PROVOKE

THOUGHT. CONSIDERATION. ADVOCACY.


Giving It Up
Written By: Timothy A. Valentine
You can’t really enjoy life if you do not take
the time to experience it. Experience life not
just from your perspective, but from the
perspective of others; consideration.
 
Many people miss out or are unaware,
because they play it safe. There’s nothing
wrong with this, but when this position
becomes a way of life it can become a
hindrance to your progress and growth.
You have a greater potential to become
stagnated or rigid in your thinking and
positions. Change is something you can
believe in, but not on my dime is the motto.
 
The essence of a person is not exclusive to
their behavior or even their words. When you
Negativity does
nothing to or for the
person, but offers a
tremendous insight
to who you are and
your own
unhappiness and
inconsideration.
take the time to consider a person’s value,
purpose and individuality, you then begin to
learn the essence of a person. What they’re
really about. It may not be for good, but you
know what frame of mind they’re coming
from.
 
Appreciate what someone is good at or with
more than what you don’t like about them.
Negativity does nothing to or for the person,
but offers a tremendous insight to who you are
and your own unhappiness and
inconsideration.
You don’t have to be wrong for me to be right.
It’s your point of view based on your
experiences and knowledge, whether it is
inclusive or exclusive.
 
Give up what's holding you back, because the
courageous person is one who has identified
their defenses and gives them up.
  
What Happened? How often have you seen someone homeless
and in addition to offering them some money
Written By: Timothy A. Valentine
  you also gave them a compliment or a kind
word?
Have you ever been walking down the street
 
and had a homeless person ask you for some
Anyone can be the face of homelessness. The
money and you acted like you didn't hear
difference between you and that person living
them?
  on the street is the circumstances of your
story.
Have you ever been in your car and sitting at
 
a light and rolled your windows up?
The question we choose not to ask someone
 
who is homeless is What Happened?
Have you ever given someone who was
homeless money and privately questioned  
Often it is because many choose not to care
what they're going to do with the little bit of
or ask or show any concern. We're just happy
money you gave them?
that it isn't us, right?
We spend so much time fighting to be seen
more than we do concerning ourselves who
just seek acknowledgment.
Dare they question your sincerity, who are
they to you, but an annoyance. This is the
attitude many people implicitly accept when
confronted with the ugliness of
homelessness. We mistakenly transpose the
ugliness of the situation onto the beauty of
the individual captured within that situation.
 
Who is concerned enough to ask, what
happened?
Some simply just don't care. They'll tell them
to get a job, but never stop to think what
address they will put on the application so the
employer can send them their check, then
what about taxes. If you have a job you're
required to pay your taxes. Where will the
employer send their W2?
Get a job is another way of saying, I'm not
helping you, not go away. If you're not able
to offer them a job, then don't say "Get a
job." Think, if they had a job, would they be
homeless?
 
Have enough consideration to not step over,
around or away from someone homeless, but
help them up. Help them up with an
encouraging word that means something to
them. You can't say, "hand in there" and
expect that to go over well with them, when
life has its boot on their neck.
If you have the time, ask them how can you
help them?
If you have no money, food or shelter to
offer, you can always listen. Sometimes a
sincere handshake, tender smile or concerned
word last longer than any amount of money,
clothing or food you have to give.
I say this from the heart. I've been very
fortunate to have never experience
homelessness. But all it takes is a change in
circumstances and I may be the one you step
over and ignore.
Consider what can happened.
 Why question their convictions, when you
Even If Nobody can demonstrate yours?

