Temitope Benson’s Post

Having children is a gift in itself, having the honour and the privilege to watch a human grow and be part of that growth. But when they grow up, you start to receive gifts on days like Mother's Day and the blessing grows even greater. In honour of Mother's Day, I thought I would share the two best gifts I ever received, both from my children. And on Saturday, I am going live on YouTube to share the best memories of my amazing Mom as the journey for us still here continues. Let's talk about it! https://lnkd.in/gXA6_eMM #Reconciliation #Canada #Indigenous #Anishinaabe #ojibwe #indigenousreconciliation #indigenousCanada #indigenouspeopleofCanada #indigenoustruthandreconciliation #Canadianreconciliation #indigenouscultureCanada #Indigenousculture #indigenousworldviews #indigenousworldviewvswesternworldview #Reconciliation #recruitment #retention #HR #healing #history #CanadianHistory #allyship #Canadian #Anishinaabe #IndigenousPeoples #Indigenousrecruitment #Indigenousretention #Indigenousengagement #unpacking #decolonizing #decolonization #assimilation #icreatesafespace #indigenousCanada #change #growth #Indigenoussuccess #Indigenousempowerment #recruitment #retention #allyship #ReconcilliationWorksCanada

Juneteenth connects the past and the present. But if you're still unaware of why we celebrate and why it's so important, take two minutes out of your day to watch this quick lesson in history: https://bit.ly/3RuX3bc

Honoring Our Ancestors and Moving Forward As we celebrate Juneteenth, let us honor the strength and determination of our ancestors. Their stories of courage and perseverance serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration. By learning from their experiences, we can continue to push forward, break barriers, and create a better future for ourselves and the generations to come. #juneteenth#ancestors#traumasurvivors#beyourtrushines#trudyshines#radiantcoach

𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵: 𝗔 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 ✨ Today, we honor Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This day marks a pivotal moment in American history when, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, with the news that the Civil War had ended and enslaved people were now free—two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 🌟 𝗔 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:  It’s a time to reflect on the progress made towards equality and the work still needed to ensure freedom and justice for all. 🌟 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲: Juneteenth is a celebration of African American culture, resilience, and contributions to our society. 🌟 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: Understanding history is key to building a more inclusive future. Juneteenth reminds us of the importance of continuous learning and empathy. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲? 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀: Host discussions or webinars about the significance of Juneteenth and African American history. 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸-𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀: Encourage supporting local Black-owned businesses and share recommendations. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲: Organize volunteer opportunities or support initiatives that benefit the African American community. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲: Take time to reflect on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within your organization and recognize areas for improvement. 𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺: 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳? 𝘈𝘴𝘬 𝘮𝘦! Happy Juneteenth! ✊🏿❤️💛💚

If you decide to celebrate Juneteenth, be aware that *today's version* has been blended with the tenants of Cultural Marxism and CRT. Be clear about what you choose to celebrate and perpetuate. https://lnkd.in/gWzZgrNV #Juneteenth #CRT #CulturalMarxism #Wokeism #StoryscapeDesign

As Juneteenth nears, I want to let everyone know my availability to give talks and facilitate workshops about the holiday! I write and talk about: Race Mass Incarceration Being Black in Tech The Power of Storytelling My Juneteenth conversations cover the following: The history of slavery and the impact it has today. The origin of Juneteenth. Post slavery in America. How racism functions in society in present time. Juneteenth customs and traditions. Ways and thoughts about why Juneteenth is important today. If you are interested in talking with me about hosting a discussion on Juneteenth or race in general with your organization, please contact me! #juneteenth #race #history

In the tapestry of time, #BlackHistoryMonth is a thread woven with strength, resilience, and brilliance. It's a time to listen, learn, and lift each other up. Let's honor every story and stride! Learn more at https://ow.ly/7FiS50QwnuL

