The Royster Chronicle

  “Based on your history, I know you will fail me.” Dr. BLR   Freedom is not free, and history does not fade. In the coming months, America will celebrate its founding day. Scores of Americans will seize any excuse to make the celebration spectacular and monumental. Feelings are not mutual. I, for one, will not be celebrating it as the 250 th  year but rather as the 161 st  year of independence, and, more importantly, pseudo-freedom.  As I've grown older, my ability to dismiss nonsense from individuals caught up in this country's patriotism has increased, especially among those who refuse to acknowledge its tainted history. Throughout my entire middle school, high school, and university education, I had no clue about the day commemorating the independence of the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, who finally learned they were free.  “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the  Executive of the United S...

If you told me that people who look like me opened doors for those who didn’t, and then those same dissimilar-looking people stuck a figurative knife in your back, I’d say you deserved it.   Well, this is what appears to have happened. Many immigrants have found their way to the United States in search of a better life. The opportunities are endless, and I am all for it, regardless of their country of origin. However, just as poor Americans vote against their best interests, this anomaly appears to have affected the newly arrived as well. The one common thread that fuels this incoherence is the disrespect for “Foundational Black Americans,” aka the descendants of enslaved African Americans.  For a while, I paid little attention to this situation because I was used to it coming from people who looked like those who historically colonized and enslaved others, but the faces have changed. The faces of those doing the bidding of the masses vary, and so do the languages they sp...

“Those who argue that progress takes time might likely support the institution of slavery.” Dr. BLR   The NFL recently held its 2026 draft, and thousands of people were glued to their televisions, computers, cellphones, or tablets, waiting to see who their team would draft. I’m not going to lie; I anxiously watched to see who the Pittsburgh Steelers would select as well. I was happy with their selections, but then again, I had reservations about the entire selection process.  Prior to the draft, each player must undergo extensive physical and medical evaluations to ensure they are prepared to showcase their athletic prowess before a group of coaches and scouts. While this is part of the process, you must ask who set it up and why. According to the 2026 NFL demographic breakdown, “Blacks account for approximately 53.5%–54.2% of players, while White players constitute about 25–27%, and 9–9.4% identify as multiracial.”   More than likely, under America’s one-drop rule, multi...

  “Fascination with the intoxication of power might indicate a mental crisis.” Dr. BLR   One of the wonderful things about life is the freedom to do what you want, regardless of the consequences. Having free will allows people to take chances, venture onto uncharted paths, and, literally, not give a damn. Oh, my younger days were filled with delusions until reality set in, and the fear of paying for my transgressions looked me in the eye. I couldn’t fathom life away from my family or being sent to a facility where my freedoms would be stripped. Looking back, life was a bit simpler than what is being foisted on this new generation. No social media, no internet, no cell phones, no computers, and definitely no access to hundreds of cable channels. The good old days are nostalgic for some and forgotten by others. I’ve often wondered how I would’ve fared in these trying times. I’m so glad I didn’t have to experience them when I was younger. Now, what are we doing? There is no doubt...

“Refuse to let yourself get excessively out of sorts before you decide to address your lack of discipline.” Dr. BLR   Children are always trying to find things that interest them as they grow up. Oftentimes, they look to peers to see what’s either fashionable or fun to get involved in. This curiosity never escaped me, but only for a short time.  I knew from age thirteen that I enjoyed making money, so I didn’t have to ask my mother, a single mom. My first job, at a car wash in Jersey City, showed me what discipline can do for a young man living in an inner city. Washing cars taught me I had what it took to venture out and find my own way. This experience led me to the front door of Napoli’s Pizzeria, where I begged three immigrant men to hire me. After a cursory glance, I was told that if I passed their initial test, the job would be mine. The test involved scrubbing about 150 flour-coated pizza pans. I accepted the challenge, knowing that whatever they told me to do, I w...

  "You are only as important as you see yourself, not how others see you." Dr. BLR   In 1972, I was in third grade when my teacher, Mrs. Williams, handed out copies of a Scholastic magazine. The front cover featured Franco Harris, a Black Italian American football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I was so struck by his appearance as a Black man that, from that day on, I’ve been a Steelers fan. Fast-forward. We’ve won 6 Super Bowl titles and made the playoffs this year, but we’ll have to do it without our star wide receiver, DK Metcalf, who was suspended for two games after confronting an unruly fan during a game against the Detroit Lions.  This was his first year with the team, and everything seemed to be going smoothly. However, after an uneventful play, Metcalf walked past the stands, and it looked like a fan had said something that upset him. Metcalf grabbed the fan, had a brief conversation, then pushed him back. I thought, no harm, no foul. He wasn’t ejected from ...