By Terry Allen
CEO 1016 Media and Founder, Sister CEO Small Business Camp
I am about to have church today! Big Mama would always tell us how we must have the faith of a mustard seed. She quoted this scripture: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1. She stated that you have to believe that you cannot see and make sure that you surround yourself with those who have the same faith and conviction as you who are right in your sight. I call them my ride-or-die tribe.
Our power to at this moment to make things permanent is right in our sights. The thoughts of faith of things not seen can also be in plain sight as I think about my ride-or-die tribe. I am driven to reflect on James Baldwin and the work he did on the racial conditions with the police in Atlanta during the Atlanta Child Murders with his powerful docubook, The Evidence of Things Not Seen.
The Evidence of Things Not Seen is a comprehensive social observation but tells us that even we make good changes and fail to use the FAITH to create the presence of justice and we are still facing at the bottom of the well. How many men have been killed in plain sight since George Floyd? So here we go, let’s continue with the original request, we must now make this moment a movement so we will not have to revisit this again. So we MUST know we have a critical role to play in addressing all these racial issues and we MUST strengthen democracy, ensure our right to vote, push hard for everyone to make it easy to vote, and more. So even in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we MUST Vote.
With just two months left, we can’t stop the momentum now. Let’s add these steps:
• Check your voter registration for you and all your ride-or-die partners
• Register to vote and ensure your elders are registered
• Create a Plan to vote by mail or in-person early or on Election Day to take your tribe with you.
Learn from Brother Chadwick Boseman, the King of Wakanda, and the last lesson he left; choose your associations wisely. Surround yourself with good company. Build a strong support system that is loyal and faithful and true. A circle that loves you. So, use your Black Card, join me and get into some Good Trouble by taking our ride-or-die young black men and women to the polls. Those are my thoughts. Now yours
Please email me at the paper and tell me your thoughts. Terryallenpr@gmail.com
Terry Allen is an award-winning media professional, journalist, and entrepreneur. He is also the founder of City Men Cook and 1016 Media.
