Where is the Love?

Today is Valentine’s Day. A day to celebrate love. Yet, as a Black woman living in America, I can’t help but think, where is the love?…I am loved by my husband and children and I am sure by family and friends. However, as I listen to the news, I am heartbroken each and every time with the lack of kindness some humans have for others…specifically for Black people here in America……

…… to be honest, it is a concept I do not understand and one I hope I never will. The level of hate demonstrated in some people is something I never want to feel within myself.

Where is the love? I was born and grew up in Jamaica with songs that encouraged love. Dennis Brown’s song, Here I Come, has the lyrics, “Here I come, with love and not hatred. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow I, all the days of my life. Envy no one, no wish to be with no evil man….”

… and Bob Marley’s One Love….

Here is where I’ve found love and still find love, in Reggae music, within the nation and culture I was born in….I continue to appreciate my birth home more and more as I get older… Reggae is known all over the world and is known to elicit strong harmonious responses. So, today I also acknowledge Reggae music AND the nation of people who created it, Jamaican AND the country that created it, Jamaica.

It is Reggae Month after all.

Happy Reggae Month Jamaicans!

Happy Reggae Month Jamaica!

Everyone, around the world but particularly Black people in America, I hope you can find love here as well….

…Black people you are loved.

• Take time to intentionally focus on your physical, mental and emotional health.
• Do not engage in conversation with everyone. Especially individuals who are not willing to understand or care.
• Keep showing up.