intended to be a red carpet for illegal immigration, their children. It was meant to ensure that future generations of Black children, born of those who were transported across the oceans in horrific conditions, forced into slavery, beaten, and killed, could have a chance to enjoy that which we will celebrate the 250th anniversary: “we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”

The message of birthright citizenship denigrates what the 14th Amendment stood for and the promise it sought to fulfill. Blacks did not enter America illegally, yet we see those who have done so being granted free benefits at the expense, literally, of those who are legal, law-abiding citizens. And through the years, those children of the freed slaves endeavored to show their dedication to their Nation, as citizens, serving in the military, again, under horrific conditions. Seeking out better educational opportunities, raising families, building businesses, and being contributing members of the American fabric.

The very discussion of “birthright citizenship” for those who are here illegally evidences that there are certain Black lives that don’t matter.

That also brings me to the case of one Jaden Ivey of the National Basketball Association’s Chicago Bulls team. Jaden, an American citizen, legal and law-abiding, possesses the right to freedom of speech, expression, and religion. Well, at least we thought so. Jaden Ivey, a young American Black man, violated one of the Marxist leftists’ ideological rights; he spoke out against the LGBTQIA+ alphabet soup agenda. He did not bow down and worship at the altar of Pride Month and spoke out as part of his Christian faith. And for that, he was released from his basketball team, citing his being detrimental to the team.

Detrimental to the team? Was Ivey not shooting well, rebounding, executing plays, or committing too many personal fouls? Nope, his personal foul was to run afoul of the rainbow crew. Sadly, what we see happening in Western civilization is highly disturbing. In Finland, the Supreme Court ruled 3-2 that one quoting Biblical scripture could be guilty of hate speech.

In Canada, they have passed legislation to the same. So, if I were to quote Biblical verses such as Deuteronomy 30:19, Psalm 127:3-5, or Jeremiah 1:5 to speak against another of the leftist ideological rights, dismembering babies in the womb, am I detrimental? After all, the very first unalienable right endowed to us by our Creator, the Judeo-Christian faith heritage God, is life. And yes, I do speak out against abortion because there have been over 20 million Black babies who never got the chance to celebrate the Declaration of Independence…those precious little Black lives did not matter.

I do not know how the U.S. Supreme Court will “rule” on the matter of the case of birthright citizenship in America. I do know this: these so-called astute judicial minds might decide not to interpret the original intent of the authors of the 14th Amendment. If they enable the exploitation of this monumental constitutional amendment that corrected an immoral wrong, then those justices who fail to do so, lacking courage and character, would have just proven that those Black lives for which that amendment was written, well, they just didn’t matter.

Written by Allen West

Official website; https://x.com/AllenWest

I have been writing about Trump’s transformative journey since 2015.

Coming down those golden escalators in Trump Towers to announce his candidacy for president  in 2015 was transformative.  His blunt, in your face announcement was a stunning shock to the way Americans were used to seeing presidential candidates campaign.  He promised to deport every illegal person from the U.S.  There was no sugar-coating in his announcement.  Straight-up in your face with no chaser!

The way he thoroughly destroyed his primary opponents in 2015 was astonishing and jarring.  But, Americans had grown tired of all the niceties of political campaigns when their quality of life was in a downward direction.

Voters simply wanted someone to tell them the truth and speak to them in a language they could understand; talk to them like they were at the neighborhood bar.

Trump gave them that and so much more.  This is a fancy way of saying that Trump was authentic and relatable to the average American.

For a list of some of Trump’s best zingers, click on this link.

Trump has forced global leaders and people around the world to question and re-think their approach to politics, culture, economics, migration, and the environment, to name a few.

Is NATO, the EU, the World Bank, the IMF, or the UN still relevant today?  Or do we need to disband them?   Can they be reformed and if so, how?

Can you name me one problem they have solved or prevented in recent years?

Every other political, corporate, or religious leader went along to get along.  Not Trump.

He literally wanted to burn the house down and rebuild every institution from scratch.  He was not trying to be liked.  He wanted things to work.  He demanded institutions and individuals to justify their continued existence.

He asked NATO members who had not paid their dues in years why should America come to their defense if their dues are not current?  No U.S. president had ever made such a statement publicly.  Trump demanded and got, the UN to reduce its budget by nearly twenty percent and fire over three thousand people.

Domestically, do we need the Department of Education, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), the Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.)?

We have not reimagined our approach to government since the end of World War II.  Our government, corporate, religious, and societal institutions have become stale and outdated.

They were all created in an analogue world and are being asked now to operate in a global digital world.

The biggest transformative impact by Trump is within the Black community.

Trump has shone a massive spotlight on how the Democrat Party and their bought and paid for media appointed Black leaders have devastated the Black community and sold them out at every possible chance!

These radical Democrats have unleashed the genocidal wave of liberalism in the Black community to devastating effects.

So, to my Democrat detractors, let me preemptively state that the Republicans have better policies to offer the Black community, but they are totally incompetent in communicating their message to us.  And they have made it darn near impossible to get us to view them as a viable option with some of the rhetoric coming out of the party!!!

Trump’s opening salvo to the Black community was in 2016 when he famously asked, “What the hell do you have to lose?”  Trump earned 8, 12, 16 percent of the Black vote in 2016, 2020, 2024, respectively.  Only Richard Nixon has received more support from the Black community in recent history.

I am not arguing one way or the other as to whether Blacks should have voted for Trump.  My argument is that through the sheer force of his personality, Trump challenged Blacks loyalty to the Democrat Party by  asking what has been the return on Black’s investment in the Democrat Party?

Trump singlehandedly caused Blacks to rethink their voting habits more than any other person in my lifetime.  Again, this is not about whether to vote Democrat or Republican; but rather who is best addressing the issues Blacks care about.

That is Trump’s secret sauce to his transformative impact on the world.  I was once told my former chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Oliver Wendall Holmes, “A mind that is stretched to a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.”

Trump has done his job by breaking up the fallow ground within the body politic in the Black community.

Now the Republican Party has an opportunity to pick up where Trump left off.  They need to focus like a laser beam on Black entrepreneurship.  They must open doors of opportunity for these businessmen.  These businessmen are the gateway into the Black community.  Not the preachers, not the churches, not the NAACP, not the National Urban League, not the Congressional Black Caucus, not Black sororities or fraternities.

Trump’s transformative behavior and policies could very well be the impetus for a radical transformation of the voting habits within the Black community.

And if Republicans are able to transform the Black vote, then America will truly become great again!

Staff Writer; Raynard Jackson

This talented brother is a Pulitzer Award nominated columnist and founder and chairman of Black Americans for a Better Future (BAFBF), a federally registered 527 Super PAC established to get more Blacks involved in the Republican Party. BAFBF focuses on the Black entrepreneur. For more information about BAFBF, visit www.bafbf.org. You can follow Raynard on Twitter; RealRaynardJ; on Gettr: RaynardJackson.

Can also drop him an email at; RaynardJ@ThyBlackMan.com.