“We Welcome Your Comments…”

The H3O/Art of Life Blog
Dec 31, 2025
3 min read

By Edith Armstrong McLoud Armstrong/aka Mama Edie

Presented by Omni-U Virtual University

Thanks so much, Mama Gloria,

“Community Preparedness” is a matter that I've initiated increasing conversations about with those around me. And, I recall the days of the Topographical Research Center, near New Concept/Third World Press on Cottage Grove Avenue, where we were made aware of plans that were years in the future, some of which were almost unbelievable, due to their absence of humanity and blatant injustice. Most of those plans have also come to pass, including the Dan Ryan expressway and the subsequent removal of a stable Black community. And the logistical locations of the projects all along that route were clearly not for the convenience of the communities aligning it. They made for easy targets.

Similarly, "2025" is full of such seemingly unbelievable plots and plans devoid of any sense of humanity or justice. But, those who doubted came to see - if they're actually looking even now - that it was not just fiction. And it was so well strategized, resourced on multiple levels and well- planned that it was actually already in play by the time most people knew what was happening, or even what it really was. And the plans didn't start being implemented after this new administration was in place. We know that several ground-laying plans and operations had started years before. I recall very few of our political leaders, locally or across the country, facilitating or otherwise urging us to have "Town Hall" types of meetings to study together the document of listed plans so that more of us would understand exactly what was being planned and to, therefore, better prepare and to fight the onslaught before it took on this current runaway momentum. Even those who had the wherewithal to explore it on our own, could barely believe how brazen and almost unbelievably disrespectful, full of disdain and inhumane the plans are. And I say "almost unbelievable" because actually, at this point, nothing should be "unbelievable." All we have to do is to remember that this is, after all, the REAL story of "How the West Was Won." Destruction, genocide, mayhem that propels itsfelf forward generationally.

... As I read your introduction, I felt a need to respond now. Thank you for always keeping us connected to realities that we need to be aware of - and prepared for.

Chief Gimbu's article on the need for preparedness is a very thorough preparation guide, full of a wide range of considerations, of actionable items, and the sense of urgency that we need to be on the move - like right now.

And, regarding Rev. Dr. D. Darrell Griffin’s article, “Notes on Spiritual Direction for African Americans in Crisis,” I recall also offering reflections on the irony of how, even though the forced conversion to Christianity, by the enslavers, was never intended to be for our benefit or "salvation" yet, we managed to turn it into something lifegiving that gave us hope, a sense of compassionate community, a sense of protection and something to hold on to. It quite literally helped us to survive.

...Speaking of matters that can certainly affect one's mental health, I've created a class that will offer suggestions to rehab clinicians (especially speech pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, mental health specialists, etc). on ways to incorporate the arts into their therapy programs. These include methods that I developed starting in the late '70's as a school speech/language pathologist once I saw how much more our children needed beyond the preparations of our professional academic training.

We are now offering an alternate option. There will now be a 3-hr workshop (accepting up to 20 participants) as well as the 8-week intensive (accepting up to 5 participants).

Join me in this virtual journey, starting January 24, 2026.

Asante sana.

Peace and many continued blessings.

Warm regards,

Edie

Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong, MHS/SLP (she/her/ella)

Bilingual Storyteller & Percussionist

Residing on the ancestral lands of the Council of Three Fires (Ojibwe,

Odawa and Potawatomi)

"Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it."

- Frantz Fanon, Afro-Caribbean Psychiatrist, Philosopher & Revolutionary of Martinique; author of "Wretched of the Earth"

www.MamaEdie.com