abassi-okoro

[abassi-okoro]

UMAR'S SCHOOL WAS NEVER THE PLAN!

Here’s the real process for opening a school—and why Umar Johnson never intended on any of this.

Step 1 – Define the Mission & Model Before you even touch a building, you must have a clearly written mission statement and a defined purpose. What gap will your school fill? Is it public, private, charter, religious, or alternative? Which grades—elementary, middle, high, or mixed? What’s the focus—traditional academics, STEM, arts, special needs, or vocational training? This is the foundation.

Step 2 – Follow State & Local Regulations Every state has strict Department of Education requirements. You must apply for a school license, pass facility inspections, and run criminal background checks on all employees. This is non-negotiable.

Step 3 – Build a Detailed Business & Academic Plan This plan must hold up to legal scrutiny and satisfy banks or grant committees. You need a real budget that covers:

Facility purchase or lease and renovations.

Furniture, labs, gyms, sports gear, computers, whiteboards, printers, televisions.

Salaries for principals, teachers, admin staff, nurses, security.

Bus purchases, fuel, and maintenance.

Curriculum development that aligns with state/national standards.

Student policies: admissions, conduct, attendance, graduation requirements.

Step 4 – Secure Real Funding You can’t run a school off CashApp donations. You need sustainable funding—federal/state/private grants, tuition, investment loans, and corporate partnerships. Crowdfunding might help start-up costs, but it won’t cover year-to-year operations.

Step 5 – Accessibility & Safety Compliance You must meet ADA requirements for disabled students, pass fire code inspections, have working emergency exits, and implement security systems. You also need a functioning cafeteria or lunch program.

Step 6 – Hire & Train Staff Recruit qualified teachers and support staff. Verify credentials. Run background checks. Train everyone on policies, safety protocols, and curriculum. Maintain ongoing professional development programs and incentive plans.

Step 7 – Branding, Marketing & Enrollment Create a school identity: website, social media presence, community outreach. Host open houses, schedule tours, and manage an organized admissions process.

Step 8 – Operational Systems Set up the administrative backbone: student record systems, payroll, accounting, grading, attendance tracking, disciplinary records. Prepare safety drill protocols for fire, earthquakes, active shooters, and lockdowns—each meeting state compliance standards.

Step 9 – Ongoing Management & Accreditation After opening, you must continuously monitor academic performance, conduct teacher evaluations, and pass regular accreditation reviews to maintain your license.

Real School vs. Umar’s "School"

Step 1 – Define the Mission & Model

Real School: Clear mission statement, defined purpose, specific grade levels, curriculum focus (STEM, arts, vocational, etc.), documented goals.

Umar’s School: Vague “Pan-African” talking points, no clear academic plan, no stated grade structure, and no proof of curriculum development.

Step 2 – Legal Compliance

Real School: State licensing, facility inspections, Department of Education approval, mandatory employee background checks.

Umar’s School: No operating license, no documented inspections, no proof of compliance with state education laws.

Step 3 – Business & Academic Plan

Real School: Detailed budget covering renovations, salaries, supplies, buses, technology, curriculum aligned with standards, admissions and discipline policies.

Umar’s School: No public or transparent business plan. No documented budget. No staffing framework. No visible curriculum.

Step 4 – Secure Sustainable Funding

Real School: Federal, state, and private grants; tuition; partnerships; investment loans.

Umar’s School: Only CashApp, PayPal, and GoFundMe donations.

Step 5 – Accessibility & Safety

Real School: ADA compliance, fire code certifications, emergency exits, security systems, working cafeteria.

Umar’s School: No safety upgrades, ADA compliance, or certified cafeteria services. No cafeteria.

Step 6 – Hiring & Training Staff

Real School: Qualified principal, licensed teachers, nurses, security, admin staff; criminal background checks; ongoing training.

Umar’s School: No confirmed hires. No evidence of teacher recruitment, credential verification, or training programs.

Step 7 – Branding, Marketing & Enrollment

Real School: Website, social media, community outreach, organized admissions process, open houses.

Umar’s School: Instagram Lives and angry rants on video. Sexual exploitations, rumors, community conflicts and panhandling. No functioning admissions process.

Step 8 – Operational Systems

Real School: Student records, payroll, accounting, grading, safety drill protocols for fire, lockdown, active shooter.

Umar’s School: No operational infrastructure.

Step 9 – Ongoing Management & Accreditation

Real School: Regular academic performance reviews, teacher evaluations, state/national accreditation maintenance.

Umar’s School: No accreditation. No performance.

How much would Umar really need?

If at the same rate it took Umar to raise at least $1.7M to start up a school, it would take him seven more decades (70 years) to crowdfund the amount he would need to operate such a school. That's 70 years of more scamming. The average operating budget per year for a fully functional small scale school is between $10,000 and 20,000 per child per year. The average operating budget for a private school is between $8 and $12 million a year! This was never going to happen and Umar Johnson knew this. He never intended to open a school. This school of his was purely imaginary. However with his "Pan-African" rhetoric and pandering to black people's generational trauma, he was able to swindle enough people in the community to bankroll his sex addiction and leisure travel while narcissistically entitling himself as the "Prince." Learn from this black people! Everyone swindles black people. Our trust and benefit of the doubt (especially when there's nothing to show for verification) is our greatest weakness.

1. Millions Raised, No School Opened

Despite years of fundraising, including claims of raising $800,000 to $2.5 million, no functional school facility has ever opened. As one Redditor summed it up:

“He had a mural painted on the wall… Still nothing. No school, no students.”

Videos and posts continue to surface mocking his repeated “upcoming” launch promises.

2. Repeated Delays & Shifting Deadlines

Umar has repeatedly announced opening dates, only to miss them.

