In that Moment of For Colored Girls, Press Reset

Where do I begin? Perhaps, I should wait until the emotional marinating is complete? The feelings are raw. Yet to be flavored with my tamed power of the edit. The pain I felt, feel – as I watched and think about the tragedy of life. Will this -what I am about to write- do any justice to Tyler Perry's best form of creativity? Should I even try to communicate where the characters left me?

In this place, I shall be what I am. A man. That man...the man in character after character. The man I saw in Sunday night cinema. The pain conveyed by all. Both male and female. A pain so intense all of it seared my soul. Burned me! Reminded me of what I was, what I am, what I can be, and what I want to be...with and without Whoopi Goldberg character's dependency, Religion.

In this place, I shall be what I am. A man. That man many want to believe is stereotyped entirely too much. The Black man. But, I ask the feared creature: Have you been the abusive drunk in any form? With or without Heineken, Captain Morgan, Ciroc, and/or Hennessey. Have you been the slick rapist in any form? With or without committing the brutality of physical rape. Have you been that inconsistent, come and go Frank in any form? With or without a woman singing, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5gFAiPJhvI.  Have you been that Down Low Brother in any form? With or without embracing homosexuality completely. Have you been the cheap thrill man used for meaningless sex in any form? With or without accepting your devalued role. Have you been that man who encouraged the back alley murder of the unborn by saying nothing or not being available in any form? And, finally, have you been that Noble man – the man God created - that expressed love in the face of not getting what he wanted (a baby) - again, in any form?

Have you?

If you are a man and you answered yes to any of the above you are the stereotype. You have in fact made what was/is thought to be real. You did it, not Tyler Perry. Not the White Man. You are the maker of what is thought of you. If you have responded with a guilty, and not an angry, demeanor you are getting Tyler's unoriginal message.

If you are female and reading, do you remember Phylicia Rashad’s character saying with such authority - before she pulled back the curtains (so fitting; pulling back what has been covered: the light, the truth), "You have to take some responsibility in this." Do you remember that, my essence of beauty? Do you? Yes...you remember. Did that moment take you back to that place? You are/were in that place if you are/were living to get a man - and not living to rid yourself of human-made victimization.

Location, location, location...that is the saying for all those wanting to be successful. It is all about where you are! Will the business survive in this place? Better yet, will the business of God's shattered masterpiece (you) survive in your lonely locale?

We are where we are. We are where we want to be. If not...why haven't we relocated spiritually, mentally, and emotionally? Why haven’t we pressed reset?

Because...we are not free! Because we hide self from truth. Because we are not breathing...as Kimberly Elise’s character did in that ragged chair. She breathed!

We must...breathe easy. If not, we shall be what we are. You, me a serial spirit killing male and you a broken and defeated female.

Tyler Perry's, For Colored Girls has told us

We Are More Than That!

Rise up...God's Mighty People...Rise up!

Muata Nowe

In honor of my momma and your momma if she has endured the pain that being (♀) brings forth.