N.I.G.G.A.: Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished

By Joann Taylor

Journaling for peace. As a child, I was curious why? I did not have that African Heritage taught to me by family, but by others. Why my mom never shows up to fight with the teachers for me?

Why are my friend's worse than enemies?Why are my Black American humans treated like we a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Taylor Made Author
• Release date: Oct 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781732318861

Book preview

Introduction

Today is June 4, 2021. I am excited to present a book to an audience so patient! My people who helped me 22 years ago. Please understand I had no clue what I was doing. However, the time has arrived. I am a goal is my dream.  I have accomplished my goal in reality. Many of the stories I tell are based on my life. I regret changing a few things, but the fear of what my mother would say captured me. Now, it is okay to write how I would like too regardless.  Not really, but if Momma comes to haunt me well, I hope she will. I might just pass out. My momma has passed away now, she left me in this cold world.

So, I dedicated this book to her many years ago. This book you are about to read is about a young Black American girl. Once upon a time I thought I was an African American. Well, we leave that story to be told by the American History textbooks. It just hit me so wonder I was failing school. Bullshit was what the subject should have been titled. I really believe I was African. They wrote my culture out of the books. Now, you see me, and now you don't. Peek-a-boo! This book tells of the ups, and downs we face here in the Southern Region of the United States of America. I have to say, I see the change stirring, but no one is actually making a move. No matter the trauma I have been faced with. Like Maya Angelo, Still I Rise. Call me what you want to please your soul. Just remember, I belong to God.  It is not the name which a person calls me that defines me. It is my character, and the work I perform which titles me.

Many years have passed in the first introduction I wrote tributes to those who paved the way! The title of this book, and inspirational messages come from family and friends. I wanted to pay respect to those who taught me to stand. Although Janice Marie King Jones Chatman, taught me how to walk it out.

1

Finding Myself!

Whenever, I learned how to run from my Mom I tried too! My brother Roland would chase me down G-wood the street we lived on for most of my childhood. He would bring me right back to my mom defeated. Then I would get a good old whooping. I believe it is the bull inside of me. I'm a Taurus born May 11, 1980. I could never forget the meaning of my name; Mrs. Sherbert taught me it in second grade. When, I attended Blanchette Elementary School. I have cherished this thought in my head ever since I learned it. God's gift to the world my name is Baby Ruth, which holds meaning. So, I cannot exclude the meaning, from my life. I had four Uncles, and three Aunts which are still alive. One of her sister's passed away Aunt Ruth, is my mother sister she is married to my Uncle Bo. There is also my Uncle Jake, which is married to my Aunt Wilma. These two are special to me because they are my Godparents meaning, anything happened to my mom they get to take care of me. Uncle Jake has three children. First off, they have two girls, one boy the name of Patrice and the other Thelma. they also have a son name J.J...  After this we have Uncle Thomas, and Aunt Sandy. Which have two boys Clifford, and Thomas Junior. In addition, to these family members we have aunt Melissa who has married to uncle George aunt Melissa bore my cousin Candy who was named after my mother's mom Candy. Also, she conceived my 2nd cousin's William, Freddie, Turner, Virginia, and Felicia. Most of their lives were spent in Houston. Uncle Berg, and Uncle Simon neither had kids. Aunt Detra was my favorite, and she had two girls. One of her girls was Rebecca which had three kids. Howard the first born and second there was Terrence. Also, there was, Artist the baby girl. Second Detra had Paris, and Paris made me have even more cousins. Latrice was the first cousin, in reality that pulled me away from the street way of life. Following my Oldest Cuzzins was Harvey, an Antonio also Brandy. Mama also had a sister, called Molly although she passed away. She did leave behind a 12-year-old daughter, named Polly one of my craziest cousins. Polly had three children as well. One of them we call Kelly, Ernest, and little Corey. This is the whole family I'm sure I'll talk about each one.

Funny, I chose the best for last unknowing. When I wrote this book 20 years ago, I never realized the significance of having family. I mean real family not friends that are close like family. I reconnected with Polly, and today I am a 41-year-old young woman. And as I stated this family tree is very Important. Today, I can see my cousin Polly as an inspiration for others telling her testimony. I also can see how this story resonates for the Black American future. I have to tell you my cousin was on Crack 20 years ago. I didn't know what her drive was, but I knew she had a protection for me in her heart. Recently, I watched a movie which talked about the monster Crack which wrecked the then called, African American Communities. I want us to disassociate with that terminology. Truth be told we are now (Native Americans) by definition of the Webster Dictionary. I was born In Galveston, Texas on American soil. I want to be recognized as a Black American. Thank God my mother was a hard worker. I never knew the odds our people faced. I never understood my mother and resented her working two, and three jobs. The same thing happened with my daughter I now realize the trauma we have all been through as the Black Americans. No one fight for our rights as American's, but it is time for us to show up as leader's. My cousin Polly has a hell of a story, but her loyalty to the community, and family never wavered with her addiction. As, I ran those streets at night she ran my ass home. told my mom every time she would see me walking at 3:00 in the morning. Now, I am rushing over to her house for a job as a provider. The tables have turned, and she is in control of her life. Raising her beautiful autistic Grandkid's for her son. I had to see it to believe it no sleep for her most nights. This lady has friends from over 40 years. Sheila Hill, and Polly were best friends until death. Well, as the story progress you will see exactly how Polly is truly a force to be reckoned with.

I believe that my family is pretty decent in character. We are military, and entertainers. I was resentful, because I felt as if