3. No Documentation, No Structure

There’s no evidence of accreditation, leasing or renovation contracts, staff hiring, team, operational structure, certificate of occupancy or curriculum development.

4. State Intervention & Cease & Desist

Authorities intervened. Umar Johnson received a Cease & Desist order preventing him from collecting donations under the FDMG (Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy) name.

5. Continuing Appeals for Money

Despite ongoing delays and regulatory issues, Umar continues to solicit money online.

Community Sentiment: From Hope to Skepticism

Many long-time supporters have grown skeptical, sharing sentiments like:

Dr. Umar Johnson has repeatedly promised to open a school for Black boys but has never delivered, despite significant financial backing and more than a decade of public attention. The combination of absent infrastructure, lack of institutional documentation, regulatory orders, and persistent fundraising appeals strongly suggests the venture has been, at best, incomplete and at worst, deceptive.

The FDMG Timeline . . .

2010–2013 Initial fundraising for FDMG Academy begins; promises to create a school for Black boys. No location secured, no official plans submitted.

2014–2017 Claims of raising $800,000–$1M through donations. No school purchased; shifting deadlines.

2018 Announces purchase of former school property in Wilmington, Delaware. Building in disrepair; no renovations completed.

2019–2020 Continued fundraising; repeated promises of imminent opening. Missed all announced opening dates.

2021 State issues Cease & Desist for illegal fundraising without proper registration. Ordered to stop collecting donations under FDMG name.

2022–2023 Still no certificate of occupancy, staff, or curriculum. Social media fundraising continues. Supporters express growing skepticism.

2024 Online activity includes livestreams, appeals for money, and unverified financial claims. No operational school; building appears abandoned.

Where did all the money go?

While there’s no verified public accounting of Umar Johnson’s donations, based on the timeline, his own statements, and common financial patterns in failed nonprofit ventures, the most likely scenario is that the bulk of the money never went toward building or operating a functional school.

Here’s the breakdown of where it likely went, based on public claims, expenditure patterns, and gaps in accountability:

1. Personal Living Expenses

Housing & Travel: Umar has been documented staying in hotels, traveling domestically and internationally (Ghana, Japan, etc.), with no school-related output from those trips.

Daily Costs: Without a traditional job or an operating institution, donations likely funded rent, food, transportation, and lifestyle maintenance.

Extended Hotel Stays: Multiple supporters have reported seeing him live out of hotels for stretches of time, which is costly.

2. Self-Promotion & Events

Speaking Engagements: Many donations may have indirectly covered expenses for his speaking tours, book promotions, and appearances.

Marketing & “Block Parties”: He’s hosted FDMG block parties and events, often framed as fundraisers, but these require up-front costs (permits, music, food) and don’t translate into school construction.

Brand Building: Printing promotional material, merchandise, and travel for brand exposure.

3. Property Purchase (But Not Renovation)

FDMG Building Purchase: In 2019, he announced buying the old St. Paul’s College campus buildings in Delaware for $400,000 cash. This likely consumed a large chunk of earlier donations.

No Operational Investment: Instead of allocating follow-up funds for renovations, licensing, or staffing, the buildings have remained in disrepair, with minimal documented work.

4. Minimal Cosmetic Repairs

Small Maintenance Projects: Occasional photos of paint jobs, weed removal, or light clean-up at the FDMG property suggest small sums went into surface-level appearances.

No Compliance Renovations: No fire code upgrades, no ADA accessibility changes, no HVAC installation — all of which are required before a school can open.

5. Questionable “Miscellaneous” Spending

Legal Costs: Potential fines, fees, or small legal disputes may have been paid with donation funds.

Personal Indulgences: Allegations (including from women who’ve come forward) suggest some money went to personal relationships, travel companions, and non-school-related leisure activities.

Untraceable CashApp Funds: Many donations were sent via untraceable apps, making financial accountability nearly impossible.

Why This Points to a Scam

No Independent Audit: Umar has never produced a public, third-party audited financial statement for the donations.

Shifting Timelines: Promised “opening dates” have changed yearly for over a decade.

No Licenses or Accreditation Efforts: Not a single verified application for state education licensing has been filed.

Minimal Physical Progress: The property remains unused as an actual school years after purchase.

No transparency: Donors are not allowed to ask for financial accountability and are even gaslit, blocked and chastised for inquiring.

Here’s a breakdown of the most likely scenario for where Umar Johnson’s school donations ended up, based on patterns from similar scams, his own public spending habits, and the lack of verifiable progress:

1. Personal Living Expenses (~30%)

A significant portion likely went toward day-to-day costs:

Hotel stays while traveling for lectures or appearances

Meals, entertainment, and personal shopping

Rent or accommodations (especially given claims he’s lived in unstable housing)

Transportation (ride shares, gas, and vehicle upkeep)

These costs mount quickly, especially without a separate, stable income stream.

2. Self-Promotion & Events (~20%)

Johnson’s visibility depends on maintaining his “Pan-African Prince” brand:

Speaking tour expenses (venue rentals, travel, promotional materials)

Printing merchandise, flyers, and banners

Marketing to grow his following on social media

Hosting events like “Block Parties” which serve as PR more than actual school building steps

3. Property Purchase — Without Renovations (~25%)

He did acquire a property in Delaware in 2019. However:

The money spent was only for the acquisition, not the operation or renovation of the facility

There’s no documented large-scale construction, only sporadic cosmetic fixes that he has commissioned volunteers to do the work.

