February 2021

In the early 70’s I had a young uncle who paid the price for being born Black in America. There were no issues while he was on the basketball court or the football field. The moment his heart was tied to that of a Caucasian girl, however, it all changed. Our grandparents’ home was intentionally set on fire and my uncle died trying to escape. That was in 1973…47 years ago. At that time, our country had come through the Civil Rights Movement having made some progress while recognizing more was needed.

Instead of more progress since my uncle’s murder, it appears our nation is quickly reverting backwards!

Since Trayvon Martin’s murder, I’ve tried to stay relatively silent about social injustices. This certainly is not because I don’t care. I just thought I would fight against them in action versus words. Somehow I convinced myself voting would be enough to fight the injustices continually doled out to people of color, specifically African American men. I thought voting was the most constructive thing I could do. If I voted for those who call out the inequities of our system and those who genuinely make efforts for positive change, we would make progress. Not voting is actually a vote for those who continually protect this unjust system. Well, I’ve learned my lesson this week. Silence and responsible voting are no longer enough.

Our nation has seemingly decided that it is open season on African American men. “Open season” is a hunting term. It means restrictions have been lifted in regards to the hunting of a specific thing. I have purposefully chosen that term for use here. African American men are being hunted down in the light of day. Restrictions on the value of a Black man’s life seemed to have been lifted. Those who perpetrate such egregious crimes against Black men appear to not fear the repercussions. Could this be because they have seen where time and time again there really are no repercussions? How, in the name of Jesus, can this still be happening in 2020?

How, in the name of Jesus, does George Floyd in Minnesota lose his life at the hands of those called to PROTECT and SERVE ALL CITIZENS, especially when the suspected offense is something as petty as forgery?

How, in the name of Jesus, does an officer of the law put his knee on the neck of George Floyd, a fully restrained human being and listen to him plead for his life without feeling compelled to stop?

A Black man walking is a threat.

A Black man delivering a package is a threat.

A Black man sitting in his own home is a threat.

A Black man sitting in a coffee shop is a threat.

A Black man, who happens to be Mayor, can’t go into the bank and inquire about his City’s bank account without being deemed a threat.

A Black man bird watching in the park is a threat.

In my young uncle’s case, being a Black man in love with a Caucasian woman was a threat.

I refuse to keep this list going. It’s infuriating. I am a woman of faith but I am a woman none the less. My family is full of Black men.

My 79 year old father is a Black man. He goes fishing by himself. He’s been fishing since he was 4 years old. It’s what he loves to do.

My brother is a Black man. He loves photography. It’s his passion and it’s taken him all over the United States and around the world.

My nephews are Black men; some of whom are in mixed-race marriages.

My male cousins are Black men in various professions and entrepreneurial endeavors.

My daughter’s father is a Black man. He enjoys a good game of golf.

My brothers-in-law are Black men. One works in law enforcement.

My only remaining uncle is a retired Black man. He comes and goes as he pleases because…well, he’s retired!

As of a month ago, I have a beautiful grandson. He’s too young right now for us to know what his interests, talents, or profession will be. But we do know one thing; he will be a Black man!

I sincerely feel compelled everyday now to pray for the Black men in my life:

• for my Dad’s safety when he goes fishing
• for my brother when he goes out to photograph people, places, events, and nature
• for my nephews when they go out to dinner with their mixed-race families
• for my cousin when he is at the restaurant he owns late at night
• for my daughter’s father while he plays golf
• for my brother-in-law as he tries to uphold the law but surely may be seen as a threat – a Black man with a gun
• for my retired uncle that he can come and go around town as he so chooses
• for my grandson that he will not be a Trayvon Martin

I really need to know. Do Caucasian women have these worries about the men in their lives? Do Asian women share these concerns about the men in their lives? Do Hispanic mothers feel the need to pray for the men in their lives every day? Do these other women ever wonder if, when the men in their lives walk out the front door, they may not see them alive again?

I really need to know.

President Trump’s Year-One Accomplishments

By the time President Donald J. Trump scored his first big legislative victory, 2017 was almost over. That victory was his tax-cut bill. The new law lowers corporate tax rates from 35 to 21 percent and reduces individual tax rates while adding new tax breaks. It also seeks to weaken the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) by removing the mandate which requires people to buy insurance. On multiple tries during his first year, Trump was unable to effect an outright repeal of Obamacare so he has sought to undermine the law instead. Finally, the tax-cut bill also allows for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Earlier in December 2017, President Trump formally declared that Israel’s capital is Jerusalem. This move reversed nearly 70 years of United States foreign policy on the matter. Trump stated, “Today we finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It’s something that has to be done.” The U.S. Embassy will be moved from Tel Aviv to the newly-recognized capital city. The United Nations, which Trump has often criticized, overwhelmingly voted to condemn the decision.

One of the president’s most controversial plans was to step up immigration enforcement. While his promised border wall has made almost no progress, he did institute a travel ban which sought to prevent most people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. The ban was legally challenged but, by the end of the year, the Supreme Court had temporarily stayed injunctions issued by lower courts in order to give the government a chance to appeal. Raids targeted at illegal immigrants spiked and the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to further increase such activity in 2018.michelle obama,

In addition to the aforementioned undermining of Obamacare, Trump has issued executive orders to overturn other Obama-era rules. Trump reduced rules for small businesses, expanded oil drilling in the Arctic and Gulf of Mexico, weakened ties with Cuba, gave the go-ahead for the Keystone XL pipeline, and withdrew the U. S. from the Paris climate deal. Additionally, Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) threw out the net neutrality rules it enacted under the previous administration (see “What Is Net Neutrality?” published on March 6, 2017).

The progress Obama made toward defeating the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was continued under Trump. The group was forced to abandon their self-proclaimed capitals in both Iraq and Syria. President Trump gave the military greater authority to conduct air strikes in the Middle East, which helped curtail terrorism in the region.

On the judicial front, in April, Trump saw his pick for the Supreme Court, Neil Gorsuch, confirmed. This came after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, spent a year obstructing the confirmation of Merrick Garland, the man Obama picked to fill the vacancy created when Antonin Scalia died.

While Trump can claim some accomplishments during his first year, they came in the midst of turmoil bordering on crisis. He saw his agenda suffer both legislative and legal defeats. There was significant turnover in administration officials. Worse, the accusations that he colluded with Russia to win the 2016 election have not abated. Close Trump confidants have been convicted of crimes and the Mueller probe continues to move forward (see “Trump Associates in Legal Trouble” in the December 2017 issue and “Former National Security Adviser Flynn Guilty of Felony” in the January 2018 issue). While Trump predicts Democrats and Republicans will work together in 2018, others predict the GOP will suffer significant losses during the midterm election and speculate that Trump will face impeachment proceedings if Robert Mueller is able to discover wrongdoing on the part of the president.

Photo credit: Robertson Design & Photography

Love it or hate it, the fact remains that 2020 was what it was. In many regards it was cruel and unrelenting. COVID-19 changed the dynamics of our lives for at least ten of the twelve months of the year. Isolation, social distancing, and face coverings became the norm, and still are to a large degree. The pandemic led to loss of employment, financial ruin, sickness, and even death in astonishing numbers.

COVID-19 would have been enough by itself. Unfortunately, there was more. Political Tom-Foolery (which made the rest of the world question our standing as the greatest nation on earth) showcased blatant hate and disregard for others from very influential political platforms.

We cannot forget the rampant social injustices we were forced to sit back and watch play out to disappointing ends.

None of these lend themselves to immediate thoughts of joy or happiness. The sum total of 2020 certainly seems to suggest it quite likely could be the worst year this generation has lived through. Yet, I can still say (and I pray and believe if you stop and look hard enough you’ll be able to say the same thing) 2020 contained blessings as well. If you’re reading this, you’re blessed with life which means there are still opportunities to create good and experience joy!

Personally, 2020 ushered me into a new season of life when I became a grandmother on April 28^th. Due to COVID, we were robbed of all the fun, memorable, and traditional experience which come along with a new baby. There was no gender reveal party, no baby shower, no maternity photo shoot to capture the special time in my goddaughter’s life. But she was blessed with a healthy and very happy baby who has brought much joy to our family.

I hope you’ll take some time today to reflect on the good 2020 brought you.

Many of us started last year with goals, plans, a vision, and dreams of what we would accomplish in 2020. The pandemic, in particular, threw a massive monkey-wrench in all of our lives. None the less, some were able to persevere and see their goals through to the end. Congratulations if you are in that number! Most certainly there were obstacles you could never have imagined initially.

Life, as it was presented to us last year, may have caused some to go back to the drawing board and reevaluating their plans. Adapting to change was one of the great life lessons of 2020. If you are currently re-examining your plans in order to achieve goals, you are to be applauded for your ability to adapt.

For those who may be feeling frustrated because what you accomplished was a far cry from what you set out to do, take it easy on yourself. A familiar colloquialism you may recall is, “life happens”. In 2020, life happened in a major way. Take the opportunity this New Year to reassess but don’t give up!

Renewed hope and a fresh batch of possibilities come along with the New Year. Let’s make the most of it!

Rewind

I woke up early one Sunday morning feeling depressed again. Part of me believed this was going to be my permanent state of mind. I was so tired of her, tired of these kids yelling and screaming, tired of this mundane existence and just tired of life itself.

Fifteen years ago I married my wife and now, things are just horrible to me. She seemed to enjoy her life. She woke up every morning chipper, happy and full of life. I couldn’t understand why because I was miserable. I decided the best thing to do was to take my problems to God. After all, people said He would listen and help us. Now was the time to see if that was true. If He could get me out of this marriage, I would be so happy.

“God,” I started, “I am so miserable in my marriage and my life. I want a do over. Can I rewind my life back to the day I met my wife and do it over?” There wasn’t a reply. All I wanted was freedom from my ball and chain and my three rug rats…is that asking too much?

Then there was a voice that sounded like rushing water slamming against my ears, “Why would you want to change your life? I have given you everything and saved you from hurt and pain.”

I answered, “These kids drive me crazy? I have no time for myself and I can’t hang out with my friends and I’m always broke. Don’t let me get started on my wife…she looks nothing like she did when I met her! Lord, just let me go back and change my life. Let me go back and walk pass her like she isn’t even there.” The Lord sighed and granted my desire.

In a blink of an eye I was back in time, on Blake Avenue. As usual, I was walking to work. I remember this day so clearly. It was the day my life went downhill. It went downhill all because I met this woman who would later become my wife. Now I can change it. I can rewrite history.

There she was coming my way just as she did 18 years ago. This time I won’t stop and chat with her. This time I won’t get her phone number; I’ll just walk on by and continue my life without her and those dang kids.

She got closer and closer. I could see why I fell for her. She was smoking hot back then. Her skin was dark and the dress she wore displayed every curve of her body. She had a style and grace unmatched by anyone, but I just walked right by and didn’t stop.

That body was so beautiful I couldn’t help but watch her move seductively once again. I had forgotten how fine she really was. I watched so hard that I never heard the screeching of tires from the bus that hit me. As I lay on the ground feeling the life leaving me, I asked God, “Why did you let this happen to me?”

A raindrop struck me in the face as God answered, “My child, I protected you the first time. I sent the woman of your dreams at the right time to delay you from being hit by that bus. I gave her a spirit that in your eyes would be unmatched by no other. Instead, you lust for her body when it was her mind that you truly loved. I gave you three beautiful angels to call your children. You forgot the smile that was present on their faces when you came home and the love that filled your heart when each of them was born. You didn’t appreciate all the love in your home. Most of all, you forgot the love I have for you. The day you stopped loving your family was the day you turned away from Me.”

I knew the raindrops were from Heaven. God was crying.

Read other articles on The Lyfe Magazine

Top 10 Differences Between Successful and Unsuccessful People

7 Easy Ways to Maintain Your Motivation

Katrina Spagnoletti – Mrs. Florida American 2020

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The stage had been set. It was to be a landmark day for my daughter. She would reach a milestone in her young life on February 6^th, and there would be no turning back!

The morning started out lovely. She was out of school, thanks to a local school holiday. Since she had the day off, I decided to take it off as well. We were due for some much needed quality time together and this would be a great opportunity. And, given the significance of our first appointment that day, I thought it would be fun to hang out with her.

The first order of the day was breakfast at our favorite spot. Upon getting out of the car, I remember we took a selfie to capture one of many fun moments we were anticipating that day. After eating breakfast we headed to the most important appointment on our schedule – DMV. This would be the day my daughter would obtain her driver’s license. Yes, a day to mark in infamy. She would now have free reign on the roads!

As I drove to the local DMV branch, jokes were made along the way. I often told her how much I was looking forward to the time when she could chauffer me like the movie, Driving Miss Daisy. The humor was lost on my daughter since the movie came out before she was even born! None the less, it was funny to me and I was looking forward to her obtaining her license.

We checked in and took our seats. Although there was a line when we got there, it seemed to be moving quickly. This was a good thing because we had a couple more appointments after this historic one.

Before her name was called, my cell phone rang. It was my brother. He was calling to say our mother had passed. His words did not register. I knew he wasn’t kidding but because my mind would not compute what he just said to me, my response was, “Are you kidding me?” Of course he wasn’t; no one would joke about something like that.

