“Great topic – but to be honest…this takes some time to think about…you know, to try to formulate your thoughts correctly.”
This was a comment left on my blog page in response to the December Carnival topic. Does it take that much effort to think about something positive…. to share what we are thankful for and hopeful of? And is this effort and time worth expending? Well it appears the answer is a resounding “yes” and “no” respectively, as only one person submitted a post…. and it wasn’t the commentator above. But here is mine since I choose to end the year on a positive note.
There are 2 things that I want to share that I am thankful for in 2007. One of course is the birth of my son. I was told by many people that my life would change. Intellectually I thought I understood… but I didn’t realize how much of a change. I love him so much. I cannot think of my life without him in it. My priorities, values and beliefs have all shifted…. for the better no doubt.
The second is the formation of the this Afrospear Think Tank page. The collective comprising of the original six started out strong with vision, energy and great ideas. It was ground-breaking in how it galvanized the Afrosphere and Blackosphere. It was unique in it’s attempt to bring together a variety of Afrocentric voices from different countries and continents. It is disappointing that the voices have dissipated…. have gone silent. I thank and commend Adrianne for keeping my hope alive by regularly contributing to this page. I am also thankful for Francis Holland, AAPP, Mark and Bronze Trinity who worked and struggled through the ups and downs to expand the scope of the vision and brought substance to the ideas. This leads into what I am hopeful for…..
I am hopeful that this page will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes. Some others will catch the vision and see the value of contributing to this collective effort.
I am also hopeful that we as people of African descent will move towards emotional and intellectual healing and clarity…. and subsequently create our own ideologies. Not based on a reflection from the opaque and broken mirror of Eurocenric values, judging others based on religious and political beliefs, as well as their materialistic and social status. I am hopeful that we will create ideologies based on integrity, accountablility, resposibility and respect. We will be an example of the beneficial returns of listening intently to those who may disagree with our beliefs and have different values…. so that we can learn through humility (and to be humble).
I am finally both thankful and hopeful because of Anika at Writeblack who took the time and effort to share the five books she is thankful to have read and why (click here).
afrospear.wordpress.com 
I didn’t know about this event until today, but it’s a wonderful idea. On my blog I participated in a similar event in November, 30 Days of Thanks, where everyday I said something I was thankful for.
Maybe people feel overwhelmed by trying to think of something big and meaningful. I found that if I think of the small things, there is much to be thankful for. Like today. I’m thankful for a day off from work, a warm house, food to eat, and that my car is now dug out of the snow.
I’m thankful for the life I live, the God I serve, the family I have, the friendships I’ve grown, the men I’ve loved, the parents who raised me, the community that watched over me, the hard lessons I’ve learned.
I’m hopeful for tomorrow that’s yet to come, the unity we will one day have, the racisim that will one day end, the America that is to be.
Asa,
Don’t worry about AfroSpear rising from the ashes; it hasn’t risen/fallen. It is that mustard seed that is sure to grow if nurtured. And it is. New faces, new energy, old faces, old energy.
There’s a saying I’ve heard somewhere that ‘attraction rather than promotion’ is the wisest course in developing an organization. If the intention is there, if the message is there, the people will come to it. If the structure is sound and it appeals to people, then they will come.
But, as you know, this site competes with other sites that have more sizzle, sex, hate, self-hate, energy that grips more of us than we’d like – but that’s why we’re here. Notice how little of the garbage we’ve seen elsewhere comes here. You, we’re on the right track.
And that’s something to be truly grateful for. One of my mentors used to say “time takes time.” I say, “let it.” Its gonna be alright.
It has been a rocky few years for me. I committed a white-collar crime back in 2003. I pled guilty to it in 2005 and during all this I was elected to office and finally went to federal prison for 29 days in October 2007–resigned with full press attack. What am I grateful for: Well for obvious reasons–I only had to serve 29 days. My 4 kids are all healthy. I am in my right mind…finally. I have a strong support group of friends and family. I am well educated. I am happy. I am truly excited about Christmas. I am grateful for new opportunities to earn a living. I am grateful for breath in the morning and a comfortable bed at night. I am grateful for good food and drink. I am grateful for a house with 3 bathrooms. I am grateful I had enough money to keep the lights on, the water running and gas in my minivan. I am grateful that I get to be on the planet with so many good and caring folks.
Don’t be discouraged by numbers or the lack thereof. This site will find its way to readers and bloggers and lurkers. This is good stuff and good stuff triumphs over bad stuff everday. it may seem the voices are dim, but they are not. In the words of Adam Clayton Powell “Keep the Faith, Baby”
Happy Holidays!
http://www.lovebabz.blogspot.com