The Essence of A Man
by RJ Flemister
I truly hope you read all of this somehow before you comment and like.
Unfortunately, this won’t be liked by everyone because everyone has a right to their opinion. I am okay with and respect that. God has been faithful to me and my business, even without all the titles, talents, and gifts. I am ashamed to realize that the color of my skin is an issue to the “bad apples” of the nation that I live in. Although I am fully aware they aren’t everyone, these bad apples are getting scary.
Without all the cool clothes, slick haircuts, and constant shopping, keep up, and “look at me” and more, I am an AFRICAN AMERICAN, BROWN BOY, and BLACK MAN.
TO THINK that I formed my thoughts and behavior based on what was socially acceptable in a nation that chose our race to be unfavored and mistreated. TO THINK that I pushed so hard with God’s help that I would be successful in my venture to be a rising photographer, Flemographics, and an honorable husband to my spouse in a nation that says I’m destined for jail, the hospital, or hell. TO THINK that I will be experiencing God’s grace and mercy every morning in a nation that can interrupt my peace with just the sight of police blue and red lights 🚔 in my rearview mirror.
TO THINK that I worked hard to cultivate and grow my gifts, successes, failures, and talents to get where I am today ONLY to find out that the bad apples in America won’t care about any of that and STILL WON’T LIKE ME just because of my bronze-brown skin. It’s starting to not make sense.
IT’S STARTING TO NOT MAKE SENSE. WHY CAN’T OUR PEOPLE BE ADVOCATED LIKE THEY ADVOCATE EVERYTHING ELSE AROUND THEM?
IT’S NOT MAKING SENSE. WHY DO I STILL HAVE A DREAM, PLAN, AND PURPOSE and HAVE TO WORK EXTRA HARD just because of my brown skin?
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
1 John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”
Psalms 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Proverbs 22:16-17 “A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.”
Psalm 9:7-10 “But the LORD reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.”
Revolution 2:2 “I know your deeds, your hard work, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.”
Psalm 14:6 “The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the LORD will protect his people.”
Hebrews 13:6 “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
It’s starting to make sense. I am realizing the truth about our broken nation, but I am still choosing to believe that God will pull us through. I am alert, but I’m at peace. God is my source.
I honor the beautiful, kind-hearted, Godsent people that love others that look like me. It is realized, truly. 😭❤️
Oh yeah – These are my “Front Porch Project Self Portraits.” CAN we talk about my dogs🦶🏾👣🦶🏾looking like MR. BROWN scraped the crust off his knee and put it on my toe? 💀💀💀😂 Black or brown, be confident in your town. Be successful and unapologetic, not for this NATION, BUT for YOU! #ToManyRIPsToList
P.S. Was Jesus the first bronze skin man to die from being innocently powerful? Let’s talk. Revolutions 1.