Says Amen I'm simply finished with the arguments,

Written By: Timothy A. Valentine debates or discussions of beliefs and doubts,
because I do not have a reason to continue
When some choose to argue, debate or doubt
unproductive conversations. I do not have the
the divine I've learned to remain silent. I see
ability to make you believe or doubt.
no reason to argue, because it's not my
decision to make or call to accept.
All I can do is share my knowledge and
experiences with you. I accept you for who
There's no need to rush to judgment of
you are, not what you are or choose to be. I
someone when you have not experience their
only ask for the same consideration.
life's trials. This is true for anyone of any
The question I see not asked or answered is,
belief.
What do we have in common that we can
build a greater understanding and
appreciation of our experiences upon?
This is my emphasis. This is what I sincerely
strive to practice. We may disagree on an
issue, but disrespect should never become an
issue in a relationship.
Far too often we side with political
correctness, social acceptance and individual
perceptions above our moral consciousness.
Who would you be if no one said Amen?
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where
he stands in moments of comfort and
convenience, but where he stands at times of
challenge and controversy."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
We spend too much time living as if the
world hinges on us solely for its continuation
without realizing that we are only hear for a
brief moment in time.
What you have chosen to do with that time is
not mine to decide, but yours in what you
choose to give your time too.
Why waste your time arguing with someone
when that time can be spent learning about
their experiences?
Why spend so much energy on hate more
than love?
Why should I dislike you, because of what
you are, before I know who you are?
"Nothing in all the world is more
dangerous than sincere ignorance and
conscientious stupidity."- Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.
We must learn to love with acceptance,
know when to speak up and understand
when to be quiet.
Who would you be if no one said Amen?
Whether you and another share the same
spiritual, political, ethical beliefs or not, I
only ask that you find where you agree
and build upon it. Construct your
relationship with a foundation of mutual
respect and consideration.
We can come up with more excuses to
hate than we do to love.
When we stopped seeking disagreement,
you find the opportunity for agreement.
When we stop seeking the approval of
others, we have time to consider one
another.
Who would you be if no one said Amen?
Never place membership in an
organization, institution or ideology by
whatever name that based its significance
and measure its value through the ideas
and principles of a political party, a
collection of people or the opinions of
society.
I rather it be said that I strive to be a
member of truth, consideration,
reconciliation, forgiveness and love in
hopes that I may be the thermostat that
cools tempers, warms a cold heart and
transforms cynicism to optimism.
Some people see only what they want to
see without understanding its vision.
There are people among us whose agenda
is to do whatever it takes to kill your
dreams, steal your happiness and destroy
your sense of hope.
They are quick to talk about what they
know nothing about or never taken time to
experience.
They are motivated by negativity and are
never happy or supportive.
Even if no one says Amen, I will.

What Remains
Written By: Timothy A. Valentine
As I was thinking about all of the things
Republicans have spoken, retracted and
participated in while struggling to keep up the
“I’m not a racist” defense.
along with their game by taking a defensive
position instead of control of the game being
played.
What remains is time. What remains is
organizing. What remains is the recognition
that they have nothing left, but to throw bricks
at us.

From the emails of some Republican

portraying the President or First Lady as a
monkey and saying that it wasn’t racist is
nonsense.

I realized something that may not have been

considered by Democrats and those who
welcomes diversity, inclusion and progress.  

They have nothing left. They have been

banking on the hopes that everyone, especially
Democrats will get distracted by their
political, social and class warfare rock
Consider the legacy you’re leaving not only
throwing contest that no one will noticed what
history to record, but your children and
their not doing long enough for them to regain
grandchildren. Did you learn absolutely
power and control.
nothing from your parents and grandparents
 
generation?
Look at what they have been doing since
2006. Consider how Democrats have played
This is just an example of the rocks they have  
left to throw at us.   There were plenty of Blacks who did not
support emancipation, desegretion or the civil
rights movement. Every brother of your color
ain’t your brother cause of color, because
some are actually working undercover.
Consider that Latino, Arab, Jewish, Asian and
Gay brother who is discriminated just as much
as you as well as your Poor, Working-Class
and Middle-Class brothers and sisters who are
struggling with the same economic oppression
 
as Blacks. There are some Republicans who
The interruption of an address to a joint
get this, but far too many of the party has
session of Congress with a Republicans
chosen to ignore, deny and dismiss it. I’m
screaming and pointing at the President
sticking with the “I’m not a racist” defense is
exclaiming “You Lie”, but suggesting that
their model for success.
race had nothing to do with it, is an indication
 
of their ignorance of the history of behaviors
Look at what remains and go from there.
directed at Blacks and Latinos during
 
