Something From 2015 (Revised) It Is Us For Us

Rochester, for me, is one of the greatest small cities in the nation. I absolutely love my home, my community, my city!

Once known as The World’s Image Center, the home of Frederick Douglass, and Susan B. Anthony. Rochester, N.Y. has now become the medical and technological epicenter of the world for higher education.

We are also home to WDKX, Garth Fagan Dance, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Memorial Art Gallery, and Strong National Museum of Play. There are many more positive elements that make Rochester a unique and beautiful city. There is plenty of opportunity for people to learn, grow, and thrive.

The violence has taken a toll on us all emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. We absolutely must make the decision to change for us, for our children, and for our future. It’s time we collectively stop pointing fingers and making excuses. We have to acknowledge what is really going on.

We also can not continue to accept or normalize the destructive behavior that is hurting us and our community.

Acceptance. Defined in human psychology–as a person’s assent to the reality of a situation, recognizing a process or condition (often a negative or uncomfortable situation) without attempting to change it.

I genuinely believe we can change. Yes we all can, in fact, change! One of the ways we can start is by going within to work with the things we have been running from. The trauma, the fear, the hate, the rejection, the anger, the hurt, the disappointment happening in life.

Now I’m not saying it will be all pretty and easy because it will not, but we must begin with the work on ourselves. Once we start the process to heal, we will grow and transform. It’s kind of like the caterpillar turning into the butterfly.

I believe in you. I believe in us.

We will prosper, but we have to do the work! It is on us. We can no longer wait for anyone to come in and rescue us. That simply will not happen because again, it is on us.

It is us for us. Love is the key.

Love,

Reign