Reflections. . .

Happy New Year, Fans:

By the time many of you read this, it will be the new year, and I pray this blog post finds you and yours well.  This is the time of year where I like to look back at all that has happened in the last twelve months and figure out how I feel about it?

Was 2011 a good year?  It all depends upon how you look at it.  The fact that my family and I survived it was a good thing, but it begs the question, is this all there is to life--just surviving?  I don't know about you, but I always thought that having some type of quality to life made for a good one; however, having said that, surviving is really the best word to describe how most are making it these days.

It seems like the more life advances, the worst our living has become and I don't know who or what to blame for this?  America doesn't appear to be getting stronger, but weaker by the minute.  Everything our ancestors fought for is almost a mere joke anymore.  And it has gotten to the point, for many people, that life just isn't worth living, which is why I believe so many of us are leaving out of here faster than one can blink.  Because the truth of the matter is, for some, death is a better alternative than just merely surviving.  Although that's a horrible thought and a sad thing to say, it's a harsh reality for many.

When I think back to yesteryear, I can't believe how I thought those times were bad, and then I look at where we are now, and think, wow, how I wish I could go back to those days.  I find myself doing that almost on a daily because I don't like the space I'm currently in.  I know I can't go back, none of us can, but I believe the past is the key to where we are now.  Somewhere along the lines, we made some rather costly mistakes and we're being made to pay a very heavy price for them now.

So, for the first time in my life, I'm finding myself on the eve of 2011 not too excited about 2012 coming in.  What's to be excited about?  We are going to be dealing with more of the same shit we're leaving behind in 2011.  In fact, the residue of 2011 only promises to get even better in 2012. 

Let's see what goodies we have to continue looking forward too.  More job loss, for one.  And those of us still working are walking around with invisible question marks looming atop of our heads, waiting for the axe to fall upon our necks at any given moment.  When that happens, your invisible question mark will be a big fat period mark.  Now you can join the ranks of the overpopulated unemployed in America.

More houses falling captive to foreclosure.   Hell, if you're a City of Pittsburgh resident, you might want to start staking out some of the bridges, or finding a great spot to take shelter in one of the local parks, because you are almost guaranteed to be living in the streets soon, thanks to Allegheny County mailing out its wonderful Christmas "property tax assessments" forms lurking in the mailboxes of unsuspecting residents, while they try to enjoy what is left to the holiday season.  If your house was worth, let's say, $20,000 last Monday, well now the City of Pittsburgh says your house is worth $200,000 this Friday, and you're expected to pay your fair percentage because the City hasn't imposed a property tax assessment in ten years, and it's long overdue!   Hmmph, never mind that the City couldn't have picked a worse time ever to impose such a ridiculous idiotic tax--oh no, who cares that most people are struggling as it is?  For crying out loud, the City has a shortfall and gat damn it they've got to make that paper, so they're making sure they get every penny, nickel and dime off of the poor hopeless middle class workers, so it may continue to prosper.  In fact, some City of Pittsburgh residents' property taxes went up 500% if that is even possible to imagine.  What a wonderful way to spread joy and cheer to the City, and the City Fathers wonder why so many people have left Pittsburgh--hmmm, I can't imagine why?

But these are also the same residents that just, a few short weeks ago, agreed to a Referendum to pay additional taxes to keep the local libraries open.  And please don't insult my intelligence by saying now, you didn't vote for this tax, because someone did, but now that you see the City raised your property taxes, everyone is going mad and complaining this is bullshit!  Perhaps you should go to your local libraries to seek shelter, when you can't pay the taxes on your homes that weren't worth two cents a week ago, and now it's worth millions today.   2012 is looking better and better!


I remember when old folks would say, "there's work at the post office?"  Aaah, that's a joke now.  Look how many have closed down.  In my hometown, we had two post offices and one closed.  Can you see that bouncing question mark floating above, just waiting for the period mark to strike?  Sears and K-Mart are closing 100 of its stores nationwide, lending more helpless working stiffs to embark upon the great unemployment line, as if America wasn't already squeezed enough.  So what does America do, she continues to make debt, but that isn't solving the problem.  That's like putting a band aid on a gushing open wound.  How may one look on the bright side when all that looms overhead is just darkness?