The property has remained mostly unused and unprepared for students

4. Minimal Cosmetic Repairs (~10%)

To maintain the illusion of progress:

Occasional paint jobs or cleanup days with volunteers

Basic junk removal or minor exterior work for photos and social media

No evidence of classroom renovations, plumbing overhauls, HVAC installation, or ADA compliance upgrades

5. Miscellaneous / Untraceable (~15%)

This covers spending that leaves no clear paper trail:

Cash withdrawals

Payments to “consultants” or unverified contractors

Possible personal indulgences not directly linked to school development

FDMG Spending Flow

The Scam Model

The “school” serves as a perpetual project - always in progress, never completed - allowing him to keep collecting donations without delivering results. His rhetoric focuses more on race pride speeches and attacking critics than on showing concrete plans, teacher hires, or curriculum design. The project mirrors other long-running grifts where the goal is to maintain a cause rather than achieve it—because once the cause is achieved, the donation stream stops.

Why did the "Black Community" fall for this?

Umar Johnson was able to scam so many people in the Black community because he tapped into a perfect mix of emotional vulnerability, historical trauma, and cultural pride—and then wrapped it in just enough intellectual jargon to sound legitimate.

1. He Exploited Generational Trauma and the Desire for Self-Determination

For centuries, the Black community has been denied quality education, economic independence, and political autonomy. Umar positioned himself as the savior who would “finally” give Black children their own school, free from white influence. That message hit a deep emotional chord—especially when he tied it to slavery, segregation, and ongoing systemic racism.

2. He Branded Himself as an “Intellectual Revolutionary”

Umar sprinkled his speeches with Pan-Africanism, psychology terms, and pseudo-historical references. To many, he sounded educated and “for the people.” That gave him credibility—especially to those who didn’t fact-check his credentials or past.

3. He Weaponized Distrust of Mainstream Institutions

Many Black Americans already distrust the government, public school systems, and the media. Umar leveraged that distrust to make himself look like the only trustworthy option. He framed critics as “agents” or “sellouts,” which made supporters double down on their loyalty.

4. He Mastered the “Black Messiah” Persona

He spoke with authority, passion, and conviction. He dressed the part, acted the part, and used the type of fiery delivery that Black audiences historically associate with civil rights leaders, pastors, and movement builders. This allowed him to bypass rational skepticism because people saw him as “chosen.”

5. He Knew the Community Wouldn’t Demand Proof

Many supporters never asked for detailed budgets, architectural plans, or official licensing documents. And when skeptics did ask, he framed it as “haters trying to bring down a Black man.” That guilt-tripping tactic is highly effective in silencing critics.

6. The Symbol of the School Was Bigger Than the Reality

Even though no functioning school ever materialized, the idea of the Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy became a symbol of Black pride and possibility. People donated because they wanted to believe in the dream—often ignoring the lack of tangible progress.

A Laundry List of Scandals

Here are some of the most notable controversies and scandals surrounding Dr. Umar Johnson.

1. Unlicensed Practice of Psychology (2017–2018)

Dr. Johnson was formally summoned before the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology for practicing without a license. He denied claiming to be a psychologist, so no license was revoked.

2. Failed Attempt to Launch a School

Johnson pledged to purchase and revive St. Paul’s College in Virginia as the “Frederick Douglass Marcus Garvey Academy.” The campaign failed due to unrealized fundraising goals and was later replaced by his claims of purchasing property in Wilmington, Delaware—yet no operational school ever materialized.

3. Widespread Allegations of a Long-Running Fundraising Scam

Critics and observers have characterized his decade-long school project—filled with fundraising appeals but devoid of actual progress as a fraud. Many accuse him of extracting donations without providing any real institutional results.

4. Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric & Campus Disinvitations

Johnson has repeatedly made homophobic remarks—such as equating homosexuality with pedophilia—which led to backlash and prevented him from speaking at some university campuses, including Anne Arundel Community College.

5. Public Family Dispute

In 2025, a woman identifying herself as Johnson’s daughter publicly accused him of emotional or physical abuse. The ongoing dispute remains unverified, but it did attract significant media attention.

6. Divisive Public Persona

Johnson has continued to stir controversy with conspiracy theories (e.g., about Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash), antagonistic political commentary, and inflammatory rhetoric. Media outlets and critics often label him as a provocateur, echoing sentiments of him being “divisive” or "performance-driven." He has also called for the murder of 10% of black boys, making statements of "cuddling" with young boys in the his locked down school as well as talking about the private parts of young girls.

7. Instagram incident with two women

In 2021, during a livestream, Umar staged a ceremony symbolically marrying two women. This drew heavy criticism and was widely seen as symbolic and attention-seeking, not a legally or socially legitimate union.

8. Pattern of Leveraging Relationships for Attention

While not always directly tied to women, Umar’s public persona frequently centers on invoking controversy. His comments and provocations sometimes targeting public figures or female commentators suggest a broader tactical pattern of provocation rather than substance.

9. The Conscious Stripper

Was a woman by the name of Khym Ringgold, who identified herself as “The Conscious Stripper.”

In 2015, she publicly criticized Dr. Umar Johnson, accusing him of hypocrisy for promoting education and empowerment while allegedly failing to follow through on promises about his planned school. She surfaced private text messages, exposing a disconnect between his public persona and personal conduct.

What Happened Between Her and Dr. Johnson? Ringgold explained to MadameNoire that she felt compelled to speak out because:

She believed Johnson was pretending to be a “savior” rather than a human leader—and she rejected idol worship.

At the time, his promised academy still hadn’t been built, and children were awaiting educational opportunities. She viewed transparency as a moral imperative.

After she released the messages, Dr. Johnson allegedly lost a $1 million donation from an NBA player, which he attributed to the scandal. Ringgold, on the other hand, denied any personal gain or malicious intent.

