Urban Freedom Magazine Fall2016 "The New Black Wall St" Vol1 | Page 10

When a Christian has a Stomach Ache By: Jennifer Eden A stomach ache is a pretty common occurrence. We've all had at least one. In spite of our efforts to avoid them, somehow they seem to be inevitable. So what do you do when you have a particularly bad one? I mean, one of those painful, debilitating stomach aches that disrupts your whole being. Do you take a couple of Tums or down some Pepto Bismol? Do you think back on what you've eaten and remember that the milk did, in fact, smell a little sour when you poured it? Or do you pray about it? In the wake of Freddie Gray's murder by Baltimore City police ofcers, the hashtag #prayforbaltimore made its way around social media like an adorable kitten video. While some were praying, others, like myself, took to the streets in demonstrations of civil unrest brought about by a system that has treated Black people with much less than civility for decades – no, centuries. For us, Freddie Gray's death was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Those who stood by my side in peaceful protest were labeled violent thugs by every media outlet from Fox News to Univision. With my hometown on a national and international stage, I couldn't help but feel like prayer was the very last thing that may actually cure the stomach ache that is our inherently biased government. But, by all means, pray. Pray until your voice is hoarse and your knees are raw. Pray before marching to your city hall. Praying after writing a letter to your local congress person. Pray while spending your money in a Black-owned business. Pray for the little Black child that you are personally mentoring. Otherwise, your prayers are no more than a lullaby. Do Not Have Sex With Who You Would Not Want to Become By: Melanin Reigns Yes, the Reading Reignbow is back with more "Hotep" Philosophies. "Do not have sex with who you wouldn't want to become? Are you serious?" "Why should I consider such a thing, I just want to have fun?" "Come on, you're thinking too deeply about the matter. . ." FALSE We see some couples and say "wow, you two look like brother and sister" , could it be because by swapping bodily uids you start to literally become one another? NO WAY?! Right . . .? Yes way! It is 2016 (according to the Roman calendar) and the extent of sex is unlimited. Let's be honest, people are sucking and swallowing just about everything at this point. The closest most people ever get to becoming a vampire is when they're sucking the life force out of you during sex. Now a days expressing your love and desire for your partner calls for putting your mouth, hands and privates in places you normally wouldn't. It doesn't take long before you start to embody the mannerisms and even talents of your partner. Some people even note, developing moles, freckles and blemishes in the same area of the individual they are consistently intimate with. 8