The Royster Chronicle

                                                                        “A test of diversity enables others to focus on color while still being respected.” Dr. BLR   Throughout history, societies have tried to be better than their forefathers because of treacherous and inexplicable behavior that affects those of lesser status. I have seen how people change, even when you think you know them well. I have paid close attention, as best I can, to the people around me because you never know what lurks beneath the surface or within their households.  This essay has been prompted by the recent killing of a young, exceptional Black man, Nolan Wells. The evidence is still under investigation, and the circumstances surrounding his death are a stark reminder of the fear many Black parents contend with. Her...

"Your arrogance makes you think everyone sees the American Dream the way you do." —Dr. BLR On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. There will be colorful fireworks, military flyovers, speeches from pseudo-politicians professing their love for this country and pretending to care about everyday Americans, and reminders that we live in the greatest country on Earth. You can believe them, but I never will.  I'll probably be sitting in front of my television, drinking a protein shake, watching the celebration from a distance—not because I hate America, but because I refuse to celebrate an idea that didn’t include my ancestors, which still hasn't been fully realized. This monumental day always reminds me of Frederick Douglass’s famous 1852 speech,  What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?  His message was unambiguous if you had discerning ears and didn’t deny the truth.  Nearly 175 years later, I'm asking a similar question. What does America's 2...

  “Acknowledging the suffering of others prepares your heart to never harden.” Dr. BLR   As a frequent podcast listener and reader of several online magazines, I often come across the topic of immigration. It’s no secret that the U.S. has grappled with this issue for many years. While I have always paid attention, the spotlight has been laser-focused on it since the Obama administration. Nonetheless, what is never discussed is why so many foreigners want to take up residency.  What I have surmised is that many white people were truly pissed that President Obama was elected and served two consecutive terms. For many of them, they probably believed the blueprint had been laid for another minority to be elected, and that was something they couldn’t bear. Enter the great white savior, Donald Trump. His election in 2016 assured those concerned about the race of future presidents that he would appease them by deporting as many undocumented immigrants as possible. He m...

“As long as we see one another through the lens of race, we will never truly experience authentic humanity.” Dr. BLR     In 1981, I made a decision that would change the course of my life, and I never looked back. I enlisted in the United States Army Reserve. It was a decision I truly needed at the time because I was unsure about my future and didn’t want to end up like so many of my friends, who were lost, unemployed, in jail, or dead.    I served in the Army Reserve for six years. When my contract ended in 1987, I received my honorable discharge and was proud to have served my country. During my enlistment, there were no active wars, so I wasn’t deployed.     Looking back, the discipline I received set me up for success. I followed in the footsteps of my maternal grandfather, who, along with my father, fought in World War II. My uncle served in the Korean War, another served in the Vietnam War, and two of my cousins were deployed in two recent wars. ...

    “When the world is in turmoil, turn to sports to ease discomfort.” Dr. BLR   If there ever was a time for the world to try to come together, now would be that time. The wars in Ukraine and Russia, Israel’s genocide in Palestine, Israel and America’s actions against Iran, Israel’s war against Lebanon and Syria, and the xenophobia occurring in South Africa against other Africans are keeping the world distracted and at odds.  Enter the FIFA World Cup. A soccer tournament featuring 48 countries, meant to bring everyone together and set aside our political, social, and religious differences to play a sport played worldwide. The world has been waiting, and so have I, until we watched the Trump administration's actions toward some of the teams and their players. Looking at the social media newsfeeds, watching Senegalese players disembark from an airplane and be patted down as if they were criminals, watching Haiti’s national jersey be denied, watching Iranian players be...

  “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...