10. Umar's various celebrity confrontations

Umar has sparked numerous high-profile disputes with various public figures, often rooted in sharp critiques of celebrity behavior and broader cultural politics. He has had public disputes with Feminista Jones, Johnathan Majors, Deon Sanders, Oprah Winfrey, Eminem, DeSean Jackson, Kevin Samuels, LeBron James, Sa-Nater, Tariq Nasheed and Lenon Honor who is to date Umar's most notable researcher and leading critic. Umar Johnson consistently positions himself as the "defender of Black authenticity," often using sensational claims and polarizing rhetoric. His style trades on conflict—targeting celebrities not just for personal reasons, but as symbols of cultural tension, loyalty, and ideological purity.

He has "SIX" college degrees. Does he?

At best, Umar has two degrees.

Doctorate (Psy.D.) Johnson completed a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology in 2012 from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. This degree has been independently verified.

Bachelor’s Degree He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, according to Wikipedia.

Additional Degrees Claimed but Unverified Johnson has claimed to hold multiple degrees. He has been quoted as having six degrees including Master’s degrees from institutions like Lehigh University but these claims lack verification, and no records exist to support such additional credentials.

Unlicensed Practice of Psychology In 2017, the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology accused him of misrepresenting himself as a licensed psychologist. A misrepresentation that could lead to fines up to $10,000 per violation. Johnson denied claiming to be a licensed psychologist. He participated in hearings but no license was revoked, and he asserted that he's never held one and claiming the opposite on social media.

What are the nuanced public sentiments toward Dr. Umar Johnson?

The Social Media Community

Many describe Dr. Johnson as a niche, social media influencer - entertaining and attention-grabbing but not someone central to mainstream Black thought: As of August of 2025, social media has completely ravished his reputation. Critics also call him a "con man" who has made lofty promises (like the FDMG school) for over a decade with little to show, while others see him as “funny” but not serious.

On the the Joe Budden Podcast, one user went further:

“The very existence of Dr. Umar … directly benefits and supports white supremacy. He creates more division than unity within the black community.”

Academic & Collegiate Reactions

During his invitation to speak at Morehouse College in early 2024, reactions were sharply divided. Some administrators and students criticized his views as homophobic, sexist, patriarchal, and too controversial for the campus environment. The talk ultimately got canceled amid the pushback.

At a University of Minnesota event in 2024, attendees acknowledged Johnson's oratory skill and passion for Black empowerment—but also noted contradictions in his philosophy. For instance, he expressed respect for mixed-race Black people, yet staunchly opposed interracial marriage, leaving some to question the coherence of his views.

Editorial & Opinion Coverage

A 2024 op‑ed critiqued inviting Johnson to speak, describing some of his beliefs—particularly regarding LGBTQ+ and interracial issues—as outdated, racist, and homophobic. While affirming free speech principles, the author insisted those views demand strong opposition.

Is Umar Johnson a racebaiter?

Yes! Absolutely!

The term race baiter generally refers to someone who deliberately stirs racial tension, often framing issues in an extreme, polarizing way to gain attention, money, or influence. Johnson’s public persona often relies on incendiary racial rhetoric, conspiracy-laden claims about white supremacy, and constant positioning of himself as a lone “truth-teller” battling against systemic oppression.

For supporters, this comes across as unapologetic Black advocacy. For detractors, it looks like deliberate provocation — amplifying division and fear without offering practical, achievable solutions.

Several patterns fuel that perception:

Hyperbolic statements about interracial relationships, accusing Black people who date outside their race of “betraying” the community.

Conspiratorial claims (e.g., public schools intentionally misdiagnosing Black boys for profit) presented as unquestionable truth.

Framing himself as a target of systemic racism whenever he’s challenged — shifting focus from evidence or accountability to a racial conflict narrative.

Attacking other Black public figures as “sellouts” or “coons” if they disagree with him.

More detailed examples of this are:

Framing interracial relationships not as a personal choice but as an act of racial betrayal, stoking guilt and division in the Black community.

He says public schools intentionally misdiagnose Black boys with ADHD, conduct disorder, or special ed needs in order to medicate them and funnel them into prison. This is his own theory but advocates it as the absolute truth.

He labels other Black activists and scholars “sellouts,” “coons,” or “Negro bedrock” for not aligning with his views. He’s publicly insulted Boyce Watkins, Tariq Nasheed, and Roland Martin, portraying them as puppets of white supremacy.

When criticized over his unaccredited “six degrees” claim or the failed school project, he says attacks on him are really attacks on the Black liberation struggle. He uses himself as a racial martyr.

He warns black audiences against all white therapists, teachers, and school psychologists, saying they are culturally incapable and dangerous to Black children.

It’s this combination — racial absolutism, public attacks, and monetizing outrage — that leads many to classify him as a race baiter rather than simply a race-conscious activist.

Can Umar be brought up on criminal charges for financial fraud?

A lot of factors influence whether Umar Johnson could face legal charges for the way he collected and used donations. Let’s break down the legal landscape, what’s currently known, and what could still become actionable:

a) Fraud or Misrepresentation

If authorities determine he intentionally misrepresented the purpose of donations and diverted them for personal use—or knowingly collected them with no intention of building a school—this could rise to potential fraud charges.

b) Unregistered Solicitation

Many states require fundraising entities to register or file disclosures if they solicit donations, especially across state lines. Failure to comply may constitute a legal violation.

c) Breach of Fiduciary Duty (Civil Liability)

Even without criminal intent, mishandling funds meant for a charitable purpose could trigger civil punishment, such as restitution to donors.

d) Improper Funds Handling

Reports and social media claims suggest his personal and FDMG-related bank accounts were frozen. Even if this is true, it constitutes a potential sign of financial misconduct flagged by financial institutions.

