I have always wanted to write and all my life, my head has been full of characters, their voices and their lives. I have always been too afraid to share them with anyone and especially afraid to share my thoughts on a wide array of interests including the arts, TV, movies, theater, law, education, and, when necessary, politics. Ever since 44 told us that we are the ones we’ve been waiting for, I’ve felt like I wasn’t doing enough. There is a line in the song, “Revolution,” by Arrested Development (featured on the soundtrack for the movie “Malcolm X”) that asks:

“I say, “Are you doing as much as you can for the struggle?” (no)
“Am I doing as much as I can for the struggle? (no)

Then why do I cry when
My people are in trouble (yo)
My ancestors slapped me
In the face and said (go).'”

So this is me – going, after spending decades stuck in place. I have always wanted to be an artist. But I have lived somewhat safely, choosing degrees from top schools, fancy titles and six figures instead of being bravely me. I did all that stretching outside my comfort zone until I was so stretched out that I lost me. Uncomfortable in every role, in every pay range, in all familiar and unfamiliar settings. Life’s too short. My parents worked too hard to make sure I had this educated, informed voice, so it’s disrespectful not to use it.

This voice is laced with profanity as it is my only vice. No drinking, no smoking, but there will be swearing. You’ve been warned. No need to worry. I’m very proficient at it and like to think that this lyric from the song, “Joy in Repetition” by the late Prince (on the “Graffiti Bridge” soundtrack) sums up my cussing talent just so: “four letter words are seldom heard with such dignity and light.”

I like to put a little extra emphasis on a few points I’m passionate about and I like code-switching in mid-sentence, plus it drives people crazy, so it’s how I repay the world for giving me so many reasons to cuss.

I want this blog to be about perfectly acceptable four-letter words that can be much more of a shock to the system than “bad” words. For me, these words include: LOSS, WORK, LIFE, BOSS, VOTE, etc. What’s your favorite “good” 4-letter word?