segregation and slavery, but with an uglier
This is all they got. Recognize it. Organize
tone then. It too is a stone tossed at us to see if
and let’s do this. Yes, we are many, but to
we’ll flinch.
them we are one. It doesn’t matter how rich or
 
poor you think you are, we can do this,
The countless misspelled protest signs at Tea
because they do not have any weapon left in
Party rallies with images of President Obama
their arsenal that can stop us when we come
as Hitler to the Joker and various references to
together.
Africa, monkeys and communism as well as
 
subtle racial references. But they say it’s not
Change your approach and consideration of
racist, even demonstrating their ignorance by
Republicans, Tea Party and those who are
getting the handful of Black Conservatives
Birthers. They have nothing left. They will
who are willing to ignore the obvious for
continue to use the same tired, failed,
perceived prominence with a group that you
ignorant, racist tactics as their strategy while
know more about than they know about you.
accomplishing nothing for We the People.
 
They will attack any social or corrective programs, unions, organizations and individuals who
have made, developed and kept America afloat during their tenures of destruction of an
American dream.

It is up to us. Because they have nothing left.

 
Call us names, try to use intimidation, support discriminatory and exclusionary politics, policies
and positions and we will defeat
you, because you have nothing left
to use except these tactics. You
won’t even listen to those who have
common sense within your own
party who try to warn you that
you’re going in the wrong direction.
You call moderate, we call them the
last true Republicans.
 
What remain are those who are
willing to put whatever amount they
can towards those who choose
people over corporations, the
environment over profits and
diversity over division.
 
They have nothing left, but to get
mad and call me and you names. Let
‘em talk. Let them reiterate who
they are and what they have become
for time and history to record. We
got work to do and must take care of
what remains.
Like Any Other
Day
Written By: Timothy A. Valentine
I just want to ask everyone to take a few
moments and do something with me as you
read what is written.
I want you to not consider what you have to
do tomorrow or days, weeks or months after
that, but just think about today.
Like any other day we open our eyes, get out
of our beds and prepare ourselves for the day.
We go into our daily routines, taking a
shower, brushing our teeth, putting on
deodorant, ironing our clothes, getting a
drink, reading our emails, preparing for work
or even checking to see what some guy
named Tim has written
 
Basically, it’s like any other day.  And for
most of us it probably will be just that, but
for some it may not end like any other day.  
But what could you do today if you knew it
was your last?
We often do not take the time to recognize
our opportunities over our responsibilities.
 • July 28, 1914 was like any other day,
but before the day concluded war was
declared.
 
• December 1, 1955 was like any other
day in Montgomery, Alabama, but
before the day concluded a boycott of
its bus system was on its way and the
launching of the public career of a 26
year old minister began.
 
 
We treat today like any other day. We’re
• November 22, 1963 in Dallas, Texas
focused more on what we have to do, than
was like any other day, but before the
what we are able and willing to do.
day concluded the nation was
mourning the assassination of a
Rarely do you hear someone express why
President.
they love the opportunities the day presents,
 
because we consider ourselves more than we
• April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee
consider others.
was like any other day, but it ended
 
with the public career of a now 39
What becomes frustrating and disappointing
years old minister dead and movement
to me is the mindless bickering over trivial
in jeopardy.
details or intricacies of beliefs that we all find
 
ourselves caught up in on occasions.
• September 11, 2001 was like any
other day, but later that morning we
You can defend yourself when attacked or
learned how things can change at a
proclaim what you believe is true, but we
moments notice.
should simply stop arguing over it.
 
• May 1, 2011 was like any other day,
Today begins like any other day, but if you
but before it ended a President was
travel throughout history and even your own,
successful in completing the mission
I’m sure you can find several days that started
another didn’t in the capturing of the
off like any other day, but ended significantly
mastermind of the tragic events that
different.
occurred in September ten years
 
earlier. 
Today began like any other day for millions
of people around the world, but someone did
not begin this day.
 
