As I'm sitting here on a Thursday morning, I'm listening to Chrisette Michele. I'm a creature of habit so every morning, regardless of what I have planned for the day, I play music, watch CNN or Fox News, have a cup of coffee and start my day (I know, sounds rather old for a 27 year old to do). Chrisette's album is awesome from beginning to end! One song in particular I have a preference over more than others is "Golden". I'm not married nor am I in a relationship (nowhere near) so I cannot sympathize with her lyrics but I can understand where she is coming from. Marriage these days are either "for the kids" or business arrangements...believe me I know, I have friends in those type arrangements. Many who get married seldom take the time to value their love for another or take notice to the committment level each should possess.
Times have certainly changed from the old days to now. You hear of most of your uncles or parents clebrating their 40th, 50th or sometimes 60th anniversary. Although many of them married extremelyl young, you still rarely find a lot marriages who last their 10th year mark. I'm pretty urban, even trendy at times but I am old-fashioned when it comes to tradition, values, and morale... a lot of my generation lacks that. Marriage and committment should revolve around GOD and LOVE. Even the dating scene is ridiculous these days. You meet men who are either already married or in a relationship, unsure of their sexual preference, or who is only out for one thing...and you know what I'm talking about, LOL. We as a generation do not even honor the center of what dating (or shall I go old school and say "courting") really is about and what it is for. Honestly, I haven't dated in years (that's funny with me being 27). The men I meet and have known wouldn't constitute as a date...and dare I go there and count how many even knew what chivalry was. Not saying real men aren't out there...I just haven't ran into them in a long time, LOL.
I would go out on a limb and say that one of the reasons our interpretation on marriage and relationships is ill-advised has a lot to do with what see on television and in our society...but that's another topic and another can of worms. I'm young, easy on the eyes (yes, I'm hot, LOL), educated, God-fearing, well-rounded, and easygoing. I encounter people all of the time asking me why I am single... "what's wrong with you" they ask. Nothing's wrong with me or wrong with the other 45% of Black women with the same criteria as mine. I choose to be single because I refuse to settle for inconsistency and intolerance that men today have. I refuse to settle for the lack of love we have. Black Love is not dead but its suffering from a terminal illness. I see few Huxtable type relationships and more Whitney/Bobby marriages (anyone cool with what Whitney and Bobby had should be get a big open handed smack in the mouth!)
As I put track 8 on repeat...I'm so with Chrisette of going back to the day when it was indeed Golden.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Why you Mad?
So this week has been CRAZY at work. Between dealing with crazy vendors and nerve-wrecking co-workers, I had close my office door and hide. To mellow out my mood, I put in one of my favorite albums, Illadelph Halflife by The Roots. It's amazing that I remember exactly when this came out and I still can't believe this album has been out for 10 years!!!
The concerto, of the desperado
R-double-O-T-S check the flow
If you know like I know
then you know the motto
That's why the fraud shit got to go!!!
***bobbing my head, doing the Harlem Shake at my desk, LOL!!!***
Our culture has change A LOT since '96 and I'm not so sure it's for the better. The music has definitely changed. I believe in the First amendment but I hate when ignorance grasps it by the strings. Music today is garbage, generally speaking. I live in the South, so by saying that, I'm sure you can imagine the type of music on the airwaves right now. Rap music (I dare not call it Hip Hop) has turned into a slutacious whore...selling it to the highest bidder. Rap music and I have been beefin for some time now but now it looks as if I have to cut it off. The deal breaker: Hurricane Chris' new video "Ay Bay Bay" (in normal English, Hey Baby). Although it's not the worst video, it's in the top 20. Dancing in front of flea markets, "buggin of the eyes" , although they aren't any video hoes, excuse me, models in the video, it is your average Coon Video. The kids here love it. Hell, the song is pretty catchy but it's so wrong on so many levels. By watching videos like these and seeing the everyday ignorance of my Black youth, I can understand why Don Imus is calling us Nappy headed Hoes and predominantly White colleges are having gangsta parties in Black-face. We glorify this nonsense so why should they (White America) denounce it?
I'm not going into detail about this right now because I'll be writing forever and I don't have that much time but I need for my youth and my generation to step up, take responsibilty and form a solution. We must go back to our values of Sankofa and we need some new Black leaders for a change.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
World's greatest
June 6, 2002. RnB artist R. Kelly was arrested with 21 felony counts of child pornography. Soon afterward, a tape was released showing an estatic R.Kelly having "relations" with underage girls, ending with the "piss heard around the world".
On January 23, 2003, R. Kelly was arrested again for additional child pornography charges. Miami-Dade police found 12 photos of an underaged girl in compromising positions, some of which he is included.
May 17, 2007 R.Kelly is blowing up the charts and will be soon releasing one of the most highly anticipated albums of the summer.
