This column is dedicated to the legacy of Hamaludin Mohammed who announced last week that he was leaving the pages of this publication. He set a high bar for me and so many others who have admired his steadfast devotion to truth through journalism and excellence of thought in every word he has written. Hamal, thank you for years of service.

Humans behave badly. It is a universal phenomenon, marked by greed, violence, and other harmful acts. Throughout history, human behavior is explained by philosophers, sociologists, anthropologists and reflected on in various religious texts. Our bad acts are being played out in real time across myriad media outlets.

So, what’s new? Not much.

Humans’ existence on this planet is relatively short, fraught with lifethreatening challenges, like natural disasters, climate change, viruses, famine and war. Our species may not be long before extinction. In addition to hostile external forces, we know that we are not reproducing enough to replace ourselves, at least in the USA. That threat has prompted some theorists to suggest it is the reason to overturn Roe v Wade, namely, we need more babies.

Humans in conflict are prevalent in every quarter of the earth. No one is spared, and no place is safe. Some of these disputes are over scarce necessities where disparities in access and distribution are global, or at borders over land grabs and artificial boundaries where disagreements among nations continue to fuel the fires of war.

The zeal to accumulate wealth has never subsided. But building empire is an age-old pursuit, even across the continent of Africa where the status of Mansa Musa, reportedly the world’s richest man, is still celebrated. Modern-day oligarchs own and control almost everything. AI-generated wealth, the new frontier in industry is already owned by only a few.

Our so-called civilized world is being punctuated, almost daily, with bullets and other weapons from a growing number of deranged people. Just a few days ago, gasoline was added to the arsenal of one who committed a hate crime, in a church.

And the battle between proclamations about which God is supreme, the true, or the only one remains a source of never-ending religious wars which remain the root of many political conflicts. For one small example, just look at how the Dalai Lama, a religious leader, still leads a nation in exile from communist China since 1959.

The United States of America is undeniably marching into a sure dictatorship. A cursory study of the Trump administration’s playbook (Project 2025) offers classic examples. Pundits and historians have already explained the step-by-step outline for the deconstruction of the country’s democratic policies, practices and proclivities underway.

What’s left for us to do?

Some folks are quick to declare “war” against the current regime, encouraging free thinking people to resist, protest or perform ‘revolutionary acts. But to date, no viable playbook has been issued to help fight this "war," at least not one that can be implemented in time to reverse the inevitable. We have already given to this country time, energy, blood, sweat and tears. Some of our sacrifices have been with our lives. So, how do Black folks continue to survive in this fragile and fractured country amid so much chaos.

First, we must not be paralyzed into inaction. Rather than adopt a sense of fear, we must face everything and recognize our power and wherewithal.

More than ever before, we must heed the clarion call to break the shackles of ignorance, including slavish adherence to unproven theories and promises of a hereafter. We must end devotion to charlatans in leadership roles, divorce from the fickleness of expired political parties, and declare independence, at last.

How?

Study history. It gets repeated unless corrected.

Teach your children that they are already great; they are loved.

Stand in the truth of reality: America was never great because it’s original sin of slavery was never rectified and the lie of its superiority is perpetuated by so many illegitimate heirs.

Accept that you are the moral models, and not the false followers of humanitarian principles. There is a reason why more white enslavers were not killed during those hundreds of years of slavery. We are magnanimous, people of genuine morality.

Embrace personhood. It is not enough to simply declare your tribe and wear its colors. The journey begins with the affirmation that you matter. Repeat and stay on a steady path as you navigate the falsities about America’s greatness.

And stand.

Stand against the demise of humanity.

Stand above the base behaviors of the human species.

Stand in truth, in your power.

Stand up. Never stand down. Toniwg1@gmail.com