Now you know how strong you are. You made it! Well al-most…But I’m confident that you will do what you need to do during the holidays to stay safe. Hopefully it’s the right thing. You must be around for the January 20, 2021 transition from nonsense to common sense. Then we can once again start to live purposeful lives.
Many say that 2020 was the worst year of their lives. That may be true. However, I believe that things happen for a reason. A global pandemic clashing with systemic racism exposing health and economic disparities? Maybe somebody was trying to tell us something.
Who knew that many of us were a pandemic away from standing in a food line…searching for hand sanitizer and toilet paper…wearing masks… And if you were lucky waiting on an unemployment or stimulus relief check? Who knew that what was thought to be the random murders of Black people, especially Black men, was right on the edge of some kind of ethnic cleansing program? Who knew that Black Lives Mattered, until we stood up and put the world on notice?
Who knew?
If nothing else 2020 has made us realize that we are strongest when we stand together as a community, collectively protecting our interests. It also made us realize that even at its best government will not protect or provide. That’s up to us.
At its worst? The last four years have shown us what can happen. If we understand that when it comes to government largess…Black people are always at the end of any line… Maybe we will better appreciate the value of com Since “warped speed” was introduced by the soon to be former president, Black people, in particular, should pro-ceed with caution.
When these vaccines are available, we don’t necessarily want to be at the front or back of the line. We do want to inform ourselves so we can make the best decision. We want to listen to the “experts.” Begin by talking to your own doctor, or one whom you trust. Talk to your pharmacist. Follow closely what is being said in the media. Make sure to access credible sources.
Make sure you make informed, not emotional decisions. This could literally be a “life or death” decision.
In the meantime, enjoy this issue and join me in commending our Associate Publisher, Dr. Obari Cartman for leading the effort to produce this issue of the South Side Drive. Truly, I believe the articles point the way to our good life in Chica-go. By the way, you should also know, in this time of challenge Dr. Cartman is serving his second term as president of the Chicago Association of Black Psychologists.
munity over self-interest.
South Side Drive Magazine has kept the community on top of what is going on. We have presented articles that uplift, inform and alarm, as necessary. We believe that in-formation is power. We have introduced you to some of the many heroes in our community…People working to make it better and stronger.
We have also given thoughtful perspectives on what it all means for our future.
Even as the year plays out there is more to consider. As I write this, two Covid 19 vaccines are being rolled out, not just at a pharmacy near you, but nationally, globally. And, this just in, the emergency medicinal cocktail given to the soon-to-be former president a few weeks ago, will soon be made available to some early stage virus patients.
Given how long it has historically taken to develop safe vaccines, this seems to be a “warped speed” rollout. Warped speed, why does that sound familiar?
Well being an informed journalist, I looked up the word warped. Dictionary.com informs me that warped references someone “who has thoughts or ideas that most people think are very strange and frightening.”
Now I get it.
Since “warped speed” was introduced by the soon to be former president, Black people, in particular, should proceed with caution.
When these vaccines are available, we don’t necessarily want to be at the front or back of the line. We do want to inform ourselves so we can make the best decision. We want to listen to the “experts.” Begin by talking to your own doctor, or one whom you trust. Talk to your pharmacist. Follow closely what is being said in the media. Make sure to access credible sources.
Make sure you make informed, not emotional decisions. This could literally be a “life or death” decision.
In the meantime, enjoy this issue and join me in commending our Associate Publisher, Dr. Obari Cartman for leading the effort to produce this issue of the South Side Drive. Truly, I believe the articles point the way to our good life in Chica-go. By the way, you should also know, in this time of challenge Dr. Cartman is serving his second term as president of the Chicago Association of Black Psychologists.