WAIT!
Something is horribly wrong. we have a young man who was arrested on not one count but 21 FELONY counts of child pornography. If you're nosy like myself, you have seen the R. Kelly sex tape and unless Robert has an identical twin....That's him. The girls in the video were obviously underaged (some are questionable) and although all seemed pretty experienced in what they were doing, the fact still remains that were indeed underage. Despite the charges and the evidence, some of the charges have been dropped and R. Kelly has yet to go to trial. To add insult to injury, the music industry is still welcoming him with open arms.
R. Kelly is a talented person, that I cannot deny. I remember seeing him in concert here in Montgomery back in '92 when his album 12 Play was blowing up the charts. R. Kelly is definitely a performer. He had the crowd excited and at attention for the entire time he was on the stage. There was even a "rumor" back then that he married the beautiful and talented, now late artist Aaliyah. Ever since that concert, I was a certified R. Kelly fan. I bought every album he put out because almost everything he put out was a guranteed hit. To this day, I can still sing every R. Kelly song known to man without missing a beat. I was THE avid R. Kelly fan. Being the debative, argumentative person that I am, I even defended his "alleged" marriage to Aaliyah. There was no way he could date or even marry a 15 year old!
When the allegations and tape came out, I was honestly hurt and confused. You mean to tell me Robert Kelly....sultry-voiced R. Kelly....talented R. Kelly....sexy R. Kelly, was screwing underaged girls for fun? Of all of the grown women and groupies that met him at every party and after every show, he chose kids? Even from being married and having kids of his own, he chose kids? It didn't make sense. No matter how I tried to view the issue objectively, it still made no sense. Of course this became the center of gossip from all outlets and out of curiousity I had to watch the tape just so I could find closure that it wasn't him.
In the tone of Charlie Murphy "WRONG!" That was him...right down to the "piss heard around the world" He even tossed a little girl's salad. I'm 26 years old and I've never taken it that far. It was depraved and sick and from then on I boycotted R. Kelly.
Now, everybody's doing a collabo with R. Kelly and it seems as if no one cares about the trial or the fact that he is a demented pervert (I may sound very abrasive but he screws kids....what in the hell can you get out of screwing or even looking at kids sexually?) It goes to show you that money and influence goes a long way. It this was Bubba from the projects, he would've been under the jail a long time ago...maybe before the ink dried on the warrant. The sense that I thought the music industry had is non-existent, I even think Oprah is smoking on the side since she gave R. Kelly a personal invitation to a show. Society already gives us the label of being ignorant and irresponsible for many things and by us supporting a pedophile is just ridiculous. True, he is innocent until proven guilty and many are using that as a scapegoat, HOWEVER, show me someone that says that isn't R.Kelly in the tape and I'll show you a liar. There's no way in hell that you can say that isn't him.
And again, just my thoughts.....
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
See any correlation???
By the pictures, I do not feel I need to add much commentary. You get the idea though. Will the new Black leaders and influential Black America PLEASE STEP UP?!
Meditation for the Day....
Public Service Annoucement by Torrian Tucker
Public Service Announcement
This is for all the Niggas out there…
Niggas… stop call each other niggas Nigga
A word Referred
To when the slave master Would say things such as Where's my nigga, where you been nigga, come here nigga, that's my nigga
Imagine our ancestors sitting on the train or the bus Hearing us When we say Where's my nigga, where you been nigga, come here nigga, that's my nigga
This is a public service announcement
When you call black people niggas it ain't cool it's a denouncement
Degrading our race
Helping "the man" putting us back in our place
We're living in a world were black people faced Discrimination, segregation, humiliation, and separation
Between our own people And I'm standing out looking in through the peep hole
And it's real pitiful Shocking and appalling That we've went through so much but still resort to the name-calling But I really do find it funny how When a black person says nigga then everything's alright But you'll be ready to fight if the dude was white
But that ain't right
That's why I'm uncovering the light With these words that I write Trying to give you some insight Telling you that word is not cool in spite Of what Black society may think We need to rethink Sit back and realize that we have been hoodwinked And bamboozled And "the man" has made a fool of Each and every last one of us So if we are going to continue to use that word
We might as well start sitting in the back of the bus Tell Jesse Jackson that there is no more hope And give up our hard fought right to vote Let's go back to coming in from the back of the restaurant Because niggas wasn't allowed to come in through the front Let's forget about those freedom speeches and civil rights Let's go back to separate facilities for blacks and the whites
I mean niggas wasn't liked, but they were viewed as people And since we call ourselves niggas, might as well go back to "Separate but equal"
Forget Dr. King's dream and Malcolm X's plan I'm sure niggas loved being bound by "the man" Let's forget about these niggas who ride nice cars on these roads Let's go back to being the niggas on that Underground Railroad
If we keep calling ourselves niggas, do you know where we'll be
Back on that plantation, bound in slavery This word nigga is a disease and I wonder who can save us This is just something to think about… But I'll holla at y'all niggas later
