As with many things, love is not a binary proposition. It has shades and degrees. To examine simply that the Black drug dealer is today and not consider how or why the person became a dealer is short-sighted IMO.

The dealer's choice is wrong and I do not love it. The reason I mentor now is because I love the little brothers (gotta love how I keep it on topic!) enough to show them options other than becoming the dealer.

If I can help the dealer choose another path before the criminal justice system gets involved, I will because I love the dealer.

*sigh*

That was a lot of words for a simple yes or no question.

Never mind.

It wasn't a Yes or No question

Few things are that cut and dry...

*sigh* indeed

No one said Brotherly Love was easy.

Yes ... my love for my brother is unconditional. And I love all the men on this site.

However, I think my definition of love differs from others' in what it means. Love doesn't mean liking someone all the time ... Love doesn't mean accepting their wrongs, failings and negativity ... Love doesn't mean agreeing with or even being of like mind ...

My concept of [man to man] Love means, as DD so aptly put it, a deep respect for whom he is and can become.

quote:

Originally posted by Kweli4Real:
Yes ... my love for my brother is unconditional. And I love all the men on this site.

However, I think my definition of love differs from others' in what it means. Love doesn't mean liking someone all the time ... Love doesn't mean accepting their wrongs, failings and negativity ... Love doesn't mean agreeing with or even being of like mind ...

My concept of [man to man] Love means, as DD so aptly put it, a deep respect for whom he is and can become.

Here's a question I have (and trust, I'm not trying to be sideways, so I hope it doesn't come across that way).

What is the difference between the way you regard the brother you unconditionally love despite their wrongs and negativity and the way you regard the "other," whom you don't love?

I am dedicated to Black Men... *SIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH*

even though they get on my last daggone nerves...

I'm only dedicated though cuz... I'm black .. and its a survival thang... that and....

shoot...

errry other man on the planet PALES in comparison to Black men...

(my good deed for the day )

quote:

What is the difference between the way you regard the brother you unconditionally love despite their wrongs and negativity and the way you regard the "other," whom you don't love?

That's easy ... the "Other" gets little, if any of my time and/or energy.

quote:

Originally posted by ddouble:
It wasn't a Yes or No question

Few things are that cut and dry...

Unsurprisingly it wasn't for you!

But, I did not and was not asking about past, present nor future considerations. I didn't ask for the reason(ing) for your answer ... just the answer regardless of how you arrived at it.

The question was simple .. either you love and embrace such a person, or you don't. Your answer, however and as usual, made it unnecessarily complicated.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: EbonyRose,

********************
BLACK by NATURE, PROUD by CHOICE.
Before there was ANY history, there was BLACK history.

I lie a lot ............ and that's the truth!!

quote:

Originally posted by Vox:
What is the difference between the way you regard the brother you unconditionally love despite their wrongs and negativity and the way you regard the "other," whom you don't love?

If the love is indeed total and unconditional, then I don't understand how there can be an "other" that is not loved!

quote:

Originally posted by ddouble:


The dealer's choice is wrong and I do not love it. The reason I mentor now is because I love the little brothers (gotta love how I keep it on topic!) enough to show them options other than becoming the dealer.

If I can help the dealer choose another path before the criminal justice system gets involved, I will because I love the dealer.

awww Dang!

I gotta...give...DD...a ...on this...post

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:
But that doesn't really answer my inquiry, ddouble!

Let's make it a little more specific:

The Black neighborhood crack dealer ... do we love and embrace him for his deadly/destructive contribution to the community?

I say I love him (and our people)enough to get the Panthers to run him off our block, or stop his behavior. If a little ass kicking is a necessary component... so be it. There is tough love too.

Sometimes loving someone is telling and showing them how they are screwing up, even in a not so nice way. Sometimes loving someone is being the disciplinarian, and not the enabler. Giving consequences for unacceptable behavior is a large part of love. If you love someone you want them to be the best they can be... and love towards the individual should also demonstrate the interests of the greater love of our people otherwise it's shallow. Keeping silent, or being soft, does not equal love, and can often be neglect.

If you take this definition or application of 'love' into consideration... Then HB shows major love to RM. Also those who kept quiet let him down.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Oshun Auset,

Egungun, Egungun ni t'aiye ati jo!
Ancestos, Ancestors come to earth and dance!

"I'm sick of the war and the civilization that created it. Let's look to our dreams, and the magical; to the creations of the so-called primitive peoples for new inspirations."
- Jaques Vache and Andre Breton

"Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone."
-John Maynard

"You know that in our country there were even matriarchal societies where women were the most important element. On the Bijagos islands they had queens. They were not queens because they were the daughters of kings. They had queens succeeding queens. The religious leaders were women too..."
-- Amilcar Cabral, Return to the Source, 1973

I can have love for a reformed crack dealer who has gotten his act together .. but I have none for him while he's knowing pumping poison into our community.

Those who believe in loving those that commit injustices against people.... would you define love, by definition not by example?

quote:

Originally posted by EbonyRose:
Okay, I wasn't gonna ... but I just have to ask ...

Is this "love" unconditional??

In other words ... does would it apply to someone like ... oh ... let's say ... Romulus Burnett too?

SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DROWN THAT R.B. SO-CALLED BROTHER IN A POOL FULL OF LOVE, BECAUSE ALL I FEEL, AND READ ARE HATE IN HIS WORDS.

SERIOUS ISSUES

quote:

Originally posted by Oshun Auset:

If a little ass kicking is a necessary component... so be it. There is tough love too.

quote:

Originally posted by Khalliqa:
Those who believe in loving those that commit injustices against people....

I don't think this is quite how I could characterize this.

quote:

Originally posted by HonestBrother:

quote:

Originally posted by folobatuyi:
Thank you, honest brother! I love you, man!

Felix, man, I love you more.

And congratulations on finally getting married! Seems like not too long ago you were singing the "Black Love" Blues.

HB, to tell you the truth, she found me...she picked me...who would have thought that tutoring pathology at the local medical school be the source of true love. But thanks for the best wishes!

quote:

Originally posted by folobatuyi:

quote:

Originally posted by HonestBrother:

quote:

Originally posted by folobatuyi:
Thank you, honest brother! I love you, man!

Felix, man, I love you more.

And congratulations on finally getting married! Seems like not too long ago you were singing the "Black Love" Blues.

HB, to tell you the truth, she found me...she picked me...who would have thought that tutoring pathology at the local medical school be the source of true love. But thanks for the best wishes!

~Aaaawww! Congratulations, Folobatuyi! ~

Thank you....