So there we were, in DMV falling to pieces. There was one sweet woman who came from out of nowhere and escorted my daughter and I to her office in the back. Her kindness will never be forgotten. She gave us an opportunity to grieve more privately than the public display of grief which overtook us in the lobby.

In hindsight, I can’t say how long we were in her office. Through reflection, what I do recall is my actions that day seemed out of place for the situation. Or, maybe they weren’t. I honestly believe I was in such a state of shock and didn’t know what to do. So, what we did was carry on with the rest of our day; tears and all.

The agents behind the counter at DMV had no idea what was happening in the back office. At some point, we heard my daughter’s name and number being called. The sweet woman who was providing a shoulder for us to lean on said, “You don’t have to do this today. You can come back.” As strange as it is, even to me, I told my daughter to go ahead and get her license. I would wait in the woman’s office. This was all new to my daughter. My mother’s passing was the first loss of a close family member she could remember. She was in shock as well but was able to finish the process and get her license on February 6, 2015, the day my mother gained eternal rest in Heaven.

Once gathering ourselves enough to walk through the lobby and out to the parking lot, we left and headed to our next appointment.

My mother was a very matter-of-fact person. She was sensible to the point her actions could be misconstrued as crude or insensitive (which she was neither of those things). That day I realized how much I am like my mother. The dermatologist could tell something was very wrong so he asked. The look on his face let me know he did not understand why or how I could be there in his office at that moment.

I didn’t know what to do that day. My heart felt as if it was literally breaking inside my chest, but I kept going. We finished our appointments. In a way, I felt like I was honoring my mom by doing that. She was definitely a “get it done” kind of woman.

Was my behavior strange that day? I don’t know. What do we compare it to? There is no right or wrong way to grieve. My matter-of-fact actions that day certainly were not indicative of a lack of love or respect for my mother.

You may be able to relate to this if you’ve already experienced a February 6^th in your life (loss of a parent). If you haven’t, I encourage you to be kind to yourself when that day comes.

Read other articles on The Lyfe Magazine

Top 10 Differences Between Successful and Unsuccessful People

7 Easy Ways to Maintain Your Motivation

Katrina Spagnoletti – Mrs. Florida American 2020

According to the 2018 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, African American women own more than 2 million businesses, making them the leading female minority group of business owners. Statistically, women of color are 4.5 times more likely to start a business than other demographics. (https://ventureneer.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2018-state-of-women-owned-businesses-report_FINAL.pdf) One of those 2 million impressed me with the start of her new business, Tru Battle Fitness.

Read the rest of this amazing interview by downloading the Winter 2021 issue of The Lyfe Magazine.

Neo-Soul Star Lahla-Hadiya

Neo-soul is a musical genre that fuses contemporary R&B and 1970s-style soul with elements of hip-hop. The music is basically modern-day soul music, with contemporary attitudes and sensibilities. Neo-Soul is said to be more soulful and has deeper messages and meanings.

Let it Raine

I stumbled upon a great talent when I was looking for someone to sing “Let it Raine” from my soundtrack entitled, “Standing Firm.”   From the moment I heard her sing the song, I knew she would be perfect for it.  I decided to listen to some of her other songs and realized this young lady has talent.

Background

Lahla-Hadiya Castro was born in Washington, DC to Reverend Carl C. Craighead, Sr and Leuvenia H. Craighead.  She graduated from Parkdale High School and later from the University of Maryland with a degree in Elementary Education.

At five years of age, Lahla-Hadiya started singing with her family.  She hails from a family of singers, so it was a natural thing for her to follow that path.  In fact, her father managed a singing group and her mother was a member of the group.

She started writing poems when she was seven years old and turned them into music at age 12.

Bringing Awareness Through Her Music

“I tailor my songwriting to bring awareness to life, love and relationships.  I use my music as a platform to minister to others,” said Lahla-Hadiya.  If you ever have a chance to hear her, you will understand what she means.  Her songs are very touching and run deep with emotion; they bring out feelings in you.

The song “More of You” from her recent double album, “My Thoughts” was the perfect choice for the movie “Standing Firm.”  At the premiere everyone in the audience felt the depth and meaning of this song.  Renata Mikae was the actress who played the role of Raine Davis in the movie.  She got into the song deeply and felt its meaning.  Renata said, “The words and feeling of the song made me feel the longing for my man mentally and spiritually.  I could feel her sense of need in the words.”

The second part of “More of You” gives the listener the feeling of God calling to mankind about needing more from us spiritually.  Lahla-Hadiya deeply feels a relationship with God and wants her fans to feel that emotion in her songs.

One of my favorite songs on Lahla-Hadiya’s latest album is “No.”  This song resonated within me because of my movie.  I originally purchased her album to listen for songs that might fit the movie.  This one was perfect.  Lahlia-Hadiya is telling the story of a woman who is fed up with a man breaking her heart over and over again.  Like Raine Davis in the movie, she has decided to move on with her life.  When you hear this song, it reminds you of the 70s when music brought you to a place where you might have been.  It stuck hard to a memory.  I for one have been on both sides of this and “No” made me feel it.

J-Lah Productions

Not only does Lahla-Hadiya sing and write music, she also produces music through her company, J-Lah Productions.  J-Lah Productions is owned and operated by Lahla-Hadiya and her husband, Johnnie Castro.  Johnnie is also the engineer and a talented musician as well.  J-Lah Productions is a production company that specializes in artist management, production, studio rental, event planning and promotions.  One of J-Lah’s newest clients is their 11-year-old daughter, whose debut album, “Blow Your Mind” will be released this year.

Lahla-Hadiya’s goal is to build an empire with her husband and create a legacy for their children.  She knows that her talents are from God and wants to use them to help minister and bless God’s people.

Lahla-Hadiya and Her Family

When Lahla-Hadiya isn’t busy with music, she’s busy being the mother of five active children.  Besides her 11-year-old who’s releasing her album, her 9-year-old son is working on his 2^nd degree black belt in Taekwondo.  She’s also active in helping her husband release his debut single and assisting her children in putting together their first event, “Movies on the Lawn,” in the spring.

“Movies on the Lawn” will feature movies on a big screen television in the yard of their home.  The kids are encouraging other kids to join them in the inaugural venture for some fun and entertainment.  Community involvement and helping provide entertainment for kids is a key endeavor for Lahla-Hadiya and her family.

The Future

Currently, Lahla-Hadiya is working on her third album, which is a promotion of self-worth and the realization of a purpose.  Lahla-Hadiya said, “I am excited about what God has in store for me and my family.  I can’t stop, so I won’t stop because, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’”. (Phill 4:13)

The release date for her new album has not yet been set, but we are certainly looking forward to more from this talented singer/songwriter.

You can connect with Lahla-Hadiya through her social media:

Website:  www.lahla-hadiya.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/QueenLahla

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LahlaHadiya

Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/lahlahadiya

  The Lyfe Magazine recognizes the struggle many of us are facing during this time. We Would like to take a moment each week to recognize someone who is working and helping others during this stressful period. Each week we want to honor someone, … Read more → 4 Ways to Help Nurses During the Coronavirus Pandemic (Family Features) America’s nurses are on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus, providing safe, quality, compassionate and nondiscriminatory care to those they serve, many of whom are doi… Read more → Heroes of the Pandemic The Lyfe Magazine recognizes the struggle many of us are facing during this time. We Would like to take a moment each week to recognize someone who is working and helping others during this stressful period. Each week we want t… Read more →

The Lyfe Magazine Winter 2021 issue is now available!

Lyfe for the New Year!

What’s in this issue?

Featured Stories

• Positive media from The Lights of the Roundtable! Darius Stanton, Darlene Brown, Marcus Johnson and Kendrick “DJ 5 Starr” Tilghman are featured in the first issue of the new year.
• Mrs. Florida American 2020, Katrina Spagnoletti, spoke to The Lyfe Magazine about her journey to winning the pageant and enduring child sex abuse.
• Charles County features a lot of great businesses and The Lyfe Magazine got the opportunity to sit down and talk with Tru Battle Fitness owner, Adrienne Battle.
• Providing information on entertaining films is a love for us at The Lyfe Magazine and this issue features, NaTasha McKenzie as she talks to Renata M. Smith about her upcoming new film, “The Assumption”.

From Our Writershttps://www.thelyfemagazine.com/order-print/ur

Our staff of freelance writers have put together an arsenal of great content just for your Winter reading.

• Just a Thought Book Review by Beryl Brackett on “Every Breath”
• 5 Steps to Healing and Wholeness by Shawn-Ta Wilson
• Should You Date an Older Man? by L. D. Peterson
• The Lady Plays Football by Shawn-Ta Wilson
• What’s Your Relationship with Food by April Sampe
• Lahla’s Music Review: April Sampe by Lahla-Hadiya

Lahla-Hadiya Castro Appointed to the Board of Directors for The Lyfe Magazine January 1, 2021 (White Plains, Maryland) The Lyfe Magazine is proud to announce the appointment of Lahla-Hadiya Castro to its Board of Directors. The Lyfe Magazine featured Lahla… Read more →