Month: February 2024

Dear Basketball

We met when I was 8 years old and you changed my life forever. The moment we met, I knew I was in love. From the 1st time I touched you, I knew I could spend the rest of my days and nights with you without giving it a second thought. You taught me many life lessons, from success to failure to the importance of hard work and perseverance. You were there through all my ups and downs and I thank you for all our memories. We traveled parts of the continent that I'd never imagined and you blessed me with experiences that'll last a lifetime. Basketball, you kept me off the streets of gang infested Chicago and for that I'm eternally grateful.

I take full responsibility for the turning point in our relationship. I allowed the distractions of the world to poison our relationship and for that, I'm truly sorry. If I had been mature enough to love you the way you loved me then perhaps we'd still be together today. But, life doesn't always give us the outcomes we desire. particularly when we're uncertain about what those outcomes are. The most painful moment of my life was when I finally understood that our relationship was coming to end. Today, the most fun I have is watching you bring others the same joy you brought me for so many years.

Basketball, you are the only thing I've ever been in love with. You taught me what the concept of love is. You taught me that love is something you don't have think too hard about, its something you just know. Love is something you can wake up and do every minute of every day and be enamored with in perpetuity. Today, at age 26, its crazy to say but I wish we had more time together. But know this, no matter what, I will love you always!

The Government Is Not Coming To Save You

First and foremost, the government has a history of failing to address the needs and concerns of marginalized communities. From the Jim Crow laws to the War on Drugs, legislative policies have often perpetuated injustices rather than rectifying them. As such, waiting for the government to come to your rescue is akin to waiting for a fox to guard the henhouse.

I have witnessed firsthand the struggles and injustices that average Americans face on a daily basis. From racism to economic inequality, the issues that plague our society require urgent action and change. Unfortunately, waiting for the government to come to your rescue is a bad idea, and here's why.

Secondly, the government is beholden to corporate interests and the wealthy elite, not the average American. The lobbyists and big-money donors who fund political campaigns have a significant influence on policy, often at the expense of the working class and marginalized communities. Waiting for the government to come to your rescue means waiting for corporations to prioritize your needs over their bottom line.

Government Corruption

Thirdly, the government operates within a broken and corrupt system that values power and profit over people. This system perpetuates inequality, fosters division, and undermines democracy. Waiting for the government to come to your rescue is tantamount to expecting change from a system that is fundamentally flawed.

Lastly, waiting for the government to come to your rescue absolves individuals of their responsibility to effect change. As citizens, we have a duty to hold our elected officials accountable, demand change, and work towards creating a more just and equitable society. Waiting for them to act is a passive approach that undermines our power as citizens and leaves the fate of our society in the hands of a select few.

In conclusion, waiting for the government to come to your rescue is a bad idea for average Americans. The government has a history of failing marginalized communities, is beholden to corporate interests, operates within a broken and corrupt system, and absolves individuals of their responsibility to effect change. Instead, we must take a proactive approach, demand accountability, and work towards creating a more just and equitable society. As I once said, "We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary."