What's on My Mind???

Last night I was trying to sleep and I couldn't stop thinking about the world we live in. I thought about my two children and a poem came to me. I want to share it with you. As a parent, we worry about our babies no matter how young or old they are. We want to protect them and keep them safe. We want them to be successful, educated, and better than we are. It's sad watching the news because it seems like hatred has engulfed us all. I pray for the families who have experienced injustice and their loved ones. I pray strength, encouragement, and wisdom for them all. I pray for our nation...we are lost. Sometimes I close my eyes and shake my head at the things going on, but I know that God is bigger than any weapon against us. It saddens me to know that there are some people in the world who doesn't see the same thing. 

What are your thoughts on this matter????

Here are mine...

Dear Son & Daughter

Each time you leave our home I tense up

Afraid that you won’t be yourself when you return

So many like you never made it back

I become worried, anxious; unable to focus because of the unjust world we live in

Society isn’t about being communal with your peers, laughing, talking, getting to know one another for the person you are, the person your father and I have raised you to be, anymore

It’s mean, crude, full of prejudice; victimizing you for being born with skin naturally kissed by the sun

It teaches hate, discrimination, downright evil for no reason at all. Your ethnic background shouldn’t determine whether you get stopped by the police or beaten to death for standing up for your rights as a human being. It doesn’t matter if you have on the latest shoes or clothing when someone wants to rid you of them.

Tell me, how one can hate their brother who walks alongside them each day and love God whom they have never seen? He created us all in His likeness and image.  

I know I shouldn’t feel these emotions when you are not with me because God didn’t give us the spirit of fear

Yet, my heart weeps as a parent when so many others like you didn’t make it back home safely

Some didn’t make it back at all, another victim slain in the streets

Their innocence was stripped from them…maliciously stolen without shame, taken without remorse, justified by corruption…released from any wrong doing. 

But it’s not just others I worry about; it’s the ones bearing the same skin tone as yours. The ones who look like you, talk like you, dress like you and listen to the same music. The ones who will say you don’t act black when you don’t act the way they want you to act. The ones who call you “nigga” and overlook or don’t care that the word “nigger” was meant to be degrading to our people. It’s the same brown boy who you shoot hoop with and gets mad because he’s a sore loser who pulls out a gun at the playground ending your future with a bullet. It’s the same brown girl you had sleepovers with, polished your nails with, played dolls with that grows into a young woman and can’t handle the fact that the boy she likes, like you because you respect yourself; she decides to damage your character by slandering your name spreading lies about you sleeping with him.

I pray hard each and every day for your safety, your sanity, and your salvation hoping that no one steals it away from you for simply being who I birthed you into this world as

Sweethearts, permission isn’t required to steal the life of an innocent brown girl or boy, woman or man for that matter, the act is carried out no questions asked later, nonetheless justice goes undone

Are you that much of a threat?

Yes, and don’t allow anyone to tell you differently!

Your intelligence is profound.

Your beauty is undeniable.

Your passion for succeeding in life is astounding

Making you a weapon, that will change our future in amazing ways.

Believe in yourself, I say.

Be respectable and kind.

Be honest and be aware of your surroundings.

Watch the company you keep.

The speech I give before you go.

Should I say, be quiet; hold your head down; don’t look anyone in the eyes?

Should I say your opinion doesn‘t matter; turn the other cheek, look the other way, be the bigger person?

Should I give you permission to lose your self-respect, self-worth, and self-esteem?

Will this advice save your life, get you back home to me and your father?

Will this advice make you question your heritage or wish to be someone other than who you are? Will this advice cause sadness, distain, and make you see me as weak? Will this advice cause you to be bullied by your peers?

No…

But if so…we will get through it together!

I shall continue to tell you to love yourself enough to know who you are and whose you are. I shall continue to tell you to speak boldly and proudly as a brown girl and brown boy. I shall tell you to enter a room and command respect by the way you carry yourself. Be mindful, be watchful; be wise in any situation. Think before you speak, listen before reacting, and never put yourself in a position where it’s considered being a coward if you walk away. I shall continue to tell you how much I love you, how important you are to not only me and your father, but also this generation. Our ancestors fought to make sure your life was better than theirs, and I’ll fight to make sure yours in better than mine. I’ll pray over you and teach you how to pray for yourself. We’ll pray together as a family.

You are somebody and you should be proud of your brown hue, your textured hair, full lips and defined nose. You should be proud of your culture, your history, and genetic character. There is nothing wrong with developing the value of appreciation by working hard for the things you have, instead of living with the gift of expectation and privilege because entitlement.

