Hello Reader,

Last week we didn't publish anything other than this Newsletter. The previous week we published everything but this Newsletter. I do hope to get on track in some capacity and not make this kind of inconsistency normal, however, this also reflects the season that I, Kenneth, continue to traverse, and therefore us Life with Ken. I'll pray about it but maybe i'll create something around a summary the events of this first quarter. I see a horizon but I'm still proverbially out at sea.

Black History Month 26'

Anyway, it's Black History Month so here are my reflections this year on what it means to be part of the African diaspora. First off I'll start with individuals who are African American meaning born in the United States and has a direct connection to slavery in America, and yet chooses to insist that the "African" in African American should be silent. I'm empathetic to the idea. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that one day we would be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin. I can also hold space for the argument that some Africans may not like African Americans anyway because we were the ones who got caught and suffered the slave trade. That said, choosing to not identify as African doesn't make you less, if anything it may make you more African.

I'm going to slightly diverge for a moment to bring up the point that Africans historically are individualistic and or tribalist. I don't have the resources to properly do a breakdown of this point justice with respect to this segment of the Newsletter. I've discussed this aspect of the black community at large in other bodies of work, as have more renowned individuals such as Dr. Claud Anderson in his book "PowerNomics"; but maybe this too will be something I'll give more dedication to in the near future. The point is when an African American says, "I'm not African American, I'm American", they are affirming their blackness in a kind of oxymoronic way. Saying you're not black is a pretty black thing to do, but in a world of sub-cultures I can empathize with why one may want to curate their blackness.

The n-word. No one wants to be black but everyone wants to say the n-word. The intellectual in me would rather not be assaulted with that word. But, the OG in me respects the crafting of a narrative. The reality is every community, group of people who are related some how, has a cohort of individuals who enjoy the "simpler" things in life. And as someone who is part of a community of people who choose to use a derogatory word as part of it's colloquial lexicon (think women calling each other b*tch) and as someone most affected by it's use I find myself constantly deciphering the use of the word situationally. What could be "empowering" said one way can lead to death if said differently. Same word just a change in the meaning when it's said. As a black person you may not want to do the disassociated work of being part of certain aspects of blackness.

From that perspective of, I'm from you but not of you, I can understand insisting on certain clarifications. That said, for me, not loving being African American and other African Americans only worsens our greater collective cause for unity, equality, opportunity and freedom. This year, a month and a half into 2026, is the most I've ever appreciated being African American in my life so far. As a black man the burden of being so much to so many people is the blessing to be whoever you want. You can choose to be the person who leaves their community and responsibilities or you can choose to be the one who rises to that occasion. I choose to be better for me so that way we can be better for us. And the bottom line is that sentiment doesn't have to be held by everyone for enough people to agree and forge a path forward anyway.

I think young people in general but in this case young black people specifically have a clear enough understanding of this choice. How do you want to contribute to your collective? You're part of a group whether you want to be or not: family, friends, class mates, your local church community, co-workers, countrymen, sexual identification. You pick your demographic or interest of choice and there is a group that you are part of. How do you want to exist in that group? And if you're part of a marginalized group than if someone like you is hurt then you are hurt. How okay are you with that? The context for the future is how you and I will allow ourselves to be treated knowing that how someone treats you, they will perpetuate that behavior to other people you relate to and beyond, either directly or indirectly.

Ken's Corner

I think I'm going to create a cool banner for this segment. I hope you had a good Valentines Day. Mine was enjoyable. Since 2018, year after year they have been getting better. Following this year's Valentines Day I feel I have [more of] a reason to hope. Pointing out the year is interesting because now that I am thinking about it 2018 was a very pivotal year for me... Here is some content that you can reflect on for the week (click the thumbnail to view):

If as a believer I’m meant to live a godly life but in doing so I may be predisposed to a cyclical set of conditions, then the conditions don’t need to change, I do; because the conditions are part of the “everything” God has given me to live a godly life through him.

In some respects, this is difficult for me because of the vexation it has historically caused. I can’t really explain the feeling of liking someone who doesn’t like you back. Or being naïve enough to allow people to mistreat you thinking that mistreatment means they like or care about you. Or being too afraid to ask a girl out because you aren’t encouraged, confident, or fortified enough to do so. You are afraid of the consequences of doing so and are embarrassed of the other people you are forced to do life with. While at the same time valuing their input to your detriment. It’s like taking on the attributes of your kidnapper.

Delayed Gratification, a Marshmallow Mindset, and You

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Patience is a virtue and part of that virtue is understanding that waiting isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Wait well but also wait for the right reasons.

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Have an immaculate week!

All the best,

Ken

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