Juneteenth (excerpt from Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush)

The Brown Sugar Café June 19, 2024 Leave a Comment

It’s heavy to be a father tasked with
the extra responsibility of making sure
our sons understand that:
freedom isn’t the same for everyone.

But years of training have prepared us to
lift and effortlessly carry the weight.
While acknowledging that no matter how much
we prepare them it may not be enough.

Be proud anyway because
the color of your skin isn’t
a determination of guilt.

Be who you were born
to be anyway because
you’re not responsible for
prejudged [prejudiced] pictures of
who they want you to be.

It gets tiresome and frustrating
but don’t let anger harden your heart.
Let it be the fuel that ignites you to
educate the ignorant,
baffle the bigots, and
debunk the demented.

Freedom may be different
on the soil but understand
there’s a renaissance in our thoughts,
unwavering resilience in our hearts,
and revolution in the freedom of our voice.

The only difference that matters
is who we honor with purpose
and represent with excellence.

📚 All month Pain Is Not Our Only Paintbrush will be on sale so order your copy today!

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