Your Morning Memo

#RaymondTylerInTheMorning
#2020
#YourMorningMemo

DOPE AF!
But WRONG FOR ATLANTIC CITY!

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Adults Let's Be Proactive!

#RaymondTylerInTheMorning

My Challenge for 2020 is to see every Mayor, Leader, Record Producer, Hot Rapper...anyone that thinks themselves a leader posing like this with our kids.

We adults also have to be more proactive....and reach these kids before they "tool up."

I have tried to work with systems to stop somethings (not this recent local shooting) before they start and the adults in charge just talked a lot of nonsense and text book stuff.

Some little girls need to be told ''You're Pretty" (Not in no pervert way.)
Some little boys need to be told "you're handsome (again not in a pervert way.)

(I say that with a heartfelt apology to every child that HAS been told they are beautiful in a nasty and abusive manner.)
Our kids need to be told they matter, they are intelligent, they have a future and THEN WE NEED TO SHOW THEM WHAT BEAUTY, INTELLIGENCE AND THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE.

When our children have been shown and taught their value and been valued by the community....you'll see less settling "beef" or "getting attention" by carrying a loaded gun and you won't bring a loaded gun to a football game.

                              _______________________

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LOVE LUST AND BS

The Love Lust and BS Family. Photographed By Raymond Tyler for Photography By Tyler Studios

Success is a funny thing. I am glad for mine.

I am happy that I have been asked to currate events at places like The House Of Blues, The Walt Whitman Center, and more recently for 48 Blocks and The Bourre Atlantic City.

However, last night I am grateful for Andrea Nelson for inviting me to LOVE, LUST and BS.

Held at AC's Leadership Studio the adventures in poetry took me back to my roots.

No DJ's, no vendors, no mics, no people trying to sell CD's or tickets.

Just people sitting around sharing poems and stories because we all wanted to contribute our truth.

Just people discussing relationships with out the use of the word "TOXIC."

We were blessed by a sneak attack appearance of The Twin Poets.

And that is what made the night just like those nights we had back in the 1990's (at The October Art Gallery) because the best thing about those nights were the surprises.

We just never knew what a poet would share and often we were surprised.

I would be lying if I said I would trade where  I am now to go back because I worked hard to get here. However, I am more excited about Love, Lies and BS part 2 than I have been about anything including poetry that I have witnessed in a while. There are some talented young voices and seasoned voices I heard last night for the very first time. 

If last night was the start of the Ann Torres Movement and The Andrea Nelson Movement and The Love Lust and BS Movement?...I am here for that. And this movement is needed!

Twin Poets Photographed By Raymond Tyler for Photography By Tyler Studios

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2019 New Sock Drive!

Just a quick reminder that our sock drive goal for 2019 is to collect 500 pairs of new socks for
The Covenant House.

The Covenant House provides a safe space for homeless teens, many of whom arrive with just the clothes on their backs.

We also need hygiene products.

So please come out to
SECOND SUNDAY

a party with purpose.

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Good Night James Ingram!

 The news of James Ingram's sudden passing just rocked the social media world yesterday (Jan 29th, 2019.)

Anyone that loves classic R&B music and those of us that remember when Ingram's 1st hit was new...is in mourning.
 
On a day like today, I don't count the Grammy Awards or record sales.

I do reflect on the fact that James Ingram burst on the scene at a very special time in my life.
I had not accomplished that much, but the world and future seemed so bright.

I was still in junior high school and my brother and I would listen to the radio on an old stereo that sat in our living room. If you've never seen a "floor model" stereo? We had one that had a record player (broke after 5 years and could not get the needle replaced), an 8 track tape deck (we had about seven 8 track tapes) and a FM/AM radio. Of course the stereo was huge, took 4 people to move it. Those stereos were actually beautifully wood carved. On Saturday afternoons my dad played all his classic Gospel music and during the week...my brother, Mark and I ran the stereo.

We would bug the local radio station DJ's and ask for our favorite songs and yell like we won The NBA finals when the DJ's would actually say our names with the request. (I know no big deal now days.)

It was on one of those midweek days when DJ, Diane Pryor dropped "a new single from the upcoming Quincy Jones LP called The Dude." The song was "Just Once." And it was always announced the same way ..."Just Once from Quincy Jones's new album The Dude, featuring James Ingram."

Last night I needed a hug.
Because ...James Ingram did have Grammy Awards but never got the credit as a vocalist he deserved.
Because...Ingram's voice was a gift from God that will never be replaced.
Mostly because I remember the first time and the first 10 times I heard "Just Once." His music made me feel young and happy (hey I had not yet been in a Just Once situation, in my life yet.)
 
I need a hug because this "celebrity" passing reminds me that the world will never be like 1981 for me again and that makes me feel old and sad.

 

 My prayers our with his family, his friends and fans.

You Gave Your Best....and It Was More Than Good Enough!

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Happy Birth Day

Today Dr. King would have been 90.

I was always "haunted" by his story.

That we were both born in January.
That I was alive at the same time as he (although just so briefly before his murder.)

That I have never believed that America as a whole has owned up to it's role in his murder.
I have never believed that Black people in America as a whole have lived up to his incredible sacrifice.

One day may we wake up and realize what we had in Malcolm X and Dr. King and in their widows.
And out of our shame...and pride.

May we finally do better as a country, as a people and to each other.

___________

Today By Raymond Tyler

Today I still see the reflection 

Of Dr. King

not many of the physical rewards of his sacrifice...

I see his reflection staring back at me in a glass of water

every time I have to take a meeting

with people that know half as much as I do

telling me I should be happy to sit at the table

but when I try and eat what I need

put what I want on the plate

they remind me

"YOU AIN'T REALLY WELCOME HERE

YOU JUST TAKE ENOUGH

TO MAKE IT 

LOOK LIKE

YOU EATING

Today...

we'll give you what we want you to have...
we'll put what we think your struggle is worth on the plate
we'll tell you how much the people that sent you are entitled to eat
this is New Jersey
The year is still 2019.
Don't You EVER forget the time
Don't you NEVER forget your PLACE"

and when I get up from the table

they are still confused....

But I'm Not....I Know

Strom Thurman, Bull Conner, Steve King,

Still run most of the America

I Live in 

I Work in
I Vote in

I Pray In

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Love In
Today