You shouldn’t be afraid to leave home, go hang out with friends, and constantly look over your shoulder for fear that there is a target on your back. So live, my son. Love, my daughter! Laugh until your side hurts and tears kiss your cheeks because you are beautiful, you are incomparable; you are a child of God, protected by His grace and mercy!   

And if anyone get it in their small minds that you will be targeted, punished, or mistreated for being a brown girl or brown boy…I will fight for you no matter what even if I have to go to hell and go toe to toe with the devil himself!!!

In the words of the late great Tupac…“I ain’t a killa but don’t push ME!”

Sincerely,

Your beautiful brown Mother

Until next time, Be Inspired, Be Encouraged, & Be You!!!

Purple Hugs,

KeKe Chanel

Something New...

Hey Lovies,

I have been on blog hiatus for a while but I'm back! I missed you all. My hiatus wasn't in vain because in the time I've been away, I have finished a new book, done some amazing events, and many other interesting things have happened. My daughter graduated from high school. My son graduated from kindergarten. My husband and I celebrated our ten year anniversary. My sister/best friend left for a year in Korea. My mom had surgery, but she is a trooper. Hard-headed at its' best, my mom; but if she was any other way I would be worried. Life has been good despite losing an aunt a few months ago. She will forever remain in our hearts. Her smile was none like any other, and her tongue was as sharp as barbwire.  LOL Rest In Paradise Aunt Idella...

So, how do you guys like the new design? What do you think about the new title? I wanted something that reflects ME, as well as the change in posts I'll be doing. I started out using this platform to showcase my erotic short-stories. Sex topics followed, along with love and relationship tips. Although I enjoy writing about these subjects, I am an author and I don't want my blog to be limited. I figured, I'll write about anything that comes to mind. Lets just KICK IT!!! 

I also started a Facebook Book Club. It's in my KeKe Chanel Books Group, so if you would like to join come on over. The name of the book club is called Reading With Purpose Book Club. Every book selection is carefully taken into consideration, hence the name. The book selection goes from the 15th to the 15th of each month. We have our book discussion and then a new selection goes forth. I love it! As an avid reader, it's awesome connecting with other passionate readers. Reading is amazing but having others to discuss the same books with is an added bonus. 

I will be doing more Author Spotlights as I have in the past. I've meet some wonderful authors and love their work. Sharing them with you is another main focus of using my blog to expose amazing talent. I may also write about my obsession with nail polish and the fact that I have over 100 different shades. What can I say? I love the stuff! I'll be writing about books I've read and my opinions of them, book recommendations, and other topics involving BOOKS.  I love books...

The point being, who knows what you will get with Kickin' It With KeKe!!! 

I look forward to it!!!

Until next time, Be inspired, Be encouraged, & Be YOU...

Purple Hugs,

KeKe Chanel

Rodney D. Robertson

Today I am interviewing Rodney D. Robertson: Author, Life Coach, Pastor, and Motivational Speaker. He has released his fifth book Speak To It and is here to tell us about it, as well as his writing journey.

Please give him a "Kickin' It With KeKe" welcome!!!! *Applause*

First, I would like to thank you for joining us today Rodney. It is always a pleasure featuring you on my blog. I want to say how extremely proud I am of you. We have known each other for a long time, growing up and attending school together. You are still the same kindhearted, straight forward and perfect gentleman you were then, today. I admired you then and admire you still. It’s refreshing to see people we know, follow their dreams and watch them manifest. You will always have my love and support, Bro. *I call him Bro because he was and still is the older brother I never had growing up. He was all up in my business y'all. LOL*

Let’s get started, shall we. 

Tell us about Rodney Robertson the Author. 

 How long have you been writing?

I have been writing for 11 years. 

Who are your target audience?

My target audience starts 17 and up. I'm writing to those who want to live life on purpose and inspire others.

What inspired your latest book?

My latest book Speak to It was inspired by a family medical crisis in 2013 where I and my family had to depend on God for a turnaround in my sister's health.

What do you want readers to take from your book?

The take home message I want the reader to get is that their words have power and presence. They can change the outcome of their lives and circumstances with a faith confession.

Do you apply the lessons you are writing about in your book to your daily life? How so?

Yes, I apply the lessons of this book on a daily basis. Namely, by speaking positive faith confessions over my life, family, church, & business. 

When writing, what motivates you? What inspires your writing?

