The Royster Chronicle

Summer revelations “Footsteps mark a person's life course and the impact of their journey on others.” May is typically the month when I start tackling home projects, sort of like a “Brian to-do list.” In years past, I looked forward to this alone time because it let me reflect, get work done at home, and gave me a few months until the end of the summer to finish everything. However, this year was different. Unfortunately, as we get older, many of our bodies begin to break down, and I am no exception. Menial tasks became arduous. Due to back and knee issues, my confidence in moving and lifting items diminished, and my workload decreased, giving me ample time to do a little family research and focus on current events.   In a previous essay, “The Hickerson Slave Legacy,” I wrote about discovering who was responsible for “naming” my ancestors. For some, this might not be important, but I was curious for my children so they would have every documented fact about where they come from on ...

                                     “The institution of slavery produced offspring whose fathers considered them as property.” The Hickerson Slave Legacy Knowing where you come from should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds as they reflect on their heritage. Ancestors’ lives are the building blocks of future foundations. We are all born of two parents, and each side has its own story. On my father’s side, I know his name, that he was born in Mississippi, and that he served in World War II. I recall meeting his mother when I was about five years old, but that is about all I remember, because he abandoned the family shortly thereafter.  On my mother’s side, I come from the Martin family on her mother’s side and the Hickerson family on her father’s side. Over the years, I asked my mother as many questions as possible to better understand our history. The Martin family is well documente...

    “The future is yours, so take responsibility for making decisions that serve your best interests.” The life of a police officer has changed dramatically over the past two or so decades. The days when citizens admired the women and men in uniform are slowly fading. Scrutiny aside, the cellphone has been the bane of the profession, even though it was believed that greater transparency and the advent of the body-worn camera would put those issues to rest. I am not the one to critique a shooting, but I have eyes, and as a civilian, I have the right to share my thoughts and concerns. Times have changed, and so has policing. It is no secret that over the past year, there have been several police-involved shootings involving armed and unarmed assailants. While many in the white community have been affected, the more controversial shootings have occurred when minorities are the targets. I won't sugarcoat shit; some of the officers I observed should never have passed a psychologica...

                             “Allowing the seeds of racism to persist only serves to perpetuate it.”   As the World Cup winds down, I will have time to reflect on the many games played over several weeks. I have been a fan since 1994, when I worked for the New Jersey State Police as an Intelligence Officer and was assigned to the Italian National Team. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was the thrill of my career. Twenty-four teams from different countries qualified to play in several venues across the United States. At the time, soccer was not a dominant sport in the United States, but internationally it was the king.  The players were extraordinary, going out of their way to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. The Italians were the favorites, and they believed they’d reach the finals, so they rented an entire hotel in Far Hills, N.J. They brought their own food, chefs, and training staff. ...

                                                                        “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...