Their deeds are done, whether good or bad
and what may be revealed will come to light
soon enough.
Don’t allow today to end like any other day
without you recognizing and striving to
demonstrate love, consideration and sincere
concern towards someone who may not
expect it.
Take time to learn so you can teach, but keep
in mind not everyone has the mind or the
interest in learning anything more than what
they believe they already know.
So know when to leave them where they are,
because there’s not much you can say to them
that they would even hear past the noise in
their head.
You never know if today will be your last or
like any other day. My suggestions are to
make the best of the opportunities presented
while you can. Love where you are in life,
but don’t get too comfortable, because it can
change without fair warning.
Do what you need to do to have a rich life,
but don’t forget about others. The cost of
sincerity and consideration towards others
comes from the abundance of love you have
in your heart and willingness to see yourself
in them and their situations.
Depending Desire
Written By: Timothy A. Valentine

Is discrimination necessary depending desire?

 
I ask this question with the knowledge that not everyone who choose to respond will disclose
their full opinion, but one that is viewed as political correct or socially acceptable by those they
perceive will read their comments. I understand this tendency we have towards acceptance, no
one is immune from it. I only ask those who are courageous enough to respond to put it out there
and share you thoughts regarding this subject.
 
Is a level of discrimination when it comes to intimate and/or romantic relationships acceptable
when it comes to an individual preference?
 
When someone of a race has a particular preference and always seem to have dated or had
relationships with people of that preference, they are less likely to be characterized as racist or
having an implicit bias. They are seen as only having a preference.
 
So why does it matter the race of the person with or of the preference?
 
The Skeletons In Your Closet
Written By: Timothy A. Valentine

Have you ever had to deal with someone or people who seem to have nothing better to do than
to try reveal the skeletons in your closet?
 
Some who may read this note will say something about someone else while avoiding placing the
attention on themselves. We rather talk about what someone else have done, rather than talk
about what we can do for them or the similar things that we've done that no one knows about.
 
What they'll have you believe is that you are your mistakes, transgressions and indiscretions.
They'll seek to confine and define you to what you did or said.They want you to be what you
were instead of supporting you in your journey to become what you're meant to be.
 
How many people do you know like that?
 
It may be a family member, a childhood friend, neighbor, church member, co-worker or even
you. You know the type, never have anything good to say about anything, never happy,
seeking fault or generally disagreeable. It's those adversarial attitudes that brings me to ask
what's in your closet?
 
I'm sure I may be the only one who has made some stupid mistakes, said things that I wish I
hadn't or did things that I know I shouldn't have. As uncomfortable as it may be, I'm owning
those mistakes so that others can't rent, lease or hire my skeletons out of the closet at-will to
use against me or to put me down. I'm suggesting you to do the same.
 
Yeah, I've made stupid mistakes, but what's in your closet?

I've forgiven myself and others, why is forgiveness too difficult for you to accept?

Haven't you made mistakes?

Or is it that all you've done isn't as bad as what others have done?
 
Never be confine to a life govern by your mistakes. If others are unwilling to forgive, forgive
yourself and be committed to not making the same mistake again. Own your mistakes so
others won't try to make you think they own you because of them.
 
Besides, think of the skeletons they have in their closet.
Diverse Marketing Practices
Written By: Timothy A. Valentine

For any political party to be taken seriously it must have significant support from people. I
believe anyone can agree on that.

The membership of a political party is an indication of the policies and ideology it supports.
For a political party to become vital or significant it must be able to build upon its core base
of support.

The question for the Tea Party and Republican Party is how are you encouraging people who
are Hispanic, Black, Asian, Arab, Jewish or Gay/Lesbian to your political party?

I understand the tendency of those unfamiliar or uncomfortable with issues of diversity to run
towards the socially acceptable response, but when you go beyond those excuses the question
remains.

The question is not designed or meant to attack, but there is a multi-decade old problem the
Republican Party with diversity. This has been true long before President Obama, Secretary
Clinton or even Former Secretary/Governor Bill Richardson. There’s a problem that is not
close to irreversible if unaddressed.
 Thank You
I appreciate you for reading, sharing or saving these works. You may
share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions at timvalentine@mail.com

PROVOKE
THOUGHT. CONSIDERATION. ADVOCACY.