Driving While Impatient

I never thought it would happen to me. I always thought I was a good driver whose thriving to become a great one. I’m defensive when needed and yet yielding especially to the pedestrians on the streets. I never abuse the horn regardless if I’m in a hospital zone or not; although there were times that I wanted to blare it to get my message across. But the majority of the time I immensely enjoy the privilege of being behind the wheel. But today I fell victim to knowing better but not doing better. I cast myself with the folks who do crazy stunts on the road. Those who grace the look of shame and advert eye contact because they feel humiliated by their bad moves. I…Shani Anona…was driving while impatient.

Funny thing is that I really didn’t notice that I was stressing to get across town. I wasn’t late on my travel to work but was behind schedule which would have allowed me that carefree feeling of driving from home to work. Alicia Keys was singing my favorite song from her new album, “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)” and traffic was moving. It wasn’t until I hit that intersection for a left turn with busy oncoming traffic did I realize I was behind a timid driver. I tried to be patient although I noticed many opportunities where this person would’ve safely turned. Or more realistically, those were ops where I would have turned. I heard the taxi behind me beeping his horn and others joined in unison which caused more tension, this person wasn’t moving until they were ready. When he finally inched out but missed another turn the taxi behind me made the left turn and deserted us in the middle of the intersection. So I hastily tried to follow this cab driver’s lead and there it was…another car coming forward!

God protected me y’all. I instinctively jammed on my brakes and turned my steering wheel so I wasn’t blocking the path. I felt the donkey ears dusting my shoulder as I went around that car and made my left turn. I felt like the hat on my head read dunce for my ridiculous actions and in-consideration. I suddenly heard my best friend’s comment about my aggressive driving. At the time my blood boiled when I thought she was criticizing my techniques but her message was clear which was for me to calm down. She was right! I accept the lesson this provided me which is why I want to share it you, my readers. Always drive patiently. By doing the opposite it’s just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. It impairs your judgment and the results can be disastrous. If you’re late going somewhere…you are late! If a person is driving too slow…let them! You don’t know what’s going on with that driver and cannot predict their actions!

The Time Traveler, The N Word

The nigger word was concocted during a time in our history when being Negro, Black, or African-American was considered ugly, unacceptable, and inferior. It’s traveled with us for centuries, like a black plague it’s a vital reminder of the anguish and degradation that our fore-fathers’ had to endure on a daily basis. Through time-travel it has been desensitized and transformed to what some consider is a less harsher term; nigga word was born. For quite some time it has appeared in our talk music and dare I admit this, used as a term of endearment towards another person. It’s on our streets, out of the mouths of our people, so it was no surprise to me when John Mayer used the term nigger during his March 2010 Playboy Magazine interview. What was shocking was how he used it…nonchalance, like an everyday word to describe the homeboys at the corner store. I actually think John thought it would impress his interviewer that he knew some slang…or not! For John Mayer, this slip of the tongue is something that will become a bashful incident; but for us, it’s a wake up call. Whether the blatant ‘nigger’ or its derivative ‘nigga’ is used, it still leaves an uncomfortable stench that fills the air when spoken and a constant reminder that we will never overcome the pain of our past until we bury this word and discontinue it’s usage.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

It wasn’t until my adult years that I began to pay attention to politics and how it affects the world. And it wasn’t until Barack Obama became President of our country that I really cared. So it’s really needless for me to admit that when the Obamas’ are present, they always have my undivided. Mrs. Obama delivers such poise and elegance when seen. She is not only a striking partner to our President but an equally intelligent lawyer and style maven. Michelle Obama’s fashion is like an awesome runway show and I’m in the front row! Did you see the hair in these videos? I’m still in awe of her beautiful coiffed bob which was reminiscent of silk! First Lady has it going on!

But on the real, Michelle Obama is also making history alongside her husband. She is the first, First Lady cast in the forefront and her projects are missions on cultivating a healthier future for all of us. Childhood obesity is a serious issue that has been ignored far too long. It’s painful to witness children battling an addiction to food or junk food for that matter when this behavior could have been curved or ultimately ceased. Not only does this impede their lives but it also leads to detrimental health issues. This in turn affects our health-care with the requirement of treating illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, respiratory problems, and even cancer. Mrs. Obama states, “there is no one size fits all solution here,” which I feel is a powerful message for us to end condoning this behavior with our children. She continued to stress with implementing tactful discretion like portion control and opting for beneficial substitutions are wise choices. Encouraging a more active livelihood for our youth is another solution to the goal. Michelle Obama, I applaud you for your work in making this change happen!