Old School Thoughts

In this episode, Martha and I touched on several topics as they pertain to the African History dispersed throughout the Diaspora. I chose this topic to combine the methods we, as African Americans, used to respond to language hurled at us as insults. We knew how to respond without physical contact or hardware. We hope you enjoy the episode.

Last evening, Martha and I decided to give tribute to the amazing work of women and the constant pressure of leading in so many areas. Though women are pulling more than their load, there is still a need for responsibility. We ended last week talking about dropping the baton after we received a handoff from our ancestors. Did we pay attention or did we feel that we were too good or modern to hold on to an old baton?

Martha and I sat down to analyze why we keep dropping the baton after a receiving a good lead by our ancestors. The U.S. men's relay team just can't seem to get it right when it comes to finishing the race with a clean handoff of the baton. They drop the baton every time - though their times are faster. We have the most educated generation, but we keep dropping the baton. Our ancestors gave us tenacity, fortitude, land, community churches, schools, Voting Rights, Civil Rights Acts/Amendments, survival techniques, family closeness, and more with less, but we are slowly losing everything they passed on because we don't want to practice the handoff. What do you think?

There is one thing, clear, that Martha and I understand is the title: To Each Its Own. Following our recording, I initially thought how our listeners would respond to something that is so controversial in the African American community. We have followed so many things that grew out of fear, and it is fear that keeps us, overwhelmingly, from holding people and events accountability. I hope this episode become an addition to our thought-provoking podcast. Enjoy the Front Port.

Following a marathon pre-recording conversation, Martha and I finally decided to hit the front porch to engage in a conversation about community wealth and the circumstances we wrestle with. This episode was recorded on Sunday, 12 April 2026. Again, we want to thank all of our listeners for your time and comments. Footnote: When I spoke of bottles, I was speaking of soda bottles.

As we entered the last two hours of Easter Sunday or Happy Resurrection Day (for some), Martha and I went out on the front porch to recall how our families observed the holistic day. Our conversation segwayed into a discussion concerning a statement Martha made a few months ago: "You can't know who you are, if you don't know who you are." In order to get the meaning of Martha's comment, one would have to slow down and be receptive to hear and discern what was said. We hope you all enjoy the conversation. Share your thoughts. We love you and Be Good.

Last evening, on 29 March 2026, Martha and I decided to join each other on our virtual porch to discuss the incredible history of women and their indelible mark on shaping families and enduring hardships. This is a backdrop to the outstanding episode of the Frank Chester women who made a decision to participate in and record their first episode. I want to thank all of the women, throughout the Diaspora, for your strength and tenacity. Please join Martha and I in making this podcast what it should be: An archive of legacies.

What started out as a test recording to introduce the women of Frank D. Chester Senior Center to podcasting turned into a full episode for posting. Martha was not present due to the impromptu recording. Charlotte Shands, Gloria Goodman, and Alicia Brothers joined me at the table, on 26 March 2026, following their participation in a discussion panel to share their thoughts about the role(s) of women in the home, in business, and other positions of daily life. Listening to the stories of many of the women, present, I wished it was recorded for others to hear. This episode is worth our time and legacy for future generations to discuss.

Martha and I closed out our last episode asking our listeners, "Do you want to be remembered?" We weren't asking how. As we continue to reach out to our listeners, we sometimes assess how our messages are received and if our audience consider how much we care - as we provide critical thoughts. We want all of you to know that we love you and want what is best for us to get together for goodness sakes.

Martha and I spent the last two episodes bringing attention to the speech given by Marco Rubio to the European Union. That speech was a call for European unity throughout their diaspora. Last week, I was fortunate enough to meet a First Cousin through AncestryDNA. I immediately called in the cavalry of family members to welcome Joyce and her family. I even went as far as to establish a chat group for texting. Of course, I had to share this experience with Martha and during our conversation, I posed the question to her/Martha "Do you want to be remembered?" I followed up by saying, "If you want to be remembered - then consider that your ancestors wanted to be remembered." Tell me what you think about this topic.