Credits : Diana L. Ragland
EDITORIAL
How To Defeat the Giant Called Anger
I was adopted as a 6-month-old baby. My mother was 17 years old and the family decided in the council to give me up for adoption. As they disagreed with the connection between my mother and my father. That my mother had a child from a black man was not desired. My family on my mother's side is Brazilian and her step-father was Italian . My father comes from Africa.
My father left Germany before I was born, he had no idea that I existed ! He found out about me only when my mother wrote him a letter. He tried to come into the country again but the state refused him the entry. Four years later he managed it, and the authorities told him that I was given away for adoption. The bad thing for my father was that my mother didn't let him be registered as a father in my birth certificate, so he had no chance and no rights to enforce. Fastforward I met my mother when I was 18 years old, unfortunately she showed almost no interest in me what really hurt me. Also she spoke badly about my father whom I did not know, I think she should've not done that - she was good at blaming others but to admit her own mistakes was far from her. She died in 2018 without clearing things up with us. I miss the conversation very much today that actually will never happen. And somehow I miss her. Matter of fact I've always missed her. I also must admit that I struggled with the so called negative mother-complex. Almost every failure in my life was connected to a woman. I can exactly tell you how it feels like. It feels like the long shadow of my biological mother and the absence in my psyche followed me . I was caged in my own mind and emotions...
Now onto my biological father. I met my father when I was 36 years old. I searched for him on Facebook and finally found him. I wrote to him and since I am registered as an alias artist name, he thought that I was a stranger in politics because he is very politically active - we talked past each other. And when we talked on the phone he understood that I was his son. 36 years of not knowing, who my father was. 36 years full of anger. 36 years of an untold story. Actually before even the approach on Facebook, I was so full of anger and disappointment that just hearing his name was a total rejection on my side. I always thought that he didn't love me. Thanks to my wife, who showed me little by little the importance of forgiving. Forgiving is a freeing power we often underestimate. You don't forgive to please others, you're doing it for your inner peace and for the most part, to overcome family trauma. It's not easy at all. Facing your fears and all emotions linked to it, is HUGE ! Just like standing in front of a giant. You have the authority to defeat him. It doesn't matter how tall you are. as long as you are confident and spiritually ready to destroy the toxicity in your life , you just go for it.
One year of battling with my toxic emotions I finally decided to go visit him. After long hours of conversation he felt so guilty that he couldn't be the father for me. He said that it was the biggest mistake of his life. I told him that I did not condemn him and that I understand that it was very difficult for him. My father talked about my mother with love in his heart and he cried when I told him that she had passed away. From that moment I knew that all those years were wasted and I wrongly believed the false accusations against him.
I forgive him. I understand him, a man who cries and is ashamed of his actions, is really sorry. These were hard times for me, there were times when I thought my life made no sense and wanted to give up. I hated myself for my fate and was not the one I am today. I went through hell and lesson learned.
The loss of my biological family sits deeply till this very moment, it will never be same.
True Story by Marcus Jealinho , Co-Founder
Black Pepper Magazine
The Red Fruit
Credits : @nursedaizy
Cat Burns is a 19 years-old artist and songwriter from the UK. She is ready to leave her musical mark on the UK music scene with her honest lyrics and vibe.
5 Days ago she released her newest song, called 'I don't blame you' . This song is our favorite right now. Lyrically deep and honest. Reflecting back to little Cat. The anger, disappointment and anxiety experienced as a child is definitely to blame but she has
defeated the giant and freed herself by forgiving. If you haven't heard from her by now, don't wait any longer. Follow her on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WFDpw4u23uSpon4BHvFRn
Keep up with Cat Burns on her socials @catburns
Credits : #Netflix
JORDYN RAYA JAMES
Known in the series as ' Ami McKellan',
the youngest of the McKellan siblings and the
cutest little girl everyone loves.
The 9 year old is ambitious and
her talent promises the transformation
from being the girl with dreams to
a woman with visions.
Jordyn started her career way back at 18 months modeling for Carter's and made her first TV appearance in 2014 on the second season of ABC's Bet Your Baby. Today you may spot her in several commercials and in Netflix Series #FamilyReunion. ( Photo by demarest_photography )
Instagram : @jordyn.r.james
DECEMBER COVER STAR
Credits : Diana Ragland
Anthony Alabi was not always acting. His first career was
Football and he got signed by Miami Dolphins in 2005.
