Featured
War Without End, Amen
So let me get this straight.
According to Facebook and social media this week:
- Obama has been weak on ISIS and is actually a Muslim himself, BUT we’ve been bombing them for the last year. He even started bombing them BEFORE getting permission from congress and, at the time, people/politicians said he had no respect for the constitution. Bombing was also escalated in the weeks prior to the Paris attacks. Worst Muslim ever, I guess.
 … - The Syrian refugee issue has caused people to suddenly care about the homeless veterans in our nation and helping our own poor, when previously the poor were viewed as free loading pariah.
 … - We can’t help the refugees because there may be a terrorist among them BUT:
 …
– None of the terrorists as yet have been ID’d as a refugee and have been – so far – EU Nationals
– Since 9/11 we have taken in roughly 750,000Â refugees with a rigorous screening process that makes it the least likely route for a terrorist to enter the US
– Not ONE has been involved in a domestic terror incident
… - People want the refugees to take their families and go back where they came from, which is where the US and other nations have been bombing, will be bombing, and will be escalating bombing.
… - Daily, Facebook is filled with religious posts. Daily, people are saying we are a Christian nation. Daily, people are saying we need to put God back into schools, government, wedding cake makers – whatever. Great, believe what you want, I firmly support and defend your right to do so. However, many of the people that post this stuff are adamant that we should not help the refugees and they are not our problem. BUT Jesus and the Bible say the following:Â …
The same people who often claim religious persecution are at the same time labeling 2 billion people as terrorists because of THEIR religious beliefs.People say that moderate Muslims should be condemning terrorism and ISIS if they’re truly moderate… BUT they ARE. Google “not in my name.”“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)
..
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:25-36)…ISIS has also targeted and killed moderate Muslims, not just Christians.
- ISIS has also targeted and killed moderate Muslims, not just Christians. Far more in fact. Kinda odd if all Muslims are terrorists.
 … - People want more war. I get it. The attacks in Paris were horrible. I want justice too. BUT, as mentioned earlier and as so many people point out in opposition to the refugee issue, we have thousands of homeless veterans already. Our government is anxious to send us to war and just as anxious to forget the men and women that come back from it. Twenty two veterans commit suicide every day and our government ignores it. War has cost trillions of dollars but an even greater cost is the lives of those that are sent to fight it.
 … - People LOVE any presidential candidate that says that if elected they would provide more war. BUT, we have been at war for over a decade with no signs of stopping. We drop bombs daily. Those bombs are part of the reason there is a refugee problem in the first place.
I definitely don’t have a solution to the refugee problem or ISIS. That’s for people smarter than me. I do feel we have an obligation as human beings to help those in need. I couldn’t imagine my kids being exposed to the horrors of terrorism or blown to bits by a bomb aimed at terrorists. The pictures are heart wrenching. I would do everything in my power to keep them safe. Those criticizing the refugees saying “well I would stay and fight” – no, you wouldn’t. You can’t fight a 500lb bomb dropped in your living room.
Credit: Hosam Katan/Reuters
I do have some suggestions for SOME (not all) of those on social media and all politicians. If you want MORE war and want to tell everyone how gung-ho and patriotic you are about it – go to your nearest recruiting station and sign up. Too old? Send YOUR kids. Or maybe shut up. If you want to insist we are a Christian nation, want your religion legislated into law and forced on everyone else, complain about being persecuted but judge another religion as being all terrorists, then consider actually following the teachings of Jesus in regards to other human beings that need help and are fleeing terrorism. Or maybe shut up.
By the way, there were a few other terrorist attacks besides Paris this week that unfortunately aren’t as media friendly or politically advantageous. Lots of people killed. Feel free to temporarily adjust your profile pic accordingly.
Almost every year for the past 6 years and on the same day, Iâve posted the same pic of me in the hospital during my temporary and untimely demise in 2015. A few weeks after I was back to ânormalâ, I asked Eric âWhyâd you take the pics?â And he said, âI knew you would want to write about it if you lived.â Eric was right. Eric was often right and Eric always had my best interest at heart. I am going to miss my friend.
You ever meet someone and become friends immediately?! Well this was not the case with Eric. Before he was my manager at Morgan Stanley, I would often see this 6â4″, giant white guy walk up to the only black woman at work, say something then walk away without any hint of human emotion. Naturally I thought he was a jerk until I asked her âYo, is that dude bothering you?â She laughed and proceeded to tell me he was a great person, which I ultimately got to experience first hand. Little did I know this Italian from Staten Island was more Brooklyn than most Brooklynites.
Eric was not with the shits!! If there were ever someone who lived their life in direct, honest and no uncertain terms, that would be Eric. He would ask me questions at work like âWhy are the other consultants making more money than you?â I knew the answer to that question and so did he. Eric then proceeded to increase my salary by 15K. After arguing with all our managers that âYou need to hire Alfred!â, they eventually did 1 year prior to the 2015 incident. In the hospital, one of my friends asked me, âWhat if you didnât have health insurance when this happened?â I would be in debt for the rest of my life is the obvious answer. I still am in debt for the rest of my life but at least, it is to those who made sure I had a more enjoyable life and for that, I will gladly repay.
My mom loved to tell me the story of how she met Eric. After they told her I was going to be in the ICU for some time, she told the doctor âWell Iâm not going anywhere.â She then hears a voice from that back of the room that says âWell Iâm not going anywhere either!â That was Eric and in true form, he was at that hospital every single day until I was discharged.
Eric passed away in December 2021 of stage 4 cancer. After feeling faint on his way to my bbq, he went to get checked out and was diagnosed. During the past 5 years, Eric lost his mom, twin brother and dad. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have felt like but I’m glad that pain he was feeling is no more.
From being my manager to my business partner, writer, book editor, artistic director, and most importantly, my friend, I am going to miss you MC Krispy E a.k.a âEnrique Pollazo!â And although you told me Enrique means Henry in Spanish and not Eric, it was too late!
Sidebar. The day I was discharged, while everyone was deciding what was best for me, no one had remembered that I would need clothes in order to leave the hospital. Eric shows up (unasked) with all the clothes I had on the day I coded, laundered and ready to go. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve friends like this but i need to keep doing it! Sidebar complete.
Rest in Peace Eric. âBe Good.â
I had the distinct pleasure of participating in a panel discussion on writing your first book, presented by the Harlem chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Alongside Jim St. Germain, Author – A Stone of Hope: A Memoir and Dr. Keneshia Nicole Grant, Author – The Great Migration and the Democratic Party: Black Voters and the Realignment of American Politics in the 20th Century.  We opined on pain points, benefits and strategies regarding our inaugural voyages into authorship. Feel free to watch for your self and I hope this provides some insight to all those looking to make the same voyage. Enjoy!
