i read your piece. i dig it.

i dig the pink ribbon idea.

i do think it has to be bigger than a flame or a ribbon. if nothing else, the presidential debates have exposed how much more is needed and it’s outside the “the african americans.”

i respect your gusto. i respect your experience.

as far as what you’ve shared. thank you for sharing. i would hope that you, like your flame and ribbon, keep burning within for what is just and right. if that is black life, among other beings and causes, i can dig it.

the light is most definitely peace. but it is also love. it is mostly love. that you love, unconditionally so, that you are the flame. you are the ribbon. and you are that, every where you go despite who you’re with.

and that love doesn’t die out, you are your cadmium flame.

my apologies for the delayed response. i was just pointlessly sick when i received your response. i support you in your pursuit of being the light. that specific call was for a vigil for those that had been stolen from life and (usually) criminalized in death based on skin color. it was a call and response that i responded to as well. that call did not call from me. i have a link to tre’s original post to light up medium and why, within the piece you responded to. i think.

with that being said and the vigil over (again, my apologies), along with the black bodies that are no longer breathing. there are many afrikan descended folks still alive, trying desperately to operate in our daily lives while being half way prepared for “fight and flight” defense mode outside of our established safe spaces. i say that to say, your internal flame is still needed. my fire would be put out before yours will. shine wherever you are, even still.

i dig the pink ribbon. might i suggest gold. as a people, we really really like gold.

thank you for sharing your experience with me. i enjoyed reading you.

in power. in peace. in love.