After 4 years, Alabi decided to retire from the NFL to pursue
his true passion, acting.
If both career paths would have failed, Anthony still has a
plan . He earned his Bachelor's degree in criminal justice
with a minor in Business. On top of that a Master's in Liberal
Arts with a criminology focus.
His father is Nigerian and his mother Puerto Rican . Not only
does he have the ' McKellan ' Family but also has his own with his wife.
Anthony Alabi is a great and unique actor, who knows how to combine comedy and
vulnerability at the same time. This uniqueness is really much seen as him being a lead
in Netflix series 'Family Reunion' , which debuted this year in July. You may have seen him in Disney's Raven's Home, guest starring on 'NCIS' just to name a few.
Get to know more about Anthony Alabi down below
Credits : Diana Ragland
Keep up with Anthony on Social Media @anthonyalabiofficial
Meg DeLoatch, the Woman Behind 'Family Reunion'
Meg gracefully showcased the importance of cultural education, unity and humor in 'Family Reunion' . With an all black writers room, the multigenerational family series elevates the authenticity and highlights cultural representation .Not only is the Hollywood veteran known for Family Reunion but she has also written and produced multiple hit shows like Disney's Ravens Home, Austin and Ally and adult comedies like Born Again Virgin and many more .
Interview
Do you remember? We couldn’t wait for the next episode of The Cosby’s, My wife&kids , Family matters, Hanging with Mr. Cooper, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air etc. But now we have “Family Reunion” and we are more than happy to see it rise.
Let's slide with the McKellan's
Learn more about Meg in BPMAG Podcast SOON ! Turn on post notification on Instagram @blackpeppermag to not miss the announcement.
When will Part 2 of ‘Family Reunion’ be on Netflix?
On September 2019, #Netflix announced a season 2 for #FamilyReunion with 16 episode order. The show will feature a Christmas special launch on December 9,2019.
Nine additional episodes from season 1 will launch in January 2020.
PERSONAL GROWTH & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
'TIS THE SEASON TO SERVE
ON THE RISE
Menoosha
Credits: Genevieve Chassee
Menoosha is an Afro-german singer with roots in Cameroon. Her music is different, soulful and nostalgic. Listening to her songs is like going back in time. That same vibe Jill Scott and India Arie be giving us back to back, Menoosha does it in her own way. 'Touching my hair' is the first single from her album 'Airs about Hair' and is currently making waves on several UK independent radios and recently in Nigeria and the US.
@menooshasusungi on IG
@MENOOSHA on Facebook
T-Stone
The Caribbean is back in the building ! We've noticed that most of you absolutely loved the October Issue with Admiral T on the cover, we have to go on with the Caribbean heat.
T-Stone, the new nightingale in the West Indies, definitely confirms all his vocal talent, with his latest track "Olala" which already has more than a million views on YouTube.
A video that is loved by the young public, and which also has a great impact on prestigious international media.
A dazzling success, therefore, for the young Guadeloupe prodigy whom his fans already praise as the torchbearer of the new generation of singers in the West Indies.
T-Stone is back this time with a new single Dancehall / Reggaeton, a hit that promises to sweep everything away in its path.
Entitled "Fou De Vou", this piece obviously speaks to us about love but from a new angle where the artist combines fame and feelings by declaring his love to his sweetheart who obviously has eyes not only for him.
Translated as "Mad About You"
Twitter : @TStoneOff
Snapchat: Tstonemusic
The Arab-Muslim Slave Trade
Dear readers, dear friends, brothers and sisters,
I write this story with love for my people, because my thoughts are always with you. This story is based on historically proven facts, characters I have fictitiously brought in. I am aware that this is a sensitive subject, but that is why we have to talk about it. We have to talk about it and there is no way around it. Everyone always speaks up when it comes to the subject of slavery, about the one subject - the Atlantic slave trade began at the beginning of the 16th century, I do not need to elaborate any further.
But not only Europe... The Arabs were already active centuries before the Europeans in the slave trade. 1,300 years, their business with human trade flourished.
Sources reports about why in North Africa the population of Black Africans is so low. The Arabs had worried that the Africans could mix with their peers. To prevent this from happening they've neutered the men and children upon their arrival at the slave markets.
I'm writing this story is for the dead that we will never forget. I'm writing this story for those who lives that actually have the chance to change something. This short story is written for the unborn children who can make our world a even better place.