What We Know Currently

No criminal charges have been filed to date. There's no public record of an arrest or indictment.

He received a cease-and-desist order over unauthorized fundraising under the FDMG name.

His bank accounts were reportedly frozen, possibly due to suspicious transaction activity flagged by banks—though the specific reason isn't federally disclosed.

No formal audit or public financial accountability has ever been produced, making legal action difficult without documented evidence.

If someone wants Umar to face prosecution, they would need to supply:

Detailed financial records tracing how donations were used.

Corroborating statements from donors about what they were promised.

Proof of violations under state fundraising or charity laws.

Evidence of misrepresentation or misdirection of funds.

Could Umar Johnson be prosecuted? Yes, it’s legally possible. But would he be prosecuted now? Unlikely, unless new, verifiable evidence emerges. So far, there’s been no indication of active FBI or state-level investigation. Although that could change at any moment.

Abassi Okoro (Filmmaker) AO Films

[abassi-okoro]

[abassi-okoro]

The Ingalls family illegally moved onto Sovereign Osage lands in what is now Kansas, assuming that the Osage people would simply have to be displaced to make room for them, after they abandoned their Minnesota land claim.

Osage Territory, at the time, was under the protection of U.S Agents who removed Intruders to include the Ingalls family, who managed to eternally present themselves as victims, rather than the law breakers they factually were.

The many Intruders damaged and stole over $81,000 in property in a very short period of time, a very conservative sum consisting of only lumber and items stolen, and not the game and hides which were also the Osages according to Treaty.

In today's numbers that would equal more than $2.2 million dollars which has never been repaid.

The lands sold to Railroads who made the purchases under subsidiary companies which they bankrupted were never paid either. These sums would garner many millions of dollars by now.

The Railroads later "sold" these stolen lands to other Settlers. Because they could get away with it.

No dollar amount could replace the loss of the many Osages lives. Those murdered by the Intruders, out of retaliation. Then there are the many who married Osages so they could obtain deeds and titles to their mineral rights, which resulted in the founding of the FBI in response to the murders of their in-laws.

Heralded as these books are by countless Intruders descendants, one can't help but wonder if Laura Ingalls obsession to kidnap an Osage child as she begged her father to do, played out in the genocide still perpetuated against Indigenous people by individuals, States, and adoption agencies to this very day. Adoption agencies receive billions of dollars in what is essentially human trafficking and spend millions lobbying against laws to protect Native children and families.

The article included below is excellent, and one everyone should read to gain a real introspection into the life and legalities of immigrants and intruders, the 1800's, and it's effects on America's first people then, with an eye towards today.

https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.bing.com&httpsredir=1&article=1022&context=greatplainsquarterly

[abassi-okoro]

RACIAL ECONOMICS IN DEPORTATION

Abassi Okoro

You have to understand the brutal history of U.S. colonization and part of that history involves the removal of individuals in order to establish control. This is what Manifest Destiny was all about. The concept of American exceptionalism, which is nothing more than another way to say, "White Supremacy." If you voted for Trump - this is what you voted for. If you're white, if you regard yourself as a “good” white person and you voted for Trump, you voted for white exceptionalism. If you're black and you voted for Trump, you voted for white exceptionalism and if you're Latino and you voted for Trump, you voted against your own interests. ICE is not a law enforcement agency. It is a military force under contract with corporations and their job is to hunt human beings for profit. That’s it! ICE works for the private prison industry. The Immigration Department is the administrative level of ICE. Rounding up immigrants for deportation isn't about law and order, it’s not about national security, it's about making a profit.

Every deportation turns a profit, from the Immigration attorney, to the officers making the arrest, to the holding facilities, to the politicians, to private investors, to corporations - every arrest is a paycheck. Stocks go up with every detainment and every deportation order signed. Billions of dollars are made from these bounty hunting contracts. Bounty hunting has always been big business. Wall Street sees profit in suffering. Study the history of Wall Street. Study the New York Stock Exchange, study the NYC slave markets and how even after the abolishment of slavery, New York City was dominating the illegal international slave trade to the American South, Brazil, and Cuba. Banks and insurance companies like Aetna, JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and New York Life were literally trading human "stock" and contracting, "Slave Runners" to round up runaways and returning them back to their slave owners. It was a lucrative enterprise. Nothing happens without the potential to monetize, and racism is one of the biggest money-making apparatuses in the world. And anyone who doesn’t believe that there isn’t a racial / economic component to this, you are willfully ignorant.

Because no one is rounding up illegal European immigrants. The government would have you believe that illegal European immigrants don't exist in America. A Romanian immigrant can live here undocumented for decades without a second glance. But if you're brown—Mexican, Guatemalan, Salvadoran—your skin is a warrant.

Many Latinos are under the impression that their light skin is a protection. Suddenly, the Latinos believed that they weren’t minorities anymore. All the Latinos and Hispanics who voted for Trump were under the delusion that they were "white enough." Meanwhile, their cousins, their uncles, their younger siblings, their best friends, their parents were being profiled, investigated, hunted by military personnel and rounded up at school graduations, at soccer games, thrown on the concrete, dragged by their hair, shot at with rubber bullets and thrown into temporary holding camps which have been reported of being torture facilities with surgeons doing illegal - barbaric and unnecessary surgical procedures on female detainees, children are separated from parents. No due process, no hearings, no representation and no communication to and fro by their families. They are thrown on corporate charted flights like cargo and flown back to wherever they came from and with no concern whatsoever of the conditions of that country. Never to be seen again.