You know life is getting pretty bad when our wealthy entertainers are feeling it.  Many stars' homes are going under and they can't sell theirs either.  Hollywood spends mega millions on making movies and don't even make back half of what they put in.  But we continue to give tax breaks to the rich, wealthy, big corporations because if we don't, they will take jobs away from us.  Hmm, that's funny, what damn jobs have they created?  This is the threat that's supposed to keep us little guys in check.  But in case you haven't noticed, if we don't do well, neither does the rich!  The wealthy wouldn't be anything without us, and since there isn't much of us left, they are beginning to feel it too.  So that threat the government loves to throw in the ring, has already been knocked out.  That ship has sailed my friends, so come up with something new to lie about, because that one no longer packs the powerful punch it once had.  History has proven time and time again when the little guy doesn't do well, neither do the wealthy!

Our Troops are coming back home, which is wonderful, but what the hell are they coming home too?  A country that doesn't have any jobs nor homes for Americans to live in.  More debt, hopelessness and helplessness.  Everyone has become a charity case.  The streets are going to become overloaded from the mass exodus of home living.  The American dream is an awful nightmare and I keep pinching myself to see when the hell am I going to wake up?  Sad reality is, I am awake.  So, forgive me if I'm not all excited about the new year coming.  Each year blends into the last, and I'm tired of lying to myself that things are going to get better.  What I see tells me something different.  Sure, we can say positive things to help us feel better, but there comes a time when you have to be real.  You may continue to lie to yourself all the hell you want, but it isn't going to change what is!  It's probably a great idea the Troops are coming home, because in time, there is going to be a new war breaking out, and it's going to take place on America's soil.  And if you think it's bad now, you ain't seen nothing yet when that occurs.  Trust and believe, it can happen!

Until Next Weekend, Happy "Surviving" New Year! 

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/Poet

The Reason for the Season. . .

Happy Holidays, Fans!

Christmas time is my favorite time of the year!
It’s that special time for the family to be near
Moms everywhere cooking delicious food
That’s one of the things that put me in a good mood
  

Dad carefully hanging the mistletoe
As I sit here watching, wishing Christmas would never go
The family is starting to gather and placing presents under the tree
The children are bright-eyed and bushy tailed running around with
glee

Grandpa at the piano playing Christmas songs
While all my family congregates to help him sing along
I run to the window and it is beginning to snow
As I feel warm and fuzzy inside loving the moment so

 

The women call the children in to eat

We hurry to the table and take our seat

The family holds hands and begins the traditional blessings

With one eye open, I peek at the turkey dressing

We all take turns thanking the Lord for what we have

As I think of all the year’s blessings, it makes my heart glad

With spoons and forks clanking, that’s all I can hear

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and

A Prosperous New Year!

 

A sincere and giving heart doesn't just do it because of December 25th, but one that gives all year long.  Material possessions are just that--material.  This is a time to celebrate with family and friends for all the blessings you've received throughout the year.  Be thankful each and every day for your life, the lives of those you love, and pay respect to those who are no longer with us, but have left a touching mark on our lives.

With all the horror we see daily in the world, we need to spread more love around!  We're dealing with troubled times, which is all the more reason why we must cling to our faith.  Evil would like us to believe that God  and/or a Higher Power doesn't exist.   It is consistently working hard to remove your faith, so therefore, you have to work that much harder to fight against it, and most importantly, prove Evil wrong!

Until next weekend, Wishing You and Yours a Safe, Healthy and Pleasant Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/Poet



Pay What YOU Owe. . .

Seasons Greetings, Everyone!

Are you familiar with the cartoon strip entitled The Boondocks, written and produced by Aaron McGruder, and now can be seen on The Cartoon Network's Adult Swim?  If not, you've been missing out on some great entertainment.  There are so many episodes that are my favorites, but one episode comes to mind, being that the holidays are here, and that's the one where, the younger brother, Riley (with the braids), goes to the mall to have a showdown with Santa Claus. 

Riley was on a mission.  He was angry with Santa because he felt cheated, of sorts, that every year he would ask for certain gifts and Santa never delivered.  So while visiting the mall, with pent up anger he had been harboring for quite a few years, he decided to confront Santa, once and for all, and set aside their differences.  He wanted to make sure Santa was aware of his great displeasure and disappointment in the lies in which he was selling him. 

While the children stood in line anxiously awaiting their turn to sit on Santa's lap, Riley's anger got the best of him and he went totally ballistic.  He attacked Santa and threw rocks at him with his sling shot and continually yelled, while Santa was trying to get away, "you gonna pay what you owe, Santa!"  He chased him down the halls of the mall, but Santa, luckily, got away.  Needless to say, that whole scene traumatized the other children who wanted to meet and greet Santa, and not to mention the parents who had their cameras ready to take pictures of their precious little children enjoying the holiday moment.  As awful as the scene was in which Riley performed, literally, I was in tears of laughter because that episode was so damn funny, but the lesson in it, was even more poignant.

Like Riley, there are many people who feel they are owed something in this life.  They walk around feeling as though they have a God given right to all this life has to offer.  Regardless if these individuals deserve it or not, the very fact that they are living, breathing and embarking upon this earth entitles them to whatever their hearts desire simply because they are here damn it, and that's that!

Now, depending on how you were raised, will depend upon how you view what I'm about to say.  I don't know where people get the nerve to think they are so special that others are supposed to bow down and give them something.  I once heard a child say to his mother, "I didn't ask to come here, so it's your responsibility to take care of me for the rest of my life.  I didn't tell you to have me."  Imagine the gall, the balls and the spunk of this child to have said such a thing to his mother.  Yes, my baby brother, unfortunately, was one of those people who felt he was owed, by our mother, to take care of him because that was her job to do. (Hysterical laughter) 

As our mother pointed out, as calmly as she could because the angry look upon her face said something entirely different, that under the law, there are only three things she was to do as being a parent.  One, provide food, 2) provide clothing, and 3) provide shelter, until we were 18 years of age and could get out on our own.  That's it!  All the other things our mother gave to us she did out of love because we are her children, but no where in the law does it say a parent must buy toys for Christmas, must give child(ren) an allowance, must take you on exotic vacations, must buy you designer clothes, nor pay for your college education.  No, in fact, the law doesn't tell a parent any of those things, but I bet many of your children feel you are supposed to do all of that and more because they are entitled and belong to you.  Hmmph!

If a man asks a woman out to dinner, is he obligated to pay for the meal?  If he does so willingly, is the man entitled to sex at the end of the date?  Depending upon your views, will be how you answer those questions?  Personally, whoever asks the other out to dinner, is the one who should pay for it.  As far as what happens after the date, it should be a mutual deal, but it shouldn't be expected nor should the other feel entitled to something from you.  If you are acting out in good faith, then that's the way the situation should be handled, and no one should be made to feel obligated nor entitled.  So why are there so many of us who feel this way?

I feel I deserve to be happy, have peace and live comfortably, but should I seek those things from other human beings?  Am I entitled to those things from you?  Do I have the right to ask you to give me those things simply because I exist?  Nobody owes you happiness, you owe happiness to yourself.  If by being with others who feel the way I do and that brings about my happiness, that's a great thing, but to expect it from you, or to have the entitlement behind it, what right, as a person, do I have to ask of such things?  The fact is I don't, but it doesn't stop people from demanding it.

Do you remember when people were taught manners and you were told that when someone gives you a gift, you are to thank them for it?  Does anyone remember that, or is it just me who sat at my mother's knee and learned of such things?  I suppose when manners were taught in elementary school, perhaps I was the only one that attended class that day?  I'm beginning to wonder with so many entitled people I've had the unfortunate pleasure in meeting.  People have twisted the past with the present.  Back in the day, when our economy was flourishing, companies were able to give big Christmas bonuses and throw in large parties because money stretched a lot further, and we were working more stably.  And for many years, employees enjoyed what their employers gave and became spoiled, and somewhat greedy.  Due to that, employees began to think they were entitled to these things and depend upon it.  "Damn it, I worked hard for this company for years and they owe me a bonus!  I'm entitled to it.  In fact, I marked that money down in my checkbook 'cause I know I'm getting a bonus since I'm an employee who gives to them year round, so pay me what you owe!"  Hmmm, that sounds eerily familiar.

Much like my mother who had to remind my baby brother of what her job and/or responsibility is as a parent, I must reel some of you in on a little dose of reality when it comes to your job.  The only thing your job owes you is a paycheck!  The only thing you owe your job is the work you contracted to perform in exchange for the paycheck!  That's it!  No where in the law does it say you are entitled to a Christmas bonus, party or both.  Sorry to upset you, but that's the plain facts.  Your job doesn't owe you anything, but the paycheck for the hours you worked.  Nothing more and nothing less.  If you were given a bonus, regardless of the amount, that was something extra they decided to do in the spirit of giving, whether you agreed with the amount given or not.  But for any of you to count on that extra money, especially in times such as these, you have no right to bank on someone else's dime.  In fact, you should count the blessing that you're still able to go to work.  Do you know there are millions of Americans who would gladly switch places with you in a heartbeat right now?  Hell, just to be able to get up and fight the morning rush hour traffic to go to a job so they could pay their own way?  At this point, many Americans would love to just have the paycheck and to hell with the damn bonus.  A bonus is a one-time deal, but a paycheck every week or bi-weekly would do wonders.  But some of you spoiled entitled people complain.

As I walk around my neighborhood seeing the foreclosure signs, seeing some of my neighbors who haven't worked in a couple years, homeless people still in the street, and children going hungry, schools closing down, post offices going out of business, people in need of healthcare, but have no way to pay for it, public transportation cut, making it even that much harder for those still working, to get to their jobs, and then there are those of us who may be struggling, but still working, walking around feeling entitled to what they have because they are so used to always getting.  Why aren't you thankful?  My God, you're blessed!  

Every time I cry the blues, which is lots, about the money I don't have and desperately need, I think about the words my grandmother once said to me.  "Baby, did you pay your bills?"  I answered, "Yes," and she'd respond, "then you're doing better than most.  There are people who can't pay their bills, but yours are paid at least for the next month.  You can't worry about that, just be glad you got through this month, and deal with next month later."  After she'd say that, I'd stop my complaining, and we'd talk about something else.  My grandmother was right, although I was still pissed cause I wished I had more, but her point was made, and I came away with the lesson.

Everyone wants more, and we are programmed to do better, aspire to be the best, get, get, get, have, have, have, but at whose cost?   And in the midst of doing all that, we sometimes lose our way and become complacent and get that sense of "entitlement" because we live in a country of the plenty, but what we're finding is, America isn't what she used to be, and we're living in troubled times, worse than the Great Depression, and I'm not sure if we're going to ever make it out of this, and if we do, it's going to take many years before she bounces back on track.  But while we wait, you must stop going around with this attitude that you are entitled to have!  Or that others owe you something because you want to feel better.  We all want more money and to live well, but at the end of the day, take a look around you and open your damn eyes and stop sticking your head in the sand.  The America we used to know is no longer.  So you are going to have to learn to go without, and be thankful for what you do have.

Instead of looking at what you don't have as being negative, you must start looking at the positive in what you do!  I gave plenty of examples above of all the things you see around your neighborhood, what you read in the newspapers and see on the news.  Life, for you, might not be as bad as you think it is.  And when I look at my life, my grandmother's words always come back to me.  I try to hold on to my faith and trust and believe that my country is going to make it because if I lose that hope, there's no point in thinking about tomorrow. 

When someone gives you a gift, no matter what the size, you should thank them for it.  Never feel entitled to receive because that person or people don't have to give your ass anything.  You are not special.  You are a human being, just like the rest of us, trying to make a way and survive, but never think you are owed anything because you are not!  You owe it to yourself to make your life all it can be, that's not up to your parents, teachers, friends, family or coworkers.  Life is what YOU make it, and not anyone else.  Stop being ungrateful and be thankful you're still alive and thank your Almighty, whomever you pray to, that you are still here.

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings and a Happy New Year!  I want to see you all in the coming year!  Be safe, and Be thankful for what YOU do Have!

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/Poet
Email: mellojune@kimberlyraneehicks.com

Disrobe Your Sheet. . .

Hello Fans:

We're in the Season of Giving, and although that sounds nice to say, some of the giving that people do isn't always in the most positive light.  There are people who present themselves to you as one way, but their actions state an entirely different view.  Remember my blog post about masquerading around, well, this will fall right in line with that.

I'm not one to voice my political views often because it may cause a lot of tension, and I try to write about topics that will make one think.  With that being said, this post will be no different, except there's something that is on my mind heavily and I feel the need to express it through words, and so therefore, I'm stepping outside of my normal posts, to talk about something more serious.

Many believed when then Senator, Barack Obama, sought out the Presidency seat in the United States back in 2008, racism would come to an end, if he were to be successful.  As we all know, he won the title and has been the President for three years, going on year number four.  The President's slogan was "Change~~Yes We Can!"  And oh boy we did.  It marked a huge change in the United States because President Barack Obama is the first African-American to ever hold the seat.  Of course, it came with a heavy price and there were many obstacles to overcome and we're still overcoming, but he rose to the occasion and took every punch like a true prize fighter, and he managed to throw some knock out punches himself toward his opponents.  2008 was an exciting year for me, and I, too, was wrapped up in the hype of the movement at that time.

Quite a bit has happened since African-Americans trudged through the trenches of this milestone era.  But the one thing that remained true and tried was racism coming to an end.  To even dream that such a thing could occur, is just that, a dream, and I most certainly never held the idiotic notion that it would end because a black man now sat in the Oval Office.  In fact, I knew the opposite to be true.

I never knew just how much racism would be alive and well until the first time I ever heard of Barack Obama.  When I first heard his name, some few years ago, I was like what is a Barack Obama, only to later learn who the man is.  I liked what he had to say, as did many others, which he is constantly criticized for his "glowing speeches," wherein many feel that's all he is capable of really doing.  I asked myself, why on God's green earth would he want to run for a seat that he was incapable of ever achieving, and he proved me wrong, as well as many others.  He was branded the "rock star politician," with so many followers.  On the night the U.S. learned who our new president would be, I couldn't believe it.  I thought I was dreaming.  I stayed up until about two in the morning trying to get all the latest information.  I remember his speech he gave to the country, and there didn't appear to be one dry eye in the audience.  Hell, I cried too because I couldn't believe I lived to see this happen and my grandparents hadn't.  This was history in the making, and I was apart of it.

While he gave his history-making speech, I remembered thinking please get off that stage before someone shoots you and your family dead.  I couldn't believe I was this happy to see him up there, and then terrified for his life at the same time.  I still remain worried about his life because so many people wish death on the man, and not just because those individuals think he's doing a lousy job, but for the mere simple reason he's a black man.  Even though some seem to forget he is half white and half black, the fact that he has any black in him, unfortunately, is too much.

I overheard  two older white women say in a drugstore, "I don't care what that nigger do, cause he ain't my president and that nigger ain't running shit.  He don't stand for me!" Her friend replied, "Yeah, and you better get your guns out and make sure they ready, cause we may have to kill some niggers.  What the hell was America thinking electin' a nigger for president?"  Remember I stated, I overheard this conversation.  Those two women were standing right behind me in line and speaking loud enough so that I would hear them.  My immediate reaction was to turn around and punch them both dead in their pink-stained mouths, but I chilled and got my things and left.  But the anger remained with me.

I happened to mention to a friend of mine what had happened while I was in line, and that's when I learned that many of my African-American friends were experiencing the same types of situations.  It seemed like as soon as President Obama was elected, some white folks felt it was quite alright to say and make racist statements right in front of other people, and not give a damn if black people were there or not.  What they were trying to do was incite a riot, but thankfully, none of my friends took the bait.

Hmm, I didn't like Bush, but I didn't harass my Republican friends and advise them of such. 

There are some white people I know who like to mention to me how much they enjoy watching and listening to Fox News, and when I fired back to them that I don't watch it because they have racist views, they were all a gasp.   Why, what on earth did I say that for?  They turned red and began stuttering their words and looking at me all funny.  One asked me why I said that and I said because just as you believe as strongly as you do, well so do I.  Then the excuses came.  "I'm not a racist, I have plenty of black friends.  My husband works with a couple and we've had them over the house for dinner."  Ok, do you want a medal for that?   Another stated, "I like you Kim, and I thought we were cool. . .if I didn't like black people, I wouldn't be associated with you."   So let me get this straight, you just stood here and called the President every name but the name his mama gave him, but you like me?  Wowww, Really?  Can you say conflict of interest?  I left them standing there with egg on their face. 

Why is it when some ignorant people make comments like the ones above get so defensive when someone tells them plain and simple they are racist?  Why do you hide what you are?  If you have the balls to talk about my people in that manner, then continue to man up and accept the fact that that makes you a racist.  If you're so proud of the way you feel toward minorities, then don't act all ashamed when someone calls you on it. 

I don't deny anyone the right to like or dislike whomever they want.  That's your prerogative, but, when you make blatant ass comments about minorities, don't get upset when some of us strike back and call you out on what you are! Don't hide behind the sheet, display your racism proudly!  The reason some take that stance is because deep down they know that being racist is wrong for the mere simple reason, you wouldn't need to defend your position, if what you were doing were right!  Anytime you count how many black friends you have, or you know the number of blacks that have been to your home, or you work around some blacks and you say you like them, but then turn around and talk about black people something awful and tell off-colored jokes, that makes you a racist.  What is so hard to understand about that? 

For me, it seemed like when President Obama was elected, that opened the door for racists to state just how they felt about black people more openly.  Talk about the gloves coming off~~they not only took 'em off, they disrobed entirely.  And then slowly, but surely, like the true cowards racists are, they retreated back to pretending they liked black people, only to strike out, like a snake in the grass, when it's appropriate for them.  But what really gets me is when they do that, they play dumb like they didn't know what they were saying, or they didn't mean exactly what they said.  Hmmm, really?  You come out and make a blatant negative comment about black people around a black person, but you didn't know what you were doing?

Perhaps if my hand accidentally bitched slapped one across the cheek real hard, or my fist slipped and punched one dead in the mouth for saying something hurtful about me or my people, would you then afford me the same courtesy of I didn't know what I was doing?  No, somehow I knew that excuse wouldn't work, but you get my point.

So, at the end of the day, I just want to say, I don't care one way or the other if you like President Obama or not, and I don't care if you can't stand black people or not, however, I would appreciate it, if you keep your dislikes to yourself or talk among yourselves and leave my ears out of it because, quite frankly, I'm sick and tired of your ignorance.  If you feel the President is doing such a lousy job, then put your man balls on and when it comes time for November 2012, make sure you man up and vote for someone else!  You can show your displeasure that way.

And the next time you feel the need to say something racist about black people, boldly in front of a black person, then don't get defensive when they tell you just how racist you are!  Stop hiding under the sheets!  Until next weekend. . .Ignorance is Ignorant!

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/Poet
Email: mellojune@kimberlyraneehicks.com







If You Say It, They May Answer. . .

Hello Fans,

Due to the social media scene, everyone has something to say.  Even those who may be shy about speaking, will undoubtedly find courage when it comes to stating his/her own opinion about something they feel passionate about.

When you expose yourself like an open wound to the social media, friends, and those whom you don't know, will find a way to comment on whatever it is you enjoy doing.  Everyone's a judge, whether you wear a black robe sitting upon a bench in a high court or not!  There are many posts I read and some I think should have been left in one's mind and never written nor spoken out loud, but people have the right to state whatever they think, and when doing so, that creates a door left open for a response.  And therein begins a debate or sometimes something far worse.

When you create a status on Facebook or leave a tweet on Twitter, you are seeking attention.  I don't care how you wish to spin it, that's exactly what we're doing when we do it.  In fact, this very post today is being created for the sole intent for readers' reviews and comments.  But, what ends up happening is sometimes people make comments that we weren't prepared for, and it may leave you feeling a bit disappointed or angry.

