November 2022 Newsletter, Issue 6

Traditionally in the Northern Hemisphere, fall and winter usher in the “giving back and giving thanks season.” For example, in the United States, this means getting together with friends and family for Thanksgiving in November. Then celebrate the birth of Christ for Christmas on December 25. Later, the Black community acknowledge and pay tribute for seven days to our African ancestral lineage through Kwanzaa.

By the time we get into January and February, we begin with another round of New Year’s resolutions that most of us are lucky enough to keep. Throughout these celebrations, a common theme should resonate-the power of gratitude. Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) says, “Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." These are powerful words to live by considering 'Thank you' is the best prayer anyone could say. I say that a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, and understanding.” (Alice Walker- https://alicewalkersgarden.com/) Thank you for continuing this journey with me.

In this season of gratitude, I pray that love may surround and comfort you in good and trying times. Now, more than ever, we must band together and support change-making organizations, civic leaders, and politicians whose mission and vision is to make this a more equitable, just, and better world for all communities. We cannot and should not give up the fight for what is right. As the pioneer, Reverend Jesse Jackson (@RevJJackson) reminds us, “If you fall behind, run faster. Never give up, never surrender, and rise up against all odds.

Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter / Dr. Blackness