King James Reflections: “Black Thoughts”

 I would like to share some thoughts that have been weighing heavily on my mind—reflections rooted in history, identity, and ongoing struggle. These are what I call * Black Thoughts * —ideas caught in the web of the mind, held in high regard, and born from a desire to be part of the solution rather than merely a bystander.

Far too often, we have been conditioned to complain without empowerment. A system has subtly trained us to accept a level of ignorance that keeps us disconnected from our full potential.

We awaken, it seems, only when a businessman dons a disguise and steps into the political arena, aspiring to lead as President. Yet, the issues that deserve our attention are happening now—in the present tense. There is an urgent need to address the intense realities that arise wherever there is a disproportionate police presence in our communities.

It remains clear that we are still not viewed as equals. Instead, we are often used as tools to advance broader agendas.

In response, I raise my pen. I write to honor the generations who fought before me—so that my voice, and the voices of those like me, can be seen, heard, and respected. Not just to echo the words *Black Lives Matter*, but to insist that this truth be acknowledged as self-evident.

The United States of America—often called great—was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of my ancestors, over centuries of labor and sacrifice.

These reflections are just a glimpse into my Black Thoughts.

by: JB