Reach - Then Teach

Dear Hannah, Our world is still dominated by forces that equate “equality” to “providing opportunities”. These forces often provide opportunities that they control. To the contrary, equality is predicated on both opportunity and circumstance. Equality is achieved when societies provide opportunities and circumstances that create diverse, inclusive, and sensitive environments. Those favored most by the status quo are not likely to help change it. The opportunities and circumstances that create diverse, inclusive, and sensitive environments must be procured and created by the people who desire them most. This requires the development of leaders with "equalizer" mindsets – those capable of being neutralizing authorities who balance power where deficits exist. Power is work done efficiently (with wise and skillful use of resources, interests, communication, and expertise). “Equalizers” who generate power and multiply themselves can create change. I am an “equalizer”. Love, Daddy

Dear Hannah, Once upon a time, the President gave a group of African-American community leaders a seat at the table. The leaders brought their own menu. Love, Daddy

Dear Hannah, Sometimes things happen that upset us. We have to feel what we feel, take the time to heal, remember what is real, and keep moving forward ... As I lay me down to sleep I kiss my wife and ponder deep I wonder why, and that's OK Answers tomorrow are questions today Then I kneel and start to pray Ask the Lord to have His way Stay focused on a future day Hope to keep all harm at bay So my baby girl can play Jump on me, yell "Daddy, yay!" Master piano, dance ballet Tell her about our wedding day How to wait for her fiance' Relationships begin with "hey" Then take their course - la vie c'est Do her work for more than pay Know when to go, and when to stay Correct her course if she should stray See that this world is still cray cray The brave are scared to disobey But sometimes do it anyway The fools rush in, the wise survey Think twice, act once - avoid the fray Accountable talk never starts with "they" Power is more than being able to sway Then I reach "amen" and rise again Ready to embark

Original Broadcast: 9-4-2017   Dear Hannah, So how do you deal with the frustration that accompanies feeling like you are not being heard? I have no answers. I do have an approach that I am still LEarning. First step ... remember what frustration is, Derrick. Frustration is an emotional response to a lack of control ... of people, circumstances, outcomes, etc. I am not in control of anything but me. That establishes a clear boundary for giving and taking advice. I am never in a position to tell someone else what to do. Nor do I want to be - because I will not become responsible for someone else's choices. However, I am well-positioned to offer the truth about my perspective. Hear me twice. I do not have THE truth. I do have MY truth. I am remiss to not share my truth - but I need to declare it as such. I have crossed the line, though, when I think my truth is THE truth, and should therefore be your truth. Second step ... I remember the times folks shared their truth with me ... and I still cho

Dear Hannah, I am a big fan of Digital Underground.I remember "Same Song" - which featured and introduced us to Tupac Shakur.Tupac was a dancer, "hype man", and background vocalist for the group.I remember the honor Digital Underground showed to Parliament / Funkadelic ... they sampled a lot of that funk, and gave George Clinton co-writer credits on "Kiss You Back".I also remember "Piano Man".Digital Underground would let "Piano Man" play live keys over samples - and it worked.The organ groove and solo in "Same Song" was bananas.I recently learned that Digital Underground was first a militant rap group ... that paid homage to The Black Panthers.Public Enemy came along and blew up with the same schtick ... so Digital Underground reinvented itself as something more lighthearted and entertaining.We all remember Digital Underground most for "The Humpty Dance".Everything about "The Humpty Dance" worked - especially that bass line.I know I am the only one, but someone else had to tell me that "Humpty-Hump" was band

Dear Hannah, Remember my sharing on Proverbs 12:24 ... when I mentioned that most proverbs describe two distinct pathways that individuals have the opportunity to choose - and bear the fruit, the consequences, or some of both?Well, here we go again.Let's wrestle with Proverbs 12:23 now.For posterity, Proverbs 12:24 says "The diligent person will rule, but the slothful (lazy) will become a slave".If you are wondering why I started this series by sharing about Proverbs 12:24 first - it was because I referenced the verse numbers incorrectly.I thought I was starting with the first one first.Mistakes can happen - especially when you think you know what you are doing ... because you do not check.As it turned out, though, dealing with the verses out of sequence provided some necessary wisdom to deal with Proverbs 12:24 ... wisdom about how easy it is to make mistakes by believing that we are infallible ...

Dear Hannah,   Proverbs is a Bible book full of concrete, simple, indisputable wisdom.The wisdom is offered in small, "bite-size" verses.This makes it a good book to study with a mixed group of older and younger folks.Studying Proverbs can lull you to sleep, though - please let me explain.It is easy to interpret most proverbs as describing what a good person does vs. what a bad person does ... as if we are always comparing two different people.Most proverbs, though, describe two distinct pathways that individuals have the opportunity to choose - and bear the fruit, the consequences, or some of both.These are the proverbs that make me pause, consider, and wrestle - to unpack additional layers of wisdom and insight that challenge my growth.These are the ones that make you say "uhhh ... mmmmm ...".They make you quiet - but in a good way ...  

Dear Hannah, Mentors are people who share their experiences. Their wisdom is earned through lessons learned. Then they pay it forward. Love, Daddy

Dear Hannah, Mentors are people who share their experiences. Their wisdom is earned through lessons learned. Then they pay it forward. Love, Daddy

Dear Hannah, it's a new year. there's a lot to discuss. we won't count our words, but we'll make our words count. Love, Daddy

Dear Hannah, we can both reach the finish line by helping each other train and pace to run our own race but to run it right we need to both pack light to push some major freight and pull our own weight so hang in there when it doesn't go your way hang in there when you have to say "bye bye" sometimes to people, places, habits, and ideas that hinder more than they help sometimes you have to see it through ... and sometimes you have to see through it ... Love, Daddy

(Original Broadcast: 3-1-2017)   Dear Hannah, our conversationshave dwindled intoshouting matchesand "people's court" casesposts and reposts of articles thatalign with our mindsto which we assignabsolute truthwith no consequenceswhere we want to provethat our might is rightyour wrong is strongand always have both our say ... and our waybut civil discourse- especially between dissenters -promotes growthit helps both partiessee that they aretwo pointsdiametrically opposedon the same circleand that preservation of the circleis more importantthan our "points" check it ...

(Original Broadcast: 3-1-2017)   Dear Hannah, our conversationshave dwindled intoshouting matchesand "people's court" casesposts and reposts of articles thatalign with our mindsto which we assignabsolute truthwith no consequenceswhere we want to provethat our might is rightyour wrong is strongand always have both our say ... and our waybut civil discourse- especially between dissenters -promotes growthit helps both partiessee that they aretwo pointsdiametrically opposedon the same circleand that preservation of the circleis more importantthan our "points" check it ...

(Original Broadcast: 3-1-2017) Dear Hannah, my education began when I finished school. reflection led to a lot of unlearning and relearning. i realized that i was presented facts disguised as knowledge, opinions disguised as fact, and a whole lot of memorized processes disguised as problem solving. it's all good, though - 'cause now I know ... that i don't know. so i value divergent thinking ... (seeing many answers to the same question) ... creativity ... (capacity for original thought) ... reading ... writing ... counting ... and thinking ... as the keys to converting facts into information into knowledge into wisdom - and solutions to the problems of our existing state. i have also learned to value biographies. the stories from someone's life - and their wisdom earned through lessons learned - inspire and ground me ...

Dear Hannah, My name is Derrick.I have one purpose today.I want to tell people who I am, and what I do, hope, and dream about ... I am a standup storyteller.I use spoken word (poetry), rapping, teaching, oration, singing,  writing, producing, and directing to cast hopeful visions of creative, robust solutions to the problems of our existing state.Let's say that another way.I want to challenge and change long-standing traditions.Tradition begins and ends with change.Everything must change - and STAY changED.Change begins with me and the renewing of my mind.It continues through my efforts to disciple – that is, to equip others to equip others.I renew my mind through conversations - in classrooms, churches, conferences, city council meetings, concert halls, chat rooms, and cyphers.I am on a journey that will lead me to facilitate a kind of conversation that is inspired by my renewal experiences ...... one that puts all these conversation venues on the same menu - feel me?Let me share my journey's progress over t

Dear Hannah, We are all messengers for different audiences. Sometimes your message will not find its audience ... ... until you learn how to speak your peace. Say what you have to say ... ... but tell your truth with grace.   Love,   Daddy    

Dear Hannah,The road to reconciliation starts with ...realization (of both the might and the plight), respect (both spiritual essence and natural function), reassurance (of commitment to the corrective plan and path - don't ask for trust ... EARN IT), and REAL relationship (dealing with each other as EQUALS).We've got a long way to go ...... because we keep trying to start at the finish line ...... and often label voices of reason as voices of treason ...... but 'tis the season ...... to answer folly ...... defeat conceit ...... then rinse and repeat.We are not done yet.Love,Daddy

Dear Hannah,I'm a people watcher - a careful observer of human behavior.Watching people has taught me that when I look at them ...... sometimes I am looking through a window.... other times I am looking in a mirror.When I stare through a window in the afternoon, I see outside.Staring through a window at night shows me "me".The mirror always shows me "me" ... but also shows me what is behind me ... and what is to come.Man, I hope all that makes sense.But let me spell it out.What you see is always a personal lesson for you ... if you see it that way.That is a blessing.Don't take the easy road of judgement and opinion.Take the less-travelled road ... be advised and forewarned - especially when you watch someone else struggle or fall.That might have been you - but for the power of healing and redemption.That could still be you - but for God's amazing wisdom, grace and mercy.Selah.Love,Daddy

Dear Hannah,I am LEarning to listen and observe more than I talk.I see and hear a lot of stuff that I do not understand.I accept these events as part of my LEarning.The easy road is to dismiss it all with judgement and opinion.The tougher road is LEarning to practice empathy.So if a cat shows or tells me something that sounds crazy, it helps me remember how crazy I have sounded to other people ... even recently.That road reminds me that I don't know what roads led these cats to their positions, mindsets and actions.Then I accept that we all have free will - to think whatever we think, say whatever we say, and do whatever we do.Then I resolve to do better.Love,Daddy

Dear Hannah,Our greatest entertainers have "five tools".This variety is what makes their performances dynamic and memorable.Comedian Tracy Morgan considers Eddie Murphy as his hero and role model.Morgan taught me that Eddie is unique because he has five comedic tools: stand-up, impressions, characters, singing, and acting.I remember "Raw" 30 years after its release.I remember his "Elvis" impression.I remember all the characters from "Coming to America" and "The Nutty Professor".I remember "Party All The Time".Eddie could sing, y'all.I remember "Boomerang".Chance The Rapper is a five-tool emcee: rapper, singer, preacher, dancer, and conductor.Conductor?Yes, indeed.Chance knows who he is.He is very comfortable in his own skin.He understands music.He knows what he needs from the band.He knows what everybody is supposed to be doing.He leads them while he is on stage.Like James Brown.Like Kirk Franklin.I read that Kirk is one of his influences, and I can see it on stage.Stone Mountain's own Donald Glover (AKA "Chi