Public Service Announcement
This is for all the Niggas out there…
Niggas… stop call each other niggas Nigga
A word Referred
To when the slave master Would say things such as Where's my nigga, where you been nigga, come here nigga, that's my nigga
Imagine our ancestors sitting on the train or the bus Hearing us When we say Where's my nigga, where you been nigga, come here nigga, that's my nigga
This is a public service announcement
When you call black people niggas it ain't cool it's a denouncement
Degrading our race
Helping "the man" putting us back in our place
We're living in a world were black people faced Discrimination, segregation, humiliation, and separation
Between our own people And I'm standing out looking in through the peep hole
And it's real pitiful Shocking and appalling That we've went through so much but still resort to the name-calling But I really do find it funny how When a black person says nigga then everything's alright But you'll be ready to fight if the dude was white
But that ain't right
That's why I'm uncovering the light With these words that I write Trying to give you some insight Telling you that word is not cool in spite Of what Black society may think We need to rethink Sit back and realize that we have been hoodwinked And bamboozled And "the man" has made a fool of Each and every last one of us So if we are going to continue to use that word
We might as well start sitting in the back of the bus Tell Jesse Jackson that there is no more hope And give up our hard fought right to vote Let's go back to coming in from the back of the restaurant Because niggas wasn't allowed to come in through the front Let's forget about those freedom speeches and civil rights Let's go back to separate facilities for blacks and the whites
I mean niggas wasn't liked, but they were viewed as people And since we call ourselves niggas, might as well go back to "Separate but equal"
Forget Dr. King's dream and Malcolm X's plan I'm sure niggas loved being bound by "the man" Let's forget about these niggas who ride nice cars on these roads Let's go back to being the niggas on that Underground Railroad
If we keep calling ourselves niggas, do you know where we'll be
Back on that plantation, bound in slavery This word nigga is a disease and I wonder who can save us This is just something to think about… But I'll holla at y'all niggas later
Don't Blame Hip Hop on Everything
By Jeff Johnson, aka "Cousin Jeff"Special to CNN
Editor's note: Jeff Johnson is a correspondent for BET and former host and producer of "The Jeff Johnson Chronicles." He previously served as national youth director for the NAACP and vice president of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network.
(CNN) -- "Hip-hop's alleged vulgarity, sexism and misogyny have been formally and informally challenged from the halls of Capitol Hill to the streets of Sugar Hill. Those outside the black and Latino communities, as well as those inside the hip-hop family have challenged it. Despite over a decade of engagement, many would argue that the images of women in hip-hop have become progressively and destructively more negative than at any other time in history.
Lyrics that were at one time provocative and merely suggestive are now blatant and overtly obscene. Music videos have become machismo fairy tales that have more "ogre and ass" scenes than the Shrek trilogy. These images attempt to pass off the objectification of black women specifically as "true beauty" in the name of entertainment. These images and lyrics, while acceptable for adults, are targeted to a demographic made up of young people ages 12 to 16. Studies have shown that these images, and more importantly these lyrics, play a role in how young people view themselves and process sex and relationships.
During the production of a documentary for BET, which focused on sex and hip-hop, I interviewed a panel of high school students. One of those students, a 15-year-old girl, stated that she was not satisfied with how she looked because she wanted to be like the girls in the videos. After all, the boys want to be with girls in the videos. One of the young men followed up by saying that the girls in the videos were cool to sleep with, but not to take home. In that very brief snippet of conversation, we get a sense of the negative impact that these sexist and misogynistic images have on hip-hop's biggest fans. Even with all this evidence, can we place the blame entirely on hip-hop? I say unequivocally, "No."
Hip-hop must accept a level of responsibility for the destructive reality played out in the lives of many young people as a result of the music. Hip-hop is one of the most vocal and visible delivery mechanisms for the language and imagery of sexism and misogyny. However, many politicians, pundits and haters demonize the art form, and more importantly, the young people that are a part of it, without putting the issue in its proper context.
The art form, culture, music or however you may describe hip-hop is a product of the black and Latino community. With that, it has inherited many of the cultural issues passed down from previous generations. Within the African-American community, there has been a pervasive sexism that has existed even within the upper echelons of leadership for generations. The black church barred women from the pulpit, but not from ensuring that many congregations remained served by the multitude of sister servants.
The civil rights movement, which has been justifiably praised for its ability to change the social and political fabric of America for the better, was overwhelmingly sexist. There were more women than men who did the day-to-day work of the movement, yet only men served as spokespersons. Sectors of the black power movement were marred by a misogynistic culture that led to the torture of several sisters who were as willing to give their lives to the movement as their male counterparts.
