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Woebeit this old African warrior has reached a stage in my misspent life when the song lyrics, “People who need people, are the luckiest people in the world,” have a new meaning for those of us who profess to be independent folks that don’t need nobody but the good Lord and nothing but a good book to read in our quiet time. Salaam akeikum notwithstanding, as I was pondered how to properly address the observance of our great nation’s 229th Independence Day, the appellation itself kept bedeviling me like those pop-ups on Internet that makes traveling on the super highway of information a bumpy ride.
For sure, the word independence is somewhat of a misnomer because it would defy the laws of physics if anything could actually stand on its own. Even so, I fully grasp the concept of an independent nation. After all, I was born and reared in the good old U. S. of A, which comes closer to being self sufficient than any other nation on this sin sick planet. Then again, it might be an intriguing exercise for one to objectively test their level of independence. Especially you betrothal, and/or bonded brothers and sisters who go through all kinds of hell (with the opposite sex), because you can’t sleep by yourselves. If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don’t Wannabe Right aside, if you think I’m gonna explore “alternative lifestyles” to make my point, you’re crazy. So just keep your deviant thoughts to yourself. Furthermore, I’ve never counted myself lucky because I’m able to treat serious romantic relationships like a virus. Even so, I definitely count myself wise when I think of the options that’s available for male loners. I will admit, however, that I truly love people from a safe distance. How about y’all sisters? I’m talking fading foxes who delight in saying, “I’m a strong, independent woman and don’t need a man.” Hey, I ain’t trying to mess with your minds sisters, but can you, indeed, do bad (things) by yourself? Square business, if I find it hard to live a celibate life at 71, I just gotta ask how’s your love life? Okay, OKAY! I hear The Twilight Zone. So, I’ll be good and try not to drift into The Outer Limits of a dirty old man’s carnal mind. Yet, Independence Day is a perfect time to explore the essence of independence.
Winnie Mae (Fonteno) Johnson, my “Every tub sits on it’s own bottom” momma was very big on independence. She drilled it into my nappy head that men ain’t ,men if they can’t fully take care of themselves in every way necessary. Space want allow a homily, but suffice it to say that God created only one human lifeform (FYI: A precise definition of life, in a rough sense, is an organism that’s considered alive if both metabolism and reproduction are active. The only exceptions are viruses. They are only partly living organisms: they posses the replicating nucleic acids but lack the ability to contain and convert energy. In order to obtain energy to reproduce... viruses act as parasites; they invade a host cell and cause it to follow the instructions of the viral genetic material rather than its own.” - Funk & Wagnall’s New Encyclopedia) ‘Ho Pimps aside, that comes dangerously close to today’s kids who often control their parent’s homes, but don’t produce a damn thing. Naw, my strong sisters, I ain’t gonna go there, so you can exhale. But I must tell my ex-offender brothers to stop beguiling horny sisters until you get your act together. Lest we forget, Pres. George W. Bush’s invasions of Iraq also fits the description of an oil-sucking parasite. Shazam! Mayhap I should shut it down for real, before I get myself in trouble. There’s a fungus among us aside, but do you still think that you’re independent? Hey, don’t even answer that, because I’m just playing head. games. Verily, verily, I say unto you my brothers and sisters, ain’t nothing wrong with needing somebody in your life. As the theologian Max DePree wrote in Dear Zoe: “The way to turn problems over to the Lord is to ask His people for help.” I’m talking that old pop tune that says, “You’re Nobody, Unless Somebody Loves You.” I wonder if anybody knows where I’m coming from?