The Total Package
When He was much younger, I once heard my nephew Kamau, a
filmmaker, say He was the ``Total Package.’’
There are a lot of young Brothers who think they really have it all
together. Kamau spent five years in Wash D.C. looking for work after
college. We were so glad He graduated
from college, that I at least, made little contingency for His finding a ``good
job.’’ Not to be outdone, Kamau found Ways to create a job for Himself and when
even that wouldn’t work out correctly in the United States – now considered by
some Progressives -- including myself -- as the United States of Native America
-- He moved to a foreign country to make a decent living for Himself and lay
down roots. I think He is reaching success and is a good man.
What often follows Brothers is an unwillingness to deal with
root issues such as anger, depression, self-hatred inbred from a hateful
dominate culture and a Black community that is itself too often self-hateful,
suspicious, deceptive & unwilling to get involved in the kind and character
of self-healing that needs to take place for real economic freedom, decency and
self-awareness to take hold. I’m talking about long-term therapy and other
mental health supports that will lead to a better life, more useful personal relationships,
a higher level of emotional intelligence & more emotional stability.
The ``Total Package’’ doesn’t spring, in my humble opinion,
from having a nice car, nice clothing, a stable job, a nice stable family, or
``the good life.’’ The ``Total Package’’ is a Black man who has most of all
that, or none of that but is aware of His self-growth issues and taking hold to
have them addressed in a consistent and on-going manner. He should also have a high ethical standard,
deplore racism, I have depression issues, but I embrace justice, decency, &
LOVe others as much as possible. I am
overweight, have high-blood pressure, and have a very low income level. Being
able to take advantage of opportunities, no matter How small, is part of the
``Total Package’’ equation also. I recently failed there. Yet I think I’m reaching, at 58, ``Total
Package’’ status. It may take about another week, but I’m patient and I can
wait. In the meantime, I’ll keep working towards it and achieving. Even in the
face of being let down like I was yesterday when I was told I WOULD NOT be
getting a $20,000.00 loan even though my credit score has gone UP 44 points
recently and I have begun to pay old debts. I was very disappointed because I
had all of the money earmarked for business development. The repayment itself
would have helped my credit score and the salary I was going to pay myself. The
loan was really going to help stabilize things for me. Dealing effectively and honestly with
disappointments is part of reaching ``Total Package’’ status. So is being able
to ask men, or women out for a date, if you don’t have a significant other and
want one.
Taking care of one’s health is part of being a ``Total
Package,’’ but it’s not just physical health, but also mental health. Take time
for yourself and weigh your physical attractions properly; Don’t allow yourself
to act too emotionally when someone upsets you. [Don’t think I don’t still have
issues with anger, because I do.} This is just having to deal properly with
emotions, self-judging, and that nagging person who I keep giving power to so
He can upset me. From a future ``Total Package:’’ calm down; relax; put your
feel up; listen to jazz; listen to GOD quietly; work as you can and please, if
possible; and don’t let life upset you. Enjoy it!!
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