The young men and women who have embraced hip-hop have inherited a culture of sexism and misogyny that has never been effectively admitted to or addressed by the previous generation, leaving young people to bear the brunt of the blame. But to hold accountable the black community without indicting a broader western culture that is sexist would be irresponsible. The soft porn we see on many cable networks, the access to all forms of porn via the Internet, and Madison Avenue's continued recognition that sex sells have desensitized an entire generation to the objectification of women.
If we are to honestly deal with the real issues of sexism and misogyny in hip-hop, we cannot start and stop with hip-hop. Let's challenge the industry to be responsible for the images it produces and distributes, but simultaneously deal with the far-reaching and pervasive social and cultural deficiencies America has related to the protection of women."
Editor's note: Jeff Johnson is a correspondent for BET and former host and producer of "The Jeff Johnson Chronicles." He previously served as national youth director for the NAACP and vice president of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network.
(CNN) -- "Hip-hop's alleged vulgarity, sexism and misogyny have been formally and informally challenged from the halls of Capitol Hill to the streets of Sugar Hill. Those outside the black and Latino communities, as well as those inside the hip-hop family have challenged it. Despite over a decade of engagement, many would argue that the images of women in hip-hop have become progressively and destructively more negative than at any other time in history.
Lyrics that were at one time provocative and merely suggestive are now blatant and overtly obscene. Music videos have become machismo fairy tales that have more "ogre and ass" scenes than the Shrek trilogy. These images attempt to pass off the objectification of black women specifically as "true beauty" in the name of entertainment. These images and lyrics, while acceptable for adults, are targeted to a demographic made up of young people ages 12 to 16. Studies have shown that these images, and more importantly these lyrics, play a role in how young people view themselves and process sex and relationships.
During the production of a documentary for BET, which focused on sex and hip-hop, I interviewed a panel of high school students. One of those students, a 15-year-old girl, stated that she was not satisfied with how she looked because she wanted to be like the girls in the videos. After all, the boys want to be with girls in the videos. One of the young men followed up by saying that the girls in the videos were cool to sleep with, but not to take home. In that very brief snippet of conversation, we get a sense of the negative impact that these sexist and misogynistic images have on hip-hop's biggest fans. Even with all this evidence, can we place the blame entirely on hip-hop? I say unequivocally, "No."
Hip-hop must accept a level of responsibility for the destructive reality played out in the lives of many young people as a result of the music. Hip-hop is one of the most vocal and visible delivery mechanisms for the language and imagery of sexism and misogyny. However, many politicians, pundits and haters demonize the art form, and more importantly, the young people that are a part of it, without putting the issue in its proper context.
The art form, culture, music or however you may describe hip-hop is a product of the black and Latino community. With that, it has inherited many of the cultural issues passed down from previous generations. Within the African-American community, there has been a pervasive sexism that has existed even within the upper echelons of leadership for generations. The black church barred women from the pulpit, but not from ensuring that many congregations remained served by the multitude of sister servants.
The civil rights movement, which has been justifiably praised for its ability to change the social and political fabric of America for the better, was overwhelmingly sexist. There were more women than men who did the day-to-day work of the movement, yet only men served as spokespersons. Sectors of the black power movement were marred by a misogynistic culture that led to the torture of several sisters who were as willing to give their lives to the movement as their male counterparts.
The young men and women who have embraced hip-hop have inherited a culture of sexism and misogyny that has never been effectively admitted to or addressed by the previous generation, leaving young people to bear the brunt of the blame. But to hold accountable the black community without indicting a broader western culture that is sexist would be irresponsible. The soft porn we see on many cable networks, the access to all forms of porn via the Internet, and Madison Avenue's continued recognition that sex sells have desensitized an entire generation to the objectification of women.
If we are to honestly deal with the real issues of sexism and misogyny in hip-hop, we cannot start and stop with hip-hop. Let's challenge the industry to be responsible for the images it produces and distributes, but simultaneously deal with the far-reaching and pervasive social and cultural deficiencies America has related to the protection of women."
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
It's Been a Long Time....
WOW!!!! It's has been a minute since I've posted on here. So much has happened over six months that I really don't know where to start. I do know that I'm back and I got a lot of s*** to say!! I guess I can I write about some interesting news I received today.
As I was sitting at my desk at work, my cell starts going off. I'm nodding my head at first because I succumbed to the pop culture masses of downloading a ring tone of one of my favorite songs...."This ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" by Fallout Boy. I ended up missing the call and said to myself that I would call them back when I go to lunch.
Lunch came and I made my call, it was one of my homeboys. calling to let me know that his convoy is leaving Sunday in preparation to head to Iraq. I knew the day was coming but it didn't really sink in until today. See, we go all the way back to Jr. high school. We fell out of touch after graduation and I just happened to bump into him last summer. Nonetheless, he's my boy and always will be and since we got back in touch we constantly keep it that way. He's always had my back, even when others didn't and vice versa.
