Malcolm X had a point (among many) which could have led to an answer, but then there was the distraction. 

Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that would have led to an overall answer, but soon to follow came a distraction. 

President John F. Kennedy had a vision that would have developed into a conducive answer, but again came a distraction. 

This is not an exhausted list by far, various others were, and are currently on the same track as unity, peace and life, (regardless of sacrifice) but there’s something about those distractions, that proves wickedness comes thy way. I’ve named these three leaders of past, first because their stand for freedom should never be forgotten and secondly, they’ve had the largest impact, change of mindset and range of positive emotions for various ethnic backgrounds in our country.  

Their actions, words and mannerisms took form and developed into intricate building blocks so-to-speak, representative of not throwing stones but rather, creating and solidifying a foundation of honor and purpose in which to stand. And not only for Americans, but for other countries around the world to witness and take note that we are a land united “as one.” 

As a black man, I want to express in the face of pain and adversity, I’ve chosen to love anyway. I’ve chosen not to reciprocate the hatred that has been bestowed upon me relentlessly throughout my life, but this is not solely about me. It’s about the power within my (our) God given spirit to choose and react differently than what is expected by the opposers who provoke, advocate and hope for negative reactions. 

Please know that when a fist is raised in anger, so is the defense of another ready to retaliate. Also, when a voice is raised out of anger, so is the level of another, ultimately creating a chaotic sound so deafening, only rage is interpreted. This should go without saying, fighting fire with fire leads to an even larger, catastrophic fire. In this, whatever started the fire has now develop into a distraction, eventually consuming not only the point or purpose, but the resolve and prevention for present and future understandings. In the end, when there’s nothing else to consume or fuel the ignorance of rage, the fire fades away, leaving no trace of right or wrong but rather the remanence of devastation.  

Furthermore, In the face of fear and iniquity, how can one stand firm on the grounds of “an eye for an eye,” yet honestly adhere too “whosoever’s without sin, can cast the first stone?” I know this language may be foreign to some, but others in malicious regard often choose to neglect the wisdom within the passage altogether. Just know that when adversity rears its hateful head, we have a blessed opportunity and responsibility to change the rhetorical madness in and of history, for our children and future generations. Recently I wrote on conditioned fear, as the culprit and weapon of choice for those of dark intentions, now I want to shift focus on distractions. 

For the afflicted, yes, we have a right to be offended, afraid and angry. Yes, we have the right to speak up and out, but please know, we live in an aggressive, confrontational world of delusion, fear and injustice. So as a result, if you find yourself screaming aloud, acting out or retaliating because you feel you’ve never had a voice. Stop! Don’t follow suit, rebuttal or respond aggressively! Why? Because this is clearly about life or death, and you’ve been set up, dealt a bad hand, and check-mated by distractions, long before you realized this domino effect, is not a game! 

So, if you truly want your voice to be heard, don’t wait until tragedy strikes. Speak up first, in love and with purpose — readily available to lead by your best example. Don’t aggressively or suddenly become provoked and start yelling up a mountain about your rights or the lack thereof. Why? Because the broken sediments upon which you’ve stood, by not loving your neighbor, supporting your brothers and sisters through business, sickness, education or health, lay as withered sand per attrition, at the bottom of the very mountain you’ve allowed to grow insidiously beneath your feet. As such, your denial of self and purpose has become the distraction that binds you. 

And don’t say you’ve not been distracted! If you’ve invested in diamond/s for any reasons other than celebrating your wedding or heartfelt gift to a family member. That could be misconstrued as a distraction.    

If you’ve purchased wheels, rims or a stereo system and or a paint job on the car you’re driving, that hasn’t been fully paid off, that can easily be considered not only denial, but a massive distraction. 

If you’ve saved up for a vacation to patronize a beautiful resort, without taking extended family members or friends, far from your community, posed for pictures, enjoyed excursions, and came back to a diminished bank account, all to struggle/hustle and grind to pay bills, that is without doubt a distraction! 

If either the price of your smartphone, monthly car payment, rent/mortgage, watch, clothes on your back, shoes on your feet or ear buds/headphones around your neck, values more than what’s in your untouched savings account, YOU ARE DISTRACTED! Why? Because you may have bought into a system or plan, put in place for you, by choice to idolize yourself. This, over representing, and honoring what our ancestors died for i.e. your freedom. 

Here’s my point, instead of investing in future, you’ve invested in the ideology of memories, as if to replace a broken past. And although life is short and good memories are key, you’ve no return in future change or investment. In other words, you’ve been distracted by a world that idealizes, consumes and misleads you into thinking 400 years of oppression, slavery and injustice isn’t as much of factor anymore because you’ve seemingly raised up in status. As such, when reality hits the preverbal fan, you (or they) go out with raise fists and start shouting up  mountains which stands on high, not because you lack strength, intelligence or power, but because your distractions will never give way or allow you to test at a minimum, the faith of a mustard seed.  

Fortunately, our ancestor’s bloodshed, prayers and tears were not in vein. We do have a voice but know, while in the belly of the beast, your mannerism must stand in place as your voice. Your education must be indicative of your voice. Your peaceful demonstration, albeit provoked, angered and with a heavy heart, must be a glaring spiritual reflection of your voice. In this, your voice becomes that of grace and peace which will without doubt triumph over the distractions. It may not fit the sensationalism and fear-based propaganda of the media, but it will stand as a significant historical part of our legacy to be revered, acknowledged and respected as a race. 

Think about this, and let’s start a conversation that will lead to a good, and safe resolve for all, because to riot, is nothing more than an intricate tool influenced for the purpose of creating distractions.  

Again, Think About It. 

Reginald O’Neal Gibson