Our history in the United States is dynamic…we are a people that loves a country that hasn't always loved us…we didn't come here, like other immigrants, seeking freedom and refuge. In fact, we have sought freedom and had no place of refuge from the American justice, political, educational, and economic systems that created the conditions of slavery, Jim crow, chemical warfare (crack epidemic), and psychology warfare (CoIntel Pro) experienced by Black people. And still yet we found a way… we created businesses and communities. We lent our talent and ingenuity to American public and private institutions. DEI and other initiatives sought to recognize our contributions. With the abolishment of DEI, we found ourselves spiraling and grasping for acknowledgment and validation. In the absence of that by the very institutions that rely on our energy, ideas, and labor to produce wealthy let us recognize ourselves…validate ourselves…acknowledge ourselves. Not that external validation is not appreciated but our worth doesn't rely on it. When the country comes to its senses may it find us waving our flag…building…and staking our claim to the abundance