The Audacity of Hope

Leadership Paper: Mayor Muriel Bowser Introduction During the early 2000’s, Washington DC saw an in fluctuation of young professionals transitioning to the city and growth in the building of new condos, employment opportunity, and entertainment (Sturtevant, 2013). This change in demographics brings forth new residents and a change in the census data of the city from being 60% African American (Sturtevant, 2013). Washington DC is comprised of 8 wards which each was has a representative on…

The Audacity of Sincerity I 'm being sincere here, I promise; but the thought of blazing a trail of sincerity in a world that is accustomed to lies is an audacious move that requires stern commitment. I have wondered time and time again that how did we get to the point where manipulation has become the norm; sincerity and irony have almost become synonymous. On the part of the pop artistes, I see a conundrum of insincerity that is necessitated by an audience that has developed “itchy ears” for…

Elihu prepared the way for God’s arrival on the stage with his vivid description of the impending storm, followed by a doxology: “From the north, golden, He is coming. Upon God is terrible majesty. The Almighty – we have not found Him; He is exalted in strength. In His justice and great righteousness, He does not oppress. Therefore, humans fear Him, for He does not have regard for those who think themselves wise” (37:22-24). “Then the LORD (Yahweh) answered Job out of the storm” (38:1). God’s…

That was the reason why, when the posted sentry examined the faux papers that Action Andy gave them, he wholeheartedly believed that they were legitimate, when in reality they were indistinguishable from real ones. After handing the papers back to Action Andy, he implored him about the nature of his visit. He said to the Nightingale leader: “Might I also ask why you here at such an early hour, sir?” Action Andy, in response, bluffed the question by coming up with a convincing excuse. “We came…

“Oh shit….shit…..run!” That was the last thing I remember saying before I was taken to the hospital. “So how are you feeling today, Mr. Morris?” The therapist lady had a smirk on her face as if she didn’t already know or understand my suffering “Can you tell me about the war Mr. Morris?” She asked. I remember hearing these loud and mean machines flying right above us. I remember having this feeling in my stomach as if I knew my death was inevitable, as if the world has finally come to an end,…

19 – Unsure The memory of Idmaer plagued Edoma, preventing any semblance of a good night’s rest. He had looked so helpless in shackles. She knew him to be anything but, even bound in chains she could see his mind working to figure a way out of it. But there wasn’t such a way. He was no longer the man she had loved, if that man had ever even existed. To think he had stolen the grimoire from the First Priest’s tomb, all those years ago, and never told her about it. And then he had used the magic…

It is minutes later now and we are trudging down an overgrown trail, tactfully descending the deep slopes of New Mexican land. Everything smells strongly of mud and salt and soaked manure from the horse barn down the road. I almost trip over a weed, but my father steadies me and says, “Almost there, baby.” The arroyo is different than I have ever seen it. It is scattered with long, silver puddles. In the pink glow of the rising sun, the sand looks shiny and slippery. Around us, green tufts of…

The Synchronized Complexity What is the most romantic encounter that could ever happen in the modern American society? Dan had constantly thought to himself as he struggled to find love. He didn't feel lonely or the urgent need to be validated by people around him, but rather he wished he could have someone to share his vulnerability with, someone who could understand and provide him some level of emotional comfort. Get the fuck out. Dan could still hear those words echoing loudly inside…

John 10:10; 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it abundantly. Even the devil can disguise himself when approaching the children of God. Our defense is God, love and humility. Let us embrace the good news that no evil scheme can ruin us if we abide in the light of the glorious Gospel of true freedom, which is in Jesus Christ and Him alone. 2 Corinthians 4:6-12; 6 For God, who commanded the light…

The story begins and ends in the ‘chamber’ and even the police were made to sit in the same room where the murder was committed – “I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues when I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.” On the other hand the setting is very Gothic and immensely horrid in ‘The Pit and The Pendulum’. The narrator here is sentenced to death…