Mel Hopkins

@Troy Good point - I don't think I have direct knowledge of the abilities or limits of the Watchers. I've read what was allegedly Enoch's account of what he said he experienced, Enoch wrote G-D punished the Watchers who intervened in human affairs. So the rest didn't. According to the text they couldn't teach Humans either - just watch and report. '

@E.equals.dtb Human behavior. I always go back to this story - when I was in Beijing, I noticed all the "bootleg" designer products were "real". The sellers got the parts and fabric from the haute couture designers to manufacture for sale state-side. It cost those sellers nothing to assemble those products on the side and sell them for practically nothing. No cost or overhead to them was the goal. Nothing but pure profit. Folks who are considering bootlegging aren't interested in spending a lot of money. If they can get a pdf for free.99 it cost them nothing to charge others for it. However, we tend to value what we have to pay for. The more we pay the less likely we're to share. That's my theory. *** By the way, going forward I'm considering to not sell eBooks. Since I wrote that post, I also learned from a pew research study that readers purchase more  print books than eBooks - so charging less for print book just might allow me to sell more books overall.

Meanwhile, Former Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno allegedly filed a false report claiming a woman stole is Audi. The woman turned out to be his friend. Police opened an investigation on him too. But I guess it wasn't that serious to them. They seem to take a "boys will be boys" attitude with the alderman. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-alderman-joe-moreno-false-police-report-investigation-20190205-story.html Filing a false report is a misdemeanor in Illinois -but Jussie's celebrity status and his accusation that he was attacked by MAGots made him the perfect target. At some point we're going to learn this system isn't set up for black people foolishness - even if it's the truth. lol

@Troy consistent with the belief, those messages are not from G-D , those whispers are from THE WATCHERS who were explicitly told not to intervene in human affairs. They can warn or in this case "report". What humans choose to do with that information is based on their own understanding and belief system. see: daniel, mary. and host of others who received visits and messages

So sorry for your loss @Chevdove ...

@E.equals.dtb Yes! You are already on your way! See what you did there - you identified your audience and started with speaking engagements! I hope you sold your books afterwards. Every “free” lecture I’ve given always offered exhibit space. See you on #readingblack.com - please share your strategies too! Even the ones that you think failed. Maybe someone can help you get a win!

@E.equals.dtb I wrote a response to your post the other day but for some reason - it's not here. Anyway, "black people" is not your audience. Some black people might be in your audience but we're not a monolith. Therefore, some of us may hurt your sales more than help. A lot of new writers make the same mistake especially those who think they don't understand 'marketing (promotion)'...But I believe you do understand how to promote your book because you worked in nonprofit! Just like a nonprofit doesn't serve everyone -neither will your book. BUT you do have a very specific audience. It's the audience that is most receptive and will benefit from your message. Find that group first and start speaking with them...and they will help you sell your book. Also join us over at #readingblack.com - it's another discussion forum on aalbc.com (this website) that helps authors with strategies for selling. MERGED Also, I should be more specific about what I mean when I say find that "group." This group may be those who identify as "black" but remember there 's a lot of "black" people in the world. Further some "black" people may be women, men, or other? Some black people are christians with a big giant E in front of the "c". Some black people are buddhist and that's a huge undertaking in itself. I have a friend who is the most militant black man I've met but he almost had me thinking about following buddhism because he made it seem perfect for me ... You see where I'm going with this right? When I first wrote my book - I thought it was for every black woman in the world - but what I found out is Black men and women who were into STEM and men who read comic books loved my book. I would have never guessed but that's what my audience looked like. In an effort to narrow down your group to get honest reviews and cut down on your frustration - determine the characteristics of the group who is willing to listen and learn and that's where you start.

Oh, that's very different. Nevermind.

This was an intriguing observation. Sadly, that last line took the focus off the real problem - school funding. Sadly conservatives spew this same faulty logic. It's not helpful nor is it accurate. Black people don't have the money. Most of us live above the poverty line but our money is spent just to exist. You do know there's been quite a lot of studies done already and the results indicate our biggest expense is housing, food and transportation. The expenses of alcohol, tobacco and luxury items are practically nonexistent. In this article, the quote mentions that classes have increased in size. We know schools are underfunded so In this case, it looks like that dumb-ish is called tuition. Further don't forget the black tax and poor tax that we battle - Housing; or loans that we have to take out for school; or credit card purchase interest rate because we, like you just mentioned, (practically most) earn money at the poverty scale. Unfortunately credit cards help ends meet for those who are underpaid. Let's not put the blame on black people - there's a war on anyone who is not wealthy. - it's been going on since the 80s. Those who handle the purse strings believe funding should go to those who already have funding - not those who don't. That's what has to change! By the way, I did know about how poorly the CUNY teaches are paid - but what's worst is one professor said that some in administration who don't have degrees get paid way more. Something is not right.

