I’ve got some things brewing internally since last week. I had also recorded 3 podcasts in 3 days.
Thanks to my circle of trust/ground zero folks period. Y’all hold ya boy down, keep me accountable and allow me a safe space to vent.
I’m grateful for each and every one of you that feel me, heal me and allow me to be me.
June is always an interesting month and I’ll need this support and love going forward.
#imjustdrew
The past couple of weeks I’ve enjoyed going to the flea markets with my uncle. It’s not baseball games but it’s one of the oldest forms of commerce.
It’s eBay and Amazon before the digital age. There is no CashApp, Venmo, etc. Cold hard cash is king, you can trade and make deals. It’s also like a yard sale on steroids. There are dealers that will go to Sam’s and Costco and buy up a lot of new merchandise and sell it at flea markets.
You can market goods from your small business, collectibles, baked goods, animals, food, tools. It’s an older community but one that believes in the simpler times.
Get up early during this age of spring cleaning and reconnect with some shopping from your past. You could simply have a yard sale/garage sale and relive some of this magic.
#imjustdrew
I haven’t been able to hang with my uncle Kenny as often in the afternoons and evenings lately due to him taking a 2nd shift job as an electrician. Obstacles breed creativity and we have found a way to stay connected: breakfast!
Unk and I love breakfast and diners, specifically country breakfasts. Waffle House, Golden Corral and several other sit down places where we can get eggs and grits, toast or biscuits and bacon, sausage or livermush. The late Safee Colvin from the WU used to say “breffus”. We also do brunch because who doesn’t like brunch minus the mimosas.
My uncle and I are living proof that if you want to hang together you find a way. Fortunately I’m typically available 3 mornings out of the week so we have worked that out.
We still go to Sam’s and I can’t wait to see live baseball with him but for now “breffus” is fine.
#imjustdrew
I’m celebrating not only 9 years of #imjustdrew, I’m loving how a week off allowed me to see how the Black community stands up and rallies for each other.
There’s the embarrassment of course of Shannon Sharpe being with a 21 year old and being sued for rape allegations. It just shows to stay humble (not like how the NFL is doing Shedeur Sanders) and to watch who you associate with especially between the sheets.
Speaking on Shedeur, the Black community really rallied against him. Had he not got drafted at all, I would have expected mayhem and huge Colin Kaepernick style boycott. We’re seeing boycotts are effective, look at Target.
Blacks showed up and out for the movie “Sinners”, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring none other than Michael B. Jordan. This is what I like to see when folks talk about Blacks supporting their own!
There is still negative and other things to work but I’m proud to be part of this community. It’s hard to explain really; it’s like a universal family atmosphere!
#imjustdrew
Nope clicks didn’t end in high school. If anything, they grew.
I’ve worked for nearly 30 years in different environments and spaces. One thing I’ve seen in common are the work groups and clicks.
These folks hang together outside of work and have fun wherever. Often they aren’t receptive to change. If one gets upset, everyone is upset.
The key is to have a work culture where there is fun, respect, and productivity. Remember there is a job to be completed. Job satisfaction is easier to obtain than you think. There’s nothing forcing you from staying nor contributing if you don’t want you. There is a place for everyone and you just have to get to your place.
You should always be careful if you’re in a work click. You need to stand on your ground, know your worth and do what’s expected of you.
#imjustdrew
I’ve been around line dancing my entire life. From square dancing in gym class to dances at cookouts and reunions.
Now we have entire classes for line dances, including the latest ones with the fans.
One thing black people know how to do is have fun in the face of triumph. It brings us together, give us joy, allows us to refocus and release tension.
It’s going to be an interesting season outside!
#imjustdrew
The fight for educating about systematic racism continue.
Now note to those who knew me in the 90s and prior. I’m still kind, good hearted and level headed. However I must speak up, find solutions and not back down when discriminated against.
To my white counterparts that are with me, it doesn’t mean I love you any less. You must understand that my struggle is different and more historical. Some of you would not want to trade places with me.
I invite you all to continue the conversations and actually listen to black people when we tell you we’re oppressed. We don’t have a reason to make any of this up. Just please hear us out and don’t try to invalidate our feelings and experiences.
It’s time we change the narratives, see the why behind the boycotts and blackouts and act as a unit!
#ImJustDrew ##schoolsinsessiondrew74
And no this isn’t a poem.
I started to write a memoriam on my cousin Big Jake whom passed away last Wednesday the 12th. I’ve had family members and friends reach out to me in droves and I realize something I’ve lost in the shuffle. That is those that can’t easily access me. Not because I’ve denied them access but because they have limited resources.
This blog is dedicated to the #ImJustDrew brand and I promise I strive to live this daily. I do apologize to anyone I haven’t gotten back to or if we haven’t spoken nor linked up in a while. I have had a lot going on but it’s coming. I have some uncle Kenny time coming next week, two of my closest homies are coming to town, I have a reunion with a special friend and I have cousins to check on.
To those that are calling me out, you would be right. All I ask is reach out directly to me via phone or social media. We will make this right if you’re willing to be flexible with me.
Just like I say on the podcast (also working out those kinks), remember to “love each other, live life well and respect each other.” I do have a lot going on but I have free time and days off.
#ImJustDrew
My FOMO is kicking in again and it’s in the form of concerts.
Not many invite me to go although I love music and have the means to attend.
I guess I’ll attend on my own like I do many things and continue to make others feel welcome.
FOMO is real but I won’t intentionally make others feel left out or less than. That is all.
#ImJustDrew #Fromdarktosunshine
Ok I don’t usually get political but I don’t like for anyone to feel marginalized.
Our formerly elected president is trying to do the most right now and it’s doing more harm than good.
For those that aren’t informed or fail to do their research, DEI is more than just blacks, Hispanics or any racial minority. It’s the elderly, special needs folks, LGBT+ community, veterans, so on and so forth.
The federal funds freezing and even DEI still have to pass the House and Senate. There are greater downsides to freezing Social Security, Medicaid and any public aid to those that truly need it.
These types of things are tearing apart our country, rather than bring it together.
I’m at the age and maturity level where I realize that some things have to change and cannot continue to exist. There has to be a fair, balanced approach to this.
That’s all I’m going to say for now, more will be on a future episode of #ImJustDrew podcast.
#ImJustDrew
imjustdrew 