My writing inspiration is two-fold. God and life experiences motivate me to write. I aim to write books that can inspire and help others live a better life.

I got a chance to read Speak To It and I must say, it is a great read! The message of maintaining unwavering faith and having the desires of the heart by claiming whatever it may be in the name of Jesus was profound. It is a blessing and I recommend it to anyone seeking encouragement in their life. The words we speak can bring victory or destruction; it is all about what we speak into the atmosphere. *I left my review…I know how important it is for people like us. (#AuthorLife)*

Where can readers purchase your book?

Speak to It can be purchased at Amazon (Kindle) and www.rodneyrobertson.org.

Although I have books that are inspired by true events, I love the genre of suspense and always infuse that aspect into my books. How do you know what to write about in your books?

I write about the subjects that mean a lot to me or that I'm passionate about. I believe if the subject is from the heart; it will reach the heart of the reader.

What’s next for you as an author?

What's next? Currently, I'm working on a new relationship book "5 Things A Man Wants." It should be out by February 2015.

Tell us something about you that others may not know. 

My favorite color is blue. I love being at home and I like country music. (shocking huh...LOL)

I pray you continued success Rodney. Keep inspiring and motivating others. God’s smile looks good on you!

Here are more books by Rodney. Check them out! 

Connect with Rodney on Social Media:

www.rodneyrobertson.org

facebook.com/rodney.d.robertson

twitter.com/rodneyrobertson 

Happy Holidays! I’ll be back in the New Year. Until next time: Be inspired, Be encouraged and Be You!!

Purple Hugs,

KeKe Chanel

Will It Ever End???

I was watching TV with my husband today and saw reports on the Eric Garner incident. *takes a deep breath* I am so in my emotions right now. 

I was inspired to write this post. A vicious cycle is repeating itself and something has to happen before we are taken out one by one. Before a: he-looked-dangerous-so-I-shot-him-even-though-he-had-his-hands-raised-but-he-was-black epidemic takes flight. 

I pray no one is offended by my words, but if you are, take a good look in the mirror and reevaluate your life. We will all be judged by God…where does your fate lie?

Does My Voice Sound Like Silence??

“A System cannot fail those who it wasn’t meant to protect.”

                                                                    --W.E.B. Dubois

I am a person. I am a human being. I am relevant. When will my voice be heard? Am I to be disregarded forever? Didn’t my ancestors suffer enough! We say color isn’t an issue in today’s society, but we all know this is total bullshit! Innocence lost and what? Nothing… 

Land of the FREE my ass!!!! But will we ever be really?

It shouldn’t be about what color my skin is, or the fact that I like to wear my hair and clothing a certain way. It shouldn’t matter what type of music I listen to or if I decide to take a walk down the street alone in broad daylight. It shouldn’t matter if I stand up for myself or someone else. But sadly, it does. It doesn’t matter whether I get straight A’s in school or not; whether I am shy or outspoken. The fact of the matter is I AM BLACK!!! 

I try to stay positive but it becomes harder each day. I don’t watch the news anymore because it’s too depressing. My smile is tainted with a frown when I hear someone who isn’t being racially profiled say “why do you people always make everything about race?” Ask me that question again when you live one day in my skin complexion! 

If we were all made in the image of God, how can we hate our brother who is of a different hue of skin tone as we are? A question I ask myself each time I see another black man, boy, or child killed because of being “ethnically different”. If this is making the headlines, couldn’t you say it’s a serious problem!

Once treated lower than cattle; my people rose above the waves of slavery but are still sinking when it comes to equality. Do we pose that much of a threat to your “social standards” or are you really scared that we will unite as a people and finally claim the land you stole, which we built as the so-called land of opportunity?

When will this ever end? When will the color of our skin not matter? Can we just live in a world of humanity? Where doing the right thing and not breaking the law isn’t according to the color of our skin? 

No one is perfect! There are bad seeds in every race, but why is being black considered toxic? BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL!!! And if you don’t know by now…you should hang out with more black people. (I’m just saying…) We know how to have a fun time.

I don’t want to worry for my son when he leaves our home and go hang out with his friends because of skin tone. Sure I’ll worry because I’m a mother, but when being black puts a target on his back no matter what, how can I not want to keep him home where he is safe? I weep for all the mothers who told their child “see you later” who never made it back home alive because of the color of their skin.

This has to stop…NOW!!!

Feel free to voice your thoughts/opinions by leaving a comment. 

Until next time, be inspired, be encouraged and be YOU!!!

Purple Hugs,

KeKe Chanel