So now you may be asking yourself, why do people do this?  Simply put, because they can.  Remember the door I mentioned above that we create, well you just invited guests to walk through.  Case in point, I was invited in a group discussion a few weeks ago on a sports page, and someone wrote a status that they were tired of all the negativity he received because of his comments against a particular NFL team.  I commented and said why did he give a damn what someone else thought, number one, and two, don't post questions like the one in which he had, if he didn't expect people to respond.

Needless to say, this sparked a huge debate between he and I because he said I was the very negative thing in which he was referring to.  What I pointed out to him was he posed a status question, which created the door for my comment, and countless others, so basically I stated if you don't want to hear what people have to say about how you're feeling, then don't ask the question.  We went around and around on this, and it was becoming more clear to me that he didn't get anything I was trying to say.  So I opted out of the discussion and went on my way.

As many of you know, I write a "My Truth" series on Facebook wherein I leave cute status messages based off of my grandmother's wise knowledge about life.  I usually receive many "like" hits off of these statuses and many comment on how much they enjoy them, but there are times, even when I'm trying to be serious, where someone will find fault with what I stated, and I usually don't respond, or if it's too negative, I will delete that individual's response.

Bottom line, folks, is this:  If you put it out there, people will comment.  It may not be what you want to hear or read, but at the end of the day, people are people.  If you really do not want to attract negative comments to your social pages, I strongly suggest you remove yourself from them, because one thing is clear, you can't handle the pressure of the public's opinions.

I'm really sick and tired of people whining about how others respond to their statuses or tweets.  Why the hell are you on these sites other than to seek as much attention as you can get, which is why most of us try to come up with clever things to say to get our readers attention?  And then when we do get the attention, some of us want to get an attitude because you didn't like how someone responded.

If you're not up for the battle of the words, I strongly urge you not to put your thoughts into print.  Being a writer, I am subject to all types of criticism and comments.  I receive good and bad ones, but what you must learn to do is decipher which you need to concern yourself with, and which to cast aside.  If you pose a question to your fans asking what they thought of your book, you better be ready to receive all of what you're going to hear.  Again, you're creating a door and leaving it open for them to respond.  What makes you think that everything you think is great others will share in your excitement?  Aah, the fact is no, not everyone is going to like what you do nor say, but as I always tell you, be true to yourself.  No matter if everyone goes against your very plans, doesn't mean you should stop dreaming or stop posting your comments because you get a few negative words spit back at you.

What I'm finding in my industry is some people are very weak minded and vulnerable, which is why they can't always handle bad press or negative criticism.  Anyone who steps into the writing game with the expressed intent of thinking they are going to get followers overnight and be this huge success is lulling themselves into a false sense of security, and are truly dreaming.  If you can't handle what someone says about your status or tweet, well you damn sure are going to crumble when it comes time for the world to review what you've written in a novel. 

We've all heard the stories of Facebook and Twitter beefs that landed people either in the hospital or an early grave, all over the fact of what someone wrote.

Make no mistake, any time a person writes a status or a tweet, he/she knows exactly what they are writing and why!  Often times it's to get you to react, grab your attention and take notice.  And many of us do, but just remember, when you put your words out into cyberspace, just know there are individuals on the other end of the wireless line waiting to say something.

If you don't want to be subjected to negative comments, which is foolish to think one may avoid, then don't write questions or post statements in which you know it's going to start a heated debate.  And if you take a mind to do it anyway, then remember that door you created, and don't get an attitude when people cross through it.  You gave them an open invitation, and accept your guests, fully, whether you like some of them or not!

I know you get tired of me saying this but you need to be extremely mindful of what you say on social media sites.  Although they are your personal pages, you do not own any of the content on most of those sites, in fact, the sites usually own everything.  Much like a person's Miranda rights, you have the right to remain silent, or anything you say or do can be used against you in a court of law, well, my friends, so can these very words you use on these sites.  THINK before you WRITE your statuses, and if you still choose to do it, be ready for many to come knocking on the door you created. 

Until next weekend. . .if you write it, they will respond!

Kimberly Ranee Hicks, Author/Poet
Email: mellojune@kimberlyraneehicks.com