INVISIBLE FREEDOM or Visible Slavery?

A few weeks ago (July 2018), I ran into one of my Brothas in a Grocery store.  It was a great reunion for I haven’t been Blessed with his presence in over 10 years.  As we shared our life’s experiences since we last occupied the same proximity, he informed me of a musical project he completed in 2017.  I became spiritually and intellectually intrigued as he explained the concept of the Album and the motivation behind it.  Upon departing from each other and exchanging contact info, he Blessed me with a copy of the Album.  He asked, if I saw fit, would I Bless him with a post on my Blog incorporating the Album.

I need to pause for a moment and give some ‘Back Story’ about my Brotha.  I met Brotha Malik in Trenton, NJ at least 25 years ago.  My Brotha is a Master Lyricist who toured and recorded with Donald Byrd.  Of most importance, he ALWAYS supported my group Defiant Giants and had uplifting comments when we spoke.  Lastly, he would always impart constructive criticism as I grew into my space as a Performer.  Specific attention was given to Lyrics and Flow, as it related to being one with the Music and Presentation.  Love you Brotha, eternal respect.

The Title of the Album is ‘Invisible Freedom’ by Malik Turner.  If you would be so kind, check out his site that not only has this album, but his other projects, along with Video and Bio/Interviews.

https://www.malikturner.com/

Oh Wait, Malik, the album is a head banga.  My Fav tracks are Free, 360, Fight the Power 3K, Still Love Her, Virtuosity, Deja Vu and Two Thousand 35 (That’s damn near the whole album... LOL).  The Intro to the album and the interludes are all on point and consistently bridge the songs.  Great work Brotha, well done!

Let’s pivot, shall we, to the Title of the Album...’Invisible Freedom’

Invisible

(Dictionary.com)

-Not visible; not perceptible by the eye:

-Withdrawn from or out of sight; hidden:

-Not perceptible or discernible by the mind:

(Merriam-Dictionary)

-Incapable by nature of being seen

-Inaccessible to view

-Of such small size or unobtrusive quality as to be hardly noticeable

Freedom

(Dictionary.com)

-The state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint

-Exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.

-The power to determine action without restraint

(Merriam-Dictionary)

-The absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action

-Liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another: independence

-The quality of being frank, open, or outspoken answered with freedom

-Boldness of conception or execution

Slavery

(Merriam-Dictionary)

-Submission to a dominating influence

-The state of a person who is a chattel of another

(Dictionary.com)

-Bondage

-The keeping of slaves as a practice or institution

Let’s examine the term, ‘Invisible Freedom’…When applying the aforementioned definitions, it could mean ‘Unseen or Hidden Liberation’ or ‘Independence that is not visible or perceptible by the eye.  Ergo, Invisible Freedom means Freedom that hasn’t been seen or realized.

If Freedom is Invisible, then Slavery could be Visible, yes?…Holy Juxtaposition Batman!...

When thinking of Slavery in this country, most have images of Chattel Slavery of Americanized Africans and all of the atrocities that are associated. That would be the obvious imagery. The given definitions of Slavery would support this ideology, but let’s take a closer look at the definitions of Freedom again.  This time let’s look at the opposite meanings.

-Being in confinement or under physical restraint

-Hindered or Incarcerated by external control

-Coercion/Constraint by choice or action

-Restraint from the power of another

-Not being able to be frank, open or outspoken without consequences

Given the above extrapolations, here’s a few examples in this country.

-The Native Americans having their land taken from them and currently on ‘Reservations’.

-Chattel Slavery of Americanized African Citizens

-Confinement of Americanized Japanese Citizens during World War II

-Fight for ‘Civil Rights’ during the 1950s to the Present for Americanized African Citizens

-Killing of Unarmed Americanized African Citizens by Law Enforcement

-Impediment of movement of Americanized African Citizens reminiscent of the need to have ‘Slave Passes’ during Chattel Slavery, i.e. Harvard Student, Dr. Henry Louis Gate’s situation which resulted in President Obama’s ‘Beergate’ and the arrest of two Americanized African Citizens at Starbucks in Philadelphia, PA

-Women earning less money while doing the same jobs as Men

-Professional Football Players being ostracized for protesting social issues

-Professional Football Players being punished for protesting social issues during the playing of the National Anthem

-Professional Athletes being chastised for speaking out against social injustice

-Government policies and practices that create obstacles for citizens, with the exception of the wealthy/rich

So, by saying Invisible Freedom, we may be saying Visible Slavery, Yes?

I looked up some famous American Slogans…The one’s that I will focus on are the following:

-Freedom Is Not Free

- “In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.”
-Franklin D. Roosevelt

 “Freedom is the oxygen of the soul.”

-Moshe Dayan

I want you to let these marinate in your Spirit…I’m not going to make comments about them individually.  Let the God within you guide you…

How are you living your life, as it relates to your Spirit, Mind & Body?...Are you in Harmony with that which Creates, the Great ‘I AM’ and truly ‘Free’ or are your ways and actions those of someone who is manifesting ‘Invisible Freedom’, pardon, ‘Visible Slavery’?

All of us at various degrees have been/still are exhibiting Visible Slavery.  The question is what are you doing to be ‘Free’ from said exhibition?  What are you doing to be in harmony with the Creator, God, Allah, The Universe?  When I speak of being ‘Free’, I’m not talking about not having Debt, or not having to work for a living (there are those who are financially rich/wealthy and do not have to work and still exhibit aspects of Visible Slavery), I’m speaking of a Mindset emanating from the Creator, through Spirit to one’s Mind.  In short, ‘Being in but not Of the World’.  In essence, achieving a ‘State of Being’ in Harmony with the Creator where one’s every breath is subconsciously and consciously manifesting desires/goals/tasks through the Spirit/Mind/Body vehicle from the Source (The Creator, the Great I AM). Where conception of thought is manifested in the Physical Dimension.

A PSA is needed at this moment…There’s a saying that states “The Sun shines upon the Righteous and the Unrighteous.”  As it relates to this post, one who is Unrighteous can and does utilize the principle that I just described and can yield their desired results.  The Great I AM does not impede manifestation of desires/tasks/goals.  There’s another saying that’s appropriate here, “Buyer beware.”

Meaning, there are consequences, good and/or bad for things manifested.  Some call this Karma.

What are you doing to be Free within your life?  If you are unhappy with self-development, relationships with others, employment, business ownership, environment, etc., what are you doing about it?

If you’re looking for a starting point, “Master your Breath”.  You continuously see me bringing us back to this point. Everything in the Physical Dimension is affected by the mastery of/or lack thereof one’s breath.  This mastery puts one in harmony with the Great I AM and lines up (if you will) in perfect synchronization the Spirit/Mind/Body. I direct you to my very first post called ‘Breathing’.  If it doesn’t speak to you, then find a reading or class that educates on the mastery of Breathing.

The answers/remedies to all of One’s questions/desires should First be Sought from Within

Hotep!