We are a powerful group of Dread Heads! From different states, different time zones, with different beliefs, different backgrounds, different goals, Etc; But we were fortunately able to come together for one common cause. Every one deals with trials and tribulations in their life, as well as joy and happiness and we decided to share our experiences with the world in our Knotty Dread Diaries. I hope that you will enjoy, be intrigued, feel sad, mad, be uplifted, Feel disappointed, fall in love, Etc, after reading our thoughts. It was with great pleasure that I was able to participate in something as special as this with such a special group of intelligent Loc'd Kings and Queens. I hope you as a reader will be as entertained as I was while going through each writer's work. Peace...

The Name ILLUMI-KNOTTY is an actual play on the word Illuminati. We tweaked it to fit our Natural hair movement. We were tired of our women having to cover their knotty thick roots to please society, and our men having to cut off their Locs or knotty afro's just to conform to society's standards or to stand a better chance of landing that job we were offered. The word Illuminate means to supply or brighten with light, and that's exactly what we do, Bring light to a world full of darkness, and the Knotty stands for our hair that is often labeled as ugly or unkempt. This is a compilation of Poems, Short Stories, Spoken Word Pieces, Paragraphs, etc of our collective thoughts all gathered together in one book. We are speaking on various subjects from Natural Hair to Politics to just everyday things that we all may go through from time to time. Hopefully it will bring you as much joy and insight as it has brought me after reading it.

I come from a place where if you're not from around there you might not understand it. I see police on almost every block, stopping and frisking, harassing hardworking citizens etc... And in the midst of all this there is still a high rate of drugs and violent crime. To see the raw realities of life in certain poverty stricken or low wage communities is depressing to say the least. I decided to paint a vivid picture through rhyme of what I see and experience on an everyday basis. Millions of people in and out the ghetto can relate to these stories even if they don't reside there because they know someone who is going through some sort of trouble. The truth is ugly, it hurts, it breaks you down, but it's real and it wakes you up to the Facts of Life Living in the Ghetto.....

I began writing poetry at the age of seventeen. A couple of my childhood friends and I would sit and write raps to music and make cassette tapes to pass the time I began to notice that I really liked to write and express myself on paper and it became a hobby of mine. That was twenty years ago and I think I love writing more now than previously. One of my associates published a book recently and was gracious enough to let me share my thoughts and upon seeing my years of writing come to fruition, it motivated me to embark on my own publications. I tried to write this in such a way that whatever emotions you are feeling at the time, you would be able to open this book and free your mind and get lost in my world for a few hours. In closing, I would just like to say whatever your passion or dreams are go for it! With enough hard work and dedication you can make it happen.

Here it is! After having so much success with Volume one of my Poetry series, I decided to come right back with out hesitation with Volume 2. In this work, I expand a little deeper on different topics plaguing my community as a whole. There's a lot of blood sweat and tears in these pages but the vivid pictures painted make you feel like you're right there as things are happening. I thank you for taking the time out of your life to read my thoughts in rhyme. I appreciate you. Fly Ty Unchained [email protected]

Pain is terrible! Pain is awful! Pain is misery! But pain is also a lesson! Pain is also a teacher! Pain can be a blessing! Sometimes pain may make you get up and change something in your life to bring back something better! We don't realize a lot of times how pain can benefit us. Trust me I know, No one wants to deal with pain of any kind, whether physical, mental or spiritual. The thing is we need to learn how to grow to a level of patience that will allow nothing to bother us in a negative way in our lives until whatever problem we are dealing with subsides, and it will, whether now or later. It takes time though, believe me I'm going through it right now and it's not easy! Over time though I have learned that many people are dealing with tremendous physical pain in their lives, and they have no choice but to try to get through it and live their lives to the best of their ability.

Imagine dealing with problem after problem after problem after problem in your life! For most of us, we don't have to imagine, it's a reality! From pain, to sickness to heartache, to the loss of a loved one, loss of a job, Etc, if you're human, more than likely you've dealt with or are dealing with a test in your life, whether big or small! The trick is how you deal with and overcome these tests. If we can keep in mind that nothing lasts forever, we will be able to better handle and deal with these obstacles. I look at tests as a way to learn and to better myself for now and for the long run! How do you view the Tests in your life? Ask yourself that...