I spent most of my educational years with European descendants. Being in boarding school at some of SA's premium education institutions from the age of ten years, they spent more time (quantitatively) moulding me than my own father did, a widowed single parent Queen's College (Eastern Cape - Esse Quam Videri - To Be Rather Than To Seem To Be); South African College School (SACS) less than a year, I cannot even remember the motto or values; & Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch - Semper Splendidior - Always More Splendid). The acronym for the school name, PRG, we use as our values; Pride, Respect, & Gentlemanship. To illustrate my cognition & sensibilities as a consequence, consider the following episode in my life... Penuel Mlotshwa hosted a breakfast for a few young African men in 2011, Melrose Arch in Johannesburg. on of the subjects we covered is militancy as an option for total emancipation. My position at the time was as follows: "There are some white people I love dearly, and I'll drop any one of you around this table without a second thought, if came to a racially charged war." I still had an identity crisis at the time, seeing South Africans as blacks, whites, and coloureds. Asians, Indians included, are South Africans too, their just not racially classified (isn't that curious? perhaps because they have no inherent claim to the land?) I digress... So what's happened in the last 13 years? Well, firstly, I'd only been in Johannesburg about a year at that time. I was still dabbling in Euro-Christianity, struggling to renouce "The truth, the light, and the way". Secondly, from my legal studies - LLB - I was taught the structural M.O (modus operandi) of European civilisation's colonial expansion methodology. That's when my love for whites turned to hatred, a feeling I'd never experienced before. But, it did not endure; at least not consciously. I was markedly less agreeable from that point on, though. Thirdly, I experienced the kind of disillusionement & despair that leads to suicide. On two distinct occasions, about a year apart, I stood at deaths door - reasoning with the consciousness from the deep. I'd lived an extraordinary life & was convinced that I had experienced all the good that life has to offer & found it wanting. And whatever I had not, would be equally disappointing. Truth is, it became apparent, I was distraught to see reality for what it was, beguiled by the lies or deceit of just about everyone around me. And when the truth was made manifest, & reality crushed my imposed delusion, I felt stupid & ashamed & opted out. Because the idea of starting over, knowing the cost of success & living in truth, was unimaginable. Continued in comments...

I wanted to share something this Pride Month  🏳️🌈 I created a workbook, “Embracing Queerness & Faith: A Reflective Journey.” As someone who has navigated the intersection of queerness and spirituality, I created this workbook to be a supportive, personal, and transformative resource for others on similar journeys. The workbook is 204 pages and is designed to be a safe space for individuals to explore and reconcile their queer identity with their spiritual beliefs, regardless of their specific faith or religion. This workbook is not about breaking down doctrine or referencing specific scriptures. Instead, it includes: - Personal Reflections: Exercises to help you delve into your own experiences and beliefs. - Navigating Challenges: Guidance on dealing with internalised homophobia and religious trauma. - Self-Care Practices: Tips for managing stress and setting healthy boundaries. - Queer Theology: Exploration of liberation theology and building supportive communities. - Intersectionality & Social Justice: Understanding the broader context of queerness within social justice movements. - Personal Integration: Tools to integrate these insights into your daily life. What sets this workbook apart is its unique approach – there’s truly nothing else like it available. It’s a blend of personal storytelling, professional guidance, and spiritual reflection, making it a one-of-a-kind resource. To celebrate Pride Month, I’m offering a special 20% discount on the workbook. Link to purchase in the comments!

Fourteenth Sunday of Pentecost-((8/25/2023)-Dealing with issues teens & Adults One of the greatest needs today is the teaching of Biblical values. Our country was founded on the principle that the government should be by the people, of the people, and for the people. That means that it will be run by the people, will consist of everyday citizens, not career politicians, and shall be geared toward benefiting the people. That requires that the people be informed about what is going on and able to decide what is best for them. The result was a push for universal education so everyone would be educated and for affordable newspapers to inform the people so they could vote intelligently. Up until the 1970’s, the churches, the schools and media were active in teaching Christian values so even those who did not attend church generally supported Christian values and open discussion of issues was allowed and even encouraged. Since then, the schools and the media have become increasingly liberal and have increasingly pushed their views openly and actively suppressed any opposing views. In addition, the church has been very lax in teaching Christian values to its members. Eighty percent of active churchgoers say they want their church to teach moral values, especially those regarding the family. Since they don’t understand Biblical values, many who attend church today hold liberal views while continuing to give lip service to the Bible. Young people who once received Christian values in school are increasingly being indoctrinated with liberal values and persecuted when they question them. The church must actively teach members Christian values and to question what they hear from the media. In addition, the church needs to help members understand why those values are important so they can defend them against liberal teaching. As a result, I have created a series of courses on Udemy on Christian values and how they differ from man-centered values to help church leaders understand and teach Biblical values. They are in a series of short videos so they can be shown one at a time and allow a discussion time in between.       promo https://lnkd.in/dyk9ucGn