I'm hurt and angered at the same time that he is leaving AGAIN for Iraq. Why are we sending our young men and women overseas to help "liberate" a country that obviously doesn't want to be liberated. What in the hell are we fighting for anyway? Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Where the hell is Osama? Why have we lost over 3,000 soldiers? So many questions....too sad America isn't making an attempt to get them answered. Most of them simply faded into oblivion. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.
My dude is having his first child in June. Unfortunately, he won't be able to see his firstborn because he's "fighting for freedom" in Iraq. He will have to wait 6months in order to hold his baby girl for the first time. You think that's sad. Think of the first time dads that lost their lives in Iraq that never got a chance to see their newest addition to their family.
I've voiced my anger and opinions to him about this on numerous occasions for I am a highly opinionated individual. One thing about him I admire, he'll listen to my rants and complaints as if he really sympathizes to what I'm saying; then he'll put me in my place. The last conversation we had about this he simply told me that he's simply doing his job and that he'll be alright. So I will leave it at that and I respect him for doing his job even though I don't condone what he does for a living.
When I do get on my political "tantrums" regarding the war I always get the response that I should be thankful for what they're doing because our freedom is not free. True, but focus on the issues we have here. We can't go overseas solving problems when our problems still lie.
With all of that said, I dedicate this blog to my homie D.W. You have always been my rock even when you weren't there physically. You're my brother to the end and I love you dearly. When you come back, all hell will break loose and Marvelous VIP will take over. Stay safe and know I love ya homie.
As I end my blog for the day...Be Blessed...Be True...Be You!
As I was sitting at my desk at work, my cell starts going off. I'm nodding my head at first because I succumbed to the pop culture masses of downloading a ring tone of one of my favorite songs...."This ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race" by Fallout Boy. I ended up missing the call and said to myself that I would call them back when I go to lunch.
Lunch came and I made my call, it was one of my homeboys. calling to let me know that his convoy is leaving Sunday in preparation to head to Iraq. I knew the day was coming but it didn't really sink in until today. See, we go all the way back to Jr. high school. We fell out of touch after graduation and I just happened to bump into him last summer. Nonetheless, he's my boy and always will be and since we got back in touch we constantly keep it that way. He's always had my back, even when others didn't and vice versa.
I'm hurt and angered at the same time that he is leaving AGAIN for Iraq. Why are we sending our young men and women overseas to help "liberate" a country that obviously doesn't want to be liberated. What in the hell are we fighting for anyway? Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Where the hell is Osama? Why have we lost over 3,000 soldiers? So many questions....too sad America isn't making an attempt to get them answered. Most of them simply faded into oblivion. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.
My dude is having his first child in June. Unfortunately, he won't be able to see his firstborn because he's "fighting for freedom" in Iraq. He will have to wait 6months in order to hold his baby girl for the first time. You think that's sad. Think of the first time dads that lost their lives in Iraq that never got a chance to see their newest addition to their family.
I've voiced my anger and opinions to him about this on numerous occasions for I am a highly opinionated individual. One thing about him I admire, he'll listen to my rants and complaints as if he really sympathizes to what I'm saying; then he'll put me in my place. The last conversation we had about this he simply told me that he's simply doing his job and that he'll be alright. So I will leave it at that and I respect him for doing his job even though I don't condone what he does for a living.
When I do get on my political "tantrums" regarding the war I always get the response that I should be thankful for what they're doing because our freedom is not free. True, but focus on the issues we have here. We can't go overseas solving problems when our problems still lie.
With all of that said, I dedicate this blog to my homie D.W. You have always been my rock even when you weren't there physically. You're my brother to the end and I love you dearly. When you come back, all hell will break loose and Marvelous VIP will take over. Stay safe and know I love ya homie.
As I end my blog for the day...Be Blessed...Be True...Be You!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
The Problem with that word....
"Niggers was the ones on the rope, hanging off the thing; Niggas is the ones with gold ropes, hanging out at clubs." Tupac Shakur "Violent" -2Pacalypse Now
I'm sitting here surfing the net while playing Katt Williams (Money Mike) comedy special on HBO from last night (Thank goodness for TiVo!!!). Katt, comical genius! I think I laughed from the beginning to the end. The only thing I had a problem with was that use of a word that has been taboo for years and years. The infamous N word. That word came out of his mouth in every sentence and the audience was laughing it up. It's funny as hell but who really gets the last laugh?
In the United States, the word nigger was not originally considered derogatory, but merely denotative of black, as it was in much of the world. In nineteenth-century literature, there are many uses of the word with no intended negative connotation. The perception of the term as derogatory is because of the fact that my people were widely regarded as inferior, lazy, ignorant, thugs, imbeciles, and plain stupid, by many who felt superior by us at the time (still is by few).
