Quote of the week: June 4, 2023 For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.

Song of the week: “The Light” by Common, I don’t have the copy rights to this song.

its pride month. all my kingz and queenz, continue to live your truth. fearlessly!!! loud and proud.

I’m choosing to write about positivity in this post. I know there isn’t many positive things going on in prison but, I’m a damn sure try to squeeze some things out. I’m saying this because lately, I’ve been feeling like every time I’m in a good space, someone tries to rob me of my black boy joy. Not today. Today is a self love day. I would like to tell myself: Kal-El, you’ve been doing a damn good job at working on you!

I have been removing myself from toxic and phony friendships. I’ve been trying to show those who are younger than me how to love themselves. I’ve been trying to show other lifers that you can do things beyond the fence and razor wire. I try to show staff that not all inmates are manipulative and/or violent criminals. More or less I try to show people that we’re human also. And I must show my trans brothers, you do not have to be in a relationship to validate that you’re a man nor to find happiness. I haven’t been in a relationship since 2019 and I swear, I’ve never been happier.

I chose “The Light” by Common as my song of the week for a reminder to always choose me and my happiness first. Because, to love me IS “The Light”. God has been the game changer. Him and me have been working on our relationship. And yes, communication is definitely the key. To show me that He has been listening and watching the changes I’ve been making, He sent me Etta and the Let’s Get Free organization. He has also sent me Dustin and Joe from PeoplesHub. These guys are super fun because, I get to have real conversations about real shit that makes sense to me. There really isn’t anyone to talk to in here. It’s always gossip, negativity, and quitting.

Those 3 things have made people in prison turn bitter and become miserable. I refuse to be locked up AND miserable. Walking around mad all day, nah, that’s not me. I’d rather smile and laugh my day away. I don’t like talking about what’s going on in the inside all the time. I use my blog to try show you all what’s really going on inside. When I’m with my peers in the yard or common room, I do not want to talk about jail. It seems like that’s always the topic of the day.

Who’s with who. Who doesn’t like her or him. Blah, blah, blah. I’m the corny one when I want to talk about current events or how we should be grieving the way we’re treated. No one wants to talk about standing together. Honestly, I have better conversations with myself.

Ok, back to happy thoughts. I watched “Wakanda Forever” last week. Yup, my big ass cried at the end. I love the way Marvel made the Black Panther stories. I tell everyone that I am from Wakanda. I told people here that one day, and someone who didn’t understand (smh) said, “you can’t be from Wakanda, its a movie, its not a real place!”

I had to explain to them that although, Wakanda is not a “real place” it is a “state” of mind. A place for all of us to live and love and prosper. One day…one day. Stay positive people. Focus on what’s coming, not what’s going on.