This is quite literally the Amazon Prime of human deportation and the holding camps are like Amazon warehouses. These people are seen as nothing more than inventory. This is the exact same process used in the 1700s with black slaves. Deportation is a business. And the goal of any business is to expand in order to multiply their revenue streams. And once they normalize the deportation of Latinos and Hispanic immigrants, that expansion will start touching other groups like the Filipinos, the Vietnamese, the Cambodians, Africans. Some of them voted for this as well.

It doesn't matter if you're a citizen or non-citizen. You might think that because you’re a card-carrying U.S. citizen that you’re safe. If you're a minority, you are a target. The government has in fact, deported U.S. citizens. They called it an, "Administrative error." If you don't believe that there's a racial component to this then ask why isn't ICE going after the 504,000 illegal immigrants from Europe, Canada and Oceana? American deportation is ILLEGAL according to International law. Hunting, rounding up humans, denying them basic human rights like due process and representation and sending them to third world countries that either don't recognize them or don't want them - IS ILLEGAL! And all of this is done at the command of private corporations whom have privatized deportation logistics. And who better to lead this illegal business than Trump who is business man? The Presidency of the United States is Trump’s greatest business success to date.

This is what you voted for. This is what you fought to have. This is what you argued with friends and family and burned bridges and destroyed friendships and relationships for. You fell for this. You couldn’t think critically for the most crucial decision of your life. You just couldn’t do it. You couldn’t listen to other marginalized people who recognize white nonsense a little better than yourself. You were so blindly enamored by the possibility of pure white exceptionalism and financial prosperity that you just ignored all of the red flags of where this country was heading. The American brand. That’s all it is. America isn't a country - it's a brand. The American flag is the logo and the policies are the business model. You have to be blind to not be able to see this. So you might as well throw your patriotism in the trash where it belongs because it means nothing. America has lost all international respect. Our "brand" has been compromised. America can never call itself the Land of the Free, the beacon of liberty, the best nation on earth. That is a laughable idea. Not one country believes that. Most Americans don’t even believe that any longer. We are a rogue Fascist nation that purposely commits crimes against humanity and subverts international peace and international law. America undermines every attempt at world peace. We normalize every subversive and abusive behavior you can imagine. And the idea that you still have gullible, credulous, impressionable Americans who are still waving the American flag and singing the Star Spangled Banner believing that America is the greatest country on God's green earth, that idea alone is rooted in lunacy and white supremacy.

You got what you asked for. The chickens have come home to roost, for everyone.

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YOU VOTED FOR YOUR OWN ERASURE

Was it not Latino Americans—yes, some of the very people Trump targeted—who lined up and rallied for him? Wasn’t it within the Hispanic community that we saw a disturbingly loud cheerleading squad for a man who called Mexicans “rapists,” who rolled out ICE raids like clockwork, and who threw immigrant children in cages like animals? Let’s not forget: under Trump, families were torn apart at the border. The “Remain in Mexico” policy left thousands in squalid camps. He slashed protections for Dreamers and tried to end DACA altogether.

And yet—he still gained the Latino vote.

Why? What version of America were they voting for? Because it sure as hell wasn’t one that included them. Trump didn’t dog-whistle; he bullhorned his vision of a whiter, “cleaner” America. He warned us exactly what he planned to do, and he followed through. So for those Latinos who cast a vote in his favor—were they voting for their proximity to whiteness? For their own acceptance at the cost of others?

Or did they just believe that the deportation buses wouldn’t come for them?

For decades, many Latinos have been obsessed with chasing proximity to whiteness—so much so that their choices often accelerate their own erasure. According to Pew Research, a significant number of Hispanics self-identify as “white,” not Latino, not Brown—white. Instead of building a unified, distinct ethnic identity and embracing the political power of becoming a true majority-minority, too many have chosen assimilation. Just like the Irish, Italians, and Polish before them, they opt into whiteness—hoping it will protect them, validate them, include them.

But here’s the truth: it never truly does.

What we’re seeing isn’t just cultural confusion—it’s racial disorientation. A community torn between survival and self-erasure. Between pride and proximity. And the result? A fractured identity, a diluted voice, and a place in history as the next group that gave up its roots for the illusion of acceptance.

So what do they do? They vote for Trump—genuinely convinced that somehow, a man who built his platform on xenophobia and mass deportation is going to boost their opportunities. And now, here we are in 2025, and guess what? The perception of the immigrant hasn’t changed one damn bit in the eyes of White America or the machinery of white supremacy.

You’re still “the other.” Still disposable. Still a threat.

If this isn’t a brutal wake-up call to the cost of political delusion and cultural amnesia, then maybe we’re too far gone. Because what’s worse than being oppressed? Volunteering for it.

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Joseiswriting sat down with State Representative Gene Wu, and he’s right—the freedoms immigrant communities have today were built on Black sacrifices.

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Possibly the Most important thing you'll read this year...

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them. Just read it straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers.

They are the best in their fields.

But the applause dies.

Awards tarnish ...

Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money ... or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.

[abassi-okoro]

Basic Incense and Their Uses

Types of Incense:

• Sandalwood: Protection, healing, purification, pleasing the spirits, consecration

• Cherry: Attracts and stimulates love, new beginnings

• Vanilla: Luck, love, happiness, stimulates memory

• Jasmine: Luck; especially in love, peace, intuition, moon magick

• Coconut: Purification and protection, fertility, love and chastity

• Frankincense: Spirituality, protection, love, prosperity, growth, confidence, an offering to the gods

• Cinnamon: Wealth/money, prosperity, success, focus, amplifies any ritual or spell, third eye

• Myrrh: Protection, exorcism, consecration, purification, peace, meditation, spirituality, offering to the gods

• Patchouli: Money, abundance, attraction, passion, romance, lust

• Rose: Love, self love, safety, calm, healing, purification, connection to maternal ancestors