It has always been in our culture to seek a good out of every situation; thus the saying, When handed lemons, make lemonade. The N word has been an example of that to some. Some feel that word is a term of endearment while others can't understand why is it still in use. For years I have been on the fence regarding this subject. My standpoint was "it's cool as long as we don't use it in public or around White people" or "I'm not saying nigger but nigga" Now, I choose not to use the word period. I used to say it so much that I still slip every now and then when conversing among friends but that doesn't mean it's still justifiable.
Everything surrounding the things I enjoy depends heavenly on this word; hip hop music, Boondocks, Dave Chappelle Show, etc. It's bad enough my peeps (especially in the hip hop game) is fascinated with the life of pimps and hoes but to also be cool with the N word rubs me the wrong way especially when I know the pain this word is associated with. I'm a serious hip hop head and some of my favorite artists use this word every time they breathe and it's somewhat sad. One book in my collection, Nigger by Randall Kennedy focuses on the development of the word and traces it's usage and meaning throughout the decades. Upon reading this book was when I made the revelation to not use the word altogether. It's not a term of endearment. This word was used to taunt and degrade our ancestors and forerunners in the Civil Rights era and still used today to degrade my people. No matter how we chopped up the spelling and try to change the meaning it still boils down to that ugly word....NIGGER. Why would we still want to use that word is beyond me. The only thing we are doing by continuing to use this word is encouraging other cultures to call us this as well. It's almost reverse racism in a sense ( I know I may get flack for just saying that). We have the pass to say it freely but if someone from another race , preferably White say it, all hell will break loose....IMMEDIATELY! It's not right neither way...it's a word that should be rid of forever.
My fellow young people will continue to say that our usage of the N word today is equilavent to other cultures usage of cracker, spic, or honky. (for the record, I don't condone any usage of the derogatory words, period!) Funny, I don't hear that in everyday language nor do I see it on music lyrics or on TV unless it's intended to offend someone. I want my fellow young peeps to wake up and realize that we don't accomplish anything by using this word. They look up to the Katt Williams' and the Ludacris' of the world but don't pay attention the phenomenal satire of Dave Chappelle and Aaron McGruder (in case you didn't know, they're not using the term just for laughs). Maybe one day we'll realize.
My next goal....to rid the world of sagging pants. If they really knew what that stood for I'm sure these young men wouldn't be doing it. LOL!!!
Suggested insight....
www.abolishthenword.com
Nigger by Randall Kennedy
Nigger by Dick Gregory
I'm sitting here surfing the net while playing Katt Williams (Money Mike) comedy special on HBO from last night (Thank goodness for TiVo!!!). Katt, comical genius! I think I laughed from the beginning to the end. The only thing I had a problem with was that use of a word that has been taboo for years and years. The infamous N word. That word came out of his mouth in every sentence and the audience was laughing it up. It's funny as hell but who really gets the last laugh?
In the United States, the word nigger was not originally considered derogatory, but merely denotative of black, as it was in much of the world. In nineteenth-century literature, there are many uses of the word with no intended negative connotation. The perception of the term as derogatory is because of the fact that my people were widely regarded as inferior, lazy, ignorant, thugs, imbeciles, and plain stupid, by many who felt superior by us at the time (still is by few).
It has always been in our culture to seek a good out of every situation; thus the saying, When handed lemons, make lemonade. The N word has been an example of that to some. Some feel that word is a term of endearment while others can't understand why is it still in use. For years I have been on the fence regarding this subject. My standpoint was "it's cool as long as we don't use it in public or around White people" or "I'm not saying nigger but nigga" Now, I choose not to use the word period. I used to say it so much that I still slip every now and then when conversing among friends but that doesn't mean it's still justifiable.
Everything surrounding the things I enjoy depends heavenly on this word; hip hop music, Boondocks, Dave Chappelle Show, etc. It's bad enough my peeps (especially in the hip hop game) is fascinated with the life of pimps and hoes but to also be cool with the N word rubs me the wrong way especially when I know the pain this word is associated with. I'm a serious hip hop head and some of my favorite artists use this word every time they breathe and it's somewhat sad. One book in my collection, Nigger by Randall Kennedy focuses on the development of the word and traces it's usage and meaning throughout the decades. Upon reading this book was when I made the revelation to not use the word altogether. It's not a term of endearment. This word was used to taunt and degrade our ancestors and forerunners in the Civil Rights era and still used today to degrade my people. No matter how we chopped up the spelling and try to change the meaning it still boils down to that ugly word....NIGGER. Why would we still want to use that word is beyond me. The only thing we are doing by continuing to use this word is encouraging other cultures to call us this as well. It's almost reverse racism in a sense ( I know I may get flack for just saying that). We have the pass to say it freely but if someone from another race , preferably White say it, all hell will break loose....IMMEDIATELY! It's not right neither way...it's a word that should be rid of forever.
