Author’s Note:
This reflection emerges from a season of silence, discernment, and refusal to trade conviction for comfort in a time that rewards noise over truth.
I haven’t been in the blog space for a while—not because I lost my voice, but because life demanded more than commentary, and I refused to cheapen clarity in a season full of noise.
Life, transitions, and responsibilities all played a role. But if I’m honest, the deeper reason was bandwidth. There’s only so much energy one person has to respond to everything at once. What I still struggle to believe is that my writing took a back seat to the constant barrage of trash flooding timelines and media sources.
It’s official: I’m over selective outrage, incomplete assessments, entitlement, and hatred covered in bright paint.
The longer I live, the more I understand why reading is fundamental, why critical thinking matters, and why Jesus looked at the people and saw sheep without a shepherd. I am genuinely bothered by how easily folks justify—no, align themselves with—platforms and ideologies that stand in direct opposition to truth and justice.
I cannot understand how descendants of kings and queens continue to accept scraps from massa’s table just to remain in the big house.
I don’t understand how marginalized people consistently choose against their own self-interest in an attempt to be supremacy-adjacent.
Maybe it is environmental. Some of us have stared at the current state of affairs for so long that we can’t imagine anything more—unless we sell out for less.
Maybe Jay-Z’s words from The Story of OJ have created a different mentality: If they think I’m a nigga whether successful or not, I might as well give them what they want.
I thank God—from the bottom of my American African heart—that a different mentality was instilled in me long ago.
God gave me reason.
God gave me purpose.
God gave me a sound mind.
And that mind will never submit itself to legalistic, suppressive, and destructive systems built by weak-minded, impotent people.
My mind will never accept respectability politics from those who share my melanin count. My mind will never justify the belittling of the weak. And I refuse to waste my energy trying to convert keyboard cowards into moral thinkers.
This season we’re in? People who have practiced evil are learning that FAFO isn’t slang—it’s reality, unfolding in physical, spiritual, and psychological ways.
Joshua once told the people a decision had to be made.
Not a threat.
Not a demand.
Just truth.
Choose God—or settle.
Before they answered, Joshua drew the line:
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
This moment isn’t about groupthink. It’s not about siding with whoever looks like they’re winning. It’s about the life you actually want.
If you want what this depreciating world offers—stand on that.
If you want more—stand on that.
If you ride bandwagons, don’t complain when they drop you off and keep moving.
As for me?
I’m staying free.
—
Conviction costs, but captivity costs more.
Dr. Charles W. Ferguson 