• Strawberry: Passion, love, luck, friendship, romance, opens/connects root and sacral chakras, goddess offering

• Dragon's Blood: Increases personal power, manifestation, attraction, sensuality, love, favored by many entities as an offering

• Sage: Cleansing, banishing, protection, clearing the air, nullifying negativity, promoting a more peaceful environment, longevity

• Lavender: Psychic abilities, divination, dream magick, protection, purification, beauty, intuition, peace, calming

• Nag Champa: Amplifies a ritual, great for meditation

• Clove: Protection (especially for children), love, money, purification, exorcism, shielding/warding

• Juniper: Exorcism, protection, healing, love

• Allspice: Attracts luck and money, provides extra physical energy

• Copal: Protection, cleansing, purification, connection, spirituality, ideal for cleansing crystals and stones

• Bay: Good luck, manifestation, success, purification, protection, healing, sharpens psychic abilities

• Rosemary: Protection, exorcism, purification, promotes sleep, restores and/or mantains youth, draws love, increases intellect

• Thyme: Health, vitality, healing, cleansing

• Pine: Money, strength, patience, shielding, purification, offer to nature spirits/deities

• Fern: Burn indoors to drive out malevolent spirits, burn outdoors to bring rain

• Benzoin: Purification, prosperity, amplifies mental abilities

• Arabic Gum: Purification and protection of the home

• Blueberry: Keeps unwanted influences away

• Passionflower: Peace, anxiety soothing, promotes sleep, friendship, joy, openness

• Mullein: Courage, protection, health, divination, offering to the dead

• Rowan: Psychic ability, self reflection, healing, protection, power, spirits more likely to obey demands/requests

• Star Anise: Psychic power, manifestation, luck

• Mugwort: Strength, psychic power, spirit communication, protection, astral travel, dream work, visions/premonitions

• Rue: Healing, mental health, comfort, exorcism, love, bonding

• Saffron: Health, wealth, happiness, success, wind raising, manifestation, lust, strength, third eye

• Palo Santo: Clears stagnant/negative energy

• Eucalyptus: Healing, cleansing, physical health, clears tense energy, invigorating, empowerment

• Wormwood: Magick, astral travel, spirit work, dream work, divination, third eye, protection from magick, curses and unwelcome energies, spiritual love, opens spiritual doorways, return to sender

• Lotus: Inner peace and outer harmony, third eye, meditation ascension, recovery, offering to Lilith

• Chamomile: Love, peace, comfort, stress reduction, luck in gambling

• Amber: Manifestation, good luck, success, love, romance, patience, protection, balance, sensuality, pain relief

• Damiana: Sensuality, sexuality, astral travel, love/sex magick, baneful witchcraft, attraction, drawing spells, shadow work, healing trauma, speaking your truth

• Skull Cap: Balance, calm, recovery, anchor to bring consciousness back to the body after astral projection

• Albizzia: Opens you up to oneness, attunes the heart, brings happiness

• Lemongrass: Calming, balance, love, depression relief

• Ginger: Strength, power, prosperity, relationship success

• Oregano: Joy, travel, creativity, love, hand fasting

• Cardamom: Love, lust, charm, mental clarity

• Sweet Grass: Removes malevolent energies, draws prosperity

• Marshmallow: Spirit pulling, protection, cleansing, stimulates psychic power, self-understanding, nurturing, healing, fertility, love, sexuality

• Orris: Love, protection, divination, spirit work, intuition

• Storax: Courage, healing, moon magick, meditation, divination, encourages restful sleep, offering to Hekate

Incense Smoke Divination:

Smoke direction- Up/down:

• Up: Positive spiritual journey

• Down: Challenges, deviation from the path

Smoke direction- Right/left:

• Right: Desires will be fulfilled

• Left: Blocks and turbulent energy

Smoke direction- Towards/away:

• Towards: Reciprocal affection

• Away: Neglect or indifference

Smoke forms a circle:

• Clear circle: Strong vibes, manifestation is near

• Hazey circle: Weak vibes, uncertain manifestation

Smoke forms a Ladder:

• Multiple steps: Elevated spiritual path

• One step: Need to enhance spirituality

Spiral shape:

• Clear spiral: Big, new change

• No distinct shape: Chaos, uncertainty

Smoke splits in two:

• Important life decisions

• Trust your instincts

Many broken corners:

• Confusion, need clarity

Infinity symbol:

• Very auspicious omen

Thick and dense smoke:

• Negative energy

• Change is needed

Abrupt lighting and smoke:

• Smooth/even flame: Clear path

• Choppy flame: Hurdles on path

[abassi-okoro]

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Know thyself

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Black Power is a theoretical answer to white supremacy. It's an idea, not an actual resource. Raw power is a resource. Raw power is energy, energy is currency, currency is economics, economics is part of the ecological system, the environment. The environment is agriculture and agriculture is farming. When you farm, you produce food. Food is a commodity. That commodity can be sold, bought and traded which is the very system of operation of any economy. You boost your economy through trade of commodities, supply and demand, thus boosting your economics, thus creating currency (money) which produces energy which creates power, which is a resource. Until black people can do this - there is no "Black Power" only theoretical black bravado which is really nothing more than black pride. REAL black power and black pride are not one of the same. One is an idea, the other is an application.

[abassi-okoro]

The Seven Hermetic Principles, upon which the entire Hermetic Philosophy is based.

1. The Principle of Mentalism

    "THE ALL IS MIND; The Universe is Mental.“

This Principle embodies the truth that “All is Mind.” It explains that THE ALL (which is the Substantial Reality underlying all the outward manifestations and appearances which we know under the terms of “The Material Universe"; the “Phenomena of Life"; ���Matter"; “Energy"; and, in short, all that is apparent to our material senses) is SPIRIT which in itself is UNKNOWABLE and UNDEFINABLE, but which may be considered and thought of as AN UNIVERSAL, INFINITE, LIVING MIND.