My fellow young people will continue to say that our usage of the N word today is equilavent to other cultures usage of cracker, spic, or honky. (for the record, I don't condone any usage of the derogatory words, period!) Funny, I don't hear that in everyday language nor do I see it on music lyrics or on TV unless it's intended to offend someone. I want my fellow young peeps to wake up and realize that we don't accomplish anything by using this word. They look up to the Katt Williams' and the Ludacris' of the world but don't pay attention the phenomenal satire of Dave Chappelle and Aaron McGruder (in case you didn't know, they're not using the term just for laughs). Maybe one day we'll realize.
My next goal....to rid the world of sagging pants. If they really knew what that stood for I'm sure these young men wouldn't be doing it. LOL!!!
Suggested insight....
www.abolishthenword.com
Nigger by Randall Kennedy
Nigger by Dick Gregory
Monday, September 18, 2006
Will 2008 ever get here???
As I look on CNN today, I see Bush and his comrades trying to push this Detainee Bill....another scapegoat bill used for blanketing the mistakes and misjudgements of the Bush Administration. For the past 5 years, the Bush Administration has made mistake after mistake after mistake and yet no one is standing up to give him what he deserve...an impeachment ( I can think of other things but I do not need the Secret Service at my doorstep right now).
After 9/11, America put all differences aside to mourn, support and stand up for what our country was based on. A lot of us had hatred in our hearts for the people who did this to us and wanted revenge. I personally do not believe in an eye for an eye way of dealing with things but I felt that way strongly during the attacks.
Immediately we knew Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda were responsible for the whole incident; yet we made the decision to invade and proclaim war on Saddam and Iraq for they had WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction). I was only a college student then, a senior at Auburn University and didn't fully understand the shadiness and imcompetence of our nation's government but it was odd to me that we were about to invade war on a place that didn't have anything to do with 9/11...at least that what's I thought. I could've sworn it was Osama and Al Queda in Afghanistan that permantely removed two vivacious landmarks of New York's skyline but I'm trusting that American made the right decision.
Three years later, no weapons of mass destruction, no peace in Iraq and definitely no Osama. Now it has come out that, oops "there was no connection between Saddam and al Queda...our bad" I'm no political scientist...I was only a public administration major but that seemed like common sense 3 YEARS ago. We have lost over 1500 American soldiers and civilians who were sent overseas to protect our country and I won't begin to label how many civilian Iraqi lives were lost during this liberation. This adminsitration has been the worst ever. Gas prices have skyrocketed for no apparent reason, last year we witnessed a third world situation in our own nation due to the negligence of the government (from both Democratic and Republican sides), and I still have yet to see weapons of mass destruction. Just becasuse we are a superpower, we don't have to act like one, so quick to run 0verseas to help those that seem in need, neglecting the problems we face over here; poverty, racism, sexism, etc.
It's amazing how we can impeach a president for getting head in the office but can't impeach one who has truly f****d the nation. Where in the world is Kenneth Starr?
After 9/11, America put all differences aside to mourn, support and stand up for what our country was based on. A lot of us had hatred in our hearts for the people who did this to us and wanted revenge. I personally do not believe in an eye for an eye way of dealing with things but I felt that way strongly during the attacks.
Immediately we knew Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda were responsible for the whole incident; yet we made the decision to invade and proclaim war on Saddam and Iraq for they had WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction). I was only a college student then, a senior at Auburn University and didn't fully understand the shadiness and imcompetence of our nation's government but it was odd to me that we were about to invade war on a place that didn't have anything to do with 9/11...at least that what's I thought. I could've sworn it was Osama and Al Queda in Afghanistan that permantely removed two vivacious landmarks of New York's skyline but I'm trusting that American made the right decision.
Three years later, no weapons of mass destruction, no peace in Iraq and definitely no Osama. Now it has come out that, oops "there was no connection between Saddam and al Queda...our bad" I'm no political scientist...I was only a public administration major but that seemed like common sense 3 YEARS ago. We have lost over 1500 American soldiers and civilians who were sent overseas to protect our country and I won't begin to label how many civilian Iraqi lives were lost during this liberation. This adminsitration has been the worst ever. Gas prices have skyrocketed for no apparent reason, last year we witnessed a third world situation in our own nation due to the negligence of the government (from both Democratic and Republican sides), and I still have yet to see weapons of mass destruction. Just becasuse we are a superpower, we don't have to act like one, so quick to run 0verseas to help those that seem in need, neglecting the problems we face over here; poverty, racism, sexism, etc.
