Yes, I am all woman. Yes, I am African-American. Yes, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha’Meshiach) and Daughter of Jehovah (YHWH). Yes, I am a mother of two bi-racial (by DNA: multi-racial) boys. Yes, I am androgynous looking to the point where I have been asked if I am a boy or a girl  multiple times through my almost 42 years of existence. Yes, I am heterosexual. Yes, I can be loud yet deathly quiet at the same time. Yes, my extended family that raised me and my multitude of Aunts, Uncles, and cousins have different skin tones. Yes, that same extended family has generations of interracial relationships resulting in my family being beautiful in more ways than one. Yes, my language is beyond human to include both dark and light; one cannot exist without the other. Yes, I read the Jewish Bible while gaining understanding. Yes, I read the Greek Bible while gaining knowledge. Yes, I have been diagnosed with a Mental Health Illness. Yes, I stand firm on the right for Cannabis to be legalized recreationally. No, I do not condone murder but have no recourse except to accept it in certain forms because it is a part of our human history. Yes, I support our military Men and Women. Yes, I am a warrior of  magnanimous proportions. Yes, bullying is much more than physical and I know what that is like. Yes, I have had conversations with those close that don’t acknowledge their racist tendencies. Yes, I am prejudice because I have eyeballs that work.

Why?

Because I am able to breathe.

Why?

Because I am able to stand.

Why?

Because the House our top leader resides in every 4-8 years was built by my ancestors.

Dr. King’s dream has not been fulfilled yet. Homelessness still abounds. Housing inequality still exists. Our pre-judgments do not necessarily have to be our final thoughts about a person, group, incident, or situation.

Yes, I am blessed but it does not negate that too many in this “…land of the free and home of the brave…” cannot even get a good meal without some questioning their need to be needy. The need to be beautiful and seen as such shouldn’t be our fight on the frontline. Yes, I judge myself almost daily just to keep myself calm by outward appearances. Beautiful is beautiful. We are in this together. I may not understand another’s lifestyle but that doesn’t mean I won’t stand with them the same as they would stand with me. Abuse crosses color, gender, age, and national barriers. Harassment is harassment regardless of who is on the negative end of the baton or unwanted sexual advancements.

Before you can begin to judge, you must learn and know what it is to be judged by those you thought you could trust. When they say trust no one, it’s not a joke. We will all be judged by our Creator. Make it a shorter line. Judge yourself to come and understand how to judge another by what they hold inside. By the judgments you judge another, you shall be judged.

Death is but the beginning; Life has no end. One spark ignites a whole consuming fire.

-Alicia R. Shipe-