What do you know about ROBERT SMALLS born of Beaufort, SC? He was an American politician, publisher, businessman, naval pilot, and is Key Black History.

He was known to parallel words like crafty and quick-thinker; an off-the-cuff intellectual with unmeasurable gall. May 1862  he commandeered a Confederate boat and navigated it through a militarized pass-through with no hurt, harm or stall.

He surrendered the commandeered boat to the Union side. He then shared his notes of dangers ahead that lie.

He worked with both the Army and Navy; providing both with direct intel —  flag officer Du Pont at Port Royal spoke of Robert well. 

Du Pont wrote a letter to the Navy Secretary — stating, “Robert transports intel better than a charted ferry.” Okay, perhaps he didn’t say it quite like that. Wikipedia published the quoted fact: 

“Robert, the intelligent slave and pilot of the boat, who performed this bold feat so skillfully, informed me of [the capture of the Sumter gun], presuming it would be a matter of interest.” He “is superior to any who have come into our lines — intelligent as many of them have been.”

Robert worked much for the Union and lived to be 76-years old. He sought out a Navy pension but was denied because of his Black soul.

That was a cold response and I’m sure that it hurt like “ouch!” So before he died, a law was passed and the pension compensation was worked out.

God was with Robert for his entire life, as each adventure unfolded and happened. God turned up for Robert in the end, he was awarded pension comparable to a Navy Captain.

It was a backroom-move that was hard to pull through. I’m glad that it happened, it’s a Key part of American Black History truths.

Of course you’ve heard of FRED HAMPTON. How could you not? He was one of the BLACK PANTHERS who the FBI shot. Per the statement on the periodical picture. Fred Hampton was only 21 when he crossed-over but is a revolution icon fixture.

Fred was a Virgo, which means that he was smart. His fashion reflected respect, he was sharp and operated with heart.

He was a leader in the Black Community. The Black Panthers were formed to protect and support Black unity.

Black people make up a small percentage of the USA; 13.4% is true.  — And we’ve always been in need of protection, too. 

I said, “too,” because sometimes it looks and feels — like requesting protection for Black people is a journey up hill.

“To Protect & Serve” is a saying on a sticker. We only call 911 if MiMaw gets sicker. 

We’re learning to not call the cops for mental illness issues for a fear of who will answer.  We’ve seen time after time, unarmed Blacks being gunned down like Black Panthers. Epic shooting is not the answer. Internal ill-will festers and gives way to cancer. 

People fear what they don’t understand… like the Black Panthers and Fred Hampton —

Michael Brown, George Floyd, and Travon Martin. They are all Black people, not warrior Spartans.

The Black race is not a parallel to martians, we are human just like everyone else. Today we feature Fred Hampton because his legacy is our community wealth. 

We are still seeking security in our own communities, our homes and self-owned work places. Oscar Micheaux could never be my reel beau, I’m leaving reel progressive legacy traces.

There are too many Micheaux’s and not enough honest-broker Joe’s when it comes to Black-on-Black collaborations.

We have to be good to ourselves and our own community, if we are to ever be considered an asset to this nation.

On a whole. Careful to not be selfish and sell your soul. Careful not to be unseemly or cause a riot. — Which brings me to todays debut of  JUDAS and The Black Messiah:

I believe this film opens in movie theaters today as well as on HBOMax. — I’m pretty sure I’ll be viewing it, too; it’s perfect reel in the Month of Black.

The weekend is upon us and I’ve got several irons in the fire,

I’m Qui

A research-and-writing she. To leave an inspiring legacy is my desire.

We are

I saw the film, and here’s my take on it…