It's amazing how we can impeach a president for getting head in the office but can't impeach one who has truly f****d the nation. Where in the world is Kenneth Starr?
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Love Experience...
LOVE: Main Entry: love Pronunciation: 'l&vFunction: noun Etymology: Middle English, (1) : strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (2) : attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests old b : an assurance of love
Pretty crazy for me to be in front of a computer on a Saturday night. It's not because I have no social life...Actually I can be a social butterfly at times. Sometimes a female simply needs to be alone and relax. I live in a small city where you can easily see the same people out doing the same things...Something you can simply get tired of QUICK!
Anyway, moving on, as I'm chilling on the computer, I'm listening to one of my favorite CDs, Raheem DeVaughn: The Love Experience. One of the better albums of 2005 and highly slept on. Purely an artist with a lot of potential in the Neo Soul game (speaking of which, where in the hell is Musiq Soulchild?) I'm listening to his second cut off of the album with the same title as the album. Pretty nice jam, makes one reminiscent of their own "love experience". I'm sure they have been a compilation of both good and bad but I'm sure we've all have had some sort of experience at one point of our lives. I can recall a few myself but most of mine have been horrid... From faults of both my own and my ex. Despite the drama that I have endured...Deception...informalities...a boy trying to portray a man...it still doesn't negate the fact that they were "Love" experiences. I say Love experiences because emotions were involved...intensely.
Love is simply a word nowadays. Amazing how I looked up the definition on MerriamWebster online to see that part of the definition of Love is "attraction based on sexual desire"...very interesting seeing how many young uns feel that is what love is...simply sex, more from my female counterparts though. What strong love is, many have long forgotten. In these times, we seem to be more self involved and out to get our own while being negligent to what others feel. And I'm sure my women can agree that they have heard the popular phrase "I love you but I'm not in love with you" ...popular phrase for the masses.
Putting this into correlation with what the perception of love is and my "love experiences" ...can I say that they were actually love experiences? I guess I can simply for the fact that emotions were strong and we had a loyalty to one another. Loyalty is part of the foundation for love...without that, it will definitely crumble. What some feel were love, weren't. I'm only 25 and never had a goal to be in love, just something that happened in one point in my life and then it was a debate...trying to figure out whether I was actually in love or just a comfort zone. As I have this song on repeat and listen to it "one mo gin", one can't ignore their own love experiences. I've had good experiences but none that I would consider as being nostalgic or as impressive as Raheem's.
I'm sure my first post have come across as being simply a ramble of thoughts...and they are. I'm simply speaking on what's coming to mind...no formation actually needed.
Pretty crazy for me to be in front of a computer on a Saturday night. It's not because I have no social life...Actually I can be a social butterfly at times. Sometimes a female simply needs to be alone and relax. I live in a small city where you can easily see the same people out doing the same things...Something you can simply get tired of QUICK!
Anyway, moving on, as I'm chilling on the computer, I'm listening to one of my favorite CDs, Raheem DeVaughn: The Love Experience. One of the better albums of 2005 and highly slept on. Purely an artist with a lot of potential in the Neo Soul game (speaking of which, where in the hell is Musiq Soulchild?) I'm listening to his second cut off of the album with the same title as the album. Pretty nice jam, makes one reminiscent of their own "love experience". I'm sure they have been a compilation of both good and bad but I'm sure we've all have had some sort of experience at one point of our lives. I can recall a few myself but most of mine have been horrid... From faults of both my own and my ex. Despite the drama that I have endured...Deception...informalities...a boy trying to portray a man...it still doesn't negate the fact that they were "Love" experiences. I say Love experiences because emotions were involved...intensely.
Love is simply a word nowadays. Amazing how I looked up the definition on MerriamWebster online to see that part of the definition of Love is "attraction based on sexual desire"...very interesting seeing how many young uns feel that is what love is...simply sex, more from my female counterparts though. What strong love is, many have long forgotten. In these times, we seem to be more self involved and out to get our own while being negligent to what others feel. And I'm sure my women can agree that they have heard the popular phrase "I love you but I'm not in love with you" ...popular phrase for the masses.
Putting this into correlation with what the perception of love is and my "love experiences" ...can I say that they were actually love experiences? I guess I can simply for the fact that emotions were strong and we had a loyalty to one another. Loyalty is part of the foundation for love...without that, it will definitely crumble. What some feel were love, weren't. I'm only 25 and never had a goal to be in love, just something that happened in one point in my life and then it was a debate...trying to figure out whether I was actually in love or just a comfort zone. As I have this song on repeat and listen to it "one mo gin", one can't ignore their own love experiences. I've had good experiences but none that I would consider as being nostalgic or as impressive as Raheem's.
I'm sure my first post have come across as being simply a ramble of thoughts...and they are. I'm simply speaking on what's coming to mind...no formation actually needed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
