New Directions

So, I've finally made up my mind.  I've made the decision....

I'm leaving Baltimore, and moving back to my hometown of Brooklyn, NYC.

This decision had actually been a long time coming.  It's been a bittersweet experience out here, somewhat of a struggle.  Of course, it's been MUCH BETTER than my last stopoff in Richmond, VA.  But, I have to chalk up that experience to a learning experience as well.

I stepped down from my position as Interim President of the local chapter of my organization (UNIA), making the announcement in mid March. I had held that position for a good year and a half.  Made some strides, and apparently, made a bit of an impact with some people.  But...it was a fucking headache, and a responsibility that I never wanted.  It gets kinda hard to try to rally troops into battle, and there's no one to follow behind you, or that are willing to put in the work.  If motherf**kers can't at least call you to let you know that they can't/won't show up for a fucking meeting, how can you expect them to help uplift the community by enacting programs, projects, and initiatives?  If people don 't want to join, or support your efforts, then why in the hell bother?

There is just a culture here that I find totally unacceptable.  What sucks even more is, being an outsider, I can see the great potential that Baltimore has.  Things just need to be better organized, and people need to come out and support.  This mediocrity and complacency is what's really keeping this city down (not to mention the HIGH level of ignorance).

In New York, I have people who are willing to work with me...better access to resources...and a community that will support my efforts.  It will be easier for me to promote my books back home; there is a built in audience.  I don't have to worry about convincing people to support my literary work, or have them act like bitches and feel threatened because I'm published.  I don't do that clique shit that I see a lot of here in the south with the so-called 'conscious' community; I'm about the work.  VERY FEW in the so-called 'conscious' community out here in the south (in general) puts in the work, and practices what they preach.  Too many out here preach a particular ideology, and don't even accurately follow it.

I wouldn't say that I've come full circle; there is still much that needs to be done, that I want and need to do.  It's just transitioning to a better environment.  I know what I'm dealing with out there, and who the hell to stay away from.  I can more easily work on promoting my books, and get the work done for my literary/political/cinematic activism.  In the end...it's just BETTER for me at this time.

So, in May, I will be returning to the NYC area, apparently for good.  I'm lining up events and activities to last me through the summer and early fall, hopefully to NEVER return to the corporate workforce.  I want to fully focus on my art and activism for once.

My next, and hopefully final sojourn, will hopefully be out of the United States.  Stay tuned...