2. The Principle of Correspondence

    "As above, so below; as below, so above.“

This Principle embodies the truth that there is always a Correspondence between the laws and phenomena of the various planes of Being and Life. The old Hermetic axiom ran in these words: “As above, so below; as below, so above.” And the grasping of this Principle gives one the means of solving many a dark paradox, and hidden secret of Nature.

3. The Principle of Vibration

    "Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates.“

This Principle embodies the truth that “everything is in motion”; “everything vibrates"; “nothing is at rest"; facts which Modern Science endorses, and which each new scientific discovery tends to verify. And yet this Hermetic Principle was enunciated thousands of years ago, by the Masters of Ancient Egypt.

4. The Principle of Polarity

    "Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its     pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are     identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet;     all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be     reconciled.“

This Principle embodies the truth that “everything is dual”; “everything has two poles"; “everything has its pair of opposites,“ all of which were old Hermetic axioms.

5. The Principle of Rhythm

    "Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides;     all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in     everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the     measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates.”

This Principle embodies the truth that in everything there is manifested a measured motion, to and fro; a flow and inflow; a swing backward and forward; a pendulum-like movement; a tide-like ebb and flow; a high-tide and low-tide; between the two poles which exist in accordance with the Principle of Polarity described a moment ago. There is always an action and a reaction; an advance and a retreat; a rising and a sinking.

6. The Principle of Cause and Effect

    "Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause;     everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name     for Law not recognized; there are many planes of causation,     but nothing escapes the Law.“

This Principle embodies the fact that there is a Cause for every Effect; an Effect from every Cause. It explains that: “Everything Happens according to Law”; that nothing ever “merely happens"; that there is no such thing as Chance; that while there are various planes of Cause and Effect, the higher dominating the lower planes, still nothing ever entirely escapes the Law. The Hermetists understand the art and methods of rising above the ordinary plane of Cause and Effect, to a certain degree, and by mentally rising to a higher plane they become Causers instead of Effects.

7. The Principle of Gender

    "Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine     and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all     planes.“

[abassi-okoro]

How Grounding Works:

Grounding techniques often use the five senses—sound, touch, smell, taste, and sight—to immediately connect you with the here and now. For example, singing a song, rubbing lotion on your hands, or sucking on some sour candy are all grounding techniques that produce sensations that are difficult to ignore or distract you from what’s going on in your mind.

This helps you directly and instantaneously connect with the present moment.  At the same time, grounding reduces the likelihood that you will slip into a flashback or dissociation.

Grounding is highly personal. What may work for one person may trigger anxiety or flashbacks in another. You may need to do some trial and error before you figure out what grounding techniques work best for you. Pay attention to the coping mechanisms you’ve already developed to help you get through flashbacks and anxiety and see if you can build on them and/or use them as grounding techniques.

Grounding Techniques

To connect with the here and now, do something (or several things) that will bring all your attention to the present moment. Be sure to keep your eyes open while you’re grounding yourself so you’re aware of everything that’s going on around you.

If you notice that you’re slipping into a flashback or a dissociative state, try some of these grounding techniques.

Sight

Complete a crossword puzzle, sudoku, word search, or other puzzles.

Count all the pieces of furniture around you.

Play a distracting game on your tablet, computer, or smartphone.

Put on your favorite movie or TV show.

Read a book or magazine.

Take a mental inventory of everything around you, such as all the colors and patterns you see, the sounds you hear, and the scents you smell. Saying this out loud is helpful too.

Smell

Get some essential oils that remind you of good times (freshly cut grass, rain, clean laundry, or sugar cookies, for example) and smell one.

Light a scented candle or melt scented wax.

Sniff strong peppermint, which also has the benefit of having a soothing effect.3

Sound

Call a loved one.

Put on some nature sounds such as birds chirping or waves crashing.

Read out loud, whether it’s a favorite children’s book, a blog article, or the latest novel.

Talk out loud about what you see, hear, or what you’re thinking or doing.4

Turn up the radio or blast your favorite song.

Taste

Bite into a lemon or lime.

Let a piece of chocolate melt in your mouth, noticing how it tastes and feels as you roll it around with your tongue.

Suck on a mint or chew peppermint or cinnamon gum.

Take a bite of pepper or some hot salsa.

Touch

Cuddle and pet your dog or cat if you have one.

Drink a hot or cold beverage.

Grab an article of clothing, a blanket, or a towel and knead it in your hands or hold it to your cheek. Concentrate on what it feels like.

Hold an ice cube and let it melt in your hand.

Massage your temples.

Pop some bubble wrap.

Put your hands under running water.4

Rub your hand lightly over the carpet or a piece of furniture, noting the texture.

Take a hot or cool shower.

Other

Dance.

Go for a walk or run.

Send a letter or card to someone you care about.

Sit in another room or area for a change of scenery.

Stretch your arms, neck, and legs.

Take 10 slow, deep breaths.

Write in a journal about how you’re feeling or keep a list of prompts handy that you can use to decide what to write about.

Grounding Can Be Done Anywhere

The nice thing about using grounding as a coping technique is that many of these techniques can be done in any environment.5 You might be home alone or out in public, but once you feel that flashback or dissociation coming on, you can use grounding to move your focus back to the present.

Working on grounding takes dedication and it becomes easier over time. If these particular grounding techniques don’t work for you, try something else. For example, some people find that a rubber band on their wrist is useful to snap them back to the moment. The ultimate goal is to live in the now and focus on the present when the past starts coming up.

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