Also March is Women’s History Month...

“Watch for the signs That lead in the right direction Not to heed them is a bad reflection They'll show you the way Into what you have been seeking To ignore them you're only cheating” ~ Getaway by Earth, Wind and Fire @Cynique wow, gteat stiry! I wonder how often the Universe conspires to work with us and we don’t listen! Maybe the world is the garden of eden... and we humans just don’t fit.

@Delano Thank You!

It has but I needed to understand the present. Excellent analysis!

@Delano truthdotcom

What is psychic spying? Is he the one? And if yes why do I keep missing the signs? I just listened to a voice mail of his and realized what he said went over my head. Will I get out of my own way? Ok I guess that's sufficient

Not a clue! But as a sci-fi/paranormal writer it helps me tackle problems in the abstract that I can’t solve using logic and reason. In fact, i started writing supernatural/sci-fi prose because it helps me to understand human behavior and the natural world.

@Delano me too Twin! I’m in a macro phase right now. I feel frustration when someone wants me to focus on minutia.. It feels like I’m way out there right (wherever that is) taking in the big picture.

@Delano , the action is highlighted in your quote above. I read it the first time but it resonated when @Chevdove quoted as further insight. When I "created" a man perfect for me - it was so I wouldn't have the unpleasant experiences of my previous relationships. BUT that's not choosing,at all. That's NOT Kuumba (divine creation)" that's freakin' commentary!!! Creation would be envisage a desired marriage based on nothing in existence... When I reread your quote, it clarified a lot of things for me. It reminds me of that other quote attributed to Einstein "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Thank you!

@Chevdove man! I hope you had/have a vocation in government and public affairs - because you are beautiful and have a beautiful way about you too! A lot of wars would not have been started if you were at Camp David! Also @Delano dang! Choosing based on past experiences is actually the antithesis of creation... Damn... maybe we’ve been doing this life thing all wrong. Thank you Delano and thank you @Chevdove for quoting!! Welp, “No lies detected here”.

And their lies your problem @Pioneer1 you let your imagination do your thinking and you create nothing of value. I never wrote I resented black men -you wrote that I did. Why do you want to know about my experiences with black men or any man? You wouldn’t understand it anyway. Heck, you don’t even have the guts to put your skin in the game. It takes courage to be vulnerable to another person.. to allow them to get close enough to even be hurt by them. It takes even more courage and heart to bring children in a world that’s brutal... It’s even more difficult to raise them up to be productive healthy and happy - even if they were an “accident”... yet I did just that. No, Pioneer you don’t get to live vicariously through my “stories”... You don’t get to know what black men did in my relationships with them. Here’s all you need to know about them - They are/ were brave enough to engage. Smh

@Pioneer1 maybe, but effective. you”ve been unmasked as a hater of black women. Now it makes sense why you “say” you never married a black woman.. you “said” you made them call you daddy , but you played them. And didn’t you “say” “no children” too? Is that a conscious decision? Is it the truth? Did you lose a child? (If so, my condolences) BUT If you can make babies, do you hate black women so much, you don’t even want to procreate with us? Wow! So, unless it’s a health problem - you didn’t even make a contribution to our “black” family. Well dang, at least me and black man had a baby together. All that whining about “white supremacy” and it turns out “you” the hater here.

@Delano thank you! But let’s not use Pioneer’s avatar as an example of how black men behave. His account is not a representative of any black man I take seriously. At least none I’ve ever met in real life. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again - his avatar reminds me of a group of people using one account. The Pioneer1 account displays as the social media’s version of FBI’s cointelpro... or the reverse black kkk lol - I’m not phased by the Pioneer1 account - I’m tickled by it ... reminds me of the black uncle everyone keeps their distance from and says “yea ok”.

@Pioneer1what are you going to do file police charges on my behalf? Sign up to be my fixer? Lol! get out of here with your little list. You’re not qualified to assess what women find too difficult to talk about.

@Pioneer1 Why do you ask?

Welp, @Troy your response to Chevdove applies perfectly to your explanation to me...And I couldn’t have said it better. Your foundation forms your worldview. Everything you’ve “learned” is synthesize through that lens.