Renaldo Connor Jr. – Stronger With Him

Here goes my virtual interview with Renaldo Jr:

How do you keep your feelings from clouding your decision-making?
First I acknowledge what I am feeling and then I take the time to analyze how these feelings can affect my thinking and mislead me, whether it be by fear, anger, sadness or even happiness. Emotions are usually temporary so I always like to take a step back when dealing with a subject that may affect me emotionally and re-address it when I have had the time to evaluate the feelings I had towards the subject in question in order to make sure I make a decision that is not purely based on my emotions.

Who has influenced you the most and how?
The biggest influencer I’ve ever had in my life was my mother. She did not have the easiest life to say the least, but she always stayed strong and she always kept her faith. Growing up until this present day I still try to apply her wisdom.

What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
If I had to change one thing in my life I would have taken the time to listen with a lot more attentiveness to the lessons my mother tried to teach me. It is true that I do remember a lot but if I knew in the moment how valuable they really were, I wouldn’t have taken it for granted.

100 years from now, what do you hope to be remembered for/as?
I would like people to remember me as someone simply filled with love and compassion. It’s the best thing we can have and should have. It’s what makes us human and it’s what keeps us together. Love searches for peace, it is patient, it is kind, it is thoughtful. Love to me is the answer to some of the biggest questions we may have in life.

What hope do you have for younger black men growing up in America?
I hope that they take the time to realize that life is very short and it is precious. And that they’ll never get another shot at it. Living in a world where there is so much cruelty and lack of compassion for innocent black men, they should try not to be one of the guilty ones that others use as an excuse to condone their own racism and  bad behavior.