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The Faults With Karma Part 2

I ain't got time to be wishing the next person the worst!



But people of my race enjoy watching other people suffer. I recall last week's conversation at the hair salon. We discussed the challenges of being black. Our challenge has little to do with the Caucasians or Asians but ourselves. I'm still waiting for the day that we take ownership of screwing up our own economy. I have a dream that geriatric African leaders will own their failures to build legacies for generations to come. But like Martin Luther King, that dream is likely to happen after I'm gone.

To quote Chika Onyeani from his book 'Capitalist Nigger',

"
But rather than address the problems, we resort to blaming the Caucasians, Asians and others for our misfortune. We are not men enough to accept responsibility for our actions.


Greed, selfishness, and complacency is a black thing. Mainly greed has destroyed economies, ignited civil unrest, caused havoc in communities, and even divided families. I am yet to meet a black person who empowers other black people. I am yet to meet a black person who celebrates the growth and success of others. And I am yet to meet an angry black person who doesn't curse the next person who has wronged them.

After discussing 'karma', I remain steadfast in my belief that there is no such thing. To add on, I no longer wish the worst for my transgressors. I don't even take joy at the downfall of my enemies. That mindset is both ignorant and immature. What the hell is wrong with you?

Growing up, I had certain relatives say to me, "You will never succeed because you did this or that, or because you are this." Sometimes my sister uses those statements on me. Did that hurt? Definitely, again, what the hell is wrong with you? I don't have a thick skin but I have learnt to ignore such statements. Ever say that to me in my face, I will roll my eyes and look at you the way I looked at psychiatric patients.

It is not what you call me,
but what I answer to, that matters most.- African Proverb


I have had my fair share of being a total b***h. I accept responsibility for my acid tongue and condescension. At some point, I used to wish the worst for those who wronged me. I remember cursing Mr. X, even swearing upon my late mother's grave. Boy, was I bitter!

With time, therapy, and healing, I reiterated my words. But words are dangerous. Once said, you can never take them back. The book of Proverbs in the Bible states, "Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth." Verbal incontinence is an illness of the mind and spirit. One has to check themselves, and the level of Adolf Hitler in themselves.

My sister's choice of friends can leave little to be desired. Still, she's a grown woman and we aren't in middle school. I remember that I was annoyed by this one friend of hers. Well, I was experiencing my mean girl phase. I met her this one-time taking public transport. She looked frail and sad. She wasn't dolled up and rolling in some boyfriend's car. She had fallen from glory. Now, Cruella de Vil in me would have rejoiced at this sight. Instead, I felt sorry for her, where I offered friendship to her. "If you need someone to talk to or just hang out, call me!" Mios dios, was this me? Look I still didn't like her, but I wouldn't wish her situation on anyone.

Over the years, a divorce between 'karmic' ideologies and myself occurred. If tragedy befalls anyone, chances are they make poor decisions or someone else made them. Take the scenario of a car accident for instance. If a drunk driver slams into your car or runs over you, it's that driver's fault. If they incarcerate the driver, it's not karma, it's the law. I don't understand how that adds up to karma.

Remember I mentioned that even if you wish someone the worst, chances they will progress. Now if you are a person of faith, if they aren't punished, you will eventually question your faith, or hate God. Don't even try holding your breath about your vindication during your lifetime. Your transgressors will hashtag blessed to your frustration. They will live their best life, get paid more, enjoy a loving relationship, and even go on multiple vacations. And therefore I don't understand people of my race. That ideology that because they wronged you, then they must suffer. And then if they suffer does that put food on your table or add oxygen to your lungs?

I don't hate black people, I'm very proud of who I am. My challenge is the backward mentality. The sabotage, and that need to be the only successful person in the clan or community. I have experienced people who want me to struggle so I ask them for help. When they do that, they use that assistance against you. Suddenly, you owe them, or they own you. Some will brag about 'helping' you and even gossip about you. And then you ask what's the point? That's black people for you.

In a recent experience, a member of our circle has come into money. Her business is thriving, and she accumulated disposable income. One of us asked her to show us the ropes, and she laughed about it. She never gave feedback. In addition, her association with the circle is dwindling. As we all have been analyzing this growth and success, I cheered her on. I mentioned though that if we were really 'friends', isn't it good to empower the circle? Offer advice and assist with connections. My sister said that I shouldn't feel entitled. That wasn't an entitlement.

I admire the Jewish community and its financial ecosystem. I study Indians within our society and how they circulate money amongst themselves. They support each other's businesses and ensure that no 'African Indian' is poor. According to Chika Onyeani, it's called the 'spider web' economic theory. This means that once money comes into their community, it doesn't leave their community. Rarely do African Indians bank their money with the rest of the population. They often build enormous houses often with a modern touch. Their neighborhoods are life - lavish. And with some generosity, some even have boreholes outside their yards for people to fetch. I have fetched drinking water from a mosque several times. Talk about applying the law of giving! And it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

If only the same spider web mentality applied to my people. We rarely support locally owned businesses. We invest in other economies rather than ours. Money doesn't circulate within our communities, rather it disappears altogether. I would love to be part of that spider Web community. It's my mandate to empower those within my circle. My philosophy is we eat together. I yearn for my friends and inner circle to thrive. I desire for my hairdresser, the individual who does my make up, or photography, or graphic designing to be at the same economic level as myself. Why should I be the only one having the cake?

Yes, as black as I am, I believe that the community must develop. Now, I am not my race's saviour, but I can contribute to making a difference. It begins with a mentality shift. It starts with turning the other cheek. It's that seventy times seven forgiveness theory. You can't be wishing people ill.

You can't be dancing at someone's demise. Again, what the hell is wrong with you? As a people, we need to stop all this 'karma' bs. You also wrong people daily. The rain will always pour on both the rich and the poor. The sun will always shine on both vultures and doves. My point, whatever malice that you aim for the next individual, might befall you. Not because of karma, but your absorption and obsession with a vengeance will be the death of you. You waste time with anger, manipulation, and schemes.

Again, will my suffering add food to your cupboard? Will you wake up with six figures in your bank account? Does it make you a better human being? I think not!

There's no such thing as karma...

... but everybody dies!

Namaste!

P.S. Always write your own love story!

Ciao!

Lady E

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